Wildcats Varsity Football Game At Crandall Friday Is Postponed
With Wildcats Varsity Football players quarantined until October 23, there will be no district opener this Friday night, October 16, in Crandall. Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens calls the Crandall game a postponement and indicates he’s hopeful the game can be made up at a later date.
Wildcats Football at other levels is continuing this week. The 8th Grade Wildcats will play at Texas High Middle School Tuesday at 5 p.m. The Wildcats JV will host Crandall at Prim Stadium 6 p.m. Thursday. The Wildcats Freshmen Team plays at Crandall Thursday at 5:30 p.m. The 7th Grade Wildcats will be playing at The Prim Saturday at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Running Shorthanded, Lady Cats Cross Country Team Finish 4th, Wildcats Place 7th At Eustace Meet
Both the Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country Teams had to run shorthanded at a Eustace meet last Thursday. The Lady Cats got 4th place while the Wildcats placed 7th.
Once again the Lady Cats were led by freshman Haylee Shultz who finished 3rd with a time of 13:30.20. The Eustace girls race was on a 2-mile course. Sophomore Mattie Bridges was 11th and sophomore Laney Hurst was 12th. Senior Maurie Flecker was 29th. Sophomore Emily Soto was 43rd. Sophomore Makayla Jimmerson was 47th and sophomore Allison Peckham was 51st.
The Wildcats were led by junior Alex Flecker with a time of 18:17.90. Junior Evan Patrick was next in 19th place. Junior Johnathan Scott was 46th, sophomore Hector Hernandez was 47th and senior Corde Mayo was 52nd.
Sulphur Springs Coach Ross Hicks said the Eustace course was out in a field without a building in sight. He said the course also included six hay bales that runners had to jump over. Saturday the Wildcats and Lady Cats will compete at a Commerce meet. It’s the last tune up for the Wildcats before the District Meet on October 26 in Mount Pleasant.
Teen Accused Of Assault By Lawn Mower
A Cumby teen was accused of assault by lawn mower Saturday afternoon, according to sheriff’s reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Richard Greer and Deputy Jason Lavender were dispatched at 2:09 p.m. Oct. 10 to a Cumby address on the Interstate 30 south service road. A 17-year-old’s temper was reported to be out of control to the point his family needed assistance.
Upon arrival, deputies discerned the Cumby teen had assaulted his father using a zero turn lawn mower.
The father claimed when he tried to give his son instruction on how to mow the yard, the teen became irritated and intentionally drove the mower forward, striking his father with the mower, causing injury. The father allegedly had injuries to his arm and leg.
Consequently, the 17-year-old was taken into custody at 4:43 p.m. Oct. 10 for the alleged assault by lawn mower. The teen remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, Oct. 12, on the Class A misdemeanor a charge of family violence assault causing bodily injury charge.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Reinvestment Zone Approved For 1 Solar Farm, Extension Given For Another
Hopkins County Commissioners Court on Monday morning approved a reinvestment zone for one solar farm and granted an extension for another. An indigent defense fund program grant application, subdivision variance and utility easements also received approval of the Commissioners Court on Monday.
Solar Farms
Hopkins County Commissioners Court approved a document establishing a reinvestment zone for Hopkins Energy LLC, a solar farm proposed to be constructed in the Dike area. Tax incentives have been requested from Sulphur Springs and Sulphur Bluff ISDs, Hopkins County and the Hospital District.
The propose reinvestment zone spans approximately 2272 acres across 20 parcels of land in Dike.
Establishing the reinvestment zone would allow Hopkins County Hospital District to consider a tax abatement for the business, according to Glenda Bassham, Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation deputy director/assistant director.
If the tax incentives are granted, Hopkins Energy LLC plans to begin construction. The zone will go into affect in December 2021 and remain in effect for 5 years, with an option to renew for an additional 5 years, according to the document approved by the Commissioners Court Monday following a public hearing.
The Commissioners Court also approved a letter agreement with Solemio LLC, a solar farm proposed to be constructed in Arbala community just south of the city the drew quite about it community opposition during a December Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees meeting. SSISD board in January declined to agree to amend the original tax incentive agreement inked for the proposed Arbala solar farm.
The agreement originally approved by the Commissioners Court on Jan. 14, 2019, stipulated that construction on the project was to be completed on Dec. 31, 2020. The Court was asked to agree to extend the period for construction through June 30, 2022. Novel coronavirus 2019 was cited in the amended agreement as a “force Majeure event under the Abatement Agreement” along with “various orders and acts by governments in response” affecting the owner’s ability to complete the property and premises.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker said he had no problem granting an additional 18 months for construction, but asked if there was an actual start date planned for the planned solar farm.
Newsom said it was his understanding that would be December.
Subdivision Variance
Hopkins County Commissioners Court also approved a variance to the subdivision rules for easements located at Private Road 4860 in Precinct 4.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price reported he’d been in contact with Joe Jennings and Oncor. The request is due to a clear water spring on one corner. The water is not a problem, but the state requires a half-acre. The water will continue to be in the ditch but should not be a spray problem. Oncor wants to put the easement on private property, in the ground as opposed to on the road. The request would be not for Oncor or one property but for the subdivision of 10-12 lots.
Indigent Defense Grant Program
County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook asked the Commissioners Court to approve a resolution allowing her to complete and submit an application to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission “to provide improvements in indigent defense services in the county.”
This would help reimburse some of the cost the county spends for criminal defense services.
“This allows us to apply to the program. We do get a little bit back, but it’s not enough” to cover all expenses the county expends in indigent criminal defense services — attorneys for people who cannot afford one,” County Judge Robert Newsom said Monday.
The resolution approved by the Commissioners Court also authorizes the county judge to “apply for, accept, decline, modify, or cancel the grant application” for the program and “all necessary documents to accept the grant.”
Utility Easements
Hopkins County Commissioner Court also approved request from Farmers Electric Cooperative Inc. to construct 2 electrical power distribution facilities. One will cross County Road 4730, north of County Road 4799, and the other will cross County Road 2324, east of County Road 2327.
Meet New Pastor and Family of Central Baptist Church
Gene Mattison and his wife Tammie are from Hopkins County, and were actually school mates in the Como-Pickton CISD. Both went on to college at UT and began careers; Tammie as a CPA and Gene as a lawyer. In 1994, they returned to Hopkins County, became members of Central Baptist Church and started a family. They have raised their three daughters there, with dedications, baptisms and even one daughters’ wedding, all at their church home, Central Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs. And for about 15 years, Gene served as a Sunday School teacher. In time, he let it be known that he would like to be considered as Pastor if an opportunity ever came up. Well, in the Spring of 2020, that opportunity presented itself when Dr. Chris Stevens decided to retire from Central Baptist Church and make a permanent move away from Sulphur Springs. Although the congregation was saddened to see him go, it welcomed Pastor Mattison to the leadership this summer.
According to Gene, “I’m a Lay Pastor. I did not have formal training at a seminar or similar institution. But I had the desire to serve and I felt the call to pastor, so when Dr. Stephens made his retirement announcement, the Lord began to move me in that direction! And I didn’t know if the congregation would welcome a lay pastor or not! But I’m happy to have been accepted, and although I have had some final matters to wrap up from my former occupation, I am not a bi-vocational pastor. I’ve been on board full-time as Pastor since July 2020. Central Baptist is blessed with strong Youth and Children’s programs. We offer Extreme Kids on Wednesdays for the 3 year-olds through-5th graders. And Benji Edwards, our youth pastor, heads up the Youth program on Wednesday evenings”.
Gene continued, “our next events for the public are Pumpkin Patch and Treat Street. On two different dates in October, we invite the families of the community to our church for some wholesome fun. The Pumpkin Patch is Saturday October 17 from 11am-1pm out at the field behind the church. And, thanks to the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department who donated the pumpkins this year! Then on October 31, Halloween night, bring the kids to Central Baptist Church for ‘Treat Street’ between 6 and 8pm. It’s a safe way to dress up, have fun and enjoy candy and games. We will also send a bible home with each child, the Word of God. Find Central Baptist Church at 840 Connally Street, across from Kids Kingdom, at the corner of League and Connally”.
DSHS Reports 20th COVID-19 Death For Hopkins County, 3 New COVID-19 Cases Reported For SSISD
Texas Department of State Health Services on Sunday reported a 20th COVID-19 death for Hopkins County on Sunday, and Sulphur Springs ISD on Friday reported 3 new cases in the district.
That’s one additional death of a Hopkins County resident from COVID-19 since July; deaths are assigned based on official cause of death on deaths certificates that are submitted to the state vital statistics office and reported to DSHS.
The 20th death, according to DSHS, occurred on Oct. 8. That’s three COVID-19 deaths, so far, that are reported to have occurred in October; 2 COVID-19 deaths also were reported to have occurred on Oct. 5, according to DSHS.
Those death total, according to DSHS, could grow as death certificates are filed with the state.
According to a Facebook post from a woman affiliated with a local nursing home pleading for people to compassion for those who have lost loved ones to COVID-19 and for the community to show respect for others by wearing masks and practicing social distancing, the facility has had a total of 92 cases, including 19 deaths due to COVID-19 since Sept. 4. So far, Texas Health and Human Services has only reported 45 resident cases, including 4 who died as a result of COVID-19, and 16 staff cases at the nursing home through Sept. 25.
Thus, the death count could almost double in the next few weeks if those deaths are added to the county total.
Also, on Friday, Sulphur Springs ISD administrators sent notices to parents, students and staff alerting them that a staff members at middle school and two students at high school are also lab-confirmed to be positive for COVID-19. All three were on campus the previous week, according to the SSISD release.
Contact tracing to determine who had been in “close contact” with the infected individuals and quarantine requests were started, according to the school release.
This followed the notification Thursday evening that the Friday varsity football game would be canceled, reportedly due to COVID-19. All other games and Homecoming on Thursday continued as scheduled.
Virtual Annual Auction for NeTexas Childrens Museum
Children’s Museum Silent Auction Goes Virtual
Fundraiser Celebrates One Year at New Location
Sharline Freeman, Executive Director
October 3, 2020 (COMMERCE, TEXAS) – The Northeast Texas Children’s Museum will hostits first virtual event. This event is a Virtual Auction and bidding will begin October 12 at 8:00 AM and end on October 17 at 8:00 PM.
The 2020 Virtual Silent Auction will reflect the changes created by COVID-19. The social gathering of previous Silent Auctions will be
replaced by an online bidding platform. Pictures of each item will replace the hands-on approach of the physical Silent Auction. Friendly, in-person bidding competitors can now bid with a click of a phone, tablet, or computer to update each bid. The Virtual Silent Auction will be sponsored
by Charles Schwab of Greenville.
“Although we will miss seeing our friends and supporters, there are advantages to the online Silent Auction. We hope to reach bidders who might not live close enough to attend the Silent Auction in Commerce. For some this will be a more convenient way to bid. We will have items
displayed at the Children’s Museum for anyone who would like to see them,” said Becky Adams, co-chair of the event.
The Virtual Silent Auction will also celebrate one year for the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum at 100 Maple Street. “A year ago we were challenged with moving and opening a new building. Now a year later we are challenged with all the changes caused by COVID-19. It has been a tumultuous year for the Children’s Museum as well as so many others. The Virtual Silent Auction will hopefully provide funds to meet these challenges,” said Beckey Thompson, also co-chair of the event.
Bidders at the auction will find all kinds of items for bidding. Handcrafted, one of a kind items, have been donated by talented local people. Original art work will be available for bidding. Other items will include floral arrangements, furniture, home accents, holiday décor, and jewelry
as well as unique experience packages, and much, much more. Children’s experiences and itemswill also be a highlight. The event will be limited to 100 items.
Raffle tickets are also on sale for $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00. In addition to purchasing these from a member of the Board of Directors, tickets can be purchased online from the museum’s website at netxcm.com. There will be four $250 gift cards given to four different winners. These gifts cards have been donated by Cypress Bank, Inwood Bank, Guaranty Bank and Trust,
and Alliance Bank. The drawing will be at 4:00 PM on October 17.
The museum is currently open to the public Wednesday through Saturday. Private groups can be scheduled Wednesday through Sunday. If scheduling a private group, no other visitors will be permitted to enter the Children’s Museum. Attendance is by reservation only for the morning session from 9:30 to 12:00 or the afternoon session from 1:00 to 4:00. Visitors can reserve their spot online at netxcm.com. Over fifty play areas for young children are open for creative and imaginative play.
The Northeast Texas Children’s Museum is beginning its eighteenth year of operation. The Children’s Museum experienced great success during the first 2 1/2 months of 2020 with over 8,000 visitors. Although the current COVID environment definitely halted this growth, the Children’s Museum is looking forward to 2021. For questions, call the Northeast Texas
Children’s Museum at 903-886-6055.
Sharline Freeman, Executive Director
Northeast Texas Children’s Museum
Telephone: (903) 886-6055 or (903) 456-4789
Email: [email protected]
Rains County Book Sale by Friends of the Library is Friday, Saturday Oct, 16, 17
Since COVID-19 began, citizens of Rains County have been staying home more, and have cleaned closets, shelves and garages, producing a huge donation of books for the annual sale by the Friends of the Library! This is the main fund raising event which helps fund the Emory public library’s Summer Reading and E-Books, so it’s important we sell every book this time, to enable us to contribute needed funds. Our goal is to raise $2000 or more! Come to shop and help our Library!
The sale will be held Friday October 16 and Saturday October 17, 2020 at the Emory City Centre, at 735 N. Texas State Highway 19. Friday hours are 9am-6pm and Saturday 9am-2pm. Saturday is also Bargain Day, come fill a bag for $3! You can also join the Friends of the Library non-profit organization when you visit the sale, and receive a free book!
Candidate Profiles: Sulphur Springs City Council Place 1, Place 5
Sulphur Springs City Council will hold an election to fill places left vacant when 4 members resigned in December. The election was scheduled to be held in May, but was postponed due to COVID-19. Voting will be conducted along with other General Election Voting on Nov. 3.
Early voting by personal appearance will begin Tuesday, Oct. 13 and continue from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 30, in the Game Room at First Baptist Church Recreational Outreach Center, called The ROC. Extended voting times will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24; from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25; and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27 and Thursday, Oct. 29.
Sulphur Springs voters will be asked to select one of the four candidates for Place 1 and one of the two candidates for Place 5 listed on the ballot in each of the council races.
The election is a special election, thus, the names of the candidates for Place 2 and Place 3 will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot, even though they did not draw opponents. Harold Nash Sr. was appointed in December to fill the Place 2 Council seat. He is unchallenged in the Nov. 3 Election. Oscar Aguilar was the only candidate seeking the Place 3 seat on the Council. The City Council in May appointed Aguilar to the seat until the election.
To help voters learn a little more about the six council candidates who are challenged for the seat they seek, KSST asked each to complete a candidate profile provide information about themselves and their candidacy, including their reasons for seeking a seat on Sulphur Springs City Council. Candidates responses are shared here, in ballot order by Place.
City Council, Place 1 Candidates
Name and office sought: My name is Jay W. Julian, and I am seeking the office of Sulphur Springs City Council, Place 1.
Family information: My parents are the late J. W. Julian, Sr. and Mary E. (Ames) Julian. I have one brother, John P. Julian, of Winnsboro, Texas.
Occupation, brief job description: I have spent the last thirty-two years in Sulphur Springs in the community banking space in bank operations in one capacity or another. Currently I am an assistant vice president within the risk management department.
Education, training, special skills, experience: I have attended Sulphur Springs High School, University of Texas at Arlington, and East Texas State University.
Why are you seeking this office? I have worn many hats in my 30+ years of community banking — problem solver, fact gatherer/ researcher, negotiator, independent thinker, development team member, strategist, trainer, project manager, committee member, counselor, and futurist. As a result, I have a unique ability to manage multi-disciplinary projects and to navigate complex challenges. But my actual experience has taught me that my professional and civic values boil down to the following:
- I am a curious being, and I always have been. As a result of my curiosity, I ask a lot of questions on the journey toward solutions and believe that minds are like parachutes, working best when they are open.
- I dissect things in order to get to know and understand things. Understanding means fewer missteps, and missteps cost money.
- I have BIG ideas. Big ideas require execution, execution is what matters, and I DO execution.
- I run full steam ahead into “fires.” What I mean by that is, when things are chaotic and at their worst, I tend to thrive.
- I am a man of unbending principles, the first of which is to be flexible.
I want to take my drive and work experience and apply it within the council environment to solve the issues of today and tomorrow.
What do you feel are the top areas of concern, need or challenges in the office you are seeking, and your plan to address them: First and foremost, we need a city council that is committed to working together for the common good of the city and its citizens, leaving personal differences, personal agendas and grudges at the door. I do, however, believe that thoughtful fact based challenge and debate is healthy in all levels of government. It is by working through our differences coupled with compromise that yield the wisest decisions.
My top concerns, in no particular order, are growing the city’s tax base, an aging city infrastructure (that is, water, sewer, and drainage pipes/systems that are aged some greater than fifty years), city streets, and the recently annexed Luminant property. The Luminant property needs to be utilized in a way that generates tax revenue and/or fee income, or at the very least, be expense neutral and self sustaining—meaning that the Luminant property does not cost the city tax payers any financial resources.
What do you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy? I am a lifelong resident of Sulphur Springs. I have been attending Sulphur Springs City Council meetings as a regular citizen since approximately June of 2017 and have spoken out on many issues that have come before the council. In September 2018, I accepted an appointment to the City of Sulphur Springs Charter Review Commission. Commission members reviewed and updated the city charter for the first time since the 1980s. The commission was comprised of appointed citizens, city councilmen, the city manager, the city attorney, and the mayor. In June of 2019, I accepted an appointment to the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals, on which I still serve. My ZBA voting record is open to the public, and I have endeavored to base every ZBA decision on its own merits with thorough research without any bias or favoritism. I think that my experience coupled with my increasingly incremental interaction with the city administration positions me to be able to ramp up on city issues quickly so I can have a positive Impact immediately.
Name and office sought: City Council Seat 1
Family information: I am a married man. Married to Gloria Bradley. We have been married for 41 years and have four children, Gavin, Angela, Graeme and Leigh-Ann and three grandchildren Kayla, Devon and Finzelle.
Occupation, brief job description: President and Chief Executive Officer of “A2Z Contractors”. And in a partnership B Builders
Education, training, special skills, experience: Lived in South Africa for the first 45 years of my life. Immigrated to the United States of America Legally in June 2000. I am a CPA (CA SA) equivalent. Trained at KPMG. Been in Property Developer partnerships, owned my own business and have been employed as Chief Financial Officer’s for most of my life. Have been part of constructing new buildings and houses, renovated old historic buildings with extreme care and recycled and repurposed buildings to create better use for them.
Immigrated to the USA years 20 years ago and worked in Orange County and Los Angeles as a Chief Financial Officer for the first ten years after immigrating, before purchasing my own company.
Currently, we are general contractors: “A2Z-Contractors” and working on property development B Builders and A composting business. We strive to do excellent work in everything that we do.
Why are you seeking this office? The people and Town Council of Sulphur Springs have done a wonderful job developing the downtown area, and recruiting new businesses to our area, but there is still a lot of work to do.
I have a vision to create Sulphur Springs as the Garden Town of north East Texas It will be the Hallmark Town where everyone will want to be.
We can take what has been started by the excellent people of this Town and make it grow, so that it can me more prosperous, successful and beautiful than ever before.
Imagine Broadway Street, Church Street, College Street and the others with Sweeping sidewalks, manicured lawns and gardens. Overhead lighting sporting spring succulent baskets and Christmas wreaths in the winter.
I want to give back to society and especially the people of Sulphur Springs. Many houses are derelict. The owners as well as the tenants have lost interest in their assets. Let’s help give the people of Sulphur Springs pride of ownership, where everyone can feel safe and feel great in their surroundings, so that Sulphur Springs and all its people will prosper.
What do you feel are the top areas of concern, need or challenges in the office you are seeking, and your plan to address them:
- We need better affordable housing for all.
- We need financial Stability for Sulphur Springs.
- While we have a wonderful downtown area, we need to improve and beautify all roads and accesses to this area.
- Parking and Travel routs to and from the downtown area need better planning
- We need to clean up some properties. We will find the legal way to help and assist all people.
- Let’s help diversify the businesses in order to create more jobs.
- Create more small affordable retail outlets and affordable commercial outlets with ample parking to assist entrepreneurs, where we can use the diversity of our many cultures and multi cultures to encourage success.
- Let’s focus on the town center and build our ideas outwards. We have so many pocketed developments outside of the Town area.
What do you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy? I love the United States of America. My family and I adopted this wonderful country 20 years ago and this country adopted us. We are now all, American Citizens.
I am people orientated. I am hard working and honest and I never give up. I always try and think out of the box and try to get on top of a situation rather than be wallowed up in the confusion of friction. I always pray for wisdom and as a result I am very aware that when one chooses a side, that there will always be those that are rejected as well. Hence, I try to accommodate everyone.
I treat everyone with respect, regardless of what class status they have, or do not have. Excellent education is crucial for all our children and no child should be left behind simply because they mature educationally or emotionally at a slower pace.
May God Bless this wonderful country of ours.
Name and office sought: Vanessa Diosdado-City Council Place 1
Family information: I am the daughter of Juan and Nereyda Diosdado and granddaughter of Maria E. Medina and Alfonso Diosdado.
Occupation, brief job description: I am a full-time college student at Texas A&M University Commerce. I am majoring in Political Science and have a minor in English. I plan on graduating in May 2021.
Education, training, special skills, experience: I am pursuing a Bachelor’s degree. I have worked in past local elections as an election clerk. I have also volunteered in past campaigns, such as Reiko Alexander’s county clerk and city council campaign.
Why are you seeking this office? I am excited to add more diversity of age, gender, and culture to the seats of our city council. One of the main reasons I have decided to run is because of what many of the younger generations, and even older generations, do not realize. Local governments impact our life every single day. There are many important decisions made here downtown at City Hall. I strongly believe that this is the greatest opportunity for me to spread that awareness over local government to the youth and learn.
I also want to be an inspiration to other first generation students, children of immigrants, young moms, overall the youth, and many more. I want to set the stage for the future leaders of Sulphur Springs who will one day join me in the decision making of our town.
What do you feel are the top areas of concern, need or challenges in the office you are seeking, and your plan to address them: Everyone starts out somewhere. I want to start here. No one begins their journey knowing everything. We learn as we go. I truly believe that my will to learn and listen will create a positive impact and outcome for the city.
What do you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy? I am the youngest, the only woman, and part of the diversity of the campaigns. I think we need that. We need as many voices of representation when running for a position. The city is made up of various people.
Name and office sought: Justin Brown, Sulphur Springs City Council Seat 1
Family information: Single, never married, no children
Son to Bobby and Delores Brown
Grandson to Hubert Poskey and Dell D’Lizarraga
Occupation, brief job description: Walmart, Assistant Store Manager
Customer service, oversee daily operations, control wages and expenses, reduce loss of inventory, and monitor safety
Education, training, special skills, experience: Sulphur Springs High School – Graduated with diploma
South New Hampshire University – Currently enrolled for Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Formerly Licensed and Trained Texas Peace Officer and Corrections Officer
Wage handling, Reviewing Profit and Loss reports and making administrative adjustments accordingly, administrative investigations, Partnering with private and public entities to reach a common goal, adapting to and advancing in new work environments
Why are you seeking this office? Sulphur Springs is my home. I was raised here and I plan to settle here. I feel that my generation needs to take a more active role in the local government infrastructure and help guide it into the future,
What do you feel are the top areas of concern, need or challenges in the office you are seeking, and your plan to address them:
I feel that we need employers that can pay higher wages in order to raise the median income, and a selection of affordable housing to help give more options to the community as a whole.
What do you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy? I am your peer. I know the struggle of finding work and housing. I want to do what is best for our community. Our local government has done a great job revitalizing the square and immediate surrounding area, but now is the time to see how we can improve the daily life of the average citizen.
City Council, Place 5 Candidates
Name and office sought: Ricardo Chavarria, City Council Place 5
Family information: I am Married to Maria Chavarria and have four children ages 17, 14, 12 and 10.
Occupation, brief job description: I am a Master Sergeant (MSG) with the U.S Army and scheduled to honorably retire by the end of October 2020. During the past 21+ years I have travel the world on different missions in defense of our Nation and have deployed seven times on multiple contingency operations such as, Operation Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Spartan Shield … to name a few.
Education, training, special skills, experience: (Civilian) Graduated Central Texas College with a two year degree in Applied Science and Applied Technology and working on a Bachelors degree in Romance Languages. (Military) Basic Military Training, Advanced Individual Training, Primary Leadership Development Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Senior Leaders Course, General Engineering Supervisor, and Safety and Occupational Health Specialist. Also, I served as the Mayor in a Military Base, Bagram, Afghanistan.
Why are you seeking this office? “Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless-Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage”. I have lived these values ever since I learned to use common sense, and I strongly believe that serving the people honorably, is one of the most rewarding duties to perform as a Citizen of this greatful Nation.
What do you feel are the top areas of concern, need or challenges in the office you are seeking, and your plan to address them: In the words of Benjamin Franklin, “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” Solve one Concern, one need or one challenge at a time, as long as it is for the improvement of the community.
What do you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy? I met my wife here. My parents are buried here and I will most likely be buried here as well, so why not serve this Sulphur Springs of mine while the Lord keeps me alive.
Name and office sought: Gary Spraggins, Place 5, Sulphur Springs City Council
Family information: Wife, Deanna Spraggins, 45 years, music teacher at SSES; 3 boys all went to SSHS.
Occupation, brief job description: salesman
Education, training, special skills, experience:
First president of the Choral Society when it started 23 years ago.
Originally from Jacksonville, born in Tyler, went to high school at Riverside in Fort Worth, then moved Brownwood, where I graduated Howard Payne University. I pastored a church in Brady for 5 years. I do a little preaching, doing music, and am fairly well entrench. I served on the Planning & Zoning Commission and 6 years on City Council. My two terms on City Council were while the city was engaged in the Downtown project to support increased business in our community. I do all sorts of stuff, cater, DJ, marrying and burying licensed (performing 1-3 wedding and funeral a year).
Why are you seeking this office?
I tried to talk myself out of doing. I wanted to. When six doors are open, that’s an opportunity. I’m a natural born politician in the best sense. A good politician is imperative to community, state and nation to Drive in government to keep things right. I’m excited about things the Council will be doing in few years. If I go on and off, I want to leave it in better shape than when I got there. I’m very excited about the upcoming opportunities and excited to serve on the Council.
What do you feel are the top areas of concern, need or challenges in the office you are seeking, and your plan to address them:
Obviously, infrastructure is important. We are still behind. Street, water lines and sewer lines are an important part of our city. We are behind on it, behind about 50 years. We are trying to catch up, but doing it slowly. The general flow and attitude of our city, not saying it’s bad, but I want to chance to be part of something very good. I want to be part of something that’s good. I don’t have an ax to grind or any cause. I think you hire good people, then get out of their way to work. The Council is important to set police and tone of the city to going in a positive direction.
What do you feel is most important for the public to know about you and your candidacy?
I do not have an ax to grind. I do have experience being on council already. I miss going and seeing.
I don’t know and don’t have anything against the man running. I tip my hat to him. I will apply commons sense to the way we do things. We will do well.
Come to the pole and I will ask people to vote for Gary Spraggins May 2. I want to make a difference in our city. I think it’s a good place to live.
TxDOT Paris District Road Report For The Week Of October 12, 2020
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of Oct. 12, 2020. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sulphur Springs Area
(Hopkins, Franklin Counties)
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin County Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins County Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
- SH 11, Hopkins County: From SH 19 to White Oak Creek. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews install guard fence and perform striping operations.
- SH 19, Hopkins County: From Loop 301 to Delta County Line. Watch for crews performing work on cross drainage structures.
- I-30, Hopkins & Franklin Counties: From Titus County Line to Hunt County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
- I-30, Hopkins County: From Hunt County Line to Loop 301. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform concrete pavement repairs.
- FM 3389, Hopkins County: From IH 30 to FM 1567. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews begin work on cross drainage structures.
Paris Area
Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta County Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar County Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
- FM 79, Lamar County: from Loop 286 to BU 82 H (Bonham Street). Watch for lane closures while crews mill and place new asphalt pavement and improve cross drainage structures.
- FM 1507, Lamar County: from South Collegiate Drive to Loop 286. This roadway is closed while crews rehabilitate and resurface the existing roadway.
- SH 37, Red River County: from US 271 (Bogata) to Franklin County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews mill existing pavement, upgrade bridge rail, and place new hot mix.
- BU 271D, Red River County: from US 271 to SP 38 (Bogata). Watch for daytime lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing roadway.
- US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to Bowie County Line. A new traffic pattern is in place this week. Traffic will shift to the north side of the roadway between FM 44 and FM 1699 while crews perform pavement widening work on the south side.
- FM 195, Red River County: from FM 410 North to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews upgrade metal beam guard fence and complete cross culvert extensions at two locations.
- SH 37, Red River County: from the Texas-Oklahoma state line south to the Red River-Franklin County line. Watch for temporary traffic signals at bridge locations while crews upgrade bridge rail from Clarksville to Bogata.
- FM 911, Red River County: from BU 82K (Avery) to FM 44. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews safety treat drainage structures and rehabilitate the existing pavement.
Greenville Area
Hunt, Rains Counties
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt County Maintenance (903)455-2303; Rains County Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
- FM 2194, Hunt County: between Merit and FM 903. This project will widen the shoulders and apply safety treatments to fixed objects. The contractor is currently working on establishing vegetation, removing existing signage and replacing mailboxes. Please be careful when traveling in this area.
- FM 1566, Hunt County: from FM 272 near Celeste to State Highway 34. The contractor is constructing cross culverts on this roadway. Roadway rehabilitation work is scheduled to begin in early October. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
- Hunt County maintenance crews are performing overlay work on FM 499 at various locations. Crews will also perform spot base work on FM 1737 at various locations. Maintenance crews will be performing ditch work, pothole repairs, mowing and metal beam guard fence repairs at various locations in Hunt County. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
- Rains County maintenance crews will be performing patch work on FM 1564 from SH 34 to FM Crews will be working on US 69 at the Rest Stop Area and on SH 276 and FM 751 at the boat ramps. Please watch for lane closures, work zones and workers along this portion of the roadway.
- SH 34 bridge, Hunt County: 3.5 miles south of Quinlan. TxDOT has placed a temporary concrete traffic barrier to protect travelers from the damage caused by an 18-wheeler accident. The bridge/road is now open to both lanes of traffic. Please drive cautiously and safely in this area.
Sherman Area
Fannin, Grayson Counties
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
- US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on northbound and southbound US 75 between Center Street and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes and the new South Travis Street Bridge. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and Washington Street as crews work on building detours and installing drainage structures. The northbound exit ramp for Houston and Lamar (SH 56) is currently closed, and exiting traffic is requested to use the Park Avenue exit ramp. The southbound exit ramp for Park Avenue is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Houston/Lamar Street (SH 56) exit. The northbound frontage road from South Travis Street to near Park Avenue is closed in order for crews to work on building the remaining portion of the retaining wall along US 75 at the South Travis Street intersection. Traffic is requested to use the US 75 main lanes during this closure. There will be daily closures from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. for the northbound Washington Street exit ramp as crews work to construct detour pavement in this area. Exiting traffic wishing to access Washington Street should use the Park Street exit or the North Travis Street exit. There will be a nighttime lane closure on the southbound main lanes on Sunday night Oct. 11 for crews to perform restriping and to adjust traffic barriers along the main lanes and frontage roads between Park Avenue and FM 1417. The FM 1417 exit ramp will be closed during this time, and exiting traffic should use Exit 58 for Houston Street. Lane closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. and the lanes should be reopened to traffic by 6:30 a.m. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph has been set for this construction project.
- The US 75 pedestrian bridge near Pecan Street in Sherman is closed to pedestrian traffic. The east side over the frontage road has been removed. The remaining pedestrian bridge will be removed at a later time. Pedestrians wishing to cross US 75 are advised to cross at the Houston Street signalized intersection.
- US 75 Full Depth concrete repair, Grayson County: crews will be working on US 75, weather permitting, each week from Sunday night through Thursday night. Lane closures will be present during the nighttime only in order for crews to replace failed concrete slabs. Lane closures begin at 7:30 p.m. and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m.
- FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews are working to construct a portion of the new Sand Creek bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews perform utility work. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
- SH 289, Grayson County: from FM 120 in Pottsboro north to the end of State Maintenance. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to stripe and install rumble strips on the roadway.
- FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to build portions of the new bridges and roadway. Watch for lane shifts and narrow lanes throughout the project as crews have moved traffic to the temporary detour section. The ultimate roadway will be a five-lane section consisting of concrete pavement when the project is completed.
- US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
- US 75 Ramp Reversal in Denison, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 main lanes and frontage road between Spur 503 and FM 691. Watch for a lane closure on the southbound US 75 frontage road as well as the westbound Spur 503 ramp while construction crews work on building the new southbound US 75 entrance ramp. A new traffic pattern has been implemented where westbound Spur 503 will be shifted to the southbound US 75 frontage road and will travel through the FM 691 intersection and then enter southbound US 75 using the on-ramp after FM The new FM 691 exit ramp is open to access FM 691.
- Spur 503, Grayson County: from US 75 to SH 91. Watch for daytime and nighttime lane closures for both eastbound and westbound lanes as crews perform concrete pavement repairs.
- US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the daytime.
- US 82 & US 69, Grayson County: from FM 131 to FM 1897 on US 82, and from SH 56 to US 75 on US 69. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
- SH 289, Grayson County: between SH 56 and FM 121. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance workers blade level the roadway.
- SH 160, Grayson County: between SH 11 and the Collin County line. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
- FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to SH 78. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
- FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
- FM 2815, Fannin County: from FM 1629 to SH 11. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
- FM 1743, Fannin County: from SH 56 to FM 1550. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
- FM 824, Fannin County: from SH 56 in Honey Grove to the Lamar County line. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
- US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided section. Westbound US 82 traffic has been shifted to the new pavement on the eastern end of the project between the Fannin and Lamar County line and County Road 2975. Eastbound traffic will remain in its current lane, while crews work on the inside lane to work on building the crossovers and turn lanes. Drivers who frequent this roadway are advised that all driveways, county roads and farm-to-market roads approaching the new westbound main lanes on US 82 will have a full stop before crossing over to the median. The SH 121 and US 82 frontage road intersections have been converted to signalized intersections. The on-ramp to westbound US 82 from SH 78 has been closed while crews work on building the new westbound main lanes. The westbound exit ramp for SH 121 is closed as crews work on building the new main lanes in this area. Exiting traffic for SH 121 is asked to use the SH 78 exit and continue along the frontage road to SH 121.
- County Road 3530, Fannin County: at Wafer Creek. County Road 3530 is closed for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new culvert. Traffic on CR 3530 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
- County Road 4250, Fannin County: at Freeman Creek. County Road 4250 is closed for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 4250 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
- FM 274, Fannin County: from FM 1753 to SH 78: Watch for daytime lane closures as crews blade level the roadway.
- US 69, Fannin County: in Leonard from FM 896 to SH 78. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews perform ditch cleaning work.
Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews. Debris and litter operations are ongoing throughout multiple parts of the county. Please be careful when traveling, and watch out for workers.
