Wildcats and Lady Cats Soccer On Chilly Game Day Tuesday
Both the Wildcats and Lady Cats Soccer Teams are taking on Marshall in district matches on this game day Tuesday, February 9.
The Wildcats will meet Marshall at Gerald Prim Stadium. There is a JV contest at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity match to follow at 7:15 p.m. The Wildcats are 1-2 in district play after a win on Friday at Texas High, 3-2. The Wildcats’ season record is 10-6-1. KSST Radio will bring you the Wildcats and Mavericks live at The Prim. The broadcast will feature streaming video and audio. The game will be posted to YouTube after it’s over and the match will be videotaped for replay later on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
The Lady Cats will be heading to Marshall for their fourth district match. Lady Cats Coach Javier Aguayo announced Tuesday that Marshall does not currently have a JV team so there will be no JV game tonight. The two teams will meet in a varsity only game at 5:30 p.m. The Lady Cats have an outright win, a shootout win and an outright loss in district play. The Lady Cats edged by Texas High, 1-0, at the Prim on Friday night. The Lady Cats’ season record is 7-5-4. The Lady Cats and Lady Mavs game will be broadcast tonight at 5:30 p.m. on KSST’s sister station, KRVA-FM, 107.1, with Ross Labenske doing the play by play.
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.
County Commissioners Agree To Advance Refund Two Bonds To Save $879,000
Hopkins County Commissioners Court authorized issuance of general obligation refunding bonds to take advantage of lower interest rates to advance refund the two bonds taken out to build the new jail facility, provided rates continue to be favorable for doing so.
“It’s an opportunity to save a whole lot of money for Hopkins County,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said.
Robert Henderson, managing director with RBC Capital Markets who serves as the county’s financial advisor, said the voters approved bonds to finance the jail. They were sold in two series in order to sell them at lower interest rates given provisions of the Tax Reform Act which allowed it to be designated as a base qualified debt. by breaking it into two transactions, the amount was below $10 million. Bonds were sold in 2013 and 2014 at a lower interest rate, which allowed the court to set the tax rate 1 cent less than they had anticipated.
Interest rates have dropped dramatically in the last 18 months, and are astoundingly low right now, Henderson told Hopkins County Commissioners Court during their regular meeting Monday morning, Feb. 8. Refinancing the 2013 and 2014 bonds at even lower interest rates will improve the tax rate even further, the financial advisor reported. The average bond sold in 2013 and 2014 was about 4.07 percent.
“The average interest rate on those bond was 4.07 percent. We believe based on current market rates that we can refinance that debt at 2.05 percent and, in so doing, save the county’s taxpayers about $879,000, a little bit more than $875,000 over the life of the issuance of these bonds,” Henderson said.
A tax rate can only be levied for debt sufficient to meet those debt service payments. So by refinancing the debt, the tax payers will see a reduction in the I&S (interest and sinking or debt service) tax rate, Henderson said.
“There’s going to be a slight little twist on this refinancing. The Tax Reform Act of 2017 eliminated the ability to issue tax exempt bond on an advance refunding basis,” Henderson. “When those bond were sold, there was a par call date, the date you can take and pay your bonds off early without having a penalty associated with that. Advanced refunding is refinancing that debt before we get to that call date. Which means that what we’re doing, instead of taking that debt like you would a home mortgage, refinancing it and paying off the old debt immediately, because we cannot pay off the old debt immediately, we’re going to take the proceeds of this debt and put it into an irrevocable trust, an escrow account, and it will stay in that escrow account until we reach those call dates. And, then, when we get to those call dates, the escrow account will collapse and pay off the old bonds.”
The call date for the two bonds, according to information Henderson provided during the Commissioners Court meeting is Oct. 15, 2023.
Fees such as escrow, legal feels, fiscal fees and Attorney General’s Office rating fees which are associated with refinancing a bond are built into the amount cited, so the $879,000 is net of all the cost. The present value savings, Henderson said, is 7.92 percent; saving 4 percent present value savings is considered economically feasible. The projected savings amount is nearly twice that amount, Henderson pointed out.
There would be a 9-year “hard call” by which the county would have to wait if they chose to pay the remaining debt off early, that would be 2030 if the advance refunding occurs. If desired before then, the county could potentially establish another escrow account for advance refunding, but Henderson said that would likely be unadvisable due to the very low interest current interest rates of 2.05 percent, which would allow the county to have a lower tax rate.
“When we fund that escrow fund, that legally comes off the books of the county. So once we do that, even though those bonds are outstanding, because they are paid from that trust account he described, they come off the books. Its no longer a debt of the county,” Jeff Gulbas, the county’s bond legal advisor noted.
The Commissioners Court agreed to a parameter sale, authorizing the advisors to notify the county judge when when the market appears to be at the best place to take advantage of the lower rates. The bonds would not have to be sold on or immediately following the date of the court meeting. Newsom will be required to sign all documents when the advisors indicate a favorable market for the advance refunding, before the issuance of the bond.
ATCOG Hotline Designated To Help Elderly 1B Residents Who Don’t Have Computers, Internet Schedule Appointment, Get On COVID-19 Vaccine Waiting List
Hopkins County Emergency Management officials report they have been working with state officials almost daily but have had no success finding out why Hopkins County providers have not received more first-doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, but report a hotline has been designated to help 1B residents who don’t have computers and internet access get on a COVID-19 vaccine waiting list or help schedule appointments when vaccines are available.
Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley noted that while the local emergency management officials have nothing to do with COVID-19 vaccinations, including how much is allocated to which providers or how it is distributed, they have been in contact with both Senator Bob Hall’s Office and Rep. Bryan Slaton’s office, as well as other state contacts, trying to find out why more first-doses of the vaccine haven’t come to Hopkins County and asking for help to make that happen. Distribution of the vaccine is handled through the joint efforts of Texas Department of Emergency Management and Texas Department of State Health Services.
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said local emergency officials were promised from the start that the COVID-19 vaccine would be allocated across the state per capita, and has not heard anything different than that. He finds it concerning that Brookshire’s and Walgreens Pharmacies were each allocated 100 doses of the vaccine this week, but the hospital has not been allocated any additional first-doses of the vaccine in three weeks.
“I’m very concerned they are not living up to what they told us,” Newsom said, and pondered whether the increase of large hubs and doses to those hubs has reduced the number of vaccines coming to Hopkins County. “There is not a hub close to our area where elderly can drive to easily.”
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital CEO Paul Harvey said the hospital and clinic weren’t allocated any first-doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to reach the many 1B residents who have indicated they still haven’t been able to get the shot last week or this week, and isn’t expected to receive any next week either.
“We put in for at least 1,000 doses a week. We haven’t seen anything come back. It’s very frustrating,” Harvey said.
CMFH-SS has been able, through the CHRISTUS Health System, to obtain a few additional vaccines to help vaccinate more people here, but not huge numbers. He said every dose that comes into Hopkins County is used. For instance, if they were to receive a few additional doses of the vaccine designated to first responders in 1A in the four-county service area the hospital serves, but not all were able to make the trip into Sulphur Springs to get the shot within the time frame they must be distributed. Those doses would be given to someone else. The same would apply if someone was not able to make their scheduled appointment to receive the second-dose of the COVID1-9 vaccine or opted not to have the second dose. That dose could go to someone who has yet to receive a first dose of the vaccine. No doses are kept in storage or held back. All doses are distributed to make sure none go to waste, Harvey noted.
The hospital put in to be a rural hub provider but so far, has not been given the designation, Harvey and Newsom noted.
Newsom said he’s talked to Bryan Slaton’s office and has been assured the first-year representative’s office is doing everything they can possibly do to ensure Hopkins County receives a fair share of the COVID-19 vaccine to better protect individuals at high risk from the virus.
Harvey and Endsley have been in contact with various state representatives as well to try to speed up the process of vaccines being allocated to Hopkins County. Senator Bob Hall’s office was instrumental in the hospital getting its first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. CMFH-SS has been allocated 400 doses of the vaccine initially, but were bumped from the list without any explanation within 48-hours. Endsley noted John Vick, district director for Hall, worked on his day off, reaching out to his contacts to help the hospital attain the 400 doses originally allocated to the facility.
The hospital executive reported CHRISTUS had worked with Carriage House Manor to see that all residents and associates had been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as of last Thursday. Harvey said while local officials reached out to the other facilities, they opted not to work through CHRISTUS to obtain vaccinations, so he can’t attest for the vaccine status for those nursing facilities.
Harvey said while CMFH-SS has not seen a decline in overall patient counts, there has been a decline in COVID-19 patients over the last 2 weeks.
Sulphur Springs Emergency Management Coordinator Jason Ricketson said Hopkins County isn’t the only area that is having trouble getting doses of the vaccine and hitting a brick wall as to why. He said from listening in on the regular Zoom meetings for local city and county officials, it’s clear “we are not the only place.” The frustration is experienced at locations state-wide especially in more rural areas.
Some other areas, Lamar County and Texarkana, have been designated as hubs, but those areas, officials noted have a state health department and higher populations. Hopkins County does not have a local health department, but a doctor and nurse designates as a Local Health Authority to serve in lieu of the state department for officials reporting purposes.
Officials have also expressed concern for those older residents who do not have access to a computer or internet to register online for appointments when vaccines become available or to get on pharmacies’ waiting lists.
After hearing this from multiple sources across the region, a toll free phone number has been established through Ark-Tex Council of Governments. The residents in the ATCOG area who meet 1B criteria who don’t have a computer or internet access, or who aren’t skilled with them, will be able to call 1-800-372-4464 to have someone in the ATCOG office help them set up an appointment if one is available in their area or to get on a waiting list for COVID-19 vaccines in their area. That number and call is toll free, and residents will need to provide some information so the ATCOG help can complete the process for them.
Make Plans to Attend “Gala Unmasked: A Virtual Event” of the H C Healthcare Foundation
The annual fundraising Gala is an important and exciting wintertime feature in Hopkins County. Shannon Barker, Executive Director of the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation, along with the Foundation Board of Directors, will be hosting a fun and entertaining ‘virtual Gala’ adapted to the challenges of COVID-19 and necessary social distancing, while raising dollars and awareness for our hospital and honoring the real heroes of the pandemic, our physicians and nurses.
In a modified style, the Gala Unmasked virtual event is set for Saturday,February 20, 2021 with entertainment, silent auction and other fun features to be viewed and enjoyed at home. The purpose of the Gala, as always, is to raise funds for needed additions to the hospital, and this year is no different. Because the Gala will not be attended in person, the Foundation Board asks that you support the hospital just as you have done in the past. Or, consider donating money you would have spent on a dress, tux, on hair and nails or on a babysitter for the evening. You can give a gift to the Foundation this year as you participate virtually on YouTube or on the HCHF Facebook page., as well as by bidding on silent auction items on your phone.
In a future story here, you’ll find out about the 11 Silent Auction items which include a new vehicle plus fishing, hunting and golf trips, and you’ll find out about needed equipment selected for purchase. These items will better equip mothers and babies in the Labor and Delivery department and will assist stroke and other patients in need of CT Scan, as our hospital continues to offer exceptional care to this community.
Teen Arrested For Stealing His Grandparents’ Van
A Sulphur Springs teen was arrested Monday morning, Feb. 8, for stealing his grandparents’ van, police alleged in arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police received a report shortly before 7 a.m. Feb. 8 regarding a stolen van. Officer Sean Hoffman, while on patrol, was looking for the missing Chevrolet uplander. He reported seeing the white van at 7:34 a.m. making a quick turn from Bill Bradford Road onto Gilmer Street. Hoffman initiated a traffic stop; the van stopped in the 700 block of Gilmer Street.
Upon contact, the driver was instructed to exit the vehicle and placed into handcuffs. The driver, identified as 17-year-old Javier Isaiah Crutchfield of Sulphur Springs, reportedly told police he wanted to go see his girlfriend but his grandparents wouldn’t allow it. He admitted to taking his grandparents vehicle while they were asleep, without their permission.
Crutchfield was booked Monday morning into Hopkins County jail, where he remained Tuesday morning, Feb. 9 on the unauthorized use of a vehicle charge. Bond was set at $5,000 on the felony charge for stealing his grandparents’ van.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Feb. 8 COVID-19 Update: 13 New Cases, 9 Recoveries, 81 Vaccine Doses Administered
While no new COVID-19 cases nor recoveries were reported in Hopkins County on Sunday, 13 new cases and nine recoveries were reported on Monday, according to Texas Department of State Health Services Feb. 8 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard. Another 81 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were also administered and COVID-19 hospitalizations remained low over the weekend.
COVID-19 Case Counts
Three Hopkins County residents Monday received lab-confirmed, positive molecular COVID-19 test results, increasing the total so far this month to 59 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and the cumulative total since the pandemic began last March to 1,428.
Ten probable COVID-19 cases were reported Monday, increasing the total so far this month to 69 Hopkins County residents who have either received a positive antigen test result or wh have a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis. Cumulatively, 1,330 probable COVID-19 cases have been reported for Hopkins County, according to the Feb. 6 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard.
Nine additional Hopkins County residents tested positive for COVID-19. That makes 50 residents who have recovered from COVID-19 this month. Cumulatively, 2,466 of the 2758 Hopkins County residents who’ve had COVID-19 are reported to have recovered from the virus.
That left 194 Hopkins County residents reported to still actively have COVID-19 Monday afternoon.
Hospital Reports
COVID-19 hospitalizations remained relatively low in Hopkins County and continued to decrease across Trauma Service Area F and the state.
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management, in the Feb. 8 COVID-19 update, reported the patient count in the COVID Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs was 14 on Feb. 8, the same as Monday, Feb. 1, but four more than on Friday.
COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped form 131 Friday to 123 Saturday and 118 on Sunday in TSA-F, according to the DSHS Feb. 8 COVID-19 Test and Hospital Data dashboard. The last time the COVID-19 hospitalizations across TSA-F was that low was in October and November; 115 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients were in TSA-F hospitals on Nov. 8, 119 on Oct. 31 and 110 on Oct. 30, according to the Feb. 8 Combined Hospital Data over Time by Trauma Service Area report.
COVID-19 patients made up on 10.95 percent of the total hospital capacity in TSA-F on Sunday, down from 12 percent on Friday and 11.1 percent on Saturday. COVID-19 cases have continued to represent less TSA-F hospital capacity daily since Jan. 31.
COVID-19 Testing
HC/SSEM reported 9,402 COVID-19 tests had been performed at 128-A Jefferson Street since the Red Cross building was converted to a free testing center in the fall. That means a total of 134 additional tests were performed at the site Friday and Saturday.
Cumulatively, 14,734 molecular COVID-19 tests have been conducted in Hopkins County since the pandemic began.
On Saturday and Sunday, 56 antigen tests and five antibody rers were performed in Hopkins County on Saturday and Sunday, increasing the total since DSHS began tracking the data to 2,006 antigen tests and 1,789 antibody test performed in Hopkins County.
Cumulatively, that’s at least 18,529 COVID-19 tests conducted in Hopkins County since the pandemic began and DSHS began requiring reports for testing.
Free oral swab COVID-19 testing has been extended through the month of February in Sulphur Springs. Testing is typically offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays inside the Red Cross (old Fidelity Express) building in Sulphur Springs.
Free testing is open to anyone regardless of age or address. However, registration is required online at www.GoGetTested.com in order to be tested at 128-A Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs.
COVID-19 Vaccine
At least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine has been administered to 2,345 people in Hopkins County. On Saturday and Sunday, 19 additional people received the first dose of the vaccine and 62 received the second dose of the two-dose COVID-19 vaccine.
Two providers in Hopkins County are listed among the 358 across the state allocated to receive some of the 401,750 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine the federal government is due to send to the state for distribution the week of Feb. 8. Brookshire’s and Walgreens pharmacies have each been allocated 100 doses from the first-dose supplies of Moderna vaccine the state is slated to receive during Week 9 of vaccine distribution.
To see if you are eligible to have the COVID-19 vaccine at a Walgreens location, visit walgreens.com/schedulevaccine. For information about Brookshire’s vaccine waiting list, visit https://www.brookshires.com/covid-19-information. The full list of vaccine allocations for the week of Feb. 8, vaccination hub providers with contact information, the DSHS/Texas Department of Emergency Management map of vaccine providers, and the Texas Vaccine Data dashboard can all be accessed by clicking the links. More information on the COVID-19 vaccine can be found at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx.
Lady Cats Basketball Team Ekes Out A Win In A Warm Up Game at Caddo Mills, 50-49, In OT
The Lady Cats Basketball Team has not had a game for 10 days so they knocked off some rust in a playoff warm up game at Caddo Mills Monday night, February 8. The Lady Cats squeezed by the Lady Foxes, 50-4, in overtime.
The game was not decided until the Lady Cats made a steal in the game’s final few seconds. Addisyn Wall appears to be ready for the playoffs as she led the Lady Cats with 18 points on six made 3-point baskets. Wall’s three at the buzzer in regulation tied the game, 43-43 and sent it into overtime. Wall also hit a three in overtime to give the Lady Cats an early boost in the extra time. Kenzie Willis had 12 points that included two baskets in overtime. Nylah Lindley added 8 points, Bre’Asia Ivery had 6 points, Dalanee Myles scored 4 points and Addy Lamb scored 2 points.
The Lady Cats started nicely and led 14-8 after the first quarter. By halftime, the Lady Cats lead shrunk to 1 point as they led 24-23. Both teams managed just 9 third quarter points and the Lady Cats continued to be up by one, 33-32. The Lady Foxes surged ahead in the fourth quarter and at one point had an 8 point lead.
The win improves the Lady Cats season record to 16-7. The stakes go up quite a bit for the Lady Cats in their next game as they open the playoffs with a bi-district game with the Nacogdoches Lady Dragons Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Athens.
Atmos Energy Donated Multi-Gas Detector To Hopkins County Fire Department
Atmos Energy donated a multi-gas detector to Hopkins County Fire Department to help keep them and the company’s crews work safer when dispatched to an incident involving any type of gas leak.
“We received this a few months back, but due to COVID, we were not able to do an official presentation. Atmos has really stepped up this past year. We’ve actually had some training done at the fire department in cooperation of Sulphur Springs Fire Department. We’re able to keep all first responders, including the workers at Atmos, safer on scenes,” Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley said.
The device could be used in a number of situations, including a vehicle backing over a gas meter or a gas line that breaks under ground. The device detected four different types of gases including propane.
“That way we can help one another. The agencies know what they are needing from each other. This multi-gas meter actually helps us when we’re going out, whether there’s a gas odor, or whatever it might be. It helps us detect what kind of gas it might be that way we’ll know the appropriate channel to take on that. It’s a very much needed tool that goes in our toolbox. Atmos donated that to us. We are very appreciative of that and want to recognize that for what all they did for us,” Endsley said.
“We really appreciate our partnership. Chief Endsley has been really wonderful to us too as well as in the county. We did do a training. We offer that just as a service. It’s really a service to us. I know that it’s a service to them to, but it helps us when our guys get a hit line, whether it’s from a contractor or a community worker or anything. I always tell people nine times out of 10 its somebody building a fence in their backyard and they don’t call locates,” said Beth Dattomo, Atmos manger of public affairs. “This helps us. This is the detector that our guys, every single one of them, has on their truck. So it helps us for you guys to use it on yours.”
Atmos also offers for the department to calibrate the devices at the Atmos offices, which they’ve done with both Hopkins County and Sulphur Springs Fire Departments, according to the Atmos public affairs manager. That, Endsley said, was very beneficial not only in the service but also financially, as the department was not out the cost of having the device calibrated.
“Anything else we can contribute or donate, I always tell them, please reach out if they are working on something. We just appreciate our partnership with you guys,” Dattomo said.
“They are always out there to help us. We always appreciate Atmos and what they do for us,” Endsley said.
The meter matches the one donated last year to Sulphur Springs Fire Department. Endsley said they asked that they be the same so that regardless of which personnel grabs it, they’ll know from their training how to read and work them during situations involving gases.
Atmos was recognized for the donation during the regular Feb. 8 meeting of Hopkins County Commissioners Court.
Other Business
Also during the meeting, Endsley asked the Court to approve a memorandum or understanding with Statewide Interoperability Coordination (known as SWIC). Endsley said officials were made aware of the MOU last year when they were finishing up a no match Homeland Security grant that allowed the county to purchased six mobile radios to go in the county’s mobile command trailer. SWIC makes sure that all frequencies are in check and that the county has all of the required licensing. During that, he did not realize that the county was required to have an MOU with SWIC for that. The MOU is an administrative formality to have that in place. The court approved the MOU with SWIC.
Endsley also asked the court to consider approving a Homeland Security grant application to be sent to the Office of the Governor requesting $18,315 to purchase two thermal imaging cameras to be used not only by the fire department but also by the law enforcement on the SWAT team. Thermal imagers are “very useful tools” that could be utilized for hazardous materials situations, structural firefighting and for the SWAT team as well.
“We need this resolution to move forward on this Homeland Security grant. It’s a great program that we do it every year. We have done some years joint with the City of Sulphur Springs. They have since then stopped the regional grant, and are just moving forward with individual counties and cities doing their own. It’s a very good program. The City of Sulphur Springs actually did this same grant last year for thermal cameras for their fire department and haz-mat team,” Endsley said. “It’s a very useful tool”
The court gave unanimous approval of the resolution approving the submission of the grant application for the imaging devices.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report – Feb. 1-7, 2021
The Winnsboro Police Department media report for the week of Feb. 1-7, 2021, included the following activity:
Arrests
- Justin Cable, 31 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on Feb. 7, 2021 on a Smith County warrant for DWI and for possession of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance, four grams or more but less than 400 grams, in a drug free zone.
Calls for Service
- The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 135 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
- The Winnsboro Police Department issued 36 citations and 45 warnings during this reporting period.
COVID-19 Vaccinations Distributed At Some CHRISTUS Locations By Appointment For Patients Who Meet Phase1B Criteria
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs Business News
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
Sulphur Springs, Texas, February 8, 2021 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ. In honor of American Heart Month – the month of February – we encourage you to check on your heart!
For a flat rate of $75, you can have a Coronary Calcium Screening. To see if you require a referral and/or to schedule, call our team at 903.438.4543. It could save your life.
Blood Plasma Donation Interest
If you have had COVID-19, but not yet received the Covid-19 vaccine, and would be interested in donating plasma, please contact Holly Ragan via email at [email protected] for more information. Blood supplies are in a shortage, and all donations would be greatly appreciated.
Hospital Visitation
For the safety and health of the community and our ministry, CHRISTUS Health is screening all associates and visitors to our hospitals to help lessen the risk of infectious disease transmission among our patients, associates, and guests.
- (1) Entrance to hospital through Emergency Department 24/7
- (1) Visitor per patient
- Visitors must be between the ages of 16-years old and 65-years old
- All visitors are screened at the door, including a temperature taken
- All associates are screened at each shift, including a temperature taken
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (subject to change)
- ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable.
Clinic Services
New Staff
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is excited to welcome Family Practice Physician, Laura Kosub, MD to our team. Dr. Kosub will see patients at the CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Primary Care Building 1, three days per week. Nikki Collins, Family Nurse Practitioner will be available to care for her patients on other days. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kosub or Nikki Collins, FNP, please call the clinic at 903-885-3181.
Our hearts are here for yours
Advanced Heart Care and CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances have delivered heart care in Northeast Texas for over 40 years. Together we will continue to provide leading-edge heart care to the communities we serve. You can be confident that your heart is in the best hands with the experienced team of board certified cardiologists at Advanced Heart Care. The scope of their services include: Cardiology, Heart Rhythm Specialists, Concierge Services, Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention, and Second Opinion Clinic. Within the hospital, we have 24/7 STEMI coverage and 24/7 Cath Lab. If you are experiencing signs of a heart attack, don’t wait – come see us and our team of specialists at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital. To reach Advanced Heart Care local office, call 903.885.3059.
COVID-19 Vaccines
At this time, vaccinations will be distributed by appointment only, and only for those patients who meet the Phase1B criteria. Vaccine appointments can be made by visiting christushealth.org and clicking on the yellow chat icon on the homepage to connect you with Christy, our virtual assistant. If you agree to the terms, when she asks, “how can I help you” select “Vaccine information.” Next, choose, “Am I eligible for the vaccine?” You will then be prompted to answer a few screening questions prior to choosing a location nearest you and scheduling an appointment. As of January 4, 2021, vaccinations are being offered by appointment only. If appointments are full, you can select other locations or check back regularly, as appointments are being added as supplies become available.
Urgent Care
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Urgent Care, located at 1339 South Broadway St. in Sulphur Springs, is open. The Urgent Care hours are Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The phone number to reach Urgent Care is 903.951.1001. The Urgent Care offers rapid COVID-19 tests, with results in 15 minutes.
COVID-19
Experiencing Symptoms?
If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, cough, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, chills, muscle pain or headache, or diarrhea, please call your provider for either a face-to-face appointment or a telemedicine consultation. If your provider determines you need to have a COVID-19 test, they will send you to the appropriate outpatient location for testing. If you are experiencing an emergency, please present to the Emergency Room. At this time, we are preserving our Emergency Room COVID-19 tests for those who are experiencing an emergency. Otherwise, we would ask that you follow the steps above. If you do not have a healthcare provider, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic welcomes new patients. Please call 903.885.3181 to talk to one of our associates about setting up an appointment.
Don’t Delay Care
We want to be perfectly clear – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances remains a safe place for all to receive quality care. Go to the Emergency Department or call 9-1-1 if you are urgently ill. While COVID-19 is new, our processes and procedures in place for infection prevention and preventing the spread of illness are not. To learn more about COVID-19, go to ChristusTMF.org or www.cdc.gov.
# # #
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties. For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
