3 Arrested On Warrants Friday Night
Three people were arrested on warrants Friday night, December 11, 2020. A traffic stop resulted in a 61-year-old Emory man’s arrest on traffic warrants and two controlled substance charges, and two wanted people were jailed in Sulphur Springs on warrants.
Sulphur Springs Warrant Arrests
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputy Drew Fisher reported locating Janie Natasha Crist at a Fuller Street residence at 9:09 p.m. Dec. 11. The 39-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was taken into custody for violation of probation, which she was on for a manufacture or delivery 1-4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance; the offense was alleged to have occurred on Dec. 4 in Hopkins County.
The arrest is the second time this month that Crist has been jailed. She was booked Dec. 3 on a warrant for the manufacture or delivery charge, according to jail reports. She remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday on the violation of probation charge.
Steward and Fisher also took Ronnie Wayne Waddell into custody at 9:09 p.m. Dec. 11. He was arrested on warrants for injury to a child or elderly person, not paying open container fine, two driving while license invalid and two failure to maintain financial responsibility charges. The insurance and DWLI charges date back to January and March of 2019. At least one other charge was alleged in arrest reports to have occurred in July 2019.
Waddell remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday afternoon. Bond on the injury to a child disabled or elderly person charge was set at $30,000.
County Road 1104 Traffic Stop
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Justin Wilkerson reported stopping a Nissan Altima at 9:47 p.m. on County Road 1104 at Briarwood when a records check showed the car’s registration expired in February 2019. Upon contact with the driver, Wilkerson noted the man to be making furtive movements and showed signs of bruxism, which can be associated with narcotic use.
A search of the car allegedly yielded one bag containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine and another small bag with three different colored pills suspected to be MDMA. When asked, the driver allegedly admitted the substance was methamphetamine. Truman Leon Pope Jr. and the contraband were taken into custody at 10 p.m. Dec. 11, 2020. Drug paraphernalia, including more than one hypodermic needle, was also allegedly located during an inventory of the vehicle prior to impound.
Further investigation revealed the vehicle displayed fictitious license plates; the correct vehicle registration expired in June 2018, according Wilkerson wrote in arrest reports. The suspected MDMA weighed 0.823 gram, including packaging, and the crystal-like substance field-tested positive for meth and weighed 0.577 gram, including packaging.
Consequently, Pope was jailed on one possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and one possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charge. The 61-year-old Emory man was released from jail Saturday afternoon, Dec. 12, on $5,000 bond per controlled substance charge. Pope also was arrested on warrants for five outstanding traffic charges.
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.
Paris District Road Report for the Week of December 14, 2020
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of Dec. 14, 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 December 14 through 18, the Center Street intersection at US 75 will continue to 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 Center 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 after the new year for the Houston Street, Washington Street, and Lamar Street intersections. The Houston Street intersection work is currently scheduled for the week of January 4 through 9. 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 131, Grayson County: between FM 120 and US 82. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
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 2815, Fannin County: from FM 1629 to SH 11. 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 16 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.
FM 274, Fannin County: between FM 3321 and FM 1753. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
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 cross drainage structures.
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.
SH 19 (Church St.), Lamar County: from FM 1507 (Jefferson Road) to South Loop 286. Watch for lane closures while crews perform full-depth concrete repairs. The contractor anticipates finishing repairs to SH 19 and beginning work on Loop 286 around midweek.
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.
FM 1487, Red River County: from FM 909 to FM 910. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews widen and rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 911, Red River County: from BU 82K (in Avery) to FM 44. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 271 (Bogata) to Franklin County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews mill existing pavement, upgrade bridge rail, and place new hot mix.
BU 271D, Red River County: from US 271 to SP 38 (Bogata). Watch for daytime lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing roadway.
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 pouring drill shafts and structural abutments at this location. 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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Lady Cats Basketball Team Opens District With 41-36 Win Over Mount Pleasant
In their district opener Friday evening, December 11, at home against Mount Pleasant, the Lady Cats Basketball Team built up a 11 point lead after three quarters and, then, were able to withstand a fierce comeback attempt by the Lady Tigers in the fourth quarter to take a 41-36 win in a hard fought, physical game.
The Lady Tigers pressured the Lady Cats with a full court press the entire game. Both teams had trouble early scoring against the other’s defense. As a result, Mount Pleasant led after the first quarter, 6-4. The Lady Cats caught fire in the second quarter outscoring the Lady Tigers, 16-7 to open up a 20-13 half time advantage. The Lady Cats increased their lead to 11 points after three quarters outscoring Mount Pleasant, 9-5 to lead, 29-18. Mount Pleasant scored as many points in the fourth quarter as they had over the first three quarters combined as they staged a comeback. The Lady Cats had just enough answers to hold off the Lady Tigers.
Lady Cats senior post Nylah Lindley had quite a night. Not only did she grab a lot of tough rebounds but she also led all scorers with 13 points. Junior Baylie Large hit two 3-point baskets and had 9 points. Sophomore Kenzie Willis managed 6 points. Sophomore Addisyn Wall scored 5 points including a trey. Seniors Bre’Asia Ivery and Dalanee Myles had 4 points each. The Lady Cats had to play long stretches of the second half without either Willis or Ivery, who were both hampered by foul trouble. Mount Pleasant was led in scoring by super sophomore Paris Beard, who had 8 points, including 7 in the final quarter.
The Lady Cats are 1-0 in district play and their season record improves to 4-3. They have won two games in a row. The Lady Cats continue district play Tuesday evening in Texarkana against Texas High.
Wildcats Basketball Team Gets Solid Road Win At Royse City
After a disappointing one point loss at Garland Naaman Forest Tuesday night, the Wildcats Basketball Team got back off the mat and bounced back with a solid win at Royse City Friday night, December 11, 57-38.
The Wildcats big guys led the way as sophomore Kordrick Turner led the team with 18 points and junior Justin Haire added 15 points. Senior Boo Wilkerson added 9 points. Junior Caleb Alexander scored 7 points. Junior Cason Arrington had 6 points. Senior Lamodrick Johnson scored 2 points and Parker Whisenhunt added 1 point.
The Wildcats improved their season record to 6-4. The Wildcats return home to face Mesquite Horn Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Dec. 11 COVID-19 Update: 1 Fatality, 7 New Molecular Cases, 37 Recoveries
Texas Department of State Health Services reported several increases in COVID-19 counts on Dec. 11, including one COVID-19 fatalities, seven new cases confirmed by molecular testing and daily “probable” cases since Monday’s weekly update. Overall, the combined antigen and molecular data doubled the total number of recoveries Hopkins County has reported. Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management’s Dec. 11 COVID-19 update also showed a fewer patients in the hospital COVID unit and fewer tests performed at the free testing site on Thursday.
Hopkins County Case Counts
Seven Hopkins County residents had received positive COVID-19 results from molecular testing by 5 p.m. Dec. 11, for a total of 30 new molecular cases reported so far this week and 111 new molecular cases so this month. Overall, that makes 943 Hopkins County residents who have been confirmed by molecular test since March to have novel coronavirus 2019, according to the DSHS Dec. 11 COVID-19 Case County dashboard.
The new report shows Hopkins County has had a total of 963 probable cases, those identified through antigen testing or a combination of symptoms and a known exposure without a more likely diagnosis. That’s 40 more antigen probables than DSHS reported Monday, Dec. 7, to HC/SSEM in the weekly antigen probables update. The DSHS County Trends report, however, shows 39, new cases from Dec. 8-11: 15 on Tuesday, three on Wednesday, one of Thursday and 20 new positive antigen “probable” cases on Friday. The chart notes, however, that one one of the 81 older probable cases reported by labs to DSHS on Friday was in Hopkins County, which increases the total number of antigen probable cases reported in the last four days to 40.
While new molecular and probable antigen cases were reported separately by DSHS, the state agency combined all COVID-19 cases confirmed and probable when reporting county recoveries. DSHS on Thursday reported 810 of the 936 residents who had tested COVID-19 positive on molecular tests had recovered from the virus. On Monday, DSHS reported 773 of the 923 antigen positives had recovered from the virus. On Friday, DSHS reported twice as many total recoveries on Friday as the 810 molecular recoveries reported Thursday. That means combined from all confirmed and probable cases, 1,620
of the combined 1906 positive COVID-19 results received by Hopkins County residents. 1,620 were reported as recovered on Dec. 11.
The active case count also soared Friday, from 150 probable active antigen cases on Monday and 66 people confirmed by molecular test to be COVID-19 positive on Thursday, to a combined 225 active cases Dec. 11. That’s only nine more active cases Friday than those combined antigen and molecular totals .
COVID-19 Testing
The Dec. 11 COVID-19 update from Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management showed in the Dec. 11 COVID-19 update that 88 molecular COVID-19 tests were conducted at the free testing center on Thursday, that’s 11 fewer tests conducted performed Thursday than on Wednesday and 32 fewer than on Monday, but 37 more than on Tuesday at 128-A Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs. That makes 468 tests conducted over the last week, 769 oral swab tests performed during the first 10 days of December and 5,300 since the Red Cross building was outfitted to serve as a free testing site on starting on Sept. 25.
According to the DSHS Dec. 11 COVID-19 testing dashboard, 11,776 total COVID-19 tests have been conducted for Hopkins County: 9,918 molecular tests, 822 antigen tests and 1,036 antibody tests.
Free molecular COVID-19 testing continues to be offered Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of December.
Testing at the free center on Jefferson Street is available for anyone, but registration must be completed by an adult age 18 or older in advance online at www.GoGetTested.com to schedule the oral COVID swab.
Those testing should bring the number with the QR code sent to them upon completion of registration and a photo ID to 128-A Jefferson St. at their designated time. This is not a drive-through location. The COVID-19 test will be performed inside the building.
Testers will be asked if they have consumed anything by mouth in the 15-20 minutes prior to arrival. Those who have will be required to wait the requisite time before testing to better ensure a more accurate result.
The Local Health Authority nurse recommends people getting the oral molecular swab test from the free state testing site refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, vaping, chewing gum or brushing their teeth for at least an hour prior to the test. Doing so, she reports, will make a difference in the outcome of the test.
Hospital Reports
HC/SSEM’s Dec. 11 COVID-19 update also showed two less patients were in the COVID unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Friday than the 23 cases reported on Thursday, which mirrored Dec. 1, 4, 7 and 8. The least number of patients in the unit so far this month has been 20 on Dec. 3.
The DSHS Dec. 11 COVID-19 Testing and Hospital dashboard also showed 124 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients were in hospitals in Trauma Service Area F, down from the 7-day high of 166 on Dec. 10. Thus, the percent of COVID-19 hospitalizations of total Area F capacity dropped from 15.36 percent Thursday to 11.27 percent on Friday.
The last time COVID-19 COVID hospitalizations was less than 12 percentage was almost a month ago; on Nov. 15 COVID-19 hospitalizations made up 11.9 percent of total hospital capacity at all hospitals in TSA-F.
Trauma Service Area F has 1,009 total staffed inpatient beds on Dec. 11, 19 more than on Dec. 110, but 6 less than on Dec. 6 and only five more than on Dec. 9.
A total of 612 hospitalizations were reported from TSA-F on Friday, 8 more than the day before, but less than the 632 hospitalizations reported Dec. 4, 612 on Dec. 5 and Dec. 9.
While there were fewer COVID patients, there were also fewer ventilators available in TSA-F. On Dec. 11, 59 ventilators were available throughout the service area, 5 less than on Dec. 8 and Dec. 10, 11 less than on Dec. 9, four less than on Dec. 7 and 3 Less than Dec. 4 and Dec. 5.
There continued to be only 5 available ICU beds for the second consecutive day, which is one less than on Dec. 6 and Dec. 9, three less than on Dec. 5 but two more than on Dec. 8, in Trauma Service Area F.
TSA-F had 397 available hospital beds Dec. 11, 11 more than on Thursday, but one less than on Dec. 7.
| TSA-F | 12/7 | 12/8 | 12/9 | 12/10 | 12/11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Staffed Hospital Beds | 1078 | 1072 | 1095 | 1081 | 1,100 |
| Available Hospital Beds | 398 | 395 | 383 | 386 | 397 |
| Available ICU Beds | 4 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Available Ventilators | 63 | 64 | 70 | 64 | 59 |
| Lab-Confirmed COVID-19 Patients in Hospital | 152 | 157 | 157 | 166 | 124 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 589 | 586 | 621 | 604 | 612 |
| Total Staffed Inpatient Beds | 987 | 981 | 1004 | 990 | 1009 |
| Percent Capacity | 14.1 | 14.85 | 14.34 | 15.36 | 11.27 |
COVID-19 Fatalities
The DSHS Dec. 11 COVID-19 Case Counts Dashboard on showed 61 COVID-19 fatalities for Hopkins County. That means one additional Hopkins County resident has been confirmed by death certificate to have died from COVID-19. The latest death is reported to have occurred on Sunday, Dec. 6. That makes three Hopkins County residents who have died in December from COVID-19, including one each on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2.
DSHS also reported one additional fatality each for Lamar and Red River Counties on Friday. A 76th COVID-19 fatality has been confirmed in Lamar County and a 19th fatality in Red River County.
In the 8-county area surrounding Hopkins County, only one other county has had more residents died from COVID-19: 67 COVID-19 fatalities have been confirmed for Hunt County, according to the DSHS Dec. 11 COVID-19 dashboard.
Hopkins County Records – Dec. 11, 2020
Land Deed Transactions
- Janice Giles, James King and SWAD Inc. to Lewis Craig Swindler; tract in the George W. Downing survey
- Eric Bradley Godwin and Mandy Leann Godwin to Johnnie McGraw and Sue Nan McGraw; tract in the Daniel Rattan survey
- Betty Jo Baxley to Delane Ray Baxley; tract in the Helena Nelson survey
- Brad Diener, Lillie Diann Diener, Janie Darleen Patton, Lanoy Swanson and Loita Kathleen Swanson to Betty Jones and Roger Jones; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- John Heilman to Brian D. Tubb and Kimberly D. Tubb; tract in the James ?Hawkins survey
- City Cemetery Society Sulphur Springs to Douglas Moore
- E and J Rentals to Theressa Jo Toland and William Michael Toland; tract in the E. Melton survey
- Amber H. Cody to Kason A. Matthews; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Johnny Darrell Harrington and Pam Harrington to Jane Evans and Larry Evans; tract in the Elizabeth Melton survey
- Pauline Sterne Wolff Memorial Foundation to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital
- Ashley Scroggins and Kason Scroggins to April Nicole Beck and Jeffrey Don Beck; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Equity Trust Company Custodian FBO Z120008 IRA to EEE Development LLC; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- Tommy Rawson AIF, Velma Rawson AKA Velma Winnie Moseley Rawson to EEE Development LLC; tract in the LP Dikes survey
- Sulphur Springs Autolube LLC to Ballout LLC; tract in the Jose Ybarbo survey
- Sulphur Springs Autolube LLC to Ballout LLC; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Amy Downs and Zachary Pratley to Teresa Corbin and Robert E. Mangum; tract in the MC Seamore survey
Applications for Marriage Licenses
- Jason Josue Ponce Bonilla and Auburn Nikole Looney
- Jacob Keith Zinn and Courtney Michelle Pearson
- Neil Andrew Lemons and Gyanmira Rana
- Jennifer Hsiao T. Yoshina and Lauren Sierra Cook
- Jarrett Hale Chapman and Avery Kathleen Vause
- Hardik Mistry and Hetal Bharatbhai Patel
- Joshua Paul Griffin and Raven Bleau Enriquez
- Kelly Bruce Rollins and Barbara Blaine Edwards
- Justin Taylor Barnett and Macy Kate Johnston
- Charles Cody Fails and Crystal Daniel Derkowski
- James Kevin Thompson and Angela Diane Watson
- Gustavo Muro Padilla and Emily Denise Clanton
- Chase Lee Richey and Courtney Lynn Ogle
- Christopher James Smith and Ashley Michelle Wright
- Mardio Joseph Bottone and Shyann Michelle Pryor
Wildcats Basketball Team On the Road, Lady Cats at Home on Game Day Friday
The Wildcats Basketball Team will be traveling to Royse City to face a former district opponent on this game day Friday (December 11). The schedule calls for a freshmen game at 5 p.m. A JV contest is scheduled to start at 6:15 p.m. The varsity game will begin at around 7 p.m. The Wildcats varsity comes into Friday’s game with a 5-4 record. They will be trying to get a bad taste out of their mouths after a heartbreaking loss at Garland Naaman Forest Tuesday night. A Ranger three point basket right at the final buzzer left the Wildcats with a one point loss. The Wildcats are 3-2 in road games so far this season.
Meanwhile the Lady Cats Basketball Team begins district play at home Friday evening against Mount Pleasant. The varsity game is scheduled to start at around 6 p.m. A JV contest is scheduled at 5 p.m. The Lady Cats varsity has a 3-3 season record. They are coming off of a good road win Tuesday evening at New Boston. The Lady Cats trailed at the half by five points before going on a 22-0 run in the third quarter on the way to a 47-24 win. The Lady Cats are 1-2 on their home court this season. KSST Radio will bring you the Lady Cats and Lady Tigers contest beginning at around 6 p.m. The game is expected to have streaming video and audio. The contest will be videotaped for replay at a later date on Suddenlink Cable Channel 18.
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.
DSHS Reconfigures COVID-19 Dashboard To Improve Functionality
Probable Cases, Antigen Test Positivity Rate Added To Reports
Just when you get used to the where and how the state reports COVID-19 information, they switch things up. Another COVID-19 reporting change was announced by Texas Department of State Health Services on Friday. The latest update revamped the COVID-19 data dashboard with a goal of posting additional information and improving functionality.
The updated COVID-19 dashboard (which at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 11 still showed the Dec. 10 case counts) consolidated several areas of the dashboard to provide multiple cases for each county in one location, as well as filters for sorting categories by maps and demographic tabs. COVID-19 dashboard users can toggle between confirmed and probable cases, fatalities, and active and recovered estimates by county on a single tab. Case and fatality demographics are also be consolidated onto one tab.
A link on the DSHS COVID-19 page and at the bottom of the case counts dashboard still has be clicked to access testing and hospital data, however.
DSHS added to the testing and hospital dashboard tabs and sorting filters for case counts of probable cases statewide and by county. Probable cases are those identified through antigen testing or a combination of symptoms and a known exposure without a more likely diagnosis. DSHS notes that reporting probable cases provides a more complete picture of how COVID-19 is affecting Texas since both confirmed and probable cases represent active infections. Thus, both will be included in the estimates of active and recovered cases.
In addition to the probable case counts, DSHS is adding a positivity rate for antigen tests. This positivity rate, based on when people were tested, aligns with the most reliable positivity rate for molecular tests, according to DSHS. These positivity rates, which show the percentage of tests taken in a given period that are positive, provide a view of the severity of the pandemic over time, closely reflecting the conditions when people were tested.
“These dashboard refinements are part of our effort to continually improve our insight and response to the ongoing pandemic,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner. “The development and increased use of antigen testing to detect current infections prompted the inclusion of probable case counts and the antigen test positivity rate in the data we post daily. The trends in this and other data shape our understanding of the course of the pandemic in Texas.”
After several months of posting three positivity rates for molecular tests, DSHS will retire the rates based on when lab results were reported to the state and the legacy rate which used the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases over seven days divided by the number of new molecular test results over the same period, the DSHS announcement stated.
GSC Enterprises Acquiring Selected Brenham Wholesale Grocery Assets
December 11, 2020 – Mickey McKenzie, Chairman of the Board of GSC Enterprises, Inc., Friday announced the acquisition of selected assets of Brenham Wholesale Grocery Co., Inc., located in Brenham, Texas. The anticipated closing is scheduled for January 29, 2021.
“Brenham Wholesale has been in the grocery business for over 100 years, and we are excited to carry the torch forward from their rich legacy,” McKenzie stated.
Brenham Wholesale Grocery Co. was established as a partnership in 1905 and was later incorporated in 1909. They currently service and provide over 12,000 items to over 1,200 convenience stores, food service, grocery, institutional, and warehouse clients.
Ryan McKenzie, Chief Operating Officer of GSC stated, “We are excited to welcome the Brenham team into the GSC family. With over 250,000 square feet of warehouse space, Brenham will serve as a strategic distribution point for our company and will provide us with several operational efficiencies. We are thankful for the continued growth in our existing service area and see the acquisition of Brenham Wholesale as a perfect fit with both companies sharing similar values and cultures.”
Stephen Miller, President and CEO of Brenham Wholesale Co. stated, “We are excited about the opportunity to be part of the GSC team which will bring growth and additional jobs to Brenham. The synergies between the two companies with deep Texas roots and strong community ties will provide resources to better serve our customers and employees in the future.”
GSC, headquartered in Sulphur Springs, is a family owned and operated business, founded in 1947, with two operating companies — Grocery Supply Company and Fidelity Express. With a coverage area of over 10 states, Grocery Supply Company is making strategic growth strides despite the difficulties of 2020.
GSC is not only devoted to its employees and customers, but also, its community. A desire to serve all stakeholders is at the heart of GSC’s core values, a press release for the company stated.
In addition to the forthcoming Brenham acquisition, GSC operates out of Meridian, Mississippi, as well. The acquisition of selected assets of Long Wholesale, Inc. in Meridian, Mississippi by GSC was announced last month. The 144,000 square foot space in Meridian was designated to serve as a strategic distribution point in the Southeast for GSC.
“Meridian and Brenham, are wonderful communities, and we are delighted to be a part of them both,” said Mickey McKenzie.
GSC offers special thanks to Bulkley Capital for their assistance with this transaction. Bulkley Capital also assisted with the Long Wholesale acquisition.
Cumby Man Allegedly Caught Stealing Cooler
A 23-year-old was allegedly caught stealing a cooler Thursday, according to police reports.
Cumby Police Chief Paul Robertson reported spotting the Cumby man around 11 a.m. December 10, 2020 outside a West Main Street residence struggling to remove a cable attaching a cooler to the bed of a pickup.
Robertson in arrest reports wrote that he recognized the man as a “known thief and drug user.” The police chief noted the man was at a residence that was not the man’s address and in which the resident is typically not home at that time of day.
After contacting the 23-year-old, Robertson confirmed the man not only did not have permission to remove the cooler from the truck bed, but he didn’t have permission to even be on the property. Based on those findings, Robertson concluded the 23-year-old Cumby man was committing a vehicle burglary.
Robertson alleged in arrest reports that during a conversation with the burglary suspect, the man “admitted he was in the commission of stealing the cooler to trade for dope.”
Consequently, the 23-year-old Cumby man was arrested on a Class A misdemeanor burglary of a vehicle charge. He spent the night in Hopkins County jail and was released Friday on a $1,000 bond on the charge.
Thursday was the 23-year-old Cumby man’s third time to be booked into Hopkins County jail this year. He was also arrested July 5 for public intoxication (his third Hopkins County PI arrest in 3 years) and Aug. 11 for possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
