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In Royse City, the road remains the same

Wikimedia Commons

When planned improvements to State Highway 66 from Rockwall to Royse City involved changing Royse City's historic downtown, citizens spoke up. Jim Hardin of the Herald-Banner tells what happened next.

Public resistance to the plans - which would have involved modification or destruction of historic architecture - resulted in the city council eventually deciding that the roads in downtown Royse City will stay as they are. The decision came as a result of a series of meetings and considerable community input.

Mark Haslett served as KETR's News Director from February 2013 to June 2025. During his tenure the station's news operation enjoyed an increase in listener engagement and audience metrics, as well recognition in the Texas AP Broadcasters awards and a National Edward R. Murrow award.