Students all over the state headed back to classes today.
Police officers were on hand near some Gainesville schools this morning.
“The officers were just out (at Gainesville High School) to help with traffic and parking,” said GISD director of public relations, Kim Ralston.
Rural districts are more often isolated from any sort of police presence.
Cooke County Sheriff Mike Compton said districts sometimes hire off-duty deputies to patrol near their schools, especially during the first few weeks of classes when drivers may not be used to looking out for students and obeying school zone speed limits.
Compton said his office does not have the man-power to rotate deputies into and out of county school zones. But these off-duty officers are allowed to use their patrol vehicles around schools.
“Since this (school zone patrol) is in the interest of public education they can use their cars,” he said.
Officers are also watching out for school children.
“This time of year, we are always more aware of, and we always enforce laws against, the hazardous violations that endanger school kids,” he said.
Rural school zones can be dangerous places with speed limits that may vary according to the zone’s location.
In Valley View, the school zone speed limit is 25 on the frontage road near Valley View High School and Middle School.
Outside the elementary building, the limit changes to 20 miles per hour during certain hours.
Interim Superintendent Monica Parkhill said the speed limit restrictions may become 24-hour a day limits.
“There is a measure before the city council to make the speed limits effective at all times,” Parkhill said.
Parkhill said her advice to drivers and parents is to get in the habit of slowing down in school zones.
Drivers who disregard stopped school buses are another concern.
“Drivers need to remember to stop for a stopped school bus. I know many people are in a hurry, but they have think is it really going to be worth it if they hit a child,” she said.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Opening day (© Staff photo by Delania Trigg)
Guest Book
First day of class hits traffic hard
- Local News
-
-
Randy Travis arrested in Sanger
SANGER — Country singer Randy Travis was arrested Monday morning in Sanger on a charge of suspicion of public intoxication.
-
In Memory of Andy
Gainesville Middle School designated Monday as Andy’s Lakers Day, in honor of Andy Sandoval, a GMS seventh-grader, who recently died of a brain aneurysm.
-
GHS students take top place finishes at academic meet
Several Gainesville High School students had top place finishes at the Ryan High School academic meet on Saturday.
Sophomores Mark Clark and Alexander “Alex” Huerta lead the leap of GHS leopards competing. -
Gainesville woman hit by car
THACKERVILLE, OKLA. — A road collision early Sunday morning near Thackerville injured one female pedestrian, a Gainesville resident whose identification has not been released by officials.
-
Gainesville native fights for justice
IDABEL, Okla. — An Idabel, Okla. police officer — reeling from the death of his friend and fellow officer — is trying to beef up his state’s negligent homicide laws.
-
As deadline approaches, election day unclear
As the Texas primary election approaches, a muddle continues locally and statewide as to exactly when election day arrives.
-
House District 68 candidates present platforms
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second part of a two-part report.
Texas House District 68 representative opponents stressed their intentions to mend local problems via “rural values” during Thursday’s candidate forum -
Cooke County emerges out of drought
For residents in Cooke County, one of the most severe droughts in Texas history is no longer a concern — for the time being, anyway.
-
Souper Bowl a super success
The aroma of some dozen different homemade soups filled the air Sunday in the lunchroom at the First Christian Church in Gainesville.
-
A mother's Love
VALLEY VIEW — She’s a crusader for special needs children and their parents, but Valley View resident Wendi Tipps doesn’t think of herself as a hero.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Murder Trial for Ex-U.Va. Lacrosse Player Begins
NY Giants Touch Down Victorious
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
