Schedule For Upcoming TeleTown Hall Meeting, Town Hall Tour For Congressman Fallon Announced
An upcoming Town Hall Tour and TeleTown Hall Meeting schedule has been announced for Congressman Pat Fallon.
The District 4 Congressman invites district residents to participate in any of these in-person or phone conferences to ask questions and receive an update from Fallon on recent developments, actions and work taken and proposed which will impact those residing in District 4.
“We would love to have you join us for one or all of our Town Hall events in this year’s Town Hall Tour!” Fallon stated in a release
TeleTown Hall
The TeleTown Hall, which allows interested individuals to dial in the designated telephone number to hear and participate in the event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. July 27, 2022. Dial 1-833-636-1753 to connect to the Teletown Hall event. For additional details, go online to Fallon. House.gov.
Town Hall Tour
The Town Hall Tour will include six stops over the course of 10 days in August, including a stop on the first day of the tour in Hopkins County. The tour also includes stops at Paris Junior College and Grayson College, as well as Emory, Fate and Bonham.
The tour schedule is as follows:
August 8
- Rains Town Hall at 12 noon, Rains County Courthouse Annex, 220 West Quitman St., Emory, TX 75440;
- Hopkins Town Hall at 6 p.m. at Hopkins County Civic Center, 1200 Houston St, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
August 10
- Lamar Town Hall at 6 p.m. at Paris Junior College, 2400 Clarksville St., Paris, TX 75460
August 11
- Rockwall Town Hall at 6 p.m. at Fate City Hall, 1900 CD Boren Pkwy, Fate, TX 75087.
August 15
- Grayson Town Hall at 5:30 p.m. at Grayson College, 6101 Grayson Dr., Denison, TX 75020.
- Fannin Town Hall at 7:30 p.m. Fannin County Courthouse, 101 E Sam Rayburn Dr., Bonham, TX 75418.
Not able to attend any of these events but have a question for or something Fallon’s office can help you with. He encourages anyone in District 4, “do not hesitate to contact any of our offices.”
For more information, go online to Fallon.House.gov
Information From a Truck Driving School at the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Center
TRUCK DRIVERS
This classroom full of future truck drivers receives instruction from their teacher, Bob Ashbreck, right. The three students seated immediately in front of Ashbreck are, from left, Abather Shnewer, Alexandra Pille, and Aiden Schafft.
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.
What About Mycorrhizae?
By David Wall, Mount Pleasant Master Gardener
Quite often we hear about the benefits of mycorrhizae, but seldom do we get a good understanding of what they are, how they help, and how they do it. Basically mycorrhizae support nearly all vegetable plants, the exception being members of the brassica family (Cabbage, lettuce, etc.).
of Nevada Reno Cooperative Extension)
Mycorrhizae are fungi, but more than that, beneficial fungi. These fungi attach themselves to the root system of your vegetables (this also included trees). They create threads by chaining together, and though microscopic, can extend for large distances – anywhere from twice to as much as several times the distance as roots would normally extend, thus greatly increasing the food possibilities for the plant.
Your vegetables generate food (sugars) through photosynthesis, which is sent to the roots for storage and future food for the plant. Anywhere from 50% to over 70% of this stored food is made available to mycorrhizae which, in turn, provide nutrients gathered from the soil to the roots. The result is a symbiotic relationship in which both gain from the relationship.
BY FAR the best way to feed your plants is to feed the soil (mycorrhizae) and let the soil feed the plants. Using synthetic fertilizers shortcuts the process and feeds the plant directly. The result is weakened/degraded soil and loss of major portions of the synthetic fertilizer due to leaching down into the water table where they can begin their journey to the Gulf of Mexico.
Using organic fertilizers directly feeds mycorrhizae who then feed the plant. Further, organic fertilizers degrade slowly enough so that mycorrhizae can gavther all the nutrients, leaving nothing for that long trip to the Gulf!
Every time you till or break up the soil, you kill gazillions of mycorrhizae which then take considerable time to rebuild, thus degrading their ability to feed the plant.
Meal A Day Menu – July 25-29, 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 July 25-29, 2022 includes:
- Monday – Rope Sausage, Pinto Beans, Corn Bread, Slice Of Onion and Tomato.
- Tuesday – Apricot Glazed Chicken Breast On A Bed of Rice, Normandy Vegetables and a Roll.
- Wednesday – Beef Lasagna, Italian Vegetables and Garlic Sticks.
- Thursday – BBQ Chicken Thighs, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and a Roll.
- Friday – Cheeseburgers, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pickles, Baked Beans and Potato Chips.
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
Paris District Road Report for July 25, 2022
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting July 25, 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.
Lamar Street and Houston Street under US 75 is closed to through traffic with detour signs in place to guide motorists around this intersection.
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. 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 closure of the Taylor Street intersection with FM 1417 that was scheduled for this week has been postponed until a later time. Advance notice will be provided once a new date has been determined.
FM 2729, Grayson County: from FM 902 to FM 121. Watch for daytime lane closures as workers perform spot base repairs to the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 120, Grayson County: in Pottsboro from Festival Park Street to the Pottsboro High School driveway. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to construct sidewalks and curb ramps.
FM 84, Grayson County: from US 75 to Harbor Road. Watch for daytime lane closures as workers pave the roadway with a thin hotmix surface. 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.
Business US 377D, Grayson County: in Tioga from US 377 to US 377. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews apply a seal coat to the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 996, Grayson County: in Pottsboro from FM 1417 to FM 120. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews apply a seal coat to the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
CR 3315 at Allen Creek, Fannin County. The bridge on CR 3315 at Allen Creek is closed to through traffic in order to replace the bridge. During this closure traffic is asked to use CR 3310 as a detour.
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.
FM 1552, Fannin County: from SH 78 to County Road 3710. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
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.
US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow-moving construction equipment as crews work on re-establishing vegetation on the project. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews complete the remaining work.
US 69, Fannin County: from SH 78 to SH 121. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to blade level hotmix on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
IH 30, Hopkins County: from Loop 301 to Franklin County Line. Watch for lane closures and traffic delays as crews begin surfacing operations.
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, and perform bridge maintenance.
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.
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.
County Road 1032 (bridge replacement project), Hunt County – The contractor has set barricades and advanced warning signs. Preparation of the right-of-way is complete and the bridge has been removed. Drill shafts and columns have been poured. Abutment work is complete. 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 has begun reworking existing base material and subgrade widening. The contractor plans to begin placing geo-grid operations followed by the second lift of flex base. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 275, Rains County: from SH 19 to FM 514. The contractor continued concrete culvert structures, forming, and pouring the wing-walls. The contractor completed the first course of seal coat through the majority of the project. The project’s channel excavation is nearly complete and grading for the riprap is complete at the Lake Fork Creek bridge. The contractor may begin hot-mix operations for mailbox turnouts and bridge approaches in early August. 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 the concrete paving on the intersection of SH 276 and FM 264. The contractor is working on the culvert extension 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 overlay on the south I-30 frontage road due to pavement pulling up. 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.
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Resolutions, Land Lease, Software, Approved by Hopkins County Commissioners Court.
Hopkins County Commissioner Court resolved to submit a hazard mitigation assistance grant application and to support state funding to match competitive federal rail programs. Approval was also given for a county property to be leased, a new software program for the county tax assessor/collector’s office, printer/copier contracts, a holiday calendar and a couple of budget amendments during Friday’s regular Commissioner Court meeting.
Land Lease
Hopkins County Commissioners Court agreed to delegate to Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley the selling/leasing of a county property from the courthouse steps since he is an experienced auctioneer by trade.
The 1.2 acres is located in Precinct 4. The county the property around Rushing Cemetery and can lease it out for oil and gas purposes. Bartley is to auction the oil and gas lease to the highest bidder, after the requisite notices have been posted, on the courthouse steps.
Financial Matters
County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook recommended a budget amendment moving the $5346.32 raised by selling old equipment at auction to the Precinct 3 equipment fund, $36956.25 into the Precinct 4 repair budget, and $3,424.40 sold at an earlier date into the Precinct 3 equipment line.
Contracts with Datamax for printer/copiers for the Justice of the Peace Offices and district Clerk’s Office were also approved by the Commissioners Court.
New software
Tax Assessor/Collector Debbie Mitchell asked the court to consider approving a contract with Spindlemedia for her office. She noted the proposed system is one county officials discussed during a past work session.
Spindlemedia deals only with tax collections and their software provides more support and more options for tax payers. With so many preferring not to come into the office, this will give taxpayers an option that doesn’t require doing so.
Spindlemedia is a Flower Mound company that specializes in cloud-based tax collection software, custom-crafted for Texas. The company website boasts about its “complete software suite” designed to “automate virtually every task in the office.” Among the products offered are a tax suite designed to make “even the most complex collection processes” seamless, general ledger with “total accounting package,” special inventory tax processing as well as beer, wine and liquor permit and renewal processing.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley said the current company being used does not deal solely in taxes, which has lead to a few hiccups.
“I think it would benefit everybody to make the move,” Bartley said, when making a motion to go with the proposed contract with Spindlemedia.
The company plans to begin doing some work behind the scenes this summer and early fall but won’t bill the county until the start of the new budget year on Oct. 1, 2022.
Resolutions
The Commissioners Court approved a resolution “in support of state funding to match competitive federal rail programs. The court hopes submitting this to State Legislator will influence them to consider allocating additional funds to short line railroads, especially NETEX (Northeast Texas Rural Rail Transportation District) which spans through many counties and is in need of a lot of money to fund a lot of needed repairs to the rail.
The railroad is “of vital importance to Hopkins County and other counties, but could certainly be an even better resource for freight delivery, according to Bartley, who served on the NETEX board a few years ago. Currently, due to the condition of the rail, trains are only able to run at a maximum of 10 miles per hour.. Many large businesses depend on it, especially Farmers Coop and another local business that makes plastics. Improving the rail would allow cars to travel it at faster speeds, up to Class 2, which would get product to and from businesses faster and more reliably.
A resolution too was approved designating the county judge to represent the county in all matters in connection with submission of a Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grand application for DR-4486. In it the county agrees to provide 10% in local matching funds to secure and complete a FEMA mitigation grant.
Other Business
The Commissioners Court approved a holiday calendar for 2022-2023 with the same holidays to be observed, including Juneteenth, which was added for 2021-2022.
Two requests from Farmers Electric Cooperative to construct electric distribution facilities across a county road in Precinct 1 and another in Precinct 3 were approved as well.
Sulphur Springs Woman Accused Of Swinging Rod At Her Fiancé
A 26-year-old woman was accused Friday night of aggravated assault by swinging a rod at her fiancé during an argument.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Drew Fisher, Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputy Zack Horne responded at 10:31 p.m. July 22, 2022, to a disturbance at a County Road 2310 residence. While deputies were en route, the woman advised dispatchers that her fiancé had a weapon and was harming himself.
Upon arrival, however, the deputies determined none of the woman’s claims to be true, Fisher noted in arrest reports. After speaking with Clara Gaetano and her fiancé, as well as witnesses at the address, officers determined Gaetano picked up a threaded rod and a knife and swung the rod at her fiancé. Defensive wounds consistent with contact with a rod were observed on the arms of the man Gaetano is engaged to marry.
Gaetano then claimed she had been choked and slammed onto the ground, but had no visible injuries to give validity to the claim. She was taken into custody at 11:48 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2022, and transported to Hopkins County jail, where she was booked in at 12:53 a.m. Saturday, July 23, 2022, on an aggravated family violence assault with a weapon charge. The 26-year-old Sulphur Springs woman also known by Clara Lynn Gaetano remained in jail late Saturday morning, July 23, 2022, on the felony assault charge; bond was set at $50,000, according to arrest and jail reports.
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.
Brock’s Peach Strawberry Ice Cream Won Top Honors At 2022 Freeze Off
Friday’s Ice Cream Freeze Off was another successful event, well attended with plenty of tasty cool treats to sample
Shirley Brock’s strawberry peach ice cream won first place honors in the 2022 Freeze off, held at the Senior Citizens Center. Teresa Mathews’ Butterfinger treat, sponsored by At Home Health Care, was ranked second. Third place went to Tina Cox for her pina colada ice cream, sponsored Sunny Springs Nursing and Rehab.
The five additional entries earning honorable mention recognition for their entries in the Freeze Off included: John and Mary Ellen Little’s cherry ice cream; Kelly Whitley’s chocolate malted crunch, sponsored by Embark; Libby Daves’ cherry cheesecake, sponsored by Family First Home Health; Donna Seamon’s vanilla ice cream, sponsored by Wesley House Assisted Living; and Stacey Wetzel’s strawberry ice cream, sponsored by Mays Home Health.
“We had a great Homemade Ice Cream Freeze Off today at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center,” Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center Director Karon Weatherman said. “Thank you Carriage House Manor and the Cottages for being our Sponsor. Congratulations to everyone. No one was a loser. It was a delicious.”
USDA Announces Increased Funding For School Meals, Child And Adult Care Meals
Support Provided For Schools And Child Care Providers Dealing With Rising Food Costs
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced an increase in funding to help schools continue to serve kids healthy meals this coming school year and provide financial relief for schools and child care providers. Effective July 1, 2022, the reimbursement schools receive for each meal served will increase by approximately $0.68 per free/reduced-price lunch and $0.32 per free/reduced price breakfast. Other reimbursement rates, including rates for paid school meals and child care meals, are available online.
The action will provide support for schools and child care providers dealing with rising food costs, and is part of the Biden Administration’s work to lower costs and provide American families some additional breathing room.
This increase includes both a required annual adjustment in reimbursement rates to reflect the cost of food and an extra temporary per-meal boost in reimbursements from the recent Keep Kids Fed Act. Combined, this will pump an estimated $4.3 billion more into school meal and child care meal programs across the nation this school year, in addition to the nearly $2 billion in additional funding USDA has already provided.
“The boost in reimbursements will help provide financial relief for schools so they can continue serving high-quality meals to students amid higher food costs and persistent supply chain challenges,” said Stacy Dean, deputy under secretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services. “USDA is fully committed to using every resource in its toolbelt to ensure kids get the healthy meals they need to grow, learn, and thrive.”
Today’s announcement is part of USDA’s commitment to ensuring the school meal programs are strong and supported so they can successfully navigate current challenges and support more American families. Additional actions USDA has taken include:
- Providing an additional nearly $2 billion for schools to buy domestic food for their meal programs.
- Offering a suite of operational waivers that give states and schools flexibility to adapt to their on-the-ground circumstances such as through grab-and-go or parent-pickup of meals.
- Ensuring states continue to receive stable funding for USDA Foods for the coming school year – comparable to last school year – for purchasing 100% American-grown foods for their school meal programs.
- Ensuring schools are not penalized if they cannot meet meal standards due to supply chain issues.
- Awarding up to $200 million to states to purchase domestic local foods for distribution to schools, through the new Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program.
- Extending deadlines for districts to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows schools serving many high-need students to provide all meals for free without collecting applications from families.
USDA is also providing ongoing support for other child nutrition programs that work in tandem with the school meal programs to give kids a strong, healthy start. For example, USDA:
- Approved 32 states and territories to date to provide food benefits for the summer months (Summer P-EBT) to eligible children. USDA is actively working with all states to help them offer these benefits to children.
- Extended nationwide flexibilities to summer meal programs through September 2022, which allows sites to continue serving meals in all areas, at no cost to families.
- Provided all family day care homes with the higher temporary reimbursement rate for the Child and Adult Care Food Program school year 2022-23.
For information on the child nutrition programs for school year 2022-2023, visit: Child Nutrition Flexibilities for Summer 2022 and School Year 2022-23
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, lowering costs for American families, creating fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
Arrest Made In Connection With Bank Robberies, Including Pilgrim Bank-Sulphur Springs
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas on July 22, 2022, reported an arrest has been made in connection with a series of bank robberies, including the June 15 robbery at Sulphur Springs Pilgrim Bank.
The man taken into custody is believed to have been involved in robberies reported over the course of a month at five Texas banks, according to a press release posted July 22 on the Department of Justice website by the US Attorney’s Office. (See release below)
Dallas Man Arrested And Charged In Connection With Multiple Bank Robberies Across Northeast Texas
PLANO, Texas – A Dallas man has been arrested and charged in connection with multiple bank robberies across the Metroplex area, announced Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today.
Mark Robert Disch, 53, was named in a complaint filed in the Eastern District of Texas on July 19, 2022, charging him with two counts of bank robbery. Disch was arrested on July 21, 2022, and appeared in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly C. Priest Johnson today.
According to the complaint, Disch is alleged to have robbed five Texas banks between May 25 and June 27, 2022: two in the Eastern District of Texas and three in the Northern District of Texas. The banks were located in Lewisville, Arlington, DeSoto, Sulphur Springs, and University Park. Using video surveillance and witness accounts, along with other investigative techniques, law enforcement officers and federal agents were able to identify Disch and determine he was in the immediate vicinity of each bank robbery.
If convicted, Disch faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
A complaint, information or indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Dallas Police Department, the Sulphur Springs Police Department, the Lewisville Police Department, and the University Park Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Eastern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan R. Hornok with assistance from Northern District of Texas Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Hammond.
