Emory Man Accused Of Unlawful Disclosure Or Promotion Of Intimate Visual Material
11 Others Jailed On Felony Charges This Week
A 29-year-old Emory man accused of unlawful disclosure or promotion of intimate visual material was among 11 jailed this week on felony warrants, according to arrest and jail reports..
I-30 West Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford and Sgt. Richard Greer served Coby Clifton Wiebe with a warrant at an Interstate 30 west business address at 2:51 p.m. Thursday.
The 29-year-old Emory man was transported to the county jail, where he was booked in at 3:39 p.m. Sept. 1, 2022 on the outstanding unlawful disclosure or promotion of intimate visual material charge. The offense is alleged to have occurred on Aug. 4, 2022, in Hopkins County, Sgt. Greer noted in arrest reports.
Wiebe was released from Hopkins County jail Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Bond on the felony offense was set at $5,000, according to jail reports.
Arrest At Probation Office
HCSO Deputies Zack Steward and Sgt. Richard Greer, acting at the request of Investigator Shea Shaw, located Brandi Christine Potts at the Adult Probation Office and took her into custody at 9:30 a.m. Thursday on a warrant. She released to Shaw for questioning at the sheriff’s office.
Once Shaw finished speaking with Potts, the 36-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was escorted into the jail. She was booked in at 10:41 a.m. Sept. 1, 2022, on the tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair charge. The offense is alleged to have occurred on Aug. 31, 2022.
Potts, who is also known by —Brandi Christine Pullen Allen, Brandi Christin Allen Pullen and Brandi Christine Pullen — was released from Hopkins County jail Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. Bond on the felony charge was set at $30,000.
Facilities Transfers
HCSO Deputy Steve Huffman took Samantha Suzanne Evans into custody at 2:12 p.m. Thursday at Ector County Detention Center. Huffman transported the 29-year-old Texarkana, Texas woman from the Odessa facility to Hopkins County County Law Enforcement Center.
Evans was booked into Hopkins County jail at 10:14 p.m. Sept. 1, 2022, for bond forfeiture on an April 1, 2022 possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance charge.
The Texarkana woman, who is also known by Sam Evans and Tiarra Evans, remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in lieu of the new $60,000 bond set on the felony controlled substance charge.
HCSO Deputy Huffman also took Brian Alan Hays into custody at 10:50 a.m. Aug. 31, 2022, at a Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Huntsville, then transported him to Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center.
Hays was booked into Hopkins County jail at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday on a bench warrant for burglary of a habitation.
The the 50-year-old Emory man was held in Hopkins County jail Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, without bond on the charge. Jail records also show Hays was arrested on the original charge on Dec. 9, 2021.
Garrison Street Traffic Stop
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Francisco Castro stopped a Chevrolet Silverado at 12:12 p.m. Aug. 31, 2022, on Garrison Street at Main Street.
When the officer contacted him, the 43-year-old driver said he did not have his driver’s license on him, but provided identifying information. The Sulphur Springs man also said the truck was not his, and it should have valid insurance.
Joe Manuel Gutierrez also admitted there might also have a parole warrant for his arrest because he had not reported when he was supposed to. A records check by dispatchers confirmed an arrant warrent had been issued by Austin Parole Board. Castro had Gutierrez step out of the truck while communications operators confirmed the warrant was active. Gutierrez was taken into custody and allowed to contact another person to come to the location and take possession of his truck. When the individual arrived to drive the vehicle, Castro transported Gutierrez to Hopkins County jail.
The 43-year-old was booked into Hopkins County jail at 1:24 p.m. Wednesday on the warrant for violation of parole. Gutierrez remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, held without bond on the charge.
Courtroom Arrest
HCSO Deputy Kevin Lester took Tatiana Marie Ugalde and Dennis Edward Christopher Jr. into custody at 1:58 p.m. Aug. 31, 2022, in the 8th Judicial District Courtroom on a warrant.
Lester escorted the 35-year-old Klondike woman to County jail, where she was booked in at 2:44 p.m. Wednesday on an order revoking bond on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance charge.
Ugalde remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, Sept. 3, 2022. Her new bond on the May 3, 2022, controlled substance charge was set at $150,000.
Wednesday was the third time the woman has been in Hopkins County jail this year. Ugalde —who jail reports show is also known by Tater-Tot, Hot-Tot and Tot-T — was first arrested May 3, 2022, on the controlled substance charge and June 12, 2022 on a possession of drug paraphernalia charge, according to jail records.
Lester also escorted Dennis Edward ‘DJ’ Christopher Jr. into the county jail, where the 22-year-old Henderson man was booked in at 3:08 p.m. Aug. 31, 2022, on an order revoking his probation on an April 26, 2022, possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance charge.
Christopher remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in lieu of the new $150,000 bond set on the controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
Ernesto Arellano Martinez turned himself in to authorities at the 8th District Court to serve a commitment in Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
HCSO Jailer Courtney Steward took Martinez into custody at 9:23 a.m. Aug. 30, 2022, and escorted him to Hopkins County jail to serve time on an Oct. 13, 2021 manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1-B controlled substance in a drug-free zone charge. He remained in jail on the charge Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, according to jail reports.
Tuesday was Martinez’s second time this year to be booked into Hopkins County jail. He was jailed March 5-14, 2022, for surety off bond on a possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance charge and on a possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana charge.
East Shannon Road Arrest
SSPD Officers Francisco Castro and Sean Hoffman received information about a possible location for Elizabeth “Liz” Cadena, a woman sought on an outstanding warrant. The 20-year-old Sulphur Springs woman reportedly opened the door when officers knocked at an East Shannon Road address.
She was advised of the warrant for her arrest and taken into custody at 3:52 p.m. Aug. 31, 2022. Using her identifying information, a records check was conducting confirming Cadena to be the woman wanted on the active warrant. She was transported to jail, where officers learned the woman also had eight outstanding traffic warrants as well.
The 20-year-old was booked in at 4:56 p.m. Aug. 31, 2022, on the felony warrant for violation of probation on a Nov. 2, 2020 possession of less than 28 grams of a Penalty Group 3 controlled substance, as well as five no driver’s licenses warrants, and two for speed infractions.
Cadena, who jail reports say is also known by Nega and Elisabeth Cadena, was held in Hopkins County jail Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, without bond on the probation warrant.
Additional Charges
Charles Ray “Butch” Potts Jr. was jailed Aug. 30, 2022, on a possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance charge, as well as warrants for insurance fraud in the amount of $30,000 or more but less than $150,000, failure to control speed and tampering with evidence.
HCSO Investigator Dennis Findley served Potts at the jail with an additional tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair warrant at 3:45 p.m. Aug. 31, 2022, according to arrest reports.
Potts remained in the county jail Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, on a $100,000 bond on the controlled substance charge, a $100,00 bond on the fraud warrant and $30,000 each on the tampering with evidence warrants.
College Street Arrest
SSPD Officers Cameron Robinson and Robble Acosta received information about a wanted man. They located the 49-year-old Sulphur Springs man on College Street at and took him into custody at 10:39 p.m. Aug. 30, 2022, on the outstanding charges.
Shannon Foy Pearson was booked into Hopkins County jail at 11:14 p.m. Tuesday on a Cullman County, Alabama warrant for bond revocation on a burglary charge and a Morgan County, Alabama warrant for a dangerous drug charge.
Pearson remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, on both charges. Bond on the Morgan County charge was set at $50,000, according to jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
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.
Paris Junior College Welding Students
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Welding Instructor John Plemons, center, gives an OK to the work of advanced welding student Ra’Ann Carter, left, and structural welding student Ethan Fort. Both students are from Lone Oak.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Sulphur Springs Man Accused Of Aggravated Perjury
A 35-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed Thursday afternoon on an aggravated perjury charge, after allegedly lying to a judge during a court hearing Thursday for a DWI charge, according to arrest and sheriff’s reports.
According to sheriff’s reports and the court docket, Ryan Keith Tucker appeared as scheduled for a pre-trial hearing in the County Court At Law during the 9 a.m. court session on Sept. 1, 2022. Judge Clay Harrison presided over the a second offense DWI charge.
The DWI charge stemmed from a two-vehicle collision on State Highway 11 east at County Road 4710, allegedly caused when Tucker struck another vehicle while trying to pass it on Valentine’s Day 2022. Tucker was reported to be walking into a pasture away from the crash when deputies detained him. He had slurred speech, was unsteady on his feet. He also admitted to consuming medication and an alcoholic beverage, Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Arturo Ugalde alleged in Tucker’s February arrest report.
Thursday, Sept. 1, Hopkins County Attorney’s Office offered Tucker a plea agreement related to the Feb. 14, 2022, second offense DWI charge. During the official proceeding, Tucker swore under oath his testimony during the hearing would be the truth. The terms of the plea agreement were reviewed, including the requirement for an interlock device on his vehicle. Tucker reportedly told the judge since his driver’s license is suspended, not only does he not drive a vehicle, he doesn’t even own a vehicle, officials reported.
After signing the agreement, Tucker was allowed to leave the court. A sheriff’s deputy who had been in the courtroom when Tucker was placed under oath, had walked out of the building and was standing on the courthouse steps. While there he reported seeing Tucker get into the driver’s side of a four-door passenger car and drive away from the courthouse square. Judge Harrison was notified. A case was initiated against Tucker for perjury. A warrant was issued for Tucker’s arrest later Sept. 1.
HCSO Deputies Josh Davis and Kevin Lester located Tucker at his rural residence, took him into custody at 3:07 p.m. on two charges and transported him to jail. Tucker — who is also known to use the aliases John Moore, Shawn Tutt and Shawn Tucker — was booked into jail at 3:48 p.m. Thursday on the warrant for aggravated perjury as well as bond forfeiture on the driving while intoxicated-second offense charge.
Under Texas Penal Code Title 8, Chapter 37, Section 37.02, perjury is committed if, a person, with intent to deceive and with knowledge of the statement’s meaning, either “makes a false statement under oath or swears to the truth of a false statement previously made and the statement is required or authorized by law to be made under oath;” ” or “makes a false unsworn declaration under Chapter 132, Civil Practice and Remedies Code.” Perjury is a Class A misdemeanor offense.
Aggravated perjury, according to Section 37.03 of the Penal Code, then is committed if the person commits perjury as defined in Section 37.02, and the false statement is made during or in connection with an official proceeding; and is material. Aggravated perjury is a third-degree felony offense.
Tucker remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, on both charges. His bond on the aggravated perjury charge was set at $20,000, according to jail records.
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.
Suspect Arrested In Connection With 2007 Murder Of Winnsboro Teen
A suspect has been arrested in connection with the 2007 murder of a Winnsboro teen, according to a Wood County Sheriff’s Office report.
WCSO Capt. Mike Chilson and Texas Ranger John Vance traveled to Dallas, where they located and took Chad Earl Carr into custody. Carr was arrested Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, on a capital murder warrant WCSO obtained for Carr’s arrest the day before, according to a statement posted just after 5 p.m. Sept. 1 by WCSO.
Carr is accused of the capital murder of 19-year-old Brittany Danielle McGlone. The 2006 Winnsboro High School graduate was found deceased at her boyfriend’s home near Lake Winnsboro on May 4, 2007. The residents at the time claimed to find McGlone’s body upon returning home.
At one point during the early investigation officials indicated they were checking into suspects, pending results of DNA evidence. N, no one was publicly known to have been named as a suspect until Carr’s arrest Thursday.
The case had been listed as a cold case, inactive with no new information despite periodic review of the case and information over the years by WCSO. Last year, the case was reopened.
“Sheriff Cole and the Wood County Sheriff’s Office have worked diligently over the last year and a half to help bring closure to the family of Brittany McGlone,” the Sept. 1, 2022, WCSO release stated.
After being arrested Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, Carr was “then magistrated and transported back to the Wood County Jail, where he was booked in for capital murder,” the WCSO release stated.
Carr remained in Wood County jail Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. His bond on the capital murder charge was set at $1 million.
Wood County jail records for the Winnsboro man show Carr has previously been booked in on at least three other occasions on charges alleging violent offenses. The Winnsboro man was jailed in Wood County from March 5, 2002 to May 17, 2002 on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge; June 2, 2007 to July 17, 2008 on an sexual assault charge; and Jan. 10, 2012 to April 20, 2012 on an aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury charge. He also previously was charged on Feb. 22, 2000 with burglary of a building, according to WCSO jail reports.
3 Local Districts Will Hold Fall 2022 School Elections, In Conjunction With Uniform Election
3 Other Rural Schools Cancelling Nov. 8 Elections
Two local school districts will have trustee candidates on Nov. 8, 2022 ballots, while other has called for a bond election. The three other rural school districts that normally hold trustees elections, however, are cancelling their fall 2022 school elections.
Schools Holding Fall 2022 Elections
North Hopkins ISD
North Hopkins ISD will be holding a trustee election for three at-large full 3-year term seats on the school board. Elected to the three seats with terms expiring in November are Sherry Smiddy, president; Charlie Vaughn; and Vicki Ferrell, secretary.
Candidates vying for the three full term seats on NHISD’s school board are Brian Lewis, Charlie Vaughn, Sherry Clair, and Michael James.
Robert McPherson was the lone candidate filing for the unexpired term, thus, an election is not be needed for the unexpired term seat, according to NHISD Superintendent Brian Lowe. McPherson was appointed to the NHISD Board of Trustees in December to temporarily fill a position that would normally expire in 2023.
A special school board meeting was called Aug. 29, for trustees to call for the Nov. 8 election for the full-term school board seats. Voters will be asked to cast ballots for up to their three top choices for school trustees during the voting periods for the Nov. 8 election.
Saltillo ISD
At the close of filing on Aug. 22, 2022, Saltillo ISD had two places on the school board that were unopposed and two that were opposed, making a Nov. 8 election necessary.
Incumbent Ryan Garmon was unopposed for Place 2 and incumbent Barry Brewer was unopposed for Place 4. Place 6, currently open, drew two candidates, Mason Littrell and Josh Redar. Place 7 also drew two candidates: Phillip Alcorn is challenging incumbent Jason Tully for his seat on the school board. All four seats are for 4 full terms on the school board.
Sulphur Springs ISD
While Sulphur Springs ISD holds trustees each May, so the district will not have candidates on the Nov. 8 election ballot. SSISD trustees during a special board meeting held Aug. 12, 2022, did, however, call for a bond election.
District voters will be asked during the Nov. 8 voting period to cast ballots either for or against the $81.5 million bond proposal for facilities improvements and a new Travis Primary campus. This will be the second bond election the district has called this year; the first bond proposal was defeated in May.
Cancelled Trustees Elections
Miller Grove ISD
In Miller Grove, Brandon Darrow, Bret Garrett and Ray Sparks will fill the three full four-year term seats on the school board this November as all three were unopposed in their bids for election to the school board.
Trustees called for the fall 2022 trustees election to be canceled during the Aug. 31, 2022 MGISD board meeting. Darrow serves as president, Sparks as vice president and Garrett as secretary of the school board.
Sulphur Bluff ISD
At Sulphur Bluff ISD, three incumbents filed for re-election for three open spots. Returning board members are Brian Dorner, David Caldwell and Zach Collett.
SBISD will be cancelling the election for November, and the three trustees will be administered the oath for another full term on the school board, the superintendent reported.
Cumby ISD
Cumby ISD will not be required to hold a trustees election. The district had only three file for three full three-year terms seats on the school board, two incumbents and a newcomer. Serving most recently in those seats were Jason Hudson, Jody Jarvis and Tony Aguilar.
The board during an Aug. 25 meeting voted to cancel the Nov. 8 election, awarding the three seats to the three candidates who filed.
no regular fall elections
Como-Pickton CISD
Como-Pickton CISD, like Sulphur Springs ISD, will also not be holding an election this fall. CP CISD holds school board elections in May of numbered years only.
The next CPCISD board election will be held Saturday, May 6, 2023. The first day to file an application for the four-year seats will be January 18, 2023 – the deadline to file will be February 17, 2023
Yantis ISD
Yantis ISD also holds trustees elections in conjunction with the uniform election date in May each year, for three-year seats on the school board. Thus, Yantis ISD will not be holding a trustees election this fall. Two regular full term board seats will be up in May 2023, three in May 2024 and two in May 2025. Candidate filing for the 2023 YISD trustees election will begin in January.
Secretary of State Announces New Training Program To Become Certified As Poll Watchers
AUSTIN — Today, Texas Secretary of State John Scott announced a new poll watcher training program that allows interested Texans to become certified as poll watchers for the upcoming November 8, 2022 General Election. Under Texas law, individuals seeking to become poll watchers must obtain a Certificate of Completion from the Texas Secretary of State’s office through this training program – as well as a Certificate of Appointment from a candidate, political party or specific-purpose political action committee – in order to be accepted as a poll watcher at a particular polling location, meeting place for an early voting ballot board or signature verification committee, or central counting station where voted ballots are tabulated.
The new poll watcher training program enhances the previous program by including a quiz after each poll watcher lesson to ensure that each person completing the training fully understands the material and the relevant Texas Election Code provisions relating to the appointment, duties, and permissible conduct of poll watchers. The training program requires each prospective poll watcher to answer 100% of quiz questions correctly before moving on to the next lesson. Certificates of Completion obtained September 1, 2022, or later will expire on December 31, 2022.
“Elections in Texas rely on hard-working local officials and members of the public working hand-in-hand to ensure the voting process is conducted with integrity and transparency,” Secretary Scott said.
“The new Poll Watcher Training program launched today will ensure that every individual who wishes to observe and report on the voting process in their county understands Texas election law, knows how to spot violations of the Texas Election Code, and is properly trained on how to report any irregularities they may observe. Ensuring transparency is a key aspect of maintaining election integrity, and our office encourages all Texans who want to become poll watchers to study the training material thoroughly and treat all voters, poll workers and election officials with absolute respect while observing the voting process.”
Becoming a Poll Watcher in Texas
In Texas elections, a Poll Watcher is a person appointed to observe the conduct of an election on behalf of:
- A candidate;
- A political party; or
- The proponents or opponents of a measure (specific-purpose political action committees)
Acceptance at a Polling Location
Poll watchers must receive a certificate of appointment and present that certificate to the presiding judge at the polling place. The forms for those certificates are available here:
- Certificate of Appointment of Poll Watcher by Candidate (PDF)
- Certificate of Appointment of Poll Watchers by Political Party (PDF)
- Certificate of Appointment of Poll Watcher for Propositions or Measures (PDF)
- Certificate of Appointment of Poll Watcher by Registered Voters on Behalf of Write-in Candidate (PDF)
Poll watchers must also complete the Texas Secretary of State’sprogram and present a certificate of completion to the presiding judge in order to be accepted as a poll watcher. Once you complete the training, simply print the certificate of completion and have it ready to present to the presiding judge along with your certificate of appointment.
Complete the Poll Watcher Training Program
Poll watchers are allowed to observe and report on irregularities in the conduct of any election, but may not interfere in the orderly conduct of an election. A watcher appointed under Chapter 33 of the Texas Election Code shall observe without obstructing the conduct of an election and call to the attention of an election officer any observed or suspected irregularity or violation of law in the conduct of the election.
Oath and Qualifications
Before being accepted, the poll watcher must take the following oath, administered by the presiding judge at the polling place:
“I swear (or affirm) that I will not disrupt the voting process or harass voters in the discharge of my duties.”
To become a poll watcher, you must:
- Be a registered voter of the territory (e.g., city, school district) covered by the election and of the county for November general elections for state and county officers (held on even-numbered years), primary elections, or other countywide elections;
- NOT be a candidate for public office in an election held on the day the watcher seeks to serve;
- NOT hold an elective public office;
- NOT be an employee of an election judge or clerk serving at the same polling place;
- NOT have been finally convicted of an offense in connection with conduct directly attributable to an election; AND
- NOT be related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity (as determined by Tex. Gov’t Code, Secs. 573.022-573.025) to an election judge or clerk serving at that polling place. These include spouses, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. A watcher may be related to the candidate the watcher is representing.
Removal from Polling Place
A presiding judge at a polling location may not have a watcher removed from the polling place unless a violation of election law or any other provision of law relating to the conduct of an election is observed by an election judge or clerk. However, a presiding judge may remove a poll watcher for a violation of the Penal Code, regardless of whether the election judge or clerk observed the violation. Additionally, a presiding judge may call a law enforcement officer to request a poll watcher be removed if the poll watcher commits a breach of the peace or a violation of law.
Poll Watcher’s Guide
To learn more about a poll watcher’s duty and the types of illegal activities a watcher should look for, please read the Texas Secretary of State’s Poll Watcher Guide (PDF).
For more information about becoming a poll watcher or poll worker in Texas, visit www.votetexas.gov/get-involved/
Making an Historic Investment in Texas Communities
Alvin New, Commissioner, Texas Transportation Commission
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is making an historic investment in the future of our rapidly growing state. During our August Texas Transportation Commission meeting, we approved TxDOT’s 10-year transportation program that includes more than $85 billion dedicated to improving safety, addressing congestion and connectivity, and preserving roadways for Texas drivers.
Our state covers more than 266,000 square miles and 1,000 new people are added to the population in Texas every single day. According to recent Census estimates, Texas grew by more than 310,000 from July 2020 to July 2021, and we’re fast approaching a population of 30 million.
TxDOT has planned, and will continue to plan, for this growth and play a critical role in providing the needed infrastructure to help move people and products. That’s where our Unified Transportation Program, or UTP, comes in.
Since our mission at TxDOT is “Connecting You With Texas,” we’re working hard to make sure every region of the state stays connected. That’s why we’re dedicating more than $12.2 billion to statewide connectivity projects to upgrade interstates and other major rural highways over the next 10 years via the 2023 UTP.
Since fiscal year 2015, we’ve completed more than 258 rural connectivity projects — an investment of $7.7 billion. And we have another 120 projects — $7 billion worth — currently under construction.
In fact, we’re planning to invest an historic level of approximately $14 billion in our rural areas over the next 10 years through our 2023 UTP. This represents a 600% increase in planned rural funding compared to planned funding from just seven years ago. It demonstrates TxDOT’s commitment to building and maintaining a safe and efficient transportation system, not only in our most populous areas, but also in those rural areas that are so vital to our state’s economic success.
This UTP also puts us to work in the energy producing areas of the state. Roads in our energy sector are bearing the brunt of that industry’s economic boost to the state in wear and tear. That’s why we’re dedicating $2.5 billion to address specific roadways impacted by traffic in five energy producing regions.
With this historic investment, we’re showing our commitment to connecting every region and every Texan to the people and places that matter most.
Governor Abbott, TxDOT Announce Record $85 Billion 10-Year Transportation Plan
Aug. 30, 2022
PARIS – Governor Greg Abbott today announced the adoption of the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) 2023 Unified Transportation Program (UTP), advancing a record $85 billion, 10-year statewide roadway construction plan. The 2023 UTP reflects an unprecedented level of projected transportation funding dedicated to improving transportation safety, addressing congestion and rural connectivity, and preserving roadways for Texas drivers.
“The State of Texas is working to ensure the transportation needs of our fast-growing state are met and that the safety of Texans on the roadways is protected,” said Governor Abbott. “TxDOT’s 2023 Unified Transportation Program is a critical step toward addressing the diverse needs of Texans in rural, urban, and metropolitan communities. This 10-year plan to address transportation needs statewide and dedicate $85 billion to improve roadways will be a huge boon to our state’s infrastructure and booming economy. As more people move to Texas and businesses grow across the state, we are working together to make sure Texans’ transportation safety and mobility are secured and businesses can flourish for generations to come.”
“The UTP reflects a continued focus on improving transportation safety as the top priority, maintaining our current system, addressing traffic congestion, and improving statewide connectivity over the next decade,” said TxDOT Commission Chairman J. Bruce Bugg, Jr. “Additionally, we are making significant progress in addressing congestion in our busiest parts of the state through our Texas Clear Lanes initiative, which improves top chokepoints in our largest metro areas.”
“Texas’ rapid growth reinforces the importance of investing in transportation to efficiently move both people and freight across our diverse state,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “TxDOT is working hard to not only build the new roads and transportation capacity Texas needs, but to maintain the more than 80,000 miles of roads and other transportation infrastructure under our care.“
The UTP funds will coincide with an additional $32 billion over the life of the program for routine maintenance contracts and project development, such as planning, professional engineering, and right-of-way acquisition for more than 7,000 transportation projects and a total investment of $117 billion statewide.
Many projects in the UTP plan are roadway segments identified on Texas’ 100 Most Congested Roadways list and critical connectivity corridors. The projects will be funded through legislative and voter-approved initiatives that allocate portions of oil and gas taxes, sales taxes, and other money to the state highway fund. These initiatives have increased the UTP over $50 billion over the 10-year period, with $34.3 billion in projects approved in the 2014 UTP in August 2013. With rural regions of the state supporting the critical energy and agricultural industries, the approved plan includes a historic increase in funding to $14 billion for projects in rural areas.
Focusing on TxDOT’s mission of “Connecting You with Texas,” the Paris District will continue its focus on mobility and connectivity to address the rapid growth of Northeast Texas. A key effort is maintaining and preserving existing assets, including travel corridors such as I-30, US 75, US 82, US 271, and others. Another key effort is preventative maintenance and rehabilitation of the district’s extensive network of farm-to-market roads. Other efforts will focus on developing resources for alternative transportation, such as the multi-use Northeast Texas Trail that spans four counties to provide health/wellness and recreation opportunities. Partnerships with metropolitan planning organizations, government councils, municipal and county leaders, and elected officials are essential to the district’s UTP development.
More information on UTP projects statewide, including those in the Paris District, is available here.
The $8.5 billion of average annual investment programmed in the UTP over the next 10 years is expected to yield an estimated $15.5 billion per year in economic benefits, according to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. These benefits are a result of increased labor income and business output, as well as the addition of 58,500 direct and indirect jobs.
The UTP is a planning document that authorizes highway projects for development and construction. Additionally, the UTP identifies public transportation, maritime, aviation, and rail investments. Projects are selected by TxDOT and local transportation leaders based on effectiveness in addressing criteria such as safety, pavement condition, capacity, and rural connectivity, with opportunities for public input at both the state and local levels.
For more information, contact [email protected] or (903) 737-9213.#
Corn In Our Home
By David Wall, Mount Pleasant Master Gardener
In 1493, Christopher Columbus returned to Europe with a handful of revelations and a pocket full of corn seeds. He knew little about corn, but felt the product was delicious. He also recognized that if farmed, it could feed a lot of people. Unfortunately, he didn’t take back the knowledge of HOW to farm it! Basically, it was misunderstood and not used well in Europe for a few hundred more years.
Fortunately, however, corn became well learned in our country. Today, corn is in the sodas we drink, the potato chips we snack on, hamburgers, French fries, baked goods, cereals, snacks, poultry, most fish, and even ketchup. Basically, our entire diet has been taken over by this one plant.
Corn became so prevalent early on that it was used as currency. Initially, food only for the lowly, corn moved up during the Industrial Revolution to the finest dining halls and family tables.
Industry and circumstances played major roles in the rise of prominence. The plow allowed farmers to increase the size of their planted acreages, and this coincided with the expansion of our railroads which allowed greater dispersal of the product. Further, the canning industry provided a means for the product to be transported anywhere and avoid spoiling for great periods of time. Even with such a rapid spread, it still took at least another half-century before corn made its way to the center of our diet.
Hybrid species that were larger, had more ears per stalk, and stalks that could be grown closer together, combine with synthetic fertilizers and improved mechanical equipment allowed exponential growth. Bushels produced per acre grew from a little over 20 in 1865 to over 160 by 2010.
In 2019, U.S. farmers planted 91.7 million acres of corn, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). That’s about 69 million football fields of corn, far more acres than the next largest crop, soybeans, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
About a third of America’s corn crop is used for feeding cattle, hogs, and poultry in the U.S. Corn provides the “carbs” in animal feed, while soybeans provide the protein. Just over a third of the corn crop is used to make ethanol, which serves as a renewable fuel additive to gasoline. The rest of the corn crop is used for human food, beverages, and industrial uses in the U.S., or exported to other countries for food or feed use, the USDA reports.
