Dike Resident Submits Attorney’s Response To Judge’s Letter Regarding Incorporation Petition
Dike resident Kirk Reams Monday morning submitted to Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom during the public forum portion of the regular Hopkins County Commissioners Court meeting an attorney’s response letter in response to the judge’s letter regarding the incorporation petition submitted to him at a previous meeting. Michele Barnes, another Dike resident, also during public forum at the Sept. 12, 2022, Commissioners Court meeting addressed statements made during the prior court session regarding the community’s outreach efforts regarding the proposed incorporation of the small community of Dike.
Legal Response Letters
Reams said he’d contacted the County Judge’s Office Thursday afternoon to ask to have the issue officially put on the court agenda but, after being put on hold, was told it would need to be handled during the public comments portion the Sept. 12, 2022, Commissioners Court meeting.
“It is my taxpayer’s right and my citizen’s right to be on the agenda of the court,” Reams said. “I had the right to be on the agenda, just for the record.”
The Dike resident said, in summary, the letter to Newsom from Charles Zech of DNRBZ (Denton Navarro Rocha Bernal & Zech, PC, attorneys and counselors at law) contends that the documentation submitted to the judge does fully comply with and legally meet specifics for this set by the state in Texas Local Government Code 5.901 and Section 41.002. The judge’s letter specified additional documentation that was needed before an incorporation election is called, Reams noted.
“Everything I turned in is what you requested here; this is a stall tactic,” Reams alleged. “Put that on the records, this is a stall tactic to keep the citizens of Dike from incorporating.
“The second thing, I was offended. Everyone over here was offended, because you challenged our will to do this. You’re trying to stall,” Reams accused. ” It’s not your right to stall. If we turn stuff in legally, from what the State of Texas requires us to turn in, you have no choice but to issue an election over incorporation of Dike. You have no choice. That is in the law.”
Thus, Reams said, the response to the Judge’s letter, mailed Aug. 22, 2022, is from the incorporation lawyer representing the Dike residents who seek incorporation. He handed the letter to Newsom, as well as a copy to each of the four commissioners, noting he was “so upset” his hands shook as he did so.
Reams also noted that the letter from attorney Zech also addresses costs of an election, referenced in Newsom’s letter to Reams for the Dike community.
"Regardless the costs, there is no legal basis, or any statutory authority, for the County to assess the costs of the election against the Petitioners. In fact, the law is clear that costs are to be borne by the County. Elections under Local Government Code Chapter 8 are governed by the Texas Elections Code. Texas Elections Code 32.093 provides: The compensation of election judges and clerks shall be fixed by the following authority: (1) for an election ordered by the governor or a county authority, the commissioners Court," the letter from Zech to Newsom stated.
Reams argued that state law does not require the citizens of Dike to pay for the requested election.
“The State of Texas says that if an election is issued by a county judge, it is to be paid for by the Commissioners Court,” Reams said. “So, once again, I feel insulted that you insult our intelligence. This is our letter from our lawyer. I suggest you read it and read it good, because the very bottom, if you don’t respond the way you should, the County Judge, not nothing personal that you don’t want to do this, it’s your responsibility as the County Judge to let us have an election and to let the citizens decide whether we want to be incorporated or not, not you. That’s not your job. Your job is to issue the election.”
In the letter to Newsom, Zech contends it is the county judge’s “ministerial duty to order an election for incorporation and initial election of officers.” If Newsom does not call for the Dike incorporation election, he will be “subject to a mandamus suit in District Court requiring you to order the election.”
When Reams concluded speaking, Newsom asked Reams if he had a moment after court so he could visit with him about the matter.
“You’ve never asked me until now. Now, you’ve got a lawyer in play and now you want to talk to me,” Reams replied.
Newsom asked where Reams’ lawyer was located. Reams affirmed Zech is located in Austin. Newsom noted the lawyer who represents the Commissioners Court and County is also located in Austin, but if Reams had time to visit for a moment after court he’d be glad to visit with him. Reams agreed.
Newsom and Reams afterward each indicated each wants everything regarding an incorporation election to be done by the law, which each believes he has done the other has not. The judge’s request to speak with Reams was to discuss role of legal counsel in the matter.
Reams, the judge and his administrative assistant, two county commissioners, a sheriff’s deputy and a few other Dike residents all met in the assistant’s area of the judge’s offices after court. At least one raised voice could be heard coming from the office before the group dispersed Monday morning.
Background On Dike Incorporation Request
Residents and property owners in Dike community began researching the matter out of a desire to control what goes on in their community after they learned the Commissioners Court had approved tax incentives for a solar project planned in the Dike community.
When speaking up in Commissioners Court and a community meeting hosted by Engie and Hopkins County failed to achieve the goal of residents seeking to stop the solar project from coming to Dike, an attempt to get an injunction and other legal action also was sought. The Dike residents opposed to the solar company leasing private land and installing a solar facility in their community organized.
Initially, the Dike residents voices a hope to incorporate before construction of the solar project began, but were not able to do so. Michael Pickens, spokesperson for Save Dike from Solar, advised the Commissioners Court and County Judge in previous meetings recently that the residents in opposition to the solar facility were working on the requirements to make Dike an incorporate area, so that Dike residents have a say in decision-making that impacts their community.
During the public forum portion of the Aug. 15, 2022 Commissioners Court meeting, Reams read a letter drafted to Newsom, asking him to order an incorporation election, and appoint two election judges, and publish or post notice of the election as required, in accordance with Chapter 8 of Texas Government Code Chapter. He then presented the letter, along with a signed petition, and a map of the proposed area of Dike to be incorporated to the county judge.
Newsom mailed a response letter dated Aug. 22, 2022, to Reams regarding the incorporation election petition. The letter signed by the judge requested additional documentation for verification of petition requirements.
The judge indicated the letter, addressed to Kirk Reams who presented the petition Aug. 15 during Commissioners Court, was drafted and mailed based on recommendations from legal council.
In the letter, Newsom advises Reams that “additional documentation” is required to provide “satisfactory proof that the petition meets the statutory requirements” for a Type C General-Law Municipality” as proposed. He said the petition failed to provide detailed documentation establishing the number of inhabitants and territorial requirements for incorporation as outlined in Chapter 8 of Texas Local Government Code.
The letter calls for a detailed map or adequate descriptions are needed to tailor ballots for the registered voters within the proposed boundaries. The map submitted, according to Newsom’s letter to Reams, fails to provide adequate details in order for the Hopkins County Clerk to identify the registered voters within the proposed boundaries.
Once satisfied with documentation, Newsom said that would be used to research the cost of holding a special incorporation election and notify him of the cost estimate. Funds would have to be paid in advance to prepare for the election, and a draft order calling for an election would be needed as well.
Additional Public Forum Comments
Dike resident Michele Barnes also spoke during the public forum comments portion of the Sept. 12, 2022 Commissioners Court meeting, addressing comments made and questions posed at the Aug. 22 Commissioners Court meeting by Dike residents Kevin Lester and Richard Greer in relation to the proposed incorporation election and actions taken by Dike citizens in relation to the solar facility being constructed in their community.
Lester on Aug. 22, 2022 said he is opposed to the proposed incorporation because no one has spoken to him about it. No one has come to his door to tell him about it. His neighbors and to mother-in-law, who also lives near his residence, were contacted. He said his mother-in-law was asked to sign the petition for incorporation but received no information as to why she was being asked to do so. No flyers have been left at his home, on his door or in his mailbox regarding incorporation of Dike.
Barnes held up papers, which she said was sampling of the flyers that were mailed on a weekly basis over the last year to Dike residents’ Post Office boxes. She said the intent was to inform residents of the community meetings held at 2 p.m. most Sundays at the community center to let them know what’s going on in Dike. She said a brochure too was sent out listing the pros and cons for what will be happening in regard to the solar facility and incorporations efforts.
Richard Greer on Aug. 22 said his residence is located within the proposed incorporation map, but no one has tried to contact him nor, to his knowledge, has anyone tried to contact his mother-in-law, who lives next door to him.
“As far as the petition is concerned, we went out. We went to every house. If you weren’t home, we did not go back. Once we got the required signatures for the petition, we did not go back. So, if we did not see them at their home, we’re sorry about that,” Barnes said.
Greer also on Aug. 22, said his concerns were that, as is typically the case, incorporation will mean another tax implemented, which will affect the people who live there by taxing them more, and during a recession, which will put them further into a recession.
He asked who would be enforcing ordinances for the City of Dike if the community becomes incorporated? He pointed out that the sheriff’s office does not have the authority to enforce city ordinances; a city would need it’s own police department, which would have to be funded. He questioned where the funding for a police department to enforce city ordinances would come from? He asked if taxes collected from residents within the proposed 1.7 mile area to be incorporated would fund a police department. He said it was doubtful the people wanting the incorporation, the ones who don’t want the solar facility near them, would accept funding from the business, so that’d be quite a bit the citizens would have to come up with.
Greer asked who would maintain the county roads that, upon incorporation would be in Dike City limits, and where the funding for the materials, labor and equipment to do so would come from, the residents?
“I want to make a comment to their comment that there would be no services provided by the county if we incorporate. Well, if our property taxes go to the county government, then, in my eyes, I believe they are supposed to provide the services,” Barnes said. “If they don’t provide the services, then that county tax should be going to Dike and so that they can provide the services. So I don’t understand that, but I will do a little research on that because I want to understand that.”
Barnes also offered respect for Bo Potts, who also spoke on Aug. 22, for doing his own research, not just talking to local elected official and Engie, but attending the Save Dike From Solar meeting and seeking out additional information regarding solar facilities and incorporation before making a person decision.
She noted a group in Dike who are keeping to themselves, while seeking and researching professional information on incorporation and imparting that to the citizens of Dike, even though they do not choose to attend the Save Dike from solar meetings.
“Not only do we have an ethical obligation to stay informed but also have a voluntary responsibility to do so as a citizen,” Barnes said.
Lady Cats Volleyball Continues Chugging Along to District Play
Coach Bailey Dorner and her squad continue to roll through their fall season, as they have just three games to play before volleyball begins their district season.
They play both two home and road games over the next 12 days, alternating between home and the road until Saturday, Sept. 20.
But before we can look ahead to district play, Sulphur Springs first finishes a three-game home-stand Tuesday.
The Lady Cats host Melissa on Tuesday, Sept. 13.
Coach Dorner’s team hosted Redwater on Friday in game two of the home-stand, defeating the Dragons in four sets.
The Lady Cats fell in set one in a tight one 25-20, battling back and winning the next two sets to take a 2-1 lead (25-21, 25-20) before cruising by Redwater 25-13 in set four to win the match.
Friday’s win over the Dragons snapped a four-game losing skid for volleyball, which includes a loss in the home-stand opener to Texas High, bringing their season record now to 12-11. Also with that win, they will look to make it two straight Tuesday, giving themselves plenty of momentum headed into their final two non-district contests.
Three games stand between Sulphur Springs and volleyball district play:
- Tuesday, Sept. 13 vs Melissa (5:30 PM)
- Friday, Sept. 16 at Clarksville (4:30 PM)
- Tuesday, Sept. 20 vs PTAA (5:30 PM)
Before heading on the road on Saturday, Sept. 24 to take on Paris in the Lady Cats’ district openers.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Team Tennis Starts District Play Tuesday
Wildcat team tennis Coach Tony Martinez is excited to begin district play this week.
Sulphur Springs hosts Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at the Tennis Center.
Last week saw team tennis travel to Wills Point, a perennial state contender in tennis.
Against stout competition, Coach Martinez’s squad could only manage two wins against a dominant program.
Both the mixed doubles team and the #4 player for the Lady Cats, Jessie Lee, pulled off big upsets in Wills Point.
The girls’ doubles team of Mykylie Meador and Trinity Luckett played incredibly well against stiff competition but fell behind late in Wills Point, ultimately losing their match.
Coach Martinez hoped his team could have won five or six matches, but still was proud of his team’s efforts. The Sulphur Springs coach applauded the Wills Point coaching staff for running a tight ship, one that has routinely sent players off to DBU while also making the state tournament last year.
The team tennis coach says he is still tweaking combinations for mixed and girls’ doubles, and has a great match-up coming up to do just that.
He says a district contest versus Atlanta is a great opportunity to continue to work on who plays with who, while also giving an overall young team a nice first contest for district play.
That contest begins Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 4 P.M.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
What to Keep In Mind If Considering Buffalo Grass For An East Texas Lawn
By David Wall, Mount Pleasant Master Gardener
Almost every year about this time, people start asking whether they should try buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides). It’s a warm season grass that does well with little to no maintenance and has relatively little water requirements once established. Until then, it takes as much water as most other lawn grasses. It can be laid down as seed (not recommended) or sod, but it spreads by stolons, which are above ground stems. Wherever stolons touch soil, they form new roots, resulting in a much denser turf. It won’t tolerate heavy shade for more than 1/2 a day and doesn’t like heavy, constant foot traffic.
Established buffalo grass requires little water and can literally survive without irrigation, although under such conditions, it’ll go dormant, leaving the ground open to weed invasions while dormant. It’s usually the last grass to go green in the spring (early May), and the first to move into fall dormancy in September, although newer cultivars extend the growing period.
Historically, buffalo grass hasn’t been recommended around here, and even today, the problem with choosing buffalo grass is making sure you have the correct cultivar for a lawn. Some of the cultivars are best suited for areas other than lawns.
Native buffalo grass has a natural height of about 5 inches, which is too tall for a yard lawn. Mowing it at a height of 2-3 inches will almost certainly reduce the density enough so weeds can invade.
Lawn-acceptable varieties include Bison, Top Gun, Cody (perhaps the best one), and Plains. Whether you can buy sod in your area is debatable, but if you have to go with plugs, the time to become established and dominant will increase, although stolon spreading is fairly fast.
The literature suggests that other cultivars, such as Texoka and Sharp are best left to rangeland and pastures.
North Hopkins ISD Welcomes 11 Feathered Friends To Their New Cluckingham Palace
North Hopkins ISD has begun a hands-on project involving feathered friends students at various grade level and including school organizations, as well as staff and community.
North Hopkins Elementary Principal Kodi Wright reported “11 feathery friends” arrived at their new residence on campus Tuesday morning, Sept. 6, 2022, with more to come. Eight names were submitted by Elementary, BETA, Student Council, and Gifted and Talented GT student groups. The NHISD community, staff and students voted, selecting Cluckingham Palace as the name of for the NH chicken coop.
“We are thankful for the donations from the Wharton, Trapp and Barton families, and are hoping to expand our flock to 24 laying hens and 2 roosters,” Wright said. “There are so many lessons to be learned from this outdoor project.”
The project has truly been a school project, involving students at all grade levels.
To get the project started, North Hopkins FFA and agriculture students worked very hard on the chicken coop project. Every single ag student in class contributed, either using a drill, a level, a saw, a tape measure, stained something, measured something, built something, wired something, hung something in the preceding weeks in the humid late August and September heat. And, ag advisors reported not one student complained one bit while working on this coop! The group takes pride it he motto “Learning to Do.”
NHS students also worked alongside the ag students to repurpose the school’s non-functioning greenhouse into the chicken coop for the elementary students to use as an outdoor learning experience. NH Elementary students will learn care, maintenance, observe behavior, and food recycling. Students will utilize and gain knowledge of marketing, history, biology, genetics, hygiene, math, business, food safety and life skills.
Elementary students have begun recycling fruits and veggies left from their breakfast and lunch into a “Cluck Buck,” a bucket designated to feed the chickens, teaching the youth to recycle food to livestock instead of disposing of it into the trash. Classes will be rotating, taking turns caring for the chickens by feeding, watering and checking for eggs.
The hens seemed to have settled into their new home well, as students began collecting eggs after their featheredpals had spent just one night there. GT students will be pricing and marketing the eggs to North Hopkins staff.
“We would love to have egg carton donations,” said Wright. “We want the community to be part of the process as our new outdoor education centers thrive and begin to enhance our student’s overall daily learning experiences.”
Meal A Day Menu – Sept. 12-16, 2022
Volunteers prepare meals at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center and deliver them five days a week to Meal A Day program recipients in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The Meal A Day Menu for the week of Sept. 12-16, 2022 includes:
- MONDAY, September 12 — Sloppy Joes, Black Beans and Corn and Hamburger Dill Slices.
- TUESDAY, September 13 — Rope Sausage, Cut Sweet Potatoes and Cornbread.
- WEDNESDAY, September 14 — Sliced Ham, Broccoli, Macaroni and Cheese, and a Roll.
- THURSDAY, September 15 — Shepherd’s Pie, Brussel Sprouts, Pickled Beets and a Roll.
- FRIDAY, September 16 — Mexican Chicken Spaghetti, Beans and Garlic Bread.
Meal-A-Day is a non-profit organization providing 150-160 meals Monday-Friday to local senior citizens. Approximately 120 meals each day are delivered by volunteer drivers to seniors on 5 separate routes in Sulphur Springs and 1 route covering the Como-Pickton area stretching from State Highway 11 to Interstate 30. The remaining meals are available for reservation and pick-up at the Sulphur Springs Senior Center for those seniors who have transportation. Seniors currently pay $2 per meal. Call 903-885-1661 for more information about the Meal-A-Day Program, including how to volunteer as a cook or meal delivery driver.
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Activity Center is located in the heart of Sulphur Springs, Texas. The City of Sulphur Springs has provided a place senior adults age 50 and over can go to for fun and fellowship. The Center offers a variety of activities for seniors citizens Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Activity Center can be found at 301 Oak Ave in Sulphur Springs.
Hopkins County Records – Sept. 10, 2022
Land Deed Transactions
The following land deed transactions were filed the week of Aug. 28, 2022, and posted at Hopkins County Clerk’s Office:
- Johnny Mack Courson and Rose Courson to Donna Lynn Jacobs; tract in the Henry McCauley survey
- Shanon W. Morris to Myra Darlene Lummus; tract in the Juan Palvadore survey
- Leslie Nicole McDowell to Matthew Cody McDowell; tract in the Green Acres Subdivision
- Glenn Irvin and Margaret E. Irvin to Bradley McCool and Fallon McCool; tract in the J. Y’Barbo survey
- Christopher L. Barnes and Maci M. Barnes to Christopher Atkinson and Fahyssury Atkinson’; tract in the Andrew J. Odom survey
- Kyle Pettit and Nikole Pettit to McIlrath Properties LLC; tract in the Jonas Haile survey
- Marijan Mitchell Smith and Robert Alan Smith to Smith Family Revocable Trust, Marijan Mitchell Smith and Robert Alan Smith, co-trustees; tract in the ED Chinneth survey
- Kathry Lynn Stuart to Clete Mackey and Laura Stuart Mackey; tract in the Precious Seats
- Javier Romero, Jose L. Romero, Juan Romero and Noe Romero to Blanca Erazo and Noe Erazo; tract in the James Webb survey
- Javier Romero, Jose L. Romero, Juan Romero and Noe Romero to Marisol Bucio and Joseph A. Gonzalez; tract in the James Webb survey
- Johnny Mack Courson and Rose Courson to Marty Wayne Fite; tract in the Henry McCauley survey
- Jodie Fenimore and Peter Fenimore to Amy Colleen Deen, Bonnie Lee Lantz and Robert Bryan Maas
- FOM Capital LLC to Heather Willey and Zachary Joseph Willie; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Francisco J. Leon and Maria C. Leon to Rancho De Morrow LLC; tract in the CA Galbreath survey
- Ashlee Wells and Michael Aaron Wells to Jenny Rena Allen and Robbie Paul Walters; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- PA Boekhorst and Tallie Boekhorst to Kimber Thompson; tract in the John K. Lyle survey
- Kimber Thompson to Petrus A. Boekhorst; tract in the Wm B. Jordan survey
- Paul Wayne Sexton Estate, Terry Dean Woodard independent executor, to Kimber Thompson; tract in the WM B. Jordan survey
- Jasso Financial Investments Enterprises LLC to Ernestina Sanchez; tract in the Twin Lake Farms Subdivision
- Casie Norris to Samuel Obrien McDonald II; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- Carl Dean Adams and Robin Adams to Ryan Bussell and Veronica L. Bussell; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Taryn Cline who is the same person as Taryn Brooke Simmons, Jeff Simmons, Michael Allen Simmons who is the same person as Mike Simmons, and Stephen Simmons to Saltillo ISD; tract in the JW Hatchell survey
- Lyndsi White and Randall White to Jennifer D. Swearingen and Michael B. Swearingen; tract in the Nacogdoches University survey
- Linda Chester and Randall Chester to Richard Danheim and Tracie L. Danheim; tract in the Juan Polvedore survey
Applications for Marriage Licenses
The following individuals filed applications for marriages licenses Aug. 26-Sept. 8, 2022, at Hopkins County Clerk’s Office:
- Travis Nathaniel Tobias and Alexandra Jo Wallace
- Juventino Govea and Holly Leann Jones
- Ryan Scott Engeling and Casey Lynn Shaffer
- Jaime Antonio Guerrero Jr. and Maria Estela Vacio
- Jayla Christine Talley and Christiane C. Townsend
Paris District Road Report for September 12, 2022
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting Sept. 12, 2022. 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 for this construction project.
The northbound and southbound US 75 frontage road intersections with Center Street have been converted to an all-way stop condition. Traffic on the frontage roads is asked to pay attention to the advanced warning signs and new stop signs, and approach the intersection prepared for a stop there.
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 lanes 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 Taylor Street intersection on the east side of FM 1417 is closed to through traffic in order to complete the concrete paving at this intersection. During the closure, traffic wishing to use Taylor Street is asked to use either Lamberth or Washington Streets as a detour route.
South Travis Street, Grayson County: in Sherman at Post Oak Creek. Construction is underway for 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: in Whitesboro from Randy Street to Walnut Street. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to construct sidewalks and curb ramps. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
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.
SH 5, Grayson County: in Van Alstyne along Newport Drive from Partin Elementary School to SH 5, and along SH 5 from Newport Drive to Forrest Moore Park. Construction on a new multi-use trail is underway. The project will install a minimum eight-foot-wide sidewalk trail along this stretch of roadway. Occasional lane closures will be required to complete the work while this project is underway.
FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to complete the remaining work on the project.
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.
FM 1753, Grayson County: from FM 120 to FM 1897. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and then overlay the roadway.
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 daytime lane closures while crews widen the pavement and install a culvert.
US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
US 75 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.
US 377, Grayson County: from US 82 to FM 901. 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 121, Grayson County: from US 377 to SH 289. 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.
SH 34, Fannin County: from FM 64 to FM 1550. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as workers build the new SH 34 bridge over the future Lake Ralph Hall as well as the approaches to the bridge.
FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for occasional temporary one-lane closures as workers complete the remaining items on this project.
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 1550, Fannin County: from County Road 3330 to SH 34. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
SH 121, Fannin County: from the Collin County line to SH 56. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install sloped end treatments on pipes and install guardrail.
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.
FM 1536, Hopkins County: from SH 19 to FM 71. Watch for lane closures and short delays as crews rehabilitate the roadway.
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 closures while crews resurface the roadway.
US 271, Red River County: from SH 37 to Titus County Line. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews resurface the roadway.
FM 906, Lamar County: from FM 2648 to CR 47400. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
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 195, Red River County: from the Lamar County line to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and replace bridge rail.
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 while crews improve guardrail and drainage structures, perform bridge maintenance, and make crossover closures.
Loop 286, Lamar County: At Collegiate Drive intersection and the westbound FM 195 exit ramp. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures, temporary left-hand turning restrictions, and temporary ramp closures during overnight hours on Sept. 12 and Sept. 13.
FM 64, Delta County: from FM 128 to SH 1532. Watch for temporary lane closures and complete road closure, with signed detour route, 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.
CR 3440, Delta County: at Jennings Creek. Watch for road closure while crews replace the existing bridge.
CR 15100, Lamar County: at a Branch of Cuthand Creek. Be aware that the road is closed while crews 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.
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 bridge. Brush clearing cleaning out the creek channel for rip rap. The contractor plans on setting girder beams for west bridge and the slab beams this week. Work has begun for bridges on CR 2132. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 903, Hunt County: From US 380 to FM 1569 South. The contractor is installing signs and mailboxes, cleaning up, and sweeping for stripers. Final striping was installed Sept. 6 except for the hand work and RPM’s and stone riprap. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
SH-224, Hunt County: The contractor has placed barricades and warning signs along with the detour route. The contractor installed drilled shafts this week and the columns on bent 3 have been poured. Abutments are being formed and may be poured this week and next week. Please be aware of the current construction, detour signage and workers in the area.
FM 275, Rains County: from SH 19 to FM 514. The contractor has completed the north and south bridge approaches. The Lake Fork Creek bridge has been fully opened. The contractor will be backfilling SETs and grading ditches. The contractor will place grooves on the bridge deck, and after that we can begin the striping. 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 completed concrete paving at the intersection of SH 276 and FM 264. The contractor is working on the culvert extensions on the west section SH 276. The contractor is working on ditch and back slope grading – preparing areas for scheduled temporary seeding and addressing sidewalks and ADA ramp installation. Please be aware of lane closures and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
FM 1566, Hunt County: from FM 272 near Celeste to State Highway 34. The contractor has completed the project and is working on punch-list items. Please be aware of work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
Maintenance crews for both Hunt and Rains County will be performing various overlay and potholing operations. Hunt County maintenance crews will be performing base patching operations on FM 2194 and spot base repair on FM 36. Rains County crews will be working on patching and seal coat prep on FM 36. Crews will be installing mailboxes, delineators, and signs in various locations. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
#
Cooler Temperatures And Rain Have Forage And Crop Producers Scrambling To Fight Armyworms
By Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent, Ag/Natural Resources, Hopkins County, [email protected]
Cooler temperatures and widespread rain events across Texas have forage and crop producers scrambling to fight armyworms. Armyworm caterpillars are the larval form of a moth that migrates by the millions northward in the spring and summer to lay their eggs. Infestations of the caterpillars can be extremely destructive to home gardens and forage and row crops from Bermuda grass to corn and rice.
Recent phone calls to the Hopkins County Extension Office indicated cases in Sulphur Bluff earlier on the week, but with most of the state out of drought and temperatures where they are, it’s hard to imagine they are not everywhere. Irrigated fields like most forage production meadows may be especially susceptible to the pest because of forage quality and quantity.
Harvesting forages can be a quick solution to climbing armyworm numbers because they do not consume dry plant matter. They will, however, consume freshly cut grass, and should be treated when armyworm numbers are beyond three or more caterpillars per square foot. It is critical that producers have pesticides ready for applications as soon as armyworm numbers near the recommended threshold. Armyworms in those numbers should be treated immediately because they consume 85% of their diet in the last two or three days of their larval stage.
The big question is how long will they be a problem, and the answer is until the first killing frost. Armyworms are not a ‘spray once and they won’t be a problem’ kind of thing. This could be a two-, three- or four-spray situation if forage for hay or grazing is valuable to them.
Armyworms are green, with brown or black colorations and can be identified by the white inverted Y on their head. They can grow up to 1 inch in length when mature. The pest got their name because they appear to “march” across hay fields, consuming the grass in their path.
Armyworm moths can lay up to 2,000 eggs that hatch in two to three days. There are four to five generations that move throughout the state per growing season. They typically move north from Mexico and South Texas as temperatures warm in the spring. Generations will push further north into Midwestern states, but moths and larvae remain present throughout the state.
Drier, hotter conditions slow their life cycles. Moths lay fewer eggs and caterpillar growth is slowed. But rainfall and cooler temperatures can trigger major infestations when local populations, new hatches and migrating moths descend on areas with quality food sources. They are there the whole time, we just may not see them due to their size, numbers or both. It just takes the right weather conditions, and you can see an explosion in a matter of days.
Armyworm caterpillars are picky eaters and prefer high-quality, fertilized forage typically found on fields maintained for hay production. They are a common pest of Bermuda grass, sorghum, corn, wheat, rye grass and many other crops throughout Texas.
Producers should scout each morning for armyworms, she said. Armyworms are primarily night feeders unless conditions, such as cooler temperatures with overcast skies, allow, but they try to avoid warmer daytime temperatures. Armyworms are extremely destructive, especially when infestations escalate out of control, an estimated two armyworms per square foot can consume 84 pounds of foliage per acre.
It’s important to act immediately because if armyworms are left unchecked, they can devastate a forage crop in a matter of hours. It is not uncommon to find entire hay meadows consumed overnight.
For more information contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Chamber Connection: VFW And American Legion Host Sept. 10 Blood Drive At Brookshire’s
By Butch Burney, CEO/President, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, [email protected]
Past cooks have until Friday, Sept. 23, to register for the 53rd Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival and retain their site from last year.
If you have cooked stew in the past or want to for the first time, now is the time to register for Stew Fest, presented by Alliance Bank. The Stew Festival is Saturday, Oct. 22, with Friday night activities, hosted by Bob Evans Foods, will be going on the night before at Buford Park.
To register for a cook site, go online to the Chamber’s website at HopkinsChamber.org/stewcooks, email [email protected] or call 903-885-6515. The cost to enter is $100 per stew pot, with $150 coming from the sponsor to pay for ingredients. Register now to reserve your spot from last year.
This year, stew cooks can also pre-order a T-shirt with “Stew Cook” on the back for $15.
We also are taking applications for our vendor market at the stew. Cost is $75 for Chamber members, $100 for nonmembers. Go to our website at HopkinsChamber.org or call Amanda at 903-885-6515 to register.
Blood Drive
American Legion Post 66 and VFW Post 8560 will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, with the Carter BloodCare bus set up in the Brookshire’s parking lot at 809 Gilmer St. As a thank you, donors will receive two pairs of socks.
For more information, contact Andy Lowen at 903-355-3733 or [email protected].
Homecoming Parade
The Dial Study Club is bringing back the Sulphur Springs High School Homecoming Parade at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22.
The parade, sponsored by Triple Crown Roofing, will begin at Buford Park, go east down Connally Street, turn north on Davis Street and then west on Houston Street to end at the park. It will not go around the square.
Ribeye Roundup
If you’re looking for a great steak, you don’t want to miss the Cattleman’s Classic and Ribeye Roundup on Saturday, Oct. 1, on the downtown plaza.
The event features a steak cook-off which will include an expected 40-plus cook teams, educational trade show, free Bobby Irwin concert and more.
Cooks have until Sept. 1 to get their entry forms in, and this year there will be a junior cook classification for youth ages 7-17. Go to the Facebook page to learn more.
You can also get a blue Ribeye Roundup T-shirt for just $14 at the Chamber of Commerce, 110 Main St. Come by to pick one up!
Quilt Show
The 21st Annual Quilt Show, presented by the Lone Star Heritage Quilt Guild, is set for Sept. 23-24 at First Baptist Church’s The ROC. Admission is $5 per person (under 12 are free). It will last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Lisa Erlandson, AQS certified appraiser of Quilted Textiles and historian, will be the special speaker. There will be more than 100 quilts along with door prizes and vendors. For more information, go to SulphurSpringsTxQuilts.com.
Nurse Needed
Choice Hospice has an opening for an RN case manager and is offering a $5,000 sign on bonus. Choice is looking for a passionate and engaged nurses responsible for the overall clinical care of a caseload of seriously ill patients served in their place of residence.
To apply, go to indeed.com or visit the Choice office at 601 Airport Road, Suite 120 in Sulphur Springs.
