Texas to begin construction this year on seven new psychiatric hospital projects
By Stephen Simpson, The Texas Tribune
June 20, 2024
Texas will begin building seven new state psychiatric hospital projects this year as it continues to attempt to address the mental health crisis.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission projects are funded by $1.5 billion, which lawmakers approved in 2023 to expand, renovate and build new facilities across the state. The agency owns and operates nine state hospitals and one residential treatment center for youth.
Gov. Greg Abbott detailed the plans in a press release Thursday.
“Last year, I signed a law to provide crucial funding to expand and build new, modern mental health facilities throughout Texas,” Abbott said. “These new state hospital projects will help ensure that Texans experiencing a mental health issue have access to mental health professionals and high-quality treatments to address their needs.”
A majority of these funds will be used to construct the new Panhandle State Hospital in Amarillo and the Lubbock Psychiatric Center, as well as a 250-bed replacement for the Terrell State Hospital and a 200-bed replacement for the North Texas State Hospital in Wichita Falls.
Around $120 million will be used to add a 50-bed maximum-security unit at the Rio Grande State Center in Harlingen, and $15 million will be used to add a 40-bed maximum-security unit at the San Antonio State Hospital. The state is also planning to buy land to expand the current El Paso Psychiatric Center by 50 non-maximum-security beds.
State hospitals treat mostly forensic patients — people transferred from county jails or the state prison system because they were determined to be incompetent to stand trial or because a jury found them not guilty by reason of insanity.
In 2023, a little over 60% of adults treated inside state hospitals came from the criminal justice system, either from county jails or the prison system.
Over the past two decades, the state has reported a 38% increase in people who are found incompetent to stand trial. And as of last year, more than 2,300 people were waiting in Texas county jails for months and sometimes more than a year for the kind of intense therapy and medication treatment available only through the state’s psychiatric hospital system.
At the urging of county jail officials, state lawmakers undertook a massive funding operation to repair or build new state psychiatric facilities. Since 2017, lawmakers have provided $2.5 billion to modernize and increase access to inpatient psychiatric care in Texas.
Replacement hospitals in Austin and San Antonio have already had their grand openings, and both are expected to be up in running later this summer.
“We are extremely proud of the transformation of our state hospital system and the opportunities being created,” said Deputy Executive Commissioner for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s Health and Specialty Care System Scott Schalchlin in a news release. “These projects will improve the well-being of even more people across the state. We’re not just building hospitals — we’re rebuilding lives.”
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/20/texas-hospitals-mental-health/.
Texas State Parks Offers Seven Summer Heat Safety Tips
June 20, 2024
AUSTIN – Rising temperatures and the month of June signal the arrival of the dog days of summer. With heat-related illnesses on the rise, Texas State Parks is sharing seven tips to help Texans beat the heat and enjoy their time in the outdoors safely.
Last year, 48 state parks reported 156 heat-related illnesses in humans and pets, but this year could well eclipse that. State parks have already fielded 51 heat-related incidents since Jan. 1, compared to 32 reported by this time last year.
Here are the top seven heat hacks recommended for park visitors:
Hydrate- It’s important to drink at least 16 ounces of water every hour to prevent dehydration. Don’t forget to bring enough for your four-legged family members too.
Block the Rays- Apply a generous amount of sunscreen or sunblock before heading outdoors. Be sure to reapply every couple of hours, and after swimming or sweating.
Dress Smart- Wear light, loose-fitting, breathable clothing; a hat, correct shoes, sunscreen and wet bandanas to keep you cool while in the sun. For pets, protect paws against blistering by hitting the trails during cooler times of the day when the ground isn’t hot or by putting booties on pets to help shield paws from the hot ground. Touch the pavement or ground with the back of your hand. If you cannot hold it there for five seconds, the surface is too hot for your dog’s paws.
Stay Salty- Food helps keep up energy and replace salt lost from sweating. Eating snacks such as jerky, granola, trail mix, tuna and dried fruit is a fantastic way to nourish your body while on the trails.
Buddy System- Two brains are better than one. It’s beneficial to have someone with you in hot conditions so you can look after each other on the trail. With high temperatures hitting Texas, heat-related illnesses are common and having a friend around to help recognize the early symptoms can save you from getting sick.
Plan Ahead- Study the map and have it with you. Avoid relying on your phone for maps since service may be unavailable in back-country areas. Average hikers move at two miles per hour, so allow yourself plenty of time to avoid hiking in the heat of the day. Make sure to rest in a cool or shaded area to recover from the heat if necessary. It is also a good idea to let someone know your plan before you hit the trails and what time you should be back. That way, if you become lost, people know where to look.
Pup-Safety- Dogs are as susceptible to heat as their humans are, so it is good practice to ensure that you bring enough water and snacks for four-legged hiking buddies to last the entirety of the trip.
Additionally, visitors should heed notices posted at trailheads about site-specific conditions before setting out for the day. The park websites and staff are also a valuable resource for folks wanting to know about trail and forecasted conditions before starting their walk. Park alerts on the website are updated regularly and are a valuable resource for visitors prior to arrival at the park.
For more information about heat safety, visit the TPWD website.
Texas State Park reservations can be made by calling the Texas State Park Reservation Center at (512) 389-8900 on weekdays during normal business hours. You can also reserve a campsite or day pass anytime online. Overnight reservations can be made up to five months in advance, and day passes can be reserved up to 30 days in advance. If your plans change, please modify or cancel your reservation as soon as possible to allow someone else to enjoy the park as we do expect parks to reach capacity limits.
Find a park in your area at http://texasstateparks.org/.
Pacific Park Damaged: Sulphur Springs Police Need Your Help
The Sulphur Springs Police Department is requesting the public’s help in identifying the person(s) responsible for criminal mischief that occurred at Pacific Park on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at around 8:24 p.m.
The police department does have video of the incident but due to the suspects appearing to be juveniles the video will not be posted. There were numerous people that observed this offense, and we are asking anyone with any information to contact Detective Joe Scott at 903-885-7602.
Dinner Bell for June 26th, 2024
The Mother’s Culture Club is the Community Partner for June 26, 2024.
The Mother’s Culture Club was established September 20, 1929 for the mutual improvement of “our children, ourselves and our homes”. Fund raisers have included bake sales, golf tournaments, charity auctions, cookbook sales, and the yearly much loved Father-Daughter Dance plus many more. Amounts raised each year are in the multi thousand dollar range and are distributed to local Hopkins County children in need,
child related and educational activities. Membership in Mother’s Culture Club is limited to 35 young mothers residing in Hopkins County with preschool age children.
Mention the Mother’s Culture Club and immediately the very well attended and extremely popular Father-Daughter Dance becomes part of the conversation. The boys in the family are not slighted and are treated to a Mother-Son Knight of Fun.
The Dinner Bell is grateful to the Mother’s Culture Club for its local endeavors and its support of our feeding ministry.
GRAB and GO with a meal from the distribution area under the covered driveway (porte cochere) on the Northeast corner of the First United Methodist Church campus starting around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
MENU
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Crunchy Romaine Toss
Garden Salad
White Texas Sheet Cake
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF BY FOLLOWING SAFE HEALTH PRACTICES AS FLU AND COVID ARE STILL LURKING IN OUR MIDST! WEAR MASKS WHERE REQUIRED! WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN! GET INOCULATED AND BOOSTED!
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH!!!
Texas Power Grid Energy Sources Wednesday
June 19, 2024 – Here is a snapshot (10:30 AM) of the energy sources powering the Texas Grid today. With overcast skies and little wind, wind and solar are producing significantly less than fossil fuels this morning.
Proposed Wind Farm Faces Lawsuit, Will Head to Trial
June 19, 2024 – Hopkins County neighbors take interest in nearby lawsuit outcome. A Cielo Wind landowner has been sued for their participation in the proposed Bug Tussle Wind Ranch that hopes to cover 30,000 acres across Fannin and Lamar counties. A neighbor of the potential 30-mile stretch of huge turbines has filed a lawsuit under the Texas Nuisance Law citing potential economic devastation and property value loss. Under that Texas law a nuisance consists of: “a condition that substantially interferes with the use and enjoyment of land by causing unreasonable discomfort or annoyance to persons of ordinary sensibilities attempting to use and enjoy it.“
More than a thousand residents from Fannin and Lamar counties have banded together in an effort to stop the wind farm, organizing the Facebook Group, Stop Fannin-Lamar Wind Project. Those organizers fear that neighbors along the windmill corridor will lose 25-30 percent of their land values when the huge turbines are erected.
The lawsuit reminiscent of David vs Goliath will go to trial in the 336th District Court in Fannin County, presumably heard by Judge Laurine J. Blake. Cielo Wind, per their website, states they plan to invest $300 million in the Bug Tussle Wind Ranch, partially financed using federal infrastructure bill tax credits.
Hopkins County residents continue to keep a close eye on the Fannin County lawsuit as Apex Energy plans a similar project in the Hopkins County area.
Sulphur Springs Corvette Club Donate Fans to Senior Center Fan Drive
June 16, 2024 – After a hot cup of coffee Tuesday morning at the local Whataburger, members of the local Corvette Club decided to make the summer a little cooler for some area seniors. Speeding into action, the members quickly gathered up the much needed fans to help benefit this year’s Fan Drive and delivered them to the Sulphur Springs Senior Activity Center on Oak Avenue. Corvette Club member Tim Gee said of the donation, “Our local club is proud to be first off the line to kick off this year’s Fan Drive, but this race to beat the heat could be long as hot temperatures set in for the long haul.” More help is needed as more requests will be coming in as the temperature rises. To find out how you can help, zoom in to the Sulphur Springs Senior Activity Center at 301 Oak Avenue or give director Dawna Pryor a call at (903) 885-1661. Pictured below dropping off the fans are Corvette Club members, (l-r) Ben Anglin, Matt Yosten, James Courson, Mike Hart, Lynn Luttrell, Tim Gee, and Dennis Gilbertson.
Chamber Connection – June 18, 2024
By Butch Burney
Oncor Electric Delivery is hosting a lunch for electrical, HVAC, insulation, lighting, plumbing, remodeling, roofing, window contractors and engineering to learn about Oncor’s Energy Efficiency programs.
The programs are designed to benefit residential and business customers.
The lunch is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 27 at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce.
Call the Chamber office for more information at 903-885-6515.
Stew is in the Air
It’s too hot for stew in June, but it’s not too early to begin thinking about the stew contest.
Stew cooks and sponsors, be looking for registration and sponsorship forms to be distributed in the next couple of weeks. This year’s theme for the 55th Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest on Oct. 26 is Stewper Heroes.
The registration cost will remain at $100 per stew site.
Willy Wonka
The Community Players will present Willy Wonka Jr., a musical, later this month at Main Street Theatre. Production times are June 21, 22 and 28 at 7 p.m., and June 23, 29 and 30 at 2 p.m.
Go to CommunityPlayersInc.com for more more information.
Independence Day Concert
The 32nd annual Independence Day Concert and Fireworks on the downtown square is set for Saturday, June 29, with the concert starting at 8 p.m.
The Northeast Texas Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Douglas Bakenhus, will perform classic favorites.
Cocktails and Conversation
The Chamber’s next Cocktails and Conversation networking event is set for 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 18, at NationsLending on Main Street.
There is no charge for the informal event, and you don’t have to be a Chamber member to attend the Cocktails and Conversation event. It is open to everyone, and a prime time to make friends and contacts.
Ribbon Cutting
There will be a ribbon cutting for Apple Bella Massage Therapy at 1422 Hillcrest Drive, Suite B, at noon on Thursday, June 20. Everyone is invited to the event.
Relive the Excitement of the 63rd Annual Dairy Fest Pageant and Watch Coryn Young Earn her Crown
Relive the excitement, glamor, and wonder of the 63rd Annual Hopkins County Dairy Festival Pageant by checking out the video below. See how the 2024 Hopkins County Dairy Festival came to an historical conclusion as Coryn Young earns her place on the throne to serve as our 2024 Dairy Festival Queen! Be sure to check it out, you won’t regret it!
This and That for June 2024 From Master Gardener David Wall
June 18, 2024 – Bananas are great until they get overripe and turn mushy. To slow down ripening, wrap Saran Wrap around the crown to. Better, separate the bananas and wrap each one. Also, when the bananas are ripe, stick them in a refrigerator to greatly slow the overripening! Grass-fed beef only requires one days of eating grass. They can eat corn or other products the rest of their lives. Grass-finished beef means it had to eat grass for 80% of its life.
Shucking corn is always messy and a problem. To ease the process, cut off the base and put the ear, shuck and all, in your microwave for two minutes. Let it cool somewhat, and then stand it vertically grasping the hush and silk. Now, lift the husk and silk right off the ear.
You just realized you’ve got room for a couple more tomato plants? Pick a leader stem from an existing tomato plant that’s at least a foot long. Cut it off, trim all the leaves except the uppermost, and plant it (hopefully deep!). It may look like a failure for a week or more, but it should come back and provide produce in the early fall.
Fire ants aerate soil and do little to no damage. If you can’t stand them, spread non-toxic diatomaceous earth or dried molasses on and around the mound. They’ll leave. Milk will last longer if you keep it in the back of the refrigerator. Temps are colder and more consistent
Hang an overripe banana in your garden to attract beneficial insects (bees, butterflies, ladybugs & other predatory insects + hummingbirds) and repel non-beneficials (aphids & gnats). A
Wive’s tale that works. Pennies are made from copper, which is a natural fungicide. Try planting a couple around each plant in the garden to protect them.
