Measles Cases in Texas Town; Not seen in 20 Years
January 31, 2025 – In January 2025, Texas reported at least four confirmed measles cases within a two-week span, marking the state’s first occurrences of the disease since 2023. Notably, two of these cases involved school-aged children, underscoring concerns about the vulnerability of younger populations. In Lubbock, two cases were identified, representing the first instances of measles in that community in over two decades.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness transmitted through direct contact with infectious droplets or airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Symptoms typically begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a characteristic rash that starts on the face and spreads downward. Complications can include pneumonia, encephalitis, and, in severe cases, death.
Health officials emphasize the importance of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in preventing outbreaks. The CDC recommends that children receive the first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months of age and a second dose at 4 to 6 years. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are approximately 97% effective at preventing measles. Unvaccinated individuals are at a significantly higher risk of contracting the disease and experiencing severe complications.
The recent cases in Texas highlight the critical need for maintaining high vaccination rates to protect public health. Health authorities urge individuals to ensure they and their children are up to date with vaccinations to prevent further spread of this preventable disease.
Governor Abbott Directs Texas State Agencies To Reject Woke Gender Ideologies
January 31, 2025 – Austin, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter to Texas state agency heads directing them to follow state and federal law, including President Donald Trump’s executive order, in rejecting radical sexual orientation and gender identity ideologies.
“The State of Texas recognizes only two sexes—male and female—and sex discrimination consists in treating a member of one sex less favorably than the other, absent some pertinent difference,” reads the letter. “Others have sought to distort the guarantee that men and women must be treated equally in order to impose mandates concerning sexual orientation and gender identity. On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, rejecting similar efforts by the Biden-Harris Administration to distort commonsense notions of biological sex. As the Chief Executive Officer of the State, I direct you to follow state and federal law. All Texas agencies must ensure that agency rules, internal policies, employment practices, and other actions comply with the law and the biological reality that there are only two sexes—male and female.”
Under Governor Abbott’s leadership, Texas fought back against former President Joe Biden’s attempt to impose illegal sexual orientation and gender identity ideologies, including:
- Condemning President Biden’s illegal rewrite of Title IX and directing the Texas Education Agency to ignore the Biden Administration’s new rules.
- Directing Texas’ public university systems and community colleges to reject President Biden’s illegal rewrite of Title IX and refrain from implementing any new system-wide policy related to the order.
Chamber Connection – January 30, 2025
By Butch Burney
You have just a little over a week to get your tickets for the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s 98th Annual Banquet and Community Awards. We will celebrate Hopkins County and Sulphur Springs as we recognize our 2024 Citizen of the Year, Woman of the Year, Caregiver of the Year, Community Pride Award, Agriculturist of the Year, Growth and Renewal, Outstanding Professional Educator, Outstanding ParaProfessional Educator, Outstanding Auxiliary Educator Large Business of the Year, and Small Business of the Year.
We like to celebrate the great things about Hopkins County, and the best time to do it is at this annual event, which will have a Vintage Hollywood theme.
To reserve your spot, tables of 10 are $500 each and individual tickets are $30. To get reservations or tickets, call the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or email at [email protected]. A sponsorship table includes advertisement of your business at the banquet and reserved seating. You have until Feb. 7 to reserve your table.
Come and help us celebrate Hopkins County!
Cocktails and Conversation
You don’t want to miss the next Cocktails and Conversation, an after-business mixer, hosted by Money Law and Title from 5-6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at their office at the corner of Oak Avenue and Main Street.
You don’t have to be a Chamber member to attend the mixer, where there will be refreshments and opportunities to visit with one another.
Valentine’s Pop Up
Beauty Grace Lifestyle Shop will host a Valentine’s Pop Up from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, on Connally Street. There will be vendors, a food truck, perm jewelry and more!
Pancakes and More
Get your fill of pancakes, bacon and more at the Kiwanis Club’s Annual Pancake Breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 15, at the Hopkins County Civic Center. Cost is $8 per ticket and can be purchased from any Kiwanis Club member.
Ribbon Cuttings
Deep Routes and Shop the Springs will have a ribbon cutting for their two-year anniversary at noon on Friday, Jan. 24.
Dinner Bell for February 5, 2025
DINNER BELL, First United Methodist Church
SPONSOR: _Christus Health Systems_
The doors to the kitchen of the First United Methodist Church will reopen at 11:00 a.m., for meal service beginning at 11:30 a.m. Doors will close at 12:45 p.m. Please come join us, along with personnel from Christus Mother Frances Hospital, to share a meal.
Christus Health was founded on January 28, 1999, with the merger of Houston’s Sisters of Charity Health Care System and San Antonio’s Incarnate Word Health System; however, its story extends back to 1866, with the founding of St. Mary’s Hospital in Galveston, Texas by the Sisters of Charity.
In 2016 Christus merged with Trinity Mother Frances Hospital and Clinics (itself a product of a merger of two Catholic based systems) giving it a major presence in East Texas.
Facing a deadly cholera epidemic in 1866 the Catholic Bishop of Texas wrote to contacts in France for help. Three women of the new Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Incarnate Word sailed for Galveston and established Charity Infirmary (renamed St. Mary’s Infirmary).
In 1869 Cholera ravaged San Antonio and three sisters from Galveston came to that town to establish Santa Rosa Hospital. In 1937, 16 sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth order of Chicago arrived in Tyler to establish Mother Frances Hospital, opening its doors early to aid the victims of the New London tragedy that occurred on March 18 in nearby Rusk County.
In July, 2016, the Hopkins County Hospital District and Christus Health formed an alliance in which Christus became the leasing entity of the hospital building, its employees, and the medical services of the hospital.
At Christus Health helping improve the health and well being of the communities it serves with the underlying core val ues of Compassion, Excellence, Dignity, Integrity, and Stewardship. Under its umbrella are 63 hospitals in the U.S., Mexico, Columbia and Chile, employing 45,000 associates.
Christus Mother Frances is a partner with Dinner Bell six times yearly. The relationship to feed those needing a meal in Sulphur Springs and its vicinity dates back to 2017.
We plan to continue fellowship and dining inside every Wednesday with the exception of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
Parking is available at the church parking lots.
MENU:
- Hopkins County Stew
- Cheese Sticks, Pickles
- Crackers
- Garden Salad
- Lemon Cake To Die For
The Dinner Bell Ministry
First United Methodist Church
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices as flu and COVID are lurking in our midst! Wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
*We plan to continue inside dining every Wednesday …”
Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Forestry Association Received Blue Legacy Award
January 29, 2025
Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Forestry Association received Blue Legacy Award
COLLEGE STATION, Texas Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Forestry Association received the 2024 Blue Legacy Award – Legacy of Commitment at the Water for Texas Conference today. Given by the Water Conservation Advisory Council, the award recognized the Texas Forestry Best Management Practices program which the two organizations jointly administer.
The Blue Legacy Awards were created to identify and showcase responsible stewardship of water resources and honor those whose practices enhance the conservation of water. The Legacy of Commitment Award acknowledges individuals or organizations who have sustained and maintained documentation of the reduction of water consumption.
“Texas is a big state and protecting our resources – especially one as precious as water – is everyone’s responsibility,” said Al Davis, Texas A&M Forest Service Director. “Sustainable water management is especially important in Texas, where decisions about managing property can impact water quality and health of downstream ecosystems, communities, and environments. We are proud to accept this award alongside our oldest partner in conservation, the Texas Forestry Association with dedication to continued efforts in water conservation and protection.”
The Texas Forestry Best Management Practices program was established in 1989. It is a five-star model approach to addressing nonpoint source pollution in Texas. The program relies on a proactive, non-regulatory, market-based approach to protect water resources while promoting sustainable production of forest products.
“It is a tremendous honor for the Texas Forestry Association members to receive the Blue Legacy Award, recognizing decades of commitment to sustainable forestry practices,” said Rob Hughes, Texas Forestry Association Executive Director. “The Texas Forestry Best Management Practices program is vital in protecting our state’s natural resources by providing practical guidelines that ensure clean water, healthy forests, and thriving wildlife habitats. This program has empowered private landowners and loggers across Texas to manage their forests responsibly, creating lasting ecosystem and economic benefits for generations to come.”
East Texas has 13.7 million acres of forestland. The forest sector contributes over $41.6 billion to the state’s economy and is a key provider of jobs and economic activity for rural areas.
The Texas Forestry Best Management Practices program has resulted in the establishment of over 1.4 million acres in forested streamside management zones, areas near water that are managed to protect water quality. Annually, the program prevents 9,685 tons of sediment from reaching streams, lakes and rivers.
The program provides education and training for loggers, foresters, landowners and the public. Since its start, 3,700 logging contractors have been trained and 7,250 landowners have attended workshops on best management practices. To demonstrate these practices, commonly implemented best management practices have also been established in State Forests.
To monitor the program, Texas A&M Forest Service foresters randomly select normal forest operations to evaluate the level of BMP implementation in Texas. Approximately 150 sites, across all ownership groups, are monitored, analyzed and reported every three years. These reports have shown that overall best management practices implementation has increased by over 15% since the development of the program.
Read more about Texas Forestry Best Management Practices at https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/BestManagementPractices/.
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Attorney General Ken Paxton Stops Austin Business from Operating International Human Trafficking Scheme
January 30, 2025 – Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a $250,000 settlement of the State’s labor trafficking lawsuit against Austin Eco Bilingual School, a Spanish immersion preschool, and its owners and operators, Adriana and Enrique Rodriguez. The settlement amount is equal to the maximum fine for a violation of Texas’s civil anti-trafficking law.
In 2021, Attorney General Paxton brought a civil racketeering action against Austin Eco Bilingual School and Adriana Rodriguez for trafficking at least seven employees. The suit also accused Enrique Rodriguez of unlawfully benefiting from the trafficking enterprise. The owners of Austin Eco Bilingual School allegedly lured foreign-born employees to Texas with promises of lawful status, a decent salary, and a rewarding career, who were then trafficked for their labor.
The lawsuit accused Adriana Rodriguez, once named the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Businesswoman of the Year, of sabotaging and controlling her employees’ ability to work legally in the U.S. and threatening to have employees deported, arrested, or separated from their children if they did not continue to work – often for far less pay than promised or no pay at all. According to court records, Rodriguez threatened trafficked employees by highlighting her connections to high-ranking law enforcement and other government officials, one of the identified victims quoting Rodriguez as allegedly saying, “I am a very important person, and I can destroy you whenever I choose.”
“This settlement will ensure that no one is subjected to the horrors of human trafficking or unlawful labor practices,” said Attorney General Paxton. “The actions alleged in the lawsuit were despicable and I am pleased to have secured justice for the victims. I will use every tool at my disposal to prevent companies from operating unlawful labor trafficking schemes using imported foreign workers.”
This outcome was made possible only through the bravery and perseverance of the victims, and the cooperation of dozens of witnesses. If you or someone you know may have been a victim of labor trafficking at Austin Eco Bilingual School or elsewhere, please contact the Office of the Attorney General, Human Trafficking and Transnational/Organized Crime Section at (512) 463-1646 or [email protected].
Flu Cases Force Some North East Texas Schools to Close
January 29, 2025 – In Northeast Texas, flu cases have surged, significantly impacting schools and communities. Many school districts have reported widespread illness among students and staff, leading to closures and disruptions. While some districts have shut down to curb the spread, others, like Caddo Mills ISD, remain open despite extremely low attendance rates.
The following schools and districts have announced closures:
Comanche ISD – Closed until Jan. 30
Godley ISD – Closed until Feb. 3
Treetops School International – Closed until Feb. 3
The flu season has hit particularly hard this year, with a rise in cases of both influenza A and B, as well as other respiratory illnesses. Schools have struggled to maintain operations as absences climb, with some reporting attendance rates dropping well below normal levels. Health officials continue to urge preventive measures, including vaccinations, frequent handwashing, and staying home when sick.
Districts that remain open, such as Caddo Mills ISD, face challenges balancing educational needs with public health concerns. Some parents and educators worry that keeping schools open amid high infection rates could contribute to further spread. Meanwhile, school officials monitor the situation closely, making decisions based on attendance data and health department recommendations.
As flu cases continue to rise, Northeast Texas communities remain vigilant, hoping for a decline in infections soon. In the meantime, schools, parents, and healthcare providers work together to minimize the impact on students and families.
Two New Commissioners Ready for New Terms
January 29, 2025 – Hopkins County elected two new commissioners last year and those new terms started January 1st for Wesley Miller (Precinct 1) and Travis Thompson (Precinct 3). Both newly elected commissioners have already been to training in their first month of service and have hit the ground running with several regularly scheduled commissioner meetings and work sessions.
During the regular meeting of the Hopkins County Commissoner’s Court on Tuesday January 28th, Precinct 1 Commissioner Welsey Miller moved some money around paying off one piece of equipment (backhoe) and agreeing to purchase a new excavator in another transaction. Precinct 1 will soon take possession of a new Kubota KX080-5R3A excavator from Farm Country after the court agreed to finance the new equipment through City National Bank.
All four Hopkins County Precincts got a boost to their budgets as Hopkins County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook reported the county had finally recieved some FEMA monies from an earlier disaster submission and those funds were distributed to each precinct in the following amounts. Precinct 1: 45,892.97, Precinct 2: 128,236.79 Precinct 3: 55,338.24 and Precinct 4: 45,504.38.
In addition to the FEMA funds, Precinct 3 settled an insurance claim receiving approximately $85,000 in settlement funds that will reduce the precinct’s debt load, and Precinct 4 received $168,969.49 from Delek U.S. Holdings presumably as a remainder of the settlement agreed to in December 2021 although the terms of that settlement were undisclosed. Delek owns a pipeline in Hopkins County that suffered a rupture and enormous diesel spill in October 2019.
In other county business, Civic Center director Alina Sanders honored outgoing Civic Center Board Members Kevin Gibson and Danny Evans thanking them for their valuable service to the board.
TPWD Finalizes Purchase of 2,020 Acres Near Colorado Bend State Park
January 28, 2025 – AUSTIN – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) laid the groundwork for a new state park in Central Texas with the purchase of 2,020 acres in Burnet County.
The property includes two miles along the Colorado River and is located across the river from Colorado Bend State Park. Its purchase solidifies phase one of a potential two-phase property purchase to create a new state park comprising more than 3,000 acres.
TPWD is exploring an additional 1,100-acre property in Lampasas and Burnet counties which was presented at the Jan. 22-23 Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting. The commission authorized TPWD’s executive director to take all necessary steps to acquire the approximately 1,100 acres from a willing seller.
TPWD purchased the 2,020-acre property utilizing a combination of a one-time funding appropriation and funds from sporting goods sales tax. The new state park will be developed through the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, a $1 billion fund overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2023 to create a dedicated funding stream for acquiring and developing new state parks.
This land acquisition is one of many made by the TPWD in recent months, with the goal of expanding public access to Texas’ natural spaces in more corners of the state. This achievement joins the previous two acquisitions totaling 3,703 acres at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area along with the purchase of the 500-acre Lake Colorado City State Park, amongst others.
“It’s great to see these acquisitions which will provide public access and conserve their beautiful landscapes for years to come,” said Jeff Hildebrand, Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. “This property near the current Colorado Bend State Park is the cornerstone for what will be a brand-new park.”
When notified of available properties, TPWD conducts a due diligence review to determine the property’s feasibility as a state park. In this case, TPWD determined the property’s outstanding natural and historic features made this property an excellent candidate as a new state park.
“It is exciting to add another incredible property that will eventually become a new Texas State Park,” said Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks. “This acquisition will give visitors access to enjoy the beautiful Colorado River and the diverse landscapes that are featured across the property. It is fun to imagine generations of Texans enjoying the scenic views and outdoor adventures awaiting on this property. It is also great to see our team and families work together to leave this legacy for Texas.”
The property features rugged hills, diverse native habitats and the aforementioned two miles of river front on the Colorado River. It is approximately ten miles upstream from Lake Buchanan and will create additional recreational opportunities and habitat protection.
Now that the sale is complete, TPWD will develop a plan with input from the public to determine recreational opportunities for the property. This plan may take many months to complete, but TPWD will communicate upcoming milestones, including a potential opening date.
New Beginnings Healing and Deliverance Ministries Plans Two Exciting Events in February
January 27, 2025 – New Beginnings Healing and Deliverance Ministries will host their monthly “The Lord’s Supper” free community wide meal February 1, 2025, from 11am to 2pm. The February Menu includes meat loaf, green beans, and more. The event will be held at 717 East Jefferson St., in Sulphur Springs, Texas. For more information, please call 903-335-7689.
Then, on February 15th, New Beginnings Healing and Deliverance Ministries will host their Women’s Conference, “Her Testimony Helped Me.” This event will be held from 9am to 2pm. The host will be Pastor Deborah Sharper. Guests include Carla Strogen, Juanita Gardner, Leah Walker, and more. This event will be held at 717 East Jefferson Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas. For more details, please call 903-335-7689.
