11 run for FHS at Area Track Meet, Fulbright qualifies for Regionals

W.H. Ford High School track team took 11 participants to the Area Track Meet last week.

The competition was held at Kincaide Stadium in Dallas.

Panthers who participated include Roman Aguillon, 4 x 200; Blane Burch, 4 x 400; Dustin Fulbright, 110 H, 300 H 4 x 400; Jose Guerrero, 800 M; Isaac Henson, 4 x 400; James Hoff, 110 H; Dillon Norris, 4 x 200; Justin Parker, 4 x 200, 4 x 400; Timothy Peele, 4 x 200; Taner Renfro, shot; and Enrique Serrano, alternate 4 x 400.

Freshman Dustin Fulbright earned third place and qualified for Regionals in the 300 M and 110 M hurdles that was to be held today (Friday) in Commerce.

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FHS freshman Fulbright advances to Regionals
W.H. Ford High School track runner freshman Dustin Fulbright advanced to Regional competition last week.

Coach Darrell Cruse said, “Quinlan’s 4 x 200 came in seventh place but ran their best time all year at 1:37. Jose Guerrero ran the 800M for a 2:17 and tied his best time. He started the season running a 2:32. James Hoff, a freshman, qualified for Area in the 110 H, an accomplishment in itself. Freshman Issac Henson was an alternate and stepped up to tie his best 400 M in 58 seconds and in the 4 x 400 by stepping the spot of a junior who was unable to run. Taner Renfro came in fifth place in the shot.”

Cruse said, “Looking at the stats, we only scored 12 points, but we went from carrying four athletes to Area last year to run in one event to carrying 11 athletes and participating in four individual events and two relays. Every athlete improved their time as the season progressed and everyone ran hard no matter what place they were in. I feel we are moving in the right direction with the program. Taner Renfro was our only senior. With almost the whole team returning in 2016, I see more success and improvement on the horizon.”

Beams arrivals begin for new bridge

Westbound Two-Mile Bridge lane to be closed 8-10 days

 By Larry Briscoe

Correspondent

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Night deliveries on bridge begin The first two trucks are unloaded Tuesday night by two cranes, one in the water on a barge and one onshore. The trucks are bringing girders for both ends of the bridge. After they are in place, the bridge floor will be poured, and the remainder of the bridge will be completed from the new bridge as it is built. That will end the need to close a lane of the present bridge. The night-time operation is expected to be completed in eight to 10 days.

An operation to deliver, unload and place girders on the new Two-Mile Bridge across Lake Tawakoni got underway Tuesday night.

The first flight of beam-bearing trucks was scheduled to arrive at the work site Monday night, however, it was reported Canton Trade Days brought about a delay in securing permits to move through the area.

Six trucks were scheduled to unload the 120-foot girders, one per truck. A lighting bank malfunctioned after the first beam was unloaded and placed on the waiting bents. A crane on shore and one mounted on a barge in the water moved the 60-ton girders from the truck parked on the westbound lane of the present bridge. Bents are the columns-and-cap structures that hold up the bridge.

Work began on the East Tawakoni side of the bridge.

Bridge inspector is a Quinlan graduate. See related story.

Plans were outlined in last week’s edition by West Tawakoni Mayor Calvin Travers.

East Tawakoni Police Department was to station an officer and police car at the work site while the westbound lane of the bridge was closed from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m. A pilot car constantly escorted traffic back-and-forth across the bridge with the one lane closed.

East Tawakoni Mayor Johnnie LaPrade said Monday the operation could have been delayed until next week, but the trucks were able to travel to the area Tuesday.

West Tawakoni Code Compliance Officer Dwayne Hall said he spoke to Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Project Manager Angel Karr for plan details.

He described the pilot car traffic plan, “At a meeting held on April 22, it was determined by TxDOT that there would be night lane closures to allow for less traffic and less interference with the existing traffic during the next phase of construction.

“This will require the need for all traffic being escorted across the bridge by means of a pilot car. Alternating traffic from west to east and from east to west, all traffic will be brought across by the pilot car that will cross and then turn around and take the waiting traffic across the single lane of the bridge. The current plan is for these night closures to run for 8 to 10 days.

“The hours selected were chosen because of the light amount of traffic during those hours. Even with light traffic, there could be some delays. It was noted that most of the traffic regarding emergency vehicles travels from the west side of the bridge headed east, and provisions have been made to support crossing of these vehicles.”

Before construction began by project contractor Williams Brothers Construction of Houston, a company engineer detailed plans for the bridge construction to The Quinlan-Tawakoni News.

He said after all girders are in place, precast bridge panels are to be installed.

The overhead form is set. After that, workmen set all steel and pour the bridge deck.

“Then we’ll cast the rail that goes on the outside edges,” the engineer said. “When we’re done, we’ll mark and stripe the bridge.”

With the addition of 60,000 to 70,000 yards of dirt for the approaches, hot mix on top, it would be time to open the new bridge to traffic.

All that would be left would be demolition of the old bridge.

“We’ll cut it longitudinally,” the engineer said. “All has to be done on marine barges and cranes.”

Divers would cut the present columns beneath the mud line at the bottom of the lake. With the old bridge removed, the dirt placed at the approaches when it was built in the 1950s would be removed.

Dogs, horses assist in capture of suspect

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Collin County and Hunt County officials recently worked together to capture a suspect wanted on four felony warrants.

Collin County Sheriff’s warrant division and the Collin County Marshal’s office went to a location off Private Road 2270 to serve four felony warrants, one for aggravated assault with a weapon, on a subject, according to Constable Kent Layton.

“Upon the approach to the residence, someone in the residence saw the team, and the subject fled out the back door,” Layton said. “The subject ran into the tree line, and the officers on scene called Hunt County for help to set up a perimeter.”

Hunt County Sheriff’s deputies, Layton, Hunt County Constable Terry Jones, Lone Oak Police Department, Collin County Sheriff’s deputies and Texas Department of Public Safety warrant officers set up a perimeter. The DPS helicopter was on scene and the Canine Tracking Unit of Bottom was called in. The Tracking Team uses dogs and horses.

“The dogs tracked the subject to a field about a mile southwest of the original location. The subject was placed into custody, and AMR was contacted to treat some dog bites,” Layton said. “The subject was transported to the Collin County jail where he was processed.”

Sheriff says Deputy Wilson’s vehicle struck by cycle before it wrecked out

By Larry Briscoe

Correspondent

A 23-year-old Quinlan man was arrested last week after a high-speed chase on State Highway 276 through three counties.

Hunt County Sheriff’s Office Deputy David Wilson attempted a traffic stop on a motorcycle about 9:15 p.m. May 4 on Highway 276 in the West Tawakoni area.

“The cyclist failed to stop and a pursuit began with speeds in excess of 120 miles an hour,” Hunt County Sheriff Randy Meeks said. “The chase went east on Highway 276 into Rains County. The pursuit continued on Highway 47 into Van Zandt County.”

Rains and Van Zandt counties were notified and joined in the pursuit. A West Tawakoni police unit was involved as well as Texas Department of Public Safety units from all three counties.

The cyclist wrecked out at the intersection of FM 751 and FM 47 in Van Zandt County. Wilson’s vehicle was struck by the motorcycle during the chase, according to Meeks.

“Justin Lee Wall, age 23, of Quinlan was arrested and charged with evading arrest, two counts of possession of a dangerous drug and one count of possession of marijuana,” the sheriff said. “At speeds like this, it is very dangerous for our officers as well as the general public. I am glad that we got the suspect off the streets and that no one was seriously hurt.”

Lake Tawakoni Bass Club competed on Lake Tawakoni for their May Intra-Squad tournament May 9 and 10.

A total of 56 fishermen caught 70 fish weighing in at 169 pounds, 57 ounces.

The catch included one lunker which weighed 4.24 pounds.  Bucky Baker had the big bass with a weight of 4.24 pounds.  Kevin Dritscher had the best one day stringer with a combined weight of 15.16 pounds.  Chase Fitzgerald had the junior big stringer with a weight of 3.41 pounds.

The standings were:

1 – Casey Nation, 6 fish totaling 16.06 pounds;

2 – Kevin Dritschler, 5 fish, 15.16 pounds;

3 – Steve Anderson, 5, 12.02;

4 – Tyler Dritschler, 5 – 11.51;

5 – Bill Arrington, 4 – 10.29 with a 4.24 lunker

6 – Bucky Baker, 4, 10.29;

7 – Chris Douglas, 4, 8.09;

8 – Craig Anderson, 3, 6.90;

9 – B.J. Arrington (Guest), 3, 6.11;

10 – Scotty Wenzel, 3, 5.95;

11 – Allen Edwards, 2, 5.46;

12 – Jacky Moore, 3, 5.14;

13 – Johnny Jenkins, 2, 5.09;

14 – Johnny Perry, 2, 4.71;

15 – Jack Moore, 2, 4.37;

16 – Kyle Wilcoxson, 2, 4.02;

17 – Cliff Baker, 1, 3.72;

18 – Brad Browning, 1, 3.66;

19 -  Chase Fitzgerald (JF), 1, 3.41;

20 -  Tracie Browning, 1, 3.16;

21 -  Marc Burton, 1, 3.13;

22 – Brian Long, 1, 2.57;

23 – Mike Coleman, 1, 2.47;

24 – Michael Statton, 1, 2.40;

25 -  Pete Baker, 1, 1.99;

26 -  Brook Brogdon, 1, 1.97;

27 – Joe McBeth 1, 1.88;

28 – Mark Brister, 1, 1.85;

29 – Hunter Hobbs (JF), 1, 1.85;

30 – Joe Sims, 1, 1.77;

31 – Josh Stigall, 1, 1.68;

Also fishing were Jackson  Bean, Jody Begando, Rudy Brazil, David Bunch, Billy Burton, Randall Burton, Mary edwards, Glen Farmer, Will Fitzgerald, Craig Hall (guest), Joe Hobbs, April Langley, Corey Langley, Whitney Langley (JF), Matt Langley (JF), Robert McClellan, Edwin Myers, Joe Myers, Dennis Pecchi (guest), Kinny Rodgers (guest), Shannon Slatton, Tori Stigall, Levoy Wells, Chistian Jones (JF) and Colby McBarron (JF).

Quinlan council canvasses election, seats winners

Goleman, McDaniel, Frazier sworn into two-year terms

By Larry Briscoe

Correspondent

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Newly-elected Quinlan city offi cials take the oath of office Friday afternoon during a special meeting. Shown, from left, taking the oath as administered by City Secretary Laura Kennemer are Place 4 Councilman Brandon Frazier, Mayor Jacky Goleman and Place 2 Councilman Tim McDaniel.

Quinlan election winners were sworn into office May 15 at a special meeting of the Quinlan City Council.

The council voted to canvass both the election for city officials and the special election on liquor sales for off-premises consumption.

Mayor pro tem Brandon Frazier presided in the absence of former Mayor Donny Brock. All council members were present except Miguel Serrano.

Place 2 Councilman Jacky Goleman took the oath and was seated as the new mayor. Tim McDaniel was sworn as the replacement councilman in Goleman’s Place 2 council seat. Frazier assumed his Place 4 council job for a new two-year term.

As he took the gavel from Frazier, Goleman stressed the importance of serving the community and expressed appreciation to all citizens for voting.

Goleman said his hope was for everyone to work together. “I want to bring everyone together,” he said. He said he hoped the city would set up events that would allow everyone to work together and bring everyone together.

Frazier was elected to a new term as mayor pro tem by unanimous vote.

The agenda included an agreement with Quinlan Sports Association related to hold a Fourth of July fireworks display at the QSA ballfields east of town on State Highway 276. Goleman said the agreement was not yet ready and was tabled until a future meeting.

Water falls over spillway first time since 2010

By Larry Briscoe

Correspondent

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Drought relief
The five-year drought is now so much water over the spillway at the Lake Tawakoni dam. Several birds, including a duck, were joined by a procession of motorists to enjoy the sight at sunrise Tuesday morning when water first flowed over. The spillway and dam are located on FM 47 on the east side of the lake, just across the Rains County line into Van Zandt County.

Weeks of rain has finally ended the long drought and filled Lake Tawakoni. The lake is up from its 12-foot low that began this year.

Lake Tawakoni reached full pool early Tuesday morning. Water began splashing over the spillway Monday afternoon. The lake level was first recorded over the full pool at 4:45 p.m. Monday with a reading of 437.69. Full pool is 437.5. However, subsequent readings were lower until Tuesday morning.

The official time when the first reading was taken above the full pool level was at 5:15 a.m. Tuesday when it reached 437.51. By sunrise an hour later, the reading was 437.53.

Repeated heavy rains have fallen across north Texas over the past several weeks. Most other area reservoirs had already filled from the runoff.

Many of the storm patterns built west of the Metroplex, but either dissipated or split as they approached Dallas- Fort Worth and moved around the Tawakoni watershed.

Water had not crossed the spillway since 2010 although it came within inches in 2012. The elevation on Feb. 10, 2010, peaked at 439.56.

The drought took Lake Tawakoni down to within inches of its all-time record low 424.96 recording, which was set Dec. 24, 2006 after that extended drought.

The low point of the drought just ended was reached Dec. 14, 2014, when the 7:30 p.m. elevation was 425.37. This year started off almost as low when the Jan. 1 reading at 5:15 a.m. was 425.40, 12.10 feet low.

During the drought of 2006, water did not fall over the spillway from March 9, 2005, until just before midnight on June 28, 2007. A new low reading was recorded with each successive reading after Aug. 2006 when the previous low was matched of 428.58. That record low was first set Oct. 20, 1996.

The all-time high elevation recording was taken May 1, 1966, at 442.50.

According to Sabine River Authority (SRA) statistics, annual rainfall over the Lake Tawakoni basin averages 39.5 inches. The maximum record was measured in 1946 of 63.7 inches. The record low rainfall was 17.6 inches in 1910.

Lake Tawakoni reached its full conservation capacity Tuesday of 871,685 acre feet. On Tuesday, the lake had a surface area of 37,064 acres. That compares to six months ago, when the lake was down to almost half its capacity at 493,755 and a surface area of 25,967 acres.

The thunderstorm that blew through the area Monday toppled trees and downed power lines. Emergency personnel and utility workers were busy into the night answering calls and making repairs.

Jim Nimmo of Farmers Electric Cooperative reported 10,100 customers were “without electricity due to the powerful Memorial Day thunderstorm.”

Nimmo said transmission lines that provided electricity to substations were also down as a result of the storm. Crews from the transmission line company were also called to make repairs.

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It has been a five-year climb, but Lake Tawakoni spilled over the top early Tuesday morning. The elevation at press time Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. was 438.11, over a half foot above full.

Lake Tawakoni Bass Club competed on Lake Tawakoni for their May Intra-Squad tournament May 9 and 10.

A total of 56 fishermen caught 70 fish weighing in at 169 pounds, 57 ounces.

The catch included one lunker which weighed 4.24 pounds.  Bucky Baker had the big bass with a weight of 4.24 pounds.  Kevin Dritscher had the best one day stringer with a combined weight of 15.16 pounds.  Chase Fitzgerald had the junior big stringer with a weight of 3.41 pounds.

The standings were:

1 – Casey Nation, 6 fish totaling 16.06 pounds;

2 – Kevin Dritschler, 5 fish, 15.16 pounds;

3 – Steve Anderson, 5, 12.02;

4 – Tyler Dritschler, 5 – 11.51;

5 – Bill Arrington, 4 – 10.29 with a 4.24 lunker

6 – Bucky Baker, 4, 10.29;

7 – Chris Douglas, 4, 8.09;

8 – Craig Anderson, 3, 6.90;

9 – B.J. Arrington (Guest), 3, 6.11;

10 – Scotty Wenzel, 3, 5.95;

11 – Allen Edwards, 2, 5.46;

12 – Jacky Moore, 3, 5.14;

13 – Johnny Jenkins, 2, 5.09;

14 – Johnny Perry, 2, 4.71;

15 – Jack Moore, 2, 4.37;

16 – Kyle Wilcoxson, 2, 4.02;

17 – Cliff Baker, 1, 3.72;

18 – Brad Browning, 1, 3.66;

19 -  Chase Fitzgerald (JF), 1, 3.41;

20 -  Tracie Browning, 1, 3.16;

21 -  Marc Burton, 1, 3.13;

22 – Brian Long, 1, 2.57;

23 – Mike Coleman, 1, 2.47;

24 – Michael Statton, 1, 2.40;

25 -  Pete Baker, 1, 1.99;

26 -  Brook Brogdon, 1, 1.97;

27 – Joe McBeth 1, 1.88;

28 – Mark Brister, 1, 1.85;

29 – Hunter Hobbs (JF), 1, 1.85;

30 – Joe Sims, 1, 1.77;

31 – Josh Stigall, 1, 1.68;

Also fishing were Jackson  Bean, Jody Begando, Rudy Brazil, David Bunch, Billy Burton, Randall Burton, Mary edwards, Glen Farmer, Will Fitzgerald, Craig Hall (guest), Joe Hobbs, April Langley, Corey Langley, Whitney Langley (JF), Matt Langley (JF), Robert McClellan, Edwin Myers, Joe Myers, Dennis Pecchi (guest), Kinny Rodgers (guest), Shannon Slatton, Tori Stigall, Levoy Wells, Chistian Jones (JF) and Colby McBarron (JF).