Sulphur Springs ISD Extends Spring Break One Week
In response to the worldwide pandemic know as the Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) the Sulphur Springs ISD has decided to extend Spring Break for one week for all students in the district, to minimize public interaction between students, teachers, faculty and staff. The cautious measure follows school districts across the state and nation. This does NOT mean that any cases are confirmed or suspected in the SSISD community, but will hopefully minimize any suspected cases that could arise. The SSISD administration does not want to cause any panic, but wants to be responsible, and follow the example of others across the nation. This extended break will give them time to assess the current situation.
Students, faculty and staff will return to the classrooms on March 23rd.
Local Preparations, Cancellations, Restrictions Related to coronavirus
Local emergency management officials are slated to meet Friday afternoon to discuss what, if any, preparedness actions Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County will be taking related to coronavirus.
“Multiple agencies in Hopkins County are meeting this afternoon to discuss COVID-19 this afternoon. We have had nothing in the county that I am aware of. This is to discuss the potential,” said Kristy Springfield, assist Hopkins County management coordinator.
“We are working on a plan,and have been working all week in conjunction with the Department of State Health Services, CDC and Texas Emergency Management. A lot of it will be on the side of caution. We are working to get everyone in the county on the same page. The safety of our citizens of Hopkins County and Sulphur Springs, our employees and school districts are of top priority. We just encourage everyone to use good hygiene and observe the recommended precautions from the CDC, including hand-washing and avoiding large groups,” said Hopkins County Fire Chief/Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley.
Several school district administrators put out cautions to their students and staff, and noted they have been and continue to be in regular contact with state health authorities regarding the situation. Some county districts are expected to be represented or respond based recommendations following the multi-agency county meeting Friday afternoon.
Sulphur Springs and Cumby school district administrators were meeting Friday morning, and said they would notify the media, send out via district notification systems and social media when and if any additional decisions are made.
Below are the notices posted by SSISD and Cumby ISD administrators on Thursday:
CHRISTUS Mother Francis Hospital-Sulphur Springs at this time are limiting visitation with hospital patients; they are asking no one under 12 to visit at this time as a precaution for their health as well as that of the patients.
“Christus Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has cancelled the attached event that was suppose to be held at the Senior Citizens Center on March 20th. They will be cancelling all of their events for the next couple of weeks,” Karon Weatherman, SCC director, reported Friday morning, of the information session that had been scheduled to answer residents questions about Medicare.
Several local nursing homes and assisted living facilities are also taking precautionary actions to guard their patients against potential exposure to coronavirus.
No visitation is currently being allowed at Sulphur Springs Nursing and Rehab and Rock Creek Nursing and Rehab.
Carriage House Manor will be screening all visitors for fever and symptoms before entering.
Sunny Springs Nursing and Rehab staff at 11 a.m. Friday said the facility is strongly discouraging visitation but has not officially restricted visitation.
Hopkins Place is not allowing any outings provided by the community at this time. They are also asking for no large groups, for family members to be careful and those who visit or bring supplies to consider shipping the materials. They are very strict on hand washing and anyone coming in may be subject to screening to protect residents, staff and guests.
For more information about coronavirus, including Texas counties where cases or potential cases have been reported, and preparation steps that may be taken, visit the TDSHS website.
CHRISTUS Birthing Center Expands Options for Moms
Kristi Couch and Hanna Boone work in the OB Department at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs, and both are excited about the new options now being offered to new moms. Hanna has been a nurse for three years, working at CHRISTUS in Sulphur Springs for the past two years. She shares, “I love this field. I come from Winnsboro, and knew I wanted to be a labor and delivery nurse since I was about 7 years old! I attended Texas Tech, graduated from their Nursing School, and worked for a time in the Metroplex. But when I moved back to Winnsboro, I applied and was hired at the Sulphur Springs hospital”. Kristi was raised in Sulphur Springs, and has been a local hospital employee for more then ten years. She is a nurse in the Nursery Department and is a Lactation Consultant for moms who plan to nurse their babies. Says Kristi, “We have an array of helpful programs for new moms, like ongoing Breastfeeding classes as well as a Breastfeeding Support Group, called B.I.B.S. or ‘Breastfeeding Is Best Support’ available on Facebook and in monthly meetings. Now, we have brought back a Childbirth Class which is designed to instruct the new mom about what to expect from the experience, and help her select the types of services she is interested in. And CHRISTUS also has a Certified Nurse Midwife on staff, Deb Logan, whose practice offers in-hospital births with midwife assistance. We have a lot of options to offer moms who are planning their baby’s birth”.
According to Hanna, a type of pain management that is uniquely helpful during labor is exclusive to Sulphur Springs at this time. “Nitrous Oxide has been used by dentists for a long time, known as ‘laughing gas’. A mild version of Nitrous Oxide can be used by patients in our Birthing Center to manage pain during portions of labor, delivery and in post partum, too. It has short-term effect and clears the system quickly. It is safer for baby than intravenous pain management, because the patient controls it herself. It’s another option in our birthing center besides epidural and I.V. and is becoming popular though not available everywhere yet”.
Kristi added, “Besides attending classes in person, both our Childbirth Class and our Breastfeeding Class can be taught remotely, and that’s new. If you are interested in finding out more, just call the Hospital and set up an appointment. We will be happy to meet with you and extend our assistance during your journey”.
Wildcats Baseball Team Gets A Win And A Tie In Hallsville Tournament Thursday
The Wildcats Baseball Team played two very different types of games Thursday, March 12, at the Reich Builders Classic in Hallsville. The Wildcats collected 13 hits in a 10-2 win over Brownsboro and then managed only 5 hits over nine innings in a 0-0 tie with Lovejoy.
Vs. Brownsboro
Against Brownsboro in their early game, the Wildcats broke a scoreless tie in the top of the second inning by exploding for 7 runs. Alex Medina opened the inning by getting hit by a pitch. Hayden Hurst singled. With one out, Jerrod Ratliff got on on an error that scored Medina. Jaden Janway walked to load the bases. Jake Davis got an RBI by getting a bases loaded walk. Kolton Hale drove home two runs with a single. Jaxon Chaney hit a triple that scored two more runs. Will Sims singled to drive in a run.
The Wildcats upped their lead to 8-0 with a run in the top of the third. Janway doubled and scored on Davis’ single.
Brownsboro scored their two runs in the bottom of the fifth to make it 8-2. Two Wildcats errors aided their cause. The Bears also got a triple. It resulted in two runners being a third base. An errant throw to get a runner heading home allowed him to score. A second run scored on a ground out.
The Wildcats added two more runs in the top of the sixth. Hale and Chaney singled and they moved up a base on a wild pitch. Sims score a run with a sacrifice fly. Medina drove home the second run with a single.
Hayden Hurst pitched very well for the Wildcats, going 5 innings, allowing only 4 hits and 2 runs but, with only 1 earned. Hurst struck out 2 and walked none. Aiden Walker pitched a scoreless sixth retiring all three batters he faced.
Vs. Lovejoy
The second game of the day, against Lovejoy, was a pitchers’ duel. Sims was spectacular going 9 innings, throwing only 99 pitches, and allowing only 2 hits and no runs, with 6 strikeouts and no walks.
It wasn’t good enough to get a win as the Wildcats also never crossed home plate. They only had 5 hits. The first four innings, the Wildcats only got one hit per inning: a Chaney double in the first, a Jace Evans single in the second, a Chaney single in the third and an Austin Crouse double in the fourth. That was it until Crouse’s single in the ninth. In Lovejoy’s eighth inning and the Wildcats’ eighth and ninth, despite threatening, the base hit they needed did not happen.
The Wildcats played mostly solid defense. Against Brownsboro, Janway had a nice catch in left field and Sims had an exceptional play at shortstop diving to his left and throwing a runner out at first. Against Lovejoy, third baseball Aiken Owens made a couple of dazzling plays, one of them hit to his right requiring a long throw to first. Shortstop Brenden Lynn also handled quite a few chances flawlessly.
Up Next
The Wildcats season record is now 9-3-2.
Hallsville changed the Wildcats schedule to give them Friday off, so they can attend the funeral of Wildcat freshman baseball player Sam Kopal, who passed away in a four-wheeler accident earlier this week. Unless something happens to cancel upcoming games due to concerns about the Corona virus, the Wildcats are scheduled to play Hallsville at noon Saturday and Marshall at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Hallsville tournament.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Lady Cats Softball Team Has Fun At McKinney North Thursday Winning With 20 Runs And 13 Hits
What an offensive night for the Lady Cats Softball Team as they pounded out 13 hits, got 13 walks and scored 20 runs in a 20-6 victory over McKinney North on the road Thursday night, March 12.
The Lady Cats were red hot from the start scoring 9 first inning runs. They added 6 more in the second to lead 15-1. The Lady Cats had two more runs in the third, a single run in the fourth and two more runs in the fifth. The game was called after five innings.
The offensive stars for the Lady Cats were numerous. Kate Womack was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored, 4 RBIs, a double and two walks. Allie Fite was 2 for 4 with 2 runs, 4 RBIs and a double. Nylah Lindley hit a home run and was 2 for 3 with 2 runs, 2 RBIs and 2 walks. Addison Caddell was 2 for 4 with a run scored, an RBI and a walk. Paris Pickett was 2 for 3 with 3 runs scored and a walk. Jadyn Harper was 1 for 3 with 2 runs scored, an RBI, a walk and a stolen base. Colbria Harrison was 1 for 2 with 3 runs scored, 2 RBIs, 3 walks and a stolen base. Addison deSmet was 1 for 2 with 2 runs scored, an RBI, a walk and a double. Braylea Brewer scored 3 runs and had 2 RBIs and a walk. Heather Bowen walked, Paige Seagraves had an RBI.
Denver Wyatt got the pitching win, going 3 innings, giving up 4 hits and 4 runs, with only two of them earned and she had a strikeout and 2 walks. Alli Fite went the final two innings allowing 4 hits and 2 runs with a strikeout.
The Lady Cats evened their season record at 9-9. At last report, the Lady Cats were scheduled to play Wylie East at Lady Cat Park Friday evening at 6 p.m.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
North Hopkins Baseball Team Drops Game To Blue Ridge In Lindsay Tourney
The North Hopkins Panthers Baseball Team was tied with Blue Ridge 4-4 after the top of the second inning in a Lindsay tournament game Thursday, March 12, but Blue Ridge scored the game’s final three runs to take a 7-4 win.
Blue Ridge outhit the Panthers 7 to 2. North Hopkins made 3 errors and Blue Ridge had 2.
For North Hopkins, Jessie Rivera was 1 for 3 with an RBI. Gavin Buccieri was 1 for 2 with a run scored and an RBI. Brycen Gillespie also had an RBI. Tate Myers, Geoffrey Stewart and Robert Perry all scored a run and had a walk. Myers also stole a base. Karson Jenkins had a walk. Kevin Clement stole a base.
Brycen Gillespie took the pitching loss, going two innings, allowing 4 hits and 5 runs, with only 1 run earned. Gillespie struck out 3 and walked 3. Easton Lewis went the final 2 1/3 innings, allowing 3 hits and 2 unearned runs while striking out 2 and walking 2.
Hannah Kirby Among Artists Featured At March 14 Freedom Folk Music Festival
If you enjoy listening to singer-songwriters perform, be sure to put the Freedom Folk Music Festival on your calendar. The event begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 14, and continues until 8 p.m. at the Texan Theater, located at 2712 Lee St. in Greenville.
Among this year’s performers will be local resident Hannah Kirby, performing with Brad Thompson, who along with his band received the Star Telegram’s Fort Worthy Best Local Musician/Band for 2018. Thompson is from Grand Prairie.
Kirby plans to debut a brand new songs she’s working on.
“You’ll hear it in its infancy. I’m not quite done with it. It’ll be acoustic, as most music at the festival will be. It’ll be the raw version of the song,” Kirby said.
She anticipates recording and releasing the song as a single. Kirby is currently working on other new music, which she hopes to release either at the end of the year or first part of 2021, which will be “slightly different” from her usual tunes. She said after some soul searching, she’s committed to being genuine and honest in her music.
“I feel like this will be the most me of the music I release. I’m a little scared, getting more vulnerable with my music. When you write a song, it’s you, who you are,” Kirby said. “I’m excited. In a way it’s freeing.”
She’s determined to be authentic, not limiting herself out of fear of what others might think. She doesn’t want to look back and regret any chances not taken.
The Freedom Folk Music Festival is one of at least 10 upcoming venues where Kirby is slated to perform. Those who can’t get enough of Kirby’s music can find information about additional upcoming performances, listen to or find out where to get her original music, as well as any new music as it becomes available, at www.hannakirby.com
The all day Freedom Folk Music Festival will feature mainly original work performed by Texas and area singer-songwriters inside the Texan theater in Greenville, a venue that’s an experience in itself with it’s “beautiful” art deco vibe and “super nice” seating, according to Kirby.
“It was important to the festival that it’d be local Texan artist,” Kirby said. “I think it’s going to be cool artistically. It’ll be fun.”
Also among the performers will be Susan Gibson, who penned the Dixie Chicks’ hit “Wide Open Spaces,” which was named CMA Single of the Year. She’s based in Wimberly, Texas.
The Freedom Folk Music Festival will also showcase Jana Pochop, Tony Ramey, AJ Johnston and Johnny C. Lately.
The Texan Lobby cafe will also be open to offer snacks. The menu includes soups, salads and sandwiches, combos, croissants, scones, cookies, candies, popcorn, breakfast foods, and even a children’s meal of grilled cheese or a bowl of macaroni and cheese,with chips. They offer bottle water, Gatorade, sodas, specialty coffees and teas.
The doors at the Texan Theater will open at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, for the Freedom Folk Music Festival. Tickets may be purchased online at http://texantheatergreenville.com/ or by calling 903-259-6360.
(Photo: http://texantheatergreenville.com/)
A&M-Commerce Suspending Face-To-Face Classes, Going Online Instruction
Texas A&M University-Commerce Thursday afternoon made the decision to suspend “all face-to-face classes” and transition to online instruction, effective immediately, and indefinitely.
A mission “to provide a safe, healthy and inclusive environment at each of our campuses to ensure that every student, faculty and staff member is given every chance to achieve their academic and professional goals” were sited as cause for the decision.
Students should access online courses from the myLeo Online LMS at https://tamuc.brightspace.com using thier CWID and password. Additional information regarding accessing myLeo Online, is available on on TAMUC’s D2L FAQ.
Earlier in the week, TAMUC reported a campus response team was established several weeks ago to focus on the Coronavirus situation.
“This team is working directly with local, state, and federal agencies, including the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas Department of State Health Services, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC),” the TAMU release stated.
Sanitation efforts, according to the March 10 report, were being increased, with focus on high-traffic and community areas. New hand sanitizer stations were added across campus. CDC travel recommendations were also made available online to the university community, and all were asked to follow the guidelines.
“I want to assure you that campus spaces are receiving additional sanitization and cleaning services. In fact, we have added additional personnel to provide extra disinfecting and cleaning,” TAMUC President Dr. Mark Rudin, stated, in a letter sent via the campus alert system March 12 to “Lion Family.”
The letter, also posted on the TAMUC website and social media accounts, notes that the change to online classes is for “all A&M-Commerce locations, including the RELLIS campus.”
While classes will all be online, faculty and staff are still required to report to work as usual to meet with their immediate supervisor to plan for any future actions.
All university services, including the library, residence halls, dining and health services will remain open.
Events, conferences, student meetings, intramural sports and student activities at all locations, as well as the Children’s Learning Center, are cancelled until further notice, Rudin stated in the letter.
Intercollegiate athletics home competitions will continue, pending additional guidance from the NCAA and Lone Star Conference. However, attendance is limited to participating student-athletes and essential game management personnel only.
All research activities will continue until further notice, according to the notice from Rudin.
Updates from the school are being posted under the “STAY HEALTHY LIONS!” heading on TAMUC’s website.
For additional information, students should call 877.310.8174.
AG Paxton Establishes Resource Webpage For Volunteer Security in Houses Of Worship
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today launched a webpage containing educational materials and resources for volunteer security teams to legally and effectively protect houses of worship.
The webpage at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/houses-worship details Texans’ constitutional rights, necessary laws and licenses related to carrying firearms, and training resources for security volunteers in houses of worship.
“As we recently witnessed in the heroic actions of Jack Wilson during the White Settlement Church shooting, volunteer security at houses of worship can provide immediate, life-saving responses that protect worshipers in dangerous situations,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Nobody should fear for their life while attending a worship service. With this easily accessible webpage, the brave men and women who make up volunteer security teams across the state can be equipped with the information and resources they need to protect their communities.”
Texas law allows churches, synagogues, and other established places of worship to establish security teams without obtaining a license or permission from the state, if the volunteer security team members are:
- unpaid volunteers;
- providing services on the premises of the place of worship;
- not wearing a badge or uniform that identifies them as security or creates the impression that they are law enforcement officers or personal protection officers.
In addition to clear descriptions of the law, the new webpage also features pathways to security training programs and grant funding opportunities that empower volunteer security teams to protect worshipers from any potential threat.
Spring Fling, Other Events Still On Schedule For Senior Citizens Center
Karon Weatherman said all events planned at the Senior Citizens Center are still on the schedule. That means senior citizens are still invited to the Spring Fling to be held this Friday evening,March 13, at the Senior Citizens Center.
Dale “The C” Cummings will sing music from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
“He is a great performer. If you haven’t heard him sing you are in for a special treat,” Weatherman said.
The concert is free for all adults age 50 and over, but those attending are asked to bring a salad to share with everyone.
“I will be making chicken salad. Any kind of salad will do. Here are some ideas: tossed salad, pea salad, tuna salad, fruit salad, Waldorf salad, egg salad, coleslaw, pasta salad, potato salad and Ambrosia Salado Jello salad,” Weatherman said.
Those planning to attend the Spring Fling are asked to please email Weatherman at [email protected] so even sponsors can properly prepare for the event.
Another event coming up is the Law School Lunch with Ross and Shoalmire, provided free to participants thanks to sponsor Carriage House Manor, at noon Tuesday, March 31. Alexander Collins is slated to present “The Abuser’s Playbook: How to Spot the Abuser Before It’s Too Late!”.
Those planning to attend the law lunch are also asked to email Weatherman at [email protected] so proper preparations can be made.
Weatherman does ask for everyone to “be diligent with washing their hands and using hand sanitizer.
“If you know you are sick,running a fever or coughing please think of other seniors and stay home. Nothing is more important than your health and the safety of our friends,” Weatherman said.
