Flu Shots: Do Not Delay, Get Yours Today!
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital -Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Flu shots are available at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, 105 Medical Plaza. We welcome walk-ins or by appointment; to schedule call 903.885.3181.
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 a parent or guardian must accompany anyone 17 and younger.
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.
Wound Care
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was first used in the military to treat divers and flyers with ‘the bends’ and altitude sickness. Scientific study has shown benefits of hyperbaric oxygen for many common medical conditions. Diabetic wounds, chronic infections in the bone and failed amputation flaps are common approved indications for hyperbaric oxygen treatment.
Dr. Scott McDearmont is a board certified surgeon with training at UT Southwestern in Dallas and 25-years’ experience. He has recently joined the team at the comprehensive wound healing center at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs.
“It is extremely gratifying for our team to see the profound results from hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Our patients and their families have sometimes been dealing with these wounds for weeks, months or even years.”
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy functions to deliver a higher concentration of oxygen to tissues. The patient is in a chamber under 2x atmospheric pressure breathing 100% oxygen. This therapy also helps activate substances and proteins in the blood that assist with wound healing.
“We are expanding the ability for our team to offer hyperbaric oxygen treatments here in Sulphur Springs. It is a very exciting time for our patients,” said Dr. McDearmont.
Dr. McDearmont and the team at CHRISTUS are accepting new patients at 115 Airport Road in Sulphur Springs. Ask your health care provider or home health nurse to provide a referral or call 903-438-4670 for an appointment.
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Urgent Care Hours of Operation
The CHRISTUS Urgent Care hours of operation are as follows:
- In-Person Care Hours
- Monday- Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Saturday and 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
Lady Cats Basketball Tipped Off Season Saturday, First Home Scrimmage on Tuesday
The Lady Cats basketball team were all too ready to start their fall 2021 season last Saturday when they travelled to Lone Oak for a tri-match between the Lady Cats, Lone Oak, and Cumby.
Not only that, but after Saturday’s trip to Lone Oak on this Tuesday game day new head coach Erica Delley and her squad will be back at home to host a tri-match of their own.
Sulphur Springs will host Paris and Rains High Schools at the SSHS Main Gym for their first home match of the season.
Tuesday’s tri-match is a scrimmage for the women’s basketball team.
The matches today will get underway at 5 P.M.
Lady Cats basketball returns a number of talented players from last year’s team that made it to the Area round before falling to Royse City.
One player they will sorely miss this season is Kenzie Willis, an offensive juggernaut who was injured in the Bi-District win over Nacogdoches last year.
Coach Delley does not expect Willis to play for the squad this year, but continues to wish her the best in her rehab.
Regardless of the junior’s return date, these Lady Cats under coach Delley will be all too ready to be back at home for their first home contest of the season.
Tuesday’s tri-match between Sulphur Springs, Paris and Rains will tip-off at 5 P.M.
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.
4-H Exhibitors Should Contact Extension Office By Nov. 29 Regarding NETLA Broiler Projects
By Dr. Mario Villarino, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Hopkins County Agent, Natural Resource/Agriculture
Broiler projects are popular with 4-H and FFA members and are an integral part of most youth livestock shows. Broiler projects are especially suitable for youngsters with limited space. Most shows limit the number of chicks ordered to 25 per exhibitor. When planning to start a project, contact the county Extension Office, a 4-H leader or an agricultural science instructor. Birds not shown can be slaughtered for home use or donated to local organizations.
NETLA broiler project orders for 4-H exhibitors are needed before November 29, 2021, and at the Hopkins County Extension Office.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic, please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Hopkins County Master Gardener: Why Do Leaves Change Color?
By Phyllis Kitten, Hopkins County Master Gardener
What makes all that color happen? The whole image of falling leaves and gorgeous color begins with the deciduous trees. Those are the trees that shed their leaves each year in the fall season. These trees tend to have an appearance of a round shape with branches that spread outward as the tree grows. The leaves of these trees are mostly broad and flat. Fall enthusiasts begin to watch for the leaves to change near the end of September when the daylight begins to shorten.
The fall leaf life cycle starts with the end of summer and the shortening of the days. As the days get shorter, the tree does not have enough sunlight to make food for itself. But, technically, it is not the shortened daylight that matters, it is that darkness has increased and continues to increase into the winter season affecting the cycle.
Rather than struggle to make food through the winter, the leaf shuts down. It stops producing chlorophyll and allows its fall leaves to die. Chlorophyll is a pigment that gives plants their green color, and it helps plants create their own food through photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis in plants generally involves the green pigment chlorophyll and generates oxygen as a byproduct.
In summary, green generally means a plant is growing, or at least making sugar. Any other color is a result of that process stopping or being interrupted in some way.
For additional information, go to Agrilifextension.tamu.edu
Lady Cats Volleyball Season Ends in Bi-District Round Loss to Lufkin
The Lady Cats volleyball team fought hard and never quit, but were swept at the hands of the Lady Panthers 3-0 in Tyler.
The first set was a back-and-forth affair, as neither team wanted to give up an inch. For every Lady Cat point scored there was a Lufkin score, but ultimately the Lady Panthers pulled ahead and won the set 25-22.
Set two saw Lufkin storm out to a big lead, and while Sulphur Springs pulled it close they ended up dropping the set 25-19.
The Lady Cats, realizing their season was on the verge of ending fought relentlessly, leading by six at one point, only for the Lady Panthers to rally back to lead at 21-20 and eventually taking a nail-biter 27-25.
The win in the third set gave Lufkin a 3-0 sweep of Sulphur Springs in the Bi-District round of playoffs.
While it was a tough way to end the season, the Lady Cats fought all season long, all up until the very end.
Coach Bailey Dorner will be sad to watch seven seniors graduate in the spring, but she has a lot of talent returning that saw increasing playing time this year.
“We’re losing over half the team next year,” the Sulphur Springs coach said.
The good news is that this year there were a lot of new faces with those folks getting more playing time, and with that those same players had to step up. Coach Dorner expects the aforementioned volleyball players to step up even more with so many seniors graduating in the spring.
The Lady Cats coach said she was proud of the way her team did not give up Monday night.
“We played hard from the get-go,” Coach Dorner said, but acknowledged the talent that Lufkin has.
The Sulphur Springs coach said the Lady Panthers are very athletic and very talented, so for her team to continuously go out and keep pushing, Coach Dorner was proud of her team’s effort.
The loss in the first round ends the season for the volleyball team.
They end the season with a 21-18 overall record (7-5 district).
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.
Man Who Escaped District Courtroom In Handcuffs Served With Warrants For The Oct. 20 Incident
The 59-year-old Sulphur Springs man who escaped the district courtroom in handcuffs was served Monday with three warrants for the Oct. 20 incident, according to sheriff’s and jail reports.
(HCSO jail photo)
Daryl Christopher Simmons has remained in Hopkins County jail since about 1a.m. the morning after he fled from authorities. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Justin Wilkerson served him at the county jail Nov. 1 with warrants for evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, escape while arrested or confined as well as a theft of property valued at less than $2,500 with two or more previous convictions warrant.
Simmons was scheduled during the 9 a.m. court session Oct. 20 in the 8th Judicial District Court for arraignment on manufacture or delivery and possession of Penalty Group 1 controlled substances in drug-free zones charges. At some point he was placed into handcuffs, but managed to escape from custody, not returning after reportedly being allowed to take care of a matter on the grounds but not in the courtroom.
At 10:27 a.m. Oct. 20, Lake Country Crime Stoppers issued a social media post with photo of Simmons, and two images taken from area video of a white 2001 Mitsubishi car with body damage he was reportedly last seen driving east on Jefferson Street. The community was asked to assist law enforcement in their efforts to locate Simmons.
When the vehicle was located later in the day near Simmons’ residence, Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s tracking canines were called in to help search the area for the man. The search was unsuccessful during the day Oct. 20, 2021.
During his shift, HCSO Sgt. Tanner Steward contacted Simmons by cell phone, pretending to be an acquaintance of Simmons. The pair allegedly discussed narcotic-related information. During the conversation, Simmons reportedly told the officer he was at his rural residence.
Steward and Deputies Zack Horne and Josh Davis went to the man’s residence late Wednesday night. The front door on Simmons’ CR 2310 residence was breached. Simmons was walking down the hallway of the residence; he still wore the handcuffs put on him in district court, the deputies alleged in arrest reports. Simmons was arrested around midnight on warrants revoking his bond two controlled substance charges, according to arrest and jail reports.
Sulphur Springs City Council To Consider Making Section Of South Service Road No Parking Zone
Sulphur Springs City Council at the regular Tuesday meeting will consider as well as hear a proposal for an ordinance which would establish a no parking zone on a section of East Shannon Road, action to obtain engineering services for water treatment plant improvements, and conduct public hearings then consider granting final approval of two additional ordinances.
The council will be asked to consider Ordinance No. 2794 establishing a no parking zone on the south service road (East Shannon Road) between South Broadway Street and Mockingbird Lane. In the last year, more than one 18-wheeler has become stuck or overturned after parking along the service road while the driver grabs a meal at restaurants on the south side of the road. There have also been a few near misses when people park along the busy section of roadway.
The council is also slated to hear and discuss Ordinance No. 2793, which has to do with the City of Sulphur Springs Code of Ordinance.
Public hearings in which anyone who has comments or questions regarding the proposed Ordinance No. 2791, which would establish a reinvestments zone for J-B Weld LLC, and Ordinance No. 2792, the issuance of general obligation refunding bonds and related documents and processes. Both ordinances were introduced on first reading at the last council meeting. Essentially, Ordinance No. 2791 would allow J-B Weld to apply for a tax incentive from the Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors, for an expansion of the business’ Sulphur Springs plant. The hospital district can’t establish a reinvestment zone, but one is required. The city and county have already considered economic development agreements with the business.
The business, which had a 2020 ad valorem taxable value of just over $4.7 million, has committed to investing $4 million to expand its epoxy glue manufacturing business with construction of a 40,000 square-foot facility on the 12.24-acre tract of land, with the project to be completed by June 30, 2022, according to an ED Program agreement.
Ordinance No. 2792 would authorize refinancing of 2 bonds, debt owed by the city. By taking advantage of current rates, the city is projected to save $214,352 from 2021-2034, about $20,000 per year, on repayment of the utility bonds taken out in 2011 and 2012. Of course, refinancing by reissuing and sale of the general obligation refunding bonds would be contingent on receiving rates akin to or better than the current estimates, City Finance Director/Assistant City Manager Lesa Smith explained to the City Council at their regular October meeting.
The elected city officials too will be asked to consider approving Resolution No. 1266, authorizing the city manager to negotiate and sign a contract for engineering services for improvements to the city’s water treatment plant, to be funded using American Rescue Plan Act funding.
The City Council is slated to meet an hour prior to the 7 p.m. open portion of the Nov. 2 meeting. The agenda sites consultation with an attorney relating to pending or contemplative litigation, the city attorney (who has indicated intent to retire at the end of the year), and an economic development matter labeled “Project X.” The Council will consider any matters pushed forwarded from the 6 p.m. executive session for action during the open meeting.
A time will also be allowed before the conclusion of the City Council meeting for public forum, a time when community members may direct comments to the council for a set number of minutes.
18-Wheeler Crash Slows Traffic On Interstate 30 East
An 18-wheeler crash on Interstate 30 east at 4 p.m. Monday caused traffic to slow as emergency responders worked at the crash site.
The semi pulling a box trailer appeared to have overturned onto its side facing southwest, just west of the I-30 entrance ramp just past the Jefferson Street over pass. The front of the cab was facing southwestward at the side of I-30, just down from Texas Department of Public Safety’s Sulphur Springs offices on the edge of town. The top of the box trailer was open, spilling out contents onto the roadside. It was unclear if another vehicle with trailer was involved.
Traffic was diverted from that far right lane of traffic before the bridge. Those traveling through the area should plan to slow down or take an alternate route of travel, and are reminded to be alert for emergency responders and apparatus at work.
No additional details about the 18-wheeler crash were available at 4:40 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, 2021.
Monday Game Day Brings Wildcats Golf, Lady Cats Volleyball in Bi-District Playoffs
This week brings Game day not only on the usual suspects of Tuesday and Friday, but also today, on Monday, Nov. 1.
Seeing as how they are already halfway through their season, Coach Jeremy DeLorge and his team will no doubt be looking to finish the season strong.
The Wildcats golf team will be in their second-to-last competition of the fall 2021 season when they travel to Garland to take on Richardson High at Firewheel Golf Park Bridges Course.
Their final competition is next Monday, where they will be back in the DFW metroplex.
On Monday, Nov. 8 the Wildcats will close out their season when they travel far north of the metroplex to take on Celina at the Bridges Golf Club in Gunter, TX.
The Lady Cats golf team wrapped up their season on Tuesday when they took on Longview at 9 A.M. at Tempest Golf Club.
Moving over to the volleyball team, Game day Monday brings playoff action for the Lady Cats. Coach Bailey Dorner’s team will be ready to get back on the court after taking on Caddo Mills on Friday.
Sulphur Springs hosted the Lady Foxes at the SSMS gym on Friday for their warm-up game before today’s Bi-District contest.
While the Lady Cats won set one, Caddo Mills won sets two through four to win the match in four sets. Friday’s loss dropped Coach Dorner’s team’s season record to 21-17 heading in to the first round of the playoffs.
Today’s match will be just as tough, as they will be taking on a dominant Lufkin team in the Bi-District round.
The Lady Panthers come in to the playoffs with a 37-4 record according to MaxPreps, and won District 16-5A thanks to a perfect 10-0 season against their district foes.
Monday’s Bi-District playoff game is scheduled to begin at 7 P.M. at Tyler High School.
Tickets will be sold by two sellers at the door and payment must be made on Monday with a credit or debit card.
Cash will not be accepted. Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for adults.
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.
Lee Street Vehicle-Pedestrian Crash Results In One Death
An 85-year-old Sulphur Springs woman died of injuries sustained in a Lee Street vehicle-pedestrian crash over the weekend, according to police.
Joyce Mahnke had reportedly just left an event at church and was walking aided by her walker to her residence on the opposite side of Lee Street just after 7:20 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. A man and the woman’s canine companion were also reportedly nearby. Mahnke had reportedly crossed the eastbound side of Lee Street to the westbound side of the road when the crash occurred, according to Sulphur Springs Police Cpl. Terry Miller, who is leading the ongoing investigation into the crash.
A white passenger vehicle driven by a 21-year-old man traveling west on Lee Street, reported to be a dark area at that time of evening reportedly struck the Sulphur Springs woman. Emergency responders, upon arrival at the scene, attended the woman, who was reported to be in very critical condition. She was flown Saturday night to a Tyler hospital. Police were told she died at 1:31 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, according to Miller.
Neither the male assisting her nor the driver of the vehicle were reported to have been injured. Animal control was contacted to take custody of the dog due to the owner’s condition following the crash, according to Miller.
Police began an investigation at the crash site, including interviewing those involved in the crash as well as nearby witnesses. The Lee Street vehicle-pedestrian crash was still under investigation. As of late Monday morning, Nov. 1, 2021, no criminal charges had been filed in connection with the crash, police reported.
