CDC: Third Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine Recommended For Moderately & Severely Immunocompromised Individuals Only
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Thank you for your patience!
Due to a sharp increase in Emergency Room visits as a result of the spike in COVID-19, please expect longer wait times than normal. 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 9am to 11am in the main lobby of the hospital until further notice. The available vaccines include Moderna (2-doses, ages 18 and older), Pfizer (2-doses, ages 12 and older) and Johnson & Johnson (1-dose, ages 18 and older), Appointments not required, but parent/guardian must accompany anyone 17 and younger.
COVID Vaccine Updates
News from the Texas Department of State Health Services:
“On Aug. 12, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revised both Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Emergency Use Authorization fact sheets to include guidance on administering an additional dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.
Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that people whose immune system are moderately to severely compromised receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after an initial two-dose mRNA series (Pfizer or Moderna).
ACIP’s recommendation includes people with a range of conditions, such as recipients of organ or stem cell transplants, people with advance or untreated HIV infection, active recipients of treatment for cancer, people who are taking some medications that weaken the immune system, and others. A full list of conditions can be found on CDC’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html.
The additional dose should be the same vaccine product as the initial two-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna). If the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product given for the first two doses is not available, the other mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product may be administered. A person should not receive more than three mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses.
It’s important to note that an additional dose is only recommended for individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised — CDC does not recommend additional doses or booster shots for any other population at this time.
Currently, there are insufficient data to support the use of an additional mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose after a single-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccination series in immunocompromised people. FDA and CDC are actively working to provide guidance on this issue.
Immunocompromised individuals may discuss with their health care provider whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them. If their health care provider is not at a site administering vaccines, these individuals can self-attest and receive the additional dose wherever vaccines are offered. For more information, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/covid-19-vaccines-us.html.”
Carter BloodCare Blood Drive
The Carter BloodCare Bus will be parked in the front parking lot of our hospital in Sulphur Springs on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Our local blood supply is at an all-time low creating a serious supply issue.
To sign up to give blood, or for questions, please call Yeon Mi Kim at 903.438.4380 or call/text Carter Bloodcare at 800.366.2834. All donors will receive a free t-shirt.
Sports Medicine
FREE Saturday Athletic Injury Clinic for student athletes of all ages is here! Saturday sports clinic will be held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., on August 21 through November 13. Athletes will get an exam and free x-ray to determine a plan of care to treat their injury. The location will be the 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.
Please help us preserve our masks for our healthcare providers, and BRING YOUR OWN MASK
With COVID cases rapidly increasing in our community, the hospital requires all visitors to wear a mask while in the facility. There is no entry into the hospital without a mask. Visitors may wear a cloth or medical mask. Thank you for your continued support of the safety of our patients and associates.
Hospital Bed Availability
While some hospitals are on divert due to a “critical COVID surge,” CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital continues to serve patients, and has available hospital beds, both for COVID and non-COVID diagnoses.
Hospital Visitation
Please note the following guidelines for hospital visitation:
- 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.
- 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 at a time – Essential support person will be given a visible wrist band
- COVID unit visitor must remain the same throughout stay
- 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).
Hours of Operation
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Urgent Care – Sulphur Springs
The CHRISTUS Urgent Care hours of operation are as follows:
- In-Person Care Hours: Monday, 9-5; Tuesday, closed; Wednesday-Saturday, 9-5; Sunday, closed.
- Virtual Visit Hours: Monday-Friday, 8-5
- 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 S. Broadway, 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
Game Day Tuesday Brings Tennis and Volleyball
The day before school starts brings more Wildcats sports in tennis and volleyball.
The first team up today, Tuesday Aug. 17 will be team tennis, coached by Tony Martinez. Wildcats team tennis has stayed busy since August began, playing in their fifth contest today since their first on Aug. 2.
Wildcats team tennis will be back in Tyler for the second time in a week when they play Tyler High today at 3 P.M.
Last week Team Tennis played Bullard High School in Tyler on Wednesday.
The other team prepped for action the day before school starts on Wednesday, Aug. 18 is volleyball.
Coach Bailey Dorner and her Lady Cats will be traveling out to Greenville later today when they take on the Lady Lions at 5:30 P.M.
Like team tennis, Coach Dorner’s squad has kept busy since the onset of August. They played their season-opening tri-match versus North Lamar and Sherman last Tuesday before participating in the Garland Tournament last weekend.
Lady Cats volleyball’s season record heading into the bout with Greenville tonight is 4-3 overall.
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.
Constable Arrested Four While Attempting To Serve Paperwork On Connally Street
A Hopkins County Constable arrested four teens while while attempting to serve paperwork on Connally Street Monday afternoon. Sheriff’s deputies assisted at the location, according to arrest reports.
Jesus Leobardao Gonzalez 
Micah Ann Mothershed 
Paislie Paige Lappin 
David Alexander McCulloch
Precinct 2 Constable John Beadle knocked on the door at a Connally Street residence at 2:04 p.m. Aug. 16 while working a writ of possession. Two women, including Micah Ann Mothershed who was named in the paperwork, and a male arrived at the door together. For officer safety and that of the other person named in the writ as well as a worker with him, Beadle patted down the male, who reportedly kept reaching into his pockets. Beadle reported finding a bag of white, powdery substance that later tested positive for cocaine hanging out of one front pocket. At that time, he placed the male, identified as 17-year-old Jesus Leobardao Gonzalez of Sulphur Springs, into custody for possession of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and asked dispatchers to send Precinct 1 Constable Norman Colyer to the location to assist due to multiple individuals present.
Colyer arrived and served as a cover unit while Beadle entered the Connally Street residence to remove, from a back bedroom, a fourth person reported by one women to be passed out asleep. After yelling at the male multiple times, 17-year-old David Alexander McCulloch of Sulphur Springs awoke, was placed into handcuffs and removed from the house.
While in the bedroom, however, Beadle alleged seeing in plain view multiple needles and a drugs throughout the room. All four individuals, including 18-year-old Preslie Paige Lappin and 19-year-old Micah Ann Mothershed, both of Sulphur Springs. Assisted by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Richard Brantley and Sgt. Todd Evans, Beadle retrieved 8.4 ounces of marijuana and multiple vape pens.
As a result Mothershed, McCulloch, Lappin and Gonzalez were arrested just before 4 p.m. with possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance (the substance in the vape pens) and possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana. Gonzalez and Mothershed were also charged with possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. Bonzalez too was reported to be wanted for not taking care of a second offense no driver’s license charge.
All four remained in Hopkins County jail just before noon Tuesday. Bond was set at $20,000 each on the Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charge and $5,000 on the marijuana charge.
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.
Texas Ranger Ticket Giveaway #10
KSST has Texas Ranger Baseball tickets available this weekend’s Saturday and Sunday games against the Astros. Winners will get to chose from available tickets, first come first served.
This years tickets will be offered in a digital format. To be a winner, you will need to download and install the Offical MLB Ball Park App for your smart device. Think of the app as a digital wallet for your tickets.
How to Win
Like KSST and like this post on Facebook to enter. Winners will be chosen at random. Winners will be notified via Facebook. Remember, you will need to provide a valid email address, and that email must be linked to your MLB Ballpark app.
The Process
Once you win, KSST will forward the digital ticket information to your email. Your MLB Ballpark app will accept the ticket information and store them until you need them. You will need to take your device to the ballpark to display the QR code at the gate. Get all the details at MLB.COM
Just to be clear, KSST and KRVA did not receive paper tickets, so we can not furnish paper tickets to our winners.
Sulphur Springs Job Fair and Career Showcase Scheduled Thursday, Aug. 19
The Sulphur Springs/Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation, in collaboration with Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas and the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, announce the Sulphur Springs Job Fair and Career Showcase.
This event will take place on Thursday, August 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center, 1200 Houston St. in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
Job seekers are invited take advantage of this opportunity to meet with more than 20 employers and potentially find their next career.
About That Blue Alert Monday Night …
If you have a cell phone, chances are you too received a loud alert and a “Public Safety Alert” late Monday night for a “Law Enforcement Blue Alert.” Unless you’re plugged into the alert system or in public safety, that probably didn’t mean a lot to you and didn’t give enough information at that time of night to be much help except to alert you that something was going on.
While most are familiar with Amber and Silver Alerts, there are six types of Texas Department of Public Safety Alerts designed to quickly notify the general public about a situation involving a missing person. The six alerts you could potentially receive include
- Amber Alert – to help located abducted children,
- Silver Alert – missing older adults with a documented mental condition.
- Blue Alert – relays information regarding a suspected assailant accused of killing or seriously wounding a local, state, or federal law enforcement officer.
- Endangered Missing Persons Alert – for missing persons (of any age) with an intellectual disability.
- Camo Alerts – for a missing current or former member of the United States armed forces, including the National Guard or a reserve or auxiliary unit of any branch of the armed forces.
- CLEAR (Coordinated Law Enforcement Adult Rescue) Alert – for missing, kidnapped or abducted adults or adults who are in immediate danger of injury or death, as well as aid in locating any potential suspects.
The announcement issued Monday night, Aug. 16, by Texas Department of Public Safety asked people to be on the lookout for a vehicle in connection with case in Clay County, near Wichita Falls. A deputy was reportedly shot during a traffic stop, but is “expected to be OK.” Authorities were looking for a white male last seen driving a white four-door Cadillac with dark window tint, vehicle damage and the license plate FXJ-1334, which was not registered to the car it was on.
The man is a suspect in the shooting of a Clay County deputy, according to police reports. The man was last seen wearing dark colored clothing and a dark flat-billed cap. The white car was believed to have damage, including a possible broken or damaged rear window and possible bullet holes. The male was last seen in the car traveling northbound on US Highway 287 in Jolly around 7 p.m. Aug. 16, according to the DPS release.
The vehicle was reported to have been found in Wichita Falls, but he suspect at last report was still at large.
Anyone who may have information about the suspect’s location, or who thinks they see the suspect is urged to call 911 immediately.
Registration Now Open For New Landowner Seminar Series On Sept. 3
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Hopkins County have developed a series of educational programs to assist new landowners with the concept of agriculture production and rural living. The New Landowner Seminar Series is designed with you in mind, providing opportunities to hear from leading experts and successful producers in the field of agriculture on what it takes to start, manage, and maintain your own agricultural enterprise and effectively manage your natural resources.
You will hear from AgriLife Extension Specialists, County Extension Agents, and others on concepts related to Wildlife Management, Pond Management, Forage Production, Weed & Brush Control, Horticulture Production, Honey Bees, Livestock Production, Rural Laws and Codes, and much more.
Networking is another great opportunity provided through this program series; bringing landowners from the four-county-area together to talk about plans, successes, and challenges in an effort to help one another.
The series is schedule to start September 3, 2021, at the Hopkins County Extension Office. The series has a cost of $20 per person, $25 per couple.
Please register by August 27, 2021 by calling the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email Mario Villarino at [email protected] (a minimum of five attendees are required for the series to make).
Submitted by Dr. Mario Villarino, Texas AgriLife Extension Service Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent for Hopkins County
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report – Aug. 9-15, 2021
The Winnsboro Police Department’s weekly media report for Aug. 9-16, 2021, included the following:
Arrests
- No Arrests
Calls for Service
- The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 116 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 26 citations and 33 warnings during this reporting period.
SUV Stopped In Intersection Contained Suspected Meth, Sulphur Springs Trio
August 16, 2021 – Deputies found an SUV stopped in the intersection with suspected methamphetamine and a Sulphur Springs trio inside of it early Monday morning, according to arrest reports.
As Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Aaron Chaney was clearing a call of a suspicious vehicle in the area of County Road 4786 at 2:13 a.m. Aug. 16, 2021, noticed a Dodge Durango stationary in the middle of the intersection of County Road 4784 at State Highway 11 west, which deputies report seemed suspicious activity at that hour of the morning.
So, Chaney approached the vehicle with the emergency lights on his patrol unit lit and walked up to find two men and a woman inside the SUV. The trio further aroused his suspicion of something amiss after noting the three inside the vehicle were sweating, attempted to avoid eye contact with him and could not give a legitimate reason for being in the area after 2 a.m. Monday. The trio said none of them lived in the area.
When asked for their IDs, the driver revealed what appeared to be a used hypodermic syringe when he lifted the console to retrieve his wallet. The deputy then had the three exit the vehicle, one at a time, starting with front seat passenger, Jordan William McKay of Sulphur Springs, who was detained in handcuffs. As the rear passenger got out, identified in arrest reports as 43-year-old Margaret Ellene Caldwell of Sulphur Springs, Chaney alleged seeing a baggy containing what he suspected to be methamphetamine fall to the ground. She too was placed into custody. Chaney then had driver Christopher Huddleston step out. As the 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man did, The deputy alleged seeing a pipe of the kind used to smoke marijuana fall to the ground. Huddleston too was placed into handcuffs.
At that point HCSO Deputy Justin Wilkerson and Sgt. Scott Davis arrived to assist Chaney. The deputy found additional drug paraphernalia, including a glass pipe of the kind commonly used to smoke meth in the floorboard behind the driver’s seat, an additional used hypodermic syringe, an open unused bag of syringes, rolling papers commonly used to smoke marijuana.
Al three denied ownership of the contraband, but the driver allegedly admitted that they were in the area smoking meth prior to contact with the officer. All three were arrested at 2:56 a.m. for possession of a controlled substance. Sgt. Davis stayed with the vehicle until it was impounded by a towing service, while Wilkerson and Chaney transported the trio to Hopkins County jail, where the suspected meth was determined to weight 1.1 gram, including packaging.
Caldwell, 42, was released from Hopkins County jail later Monday, Aug. 16, 2021, on a $10,000 bond on the possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
Huddleston remained in jail in lieu of the $10,000 bond set on the charge according to jail reports. Monday is the second time in the last month that Huddleston, who jail reports show is also known by “Hi C,” has been booked into Hopkins County jail. Huddleston was also arrested around 12:30 a.m. July 21 for public intoxication; police were asked to issue a criminal trespass warning to Huddleston, who was reported by the homeowner to have been drinking alcohol prior to police arrival. The trespass warning was issued for the Pollard Street residence; the man was reported to be intoxicated to the point he was a danger to himself and others, so he was taken to jail instead of being escort from the grounds, police alleged in the July 21, 2021, arrest and jail report.
McKay also remained in custody at Hopkins County jail Monday evening in lieu of the $10,000 bond set on the controlled substance charge. The 27-year-old Sulphur Springs man was also arrested July 9, 2021, for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and theft of a firearm charges, and a warrant for not taking care of a public intoxication fine. On July 9, McKay walked up to deputies at a CR 2301 address where a disturbance was reported and was patted down after it was determined he had been previously involved in the incident. A pistol with the serial number defaced was found; a records check showed the gun had been reported to Greenville authorities as stolen. When the HCSO Chief Investigator found a bag of substance that later field-tested positive for methamphetamine was found in his pocket. More suspected meth was found in a hidden compartment in a lighter. The suspected meth weighed 0.779 gram, resulting in McKay being charged July 9, 2021, with theft of firearm and possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charges.
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.
Disturbance Complaint Results In Vehicle Pursuit On Loop 301, 2 Arrests
A County Road 4708 disturbance complaint resulted in a brief, high speed vehicle pursuit on Loop 301 around Sulphur Springs and eventually two arrests, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Communications Operators advised deputies they had received a call about a disturbance in which a male claimed he was in possession of a firearm on CR 4708 at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. While en route, deputies were further advised the man with the gun had left as a passenger in a white Ford Escape. Upon being advised the name of the man, deputies recognized him as one with outstanding warrants for his arrest.
Deputies Justin Wilkerson and Bobby Osornio, and Sgt. Richard Greer reported seeing traveling on FM 2285 a vehicle matching the one Robert Earl Hawkins Jr. had left in, and attempted a traffic stop. The passenger appeared to be Hawkins as well.
The SUV failed to stop on FM 2285, but one deputy did report seeing a small bag with a white substance go out the passenger’s side window just north of Hillcrest Drive. The vehicle continued to disregard the emergency lights and sirens on deputies’ patrol vehicles. The deputies pursued the white vehicle. The car ran through the blinking red light on Hillcrest Drive at Airport Road and continued forward as the road changed from FM 2285 to Airport Road. The vehicle reportedly continued east on Airport Road until it reached Church Street, then turned north onto Church to Loop 301. The pursuit then continued south onto Loop 301 at speed up to 100 miles per hour before reaching the end of Loop 301 at Jefferson Street. Deputies initiated a “high risk stop” with assistance of Texas Department of Pubic Safety and Sulphur Springs Police Department.
Once stopped, officers took both driver Narce Dalia Garcia and Hawkins into custody and transported to jail. The SUV was impounded by a wrecker service and a deputy returned to FM 2285 near Hillcrest Drive to retrieve the item thrown out the SUV window. The officer located a baggy he believed to be the item discarded from the SUV; it contained a crystal-like substance the deputies suspected to be methamphetamine. The pair, however, denied discarding the suspected meth from the vehicle. The substance weighed 0.77 grams, including packaging and field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
Both Garcia and Hawkins were arrested on possession of less than1 gram of a Penalty Group controlled substance and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair charges. The 34-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was also charged with evading arrest or detention with a vehicle. The 36-year-old Sulphur Springs man was also found to be wanted for bond forfeiture on three charges: possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone, burglary of a habitation and possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Narce Garcia remained in Hopkins County jail Monday afternoon, Aug. 16, 2021, in lieu of $200,000 in bonds set on the cases – $100,000 bond on the evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge, and $50,000 bond each on the tampering and controlled substance charges.
Hawkins too remained in the County jail Monday afternoon, Aug. 16, 2021, in lieu of $360,000 in bonds, including $100,000 bond each on the new tampering with physical evidence and controlled substance charges, and the burglary warrant; $20,000 bond on one controlled substance warrant; and $40,000 on the other.
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.
