Chamber Connection: Blood Drive, Fall Roundup, Food Pantry Drive Among Local November Activities
By Lezley Brown, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
I’m excited to let you know that we have begun work on the 2021 Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Directory. We distribute over 7,000 of these directories to visitors, relocation hopefuls, and even hometown heroes who are interested in learning more about our local businesses.
They include historical information as well as all the things to see and do in Hopkins County. The best part is, they include an alphabetical and categorical listing of your business.
LeeAnn Peugh, with Echo Publishing, will be contacting you in the next few weeks to see if you are interested in placing an ad in the directory. The rates are affordable, and one of the best ways to represent your business. I hope you will consider this a wise investment with over 7,000 opportunities for business exposure. You may also contact the Chamber, and I will pass your information along to her.
I’m proud to produce this book telling all about the place we love. I hope you will join me in the journey!
Soulman’s is Hosting a Blood Drive
Soulman’s Bar-B-Que is hosting a blood drive on Monday, Nov. 16, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. You can make an appointment at https://www.carterbloodcare.org/community-blood-drives/. Anyone who donates blood gets a $5 off $10 purchase to Soulman’s!
Wesley United Methodist Church is hosting their Fall Roundup
Wesley United Methodist Church is hosting their annual Fall Roundup on Saturday, Nov. 21, from noon until 3 p.m. It will be a drive through this year, and quarts may be purchased under the covered driveway on the East side of the building. Quarts cost $10 each and you may purchase chicken stew, beef stew, or chili. Wesley Methodist is located at 614 Texas Street in Sulphur Springs.
Goodwill is hosting a Food Pantry Drive in November
Goodwill of Sulphur Springs is spending the month on November thinking of those in need. They are asking for non-perishable food items to help stock up our local food pantries. PLEASE drop the items off at the Goodwill Retail Store, and they will deliver to our local Food Pantries. This drive will take place the whole month of November.
Business Highlight
During the year 2020, The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a business each week. Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for November 12, Muddy Jakes. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
Nov. 10 COVID-19 Update: 1 Fatality, 8 New Cases
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials, in the Nov. 10 COVID-19 update, reported 8 additional Hopkins County residents received positive COVID-19 test results on Tuesday. Texas State Health Services also reported another COVID-19 fatality has been confirmed for Hopkins County.
HC/SSEM Nov. 10 COVID-19 Update
While there were no new recoveries reported Tuesday, the number of residents testing positive for COVID-19 was about half the amount reported on Monday, dropping from 14 on Nov. 9. Mondays are typically larger because they includes all new cases reported over the weekend. That’s still 3 more cases than were reported last Tuesday, the next largest number so far this month on a day other than Monday.
So far this month, there have been 82 recoveries and 52 new cases.
Cumulatively, 622 of the 737 Hopkins County residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 on molecular tests since March have recovered from the virus, HC/SSEM reported in the Nov. 9 COVID-19 update.
The 42 new recoveries reported on Monday may have decreased the overall active case count to 107 — the least number of active cases in nearly a month — but the 8 new cases has it back up to 115 active cases. That’s still the second lowest since Oct. 15 when 111 active cases were reported.
The COVID Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs had 17 patients Nov. 10, according to the Nov. 9 COVID-19 update. While the patient count in the COVID unit has remained a double digit since Oct. 26, on only one other occasion has HC/SSEM reported as many as 17 patients in the COVID unit. There were 17 in the unit on Sept. 28, a day in which 10 new cases, 11 recoveries, 91 active cases, one death and 121 molecular tests were reported for Hopkins County.
Another 77 COVID-19 tests were taken at testing site on Jefferson Street on Monday, Nov. 9. That makes 306 molecular tests performed at 128-A Jefferson Street in the last week and 599 so far this month. Overall, that’s 2,992 oral swab tests conducted since the testing site opened Sept. 25, HC/SSEM officials noted in the Nov. 10 COVID-19 update.
The Jefferson Street COVID testing site is scheduled to remain open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays during November, HC/SSEM officials reported in the Nov. 10 COVID-19 update.
To book a test, go online to GoGetTested.com, select “Red Cross/old Fidelity Express — Texas Emergency Management building at 128-A Jefferson St. in Sulphur Springs” or other desired location, then, click “Book Now,” and follow the prompts.
DSHS Fatality Report
Texas Department of State Health Services’ COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard showed 45 COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County. That makes 1 additional Hopkins County resident whose cause on death certificate was listed as COVID-19.
The latest death, according to the Nov. 10 DSHS “Fatalities over Time by County” report, shows the death occurred on Oct. 27. That makes 8 straight days, Oct. 22-29, in which at least 1 new COVID-19 death occurred.
The deaths correlate with the worst period during the pandemic so far, when the active daily virus case count rose from 169 on Oct. 22, peaked at 236 on Oct. 28 (a day in which 2 deaths COVID-19 death occurred), then dropped down to 149 on Oct. 29.
October concluded with 323 Hopkins County residents receiving positive molecular COVID-19 results, 491 positive antigen results, 257 recovering from the virus, 26 deaths and 144 active cases.
HHS Nursing, Assisted Living Facility Reports
Carriage House Manor continued to have 2 active resident COVID-19 cases on Oct. 27. There were no active cases among employees of the facility on Oct. 27, the most recent nursing facility data available from Texas Health and Human Services.
Sunny Springs Nursing and Rehab reported only 8 active employee COVID-19 cases on Oct. 27, which is 7 less than on Oct. 26, HHS’s Nov. 10 nursing facility report shows.
Rock Creek continued to have on active resident virus case on Oct. 27, according to the Nov. 10 HHS nursing facility report.
Sulphur Springs Health and Rehabilitation reported 1 additional employee had tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 27, for a total of 10 active employee COVID-19 cases. Four SSH&R resident had recovered from COVID-91 but 11 more tested positive for COVID-19, giving the facility an active resident case count of 15, and a cumulative total of 17 recoveries, the Nov. 10 HHS nursing facility report shows.
According to the HHS Nov. 10 report, there was only one active COVID-19 case at among the assisted living facilities in Sulphur Springs, a Wesley House resident, as of Oct. 27.
Wildcats Football Defensive Coordinator Discusses Corsicana Win and Upcoming Greenville
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020, we here at KSST radio met up with Wildcats football coordinators to discuss the upcoming game on Friday versus Greenville.
The Wildcats emerged victorious against the Corsicana Tigers Friday, 28-21. With the win, Greg Owens and his squad have won not only their first win of the season, but also the first game of zone play.
Wildcats football defensive coordinator Alex Guerra felt pretty good about the win versus Corsicana, saying the kids came out excited and played really hard.
Coach Guerra said he thought his team did well versus the run in the first half, but gave due praise to Corsicana QB Solomon James for his athletic ability in the losing effort.
The Wildcats defensive coordinator says the Greenville Lions offense can go, and are very talented at every skill position. Coach Guerra said the Wildcats will have to keep the Lions offense under them.
QB Brandon Stephens for the Lions is great, Coach Guerra said, and is a dual-threat QB who can beat you through the air or on the ground. The Wildcats defense will be hard-pressed come Friday since they will not be able to focus on one player, since the Lions have three or four guys who can go, Coach Guerra said.
The Wildcats defensive coordinator said his unit will be trying to play assignment football and be very disciplined. He also said that there is a strong possibility that the team will get beat on a play or two, but Coach Guerra said the team will have to keep their heads up and be happy to continue playing.
The Wildcats will have their hands full as this Friday Sulphur Springs (1-1 zone, 1-3 overall) travels to Greenville (1-1 zone, 3-2 overall) to take on the Lions at 7:30 P.M.
Last Friday Greenville fought hard but lost to the “Goonville” North Forney Falcons, 57-25. Both teams will be fighting for their second win in “Zone” play.
This Friday’s match-up between the two teams will be the second straight zone game as the Wildcats will be looking to extend their win streak to two games.
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.
SSISD COVID-19 Snapshot
As of Monday, Nov. 9, Lamar Primary had a 1.21 active COVID-19 case percentage, the highest campus positivity percentage among all Sulphur Springs ISD campuses at the moment, according to the SSISD COVID-19 snapshot Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams presented at SSISD trustees at their regular meeting.
That 1.21 percent includes four positive staff cases; while they have not tested positive for COVID-19, one staff member and 11 students from Lamar were in quarantine Monday either due to symptoms or a high risk exposure. Lamar Primary has had no COVID-19 cases in October, but has had cumulatively since school started 1 student for COVID-19 and six staff members who tested positive for novel coronavirus 2019.
Last month, Barbara Bush Primary had a 1.07 COVID-19 percentage, making it the campus with the highest October COVID-19 positive case percentage. Currently, Bush has only 1 positive student case and 1 positive staff case of COVID-19, giving the campus a 0.53 percent COVID-19 positivity rate; the campus also had 22 students and 2 staff members in quarantine on Nov. 9. Cumulatively, this campus had had 11 positive staff cases, the most of any campus, and 1 positive student case, according to the SSISD data.
The campus with the second highest positivity rate, the number of positive cases compared to the number of enrolled students and staff on the campus, is Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center. The campus had one active student case and 1 active staff case of COVID-19, for a 0.76 active case percentage as of the printing of the Nov. 9 SSISD COVID-19 snapshot. That’s up from only 0.38 percent in October. Douglass on Monday also had 30 students who were in quarantine and four staff members in quarantine. Cumulatively, Douglas has had two students and four staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of school.
Bowie Primary, Travis Primary and Austin Academic Center were had no active COVID-19 cases on Nov. 9. None of the campuses had a positivity rate in October either. That does not, however, mean that the campuses haven’t had anyone test positive for COVID-19, nor does it mean there aren’t kids or employees quarantining.
Bowie Primary on Nov. 9 had 18 students and 4 staff members who were in quarantine. The campus, cumulatively, has had 1 staff members and 4 students who have tested COVID-19 positive since school began on Sept. 1.
Travis Primary has 7 students in quarantine on Nov. 9. Cumulatively, the campus has had 1 student who tested positive for COVID-19.
Austin Academic Center has had no students test positive for COVID-19, but one staff member has. Also, one student and one staff member at AAC were in quarantine on Nov. 9.
Sulphur Springs Elementary had a positivity rate of 0.43 percent on Nov. 9, due to 3 active staff cases on the campus. SSES had 22 students 1 staff member who were in quarantine on Nov. 9. Cumulatively, the elementary campus has had 1 student and 7 staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 since school started.
Sulphur Springs High School has had 48 cumulative students who have tested positive for COVID-19 since school started, the most of any campus. The positivity rate for SSHS on Nov. 9 was only 0.21 percent, which is 0.07 percent less than in October. SSHS, which is the campus with the largest student and staff population, had 3 students out due to positive test results and 23 students who our out on quarantine as of the printing of the SSISD COVID-19 snapshot on Nov. 9. SSHS has cumulatively had 8 staff members who have tested positive since Sept. 1.
Middle School on Nov. 9 had 71 students in quarantine, the most reported for any campus as of the printing of the SSISD COVID-91 snapshot on Nov. 9. Four staff members were also in quarantine. Two students and 1 staff member were out due to positive COVID-19 tests, giving SSMS a 0.27 percent positivity rate on Nov. 9; that’s the same positivity rate reported for October. Middle School has cumulatively had 13 students and 8 staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 since Sept. 1.
Across all other locations in the district, including maintenance, transportation and administration departments, nine staff members have tested positive for COVID-19, including one active case. One additional district employ was reported to be in quarantine on Nov. 9, 2020.
District wide, that makes 74 students and 55 staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 since Sept. 1. As of Nov. 9, there were seven active student cases and 11 active staff case, with 205 students and 18 staff members quarantining.
Williams said he is proud of the principals and nurses, who have been flexible and resourceful in meeting the very different needs of each of the students who have tested positive or had to be away from campus due to quarantine.
Hicks: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Reception
By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Reception
Greetings again from your Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office! Wow, November got off to a busy start! We just completed the 47th annual “Christmas Joys” holiday program. This popular event was started by my predecessor, Janie Crump, and I have kept it going. Even though it looked different this year (new location, face masks, spaces between chairs, etc.), we had a great time and feedback was very positive. If you missed it and would like to have a copy of the booklet that contains all the recipes, instructions, and ideas shared in the program, we have a few left over. Drop by the Extension Office to get your copy for only $2 each. We also have a few extra goody bags, so we’ll throw that in, too!
Each year, our staff hosts a banquet to share our program impacts throughout the year, to recognize volunteers and committee members, and to honor our Extension Supporter of the Year. Due to the pandemic, we had to think creatively to come up with an alternative to a sit-down banquet. So, this year, we are hosting a come-and-go reception. Here are the details:
- What: Come-and-go reception
- Why: exhibits and info-graphics about Extension programming impacts in 2020
- Where: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Hopkins County Office, 1200 W. Houston, Sulphur Springs
- When: Thursday, November 19, 2020
- Time: 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
- What we’ll do: recognize our Master Volunteers, Extension Supporter of the Year
Refreshments will be served. No reservation necessary – just show up! We’d love to visit with you. Our exhibits will focus on Family & Community Health, 4-H, and Ag & Natural Resources. Also, information about the upcoming training for those interested in becoming a Master Wellness Volunteer. Other upcoming opportunities will also be announced. Don’t miss it!
4-H Enrollment
We are pleased to announce that Hopkins County has a new 4-H Club this year! Welcome to Cumby 4-H! This is a school-based club focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), and those students will be involved with research-based projects and other exciting ventures.
4-H enrollment is open throughout the year, but for the most benefit, we encourage kids in grades 3-8 to enroll as early as possible. Our 4-H year is from September 1 to August 31 annually. The enrollment fee is $30. Contact our office to find out how your child can be involved! Membership includes the 4-H Gazette newsletter, which goes out 6 or more times per year. Besides Cumby, we have 5 other clubs: Miller Grove, Infinity, Paws (4th & 5th grade Sulphur Springs campus), Veterinary Science, and Equine club. Contact us at 903-885-3443 to learn how to be part of this fantastic organization!
Closing Thought
Resilience is all about being able to overcome the unexpected… The goal of resilience is to thrive. Jamais Cascio
— Contact Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., at Hopkins County AriLife Extension Office, P.O. Box 518, 1200-B West Houston St, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected]
Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs News: Checking Work
CHECKING WORK
Dillon Beadle of Sulphur Bluff checks his welding work during his class in the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Welding Shop.
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.
Lady Cats Cross Country Team Has Their Best Regional Finish Ever in 11th Place Monday
The district champion Lady Cats Cross Country Team added to their impressive resume this year with an 11th place finish at the UIL Region II-5A Championships Monday (November 9) at the Jesse Owens Athletic Complex in Dallas. Sulphur Springs Cross Country Coach Ross Hicks called regional competition a highlight of any season and a fun experience for his runners in one of the toughest regions in Texas. Coach Hicks said the top three teams in the region, who are bound for the state meet, would be among the top five teams at state. The Monday race was later than usual, a 2 p.m. start. Coach Hicks said the afternoon race also resulted in the hottest conditions for the Lady Cats this season. The Lady Cats were led by freshman Haylee Shultz who finished in 44th place with a time of 21:09.60. Coach Hicks said her time was outstanding. He said she has a bright future and he added she wants to improve to the point of making it to state. Next for the Lady Cats was senior Kenia Herrera who was 53rd. Sophomore Mattie Bridges finished 75th. Sophomore Rebekah Stanley was 80th. Sophomore Emily Soto was 89th. Senior Maurie Flecker finished 92nd. Coach Hicks said senior Flecker, a four year runner, had her best year this season. Sophomore Laney Hurst was in 96th place. Coach Hicks said Hurst consistently finished second among the Lady Cats this year but he said she had a rare rough day Monday. He said she would bounce back next year.
Wildcat junior Evan Patrick also qualified for the regional race as an individual. Patrick finished 67th with a time of 18:30.47. Coach Hicks said he gave it his best effort. He said Patrick would be a good leader for the Wildcats next year as a senior.
Coach Hicks said after a couple of weeks off, many of the cross country runners would start running again to get ready for the spring track season.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Lady Cats Volleyball on the Road, No Home Lady Cats Basketball on Tuesday Game Day
On this Tuesday (November 10) game day, the Lady Cats Volleyball Team, 9-1 in district play, are at Hallsville. The Lady Cats need just one more win or a Texas High loss to capture the district championship. The Lady Cats are in first place with their 9-1 record. They are a game and a half ahead of second place Texas High with their 8-3 record. Texas High has a bye tonight. The Lady Cats have won 9 straight district matches. The first time the Lady Cats played Hallsville back on October 16, the Lady Cats topped the Lady Bobcats, 3-0 by scores of 25-23, 25-17 and 25-17. JV teams begin play at 5 p.m. this evening with the varsity game at 6 p.m. in Hallsville.
As we reported Monday, tonight’s Lady Cats Basketball game at home against Mount Vernon has been canceled. Coach Brittney Tisdell said Monday the Lady Cats are quarantined for two weeks due to a positive COVID-19 test on the team.
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.
TxDOT Calling on Texans to Keep Roadside Workers Safe
AUSTIN – The side of a highway may be a chaotic environment, but it’s also the daily office space for law enforcement, first responders, utility workers, tow truck drivers and TxDOT workers. That’s why TxDOT is calling on Texas drivers to keep these roadside workers safe.
TxDOT’s “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” safety initiative is urging motorists to follow the state’s Move Over/Slow Down law. This law requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching law enforcement, tow trucks, utility vehicles, emergency responders and TxDOT vehicles stopped with activated overhead lights on the side of the road. Drivers who fail to give emergency and work crews space to safely do their jobs face fines up to $2000.
Unfortunately, police officers, tow truck drivers and other roadside workers are hit, injured or killed on the side of the road every year. TxDOT is calling on all drivers to respect these workers who are vital to keeping our roads clear and safe.
This year’s effort to remind motorists to move over and slow down coincides with National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week (November 9–15) and TxDOT’s annual “Click It or Ticket” seat belt awareness campaign. Throughout November, troopers and officers statewide will step up enforcement of the state’s seat belt laws, which means motorists may see law enforcement vehicles on the side of the road more often conducting traffic stops.
The Move Over/Slow Down law requires drivers to:
- Take safety precautions when they approach roadside law enforcement, emergency vehicles, tow trucks, utility vehicles and TxDOT vehicles with flashing lights on.
- When possible, move out of the lane closest to these vehicles.
- Slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit if safely switching lanes is not possible or the road doesn’t offer multiple lanes.
- Reduce speed to 5 mph on roadways with posted speed limits of 25 mph or less.
The state’s Move Over/Slow Down law was first passed in 2003 and applied to police, fire and emergency medical service vehicles. The Texas Legislature has since extended the law’s protections to TxDOT vehicles, tow trucks and utility service vehicles.
“Be Safe. Drive Smart.” is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel such as wearing a seat belt, driving the speed limit, never texting and driving and never driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Nov. 7, 2000 was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways.
For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at [email protected] or (512) 463-8700.
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Wildcats Football Offensive Coordinator Discusses Corsicana Win and Upcoming Greenville
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020, we here at KSST radio met up with Wildcats football coordinators to discuss the upcoming game on Friday versus Greenville.
The Wildcats emerged victorious against the Corsicana Tigers Friday, 28-21. With the win, Greg Owens and his squad have won not only their first win of the season, but also the first game of zone play.
Wildcats football offensive coordinator Matt Young said there were two big reasons for the win versus Corsicana, for one, the team took care of the ball. Matt Young’s squad only committed one turnover, which Coach Young said is huge.
It helped a lot that the defense and special teams caused turnovers, which then gave the Wildcats energy and excitement, Coach Young said.
Coach Young said the other big factor contributing to last Friday’s win was explosive plays; the team measures these plays as 15+ yards, and had three of them versus Corsicana, with two of them being huge runs. In the next tier of offensive plays, ranging from 10 to 15 yards, the Wildcats had 9, Coach Young said.
It is the second week in a row the Wildcats have been able to find offensive firepower in a big way.
Coach Young said that having so many plays go for 10-15 yards was huge. The offensive coordinator for the Wildcats said that plays like these are where teams start to really move the ball.
There are things to work on, though, as consistency remains an issue with the team, Coach Young said. The team must work on its efficiency if they hope to keep their momentum, and the win streak, going.
The Wildcats will have their hands full as this Friday Sulphur Springs (1-1 zone, 1-3 overall) travels to Greenville (1-1 zone, 3-2 overall) to take on the Lions at 7:30 P.M.
Last Friday Greenville fought hard but lost to the North Forney Falcons, 57-25. Both teams will be fighting for their second win in “Zone” play.
This Friday’s match-up between the two teams will be the second straight zone game as the Wildcats will be looking to extend their win streak to two games.
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.
