Brashear Cemetery Association Annual Homecoming Meeting
May 30, 2023- Brashear Cemetery Association has announced that their annual homecoming meeting will be held Saturday, June 3rd starting at 10:30 am. Bring your favorite covered dish and enjoy the fellowship with your friends and neighbors.
Mail donations should be sent to the Brashear Cemetery Association, P O box 72, Brashear Texas 75420
Texas Lawmakers Approve Bill That Would Require A Armed Person At Every Texas Campus
May 29, 2023 – Texas lawmakers have sent a school safety measure Bill to Gov. Abbott’s desk on Sunday, including in their response to last year’s Uvalde massacre a requirement to post an armed security officer at every school and provide mental health training for certain district employees.
This measure will also give the state more power to persuade school districts to create active-shooter plans.
Both Chambers gave their final approval to House Bill 3 after ironing out their differences over the past week.
The provision to require an armed person at every school campus was added back into the Bill during the negotiation process after the Senate took it out earlier in the session. The armed person can be either a peace officer, a school resource officer, a school marshal or a school district employee, according to the law.
That provision caused the most tension among the opponents of the Bill, who have argued all through the legislative session that fewer guns — not more — is the solution to mass shootings. However, the Bill still passed by a relatively large margin in the House, 93-49.
The proposal requires the Texas School Safety Center to review best practices to best secure campuses every five years. In the Uvalde shooting, the gunman entered Robb Elementary through a backdoor that failed to properly lock. The Bill would also create regional safety teams that would conduct intruder detection audits at least once a year.
Both chambers have agreed that school safety is this years topic of choice this session after the Uvalde elementary school shooting that occurred last year. However, Uvalde parents were left disappointed after the raise-the-age Bill they advocated for failed earlier in the session. The Bill would have raised the age of purchasing semi-automatic rifles from 18 years old to 21 years old.
Under the Bill, school employees who regularly interact with children would need to complete an “evidence-based mental health first-aid training program.” The TEA would reimburse the employee for the time and money spent on the training.
In counties with fewer than 350,000 people, the bill requires the sheriff to hold semi-annual meetings to discuss school safety and law enforcement response to “violent incidents.” This includes making sure there is a clear chain of command and that all radios are working.
Each district would be required to give the Department of Public Safety and other law enforcement a walkthrough and a map of each campus in an effort to avoid confusion when responding to an incident.
“This is a huge win for the safety of our children,” said Rep. Carrie Isaac, R-Dripping Springs.
Friday From The Chamber, May 26th
Introducing the 2023 Stew Contest Theme: The Stew Bowl!
Attention all designers and stew enthusiasts! The World Champion Hopkins County Stew Contest Logo Contest is now officially open! If you’ve got a knack for creativity and want your design to be featured on this year’s Stew shirt, posters, and all marketing materials, this is your chance!
The theme for this year’s contest is “The Stew Bowl,” inspired by college football. So, put on your creative helmets and get ready to tackle this challenge!
To participate, simply submit a PNG, JPEG, or PDF through the official contest website: https://www.hopkinschamber.org/logocontest/
One lucky winner will receive 4 Stew Contest t-shirts, 4 tickets to the event, a coveted parking pass, and a quart ticket.
The deadline to submit your design is June 6 at 4 pm.
Good luck to all the talented participants. Let’s make “The Stew Bowl” an unforgettable experience!
Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings
Slaughter’s BBQ – NEW LOCATION!
Date: Tuesday, May 30th
Time: Noon
Location: 129 Magnolia Street in Sulphur Springs
The Diamond @ Star E Ranch – Wedding & Special Event Venue
Date: Friday, June 2nd
Time: Noon
Location: 13342 FM 1567, Cumby, TX 75433
Adult Leadership Applications Now Open!
Leadership Sulphur Springs is back on this year, with applications online!
The leadership class is for Hopkins County men and women who want to learn and become more invested in their local community. It’s an intensive nine-month program that immerses the participants in the business and government of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County.
The tentative dates for this year’s program are attached to the application, which can be accessed at HopkinsChamber.org.
The registration fee is $500 and that covers the cost of the food, drinks, transportation, etc. for the year.
To Apply click HERE
Try Growing Peanuts in Containers
By David Wall, Mount Pleasant Master Gardener
Peanut plants are somewhat unique in that they flower like a traditional vegetable plant but instead of producing their “fruit” above ground, they send what are called pegs down into the dirt to produce their nuts below ground. Traditionally, peanuts are grown only in areas with long summers, such as the deep south. The time from seed-to-harvest which is normally at least 20-150 days, makes them hard to grow in may climates before first frost.
This four-to-five-month requirement time is hard to squeeze in for many climates. The soil and air must warm up, and harvest has to occur before first frost. For example, by the time you’re reading this, you’re already limited timewise to get started. Fortunately, a way to cheat the weather is called growing in a container.
Containers work well for several reasons. First, starting something new like peanuts is always a challenge. Then, containers lower the soil requirements in your garden. They come in all sizes, but a 5-gallon paint-type container should be minimum, and a cattle feeder pot (21” diameter and 21” deep) is preferrable.
An advantage of containers is that they don’t require a large space in your garden during the growing season. Then if you place your containers where they will get enough sunlight, the peanuts will grow. No special soil is required, although many like potting soil.Buy your “seeds” from a nursery. They’ll usually germinate in 7-10 days. If soil & air haven’t warmed up, then start indoors. After a month or so, flowers appear. Then, pegs (offshoots from the flower) grow downward to the soil, penetrate it, and start producing peanuts. Now, you’re at about 4 months. In another month, pull the entire plant up with peanuts attached. Let the nuts dry for 10-14 days and start enjoying the harvest.
Paris District Road Report for May 29, 2023
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting May 29, 2023. 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.
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 the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between SH 91 and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes, bridges, and retaining walls. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set on the mainlanes for this construction project.
Watch for a daytime lane closure on the northbound and southbound US 75 frontage roads from its intersection with South Travis Street to Park Avenue. These closures will allow work crews to perform bridge rail work in preparation of an upcoming traffic switch in this area.
Beginning on June 7, mainlane traffic will be switched from the current mainlanes to the existing frontage roads to allow for construction of the new mainlanes and bridges between South Travis Street and Center Street. During this operation, northbound US 75 mainlane traffic will shift onto the existing frontage road approximately ½ mile north of South Travis Street and transition back to existing mainlanes at Middleton Street.
Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic will shift onto the existing frontage road approximately one-half mile north of Park Avenue and transition back to existing mainlanes approximately one-half mile north of South Travis Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 mainlanes and bridges at Post Oak Creek. Once the traffic switch is completed, US 75 frontage road traffic will be reduced to a single travel lane while US 75 mainlane traffic will maintain two travel lanes. Both mainlane and frontage road traffic will be separated by concrete barriers.
Beginning at 7 a.m. on May 31, all eastbound and westbound lanes of Park Avenue under US 75 will be closed to traffic. This closure is necessary to complete work in preparation for the mainlane detour and allow for construction of the new overpass at Park Avenue. To detour, eastbound Park Avenue traffic will turn right on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on South Travis Street, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to Park Avenue. Westbound traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Center Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to Park Avenue.
Beginning at 7:30 p.m. on June 14, traffic will be switched on the northbound and southbound mainlanes between North Travis Street and Washington Street. During this operation, northbound US 75 mainlane traffic will shift onto a portion of the newly-constructed southbound roadway between Washington Street and North Travis Street and transition back to existing northbound mainlanes at Taylor Street. Southbound US 75 mainlane traffic will shift onto the newly-constructed southbound roadway north of SH 91 and transition to current mainlane alignment at Washington Street. This operation will allow for reconstruction of the proposed US 75 northbound mainlanes and bridges at North Travis Street and SH 91.
Beginning on May 31, the westbound US 82 exit ramp to US 75 will be permanently closed to traffic. All traffic wishing to access US 75 will take the existing Loy Lake Road exit, which will serve as the new permanent US 75 exit, too.
The eastbound entrance ramp to US 82 at the US 75 intersection is closed to traffic. This ramp serves as the entrance ramp to eastbound US 82 at US 75. This closure is needed to complete the construction of the US 82 eastbound Frontage Road and new entrance ramp. Motorists are advised to use the eastbound frontage road and continue east through the Loy Lake intersection and use the eastbound entrance ramp from Loy Lake Road to gain access to US 82.
Lamar Street and Houston Street under US 75 are closed to through traffic with detour signs in place to guide motorists around these intersections.
Eastbound Lamar Street traffic will turn right on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Center Street, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to eastbound Lamar Street. Video animation of this detour can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/5LrCpdOA8OQ
Westbound Houston Street traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Washington Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to westbound Houston Street. Video animation of this detour can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/7jCatnI3Oq4
These switches will allow crews to reconstruct the proposed US 75 mainlanes and the bridge over Lamar and Houston Streets. The US 75 northbound frontage road traffic is reduced to one travel lane, but two travel lanes remain for northbound US 75 mainlane traffic. A concrete barrier separates the northbound frontage road and mainlane traffic. Video animation of this alignment can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/y_uO0UmpCzk
For southbound US 75 the frontage road traffic is reduced to one travel lane, but two travel lanes remain for southbound US 75 mainlane traffic. A concrete barrier separates the southbound frontage road and mainlane traffic. Video animation of this alignment can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/k2EG2W9rFJY
US 75, Grayson County: at the US 82 intersection. Watch for shoulder closures on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between South Loy Lake Road and Lamberth Street as crews work on building new exit and entrance ramps. Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the eastbound and westbound US 82 main lanes between FM 131 and Loy Lake Road while crews work on building new exit and entrance ramps. Watch for lane closures and lane shifts for the frontage roads at the US 75 and US 82 intersection as crews work on construction of new frontage road lanes.
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 construct the new roadway pavement. The ultimate roadway will be a four-lane divided section with turn lanes. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
The annual seal coat contract to place a chip and seal treatment on the roadways in Grayson County has begun. The following roadways will receive a seal coat: FM 121 from US 377 to SH 289; SH 289 from FM 120 to SH 56; and SH 5 from US 75 to Redden Road. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 11, Grayson County: from FM 697 in Sherman to US 69 in Whitewright. Work on the pavement overlay project has begun. Watch for daytime lane closures as workers repair culverts, mill and then overlay the roadway with a hot-mix surface. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Park Road 20 in Eisenhower State Park, Grayson County. Watch for daytime lane closures within Eisenhower State Park as workers perform base repairs on the roadway and then overlay the roadway with a hot-mix surface. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
US 82, Grayson County: 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, the bridge location will be reduced to one lane while crews replace the bridge railing. Currently the contractor is working on the westbound US 82 lanes at Harris Creek and on the eastbound lanes at Post Oak Creek.
US 82, Grayson County: at the Old Southmayd Road intersection. Watch for daytime lane closures as workers lengthen the existing left turn lanes on US 82 at the Old Southmayd Road intersection and add right-turn lanes.
South Travis Street, Grayson County: in Sherman at Post Oak Creek. Construction is underway for the replacement of the South Travis Street bridge over Post Oak Creek. During construction, the bridge will be reduced to one lane with traffic signals controlling traffic through the project, while the new bridge is built in phases.
Business US 377B, Grayson County: south of Whitesboro at the railroad underpass near US 377. Watch for lane closures with signals controlling traffic while crews work to upgrade the bridge railing.
US 75 full depth concrete repair, Grayson County: 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.
FS 121 (Grayson Parkway), Grayson County: from the Collin County line to FM 121. Construction is ongoing on this new-location roadway which is west of SH 289 approximately four miles. The new roadway will be two lanes with shoulders and will be an extension of the frontage road of the Dallas North Tollway. Local traffic on CR 60 (Marilee Road) and Stiff Chapel Road should expect occasional road work at those intersections, with flaggers present to control traffic. Work on FM 121 at the FS 121 intersection (formerly Scharff Road intersection) is ongoing as crews work to widen the pavement to add turn lanes. Motorists on FM 121 should expect lane shifts while crews widen the pavement and install a culvert.
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 Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday during the nighttime.
SH 5, Grayson County: from US 75 to SH 5. 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.
SH 289, Grayson County: from US 82 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.
The annual seal coat contract to place a chip and seal treatment on the roadways in Fannin County has begun. The following roadways will receive a seal coat: US 69 from the Grayson County line to the Hunt County line, and FM 409 from FM 2029 to FM 100. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 100, Fannin County: 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.
CR 1320, Fannin County: at the Caney Creek Bridge is closed to traffic in order for crews to replace the bridge structure and approaches.
FM 271, Fannin County: 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 34, Fannin County: from FM 64 to FM 1550. Watch for traffic shifts and traffic-signal-controlled lane closures as workers build the bridge approaches for the new SH 34 roadway at the future Lake Ralph Hall.
FM 1550, Fannin County: from SH 34 to CR 3544. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work on building the connection of the realigned FM 1550 to the existing roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
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.
FM 816, Fannin County: from the Hunt County line to SH 78. 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.
US 69, Fannin County: from SH 121 to FM 981. 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 273, Fannin County: from Rec Road 3 to FM 1396. 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.
I-30, Franklin County: from SH 37 to County Road 3050. Watch for single lane closures and delays as crews perform pavement widening for truck parking area.
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.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 82 to Texas-Oklahoma state line. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews resurface the roadway and perform bridge maintenance.
FM 38, Lamar County: from US 82 to US 82. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and upgrade bridge rail and metal-beam guard fence.
FM 1487, Red River County: from FM 909 to FM 910. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews widen and rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
Loop 286, Lamar County: 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.
Loop 286, Lamar County: from US 271 North going west to FM 79. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures, lane shifts, crossing closures and merging traffic while crews place a bonded concrete surface and perform asphalt paving operations.
Loop 286 / US 271 South Interchange, Lamar County: from Dawn Drive going south to the North Loop 286 turn around. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures, lane shifts, and traffic merges while crews improve guardrail and perform bridge maintenance.
Loop 286 at BU 271 (Clarksville Street), Lamar County: Exit ramp from southbound Loop 286 onto BU 271. Watch for temporary exit ramp closure while crews make repairs to adjacent metal beam guard fence.
FM 64, Delta County: from FM 128 to SH 1532. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 2675, Delta County: from Lamar County line to FM 128. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
BU 271 (North Main Street), Lamar County: from Santa Fe Street to one-quarter mile north of Stone Avenue. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews install sidewalk
US 82, Lamar County: at the FM 1502 intersection. Watch for temporary lane closures, and traffic and lane shifts as crews widen the roadway to install a left-turn lane and improve drainage structures.
Cedar / Church Street (Clarksville, Texas), Red River County: at the intersection of Cedar and Church Street in Clarksville, Texas. Watch for road closure while crews remove and replace the existing bridge.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903) 455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
SP 302: Hunt County (From SH 34 to FM 499, from 499 to I-30, from US 69 to SH 34, from O’Neal Street to US 69). The contractor has begun setting work zone signs and barricades. Milling and paving operations have begun. The contractor has completed performing work at night in downtown Greenville near the square due to ongoing city infrastructure repairs. Temporary striping will begin in areas that are available. Cleaning and sweeping operations are also being performed. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 2946, Rains County (From FM 515 to FM 2795): Contractors have set barricades and work zone traffic signs. The contractor is performing cross culvert work and culvert extensions at various locations on the project. The contractor has worked on driveway and driveway pipe. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 2649, Hunt County (From I-30 to FM 1567): Contractors have set barricades and work zone traffic signs. The contractor has begun placing driveway safety ends and concrete pipe. Cross culvert work, preparation of the right of way, reworking the roadway, widening and cement treatment to the subgrade, and reworking the roadway base material has begun. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
CR 1032, 1031 and 2132 bridge replacement project, Hunt County. The contractor has set barricades and advance warning signs. The contractor has reopened the CR 1032 and CR 2132 bridge. The contractor has begun work on CR 1031 by preparing the right of way work and placing the detour. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
I-30, Hunt County: Interchange Improvements: The contractor has set barricades and advance warning signs. Eastbound barrier placement was finished in early May. Excavation work for detours on both frontage roads has begun and some temporary pavement will begin this week. Temporary drainage for the frontage roads will begin soon. The contractor is continuing to install RFDs on the project. I-30 frontage roads will be converted to one-way use soon. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
SH 276, Hunt County: from FM 36 to SH 34 (Quinlan Bypass). The contractor was able to open west- and eastbound lanes of Business SH 276 and is working on the final paving left to tie in the project with the proposed bypass. Asphalt work to finish the north and south ends of Spur 264 mill and overlay with permanent striping will begin soon. The contractor will be processing flex base, cement treat, prime, OCST and asphalt on flex base west tie-in soon. Please be aware of lane closures and changes to current traffic configuration and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
SH 66, Hunt County: SH 66 at FM 1570, SH 34 at FM 1570. The contractor has installed signal poles and signal lights at SH 34, and FM 1570 and SH 66 intersections. Traffic signals at the following intersections have gone live SH 34 at FM 1903, SH 34 at FM 1570, and SH 66 at FM 1570. Some sodding work has begun.
Maintenance crews for both Hunt and Rains County will be performing various sign and mailbox installations on various roads. Rains County crews will be performing safety mowing on SH 276. Hunt County crews are addressing humps and heaves on US 380 along with ditch work on FM 2194. Both Hunt and Rains County crews are addressing potholes and roadway complaints. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
#
Jackson Back in Hopkins County to Face Charges
May 27, 2023 – Latira Jackson AKA Sherry Guo, Sherry Watson, Lateisha R. Jackson and Kaneca Tonya Snell is back in Hopkins County Jail this week. A Hopkins County Deputy arrested Jackson as she was released from the Collin County Jail.
Jackson was arrested last year and was charged with several offences including unlawful possession of a firearm, fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, and prohibited substance in a correctional facility. See that story here.
She is being held on a $175,000 bond.
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.
Carry The Load walk set to continue through Sulphur Springs Saturday at EMS Station
Carry The Load is coming to the Hopkins County EMS Central Station.
It is a non profit organization with the mission to provide active ways to honor and remember the nation’s heroes by connecting Americans to the sacrifices made by military, veterans, first responders and their families.
The goals are:
- To raise awareness of those who sacrifice for us daily by providing Americans active ways to remember, honor, and celebrate them.
- To raise funds to provide healing services for the mind, body, and soul of our warriors.
- To inspire patriotism in our youth by educating them about the American flag and the sacrifices made to honor it.
Date: May 27th Time: 5 A.M. SHARP!
Distance walking: 3.1 miles
Location: Hopkins County EMS Central Station Address: 116 Airport Rd Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
The early morning walk Saturday morning starts the final push to Dallas. The New England relay team will start at 5 A.M. in Sulphur Springs and walks continuously through the night into Dallas.
It is the only portion of all the relays that walks uninterrupted.
For more information on Carry the Load, visit their website.
For the New England relay route guide (showing progress thus far and where it is headed) click here.
Increased Enforcement Has Begun For Memorial Day
May 26, 2023 – With Memorial Day around the corner DPS has announced that there will be a increase in law enforcement during the holiday. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is taking this time to remind drivers to celebrate this unofficial kickoff to summer safely so that everyone can enjoy their holiday.
Today through May 29, the Texas Highway Patrol will participate in Memorial Day enforcement efforts including Click It or Ticket and Operation CARE (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort). Click It or Ticket is an enforcement campaign that encourages people to wear their seat belts. Operation CARE is a specialized campaign in which Troopers look for drivers who are speeding, intoxicated or violating other laws. Troopers will also watch for drivers not complying with the state’s Move Over, Slow Down law.
During the 2022 Memorial Day campaign, More that 66 thousand citations and warning were issued by troopers. This also includes 4,790 citations for speeding; 1,184 for no insurance; and more than 718 citations for individuals without seatbelt or child seat restraints. DPS also arrested 195 people on DWI charges, 175 fugitives and 296 people for other felony charges.
DPS encourages drivers to follow these safety tips during Memorial Day weekend and beyond:
- Don’t drink and drive. Make alternate plans if you are consuming alcohol.
- Move Over or Slow Down for police, fire, EMS, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated. Show the same courtesy to fellow drivers who are stopped on the side of the road. So far in 2023, there have been more than 2,430 move over, slow down violations.
- Buckle up everyone in the vehicle — it’s the law.
- Slow down, especially in bad weather, heavy traffic, unfamiliar areas or construction zones.
- Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices. Texas law prohibits the use of portable wireless devices to read, write or send an electronic message unless the vehicle is stopped. If you’re using a navigation device or app, have a passenger operate it so you can keep your eyes on the road.
- Drive defensively, as holiday travel can present additional challenges.
- On multi-lane roads, use the left lane for passing only. Not only is it courteous driving and avoids impeding traffic, Texas law requires slower traffic to keep to the right and to use the left lane for passing only (when posted).
- Don’t cut in front of large trucks and try not to brake quickly in front of them. They can’t maneuver as easily as passenger vehicles and pickup trucks.
- If you can Steer It, Clear It: If you are involved in a non-injury crash and your vehicle can be moved, clear the traffic lanes to minimize traffic impact. Leaving vehicles in a traffic lane increases traffic congestion and leaves those involved with an increased risk of harm or a secondary wreck. On some highways, if you don’t move your vehicle when it’s safe to do so, it’s against the law.
- Keep the Texas Roadside Assistance number stored in your phone. Dial 1-800-525-5555 for any type of assistance. The number can also be found on the back of a Texas Driver License.
- Check your vehicle to make sure it is properly maintained and always ensure your cargo is secure.
- Report road hazards or anything suspicious to the nearest law enforcement agency.
- Monitor weather and road conditions wherever you are traveling. For road conditions and closures in Texas, visit Drive Texas.
DPS would also like to remind Texans about the iWatchTexas program. This is a critical resource for reporting suspicious activity within the community in order to help prevent dangerous attacks. Everyone is urged to download the free iOS or Android mobile app. Tips can be reported via the website, the mobile app or by calling 844-643-2251. All reports are confidential.
For information on how to use iWatchTexas, you can view this how-to video. Remember, iWatchTexas is not for emergencies. If there is an emergency, call 911 immediately.
FDA Approves First Oral Treatment For COVID-19 In Adults
May 26, 2023 – Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the oral antiviral Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets, co-packaged for oral use) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. Paxlovid is the fourth drug—and first oral antiviral pill—approved by the FDA to treat COVID-19 in adults.
Paxlovid manufactured and packaged under the emergency use authorization (EUA) and distributed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will continue to be available to ensure continued access for adults, as well as treatment of eligible children ages 12-18 who are not covered by today’s approval. Paxlovid is not approved or authorized for use as a pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis for prevention of COVID-19.
“While the pandemic has been challenging for all of us, we have made great progress mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on our lives,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director for the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Today’s approval demonstrates that Paxlovid has met the agency’s rigorous standards for safety and effectiveness, and that it remains an important treatment option for people at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including those with prior immunity. The FDA remains committed to working with sponsors to facilitate the development of new prevention and treatment options for COVID-19.”
Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, approval of a new drug requires, among other things, substantial evidence of effectiveness and a demonstration of safety for the drug’s intended use(s). In considering approval of a drug, the FDA conducts a benefit-risk assessment based on rigorous scientific standards to ensure that the product’s benefits outweigh its risks for the intended population.
The efficacy of Paxlovid was primarily supported by the final results of the EPIC-HR clinical trial. EPIC-HR was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial studying Paxlovid for the treatment of non-hospitalized symptomatic adults with a laboratory confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients were adults 18 years of age and older with a prespecified risk factor for progression to severe disease or were 60 years and older regardless of prespecified chronic medical conditions. All patients had not received a COVID-19 vaccine and had not been previously infected with COVID-19. Paxlovid significantly reduced the proportion of people with COVID-19 related hospitalization or death from any cause through 28 days of follow-up by 86% compared to placebo among patients treated within five days of symptom onset and who did not receive COVID-19 therapeutic monoclonal antibody treatment. In this analysis, 977 patients received Paxlovid, and 989 patients received placebo, and among these patients, 0.9% who received Paxlovid were hospitalized due to COVID-19 or died from any cause during 28 days of follow-up compared to 6.5% of the patients who received the placebo.
Benefit of Paxlovid was observed in patients with prior immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19. Among patients in EPIC-HR who were antibody positive at trial enrollment, the risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization or death from any cause during 28 days of follow-up was 0.2% among the 490 patients treated with Paxlovid compared with 1.7% of the 479 patients receiving placebo. EPIC-SR was another clinical trial that enrolled vaccinated patients with at least one risk factor for progression to severe COVID-19. Although not statistically significant, among these vaccinated patients, there was a reduction in the risk of COVID-19 related hospitalization or death from any cause.
EPIC-HR and EPIC-SR were randomized controlled trials and provide information about COVID-19 rebound. Data from these two trials showed that rebound in SARS-CoV-2 (RNA or virus) shedding or COVID-19 symptoms occurred in a subset of patients and happened in both the patients receiving Paxlovid and the placebo. Based on the data currently available to the FDA, there is not a clear association between Paxlovid treatment and COVID-19 rebound.
Because of the importance of reducing the risk of significant drug-drug interactions with Paxlovid, the approved label and authorized Fact Sheet for Health Care Providers for the Paxlovid EUA come with a boxed warning with instructions for prescribers. Prescribers should review all medications taken by the patient to assess for potential drug-drug interactions and determine if other medicines that a patient may be taking require a dose adjustment, interruption and/or additional monitoring. Prescribers should consider the benefit of Paxlovid treatment in reducing hospitalization and death, and whether the risk of potential drug-drug interactions for an individual patient can be appropriately managed.
In conjunction with today’s approval, the FDA is providing all prescribers with important information for prescribing Paxlovid properly and safely, such as dosing instructions, potential side effects and information regarding drugs that may cause drug-drug interactions with Paxlovid. The most common side effects of taking Paxlovid include impaired sense of taste and diarrhea. Patients should discuss with their health care provider whether Paxlovid is right for them.
Dr. Deana Steeber Hired As Sulphur Springs ISD New Superintendent
May 25, 2023 – Sulphur Springs ISD School Board has officially hired Dr. Deana Steeber as the new superintendent during a special board meeting, Thursday May 25, 2023.
During this meeting board president Craig Roberts announced that the board would consider hiring Dr. Deana Steeber, and she was quickly voted in unanimously.
Board President Craig Roberts also presented to Dr. Steeber her own name plate that will sit on the board along with her as she joins the School Board.
Deana Steeber comes from Argyle Tx, previously working at Argyle ISD as assistant superintendent. Before arriving in Argyle ISD, Dr. Steeber served as a principal in Carroll ISD and Sanger ISD. She has 27 years of experience in public education and 11 as a principal at the high school, middle school and elementary levels.
Deana Steeber has worked before as a superintendent assistant and knows the inner working of the job that is superintendent. Dr. Deana Steebers husband, Dr. Robert Steeber, is the current superintendent at McAlister Oklahoma ISD.
During the meeting Dr. Deana’s parents and husband joined the members of the audience in congratulating Dr. Steeber on her new position within the school. Also during the meeting her son facetimed to congratulate his mother, causing sweet comments from the audience and member of the board.
Steeber expressed that she is very grateful for the opportunities and wishes to work well with the community as well as those within the school district.
