City of Commerce Reports Two Confirmed Cases of Human West Nile Virus
COMMERCE, TX—Emergency Management Officials are reporting two confirmed cases of human West Nile Virus within the city limits of Commerce.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 70 to 80 percent of people infected with West Nile Virus will exhibit no symptoms. One out of five people will develop symptoms such as a fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or a rash. Less than one percent of people who are infected will develop a serious neurologic illness.
In our ongoing effort to combat mosquitoes, city staff will once again spray in the areas where human cases of West Nile have been reported beginning tonight, Sept. 6, and will continue for three days. The spraying is more effective if it takes place during peak mosquito biting hours, so spraying will begin around 7:30 p.m. each night.
The chemical used in the spray is of low toxicity to humans and pets, but it is a pesticide and direct contact should be avoided. Citizens should go indoors and stay back from the truck during spraying operations. The chemical will not be sprayed if the driver sees people outdoors. This product is extremely toxic to fish, and fishponds should be covered.
Although the chemicals will greatly reduce the number of mosquitoes, the spray will not eliminate all chances of getting bit. Emergency Management Officials urge residents to take precautionary measures, such as using an insect repellant containing DEET.
City of Commerce and Texas A&M University-Commerce Emergency Management Officials will continue to trap and test mosquitoes in all areas of Commerce as long as the threat continues. For additional information on West Nile visit www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/arboviral/westnile/information OR www.cdc.gov/westnile.
Game Day Tuesday: SSHS Volleyball Hosts Royce City; Team Tennis at Hallsville
There is volleyball and team tennis on the sports menu on this Tuesday game day. The Lady Cats’ volleyball team has one more non-district match to get ready for district play coming up on Friday in Hallsville. Tuesday evening the Lady Cats welcome former district opponent Royse City into Wildcats Gym. The Lady Cats will enter play this Tuesday with a 20-7 record. They also have a six match winning streak. The Lady Bulldogs have always been a tough opponent for the Lady Cats. The Tuesday match schedule has changed slightly. The Lady Cats JV and freshmen teams will be playing Royse City starting at 5:30 p.m. Then the varsity match will follow. We’ll bring you Lady Cats’ volleyball Tuesday at around 7 p.m. on KSST radio. We will also videotape the match for replay on Channel 18 TV on Suddenlink Cable at a later date.
Meanwhile the Wildcats’ tennis squad will open district play Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at Hallsville. The Wildcats have a 2-1 season record. They played last on August 25 at Terrell where they defeated the Tigers squad, 19-0.
Wildcats at Disney World, Video Story by Lauren Humphries
KSST thanks Lauren Humphries and Coach Greg Owens for this video.
House Fire in County Under Investigation
A house fire this weekend near Birthright at County Road 4587 and CR 4582 is under investigation by the Hopkins County Fire Marshall. The structure, vacant for several years, was fully engulfed when county firemen responded to a grass fire and found the structure as they began their work. According to Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley said anyone with information regarding the structure or fire is encouraged to call the county fire department. He stated no arrests have been made at this time.
Similar Equipment Raises Questions for Commissioner
Although it looked like County equipment was being used in building a shooting range and building a new driveway at the home of a county commissioner while the county road where the commissioner lives is being upgraded for the first time in 20 years, Beth Wisenbaker, Commissioner Precinct 1 says she and her husband, County Republican Chair Donnie Wisenbaker are paying for the work performing at the residence by a private contractor from personal funds.
John McClain, who is doing the work, owns and operates equipment that not only looks similar to county equipment, it is the same make and model as the equipment used by the county in that precinct. A county resident taking pictures of the work was approached by McClain, who explained the circumstances. However, McClain was not convinced he had convinced the resident of the particulars of the situation.
Wisenbaker wants to assure residents in the county and especially in her precinct that she will not use county equipment or personnel for personal work.
Fictitious Registration Leads to Discovery of Drugs in Auto
When a Hopkins County Deputy stopped Sharron Donice Simmons, 47, of Sulphur Springs for a traffic violation on State Highway 154 near FM 1567, the fact that she was nervous, had a suspended driver’s license, and no insurance card led to further investigation.
As the deputy checked the registration of the vehicle, it was found to be fictitious. The registration was for a totally different vehicle. With consent to search, it was found that Simmons was in possession of a controlled substance, penalty group 1, over 4-grams but less than 200-grams. She is charged with the possession, driving while license is invalid and displaying fictitious altered registration.
Simmons is in Hopkins County Jail on a Felony 2 drug charge and held on a $20,000 bond.
DPS Unit Involved in Accident During County Pursuit
Fleeing a Hopkins County Deputy, avoiding DPS spikes by driving in the ditches or into oncoming traffic, using a church parking lot and the pasture surrounding were just a few of the reasons Scott Allen Moore, 19, is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Evading Arrest Detention with a Motor Vehicle, a Felony 3, and is being held on a $35,000 bond.
The deputy attempted to stop Moore for a traffic violation. When the officer turned on his overhead lights, Moore sped off on FM 69 and turning down a county road 2320. He continued to use various county roads passing several people on riding lawn mowers on the roadways. DPS troopers attempted to use spikes but Moore utilized the ditches and oncoming traffic, driving though the parking lot at Elm Ridge Baptist Church and the pasture next to the church. Then he continued onto State Highway 11, FM 1870 and was finally stopped and arrested.
During the chase a DPS patrol unit was involved in a minor accident.
PJC Annual Fund Campaign Kicks Off
Paris Junior College alumni Ronnie and Nancy Rhodes have been selected to lead the 2016 Paris Junior College Annual Fund campaign.
“We are so thankful for the leadership Ronnie and Nancy will provide for our fourth year of the Annual Fund Campaign,” said PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin. “The past three annual drives have raised funds for scholarships, greatest needs of the College, and the long-term master plan. I know with their leadership, we will again see generous support from alumni, friends, businesses and area foundations towards this much-needed effort.”
“Nancy and I are honored to serve as the co-chairs of the PJC Annual Fund Campaign,” Mr. Rhodes noted. “As a young boy from West Lamar High School, Paris Junior College gave me the opportunity to learn from extremely competent professors and to make close friendships that have endured for a lifetime.”
Mrs. Rhodes is a former public school educator who taught in the Paris ISD.
During his career with the United States Department of Agriculture, Mr. Rhodes served as the Director of Special Nutrition Services for the five-state Southwest Region. He also taught at Paris High School in the early l960s.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Ronnie and Nancy,” said Derald Bulls, Director of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Affairs. “Ronnie continues to serve on the Alumni & Friends Association as Past President and has served as a Board member, Vice President and President beginning his service in 2007.”
The couple both spoke of the value PJC provided to them personally and to the community. After PJC, Ronnie completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from then East Texas State University. Nancy received her undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock and later earned her masters of education at East Texas. They are active members of First United Methodist Church. Nancy is a member of the church’s Care Team Committee and Ronnie teaches Sunday School and serves on the Little Ark Day Care board.
The Annual Fund campaign has officially kicked off.
“We are grateful for each and every gift received through the Campaign,” added Bulls. If you would like to know more about the Annual Fund or how you can participate, I welcome your call, (903) 782-0276.” Again this year, the Campaign is focused on greatest needs, scholarships and the master plan. For more information you may also email [email protected] or go to www.parisjc.edu and click on the “Alumni and Visitors” tab.
