Paris District Road Report for Week of September 2, 2024
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting Sept. 2, 2024. 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.
Safety Message: Impaired driving and penalties – DUI & DWI
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can risk your life and the lives of others, and it can send you to jail. If you are under 21, it is illegal for you to drive with any detectable amount of alcohol in your system.
When am I legally intoxicated?
You are legally intoxicated in Texas when your blood alcohol concentration reaches 0.08 percent, but you are breaking the law as soon as drugs or alcohol affect your driving — or flying or boating — ability.
What are the penalties for a DWI?
First offense
- Up to a $2,000 fine.
- Up to 180 days in jail upon conviction with three mandatory days.
- Loss of driver license up to a year.
Second offense
- Up to a $4,000 fine.
- One month to a year in jail upon conviction.
- Loss of driver license up to two years.
Third offense
- A $10,000 fine.
- Two to 10 years in prison.
- Loss of driver license up to two years.
These fines do not include a state fine of $3,000, $4,500, or $6,000 assessed upon sentencing.
Impaired driving with a child passenger
- You will be charged with child endangerment if you’re driving impaired with children under 15.
- You will be additionally fined up to $10,000.
- You could be put in jail for up to two years.
- You will lose your driver’s license for another 180 days.
Driving with an open container
Carrying an open container of alcohol in your vehicle, even if you’re not impaired, is illegal. Learn more about Texas open container laws.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
Grayson County:
US 75, from US 82 to North Loy Lake Road. This project will rebuild and widen the US 75 mainlanes from four lanes to six lanes as well as reconstruct the entrance and exit ramps on US 75. The project will also reconstruct bridges at FM 691, Iron Ore Creek and Spur 503, and add U-turn bridges at Loy Lake Road in Sherman and Spur 503 in Denison. A reduced speed limit of 65 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set for this construction project. Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the mainlanes of US 75 as well as frontage road lane closures within the project.
The U-turn lanes for the US 75 frontage roads at FM 691 are closed to traffic to allow crews to work on constructing the middle portion of the new US 75 bridge over FM 691. During this closure traffic wishing to make a U-turn at the intersection is asked to turn left onto FM 691 and make another left at the next signal light.
The exit ramp from northbound US 75 to North Loy Lake Road in Denison is closed permanently. Travelers who wish to access North Loy Lake Road from northbound US 75 will detour up to Crawford Street, make a U-turn at the Crawford Street intersection, and head south on the frontage road to reach North Loy Lake Road.
The entrance ramp on the southbound frontage road onto US 75, north of Spur 503 and south of Loy Lake Road, is permanently closed. This closure is part of the reconstruction of US 75 from US 82 to Loy Lake Road in Denison. Motorists who wish to travel south on US 75 from its intersection with Loy Lake Road are advised to note this change. A detour is in place requiring traffic to continue on the southbound frontage road, around Spur 503, to the entrance ramp for US 75 southbound located north of the FM 691 intersection. Signs will alert travelers and guide them along this detour route.
The northbound US 75 frontage road is closed to thru traffic north of FM 691 in order to replace the frontage road bridge over Iron Ore Creek. Work for the construction of the new US 75 northbound frontage road Iron Ore Creek bridge and northbound frontage road pavement is currently in progress. Motorists traveling along the northbound frontage road will take the northbound entrance ramp north of FM 691 and take exit 66 to access eastbound Spur 503. Local traffic wishing to return to FM 691 is asked to use Pool Road.
The westbound Spur 503 ramp to northbound US 75 is closed to traffic. A temporary detour is in place to divert this traffic onto the frontage road. Traffic will exit Spur 503 onto the frontage road using the new detour, continue along the Spur 503 frontage road which runs into the US 75 frontage road to the Loy Lake Road intersection. Traffic can continue along the frontage road through Loy Lake Road and then take the next entrance ramp to northbound US 75.
US 75, from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set on the mainlanes for this construction project. Watch for shoulder closures and occasional nighttime lane closures on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between SH 91 and FM 1417 as crews work on completing the remaining work on this project. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91.
As the US 75 project continues to move into the final stages there will be nightly lane closures on both north- and southbound lanes as construction crews perform pavement marking, barrier removal and sign installation. Drivers should expect delays.
The southbound US 75 exit ramp (Exit 57) for Park Avenue is closed to allow crews to complete the final pavement surfacing at this ramp. Motorists traveling southbound are asked to use the southbound exit for State Highway 91 and North Travis Street, and continue along the southbound frontage road to Park Avenue. They may also use the southbound exit for South Travis Street/FM 1417.
US 75, at the US 82 intersection. Watch for lane closures and lane shifts for the frontage roads on the northbound and southbound US 75 frontage road lanes between South Loy Lake Road and Lamberth Street, as well as on the eastbound and westbound US 82 frontage road lanes between FM 131 and Loy Lake Road while crews work on construction of the new frontage road lanes and bridges.
US 377, from US 82 to the Oklahoma State line. Watch for daytime lane closures on US 377 as crews work to perform pavement repairs, milling, and an overlay on the surface. Motorists should expect delays during the daytime work hours as pilot cars and flaggers direct traffic through the work zone.
US 82, from the Cooke County line to FM 901. Watch for daytime lane closures on the US 82 eastbound and westbound main lanes as crews work to backfill the overlay and place striping and rumble strips on the surface. Motorists should expect delays during the daytime work hours.
FM 1417, from US 82 to SH 56. Travelers are advised that intermittent temporary daily lane closures will be required for both northbound and southbound FM 1417 while the contractor completes the remaining work.
FM 121, from Main Street in Van Alstyne to SH 160. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway to an overall width of 26 feet. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
US 82, from the Cooke County line to FM 131 in Sherman. Watch for lane closures as workers replace the bridge railing and guardrail approaches at each bridge structure and install median barrier. During construction, bridge travel will be reduced to one lane while crews replace the bridge railing. Currently, the contractor is working on the eastbound US 82 lanes at Harris Creek, the westbound US 82 lanes at Post Oak Creek, and the eastbound and westbound US 82 lanes at FM 1417. Motorists should expect daytime lane closures on FM 1417 at the US 82 underpass, while crews are replacing the bridge rail at this location. On this project, the contractor is also installing a center median concrete traffic barrier between FM 1417 and FM 131. Motorists should expect daytime lane closures while this work is underway.
US 75 full depth concrete repair, from the Collin County line to the Oklahoma State line. Crews will be working on US 75 each week from Sunday night through Friday morning during the overnight period. Lane closures will be present at night for crews to replace failed concrete sections. Lane closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m. This work will extend from the Collin-Grayson County line to the Oklahoma State line.
US 75 debris pickup, from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday during the nighttime.
FM 901, from US 377 to US 82. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform edge repairs on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 901, from SH 56 to US 82. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Fannin County:
FM 1753, at the Brushy Creek bridge. FM 1753 at the Brushy Creek bridge is closed to through traffic as crews remove and replace the bridge structure and roadway approaches. During the closure, traffic is asked to use FM 2645, FM 898, US 82, and FM 1752 as the detour route.
FM 274, from SH 78 to FM 1753. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway to an overall width of 26 feet. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone. FM 274 at Sandy Creek bridge is closed to thru traffic while the contractor replaces the existing bridge. During the closure traffic is asked to use FM 1753 and SH 78 as the detour.
SH 56 at Bois d’Arc Creek. SH 56 at Bois d’Arc creek is reduced to one lane with a signal in place to control traffic as crews work to remove and replace the bridge railing. Motorists should expect delays as signals control traffic through the construction zone.
SH 56 at Hutchins Creek and Caney Creek. SH 56 at Hutchins creek and Caney creek will be reduced to one lane with a signal in place to control traffic beginning the week of September 9, as crews work to remove and replace the bridge railing as well as perform bridge repairs. Motorists should expect delays as signals control traffic through the construction zone.
CR 4020 at Caney Creek. CR 4020 at Caney Creek is closed to through traffic to allow for replacement of the bridge. During the closure traffic is asked to use CR 4025 as a detour.
FM 68, from SH 78 to FM 271. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway to an overall width of 28 feet. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 78, from US 82 to the Oklahoma State line. Watch for daytime shoulder closures and occasional lane closures as workers install sloped-end treatments on drainage structures and replace bridge rail and guardrail.
FM 100, from SH 56 to FM 2216. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 271, from SH 78 to FM 68. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 274, from FM 1753 to FM 898. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs and blade leveling on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 78, from SH 56 to FM 271. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform bridge repairs. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 121, from SH 11 to US 69. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform bridge repairs. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
Franklin County: IH 30, Truck Parking Area. Crews will be constructing concrete paving on the new eastbound truck parking area.
Hopkins County: SH 19, from I-30 to Rains County Line. Watch for crews performing road rehabilitation operations and traffic shifts in the work areas.
Hopkins County: I-30, at FM 269. Crews will be performing tree trimming and tree removal operations on the westbound and eastbound side.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
Lamar County:
Loop 286, from FM 1497 around the north loop to FM 1507. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures and traffic merges while crews improve guardrail and drainage structures and perform bridge maintenance.
US 271, from LP 286 to Oklahoma State Line. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures and traffic merges while crews resurface the pavement and perform bridge maintenance.
CR 26320 at Morrison Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
FM 1497, from FM 1184 to FM 3426. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures
CR 16300 at Little Sandy Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
US 82 / Lamar Avenue, from 33rd street to 42nd street in Paris. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures in the nighttime hours while crews improve signals, install a raised center median, and resurface the roadway.
FM 38 at West Fork of Sanders Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
SH 24, Lamar & Delta Counties: from the FM 64 intersection to 1,540 feet east of FM 198. Watch for temporary lane closures and lane shifts while crews resurface the roadway and perform bridge rail upgrades.
SH 19/24, Lamar & Delta Counties: from LP 286 intersection to SH 19 . Watch for temporary lane closures and lane shifts while crews resurface the roadway, perform bridge rail upgrades, and bridge maintenance.
US 271, Lamar & Red River Counties: from FM 196 North to SH 37. Watch for temporary shoulder closures and trucks entering and exiting the highway as crews remove tree and brush from within right of way.
US 82, Lamar & Red River Counties: from State Loop 286 in Paris to Bowie County Line in Red River County. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures.
Delta County:
FM 2068 at East Fork of Jernigan Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
Red River County:
FM 2120, from FM 2573 to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 1487, from FM 910 to FM 412. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
Northeast Texas Trail, Clarksville, Texas. Watch for trucks and equipment entering and exiting streets and highways while crews construct the off-system trail.
Northeast Texas Trail, from BU 82J to Annona East City Limits. Watch for trucks and equipment entering and exiting streets and highways while crews construct the off-system trail.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903) 455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
Hunt County:
SH 11, from FM 2655 to SH 24. This project will add shoulders and replace drainage structures. The contractor has set barricades and has begun some prep right of way work and has begun road widening and ditch grading in the area. SW3P devices will be installed soon. The contractor has placed SW3P devices and prepped the right of way. Culvert work on the project and excavation and road widening is in progress. Shoulder embankment work is ongoing. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
SH 11, from Culver Street to Live Oak. The contractor has placed work zone signs and barricades. Fencing installation and grate work is ongoing. Final signal work is underway, barrels and barricades have been removed to open lanes. Final punch list items are underway. Oncor is working to supply power to the signal lights. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 1563, from SH 50 to SH 2655: This is a 2.7-mile rehabilitation project that will widen the existing roadway. The contractor has set work zone signs and barricades. The contractor has completed cross culverts and culvert extensions and will be placing riprap soon. The contractor has sealed and shouldered up the first mile of the project and has placed flex base and placing geogrid at various locations. Contractor is currently performing reclaim work and subgrade widening along with placing GEOGRID. Driveways are ongoing and are being completed by section of work. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 2642, from FM 35 to SH 66: The contractor has set work zone signs and barricades. Excavation work for the detour is ongoing. The contractor has been working on the placement of storm sewer and culverts will continue along FM 2642 north of I-30 towards SH 66 with embankment and excavation work. Nighttime operations are currently being used for several cross-culvert locations. The contractor is placing geogrid and flex base on FM 2642 near Royse City high school moving north. The contractor placed barrier and crash cushions on FM35. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 2649, from I-30 to FM 1567. The contractor has set barricades and work zone traffic signs. Cross culvert work is complete. The contractor has completed placing GR4 seal course on the final section of roadway. The contractor is also backfilling turnouts, driveways and roadway edges. Mailboxes, small signs and striping will be forthcoming. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
I-30 intersection improvements from Monte Stratton to FM 1903. The contractor has set barricades and advance warning signs. The westbound I-30 main lanes have been realigned to detour paving around the existing westbound I-30 main lane bridge over FM 1570. Embankment and shoring work in ongoing at FM 1570.This detour will remain in place until the new FM 1570 overpass is constructed. Detours are in place for NB and SB FM 1570 traffic around the closure. The contractor has begun excavation at FM 1903 and EBFR. The westbound frontage road at FM 1903 is one-way only along with the frontage roads along the project corridor. Traffic on FM 1903 from north of I-30 will have to turn right on the westbound frontage road and travel to State Highway 36 in order access I-30 east. The contractor plans to place more barriers and perform main lane widening and drainage work in the area. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
I-30 Improvements from CR2511 to FM 36: The contractor is currently grading and placing embankment between the frontage roads and mainlanes. Culvert work is ongoing. Paving for detours near FM 1565 exit has started, please be aware oof workers in the area. Contractor will be placing low profile barrier on the EB frontage road near FM 1565
Hunt and Rains Counties Hunt County and Rains maintenance crews will be performing pothole repair work throughout Hunt and Rains County. Hunt County MNT will be overlaying FM 118 and US 69 and IH 30 FR near SH 34. Rains County MNT will continue to perform seal prep and patch on FM 513 from US 69 to IH30 and perform culvert work on FM 1564.
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Operation Lone Star Deploys Drone Technology To Secure The Border
August 30, 2024 | Austin, Texas | Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard continue to work together to secure the border; stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into Texas; and prevent, detect, and interdict transnational criminal activity between ports of entry.
Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, the multi-agency effort has led to over 518,300 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 46,000 criminal arrests, with more than 40,000 felony charges. In the fight against the fentanyl crisis, Texas law enforcement has seized over 521 million lethal doses of fentanyl, enough to kill every man, woman, and child in the United States and Mexico combined during this border mission.
Texas has decreased illegal crossings into the state by 85% due to our historic border security mission. Fewer illegal crossings into Texas means fewer migrants to transport to sanctuary cities. Since the start of Texas’ transportation program, the state has transported:
Over 12,500 migrants to Washington, D.C. since April 2022
Over 45,900 migrants to New York City since August 2022
Over 36,900 migrants to Chicago since August 2022
Over 3,400 migrants to Philadelphia since November 2022
Over 19,200 migrants to Denver since May 2023
Over 1,500 migrants to Los Angeles since June 2023
Operation Lone Star continues to fill the dangerous gaps created by the Biden-Harris Administration’s refusal to secure the border. Every individual who is apprehended or arrested and every ounce of drugs seized would have otherwise made their way into communities across Texas and the nation due to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ open border policies.
Miller Grove FFA August 2024 Spotlight Points Out that the Hamburger Supper was a Success
August 30, 2024 – The Miller Grove FFA August 2024 Spotlight highlights how the Hamburger Supper was a huge hit! The hamburger supper took place on August 19, 2024. They had a great turnout. The August Spotlight also points out that September 6, 2024 is the deadline for floral subscription Miller Grove FFA Apparel orders. It also points out that September 30, 2024, is the deadline for FFA dues meat fundraiser. The Miller Grove FFA August Spotlight also points out that they had FFA members compete in various shows over this Summer.
The Next Miller Grove FFA Meetings are Scheduled for September 19th
August 30, 2024 – The next Miller Grove FFA Meetings are scheduled for September 19, 2024. The Miller Grove Jr FFA Meeting will take place from 4:30pm to 5:30pm on September 19th. The meeting will be held at the Miller Grove Multi Purpose Building.
The next Miller Grove FFA Chapter Meeting is scheduled for September 19th, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. This meeting will be held at the Miller Grove Multi Purpose Building. Be sure to join in on all the fun.
4-H is a Global Youth Development Organization that Empowers Young People by Mario Villarino
August 30, 2024 – 4-H is a global youth development organization that empowers young people with the skills they need to succeed in life. Originating in the United States over a century ago, 4-H focuses on “learning by doing,” encouraging youth to engage in hands-on projects in areas like agriculture, science, health, and citizenship. The name “4-H” represents the four personal development areas the organization aims to cultivate: Head (thinking and managing), Heart (relating and caring), Hands (giving and working), and Health (being and living). Youth ages 8 to 18 can participate in 4-H, and programs are available in urban, suburban, and rural areas, making it accessible to a wide range of participants. Members work on projects that interest them, from raising animals to robotics, gardening, photography, and leadership activities. These projects are often showcased at county fairs or other local events. 4-H also emphasizes community involvement, leadership, and public speaking, helping members develop critical life skills. Through a network of clubs, camps, and after-school programs, 4-H connects youth with mentors and peers, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. Supported by cooperative extension systems at land-grant universities, 4-H continues to grow, with millions of members across the U.S. and around the world.
To enroll in 4-H through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, you typically need to follow these steps:
1. **Visit the 4-H Online Enrollment Site**: Go to [4-H Online](https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://v2.4honline.com/__;!!KwNVnqRv!DJugR7V3rYn8Ml0AL2JykQhuSVP1FHIaU6YvAMX0NwARQr3bGoLtwPNNf_SBf5bXjQ_b7kbcGDXEbAVf5veBGRHI$ ), which is the main platform used for enrolling in 4-H programs.
2. **Create or Log In to Your Account**: If you’re a new member, you’ll need to create an account. If you’ve enrolled before, you can log in using your existing credentials.
3. **Complete the Enrollment Form**: Fill out the required information, including personal details, emergency contacts, and any health information that may be necessary.
4. **Select Your Club and Projects**: Choose a local 4-H club to join, and then select the projects or activities you’re interested in.
5. **Pay the Enrollment Fee**: There may be an enrollment fee required, which varies depending on your location and the programs you’re signing up for. Payment can usually be made online through the 4-H Online system.
6. **Submit Your Enrollment**: Once everything is filled out and paid for, submit your enrollment for review.
7. **Confirmation**: You’ll receive a confirmation once your enrollment is processed and accepted. Your local 4-H office may contact you with additional information.
For more specific details or assistance, you can visit the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s 4-H website: https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/ or contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443
Sulphur Springs City Council Has Full Agenda for September Meeting
August 30, 2024 – The regular meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council will take place at City Hall Tuesday, September 3rd with the public portion of the meeting starting at 7:00 pm. Council members and city staff will begin an executive session at 6:00 pm to deliberate economic development for portions of Thermo Mine property known as Thermo 2 and Thermo 3. Executive session meetings are closed to the public.
The regular meeting agenda contains several ordinances for the council to consider including items for final budget and setting the tax rate for the upcoming year. New water and sewer rates are also listed on the agenda as ordinances for first reading and ultimately will be brought back to the council at a later meeting for final approval. The full agenda can be seen below.
Solar, Wind, and Carbon, OH MY!!
August 29, 2024 – Hopkins County residents have been inundated with the promise (or threat) of green energy projects needing thousands of acres in different parts of the county. Many solar plant projects already have been approved, built, and operating, but more solar companies are leasing land and asking for tax abatements. The green energy projects keep expanding and now include wind (huge windmills), Carbon Capture (C02 gasses pumped underground) and Lithium (brine water extraction). Add to these projects, Hopkins County has already approved a Lithium Battery Storage Facility and has been contacted to approve a CryptoCurrency Mining Facility. Currently, the end seems no where in sight as outside companies want to gobble up Hopkins County real estate, mostly by leasing, to profit off the land that so many families depend upon.
The City of Sulphur Springs has already given their stamp of approval on a Lithium Extraction Project for the old Thermo Mine Land, with one council member, Jay Julian, singing the praises of the company contracted with the city and urging residents to do their own “due diligence” by visiting the company’s website. Jay Julian touts this project as a “done deal” but companies are still visting landowners to try and shore up more leases in the area as the company reportedly wants to pull the water from over 30,000 acres.
The Hopkins County Commissioner’s Court has felt the backlash of neighbors against various projects as they move through the process on each project of defining a reinvestment zone to considering tax abatement levels for each company. Residents still feel that they are not fully informed about the projects ahead of time, nor do they feel that Hopkins County is adequately protecting those neighbors from the project. Hopkins County is now utilizing a consultant, Jeff Snowden, to help the county naviagte the process, even adopting new “Guidelines and Criteria for Granting Tax Abatements” in September of 2023. This 19-page document lays out the requirements for companies wanting a tax abatement including project size, road repair responsibilities, and number of new jobs created as well as many other factors. In the end, for most projects, Hopkins County favors a 100% tax abatement on the improvements (usually the building, machinery, windmills, solar panels, etc.) and defines a set payment for the county to receive over the first 10 years of the project. This is called Payment in Lieu of Taxes or PILOT and attempts to let the county “lock-in” the amount of dollars the county will receive over the taxable period without a variation caused by depreciation or a decreasing tax rate.
Some may argue that these companies would not come to Hopkins County and make any investment unless they get a tax reduction. Others may say that Hopkins County would not have any control over the project without a Reinvestment Zone or Tax Abatement. Either or both may be true but the business of dealing with multi-billion dollar companies tends to be difficult.
These companies are identifying rural areas for two reasons: (1) there is a lot of vacant land, and (2) there is little to no oversight on these projects. This is happening in rural counties all over Texas and across the country, and most, if not all, counties are behind in their planning. Twenty years ago, no one thought to have regulations for solar, wind, carbon, or brine because these industries did not exist. Fast forward to 2020 and the flood gates opened for green energy projects as federal funding and tax credits became available for these companies to pour millions of dollars into huge projects. Unfortunately, rural counties and residents are unsure what the future holds for the life of these projects and what long-term effects they may have on the land and the neighbors.
Future Projects
Carbon Capture
Tenaska (Carbon Capture) is the latest company to address the Hopkins County Commissioner’s Court with an informational presentation describing a 20,000 acre area that they hope to lease and build a pipeline (possibly from Texarkana) to pump liquified CO2 deep into the ground. It would seem that Tenaska needs to sign up every landowner in the 20,000 acre area that they have identified, as they are pumping the CO2 deep into the substructure and are unable to predict exactly where that product will end up. The project is also dependent upon getting the liquified CO2 from the business or factory producing it out to the capture field through a pipeline which would cross literally hundreds of landowners from Hopkins County to Texarkana. The term “eminent domain” comes up for this project, as some landowners reluctant to lease their land for the project could be forced to lease or sell their land at a rate determined by someone else for the “greater public good.” The long term effects for this process, on this scale, are unknown at this time.
Lithium Mining from Brine Extraction
Extracting valuable lithium from water deposits deep underground involves drilling a well, pumping out the water, extracting the lithium from the water and then pumping the residual water back down into the same area from which it came. The leases on the land for this process prove to be complicated as currently the water that they pump out of the ground belongs to the surface landowner (not the mineral rights owner). Also, there are several different lithium extraction methods used once the water gets to the surface, some of which may be damaging to the environment. The companies employed to secure land leases (from the surface owner) are offering a one time payment up front and then a royalty share on the lithium extracted. Anyone receiving an offer on their land for this or any project should consult an attorney before signing anything.
Apex Clean Energy
The term “wind farm” may sound pleasant but these giant windmills which could reach 800 feet tall or higher are massive structures that can be noisy and contain a massive amount of hydraulic oil at the hub. Apex Clean Energy has expressed their desire to lease anywhere between 10,000 to 14,000 acres to erect approximately 100 turbines across the county to connect to either of the two transmission lines that traverse our county. They are seeking mostly contiguous land to line up these windmills in order to easily connect them back to the grid. Representatives of Apex have been busy sigining leases with interested land owners and are committed to coming to Hopkins County with or without a tax abatement. But, Hopkins County officials continue to explore the option of granting Apex a tax abatement to have more control over the project. Apex revealed to KSST News that they offer what they call a “good neighbor lease” to adjoining land owners who may be affected by a windmill on a neighboring property. KSST News research shows that these neighboring leases also allows Apex to build their windmills with fewer restrictions closer to neighboring property.
CryptoCurrency Mining Facility
The Hopkins County Commissioner’s Court received a letter from Harbor Blocktech indicating their intentions of building a cryptocurrencty mining facility in the southwestern portion of the county. Other communities have fought these installations as some feel they are noisy and obtrusive. It is not clear at this time if Harbor Blocktech or their agents will be asking for a tax abatement. KSST News reached out to agents of Harbor Blocktech and did not receive a response.
What’s Next?
It is anyone’s guess as to what the next “big project” to come to Hopkins County may be, but rest assured any company looking for lots of open land and few restrictions will have Hopkins County in their sights. The appeal of any additional tax revenue is very attractive to county officials as these companies promise and quickly agree to PILOT payments for the first 10 years, but simply not enough time has passed from the first project to the last request to know exactly what can happen. Other green energy projects in other counties sit abandonded and damaged with no cleanup in sight. One can only assume that the company has defaulted on their contract and not continuing to pay their reduced taxes or PILOT or whatever agreement they had.
In these past few years since the first solar plant was proposed, Hopkins County has instituted new subdivision rules and restrictions, new “wrecking yard” restrictions, and tougher septic and clearwater rules for county residents, but there are still no restrictions to build a solar plant, battery plant, windmills, or brine extraction plant……unless you want a tax abatement, and even then most restrictions are no different than state minimums. The restrictions for some or lack of restrictions for others do not fit what many say, “a person can do what they want on their own land.”
Attorney General Ken Paxton Makes Good on Promise to Sue Texas State Fair
August 30, 2024 – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the City of Dallas and the State Fair of Texas for unlawfully prohibiting firearms from government-owned public property in violation of Texas law.
Earlier in August, the Office of the Attorney General gave the City of Dallas fifteen days’ notice to reverse the Texas State Fair’s recently announced prohibition of firearms in Fair Park before a lawsuit would be filed. Fair Park is owned by the City of Dallas which contracts with the State Fair of Texas for the management of the annual fair. Since state law permits gun owners to carry in places owned or leased by government entities unless otherwise statutorily prohibited, the prohibition represented an unlawful infringement on Texans’ legal rights. Dallas and the State Fair have refused to comply with state law.
Attorney General Paxton asked the court to grant injunctive relief to prevent the City of Dallas or the State Fair of Texas from enforcing the unlawful ban on firearms.
“Municipalities cannot nullify state law nor can they avoid accountability by contracting official functions to nominally third parties,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Neither the City of Dallas nor the State Fair of Texas can infringe on Texans’ right to self-defense. I warned fifteen days ago that if they did not end their unlawful conduct I would see them in court, and now I will.”
Big Lots Stores May Close Soon
August 29, 2024 – Big Lots Stores may soon be a thing of the past. The discount giant is considering a potential bankruptcy filing and may seek court protection within weeks.
The company is scrambling to find investors with cash in hand to prop up the company and avoid Chapter 11.
Share of BIG fell 27 percent in extended trading and have lost nearly 88 percent of their value this year.
The closest Big Lots store in operation is here.
CHRISTUS Health Celebrates Community Partners for Fighting food Insecurity in Northeast Texas
August 29, 2024 – (TYLER, Texas) – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System recognized 10 organizations from Northeast Texas as part of the annual community benefit breakfast this week. .
The groups were honored Tuesday for their work in fighting food insecurity in the region.
“These organizations play a vital role in meeting community needs, and we are blessed to partner and collaborate with them in changing the fabric of our communities,” said Crissy Chanslor, program manager for community benefits.
Those honored were:
The Dinner Bell, Sulphur Springs
Hopkins County Christian Alliance
Winnsboro Community Resource Center and Food Pantry
Winnsboro Volunteer Fire Department
H.O.P.E. (Helping Other Pursue Enrichment), Jacksonville
Henderson County HELP Center
East Texas Food Bank
St. Vincent de Paul, Tyler
Oak Grove Church of God in Christ
North Tyler Developmental Academy
“At CHRISTUS Health, we are guided by our mission to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, so our success and our growth translate directly to our community,” said Chris Glenney, senior vice president for group operations, CHRISTUS Northeast Texas. “We are always asking ‘how can we invest in this place, in these people? How can we make an impact with our partners where it counts the most?’ That’s what our Community Benefit Program is all about.”
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