Tira News: Wishes For A Wonderful and Safe Holiday Season
By Jan Vaughn
We want to express our sympathy to the family of Steve Dugnolle. A graveside service was held at the Tira Cemetery on Wednesday, December 23 , under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home. Please remember the family in your prayers.
Yvonne Weir shared, “On December 12th, Destri Weir entertained her family at her home in Sunneyvale. She and Eben prepared dishes from South Africa [which is where Eben’s from].”
Robert, Yvonne, and Wesley visited Dakota, Sarah, and Levi on December 19, after shopping in Greenville. Yvonne comments, “Levi is a sweet, beautiful baby boy.”
I hope everyone is having a wonderful and safe holiday season. I look forward to being able to report about more activities in our community soon.
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].
At Christmas Break, Wildcats and Lady Cats Basketball Teams Resume Play Next Week
The Wildcats and Lady Cats Basketball Teams are both on Christmas break.
The Wildcats are 1-0 in district play after defeating Pine Tree at home on Tuesday, 73-54. The win improved the Wildcats season record to 8-5. The Wildcats resume play next week with a non-district home game and then have their second district game, this one on the road. On Tuesday (December 29), the Wildcats welcome former district foe Greenville to the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School. With students out for the holidays, the games against the Lions will start at 1 p.m. with a freshmen game. A JV game will follow at around 2:15 p.m. The varsity game is schedule to get underway at around 4 p.m. Then the Wildcats will ring in a new year with a district contest at Marshall on Saturday, January 2. After a freshman 1 p.m. game and a JV 2:30 p.m. game, the Wildcats varsity will take on the Mavericks at around 4 p.m.
The Lady Cats Basketball Team is 2-2 in district play and 5-5 overall after their 41-12 win at Pine Tree Tuesday. They play three non-district games next week. The Lady Cats return to the court to take on Nevada Community on the road Monday afternoon (December 28). A noon JV game will be followed by a varsity contest at around 1:30 p.m. Then the Lady Cats travel to North Lamar for Tuesday games. The JV contest is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. with the varsity scheduled to take on the Pantherettes at around 12:30 p.m. The Lady Cats return to the home court next week as they play host to Gilmer on New Year’s Day. The JV game is scheduled for noon with the varsity contest against the Lady Buckeyes at 1:30 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.
Dec. 24 COVID-19 Update: 25 In COVID Unit, 106 Molecular Tests Conducted
Free COVID-19 Testing Center Closed Dec. 24-25, Will Reopen Saturday
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials in the Dec. 24 COVID-19 update reported the patient count in the hospital COVID unit had decreased on Christmas Eve while the number of people visiting the free testing center in Sulphur Springs increased Wednesday.
On Thursday morning, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs COVID Unit had 25 patients, the same as on Monday, Dec. 31, and Monday, Nov. 30. That’s three fewer lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients in the local hospital on Christmas Eve than on Dec. 23.
The DSHS website’s Hospital Data Over Time report on Dec. 24 showed 171 COVID-19 patients in hospitals in Trauma Service Area F, five more than on Dec. 23. COVID-19 hospitalizations accounted for 15.94 percent of the total hospital capacity in TSA F Thursday. That’s the second consecutive day COVID-19 patients were over the 15 percent high capacity measure.
Seven straight days over 15 percent in a TSA requires those counties that do not meet the low case count exception to push back precautionary measures one step from 75 to 50 percent occupancies and in some cases could require business closings, until the TSA has gone a week below the 15 percent capacity threshold.
Also on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 106 oral swab tests were conducted at the free testing center in Sulphur Springs, that’s two more molecular tests performed at 128-A Jefferson Street Wednesday than on Tuesday. Over the last 7 days, 573 COVID-19 tests have been performed inside the Red Cross building. So far this month, 1,927 free COVID-29 tests have been conducted at the location. Since the site opened on Sept. 25, a total of 6,458 COVID-19 tests have been performed, HC/SSEM reported in the Dec. 24 COVID-19 update.
HC/SSEM also reported the free testing center closed on Dec. 24 and will be closed again on Dec. 25 to allow those working at the facility to observe the holiday.
The free testing site will reopen Saturday, Dec. 26, at 9 a.m. Online registration is required at www.GoGetTested.com in order to be tested. At 1:10 p.m. Christmas Eve, Texas Emergency Management showed 368 slots open for testing on Saturday.
Testing is open to anyone regardless of address. Even children ages 3 and up can be tested, provided an adults registers and accompanies them to have the oral swab test performed. The Sulphur Springs free testing site is not a drive through location. Testing is conducted inside the building.
Individuals should refrain from eating, drinking or using tobacco products a minimum of 15-20 minutes before, but waiting an hour should make them more accurate, officials reported.
Those testing will need to bring a photo ID and the number provided upon registration with them to the test location. Masks must be worn into the testing center. Testing typically takes about 5 minutes.
According to the DSHS Dec. 24 COVID-19 Vaccine dashboard, 28 in Hopkins County had received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 11:59 p.m. Dec. 23. That’s three receiving the first dose on Monday, five more on Tuesday and 20 on Wednesday.
Brookshire’s Pharmacy was scheduled to receive 100 doses of the Moderna vaccine by Thursday, Christus Trinity Clinic – Sulphur Springs was to receive 200 doses.
Across the state, 455,325 does of the vaccine had been sent out to approved providers. The first dose of the vaccine had already been administered to 113,514 people in 239 of Texas’ 254 counties as of 11:11 a.. Dec. 24, according to the DSHS dashboard.
DSHS had not updated its Texas COVID-19 Case Counts and Test and Hospital Data dashboards at 2:35 p.m. Dec. 24.
Dallas Man Jailed On Felony Warrant
A 47-year-old Dallas man was jailed on a felony warrant Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 23, 2020.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was alerted Chad Alando Collins was being held in Dallas County jail on a Hopkins County warrant. Deputy Amanda Weatherford traveled to Dallas County jail, took Collins into custody at 11:33 a.m. Dec. 23 and transported him to Hopkins County jail. The 47-year-old Dallas man was jailed on the felony warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for an April 12, 2015 assault of a public servant charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
Collins remained in Hopkins County jail Christmas Eve, 2020, according to jail reports.
Cooper Man Accused of Mail Theft And A Home Burglary
Deputies arrested a 40-year-old Cooper man, who appeared to be sleeping in his vehicle at the roadside following what is believed to be a crime spree involving mail theft and a home burglary. The arrest marked the third time the man has been booked into Hopkins County jail in the last five months.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Communications Operators advised deputies of a report of a suspicious vehicle near a County Road 1187 residence around 6:40 p.m. Dec. 23. Deputies responded. Deputy Bobby Osornio located a Honda Pilot at the location.
Osornio contacted the driver and sole occupant, Michael Leslie Copeland, who appeared to the deputy to be sleeping in the driver’s seat. Osornio asked Copeland to exit the SUV. Copeland attempted to comply the deputy noticed the vehicle was in gear and was moving, so he ordered Copeland to put it in park, then get out. He did, according to arrest reports.
Copeland claimed he was resting in the road after leaving a County Road 1190 residence, where he used to live. He claimed he had yet to change his mailing address so he was just checking the mail box for mail, Osornio alleged in arrest reports.
Seeing several open containers in the vehicle, Osornio searched the silver vehicle. Three debit cards that did not belong to Copeland and multiple articles of mail from multiple addresses on CR 1190 were located, Osornio wrote in arrest reports.
Copeland was taken into custody for mail theft and fraudulent use or possession of credit/debit card information. The vehicle was inventories and impounded. On the way to the jail, Copeland allegedly continuously struck his forehead on the cage in Osornio’s patrol vehicle, causing a gash on his right eyebrow. After being treated for injuries, Copeland was booked into Hopkins County jail.
Meanwhile, upon learning details of the incident, HCSO Sgt. Scott Davis began checking the area for anything amiss. Davis located an open door on a vehicle at the address where he claimed to have previously lived. The vehicle appeared to have been rummaged through, the front door of the residence appeared to have been forced open, a window unit appeared to be missing and the inside of the residence appeared to have been destroyed, Osornio and Davis alleged in arrest reports. A ladder was propped next to a window on the rear of the residence and a window unit was located in the trunk of the vehicle, according to arrest reports. Copeland was also charged with burglary of a habitation in connection with the deputies’ findings on CR 1190.
Copeland remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday morning, Dec. 24, on the fraudulent use or possession, mail theft and home burglary charges, according to jail reports.
Wednesday night was the third time Copeland has been booked into Hopkins County jail in the past five months. The 40-year-old Cooper man was also jailed overnight Aug. 4, 2020, on warrants for violating probation on Delta County family violence assault causing bodily injury and possession of marijuana charges, and violation of probation on a harassment-repeated electronic communication charge, according to jail reports. Copeland also spent the night in jail Oct. 22 for possession of drug paraphernalia, according to jail reports.
Copeland also was on probation for an Aug. 27, 2019, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charge. He was sentenced Nov. 12, 2020, in the 8th Judicial District Court to 10 years on probation for having a firearm in his vehicle when stopped for speeding on State Highway 11 east Aug. 27, 2019.
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.
Sulphur Springs Police Investigating Second Robbery Reported In 7 Days
Sulphur Springs Police Department is investigating a robbery reported in the early Christmas Eve morning, the second robbery reported in 7 days.
Sulphur Springs Police responded to the most recent robbery report F at 1:06 a.m. Dec. 24, 2020. According to police, two suspects, one displaying a handgun, were able to get a small amount of cash and fled Family Mart on Hillcrest Drive at Main Street.
The suspects’ vehicle, believed to be silver or light in color with no other descriptors, left the location traveling northbound, police reported later Thursday morning.
Both suspects are described as black males, estimated to be around 5 feet, 8 inches tall and to weight approximatley 150 pounds. 5’8 around 150 pounds. One suspect was reportedly wearing a gray hoodie with writing on the front and the other suspect had on a black jacket, black NIKE backpack, grey pants, and white shoes. Both suspects had on black masks.
Below are captured images from surveillance video of a suspect in the Dec. 24 robbery case approaching the counter with what appears to be a firearm:
Anyone with any information about the robbery, including the suspect’s identity or possible location are asked to please contact the Sulphur Springs Police Department at 903-885-7602 or Crime Stoppers at 903-885-2020. Calls to Crime Stoppers are handled in such a way the caller’s identity remains anonymous. Tips leading to arrest or conviction of the suspects could result in a cash reward.
The Hillcrest Drive robbery was was the second robbery reported in 7 days. The first robbery was reported Dec. 18. at Natalie’s Food Mart.
The suspect, described as a light skinned Hispanic male wearing a black jacket and red bandana, allegedly walked into the South Broadway Street store in Sulphur Springs at 2:05 a.m. Dec. 18. The suspect allegedly threw a blue and black bag onto the counter and asked for all of the money. The suspect then allegedly pulled a gun on the clerk. He left in a black extended cab pickup, police reported.
Police also asked if anyone has information that could help identify the Dec. 18 robbery suspect to please contact SSPD Detective Jason Reneau at 903-885-9302 or Crime Stoppers at903-885-2020 with any information pertaining to this incident.
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.
Ushering In Christmas, The New Year By Finding The Good In 2020 While Looking Ahead To Kinder Times
By Lezley Brown, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
We welcomed this year with open arms, excited and cheerful. And now, we are a little bit wiser and little bit worn down. 2020 has taken a toll … some things will never be the same.
After all of it, though, we stand ready to do it again. I’m ready to welcome to 2021 with open arms; and this time, I do it with a hope that 2021 will be kinder to us.
The year 2020 taught us to appreciate time and our loved ones, too. It taught us the difference between what we thought mattered, and what actually matters. It taught us to live life without taking everyday occurrences for granted. It taught us to love differently than we did before. It did teach us some good. Let’s just focus on the good!
I want to wish you a very happy Christmas with delicious hot cocoa and a belly full of warm fuzzy feelings. I hope you find that moment of gratitude where you are overcome with thankfulness.
May hope begin to bloom in your heart long before Spring arrives. A new year is coming, and we will believe that the new year will bring goodness, too. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Chamber!
Lady Cats Basketball Individual Point Totals In Pine Tree Win Tuesday
In the Lady Cats’ 41-12 district win at Pine Tree Tuesday, December 22, the Lady Cats were led in scoring by senior Nylah Lindley who scored 12 points.
Senior Bre’Asia Ivery scored 8 points. Sophomore Kenzie Willis had 7 points. Junior Baylie Large scored 6 points. Senior Dalanee Myles and sophomore Addisyn Wall both scored 4 points.
The Lady Cats are now 2-2 in district play and 5-5 for the season. They play a non-district game next on Monday afternoon at Nevada Community.
CHRISTUS Hospital-Sulphur Springs Waiting On Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine
Paul Harvey, CEO of CHRISTUS Mother Frances – Sulphur Springs tells KSST News he and his staff are ready to receive the Moderna vaccine in the next day or so. As the largest employer of front-line healthcare workers in Hopkins County, the initial 400 doses (plus 200 doses headed to their clinic) will be offered to not only the front-line workers employed by CHRISTUS but also other clinics and medical offices in our area that are not owned by CHRISTUS. All first responders in our area will be included in this initial phase as well. The logistics of tracking and administering such a large number of doses to those healthcare workers that choose to take the vaccine is a daunting task, but the staff of CHRISTUS is up for the challenge as they have been preparing for this day for some time.
Lady Cats Soccer Goal Scorers In Tuesday Evening Scrimmage Win At Palestine
The Lady Cats Soccer Team won their scrimmage at Palestine, 4-1 Tuesday evening, December 22.
Lady Cats’ sophomore Rebekah Stanley had the game’s first goal on an assist from freshman Haylee Shultz. Senior Janine Yamaguchi scored the Lady Cats second goal with Shultz assisting. The Lady Cats led 2-1 at halftime. Stanley also scored in the second half assisted by Shultz. Shultz scored the Lady Cats’ fourth goal assisted by freshman Emma Romero.
The Lady Cats also won their scrimmage with Palestine, 1-0. The JV goal came from junior Harley Archer.
Lady Cats Coach Javier Aguayo said both JV and Varsity teams played well. He said the varsity gave up a goal in the last few minutes of the first half due to a defensive mistake. He said the Lady Cats out possessed their opponent and created more chances. Coach Aguayo said the Lady Cats are starting to look better each day. He said he is missing some key members of the team due to injury but he said some other girls are stepping up to the plate.
The Lady Cats resume scrimmage play at North Forney on Monday.
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.
