Paris District Road Report for Week of November 4, 2024
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting Nov. 4, 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:
The annual crack seal contract to place sealant in the pavement cracks on roadways in Grayson County will begin on November 4th. The following roadways will receive a crack seal: Spur 316 from SH 289 to FM 120, FM 120 in Denison from Houston Avenue to FM 1753, US 69 in Denison from Houston Avenue SH 56, FM 1417 from FM 691 to US 82, US 82 from FM 901 to FM 1417, US 82 frontage roads from FM 1417 to FM 1417, SH 56 from US 82 to SH 289, Spur 129 from US 377 to SH 56, FM 1417 from SH 56 to SH 11, SH 289 in Gunter from Kerfoot Road to Elm Street, FS 121 from FM 121 to the Denton County line, SH 5 in Van Alstyne from Redden Road to the Collin County line, SH 56 from SH 11 to FM 1417, SH 11 from SH 56 to FM 697, FM 902 in Tom Bean from SH 11 to King Street. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
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.
There will be a left lane closure on northbound US 75 at Iron Ore Creek on the night of November 5, 2024, in order for crews to set bridge beams. The closure is expected to begin at 9:00 pm on Tuesday night and the roadway will be reopened to two lanes by 5:00 am.
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 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.
US 75, at the US 82 intersection. Watch for occasional lane closures 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 completing the remaining work at the intersection. Watch for lane closures on the US 82 main lanes between FM 131 and SH 91 as crews complete the median barrier work.
FM 697, at Choctaw Slough Creek. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to perform bridge repairs. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 5, in Van Alstyne from Williams Way to Blassingame Avenue. Watch for daytime lane closures on SH 5 as crews work to install a shared use bicycle and pedestrian trail. The trail will follow along SH 5 from the existing trail at Williams Way to Blassingame Avenue, then along Tolson Avenue, then along Main Street where it will connect with Van Alstyne Parkway. Motorists should expect delays during the daytime work hours as flaggers direct traffic through the work zone.
US 82, from SH 91 to the Fannin County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures on the US 82 eastbound and westbound main lanes as crews work to perform pavement repairs, milling, and an overlay on the surface. Motorists should expect delays during the daytime work hours when lane closures are present.
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.
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 and westbound US 82 lanes at Elba Creek, and the eastbound and westbound US 82 lanes at Deaver Creek. The week of October 28th, crews will be moving the lane closures from the bridges at Elba and Deaver creeks to the bridge at Mustang Creek and the overpass at FM 901.
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 1417, from FM 691 to FM 120. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs and blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 901, from US 377 to US 82. Watch for daytime lane closures on the Spur 503 main lanes 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:
The annual crack seal contract to place sealant in the pavement cracks on roadways in Fannin County will begin on November 11th. The following roadways will receive a crack seal: FM 2029 from FM 273 to FM 1396, FM 100 from FM 273 to FM 2216, FM 2216 from FM 100 to the Lamar County line, FM 1752 from US 82 to FM 898, SH 78 from US 82 to SH 56, Loop 205 from 9th Street to SH 56, SH 34 from SH 56 to FM 64, SH 11 from US 69 to the Hunt County line, FM 896 from Business SH 121 to US 69, FM 815 from Business US 69 to SH 78, US 69 from FM 896 to FM 272, and FM 1553 from SH 78 to SH 78. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 2645, from FM 898 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, 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.
SH 121 overpass at US 69. The SH 121 overpass at US 69 is closed to thru traffic while crews perform bridge repairs. All traffic will be required to take the exit for US 69 and then will be able to take the next entrance ramp back onto SH 121. A temporary signal is in place to control traffic on SH 121 and US 69 during this closure. 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 daytime 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.
SH 56, from SH 78 to FM 1396. 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.
FM 2815, from FM 1629 to SH 11. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform full depth reclamation of the roadway. 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: SH 37, from BU 37 to FM 71. Crews will be performing repairs and resurfacing the existing roadway. Watch for traffic shifts and slow-moving traffic.
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: Bridge at Timber Creek. Crews will begin installing detour for Timber Creek Bridge in preparation for replacement of the existing bridge.
Hopkins County: FM 2653, at IH 30. Crews will begin resurfacing the bridge deck. Traffic will be detoured during resurfacing operations.
Hopkins County: SH 19, Railroad Crossing on N Hillcrest. Crews will begin railroad replanking to take place November 8 through 12.
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.
CR 26320 at Morrison Creek. Watch for temporary lane closures 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.
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. The roadway is now reopened. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews replace existing bridge structure.
FM 1184 at Robertson Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
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. The roadway is now reopened. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews replace existing bridge structure.
SH 24, at Doctor’s Creek. Watch for temporary shoulder closures and trucks entering and exiting the highway as crews perform bridge maintenance on the northbound 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.
BU 82 J at East Langford Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews perform bridge maintenance operations.
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 is currently widening shoulders and performing ditch grading in the area. Temporary seeding operations have begun on segments of the project and will be ongoing. Hotmix operations have begun and will continue on Left Northbound shoulders. 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. Contractor is currently performing reclamation work and subgrade widening along with placing GEOGRID in the 2nd mile of project limits. Cement treatment and culver riprap will be upcoming. 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. The contractor currently has paving operations and sidewalk operations ongoing. The contractor is placing sidewalk and backfilling curb in the area. Site Grading work is ongoing. Paving operations are in progress in areas north of FM 35. Railroad coordination is underway near FM 2642 and SH 66, work will begin soon in this area. 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 is performing punchlist work in the project limits. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 512, From SH 34 to FM 118. The contractor has placed barricades and workzone traffic signs. The contractor has begun repair work on base and subgrade failures. The contractor has begun replacing culverts and bridge structures. The first 1.5 miles of reclamation work is underway and the 1st lift of flexbase has been placed along several stations. GEO GRID operations will be upcoming. 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 contractor has begun excavation at FM 1903 (West side) and working on placing wire wall at FM 1903 (East side) and soil nail walls at FM 1903.The contractor is also placing embankment & Wire walls east of 1570.along with form work for Bent #3 Cap at FM 1570. Columns are being constructed at FM 1903 and FM 1570 along with the placing of backfill for retaining walls at FM 1570.Pipe/Inlets work for drainage FM 1570 is ongoing. 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. Continuing grading EB between 1565 and FM36.The contractor will be placing hot mix for shoulder rehab at night and Milling at night along WB and EB for shoulder rehab. Grading at FM 1565 intersection and embanking along WBML 2511 area.
Underpass at FM 1565 is scheduled to be opened by Saturday Nov 2, 2024. IH30 exit to FM 1565 ramp configuration has changed please be advised of new IH30 WB exit location. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
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 performing overlay from on SH 224 from FM 118 to SH 34, Assisting DPS with lane closure on US 380 and Overlaying on FM 1737/ SH34 in various locations
Rains County MNT will continue to address pavement issues SH 19 south and north and repair drainage issues on FM 1564.
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Here’s Just Some of the Exciting Activities Scheduled for November and December at the Senior Citizens Activity Center
Foundation Sets 2025 Funding Priorities
November 3, 2024 – Sulphur Springs, TX – The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation has set their 2025 funding priorities. Both projects will have a positive impact on the health of Hopkins County citizens.
To address a concern for outdoor activities during the summer months, the Foundation will donate funding for two cooling tents equipped with misting sprays. These tents are estimated to cost $16,000 for the two.
The inflatable tent provides a visible station for people to cool down at outdoor events. It is equipped with a cooling mist system that fills the air with a fine spray of cool water to help regulate body temperature while providing shade. The fog instantly lowers the temperature inside the open tent, as well as in the surrounding area.
The tents will travel with the Mobile Athletic Training Room to local athletic and community events such as track meets and the Sulphur Springs Symphony League’s Independence Day Celebration.
The second funding project will be to raise $260,000 to go toward the $780,000 upgrade for the MRI machine at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. This enhancement will allow for 32% faster scans which means patients will have a better experience. Because the scans are quicker, it will allow for more patients to be accommodated each day. In addition, the quality of scans produced will increase.
The holiday Snowflake Campaign and the 19th Annual Gala will help to fund these two initiatives.
Both of these projects will help Hopkins County be an even healthier county.
The sponsorship invitation to the Gala has been mailed. Sponsorships may also be purchased online at Gala2025.GiveSmart.com. The Snowflake campaign mailing will go out in a couple of weeks, and the website will go live at the same time.
For more information about these projects or fundraisers contact the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation at 903-438-4799 or [email protected].
The Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. All funds raised are used to improve healthcare in Hopkins County.
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Foundation Announces New Breast Cancer Support Group
November 3, 2024 – Sulphur Springs, TX –
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but for many, breast cancer isn’t a topic relegated to a month. It is a fight, a reality, or a new diagnosis. For those women, a local breast cancer support group has been formed.
With the help of friends and breast cancer survivors, the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation has established a local breast cancer support group.
An organizational meeting was held on Oct. 29 at the Foundation office. The founding women toured the current and future In My Closet locations and discussed what the group needs to offer survivors and newly diagnosed women.
This group plans to provide support and information for those starting this journey. They want to be a sisterhood for the shared experience of breast cancer.
The group’s first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12 at 5:30 pm in the Medical Plaza conference room. The Medical Plaza (113 Airport Rd, Sulphur Springs) is the freestanding, three-story building on the southeast corner of CHRISTUS Mother Frances – Sulphur Springs. The conference room is on the first floor on the left.
The theme for the evening will be “thankful.” All breast cancer survivors and those beginning or amid a breast cancer journey are invited to attend. Also welcome to attend are male breast cancer patients and survivors and women with female-related cancers. This group wants to ensure that no one fights alone.
To stay informed about the breast cancer support group and other offerings, please follow the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation on Facebook or Instagram.
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Fairgoers Join Ken Paxton in Suing Texas State Fair for Allegedly Violating Their Gun Rights
Three fairgoers are requesting up to $1 million in damages and to allow guns at the State Fair.
BY JUAN SALINAS II – November 1, 2024 – Three fairgoers have joined Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in suing the State Fair of Texas and the city of Dallas over the fair’s policy banning all firearms from its properties.
Monday’s filing is the latest maneuver from Paxton in an ongoing battle surrounding the State Fair and its gun ban. In September, a day before the event kicked off, the Texas Supreme Court denied Paxton’s request to overturn the policy — stating it has no role to “decide whether the State Fair made a wise decision” — after a Dallas district court judge allowed the gun ban to stand.
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Paxton filed the update naming the newest plaintiffs in his ongoing case before the Dallas district court, which is expected to have another hearing next year.
In it, Paxton accuses State Fair and city officials of violating state law that bars most government bodies from prohibiting weapons on their properties. Paxton also says officials violated the constitutional rights to bear arms of fairgoers Maxx Juusola, Tracy Martin, and Alan Crider. They ask for up to $1 million in civil damages and to allow people to carry guns on the fairground.
After the Supreme Court ruling, Paxton said in a press release that he would continue to press the issue on “the merits to uphold Texans’ ability to defend themselves.”
Dallas owns Fair Park, where the 24-day event takes place annually, but State Fair of Texas, a nonprofit organization, operates the park and various city buildings and walkways within the property, per a 25-year agreement between the two entities. A week before the Dallas District Court hearing, Paxton withdrew an eight-year-old legal opinion that allowed private nonprofits to ban guns on land they lease from a city.
Paxton continues to argue that since Dallas owns Fair Park, the nonprofit’s policy change violates state law, which allows licensed gun owners to carry in places owned or leased by governmental entities, unless otherwise prohibited by state law, according to Paxton’s lawsuit. Texas law establishes that schools and courtrooms are considered gun-free zones and allows others, such as amusement parks or educational institutions, to institute their own bans on firearms.
In his letter to the interim city manager over the summer, Paxton acknowledged that some buildings on the Fair Park premises, like the Cotton Bowl and other buildings used for scholastic events, are areas where guns are prohibited by state law.
“However, the entirety, or vast majority of the 277-acre Fair Park of Dallas is not a place where weapons are prohibited,” Paxton wrote.
The city of Dallas disagreed with Paxton’s allegations, explaining that city officials weren’t involved in the State Fair’s decision to enforce a gun ban.
“The State Fair of Texas is a private event operated and controlled by a private, nonprofit entity and not the City,” a Dallas spokesperson said in a statement.
Fair officials maintain they could enforce a gun ban as a private nonprofit.
This article first appeared here.
Grocery Supply Raises $100,000 for Charities At Golf Tournament
November 1, 2024 – On October 28, 2024, GSC Enterprises, Inc. held its 36th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Golf Clubs at the Tribute in The Colony, TX. GSC presented to local and regional organizations $100,000. Those benefiting from the 36th Annual Charity Golf Tournament were Morgan’s Mercy Mansion, Lake Country CASA, Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center, Community Chest, GSC Benevolence, and Sulphur Springs Independent School District Education Foundation. “We are humbled and thankful for the generosity of our network of vendor and community partners. Their kindness means the world to these local charities and to all of us at GSC,” said GSC Enterprises, Inc President/CEO, Ryan McKenzie.
Texas Hospitals Required to Report Medical Costs of Illegal Aliens
An executive order from Gov. Greg Abbott is set to go into effect November 1.
By Brandon Waltens | October 31, 2024 – Starting tomorrow, all hospitals in Texas will be required to collect and report the healthcare costs of illegal aliens.
This comes after an executive order issued by Gov. Greg Abbott in August directing the Health and Human Services Commission to do the following:
- Direct hospitals and additional identified providers to collect information regarding the cost of medical care provided to illegal immigrants, beginning by November 1, 2024.
- Direct covered hospitals to report such data to HHSC quarterly, with initial submissions due March 1, 2025.
- Direct those hospitals to inform the patient that federal law mandates that any response to such questions will not affect patient care.
- Report annually, beginning on January 1, 2026, to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House on the preceding year’s costs for medical care provided to illegal immigrants.
In 2021, Attorney General Ken Paxton revealed that Texans pay an average of about $152 million a year to house illegal aliens, between $62 million and $90 million to include illegals in Texas’ emergency Medicaid program, and between $579 million and $717 million for hospitals to provide uncompensated medical care.
New required reporting, however, aims to collect more accurate data.
“Due to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ open border policies, Texas has had to foot the bill for medical costs for individuals illegally in the state,” Abbott said in August after issuing the executive order. “Texans should not have to shoulder the burden of financially supporting medical care for illegal immigrants.”
This article first appeared here.
Deer in Headlights
November 1, 2024 – By Ryan LaFontaine – AUSTIN — Opening day for whitetail deer season in Texas on Saturday, Nov. 2, coincides with the time of year when deer are far more active, and drivers can follow a few safety tips to help prepare for this increase in four-legged traffic.
The rut, or deer mating season, is when bucks seemingly lose all sense of caution and the chase for a mate begins. This means roadway encounters between deer and drivers are more common.
“It is important that drivers are completely aware of their surroundings, especially this time of year,” said Michael Chacon, TxDOT’s director of traffic safety. “You can encounter a deer on the road almost anywhere in Texas. Not just rural areas.”
Texas has more than 5 million whitetail deer, inhabiting 252 of its 254 counties. While the chances of seeing deer on the road are good, there are some things drivers can do to stay safe.
Safety tips that could help motorists avoid a crash include:
- Be aware of your surroundings: Take note of deer warning signs. They are typically placed where animal crossings are more likely – but encounters could happen anywhere.
- Look out for the group: Deer seldom run alone. If you see one, others could be nearby.
- Slow down: Reduce speed if you see a deer near the edge of the roadway.
- Driving at night: Use high beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic. The high beams will better illuminate the eyes of the deer.
- Stay in your lane: If there is no danger of being hit by following traffic, brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near the road but stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid hitting a deer.
- If you hit a deer: If your vehicle strikes a deer, do not touch the animal. A frightened and wounded deer can hurt you or further injure itself. Move your car off the road and call 911. Remain in your vehicle. It is the safest place. Many secondary crashes occur due to pedestrians in the roadway.
In the fall months, especially from October through December, deer are beginning their natural breeding behavior and are moving around to find mates. The movement is especially pronounced in the early morning and late evening hours.
Though deer movement peaks this time of year, remember that a deer could run on or near roadways at any time of the year.
Use An Annual Rye Cover Crop In Your Garden This Fall From Master Gardener David Wall
November 1, 2024 – One way to protect and enrich your garden soil for next spring is to plant a cover crop, and one of the best cover crops is cereal (annual) rye. Cereal rye is a grain crop planted/sown on bare soil immediately after removing vegetable crop residue. It grows very fast and so thick, it quickly outpaces any weeds trying to recover or newly landed weed seeds that sprout.
First off. cereal rye’s thickness of growth will protect your soil from erosion during winter winds and rain. Then, it protects the soil next spring from new weeds. On top of all this, it helps to aerate and enrich the garden soil next spring when it dies and decays. How? Well its roots can penetrate virtually any type of soil, breaking up compaction (loosening the soil), making it easier for next spring’s crops to penetrate.
When cereal rye dies back next spring, the decaying roots provide organic matter for vegetable crop roots. Hollows left by decaying roots provide channels for air and water. On the soil surface, decomposing foliage provides more nutrients, as the crop doesn’t have to be removed. Simply plant right through it! Again, the thickness of the growing cereal rye prevents from getting the other hand. Basically, it creates a barrier that outgrows and smothers weeds
A major asset is low maintenance. You don’t have to till it into the soil. Just sow it, perhaps run a rake over it, and give it some water. It will quickly sprout and start covering the soil. To terminate, just cut it back (more than one trimming may be required) and plant your vegetables right through it.
Make sure you buy a cereal (winter, annual) grain rye. Its seeds are much larger than perennial or annual rye grass seeds, which won’t die off!
Dinner Bell for November 6, 2024
The doors to Fellowship Hall at First United Methodist Church will open at 11:00 a.m. Meal service begins at 11:30 a.m. and doors will close at 12:45 p.m. Please come join us to share fellowship and a meal.
It was Texas’ gain (especially Sulphur Springs) and California’s’ loss when the Dollison family decided to locate Diversi fied Storage Systems (DSS) in our fair city in January, 2016. Diversified Storage Systems designs and produces dry power storage transfer equipment and silos. This equipment meets the needs of such industries as construction, mining import and manufacturing.
DSS not only enriches the local economy and provides job opportunities, but is also heavily involved in community endeavors. Since 2016 it has partnered with the Dinner Bell quarterly. It also participates in High School Soccer, the Healthcare Foundation Annual Gala, the Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, and the Senior Center holiday “wish list” to name several other community endeavors.
The Dinner Bell appreciates Diversified Storage Systems and Michelle and Tim Dollison for their continued support
We plan to continue inside dining every Wednesday with the exception of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Christ mas and New Years Day.
MENU:
MEXICAN LASAGNA
BROWN SUGAR TARRAGON CARROTS
TORTILLAS
GARDEN SALAD WITH GUACAMOLE RANCH DRESSING
SOPAPILLA CHEESECAKE
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices as flu and COVID are lurking in our midst! Wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
