Pre-Order Hopkins County Stew From Your Favorite Cook Starting Oct. 1
By Lezley Brown, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
Have you ever wanted to judge stew in the Hopkins County Stew Contest? Here is your chance! We are looking for individuals to serve as judges in this year’s Stew Contest. If you are interested, please call the Chamber at (903) 885-6515.
The time has come to pre-order your stew for this year’s Stew Drive-thru! You can make your pre-order beginning Oct. 1 by calling or coming by the Chamber, and you can select your favorite cook’s stew until Oct. 21. If you do not pre-order, but drive through on Stew day, you will not be able to choose a specific cook’s stew. You will, though, get to choose chicken or beef. All quarts are $10 and will include cheese and crackers. No tickets for park admission will be sold, but the drive-through will be available while supplies last. Stew will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24 … “2020 Stew, We’re Driving Through!” Thank goodness something is finally able to happen in 2020!
The Chamber of Commerce is currently selling our 2020 Hopkins County Christmas ornament. This ornament is the third of our series and features our beautiful Dairy Museum. It is dated with the year, made with 24 karat gold, is shatterproof and VERY limited in number. They are quite beautiful and the perfect addition to a rare collection. They are $40 each and literally flying out the door. If you would like to purchase one, please call the Chamber at (903) 885-6515, or come by soon.
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 Oct. 1, Fieldhouse Sports. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
DSHS: Early Flu Immunization Will Help Protect Texas From COVID-19
Oct. 1 is Texas Influenza Awareness Day
With cold and flu season beginning and COVID-19 still spreading in Texas, now is a perfect time to get a flu shot. The Texas Department of State Health Services encourages everyone to protect themselves, their families and their communities against respiratory illness throughout the flu season by getting immunized as soon as possible.
While the flu shot won’t prevent COVID-19, it will slow the circulation of flu in Texas and keep people out of the hospital, conserving medical resources needed to care for COVID-19 patients.
“We want as few people as possible to get sick this fall and winter,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner. “That protects our health care professionals and health care system, which is key to defeating both COVID-19 and the flu. In addition, the same precautions Texans are already taking against COVID-19 – wearing masks, physical distancing and hand hygiene – will help slow the spread of influenza.”
Getting a flu shot is especially important for people at a higher risk for complications if they do get the flu, including those with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, young children and older adults. People who provide care to members of those groups should get a flu shot to protect themselves and to prevent spreading the flu to vulnerable people they care for in their families and communities.
Influenza is caused by a number of related viruses. Symptoms usually start suddenly and include fever, body aches, chills, a dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, headaches and extreme fatigue and can last a week or longer.
DSHS encourages people to seek treatment promptly if they are experiencing flu symptoms. Antiviral drugs may help shorten the duration or lessen the severity of the flu if started within 48 hours of when symptoms begin.
Almost all types of flu vaccine available in the United States this flu season will protect against four strains of the flu virus: two strains of influenza A and two of influenza B. People can contact their health care provider, local health department or local pharmacy to find out where flu shots are available.
Deputies Served Two Warrants, Took Three People To Jail
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies served two warrants at two different addresses, one at Royal Inn and one at a Helm Lane apartment, and ended up taking a third person to jail as well, according to arrest reports.
Deputies went to Royal Inn, where they located Emily Claudine Huckabay, a 31-year-old Sulphur Springs woman wanted on an abandoning or endangering of a child-criminal negligence charge. She reportedly gave permission for officers to search her room.
When the officers entered the room, they reported seeing James Lee Harper on the bed. The 29-year-old man began pushing something underneath the blanket covering him; when he stood up, they located a marijuana pipe under the blanket, HCSO Sgt. Shea Shaw and Investigator Wade Sheets alleged in arrest reports. Consequently, the sheriff’s officer took Harper into custody for tampering with physical evidence, the pipe.
Deputy Alvin Jordan alleged methamphetamine was found in the room she was staying in. Huckabay was taken into custody at 5 p.m. Sept. 29 not just on the warrant but also for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Sgt. Tanner Steward and Deputy Justin Wilkerson went to a Helm Lane apartment, where they located Gene Harold Thrash. The 42-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested at 5:25 p.m. Sept. 29 on a warrant for abandoning or endangering of a child-criminal negligence.
All 3 remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday, Sept. 30. Thrash and Huckabay’s bond was set at $25,000 on the felony criminal negligence charge. Huckabay’s bond on the controlled substance charge was set at $5,000. Harper’s bond was set at $10,000 on the tampering with evidence charge.
Tuesday was the fourth time in less than a year that Harper has been jailed locally. He was arrested Nov. 21, 2019 on warrants for not taking care of tow public intoxication charges. He spent Dec. 1, 2019-Feb. 6, 2020 in Hopkins County jail for fraud– destroy, removal or concealment of writing. He was arrested again on Aug. 2 for criminal trespass.
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.
Sept. 30 COVID-19 Update: 4 New Cases, 3 Recoveries, 78 Active Cases In Hopkins County
Four new COVID-19 cases were reported Sept. 30, three fewer than the day before. Three additional Hopkins County residents were reported to have recovered from COVID-19 as well, Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials reported in their Sept. 30 COVID-19 update. Thus, the count increased only by one case for a total of 78 active cases in Hopkins County on Sept. 30. One less patient was reported to be in the COVID unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs, reducing the number to 15 on Sept. 30.
Overall, September was the worst month of the pandemic thus far in Hopkins County as far as new and hospital patient counts go. Overall, 118 Hopkins County residents received lab-confirmed positive novel coronavirus 2019 results in September, up from the 89 cases reported in July and 91 in August. That increases the cumulative case count since March to 361.
While 35 recoveries were reported in the last three days, there were two stretches almost a week long each in September during which no new recoveries were reported — Sept. 2-7 and Sept. 22-27. That caused the active case counts to continue to be especially high, peaking at 92 on Sept. 25. In fact, active case count matched the previous high of 73 active cases (set on July 26) on Sept. 18 and has continued to be exceed that for the last 9 days.
Overall, 87 Hopkins County residents were reported to have recovered from COVID-19 in September, increasing the cumulative recovery total from March-Sept. 30 to 283.
The number of patients in the COVID-19 unit peaked at 17 patients on Monday, but declined by 1 patient each day on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the HC/SSEM Sept. 30 COVID-19 update. The COVID-19 unit count reached double digits for the first time since local officials began reporting that data 2 months ago, on Sept. 21 and hasn’t been lower than 10 cases since.
Thankfully, no COVID-19 deaths thus are reported to have occurred in Hopkins County in September. One death was reported on Sept. 4; the Hopkins County resident was reported to have died on Aug. 28. The state began using cause of death stated on death certificates sent to the state Vital Statistics office to determine COVID-19 deaths in July. Eight Hopkins County residents are reported to have died as a result of COVID-19 since then: 2 deaths on Aug. 17; and one death each on July 17, July 23, Aug. 2, Aug. 4 and Aug. 7 and Aug. 28. according to Texas Department of State Health Services data.
Another 44 COVID-19 tests were performed Sept. 29 at the free testing site at the County Annex Building, located behind the Tax Assessor/Collector and Justices of the Peace Offices at 128-A Jefferson St. That’s 165 tests conducted at the location since Friday afternoon. That’s at least 792 COVID-19 tests administered this month during the free testing. Sept. 30 COVID-19 testing counts won’t be reported until Oct. 1.
Free COVID-19 Testing continues to be offered from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the County Annex Building. Symptoms are not required for testing. Preregister online at GoGetTested.com. Results are typically returned in 48-96 hours. Walk-ins are also welcome at the site.
Texas Health and Human Services on Sept. 30 reported that the number of COVID-19 cases at Carriage House Manor increased from 15 to 21 active employee cases and from 15 to 16 resident cases on Sept. 16. Five employees had recovered from COVID-19 on Sept. 16, one more than on Sept. 15. Only 1 Carriage House resident was reported to have recovered from COVID-19 as of Sept. 16.
No active cases were reported at Sulphur Springs assisted living facilities on Sept. 16, according to the HHS report. Sept. 16 is the most recent data available for nursing homes and assisted living facilities as these THHS reports are 2 weeks behind.
There were no active cases at Hopkins County child care centers on Sept. 29, according to the HHS Sept. 30 COVID-19 child care centers report.
Mount Pleasant Man Jailed For Evading Arrest With A Vehicle
A 26-year-old Mount Pleasant man was jailed for evading arrest or detention with a vehicle.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Victor Reyna at 7:07 p.m. Tuesday turned on his emergency lights in an attempt to stop a Dodge Neon for a traffic violation. Instead of stopping, driver Jildardo Antonio Sanroman allegedly drove the car down multiple streets before finally stopping in the 1500 block of Mockingbird Lane.
The 28-year-old Mount Pleasant man was jailed for evading arrest or detention with a vehicle; the car was impounded.
Sanroman remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020. Bond on the felony evading arrest charge was set at $10,000, according to arrest reports.
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.
SCU Investigators Arrested 2 Pairs Tuesday
Sulphur Springs Police SCU investigators arrested 2 pairs Tuesday, according to arrest reports.
Wanted Woman, Boyfriend Both Arrested
SCU investigators, along with patrol officers, went to a residence in search of a wanted woman around 9 a.m. Sept. 30, 2020.
Upon arrival, 39-year-old Jonathan G. Boughton answered the door, but claimed the wanted person, 30-year-old Lauren Leigh-Ann Duckworth, was not at home. He did, however, allow officers inside the residence to look for her. Officers found Duckworth hiding in a bedroom closet.
Duckworth was arrested on three warrants for violation of probation, which she was on for a burglary of building charge and two possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charges. She remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning on all three charges.
Boughton was arrested for hindering apprehension of a known felon for telling police the girlfriend wasn’t there. He remained in Hopkins County jail on the felony charge Wednesday morning, Sept. 30. Bond on the charge was set at $10,000.
Main Street Traffic Stop
SCU investigators conducted an investigation into the alleged distribution of methamphetamine. During the investigation, the officers developed probable cause for a traffic stop of a vehicle involved.
During the traffic stop of a Saturn Vue at 9:34 p.m. on Main Street at Hillcrest Drive, two occupants of the vehicle allegedly confessed to possessing methamphetamine.
Justin Scott Sewell had a small amount of suspected methamphetamine in his pants pocket and admitted to passing additional meth to his girlfriend, 29-year-old Keyra Leanne Hargett of Sulphur Springs. Hargett admitted to having meth concealed in her pants.
Upon arrival at the jail, approximately 6.78 grams of meth, a glass pipe and small amount of marijuana were allegedly recovered from Hargett’s pants by female jailers. Coupled with the suspected meth retrieved from Sewell, 9.02 grams of suspected meth were seized as evidence from the pair.
Both 27-year-old Sewell of Como and Hargett were charge with possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance with intent to distribute. Hargett, who is also known as Keyra Leanna Dunham, and Sewell remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, Sept. 30; bond on the second-degree felony charge was set at $30,000.
Tuesday was the second time this year that Hargett has been jailed on a controlled substance charge. She was also arrested July 28 for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance in a drug-free zone. She was released from custody Aug. 5 on $10,000 bond on that charge, according to jail reports..
Sept. 29 was also the second time that Sewell has been arrested in the last year. He was jailed on Dec. 6, 2019 for violation of probation, which he was on for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. He remained in Hopkins County jail on that charge until Jan. 9, 2020, according to jail reports.
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.
Volleyball and Tennis on Tap This Game Day Tuesday
On this game day Tuesday (September 29), there is Lady Cats Volleyball and Wildcats and Lady Cats Tennis on the schedule.
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team, who are 3-5 this season, were to be playing in only their third home game of the still-young regular season. Unfortunately for the Lady Cats, the Mount Pleasant varsity team has been quarantined. There will, however, be junior varsity games played at 4:30 P.M. and 5:30 P.M., according to Lady Cat Coach Bailey Dorner.
Meanwhile the Wildcats and Lady Cats Tennis Team will be competing at Pine Tree HS at 4 P.M. for a district match between the two teams.
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.
Wildcats Team Tennis Topples Pine Tree in Longview, 14-5
LONGVIEW — Wildcats Team Tennis beat Pine Tree in Longview on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, 14-5.
Wildcats Tennis coach Tony Martinez believes the win over the district rival Pirates will earn the Wildcats a playoff spot.
Coach Martinez’s squad is now 2-2 in district play and 3-2 overall. The Wildcats will again face the Pirates as they host Pine Tree in Sulphur Springs on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020.
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.
Texas Conference For Employers Hosting Lunchtime Live
Texas Conference for Employers will be hosting Lunchtime Live, a series of 90-minute sessions on a variety of topics related to employment law, Texas Workforce Commission announced. One two different days each month through the end of the year a lunch session will be offered.
The schedule, topics and registration links include:
October 1: Click here to REGISTER
- COVID-19 Paid Leave-Related Laws
- Privacy in the Workplace
- Unemployment Claims and Employer Chargeback Liability
- Payroll Tax 101 discussion
October 15: Click here to REGISTER
- Unemployment Claims: General Overview for Employers
- Unemployment Taxes: Chargeback and Reimbursing Employers
- Best Practices for Maintaining a Safe Workplace
- Payroll Tax 101 discussion
November 5: Click here to REGISTER
- Policies and Procedures during COVID-19
- Allowable Workplace Health Screens & Medical Exams
- We Hire Vets’ Recognition
- Payroll Tax 101 discussion
November 19: Click here to REGISTER
- Labor Market Update
- TWC’s Shared Work Program
- Managing Employees Working Remotely
- Payroll Tax 101 discussion
December 3: Click here to REGISTER
- Workers’ Compensation and Covid-19
- Civil Rights in the Workplace
- Governor’s Office of Economic Development
- Employer Commissioner Update/Deadline dates for end and beginning of the year
December 17: Click here to REGISTER
- Employer Recognitions
- 2 – 30-minute Keynote speakers
Texas Workforce Commission’s Office of the Commissioner Representing Employers sponsors the Texas Conference for Employers, a series of employer seminars held each year throughout the state. Employers who attend the seminars learn about state and federal employment laws and the unemployment claim and appeal process. TWC assemble the agency’s best speakers to guide employers through ongoing matters of concern to Texas them and to answer any questions they have regarding their business.
Libertarian Lou Antonelli Seeking Texas 4th Congressional District Seat
A meet and greet was hosted over the weekend at The Magic Scoop in Sulphur Springs for Lou Antonelli, who is the Libertarian candidate running for Texas 4th Congressional District seat, a seat held by John Ratcliffe until he was confirmed as the Director of National Intelligence.
Antonelli faces Democrat Russell Foster and Republican Pat Fallon, who currently serves Senate District 30 and was elected last month by a Republican Congressional District Executive Committee to replace Ratcliffe on the November ballot, in the November election for District 4.
Antonelli lives in Clarksville in Red River County, where he and his wife own The Clarksville Times. He is the managing editor, and has been a community journalist for 40 years.
He told KSST he chose Sulphur Springs to start holding events due to it’s location in the middle of Congressional District 4, which spans from Collin County to Texarkana.
Antonelli said he wants to bring fresh blood to the political system and, if elected, plans to serve one term in office. He said he believes in the Libertarian platform of limited government, including lower taxation, and less government infringement on personal liberties.
