Alliance Bank in Sulphur Springs
New Local Health Authority Takes Office, Reorganization Of Fire Department Announced
Apr11

New Local Health Authority Takes Office, Reorganization Of Fire Department Announced

A new Local Health Authority took office, reorganization of the county fire department and a shared grant with the city for equipment were announced, consolidated voting for May 24 election and an asset disposal was approved by Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday morning. Local Health Authority The Commissioners Court at their last meeting recognized Dr. IL Balkcom IV for his 25 years of service to Hopkins County as the Local...

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Commissioners To Honor Balkcom, Appoint New  Local Health Authority
Mar27

Commissioners To Honor Balkcom, Appoint New Local Health Authority

Hopkins County Commissioners Court is scheduled to honor Dr. I.L. Bakcom IV, then consider appointing a new Local Health Authority for Hopkins County, as well as a number of other items during the regular court session Monday morning. Dr. I.L. Balkcom IV Dr. I.L. Balkcom IV is slated to be honored for his service to Hopkins County, which has included filling the role of Local Health Authority, a position appointed by the county...

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Local Health Authority Sounds Alarm
Oct14

Local Health Authority Sounds Alarm

During the COVID-19 pandemic, our Local Health Authority has been working diligently to help combat the virus. With the current spike in cases Hopkins County is currently experiencing, Brynn Smith who serves as the Local Health Authority Nurse for Hopkins and Delta Counties has become very concerned. She shared her concerns with KSST News, drawing a direct correlation between the public’s lax participation of social distancing...

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*Updated* Local Health Authority Still In Dark On State-Reported COVID-19 Death
Jul13

*Updated* Local Health Authority Still In Dark On State-Reported COVID-19 Death

KSST News has received information from our local Emergency Management Team that this latest state reported death has been determined to be a mistake. For the fourth time, the Texas Health and Human Services/Texas Department of State Health Services COVID-19 website has registered a death from COVID-19 to Hopkins County, and for the fourth time the Local Health Authority reports to KSST News that they have still not been notified in...

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The Role Of The Local Health Authority During COVID-19 Pandemic
Jun19

The Role Of The Local Health Authority During COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, local emergency management officials have referred to the local Local Health Authority in relation of positive patients. While many know that the LHA is involved during the COVID-19 pandemic, not everyone knows or understands the LHA’s role. The Local Health Authority is appointed by the county government to provide support services in the absence of a county health department. Dr. I.L. Balkcom IV...

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Commissioners Court Reappoints Balkcom As Local Health Authority
Mar26

Commissioners Court Reappoints Balkcom As Local Health Authority

Hopkins County Commissioners Court Thursday evening called an emergency meeting to reappoint Dr. Balkcom as the county’s official Local Health Authority. Judge Robert Newsom first reported there are no new reports of positive coronavirus cases; just one as reported Tuesday. Newsom noted that Dr. I. L. Balkcom IV has served in this capacity for a number of years and recommended that he be reappointed as Local health Authority....

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Commissioners Table Public Health Nuisance Issue, Approve Fire Department Personnel Policy Change
Jan04

Commissioners Table Public Health Nuisance Issue, Approve Fire Department Personnel Policy Change

Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday made short work of the regular court session, opting to table a public health nuisance issue and approving a fire department personnel policy change. Public Health Nuisance Commissioners were slated to consider proceeding with an abatement of public health nuisance. The person on whose property the matter rests has been cited for the matter, that is in the justice of the peace court. With...

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Commissioners Renew 1 Local Disaster Declaration, Enact Another
Nov14

Commissioners Renew 1 Local Disaster Declaration, Enact Another

Hopkins County Commissioners Court renewed one local disaster declaration for the damages resulting from Nov. 4 tornadoes, and enacted another due to “threat of disaster from the unprecedented levels of illegal immigration, human trafficking, and drug smuggling coming across the U.S. border from Mexico.” New Disaster Declaration Hopkins County Commissioners Court was asked during the regular court session Monday, Nov. 14,...

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Health And Human Services Commission Expands Outpatient Competency Restoration Services In Texas
Jul02

Health And Human Services Commission Expands Outpatient Competency Restoration Services In Texas

Texas Health and Human Services Commission news Release AUSTIN – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission announces $1 million in federal Mental Health Block Grant funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration to expand Outpatient Competency Restoration (OCR) services for Texans with mental health and substance use disorders living in mostly rural communities. “With these grant funds, we are improving...

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DSHS launches Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler
Mar30

DSHS launches Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler

Registration Available For Vaccine Clinics By DSHS And Some Other Public Health Entities As Texas opens COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to everyone age 16 and older, the Texas Department of State Health Services is launching the Texas Public Health Vaccine Scheduler. The scheduler gives people one place to sign up for a COVID-19 shot through multiple public health departments, including the eight DSHS public health regions, which provide...

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