Woman Accused Of Threatening Four People With A Gun
Deputies arrested a 56-year-old Sulphur Springs woman accused of threatening four people with a gun Sunday evening.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded at 1:25 p.m. December 20, 2020 at a woman’s County Road 4615 residence to what was reported as an animal complaint call involving a female pointing a gun at the complainant. Upon arrival, they contacted the complainant, his wife and their two adult daughters.
During the investigation, Janice Leigh Fite was alleged to have gone outside with a handgun to confront the man, his wife and their daughters. She told him she would kill him, then turned to the man’s wife and daughters and threatened them as well, while displaying a handgun and pointing it at the four. Consequently, 56-year-old Janice Leight Fite was arrested at 3:15 p.m. on four aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges.
She remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning on the four charges for threating the four people with a gun. Her bond was set at $35,000 per charges. Her jail records shows she was also booked into Hopkins County jail on Aug. 24, 2002 on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge.
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.
2020 ‘Wreaths Across America’ in Sulphur Springs
The annual posthumous recognition for veterans of all wars was held in cemeteries across the nation on Saturday December 19, 2020. This year, five Hopkins County cemeteries took part in the solemn event. They are Sulphur Springs City Cemetery, Black Oak Cemetery. Pickton Cemetery, Greenview Cemetery and Gafford’s Chapel Cemetery. Almost 900 wreaths were placed in City Cemetery alone! Many local volunteers came together and made the event a memorable experience. Here are photos from activity at Sulphur Springs City Cemetery.
DSHS: CHRISTUS Hospital-Sulphur Springs Is 1 Of 3 Local Sites Selected For COVID-19 Vaccine
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs CEO Paul Harvey Thursday gave an update of the COVID-19 situation and other activities at as they relate to the hospital and associated local CHRISTUS facilities, including reports on testing and the COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Over the last week, the CDC delivered doses of the COVID-19 to various locations across the country and state. Texas Commissioner of Health appointed an Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel (EVAP) of subject matter experts to make recommendations on COVID-19 vaccine allocation decisions. This includes identifying groups that should be vaccinated first, with a goal of protecting the most vulnerable populations and critical state resources, Texas Department of State Health Services reported Friday.
CMFH-SS, Titus and Paris hospitals were NOT among the medical facilities selected to receive batches of the COVID-19 vaccine during the first round of distribution over the last week, but Hunt Regional received 975 doses of the vaccine, according to Harvey.
Christus Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler and CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical Center Longview had each received a box with about 975 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on Thursday, the CMFH-SS CEO told Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors during their regular meeting Thursday afternoon. The UT Health Science Center in Tyler
UT Health System in Tyler received 3,900 doses of the Pfizer vaccine this week as CHRISTUS did and more than Northeast Texas..
“This first wave is for any provider or hospital that gets this, it really goes to the first responders and the first staff that are dealing with the COVID patients,” Harvey told Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors Thursday afternoon during the board’s December meeting.
While the state list Thursday afternoon indicated a COVID-19 vaccine isn’t scheduled to be available at CMFH-SS until the first week in April, Harvey said CHRISTUS officials hoped that process will be fast-tracked with the approval of the Moderna vaccine. At that point, CFMH-SS officials anticipated first line employees would be able to drive to Tyler to get their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, then return to that site in 21 days to get the second dose.
However, Moderna announced Friday evening, Dec. 18, that the FDA has authorized the emergency use of mRNA-1273, Moderna’s vaccine against COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age or older.
Texas expects to receive 620,400 doses of COVID-19 vaccine distributed to more than 1,100 providers in 185 Texas counties in Week 2 of vaccine distribution. The CDC anticipated delivering 460,500 doses of the vaccine manufactured by Moderna and 159,900 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to continue to vaccinate front-line health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities, according to DSHS reports.
The second COVID-19 vaccine disbursement should begin arriving Monday at providers such as hospitals, freestanding ERs, EMS providers, pharmacies, local health departments, health centers and other clinics. Providers that have received vaccine are being encouraged by DSHS to partner with other health care facilities and workers in the area to maximize vaccinations.
The Week 2 vaccine allocation schedule posted on the DSHS website Saturday showed three locations in Sulphur Springs are now among 23 of sites scheduled to receive batches of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The DSHS reports shows Brookshire’s Pharmacy is scheduled to receive 100 doses of Moderna vaccine, Christus Trinity Clinic – Sulphur Springs 200 doses, and Christus Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs 400 doses on Week 2 of vaccine allocations.
Most of the Pfizer vaccine, 124,800 doses, will go to the federal Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program. Vaccination under the program is expected to begin Dec. 28 in Texas. The remaining doses will be distributed to 29 hospitals that received Pfizer doses this week to continue vaccinating health care workers, according to DSHS.
“I’m not a scientist but some of the doctors that have really kept abreast of this say the science even on Pfizer is as good or better than if you remember years ago the measles outbreak and how that happened. So, the science is good. so, I think we can all be assured that the vaccine will do its job,” Harvey said Thursday. “Obviously we don’t know about people and how they react so far there’s not been that big of a deal on allergic reactions yet. Some are saying sometimes that will happen on the second round, but as far as we know — and our hospitals throughout CHRISTUS have done this since Monday — everything has gone very well so far in the vaccinations at those facilities.
Harvey said whether someone has had COVID 19 or has had a remdesivir infusion the thought in the medical community right now is to wait 90 days after diagnosis or having the infusion before getting a vaccine. Remdesivir was the the first antiviral drug Veklury approved by the FDA for treatment of COVID-19 in certain hospitalized individuals.
Harvey said from what he has seen and can tell, the federal government is “really doing a pretty good job” with the methodology and track mechanism used to track COVID-19 actions.
Additional COVID-19 response
According to Harvey, CMFH-SS and all of the other connected sites do all three types of testing, PCR (molecular or oral swab). Approximately 14.2 percent of the COVID-19 tests performed by the Sulphur Springs CHRISTUS staff have had positive results. That’s about 1,300 COVID-19 positives out of the 9,300 COVID-19 tests performed at the facility. That’s from a variety of tests including, PCR, blood antigen rapid tests, according to Harvey.
Case counts at the hospital include not only Hopkins County residents but people who live and work in counties other than Hopkins County as well.
The hospital has also accommodated other medical facilities to help house and care for COVID patients. For example, CMFH-SS has assisted Quality ER of Paris, an independent emergency room with several facilities in Northeast Texas, when they need somewhere to go an Paris can’t accommodate their patients. CMFH-SS has also taken a transfer from Lewisville, Paris and other places.
There have been other times when other areas need somewhere to transfer patients, but CMFH-SS has not been able to assist at the time because they just didn’t have enough available beds to take the patient.
“You just have to be selective depending on what you capacity is,” Harvey noted.
Harvey said blood is being drawn in Sulphur Springs for a convalescent serum, with more than 200 draws used.
The hospitalization rates, especially in Northeast Texas, have gone up, so EMS volumes continue to go up. There’s been a sharp rise in hospitalizations all across Northeast Texas over the last 4 weeks, Harvey note.
“We’ve been able to hold our own. Over the last four weeks we’ve averaged in the mid 20s as far as the number of COVID patients,” Harvey said. “The feeling is after Christmas we might see another little spike, depending on how families get together and so forth.”
Harvey said the community should be proud of the team here at the hospital and what they’ve gone through, including dealing with more hospice death type situations. It has taken a toll on hospital associates who aren’t normally used to this that at the acute care hospital.
“Hats off ot our team there that does a phenomenal job,” Harvey said. “We do get support from the state in the amount of resources. At one point we had over 35 state-sponsored clinical staff, whether they are nurses, respiratory therapy or patient care techs.”
The hospital continues to have plenty of the proper equipment to be able to take care of patients appropriately and the associates. Being part of the CHRISTUS Health system, Harvey noted, has allowed the hospital to access more supplies that the hospital might not be able to get on their own. Additional warehouse space has been secure to be able to house some of the additional equipment and supplies.
“I feel very confident about our ability and capabilities. We have cohorted enough where we can take up to 35 patients if they were COVID-related. We haven’t even come close to hitting that,” Harvey said, adding “And I mean 35 and we are still taking care of the other non-COVID-19 type patients that come in.”
CMFH-SS’ surge plan includes an agreement to be able to send “med-surge patients to the CHRISTUS facility in Winnsboro if the situation became necessary to do so om order to free up some beds at CMFH-SS.
More Hospital News
CMFH-SS recently received an A Leapfrog rating, which is the national gold standard benchmark that indicates how safety a facility is at providing quality care.
“We were the only hospital in the region that received an A so our competitors that are surrounding us all got a Cs,” Harvey said. “So we continue to hold our own, but to be strong and to continue to do the things that we need to do to keep our patients, our community and our associates safe while we provide care
While the Health Care Foundation Gala will not be able to hold a fundraising gala the way its typically held, the committee has come up with what Harvey says is a “very innovative plan” includes a virtual event that will be memorable to those who want to support the foundation. That event, “Gala Unmasked” will take place Feb. 20, with additional information to be released at a later time. He expressed appreciation to the sponsors who have stepped in over the last 2 weeks.
“I’m really pleased with that Foundation Board. They are really taking this to another level given what we’ve had to deal with from a pandemic standpoint.
The sports medicine clinic offered for local students on Saturdays has just wrapped up, but touched the lives of kids in 14 high schools and tripled the number of students seen by Dr. Metsakos during the fours of the clinic.
Starting in January, because of the Foundation donations last year, CMFH-SS has the new Stryker’s Mako® Robotic-Arm Assisted Total Knee Application that will allow Dr. Chris Meltsakos to perform knee surgeries using a robot.
“The outcomes are phenomenal and require less hospitalization usually. He and our OR team are fully certified on that now. He of course has patients set up for the first week in January,” Harvey said. “It’s just phenomenal to be able to have the capability here. We are very excited about what that is going to do a we continue to look at ways to growing our service line in orthopedics.”
Anyone wishing to donate blood to help bolster extremely low supplies during this time of COVID-19 can scheduled to an appointment in the Carter BloodCare bus on the CMFH-SS parking lot during the blood drive on Wednesday, Dec. 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information on how to sign-up, call/text 800.366.2834 or visit:
https://ww3.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/120339
Dec. 21-25 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 Dec. 21-25 Meal A Day Menu includes:
Monday – Chicken Cacciatore, Penne Pasta, Italian Vegetables and Garlic Sticks
Tuesday – Shepherd’s Pie, Broccoli and Pickled Beets
Wednesday – Honey Glazed Ham, Corn Bread Dressing, Green Bean Casserole, Candied Carrots, Cranberry Sauce and a Roll
Thursday – Smothered Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Spinach and Roll
Friday – Closed for Christmas
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.
Dec. 19 COVID-19 Update: 2 Fatalities, 7 New Molecular Tests, 17 Recoveries
Texas Department of State Health Services’ Dec. 19 COVID-19 dashboard shows 7 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 17 new probable cases, 16 recoveries and two fatalities.
The seven new cases confirmed by molecular (PCR) testing make 70 new cases this week and 208 so far this month. Cumulatively, 1,040 Hopkins County residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since March. That’s a 2.8 percent molecular positivity rate.
The Dec. 19 COVID-19 Texas Case Counts dashboard showed a cumulative total of 1,041 new probable COVID-19 cases for Hopkins County. That makes 65 new probable cases reported this week and 118 since the state began providing daily “probable” case counts on Dec. 11.
According to DSHS, using the definition adopted by the CDC, a probable case is reported when a person has either tested 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.
DSHS’s dashboard showed 67 Hopkins County residents have died from COVID-19, two more than were reported on Dec. 18. COVID-19 fatalities are deaths for which COVID-19 is listed as a direct cause of death on the death certificate. A medical certifier, usually a doctor, determines the cause(s) of death. DSHS does not include deaths of people who had COVID-19 but died of an unrelated cause. Fatalities are reported by where the person lived as listed on the death certificate.
Dec. 19 is the fourth day the week and 10th day this month in which new COVID-19 deaths were announced. The most recent COVID-19 deaths occurred on Dec. 8, Dec. 13, Dec. 14 and Nov. 26. A total of nine Hopkins County residents are confirmed to have died so far this month. One additional death each was reported to have also occurred on Dec. 1, Dec. 2, Dec. 6 and Dec. 7; and two Hopkins County residents died from COVID-19 on Dec. 3, according to the “Fatalities Over Time by County” report.
The DSHS Dec. 19 COVID-19 dashboard showed a total of 1,856 of the total confirmed and probable cases had recovered from COVID-19 Friday, that’s 16 more Hopkins County residents who had recovered from COVID-19 at 3:45 p.m. Dec. 19. That makes 236 recoveries of Hopkins County residents who have lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases or are considered to be a probable virus case this week and 1,162 this month; that total includes 810 probable case recoveries recorded Dec. 11 on the DSHS dashboard for the first time.
That leaves 158 active COVID-19 case in Hopkins County on Dec. 19, six more than on Dec. 18.
In Trauma Service Area F on Dec. 19, there were 138 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients in TSA F hospitals, seven less than on Dec. 18; 1,082 total staffed hospital beds, 79 more than on Thursday; 624 total hospitalizations, 19 less than Dec. 18; and 990 total staffed inpatient beds, 21 less than Thursday.
COVID-19 patients accounted for 12.75 percent of the overall hospital capacity in TSA-F, down from 13.15 percent.
Available in TSA-F hospitals on Friday were 11 ICU beds (4 more), 68 ventilators (six more) and 366 hospital beds (2 less).
Lady Cats Soccer Team Nets 22 Goals During Three Shutout Scrimmage Games At The Prim Saturday
The Lady Cats Soccer Team got goals from lots of different players as they won three scrimmage contests Saturday at Gerald Prim Stadium.
The Lady Cats topped Terrell, 3-0. Then, they handled their JV team that was filling in for North Lamar, 11-0. The Wildcats closed out the scrimmage session with an 8-0 win over Nevada Community.
Against Terrell, sophomore Rebekah Stanley scored two goals in the first half. The first occurred at the 12:28 mark. Junior Jadyn Van Winkle got the assist. The second Stanley goal came out of a group of players in front of the goal just before halftime. Sophomore Isabelle Thesing assisted on that goal. In the second 25:00 half, junior Katelyn Robinson scored a goal at 18:50 assisted by freshman Megan Blake.
North Lamar canceled its’ appearance in the scrimmage event on Friday. Coach Javier Aguayo had his JV team fill the void. The Lady Cats varsity defeated the JV, 11-0, scoring 7 first half goals with 4 more in the second half.
Senior Janine Yamaguici and Stanley had a three goal hat tricks. Stanley also played goalkeeper in the second half. Freshman Kylie Clarke scored 2 goals. Freshman Haylee Shultz, junior Vanessa Lara and freshman Emma Romero all scored 1 goal.
Against Nevada Community, the Lady Cats scored 7 first half goals with 1 more in the second half. Shultz opened the scoring with a goal at 22:17. Clarke scored the next two at 18:50 and 15:00. Yamaguchi added a goal at 9:39. Robinson scored at 7:38. Stanley scored the next two goals at 6:10 and at :47. Thesing wrapped up the days scoring of 22 goals with a second half goal at 3:45.
The Lady Cats resume the scrimmage portion of their schedule with a match at Palestine 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.
Wildcats Soccer Team Drops Scrimmage Contest At North Forney, 3-1, Friday Night
The Wildcats Soccer Team lost a scrimmage match against North Forney, 3-1, Friday, Dec. 18, night in Forney.
Edgar Salazar scored the lone Wildcats goal. David Moreno got an assist on the score.
Wildcats Soccer Coach Alexi Upton said the Wildcats came out flat and just did not play. He said they struggled against wind conditions. Coach Upton called it a good learning experience.
Next, the Wildcats scrimmage Greenville on Tuesday night at Gerald Prim Stadium.
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.
Sulphur Springs ISD String Orchestra Offers A Virtual Winter Concert
Sulphur Springs ISD String Orchestra Director Hannah Kirby opted to have her students perform a winter concert, but instead of a live in-person performance is hosting A Virtual Winter Concert. This will allow the school to observe COVID-19 precautions at the performance venue while welcoming as many people who want to attend at their convenience.
The program features beginner, intermediate and high school orchestras as well as a few solo performances. The music ranges from Jingle Bells to Disney’s Frozen and Bach, and even offers a surprise finish.
To catch the 25 minute program, click here.
Paris District Road Report for the Week of December 21, 2020
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of Dec. 21, 2020. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
The annual contract to perform crack sealing operations in Grayson County is in progress. Daytime lane closures will be present during crack sealing operations and drivers should expect delays. The following roadways in Grayson County will be crack sealed this year; Business US 377D in Tioga, Business US 377C in Collinsville, SH 289 from the Collin County line to US 82, FM 996 from FM 120 to FM 1417, SH 91 from US 75 to FM 1310, the US 82 frontage road in Sherman, FM 120 from FM 1753 to the Oklahoma State line, FM 1897 from US 69 to the end of State maintenance, FM 898 from SH 11 to the Fannin County line, FM 121 from FM 3356 to SH 289, FM 120 in Pottsboro from Chrissa Drive to Vine Street, and the US 75 frontage roads from FM 902 to the Collin County line.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on northbound and southbound US 75 between Center Street and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes and the new South Travis Street Bridge. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91 as crews work on building detours and installing drainage structures. The northbound exit ramp for Houston and Lamar Streets (SH 56) is currently closed, and exiting traffic is requested to use the Park Avenue exit ramp. The northbound exit ramp for Pecan Street and Washington Street is currently closed, and exiting traffic is requested to use the next exit ramp for North Travis Street. The southbound exit ramp for Park Avenue is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Houston/Lamar Street (SH 56) exit. The southbound Washington Street exit ramp is currently closed, and exiting traffic is requested to use the North Travis Street exit. The northbound frontage road from South Travis Street to near Park Avenue is closed for crews to work on building the remaining portion of the retaining wall along US 75 at the South Travis Street intersection. Traffic is requested to use the US 75 mainlanes during this closure. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set for this construction project.
During the week of January 4 through 9, the Houston Street intersection at US 75 will be closed to through traffic in order for crews to perform pavement improvements in the left lane of the northbound and southbound frontage roads. Traffic on Houston Street will be able to make a right turn only onto the frontage road and will detour to the next intersection. This same process will occur for the Washington Street and Lamar Street intersections. This work is weather dependent and may be adjusted due to unfavorable weather.
The eastbound and westbound US 82 mainlanes will be closed to through traffic on December 21 and 22 starting at 7:30 pm in order to set bridge beams for the new US 75 northbound frontage road bridge. During this closure, mainlane traffic will be detoured onto the frontage road. US 82 is scheduled to reopen to traffic each morning at 6:30 am.
The US 75 pedestrian bridge near Pecan Street in Sherman is closed to pedestrian traffic. The east side over the frontage road has been removed. The remaining pedestrian bridge will be removed at a later time. Pedestrians wishing to cross US 75 are advised to cross at the Houston Street signalized intersection.
FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews are working to construct a portion of the new Sand Creek bridge and the approaches to the bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews perform utility work. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to build portions of the new bridges and roadway. Watch for lane shifts and narrow lanes throughout the project as crews have moved traffic to the temporary detour section. The ultimate roadway will be a five-lane section consisting of concrete pavement when the project is completed.
US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
US 75 Ramp Reversal in Denison, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 main lanes and frontage road between Spur 503 and FM 691. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures on the southbound US 75 frontage road while construction crews work on completing the remainder of the project. The new FM 691 exit ramp is open to access FM 691. The new entrance ramp to southbound US 75 has been opened to traffic.
US 377, Grayson County: from US 82 to FM 901. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the daytime.
US 82 & US 69, Grayson County: from FM 131 to FM 1897 on US 82, and from SH 56 to US 75 on US 69. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
FM 697, Grayson County: between FM 2729 and US 69. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
SH 56, Grayson County: between SH 11 and the Fannin County line. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews apply a fog seal to the roadway.
FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to SH 78. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
The annual contract to perform crack sealing operations in Fannin County is in progress. Daytime lane closures will be present during crack sealing operations and drivers should expect delays. The following roadways in Fannin County will be crack sealed this year; FM 1396 from SH 78 to FM 2029, FM 1752 from US 82 to FM 1753, US 82 from SH 121 to the Grayson County line, SH 11 from SH 121 to SH 78, SH 78 from SH 11 to US 69, and FM 68 from SH 78 to SH 34.
FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1743, Fannin County: from SH 56 to FM 1550. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 824, Fannin County: from SH 56 in Honey Grove to the Lamar County line. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1550, Fannin County: from County Road 3330 to SH 34. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
SH 121, Fannin County: from the Collin County line to SH 56. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided roadway. Westbound US 82 traffic has been shifted to the new pavement on the eastern end of the project between the Fannin-Lamar County line and County Road 2975. Eastbound traffic will remain in its current lane, while crews work on the inside lane to build crossovers and turn lanes. Drivers who frequent this roadway are advised that all driveways, county roads and farm-to-market roads approaching the new westbound main lanes on US 82 will have a full stop before crossing over to the median. The on-ramp to westbound US 82 from SH 78 has been closed while crews work on building the new westbound main lanes. The westbound exit ramp for SH 121 is closed as crews work on building the new main lanes in this area. Exiting traffic for SH 121 is asked to use the SH 78 exit and continue along the frontage road to SH 121.
Weather permitting, on December 28 westbound US 82 traffic will be moved to the new travel lanes between County Road 2975 and SH 121. Eastbound traffic will remain in its current lane, while construction crews begin work on the inside lane, building the crossovers and left turn lanes. Drivers who frequent this roadway are advised that all driveways, county roads and farm-to-market roads approaching the new westbound main lanes on US 82 will have a full stop before crossing over to the median.
SH 56, Fannin County: between FM 897 and FM 1396. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform spot milling on the roadway.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
I-30, Hopkins & Franklin Counties: From Titus County Line to Hunt County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
FM 3389, Hopkins County: From IH 30 to FM 1567. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews begin work on rehabilitation of the roadway.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
FM 1507, Lamar County: from South Collegiate Drive to Loop 286. This roadway is closed while crews rehabilitate and resurface the existing roadway.
BU 82H (Bonham Street/Lamar Avenue), Lamar County: from 19th Street SW to 33rd Street SE. Watch for crews performing safety improvements to traffic signals.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to Bowie County Line. Traffic is shifted to the north side of the roadway between FM 44 and FM 1699 while crews perform pavement widening work on the south side.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903)455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
FM 2194, Hunt County: between Merit and FM 903. Work on this project is completed. Please be careful when traveling in this area.
FM 499, Hunt County: at Lynn Creek. The contractor has begun demolition work and will be placing structural beams early this week. Road closures began on Nov. 30 and will continue throughout the duration of this project. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for workers and work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 1566, Hunt County: from FM 272 near Celeste to State Highway 34. The contractor is currently working on a two-mile stretch of roadway rehabilitation. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
SH 66 at FM 1570, Hunt County: The contractor will be prepping the right-of-way and placing culverts for this project. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
Maintenance crews in Hunt County will be performing pothole repairs, mowing and metal beam guard fence repairs around the county, and removing debris from I-30 early this week. Crews will also be overlaying various locations on SH 66 and the I-30 frontage roads. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
Maintenance crews in Rains County will be performing various sign installations, potholing and debris removal. Please watch for lane closures, work zones and workers along the roadway. Crews will also be roadway patching on FM 515, from FM 2795 to the Rains-Wood County line, and repairing rip-rap on SH 276 at Bull Creek. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
SH 34 bridge, Hunt County: 3.5 miles south of Quinlan. TxDOT has placed a temporary concrete traffic barrier to protect travelers from the damage caused by an 18-wheeler accident. The bridge/road is now open to both lanes of traffic. Please drive cautiously and safely in this area.
Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews. Debris and litter operations are ongoing throughout multiple parts of the county. Please be careful when traveling, and watch out for workers.
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Dec. 18 COVID-19 Update: 1 Fatality, 25 New Confirmed Cases, 3 New Probable Cases
Hopkins County residents recovered from COVID-19, half as many new probable cases were reported and fewer COVID-19 tests were conducted at the free testing site on Friday than Thursday. However, one more COVID-19 positive on molecular tests was also reported, the patient count in the COVID-19 unit at the local hospital rose and one additional Hopkins County fatality was confirmed, Texas Department of State Health Services and Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management reported in Dec. 18 COVID-19 updates.
Dec. 18 COVID-19 Case Counts
The DSHS Dec. 18 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard showed 25 additional Hopkins County residents as of 5:45 p.m. Friday had received positive COVID-19 results from molecular testing. That’s 49 new lab-confirmed cases in the last 2 days, 63 this week and 201 so far this month. That’s more than the total for all other months except October, when 323 total cases were recorded. December is ahead of even October’s pace, however, as only 103 new cases had been reported through the 18th day of October, according to case counts reported by HC/SSEM officials. Overall, 1,033 Hopkins County residents have received lab-confirmed COVID-19 positive molecular test results since March. That’s a composite positivity rate of 5.55 percent, according to the DSHS dashboard.
Three additional probable cases were also reported in the DSHS Dec. 18 COVID-19 dashboard, that’s three fewer cases on Friday than on Thursday, for a total of 78 new probable cases since Sunday and 1,024 since DSHS began tracking probable case data in June.
Twenty of the Hopkins County residents who received positive COVID-19 test results were reported to have recovered from the virus on Friday. That’s four consecutives in which recoveries were reported. So far this week, 220 county residents have recover from the virus. This month, 1,146 recoveries have been reported, but that number includes probable case recoveries not previously reported. When the state began providing daily counts by testing type on Dec. 11, 810 probable recoveries were included in the total. Cumulatively, including all testing types reported, 1,840 Hopkins County residents are reported to have recovered from novel coronavirus 2019, according to the DSHS Dec. 18 COVID 19 Case Count dashboard.
Another Hopkins County resident has also been confirmed by death certificate to have died from COVID-19, increasing the total to 65 Hopkins County fatalities, giving the county a fatality rate of 6.29 percent among Hopkins County residents who have been confirmed by molecular testing since March to have the virus for the virus and 3.16 percent of all cases, confirmed and probable.
Those changes increase the overall count from 145 active Hopkins COunty cases on Thursday to 152 on Friday. That’s the fourth day in a row the active case county has risen, but is still 15 less than on Sunday and 31 less than on Tuesday.
Testing and Hospital Reports
HC/SSEM in the Dec. 18 COVID-19 update reported 5,885 molecular COVID-19 tests have been performed at the free testing center at 128-A Jefferson Street since the Red Cross building sometimes referred to as the old Fidelity Building opened on Sept. 25, including 71 tests on Thursday, 545 so far this week and 1,354 this month.
Cumulatively, DSHS reports a total of 12,554 COVID-19 tests have been performed in Hopkins County, including 10,495 molecular tests, 958 antigen tests and 1,101 antibody tests.
Free testing continues to be offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays through January and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays at 128-A Jefferson Street. Registration is online only at www.GoGetTested.com. Anyone can be tested, even children, provided an adult registers them and accompanies them to the test.
HC/SSEM also in the Dec. 18 COVID-19 update reported 20 patients in the COVID Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Dec. 18, up from 17 on Dec. 17.
| Type of Test | 12/14 | 12/15 | 12/16 | 12/7 | 12/18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molecular (Viral) Tests | 10,204 | 10,298 | 10,375 | 10,397 | 10,495 |
| Antigen Tests | 889 | 902 | 935 | 938 | 958 |
| Antibody Tests | 1071 | 1075 | 1,087 | 1,087 | 1,101 |
The Dec. 18 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard, however, showed 145 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients were in hospitals across Trauma Service Area F Friday, five less than on Thursday, making up 13.15 percent of the total hospital capacity, a 0.62 percent decrease overall.
TSA had 1,003 total staffed hospital beds, which includes most of Northeast Texas including Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. That’s 85 less staffed beds on Friday than on Thursday. Total hospitalizations in TSA F increased by three to 643, and staffed inpatient beds rose by 14 to 1,011.
Overall, there were only seven available ICU beds spread among hospitals in TSA F, one less than on Thursday and four less than on Wednesday, but still two more than on Dec. 10-12.
TSA F also had 63 ventilators available, six less than on Dec. 17 and nine less than on Dec. 14.
