Lady Cats Basketball Team Struggles Against Marshall Friday In Home District Loss, 39-32
The Lady Cats Basketball Team had a tough night Friday, December 18, at home against Marshall getting a district loss, 39-32.
The Lady Cats suffered from slow starts in both the first quarter and third quarter and never led in the game. Marshall jumped out to a 7-0 lead to start the game and also scored the first 7 points in the third quarter after the Lady Cats trailed by only 3 at halftime. The Lady Cats got to within two points but, could never tie the game or get into the lead. They trailed 12-8 after one quarter, 15-12 at halftime and 28-20 after three quarters.
Sophomore point guard Kenzie Willis ended up having a big game scoring a game high 20 points. Willis hit two three-point baskets and was 8 of 12 from the foul line. Junior guard Baylie Large scored 5 points including one three-pointer. Sophomore guard Addisyn Wall hit a three point basket for 3 points. Senior forward Nylah Lindley and senior forward Dalanee Myles both scored two points. Senior guard Katelyn Jones of Marshall led the Lady Mavericks with 10 points.
Marshall is now 2-0 in district play and 3-6 for the season. The Lady Cats slip to 1-2 in district play and 4-5 overall.
The Lady Cats resume district play Tuesday as they travel to Longview to face Pine Tree. There will be a JV game at noon with the varsity game to follow at around 1 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.
Hopkins County Records – Dec. 18, 2020
Land Deed Transactions
- Bethany Ashby to James Scott Farmer; tract in the Maria Santos survey
- Stephen L. Andersen to Julie Hoxsie and Sherman Hoxsie; tract in the James H. Gavin survey
- Benjamin Spraggins to Sherry Maynard; tract in the John Pevehouse survey
- Danyele Pool and John Pool to Kaitlyn Reeves and Daniel White; tract in the Randolph D. Spain survey
- Clayton Shilling and Kelsey Shilling to Sergio Ramirez and Katy Sellers; tract in the Jose Ybarbo survey
- Carolyn J. Bennett to Robert Franklin Stillwell; tract in the Alex O. Wetmore survey
- Delores Harrison and Bob Vaden to Robert Gregory McPeat
- Betty Jo Morse, deceased, to Dave Morse executor, to Donna Bira; tract in the AW Harlow survey
- Gurdeep K. Randhawa and Harjit Singh to Demetra Robinson and John Robinson Jr.; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- James R. Gotcher III, Pamela Starr Gotcher and Hancock Whitney Banks successor trustee to Hancock Whitney Bank successor trustee
- Troy Adachi-Edwards to Roberto Gregorio; tract in the E. Melton survey
- Donald James Hoffman Estate, Donna Carol Hoffman Estate, Jared Hoffman and Jason Hoffman, independently and as independent executor, to Norma Castillo Camacho and Juan Manuel Aguilar Castillo; tract in the George C. Wetmore survey
- James Coffey and Deborah Coffey to Alec Christopher Barrett and Laura L. Clayton; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- Angela L. Dunn and Michael G. Dunn to Atascosa Real Estate Group LLC; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Stephanie Cox and Carolyn Jean Weatherly Drummond, independent co executors for the Charles Dan Weatherly Estate, to McIlrath Properties LLC; tract in the DF Clendenen survey
- Gaylon C. Price and Peggy M. Price to Cassie Maness and Jason Maness; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Kenneth M. Rose to Danny Rose; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Ashley C. Shackelford and Daniel W. Shackelford to Gumaro Rojas Ramirez; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- High Point Estates, Jimmy Masters and Mike Moore to Rosey74 Inc.; tract in the Maria Santos Coy survey
- J Duckworth and Johnny D. Duckworth to Stephen kent Renshaw; tract in the F Marrs survey
- Jena Rae Duffield and Joe Heath Duffield to Lauren Jacobs and Paul Jacobs; tract in the James Gahagan survey
- Ana Espinosa and Arcadio Espinosa to Guadalupe Pichardo and Yesenia Pichardo; tract in the Wm H. Moses survey
- Amy Tiemeyer and Jeffrey Alan Tiemeyer to Colton Lee Morrow; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Willis Aaron Grimes to Lou Jean Martin and Michael Martin; tract in the John Aldridge survey
- Miguel A. Jimenez to An Peter Huynh; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- The Queens Place Inc. to Ivan Diosdado; tract in the Elizabeth Melton survey
- Gary Lewis and Rachel Lewis to Derick Dial and Tammie Dial; tract in the E. Melton survey
- Coy Johnson to Randi Drake and Ryan Drake; tract in the David Harris survey
- Laura Couch and Nathan Couch to John Rushin and Wendy Rushin; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- David Carrillo and Tina Carrillo to Barbara Hunt and H. Keith Hunt; tract in the Jose Ybarbo survey
- Jason Pennington to Clint Williams and Cydney Williams; tract in the GC Wetmore survey
- Teresa Lynn White Weatherford Successor Trust, Eldon D. White Bypass Trust and White Family Trust to Larry Wade Yager and Shelly Diane Yager; tract in the Harriet Brown survey
- Melva Edwinna Burkett to Jeffrey Dale Rorie and Kensey Rae Rorie; tract in the W. Ewing survey
- Clements S Home Incorporated to Jason Speer and Jennifer Speer; tract in the Rock Creed Addition
- Madison Greg Mitchell to Ryan Pope; tract in the Mariana Ballanova survey
- Joseph Macias to Virginia Mayte Gudino Catalan; tract in the HL Ward survey
- MD Brem Jr, independently and as agent, and Dexter Jane Duff to John Harold Brem; tract in the Mason Mosley survey
- Ray Brown to Clay Brown; tract in the M Ballanova survey
- Daniel Thompson and Laree Thompson to Amy Tiemeyer and Jeffrey Alan Tiemeyer; tract in the Jose Ybarbo survey
- Benny McElmoyl and Esmeralda O. McElmoyl to Rulo LLC; tract in the E. Melton survey
- Casey Ross and Patsy Ross to Jared Ray Richmond and Kristen Kay Richmond; tract in the A. Caro survey
- Megan Merrill, known as Megan L. Price, and Landon Price to Laura Galvan; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- Nita Kelty and Timothy Maurice Kelty to Sergio Mendez; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- John J. Floyd and Misty G Floyd to Carrah Lynn Griffith and Ricky Aaron Griffith; tract in the Santos Coy survey
- Carolyn Santangelo Lester and Russell J. Lester Jr. to Laura Williams and Steve Williams; tract in the John Clark survey
- Rita Wright and Roger Wright to Chelsea L. Vanicek; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- Dan Michael McClure and Sandy McClure to Lee Victor Nguyen and Sunrise Hill LLC; tract in the William B. Stout survey
- Christopher Franklin Moore, Dale F. Moore and Joseph S. Moore to James Cary Moores; tract in the Santos Coy survey
- Michelle Springfield to SMS CRS Family Investments LTD; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
Applications for Marriage Licenses
- Jacob Lee Culpepper and Christy Gail Greer
- Nicholas Peder Ferguson and Klynn Grace Skidmore
- Jacob Lee Radney and Sarah Louise Pence
Lady Cats Basketball and Wildcats Soccer Are on the Schedule on Game Day Friday
On this game day Friday (December 18), the Lady Cats Basketball Team has an important district game at home against the Marshall Lady Mavericks. A JV game is schedule for 5 p.m. with a varsity game to follow at around 6 p.m. The Lady Mavericks are 1-0 in district play after a 49-33 win over Pine Tree at home Tuesday. Marshall is 2-6 for the season. The Lady Cats are 1-1 in district play with a home win over Mount Pleasant last Friday and a road loss at Texas High on Tuesday. The Lady Cats are 4-4 so far this season. KSST Radio will bring you Lady Cats’ basketball against Marshall with live streaming video and audio. The game will also be videotaped for replay later on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
The Wildcats Soccer Team will have their third scrimmage date of the season on game day Friday at North Forney starting at 7:15 p.m. The Wildcats won scrimmage games last Saturday over North Lamar, Sabine and Mineola and then played to a 0-0 tie with highly regarded West Mesquite on the road on Monday. The Wildcats JV 1 team plays Grand Saline on the road Friday at 6 p.m. The Wildcats JV 2 will play North Forney JV 1 in Forney at 5:30 p.m prior to the varsity game.
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.
Two Goals in Each Half Give Lady Cats Soccer Team a Scrimmage Win Over Paris Thursday
Lady Cats Soccer Coach Javier Aguayo said he was very proud of the way his team played Thursday night (December 17) in a scrimmage win against Paris, 4-1 at Gerald Prim Stadium. He added the Lady Cats went out and took care of business. Paris is preseason ranked #8 in Region II in Class 4A. The Lady Cats scored two goals in each half. In the first half, freshman Haylee Shultz scored a goal that was assisted by sophomore Rebekah Stanley. Stanley scored the second goal on a penalty kick. The Lady Cats led 2-0 at halftime. In the second half, Paris scored first. A Paris shot from about 40 yards out took a big bounce and went over the Lady Cats’ goalkeeper’s head and into the goal. The Lady Cats answered with two more goals. Stanley scored the Lady Cats’ third goal on an assist from senior Janine Yamaguchi. Schultz then scored her second goal of the night after an assist from Stanley. Coach Aguayo said the Lady Cats played well but he added there were still things that have to be worked on. The Lady Cats host a four team scrimmage Saturday at The Prim. The Lady Cats play Terrell at 9 a.m. Saturday. They also face North Lamar at 11 a.m. and then take on Nevada Community at 2 p.m. The other three teams all play each other in games in between.
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.
Hospital District Board of Directors Approved A Tax Abatement for D6 Inc., Cardiac Monitors For EMS
Construction Bids For New EMS Station/HCHD Headquarters Accepted Through Jan. 8
Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors approved a tax abatement and agreed to an extension on another, approved two budgeted capital purchases, and discussed construction of new EMS station/HCHD headquarters during the Dec. 17 board meeting, and swore in one board member.
Tax Abatements
At the recommendation of Sulphur Springs – Hopkins County Economic Development Executive Director Roger Feagley, the Hospital District granted D6, Inc.’s request for a tax abatement. Headquartered in Portland, the company expanded to Sulphur Springs and is making pie pans and Danish trays from recycled materials on Industrial Drive on the property which most know as the former Coca-Cola property. D6, Inc., has a 25,000-square foot expansion planned at the facility that will create 30 additional jobs.
HCHD Board member Joe Bob Burgin asked who filling jobs, if it is staffed mostly by people with local addresses. Feagley said that is D6, Inc.’s intent.
Feagley also presented a request from Solemio, LLC, for an extension of time to complete construction on solar farm in the Arbala area. COVID-19 was blamed for the project stalling and an additional year from the originally agreed upon time span for construction. The request was to push back the start date listed in the previously approved agreement granting a tax incentive for the solar project, according to the EDC director. Construction on the project is now expected to be in the spring and take 18 months to build.
HCHD Board Secretary David Black asked if the other taxing entities had approved an extension for construction and the start date.
Hopkins County Commissioners Court in October granted an extension to Solemio in October, extending the construction period through June 30, 2022; original agreement was for construction to be complete in Dec. 31, 2020.
Returning to the Board
After an absence of a few months, Tim Kelty was able to attend the December meeting.
Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors at the close of filing in the spring had only 4 candidates for 4 seats on the board – incumbents Dr. Bill Dietze, Tim Kelty, Kristi Shultz and Chris Brown. Thus, the board was able to cancel the spring election. Shultz, Brown and Dietze again took the oath of office in June to continue serving on the board for a full term.
Angie Waller administered the oath of office to Kelty during the Dec. 17 meeting.
Capital Purchases
HCHD Board approved the purchase of four LP 15 cardiac monitors and an XPS Ambulance Stretcher for $18,000.
“Essentially, all the capital [purchases] are already approved with budget. I always come back and ask for approval to issue a PO,” HCHD COO/EMS Director Brent Smith reminded the board.
The four cardiac monitors are needed to meet FDA standards which as of February require the older monitors not be removed from emergency use, Smith noted.
He extended appreciation for the board’s unanimous approval for purchase of the much-needed equipment.
Financials
HCHD CEO/CFO Ron Folwell reported financial information has been submitted to auditors. That report should be ready for board approval at the next board meeting, which is currently scheduled in February.
“I think we’ve had really good results,” Folwell said.
Folwell said the district is “rocking along really well cash-wise and financial-wise.” He said having an additional accounting employee has really helped with financial management practices, which are noted in the preliminary September financial reports. He commended Waller for her work in the business office, particularly in regard to the nursing homes HCHD owns.
“The finanical statement I thinnk really look good. We may have an audit adjustment or two related to the nursing homes, Some of that information takes a while to get in and we have to adjust,” Folwell said, noting that HCHD’s net revenue was over $3 million. “We had a pretty good year.”
HCHD President Kerry Law asked if he anticipated any large adjustments to to negative amounts, the “uncollectables.”
“I don’t anticipate an adjustment this year. We continue to provide roughly 70 percent for bad debts and uncollectable items,” Folwell said. “We’ve been doing that for a while now. That keeps us from having to have a large adjustment at the end of the year.”
The district came in ahead on tax revenues about $265,000, which is due not to a tax increase — the tax rate remained the same — but to an increase in tax appraisals of properties within the district. The district did receive a 2 percent increase in rent income, which was called for in the lease agreement.
EMS Update
Overall, the EMS service call volume was down compared to prior years. Call volumes were significantly lower in March and April to what Smith called the COVID scare,” that is people’s discomfort at the idea of calling 911 to seek assistance as the pandemic began impacting Hopkins County.
“We went almost two months kind of idle so to speak, we didn’t have a lot of volume,” Smith said.
A “little ground” expense wise was made up with deployments of EMS personnel to other areas to assist with evacuations due to natural disasters and to assist with high impacted COVID-19 areas in late spring and summer. financial iimpact on the deployment rate, which those adjustments are at the bottom of one of the financial pages,” Smith said.
“It’s pretty impressive to only lose $65,900 the total EMS operation, I was impressed by that,” Law said.
Smith said staff worked hard to get those numbers down. Folwell noted that loss includes the communications center which doesn’t generate a separate revenue, only expense.
“I think we’ve done really well. That’s a real compliment to Jeff [Sanderson] and Brent and the whole over that do the EMS,” Folwell.
Law noted that the three other counties besides Hopkins which the EMS serves allocate $1,500 a month per county to communications. Some of that gets allocate back to those counties to help absorb that piece of the cost.
Smith said the EMS service first began experiencing an increase in call volume to normal levels in September. October and November were very strong months and December so far has been even busier.
“We are steadily climbing on the call volume and destinations to the fact that we don’t even see the ambulances at central. They are gone 24-7 almost. Destinations look good. Overall volume is busier that it probably ever had been,” Smith said.
The EMS director said the service is typically busier during this time of year. COVID-19 and hospitals’ capabilities and capacities to accommodate only so many of certain types of patients also are factors.
“I will tell you, most of the hospitals in our entire region are at capacity, pretty much consistently every day. It dips every now and then, but not to the point that it’s really freeing up anything. That does affect a lot of the stuff that we’re doing and of course 911 calls have been truly busy over the last several days,” Smith said.
Smith also noted that Dr. Shawn York, who has served as medical director for the last 4 years, including working with hospital trauma programs, has been promoted by Tyler to another role. beginning Jan. 1 Dr. Jordan Smith, who is currently over the emergency room, will be the new medical director.
Construction Update
Eleven potential bidders attended a business conference hosted Wednesday to go over the drawings and bid requirements for construction of a new EMS station/HCHD headquarters with architect Adam Panter, Folwell reported. Smith noted potential bidders from the Beaumont area and Dallas area had emailed requesting the bid information.
Several attending the conferendce were local contractors. Four or five others were from out-of-town.
Bids are due in at 2 p.m. Jan. 8. Then, the next step in the process will be a public bid opening by the rule of the invitation to bid. To move forward with that, a HCHD Board meeting will be needed. Folwell anticipated considering the bids at the scheduled February meeting.
Other Items
The board also approved as presented renewal of property and casualty insurance. CEO/CFO Ron Folwell reported there weren’t’ really any changes to coverage in the proposals.
Nursing home reports and the October meeting minutes were approved under one consent agenda as proposed.
2 Men Sentenced In District Court On Felony Charges
Two people were sentenced in District Court Thursday on felony offenses, according to court reports.
On Nov. 23, 2020, Brandon Grady Teague was sentenced in District Court Thursday on two felony charges.
Teague pled open in the 8th Judicial District Court on a Jan. 22, 2020, possession less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone charge and a Dec. 27, 2019, credit or debit card abuse-elderly charges. The 34-year-old Lubbock man was arrested Feb. 3 on a warrant for a controlled substance in a drug-free zone charge. He was arrested June 1 on a credit or debit card abuse-elderly charge.
On Thursday, Dec. 13, Teague appeared before 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt. The judge sentenced Teague to 10 years in prison on both a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone and a January 2020 credit/debit card abuse – elderly case. Each sentence was probated for a period of 10 years.
Additionally, Teague was ordered to attend and complete both the substance abuse and cognitive tracks of an Intermediate Sanctioned Facility as a condition of his probation, according to the District Attorney’s office.
Makenzie Corey McGill arranged Nov. 23 to plead open to an April 22, 2020, evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge.
McGill was sentenced by Northcutt on Dec. 17, 2020, to 10 years of deferred adjudication probation, with 30 days in the county jail as a condition of probation, according to the district attorney’s office.
He was booked into Hopkins County jail June 19 2020, on a warrant for the charge and released the late that day on a $10,000 bond, according to jail reports.
Runoff Election Canvassed, Julian Administered Oath For Place 1 On City Council
Jay W. Julian is officially the new Place 1 City Council member. Sulphur Springs City Council during a special meeting Thursday afternoon canvassed the Dec. 15 Runoff Election for Place 1.
City Secretary/Election Office Gale Roberts reported eight additional ballots in the total presented Dec. 17 to the City Council. They were not enough to change the outcome of the election. Mail ballots that were properly date stamped came in after the unofficial results were tallied Tuesday night and were added to the totals.
Overall, 227 votes were counted in the Place 1 Runoff Election. Mark Bradley received 102 votes and Julian 125 votes, giving Julian the seat with 55.07 percent of the ballots cast and Bradley 44.93 percent.
Only one vote separated the two candidates when the early voting numbers were in, with Bradley receiving 45 votes to Julian’s 46 votes.
On Election night, Bradley was reported to have 38 absentee votes; he picked up four of the additional absentee ballots that were marked with the proper time stamp but arrived after Tuesday. Julian was reported to have 54 absentee votes on Tuesday; the final count was 57 absentee ballots for Julian.
On Election Day, voters cast 15 ballots for Bradley and 22 for Julian. One additional vote was considered an “undervote.” This means a ballot was started but no choice was made in the race, according to the results released Thursday.
After the totals were approved by the council, Roberts administered the oath of office to Julian. He then attended a meeting at City Hall with J-B Weld officials regarding a planned expansion of the company and communication issues related to the business’ request for incentives from the EDC.
Sulphur Springs Police Investigating Convenience Store Robbery
Sulphur Springs Police investigators are asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect in an early morning convenience store robbery.
SSPD Detective Jason Reneau released the following information regarding the Dec. 18 case:
At approximately 2:05 A.M. a light skinned Hispanic male walked into Natalie’s Food Mart at 1321 Broadway St. in Sulphur Springs. The suspect
was wearing a black jacket and red bandana, the suspect threw a blue and black bag onto the counter and asked for all of the money. The suspect then pulled a gun on the clerk. The suspect left the scene in a black extended cab pickup.This is a serious crime that occurred in our community, police are
asking for any assistance in identifying this suspect. Please contact
Detective Jason Reneau or Crime stoppers with any information pertaining to this incident.
Sulphur Springs Police Department also Friday posted the following photos, screen captures of the robbery suspect and truck associated with the suspect., to the department’s Facebook page asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect.
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.
Dec. 17 COVID-19 Update: 2 Fatalities, 24 New Molecular Cases, 12 Recoveries
While patient count in the hospital COVID unit decreased and number of COVID-19 recoveries rose for the third consecutive day in Hopkins County, the number of new COVID-19 cases continued to rise along with the active case counts and COVID-19 deaths on Dec. 17, Texas Department of State Health Services’ dashboard and Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management’ Dec. 17 COVID-19 update.
Dec. 17 COVID-19 Case Counts
Hopkins County has now had more than 2,000 Hopkins County residents who have had COVID-19 since March, 1,008 from confirmed molecular testing and 1,021 probable cases, including 24 new confirmed cases and six new probable cases reported on Thursday, according to the DSHS Dec. 17 COVID-19 Texas Case Counts dashboard.
That makes 72 Hopkins County residents whose molecular test came back COVID-19 positive this week and 176 this month. Another 98 probable cases also were reported this week among Hopkins County residents.
One of the molecular cases reported on Thursday, however, was one of 614 older confirmed cases recently reported to DSHS by labs.
(DSHS County Trends graphics)
A dozen more Hopkins County residents were reported to have recovered from COVID-19 on Dec. 17. That makes 200 Hopkins County residents reported to have recovered in the last three days from COVID-19. Cumulatively, 1,820 county residents have recovered from the virus as of Dec. 17.
The DSHS dashboard showed 64 COVID-19 fatalities for Hopkins County on Dec. 17. That’s two additional Hopkins County residents confirmed by death certificate to have died from the virus. One of those deaths occurred on Dec. 14 and a second COVID-19 death was reported for Dec. 3. That makes seven Hopkins County residents who confirmed to have died from novel coronavirus 2019 this month: one death each was also reported on Dec. 1, Dec. 2, Dec. 6 and Dec. 7, according to the DSHS Dec. 17 COVID-19 County Trends report. That’s only two less than the entire month of November, one more than in August and five more than in July, according to DSHS reports.
Testing and Hospital Reports
HC/SSEM in the Dec. 17 COVID-19 update reported 17 patients in the COVID Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs, down from 19 on Wednesday, 22 on Tuesday and 26 on Monday. Thursday as the first time in nearly a month, since Nov. 19, that the patient count has been that low.
Across Trauma Service Area F, 150 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients made up 13.77 percent of the total hospital capacity on Dec. 17. That’s two more hospitalized COIVD-19 patients on Thursday than on Wednesday and but 16 less than Dec. 10.
However, the capacity decreased 0.13 percent due to fluctuations in other patient counts for TSA F. There were 1,089 total staffed beds, 24 more than on Dec. 15 and eight more than last Thursday. TSA F reported 640 total hospitalizations, 26 more than on Wednesday; and 997 total staffed inpatient beds Thursday, 23 more than on Wednesday.
Available in TSA F on Dec. 17 were eight ICU beds, the same as on Dec. 15, but 3 less than Dec. 16; 69 ventilators, one less than Dec. 15 but three more than Dec. 15; and 357 hospital beds, three less than on Dec. 17, and 16 less than Dec. 15.
| Patient Counts for TSA F | Dec. 10 | Dec. 11 | Dec. 12 | Dec. 14 | Dec. 15 | Dec. 16 | Dec. 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Staffed Hospital Beds | 1081 | 1,100 | 1120 | 1080 | 1073 | 1,065 | 1089 |
| Available Hospital Beds | 386 | 397 | 406 | 371 | 373 | 360 | 357 |
| Available ICU Beds | 5 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 8 |
| Available Ventilators | 64 | 59 | 63 | 72 | 66 | 70 | 69 |
| Lab-Confirmed COVID-19 Patients in Hospital | 166 | 124 | 130 | 147 | 146 | 148 | 150 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 604 | 612 | 523 | 618 | 609 | 614 | 640 |
| Total Staffed Inpatient Beds | 990 | 1009 | 1029 | 989 | 982 | 974 | 997 |
| % COVID-19 Hospitalizations of Total Capacity | 15.36 | 11.27 | 11.61 | 13.61 | 13.61 | 13.9 | 13.77 |
The DSHS Test and Hospital Data dashboard showed a total of 12,422 COVID-19 tests have been performed in Hopkins County: 10,397 molecular tests, 938 antigen tests and 1,087 antibody tests through Dec. 16.
According to the HC/SSEM Dec. 17 COVID-19 update, 84 molecular COVID-19 tests were conducted at the free testing site at 128-A Jefferson Street on Dec. 16. That’s 602 COVID-19 tests performed at the free testing center in the last 7 days, including 369 so far this week.
Free COVID-19 testing has been extended through January inside the Red Cross building. Testing is offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and for a shorter period of time on Saturdays. Online registration is required at www.GoGetTested.com for the free testing, Anyone can be rested, but an adult must sign for a child to register.
Those testing will be asked to present the number sent to them in a message or email along with a photo ID. Masks must be worn to the testing site. Testing is oral and inside the building. Those testing should refrain from eating or drinking anything, or use of tobacco for a minimum of 15-20 minutes before testing, although it has been recommend to refrain for a full hour for more accurate results.
Nursing Home Reports
Texas Health and Human Services’ Dec. 17 nursing home report showed three additional employees and four additional residents of Rock Creek Health & Rehab had tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 3, for a total of six active employee and 18 active resident cases at the facility.
Carriage House Manor also had four active resident COVID-19 cases on Dec. 3, the most recent data available from DSHS, according to the Dec. 17 nursing facility report.
CHRISTUS Health Begins Final Negotiations With Hopkins County County Hospital District
HCHD Agrees To Sell 49% Interest In CHRISTUS Hopkins Health Alliance
Sulphur Springs — CHRISTUS Health and the Hopkins County Hospital District announced the unanimous approval of a Letter of Intent for the District to sell its remaining interest in CHRISTUS Hopkins Health Alliance joint venture to CHRISTUS Health Thursday afternoon, Dec. 17. Final negotiations for the deal are in progress.
In July of 2016, the Hopkins County Hospital District entered into a binding agreement with CHRISTUS Health to form a joint venture known as CHRISTUS Hopkins Health Alliance. The Alliance is jointly owned by CHRISTUS Health and the District.
The letter of intent and its approval is the result of many months of negotiations between CHRISTUS and HCHD.
CHRISTUS Health, in the letter of intent, offers to pay $27 million for the Hospital District’s 49 percent interest in CHHA, Kerry Law, president of the Hospital District Board of Directors, said upon returning from an executive session, which the HCHD board entered into to consult with the board’s attorney and discuss the matter in a closed session.
The funds from the sale will be used to retire the outstanding bond debt of Hopkins County Hospital District. In addition, the District will retain ownership of the real estate and facilities, which will be leased to CHRISTUS Health,, stated a press release from William Knous, CHRISTUS Health-Northeast Texas/Louisiana Manager Media/Public Relations.
“A portion of that will be paid with the lease deposit CHRISTUS has with the district up to $3 million, and CHRISTUS will also release a special identified liabilities reserve fund that they have held since the July 2016 transaction that is approximately 1.4 million. The district and Alliance will end the lease agreement to a revised lease agreement of $1 million,” Law noted.
CHRISTUS has been paying $5-6 million in lease agreements, but the letter of intent proposes paying $27 million up front to buy out HCHD’s 49% and $1 million in rent.
A third party analysis at CHRISTUS’ cost has been ordered to determine that the payments are all at fair value,, HCHD Board member Joe Bob Burgin and Law noted.
The Hopkins County Hospital District will continue to proved indigent care financial support to the hospital and will continue to own and operate the District’s EMS service. The agreement stipulates that Hopkins County EMS will continue serve as exclusive provider of EMS services to Hopkins, Rains, Franklin and Delta counties, during the lease term as long as those counties agree, including serving as the primary local EMS provider for CHRISTUS.
Under an indigent care agreement, the Hospital District will pay up to $2 million annually to the Alliance for the cost of providing indigent care for Hopkins County indigent patients, with that maximum increasing to 2.5 million after 5 years and $3 million after 10 years of the hospital property being leased from the Hospital District, with the time period beginning after closing of the deal.
“We are committed to bringing the best patient care and services to the communities we serve. This has been an integral part of our mission as a faith-based health provider, and we will continue to realize that vision for Northeast Texas for years to come,” said Paul Harvey, Chief Executive Officer, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. “We will not only continue to serve the people of this region diligently, but grow to expand access to the high-quality health care as Northeast Texans have come to expect.”
CHRISTUS has further committed to invest additional funds in Hopkins County, including capital improvement projects, boosting information technology and championing physician recruitment over the next 5 years, the CHRISTUS press release stated. According to the HCHD president, CHRISTUS is committing to investing $5 million within 5 years of the closing.
“The relationship between the District and CHRISTUS Health has been very successful and has allowed the hospital to improve quality and expand services to the residents of Hopkins County,” said Law. “CHRISTUS has been a valued partner in the Sulphur Springs community, and the District believes this agreement will serve as the basis for a long and successful relationship between the District and CHRISTUS for the operation of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs for many years to come.”
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation bylaws will be amended to limit purpose of the foundation to support activities and purposes of the Alliance and the hospital.
The newly announced transaction is subject to final negotiation of the binding agreements, and the parties would expect the matter to close within the next 90 days, according to the CHRISTUS press release. That’d be approximately March 31, 2021.
Burgin made the motion at the Dec. 17, 2020, meeting to approved the letter of intent, authorizing HCHD’s legal council, Kevin Reed with Reed, Claymon, Meeker and Hargett of Austin to finalize negotiations, and allow Law and CEO Ron Folwell to sign the documentation necessary to execute on LOI for the transaction. The motion was seconded by HCHD Board member Tim Kelty, who was also administered the oath of office to continue serving on the board; he was unopposed for reelection to the HCHD Board, but has not been able to be at meetings following the election until the Dec. 17 meeting.
The board unanimously approved execution of a letter of intent with CHRISTUS regarding the potential sale of the Hospital District’s interest in CHRISTUS Hopkins Health Alliance and an associated lease agreement, pending finalizations of negotiations.
“I think this is a historic day in health care in Hopkins County,” Burgin said.
Some of the questions board members said should be ironed out are what happens if the independent evaluation issues an opinion other than the offer from CHRISTUS and to include a periodic cost of living re-evaluation on the $1 million lease agreement.
Burgin said initially he didn’t think the CHHA 51/49 split was a good deal, but four years later can affirm it was a blessing to the Hospital District in what the district got out of the partnership.
“We are very blessed to have CHRISTUS in our community, absolutely blessed to have them operating our local hospital and Paul [Harvey] has done a great job as administrator,” Law said following the vote.
Harvey credited the partnership between CHRISTUS and the Hospital District and expressed appreciation especially to Folwell and Law for their willingness to sit down and discuss the possibility for the agreement.
After the meeting, Law clarified Hopkins County Hospital District is still a taxing entity. HCHD still owns all of the hospital buildings and land, and would continue to do so under the agreement giving CHRISTUS HCHD’s 49 percent interest in the Alliance. CHRISTUS will continue leasing the property from the Hospital District and managing all hospital and health care operations within those leased facilities. The term left on the current lease, with all renewals, is about 40 years the HCHD president noted,
HCHD will also continue using intergovernmental transfers (IGTs) as has been done over the past four years for transfer of amounts approximately equal to the lease payments received for the property use for indigent care. The agreement will allow HCHD to be debt free, Law said.
Law said HCHD after paying off all bond indebtedness will continue to evaluate the hospital district finances and outflows, to see if the current tax rate is still appropriate. Then, next summer during the budget drafting process, that information will be considered when the hospital district sets the budget and tax rate for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The tax rate, Law said, can’t be adjusted to them.
“We are still required to operate EMS locally,” Law noted. “We only collect about 30 cents on the dollar for every dollar we bill on EMS. So, you have to subsidize EMS so that’s another thing the tax revenues help with.”
Folwell said that’s where nursing homes owned the district owns in other cities come in handy.
