37 Student, 11 Employee COVID-19 Cases Reported By Rural Hopkins County Schools On Sept. 23
As of the last reports posted Wednesday night, Sept. 23, at least 37 student and 11 employee COVID-19 cases had been reported by rural Hopkins County schools since the fall semester began. Yantis ISD has also reported 2 COVID-19 cases since school began. Sulphur Springs ISD officials so far this week have reported 1 additional student and 4 employees have tested positive for coronavirus.
Como-Pickton CISD officials in their last update reported all 18 students and all 5 employees who tested positive for COVID-19 had recovered from the virus.
While C-PCISD’s cases have declined, Cumby, North Hopkins. Saltillo, Sulphur Bluff and Sulphur Springs ISDs have each reported at least one additional case over the last week.
Cumby ISD has posted six notifications, all for the high school campus. One student each was reported on the following dates as having tested positive: Aug. 7, Aug. 20, Sept. 16, Sept. 18 and Sept. 22. Two students were expected to be back at school recovered, one on Aug. 24 and Sept. 2. One district staff members each was reported to have tested positive on Sept. 13, Sept. 16 and Sept. 18.
North Hopkins ISD has twice notified the community that a student tested positive for COVID-19, a student on the high school campus through Sept. 15 and a students who was last on the Hopkins County Special Education CO-OP classroom in North Hopkins ISD on Sept. 17. A NHISD employee on campus Sept. 10 was reported Sept. 15 to have tested positive for COIVD-19
Saltillo had one employee test positive on Aug. 12, and one student each on Aug. 24 and Sept. 22.
Sulphur Bluff ISD has issued notices 6 times since classes that at least one additional case was reported. SBISD received notifications of one student each testing positive on Aug. 24, Aug. 30, and Sept. 22. One employee tested positive for COVID-19 on Sept. 10. Two Sulphur Bluff students each were also reported to have COVID-19 on Aug. 27 and Sept. 2
Sulphur Springs ISD on Sept. 18 sent notices that an infected staff member was on SSISD campuses the week of Sept. 14-18. On Sept. 22, the district reported two staff members who were lab-confirmed to have COVID-19 were present at SSES during the last week and a student and a teacher who tested positive for COVID-19 were present at SSMS during the week of Sept. 14-18.
Yantis ISD on Sept. 9 reported an elementary student had testing positive for COVID-19 and one staff member on Aug. 25. No additional updates have been posted by the district on Sept. 23.
Miller Grove ISD hasn’t posted any new updates since Aug. 31, when three students were reported to have tested positive in August.
| School District | Student Cases (active/recovered, if reported) | Employee Cases (active/recovered, if reported) |
| Como-Pickton | 0/18 | 0/5 |
| Cumby | 3/2 | 3 |
| Miller Grove | 3 | 0 |
| North Hopkins | 2 | 1 |
| Saltillo | 2 | 1 |
| Sulphur Bluff | 1/6 | 0/1 |
| Sulphur Springs | 10 | 8 |
| Yantis | 1 | 1 |
Wildcats Team Tennis Has Tough Day Against Longview In 19-0 Loss Wednesday
Perhaps the worst is now over for Wildcats Team Tennis. Last week, the Wildcats met district favorite Texas High in Texarkana and took a 19-0 loss. On Wednesday, the Wildcats faced the team expected to give the Tigers their sternest test, the Longview Lobos. The result Wednesday was another 19-0 loss.
To make things tougher, the Wildcats had to play without their top girls’ player, Jeauxleigh Cantu, who was unavailable for the Wildcats Wednesday.
One of the top performances by the Wildcats was the girls’ doubles team of Savannah Lilley and Emily Dick who dropped sets, 6-3 and 6-4 to Longview. Lilley and Mykylie Meador also both put up a fight before losing in girls’ singles, each by a 8-4 score. The mixed doubles team of Kaylee Schumacher and Carlos Lopez-Sardinas won some games but lost, 6-2, 6-1. Senior Harleigh Stegient lost in girls’ singles, 8-2.
The Wildcats are now 1-2 in district play and 2-2 for the season.
Perhaps the Wildcats key match of the district campaign will occur next week in Pine Tree. Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez says the winner of that match between the Wildcats and the Pirates should make the playoffs.
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 Season Opener
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens is more than ready to play a game after what he says has been a weird beginning to this year’s season. He says he’s excited for the season opener.
Coach Owens says the team had a good scrimmage last week that showed the team where they are and gave coaches a chance to evaluate players.
Despite the weird start, Coach Owens says when the Wildcats take the field Friday night, it will feel just like regular football.
He says if given a choice, he would have liked to play a second scrimmage before the beginning of regular season play. Still with all the skills work this summer, Coach Owens says the Wildcats are further along in the knowledge department.
He says his team features an interesting mix of youngsters without varsity and Friday Night Lights experience and 23 seniors who know the ropes and are advanced in their football experience.
Coach Owens and his staff had a great opportunity to scout opening game opponent Frisco Wakeland last Friday as the Wolverines scrimmaged Marshall at Gerald Prim Stadium. Coach Owens says Wakeland players are smart, they know what to do and are disciplined. He says the Wolverines’ quarterback reminds him of Drew Brees. He adds he looks savvy and calm. Coach Owens likes the way he throws the long ball. He says Wakeland has good receivers and he says their running back is dynamic. Coach Owens says Wakeland has a tight end who is a big part of their offense. He says Wakeland did not dominate either side of the ball against a good Marshall team but, he says, they made plays when they had to. He says Wakeland really flies around on the field.
Coach Owens says last year, the Wakeland game was close at the half but, he adds, the wheels came off for the Wildcats in the second half. Coach Owens says Wakeland will do that to you. He says the way they pressure you can expose weaknesses and that will help the Wildcats get ready for district games.
Coach Owens says the Wildcats will enjoy playing on a beautiful grass field at Toyota Stadium, which also converts into a soccer field for the Dallas pro soccer team. There were reports at halftime of the Wildcats game against Wakeland last year that several players were wide-eyed after noting the speed of the high school varsity game.
Coach Owens says he saw the same thing last Thursday during the Wildcats’ scrimmage. He says he challenged players this week to not worry, but just cut loose and play.
Coach Owens also discussed things he likes about his team this season. He says the defensive line plays hard. He says quarterback Kaden Wallace has confidence. He likes the way back Caden Davis is running with the ball. He says Davis can do it all. He also likes what running backs J.J. Hall and big Douglas Deloney can bring on the field. He likes the way the Wildcats receivers caught the ball during the scrimmage. He likes his seasoned guys on the offensive line and he likes how physical they are.
He says fans probably won’t see so many players getting heavy minutes on both sides of the ball this year. He says most players are primarily offensive or defensive players who are backups providing depth on the other side of the ball.
Coach Owens says high school football will help bring back some normalcy to our lives.
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.
Hopkins County Sept. 22-23 COVID-19 Update: 12 New Cases, 85 Active Cases
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials reported 12 new positive COVID-19 cases, 10 on Tuesday and 2 on Wednesday. That brings the total number of COVID-19 cases so far this month to 90 and the cumulative total since March to 333. The 37 new cases reported so far this week bump the active case count to 85.
There were no new recoveries on either Sept. 22 or 23, but 25 Hopkins County residents were reported Monday to have recovered from COVID-19, bringing the September total through Wednesday afternoon to 52 recoveries, and the cumulative total since March to 248 recoveries.
The patient county in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs declined to 13 on Tuesday, but surged to 16 cases on Wednesday. That’s the most the unit has had since County officials in the last couple of months began providing information regarding patients counts in the COVID-19 unit.
Texas Health and Human Services reported 5 active COVID-19 cases among employees of Carriage House Manor and 2 active resident cases on Sept. 9.
There were no active cases among either employees or residents of Sulphur Springs assisted living facilities on Sept. 9, according to HHS. No active employee or child cases were reported Sept. 22 at Hopkins County child care facilities, the HHS report stated.
Construction Of New Tower Should Improve Cellular Service In Sulphur Springs
Both the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Zoning Board of Adjustments this week voted in favor of a special use permit for construction of a new tower in the area of Coleman Park. This approval, which should improve cellular service, hinges on the applicant meeting a few additional stipulations.
A special use permit request was made to the city by the property owner on behalf of AT&T for construction of a 150-foot self-supporting cell tower with 6 foot lightning rod at 1212 West Industrial Dr. (683 Gosset Lane). This 0.36-acre site is directly west of the Coleman Lake water tower.
Brent Dozier, representing the group contracted by AT&T to see about 100 towers built on sites across Texas, noted that the site was selected in response to numerous calls received in the last 3-4 years from citizens, businesses and emergency responders. The chief complaint is little or no cellular service and dropped calls. This area is notorious for heavy data usage. Tin and pine trees in East Texas are the two biggest enemies of cellular communications and radar signals.
The city currently has 4 cellular towers:
- A 200 foot tower located in the heavy industrial zone, near commercial and industrial businesses. It is on Kirksey Street, 1.9 miles northeast of the proposed Gossett Lane site. This tower was installed with a special use permit in 1999.
- A 350-foot tower in the heavy industrial and light commercially zoned area on McKinsey Drive, located 4 miles northeast of the proposed site, installed before special use permits were required for the cell towers.
- A tower 950 feet south of Wildcat Way, off Holiday Drive, about 1.9 miles southeast of the proposed site on land included in the annex of properties along Wildcat Way into the city, in a single family-6 zone; and
- A tower in the 1200 block of Jefferson Street, 3.6 miles from the proposed site, in an undeveloped light industrial zone, approved in 2019.
Letters were sent to the two property owners within 200 feet of the property. The City of Sulphur Springs received 1 letter from the property owner in favor of the tower.
Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport Director Joey Baker objected to the request. As proposed, it’s location 2.25-2.5 miles south of the airport is within the flight path of the airport and exceeds the airspace flight path by 15 feet. This according to an FAA study. Sulphur Springs Director of Community Development Tory Niewiadomski told the Planning an Zoning Commission Monday and the Zoning Board of Adjustments on Tuesday that Baker would have no objection if the tower height were reduced by 15 feet.
Niewiadomski said city staff recommended the request either be denied outright due to the potential impact to the city’s airspace or approved with the stipulation the cell tower is reduced 15 feet in overall height to 141 feet.
Dozier said the original plan was for the tower to be 190 feet, but had reduced plans to 156 due to FAA feedback. While the taller height is preferred, the group he represents would not be opposed to reducing the height to 141 feet if doing so would allow the project to move forward.
The P&Z Commission considered the matter at their monthly meeting Monday night. They recommended approval of the 141 ft tower project to the ZBA, which also voted in favor of the special use permit.
CHRISTUS and Texas Oncology to Build New Cancer Institute in Tyler
Business News — Sept. 22, 2020
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Sulphur Springs, Texas, Sept. 22, 2020 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.
CHRISTUS and Texas Oncology to build new cancer institute in Tyler
For years, leaders at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances and Texas Oncology met to come up with a partnership to help treat and care for cancer patients. With the new Louise Herrington Cancer Center on the fifth floor of the Bradley-Thompson Tower at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler opening, the partnership was announced. Texas Oncology and CHRISTUS said the new outpatient treatment and research center will be called the Northeast Texas Cancer and Research Institute. A groundbreaking ceremony is expected in within four months and the doors will open in summer of 2022. For more information, visit www.christushealth.org/trinity/tyler.
Flu Shots: Drive-Thru Clinics available for CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic patients
Are you an existing patient of CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic? Take advantage of our drive-thru flu clinics on Thursday, September 24 from 2pm to 4pm, and Friday, October 2, from 2pm to 4pm.
You do not need to call ahead, but should be an existing patient, and bring your insurance card with you. The location of the drive-thru is the circle drive under the awning, directly in front of the hospital by the main entrance.
Are you an Uninsured Female over 40?
The Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation wants to help you! The Foundation is offering FREE Mammogram Screenings to uninsured women over 40. Appointments will be Saturday, September 26, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please call 903.439.4040 to schedule your appointment.
This is limited to the first 20 women.
Hospital Visitation
For the safety and health of the community and our ministry, CHRISTUS Health is screening all associates and visitors to our hospitals to help lessen the risk of infectious disease transmission among our patients, associates, and guests.
- 1 Entrance to hospital through Emergency Department 24/7
- 1 Visitor per patient
- Visitors must be between the ages of 16 years-old and 65-years old
- All visitors are screened at the door, including a temperature taken
- All associates are screened at each shift, including a temperature taken
- Visiting hours are 7am to 7pm (subject to change)
- ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable.
Local Services
Optometry
While no longer affiliated with CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, Andrew Yoder, OD, Optometry is still practicing in his regular space at 1100 Mockingbird Lane, as an independent provider. Dr. Yoder’s private practice is now called iFocus Vision Care, and all hours and schedule remain the same. To schedule an eye appointment with Dr. Yoder, please contact his office at
903.439.2020.
Medical Records
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs Medical Records Department is closed to the public. Our hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm. If you need access to your medical records, there are several options:
MyChart
a. You may submit an electronic request via MyChart and it will be processed within 24-hours during business days.
Fax
a. You may fax an authorization request, and a copy of your photo ID to
903.439.4704.
- Phone
- a. You may call 903.439.4045, select option “3” from the menu, and one of our ‘release of information’ specialists will be glad to assist you.
COVID-19
Experiencing Symptoms? If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, cough, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, chills, muscle pain or headache, or diarrhea, please call your provider for either a face-to-face appointment or a telemedicine consultation. If your provider
determines you need to have a COVID-19 test, they will send you to the appropriate outpatient location for testing. If you are experiencing an emergency, please present to the Emergency Room. At this time, we are preserving our Emergency Room COVID-19 tests for those who are experiencing an emergency. Otherwise, we would ask that you follow the steps above. If you do not have a healthcare provider, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic welcomes new patients. Please call 903.885.3181 to talk to one of our associates about setting up an appointment.
Don’t Delay Care: We want to be perfectly clear – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances remains a safe place for all to receive quality care. Go to the Emergency Department or call 9-1-1 if you are urgently ill. While COVID-19 is new, our processes and procedures in place for infection prevention and preventing the spread of illness are not. To learn more about COVID-19, go to ChristusTMF.org or www.cdc.gov.
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro
and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother
Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-
term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic.
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41
counties.
For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
Hopkins County United Way Goal, Theme Announced At Workers Kick Off Lunch
The 2020-2021 Hopkins County United Way goal and theme, along with a few changes to the annual campaign, were announced at the annual workers kick off lunch, held Tuesday, Sept. 22, at First United Methodist Church.
Campaign Chair Mike Horne said the goal this year is to be United Together to raise $150,000 to benefit people of all ages through HCUW’s allocations to 19 local agencies.
Horne chose the theme based on the challenges brought on by COVID-19 which over the last 6 months has separated many, as well as social injustices.
The chairman said while the $150,000 goal may seem like a lot, especial in these times of economic instability or change for some, he feels confident the Hopkins County community will rise to the challenge to their neighbors through United Way.
“That’s a little less than last year because of what 2020 is. I think we will greatly exceed that, but we wanted to be sure so we lowered it a little bit,” Horne said.
Beverley Owens, co-president with husband Bill Owens, expressed appreciation to all workers for collecting packets, which gives a helping hand to hope to people in the community through the 19 organizations allocated funds from the $150,000 campaign.
This year, Brandon Williams will be updating a Hopkins County United Way Facebook page regularly, including posting videos featuring representatives from some of the organizations who benefit from the annual fundraiser. A promotional link on Facebook will allow those who wish to give but who do not contribute already through a business or organization to do so online . There will also be a Pay Pal option for donations of any amount from $1 up.
The campaign chair will also be available for workplace visit in person or virtually, to discuss HCUW for those businesses and organizations interested. Contact him directly or contact HCUW Executive Secretary Susan Berning at 903-243-4066.
HCUW has allocated funding from the $150,000 campaign to the 19 agencies as follows:
- Boy Scouts of America, Circle Ten Council $2,100
- Bright Star Baseball $1,000
- CANHelp $8,000
- East Texas Council on Alcohol/Drug Abuse $2,000
- Heritage Christian Counseling Center $8,000
- Hopkins County 4-H $2,000
- Hopkins County Christian Alliance on behalf of Community Cupboard $7,000
- Hopkins County Christian Alliance on behalf of Empty Stocking $1,000
- Hopkins County Community Chest $54,500
- Jehovah Jireah Food Pantry $1,000
- Lake Country CASA $9,000
- Lakes Regional Community Center on behalf of Our Place $4,000
- Meal-A-Day Sulphur Springs $7,000
- Northeast Texaas Child Advocacy Center, Inc. $3,500
- SAFE-T (Shelter Agencies for Families in East Texas $4,000
- Shadow Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center $4,000
- Sulphur Springs Symphony League $1,000
- Teen Court $3,500
- The Dinner Bell $3,000
HCUW also allocated $3,000 to United Way Worldwide. In the past 1 percent went to UWW. However, this year the global organization set a minimum membership fee of $3,000 to be part of the organization. United Way is a 65-year tradition in Hopkins County.
An additional $21,400 is budgeted for administrative expenses, which include a salary for the part-time secretary, supplies, utilities, the annual audit, postage and campaign materials.
HCUW will have weekly report meeting, during which campaign workers can turn in packets and give an update on progres, and the campaign total will be tallied. However, a HCUW 100% Club will not be announced following each meeting this year. HCUW officers determined that every donation is important and appreciated, no matter how large or small.
The 2020-21 HCUW officers offered thanks to the many who support HCUW through their financial contributions as well as service as the many community members who volunteer their time to serve as campaign workers. Many have served in multiple capacities over the years, some continue to serve in multiple roles.
This year the Board of Directors includes Chuck Askins, Larry Crowson, Debra Evans, Markeda Fisher, Charlotte Henderson, Mike Horne, Mike Jumper, Sherry McGraw, Kristy Moseley, Beverley Owens, Bill Owens and Larry Wills.
The Budget and Allocation Committee includes Lezley Brown, Markeda Fisher, Charlotte Henderson, Mike Horne Beverley Owens and Bill Owens.
After lunch, the campaign workers received campaign donation packets, which are being distributed to businesses and organizations in the community.
The American Pickers Are Coming To Texas
The hit History Channel TV show is coming back to Texas in November and plans to be filming several episodes while in the state.
AMERICAN PICKERS is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on History. The hit show follows Mike and Frank, two of the most skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s
most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find sizeable, unique collections and learn the interesting stories behind them.
If you or someone you know has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the Pickers can spend the better part of the day looking through, send us your name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to: [email protected]. You can also give them a call at (855) OLD-RUST. Or find them on facebook @GotAPick.
Lady Cats Sweep Commerce Tigers on Senior Night, 3-0
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team recognized five seniors and a manager for Senior Night before the hosts swept the Commerce Tigers, 3-0 Tuesday evening.
The Lady Cats dominated, surrendering a lead in points only twice.
Sadie Washburn finished the game 18 for 30 in kills, with 8 aces, as she put the team on her shoulders in the first set. At one point, she scored 7 of 8 consecutive points for the Lady Cats as they obliterated their competition in the first set, winning by a score of 5-25.
Brooklyn Burnside finished with 8 for 12 in kills, 6 aces, and a block as well.
“We as a team had 20 [aces],” Coach Dorner said, adding that such a feat “is unheard of.”
The Lady Cats started the season 0-2, but have since won three straight to achieve a winning record for the first time in the still-young season.
The team resumes action this weekend with three games, all away and located throughout the DFW metroplex. The first is Friday, Sept. 25 versus Princeton at 4 P.M., with two more Saturday thanks to a duel match with Forney and Wylie East at 12 and 1 in the afternoon, respectively.
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 Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra Weighs in on Scrimmage and Frisco Wakeland Offense
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra said he was pleased with the defense during last Thursday night’s scrimmage against Mount Pleasant at Prim Stadium. He said a lot of young players got some good looks at what varsity football is all about. He said there were a couple of defense breakdowns, which he said was understandable. Coach Guerra said the defense played hard. Mount Pleasant scored on a long run after an option play pitch. The Wildcats don’t see a lot of option football. Coach Guerra said the touchdown was his fault because he had the Wildcats in a bad defense for that play. He noted that the referees were also working on get ready for the season and he added there were a couple of pass interference calls he just did not see on game tapes. The Wildcats got an interception and had another one negated by one of the pass interference calls. He liked the play of the secondary right before the end of the second quarter. Concerning Frisco Wakeland’s offense, Coach Guerra said they are disciplined and will take what you give them. He said they run counter plays and like to take shots with long passes down the field. Coach Guerra said the Wolverines had some tall receivers and he said the Wakeland quarterback did a good job throwing fade passes. He said he was also impressed with two of the Wakeland offensive tackles. He said the Wolverines were well coached. Coach Guerra said he was also impressed by the running of back Jared White during Wakeland’s scrimmage against Marshall last Friday. Coach Guerra has been working the Wildcats defense hard this week. He said the Wildcats defense struggled in three areas in the scrimmage against Mount Pleasant and he said all three were areas in which Frisco Wakeland does well.
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.
