Meet CHRISTUS New ‘Family Practice Nurse Practitioner’ Lydia Amartey
The term ‘Nurse Practitioner’ may be rather new to some, but it’s the important title of a very important job in medicine today. Lydia Amartey is one of six Family Practice Nurse Practitioners now on staff in the clinics of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs. The term refers to ‘a nurse who is qualified to treat certain medical conditions without the direct supervision of a doctor’. We learned more about her job as Family Nurse Practitioner Lydia Amertey visited the KSST studios along with CHRISTUS Clinic Operations Manager Brad Burgin on November 1, 2019. Her first day of practice is November 4, 2019 in the CHRISTUS clinic which serves patients along with Dr. Coker, at 111 Medical Circle in Sulphur Springs.
According to Lydia, a Nurse Practitioner is a nurse who is also trained as a teacher. As a Registered Nurse working in a large Metroplex hospital, Lydia was noticed by her peers and superiors as someone who was especially good at imparting information to patients and nurses about diagnosis and care. She decided to go back to school to pursue the specialty of Nurse Practitioner in the Family Practice field. Now, she will begin seeing current and new Clinic patients, consulting with Dr. Coker and assisting in their care. She will also assist in their education about managing their medical issues, with a view to attaining the best results for that individual patient. Lydia stated that ‘connecting with the patient and helping them individually understand and participate in their treatment toward healing is the ultimate goal. Good communication between staff and patient is vital. Our goal is always to serve the patient in the best ways possible”
Burgin added that Nurse Practitioners are a real benefit to the CHRISTUS staff. He noted that remainders of an old stigma may exist, where patients might say that they want to see “their doctor, not a nurse”. Truthfully, the Nurse Practitioner is a vital link in patient care, bringing the same information to a patient that their doctor would, and is often more quickly and easily accessible than the doctor. In addition to being highly trained, NP’s also have full access to the patient’s records and history, and will become part of the personal patient care relationships that develop. Burgin feels that bringing Nurse Practitioners into a patient’s care team is a real blessing, which has been brought about through CHRISTUS for the people of Hopkins and the bordering counties who come to Sulphur Springs for care, as Rains, Delta and Franklin counties no longer have hospitals of their own. Burgin stated “we now have highly qualified Nurse Practitioners working and assisting doctors in many of the specialty fields, such as Orthopedics, Urology and G.I. as well as Family Practice. And we hope to get more in the coming year.”
Lydia is originally from Ghana in West Africa. She came to the United States during her high school years and attended college and medical training in Texas, largely in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex. She first attended Navarro College in Corsicana, then transferred to UTA, followed by higher nursing studies at Midwest State University in Wichita Falls and Texas Women’s University in Dallas. She later earned her Doctoral degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Most recently, she was hired by CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs, and she now makes her home in Greenville, Texas.
Nolanville Woman Jailed In Bell County On 3 Felony Hopkins County Warrants
Brandy Lyn McCullough, 34, of Nolanville, Texas was held in Bell County jail until Oct. 31 for bond forfeiture on two Hopkins County possession of controlled substance charges and on one tampering with government, school record, license, seal or permit charge, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County sheriff’s office was notified and sent an officer Oct. 31 to transport McCullough to Sulphur Springs, where she was booked into the county jail for bond forfeiture on the charges. She remained in the county jail Friday morning, Nov. 1.
McCullough was arrested on the three charges July 31, 2018, after giving deputies what was alleged to be a falsified driver’s license. The Texas ID had too many numbers on it; the woman was also alleged to have been in possession of controlled substances as well and was wanted on a felony theft charge, according to 2018 arrest reports and jail reports.
She was released from jail the next day on $30,000 bond on a possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance, $10,000 for tampering with a government record,$5,000 on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and $5,000 on the theft charge, according to jail reports.
Mesquite Man Arrested By DPS On Felony Marijuana Charge Following I-30 Stop
Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers Warren Williamson arrested 29-year-old Christopher Orandel Royal of Mesquite after allegedly finding just a pound of marijuana in his vehicle, just enough to warrant a felony charge, according to arrest reports.
Williamson reported stopping a white 2019 Dodge Charger with a Georgia license plate around 3:30 p.m. Oct. 31 on Interstate 30 east at mile marker 130 being driven in the left lane where prohibited and not passing.
Upon contact with the driver, identified in arrest reports as Royal, Williamson alleged he detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana emitting from the car. A clear bag with 464 grams of a green, leafy substance the trooper recognized based on his training and experience as a law enforcement officer as marijuana was allegedly found in a black bag behind the front passenger’s seat, within Royal’s reach. The trooper alleged Royal was observed reaching toward the bag as he stopped the car on the shoulder of the road.
Consequently, Royal was taken into custody and the car was impounded. The marijuana and packaging weighed 16.37 ounces, resulting in Royal being booked into the county jail for possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana, an offense punishable as a state jail felony if convicted, according to arrest reports.
Royal remained in the the county jail Friday morning, Nov. 1. Bond was set at $5,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
Como Man Jailed After Bond Revoked On Assault Impeding Breathing Charge
Carlos Alberte Valle, 24, of Como was taken into custody at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at Hopkins County Courthouse after having his bond on an assault impeding breathing or circulation charge revoked.
Valle was arrested July 26 for allegedly choking his girlfriend multiple times and of holding her in a bedroom at his then-West Industrial Drive residence against her will during an argument about a doctor’s appointment. The 17-year-old reportedly crawled out a bedroom window to get away from Valle, police alleged in reports immediately following Valle’s arrest at shortly before midnight July 25, police alleged in arrest reports.
The teen had “injuries consistent with strangulation,” and had “defensive contact injuries around her hands and fingers,” police alleged in reports. The young woman, who was reported to be pregnant, was transported to the hospital, according to arrest and offense reports.
Valle reportedly told officers the teen had a mental health disorder and had hit him in the face. He had a small scratch on his face, according to police reports.
Valle was released from jail later July 26 on a $25,000 bond on the felony assault impeding breathing or circulation charge. He was indicted on the charge during the Sept. 5 grand jury session.
During a court appearance Thursday morning, Valle was taken into custody by Deputy/Communications Supervisor David Ray after his bond was revoked on the charge, according to arrest reports. Valle remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, Nov. 1; his new bond was set at $150,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
“Blue Santa” Season: Give Christmas Toys for Needy Children of Hopkins County
The Hopkins County Blue Santa program got underway this week, making an early start toward the needs of the needy this Christmas. Toys are collected from the blue barrels stationed in several local shopping and business areas, in addition to the toys and bicycles collected during the Toy Drive on December 2 and 3 at Lowes parking lot. This program helps supplement toys for some children of Hopkins County who may not have a bright Christmas. Organizers of Blue Santa, a program sponsored by the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department and the Sulphur Springs Police Department, strive to make sure that underprivileged children receive toys for their families at Christmas time. Empty Stocking is the program that distributes the toys for the families by way of the information they provide to CanHelp during the signup period. Salvation Army helps with clothing needs of children whose families qualify for that program. Please be prepared to help this Christmas in one or more of these ways. More information can be obtained by calling CanHelp at 903-885-9797 Ext 3 or by contacting Salvation Army representative Tammy Flemens.
Honor Flight Send Off Held For 4 Area Veterans Oct. 31
Community members and veterans filled the second floor courtroom at Hopkins County Courthouse Thursday to recognize Rick Flanary and Jerry Hanna of Sulphur Springs, Earl Stubblefield of Bogata and Marvin Cherney of Mineola who have been selected to participate in DFW Veterans Honor Flight.
Hopkins County showed appreciation for their service with a send-off event Thursday that included the pledge to the flags lead by Veterans Service Administrator Danny Davis and the singing of the National Anthem lead by Sulphur Springs High School choir student Hope Williams, to music played by the SSHS Jazz Band.
Clayton McGraw, who served in the Army in Korea, retold the Johnny Cash favorite “That Ragged Old Flag” which struck a cord with many a veteran as well as community members. First Baptist Church Pastor Dr. Jeff Graves recited Psalm 100 and offered a prayer of thanks for those who have and continue to serve, and a closing prayer by Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom.
A recorded Military Salute featuring each branch of service’s song, provided by Lonnie Fox, was played with those who served asked to stand and be recognized with applause of appreciation.
Honorees Hanna, Flanary, Stubblefield and Cherney were recognized for their service. They will depart Friday morning from Dallas Love Field aboard DFW Veterans Honor Flight 43 for a whirlwind 2-days in Washington, D.C.
“You have no idea what it means to me, and I’m sure all these others, for all of you, your hard work and the community doing what it’s doing here today to honor us, not only us but our country. Thank you so much,” said Stubblefield.
The Honor Flight veterans will attend a special event hosted in their honor and tour numerous veterans memorials and monuments. They will be accompanied by their “guardian,” a person designated to go with them to assist in whatever way they can, whether to carry or keep up with their belongings or help medically or otherwise.
Hope Williams 
Dr. Jeff Graves
The veterans were selected for the Honor Flight by a board, which includes Secretary Judy Rawson Heaps. The Honor Flight mission began in 2009, to take as many World War II veterans as possible to see the memorial in Washington, D.C., and continues today with Cold War, Korean War and Vietnam veterans to the list of honorees designated to participate in an Honor Flight.
Heaps said growing up, she knew what patriotism was, but didn’t fully understand what it means be a veteran and to be in a country “where we get to live and express ourselves the way we do” until she accompanied her dad on the first DFW Veterans Honor Flight in 2009.
She challenged the young people attending the sendoff to meet the veterans who have participated in a Veterans Honor Flight and spend time with veterans within their own families, so they too can learn what it truly means to sacrifice and to be willing to sacrifice everything.
Heaps offered thanks to all veterans who for their sacrifices to provide the freedoms we enjoy in this country every day, and the opportunities to be free.
“I hear stories over and over that these men and women have never shared before, and I look forward to hearing so many from you four this time. I look forward to this trip and getting to know you four, and getting to honor you,” Heaps said.
She said each flight has it’s own “personality” much the same a school classroom filled with young people does.
Heaps said this trip is the “youngest” trip, with 29 Vietnam veterans among the group, the youngest age 66. DFW Honor Flight 43 also include nine Korean War veterans and four World War II veterans, the oldest 98 years.
Earl Stubblefield served in the air Force, in the strategic Air command. He said he was trained to carry a nuclear weapon to the Soviet Union in case that was needed.
“During the Korean War, they were in need of spare parts. My bomb wing at Barksdale air field in Shreveport, Louisiana, the 301st, loaned a bunch of us gunners, flight engineers, radio operators to the 307th Bomb Wing at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. We flew combat missions over North Korea. We bombed targets there with 500 pounds bombs. Sometimes, we flew in support on the front lines using 100 pound bombs,” Stubblefield said.
After the war, Stubblefield returned to his Barksdale, and continued practicing hitting targets in Russia. Shortly after that, he was sent to England, Tripoli, Libya and other places.
“It wasn’t long before they began replacing our old Wold War II B29s with the B47 jets. I didn’t have enough time in the service left to be retrained. They sent me on to Randolph Field as an instructor in a combat training school. They had about 20 guys like me that they didn’t know what to do with. Finally, they said one day all that want to get out can,” Stubblefield said.
From there, he took advantage of the GI Bill, which allowed him to major in math at college. He became a coach has had “a wonderful life.”
Stubblefield is to be accompanied on the trip by his son-in-law Monte Dain.
Rick Flanary served three tours in Vietnam, flying air evac for the Air Force. He was over a two-corps hospital, NCOD there. He served during the Tet Offensive. In 1968, he flew with the Army.
Flanary recounted being in a helicopter that was shot down and sustaining a gunshot to the leg. In all, Flanary served 6 years, 8 months. He was a staff sergeant.
Flanary will be accompanied on the Honor Flight by his daughter, Nikki Flanary.
Jerry Hanna is an Army veteran. He served two tours and was enlisted for three years, including in Vietnam. When he got out, he went to school.
He then went back in with a direct admission as a second lieutenant, then served for over 27 years of active duty. He received his training and college while in military, graduating from TCU.
Hanna is to be accompanied on the Honor Flight by his son Patrick Eady.
Marvin Cherney, a North Dakota native, served in the Army for three years, including during Vietnam. He entered service with his cousin anticipating the ‘buddy system” but got separate orders. Cherney went to medical school in Fort Walters, Texas out of training. He received orders to go to Vietnam in January of 1968.
Cherney was an infantry medic, serving 3 months and 25 days; he was shot while in Vietnam, underwent operation at a field hospital then was sent to Japan, then the United States. He was unable to return combat at that time\, but says the “good Lord let me come home.” He was sent to a hospital in Denver and received discharge papers, then orders to return to Vietnam. He was sent to Oregon, where it was determined he’d received the wrong orders and was sent to Fort Hood. He was discharged in October of 1969. He married a Texas resident and has called the Lone Star State home ever since.
“The Lord was with me. I got to come home. Others didn’t get to come home. They are heroes,” Cherney said.
Accompanying Cherney on the Honor Flight as his “guardian” will be his daughter Brandy Young.
Winter Is A Wonderful Time To Plant Trees, Shrubs
By Dr. Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent, Ag./NR
As I was writing this piece, the temperatures overnight dropped below freezing levels. I wonder what happen to our fall? All I can remember was two weeks of mild temperatures this year.
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, from a gardening perspective, the end of the year can seem to be relatively mundane. With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, garden activities seem less numerous and important. These latter months have been reserved for planting bulbs, soil preparation, and a few other garden chores.
This year, why not think about taking advantage of this time to plant some trees. When you plant a container-grown tree, there is often transplant stress as the tree acclimates to a different environment. Some species react more negatively than others to this change, but almost all trees suffer aesthetically and stop growth.
Winter is a wonderful time to plant trees and shrubs. Cooler temperatures, though not ideal for growth, provide a much-needed time for root development and acclimation for the new tree, thus, reducing transplant stress. Winter is also often a time of ample rainfall, resulting in even less tree stress.
Some nurseries have a selection of trees during winter. When deciding which tree(s) to plant, you should take into account the characteristics of the proposed planting site, such as the amount of sun the site receives, the soil drainage, and the amount of room the tree will have to spread. Ask local nursery professionals about trees that are particularly well adapted for your area.
Here are a few safe bets when looking for trees that thrive in Texas:
Large trees
- Bald cypress provides a glimpse of the South, with its picturesque pyramidal shape and fine foliage. Contrary to popular belief it will only grow knees (plant structures that pop out of the soil around the plant) if it is not receiving enough oxygen in the soil, such as in very wet conditions.
- Live Oak has a beautifully-rounded habit, and is well-adapted to most of Texas which makes it a natural for planting in landscapes.
- Shumard Oak is a wonderful species of Oak for our area, and it is one of the most dependable Oaks for red fall color in Texas.
For more confined spaces, very attractive small trees
- Crape Myrtles come in almost all colors and sizes, so it is a great choice for a number of different uses.
- Chinese Fringe Tree, although more rare, is a good small tree that puts on a spectacular show of refined, white flowers for two weeks in the spring. During the rest of the year, it has deep, dark, glossy green foliage and a nice shape that will certainly enhance any landscape.
- Redbud is also a wonderful choice for Texas plantings. It is typical in the fact that it has pink blooms in early spring, but it differs from other Redbuds by its beautiful dark purple or even maroon foliage. This deep, lush foliage makes for an interesting specimen and along with its eclectic seed pods provides interest throughout the year.
Winter buying and planting of trees also lends itself to another use: as Christmas presents! Why not get the gardener(s) in your life something that they’ll really enjoy, and that they’ll be able to observe for a long time? Even if the people you are buying for don’t garden, you could plant the tree for them, and provide enjoyment and added character to their landscape.
Brave the cool weather and plant some trees this winter. Come spring, you’ll be glad you did!
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic, please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-8853443 or email me at [email protected]
All Hopkins County Veterans Are Invited To SSHS Veterans Day Celebration On Nov. 11
Sulphur Spring High School will have a special Veterans Day program to honor our past and present military.
“We are inviting all Hopkins County veterans, current service members, and their spouses for a reception followed by a patriotic program,” said Rusty Harden, Sulphur Springs Independent School District assistant superintendent.
A reception will begin at 12 noon in the SSHS Library. The program will follow at 1 p.m. in the high school gymnasium, with special performances by the SSHS Band and various guests.
“Please come join us in honoring our current and veteran military members,” invites Harden.
For more information, contact Johna Burchfield at (903) 885-2158.
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Was Pleased With Defense Against Greenville But Wants More of the Same on Friday
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra said he was pleased with his defense’s effort last Friday (October 25) against Greenville from front to back. The Wildcats defense yielded only one touchdown and 147 total yards. He said it would be awesome to continue that effort over the next two weeks. Coach Guerra said he has seen no quitting by the Wildcats. He said it was hard to single out any defender against Greenville because they all played well. He called it a total team effort. Concerning Kaufman, Coach Guerra noted that the Lions have a 250-pound quarterback. He remembered him throwing some good passes against the Wildcats last year. He said the Wildcats would need to tackle low against the big quarterback. Coach Guerra said the Lions also have two good receivers and running back who is fast and plays hard. He said if the back gets loose, he would be hard to catch. Coach Guerra called Kaufman pretty solid overall on offense.
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Discusses Play Against Greenville and Kaufman Defense
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young said the Wildcats’ offense did not get into the end zone enough last Friday night (October 25) at The Prim against Greenville. He said some offensive guys did some good things last week but he added little things continued to hamper the Wildcats. Wildcats quarterback Kaden Wallace was injured against Greenville and may be a game time decision as far as playing against Kaufman Friday. Back up quarterback Noe Ponce was pressed into service last week. Coach Young said the Wildcats were successful for a while running a bigger package. Coach Young said the Wildcats got close on a couple of drives but ended up having to settle for two field goals. He said Cameron Kaufert, who was playing a lot at defensive tackle, also played a lot on offense as part of the bigger package. Coach Young said the Wildcats offensive line did a good job. He singled out Steven Jonaitis, Raydon McCormack, Alfredo Olavide, Ryan Hammons and Chandler Leo. Coach Young said backs Choc Sims and Caden Davis ran hard. The Wildcats suffered two interceptions and Coach Young said the first one hurt a lot. He said the Wildcats just did not do enough to get a win. Concerning Kaufman, Coach Young said the Lions are big and strong up front. He said they would present a challenge for the Wildcats big guys in both the running game and pass protection. Three or four of the Lions’ defensive front are seniors who can give an offense fits. The Lions quarterback Billy Pullen, a 250-pounder, also plays middle linebacker. Coach Young said the Lions’ secondary features fast guys who will man receivers up. He said he believes the Wildcats will have success moving the ball Friday and he added \they will have to have success scoring touchdowns inside the ten yard line to be successful Friday night. Coach Young said the Wildcats have a chance to end their season with two wins. He said almost all playoff teams end their season with a loss.
