Hopkins County United Way Recognized Lead Donors At Luncheon
Hopkins County United Way recognized lead donors to the 2019-2020 fundraising campaign at a special luncheon hosted Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Representatives from the top contributors were invited to the kickoff luncheon, sponsored by Alliance Bank and hosted at Sulphur Springs Country Club.
The top 15 contributors to the campaign include:
- Flowserve
- CHRISTUS Mother Frances
- Sulphur Springs ISD
- GSC Enterprises
- UPS
- City National Bank
- Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
- Alliance Bank
- Holt CAT
- Jay Hodge Chevrolet
- City of Sulphur Springs
- Hopkins County Hospital District EMS/Communications.
- Sulta Manufacturing, Inc.
- Clayton Homes and
- Oncor.
Officers also recognized the contribution of the Zahn Family Charitable Trust.
Thanks to the generosity of these and many other businesses, individuals and organizations, the 2019-2020 campaign exceeded the goal by more $24,410, with a little over $189,410 collected.
HCUW Co-Presidents Bill and Beverley Owens offered thanks to “anyone who has helped out,” no matter the size of their gift to HCUW, for making a difference to the individual served by the organizations that benefit from the campaign.
“Anyone that helps us out, helps our community out — especially in a year like this — is so appreciated. It doesn’t matter so much how much it is, it’s what it is. Your gift is appreciated so much,” Bill Owens said.
“Each of you were a hero. We appreciate each business, employees and individual donations that stood in the gap to help others. We know that this year has been a little different, but God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love. With each of us united together with your continued support we can meet and exceed this year’s Hopkins County United Way goal again,” Beverley Owens said.
Many in attendance at Wednesday’s luncheon, in addition to contributing to the annual campaign, taken on active roles in HCUW and have continued to faithfully serve for many years. Others are new to HCUW but are committed to continuing the organization’s tradition of service and fundraising to benefit county residents of all ages through nonprofit organizations allocated funding in the annual campaign.
Acknowledged as members of HCUW Board of Directors were Chuck Askins, Larry Crowson, Debra Evans, Markeda Fisher, Charlotte Henderson, Mike Horne, Mike Jumper, Sherry McGRaw, Kristy Moseley, Beverley Owens, Bill Owens and Larry Willis.
Recognized for service on the 2020-21 HCUW Budget and Allocations Committee were Lezley Bown, Markeda Fisher, Charlotte Henderson, Mike Horne, Beverley Owens and Bill Owens.
Due to the economic impact of the pandemic on many, HCUW this year decided to lower the campaign goal to $150,000. Seeing an even greater need among the nonprofit organization that benefit from the campaign the agency scaled back but this year has allocated funding to assist 19 community organizations.
HCUW 2020-21 Campaign Chair Mike Horne said in a time of social distancing and social injustices, the goal of HCUW is to all come together to help the community.
“This is a very loving and giving community. I am grateful to be the chair,” Horne said. “We live in a wonderful community. Most here are blessed to not need these agencies personally. I’m glad they are here to help, glad there is help for less fortunate in the community.”
“You are the bridge. Your donations and organizations help serve the people of Hopkins County. You can be assured your contributions will be used wisely. We hope you will continue to support United Way in some capacity. We appreciate your past support and appreciate everything you are able to give,” HCUW Executive Secretary Susan Berning said.
Horne will be available during the upcoming weeks of the campaign if any business or organization would like him to visit in person or via Zoom or other conferencing platform to talk about HCUW and this year’s campaign. He can be reached at Latson’s or contact Berning at 903-243-4066.
Donations may also be mailed to HCUW Campaign Headquarters, PO Box 735, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482-0735; or may also be made via the HCUW Facebook page, where information about the 19 agencies allocated funding this year will also be featured.
KSST Video Interns: Two Twins Variety Store
KSST is proud to support local students by offering intern opportunities throughout the school year. It’s a tradition that reaches back to the early days of KSST radio in Hopkins County. This semester we have a total of 5 interns working with our stations.
Interns are encouraged to work together to create projects that have a positive impact on our community. On the whole they are allowed to pursue topics they choose. We do give them a nudge every now and then.
They would love to hear feedback on all their work. Feel free to email feedback and/or story ideas to [email protected].
Wildcats Football Head Coach Discusses Wakeland Loss and Upcoming Home Opener
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens was not thrilled with the result of Friday night’s tough loss to the Frisco Wakeland Wolverines, as the Wildcats lost 38-10.
Coach Owens says there was a lot of growth in a lot of areas, as Coach Owens says he’s got some players that are still “wide-eyed” due to the glitz and glamour associated with Friday Night Lights.
Real-time game experience is pivotal, Coach Owens argues, because these players who for the first time on a Friday night, [are] learning the pace of the game, [people] learn how quick momentum can swing.”
“When you have your opportunities you need to take advantage of that,” Coach Owens said, and took a step further by admitting “that’s what [the Wildcats] didn’t do.”
Coach Owens praised the play of the Wildcat offensive-line, calling them physical, and thought the running backs did a great job of running.
Senior Kaden Wallace, QB for the Wildcats, with the exception of a few throws, “had a good night of throwing the football,” Coach Owens said.
Wildcats HC Greg Owens believes the team has to play tough, situational football. At one point during the third quarter, with the Wolverines leading 21-7, the Wildcats drove down the field in what looked to be a drive that would end with at least three points.
Instead, a Wallace throw was intercepted by the Wolverines, and shortly thereafter, the Wolverines scored a touchdown. The Wolverines led 28-7, with Wildcat hopes for a comeback all but thwarted.
“[Receivers] have to catch the catchable balls,” Coach Owens said, so the Wildcats can take the easy yards when they get them so the team doesn’t get bad put in bad situations.
Coach Owens said “It’s cliche, but we’re just trying to get better one day at a time, one play at a time, one game at a time,” adding that is what the team is attempting to do right now.
“That’s what we’re doing right now; pushing forward, trying to grow these guys up as quickly as we can.”
One thing is for sure; it will be a tough slog as the Lucas Lovejoy Leopards travel to Gerald Prim Stadium in Sulphur Springs to play the Wildcats this Friday at 7:30 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.
Volleyball, Cross Country, and Football on Tap This Game Day Friday
On this game day Friday (October 2), there is Lady Cats Volleyball, Sulphur Springs Cross Country, and Wildcats Football on the schedule.
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team, who are 4-5 this season, were to be playing in only their third home game of the still-young regular season Tuesday evening. Unfortunately for the Lady Cats, the Mount Pleasant varsity team has been quarantined due to COVID-19. They ended up forfeiting the game, making the Lady Cats Volleyball Team 4-5 on the season thus far.
Later this afternoon they will be traveling out to Texarkana to play Texas High, with the Varsity game scheduled to kick off at 4:30 P.M. JV Blue and JV gold will follow afterwards.
Next is the Cross Country team. Last Saturday at a meet held at LeTourneau University in Longview, the Lady Cats ended up 2nd in their competition, with the Wildcats placing 5th as well.
The team will have themselves a district preview at the Mt. Pleasant Titus County Fair Invitational, held in — you guessed it — Mt. Pleasant.
Last, but not least, the Sulphur Springs Wildcat Football team will be playing in their home opener tonight at Gerald Prim Stadium at 7:30 P.M.
The Wildcats will be hoping to rebound from a tough loss last week to the Frisco Wakeland Wolverines, as they host the Lucas Lovejoy Leopards. While last week’s season opening loss to Wakeland was held at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, where Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas plays, tonight’s game will be played a tad bit closer to home.
If you can, come out to Gerald Prim stadium tonight to support the Wildcats as they host the Lucas Lovejoy Leopards. If not, be sure to tune in to our livestream of the game on our website.
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.
3 More COVID-19 Deaths, 17 New Cases, 8 Recoveries Reported For Hopkins County On Oct. 1
October is off to a rocky start in Hopkins County. Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials reported 8 new recoveries and 17 new positive COVID-19 cases, while the state reported 3 more COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County on Oct. 1.
That’s the fourth day in a row that HC/SSEM officials have announced additional recoveries from COVID-19, for a total of 44 recoveries reported during that time. Since March, 291 of the 378 Hopkins County residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered. Unfortunately, the high number of cases reported Oct. 17 increased the the number of active cases among Hopkins County residents from 78 to 87.
The number of patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs was almost cut in half, decreasing from 15 patients on Sept. 30 to 8 patients on Oct. 1.
Another 45 COVID-19 tests were performed at the free testing site on Sept. 30. That’s at least 843 free molecular swab testing conducted in Hopkins County in September, including 210 since free testing resumed in Sulphur Springs on Sept. 25.
The free COVID-19 testing continues from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays through late October in the County Annex Building, 128-A Jefferson St., located behind the Tax Assessor/Collector’s offices. Preregister online at GoGetTested.com.
Texas Department of State Health Services on Oct. 1 reported 3 new COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County, increasing the total number of Hopkins County coronavirus deaths to 11. The Hopkins County residents are reported to have died on Sept. 22, Sept. 24 and Sept. 28, according to the DSHS report.
Six Hopkins County residents were reported to have died in August and 2 in July as a result of COVID-19: two on Aug. 17; one each on July 17, July 23, Aug. 2, Aug. 4, Aug. 7 and Aug. 28. Two Hopkins County residents also
COVID-19 deaths, since July, are assigned when COVID-19 is listed as the cause of death on death certificates sent to the state office of Vital Statistics. Because death certificates aren’t necessarily filed the day the person dies, the death may not be reflected in the DSHS reports for 1-2 weeks.
Texas Health and Human Services’s Oct. 1 nursing home report showed 1 more employee had recovered and one additional employee tested positive for COVID-19 at Carriage House Manor on Sept. 17. That brings the total number of CHM employees who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus 2019 to 27, with 21 employee cases still active on Sept. 17.
Two additional CMH residents had recovered from COVID-19 on Sept. 17, but 1 more resident also tested positive. That’s 18 total CHM residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, including 3 who have recovered, according to the HHS nursing home report.
The HHS Oct. 1 assisted living facilities report showed no active COVID-19 cases in either residents or employees of Sulphur Springs assisted living facilities on Sept. 17.
There also were no active COVID-19 cases among employees and students at Hopkins County child care facilities on Sept. 30, according to the HHS Oct. 1 report.
VFDs In Hopkins County Benefit From Community Fundraiser, CARES Act
Thursday was a big day for the volunteer fire departments in Hopkins County. All VFDs in Hopkins County benefitted from a community fundraiser and CARES Act funding.
Jason Tully started a program to help raise funds for the county’s 11 VFDs who are even lower on funding than usual since many weren’t able to hold their usual fundraisers this year.
Tully encouraged the community to make donations either at his insurance business downtown or directly to the fire department. All funds donated over the last month were posted on a board for the community to see outside the insurance office.
He also encouraged a friendly competition to spur additional donations between departments, with an additional $1,000 going to the top raising department. Saltillo VFD received the bonus.
“We had a great turn out, not just to us but directly to you [the VFDs] and you reported that back to us and we tallied all of that, and we raised a little over $20,000 in that 1-month time frame,” Tully said.
Overall, Tully Thursday reported approximately $20,000 in donations were raised over the last month to help out the county’s VFDs. Some contributions were made to specific departments, and others donated toward the common good.
Tully Thursday morning handed out checks for the amounts collected through the fundraiser and expressed his personal appreciation as well as that of the community to the many volunteers who donate their time to help serve the community. He said seeing the potential impact of the fundraiser, he said likely will host another one next year.
Judge Robert Newsom and Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley also Thursday announced 49 air cylinders to help VFDs replace equipment that is out of date and in some cases to provide the life saving equipment for those lacking enough to property protect members.
Endsley explained that the county was able to use CARES Act funding to purchase the 49 SCBAs. He explained that the departments’ standard operating procedures when responding with EMS personnel requires proper personal protective equipment. If a VFD member is inside of a residence for an extended period of time, depending on the situation, wearing breathing apparatus could prove beneficial.
With a large volume of cylinders at each VFD expiring, purchasing the 49 SCBAs with a portion of the CARES Act funding allocated to Hopkins County could help ensure the volunteers have breathing apparatus available to respond. The request was submitted to and approved by Texas Department of Emergency Management
He credited Beth Wisenbaker, Hopkins County Commissioners Court and Judge Newsom as aiding in the process to see the funding allocated to benefit the community via the VFDs. Funds was available for 49 cylinders. That did not divide evenly among 11 departments. All VFDs received 4 new air cylinders. Departments that also respond to calls with engines for structural firefighting also received one additional unit.
“All 11 departments are going to be able to walk away with the cylinders today which is a great thing in Hopkins County. We appreciate everything every one of ya’ll do for us,” Endsley said.
The SCBAs were bundled and labeled for each department to collect following the presentations.
“We’re super excited. We can do our job with 2-in and 2-out. This will make firefighters safer,” said Arbala VFD Chief Brian Fairchild. “Our cylinders are out of date and with our growth, we are appreciative.”
“All of my at Miller Grove are out this month, in October. This came in the nick of time,” Miller Grove VFD Assistant Chief Ray Sparks said.
“This is really good for us,” said Sulphur Bluff Chief Chris Bassham, noting that it will be especially beneficial in replacing expired cylinders and to go on the new truck. “I’m excited. This will help us. The Commissioners did good on it.”
A Cumby VFD member noted that the donations and cylinders will benefit everyone.
“I appreciate the hard work of former Commissioner Beth Wisenbaker, the Commissioners Court, Fire Chief Andy Endsley and the judge for doing this for us. it’s invaluable what this will do for us. it means so much to us. We are thankful for it, to be able to replace out of o date equipment,” said North Hopkins-South Sulphur VFD Chief Bobby Harris.
2 Weeks Worth Of COVID-19 Data For Texas School Districts Released By State
Texas Department of State Health Services Wednesday released 2 weeks worth of COVID-19 data for Texas school districts, including those in Hopkins County. The data about public schools was originally slated to be released on Sept. 23, but, due to “issues resulting from the integration of the school COVID case report data set with the school enrollment data set,” individual district data was not available until Sept. 30. Two reports were provided on Wednesday, one for the week of Sept. 14-20 and another for the week of Sept. 21-27.
TEA this year directed all school districts to submit information about COVID-19 cases going back to the start of the school year. Information is submitted via an online form each Monday by those school systems that were notified in the previous week that a student, teacher, or staff member who participates in any on-campus activity has tested positive for a current COVID-19 infection. Antibody tests, which indicate a previous infection, are not required to be reported, TEA and DSHS noted in a release.
The weekly state reports do not “replace the legal requirement that schools notify public health officials in their area of all cases.” Schools are still required, per TEA guidelines to inform all parents, teachers, and campus staff of any positive cases tied to their on-campus instruction or activities.
As a whole, 5,725 of the 1,080,317 students enrolled in Texas public schools and 4,132 of the 800,078 staff on campuses had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Sept. 27.
Student cases counts at public schools across the state steadily increased from 2 student cases on Aug. 2 to 1,521 student cases on Aug. 20. Last week, Sept 21-27, was a little better for students, declining to 1,490 student cases on campus during the week.
The number of Texas public school staff members who received positive COVID-19 results during the week has continued to increase from 30 during the week of Aug. 6 to 819 the week of Sept. 21-27.
Increases in the number of cases through the first week of August could also be due in part to the varied fall semester start dates of school districts across the state and even in Hopkins County.
In 6 of the 7 Hopkins County school districts, 60 students and 23 staff members were reported to have tested positive for COVID-19 from July 27-Sept. 27. Of those 83 COVID-91 cases, the source of infection was reported to be on campus in 18 cases, off campus in 9 cases and unknown for the remaining 56 cases, according to the Sept. 27 DSHS/TEA report.
DSHS/HHS noted that the weekly state reports may vary from data reported by school districts as the information is counted one week at a time by the state, but often is updated daily by schools.
Como-Pickton CISD
In Hopkins County, Como-Pickton reported 554 of the students enrolled were on-campus during the first week of school. The two reports indicated no active COVID-19 cases in either of the last 2 reporting weeks.
CPCISD has cumulatively since July 27 had 2 students in grades 4-6, 19 students in grades 7-12 and 3 staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19. Of those, 12 individuals were thought to have been on campus, 4 off campus when infected and the district was uncertain of the source of infection in 8 cases, according to the DSHS/TEA report.
Cumby ISD
Cumby ISD reported 371 of the 422 students enrolled in the district attended classes on campus during the first week of school. During the week of Sept. 14-20 two students in grades 7-12 and two staff members tested positive for COVID-19, with the source of infection considered to be on campus in three cases and off campus in one case.
During the week of Sept. 21-27, Cumby 3 new student cases for grades 7-12 were reported with the source of infection off-campus for 1 and unknown for the other 2 cases.
Cumulatively, from July 27-Sept. 27 Cumby ISD reported 7 COVID-19 cases among 7-12th grade students and 3 staff cases. Of those, on campus was reported as the source of infection in 3 cases, off campus in 2 cases and unknown in 5 other cases.
Miller Grove ISD
Miller Grove ISD reported 276 of the 307 students enrolled in the district during the first week of school attended classes on campus. No additional data was available for MGISD in report, which DSHS/TEA reports is an indication “no report has been received for a given district in the indicated time period.”
North Hopkins ISD
DSHS/TEA report no enrollment reports were received from North Hopkins ISD for the first week of school and on-campus enrollment.
NHISD, during the week of Sept. 14-20 reported one new case among students in grades 7-12; the source of infection was unknown.
During the week of Sept. 21-27, NHISD reported a new case each among students in grades 4-6 and 7-12 and two staff cases; the source of infection was unknown.
Cumulatively, from July 27-Sept. 27, NHISD reported 1 case among students in grades 4-6, 3 cases among students in grades 7-12 and 3 staff cases. Of those cases, the source of infection for 1 case was reported to be off campus; the source for the rest were unknown, according to the DSHS/TEA report.
Saltillo ISD
Saltillo ISD reported 219 of the 270 student enrolled on the first week of school attended classes on-campus.
No active case data was reported for Sept. 14-20 for the district, only a cumulative case count.
During the week of Sept. 21-27, Saltillo ISD reported one new case among students in grades 7-12 and the source of infection was believed to have been on campus.
Cumulatively, from July 27-Sept. 27, the district reported having 1 student enrolled in classes from early education through 3rd grade and 1 student in grades 7-12; the source of infection for both cases was reported to be on campus.
Sulphur Bluff ISD
Sulphur Bluff ISD reported 214 of the 225 students enrolled on the first week of school attended classes on campus.
No active cases data was reported for SBISD on either of the two reporting weeks, according to the DSHS/TEA report. However, a cumulative total was provided both weeks, and did not change./
Cumulatively, from July 27-Sept. 27, SBISD reported 1 student in a grade serving students from early education through 3rd grade, 2 students in grades 4-6, 3 students in grades 7-12 and 1 staff members were reported to have tested positive for COVID-19. Of those cases, SBISD reported the source for 1 case was reported to be on campus, another to be off campus and the source of the remaining five cases was unknown, according to the DSHS/TEA data.
Sulphur Springs ISD
Approximately 3,453 of the 4,294 students enrolled in Sulphur Springs ISD the first week of school attended classes on campus.
Of those, the district reported 1 student in grades serving students from early education through 3rd grade, 3 students in grades 7-12 and 1 staff member had received a new COVID-19 diagnosis the week of Sept. 14-20. The source of infection in all 5 cases was unknown.
During the week of Sept. 21-27, SSISD reported 1 new case among students in grades 4-6, 6 new cases among students in grades 7-12 and 5 new staff cases. SSISD reported the source of all 12 new cases was unknown.
SSISD reported the following cumulative cases counts from July 27-Sept. 2: 4 cases for early education through third grade, 2 case grades 4-6, 14 cases grades 7-12 and 13 staff cases. Of those 33 cases, SSISD reported the source of infection of one case was known to have been off campus but was unknown for the other 32 cases.
Yantis ISD
First week enrollment numbers and new case data for nearby Yantis ISD were not reported as of Sept. 27, according to DSHS/HHS. The district did list cumulative case counts, which were the same for both weeks.
The district reported 1 student in grades 4-6 and 1 staff member had tested positive for COVID-19 from July 27-Sept. 27. YISD reported the source of infection for both was off campus.
Wood County Sheriff’s Office Report For Sept. 23-29, 2020
Wood County Sheriff’s Office provided the following activity report for Sept 23 -29, 2020:
- Abandoned Vehicle: 2
- Livestock At Large: 18
- Alarm: 9
- Missing Person: 2
- Animal complaint: 7
- Motorist Assist: 2
- Arrest/Warrant: 3
- Noise Complaint: 1
- Assault: 3
- Reckless Driver: 2
- Burglary: 6
- Shots Fired: 1
- Criminal Mischief: 3
- Suspicious Activity: 24
- Criminal Trespass: 2
- Terroristic Threat: 2
- Deadly Conduct: 1
- Theft: 8
- Disturbances/Disputes: 9
- Unauthorized Use of Vehicle: 1
- Fraud: 2
- Welfare Check: 9
- Harassment: 2
- 911 Violations: 1
- Inquest: 3
Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center Testing
Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center Testing Proctor Kathy Martin, left, visits with candidates Hannah Evans, center, and Haley Dyer, both of Sulphur Springs, before they begin taking their TSI tests. For information regarding testing and enrollment at PJC, call 903-885-1232.
Oct. 4-10 Designated As National 4-H Week
Hopkins County Commissioners Court during a special court session Thursday morning offered appreciation to the many individuals involved in helping make the 4-H program in Hopkins County so successful. Judge Robert Newsom read a proclamation, adopted by the court, in which Oct. 4-10 has been designated as National 4-H Week.
“This is a very significant event for Hopkins County,” said Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Agent Mario Villarino, who videoed the official reading of the proclamation for those 4-H members who were unable to be present at the meeting.
“We realize here in Hopkins County how blessed we are. We consider ourselves to have the best 4-H program in the state. A lot is due to our leadership of our 4-H as well as our volunteers. We want to thank our Extension Agents especially for all the work that they do,” said County Judge Robert Newsom.
The 4-H Youth Development program, Newsom read from the National 4-H Week Proclamation, is a 113-yar program that provides experience-based education to youngsters throughout the state. It allows students to acquire knowledge, develop life skills, form attitudes to enable them to become self-directed, productive and contributing members of society. More than 55,000 youth ages 8-19 from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds participate in the program annually.
“We do have the finest program that I know of in the State of Texas, and we thank you so much to our Extension Agents, and we especially thank our volunteers,” Newsom concluded.
Newsom presented the proclamation, signed by all 5 members of the Commissioner Court, to Dr. Villarino.
“It will be an honor to receive this on behalf of the 4-H Council,” Dr. Villarino said.
Other Court Business
Hopkins County Commissioner Court also during the morning session wrapped up the 2019-2020 budget and approved payment of bills, including bond and loan payments, due on Oct. 1, 2020.
The court also passed a resolution of clarification which specifies that the Chapter 381 economic development program agreement approved Sept. 21 will take the replace of the agreement approved by the court Dec. 23, 2019. The September resolution for a tax incentive for Hopkins Energy LLC, a solar farm planned in Dike, “was slightly different” from the agreement approved in December.
