September 2021 Unemployment Rates Below State Average In Only 3 Counties In NET Workforce Development Area
Unemployment on average continued to decline, although by less than 1 percent, across the state last month as was the case for all except one county in Northeast Texas Workforce Development Area. Franklin, Hopkins and Delta were the only counties in the nine-county Northeast Texas WDA with September 2021 unemployment rates below the state average of 4.9 percent, according to the Local Area Unemployment Statistics report published by Texas Labor Market Information for Texas Workforce Commission. In fact, while unemployment as a whole declined from 5.4 percent in August 2021, the Northeast Texas WDA unemployment rate of 5.2 percent was still 0.7 percent higher than the state average.
Franklin County continued to lead the local WDA with a 4 percent unemployment rate, which could be due in a decrease in the civilian labor force, from 5,322 with 5,098 working in August 2021 to 5,269 with 5,058 working in September. Both months are better than in September 2020, when Franklin County had a 5.4 percent unemployment rate, with only 4,598 of the civilian labor force of 4,859 employed.
Hopkins County finished just behind Franklin County with 4.1 percent unemployment rate for September 2021, down from 4.3 percent in August 2021 and 5.3 percent in September 2020. While smaller than the 17,608 of September 2020, Hopkins County’s civilian labor force grew from 17,396 in August 2021 to 17,513 in September 2021. The number of people unemployed also has continued to decline from 927 in September 2020 to 748 in August 2021 and 710 unemployed Hopkins County residents last month.
The 4.1 percent unemployment rate in Hopkins County in September 2021, is the lowest since COVID shutdowns caused the unemployment rate to rise from 3.1 percent in January and February 2020 to 4.3 percent in March 2020 and 7.8 percent in April. While much improved, the September 2021 unemployment rate is still higher than the 21-year September record low of 2.9 percent set in 2019. The average so far for the first 9 months of the year for Hopkins County is a 4.9 percent 2021 unemployment rate.
Delta County’s September 2021 unemployment rate is less than the 4.9 state average and 5.2 percent WDA average. The overall unemployment rate for Delta County, however, did not change from August to September 2021. The Delta County unemployment rate did dip from 5.5 percent in September 2020 to 4.7 percent in August 2021 and September 2021. Delta County’s civilian labor force of 2,418 in September 2021 was two more than last year, and 16 more than in August 2021. A total of 2,283 people were unemployed in September of 2020, rose to 2,288 in August 2021 and 2,305 in September 2021.
Titus County’s unemployment rate fell to 5 percent in September 2021, with 661 of the 13,291 member CLF without employment. That’s down from 6.7 percent one year before, when 912 of 13,517 CLF were unemployed and 709 of 13,190 CLF unemployed in August 2021.
Bowie and Lamar Counties each matched the NETWDA unemployment rate of 5.2 percent for September 2021.
That’s a 0.6 percent drop from August 2021 to September 2021 and almost a full 2 percent drop from the 7.3 percent unemployment rate post in September 2020 for Bowie County. The CFL rose from 38,540 in August 2021 to 38,844 in September 2021, which were both less than the 38,893 CFL reported in September 2020. The number employed has continued to rise along with the CLF, from 36,052 employed in Bowie County in September 2021, to 36,391 in August 2021 and 36,844 in September 2021.
The unemployment rate in the city of Texarkana in Bowie County dropped from 8.1 percent in September 2020 to 6.5 percent in August 2021 and 5.5 percent in September 2021. The CLF hasn’t quit returned to the 15,065 of September 2020, but the did increase from 14,925 in August 2021 to 14,968 last month. The number employed has continued to rise, from 13,843 in September 2020 to 13,972 in August 2021 and 14,141 in September 2021, leaving 827 unemployed last month compared to 953 unemployed in Texarkana one month before and 1,223 one year before.
Although below the WDA average, Lamar County did experience a 0.2 percent increase from August 2021 to September 2021, but still a 1.3 percent decrease in unemployment over September 2020. This is due in part to a rise in Lamar County’s CLF from 24,132 in August 2021 to 24,248 in September 2021, both of which are up from the September 2020 CLF of 23,904. While 1,558 were unemployed in September 2020 in Lamar County, only 1,211 members of the CFL were without jobs in August 2021, and 1,272 in September 2021.
The unemployment rate in the city of Paris, in Lamar County, has continued to decline from 7.5 percent with 868 of the 11,551 CLF unemployed in September 2020, to 702 of 11,660 unemployed in August 2021 and 668 of 11,652 unemployed in September 2021, according to the TMLI data.
Red River County’s unemployment rate of 5.6 percent was unchanged from August 2021 to September 2021, both less than the 6.3 percent unemployment rate recorded for September 2020. The civilian labor force in Red River County increased by only one person from September 2020 to 4,237 in August 2021, although the number employed rose from 4,906 in September 2020 to 4,944 in August 2021.. The CLF shrunk to 5,209 in September 2021, and the number of employed shrank to 4,919 last month.
Cass County’s unemployment rate fell 2.4 percent from 8.4 percent with 1,036 of the 12,396 CFL without employment in September 2020 to 6 percent with 720 of the 12,061 member CFL without employment in September 2021. Month over month, the unemployment rate dropped for 0.4 percent with 774 of the 12,149 member CLF unemployed in August 2021.
Rounding out NET WDA list is Morris County, which continues to have the highest jobless rate of 9.8 percent, with 437 of the 4,470 member CLF without jobs in September 2021. That’s still down from 13.8 percent with 657 of the 4,761 member CLF unemployed one year before. The September 2021 unemployment rate was also 0.6 percent lower than one month before, when 466 of 4,498 were without jobs.
Thursday Night Freshmen Football Game at 5:30 P.M. Moved to Multi-Purpose Building
The freshman Wildcats football team’s Thursday night game has been moved from Gerald Prim Stadium to the Multi-Purpose Building.
Thursday night’s freshmen contest will kick-off at 5:30 P.M.
From Coach Greg Owens:
Due to 40 mph winds – we are moving the 9th grade football game at 5:30 P.M. to the Multi-purpose building. Fans and parents will sit in the end zones – please bring a chair – No Food or Drink.
Fan parking will be in the student parking lot or by softball field.
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.
Wildcats Soccer Winter 2021-22 Season Schedule Released
Wildcats soccer coach Alexi Upton released the winter 2021-22 seasons schedule after one final match had been resolved.
While the men’s soccer program will sorely miss 11 seniors who graduated in the spring semester, Coach Upton said during the Edge summer strength and conditioning program that he was most impressed with incoming freshmen and sophomores who put in good work each and every practice.
Regardless of who they lost though, the Edge saw impressive numbers throughout the summer.
On top of that, the soccer program had an incredible showing for the youth camp held each summer at the Multi-Purpose building.
Coach Upton and his young bucks will be all too excited to get back on the field and get back in action when the JV1 and JV2 (freshmen) teams host Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill on Friday, Dec. 11.
Varsity will get their season underway when they host a quad-match of scrimmages between the Wildcats, Celina, Pittsburg, and Lindale the following day on Saturday, Dec. 12.
Scrimmages will continue through December until Sulphur Springs hosts the annual alumni game on New Year’s Day on Jan. 1.
Pre-season or non-district play for the Wildcats soccer team will commence for the JV1 and JV2/freshmen team on Tuesday, Jan. 4 as they host Mineola and the varsity team will take part in the Forney tourney starting Thursday, Jan. 6 and lasting until Saturday, Jan. 8 to begin their regular season.
The first home game during the regular season for coach Alexi Upton and his boys will be on Tuesday, Jan. 11 when the Wildcats host Terrell. That match will begin at 7:15 P.M. and JV1 and JV2 will precede the varsity at 4 P.M. and 5:30 P.M. respectively.
Tournament play for the men’s soccer team will continue until the end of January, followed by a long trip to Nacogdoches on the 25th to wrap up non-district play.
The district season is as follows:
- Friday, Jan. 28 at Longview
- Tuesday, Feb. 1 at Mount Pleasant
- Friday, Feb. 4 versus Texas High
- Tuesday, Feb. 8 at Marshall
- Friday, Feb. 11 versus Pine Tree
- Friday, Feb. 15 at Hallsville
- Tuesday, Feb. 22 versus Longview
- Friday, Feb. 25 versus Mount Pleasant
- Tuesday, Mar. 1 at Texas High
- Friday, Mar. 4 versus Marshall
- Tuesday, Mar. 8 at Pine Tree
- Tuesday, Mar. 15 versus Hallsville
All games in bold are home, and all times listed are varsity teams. For district foes that have junior varsity teams, JV plays at 4 P.M. and the JV2 (freshmen) will follow at 5:30 P.M.
In addition, an appreciation night will be held during these games:
- Feb. 4 versus Texas High is teacher appreciation night
- Feb. 4 versus Marshall is junior high night
- and Mar. 15 versus Hallsville is senior night
For the full men’s soccer schedule, click here.
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.
Early Voting Concludes Oct. 29 In Constitutional Amendments, North Hopkins ISD, Cumby City Council Elections
Early voting got off to a slow start last Monday and continued voter turn out has continued to be low in the Nov. 2, 2021 Constitutional Amendment, North Hopkins ISD trustees and Cumby City Council Elections. A total of 20 ballots were cast by Hopkins County voters during the first day of the early voting period. When the poll closed Tuesday, a total of 194 ballots had been cast; 39 more voters visited the polls through 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, for a total of 233 ballots cast as of 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, according to the voter totals posted by the election judge Wednesday evening. Low voter turnout is not uncommon for Constitutional Amendment Elections.
Early Voting
All early voting by personal appearance will conclude at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, in the Hopkins County Justice of the Peace #2 Courtroom, located inside the Hopkins County Annex Building at 128 Jefferson St., Suite C. Those planning to cast an early ballot in person may take advantage of the extended voting period which began at 7 a.m. this morning and will continue until 7 p.m. tonight (Oct. 28) , or stop by the JP #2 Courtroom between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29.
Voted ballots by mail must be received by Early Voting Clerk/County Clerk Tracy Smith no later than 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021.
Early voting parking is available across the street from the County Clerk’s Office on Rosemont Street.
Election Day Voting
On Election Day, Nov. 2, 2021, voters may cast ballots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at any of the 12 designated voting locations:
North Hopkins ISD Election
Hopkins County voters who reside within North Hopkins ISD will be asked to choose up to two candidates to fill two trustees seats on NHISD Board of Trustees.Candidates are selected at-large, so the two candidates receiving the most votes will be elected to serve a full three-year term on the school board.
Candidates for the school election include Ellis Dicus, Robert McPherson, Jennifer Harrington and Michael S. James.
The NHISD General Election appears after the eight Texas Constitutional Amendments on the sample ballot. (Trustees election sample ballot pictured at right or click here for a full sample ballot, including NHISD Trustees election.)
Cumby Election
The City of Cumby is holding a General Election for Alderman Places 3, 4 and 5 on the City Council. The Council had originally called for a Special Election to fill Alderman Places 1 and 2 on the City Council as well, but reportedly canceled the special election due to lack of candidates
The Cumby General Election is listed at the end of the sample ballot (At left). Neither Wayne Mobley nor Ryan Horne drew challengers for another term on the City Council, thus, Mobley is the only candidate for Alderman Place 3 and Horne the lone candidate on the ballot for Alderman Place 5 on Cumby City Council.
Cumby voters will be asked to choose between Allie Crocker and Katherine Flinn for Alderman Place 4 to serve a full term on the City Council. (Click here to view or download a full sample ballot Cumby City Council.)
Constitutional Amendments Election
All registered Hopkins County voters also have the opportunity to select their choices on eight Texas Constitutional Amendment Propositions. Voters will be asked to vote either for or against the following propositions:
- Proposition Number 1 – HJR 143 proposes a constitutional amendment expanding the circumstances in which a professional sports team charitable foundation may conduct raffles to raise money for the foundation’s charitable purposes. The proposed amendment would allow professional sports team charitable foundations of organizations sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association to hold charitable raffles at rodeo events.
- Proposition Number 2 – HJR 99 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to authorize a county to issue bonds or notes to finance the development or redevelopment of an unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted area within the county and to pledge for repayment of those bonds or notes increases in property tax revenues imposed on property in the area by the county. The Texas Constitution gives the legislature the power to authorize an incorporated city or town to issue such bonds or notes but does not expressly give the legislature the power to grant that same authority to counties. The proposed amendment also provides that a county that issues bonds or notes for transportation improvements may not pledge for the repayment of those bonds or notes more than 65 percent of the increases in ad valorem tax revenues each year, and a county may not use proceeds from the bonds or notes to finance the construction, operation, maintenance, or acquisition of rights-of-way of a toll road.
- Proposition Number 3 – SJR 27 proposes a constitutional amendment barring the State of Texas or a political subdivision from enacting, adopting, or issuing a statute, order, proclamation, decision, or rule that prohibits or limits religious services. The proposed amendment would apply to religious services, including those conducted in churches, congregations, and places of worship, in the state by a religious organization established to support and serve the propagation of a sincerely held religious belief.
- Proposition Number 4 – SJR 47 proposes a constitutional amendment changing certain eligibility requirements for a justice of the Supreme Court, a judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals, a justice of a court of appeals, and a district judge. The proposed amendment provides that a person is eligible to serve on the Supreme Court if the person, among other qualifications, is licensed to practice law in Texas; is a resident of Texas at the time of election; has been either a practicing lawyer licensed in Texas for at least ten years or a practicing lawyer licensed in Texas and a judge of a state court or county court established by the legislature for a combined total of at least ten years; and during that time has not had the person’s license to practice law revoked, suspended, or subject to a probated suspension. The same eligibility requirements would apply to a judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals and to a justice of a court of appeals. The proposed amendment further provides that to be eligible for appointment or election as a district judge, a person must be a resident of Texas; be licensed to practice law in Texas; and have been a practicing lawyer or a judge of a court in Texas, or both combined, for eight years preceding the person’s election, during which time the person’s license to practice law has not been revoked, suspended, or subject to a probated suspension.
- Proposition Number 5 – HJR 165 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC) to accept complaints or reports, conduct investigations, and take any other authorized action with respect to a candidate for a state judicial office. Currently, the Texas Constitution only permits the SCJC to take such actions as to persons holding a judicial office.
- Proposition Number 6 -SJR 19 proposes a constitutional amendment establishing that residents of certain facilities have the right to designate an essential caregiver with whom the facility may not prohibit in-person visitation. The proposed amendment would apply to a nursing facility, assisted living facility, intermediate care facility for individuals with an intellectual disability, residence providing home and community-based services, or state supported living center. The proposed amendment also would authorize the legislature to provide guidelines for these facilities to follow in establishing essential caregiver visitation policies and procedures.
- Proposition Number 7 – HJR 125 proposes a constitutional amendment permitting a person who is 55 years of age or older at the time of death of their spouse who is receiving a limitation on school district property taxes on their residence homestead on the basis of a disability to continue receiving the limitation while the property remains the surviving spouse’s residence homestead.
- Proposition Number 8 – SJR 35 proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the United States armed services who is killed or fatally injured in the line of duty. The Texas Constitution provides a property tax exemption to the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services who is killed in action, but the current exemption does not include members of the military who die during their service due to injuries sustained that are not combat-related.
Halloween Contest Lunch, Costume Contest Free for All Seniors!
Senior Citizens of Hopkins County! Don’t forget that the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center Halloween Party will be this Friday, October 29th at 11:00. Karon will be serving Taco Soup, Cornbread and Chocolate Cake. There will be a costume contest with prizes. Everyone will get a treat bag to take home! It’s free and fun and you’ll meet new friends!
Five Arrested On Felony Warrants
Five people were arrested on felony warrants, including a man and woman were arrested at separate locations on warrants not only were found to be wanted on controlled substance related charges, but were also found to be in possession of a controlled substance at the time of arrest, according to sheriff’s reports.
FM 2297 Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputies stopped a Honda Accord at 1:02 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, on FM 2297 at Wildcat Way for disregarding a stop sign and what Deputy Drew Fisher described in arrest reports as suspicious activity.
Upon contact with driver Shelia Ann Grimes, he noted the 39-year-old Emory woman appeared nervous and stated she was in the area looking to see if a house was vacant. Because of the time of night and recent burglaries in the area, he asked and received Grimes’ permission to search the car.
Communications operators had completed a records check using the woman’s ID information, and reported she had an outstanding Hopkins County warrant for violation of probation, which she was on for possession of 1-4 grams of a controlled subtance, Fisher and Deputy Josh Davis alleged in arrest reports. Grimes was taken into custody on the warrant.
While searching her car, deputies found a crystal-like substance that tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 0.4 grams, resulting in a new charge for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1/1B controlled substance.
She remained in Hopkins Coutny jail Wednesday night, held on the probation charge. Bond on the new charge was set at $5,000.
South Hillcrest Drive Arrest
HCSO Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputy Josh Davis spotted Ernesto Arellano Martinez, a 39-year-old Sulphur Springs man they knew had an outstanding warrant, with a parked Chevrolet Tahoe at a Hillcrest Drive business at 9:12 p.m. Oct. 26, 2021.
They approached and placed him into custody on the manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone warrant.When asked if he had anything illegal in the SUV, he admitted to having methamphetamine.
Deputies located meth inside a cigarette package. He then allegedly admitted to meeting at the location to sell methamphetamine. A dollar bill located in the vehicle also was noted to have a small amount of meth folded inside of it. The crystal-like substance tested positive for meth and weighed 7.8 grams, resulting in Martinez being jailed not only on the warrant but also on a new delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, Steward and Davis alleged in arrest reports.
He was also with insufficient bond on a possession of controlled substance and marijuana charges. He remained in Hopkins County jail on all four charges Wednesday night, Oct. 27, 2021.
Kyle Street Arrest
HCSO Deputy Richard Brantley contacted James Lon Keel III at 4:10 p.m. Oct. 26, 2021, while at the 32-year-old’s residence investigating a vehicle burglary. A records check confirmed Keel to be wanted in Fannin County.
Brantley took Keel into custody and transported him to jail a warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance.
The Sulphur Springs man remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday night, Oct. 27, 2021, on the Fannin County warrants.
Jailed At HCSO
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Elijah Fite took Tony Lynn McPherson Jr. into custody at 1:21 p.m. Oct. 26, in the jail sallyport on a warrant.
The 34-year-old Sulphur Springs man was booked into jail on the outstanding violation of probation on an evading arrest or detention with previous conviction charge. McPherson was held in the county jail Wednesday night, Oct. 27, 2021, on the felony warrant.
Gilmer Street Arrest
HCSO Sgt. Todd Evans located Tyler Gerard Maloney, a wanted man, at 12:45 p.m. Oct. 26 at his place of work. Evans took the 24-year-old Sulphur Springs man into custody on the outstanding charge.
Maloney was booked into and reained in Hopkins County jail at 1:37 p.m. Tuesday and remained there on the warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for theft of a firearm.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Commissioners Approve ETCADA MOU, Non-Consent Towing Advisory Board Appointements, Home-Delivered Meal Grant Program
Hopkins County Commissioners Court approve an ETCADA MOU, Non-Consent Towing Advisory Board appointments, and a home-delivered meal grant program during the regular court session conducted earlier this week.
Non-Consent Towing Advisory Board
If a driver is in the vehicle, which could be an 18-wheeler down to a passenger vehicle, is unable to consent or pick their towing company during a crash or arrest, law enforcement will call for the next towing service on the list. There are currently four towing services in Hopkins County, with a rotating list for such calls as appropriate for the type of vehicle to be towed, according to Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom.
A five-member advisory board oversees this. One of the board members died. The Commissioners Court was to then consider replacing that individual with Calyn Flores.
“She has asked to be on the board and I believe she’ll be good on the board,” Newsom said, when recommending Flores to fill the open seat on the board during the regular Commissioners Court meeting on Oct. 25, 2021. “We haven’t had a meeting lately so we need ot have a meeting soon.”
The Commissioners Court approved Flores, then was asked to consider reappointing Newsom, Beth Wisenbaker, Jason Cunningham and Corley Weatherford to the Non-Consent Towing Advisory Board; the board members serve two-year terms. The court approved the reappointments.
ETCADA MOU
The Commissioners Court, at the recommendation of Newsom, approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with East Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
“This is something we do every year, because they work with our people of Hopkins County in assisting them in counseling and other areas of alcoholism and drug abuse. They are a very fine organization,” Newsom said, then asked the court to consider approving the MOU with ETCADA.
ETCADA’s mission is to provide recovery support services and reduce substance use through education and intervention. We also help young adults successfully transition into adulthood by providing services to address essential needs. ETCADA utilizes LCDCs to provide screenings and assessments. Recovery coaches focus on helping those attending recovery and group meetings reach their goals. A variety of education and pervention programs are also accessible through ETCADA.
ETCADA serves a 23-county area comprised of Anderson, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Delta, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Panola, Rains, Red River, Rusk, Smith, Titus, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood. ETCADA has locations in Longview, Tyler, Paris and Pittsburg.
Meal Grant Program
The court also re-authorized the county grant program for Texas Department of Agriculture Texans Feeding Texans: Home-Delivered Meal Grant Program 2022.
“We were asked about 5 years ago to take over meal provider services here in Hopkins County. We were glad to do that. If you’re not familiar, we are known as Meals On Wheels commonly throughout the area. What we do is we provide a noon-time meal to seniors and disabled individuals. The meal is served by a dietitian that is diabetic friendly,” said Cara Welch, director of operations.
Meals are served Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and Tuesday, Thursday in Hopkins County. Meals are prepared in Lamar County, delivered to drivers in Sulphur Springs, who then deliver the meals to the local residents.During the last funding year, 25,000 of the 220,000 meals prepared by the Lamar County-based program went to Hopkins County residents. In addition to providing meals, the program too provides blankets and heaters in the winter and fans in the summer for those resident recipients in need of them, Welch explained. The program provides meals for Lamar, Hopkins, Delta Red River and Rains counties.
The program has continued to operate during COVID. The only change has been in eligibility requirements. All requirements except age have been eliminated, Welch noted. To receive meals, the recipient must be 60 years or older. That made obtaining additional funding to make and deliver the meals necessary.
The $10,000 we receive from Hopkins County opens us up to receive grants like the Texans Feeding Texans from the Texas Department of Agriculture. Last year, we received about $7,000 from them, which equates to about 3,000 meals. If we did not receive that, we would not have been able to provide. So, we greatly appreciate it,” Welch said.
“It’s an amazing program for our people in Hopkins County for people in Hopkins County,” Newsom said.
The Johnson & Johnson COVID Vaccine And Booster Now Available
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
No Excuses – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Nothing will keep us from making your breast health a priority, whether you need a mammogram, help choosing the right physician or treatment plan, from chemotherapy to radiation to surgery. We provide safe, high-quality care in our brand new, state-of-the-art Ruth & Jack Gillis Women’s Center.
Schedule an appointment for your local 3D mammogram today by calling 903-438-4325.
Thank you for your patience
Due to COVID-19 cases in Hopkins County, please expect “longer than usual” wait times in the Emergency Department. Rest assured we are doing everything we can to provide high quality care in a timely manner. Thank you in advance for allowing us to provide for your healthcare needs, while extending grace to our staff.
COVID Vaccine Clinics
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs will host a COVID Vaccine Clinic every Friday morning from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the main lobby of the hospital until further notice. The available vaccines include Moderna (2-doses, ages 18 and older) and Pfizer (2-doses, ages 12 and older) and Johnson & Johnson (1-dose, ages 18 and older). This includes all three brands of boosters for fully vaccinated people. Appointments not required, but parent/guardian must accompany anyone 17 and younger.
Missing COVID card?
Don’t worry – We manage your medical records if you had your vaccine administered at a CHRISTUS location. You may log in to your “MyChart” account to access the record. If you don’t have a MyChart account, you can call 903-885-3181 to get that setup. You will need a working email address. Or, you may contact Health Information Management. If you need medical records, please use one of the following options:
- Please call 903-439-4045 to speak to staff members who can send your records to care providers for you or to request your medical records. You will need to complete an authorization form, complete and return, along with a copy of your identification, to our office via fax or email. The fax number is 903-439-4704.
- We are available Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hospital Visitation
Please note the following guidelines:
- Visitors must acquire masks themselves prior to entering our facility; cloth masks are acceptable. Masks must cover both the nose and the mouth. Visitors must remain masked during their time in the hospital.
- Minor-aged visitors must be accompanied by an adult, be free of symptoms and able to comply with masking and hygiene expectations throughout the visit.
- Emergency Department entrance open 24/7
- Main Entrance open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday
- Gift Shop open
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Types of Visitors:
- COVID receiving aerosol treatments: via tele-visitation only.
- COVID not receiving aerosol treatments: 1 Essential support person for the duration of hospital stay. Essential support person will be given a visible wrist band for identification purposes.
- ICU/ER: 1 Essential support person only.
- All other patients may have 1 Essential support person and 1 visitor (up to 2 persons in room at a time).
- Types of Visitors:
Orthopedic | Sports Medicine
FREE Saturday Athletic Injury Clinic for student athletes of all ages continues every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. through November 13. Athletes will get an exam and free x-ray to determine a plan of care to treat their injury. The clinic location is CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Orthopedic Office at 103B Medical Circle in Sulphur Springs.
For more information about our Sports Medicine program, or Orthopedic services, please call our office at 903.885.6688.
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Urgent Care Hours of Operation
The CHRISTUS Urgent Care hours of operation are as follows:
- In-Person Care Hours
- Monday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, closed
- Wednesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Sunday, closed.
- Virtual Visit Hours
- Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- To schedule a virtual visit, please visit urgentcare.christushealth.org, then select your location and click “Virtual Visit”
The Urgent Care is located at 1339 South Broadway St., and the phone number to call is 903.951.1001.
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
Hopkins County, Other Local Taxing Entities To Receive Funding From Opioid Settlements
Hopkins County Commissioners Court this week approved a Johnson & Johnson Opioid Settlement agreement. County of Hopkins Vs. Purdue Pharma L.P., Et Al Cause No. 2018-166 is one of several lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies that manufactured opioids Hopkins County has joined in previous years, according to Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom.
“A number of years ago, we went into a lawsuit against the companies producing opiates that have really caused destruction across the United States. We went in as Hopkins County,” Newsom explained during the regular meeting of the Commissioners Court held earlier this week.
As part of the settlement of the suit, Hopkins County will receive $39,365 from Johnson & Johnson, as one lump sum settlement instead of multiple payments over time.
“This money has to be used for reparations of the opioid problems in Hopkins County. We did have many a few number of years ago. It’s better now. We will be working on that with the sheriff and with other county officials as well, perhaps the hospital, to use that money properly,” Newsom said. “It is a good thing. We’ve got several other companies that have been sued. This is just the first of several we will be taking up the next few months,” Newsom said during the Oct. 25, 2021 Commissioners Court session.
Paxton Announces Details of $290 Million Opioid Settlement
According to an Oct. 26, 2021, release from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the funding is part of an overall $290 million statewide opioid settlement with Johnson & Johnson to resolve opioid-related claims. The agreement will largely track the terms of the Global Prescription Opioid Litigation Settlement Agreement that was announced July 23, 2021. As part of the settlement, Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay $291,841,754.89 into the Qualified Settlement Fund, representing Texas’s allocation of the Global Abatement Settlement.
“I am pleased that all parties have reached final agreement on this monumental settlement. This is the next step to bring much-needed funding for Texans who have fallen victim to the irresponsible and deceptive marketing practices from opioid manufacturers that spurred this epidemic,” Attorney General Paxton said. “My office will continue to aggressively work to hold those accountable for causing this crisis. These funds will bring life-changing resources to those victimized by this tragic crisis.”
In addition to the funds from Johnson & Johnson, Texas is also slated to receive up to $1.2 billion from the three distributors, which will bring to Texas up to $1.5 billion in funding for statewide opioid abatement efforts, the AG reported.
According to the 111-page Janssen Texas State-Wide Opioid Settlement Agreement and Settlement Term Sheet posted by the AG’s office Tuesday, several local entities, including Hopkins County will receive a portion of funding, which would resolve Janssen’s portion of the suits: State of Texas v. Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. et al., Cause No. D-1-GN-19-005458; County of Dallas v. Purdue Pharma, L.P. et al., MDL Pretrial Cause No. 2018-77098 and County of Bexar v. Purdue Pharma, L.P. et al., MDL Pretrial Cause No. 2018-77066, both bellwether cases in In re: Texas Opioid Litigation, MDL No. 18-0358 (Harris County, Texas); Tarrant County v. Purdue Pharma, L.P. et al., MDL No. 2804, Case No. TXN/3:18-cv00518; and cases brought by Participating Subdivisions. Janssen doesn’t admit to “any violation of law, rule, or regulation, or of any other matter of fact or law, or of any liability or wrongdoing.”
Texas municipal area allocations combined account for 15 percent or $15 million of the overall settlement. County numbers refer to distribution to the county governments after payment to cities within county borders has been made. Minimum distribution to each county is $1,000, according to Exhibit B of the settlement document posted by the AG’s Office.
Among the local municipal area allocations are the following:
| Municipalities in Hopkins and Surrounding Counties | Northeast Texas Counties |
|---|---|
| Campbell – $1,116 | Bowie – $83,620 |
| Como – $415 | Camp – $28,851 |
| Commerce – $33,869 | Cass – $93,155 |
| Cooper – $362 | Collin – $1,266,721 |
| Cumby – $5,320 | Delta – $30,584 |
| Emory – $3,878 | Fannin – $131,653 |
| Greenville – $203,112 | Franklin County – $3,931 |
| Hawkins – $7,932 | Gregg – $234,744 |
| Mineola – $48,719 | Harrison – $185,910 |
| Mount Pleasant $65,684 | Hopkins – $149,518 |
| Mount Vernon – $6,049 | Hunt County – $309,851 |
| Paris – $201,180 | Kaufman – $27,607 |
| Pecan Gap – $719 | Lamar County – $141,598 |
| Pilot Point – $11,613 | Marion – $275 |
| Rockwall -$114,308 | Rains County – $53,190 |
| Sulphur Springs – $124,603 | Red River County $29,306 |
| Talco – $372 | Rockwall – $168,820 |
| Tira – $185 | Smith- $758,961 |
| Tyler – $723,829 | Titus – $70,611 |
| Winfield – $290 | Upshur – $128,300 |
| Winnsboro – $28,791 | Van Zandt – $248,747 |
| Yantis $2,072 | Wood County – $267,048 |
The Texas Opioid Council and Health Care Region Allocation plus Administrative Costs would get 70 percent or $700 million of the overall settlement announced Tuesday. That is $693 million for Health Care Region Allocations and $7 million for administrative costs.
Region 1 which includes Anderson, Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Freestone, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Houston, Hunt, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Panola, Rains, Red, River, Rusk, Smith, Titus, Trinity, Upshur, Van, Zandt and Wood counties would receive $38,223,336, according to Exhibit C of the settlement document posted by the AG’s Office Oct. 26, 2021.
Wildcats A and B Middle School Football Teams 7-0 With One Game Left Tuesday
The Middle School Wildcat football teams traveled to Hallsville to face the Bobcats and all three (A, B, and C) 8th grade football teams came out with victories.
A and B teams recorded their seventh win of the season making them 7-0 with only 1 game left to go.
The A Team won a close one versus Hallsville 15-14. The A team offense scored in the final minute of the game and went for the two-point conversion to go up by 1 point, but the Bobcats got the ball with 40 seconds.
Fortunately for Coach Eddie Flores and his middle school Wildcats, the defense stopped the Bobcats offense to seal the victory.
Wide receiver Jaxson Haire had a great game and had a rushing TD, an INT, and converted the 2-pt conversion to go up by one point.
Quarterback Gage Gideon had also a great game managing the offense in the final offense drive of the game, and staying poised in the pocket delvering great passes to his wideouts.
Running back Alex King ran the ball hard all night and 1 rushing TD.
On both offensive and defensive lines Juan Reyes, Justin Strickland, Aiden Goldbolt, Jeffery Steveson, Dallin Horton, Lucas Shirley, Anthony Solis, Michael Walker, Trey Pennal, Vincient Johnson, Kase Temples, and Aiden Mccarroll had a huge game on the offense and defense sides of the ball, creating running lanes, and pass protection, and getting to the Bobcats offense backfield all night.
The middle school football coach said the Wildcat defense swarmed the football, made tackles, and made plays all night.
The B team won handedly versus Hallsville, shutting out the Bobcats 40-0.
In the trenches TJ Abron, Jermiah Robinson, Bryson Reyes, Aiden Koon, Kendrick Harris, Blaine Allen, and Jacolby Arceneaux were dominant on the offense and defense sides of the ball.
RB Logan Lowrance had a good game running the ball hard and added 1 receiving TD.
QBs Issiac Ray and Deuce Timmons both threw TD passes and both QB’s did a great job of commanding the offense.
Coach Flores said the Wildcats defense did a great job of flying around making plays and shutting out the Hallsville Bobcat offense.
The C Team also emerged victorious in Hallsville, beating the Bobcats 18-6.
On both offensive and defensive lines Rhett Williams, Emanuel Chim, J. Lopes Jones, G. Lopes Jones, Casey Moss, Gavin Roed, Douglas Corley, Tripp Mckintrye, Carter Anderson, Canyon Friddle, Nathan Cocurell, Keenan Morris, and Matthew Branderburg did a great job of executing the blocking scheme on offense and getting to the Bobcats backfield on defense.
RB Nate Adams did a great job of running the ball hard and had 2 rushing TD.
The Middle School Wildcats Football A and B teams will play their Final game on Tuesday, Nov. 2 at Gerald Prim Stadium versus the Marshall Mavericks.
The action begins at 5:30 P.M. starting with the B team, followed by the A team at 6:30.
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.
