Local News
Work beginning on widening Northeast Texas highways
Construction work has begun on a $1.8 million project which will widen several Farm-To-Market roads across North Texas, including one near Caddo Mills.
According to a press release from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), construction began last week on FM 71 in Franklin County, from 1.16 mile west of the Titus County Line to the Titus County Line. Upon completion of this section of FM 71, additional roadways will be widened in the following order beginning in February and progressing through July:
— FM 1503 from one mile south of U.S. Highway 271 to 2.2 miles south of U.S. Highway 271 in Lamar County.
— FM 906 from U.S. Highway 271 to one mile east of U.S. Highway 271 in Lamar County.
— FM 1529 from State Highway 154 to FM 2716 in Delta County.
— FM 3007 from 2.8 miles south of FM 21 to 3.8 miles south of FM 21 in Franklin County.
— FM 3019 from State Highway 11 to two miles north of State Highway 11 in Hopkins County.
— FM 1903 from FM 36 to 1.9 miles east of FM 36 at the Interstate 30 frontage road in Hunt County.
TxDOT recently awarded the roadway widening contract to Sammy Gist Enterprises, Inc. for $1,818,276.
The project will widen the roadways to provide a paved surface width of 24 feet. If everything goes as planned, the work should be complete by August.
Provisions have been included in the highway contract to keep through traffic hold-ups to a minimum. Access to adjacent properties will be maintained throughout the duration of contract work. TxDOT is urging the traveling public to take extra caution and observe warning signs during construction of this project. The press release indicated safety in the work zone is a high priority and people traveling along these routes are being asked to slow down and be aware of construction activity. There will be loose gravel and shoulder drop offs along to the roadway as well as the need to stop traffic for short durations. At times, traffic will be restricted to one lane, but two-way movement will be restored whenever possible during the day and always at night.
“We request that people traveling along this roadway realize that road construction may be an inconvenience, however, this inconvenience is temporary and necessary to improve and preserve our roadways,” said Richard Harper, TxDOT Assistant Area Engineer for the Paris Area Office.
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BEST grants awarded to new teachers
RISD students were scrambling back to classes this past week. Along with the new students were a whole new slate of first-year teachers. At the beginning of each school year, the Rockwall ISD Education Foundation, Inc. presents each new teacher — new to Rockwall and new to the teaching profession — with a grant of $200. The funds are to assist the teacher in offsetting the expenses of setting up a classroom.
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September means movies in the park
“Movies in the Park” has transformed into “Fun Family Fridays,” a City of Rockwall Parks and Recreation old-time family event at some neighborhood parks in September.
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TAMU-C attendance tops 10,000 for Fall
Texas A&M University-Commerce registered its 10,000th student on Friday, Aug. 20 at 2:38 p.m. making the fall 2010 enrollment one of the largest in school history.
As of 3 p.m., university enrollment was up to 10,031 students with more students expected prior to the first day of class on August 30. -
Main Street prepping for second annual ‘Rib Rub’ competition
It’s almost time to fire up the grills again for the Downtown Rockwall 2nd Annual Rib Rub & Run on Sept. 11.
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Award-winning dedication to landscaping | Rockwall Resident wins national contest
Serving as a consultant in war-torn Iraq, Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Tom Sands had quite a surprise waiting for him when he got back home.
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City of Fate will hold public hearings on tax rate Sept. 7
The City of Fate will hold public hearings Monday and Sept. 7 on a proposal to increase property tax revenue by 13.2 percent.
Both public hearings will be held at the Fate Community Center, beginning at 7 p.m.
The proposal calls for the city’s tax rate to increase from 21.44 cents per $100 of taxable value to 24.69 cents. -
‘Publishing error’ delays action on budget, tax rate
Rockwall County commissioners’ plans to vote on several budget items this week were changed due to what County Judge Chris Florence termed a “publishing error.”
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DA: No evidence of criminal activity involving Heath assistant
The Rockwall County criminal district attorney and the Texas Rangers have found no evidence of criminal activity involving a Heath resident’s allegations against Assistant City Manager Kim Dobbs.
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DA formally announces ‘No Refusal’ plans
Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper, joined by law enforcement officials from throughout Rockwall County, formally announced plans this week for the second annual Labor Day No Refusal Weekend.
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Employment in Rockwall County slowly improving
Jobs are being created in Rockwall County and the local unemployment rate dipped slightly between June and July.
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