DSHS School COVID-19 Case Counts: 18 New Cases At Hopkins County Schools
Hopkins County school districts have reported 146 cases of COVID-19 during the last 4 weeks, according to the weekly school COVID-19 report compiled by Texas Department of State Health Services and posted Oct. 22.
Cases in the weekly DSHS reports are defined as “any staff member or student who participates in any on-campus activity that is test-confirmed COVID-19 of which a public school is notified.” Updates for the previous Monday-Sunday are scheduled to be reported weekly by 5 p.m. on Thursdays. No data was provided for some districts over the last week, and Miller Grove ISD is listed as not having reported any data at all to DSHS regarding COVID-19 cases at the school.
Across the state, the number of new COVID-19 cases in students and staff at public schools declined last week. A total of 2,425 students and 1,417 staff of public schools received positive COVID-19 tests results from Oct. 12-18, compared to 2,497 student and 1,487 staff cases reported one week before at Texas public schools.
The total number of new cases for all Hopkins County school districts was also the smallest number so far this month. Overall, 21 new cases (students and staff at the 6 Hopkins County public school districts reporting information) were reported from Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 29 new cases from Oct. 5-11, and 18 new cases from Oct. 12-18, according to the Oct. 22 DSHS data.
The data also shows the source of virus infection was unknown in most COVID-19 cases at Hopkins County schools.
Como-Pickton CISD
After at least 3 weeks with no new cases, Como-Pickton CISD during the week of Oct. 12-18 reported 2 elementary students in grades 4-5 and 2 staff members tested positive for COVID-19. The source of infection was reported to be on-campus for one case and off-campus for the 3 other cases.
That increases CPCISD’s cumulative case count to 4 students in grades 4-6, 19 students in grades 7-12 and 5 staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 since July 27, according to the data reported by school administrators to DSHS
Cumby ISD
Cumby ISD went a week, Oct. 5-11, without any COVID-19 infection reports. Last week, however, 2 secondary students tested positive for COVID-19; the source of infection for both cases was unknown, according the Oct. 22 DSHS report.
That makes 8 secondary students and 5 staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 since July 24; of those, the source of infection for three was reported to be on-campus, 4 off-campus and 8 unknown.
North Hopkins ISD
No new COVID-19 case data was reported Oct. 11-18 for North Hopkins ISD.
Cumulatively, the district has had 2 students in grades 4-6, 6 secondary students and five staff cases since July 24. Of those, the source of infection for one case was reported to be off-campus and the source for the other 12 cases was unknown.
District officials post notification of new COVID-19 cases on the district website.
Saltillo ISD
Saltillo ISD also reported no COVID-19 cases from Oct. 11-18, according to DSHS.
Cumulatively, since July 24, the district has reported 1 early elementary students, 1 secondary student and 1 staff member have had COVID-19. The source of infection was reported to be on-campus for 2 cases and off-campus for the other.
The district posts notification of new cases on the district website.
Sulphur Bluff ISD
No new case data was provided by Sulphur Bluff ISD for the week of Oct. 11-18, according to the DSHS report.
Cumulatively, SBISD was last reported to have received confirmation of 1 early elementary students (early childhood classes through grade 3), 2 students in grades 4-6, 3 secondary students and 1 staff member testing positive for COVID-19 since school started.
Of those cases, the source of infection on one case was reported to be on-campus, another off-campus and the source of infection for the remaining 5 cases was unknown.
Sulphur Springs ISD
Five secondary students and 6 staff members of Sulphur Springs ISD tested positive for COVID-19 between Oct. 11-18. The source of infection for all 11 new cases was unknown, according to the DSHS data.
Cumulatively SSISD reported 4 students in grade 3 or younger, 2 students in grades 4-6, 40 secondary students and 34 staff members have tested positive for COVID-9. Of those, the source of infections was reported to be off-campus for one case and the source of the rest was unknown, according to the DSHS data.
4th Complaint In 2 Days Resulted In Arrest
The 4th complaint in 2 days resulted in a 33-year-old woman being arrested for her disorderly behavior Thursday morning, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police officer reported being called to a Fuller Street address at 10:44 a.m. Oct. 22, 2020, marking the fourth time in two days officers were requested at the location for various reasons. While en route, a patrol officer spoke with the complainant via phone. She claimed a woman was outside an apartment threatening to assault her and another female.
Upon arrival, officers observed the Princeton woman using profane language in the front parking lot of the apartment complex. A bystander in the parking lot told a detective she was offended by the language. Consequently, the 33-year-old Princeton woman was jailed for her disorderly behavior.
The Princeton woman remained in Hopkins County jail on the Class C misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge Friday morning, Oct. 23, 2020.
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.
Rolling Disturbance Results In Middle Street Controlled Substance Arrest
A rolling disturbance resulted in a Middle Street controlled substance arrest Thursday night, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Tanner Steward around 9 p.m. Oct. 22 reported seeing a silver Toyota Camry turning with no signal given while being followed closely by another vehicle. Steward alleged the car was being driven erratically. He conducted a traffic stop on Middle Street.
Upon contact with the occupant, the 39-year-old Sulphur Springs woman driving alleged she and the other vehicle were involved in a rolling disturbance; the other vehicle was following her, Steward noted in arrest reports.
Following investigation, Steward received permission to search the Camry. Steward alleged finding a small container inside a cup of soda. The container held 3 small baggies of a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine. The woman, identified in arrest reports as Kimberley Michelle Rachui, was taken into custody for possession of a controlled substance and the car was impounded.
While being transported to jail, Rachui allegedly admitted the suspected meth belonged to her and that she put it into the soda cup. The substance field-tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 2.74 grams, including packaging.
Consequently, the 39-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was jailed for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. The 39-year-old remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, Oct. 23, on the third-degree felony controlled substance charge. Deputy Chris Baumann is credited with assisting with this arrest.
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.
Hopkins County Oct. 22 COVID-19 Update: 3 Fatalities, 2 New Cases, 2 Recoveries
While Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials reported only 2 new cases and 2 recoveries in their Oct. 22 COVID-19 update, Texas Department of State Health Services reported 3 additional COVID-19 fatalities.
HC/SSEM COVID-19 Reports
Two Hopkins County residents were reported Oct. 22 to have received positive COVID-19 results, HC/SSEM officials reported in the Oct. 22 COVID-19 update. That increases the new case total to 121 (more than the whole month of September) and the monthly total to 224 and the cumulative case total since March to 585.
Two additional Hopkins County residents also recovered from COVID-19 on Oct. 22, increasing the weekly total to 64, the monthly total to 133 and the cumulative total since March to 416.
However, because the new case count matched the recoveries, the active case count in Hopkins County Thursday remained 169, according to the Oct. 22 COVID-19 update.
The patient count in the COVID Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs declined by 2 to 8 on Oct. 22, the same as on Oct. 15, Oct. 8 and Oct. 1, according to HC/SSEM reports.
An additional 110 COVID-19 tests were performed on Oct. 21 at the free testing site. That’s 437 molecular tests conducted in the last 7 days and 1,502 oral swab tests conducted at the free testing site this month. A total of 1,786 tests have been performed at 128-A Jefferson St. since the free testing site opened on Sept. 25.
Free COVID-19 at the site is scheduled to continue until Oct. 31. Testing is offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Symptoms and high-risk exposure are not required for molecular testing. Anyone can be tested, including children provided they are accompanied by a parents or guardian. To register for the oral swab test, go online to GoGetTested.com.
State COVID-19 Reports
DSHS at 4:10 p.m. Oct. 22 on the Case Counts fatalities dashboard reported 26 Hopkins County residents are confirmed based on cause on death certificates as having died from COVID-19. All 26 deaths have been reported since the state began using death certificates to determine deaths. The DSHS reports also show the latest deaths occurred on Oct. 10 and Oct. 13.
The number of active COVID-19 cases among nursing home staff and residents rose from Oct. 7 to Oct. 8, the latest data available from Texas Health and Human Services.
Two new COVID1-9 cases, 1 resident and 1 employee, were reported for of Carriage House Nursing Home, increasing the active employee case count to 8 and the active resident count to 16, according to HHS.
At Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab, the active employee case count rose from 2 on Oct. 7 to 15 on Oct. 8. There were no active resident cases at SSH&R on Oct. 8, according to the HHS Oct. 22 nursing facility report.
There continued to be 9 active employee cases and 17 active resident cases of COVID-19 at Sunny Springs Nursing & Rehab on Oct. 8, according to the HHS Oct. 22 nursing home report.
According to the Oct. 22 HHS assisted living facility report, Wesley House continued on Oct. 8 to have one active employee case; the employee was first reported on Oct. 30 to have tested positive for COVID-19.
There continued to be no active employee or student cases of COVID-19 on Oct. 21 at the 6 licensed child care centers, school-age programs, and before or after-school programs, according to HHS reports.
Miller Grove ISD Ending Remote Learning
Miller Grove ISD will soon be joining the growing number of school districts that are ending remote learning, according to a press release from MGISD school administrators.
The MGISD board voted Oct. 20 to rescind remote learning for all students. That means beginning Nov. 3 all Miller Grove ISD students will be required to return to their designated campus for in-person, on-campus instruction, the district noted in a release.
The only exceptions will be for a student who is the subject of a quarantine order issued by a governmental entity or on the recommendation of a healthcare provider due to COVID-19 or other health concerns and, on case-by-case basis, for any student whose ARD or Section 504 committee determines that remote learning will provide the student with a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment as required by federal law.
Health and safety protocols outlined in the school district’s back-to-school plan that was implemented as the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year will still be followed to ensure that all campuses remain as healthy as possible, according to the school release.
Questions related to the transitioning from remote to all on-campus learning may be directed to the superintendent’s office at 903-459-3288.
TAMUC Planetarium Reopening After Renovations
Commerce, Texas — The Planetarium at Texas A&M University-Commerce has been renovated and is reopening with new seats and a few new requirements. Reservations for TAMUC Planetarium are now available for shows beginning Nov. 13 running through Dec. 18. Seating is limited.
The featured presentation at the planetarium will be “Mystery of the Christmas Star.” Back-to-back presentations are scheduled at 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. The show consists of a night sky presentation, the full-dome feature and an animated Christmas song.
Health and safety guidelines implemented due to COVID-19 include:
- All visitors will require a reservation by calling call the office at 903.468.8650. Reservations must be made by speaking with Planetarium staff. If unable to reach a staff member, leave a name and a callback number. Reservations over email or voice message are not being accepted. However, a callback can be requested by emailing [email protected] with the party’s name and number.
- Walk-ins will not be accepted.
- Each family will be assigned seating to ensure social distancing.
- Masks will be required for all guests regardless of age. If a guest is unable to wear a mask, they will not be permitted in the building.
- A contactless forehead scan will be made to ensure each guest is free of fever.
- The Planetarium has added additional ventilation. Units with HEPA filters have been added to the interior of the Planetarium.
- Guests will not be permitted into the dome until COVID-19 disinfection has been completed.
- One person per family group may enter the ticket office to purchase tickets and check in for the reservations.
- Contact tracing will be enforced for COVID-19 purposes only.
Tickets are $5 per person, payable at the facility. Reservations for the TAMUC Planetarium can be made by calling 903.468.8650.
(TAMUC images)
The Planetarium is offering private reservations outside of the regular Friday night public shows. A private show consists of a night sky presentation and any show from the show catalogue. To reserve a private group, contact the office at 903.468.8650 or email [email protected]. The cost of a single private show is $5 per person for groups of 10 or more and $50 for groups fewer than 10.
All visitors are required to wear a mask while in the building. Members of a private group that are not considered family will not be permitted to sit together, which will affect the maximum number of guests in the Planetarium. The times for a private showing are dependent on scheduling options. Contact the office for more information.
The planetarium is located in the McFarland Science Building of the A&M-Commerce campus, located at 2201 West Neal Street in Commerce.
A free parking pass application must be completed for all vehicles for visits other than Friday night public shows.
Due to construction in front of the science building, parking lots 16, 18, and 19.
Learn more about the A&M-Commerce Planetarium.
Lady Cats Basketball Team Has First Official Practice Thursday
The Lady Cats Basketball Team will have their first official practice on Thursday (October 22). They will doing so without third year Lady Cats Head Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell who is on maternity leave. Coach Tisdell gave birth to a baby girl to go along with with her young son. She is expected to return to the gym next Wednesday. At the start, Lady Cats Assistant Coach Bryan Jones will be running practices with the help of new Lady Cats Assistant Coach Timothy Aguillon. Coach Jones says he is more than ready for the first official practice to get underway. He says returning for the Lady Cats will be their point guard from last season, sophomore Kenzie Willis. Coach Jones says Willis is not playing volleyball this season to concentrate on basketball. Also returning is senior Delanee Myles, who played several varsity games last season and who was on the playoff roster. Three Lady Cats’ players are currently involved in varsity volleyball: Addisyn Wall, Nylah Lindley and Bre-Asia Ivery. Coach Jones says there are also some members of last year’s JV team. Coach Jones says there is a good opportunity for some youngsters to make the varsity squad. He says they don’t just want a varsity jersey but rather they want to be a part of the team and help make a difference. The Thursday practice will be an opportunity for older players to get together than some freshmen players. Practice is expected to include some team bonding with pizza according to Coach Jones.
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 Football Coach Greg Owens Discusses New Zone Competition Concept in District
With Covid-19 issues in football District 8-5A, the district’s coaches have adopted a plan to sort things out and determine the district’s four playoff teams. The plan, according to Wildcats Football Greg Owens, was developed by Greenville Coach Darren Duke. It calls for the eight district teams to be split into two zones. Zone A includes Crandall, Ennis, Forney and Royse City and Zone B is comprised of Corsicana, Greenville, North Forney and Sulphur Springs. Two district games have already been played and two more will be played Friday, but all district teams will start 0-0 as playoff determining zone play begins next week. Zone play will take place over three straight weeks beginning Friday, October 30. The Wildcats will now face North Forney at Gerald Prim Stadium on October 30. Corsicana will then come to The Prim on November 6. The Wildcats then travel to Greenville’s Cotton Ford Stadium on November 13. The following Friday night, on November 20, will feature playoff seeding games. The #1 zone finishers will meet to determine the district’s #1 and #2 playoff seed. The #2 zone teams will play to figure out the district’s #3 and #4 playoff seeds. The #3 zone finishers and #4 zone teams will also play each other. Coach Owens indicates he will also schedule an additional game after the bye week on December 4. Wildcats sub-varsity teams will play the same schools the Wildcats varsity faces during zone play and the seeding game. Coach Owens feels his Zone B may be a little more competitive than Zone A but he says he still likes his chances in Zone B. Coach Owens is also excited about the prospect of getting his varsity players back. Their quarantine ends Friday and they will be back at practice Friday and Saturday. He hopes next week is a normal week of preparation for the North Forney game.
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.
Producer/Members of the NETBIO Sold 3,836 Head of Pre-Conditioned Cattle at the October Sale
Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission
NETBIO Public Information Services
903-951-7594
Producer/members of the Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization (NETBIO) sold 3,836 head of pre-conditioned cattle at the October sale held Wednesday at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission.
A total of 145 producers had cattle selling in the sale, and despite a softer market the cattle sold pretty good, according to Livestock Market co-owner David Fowler. “The market is soft everywhere, but buying was active — even on the Internet,” he said.
Thirty-two buyers purchased cattle at an average of $708.77 per head.
“We had a lot of good cattle consigned to the sale,” Fowler said. “Our producers continue to do a great job of pre-conditioning their cattle for this sale.”
The next sale will be held on Wednesday, November 18, which will mark the beginning of the 22nd year of NETBIO. Come early and enjoy a barbeque lunch before the sale.
The consignment book has closed on the November sale, but NETBIO officials have added a special sale to be held on December 16 that is open now to receive consignments. All of the NETBIO sales begin at 1 p.m.
Producers are reminded that starting in January 2021, NETBIO sales will be held on Fridays instead of Wednesdays, and calves will be required to be weaned 60 days instead of 45 days.
The first sale of 2021 will be on Friday, January 15. The last weaning date for calves entering that sale will be Nov. 15, and be boosted by Dec. 15.
The NETBIO Pre-Conditioned Stocker and Feeder Calf Sale gives producers a marketplace to offer their pre-conditioned calves and yearlings in load lot quantities. NETBIO holds eight pre-conditioned cattle sales per year.
