Horn Brothers Selected To Perform Annex Roof Renovation
Horn Brothers was selected to perform annex roof renovations during a special meeting of Hopkins County Commissioners Court Thursday afternoon.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court on Monday tabled making a decision about the roof renovation for the annex building housing the County Clerk’s Office, at Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price’s request. Price cited a possible problem with materials to be used.
Tom Glosup, who provides consulting services for the county buildings, explained the bid specification called for a TPO roof or equal. One of the two bids included a PVC roof as that is consider “equal.”
When the bids were presented Aug. 26, 2021, for consideration, County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook told the Commissioners Court Horn Brothers submitted a bid for $105,227 and Alta Vista Roofing submitted a bid for $77,000. Aside for the obvious difference in cost, the biggest difference in the bids, according to Aulsbrook, is the time frame when each business can perform the work.
Horne Brothers anticipates being able to start the project in 7 to 14 days after a contract is signed. Alta Vista Roofing does not anticipate being able to start the project until mid-December.
“The County is trying to get this done by the end of the budget year. We have interior damage in the interior of the building and we really don’t want to start the renovation of the building until the roof problem issue is [resolved]. We’ve done maintenance on it and done temporary repairs to stem any influx motion from the building. We don’t want to have to keep continuing to do that, so the time frame is the main issue here,” Glosup said.
Glosup said work on a project of this type during the winter months typically takes longer due to inclement weather. During the project, there will be several areas exposed. This, Glosup pointed out, is the dryer part of the year. So, the main problem is the time frame.
“Since I became county judge, we’ve been dealing with this roof. The is everything, I believe is what I hear you saying. Get the job done before the inclement weather does come in,” Newsom said, asking if there would be enough insurance money to cover the higher bid to get the job finished before winter.
Aulsbrook said insurance proceeds should provide more than enough funding to cover hte cost of the EPS flute fill and 90 mil TPO retrofit over the metal standing roof. Glosup noted insurance funds will cover interior improvements for water damages caused when roof issues resulted in the building flooded more than one time over the past few years.
“It’s my understanding those materials can only be applied if the temperature’s above 55 degrees,” Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley said.
Glosup said it is a fully adhered system that is glued to the substrate that is provided. This calls for a subsystem to be built over the existing standing roof called a flute fill product. EPS insulation is used to fill the flutes, spaced 24 inches apart. A recovery board is mechanically fastened over the top of it using FM-I90 criteria (industry standard)
“You come in with an EPS insulation and fill the flutes between standing seams and then you put a recovery board on top of it that’s mechanically fastened in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and industry stands, FM-I90 criteria. Then, you fully adhere the TPO or the PVC to that sub seam – essentially weld it. The product comes in a row you either buy it in 6-foot-wide sheets or 10-foot-wide sheets and it’s 100 foot long, so you cover big long areas. You don’t have as many seams as you would using an asphalt-type product. You get 20 years with this product,” Glosup said.
The glue that is used has to be kept above 50 degrees, and the temperature needs to be 50 degrees and rising to use it, Glosup said.
“So if we wait until mid December we may not have to time to get that job done,” Bartley said. “I’m all for saving money. There’ a big difference between those two bids. I think to get the job done we may have to go with the higher bid.”
Some of the adherent or glue to hold the pieces of the roofing together must be performed when temperatures are 50 degrees or higher, Glosup affirmed. The insulation will also make the building more energy efficient, which should reduce energy costs as well.
Bartley made a motion, seconded by Price, to go with the more expensive bid from Horn Brothers, to go ahead and get the annex roof renovation done. The motion passed with the unanimously vote of the court, which consisted of all members except Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker who was unable to attend the meeting.
Paris Junior College 2021-22 Budget Approved by Board of Regents
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center
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PJC 2021-22 budget approved by Board of Regents
The Paris Junior College Board held a formal public hearing Monday, August 23, 2021 on the 2021-22 tax rate and budget and received no public comment. The proposed tax rate is $0.0815 per $100 valuation in Lamar County.
After adjourning from the hearing and reconvening their regular monthly meeting, the regents approved the 2021-22 budget of $32,981,833. While lower than the previous year’s budget, it includes increases to salary tables, step increases, and percentage increases, based on employee classifications.
Also included in the budget was funding for an additional computer science instructor and the computers and other equipment needed to start both an eSports program at PJC and a gaming simulation program.
In other business the regents:
• Approved early payoff of a 2012 bond debt in the amount of $2,244,821.
• Gave required annual approval to a policy requiring a property deposit fee of zero. College procedures to collect damages for destruction of property from students continue to work without needing deposits.
• Authorized the transfer of up to $3.5 million to the Renewals and Replacements Fund.
• Accepted the Certified Tax Rolls for property taxable by Paris Junior College, as presented by the Lamar County Chief Appraiser. The new property tax value was approximately $48 million more than last year’s tax value.
• Approved a list of deferred maintenance projects to be paid for out of the Renewals and Replacements fund.
• Accepted the 2021-2030 Strategic Goals for the College.
• Approved selection of the architectural firm Pfluger for architectural drawings for the Workforce Training Center in Greenville and a housing facility in Paris. Construction will start prior to the company’s fee being charged. That fee is a percentage of the construction costs.
• Accepted the promotion/reassignment of Heath Thomas from Instructor to Instructor/Coordinator, Emergency Medical Services (EMS); the employment of History Instructor Micha Flowers and EMS Instructor James Smith, Jr.; the rescinded resignations of Licensed Vocational Instructor Danielle Gerhardt-Gilbreath and Associate Degree Nursing Instructor Dwana Hollidai; and the resignations of PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Welding Instructor (night) Johnny Glasco, Licensed Vocational Nursing Instructor Tammy Goodman; and Educational Opportunity Center Advisor Tonya Yeager.
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.
Registration Event at the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Campus
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Director Rob Stanley welcomes new student Carson Voorheese, right and his mother, Lori, to the campus during fall semester registration Wednesday. The fall semester begins on Monday, Aug. 30 and registration is continuing.
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.
Saltillo Lions Cross Country Team Places Second at Commerce Tiger Invitational
Coach Casey Riddle of Saltillo released the meet results for his squad’s performance at last weekend’s Commerce Tigers cross country Invitational.
Coy Collins placed silver with a time of 18:10. Gunner Tarver squeezed in to the top-10, placing tenth at 19:24. Rowdy Speir narrowly made the top-20 at 19th, coming in at 20:06.
Adrian Don Juan got 29th in Commerce with a time of 20:28. Cristian Trejo was not far behind Juan at 32nd, finishing with a time of 20:40. Andrew Redburn and Colton McGill rounded out runners for Saltillo placing 52nd and 57th with times of 21:47 and 21:58, respectively.
Eustace won the Commerce Tigers Invitational with 68 points, followed by Saltillo at 78. Durant (OK) got third in the meet with 128, followed by Pittsburg at 142 and narrowly behind was last placed Chapel Hill with 144 points scored at the meet.
For the Lady Lions of Saltillo, Yadirha Alonzo was able to notch a time of 16:28.
Next up, the Saltillo Lions and Lady Lions cross country teams will be in the Avery cross country meet held in Avery, TX on Thursday, Aug. 26. Both varsity teams will be running in the morning.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs Acquires Medical Mobile Unit
Sulphur Springs, Texas, August 26, 2021 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has taken the opportunity to acquire a Medical Mobile Unit (MMU) from the Regional Advisory Council (RAC) that was not being utilized.
We have a number of preparedness plans in place, and the inclusion of the MMU has always been a part of those plans. When increased patient volume or staffing warrant its use, the MMU may employed as a triage center to help us streamline the Emergency Room intake process. Once evaluated, truly emergent patients will be directed into the ER and those with less acute and non- emergent symptoms will be directed to the appropriate location for further treatment, such as respiratory evaluation or the Urgent Care clinic.
The MMU not currently required, and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs is being proactive in order to ensure we continue providing this community with high-quality care.
Shannon Barker of Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation: Fundraising for New 4-D Ultrasound
The Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation works hard year round to help provide needs for CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs. Shannon Barker has been on the job as the Foundation’s Executive Director for one year now, and is excited about current goals and projects for the Foundation.
During August 2021, her office hosted a ‘fun fundraiser’ called Designer Handbag Bingo at the Hopkins County Civic Center. According to Shannon, “attendance was good, everyone had a marvelous time and we were able to raise over $44,000. Our thanks go out to everyone who participated. That sum puts us closer to finishing off the 2020 purchases of labor/delivery beds, Panda warmers and CT scanner. Now we have already set a new goal, for the purchase of a 4-D Ultrasound machine for the Maternal/Fetal Medicine Department. This machine will allow expectant moms with early labor or difficult births to be cared for here at our hospital instead of being rushed to Tyler for that type of urgent, specialized care. Endowments, gifts and donations to the Foundation make it possible for our hospital to get needed equipment which is not within the hospital’s regular budget.”
Additionally, there will be a special push this year to fulfill a long-held dream for the Healthcare Foundation. Shannon explained ‘back when the Foundation was created, the idea of an Endowment Fund was proposed by the original team. They proposed a goal of creating a one million dollar fund which in the future could provide interest to be used for hospital needs. That proposed Endowment Fund now holds about $900,000, and the future has almost arrived! Adding that additional $100,000 would put the Foundation in a position to receive interest from the mature fund, to be put to work for hospital needs. So, this very exciting goal we have now set will benefit the Healthcare Foundation in new ways”. She also added that an individual, family, corporation or other entity can make a donation toward the goal. “t might be a cash gift, a stock transfer, a bequest in a will, or other type of gift. You could even earmark what your private donation should be used for, be it Covid Relief, the Women’s Center, or wherever the need is greatest. The Endowment Fund is one of the most exciting opportunities we have for this community”. To find out more about the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation, reach out to Shannon Barker at 903-438-4799, or [email protected] or visit the Foundation’s Facebook page.
Transition to Fall at Cooper Lake State Park!
Steve Killian, [email protected], 903-916-0211
August 25th, 2021
Cooper, TX— Fall officially begins this month and always brings a variety of fun opportunities to be experienced at Cooper Lake State Park! A total of 27 programs focused on family fun, recreation, and learning about our natural world will be offered. Our highlighted program topics for September are Gyotaku and Dutch Oven Cooking. Learn a traditional form of Japanese art called Gyotaku (Gee – oh – tak – oo) that began over 100 years ago as a way for fishermen to keep a tangible record of the fish they caught. Freshly caught fish were painted with non-toxic ink and covered with a piece of rice paper imprinting the image of the fish. The prints were lifelike and retained the patterns and textures of the fish. In addition, learn the history of Dutch ovens and participate in a hands-on demonstration. Learn by the fireside with a ranger and experience this time-honored cowboy and camping tradition by sharing a story and a hearty dish.
Every year, the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) partners with the Girl Scouts to explore the natural wonders found across our country in a celebration called “Girl Scouts Love State Parks.” On September 11th and 12th, Girl Scouts will celebrate their love for the outdoors in state parks across the nation. In that theme, join us Saturday, September 11th, for “Beginning Bird Watching” at 10 a.m. at the South Sulphur Unit – Honey Creek Day-Use Area Amphitheater where you will learn about the many species of birds that call our park home for part or all year-round. Then, on Sunday, September 12th – we will present the “Beautiful Bountiful Butterflies” at 10 a.m. at the Doctors Creek Unit – Pelican Point Day Use Area where we’ll explore these biological marvels of nature. All programs are free with a valid entrance permit.
The perfect way to bring a fun and learning-packed Saturday at the park to a fitting conclusion is relaxing at a picnic table watching your food cook with family and friends on one of our many day-use picnic grills. If you are camping, relaxing around a campfire in the evening is amazing! The cooler nights will add to the experience. The flickering light of a campfire will lift your spirits and reconnect you to days gone by. There is no better place to share a story and eat a meal!
Fish from the bank, off our piers, fishing wall, or rent a kayak and try your luck along the shoreline. Fish attractors have been placed around the Doctors Creek floating fishing pier and the fishing wall at South Sulphur to help increase fishing success. We are also attracting catchable fish to the shore areas in other ways with three fish feeders (two at the South Sulphur Unit and one at Doctors Creek). Crappie, bluegill, bass, and catfish are commonly caught at both park units. Fishing licenses are not required if you are fishing from the bank or fishing pier at Cooper Lake State Park.
Other popular activities are hiking our trails or just resting under a giant post oak tree or camping at one of our 200 plus tree-canopied sites. Park entrance fees are $5 for adults; kids 12 and under always free. Senior Texans 65 or older will only pay $3 to enter the park daily with a Bluebonnet Pass. Unlimited park entrances for you and everyone in your vehicle can be accomplished with the purchase of a Texas State Park Annual Pass for $70, which is good for over 12 months. Buy your pass and let your Texas State Park adventure begin!
For more information on this or other events and programs, please visit and like our Facebook pages (Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur (903)-945-5256 and Cooper Lake State Park – Doctor’s Creek (903) 395-3100).
Doctor’s Creek Unit (Northside of Cooper Lake – Delta County)
Saturday, September 4—
Reading with the Ranger at 10 a.m. Meet at the Pelican Point Day Use Area. Join us for a nature themed story hour and craft afterwards.
Gyotaku Painting Fish Prints at 2:00 p.m. Meet at Pelican Point Day Use Area. Come join us using a traditional Japanese method of making fish prints.
Friday, September 10—
Identifying Heat Illness at 2 p.m. Meet at the Doctor’s Creek Headquarters. Discover the signs and symptoms of heat illness, learn how to treat and or prevent heat illness.
Night Hike at 8 p.m. Meet at the Pelican Point Day Use Area taking a short hike on a trail looking out for the creatures of the summer night-time.
Sunday, September 12—
Sunrise Meditation at 7:00 a.m. Meet at the Pelican Point Day Use Area. Join us as the sun rises over the cove with a Tai Chi style morning warm-up.
Beautiful Bountiful Butterflies at 10 a.m. Meet at the Pelican Point Day Use Area parking lot. We’ll take a short stroll down the South Loop trail, on the lookout for butterflies.
Friday, September 17—
Herons— at 2 p.m. Meet at the Bluebonnet Day Use Area Fishing Pier. We’ll take a shoreline stroll learning about the variety of Heron in our Park. Things to bring – water bottle, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, your own binoculars and cameras.
Saturday, September 18 –
Reading with the Ranger at 2 p.m. Meet at the Pelican Point Day Use Area. Join us for a nature themed story hour and craft afterwards.
Kid Fish – Summer Edition at 4 p.m. Meet at the Bluebonnet Day Use Area fishing pier. No pole, no worries we have a few loaners available or bring your own gear.
Star Gazing at 7:30 p.m. Meet at the Pelican Point Day Use Swim Beach. Our Ranger will point out some of the varied constellations for that evening.
Saturday, September 25—
Amphibians—10 a.m. Meet at the Bluebonnet Day Use Area Parking Area. Join our Ranger as she points out some amphibians after we take a short walk to the fishing pier area. Bring your water bottle, bug spray, cameras, and dress for the weather.
Map Reading – Navigate! – 2 p.m. Meet at the Pelican Point Day Use Area. Learn how to read a map. What does it mean to orient the map? What do all those lines and squiggles mean and why do we need those lines and squiggles?
Sunday, September 26 –
Predator or Prey? – 10 a.m. Meet at the Pelican Point Day Use Area. To eat or be eaten, that is the reality of life in the wild. Learn a rhyme to remember how to identity the predator or the prey.
South Sulphur Unit (Southside of Cooper Lake – Hopkins County)
Friday, September 3 –
Art in the Park at 10 a.m. Meet at the Heron Harbor Day Use Area. Let loose your inner artist as we observe the nature around us.
Camp Fire 101 at 2 p.m. Meet at the Heron Harbor Day Use Area. What is tender, kindling, fuel and how do you know when to use which one? Participate in a hands-on demonstration.
Saturday, September 4—
Reading with the Ranger at 2 p.m. Meet at the Heron Harbor Day Use Area. Join us for a nature themed story hour and craft afterwards.
Kid Fish – Summer Edition at 4:30 p.m. Meet at the Heron Harbor Day Use Area fishing pier. No pole, no worries we have a few loaners available or bring your own gear.
Star Gazing at 7:30 p.m. Meet at the Heron Harbor Day Use Swim Beach. Our Ranger will point out some of the varied constellations for that evening. We’ll also have our telescope set-up to view a couple of the night sky objects.
Sunday, September 5—
Photography Walk at 10 a.m. Meet at the Sunset Cove Day Use Area for a short walk around the area. We’ll discuss several tips and tricks for photography.
Saturday, September 11—
Beginning Bird Watching 101 at 10 a.m. Meet at the Honey Creek Day Use Area Amphitheatre. Join our Ranger as we learn some Bird Watching 101 basics.
Identifying Heat Illness at 2 p.m. Meet at the Heron Harbor Day Use Area. Discover the signs and symptoms of heat illness, learn how to treat and or prevent heat illness.
Friday, September 17—
Turtles at 10 a.m. Meet at the Heron Harbor Day Use Area near the fishing pier. We’ll take a shoreline stroll learning about the variety of turtles in our Park.
Saturday, September 18–
Dutch Oven Cooking at 9 a.m. Meet at the Heron Harbor Day Use Area. Join our experts from the Lone Star Dutch Oven Society as they cook up their favorite dishes. Get a taste of history and learn how to cook with a Dutch Oven! Demonstrations will begin around 9AM and samples will be served around Noon.
Sunday, September 19–
Darting Damselflies and Dashing Dragonflies at 2 p.m. Meet at the Heron Harbor Day Use Area. Join us for a short nature walk as we discuss the many and varied Damselflies and Dragonflies of the South Sulphur Unit.
Nature Journaling at 2 p.m. Meet at the Heron Harbor Day Use Area. Start your own Nature Journal as you explore the park.
Friday, September 24—
Dutch Oven 101 at 5:30 p.m. Meet at the Oak Grove Camping area. Join our Ranger as she teaches the history of Dutch Ovens, and you can participate in a hands-on demonstration of Dutch Oven Cooking 101.
Fireside with the Ranger at 7 p.m. Meet at the Oak Grove Camping area. Enjoy the experience of a time-honored camping tradition. Bring your own makings for ‘Smores.
Cost: Park programs are open to the public and free with park entrance fee ($5 per persons ages 13 and up; children 12 and under are always free!). No need to register — just show up!
*Events and programs are subject to cancellation due to weather, if cancelled an update will be made to our Facebook page. Please contact park staff for more information and the latest updates.
Lady Cats Volleyball Set for Day One of Edgewood Tournament Today
Coach Bailey Dorner and her Lady Cats volleyball team will participate in their third tournament of the fall 2021 season later today when they take part in day one of the Edgewood Tournament on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021.
The Lady Cats will be playing two games on Thursday, first versus Van at noon, followed by a match versus Caddo Mills.
The second match on the day, versus Caddo Mills, will be something of a rematch.
Sulphur Springs played the Lady Foxes volleyball team last week on Thursday, Aug. 19 in day one of the Wills Point tournament.
Coach Dorner and her squad bested Caddo Mills two sets to one after losing set one but bouncing back for two straight-set wins (25-19, 25-23) to get the victory in best-of-three tourney play.
Sulphur Springs then beat Rains to finish a three-win day last Thursday.
The Lady Cats volleyball team were set to host Quinlan Ford on Tuesday, Aug. 24, but the Lady Panthers had to cancel their match with Sulphur Springs due to the coronavirus, Coach Dorner confirmed over text early Tuesday morning.
With Tuesday becoming an acting bye, her squad is surely well-rested for day one of the Edgewood tournament when they play Van at noon on Thursday, Aug. 26.
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.
2 Additional COVID Deaths, 99 New Cases, 33 Recoveries Reported For Hopkins County
Although all three COVID-19 vaccines – including the Pfizer product officially approved as a vaccine by the FDA this week – are available at no charge at multiple locations in Sulphur Springs for individuals age 12 and older, COVID-19 continues to spread among Hopkins County residents, resulting in two additional COVID deaths, Texas Department of State Health Services reported on Aug. 24.
That makes 8 COVID deaths for Hopkins County so far this month and 122 cumulatively since March 2020. The two latest deaths announced for the county are reported to have occurred on Aug. 19, a day in which 25 total new COVID-19 cases and 31 recoveries were reported, and on Aug. 7, when six new lab-confirmed cases were reported. While high, January is still unarguably the worst month for county residents in 2021, with 15 COVID deaths. Since the pandemic began in March of 2020, however, the worst month in Hopkins County was October; 29 residents died as a result of COVID-19, according to DSHS and Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management reports.
On Tuesday, Texas Department of State Health Services reported 34 new COVID-19 cases, including 16 lab-confirmed and 18 probable cases, increasing the total for the first 3 days of the week to 36 new lab-confirmed cases and 22 probable cases. On Wednesday, 43 additional Hopkins County residents were reported to have tested positive for the virus, 25 lab-confirmed cases and 18 probable cases.
That increases total to 459 Hopkins County residents who have had COVID-19 in August, 311 lab-confirmed molecular cases and 148 probable cases, defined by the CDC and DSHS as cases in which either the individual “tested positive through an antigen test or has a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis.”
That means August is also now officially the worst month so far in 2021 in terms of overall new COVID-19 cases and the most lab-confirmed molecular cases. Until this week, January had the worst record in 2021 with 400 new cases overall, including 247 lab-confirmed cases and 153 probable cases.
The worst month since the pandemic began was October 2020, when 323 new lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported. At that time, the state was not tracking probable cases; those were not reported daily until Dec. 11. December 2020 concluded with 483 new cases, 290 lab-confirmed cases and 193 new probable cases.
Cumulatively, 4,128 Hopkins County residents have had COVID-19 during the pandemic, 2,307 lab-confirmed cases and 1,879 probable cases. A total of 3,758 of the 4,128 cases were reported to have recovered from the coronavirus as of Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 24, 2021.
That leaves 305 Hopkins County residents who still actively had COVID-19 on Aug. 25, 2021, down from 308 active cases on Tuesday, the most active cases reported during any one day in Hopkins County since the state began tracking active case counts on April 7, 2020.
A total of 26 COVID-19 patients were reported to be in the COVID Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs Aug. 24, one more than the day before, Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials reported. That’s up from 15 patients on Aug. 3, making Tuesday’s patient count the highest reported for the local COVID Unit since January 26, when the COVID unit census was 26 for the third consecutive day.
The 26 patients at CMFHSS help make up the overall patient count in Trauma Service Area F hospitals, which held 208 lab-confirmed coronavirus patients Monday and 199 Wednesday. TSA-F COVID patients also help make up the 13,666 COVID patients being treated in Texas hospital on Aug. 23 and the 13,928 in TSA-F on Aug. 24, according to Texas Health and Human Services Commission “Lab-Confirmed COVID-19 Hospitalized Patients By Trauma Center” report.
On Aug. 23, 5 ICU beds were available across TSA-F and 365 across the state, with a total of 52 ventilators available in Region F and 6,174 in hospitals across Texas Monday. On Tuesday, the number of available ICU beds in TSA-F, had dwindled to three; across the entire state, only 306 ICU beds were available Aug. 24.
Wildcats Football Head Coach Greg Owens Discusses Scrimmages and Upcoming Frisco
Up until Tuesday afternoon, the Wildcats football team were set to host the Frisco Wakeland Wolverines for both teams’ season openers.
However, on Tuesday, Aug. 24, Wakeland head coach Marty Secord contacted Coach Greg Owens informing him his Wolverine team would have to pull out of Friday night’s contest with Sulphur Springs due to the coronavirus.
Coach Secord did inform Coach Owens that a team from his district, Frisco High School, needed an opponent for Friday after Garland’s Naaman Forest, like Frisco Wakeland, had to cancel their season-opener due to COVID-19.
So with that, the stage was set for the Wildcats football team to host the Frisco Raccoons for Friday’s season-opener at Gerald Prim stadium.
Frisco High lost almost two dozen players to graduation, so this will be something of a retooling team coming in to Gerald Prim stadium.
And with only two scrimmages of film to go off of, Coach Owens said he is not exactly sure what to expect of this incoming Frisco team, however he said that the Raccoons operate a wing-T set, featuring plays such as the buck sweep and traps.
Fortunately for Coach Owens and his staff and players, the offense they will see from Frisco is a similar one to the offense they hosted last week in Pleasant Grove in the Wildcats’ second and last scrimmage of regular season play.
The Wildcats were fortunate enough to get a taste of the wing-T offense in their scrimmage loss to Pleasant Grove, which Coach Owens says is particularly advantageous considering Frisco’s offense is a system predominantly used in the 1980s.
The mid-week change of opponents is never a welcome sight, but Coach Owens said in this day and age of the pandemic it has become something of an occupational hazard.
The change in Frisco opponents, with the notable change of offenses, has the defensive staff a bit anxious for Friday’s game due to the difficulty of defending such an offense.
Speaking on Frisco’s wing-T offense, Coach Owens said the Raccoons are going to bring it, adding that Frisco High has a good ball club, losing in the Regional Quarterfinals to Aledo, but are really good, the Wildcats head football coach said.
Coach Owens said Frisco High knows what they’re doing and have been operating the same system for a long time, saying that Friday’s game will be a challenge for him and his squad.
Coach Owens said he put the new game plan for Friday’s game versus Frisco in, and will continue to work on it today, Wednesday, Aug. 25, and will continue to get more fresh on their new opponents.
The Wildcats football coach said he does not imagine making a ton of adjustments in-game, saying that him and his staff have not seen a whole lot of the Raccoons, nor is Frisco a common opponent that the Wildcats have played over the course of several years (like Frisco Wakeland).
With all that being said, Coach Owens expects there to be things that him and his players are not ready for, but said that him and his players will have to adjust on the fly the best they can in-game.
One thing is for sure; both Frisco High School and Sulphur Springs are as ready as can be for their football season-openers on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021 at Gerald Prim stadium.
The home-opener for the Wildcats is set to kick-off on Friday at 7:30 P.M.
Friday’s regular-season home-opener will be broadcasted over the radio on KSST 1230 AM, and if allowed, will be broadcasted on to KSST’s Youtube channel.
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.
