106 COVID-19 Fatalities Confirmed For Hopkins County
While many businesses were preparing to fully reopen and many people were celebrating the lifting of mask requirements Tuesday, Texas Department of State Health Services announced the 106 COVID-19 fatalities have now been confirmed for Hopkins County, including two deaths which occurred this month. Eleven additional residents were also reported to have contracted the virus this week, according to the COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard.
That’s five additional COVID-19 deaths reported in the last week. Two of the confirmed COVID_19 deaths occurred on March 2, the three other COVID deaths occurred in February. In fact, the five coronavirus deaths reported for Hopkins County in February (one each on Feb. 7, 10, 16, 20 and 26) is the least fewest monthly total since July, the first time Hopkins County had any confirmed COVID-19 deaths, when 2 deaths were reported.
Of the 106 fatalities, 57 were residents of the four nursing facilities in Sulphur Springs, including one nursing home death reported on Feb. 23, according to Texas Health and Human Services’ March 10 COVID-19 nursing facilities report, which reflects statistics only through Feb. 24, the most recent data available from HHS for Texas nursing facilities.
That’s 0.29 percent of the Hopkins County population (106 of 37,084 residents) who have died as a direct result of COVID-19. Red River County also has a COVID-19 fatality rate of 0.29 percent (35 of the population of 12,023 residents). That means Hopkins and Red River County have had the same fatality rate among the entire population as El Paso County, where 125,985 of 839,238 residents have had confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 2,422 residents who have died a result of the the virus over the last year.
In the 9-county area included and within 100 miles of Hopkins, only one other county has a higher fatality rate among all residents than Hopkins and Red River counties; Lamar County has a 0.30 fatality rate (150 COVID-19 deaths out of the 49,859 population). Although Hunt County has had the most confirmed positive cases (5,255), Hunt also has the lowest fatality rate among the total population in the 9-county region (0.16 percent or 153 death out of the 98,594 population). Not surprising is the fact that Hunt County also has the lowest fatality rate among confirmed-COVID-19 positive residents: 2.93 percent of confirmed COVID-19 positive Hunt County residents (154 of 5,255) have died as a direct result of the virus during the last year.
Red River County has the highest fatality rate among residents who have received lab-confirmed positive molecular COVID-19 test results over the last year: 8.77 percent of Red River County’s confirmed COVID-19 cases (35 of 399 cases) ended in death. Hopkins County has the second highest COVID-19 fatality rate of 6.92 percent among residents confirmed by molecular testing to have COVID-19 over the last year (106 of 1,531 positive cases).
Delta County, which not only has the smallest population (5,331 residents), also has the smallest confirmed COVID-19 cases count (173), and the fewest number of COVID-19 fatalities: 11 of the 173 confirmed cases died for a 6.36 percent death rate among virus-infected Delta County residents and 0.21 percent among the total population.
Titus County, which has about 4,335 less residents than Hopkins, has had only 82 fatalities from among 2,674 confirmed cases (third highest number of cases in the 9-county region), giving Titus County the second lowest fatality rate (3.07 percent) among infected individuals, but 0.25 percent among the total population of about 32,750.
State Expanding COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility To Include Anyone 50 Or Older
Beginning March 15, anyone age 50 or older in Texas will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, Texas Department of State Health Services announced Wednesday afternoon.
More than 93 percent of coronavirus deaths in Texas have been in people age 50 and older, with those ages 50 to 64 accounting for 20 percent of all fatalities. Including this group to the vaccine eligibility list should help further reduce the number of people who are hospitalized and die from the disease across all races, ethnicities and occupations, DSHS noted.
“We’ve seen a remarkable decrease in the number of hospitalizations and deaths since people 65 and older started becoming fully vaccinated in January,” said Imelda Garcia, DSHS associate commissioner for laboratory and infectious disease services and chair of the Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel. “Expanding to ages 50 to 64 will continue the state’s priorities of protecting those at the greatest risk of severe outcomes and preserving the state’s health care system.”
More than half of all Texas seniors had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 30 percent those are fully vaccinated. The number of COVID-19 positive patients in Texas hospitals has fallen by two-thirds from its peak in mid-January. There are about 5 million Texans between the ages of 50 and 64; more than 1 million of them are already vaccinated, according to the DSHS report.
The state’s COVID-19 vaccination program began with Phase 1A in December with health care workers and long-term care facility residents and staff. Later that month, Phase 1B rolled out with people 65 years and older and individuals with medical conditions that put them at a greater hospitalization and death from COVID-19 added to the vaccine eligibility list. Texas last week added school and child care workers to the eligible population, following a directive from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
More information on the new 1C priority group (50-64 years) is available at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine/EVAP-Phase1C.pdf.
Overall, more than 7 million doses have been administered in Texas. About 4.7 million people have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 2.5 million are fully vaccinated.
In Hopkins County, where COVID-19 vaccines are still relatively hard to come by due to the more limited supplies allocated to local providers than in more populous areas with hubs and super hubs, a total of 6,063 people had received vaccinations, 2,498 people who are fully vaccinated and 3,766 who have received one dose but are still awaiting the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
As of 11:59 p.m. March 9, a total of 1,021 people ages 65-79 with Hopkins County addresses (474 men and 547 women) had been fully vaccinated for COVID-19. The next largest group of fully vaccinated individuals in Hopkins County were those between 50 and 64 years of age (211 men and 363 women). Another 473 Hopkins County residents ages 16-49 years (146 males and 326 females) are fully vaccinated and 428 age 80 and older (159 men and 269 women).
Another 1,600 adults ages 65-79 (740 men and 860 women) have received the first dose of the vaccine and are waiting for the second dose. A total of 843 Hopkins County residents ages 50-64 years (326 men and 515 women), 674 residents ages 16-49 (220 males and 453 females) and 646 residents ages 80 and older (239 men and 407 women) had were waiting the requisite 3-6 weeks to receive the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine and 4-6 Weeks to receive the second dose of the Moderna vaccine. The majority of people vaccinated in Hopkins County received the Moderna vaccine as that’s typically the brand of COVID-19 vaccine allocated to local providers.
However, DSHS last week reported that a total of 200 doses of the new Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine were allocated to Hopkins County this week, 100 each to Brookshire’s Pharmacy and to CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic.
Sulphur Springs, Cumby, Miller Grove, Saltillo, Yantis ISDs Continue Mask Policies
Cumby ISD joins Sulphur Springs ISD as both continue to follow COVID-19 policies already in place regarding masks at school. SSISD announced the district’s determination regarding masks on March 4 and the Cumby ISD superintendent reported the district’s stance on the matter Wednesday morning. Miller Grove, Yantis and Saltillo ISDs will continue to follow current policies pending review of TEA and UIL guidelines as well, officials have reported.
Cumby ISD plans to continue following the COVID-19 health and safety protocols in place this school year, at the recommendation of Texas Education Agency, the superintendent announced around 11 a.m. March 10. Any questions regarding COVID-19 protocols, including mask requirements, may be addressed to Cumby ISD Superintendent Shelly Slaughter at [email protected].
Below is the notice posted around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 10, by Miller Grove ISD that the mask policy remains in place, at least until the March 22 school board meeting, after which the district will notify staff, students and families if any charges are approved.
Both Yantis ISD and Saltillo ISD shortly after Abbott announced GA-34, noted that their districts will continue to follow the COVID-19 related policies each school district has operated under this school year until they can review TEA and UIL guidance to determine how GA-34 might impact campuses.
Saltillo ISD administrators on March 3 and Yantis ISD administrators on March 2 noted they will communicate to staff students and families if any changes are made to COVID-19 operating protocols, including those related to masks. No additional notices have been posted.
What’s In the Bag? by Mario Villarino
On any visit to a nursery or a big-box garden center one will find many types of soil additives and amendments. It can be confusing to any gardener, as compost, mulch, potting soil, and potting mix are all commonly sold in bags. Selecting the right product for your garden will not only improve your soil, but also result in healthier, more productive plants. Knowing what is in the bag and how to use it can be the key to gardening success.
Compost is one of the best things a gardener can add to the soil. Compost is the end product of decomposition of plants, leaves, grass, and even food scraps from the kitchen. Finished compost will be dark, moist, and earthy smelling. Compost can be used as a mulch or lightly tilled into the soil, as both uses will immediately add nutrients and improve your soil’s ability to retain moisture.
Mulch is used to add a protective layer on top of the soil to help conserve moisture and block weeds from flourishing in your garden. Natural mulch, made of organic materials, and mulch made of non-organic materials are available for sale in bags, Some artificial mulches are made from recycled rubber chips, usually colored to add appeal. These mulches should be avoided, as they do not break down in the soil, do not hold moisture, and add nothing to the health of your soil.
Natural mulches, on the other hand, add tremendous amounts of nutrients to the soil as they break down, turning into compost. Shredded tree trimmings, made from Cyprus, cedar, or pine bark, are readily available in bags, and make excellent mulch. Pine bark mulch is light weight, and may wash away during a heavy rain. Colored natural mulches come in red, brown, or black, and add an immediate blast of color to the garden. However, this color is short lived, as the dye used to color these mulches usually fades after a few months.
Don’t forget to look for mulch in your own landscape! Leaves and lawn clippings make wonderful mulch, and re-using these in your garden will keep your soil healthy, give better control of weeds, and save money. Master Gardeners are taught to “Compost once, mulch forever”, with the idea of re-applying mulch regularly as it breaks down into compost. This practice will keep your soil healthy and nutrient rich for each growing season.
Potting soil and potting mixes are two products that can be easily confused. Potting mixes are soil-less, and composed of organic matter and/or peat moss for water retention, and vermiculite or perlite to help manage drainage and nutrients. Fluffy in texture, potting mixes are lighter than potting soil, and allow for seeds to germinate quicker, and space for tender new roots to grow. Potting mixes are more expensive than potting soil, and they need to be replaced periodically, as they break down over time and lose nutrients.
As the name implies, potting soils contain soil. Ordinary soil from your landscape is naturally rich in nutrients, but when used in containers, it will quickly become compacted, hindering air circulation, and easily becomes waterlogged. Potting soil, however, contains some of the same materials used in potting mixes, moderating some of the disadvantages of plain “dirt.”
Potting soil is generally slightly cheaper than potting mix and will last longer than potting mix, but due to its dense texture, drainage is poorer, and seeds have a more difficult time germinating.
Whatever the soil in your garden needs, it probably can be found in a bag at any nearby garden center. Knowing what’s in the bag will go a long way to gardening success. Happy gardening!
Two Women, Three Men Jailed On Controlled Substance Or Related Charge
Two women and three men were jailed Tuesday, March 9, on either a controlled substance or related charge. One was arrested as a result of a traffic stop, one a disturbance and three were from warrant arrests, according to jail reports.
Kyle Street Traffic Stop
Sulphur Springs Police Department Officer Sean Hoffman conducted a traffic stop on a Toyota Corolla at 1:51 p.m. March 9 on Kyle Street at Texas Street.
The 39-year-old Sulphur Springs driver reportedly showed nervous indicators while talking to Hoffman. When asked if she had anything illegal inside the car, Kristina L. Ullman allegedly admitted to having a scale used to weigh marijuana in her purse but said it was her cousin’s scale. Hoffman found two syringes loaded with liquid and blood mixed on them, making it hard for the officer to tell what type of substance the syringe was loaded with, the officer noted in arrest reports.
While she was being booked into Hopkins County jail, a jailer found two bags containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine and a bag containing miscellaneous dangerous drugs, Hoffman alleged in arrest reports.
Ullman was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone, Hoffman alleged in arrest reports. She remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, March 10, 2021, on both charges, according to jail reports.
Phyllis Court Disturbance
SSPD Officer Tyler Francis responded on Phyllis Court to a disturbance. Upon contact with a 39-year-old Sulphur Springs woman at the location he asked dispatchers to conduct a records check using her ID information.
Katrina Jane Crowson was taken into custody at 4:20 p.m. March 9, 2021, on warrants for bond forfeiture on forgery of a financial instrument and possession of less than 1 gram of a controlled substance charges.
Crowson, who jail reports show is also known by Katrina Jane Humphrey, Katrina L. Lile and Katrina Jane Lile, remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, March 10, 2021, on both felony charges. She was originally arrested on April 4, 2020, on the forgery and controlled substance charges after police found her with counterfeit currency and heroin at a local business, according to arrest and jail records.
Wanted At Adult Probation Office
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was notified a wanted person was at the Adult Probation Office in Sulphur Springs.
Deputy Bobby Osornio took Clayton Ryan Hanson into custody at 4:39 p.m. at the Hinnant Street office and transported him to jail. The 23-year-old Sulphur Springs man was booked into Hopkins County jail at 5:15 p.m. March 9, 2021, on the warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Hanson remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, March 10, 2021, on the warrant, according to jail reports.
Tuesday was the fourth time Hanson has been jailed related to the controlled substance charge. He was first arrested on Oct. 9, 2016 for possession of a controlled substance as well as a theft charge. He spent May 25-July 5, 2017 in the county jail, serving a commitment for the charge. Hanson then spent Feb. 4-July 31, 2020 in jail for violating probation on the charge, according to jail records.
FM 2560 Arrest
HCSO Deputy Chris Baumann was made aware March 9 of an outstanding warrant for Jimmy Wayne Gill’s arrest.
Baumann and Sgt. Scott Davis traveled to the 26-year-old Sulphur Springs man’s FM 2560 residence and took him into custody at 8:18 p.m. March 9. Gill was booked into Hopkins County jail at the warrant for violation of probation-possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, the deputies alleged in arrest reports. The offense occurred on March 5, 2021 according to arrest reports.
Gill remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, March 10, 2021 on the charge, according to jail reports.
Arrested In Emory on Hopkins County Warrant
HCSO Sgt. Scott Davis was made aware of a warrant for Devan Dale Munoz‘s arrest March 9. Davis, aware Munoz had been staying in the Emory area, contacted Emory Police Officer Keith Lewis.
Lewis was able to located and take Munoz into custody. The Emory officer transported him to the Rains-Hopkins County line, where he released custody of Munoz to Davis at 9:22 p.m. March 9, 2021.
Davis transported Munoz to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked for bond forfeiture on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports. He remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, March 10, according to jail reports.
The original offense, Davis noted in arrest reports, was alleged to have occurred on July 10, 2020. Hopkins County jail reports show Munoz was arrested July 10, 2020 on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, after claiming the contraband found in the pants he had on wasn’t his as the pants weren’t his either. He was released later that day on a $10,000 bond on the felony charge, and indicted on it in December 2020. Munoz is also known by Deven Dale Munoz and Devin Dale Munoz, according to jail reports.
CMF Sulphur Springs Hospital News for Week of March 9, 2021
Sulphur Springs, Texas, March 9, 2021 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur
Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.
Events
Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Hospital Gala 2021
The Gala is one of the most beloved and anticipated events of the year. This year, the 15 th
Annual Lights of Life Gala, will be that again – the theme this year is ‘Gala Unmasked’.
The Silent Auction will be open for bidding from February 15 through March 20.
It will be live on the GiveSmart Platform as in year’s past: https://galaunmasked.givesmart.com
All items will be displayed at the Civic Center and available for viewing:
Monday, 3/1 – Facebook live at Civic Center
Wednesday, 3/3 – 11 am – 1 pm
Friday, 3/5 – 9 am – 11 am
Tuesday, 3/16 – 5 pm – 7 pm
Thursday, 3/18 – 11 am – 1 pm
Friday, 3/19 – 9 am – 11 am
The Virtual Gala | Live Auction will take place on March 20 at 6:00pm.
View Gala Unmasked and the Live Auction Telethon:Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Facebook Page. If you wish to bid on a Live Auction Item, please call 903.243.9098. Volunteers will be operating the phone bank to take bids. (This will happen in real time.)
Coloring Contest/Naming Contest for Kindergarten through 5 th Grades
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has a new family member… the Mako
robotic surgical assistant. We are asking for all local students from Kindergarten through 5 th
grades to enter a coloring sheet and come up with a name for our new robot. Students should
work with their teachers to enter their submissions. The top 5 finalists will be shared on
Facebook, and the community will vote on the winning name. The winner will get to meet the
robot, have a pizza party, and we will post their photo in the newspaper with the robot and our
Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Chris Meltsakos, who will be using the robotic assistant to work on
patients’ knees. We look forward to all of the great ideas. Please note March 15 deadline.
COVID-19
Experiencing Symptoms?
If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, cough, sore
throat, loss of taste or smell, chills, muscle pain or headache, or diarrhea, please call your
provider for either a face-to-face appointment or a telemedicine consultation. If your provider
determines you need to have a COVID-19 test, they will send you to the appropriate outpatient
location for testing. If you are experiencing an emergency, please present to the Emergency
Room. At this time, we are preserving our Emergency Room COVID-19 tests for those who are experiencing an emergency. Otherwise, we would ask that you follow the steps above. If you do not have a healthcare provider, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic welcomes new patients. Please call 903.885.3181 to talk to one of our associates about setting up an appointment.
Don’t Delay Care:
We want to be perfectly clear – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances remains a safe place for all
to receive quality care. Go to the Emergency Department or call 9-1-1 if you are urgently ill.
While COVID-19 is new, our processes and procedures in place for infection prevention and
preventing the spread of illness are not. To learn more about COVID-19, go to ChristusTMF.org or www.cdc.gov
Hospital Visitation
For the safety and health of the community and our ministry, CHRISTUS Health is screening all associates and visitors to our hospitals to help lessen the risk of infectious disease transmission among our patients, associates, and guests.
(1) Entrance to hospital through Emergency Department 24/7
(1) Visitor per patient
Visitors must be between the ages of 16-years old and 65-years old
All visitors are screened at the door, including a temperature taken
All associates are screened at each shift, including a temperature taken
Visiting hours are 7am to 7pm (subject to change)
ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own
mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable.
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
What To Expect In Local City and County Facilities Following GA-34
Governor Greg Abbott’s announcement last week of GA-34, which retracts most of the other Governor’s Order enacted related to COVID-19 over the last several months, goes into effect today (Wednesday, March 10). Businesses that choose to do so will be allowed to reopen with no capacity limits, and most public face mask requirements are also lifted — although business owners are allowed to request people wear masks if they choose. No one can be punished with jail time for not wearing a mask, however, according to the Governor’s Order. Local city and county COVID-19 protocols vary.
GA-34 refers school districts to Texas Education Agency, which along with UIL is recommending that schools continue to follow the recommended protocols in place through the end of the semester. Sulphur Springs ISD will continue to follow masking and other COVID-19 protocols as recommended and other school districts are evaluating options to determine what’s best for their schools.
Local city and county governments also have to determine what if any COVID-19 protocols will be enacted for their agency or offices.
Sulphur Springs city offices masking requirements are lifted today for visitors and employees. City meetings have been conducted more often than not via Zoom over the last year due to COVID-19 with City Council meetings streamed on the city’s YouTube channel. The City is expected in the foreseeable future to return to in-person meetings, but could have less available seating in order to provide social distancing, according to the city manager. Currently, the next Planning and Zoning Commission and Zoning Board of Adjustments on March 15 and 16, respectively, are still currently scheduled to take place via Zoom.
At the March City Council meeting, he said he expect to in April if conditions continue to improve to present a plan to require those who are delinquent on city utility bills to begin paying them, plus 1/12th of the owed amount. The City, during the pandemic, adopted a policy of not turning off city residents’ water if they fall behind on their bills; Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell said he anticipates lifting that as early as April.
For months Sulphur Springs Police Department’s lobby has been closed, with visitors required to speak to a dispatcher by pushing a button outside the front door to arrange for the appropriate person to come out to speak to them or escort them to the appropriate location. As has been the case for all city offices, masks have been required for all visitors and employees who are not working alone in their offices. The lobby will now be open during regular business hours and the masking requirement is lifted at the police department, as normal pre-COVID-19 operations resume.
Sulphur Springs Fire Department, however, will continue to have limited access for visitors this month, but is expected to return to normal procedures in April if the COVID-19 situation continues to improve overall, according to Maxwell.
Members of the Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management will continue working together, monitoring the COVID-19 situation and following safety protocols as appropriate, according to Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley.
In county offices and facilities, each employee will determine whether or not he or she wears a mask. Safeguards, the protective glass partitions, will remain in place separating the general public in the County Clerk, Tax and Justice of the Peace offices. Social distancing of six feet will still be encouraged.
Hopkins County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office staff will continue disinfectant programs for county facilities. Temperatures will be taken as appropriate. If an employee is not feeling well, the county will still utilize health protocol to sends them home as appropriate, according to Endsley.
There will continue to be limited visitation at Hopkins County Fire Department. Firefighters and first responders will continue to wear the personal protective gear appropriate for the situation they respond to.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office will continue to follow certain protocols already in place for a while as a protective measure for all who work and are housed in the jail. That includes masks for jail employees and video visitation, according to the sheriff.
Eighth Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt plans to continue to operate under the local court plan and will comply with the most recent Texas Supreme Court order issued on March 5, 2021, until such time as he receives additional guidance from the Office of Court Administration. The Order continues to provide flexibility to courts to conduct proceedings remotely and provides revised criteria in order for courts to conduct in-person proceedings, including jury trials, according to the update posted by Texas Judicial Branch on March 5.
The City of Cumby will hold a special meeting Thursday, and anticipate discussing the COVID-19 situation, including what, if any COVID protocols, will be followed. That meeting will take place in person but, due to limitation of only 10 to attend, the meeting will be available on Zoom for the community as well.
The City of Como isn’t requiring the mayor and council members to wear a mask during City Council meetings so that they can properly be heard by those attending. Those who attend the meeting are suggested to wear a mask, but it will not be mandatory. Visitor chairs likely will be arranged in a manner to observe social distancing for the safety of those attending meetings. At the city office, customers will continue to be admitted one at a time until the protective shield ordered comes in and can be installed as a precautionary measure for city employees and visitors.
March 10 Chamber Connection: There’s Still Time to Register For Golf Tournament
Upcoming Events
Great news! It’s time to register to play golf in the 32nd Annual Hopkins County Golf Tournament! We are mailing registration forms to our members this week. If you are interested in playing, call the Chamber at (903) 885-6515 to reserve your spot. We will have morning and afternoon tee times available, but they go fast! The tourney is set for Friday, April 9. It’s going to be a great day!
SAFE-T Crisis Center to celebrate their 14th Anniversary
SAFE-T Crisis Center is celebrating their 14th Anniversary on Wednesday, March 24 in their new facility located at 1716 Posey Lane in Sulphur Springs. Mark your calendars!
Pacheco Spine & Sport has scheduled a ribbon cutting
Pacheco Spine & Sport has scheduled a ribbon cutting celebration on Tuesday, March 30, at noon. The celebration will be held at their chiropractic office located at 1067 Gilmer Street, Suite C, in Sulphur Springs. Please make plans to attend!
Ribbon Cutting
Babe hosted a ribbon cutting celebration on Thursday, February 25, at noon. They are located at 215 B Main Street in Sulphur Springs and specialize in women’s and men’s clothing and (soon to be) shoes.https://www.loc8nearme.com/texas/sulphur-springs/215b-main-st/6126160/
Business Highlight
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a member of the Chamber each week. Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for March 10, Texas Farm Credit. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
Wildcats Baseball Team Uses Giant Bottom of the Seventh to Win District Opener at Home
The Wildcats Baseball Team won their district opener, 8-1 against Longview at Wildcat Park Tuesday night (March 9).
The Wildcats broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the sixth when they scored 7 runs. The Wildcats got key RBI’s in the inning from Kaden Wallace, who had two, and one each from Dawson Carpenter, Colby Albritton, Boo Wilkerson, and Hayden Hurst. Jake Armstrong also had an RBI for the Wildcats in the game.
The Wildcats outhit the Lobos, 10-3. Hurst and Carpenter had two hits each. Hurst had the only extra base hit, a double. The Wildcats only committed one error. The Wildcats got a strong pitching outing from Hurst who threw 104 pitches and went 7 innings allowing only 3 hits and 1 run while striking out 13 and walking none.
The Wildcats are 1-0 in district play and they improved their season record to 2-8. Next the Wildcats play in their final tournament of the season starting Thursday at a three day Hallsville tournament.
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.
North Hopkins Baseball Team Has Trouble With Edgewood JV as They Take a 16-2 Loss
The North Hopkins Panthers ended up on the wrong end of a 16-2 score as they played the Edgewood JV Tuesday (March 9).
The Bulldogs JV scored 5 runs in the first inning and added 6 more in the second and 5 more in the fifth. The Panthers scored their 2 runs in the bottom of the first.
Edgewood JV outhit North Hopkins, 12-6. The Panthers had 2 errors.
Dakota Smith took the pitching loss going an inning and 2/3’s giving up 6 hits, 4 walks and 10 earned runs with 3 strikeouts. Landry Breckeen went the last 3 1/3 innings.
Smith and Aaron Nguyen drove home runs. Nguyen hit a triple. Smith and Karson Jenkins had 2 hits. Frank Valdez had a hit and Jack Jackson scored a run.
