Membership Drive Now Open by HC Genealogical Society
The Hopkins County Genealogical Society is opening membership for 2021 with a special offer. The regular annual membership fee is $20 per individual, and right now every member of your household can become a member for just a $25 flat fee. Generous resources through the HCGS Research Library and website, the Hopkins County Heritage Quarterly publication of current research topics, plus informative Zoom meetings are just a few reasons to join up now. And although the extensive website is open to all, an additional plus is the wealth of locally researched and published genealogical material available only to registered members.
Contact by email at [email protected] to get a membership application, go online to hcgstx.org, phone the Research Library at 903-885-8523 or request an application by mail at HCGS, P.O. Box 624, Sulphur Springs, Tx 75483. The Research Library is located at 611 North Davis Street inside the Public Library; however at this time it is not open to walk-ins but only by appointment. Some research assistance is available by phone.
HOPKINS COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, INC.
611 North Davis St
PO Box 624
Sulphur Springs TX 75483 0624
2021 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Membership in HCGS is from January 1 through December 31. Annual dues are $20.00 for an Individual Membership and $25.00 for a Family Membership (2 adults living in the same household, one quarterly per household). Dues should be sent in by January 31st of the membership year. Members receive the Hopkins County Heritage, the society quarterly, following the end of each quarter, March, June, September, and December. If you join later in the year, you will receive all issues for the current year, if they are available. The March issue contains membership information and surnames being researched. When completing: Please do not put “same as last year” and please indicate (DNP) next to any information you do not want published in the quarterly.
Renewal ____ or New Member ____ E Mail Address ___________________________________
Name _________________________________________Phone Number __________________
Mailing Address________________________________________________________________
City ___________________________________State _____ Zip Code______________________
(9 Digit)
Surnames I Am Researching:
Como-Pickton FFA Sweeps Glenrose ‘No Name Ag Mech Show’ on January 19, 2021
Como-Pickton FFA Chapter members came away with wins in several categories when they traveled to Glen Rose for the annual No Name Ag Mechanics Show. They started and ended the day with wins, and all projects exhibited came away with blue ribbons!
A great start to the day when 3 of our 8 projects have been judged and 3 Blue ribbons received. Utility Trailer – Blue Ribbon: Mario Lara, Caden Pere,z Klain Thomas, Cameron Ray
Entry Gate – Blue Ribbon Mario Lara, Klain Thomas, Ulysses Garza.
Cattle Squeeze Chute – Blue Ribbon Jhonatan Mejia, Canyon Thomas, Jackson Monk, Braden Miller
Three more blue ribbons for this awesome group of CP FFA members today in Glenrose! Hay Trailer – Blue Ribbon Johnny Gallegos Alex Perez, Carlos Perez, Koby Perez
Welding Trailer – Blue Ribbon Pablo Villa, Hayden Potts,Chris Daugherty, Carston Moore
Fab Table – Blue Ribbon Koalton Burkhart,Devin Diaz
All projects exhibited received Blue ribbons! Including the ‘So God Made a Farmer’ Bench built by Baylee Bowen, as well as the Patriotic Picnic Table built by Leslie Galvan, Alayna Chapman, Ximenna Morales, and Maliyah Diaz.
Congrats to the following for placing in their classes; Welding Trailer – 3rd in class, built by Pablo Villa, Carston Moore, Hayden Potts, & Chris Daugherty
Utility Trailer – 2nd Place, built by Klain Thomas, Cameron Ray, Mario Lara, and Caden Perez
Hydraulic Squeeze Chute – 1st in class, Grand Champion Division, and Overall Reserve Grand Champion; built by Jackson Monk, Jhonatan Mejia, Canyon Thomas, and Braden Miller.
It’s a great day to be a Como-Pickton Eagle! Great job and congratulations to all who participated!!
Jan. 21 COVID-19 Update: 2 Fatalities, 9 New Cases, 50 Recoveries
While Texas Department of State Health Services Jan. 21 COVID-19 dashboards show two additional Hopkins County COVID-19 fatalities and nine new COVID-19 cases, the state also reported 50 Hopkins County corona virus recoveries and a significant decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations across the region.
Jan. 21 COVID-19 Case Counts
DSHS’s Texas Case Counts dashboard shows a total of 1,314 Hopkins County residents have received lab-confirmed positive molecular COVID-19 results since the pandemic began spreading across Hopkins County last March, including six new confirmed cases on Jan. 21 — twice as many as on Wednesday. That makes 25 new confirmed cases so far this week and 192 cases so far this month.
The Jan. 21 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard also showed Hopkins County has had 1,225 probable novel coronavirus 2019 cases as well. Probable cases are those of people who have either tested positive for COVID-19 through an antigen test or have a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis. The cumulative total includes three new probable cases reported as of 4:10 p.m. Thursday, which is six fewer than on Wednesday, and makes 16 new probable cases this week and 108 so far this month.
With both confirmed and probable cases combined, that’s 2,539 Hopkins County COVID-19 cases reported to DSHS as of Thursday afternoon, Jan. 21.
A total of 89 COVID-19 fatalities have been confirmed for Hopkins County, which means two additional Hopkins County residents deaths were confirmed Thursday by “cause” on their death certificates to be from COVID-19. The two latest deaths are shown in the County Trends chart to have occurred on Jan. 9 and Jan. 19. That makes seven Hopkins County residents who have died this month from COVID-19: two each on Jan. 2 and Jan. 5, and one on Jan. 3.
DSHS’ Jan. 21 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard did have some good news Thursday. The Hopkins County recovery total increased to 2,343, which means that 50 of the 150 people who actively still had COVID-19 on Wednesday had recovered from the virus on Thursday. Although the announcement followed three days with no recoveries reported at all, Thursday’s new recoveries make 180 in the last seven days (80 were reported on Friday and 50 on Saturday) and 290 recoveries so far this week.
Accounting for the nine new cases, two newly reported fatalities and 50 new recoveries, that leaves 107 Hopkins County residents who actively had COVID-19 as Thursday afternoon, Jan. 21.
Hospital Reports
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials in the Jan. 21 COVID-19 update reported 26 patients in the COVID unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs. Jan. 21 marks the third consecutive day the COVID unit patient count has remained 26.
Across Trauma Service Area F, which includes all hospitals from Bowie County westward to Lamar and Hopkins counties, COVID-19 hospitalizations declined significantly on Jan. 20, according to the DSHS Jan. 21 Test and Hospital Data dashboard. On Wednesday, 186 total hospitalizations were reported, 50 less than on Tuesday when COVID-19 hospitalization reached their highest peaked thus far.
Wednesday’s overall total was the lowest COVID-19 patient count in TSA-F in 22 days. The last time there were less COVID-19 patients TSA-F hospitals was Jan. 29, when 167 total COVID-19 patients were reported and made up 15 percent of the total hospital capacity. On Jan. 20, COVID-19 patients accounted for only 18.09 percent of the total hospital capacity in Trauma Service Area F, down from 22.35 percent on Jan. 19 and 23.43 percent on Jan. 11.
Thursday 1,028 hospital beds were staffed in TSA-F, marking the fifth consecutive day of decreases: from 1,068 on Jan. 15 to 1,058 on Jan. 16, 1,044 on Ja. 17, 1,056 on Jan. 19 and 1,028 on Jan. 20.
A total of 936 inpatient beds were staffed on Jan. 20, down from 964 on Jan. 19. There were 619 hospitalizations in TSA-F on Jan. 20, six more 14 more than on Jan. 19 and 22 more tan on Jan. 18, but still 39 less than on Jan. 16 and 98 less than on Dec. 31.
Even with the reduction in cases, TSA-F continues to remain in the list of areas with “high hospitalizations” and subject to GA-32 restrictions until COVID-19 hospitalizations account for less than 15 percent of the overall hospital capacity for seven consecutive days.
COVID-19 Testing
HC/SSEM, in the Jan. 21 COVID-19 update, reported 8,418 COVID-19 tests have been performed at 128-A Jefferson St. since the Red Cross building was converted in September as a free testing center, including 74 molecular tests conducted on Jan. 20. In the last seven days, 363 free oral swab tests have been conducted at that location.
Those are among the 13,311 cumulative COVID-19 viral (molecular) tests conducted in Hopkins County since March. Another 27 antigen tests were conducted in Hopkins County on Wednesday, increasing the total number of antigen tests reported to DSHS since the state began tracking the data to 1,515. The four antibody tests conducted on Wednesday increased the overall total to 1,755 antibody tests conducted in Hopkins County and reported to DSHS. Cumulatively, at least 16,581 COVDI-19 tests had been conducted in Hopkins County as of Jan. 20, according to the DSHS Jan. 21 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard.
Free oral swab COVID-19 testing will continue to be offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays in January inside the Red Cross (old Fidelity Express Building) in Sulphur Springs. Free testing is open to anyone regardless of age or address. Registration is required online at www.GoGetTested.com in order to be tested at 128-A Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs.
COVID-19 Vaccine
A total of 1,366 COVID-19 vaccinations had been conducted in Hopkins County as of 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, according to the Jan. 21 COVID-19 Vaccine Data dashboard. A total of 1,187 people had received the first dose of the vaccine and 179 had received the second dose of the vaccine as of Wednesday night.
That’s nine additional people who received the first dose of the two-dose Moderna COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday: 325 people 16-49 years of age, 106 males and 325 females; 293 people 50-64 years of age, 97 men and 194 women; 416 people 65-79 years of age, 180 men and 236 women; 151 people age 80 years or older, 57 men and 94 women; and two for whom no demographic data was available.
Thirty-three additional people received the second dose of the vaccine, 76 people 16-49 years of age, 21 men and 54 women; 63 people age 50-64 years of age, 19 men and 43 women; 32 people 65-79 years of age, 16 men and 16 women; and eight people age 80 years or older, two men and six women.
COVID-19 vaccines are currently only available for healthcare workers and emergency responders (category 1A) and people ages 65 and older or ages 16 and older who have certain health issues which place them at “high risk” for the virus (category 1B). Doses of the vaccine are still in short supply and are distributed to providers through the state, which allocates how many doses and which approved providers receive the doses in counties across the state. The COVID-19 vaccine isn’t expected to be available to the general public until March or later.
Game Day Thursday Features Soccer, Powerlifting, but no longer Tennis
On this Thursday (January 21) game day, the Wildcats and Lady Cats Soccer Teams opened play in the Terrell Winter Classic Tournament while there is powerlifting at Sulphur Springs High School. A tennis match on the schedule was postponed by rain.
The Wildcats Soccer Team opened play in the Terrell tournament Thursday morning with a hard luck 1-0 loss to Kilgore. The Bulldogs were preseason ranked #3 in their region in Class 4A. It was the Wildcats second straight 1-0 loss as they also lost by that score at Highland Park Tuesday night. Thursday Wildcats Coach Alexi Upton said his team gave up a goal in the first 10 minutes of the game. He said the Wildcats struggled to finish. Coach Upton said he hoped that does not become a recurring problem. The Wildcats slip to 5-4-1 for the season. The Wildcats now face Paris in the Terrell tournament Friday at 2 p.m. Paris was preseason ranked #2 in the region in Class 4A. All three of the teams in the Wildcats’ White Group in the Terrell tournament were preseason ranked in the top ten in the region in Class 4A. That includes the Wildcats’ opponent Saturday, Sunnyvale, preseason ranked #9 in the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches Poll.
The Lady Cats Soccer Team took the field right after the Wildcats and they got a 3-0 win over the host Terrell Lady Tigers. The Lady Cats got a goal from freshman Haylee Shultz assisted by sophomore Rebekah Stanley. Stanley scored the next two Lady Cats’ goals both assisted by freshman Kylie Clarke. The Lady Cats now have a season record of 4-4-2. The Lady Cats now face Paris in the tournament Friday at 5 p.m.
Wildcats and Lady Cats’ powerlifters have a dual meet with Mount Pleasant at Sulphur Springs High School beginning at 5 p.m. in the Multipurpose Building Building. It’s the first competition of the season for the Wildcats and Lady Cats’ lifters.
Finally, the Wildcats Tennis Team will have to wait until at least Friday to play their first match of 2021. A home match against Sherman, scheduled for Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at the Wildcat Tennis Center, was postponed due to rain. A continuing rainy forecast for later Thursday forced Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez to call off the match just before 3 p.m. Thursday. Coach Martinez said later that the two teams would try and play matches on Friday at Sherman at 3:30 p.m.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Truck Driving Class at the Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center
Instructor Bryce Walker, right, is pointing out important aspects of a truck to a class of future operators as he conducts a truck driving school at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center. Observing Walker’s instructions are, from left, Stanley Tolbert, Roy Brannon, Jeremey Herndon, Jeremy Davis; and taking a close look in front of Walker is Greg Glover. For information about classes at the Center, call 903-885-1232.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
McGinnis Sentenced On Intoxication Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault Charges
A 38-year-old Hopkins County man has been sentenced on the intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges stemming from a vehicle crash which resulted in the death of one child and hospitalization of another child on Dec. 23, 2019, according to court reports.
Brant Lee McGinnis reportedly entered an open plea in court to both charges. On Jan. 20, 2021, the district judge sentenced McGinnis to 10 years on probation on each case and 180 days in jail as a condition of probation, according to the district attorney’s office.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Christopher Sorley, in 2019 arrest and crash reports, stated that based on his investigation, it was believed that McGinnis was driving a tan sport utility vehicle east on FM 1567 Dec. 23, 2019, at an unsafe speed as it entered a curve. The Chevrolet Yukon went off FM 1567 near FM 2948 into the north ditch, where it rolled onto its passenger side before resting on the passenger’s side in a ditch facing west. During the crash, two occupants were ejected from the vehicle, Sorley alleged in McGinnis’ 2019 arrest report.
“McGinnis admitted to drinking 6 beers before driving with his two young girls,” Sorley alleged in arrest reports.
McGinnis was transported to the hospital, where a blood sample was taken for testing and where he was treated Dec. 23 for what were reported to be minor injuries. McGinnis’ 9-year-old daughter, Keira McGinnis, was pronounced dead at the crash site at 5:19 p.m. Dec. 23, 2019. Another child, reportedly an 11-year-old girl, was transported to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash, then later transferred to Children’s Hospital, according to DPS reports and Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace BJ Teer.
Upon his released from the hospital, Monday night, Dec. 23, 2019, McGinnis was jailed on intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault with a vehicle charges, according to arrest reports. He remained in Hopkins County jail for approximately 6 weeks, starting with his arrest on Dec. 23, 2019, through Feb. 3, 2020, before being released on bond, according to jail reports.
McGinnis was slated to appear at 9 a.m. Jan. 20 in district court for a sentencing hearing on second-degree felony intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge, according to the court docket. The judge sentenced McGinnis to 10 years probation on each case and 180 days in jail as a condition of probation, according to the District Attorney.
City Council Approves Materials Bids For Saputo Sewer Main Grant Project
Sulphur Springs City Council during a 13 minute meeting, conducted via Zoom and streamed on YouTube, approved materials bids for Saputo sewer main expansion grant project and selected a group to provide grant administrative services to work with the city in preparing a grant application to be submitted in the spring seeking a community development fund grant.
Sewer Main Expansion
This $750,000 sewer project is a capital improvement project funded entirely by a grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture. The new main will supplement an older undersized main. The path of the new main begins at Saputo and continues under the interstate. It then continues south for 3,500 feet before connecting to an existing trunk line. The new main has a 15-inch inch diameter, Sulphur Springs City Manger Marc Maxwell explained during his manager’s report at the Jan. 5 council meeting.
City Finance Director Lesa Smith noted there will be no out-of-pocket expenses for the City of Sulphur Springs for this capital construction project. The Community Development Block Grant grant is made possible because of a $50 million plant upgrade at Saputo and their cooperation with the Texas Department of Agriculture. Labor and equipment costs will be reimbursed to the city as part of the grant.
Smith explained that city staff sent out notices seeking bids for five types of materials for the sewer line project in December. Eight companies submitted bids, which were opened on Tuesday. A special City Council meeting was conducted at 11 a.m. Jan. 21 to select materials bids so the project can get under way.
The City Council approved a total of $199,512.39 for materials needed to complete the sewer line project.
Four companies submitted bids for manhole covers: APSCO, Ferguson, Coburn’s and DIGG. The low bid of $15,242 from APSCO was recommended by city staff and approved by the council.
APSCO, Ferguson, Core & Main, Coburn’s and DIGG submitted bids for sewer line. Coburn’s low bid of $81,687.39 was recommended by city staff and approved by the City Council.
Three companies submitted bids for rebar: APSCO, DIGG and H&K Materials. The low bid of $2,775 submitted by H&K Materials was recommended by city staff and approved by the council
DIGG and Bell Concrete submitted bids to provide concrete for the sewer main grant project. The City Council approved the low bid of $20,516 submitted by Bell Concrete, as recommended by city staff.
The City Council approved the low bid of $79,292 submitted by RK Hall for bedding. Bell Concrete and DIGG also submitted bids.
Grant Application
City staff sent out requests to prequalified firms for professionals services and received two proposals, one from GrantWorks and another from KSBR, LLC, to provide grant administrative services for a Texas Community Development Block Grant Community Development Fund Project application to be submitted by the May 3, 2021 deadline.
An evaluation committee consisting of the Mayor pro tem Freddie Taylor and City Manager Marc Maxwell, Finance Director Lesa Smith and Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski ranked the proposals on Jan. 20 based on four criteria: experience, prior work performance, capacity to perform and proposed cost. Based on those evaluations, the committee recommended and City Council approved KSBR, LLC, as grant consultant for the grant application preparation and contract implementation services, provided the firm can match the lowest bid proposal.
The objective of the TxCDBG Community Development Fund program is to develop viable communities by providing decent housing and suitable living environments, and expanding economic opportunities principally for people of low to modest income. Most funds are used for public utilities such as water and wastewater infrastructure, street and drainage improvements and housing activities.
Niewiadomski explained that the city is considering three potential grant projects, which will be further discussed and budgets for each presented to KSBR, LLC. All three potential grant projects, the community development director explained, are for the upgrade of sewer, water and street/drainage. Locations for potential projects are:
- Randolph Street from JD Franklin Drive to Lamar Street,
- Mulberry Street from Van Sickle Street to Woodlawn Street, and
- Easy Street/Atkins Street from Van Sickle to Rogers Street.
The top recommendation for the city’s next capital construction grant project is then expected to be presented to the City Council in April for approval of the grant application.
The maximum award amount that can be attained from TxCDBG is $350,000, which will require a 20 percent local match if the city’s application is approved for funding. The city will also pay $31,900 for administrative services if they are awarded the grant.
Tira News: Grace Vaughn’s 100th Birthday Celebrated With Cake, Lunch, More Than 80 Cards, Vehicle Parade
By Jan Vaughn, Tira News Correspondent
We want to express our sympathy to the family of Mary Beth (Robinson) Moore. A graveside funeral service will be held, under the direction of Delta Funeral Home, at the Tira Cemetery on Friday, January 22, at 2 p.m. Please remember the family in your prayers.
Also, Leveta (Chapman) Watson was buried in the Tira Cemetery on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. Her obituary can be seen on the Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home website. She had long-time ties to our community. Please pray for her family.
Janie Lewis reminds everyone that the Tira Community Center is closed due to coronavirus risks. The Tira City Council will take a look at the situation again at their quarterly meeting in March.
We have received several generous donations to the Tira Food Pantry in the past few days. We want to express our appreciation for the contributions. If you would like to help out, please call Sherry Smiddy at 903-945-5644. She answers the 211 calls for assistance in our area and shared that “some of the situations will break your heart.” We are thankful that we can help by keeping the pantry stocked. I want to express my appreciation to the Tira City Council members who volunteer to fill the pantry each week.
Robert, Yvonne and Wesley Weir traveled to Sunnyvale Sunday and spent the night with Destri, Eben, and their family. On Monday, Destri and Nico and the Weirs met Dustin and Everly at Rowlett Park. Yvonne comments, “After playing, we enjoyed lunch at Kiki’s, before heading home.”
Grace Vaughn was honored with a parade on Sunday afternoon. Fifteen vehicles filled with family and friends passed by. Everyone honked and shouted “Happy Birthday” to her in celebration of her 100th birthday. She enjoyed a special birthday lunch and cake at home on Monday, her actual birthday. Several of her family members and friends stopped by and visited her on Sunday and Monday. Grace asked me to be sure to let everyone know that she really appreciates all the birthday cards. At last count she had received over 80 cards over the past couple of weeks!
Tira was coated with snow on January 11. It didn’t stick around for long, but it was beautiful while it lasted. I couldn’t resist stopping to take pictures on my way to work that morning.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Crime In Sulphur Springs Rose In 5 Of 7 Major Offense Categories In 2020
City Burglaries At 22-Year Record Low
Crime in Sulphur Springs in the seven major offense categories was higher in 2020 than in 2019, which was a year of record lows. The 188 offense reports, made by Sulphur Springs Police Department last year, places 2020 as the fourth lowest in 22 years. Only 171 offenses were reported in 2017, 168 offenses in 2018 and 162 offenses in 2019. The total number of crimes recorded by SSPD in 2020 was only about half the 22-year record high of 375 total offenses set in 1999, followed by 371 offenses in 2004.
Crime in Sulphur Springs rose in five of the seven major offense categories, declined to a new record low in one category and matched the total posted in 2019 in another category, according to data provided by SSPD.
Violent Crimes Against People
Three homicides were recorded in 2020, tying 2003 for the most murders reported in a single year in the city. However, in only nine of the last 22 years have there been any homicides, including two murders each in 2011, 2015 and 2018; and one each in 2002, 2005, 2009 and 201. There were no homicides from 1999-2001, 2004, 2006-2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 20016-17 and 2019.
In 2020, manslaughter was counted in the updated reporting system as a homicide. Two of the homicides stem from an early morning crash on Interstate 30 May 24, in which two elementary aged boys died; warrants were issued for the arrest of the SUV driver on two counts of manslaughter in connection with the wreck. The third homicide involved a 30-year-old was accused of the stabbing death of a 25-year-old on April 18 on College Street.
Nine sexual assaults were recorded in 2020, which is nearly double the five reported in 2019, and is just one offense shy of the record high set in 2015. The 22-year record low was set in 2012, a year in which no sexual assaults were recorded by SSPD.
Three more “assaults other than simple” or aggravated assaults were reported in 2020 than the 21 recorded in 2019. The 24 aggravated assaults reported in Sulphur Springs in 2020 was seven more than the record low of 167 set in 2013, but only about half the 22-year record high of 56 aggravated assaults set in 1999. In fact, there have only been three years since 1999 in which less than 20 aggravated assaults were recorded: 16 in 2013, 17 in 2016 and 18 in 2018.
Six robberies were reported in Sulphur Springs in 2020, the same as in 2004, 2015, 2016 and 2019. While still three times the record low of two robberies recorded in 2006 and repeated in 2011, the 2020 robbery total is still half the record high of 12 robberies in 2008, according to SSPD reports.
Property Crimes
A new record low of 17 was set in the burglary category, eclipsing the prior record of 20 burglaries set in 2019. That’s 101 less than the record high set in 2002 and repeated in 2004. These include all burglaries of homes and buildings recorded by SSPD, where both home and building burglaries have also been tracked separately since 2004.
Eight home burglaries were reported in 2020 to SSPD, four fewer than the previous low set in 2019, but still only about 1/9th of the record 76 home burglaries set in 2004. This category did not fall below 30 until 2012, and didn’t drop below 20 until 2016, when 19 home burglaries were recorded in Sulphur Springs, but has remained below 20 percent ever since. 2020 was the first year the total of home burglaries was a single digit number.
Last year also matched 2013 with nine building burglaries, which was just shy of the record low of eight building burglaries set in 2019, but still only about 1/5th of the record 42 home burglaries set in 2004. This category has remained below 30 since 2012 and has remained below 20 since 2013.
More thefts over $200 and vehicle thefts were reported in 2020 than in 2019, marking the second year both categories have risen. Thefts include all thefts of items valued at $200 that are not included in the structural burglary categories, including shoplifting, money and vehicle burglaries.
Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson reported these to be two of the most preventable crimes. A majority of the vehicle thefts and vehicle burglary cases were due to vehicles being unlocked and keys left in them. Locking vehicles and taking and valuables and keys when exiting often serve as big deterrents to vehicle thefts and burglaries. Failing to do so can and often does result in these “crimes of opportunity,” according to the chief.
Overall, 36 vehicles were reported to Sulphur Springs Police as stolen in 2020, five more than in 2019 and 27 more than the record low of nine vehicle thefts. Last year was only the second time in 16 years that more than 30 vehicles have been reported stolen in the city, but 2020 still had 14 less vehicle thefts than the record 50 reported in 2001.
A total of 93 thefts over $200 were reported in 2020, 16 more than in 2019 and 18 more than the record low of 75 thefts set in 2011, but still 85 less than the record high of 178 vehicle thefts set in 2004 in Sulphur Springs.
Jan. 20 COVID-19 Update: 1 Fatality, 12 New Cases, 146 Fully Vaccinated
Texas Department of State Health Services Jan. 20 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard showed one additional COVID-19 fatality, 12 new cases and an uptick in COVID-19 hospitalizations across the region, although Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials reported not change in the patient count in the hospital COVID unit on Wednesday.
Case Counts
DSHS reported 87 confirmed COVID-19 fatalities for Hopkins County, which means for the fifth time in the last seven days another Hopkins County resident has been confirmed to have died from novel coronavirus 2019. The latest death is reported to have occurred on Dec. 31, the third COVID-19 fatality on New Year’s Eve 2020, increasing the total number of Hopkins County COVID-19 deaths in December to 24. Five COVID-19 deaths have also been reported in January, two each on Jan. 2 and Jan. 5 and one death on Jan. 3, according to the Jan. 19 COVID-19 Fatalities over Time by County report.
DSHS’s Jan. 19 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard also showed a total of 1,308 lab-confirmed confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,222 cumulative probable cases, that is those of people who have either tested positive for COVID-19 through an antigen test or have a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis.
That means a dozen new COVID-19 cases were reported for Hopkins County on Jan. 20. The three additional confirmed cases and nine new probable cases reported Wednesday increase the confirmed case count this week to 12 and the probable case count this week to 10. This month, 186 Hopkins County residents have received positive molecular COVID-19 tests results and 105 additional probable cases were reported for Hopkins County.
Although 240 Hopkins County residents have recovered from COVID-19 this month, there have been no new recoveries in three days. However, 130 recoveries were reported over the weekend, 80 on Friday and 50 on Saturday. Nonetheless, 2,293 of the 2,530 Hopkins County residents who’ve had COVID-19 have recovered.
That leaves 150 Hopkins County residents who still have active cases, 11 more than were reported on Monday, 15 more than on Sunday and 20 more than on Saturday, but still 21 fewer active cases than on Friday and 85 less than were reported last Friday, according to the DSHS data.
Hospital Data
HC/SSEM officials reported 26 patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Jan. 20, the same as on Jan. 19 and Dec. 31 and 14.
The COVID-19 patient count in Trauma Service Area F increased from 210 on Monday to 236 on Tuesday, which is 10 more than on Sunday and four more than on Saturday, but still less than the 241 reported on Jan. 11.
The overall patient count also increased from 1,011 on Monday to 1,056 on Tuesday, which is still 12 less than on Jan. 15 and 79 less than on Dec. 29. A total of 964 inpatient beds were staffed, 45 more than on Monday, but still 124 less than on Dec. 31. TSA-F had 605 hospitalizations on Tuesday, eight more than on Monday but 20 less than on Sunday, 53 less than on Jan. 14 and 112 less than on Dec. 31.
Eleven ICU beds were available, the same as on Jan. 14, three more than on Jan. 19 and 10 more than on Jan. 2 and Jan. 3, but one less than on Jan. 13 and 19 less than on Dec. 26, according to the DSHS Test and Hospital data dashboard. Thirty-seven more beds overall were available on Tuesday than on Monday. A total of 73 ventilators were available across TSA-F on Tuesday, one more than on Monday, but still four less than on Jan. 12.
COVID-19 hospitalizations as a result accounted for 22.35 percent of the total hospital capacity in TSA-F on Tuesday, up from 20.77 on Monday, but still less than the 23. 42 reported on Jan. 11. The area remains under GA-32 restrictions, business capacities reduced from 75 to 50 percent and elective surgeries on hold, due to high hospitalizations since Dec. 26. The area must remain at 15 percent or less for seven consecutive days
Testing Data
HC/SSEM officials also reported a total of 8,344 COVID-19 tests have been conducted at 128-A Jefferson Street since the Red Cross building was converted in September to a free COVID-19 testing center, which means 83 additional COVID-19 tests were conducted at the facility on Tuesday, 410 in the last seven days and 1,376 COVID-19 tests have been conducted this month at the facility.
Cumulatively since March, 13,204 molecular COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Hopkins County. Another six antigen tests were conducted in Hopkins County on Tuesday, increasing the cumulative total since the state began tracking the data to 1,488. No antibody tests were conducted on Tuesday, so the total remains 1,751. All together, that makes 16,443 COVID-19 tests conducted in Hopkins County that have been reported to DSHS.
Free oral swab (molecular) COVID-19 testing will continue to be offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays in January inside the Red Cross (old Fidelity Express Building) in Sulphur Springs. Free testing is open to anyone regardless of age or address. Registration is required online at www.GoGetTested.com in order to be tested at 128-A Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs.
COVID-19 Vaccine
A total of 1,324 COVID-19 vaccines had been administered in Hopkins County as of 11:59 p.m. Jan. 19, that’s 111 doses administered Tuesday. Cumulatively, 1,178 people had received the first dose of the vaccine and 146 had received both doses of the vaccine. That’s 82 additional people who received the first dose of the vaccine and 29 additional people who were fully vaccinated on Tuesday.
In Hopkins County, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic vaccinated people on Wednesday and will administer the remainder of the 700 doses of the vaccine on Saturday. Registration is exclusively through the chatbot on the www.christushealth.org website. All of the available appointments for the first 2-3 hours of vaccine administration for Wednesday filled in less than 30 minutes of the registration opening being announced on Tuesday afternoon.
For addition information about the COVID-19 Vaccine click here or the link on the DSHS COVID-19 page, https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/
Click the Available COVID-19 Vaccines in Texas link, to view information about providers allocated vaccines, including maps with contact information.
Click the Vaccine Data link for information about COVID-19 vaccine allocation, and demographics on vaccinations by state and county breakdown.
Nursing Home Reports
Two fewer active resident COVID-19 cases and seven less active resident cases, 10 additional resident recoveries and one additional resident death were reported at Sulphur Springs nursing homes on Jan. 4 than on Dec. 31, and three additional resident recoveries were reported on Jan. 6, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Jan. 19 COVID-19 nursing facility report.
A 10th resident COVID-19 fatality was reported for Rock Creek Health and Rehab on Jan. 4. On Jan. 6, the facility had five active employee and 40 active resident cases, and a total of 29 employee and 31 resident cases.
Neither Carriage House Manor nor Sunny Springs Health & Rehab had any active COVID-1 cases on Jan. 6.
Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab had one active employee case on Jan. 6, according to the HHS Nov. 19 nursing facility report.
