Date Change for GENEXE Screenings at Sulphur Springs Seniors Center
Due to unavoidable reasons, the Genexe screening scheduled at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center at 150 MLK Drive has been re-scheduled for Tuesday May 14, 2019 from 9:30 til 11:30 am. For more information, phone Karon Weatherman at 903-885-1661.
“Antibiotic Stewardship” is Encouraged by CHRISTUS Hospitals in Sulphur Springs and Winnsboro
Edward Vaughn is the Clinical and Operational Pharmacy Manager at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals of Sulphur Springs and Winnsboro, Texas. During a KSST Good Morning Show interview, he shared information on how “antimicrobial stewardship, better known as “antibiotic stewardship” is part of CHRISTUS’ over-reaching ministry to apply the healing ministry of Jesus Christ. He shared information as well as advised caution about the frequent over-use and wrong usage of today’s “anti-bacterial” drugs, or antibiotics. Across the United States, this usage has begun to result in an epidemic of multi-drug resistant organisms within our bodies. In one example, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the emerging Candida auris has been reported recently. This “super fungus” may present a serious global health threat because it is multi-drug resistant, meaning that it is resistant to multiple anti-fungal drugs commonly used to treat Candida infections.
Vaughn states that the public needs to become more aware of the fact that antibiotics are not designed to treat or cure every disorder we may go to see a doctor about. As the chart below shows, viral infections are not affected by a program of antibiotics, whereas we know that some bacterial infections can benefit from antibiotic dosages. Frequently and for various reasons however, doctors may prescribe antibiotic medications for complaints that may not actually benefit from the prescription. There are a number of reasons that physicians may yield to this, including “patient request”. Let’s say a patient comes in with symptoms of the common cold, and may insist on being written a prescription to start feeling better. In truth, a 5-7 day program of antibiotic may coincide with 5-7 day lifespan of the common cold, and thus may only appear to have helped in the recovery. In this case, the patient has consumed medication which he or she did not actually need. The World Health Organization launched a study where 15 million patient charts were compared to identify various medical diagnoses and the medications prescribed for each. The findings were that 23%, or one-in-four patients, were prescribed medication that was not justified. During his discussion on behalf of CHRISTUS, Vaughn stated that “knowledge is power” and encouraged the local public to inform themselves and get facts through their own research via the internet about Antibiotic Stewardship.
Traffic In Brashear Stalled At Railroad Tracks Tuesday Morning
Traffic was halted at the railroad tracks on FM 2653, off Interstate 30, in Brashear Tuesday morning. A train reportedly stopped on the tracks across the roadway around 9 a.m. Tuesday, and was expected to remain there until the defect was resolved, according to sheriff’s reports.
Motorists who were were able turned around. Others traveling the area were recommended to find a different route until the tracks could be cleared.
A truck driver just before 10:30 a.m. reported waiting at the tracks for about 1 hour and 20 minutes , before seeing any movement of the train, and reported it appeared only to be creeping then.
Dinner Bell Menu For May 8th, 2019
The Lions Club is the day’s Community Partner
Don’t know about the weather, but whether rain or shine you will be greeted with a welcome smile and a comfortable place to eat and visit. So Come On Over!
Chicken and Rice Casserole
Baked Zucchini Sticks
Garden Salad
Buttered French Bread
Fruit and Yogurt Peach Cups (the no sugar added dessert)
Same time (11:45 a.m.). Same place (Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church).
You will never regret your decision to “break bread” with us.
The mission of the Dinner Bell is to end hunger in Hopkins County. Fresh, hot, nutritious meals are prepared by volunteers each Wednesday and served to our guests at the First United Methodist Church. Through the generous support of church and community members and corporate sponsors we have been able to serve over 20,000 meals to those in need since opening our kitchen in 2012.
If you or your business would like to sponsor a Dinner Bell meal, give them a call at 903.885.2185
SSHS Academic UIL Team Earns 12 Medals At State Contest
Matthew Harper, Literary Criticism Team Named State Champs
Sulphur Springs High School sophomore (second from left) Matthew Harper is the state UIL literary criticism champion, and the literary criticism team consisting of Harper, Andrew Westlund, Carissa Carter, Lainey Whittle are state literary criticism championship team. Also pictured are (left) state literary criticism director Mark Bernier and (right) SSHS literary criticism team coach Gail Herman.
Nine students from Sulphur Springs High School came home from the state UIL competitions with a total of 12 medals earned from participation in six different events.
“Congratulations to each competitor. We are extremely proud of the way these students represented Sulphur Springs High School,” said Gerald Grafton, SSHS UIL coordinator. “Also, congratulations to coaches Gail Herman, Brandon Nelson and Desi Pharis for their efforts and successes in preparing students for this level of achievement.”
The SSHS literary criticism team over the weekend won the UIL state team championship, marking the fifth consecutive year and the the sixth time in the last seven years they’ve won at state.
Matthew Harper was named the individual state champion in literary criticism and noted to have the highest score of any student competing in any classification, according to SSHS literary criticism coach Gail Herman. Harper is Herman’s fourth student to be named individual state champion in literary criticism.
Teammates Carissa Carter won third place honors, Andrew Westlund fourth and Lainey Whittle fifth in the state in literary criticism. Also notable is that this is Carter’s fourth year in a row to be on the state championship team, according to Herman.
One student, Annmarie Gunn, is commended for placing in not one but two events at state. Gunn earned fourth placed in ready writing and second place honors in the Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition.
Rachel Bramlett was also recognized as a finalist in the Latino History Essay Contest. In the Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition, Sydney Washburn was a finalist and Breana Wooten finished in third place.
Gunn, Bramlett, Washburn and Wooten were named finalists and winners from a field of almost 400 entries. Twelve finalists were named in each of the Barbara Jordan and Latino History essay contests. Each received a framed certificate. Students placing first through sixth also received medals, according to Herman.
Also during the May 3-4 state academic UIL meet, Angela Brown won sixth place in news writing.
In theater design, Belinda Flores, Hagen Hunt and AllieGrace Woodard were recognized for being finalists.
Grafton offered thanks on behalf of the UIL academic coaches to the administration and staff of SSISD and SSHS “for all the encouragement and support you have provided for UIL academic competitors this year.”
To the UIL coaches, he expressed thanks “for all your sacrifices of time and effort to help our students succeed. Win or lose, I believe your efforts have taught them valuable life lessons that carry them to the next level.”
Coaches for the 2019 academic season included Steven Allemang, science; Phillip Dick, UIL Young Filmmakers; Grafton, math events; Paula Hass, accounting; Gail Herman, essays, literary criticism and spelling; Madison Millsap, social studies and current issues; Brandon Nelson, journalism events; Ruston Pennington, robotics; Desi Pharis, one act play and theater design; Matt Wilder, computer science; Josh Williams, cross examination and Lincoln Douglas debate; and Lesha Woodard, one act play, prose and poetry.
Finally, Grafton concluded with this message to seniors, “You are the best. We are so proud of you and your hard work.”
Lady Cats Softball Face Familiar Foe At Area
Lady Cats Softball Coach Has Familiar Foe to Prepare For This Week
The Wildcats’ baseball team got to relive the past last week playing old district foe Hallsville. The Lady Cats’ softball team has the same situation this week. Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo said he looks forward to the opportunity of playing in the third round of the playoffs. Hallsville’s coach is Kayla Whatley, who Coach Carrillo knows well. He predicts a really great series is about to unfold. Coach Carrillo said the Lady Bobcats are well coached and they have good players. He said the teams know each other well from being in the same district for so long. Coach Carrillo said the two teams have had some epic battles. He said he feels good about the Lady Cats’ chances on Thursday and Friday (May 9-10). The teams play their regional quarterfinal series Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Grand Saline, then Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Grand Saline. Game three, if needed, will take place after game two. Coach Carrillo urges fans to bring lawn chairs because seating is limited. Last year, in district play, the Lady Cats won at Hallsville, 7-3 but then suffered their only district loss to Hallsville at Lady Cat Park, 10-4. Coach Carrillo said both teams have a lot of the same kids they had last year.
SSHS Wildcats Baseball Game Review
Wildcats Baseball Coach Comments on Another Come From Behind Win and Playing Joshua This Week
Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack said he felt the Wildcats were more in control of game two early against Hallsville at Mike Carter Field in Tyler Saturday (May 4). The Wildcats did go out in front 2-0 in the first inning on a two-RBI double by Austin Dodd. Coach Hammack said he disagreed with a couple of umpire calls in the game that fortunately did not greatly impact the final score. A Wildcats base runner was called out for leaving too soon as he tagged up after a caught fly ball. Coach Hammack said that took the Wildcats out of a promising inning. A Wildcat runner going to first was ruled out when it appeared that a throw may have pulled the Bobcats first baseman off the bag. Then Hallsville rallied for three runs aided by what Coach Hammack referred to as seeing eye singles. They also used a walk and a Wildcat error. Coach Hammack said the Wildcats had to overcome all of that adversity to rally. Down 3-2, Dodd, despite being down in the count, got a base hit. Jase Thompson followed with a drag bunt for a hit. Will Sims bunted and Hallsville could not handle it. Coach Hammack said Pacen Edwards, who has been hitting the ball hard but right at people, then found a hole with a single that drove home a run. Kaden Argenbright’s sacrifice fly scored the leading run. Pitcher Jaxon Chaney then closed the door on Hallsville in the top of the seventh. Coach Hammack said the Wildcats are playing well defensively and with a lot of confidence. He said he sensed no panic when the Wildcats trailed. Next for the Wildcats is Joshua. The schedule calls for game one at Prosper Thursday at 7 p.m. Then game two at Prosper Friday at 7 p.m. Game three, if necessary, will be at Rockwall Saturday at noon. Coach Hammack said the Joshua coach was a head coach at Pine Tree several years ago. He said Joshua has a left handed pitcher who will be as good as any pitcher we have seen this season. He said our scouts believe the Wildcats are the better team. Coach Hammack said he likes the Wildcats in a series the way they are playing.
2 Teens Jailed On Marijuana Charge
A minor traffic stop on North Davis Street Saturday evening resulted in location of contraband and two teens being arrested.
Sulphur Springs Police Office Zach Brown reported stopping a Chevrolet Cobalt in the 100 block of North Davis Street at 6:53 p.m. May 4 after observing a seat belt violation. While talking to the driver, an 18-year-old Sulphur Springs woman, and passenger, an 18-year-old Sulphur Springs man, Brown reported smelling what he suspected to be a marijuana odor.
A search of the car resulted in location of suspected marijuana in the driver’s purse and a vapor stick containing suspected tetrahydrocannabinol in the vehicle. The woman was arrested for no seat belt and possession of less than 2 ounces or marijuana in a drug-free zone, both misdemeanor offenses.
The man, identified in arrest reports as Tyler Ray Griffin, then allegedly admitted to having marijuana in the crotch of his pants. A bag of suspected marijuana was retrieved from the man, Brown alleged in arrest reports. Griffin was arrested on the felony charge of possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and the misdemeanor offense of possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana in drug-free zone, according to arrest and jail reports.
The woman was released from jail May 5; her bond was set at $2,000 on the marijuana charge. Griffin was released from jail May 5; his bond was set at $10,000 bond on the controlled substance charge and $2,000 bond on the marijuana charge, according to jail reports.
Dike Man Accused Of Evading Police In Vehicle
A Dike man was charged with evading arrest or detention with a vehicle Saturday night, after driving for a mile when police attempted to stop him.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Adrian Pruitt at 11:47 a.m. May 4 attempted to stop a Toyota 4Runner in the 1500 block of East Shannon Road for a traffic violation. However, instead of pulling over, the driver of the vehicle continued driving, with Pruitt following behind with the overhead lights on his patrol vehicle on, the officer alleged in arrest reports. The car reportedly continued for a bout a mile before stopping on Shannon Road, Pruitt alleged in arrest reports.
The driver, identified in arrest reports as 46-year-old Eric Vincent Klemptner of Dike, allegedly told the officer he was going to drive to Dike with the officer following him because he didn’t want his vehicle towed. The officer took the man into custody and to jail for evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, which was impounded, according to arrest reports.
A records check showed Klemptner to be wanted for driving while license invalid and failure to appear, resulting in additional charges.
Klemptner remained in the county jail Monday evening. His bond was set at $5,000 on the evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge, according to jail reports. Fines for the outstanding warrants totaled $906.70, according to arrest reports.
South Sulphur Volunteer Fire Department Recognized
South Sulphur Volunteer Fire Department member Chris and Chief Jim Rich are recognized by Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley and Hopkins County Commissioners Court for their perseverance and dedicated service to the community.
South Sulphur Volunteer Fire Department was recognized by Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley and the Hopkins County Commissioners Court for service to the community.
The officials presented South Sulphur VFD Chief Jim Rich and member Chris Rich with a proclamation for their department’s continued dedication during the Monday morning commissioners court session.
The South Sulphur VFD was started with a nine person roster as Peerless VFD. The department was renamed in 2016 as South Sulphur VFD, and serves the Peerless, Emblem, Ridgeway, Good Neighbor and Pleasant Grove communities as well as South Sulphur State Park.
The proclamation recognizes the dedication and perseverance of the members over the years in providing fire protection to Hopkins County; currently there are only two members.
The recognition is part of Hopkins County Fire Department’s 20th year anniversary celebration, during which one volunteer fire department is being recognized each month for their continued service to the community.
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom also reported Dan Flynn sent congratulation to Hopkins County Fire Department from the State of Texas House of Representatives for 20 years of service to the community.
