TWC: Reimbursing Employers Payment Deadlines for 2020 Extended to March 1, 2021
AUSTIN –The Texas Workforce Commission today extended payment deadlines for the first, second and third quarters of 2020, to March 1, 2021, to match the fourth quarter 2020 bills for designated reimbursing employers that are required to pay a share of unemployment benefits.
Designated reimbursing employers include non-profits, local governments, school districts, and other qualifying employers who reimburse TWC for the full amount of unemployment benefits to be paid to eligible former employees.
Reimbursing employers have begun receiving their eligible 50% credit payments for their bills under the Federal CARES Act legislation, which TWC began implementing in October. Employers will be receiving additional information regarding their reimbursements and account information later this month.
Although this deadline extension does not alter an employer’s obligation to pay its bill, interest and penalty charges corresponding to the extension period for the year 2020 will be not be assessed during that time period. Any tax, penalty, or interest owed prior to the year 2020 is not subject to this extension and will not be waived. Instead, it provides more time for these employers to secure resources to meet these and other liabilities while they deal with the implications of COVID-19. This extension also does not delay or prevent Texans who qualify for unemployment benefits from receiving benefits.
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The Texas Workforce Commission is a state agency dedicated to helping Texas employers, workers and communities prosper economically. For details on TWC and the services it offers in coordination with its network of local workforce development boards, call 512-463-8942 or visit www.texasworkforce.org.
Hospital District Board To Discuss Potential Sale Of Interest In CHRISTUS Hopkins Health Alliance
Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors Thursday are slated to consider a number of items during the regular December meeting including the sale of the district’s interest in CHRISTUS Hopkins Health Alliance.
The last item on the Dec. 14 agenda calls for an executive session to “discuss the potential sale of the District’s interest in a joint venture known as CHRISTUS Hopkins Health Alliance.” Afterward, they are to return to open session to consider approving “a Letter of Intent with CHRISTUS regarding the potential sale of the District’s interest in a joint venture known as CHRISTUS Hopkins Health Alliance and associated release of information.”
CHRISTUS Hopkins Health Alliance is the name announced in 2016 for the corporate partnership created between CHRISTUS Health and Hopkins County Hospital District, with controlling interest in and management of Hopkins County Memorial Hospital going to CHRISTUS and the remaining 49 percent ownership held by the Hospital District. Hopkins County Memorial Hospital was renamed CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs and the clinics became CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic-Sulphur Springs and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic-Emory.
CHRISTUS Hopkins Health Alliance, composed of those appointed by the local hospital and those appointed by CHRISTUS, was to be responsible for hospital budget oversight, reviewing credential of doctors locally, and strategic planning. The Hospital District Board, under the 2016 agreement, then is responsible for ensuring the hospital district is viable, indigent care is viable, and continue their oversight of nursing homes affiliated with the hospital. The hospital district board has no responsibility toward the running of the hospital and clinic.
During the open portion of the regular December meeting of Hopkins County Hospital District Board of Directors meetings, which begins at noon Dec. 17 at Clarion Point Hotel, the board is slated to consider a tax abatement for D6, Inc., and a request from Solemio LLC, the proposed solar project in Arbala, to extend the time to complete the project.
Workers compensation, and property and casualty are to be reviewed and renewal are also on the agenda for the hospital district board to consider Thursday.
To be presented for approval are two capital requests, two cardiac monitors and an ambulance stretcher; funding for both were budgeted for fiscal year 2021, according to the Dec. 17 agenda.
Preliminary financial statements for September 2020, EMS and construction update for a new EMS station are also on the agenda, along with nursing home reports, and an update from Ministry President and Chief Executive Officer, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Sulphur Springs Paul Harvey on CHRISTUS Hopkins Health Alliance also are to be presented Thursday.
Email Request To Validate Profile Information With TDLR Is A Phishing Scam
AUSTIN – An unknown number of people appear to have been targeted with an email that asks them to validate their profile information with Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. TDLR did not send the email, and the agency urges anyone who received it to delete the email without clicking on the link or confirming or providing any personal information.
A TDLR licensee alerted the agency to the scam email. TDLR notified the Texas Department of Information Resources, and the TDLR Information Security team is investigating.
The email appears to come from TDLR but has a return email address that does not belong to the agency. Recipients are falsely told that TDLR is requiring all licensees to validate their information no later than Dec. 24, 2020, or their next license renewal could be delayed. TDLR sent no such email.
If someone clicked on the link in the email, TDLR is advising them to reset their password on their TDLR account – and any other accounts they may have that use the same password.
It appears that the link in question is no longer active, but everyone is reminded to protect their personal information while they’re online:
- Never disclose your password to anyone, even a customer service representative from TDLR.
- If you are providing personal information to a state agency – or any company – make sure the site is encrypted before providing any personal information. Look for a key or lock on your screen. But do not assume this is safe, be sure you are connected to Texas.gov
- Use unique passwords when setting up an account. Don’t re-use passwords and avoid using your date of birth, Social Security number, or simple words as a password. Use a password manager to assist in creating and tracking secure passwords.
- Avoid sending personal information via email unless the security method used is specifically outlined and the data is encrypted.
- Use a secure browser.
About TDLR
TDLR provides regulatory oversight for a broad range of occupations, businesses, facilities, and equipment in Texas. The agency protects the health and safety of Texans by ensuring they are served by qualified, licensed professionals. Inspections of individuals, businesses, and equipment are done on a regular basis to safeguard the public. Currently, the agency regulates 39 business and occupational licensing programs with more than 1,000,000 licensees across the state.
Visit TDLR’s website for more information and resources. You can search the TDLR licensee database, and also find past violations in which a final order was issued against companies or individuals. TDLR’s Customer Service line is available anytime between 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 1-800-803-9202. TDLR representatives are fluent in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
1 Arrested For Assault, 2 Others Jailed On Assault Related Warrant
One man was arrested for assault and two others were jailed on one assault related warrant each, according to arrest and jail report.
Assault Warrant Served At Jail
A 34-year-old Sulphur Springs woman jailed Monday for disorderly conduct was held Tuesday on a felony assault warrant.
Sulphur Springs Police Special Crimes Unit Sgt. Joe Scott arrested Eva Maria Vargas at 2:54 p.m. December 14, 2020 on W.A. Street for disorderly conduct because of her continued use of obscene language after being warned to cease the profanity. She was reported for causing a disturbance by incessantly yelling and cussing at a female across the street from her.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Elijah Fite served Vargas, who was still in custody at the county jail on the misdemeanor charge at 9:27 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, with a warrant for violating probation on an assault of a family or household member that impeded breathing charge.
She was arrested on on June 18, 2020, on a warrant for the felony assault charge and remained in custody until her release on June 22, 2020, on a $10,000 bond on the charge.
She remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday, Dec. 15 on the violation of probation warrant.
Helm Lane Assault Arrest
A 25-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested at 3:51 p.m. Dec. 15 for allegedly assaulting his younger sister.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Tyler Francis responded at a Helm Lane apartment, where a disturbance was reported. Upon arrival, Francis was advised the 25-year-old had returned home and was destroying things. He allegedly admitted to throwing a black tablet at his sister. The sister had a large red mark across one side of her face, allegedly from being struck.
Consequently, the 25-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested on a Class A misdemeanor assault causing bodily injury to a family member charge. He remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning on the charge.
South Broadway Street Traffic Stop
Sulphur Springs Police Sgt. Matt Glenn stopped a white Chevrolet pickup at 11:39 p.m. Dec. 15 for a defective brake light and speeding in the 1700 block of South Broadway Street.
A records check showed the driver, 38-year-old Chase Craig Hudson of Sulphur Springs was wanted for violation of parole, which he was for injury to an elderly person. Consequently, Hudson was jailed on the parole warrant.
According to jail reports, he was arrested Aug. 6, 2014, on two injury to an elderly person (his grandparents) charges, then, received a 20-year sentence in August 2015 on one injury to an elderly charge. He was released on parole; the warrant alleges he violated his parole on the charge.
Hudson has been booked into Hopkins County jail more than 25 times since 2001, on a variety of charges, starting with falsely identifying himself as a police officer in 2001; and including impersonating a public servant in 2003 and 2006; DWI in 2003 and 2004; evading arrest or detention with a vehicle in 2007; resisting arrest in 2008; public intoxication in 2009; interference with an emergency call in August of 2014; silent or abusive call or electronic communication in November of 2014; and on a Franklin County aggravated perjury warrant on March 9, 2020.
Jail records also show that Hudson violated probation on the impersonating of a public servant charge in January and August of 2004, on the false ID of a police charge in August 2006. He too was sentenced to serve two years in Texas Department of Criminal Justice for impersonating an officer and two years for violation probation on an impersonating an officer charge in 2008.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
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.
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.
2021 Chamber Of Commerce Banquet Postponed
Chamber Connection — Dec. 17, 2020
By Lezley Brown, CEO/ president, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber Board of Directors has decided to postpone the Chamber of Commerce Banquet in 2021.
Typically, we celebrate in mid-February, but that is a bit too soon to host a group of that size indoors. We will announce when the new date is soon, and we will announce the call for nominations as well. It’s a crazy time,
you guys. What a lesson in patience this year has been. We’re going to hang in there and find a way! For now, stay tuned for more details, and enjoy Christmas!
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 all things to the see and do in Hopkins County. The best part is, they include an alphabetical and categorical listing of your business.
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. I’m proud to produce this book telling all about the place we love. I hope you will join me in the journey!
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 December 17, C-n-C Pro AV. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
Wildcats Basketball Team Gets Outscored By Faith Family Academy, 63-37, On The Road Tuesday
The Wildcats Basketball Team stayed fairly close to Faith Family Academy of Oak Cliff for the first half on the road Tuesday night, December 15, trailing by only 6 points.
The Eagles had a big last two quarters and ended up with a 63-37 win. The Wildcats only trailed 17-11 after one quarter and 25-19 at the half. Faith Family outscored the Wildcats 20-8 in the third quarter and 18-10 in the last quarter.
The Wildcats season record is now 7-5. After an open date Friday, the Wildcats will open district play next Tuesday at home against Pine Tree.
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 Basketball Team Falls To Texas High, 48-35, Tuesday on the Road
Lady Cats Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell said the Texas High Lady Tigers came out ready to play and seemed to want to win more than the Lady Cats in a 48-35 district loss Tuesday evening, December 15, in Texarkana. She said for some reason the Lady Cats came out a little flat.
Texas High is now 2-0 in district play and the Lady Cats are 1-1. The Lady Cats season record is 4-4.
The Lady Cats were led in scoring by sophomore Kenzie Willis who scored 15 points. Senior Bre’Asia Ivery had 9 points. Senior Dalanee Myles added 6 points. Senior Nylah Lindley scored 4 points. Baylie Large had 1 point.
The Lady Cats hope to bounce back Friday at home against the Marshall Lady Mavericks.
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.
Hoop Dreams Basketball Suspends 2021 Season
Pilot Club Hoop Dreams Special Needs Basketball Season 2021
From a press release from President Beverly Owens:
The membership of Sulphur Springs Pilot Club had hoped to wait till after the first of the year to make this difficult decision, but have received many calls asking about Hoop Dreams basketball. As you may know, Hoop Dreams Basketball involves many individuals, including Pilot Club members, Lions Club members, Teen Court buddies, and all the players and family members. Since our most important concern is for the safety of all the players, we would not want to put any of them into harms way of catching the COVID-19 virus. Most of the players are in the high risk category. Thus, we feel at this time that we just can’t put all these players at risk. We always have about 75+ people each week at the gym, that’s just too many in one place for safety, at this time. The Pilot Club of Sulphur Springs regrettably has decided to not hold Hoop Dreams basketball for the 2021 season.
2021 would be our 14th year for Hoop Dreams and we are all saddened, because the players look forward to it each year. We thank everyone for their enthusiastic support in seasons past.
Please keep us on the calendar for 2022. Because 2021 would have been the 14th year for Hoop Dreams, we believe that there will be a big celebration of 15 years for Hoop Dreams Basketball when 2022 arrives.
Beverley Owens
Pilot Club of Sulphur Springs
903-348-5121
903-439-6748
Hopkins County COVID-19 Case Counts By Age For The Last 2 Weeks
Over the last 2 weeks, Nov. 30-Dec. 13, Hopkins County has had 209 new cases, an 11 percent increase from the two week period ending on Nov. 29, according to Texas Department of State Health Services‘ Weekly Covid-19 Profile report released Dec. 15.
Case counts increased in all of eight of the 11 age categories DSHS breaks new COVID-19 cases from Nov. 30 to Dec. 13 into.
For the third straight week, there were no new COVID-19 cases among children ages 0-3 years; taking into account that each weekly report is for the 2 preceding weeks, that means no children age 3 or younger has tested COVID-19 had tested COVID-19 positive in the past four weeks.
Only two categories had fewer new cases during the past 2 weeks than the 2 week period before. Twenty-six Hopkins County residents age 70-71 tested positive during the last 2 week report period, down from 32 new cases reported for the two weeks ending Dec. 8. In fact, that’s the least number of new COVID-19 cases reported for this age group since the state began providing the weekly profiles.
During the current two-week period, there were 19 school aged cases, up from 9 last week, so it’s no surprise new cases in the two children’s age groups that fall within that range more than doubled over the last week; of course, both previously had less than 10 cases each during the report period ending Dec. 8
There were seven children ages 4-11 who received positive COVID-19 results over the last 2 weeks, up from three for the two-week period ending Dec. 8. That’s still one less than the Dec. 1 report and five fewer new cases than the Nov. 24 report.
Eleven new COVID-19 cases were reported among children ages 12-17, up from five in the Dec. 8 report and nine in the Dec. 1 report, but still five fewer new cases than the Nov. 24 report.
Only three new cases were reported in the last two weeks in youth ages 18-19 years, up from two during the Dec. 8 report period, but five less than the Nov. 24 report and two less than the Dec. 1 report.
There were nearly twice as many new cases among adults ages 80-120 years during the Dec. 15 report period than the six in the Dec. 8 report and 7 in Nov. 24 and Dec. 1 reports.
The age group with not only the most new cases but also the highest number of cases in Hopkins County from Nov. 30 to Dec. 13 was residents ages 40-49 years. There were 43 new cases in the Dec. 15 report, up from 34 on Dec. 8, 25 on Dec. 1 and 35 on Nov. 24.
Hopkins County residents ages 50-59 years and 60-69 years each had 33 new cases as of the Dec. 15 report. While that’s six less new cases among ages 50-59, that’s five additional cases for ages 60-69. Both of these categories had 40 or more cases during the Nov. 24 and Dec. 1 report periods.
There were 25 new cases among Hopkins County residents ages 20-29 years, four more than the Dec. 8 report, but three fewer new cases on Dec. 15 than the Dec. 1 report and six less than the Nov. 24 report.
Ages 30-39 years had one more new case during the last two-week period than the 16 reported Dec. 8. That’s still four less than the Dec. 1 report and 20 less than the Nov. 24 report.
| AGE | Nov. 24 | Dec. 1 | Dec. 8 | Dec. 15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 Years | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4-11 Years | 12 | 8 | 3 | 7 |
| 12-17 Years | 16 | 9 | 5 | 11 |
| 18-19 Years | 8 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| 20-29 Years | 33 | 28 | 21 | 25 |
| 30-39 Years | 37 | 21 | 16 | 17 |
| 40-49 Years | 35 | 25 | 34 | 43 |
| 50-59 Years | 40 | 44 | 39 | 33 |
| 60-69 Years | 43 | 41 | 28 | 33 |
| 70-79 Years | 28 | 30 | 32 | 26 |
| 80-120 Years | 7 | 7 | 6 | 11 |
Dec. 15 COVID-19 Update: 2 Fatalities, 186 Recoveries, 2 New Molecular Cases
The Dec. 15 COVID-19 updates for Hopkins County showed a drop in the patient count in the hospital COVID unit and a significant drop in active COVID-19 cases in Hopkins County, as well as a large number of COVID-19 recoveries recoveries on Tuesday. Unfortunately, two additional Hopkins County COVID-19 fatalities and 14 new and probable cases were also reported. The number of people tested at the free site in Sulphur Springs also rose Monday.
Dec. 15 COVID-19 Case Counts
Texas Department of State Health Services’ Dec. 15 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard showed a cumulative total of 974 Hopkins County residents have been confirmed by molecular testing to be COVID-19 since March. That’s two more Hopkins County residents who tested positive for COVID-19 Tuesday, the same as on Monday. for a total of 142 new confirmed molecular COVID-19 tests during the first half half of December.
The Dec. 14 COVID 19 Case Counts dashboard also showed a dozen more probable COVID-19 cases were also reported, for a total of 70 new probable case reported by DSHS in the last five days. Overall, 993 probable cases have been recorded for Hopkins County since June 23, when the state began tracking the data.
According to DSHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to be considered a “probable” case a person has either tested positive through an antigen test or has a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis.
For the first time in five days, DSHS reported “new” recoveries. On Dec. 15, 186 additional Hopkins County residents were considered to have recovered from COVID-19, increasing the cumulative total number of recoveries from among both case categories to 1,806
The low number of new and probable cases and high number of recoveries helped reduce the overall active COVID-19 case count among Hopkins County residents from 273 cases on Monday, Dec. 14, to 99 cases on Dec. 15. That’s the first time in five days there have been fewer than 200 active cases, according to the DSHS dashboard and cases over time by county data.
Hospital Reports
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials in the Dec. 15 COVID-19 update reported four fewer patient count in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs than the high of 26 cases on Monday. Tuesday was the second day this month in which 22 patients were being treated in the COVID unit at the hospital; there were also 22 COVID-19 positive patients in the hospital on Dec. 9.
In Trauma Service Area F, which includes CMFH-SS and other Northeast Texas hospitals, 146 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients were in the hospital, one less than on Monday. Overall, COIVD-19 patients continued to make up 13.61 percent of the total hospital capacity in TSA-F on Dec. 15.
TSA F was reported to have 1,073 total staffed hospital beds on Tuesday, seven less than on Monday. Total hospitalizations in Area F decreased by 9 to 609 on Dec. 15. The total number of staffed inpatient beds decreased from 989 on Monday to 982 on Tuesday.
Two more hospital beds were available in Area F hospitals on Dec. 15 than the 371 on Monday. Eight ICU beds and 66 ventilators were available Tuesday in TSA F, which is one less available ICU bed and 6 less ventilators.
Testing Report
The DSHS Test and Hospital Data Dashboard also showed a total of 13,827,191 COVID-19 tests had been conducted in Texas as of Dec. 14, including 12,275 COVID-19 tests from Hopkins Count.
Hopkins County also accounts for 902 of the 922,161 antigen tests conducted across the state, and 1,075 of the 621,818 antibody tests Performed in Texas through Dec. 14..
Of the 12,283,212 molecular COVID screenings conducted in Texas since May, 10,298 were performed in Hopkins County.
HC/SSEM officials in the Dec. 15 COVID-19 update reported that 182 of the molecular tests were performed at the free testing site on Dec. 14, That’s 565 oral swab tests performed in the last week, and 1,096 so far this month and 5,627 since the testing center at 128-A Jefferson St. opened on Sept. 25.
Free testing continues in the Red Cross (old Fidelity Express) building from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and starting at 9 a.m. Saturdays throughout the month of December.
| Tests Category | December 14 | December 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular Tests | 10,204 | 10,298 |
| Antigen Tests | 889 | 902 |
| Antibody Tests | 1,071 | 1,075 |
| Total Testing | 12164 | 12275 |
COVID-19 Fatalities
The Dec. 15 COVID-19 dashboard showed 62 Hopkins County residents have died from COVID-19 since the pandemic began, that’s two new COIVD-19 deaths confirmed by death certificate for Hopkins County.
Five Hopkins County residents have died from COVID-19 in December, and all within the first week of the month: one each on Dec. 1, Dec. 2, Dec. 3, Dec. 6 and Dec. 7, according to the DSHS Dec. 15 COVID-19 Fatalities Over Time by County report. That matches Nov. 1-15 when five COVID-19 deaths occurred as well. There were twice as many fatalities reported Oct. 1-15, however.
