HHSC Encourages Breast Cancer Screenings During Awareness Month
AUSTIN – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is encouraging women to get screened regularly for the disease.
“Many of us have delayed life-saving screenings like mammograms during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is understandable. But after 19 months it’s so important to get back on track with regular breast cancer screening,” said Lindsay Rodgers, HHSC associate commissioner for Health and Developmental Services. “Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms.”
The American Cancer Society recommends that women ages 45 to 54 get a mammogram annually, while women ages 55 and older get checked at least once every two years. Women with extra risk factors could start annual screenings at age 40.
HHSC’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Services Program (BCCS) helps fund clinics across the state to provide free breast cancer screening and diagnostic services such as clinical breast examinations, mammograms and breast biopsies to eligible women. BCCS also provides funding for cervical cancer screenings and treatment for precancerous cervical conditions.
Last year, the program helped more than 26,600 women, including more than 15,000 women who received breast cancer services. Uninsured and underinsured Texas women who have an income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible to apply for BCCS. Additional eligibility requirements can be found here.
To learn more about women’s health programs and services offered, visit www.healthytexaswomen.org or dial 2-1-1.
About National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed in October to raise awareness about breast cancer and provide education about prevention, screening, and treatments. According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer became the most common cancer globally as of 2021, accounting for 12 percent of all new annual cancer cases worldwide.
This month, some breast cancer awareness observation dates include:
- Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day – Oct. 13
- National Mammography Day – Oct. 15
- Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day – Oct. 20
Watch for Bridge Work on CR 4712 in Hopkins County
Oct. 1, 2021
PARIS — Texas Department of Transportation officials today announced that a project to replace a bridge on CR 4712 in Hopkins County is slated to begin Oct. 10.
The contractor, Highway 19 Construction LLC, was granted 64 working days, weather permitting, to complete this project valued at more than $274,000.
The contractor will replace the bridge on CR 4712 at the Crooks Creek Tributary, officials said.
County Road 4712 will be closed at this location while this project is underway. The anticipated completion date of this project is mid-January 2022, officials said.
Motorists who travel frequently in these areas are asked to pay special attention to all barricades, traffic controls and signs, and to reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking or car audio or navigation systems.
For more information contact [email protected] or call (903) 737-9213.
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Board Approves 3-Cent Reduction In Hospital District Tax Rate
The Board of Directors this week approved a 3-cent reduction in the Hospital District Tax Rate for 2021-2022, and a budget during a special called meeting this week.
2021-22 Tax Rate
The hospital district tax rate will be 22-cents per $100 property valuation, down from 25-cents.
However, due to a 15.45 percent increase in appraisal values on the average taxable homestead value, property owners will likely see an increase in their tax bills. In other words, if the taxable value on a homestead in 2020 was $45,873, that homestead value in 2021 would increase to $52,961. The tax then on the homestead would increase by almost $2 from $114.68 to $116.51 in 2021 tax bills, according to the tax notice posted on the HCHD webpage.
The overall total tax levy on all properties within HCHD has decreased slightly, however, from approximately $5.78 million to $5.73 million, according to the public notice posted by HCHD Board earlier this month. That’s a $47,049.31 decrease in overall tax revenue, according to the public notice posted on the Hospital District webpage.
With no one from the public attending to speak during the designated public forum, the tax rate was unanimously approved by the board members present at the Sept. 28, 2021, special called board meeting.
FY 2021-22 Budget
The Hospital District Board too approved the budget, which includes $5,728,840.14 derived from projected tax revenue.
When asked by HCHD Board member Joe Bob Burgin about the lack of capital expenses in the proposed budget, HCHD COO/EMS Director Brent Smith said the budget did not include any capital expenditures, as the board had already approved the major cost of an ambulance at a prior meeting.
“The only capital request that we will ask for in the future will be closer to the time the [new EMS station/HCHD] building is complete are for items that need to go in that building,” Smith affirmed.
“Furniture and that kind of stuff?” HCHD Board President Kerry Law asked.
“Yes,” Smith affirmed during the Sept. 28 noon meeting.
“Ya’ll seem to always need a bunch of capital and I just want to make sure we are all on the same track,” HCHD Board member Joe Bob Burgin said.
“I try to look 2 to 3 years out. We’re in good position right now,” Smith noted.
“The last 2-3 months of hte budget, that stuff will be place din service, and it’ll start to depreciate once we put it in service. That’ll be in the fourth quarter of our fiscal year, most likely,” Law said.
“We can buy cardboard boxes ’til the next fiscal year,” Burgin said jestingly.
The budget for FY 2021-22 which began Oct. 1, 2021 and ends Sept. 30, 2022, is projected to bring in $11.88 million in revenues, including the tax revenue and funds collected for rental services and EMS bills, and $7.83 million in expenses for EMS.
The district anticipates receiving another $15,996 in Texas fuel tax refunds, about $1,333 per month.
The budget too includes $4.5 million monthly in nursing home revenues, for a total of $54 million in nursing home revenue. Nursing home expenses are projected to be $4.4 million per month, or $52.8 million per year. That should mean about $1.2 million coming back to the hospital district.
The district too expects to spend $166,666.67 monthly for indigent care per their agreement, for a total of $2 million in indigent care expenses projected. So, $65,333.67 monthly, or $784,004 annually will need to come from other revenue sources to fund the obligation.
That should leave $499.484.12 after all expenses every month, or $3.27 at the end of the year once all expenses and revenues are reconciled, according to the summary provided by HCHD administration this week.
Other Business
Law said he likes the balance sheet and statement of cash flows as presented in the district financial statements, but would like to see an income statement that rolls the district and all the EMS into what is the bottom line for the entirety of the district.
“Right now, you can see what the district does, then you’ve got to add Hopkins County [EMS] to it, then you’ve got to add the other 3 districts [Delta, Franklin and Rains County EMS] to it to get to a real bottom line,” Law said of the 2020-21 financial statements.
Not counting the sale of hte district’s share in CHRISTUS Hopkins Health Alliance, HCHD’s financials as of August 2021, were $3.97 million
“I was trying to get to what does this year looks like compared to what was budgeted. So I would say, that budget is probably a reasonable look at $3.2 million and some change. And we are sitting at $3.9 million. The balance sheet is pretty clean,” Law noted.
The board too discussed the depository bid process. and opted to post notices three consecutive weeks to start the process. The board last had to post notices seeking interested financial institutions for hospital district finances in 2016, staff reported.
Win Tickets to Mainstreet Uncorked on KRVA
KRVA is giving away tickets to Mainstreet Uncorked: Wine and Music Festival happening Saturday, October 9th from 1:00-7:00pm! Enjoy a relaxing night out on the town with tasty wines, fun shopping, and listening to great music!
To enter to win LIKE the KRVA Facebook Homepage AND this post! Winners will be announced Wednesday October 6th at 7:15 on KRVA 107.1 FM.
Winners and their guest MUST be 21 years or older and have a VALID ID to present at the festival check in where they will pick up their wine glasses and information on each vendor. Winners can pick up their specialty wrist bands at the KRVA/KSST Radio station in Sulphur Springs.
Friday Game Day Brings Lady Cats Volleyball At Home Versus Longview
The Lady Cats volleyball team are all too ready to be back on their home court.
Coach Bailey Dorner’s squad is the only team in action on this game day Friday, and with the team back in Sulphur Springs after a two-game road stretch that included a bye last Friday, Sept. 24, it marks the first time the Lady Cats will be playing in the Main Gym since their Sept. 17 four-set win versus Marshall.
Add in the fact that the second game, Tuesday’s duel in Hallsville that ended in heartbreaking fashion as Sulphur Springs lost to the Lady Cats in five sets, and Coach Dorner’s team is all too ready to return to the Main Gym.
The loss dropped Coach Dorner’s team’s overall record to 17-12 (3-2 district).
Now though, Sulphur Springs is set to host district foe Longview this afternoon at 4:30 P.M. at SSHS.
The Lady Cats will be looking for the bounce-back win today when they host the Lady Lobos in the first game of a two-game home stand.
Tuesday Coach Bailey Dorner’s squad will host Mt. Pleasant for the second match between the two teams.
Sulphur Springs won their district opener in Mt. Pleasant when they swept the Lady Tigers 3-0 on Sept. 10.
But before they can focus on Tuesday’s second and final match versus the Lady Tigers, they will have to get past Longview later today when the Lady Lobos come to SSHS Main Gym to take on the Lady Cats.
The matches will get underway with the varsity teams at 4:30 P.M. followed by freshman and JV squads at 6 P.M.
Today’s game, if given permission by Longview, will be live-streamed onto KSST Radio’s YouTube channel.
Regardless of livestream capabilities, Friday’s volleyball matchup with the Lady Lobos will be broadcasted on KSST 1230 AM.
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.
DSHS: Flu Season Is Coming, Get Your Shot Now
Oct. 1 is Texas Influenza Awareness Day
With flu season approaching and COVID-19 still spreading in Texas, now is the best time to get a flu shot. The Texas Department of State Health Services encourages everyone to protect themselves, their families and their communities against respiratory illness throughout the flu season by getting immunized as soon as possible.
People can get vaccinated for flu and COVID-19 at the same time. Getting vaccinated against flu will slow the circulation of the virus in Texas and keep people out of the hospital, conserving medical resources needed to care for COVID-19 patients.
“We have good reason to believe this flu season may be worse than last year’s,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner. “For most of last flu season, we didn’t have the COVID vaccine yet, and many Texans were practicing the same basic health protections and good hygiene that have proven to help stop any respiratory virus like COVID-19 and flu. For this upcoming flu season, we expect fewer people to be wearing masks and physically distancing now that we have effective vaccines for COVID-19.”
Getting a flu shot is especially important for people at a higher risk for complications if they do get the flu, including those with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, young children and older adults. People who provide care to members of those groups should get a flu shot to protect themselves and to prevent spreading the flu to vulnerable people they care for in their families and communities.
Influenza is caused by a number of related viruses. Symptoms usually start suddenly and include fever, body aches, chills, a dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, headaches and extreme fatigue and can last a week or longer.
The same precautions Texans are already taking against COVID-19 – getting vaccinated, covering coughs and sneezes, physical distancing and hand hygiene – will help slow the spread of influenza.
DSHS encourages people to seek treatment promptly if they are experiencing flu symptoms. Antiviral drugs may help shorten the duration or lessen the severity of the flu if started within 48 hours of when symptoms begin.
The flu vaccines available in the United States this flu season will protect against four strains of the flu virus: two strains of influenza A and two of influenza B. People can contact their health care provider, local health department or local pharmacy to find out where flu shots are available.
Video messages for Texas Influenza Awareness Day in English and Spanish are available on the DSHS YouTube channel.
Oct. 4 Jury Summons Cancelled
The Jury summons for Monday, Oct. 4, at 8:30 a.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center has been cancelled, according to District Clerk Cheryl Fulcher. Those who received a summons do not need to report for service on Monday.
Recoveries Outpaced New COVID Cases In September,1 More Hopkins County COVID Fatality Reported
Hopkins County appears to be headed in the right direction, with recoveries outpacing new COVID cases during the month of September, due marked decrease in new virus cases reported over the past 16 days than during the first 2 weeks of the month. Unfortunately, 1 more Hopkins County COVID fatality was reported as well.
The first half of September was marked with high rates of new cases 458 total, 212 during the first week an 246 during the second week. During the next 2 weeks, 257 total new cases were recorded, 126 during the third week and 131 during the second week of September, and 12 new cases over the past 2 days. In other words, the daily case count total for Sept. 15-30 was about half the amount reported from Sept. 1-14, 2021, according to Texas Department of State Health Services’ Sept. 30 COVID Case Counts dashboard.
Hopkins County had 136 new lab-confirmed COVID cases during the first week, 148 the second week, 87 the third week and 84 the third week, 94 the fourth week and 10 new molecular cases the last 2 days, for a total of 475 new confirmed molecular cases in September. Unfortunately, the total is still 67 more than were reported during August – a new monthly record.
That increases the total number of Hopkins County residents who received lab-confirmed molecular cases so far in 2021 to 1,725, and the cumulative total since spring break of 2020 to 2,904.
A total of 252 probable cases were also reported for Hopkins County residents during September, 76 during the first week, 98 the second week, 39 the third week, 37 the fourth week, and one each over the last 2 days of September. Only 163 probable cases were reported for Hopkins County during the month of August. That’s nearly as many new probable cases form Sept. 8-14 than during the entire month of August.
A total of 1,060 probable cases have been reported in 2021 and a cumulative total of 2,178 probable cases since the state began tracking probable COVID cases last fall.
While COVID case have declined over the past 16 days, the number of recoveries has increased from 282 Sept. 1-14 to 430 Hopkins County recoveries from Sept. 15-28, including 81 recoveries over the past 2 days. That’s a total of 783 recoveries during the month of September, more than twice the 362 reported in August.
That, in turn, has reduced the active case count in Hopkins County which rose from 368 on Sept. 1 to 498 on Sept. 14, then fell to 388 on Sept. 21 and continued to drop to 306 on Sept. 28 and 237 on Sept. 30. Overall, that drops the weekly average number of active cases from 468 on Week 2 to 418 on Week 3 and 327 on Week 4, then 250 for the past 2 days.
Unfortunately, DSHS also reported another COVID fatality for Hopkins County. The death from COVID was reported to have occurred on Sept. 7. That makes seven Hopkins County residents whose cause was listed on death certificates to be COVID. Two residents died on Sept. 1, and one each on Sept. 3, Sept. 7, Sept. 13, Sept. 14 and Sept. 16, 2021. That’s four fewer deaths than in September of 2020 and eight less than August 2021.
Overall, 65 Hopkins County residents have died this year from COVID-19 and 136 since March 2020.
The number people being vaccinated has also risen, from 14,707 who received at least one dose of vaccine on Sept. 25 to 14,752 on Sept. 28, then 14,802 on Sept. 29 and 14,868 today who’ve received at least 1 dose of COVID vaccine. The number of fully vaccinated in Hopkins County rose from 13,395 on Sept. 25 to 12,459 on Sept. 28, 12,566 on Sept. 29 and 12,666 Sept. 30. The state also began reporting the number people who’ve received a third COVID booster on Sept. 29. From Aug. 13-Sept. 29, a total of 406 COVID booster shots had been given. That number increased to 509 on Sept. 30, 2021, according to the Health and Human Services/DSHS Sept. 30 COVID Data dashboard reports.
Tira News – Sept. 30, 2021: North Hopkins Alumni Homecoming Scheduled Oct. 23
By Jan Vaughn
The North Hopkins Alumni Association is making plans for the alumni homecoming in the school cafeteria. Mark your calendars for Saturday evening, Oct. 23, and watch for more details to come.
Sherry Smiddy Clair reported receiving a donation for the Tira Food Pantry this week. We always appreciate the contributions.
All of Robert and Yvonne Weir’s kids and grandkids met at Destri’s house on Saturday, Sept.18, after watching Destri and Eben’s son, Nico, play flag football in Caddo Mills. Yvonne commented, “We enjoyed swimming and pizza.”
Wesley Weir started Bright Star baseball on Monday, Sept. 20.
Chip and I traveled to Texarkana, Arkansas on Thursday evening, Sept. 16, to watch our granddaughter, Jaidyn Joslin, play volleyball. She plays on the 7th grade team from Lakeside Middle School in Hot Springs. Their team won.
Yvonne Weir reports that she and Robert; Wesley, Dacy and Elise Campbell; and Dustin, Natalie, and Everly Weir attended the wedding of Malorie and Jesus Gonzales at The Savannah on Saturday night. Dustin and Everly also visited with them on Monday and Tuesday.
Chip’s sister, Linda Ellen Vaughn, came for a visit over the weekend. She had recently been on a vacation in Alaska, which she loved. She’s already making plans for another visit.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Both Eighth Grade A and B Football Teams Start Season With 3-0 Record
Tuesday night proved to be another winning one for SSMS Coach Eddie Flores and his eighth grade football program.
The eighth grade B team won 35-0 vs the Marshall Mavericks.
On offense, quarterback Deuce Timmons played well, throwing one touchdown but managed to take it in on the ground twice.
QB Issiac Ray also played well, throwing a TD and played well defensively.
WR Ben Lovelady had a great game, with one receiving TD, and was a force to be reckoned with on the other side of the ball; forcing 2 fumbles while getting recoveries. Receiver Griffin Arms also notched a receiving touchdown.
The B-team defense had a great game, shutting out the Marshall Mavericks with great effort from Preston Nottingham, Aiden Chester, TJ Bolden, and Za Goldbolt.
Coach Flores said the aforementioned players flew around and made plays on defense in the shut-out win in Marshall versus the Mavericks.
The Wildcats coach said Josh Dixon, TJ Abron, Jermiah Robinson, Bryson Reyes, Aiden Koon, Kendrick Harris, Marcos Ramirez, and Jacolby Arceneaux all played well executing the blocking scheme on offense and getting in the backfield on defense.
The eighth grade A team also beat the Mavericks on their home turf, beating Marshall 35-16.
On offense, QB Gage Gideon threw for three touchdowns and rushed for one more. Wide receivers Jaxson Haire had 2 receiving TDs and played well defensively and Jamorian Jeffery also recorded a receiving touchdown.
RB Alex King ran the ball hard all night and managed to punch it in with a touchdown in the win.
“The A-team defense played hard all night,” Coach Flores said, “[They were] flying around and swarming to the football.”
Players Jeffery Stevenson, Aiden Godbolt, Justin Strickland, Dallin Horton, Lucas Shirley, Anthony Solis, Michael Walker, Trey Pannel, Kase Temples, and Aiden Mcarroll did a great job of blocking on offense, and on the other side of the ball they created problems for the Marshall Mavericks all night, the middle school coach said.
Next up, the Sulphur Springs Middle School Wildcats will travel to Mount Pleasant on Tuesday, Oct. 5 and play against the Mount Pleasant Tigers.
The eighth grade B team will get the action going at 5:30 P.M. followed by the A-team at 6:30 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.
