Jan. 17 COVID-19 Update: 1 Fatality, 10 New Cases, 50 Recoveries, 1,173 Vaccines Administered In Hopkins County
The Texas Department of State Health Services’ Jan. 17 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard showed 10 new COVID-19 cases, 50 novel coronavirus 2019 recoveries and one fatality on Sunday. Fourteen additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered while the COVID-19 patient count in Trauma Service Area F increased on Jan. 16, according to the DSHS Test and Hospital Data and COVID-19 Vaccines dashboards.
Case Counts
The Case Count dashboard on Jan. 17 showed 85 fatalities for Hopkins County, which means one additional Hopkins County resident has been confirmed by death certificate to have died from COVID-19. The death occurred on Jan. 5, making the second COVID-19 death on that date and the firth COVID-19 death confirmed to have occurred so far during January.
Seven additional confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported on Jan. 7, increasing the total number of Hopkins County residents who have received positive COVID-19 results on molecular tests this month to 174. Cumulatively, since March, 1,296 Hopkins County residents have received positive COVID-19 molecular test results.
Three probable COVID-19 cases were reported on Jan. 17, increasing the total this month to 95. Cumulatively, since the state began tracking positive antigen tests and or individuals reported to have a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis, there have been 1,212 probable cases reported to DSHS for Hopkins County.
Of the 2,508 Hopkins County COVID-19 cases, 2,293 have recovered, including 50 additional COVID-19 recoveries on Sunday, 130 recoveries over the weekend and 240 recoveries this month.
That leaves 130 Hopkins County residents who still had COVID-19 at 2:10 p.m. Jan. 17, 41 less than on Saturday and 105 less than on Friday, a cording to the DSHS Jan. 17 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard.
Hospital Data
In Trauma Service Area F, which includes all hospitals across Northeast Texas from Bowie and Cass Counties across to Lamar and Hopkins Counties, the COVID-19 patient count increased from 221 on Jan. 15 to 232 on Jan. 16, according to the DSHS Jan. 17 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard.
The total number of staffed beds in TSA-F decreased from 1,068 on Friday to 1,058 on Saturday. The number of staffed inpatient beds in TSA-F declined from 976 on Friday to 966 on Saturday, while hospitalizations rose from 655 to 658 on Saturday. The overall number of available hospital beds dropped from 321 on Friday to 308 on Saturday. Ten ICU beds and 70 ventilators were available in TSA-F on Saturday one more ICU bed than on Friday, but no change in ventilator capacity.
COVID-19 patients made up 21.93 percent of the overall hospital capacity in TSA-F, up from 20.69 on Jan. 15, but still less than the 22.07 reported on Jan. 13 and 23.42 percent on Jan. 11. That means TSA-F has had high hospitalizations consistently since Dec. 26, and will continue to be subject to GA-32, which requires businesses allowed in October to open at 75 percent capacity to scale back to 50 percent capacity and halts elective surgeries. until the COVID-19 hospitalizations remain below 15 percent of hospital capacity for seven consecutive days.
Testing and Vaccine Data
A total of 16,231 COVID-19 tests had been conducted in Hopkins County on Saturday, Jan. 16, 179 more than on Friday. A total of 13,030 viral (molecular) COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Hopkins County since the pandemic began, including 98 on Saturday. A total of 1,455 antigen tests had been conducted in Hopkins County, including 32 on Saturday. Forty-nine COVID-19 tests were conducted on Saturday, increasing the cumulative total to 1,746 as of Saturday, according to the Jan. 17 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard.
Fourteen additional people received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday, according the Jan. 17 COVID-19 Vaccine dashboard. That makes 1,173 people who had received the first dose of the vaccine in Hopkins County, 1,078 who’d received the first dose of the vaccine and 95 who’d been fully vaccinated with both doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Jan. 16.
Jan. 18-22 Meal A Day Menu
Although the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center remains closed due to COVID-19, volunteers continue to work five days a week preparing and delivering meals to shut-in elderly in the community.
The Jan. 18-22 Meal A Day Menu includes:
Monday – Tostada Casserole, Corn and Catalina Blend Vegetables
Tuesday – Chicken and Dressing Casserole, Cranberry Sauce, Candied Carrots, Green Beans and a Roll
Wednesday – Barbecue Rope Sausage, Baked Beans, Mashed Potatoes and a Roll
Thursday – Chicken Hopkins County Stew, Crackers, Cheese and Tossed Salad
Friday – Beef Lasagna, English Peas, Garlic Stick and Tossed Salad
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
Saltillo Lions Basketball Team Continues Strong Play In District Games Friday
The Saltillo Lions Basketball Team rolled over Avery, 72-51, in a district game Friday, January 15.
The Lions got off to a good start and led 24-12 after one quarter. Avery reduced the deficit some in the second quarter but still trailed the Lions, 37-29 at the half. The Lions outscored Avery 35-22 in the second half to put the game away.
The Lions remain unbeaten in district play at 5-0 and their season record is now 10-7.
Against Avery, Chris Boekhorst led the Lions with 29 points. Andrew Redburn added 12 points. Coy Collins and Gunner Tarver scored 11 points each. David Whitworth had 9 points. The Lions play Sulphur Bluff on Tuesday.
Wildcats Go Unbeaten In Wylie Tournament With Saturday Morning Win Over Wylie East, 4-1
Hard to believe that the Wildcats Soccer Team opened their regular season with a pair of losses. The Wildcats lost at Terrell and were defeated soundly by Ennis in their first game of a tournament in Forney.
Since then, the Wildcats have gone six games without a loss winning five and tying one. The Wildcats have been very hot in the Wylie ISD Men’s Soccer Showcase that ran this past Thursday through Saturday. The Wildcats won all three of the games, against Princeton Thursday and Mesquite Horn Friday and on Saturday morning, January 16, as they pinned the first loss of the season on Wylie East, 4-1.
Four different players scored for the Wildcats: Uriel Santacruz scored first with an unassisted goal, Josh Tavera scored next on an unassisted goal. Omar Hernandez scored the third Wildcats’ goal on a penalty kick. Joel Pasion had the fourth goal assisted by David Moreno.
Wildcats Coach Alexi Upton said the Wildcats defeated the Raiders who came in with a 6-0-1 record. He said he was so proud of his team that came out and outplayed Wylie East.
Coach Upton said the Wildcats were shaped great and he said they scored a lot of goals on counters. The Wildcats record is now 5-2-1. They play next at Highland Park on Tuesday night.
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.
Lady Cats End Princeton Tournament With A Loss To Little Elm, 5-2, Saturday
The Lady Cats Soccer Team has been battling the injury bug and they they have had a tough three days in a that ran Thursday through Saturday.
The Lady Cats lost two games and tied one. After starting with a 0-0 tie Thursday against Sherman and a Friday loss to Garland Naaman Forest, 3-1, the Lady Cats dropped a 5-2 match Saturday night (January 16) to Little Elm.
The Lady Lobos scored two first half goals and led 2-0 at the half. Little Elm added three more goals in the second half and the Lady Cats countered with two goals.
The Lady Cats season record is now 3-4-2. The Lady Cats play next in a Terrell tournament that runs next Thursday through Saturday.
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.
Jan. 16 COVID-19 Update: 1 Fatality, 17 New Cases, 80 Recoveries
While twice as many new COVID-19 cases were reported on Saturday than on Friday, 80 additional recoveries were reported in the Texas Department of State Health Services Jan. 16 COVID-19 Texas Case Counts dashboard. The COVID-19 Vaccine dashboard shows 130 additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in Hopkins County as of 11:59 p.m. Jan. 15, while the Test and Hospital Data dashboard showed a slight increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations in Trauma Service Area F on Friday.
Case Counts
The DSHS Jan. 16 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard showed 84 COVID-19 fatalities for Hopkins County, which means one more Hopkins County resident had been confirmed on Jan. 16 to have died from the novel coronavirus 2019. The death occurred on Dec. 28, according to the DSHS Jan. 16 COVID-19 Fatalities over Time by County report. That’s a fatality rate of 3.36 percent among COVID-19 infected Hopkins County residents.
That makes 22 Hopkins County residents whose deaths have been confirmed with COVID-19 listed as cause on their death certificates to have occurred in December. Four additional COVID-19 deaths have been reported already this month for Hopkins County.
Ten additional Hopkins County residents had received positive COVID-19 results from lab-confirmed molecular tests by 4 p.m. Jan. 16, which makes 72 new confirmed COVID-19 cases this week and 167 confirmed new cases during the first 16 days of 2021. Cumulatively, since the pandemic began in Texas in March 2020, 1,289 Hopkins County residents have received confirmed COVID-19 test results.
Seven additional probable COVID-19 cases were also reported on Jan. 16 for Hopkins County. That’s seven additional Hopkins County residents who either tested COVID-19 positive through an antigen test or has a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis. That makes 24 new probable cases reported this week and 92 additional probable cases recorded this month. Cumulatively, since the state began tracking probable COVID-19 cases, 1,209 probable cases have been reported for Hopkins County.
Combined, that’s 2,498 COVID-19 cases reported for Hopkins County, which is roughly 6.7r percent of the Hopkins County population. Of those, a total of 2,243 have recovered from the virus. On Saturday, 80 Hopkins County residents were reported to have recovered from COVID-19, that’s the most recoveries in single day in a month. Last month, 186 recoveries were reported on Dec. 15 and 810 on Dec. 11. The latter number, however, includes all probable case recoveries which had not previously been counted in the officials recovery counts along with those COVID-19 cases confirmed by molecular test.
That leaves 171 Hopkins County residents who actively have COVID-19 on Saturday, Jan. 16, down from 234 active cases on Jan. 15, and 239 on Jan. 12 and Jan. 13.
Hospital Data
The DSHS Jan. 16 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard showed a slight increase in not only COVID-19 hospitalizations but al hospitalizations in Trauma Service Area F on Jan. 15. On Friday, there were 221 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients in TSA-F hospitals, which is one more than on Thursday, but still 11 less than on Wednesday, and 20 less than on Monday.
COVID-19 hospitalizations made up 20.69 percent of the total hospital capacity in TSA-F on Jan. 15, an 0.05 percent increase from Thursday, but still 1.38 percent less than on Jan. 13 and 2.73 percent less than on Jan. 11.
A total of 1,068 hospital beds were staffed in TSA-F on Jan. 15, two more than on Jan. 14, but still 20 less than on Jan. 5 and 67 less than on Dec. 31. There were 655 total hospitalizations in TSA-F on Jan. 15, three fewer than on Jan. 1 and 62 less than on Dec. 31, but six more than on Jan. 12. A total of 976 inpatient beds were staffed in TSA-F on Friday, two more than on Thursday, but 17 more than on Wednesday and 67 less than on Dec. 31.
Nine ICU beds were available in TSA-F hospitals, two les than on Thursday and three less than on Wednesday, but eight more than on Jan. 2 and Jan. 3. Seventy ventilators were available in TSA-F on Jan. 15, six more than on Jan. 14, but seven less than on Jan. 12. Also, a total of 321 hospital beds were available across TSA-F on Friday, five more than n Thursday and 11 more than on Wednesday, but 30 less than on Jan. 3 and 107 less than on Dec. 26.
Testing Data
DSHS has been notified of 16,052 COVID-19 tests performed in Hopkins County during the pandemic, 12,932 viral or molecular tests, 1,423 antigen tests and 1,697 antibody tests. That’s 64 additional viral tests, most likely from the free testing site at 128-A Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs, where 8,055 tests had been performed from the time the site opened on Sept. 25 to 6 p.m. Jan. 14. Thirteen additional antigen tests and three additional antibody tests were also conducted in Hopkins County on Friday, according to the DSHS Jan. 16 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard.
Free oral swab (molecular) COVID-19 testing will continue to be offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays in January inside the Red Cross (old Fidelity Express Building) in Sulphur Springs. Free testing is open to anyone regardless of age or address. Registration is required online at www.GoGetTested.com in order to be tested at 128-A Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Of the 1,200 doses of COVID-19 vaccine allocated over the last 5 weeks to Hopkins County, 1,159 doses had been administered as of 11:59 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15. CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic-Sulphur Springs is among 260 providers (79 hubs and 181 small providers) allocated vaccines during the week of Jan. 18. The clinic has been designated 700 doses of the vaccine, according to a DSHS release Saturday afternoon, Jan. 16.
As of Friday night, 1,064 people had received the first dose of the vaccine in Hopkins County and 95 had received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. That means 51 additional people received the first dose of the vaccine in Hopkins County while 79 more received the second dose to complete the vaccination process.
Vaccine remains limited based on the capacity of the manufacturers to produce it, so it will take time for Texas to receive enough vaccine for all the people in the priority populations who want to be vaccinated. The supply is expected to increase in the coming months, and additional vaccines are in clinical trials and may be authorized by the Food and Drug Administration.
Currently, the state is still in phase 1A and 1B of vaccinations. That means that currently, COVID-19 vaccinations are only offered for health care workers, residents of long-term care facilities, people 65 and older and those with medical conditions that put them at greater risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
More information on COVID-19 vaccine can be found at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx.
Click here for a list of vaccination hub providers with contact information. Many already have a waiting list for appointments.
Click here to see the DSHS/Texas Department of Emergency Management map of vaccine providers.
SSMS Finishes First At 2021 Middle School District OAP Competition
The SSISD Fine Arts Department Saturday afternoon announced that the Sulphur Springs Middle School Theatre students finished first in the 2021 Middle School District One Act Play competition with their performance of David Saar’s “The Yellow Boat.”
Six students also earned individual accolades for their acting.
Emma Boatman was named Best Performer. Earning All Star Cast honors were Aiden Woodard, Layla Pogue and Nathan Bilyeu. Receiving Honorable Mention All Star Cast honors were Taylor Price and Conner Curtis.
Congratulations to these students and theatre instructor/director Kristopher Luce for their accomplishments at the 2021 Middle School District OAP competition.
Woman Arrested On Warrant Hid Methamphetamine In Her Bra
A36-year-old Sulphur Springs woman arrested on a warrant reportedly hid methamphetamine in her bra, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Department Officer Sean Hoffman was made aware of a warrant issued for Leigh Ann Smith‘s arrest. Hoffman located Smith in the office of a Helm Lane apartment complex and placed her into custody just before 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15, 2021.
Smith reportedly asked to speak to her mother, who was waiting outside in a vehicle, before being transported to jail. Hoffman walked Smith outside, where her mother exit the car to talk to her. Hoffman reported hearing Smith ask the woman identified as her mother to remove her cell phone and a piece of tissue paper from her bra. Hoffman instructed the other woman to hand the tissue to him after removing it. Smith admitted the tissue contained a small baggy with meth residue on it. The tissue did indeed contain a bag, but instead of residue, it contained a usable amount of crystal-like substance he believed was methamphetamine, Hoffman noted in arrest reports.
Consequently, Smith was booked into Hopkins County jail not only on the warrant for violation of probation, which she was on for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, but also on a new possession of less tan 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance for the suspected methamphetamine she hid in her bra.
Smith (who is also known as Leigh Ann Cummings, Leighanne Smith, Leighanne Cummings, Leigh Smith and Leioheanne Smith) was held in Hopkins county jail Saturday afternoon, Jan. 16, 2021 on the violation of probation charge. Her bond was set at $5,000 on the controlled substance charge.
Friday was not the first time Smith has been jailed in Hopkins County. She has been booked into Hopkins County jail more than a dozen times since 2003, on charges which included theft, issuance of a bad check, forgery of financial instrument, abandoning/endangering a child-criminal negligence and traffic offenses, according to jail records.
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.
Woman Jailed On Assault, Controlled Substance Charges Following A Disturbance With Her Roommate
A 34-year-old Sulphur Springs resident was arrested on assault and controlled substance charges, following a disturbance with her roommate Friday afternoon, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Bobby Osornio and Sgt. Richard Greer responded around 4:45 p.m. Jan. 15, 2021, at the County Road 1174 residence to what was reported at that time to be a verbal disturbance. Upon arrival, he was made aware pf Hillary Kay Spigner throwing out her roommate’s clothing and pushing her. Spigner was placed into custody on a Class C misdemeanor family violence assault charge.
While searching Spigner’s pockets, deputies found a black box containing two cigarillo packets, one with a baggy of suspected crystal methamphetamine and several torn baggies and the other had a gum wrapper with suspected crystal meth inside of it, Osornio alleged in arrest reports. Thus, she was also charged with possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
While being booked into jail, deputies learned Spigner also had an outstanding warrant for her arrest for a no driver’s license charge, according to arrest reports.
Spigner, who is also known by Hillary Kay Thomas, remained in the county jail Saturday afternoon, Jan. 16, 2021, on all three charges. Bond on the controlled substance charge was set at $5,000, according to jail reports.
Friday was not the first time Spigner has been booked into Hopkins County jail on assault and possession charges, jail records show. The Sulphur Springs woman spent Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 215 in jail for family violence assault causing bodily injury, Jan. 15-16, 2020 on an expired driver’s license warrant, and Feb. 9-10, 2020 on a possession of drug paraphernalia charge, according to jail records.
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.
Three Receive Deferred Adjudication In District Court This Week
Three people received deferred adjudication and one woman’s felony charge was dismissed in the 8th Judicial District Court this week, according to court reports.
Dylan Cole Anderson received a 5-year deferred sentence Jan. 14 for a Feb. 1, 2020 possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. As part of a deal reached with prosecutors in the case, Anderson admitted guilt to an Oct. 26, 2020 possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charge which was dismissed with prejudice. Anderson remained in Hopkins County jail from Oct. 26, 2020, until after his court appearance Jan. 14.
In addition to remaining on probation for five years, Anderson will be required to pay a $1,000 fine, court costs and associated fees. The 17-year-old also is required to complete a GED program to attain that certificate or attain a high school diploma. Anderson received credit for serving as a kitchen trusty at Hopkins County jail while in custody, reducing the amount of community service he will be required to complete to four hours per month.
Jesus Enriquez received a 2-year deferred sentence Jan. 14 for a May 17, 2019 possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charge. The charge stems for a traffic stop in which he was allegedly found in possession of THC wax and drug paraphernalia. The Pittsburg man, 21 at the time of his arrest, remained in jail overnight May 17, 2019, then was released from jail the next day on a $25,000 bond.
Enriquez is to serve two years on probation, pay court and associated fees and a $1,000 fine on the charge.
Kenneth Wayne Shaw was scheduled to appear in court for an April 20, 2020 third-degree felony assault of a family or household member charge on Jan. 14. He was booked into the county jail April 21, 2020 after allegedly choking his nephew multiple times, impeding the nephew’s breathing. He was released later that day on a $10,000 bond.
As part of a deal, Shaw pled guilty to a Class A misdemeanor family violence assault charge and received a two-year deferred sentence, which he will be required to serve on probation. Shaw will also be required to pay a $300 fine and court and associated fees, and must complete an anger management class.
Lanorya Shaneka Stokes was scheduled Jan. 14 to appear for a final announcement before a court hearing or trial on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge. The charge stemmed for a traffic stop in which 8 multi-colored pills a trooper believed to be Ecstasy and less than 2 ounces of marijuana were found in a bag in the trunk of the car she was driving on May 17, 2019. The Fort Worth woman also reportedly had a suspended license at the time.
However, on Jan. 14, 2021, Assistant District Attorney Matt Harris reported that third-degree felony charge against her had been dismissed earlier in the morning. Court officials reminded Stokes that the dismissal is only for that charge; if she has any outstanding charges in other courts those charges would still be active.
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.
