Murder Hornets Coming to our Area? From Master Gardener David Wall
July 21, 2024 – Asian giant hornets (Vespa mandarinia) are considered a serious danger in the United States. At 1.75” in length with a .25” stinger and a 3” wingspan, they’re well known for killing people in their native Asian environment, and unlike our European honeybees, they can sting repeatedly.
After being found in the northwestern coastal area (fortunately, only a few nests), people became concerned as to how long it would take for them to get to our area. Rumors even began about them having been seen in Oklahoma. So far, all such Oklahoma and Texas sightings have proven to be either the eastern or western cicada killer wasps; a large wasp, but not Asian hornets (AH).
When AH find a honeybee hive, they secret an aroma that attracts other AH. The group of as many as 50 then attack the hive and can wipe it out in less than two hours. They take as many bodies as they can carry back to their nest to feed their youngsters.
Support for eradicating AH has been very aggressive. All sightings are immediately tracked down and the nest eliminated. Eradication has been so successful that since November 2022, there have been no confirmed sightings.
One serious danger to our honeybee population, is they have no defense against AH. In Asia, their honeybees work together to trick, trap, and kill AH before they can signal fellow AH. If this doesn’t work, they can no notice abandon their hives to get away.
One preventive measure is to install a narrow opening to our honeybee hives that are two small for AH to get through. Another is using glue sheets that trap a single hornet which signal others who get stuck and signal others…..
For now, AH are not here now and probably won’t be in the future.
Paris District Road Report for Week of July 22, 2024
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting July 22, 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: Drive a Safe Speed.
No one wants to get pulled over for speeding but getting a ticket could be the best possible outcome if you drive too fast on Texas roads. Speeding is the number one contributing factor in traffic crashes in our state. In 2023, 1,456 people were killed in speed-related crashes on Texas roadways and another 5,980 were seriously injured.
Speeding increases the distance you’ll need to stop to avoid a crash and increases the risk that a crash will result in severe injuries or death. When you speed, you can also face an expensive fine, court costs, and your insurance rates can go up.
To remind motorists that driving too fast can be dangerous and expensive, TxDOT is partnering with law enforcement agencies across the Lone Star State as they step up their efforts to enforce speed limits during Operation Slowdown July 19 through August 4, 2024. In addition to writing tickets, law enforcement vehicles will spend extra time driving the roads, reminding motorists what a safe speed looks like.
Smart, safe driving means more than following the speed limit. TxDOT has these safety tips for motorists:
- Match your speed to road conditions if there’s bad weather or you’re driving through a work zone.
- Slow down and allow for more distance to stop when traffic is heavy, or roads are slick.
- Watch for road signs alerting you of reduced speed limits ahead.
- Remember that fines double if you speed in a school zone or a work zone when workers are present.
- Always buckle up—drivers and passengers—day and night. It’s your best protection in a crash.
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:
Annual Seal Coat. The annual seal coat program is scheduled to begin work on July 22. Roadways receiving a seal coat surface this year include FM 120 from FM 1753 to Carpenter’s Bluff Bridge; FM 691 from FM 131 to the airport; and FM 902 from US 377 to US 75. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
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. This work has an anticipated completion date of early August 2024. 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 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.
The southbound US 75 exit ramp (Exit 57) for Park Avenue will close for two weeks beginning July 22. Motorists traveling southbound are asked to use the southbound exit for State Highway 91 and North Travis Street, and continue along the southbound frontage road to Park Avenue. They may also use the southbound exit for South Travis Street/FM 1417, which is scheduled to open to traffic on July 22.
The southbound US 75 exit ramp (Exit 58) for Houston Street will also close for two weeks beginning July 22. Motorists traveling southbound are asked to use the southbound exit for North Travis Street and continue southward to Houston Street and on to Center Street. They may also use the southbound exit for South Travis Street/FM 1417, which is scheduled to open to traffic on July 22.
Also, next week, the northbound exit for Center Street is scheduled to open to traffic on July 25.
Message boards for these planned temporary closures will be posted along US 75 to alert travelers to these changes.
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 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 perform a pavement overlay on the surface. Motorists should expect delays during the daytime work hours.
Enterprise Road at Tributary to Harris Creek. Enterprise Road at the Tributary to Harris Creek is closed to through traffic as crews remove and replace the bridge structure and roadway approaches. During the closure, traffic is asked to use Wright Road, SH 289 and Plainview Road as the detour route.
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.
US 82, from SH 91 to FM 1417 in Sherman. Watch for a lane closure on westbound US 82 between Texoma Parkway and Loy Lake Road as workers install a center median concrete barrier to help prevent crossover head-on collisions.
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 westbound US 82 lanes at Harris Creek and on the eastbound lanes at Post Oak Creek. On this project, the contractor is also installing a center median concrete traffic barrier between FM 1417 and FM 131. Motorists should expect 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 SH 56 to FM 902. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews place a seal coat surface on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Fannin County:
Annual Seal Coat. The annual seal coat program is scheduled to begin work on July 22. Roadways receiving a seal coat surface this year include Recreational Road 3 from FM 273 to end of maintenance, and SH 78 from SH 56 to SH 11. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 2990, at the North Sulphur River bridge. The FM 2990 bridge at the North Sulphur River is closed to traffic permanently for removal of the bridge as part of the new Lake Ralph Hall project. Traffic is asked to use SH 34 as the alternate route to FM 2990. Changeable message signs will be onsite to warn motorists of the closure.
FM 409, just east of FM 2029. Workers will start setting signs and barricade to replace the cross drainage structure. FM 409 at this location will be closed beginning July 29 for about two weeks until the work is completed. Traffic is asked to use FM 273 as the alternate route. Changeable message signs will be onsite to warn motorist of the closure.
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 July 8, as crews will 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.
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.
US 82, from FM 121 to Grayson County line. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work on Mill & Inlay on the westbound lane. Motorists should expect delays for the next two weeks as they drive through work zone.
FM 2645, from FM 1753 to FM 898. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs 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.
Franklin County: SH 37, from US 67 to FM 71. Watch for shoulder closures and construction vehicles entering the roadway as crews perform paving operations.
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: IH 30. Watch for nighttime lane closures as crews perform repairs to concrete pavement.
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.
Loop 286, from US 271 North going west to FM 79. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures, lane shifts, crossing closures and merging traffic while crews place a bonded concrete surface and perform asphalt paving operations.
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.
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.
FM 2675, from Lamar County line to FM 128. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
SH 19 at South Sulphur and South Sulphur Relief. Watch for temporary shoulder closures while crews perform bridge maintenance.
Red River County:
CR 2127 at Scatter Creek. Watch for temporary roadway closure and a detour while crews replace existing bridge structure.
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.
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 34, from FM 1570 to FM 2101. The contractor has set barricades and work zone signs. The contractor has completed the flexible pavement repair on the main lanes and shoulders. The contractor has finished the placement of HMA overlay on the northbound and southbound lanes. Contractor has placed temporary striping and is backfilling pavement edges throughout the project. Guard fence and mow strip work is underway and seeding to begin soon. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
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. SW3P devices will be installed soon. The contractor is placing SW3P devices and prepping the right of way. Culvert work has begun on the project. 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 punchlist items are underway. Oncor is working to supply power to the signal lights. 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 been working on cross culverts and culvert extensions on the first mile of the project and placing flexbase and placing geogrid at various locations. Driveways are ongoing and are being completed by section of work. Contractor is waiting on dryer soil conditions. 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. Excavation work for the detour is ongoing. 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 flexbase on FM 2642 near Royse City high school moving north. The contractor placed barrier and crash cushions on FM35. 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 begun work on the final section of roadway, this work will begin with subgrade widening and treating the subgrade and vegetation establishment. Driveway pipes were being installed along with striping for the completed section. Grading and seeding will be completed soon. 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 westbound I-30 main lanes have been realigned to detour paving around the existing westbound I-30 main lane bridge over FM 1570. This detour will remain in place until the new FM 1570 overpass is constructed. During the realignment, all I-30 westbound traffic will be reduced to one lane and diverted to the frontage road from Exit 89 (FM 1570) to FM 1903. The westbound frontage road at FM 1903 is one-way only along with the frontage roads along the project corridor. Traffic on FM 1903 from north of I-30 will have to turn right on the westbound frontage road and travel to State Highway 36 in order access I-30 east. The contractor plans to place more barriers and perform main lane widening and drainage work in the area. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
I-30 Intersection Improvements from CR2511 to FM 1565: The contractor has begun prep right of way work and will begin setting barrier and low-profile barricades soon. Contractor is working on excavating and widening of the shoulders for phase 1 and placing RCP for temporary drainage on detours. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
Hunt and Rains Counties Hunt County and Rains maintenance crews will be performing pothole repair work throughout Hunt and Rains County. Both crews are working on various roads in Hunt and Rains Counties placing fog seal on inhouse seal coat roads.
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Learn About an Upcoming Book Signing for Sulphur Springs author Tracy R Kelley on This Episode of A Second Cup of Coffee
On this episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey, John Mark sat down with new Christian author Tracy Kelley. Tracy shared her story and her relationship with God. She discussed with John Mark her inspiration for her first book, Living Loved: Learning to Live in the Fullness of God’s Love. Her book is available for preorder from some sellers and is due out in a couple of weeks. John Mark and Tracy Kelley go on to talk about her upcoming book signing event, being held at Sulphur Springs’s Deep Routes Coffee Shop, on August 3, 2024. Learn more about this Sulphur Springs author and her fist book in this segment. Check it out below.
Hopkins County Records – June/July 2024
Daily Instrument Register For 7/1/24 Thru 7/3/24
- Don Dona aJarnd Phyllis Dona to Delayne Didonato; Tract in the AC Ocela Borb Survey
- Anthony Ty Marler and Tammy Lynne Marler to Wendy Godfrey and William Godfrey Jr; Tract in the AC John Polk Survey
- Cheyenne L Smithers and Lisa D Smithers to William Cody Smithers; Tract in the AC Elizabeth Mitchell Survey
- Shannon McCorkle to Samuel Jordan Smith; Tract in the M A Bowlin Survey
- Amanda Davis and Jared Davis to Edd W Holt III and Elizabeth Kathleen Holt; Tract in the Jose Ybarbo Survey
Daily Instrument Register For 7/5/24 Thru 7/5/24
- Betty Speights to Gary Giles and Vicki Giles; Tract in the AC Michaels C Garoutte Survey
- Lanna Raymond to Lanna Raymond and Matthew W Raymond; Tract in the AC Jefferson Atchley Survey
- Kayla Brinlee Also Known As Kayla D Brinlee, and Samuel Brinlee to Rodrigo Nava Alonso; Tract in the M A Bowlin Survey
- Kayla Brinlee Also Known As Kayla D Brinlee, and Samuel Brinlee to Fatmir Cosic and Indira Cosic; Tract in the M A Bowlin Survey
- WilliaM Egan Formerly Known As Karen Egan, and Karen Joanne Gilbert to Daylon R Swearingen; Tract in the AC Helena Nelson Survey
Report of Marriage Documents for Hopkins County 6/13/24 Thru 7/19/24
- Cristian Alan Cortez and Tracy Brook Cline
- Robert James Russell II and Kristin Brooke Laywell
- Nino Oscar Ivan Martinez and Vazquez Messly Hernandez
- Adrian Aguilera and Kalyn Brooke Badgett
- Cody Michael Hampton and Christina Catherine Clark
- Tommy Lee Walden and Kala Jo Svevo
- Dylan Eugene Stahle and Brianna Michelle Case
- Kendall Donovan Casanova and Destiny Lynn Marie Verble
- Alexis Nicolai Oj Alisago and Kizy Varron
- Sergio Pablo Rodriguez and Mireya Elizabeth Vaughan
- Rosendo Flores and Leslie Garcia
- Roberto Alvarez and Tiffany Ashley Telfer
- John David McGee Jr and Holly Ann York
- Dillan Chase Taylor and Zandrea Nicole Norton
- Charles Janson Richey and Gerarda Dee Tamayo
- Jim Maag Robertson and Kristen Michelle Flemens
- Dallas Frederic Edwards and Lindsay Renee Butler
- Kristopher Matthe Siddens and Chasey Caroline Wardrup
- Marroquin Henry Al Monzon and Leal Mayra Mar De La Cruz
- Kaleb Michael Winn and Brooklyn Janine Drennan
- Xum Pablo Estuardo Batz and Amparo Monzon De La Cruz
- Michael Eugene Peterson and Jill Joetta Sandell
- Brayden Scott Hill and Sarah Joanna Elizab Smoot
- Jeremy Earl Lemley and Kacie Marie Branch
- Michael Haden Duck and Guerrdro Aridahy Gonzalez
- Matthew David Bryan and Jasmine Denise Carr
- Jesse Robert James and Cheyanne Marissa Nolan
- Joseph Isaac Biggs and Rebecca Sue Blakely
- Micah Bryan Mansfield and Allison Nicole Mayes
- Erick Rubi Morales Garcia and Gonzalez Mariana Casimiro
Hopkins County Genealogical Society to Hold Next Lunch & Learn July 24th
Lunch & Learn will be held this coming Wednesday, July 24, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 611 North Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Tx. The Hopkins County Genealogical Society invites anyone who wants to learn more about doing genealogical research to join us. Bring your sack lunch, salad or drive-through meal and your tablet or laptop, if you wish.
We are excited to have our society president, John A. Sellers, as our speaker this time. John will be using his laptop the projector for this presentation. The topic of his talk is “FamilySearch Experiment,” in which he will show us how to maneuver through this new test site for FamilySearch, what it consists of and what is included. You all know what a great speaker John is so we hope you will come and bring some other folks with you!
Social Security Announces Upcoming Changes to Accessing Online Services
Agency Transitioning Authentication Services to Login.gov
July 19, 2024 – The Social Security Administration announced that customers who created an online account (e.g., my Social Security account) before September 18, 2021, will soon be required to transition to a Login.gov account to continue access to their online services. Over five million of these account holders have already transitioned to Login.gov.
The agency is making the changes to simplify the sign-in experience and align with federal authentication standards while providing safe and secure access to online services.
“my Social Security is a safe and secure way for people to do business with us,” said Social Security Commissioner Martin O’Malley. “We’re excited to transition to Login.gov to access our online services, streamlining the process and ease of use for the public across agencies.”
Account holders are encouraged to sign-in now. When the user logs in, they will be presented with an option to easily transition to Login.gov. Once their account is successfully linked, a confirmation screen will appear, and they will have immediate access to their personal my Social Security services or other service that they were attempting to access.
Existing Login.gov or ID.me account holders do NOT need to create a new account or take any action.
my Social Security accounts are free, secure, and provide personalized tools for everyone, whether receiving benefits or not. People can use their account to request a replacement Social Security card, check the status of an application, estimate future benefits, or manage the benefits they already receive. For more information visit Create an Account | my Social Security | SSA.
For more information about Login.gov, including their 24/7 customer phone and chat support, visit Help | Login.gov.
SSISD Raises Teacher Pay
July 19, 2024 – The Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees in special meeting on Thursday, July 18th, approving a 5% general pay increase, resulting in a $2,625 increase for all teachers and librarians … according to a post the district’s Facebook page by Superintendent Deana Steeber.
All employees that are not included on the teacher and librarian pay scale will receive a 2% raise based on the midpoint of the new pay scale.
Steeber says any employee whose salary does not fall above the minimum salary on the new pay scale, will receive a salary adjustment to reflect hiring schedule equity.
All self-contained special education teachers … for example life skills and behavior classroom teachers … will receive a $5,000 annual stipend.
Dual Language Teachers who have their Bilingual Certification and teach on the Spanish speaking side of the program will have their annual stipends increased from $5,000 to $10,000.
Steeber says: “The Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees and our Admin Team are committed to improving pay and benefits for our staff in conjunction with maintaining market competitiveness.”
Driver License Offices and Vehicle Tax Offices Closed Friday Due to Tech Issues
July 19, 2024 – DPS Driver License Offices (DLOs) across the state are currently closed due to a technical issue. Customers with appointments should have been notified. Our IT teams are working diligently on a fix, however there is no current estimate on when DLOs will reopen.
The Hopkins County Tax Office Motor Vehicle System is down also due to the same technical problem.
Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike said that the issue believed to be behind the outage was not a security incident or cyberattack — and that a fix was on the way. The company said the problem occurred when it deployed a faulty update to computers running Microsoft Windows.
The agency said their IT teams were working on a fix, but there was no estimate on when the driver license offices would reopen.
Please monitor DPS’ social media & the DPS website for updates.
Speeding Kills. Slow Down and Save Lives
Speeding is top factor in Texas traffic crashes
July 16, 2024
AUSTIN – The telltale red-and-blue lights in a driver’s rearview mirror can inspire shame and guilt. But those feelings don’t come close to the guilt speeding drivers feel after killing or injuring someone – or the pain a family feels when someone dies in a crash.
Speeding can kill, and someone is always left behind to deal with the painful aftermath.
Speed was a factor in more than 160,000 traffic crashes in Texas last year, and 1,456 people were killed in speed-related crashes. That’s a third of all traffic deaths in Texas.
Lanisa Dehn knows how lives can be forever changed when someone makes the choice to drive at an unsafe speed. In 2020, a young man driving twice the speed limit in Lubbock, crashed into her mother’s car as she tried to make a left turn. Her mother died at the scene.
“If that driver would’ve obeyed the law, my mother might still be here today,” said Dehn. “I hope other drivers will hear my story and protect their fellow Texans by slowing down and avoiding making the same mistake.”
Tragic deaths like that of Dehn’s mother are why TxDOT is partnering with law enforcement to launch its summer Be Safe. Drive Smart. campaign and encourage motorists to slow down.
“Speeding is one of the deadliest problems on our roads,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said. “Getting to the office, home or wherever you’re going a few minutes faster isn’t worth putting your life or the lives of others at risk”.
Speeding is not only dangerous, it can also be costly. The Be Safe. Drive Smart. campaign coincides with Operation Slowdown, a statewide, high-visibility speed limit enforcement period. From July 19 through Aug. 4, Texas law enforcement agencies will step up their efforts to get drivers to slow down or pay up. Be Safe. Drive Smart. means more than following the speed limit. Follow these tips to keep yourself and others safe, and avoid a ticket:
- Match your speed to road conditions, such as bad weather or driving through a work zone.
- Slow down and allow for more distance to stop when traffic is heavy or roads are slick.
- Watch for road signs alerting you of reduced speed limits ahead.
TxDOT actively monitors roadways throughout the state to identify patterns that may help implement additional safety measures to prevent speeding. Working together, TxDOT, law enforcement, and drivers can save lives on Texas roads.
Be Safe. Drive Smart. messages will be broadcast this month on TV, radio, billboards, gas pumps, theater screens and social media. TxDOT is also hosting community events featuring an interactive exhibit of safety quizzes and video displays at select Buc-ee’s locations along major travel corridors.
Be Safe. Drive Smart. is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel to help end the streak of daily deaths. Nov. 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on Texas roadways.
Northeast Texas Trail Improvements Underway in Clarksville
PARIS – Texas Department of Transportation officials today announced that a project to upgrade and improve the Northeast Texas Trail in Clarksville, Texas, is set to begin July 19.
Sammy Gist Enterprises was granted 148 working days, weather permitting, to complete this project valued at more than $1.9 million. The target completion date for this project is May 30, 2025.
The work on this project will include construction of a 10-foot-wide shared use path and pedestrian enhancements along the former railroad ROW. Most of the work will be performed off of streets and highways, but care should be taken for vehicles entering and exiting the trail and at streets that cross the trail.
Motorists who travel frequently in these areas are asked to pay special attention to all barricades, traffic controls and signs, and to 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.
For more information, contact [email protected] or (903) 737-9213.For more information, contact [email protected] or (903) 737-9213.
