Sulphur Springs RN Kristi Couch is Selected for CHRISTUS Health System ‘DAISY Award’
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System started the DAISY program in early 2011.
The award is presented quarterly to the ONE best nomination, as chosen by a panel of direct care nurses from each of our seven sites. All nominations are blinded, so no one knows who has been nominated until after the winner is chosen. The winner for this quarter is Kristi Couch, RN, in the nursery department at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs.
The DAISY Foundation was established in 2000 by the family of Patrick Barnes. He died at the
age of 33 of complications of ITP. Like many families you see every day who go through this
kind of horrific loss, the Barnes family wanted to find a way to turn their grief into something
positive and do something that would honor the very special man Patrick was. Over a dinner
right after Pat’s death, they came up with DAISY – an acronym for Diseases Attacking the
Immune System.
As they brainstormed what The DAISY Foundation would do, they kept coming back to the one positive thing they held on to during Pat’s 8 week illness: the amazing care he – and all the
family – received from Pat’s nurses, even when he was completely sedated. The family was so
impressed by the clinical care Pat’s nurses provided, and they were overwhelmed by the level of compassion and kindness that his nurses brought to Pat’s bedside day in and day out. The family came to understand that the communication and attention being paid to Pat was a very important part of the clinical care which nurses provide.
Because of their experience, The Barnes Family believes that nurses are unsung heroes of our
society who deserve far more recognition and honor than they receive. They decided to find a
way to say thank you to nurses. So Pat’s wife, Tena, his parents, Bonnie and Mark and other
family members created The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. There are now 2,000
healthcare facilities in fifteen countries committed to honoring their nurses with The DAISY
Award.
Sulphur Springs Man Jailed Third Time For Parole Violation
March 9, 2021 – A 26-year-old Sulphur Springs man was booked into Hopkins County jail for the third time since 2016 on warrant for a parole violation.
Sulphur Springs Police Department communication operators dispatched officers at approximately 9:50 a.m. Monday, March 8, to a disturbance at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs.
Upon arrival, SSPD Officer Tyler Francis was directed to and contacted Jake Adam Blount. A records check showed the 26-year-old to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest for violation of parole, resulting in Blount’s arrest on the charge. He was taken to Hopkins County jail, but was no longer in custody on the charge later Monday.
March 8 was the third time since 2016 Blount has been booked into Hopkins County jail on a violation of parole warrant. He was first jailed May 15-July 7, 2016, for violation of parole as well as on an evading arrest or detention charge, according to jail reports. Blount also was jailed Sept. 14, 2018 to June 27, 2019 for violation of parole as well as unauthorized use of a vehicle and Harrison County burglary of a building, theft of property, bond forfeiture on a UUV charge.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
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.
Yantis Man Accused Of Church Burglary, Stealing Appliances
A 43-year-old Yantis man is accused of a stealing appliances during a weekend church burglary, according to arrest reports.
The pastor of Seymore Bible Church contacted Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Monday, March 8, to report a burglary occurred at the church either Saturday night or early Sunday morning. Communications operators dispatched deputies to the State Highway 154 south church.
The pastor told deputies he had discovered the stove and a microwave had been stolen from the church, but someone’s phone had been left. Through investigation, the pastor linked the phone to Carlton Douglas Fite, HCSO Deputy Bobby Osornio alleged in arrest reports. Deputies secured the phone as evidence and sheriff’s officers began actively looking for Fite.
The pastor later advised Fite had contacted him, admitting he had the stolen items in his possession and would return the stove and microwave, Osornio and Investigator Dennis Findley alleged in arrest reports. Sheriff’s deputies and investigators obtained a warrant for Fite’s arrest for burglary of a building, located the 43-year-old at his Yantis residence Monday afternoon and took him into custody on just before 5 p.m. March 8. The stolen stove and microwave were recovered from Fite’s residence.
Fite remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, March 9, 2021, on the felony burglary charge, according to jail reports. Bond was recommended at $10,000.
March 8 is the second time Fite, who is also known to use the aliases Christopher Douglas Spencer and Chris Watson, has been booked into Hopkins County jail on felony theft charge. He spent July 3-Aug. 16, 2019 in the local jail for surety off bond on a theft of property valued at less than $2,500 with two or more previous convictions.
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.
March 8 COVID-19 Update: 1 Fatality, 4 New Cases, 170 Active Cases
Hopkins County’s COVID-19 new case counts have gone down as has the total number of patients in the COVID-19 unit in the area, across the region and state, as have the number of individuals being tested daily, while the number of people receiving COVID-19 vaccinations have increased, according to Texas Department of State Health Services’ March 8 COVID-19 reports. Unfortunately, five additional COVID-19 deaths have also been confirmed in the last week, including one death reported to have occurred on Tuesday, March 2.
COVID-19 Case Counts
As of Monday, March 8, a total of 2,951 COVID-19 cases have been reported: 1,527 confirmed by molecular testing and 1,424 probable cases, that is cases among individuals who have either tested positive through an antigen test or have a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis. Three new molecular cases were reported Monday, and 16 so far this month. Two probable new cases have been reported so far this week, one each on Sunday and Monday, and 15 probable cases so far this month.
The number of COVID-19 recoveries is currently keeping pace with confirmed new cases, with 16 Hopkins County COVID-19 patients reported to have recovered so far this month, including four on Sunday and two on Monday, according to the March 8 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard.
Five COVID-19 fatalities have also been announced this month, all except one occurring in February. That increases the total number of Hopkins County residents confirmed by death certificate to have died as a direct of COVID-19 since last March to 105, including five reported to have occurred in February, down from 15 confirmed for January 26 and 6 in December. The latest confirmed COVID-19 death occurred on March 2, according to the DSHS March 8 COVID-19 County Trends dashboard.
That leaves 170 active COVID-19 cases of COVID-19 among Hopkins County residents as of midafternoon March 8, up from 167 on Sunday and March 1, but still below the 173 reported March 2, 175 last Wednesday and Thursday, and 171 on Friday.
Hospital and Testing Data
The patient count in the COVID Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs continues to be a single digit number for a week. The local hospital was reported to have six patients in the COVID-19 Unit Monday, the same as on Thursday, but one more than on Friday. Last week, CMFH-SS started with a case count of 10 in the COVID unit, but has remained below that mark ever since. In fact, the case count has been cut in half in each of the last two months. During the first eight days of January CMFHSS’ COVID-19 patient counts ranged from 29 to 32. The COVID unit patient count ranged from 10-14 Feb. 1-8.
This reflects a state trend over the past couple of months of fewer people being hospitalized for COVID-19. On Jan. 1, a total of 12,319 COVID-19 patients were being treated in Texas hospitals, including 204 cases in Trauma Service Area F (which includes most of Northeast Texas north and eastward to the state line). On Feb. 1, a total of 11,002 COVID-19 patients were reported to be in Texas hospitals, with 143 of those lab-confirmed novel coronavirus 2019 cases from TSA F. On March 1, Texas had 5,644 COVID-19 hospital patients, including 65 patients in TSA F hospitals. As of Sunday, the COVID-19 hospital patient count had decreased to 4,329, including 41 patients in TSA F hospitals.
From March 1-7, a total of 129 molecular COVID-19 tests had been performed at the free testing site in Sulphur Springs. From Feb. 1-7, 420 oral swab tests were performed, down from 668 tests conducted Jan. 1-7 and 531 tests performed at the free testing site from Dec. 1-7. Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials, in the March 8 COVID-19 update, showed a cumulative total of 9,856 COVID-19 cases have been performed at the free testing site since the facility opened in the fall.
Free oral swab COVID-19 testing has been extended through the month of March in Sulphur Springs. Testing is typically offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays inside the Red Cross (old Fidelity Express) building in Sulphur Springs. Free molecular COVID-19 testing is open to anyone regardless of age or address. However, registration is required online at www.GoGetTested.com in order to be tested at 128-A Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs.
According to the DSHS March 8 COVID-19 Hospital and Test Data dashboard, 15,643 molecular tests have been conducted in Hopkins County since last March, including 26 on Sunday. Since the state began tracking the data, 2,758 antigen tests have been conducted in Hopkins County, including 33 tests on Sunday, and 1,828 antibody tests. Overall, that’s 20,229 COVID-19 tests conducted in Hopkins County and reported to DSHS.
Vaccine Data
As of Sunday, March 7, a total 5,985 Hopkins County residents had received at least one dose of the two-dose COVID-19 vaccines available for people in approved groups, including 2,375 county residents who have been fully vaccinated with both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, leaving 3,610 residents who were still awaiting the second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. That’s up from 1,925 who’d received one dose and 420 both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 7, and 377 one-dose and 2 who’d been fully vaccinated for COVID on Jan. 7.
In addition to the race and gender breakdown reported on the DSHS March 8 COVID-19 Vaccine Data dashboard, DSHS also is now reporting the number of individuals vaccinated for COVID-19 by Zip Code. A total of 1,227 Sulphur Springs residents (1,196 in the 75482 Zip Code and 65 in the 75483 Zip Codes) had been fully vaccinated. Among those fully vaccinated elsewhere in the county are residents in the following Hopkins County Communities: Brashear (75420) 82, Como (75431) 83, Cumby (75433) 109, Dike ( 75437) 60, Pickton (75471) 54, Saltillo (75478) 63 and Sulphur Bluff (75481) 42. There are some Hopkins County residents who have Winnsboro and Yantis addresses. A total of 339Yantis residents with a 75497 Zip Code have been fully vaccinated and 596 in Winnsboro had received both doses of the vaccine, according to the DSHS March 8 COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Data by ZIP Code report.
| Town by Zip Code | Fully Vaccinated | Receiving 1 Dose | Total Doses Administered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sulphur Springs 75482 | 1,196 | 2,879 | 4,653 |
| Sulphur Springs 75483 | 65 | 90 | 153 |
| Brashear 75420 | 82 | 134 | 213 |
| Como 75431 | 83 | 146 | 229 |
| Cumby 75433 | 109 | 299 | 444 |
| Dike 75437 | 60 | 109 | 159 |
| Pickton 75471 | 54 | 101 | 155 |
| Saltillo 75478 | 63 | 100 | 163 |
| Sulphur Bluff 75481 | 42 | 62 | 104 |
| Winnsboro 75494 | 596 | 1132 | 1726 |
| Yantis 75497 | 339 | 644 | 983 |
There’s good news for Hopkins County: Texas Department of State Health Services has allocated 500 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Hopkins County providers for Week 13 of distribution. This week (March 8) Brookshire’s Pharmacy and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic-Sulphur Springs have been allocated 100 doses each of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, which only requires 1 dose. CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs was also allocated 300 first doses of the two-dose Moderna vaccine. That means 200 more will be fully vaccinated as soon as the J&J vaccines arrive and providers can schedule appointments for the shots, and 300 additional people can begin the vaccine process, potentially this week. These are in addition to the 200 doses scheduled to arrive this week to serve as as second dose of the vaccine. That’s the potential for 400 to become fully vaccinated for COVID-19 this week in Hopkins County. Some have opted instead of being placed on long waiting lists to drive to other counties that have large hubs or have received considerably more doses of the virus in the past couple of months.
People can find more information on COVID-19 vaccine at dshs.texas.gov/covidvaccine/.
Additional COVID-19 Vaccine data:
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report – March 1-7, 2021
The Winnsboro Police Department media report for the week of March 1-7, 2021, included the following activity:
Arrests
- Erin Martel, 31 years of age, of Winnsboro was arrested on 3/2/2021 on a Hopkins County warrant.
- Nathan Hart, 33 years of age, of Leesburg, was arrested on 3/4/2021 on an Austin Parole Board warrant for violation of probation.
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 129 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 27 citations and 36 warnings during this reporting period.
Sulphur Springs Woman Jailed For The Second Time In Less Than A Month
On Saturday, a 37-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was jailed for the second time in less a month on a controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Elijah Fite reported stopping a silver Ford Fusion just before 4 a.m. Saturday, March 6, on East Industrial Drive for multiple traffic violations. Fite noted the woman failed to make eye contact with him, displayed signs of nervousness when spoken to and seemed very distraught. She reportedly admitted to the deputy that she’d been arrested a few weeks ago.
When she refused to let the deputy search her car, he had her step out and contacted Sulphur Springs Police Officer Buddy Williams and had him bring K-9 Kilo to the location. The police dog gave a positive alert for contraband while conducting a free air sniff search around the car.
A probable cause search of the 2014 vehicle revealed a plastic sack with a crystal-like substance that later tested positive as 0.65 grams of methamphetamine in her purse. Consequently, Smith, who is also known as Jessica Vanlandingham, was arrested on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports. The 37-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was released from Hopkins County jail Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021 on a $5,000 bond on the charge, according to jail reports.
The prior arrest Smith referred to occurred on Feb. 12 and was for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to jail reports. She was released from jail later Feb. 12 on a $10,000 bond on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
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.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
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.
Wildcat Defensive Lineman D’Andre Peoples Signs to Play Football at McPherson College in Kansas
Wildcats Defensive Lineman D’Andre Peoples signed a letter of intent Friday, March 5 to attend McPherson College in Kansas and to play football. Peoples, the son of Tony Reed and Lolitha Peoples, was a three year member of the Wildcats varsity football team.
Peoples said he made contact with McPherson coaches through Twitter. He said he filled out a questionnaire and was contacted about a week later concerning a possible visit. Peoples said the visit went well.
He said McPherson likes his technique as well as his speed and strength. He said they believe in him. Peoples said he is aware that the school is seven hours away and he knows it can get cold up there. He said McPherson is interested in him as a defensive lineman.
Peoples said he will need to bulk up but he said he wants to get stronger while maintaining his speed. He said he expects to get homesick some but he adds his friend Somjai Pryor is expected to be about an hour away.
Peoples said he wants to major in business. He said he loves clothes and wants to be involved with developing a clothing line that is not only stylish but also affordable.
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra said Peoples is an amazing athlete. He said Peoples has a very fast first step and gets off the ball very quickly. Coach Guerra said he expects Peoples to do a good job for McPherson.
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.
Commerce Tigers Take First at Track Meet
The Commerce Tigers track team won their most recent track meet, placing first with a point total of 232.
Anton Stapleton was 1st in shot-put, with Omarhi Davis placing 3rd and Jayston Jones following in 4th. For the Tigers Omarhi Davis was 1st in discus, followed closely by Roy Gaffney in 3rd. Omarhi Davis won the long-jump, coming in 1st at 19’8, and Izzacc Simon finished 6th. While no Tigers won the long jump event, Ashton Seale got silver at 36’11 with Carlos Aubrey following in 3rd. In high jump Dre Gadlin placed 3rd.
The Commerce Tigers took all top-3 spots in the 3200 M run, with Oliver Roberts taking 1st at 11:15, Jovani Castanada placed second, and Sacramento Galvan finished third. The Tigers team of Ashton Seale, Izzacc Simon, Carlos Aubrey, and Da’Shawn Jackson placed second in the 4x100M relay.
Enrique Morales won the 800-meter run at 2:15. Isaac Hernandez and Jonathan Marquez finished with 2:18 and 2:21, respectively. Dre Gadlin finished 2nd in the 100M hurdles at 18.93. Ashton Seale and Omarhi Davis fared well in the 100-meter dash, placing fourth and fifth, respectively.
The Commerce Tigers team of Ashton Seale, Izzacc Simon, Edgar Castillo, De’shawn Jackson finished third in the 4×200 M relay at 1:37. Enrique Morales took silver in the 400-meter dash at 55.73, followed by Isaac Hernandez in 3rd at 57.0
In the 300M Hurdles, Dre Gadlin finished first. Edgar Castillo placed 5th in the 200M dash. Oliver Roberts was 1st in the 1600M run, followed by Jovani Castanada in 2nd. In the 4X400M Relay, the Tigers team of Dre Gadlin, Jonathan Marquez, Enrique Morales, Oliver Roberts placed second.
The JV Boys won 1st as well, with a point total of 201.
62-Year-Old Man Jailed After Bond Revoked On Indecency Charges
A 62-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed Sunday after his bond was revoked on two indecency with a child charges, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Dennis Findley investigated Christopher Lee Vail after receiving allegations in September alleging indecency with a child. Vail agreed to be interview viewed by Findley at the sheriff’s offices, and was transported there by officials, Findley and Deputy Chris Baumann alleged in arrest reports.
Due to information obtained during the September interview, Findley filed for arrest warrants. The warrants were executed at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, by Baumann at the sheriff’s office. Vail was escorted into jail by Baumann. Vail was booked into jail that evening on two felony indecency with a child charges, the deputy noted in arrest reports. Vail was released from jail Feb. 22, 2021 on a $75,000 bond on one charge and a $50,000 on the second, according to jail reports.
On March 7, 2021, Vail was taken into custody again after his bond was revoked on the charge, according to j ail reports. He remained in Hopkins County jail at midday Monday, March 8, 2021, according to jail reports.
Cumby Woman Accused Of Throwing Knife During Altercation With Her Stepdaughter
A Cumby woman was accused of displaying two knives and throwing one of them during an altercation with her stepdaughter Sunday afternoon, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jason Lavender responded just before 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 7, to what was reported to dispatchers as a disturbance with an assault in progress at a FM 285 south residence. Upon arrival, Lavender reported contacting multiple people at the location, including Norma Lilia Nunez.
During the investigation, Nunez was alleged to have been involved in the altercation with her stepdaughter, displaying two knives during the altercation. The 42-year-old Cumby woman also was accused of throwing one of the knives at her stepdaughter during the altercation.
Nunez admitted to having two knives in her hand at the time of the altercation with her stepdaughter and to throwing one of them onto the ground in front of her. Deputies observed a knife on the ground close to sunglasses the stepdaughter was reported to have been wearing during the altercation.
Nunez was arrested just after 5 p.m. March 7, 2021, and booked into jail on an aggravated assault of a family, date or household member with a deadly weapon charge. She remained in Hopkins County jail Monday afternoon, March 8. Bond on the first-degree felony charge was set at $30,000.
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.
