Walk-Ins For Flu Shots Welcome From 1 to 3 Weekdays At CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic
Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ
By Jennifer Heitman, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Flu Shots: Do Not Delay, Get Yours Today!
Flu shots are available at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, 105 Medical Plaza. Schedule an appointment with your provider today at 903.885.3181. If your provider has seen you in the last six months, you may walk in for a flu shot weekdays between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
BIBS Mom Support Group: Guest Speaker Haley Jackson
We welcome postpartum and breastfeeding moms to attend our BIBS mom support group. Come meet other moms and learn something new!
Kristi Couch, R.N. leads BIBS meetings, and this week she has invited Dr. Haley Jackson to be the guest speaker. Dr. Jackson is a Physical Therapist from Texas Pelvic Health. She will be talking about pre and postnatal care and pelvic physical therapy.
This meeting will be held on Friday, November 18, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Medical Plaza, 113 Airport Rd, Sulphur Springs. Please RSVP to Kristi Couch at 903.348.4767.
Are you expecting?
At CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs, we want to be there to help celebrate one of life’s special milestones: the birth of your baby. We created our Birthing Center with your family in mind. Our friendly and experienced physicians, midwife, and nurses are ready to provide the care you need before your delivery, during your stay and after your baby is born.
- Level II NICU (32 weeks and greater) with
- Dedicated local pediatricians ready to care for your newborn
- Level II Maternal designation
Before your delivery
- Free birthing and breastfeeding classes (in person or virtual). Call 903.439.4090 for more information.
- Tour the Birthing Center (in person or virtual)
During your stay
- LDRP rooms for one room throughout stay
- Board Certified Physicians and certified Nurse Midwife
- Different pain options for labor including Nitrous Oxide
- Meals for Mom — special meal planned just for you
- Well Baby Nursery
- New state-of-the art Birthing Beds and Panda Infant Warmers
Want to see our Women’s Birthing Center? Schedule a tour today! For more information on
classes and tours, please call 903.439.4090.
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals-Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties.
For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
The Welding Shop at the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Campus
WELDING PROJECT
Ethan Leach of Pickton works on his structural welding project at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center welding shop. For information about the welding program or other workforce education programs call 903-885-1232.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Rep. Slaton Again Files Legislation To Designate Child Gender Modification As “Child Abuse”
AUSTIN, TEXAS – Today, Representative Bryan Slaton of House District 2 filed legislation that, if passed, will bring an end to the practice of child gender modification in the State of Texas.
HB 42 will designate genital removal surgeries, chemical castration, puberty blockers, and other sex change therapies as child abuse.
Representative Slaton commented, “For years, Texas has failed our children by allowing them to be subjected to cruel child abuse in the form of sex-change surgeries and therapies. This child gender modification is child abuse, plain and simple. It is finally time that the Texas House, like the Senate, step up and defend innocent children from these bogus medical practices.”
Similar legislation passed the Texas Senate last session, but the bill failed to move through the Texas House, and died.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report for Nov. 7-13, 2022
Winnsboro Police Department each week provides a media report with information about department activity. WPD activity for the week of Nov. 7-13, 2022, included:
Arrests
- Juanita Perez, 30 years of age, of Dallas, was arrested on Nov. 9, 2022, Possession of 1 Gram or More But Less Than 4 Grams of a Penalty Group 1 Controlled Substance.
- Brandon Albrightson, 45 years of age, of Crowder, Oklahoma, was arrested on Nov. 12, 2022 , for Assault Causes Bodily Injury.
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 133 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 15 citations and 19 warnings during this reporting period.
Wildcat Football Falls Short of Victory in Bi-District Playoff Thriller
Wildcat football took on Dallas Carter HS in the opening round of playoffs but fell just shy of victory on Friday, Nov. 11.
Sulphur Springs football for the first time in four years qualified for the postseason, but just like in 2018 when the Wildcats last made the playoffs, they fell in Bi-District.
A crucial fourth down stop as Sulphur Springs failed to get the game-winning touchdown with just over three minutes to go put a thriller away as Dallas Carter prevailed 37-33.
The Wildcats played their hearts out and fought until the final whistle, even if they came up shy of a Bi-District championship in Forney.
The two teams played it close throughout the entirety of Friday’s contest at City Bank Stadium.
While the Wildcats jumped out to a 20-7 halftime lead, both offenses opened up for a combined 43 points in the second half.
While the second quarter belonged to Sulphur Springs, the third was all Cowboys as they scored three rushing touchdowns to retake the lead 29-26 for the first time since the first quarter when they scored on the opening drive, then leading 7-0.
Carter’s rushing attack proved too much for Coach Brandon Faircloth’s squad, as Cowboy RB Landry rushed for 257 yards and four TDs in the win over Sulphur Springs. Wildcat football scored two touchdowns in the second half, but explosive runs from Landry consistently turned momentum on its head.
Going into the fourth quarter, it was anyone’s ball game.
WR CJ Williams did everything he could to will his team to victory, scoring four times in the Bi-District loss, including a 79-yd receiving TD, but a crucial 4th down inside the Carter 20 would decide who gets all the marbles.
Sulphur Springs failed to convert on 4th down, with the game and their season on the line, as a pass from QB Kaden Mitchell was incomplete to his intended receiver in the end zone, followed by Carter kneeling the game and sealing the 37-33 victory.
Wildcat football ends their season with a 7-4 record (3-2 district) falling in a shoot thriller in Bi-district.
Winning six of their first seven games, Sulphur Springs struggled down the stretch taking on the top two teams in District 8-4A once QB Brady Driver was lost for the season with an ankle injury.
Even with the loss of such a talented dual-threat QB, Sulphur Springs played overall fairly well, with their best offensive performance since losing their starting QB coming in the opening-round loss to Carter.
Friday’s loss in Forney is a disappointing end to an otherwise phenomenal rebound season after going 0-10 last year.
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.
Flu Vaccinations Encouraged Ahead Of Thanksgiving
Public Health flu monitoring indicates the Texas flu season kicked off a few weeks earlier than usual this year. That’s why the Texas Department of State Health Services encourages Texans to get vaccinated now to protect themselves and their families from flu as the holidays approach.
“Vaccination remains our best defense against severe illness from flu, especially for more vulnerable populations like older adults, very young children, people with chronic health conditions and pregnant women,” said Dr. Jennifer Shuford, DSHS Interim Commissioner. “That’s why we recommend that everyone six months and older receive their flu vaccine each year. And it’s especially important to get vaccinated now since it takes the body two weeks after vaccination to fully produce antibodies to fight flu.”
Reporting from around the state confirms more influenza-like illness occurring earlier than recent flu seasons, which matches flu reporting from across much of the country. The flu vaccines for this 2022-2023 season have undergone substantial changes since last season, which will allow them to better protect against the flu viruses that are now circulating.
Anyone feeling ill or experiencing flu symptoms should stay at home and contact their health care provider. There are effective anti-viral treatments available for the flu, which are highly recommended for people at higher risk of flu complications, such as people with asthma, diabetes or heart disease. Other ways people can protect themselves and the people close to them from flu is to wash their hands often, cover their coughs and sneezes and stay home if they don’t feel well.
Eligible Texans can also safely and conveniently get their flu shot and updated COVID-19 booster at the same time. The updated COVID-19 booster is designed to protect against the Omicron variants, which are causing the most COVID-19 illness in Texas right now.
Visit Vaccines.gov to find locations near you where flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster doses are available.
Those Impacted By Nov. 4 Tornadoes Encouraged To Report Damage By Submitting iSTAT Surveys
By Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Hopkins County, [email protected]
Governor Greg Abbott today extended the State of Texas’ response and recovery efforts following severe storms across Northeast Texas throughout Friday and overnight into Saturday, Nov. 4-5, 2022. Last week, the Governor directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to deploy state resources to support local officials’ response to these severe storms.
“The State of Texas stands with Texans and communities impacted by yesterday’s and last night’s severe weather across northeast Texas, and I have deployed all available resources to help respond and recover,” said Governor Abbott on Nov. 5, 2022. “Texans impacted by this severe weather event are strongly encouraged to report damage to TDEM’s iSTAT survey so that we can provide the resources needed for our communities to recover. I thank all of our hardworking state and local emergency management personnel for their swift response to keep Texans safe and for their continued service in helping Texans recover in the aftermath of these storms.”
Preliminary damage assessments conducted by local and state officials are ongoing, and the State of Texas continues to have numerous response and recovery resources engaged across the impacted area to support requests for assistance from local officials.
Texans impacted by the severe weather are encouraged to fill out the Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) survey. The information provided in the survey helps emergency management officials gain an understanding of damages that have occurred and aids officials in determining if the state meets federally-required thresholds for various forms of disaster assistance, as well as identify any immediate resource needs. The iSTAT damage survey can be filled out in multiple languages online by visiting damage.tdem.texas.gov and clicking on November 3-5, 2022: Severe Weather Event.
“TDEM requests the public’s assistance, particularly those who have been impacted by these severe weather events, to provide details through the iSTAT damage survey when it is safe to do so,” said TDEM Chief Nim Kidd. “This information will help officials determine where needs are and how to best assist. This survey is a valuable tool for local and state officials to gain a better understanding of the extent of damages in order to seek the resources necessary for those in need.”
Reporting damage through the iSTAT tool is a voluntary activity and is not a substitute for reporting damage to your insurance agency. It does not guarantee disaster relief assistance. TDEM has published a tutorial video in English and Spanish explaining the iSTAT surveys on the survey landing page.
Commissioners Renew 1 Local Disaster Declaration, Enact Another
Hopkins County Commissioners Court renewed one local disaster declaration for the damages resulting from Nov. 4 tornadoes, and enacted another due to “threat of disaster from the unprecedented levels of illegal immigration, human trafficking, and drug smuggling coming across the U.S. border from Mexico.”
New Disaster Declaration
Hopkins County Commissioners Court was asked during the regular court session Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, to approve a declaration of local state of disaster due to illegal immigration, human trafficking and drug smuggling across the border from Mexico.
“Basically, what this is it’s a declaration of a local state disaster and I might ask the sheriff for his input on this. According to what I have before me today, since January 2021, more than 3.2 million illegal aliens apprehended after unlawfully entering the United States, and more than 800,000 illegal aliens have avoided apprehension while unlawfully entering the United States and remain unaccounted for within our nation,” County Judge Robert Newsom said. “Basically, the proclamations calls for simply a proclamation that we are under a very serious situation in Texas, in Hopkins County as well as the United States. We ask that this declaration be noted to our state and to our nation, that we have a very serious situation across the state.”
The disaster declaration, citing the Centers for Disease Control statistics, states that “the unprecedented amount of human trafficking, combined with the smuggling of fentanyl and other opioids infiltrating our border with Mexico had killed over 71,238 American citizens.” According to the declaration, Customs and Border Protection have identified more than 50 known terrorists who have unlawfully entered the US through an unsecured border with Mexico. It claims sophisticated international human and drug trafficking organizations spearheaded by “violent international drug cartels” have operational control over the unsecured US-Mexico border. The document declares “the ongoing immigration crisis” an unacceptable security threat and humanitarian disaster, the consequences of which impact Hopkins County residents.
“Along with the immigrants coming across undocumented, we have had a large influx of drugs. Drugs are so plentiful now they are free now basically,” Sheriff Lewis Tatum said. “It’s just causing all kinds of havoc. We’ve had two ODs (over-doses) in this county recently, and one of them came back with fentanyl and we’re not sure about the most recent one; the tests aren’t back. We’ve got to get a handle on it. I spoke with the Sheriff’s Association this morning and they’re asking for help on the border states. They’re overwhelmed and officers and sheriff’s down there are just give out. They can’t handle the deceased bodies that they are finding let alone stop the immigrants coming across illegally.”
The disaster declaration noted the county judge has “determined that extraordinary measures must be taken to ensure the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of county residents.” It calls on Texas Governor to “declare the existence of an invasion on its border with Mexico and taken necessary actions to preserve and protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Texas.” Citing Article 4, Section 7 of the Texas Constitution and Article 1, Section 10, Clause 3 of the US Constitution, the declaration asks the governor to use constitutional authority to immediately prevent and remove all people invading Texas and the US.
The local disaster declaration authorizes the use of “all lawfully available resources and authority” granted by both the Texas and US Constitution. The declaration is to remain in effect until the county judge terminates it, and grants the judge authority to issue additional directives related to the issue at any time necessary or relevant.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price made a motion, which Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley seconded, approving the local disaster declaration “regarding Texas invasion.” The declaration was issued with full approval of the Commissioners Court.
Renewed Disaster Declaration
The Commissioners Court also considered renewing the disaster declaration the county judge issued last week for damages caused by the tornadoes, high winds, fallen trees and water from the storm cells which spread through Northeast Texas and Oklahoma on Nov. 4, 2022.
Two tornadoes were confirmed by the National Weather Service to have touched down within a 2-mile radius in Hopkins County, primarily in Precinct 1, although one dairy barn was damaged in Precinct 2 in the Pickton area as well In Precinct 1, four buildings — three residences and a shop — were completely destroyed and two sustained heavy damage, according to Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley.
“There’s a lot of damage. I know most of the commissioners have been out there that night helping with that. We appreciate everyone out there, including the sheriff’s office. We could not have done what we done that night without everyone’s help. It is greatly appreciated,” Endsley said.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker extended thanks to Endsley and the fire department personnel for their work in a chaotic situation.
“We have about three houses totaled this go-round and several houses and barns and other properties damaged. We will be getting some information out about how they can ask for assistance,” Barker said.
Endsley said Hopkins County was very blessed in the limited loss sustained, compared to that of neighboring Lamar and Red River counties. Hopkins County officials, after things were more or less settled Nov. 4 in Hopkins County sent fire department personnel to Lamar County and Red River County to assist. In Lamar County, where a tornado was on the ground for 22 miles Nov. 4, 37 homes were completely destroyed and over 40 heavily damaged just outside of Paris. In Red River County, a tornado was one the ground for 46 miles and destroyed 12 residences on Nov. 4.
Endsley said he has flown in a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter since the tornadoes swept through the area, observing the path the twisters took over the Red River, then touched back down in Idabel, Oklahoma, where one person was killed, and a lot of destruction was reported. He said from the sky he was also able to see where a tornado touched down after going over Highway 82 in Clarksville, covering a wide path.
County Judge Robert Newsom issued a local disaster declaration on Nov. 8, which would allow the county to apply for financial assistance if it become available. The disaster declaration has to be approved by the Commissioners Court within 7 days or it expires.
“This will help us if there’s any back side to mitigation grants, things like that. We won’t see anything on the front side, but possibility of grants and things like that that come in later as soon as the governor declares — and I anticipate pretty sooner because we had seven tornadoes through our area right here around us. Since we touch the very bottom tip of Lamar County, we will be included in that,” Endsley said.
Endsley said there are links on social media platforms where people access links to report damage. This helps give local and state officials an account of loss and damages. Damages have to reach a certain level for an area before FEMA funding becomes available, the fire marshal noted.
According to Extension Agent Mario Villarino, Texans impacted by the severe weather are encouraged to fill out an Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) survey. The information provided in the survey helps emergency management officials gain an understanding of damages that have occurred and aids officials in determining if the state meets federally-required thresholds for various forms of disaster assistance, as well as identify any immediate resource needs. The iSTAT damage survey can be filled out in multiple languages online by visiting damage.tdem.texas.gov and clicking on November 3-5, 2022: Severe Weather Event.
Precinct 1 Commissioners Mickey Barker made a motion, which Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin, seconded approving the renewal of the local disaster declaration due to damages from the tornadoes on Nov. 4, 2022. The motion was unanimously approved by the court.
Christmas In Heritage Park Offered Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, 2022
Hopkins County Historical Society will once again host Christmas in Heritage Park Saturdays, Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, 2022, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
A $3 fee is asked for everyone age 7 and older, but children ages 6 or younger will be admitted free to enjoy the old fashioned Christmas in the Park with their families at Heritage Park, 416 North Jackson St.
Lots of door prizes will be awarded, and free hot cocoa and old fashioned cider, coffee and cookies will be free to enjoy.
The lighted trees are up, the buildings are decorated. Hopkins County Historical Society members invited all to come out and help celebrate this special time of the year at Christmas in the Park.
In addition to light displays and music while strolling the grounds, Santa will be available to visit with the young and young at heart. Marshmallows can be roasted over an open fire, roasted peanuts and popcorn are also available for a fee. The Country Store has been turned into a Christmas store. Hundreds of Christmas items are for sale. All proceeds from Christmas In Heritage Park will go toward maintenance and preservation of Heritage Park.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Nov. 14 Agenda
