Hopkins County Genealogical Society Library to be Open September 14th
September 9, 2024 – The Hopkins County Genealogical Society announces that their library will be open Saturday, September 14th, 2024, from 9:30am to 1:00pm. The library will be open for “all your research needs.” The Hopkins County Genealogical Society hopes “you will join us!”
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Offers Valuable Resources for fall Gardening by Mario Villarino
September 9, 2024 – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offers valuable resources for fall gardening, helping both novice and experienced gardeners make the most of the cooler season. Fall is an ideal time to plant a wide variety of crops in Texas and similar climates due to milder temperatures, reduced pests, and favorable growing conditions. By leveraging AgriLife Extension’s knowledge and guidelines, gardeners can plan and cultivate productive fall gardens that thrive well into winter.
Choosing the Right Crops : One of the key aspects of successful fall gardening is selecting appropriate crops. Many cool-season vegetables perform best when planted in the fall. Leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, and kale are popular choices due to their ability to tolerate cooler temperatures. Root vegetables like carrots, radishes, and beets are also well-suited for fall planting. Additionally, certain brassicas like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage can thrive in cooler weather. The AgriLife Extension provides recommended planting dates for different regions of Texas, ensuring that crops are planted at optimal times to avoid frost damage and maximize yields.
Soil Preparation and Planting: Before planting, it’s crucial to prepare the soil. AgriLife Extension recommends testing soil quality to determine its pH and nutrient content, which helps in deciding whether amendments such as compost or fertilizers are necessary. Well-drained, fertile soil enriched with organic matter will give plants the best chance to establish healthy roots. Proper spacing is also essential, as overcrowding can lead to competition for nutrients, water, and sunlight, weakening plant growth.
Irrigation and Mulching: Fall gardens, while generally cooler and less prone to extreme heat, still require consistent moisture. The AgriLife Extension advises using drip irrigation or soaker hoses to ensure water reaches the root zone efficiently. To conserve soil moisture and suppress weed growth, mulching with organic materials like straw or leaves is recommended. Mulch also helps regulate soil temperature as nights grow cooler.
Pest Management: Although pest pressure tends to decrease in the fall, some pests like aphids and cabbage loopers may still pose a threat to garden crops. AgriLife Extension encourages integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, including regular monitoring of plants, using beneficial insects, and employing organic pest control methods to minimize pesticide use.
With AgriLife Extension’s expert guidance, gardeners can enjoy a productive fall harvest by choosing suitable crops, preparing soil properly, maintaining moisture levels, and managing pests. Fall gardening not only provides fresh, homegrown produce but also extends the growing season for gardeners in Texas. For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
SEN. CRUZ RELEASES STATEMENT ON NICARAGUA’S RELEASE OF 135 POLITICAL PRISONERS
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) released the following statement after the United States secured the freedom of 135 political prisoners on humanitarian grounds, including 13 individuals affiliated with Texas-based religious organization Mountain Gateway. These political prisoners were being wrongly detained by Nicaraguan authorities.
In a statement, Sen. Cruz said, “Today, we celebrate a significant victory for freedom as over one hundred political prisoners have been released from the oppressive control of Nicaragua’s Ortega-Murillo regime. I am particularly grateful for the release of members from Texas’s Mountain Gateway community, who were unjustly targeted and detained for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights. As we welcome these Americans back home, our nation’s joint efforts with Guatemala will ensure that the freed political prisoners in Nicaragua receive the support of a just democratic society to rebuild their lives. I stand in unwavering solidarity with the Nicaraguan people, who deserve to have their voices heard and respected in peace.”
Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues Travis County Over Illegal Use of Taxpayer Funds to Hire Partisan Organization to Identify Potentially Unregistered Voters
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the Travis County Commissioners Court to stop the unlawful appropriation of taxpayer money. Travis County, where the City of Austin is located, hired a partisan third-party organization to identify potentially unregistered voters without statutory authority.
In August 2024, the Travis County Commissioners Court hired a third-party vendor with taxpayer funds to operate a program that would identify residents who were unregistered to vote. The company, Civic Government Solutions, is a subsidiary of a known partisan organization and was contracted to provide services that Travis County is not authorized by Texas law to perform. The program will create confusion, potentially facilitate fraud, and undermine public trust in the election process.
“Travis County has blatantly violated Texas law by paying partisan actors to conduct unlawful identification efforts to track down people who are not registered to vote,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Programs like this invite fraud and reduce public trust in our elections. We will stop them and any other county considering such programs.”
Attorney General Paxton recently sued Bexar County over a program that would send mass mailout to unregistered individuals, potentially to those ineligible to vote, and sent a letter to Harris County warning against passing a voter registration mailout resolution.
Sulphur Springs Emergency Sirens Will Be Tested September 9
July 3, 2024 – Emergency sirens will be tested in Sulphur Springs at noon today by the Sulphur Springs Emergency Management Office.
The test is to gauge the reliability of the emergency warning system and is conducted to find any potential flaws in the system so they can be corrected prior to a real emergency situation. The sirens could be sounded not only for weather warnings such as tornadoes, which are the most common in the area, but also in case of any emergency that could affect the safety and lives of citizens in Sulphur Springs.
Recent tests have shown the emergency sirens to be a ready source of warning in case of emergencies such as tornados or other threats to safety.
This will only be a test.
Your Wildcats Took on the Greenville Lions September 6th – Check out the Action Below
September 8, 2024 – The KSST crew traveled to Greenville September 6th to bring you the exciting Sulphur Springs High School Wildcats Football game against the Greenville Lions. Sports Director John Mark Dempsey and Tony Flippin called the shots during this exciting broadcast. Erin Groom helped out on the camera for the first time. Be sure to check out this awesome game down below! This was Senior Night for Greenville.
Local Author to Hold Book Signing September 14th
September 8, 2024 – Local Christian author, Andrea Cannon, will hold a book signing event September 14, 2024, at the Good News Christian Bookstore. Meet the author of Christian Devotionals and middle-grade fiction from Noon to 2:00pm. The bookstore is located at 1181 South Broadway, Sulphur Springs, Texas, 75482.
Coastal Redwoods From Master Gardener David Wall
September 8, 2024 – Coastal redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) are trees that we’ve heard and read about since our youth. They’re the tallest plant on Earth. Thirty-seven are 330’ tall & the tallest is 360’ tall, and they are still growing! Their slender thickness, however, prevents them from being the largest trees. That honor goes to their cousin the shorter (by a little) but more massive Sequoia gigantia or giant sequoia. Both grow in California, but in different regions. Coastal redwoods, as the name implies, grow along the pacific coast in foggy areas. Actually, redwoods were once the largest overall, but all those trees were cut down by loggers.
The pacific coast is the key to their size, as ocean winds bring in fog containing moisture for their needle leaves. Their height means moisture has great difficulty getting up the tree to the leaves. Without the moisture brought in from the ocean, the trees, at their current height, could not long survive. Even with the additional moisture, coastal redwoods are commonly referred to as a dying species.
Redwoods are highly resistant to fires, due to the thickness of their bark, which is several inches thick and is highly fire resistant. If fire completely destroys the canopy, redwoods will regenerate the foliage, although it may take a hundred years!
Regeneration by seed almost never occurs in dense redwood forests. Rather, regeneration occurs from dead logs or sprouts from roots. When this occurs, the new trees are incapable of photosynthesis, as they have no chlorophyll in their needles. Water, carbohydrates and other nutrients are provided solely by the root systems of their neighbors. This allows redwoods to outcompete other conifers, even when growing in deep shade of their parent trees.
If a redwood grows with a lean, gravity will eventually kill it by causing it to fall.
Paris District Road Report for Week of September 9, 2024
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting Sept. 9, 2024. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Safety Message: Impaired driving and penalties – DUI & DWI
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can risk your life and the lives of others, and it can send you to jail. If you are under 21, it is illegal for you to drive with any detectable amount of alcohol in your system.
When am I legally intoxicated?
You are legally intoxicated in Texas when your blood alcohol concentration reaches 0.08 percent, but you are breaking the law as soon as drugs or alcohol affect your driving — or flying or boating — ability.
What are the penalties for a DWI?
First offense
- Up to a $2,000 fine.
- Up to 180 days in jail upon conviction with three mandatory days.
- Loss of driver license up to a year.
Second offense
- Up to a $4,000 fine.
- One month to a year in jail upon conviction.
- Loss of driver license up to two years.
Third offense
- A $10,000 fine.
- Two to 10 years in prison.
- Loss of driver license up to two years.
These fines do not include a state fine of $3,000, $4,500, or $6,000 assessed upon sentencing.
Impaired driving with a child passenger
- You will be charged with child endangerment if you’re driving impaired with children under 15.
- You will be additionally fined up to $10,000.
- You could be put in jail for up to two years.
- You will lose your driver’s license for another 180 days.
Driving with an open container
Carrying an open container of alcohol in your vehicle, even if you’re not impaired, is illegal. Learn more about Texas open container laws.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
Grayson County:
US 75, from US 82 to North Loy Lake Road. This project will rebuild and widen the US 75 mainlanes from four lanes to six lanes as well as reconstruct the entrance and exit ramps on US 75. The project will also reconstruct bridges at FM 691, Iron Ore Creek and Spur 503, and add U-turn bridges at Loy Lake Road in Sherman and Spur 503 in Denison. A reduced speed limit of 65 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set for this construction project. Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the mainlanes of US 75 as well as frontage road lane closures within the project.
The U-turn lanes for the US 75 frontage roads at FM 691 are closed to traffic to allow crews to work on constructing the middle portion of the new US 75 bridge over FM 691. During this closure traffic wishing to make a U-turn at the intersection is asked to turn left onto FM 691 and make another left at the next signal light.
The exit ramp from northbound US 75 to North Loy Lake Road in Denison is closed permanently. Travelers who wish to access North Loy Lake Road from northbound US 75 will detour up to Crawford Street, make a U-turn at the Crawford Street intersection, and head south on the frontage road to reach North Loy Lake Road.
The entrance ramp on the southbound frontage road onto US 75, north of Spur 503 and south of Loy Lake Road, is permanently closed. This closure is part of the reconstruction of US 75 from US 82 to Loy Lake Road in Denison. Motorists who wish to travel south on US 75 from its intersection with Loy Lake Road are advised to note this change. A detour is in place requiring traffic to continue on the southbound frontage road, around Spur 503, to the entrance ramp for US 75 southbound located north of the FM 691 intersection. Signs will alert travelers and guide them along this detour route.
The northbound US 75 frontage road is closed to thru traffic north of FM 691 in order to replace the frontage road bridge over Iron Ore Creek. Work for the construction of the new US 75 northbound frontage road Iron Ore Creek bridge and northbound frontage road pavement is currently in progress. Motorists traveling along the northbound frontage road will take the northbound entrance ramp north of FM 691 and take exit 66 to access eastbound Spur 503. Local traffic wishing to return to FM 691 is asked to use Pool Road.
The westbound Spur 503 ramp to northbound US 75 is closed to traffic. A temporary detour is in place to divert this traffic onto the frontage road. Traffic will exit Spur 503 onto the frontage road using the new detour, continue along the Spur 503 frontage road which runs into the US 75 frontage road to the Loy Lake Road intersection. Traffic can continue along the frontage road through Loy Lake Road and then take the next entrance ramp to northbound US 75.
US 75, from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set on the mainlanes for this construction project. Watch for shoulder closures and occasional nighttime lane closures on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between SH 91 and FM 1417 as crews work on completing the remaining work on this project. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91.
As the US 75 project continues to move into the final stages there will be nightly lane closures on both north- and southbound lanes as construction crews perform pavement marking, barrier removal and sign installation. Drivers should expect delays.
US 75, at the US 82 intersection. Watch for lane closures and lane shifts for the frontage roads on the northbound and southbound US 75 frontage road lanes between South Loy Lake Road and Lamberth Street, as well as on the eastbound and westbound US 82 frontage road lanes between FM 131 and Loy Lake Road while crews work on construction of the new frontage road lanes and bridges.
US 69, from SH 56 to SH 11. Watch for daytime lane closures on US 69 as crews work to perform pavement repairs. Motorists should expect delays during the daytime work hours as pilot cars and flaggers direct traffic through the work zone.
US 377, from US 82 to the Oklahoma State line. Watch for daytime lane closures on US 377 as crews work to perform pavement repairs, milling, and an overlay on the surface. Motorists should expect delays during the daytime work hours as pilot cars and flaggers direct traffic through the work zone.
US 82, from the Cooke County line to FM 901. Watch for daytime lane closures on the US 82 eastbound and westbound main lanes as crews work to backfill the overlay and place striping and rumble strips on the surface. Motorists should expect delays during the daytime work hours.
FM 1417, from US 82 to SH 56. Travelers are advised that intermittent temporary daily lane closures will be required for both northbound and southbound FM 1417 while the contractor completes the remaining work.
FM 121, from Main Street in Van Alstyne to SH 160. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway to an overall width of 26 feet. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
US 82, from the Cooke County line to FM 131 in Sherman. Watch for lane closures as workers replace the bridge railing and guardrail approaches at each bridge structure and install median barrier. During construction, bridge travel will be reduced to one lane while crews replace the bridge railing. Currently, the contractor is working on the eastbound US 82 lanes at Harris Creek, the westbound US 82 lanes at Post Oak Creek, and the eastbound and westbound US 82 lanes at FM 1417. Motorists should expect daytime lane closures on FM 1417 at the US 82 underpass, while crews are replacing the bridge rail at this location. On this project, the contractor is also installing a center median concrete traffic barrier between FM 1417 and FM 131. Motorists should expect daytime lane closures while this work is underway.
US 75 full depth concrete repair, from the Collin County line to the Oklahoma State line. Crews will be working on US 75 each week from Sunday night through Friday morning during the overnight period. Lane closures will be present at night for crews to replace failed concrete sections. Lane closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m. This work will extend from the Collin-Grayson County line to the Oklahoma State line.
US 75 debris pickup, from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday during the nighttime.
FM 901, from US 377 to US 82. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform edge repairs on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 901, from SH 56 to US 82. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
US 82 frontage road, from FM 1417 to FM 131. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform slope repairs. The left lane will be closed to traffic and all motorists are asked to use the right lane.
Fannin County:
FM 1753, at the Brushy Creek bridge. FM 1753 at the Brushy Creek bridge is closed to through traffic as crews remove and replace the bridge structure and roadway approaches. During the closure, traffic is asked to use FM 2645, FM 898, US 82, and FM 1752 as the detour route.
FM 274, from SH 78 to FM 1753. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway to an overall width of 26 feet. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone. FM 274 at Sandy Creek bridge is closed to thru traffic while the contractor replaces the existing bridge. During the closure traffic is asked to use FM 1753 and SH 78 as the detour.
SH 56 at Bois d’Arc Creek. SH 56 at Bois d’Arc creek is reduced to one lane with a signal in place to control traffic as crews work to remove and replace the bridge railing. Motorists should expect delays as signals control traffic through the construction zone.
SH 56 at Hutchins Creek and Caney Creek. SH 56 at Hutchins creek and Caney creek will be reduced to one lane with a signal in place to control traffic beginning the week of September 23, as crews work to remove and replace the bridge railing as well as perform bridge repairs. Motorists should expect delays as signals control traffic through the construction zone.
SH 121 overpass at US 69. The SH 121 overpass at US 69 will be closed to thru traffic beginning the week of September 9, as crews work to perform bridge repairs. All traffic will be required to take the exit for US 69 and then will be able to take the next entrance ramp back onto SH 121. A temporary signal will be in place to control traffic on SH 121 and US 69 during this closure. Motorists should expect delays as signals control traffic through the construction zone.
CR 4020 at Caney Creek. CR 4020 at Caney Creek is closed to through traffic to allow for replacement of the bridge. During the closure traffic is asked to use CR 4025 as a detour.
FM 68, from SH 78 to FM 271. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway to an overall width of 28 feet. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 78, from US 82 to the Oklahoma State line. Watch for daytime shoulder closures and occasional lane closures as workers install sloped-end treatments on drainage structures and replace bridge rail and guardrail.
FM 100, from SH 56 to FM 2216. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 271, from SH 78 to FM 68. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 1743, from US 82 north to end of State maintenance. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs and blade leveling on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 78, from SH 56 to FM 271. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform bridge repairs. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 121, from SH 11 to US 69. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform bridge repairs. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
Franklin County: IH 30, Truck Parking Area. Crews will be constructing concrete paving on the new eastbound truck parking area.
Hopkins County: SH 19, from I-30 to Rains County Line. Watch for crews performing road rehabilitation operations and traffic shifts in the work areas.
Hopkins County: I-30, at FM 269. Crews will be performing tree trimming and tree removal operations on the westbound and eastbound side.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
Lamar County:
Loop 286, from FM 1497 around the north loop to FM 1507. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures and traffic merges while crews improve guardrail and drainage structures and perform bridge maintenance.
US 271, from LP 286 to Oklahoma State Line. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures and traffic merges while crews resurface the pavement and perform bridge maintenance.
CR 26320 at Morrison Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
FM 1497, from FM 1184 to FM 3426. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures
CR 16300 at Little Sandy Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
US 82 / Lamar Avenue, from 33rd street to 42nd street in Paris. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures in the nighttime hours while crews improve signals, install a raised center median, and resurface the roadway.
FM 38 at West Fork of Sanders Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
SH 24, Lamar & Delta Counties: from the FM 64 intersection to 1,540 feet east of FM 198. Watch for temporary lane closures and lane shifts while crews resurface the roadway and perform bridge rail upgrades.
SH 19/24, Lamar & Delta Counties: from LP 286 intersection to SH 19 . Watch for temporary lane closures and lane shifts while crews resurface the roadway, perform bridge rail upgrades, and bridge maintenance.
US 271, Lamar & Red River Counties: from FM 196 North to SH 37. Watch for temporary shoulder closures and trucks entering and exiting the highway as crews remove tree and brush from within right of way.
US 82, Lamar & Red River Counties: from State Loop 286 in Paris to Bowie County Line in Red River County. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures.
Delta County:
FM 2068 at East Fork of Jernigan Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
SH 24, at Doctor’s Creek. Watch for temporary shoulder closures and trucks entering and exiting the highway as crews perform bridge maintenance on the northbound structure.
Red River County:
FM 2120, from FM 2573 to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 1487, from FM 910 to FM 412. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
Northeast Texas Trail, Clarksville, Texas. Watch for trucks and equipment entering and exiting streets and highways while crews construct the off-system trail.
Northeast Texas Trail, from BU 82J to Annona East City Limits. Watch for trucks and equipment entering and exiting streets and highways while crews construct the off-system trail.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903) 455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
Hunt County:
SH 11, from FM 2655 to SH 24. This project will add shoulders and replace drainage structures. The contractor has set barricades and has begun some prep right of way work and has begun road widening and ditch grading in the area. The contractor has placed SW3P devices and prepped the right of way. Culvert and Safety End treatment are being installed on the project and excavation and road widening is in progress. Shoulder embankment work is ongoing. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
SH 11, from Culver Street to Live Oak. The contractor has placed work zone signs and barricades. Fencing installation and grate work is ongoing. Final signal work is underway, barrels and barricades have been removed to open lanes. Final punch list items are underway. Oncor has supplied power to the signal lights and the signals are in testing phase. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 1563, from SH 50 to SH 2655: This is a 2.7-mile rehabilitation project that will widen the existing roadway. The contractor has set work zone signs and barricades. The contractor has completed cross culverts and culvert extensions and will be placing riprap soon. The contractor has sealed and shouldered up the first mile of the project and has placed flex base and placing geogrid at various locations. Contractor is currently performing reclaim work and subgrade widening along with placing GEOGRID. Driveways are ongoing and are being completed by section of work. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 2642, from FM 35 to SH 66: The contractor has set work zone signs and barricades. The contractor has been working on the placement of storm sewer and culverts will continue along FM 2642 north of I-30 towards SH 66 with embankment and excavation work. Nighttime operations are currently being used for several cross-culvert locations. The contractor is placing geogrid and flex base on FM 2642 near Royse City high school moving north. The contractor placed barrier and crash cushions on FM35. Paving operations are in progress in areas north of FM 35 Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 2649, from I-30 to FM 1567. The contractor has set barricades and work zone traffic signs. Cross culvert work is complete. The contractor has completed placing GR4 seal course on the final section of roadway. The contractor is also backfilling turnouts, driveways and roadway edges. Roadway strip and permanent seeding will be placed today and through the weekend. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
I-30 intersection improvements from Monte Stratton to FM 1903. The contractor has set barricades and advance warning signs. The contractor has poured a Cap for the drilled shafts at proposed IH30 at FM 1570 and is currently excavating the mainlanes for FM 1570. Shoring walls are ongoing at FM 1903 and FM 1570 along with driveways and hot mix. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
I-30 Improvements from CR2511 to FM 36: The contractor is currently grading and placing embankment between the frontage roads and mainlanes. Culvert work is ongoing. Paving for detours near FM 1565 exit has started, please be aware oof workers in the area. Contractor will be placing low profile barrier on the EB frontage road near FM 1565
Hunt and Rains Counties Hunt County and Rains maintenance crews will be performing pothole repair work throughout Hunt and Rains County. Hunt County MNT will be overlaying FM 118 and US 69 and IH 30 FR near SH 34. Rains County MNT will continue to perform seal prep and patch on FM 513 from US 69 to IH30 and perform culvert work on FM 1564.
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Drug Overdose Death of 16-Year-Old Puts Hopkins County at Forefront of Next Worldwide Drug Threat
September 6, 2024 – Hopkins County is now sadly on the cutting edge of a new illegal synthetic opiod spreading across the world as a murder case is being investigated after a 16-year-old girl overdosed on the new drug. Three suspects have been identified as participants in the supply chain of the illegal pills that were laced with N-Pyrrolidino Protonitazene. The new synthetic substance is believed to be 25 times more potent than fentanyl and 500 times stronger than morphine. It is believed illegal manufacturers of illicit oxycodone tablets are using the potent substance as a cheaper alternative to other drug ingredients.
Currently, there is very little information about N-Pyrrolidino Protonitazene and it’s dangerous effects on unsuspecting buyers of illegal drugs. Overdose data worldwide from this stronger substance is scarce, but latest data shows 20 overdoses across the US in 2023 with cases concentrated across seven states none of which are close to Texas. Now, this overdose death in Hopkins County may be the first verified overdose death in Texas from this horrible synthetic opiod variant.
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum and his staff are pressing forward in their investigation of three suspects and could charge those suspects each with a felony murder charge for their role in distributing the deadly drugs. In a recently released press release, Sheriff Lewis Tatum gave some sobering advice for anyone that buys drugs from an unknown source by saying, “I would like to remind the community, any illicit pill you take can kill you.”
