Interstate 30 Traffic Stop Nets Bundles Of Cash, Marijuana, Pill, 3 Arrests
An Interstate 30 traffic stop netted bundles of cash, marijuana, a pill and the three arrests, according to arrest reports.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Arturo Ugalde reported stopping a white Dodge 1500 pickup just before 6 p.m. Jan. 8 on Interstate 30 west at mile marker 136 for a defective tail light.
Upon contact with the occupants, Ugalde alleged he detected the overwhelming odor of fresh marijuana. All three occupants of the vehicle gave the highway patrolman different, conflicting stories regarding their travels and destination, Ugalde alleged in arrest reports.
Passenger Erik Maray Williams claimed to have a medical marijuana card and admitted to possessing marijuana, the trooper alleged in arrest reports. A probable cause search of Williams’ luggage allegedly revealed a usable quantity of marijuana and a large amount of US currency, which the 38-year-old Cincinnati, Ohio claimed was about $20,000 in cash. The bundles included bill of all denominations, all secured with rubber bands, Ugalde noted in arrest reports.
Driver Ronald Floyd Jr. allegedly admitted to possessing a jar of marijuana. A usable quantity of marijuana and large amounts of currency the 36-year-old Cincinnati, Ohio man to the trooper amounted to about $43,000 in cash. Those bundles too included bills of all denominations secured with rubber and paper bands, according to arrest reports.
A search of passenger Alexanndria C. Green’s purse allegedly revealed two halves of a broken pill identified as acetaminophen oxycodone, which the 32-year-old Cincinnati, Ohio woman claimed Floyd gave her for pain caused by braces that were recently put on, Ugalde noted in arrest reports.
DPS Criminal Investigations Division Agents Phillip Alston and Daniel Kelly were contacted. All three Ohio residents were taken transported to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, where they were interviewed by the agents. A DPS canine also alerted on the currency, which Ugalde noted, was an indication the currency had been within close proximity to narcotics.
Based on the totality of circumstances, DPS believed Williams and Floyd were in possession of suspected proceeds from criminal activity and actively transporting them in order to further the criminal activity, Ugalde alleged in arrest reports.
Thus, Williams and Floyd were arrested for money laundering and possession of marijuana and Green was charged with possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
Green was released from Hopkins County jail Saturday morning, Jan. 9, 2021, on a $10,000 bond on the controlled substance charge. Floyd was also released from jail Saturday, Jan. 9 on a $20,000 bond on the money laundering charge and a $1,000 bond on the possession of marijuana charge, according to jail reports.
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.
Paris District Road Report for the Week of January 11, 2021
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of Jan. 11, 2021. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on northbound and southbound US 75 between Center Street and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes and the new South Travis Street Bridge. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91 as crews work on building detours and installing drainage structures. The northbound exit ramp for Houston and Lamar Streets (SH 56) is currently closed, and exiting traffic is requested to use the Park Avenue exit ramp. The northbound exit ramp for Pecan Street and Washington Street is currently closed, and exiting traffic is requested to use the next exit ramp for North Travis Street. The southbound exit ramp for Park Avenue is currently closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Houston/Lamar Street (SH 56) exit. The southbound Washington Street exit ramp is currently closed, and exiting traffic is requested to use the North Travis Street exit. The northbound frontage road from South Travis Street to near Park Avenue is closed for crews to work on building the remaining portion of the retaining wall along US 75 at the South Travis Street intersection. Traffic is requested to use the US 75 mainlanes during this closure. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set for this construction project.
During the weeks of January 11 through 22, the Center Street intersection at US 75 will be closed to through traffic in order for crews to perform pavement improvements in the left lane of the northbound and southbound frontage roads. Traffic on Center Street will be able to make a right turn only onto the frontage road and will detour to the next intersection. This same process will occur for the Houston, Washington Street and Lamar Street intersections in subsequent weeks. This work is weather dependent and may be adjusted due to unfavorable weather.
The US 75 pedestrian bridge near Pecan Street in Sherman is closed to pedestrian traffic. The east side over the frontage road has been removed. The remaining pedestrian bridge will be removed at a later time. Pedestrians wishing to cross US 75 are advised to cross at the Houston Street signalized intersection.
FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews are working to construct a portion of the new Sand Creek bridge and the approaches to the bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews perform utility work. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews work to build portions of the new bridges and roadway. Watch for lane shifts and narrow lanes throughout the project as crews have moved traffic to the temporary detour section. The ultimate roadway will be a five-lane section consisting of concrete pavement when the project is completed.
US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
US 75 Ramp Reversal in Denison, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 main lanes and frontage road between Spur 503 and FM 691. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures on the southbound US 75 frontage road while construction crews work on completing the remainder of the project. The new FM 691 exit ramp is open to access FM 691. The new entrance ramp to southbound US 75 has been opened to traffic.
US 377, Grayson County: from US 82 to FM 901. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday and Thursday during the daytime.
US 82 & US 69, Grayson County: from FM 131 to FM 1897 on US 82, and from SH 56 to US 75 on US 69. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
FM 697, Grayson County: between FM 2729 and US 69. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway.
FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to SH 78. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
The annual contract to perform crack sealing operations in Fannin County is in progress. Daytime lane closures will be present during crack sealing operations and drivers should expect delays. The following roadways in Fannin County will be crack sealed this year; US 82 from SH 121 to the Grayson County line, and SH 11 from SH 121 to SH 78.
FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1743, Fannin County: from SH 56 to FM 1550. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 824, Fannin County: from SH 56 in Honey Grove to the Lamar County line. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1550, Fannin County: from County Road 3330 to SH 34. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
SH 121, Fannin County: from the Collin County line to SH 56. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided roadway. Westbound US 82 traffic has been shifted to the new pavement on the eastern end of the project between the Fannin-Lamar County line and County Road 2975. Eastbound traffic will remain in its current lane, while crews work on the inside lane to build crossovers and turn lanes. Drivers who frequent this roadway are advised that all driveways, county roads and farm-to-market roads approaching the new westbound main lanes on US 82 will have a full stop before crossing over to the median. The on-ramp to westbound US 82 from SH 78 has been closed while crews work on building the new westbound main lanes. The westbound exit ramp for SH 121 is closed as crews work on building the new main lanes in this area. Exiting traffic for SH 121 is asked to use the SH 78 exit and continue along the frontage road to SH 121.
Weather permitting, on January 12, westbound US 82 traffic will be moved to the new travel lanes between County Road 2975 and SH 121. Eastbound traffic will remain in its current lane, while construction crews begin work on the inside lane, building the crossovers and left-turn lanes. Drivers who frequent this roadway are advised that all driveways, county roads and farm-to-market roads approaching the new westbound main lanes on US 82 will have a full stop before crossing over to the median.
SH 56, Fannin County: between the Grayson County line and FM 1752. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews fog seal the roadway.
SH 56, Fannin County: between FM 897 and FM 1396. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform spot milling on the roadway.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
I-30, Hopkins & Franklin Counties: From Titus County Line to Hunt County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
FM 3389, Hopkins County: From IH 30 to FM 1567. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews begin work on rehabilitation of the roadway.
SH 37, Franklin County: At Winnsboro City Limit. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform work on cross drainage structure.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
FM 1507, Lamar County: from South Collegiate Drive to Loop 286. This roadway is closed while crews rehabilitate and resurface the existing roadway.
Loop 286, Lamar County: from US 82 W to 0.5 mi. south of US 82 E. Watch for lane closures while crews perform full-depth concrete repairs.
BU 82H (Bonham St./Lamar Ave.), Lamar County: from 19th St. SW to 33rd St. SE. Watch for crews performing safety improvements to traffic signals.
FM 1487, Red River County: from FM 909 to FM 910. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews widen and rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 911, Red River County: from BU 82K (Avery) to FM 44. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 271 (Bogata) to Franklin County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews mill existing pavement, upgrade bridge rail, and place new hot mix.
BU 271D, Red River County: from US 271 to SP 38 (Bogata). Watch for daytime lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing roadway.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to Bowie County Line. Traffic is shifted to the north side of the roadway between FM 44 and FM 1699 while crews perform pavement widening work on the south side.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903)455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
FM 2194, Hunt County: between Merit and FM 903. Work on this project is completed. Please be careful when traveling in this area.
SH 276, Hunt County, from FM 36 to SH 34 (Quinlan Bypass): The contractor has begun placing barricades and will begin preparing the right-of-way and clearing/grubbing the project limits.
FM 499, Hunt County: at Lynn Creek. The contractor has begun demolition work and will be working on forming and prep work for the concrete deck. Road closures began on Nov. 30 and will continue throughout the duration of this project. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for workers and work zones when traveling in this area.
FM 1566, Hunt County: from FM 272 near Celeste to State Highway 34. The contractor is currently working on compacting flexbase and prepping material on a two-mile stretch of roadway rehabilitation beginning at FM 272. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
SH 66 at FM 1570, Hunt County: The contractor will be prepping the right-of-way and placing culverts for this project. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
Maintenance crews in Hunt County will be performing pothole repairs, mowing and metal beam guard fence repairs around the county, and removing debris from I-30 early this week. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
Maintenance crews in Rains County will be performing various sign installations, potholing and debris removal. Please watch for lane closures, work zones and workers along the roadway, and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
SH 34 bridge, Hunt County: 3.5 miles south of Quinlan. TxDOT has placed a temporary concrete traffic barrier to protect travelers from the damage caused by an 18-wheeler accident. A project pre-construction meeting is scheduled for Jan. 7. The bridge/road is now open to both lanes of traffic. Please drive cautiously and safely in this area.
Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews. Debris and litter operations are ongoing throughout multiple parts of the county. Please be careful when traveling, and watch out for workers.
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Saffel Released From Hopkins County Jail On $10,000 Bond On Illegal Dumping, Debris Charges
Justen Blake Saffel was released Saturday from Hopkins County jail on $10,000 in bonds on charges for illegal dumping and discharge of debris near Lake Sulphur Springs, according to jail reports.
Saffel was taken into custody around 3 p.m. Wednesday in Omaha on warrants issued following a joint investigation by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and Hopkins County Fire Marshals Office. The 26-year-old spent the night in Morris County jail, before being transferred by HCFD Assistant Fire Marshal Mike Matthews to Hopkins County jail.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was notified earlier in the week that debris and trash had been dumped near Sulphur Springs Lake, at the dead end of County Road 4703. The debris, hauled away Tuesday in a dump truck, weighed more than 4,000 pounds. A joint investigation of the dumping was under way Tuesday by HCSO and Hopkins County Fire Department was launched.
“After the initial cleanup and investigation an arrest has been made in Morris County. Assistant Fire Marshal Mike Matthews, tracked down the suspect and he is now in custody,” HCSO Chief Deputy Tanner Crump noted in a news release Wednesday night.
According to law enforcement reports, Justen Blake Saffel was taken into custody late Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2021, in Omaha. The 26-year-old who’d been staying in Omaha was arrested and taken to Morris County jail, where he was held overnight on the Hopkins County warrants for illegal dumping and intentionally or knowingly unauthorized discharge of the debris adjacent to the water way, in connection with the dumping near Lake Sulphur Springs, according to sheriffs reports.
Wednesday was the second time Saffel has been arrested by County fire marshals and third time he has been jailed on felony Hopkins County charges.
In September of 2016, County fire marshals arrested Saffel on an arson charge. Saffel was accused of setting a house that had been vacant for several years in Birthright on fire. A 6-month member of North Hopkins Volunteer Fire Department, Saffel’s membership in the department was terminated following the incident, NHVFD wrote in a statement following Saffel’s arrest in 2016.
Saffel was arrested Sept. 11, 2016, by Hopkins County Fire Marshals; indicted Oct. 17, 2016, and was released Nov. 29, 2016, on 10 years probation on the arson charge, according to court and jail records.
The 26-year-old was also jailed Sept. 7, 2015, for allegedly pointing a gun at his mother and cousin during a disturbance at a Locust Street residence. Saffel remained in jail until Dec. 14, 2015 in Hopkins County jail on the aggravated assault of a date, family or household member with a weapon, according to jail reports.
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.
Como Man Turns Self In For Failure To Comply With Sex Offender Duty To Register
A 24-year-old Como man surrendered himself at Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office for failure to comply with sex offender duty to register, according to arrest reports.
Colton Lee Hooten at 5:20 a.m. Jan. 5 turned himself in. Sgt. Todd Evans that he had forgotten to notify Investigator Michael Russell know he had moved about a month before. He said he’d let authorities in Emory know he’d moved from that city to Como, but not HCSO.
Hooten was booked into jail without incident on the failure to comply charge. He told officials he already had a bondsman paid. Because he is on probation in Hunt County, a voicemail was left notifying his probation officer of his arrest, Evans noted in arrest reports.
Hooten remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday morning, Jan. 9. His bond was set at $25,000 on the failure to comply with sex offender duty to register charge He also has an outstanding warrant for surety off bond on a May 11, 2020, failure to comply with sex offender duty to register charge as well as a Hunt County warrant for sexual assault of a child. according to jail reports.
When arrested in May 2020, he also was charged on warrants for not paying a driving while license invalid and for motion to revoke on a Hunt County sexual assault of a child charge; he remained in custody until May 19, 2020 on those charges, according to jail records.
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.
Free Seniors Fitness Class Resumes at The ROC 3x Week
by Karon Weatherman of SS Srs Center
Attention Senior Citizens! The ROC is back open so the Fit and Strong Class can start up again! Instructor John Little will be waiting for you at the ROC on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:30
If you haven’t been attending this class, it is FREE. You just need to show up. The class includes using Hand Weights, Stretchy Bands and Stress Balls. You don’t need to bring anything initially, as John will let you know what you need to purchase.
It is a Great form of exercise for everyone. Persons of varying strength levels are welcome. You can do this class Sitting Down or Standing Up.
Please wear a mask and practice Social Distancing!
We will be very happy when the class can return to the Senior Citizens Center once again. Thanks to The ROC for stepping up and allowing us to use their space in the meantime. I hope everyone stays well and healthy as we begin 2021!
Wildcats Soccer Team Gets First Win Of The Season Friday In Forney Tournament
After playing to a 2-2 tie with Mesquite Poteet Friday morning, January 8, the Wildcats Soccer Team got their first win of the season Friday afternoon, 3-0 over Dallas South Oak Cliff in the Forney Kickoff Tournament. The Wildcats are 1-1-1 in the tournament and 1-2-1 for the season.
Against Poteet, the Wildcats got two goals from Omar Hernandez, one on a penalty kick. Wildcats Soccer Coach Alexi Upton said the Wildcats had another bad start against the Pirates. He said the Wildcats are struggling out of the gate and are having to play catch up. He also said the Wildcats were unlucky on some penalty calls or non-calls.
In the win over SOC, the Wildcats got a goal from Edgar Salazar assisted by Alex Yanez, another goal by Hernandez assisted by Josh Tavera and a goal from Uriel Santacruz assisted by Hector Hernandez. Coach Upton said the Wildcats got the win they desperately needed. He said everyone got to play and, he said, everyone played well.
The Wildcats Soccer Team now plays a tournament consolation game against Seagoville at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.
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 Basketball Team Remains Unbeaten In District Play With Win At Hallsville Friday
In an early battle of two teams unbeaten in district games, the Wildcats Basketball Team got a big win on the road over Hallsville, 51-35 Friday night, January 8.
The win gave the Wildcats a 3-0 record in district play and they are 10-6 for the season. Hallsville slips to 3-1 in district play and 13-6 for the season.
The Wildcats were led by junior Justin Haire and senior Boo Wilkerson who both scored 11 points. Sophomore Kordrick Turner added 9 points. Senior Lamodrick Johnson had 5 points. Junior Caleb Alexander and senior Jatavian Hall had 4 points apiece. Ben Hatcher scored 3 points. Senior Malique Cole returned from a broken hand injury to score 2 points. Parker Whisenhunt also scored 2 points.
The Wildcats have another district game Saturday. The Wildcats play the Longview Lobos Saturday afternoon in the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School. There is a Freshman game at 1 p.m. A JV contest follows at around 2:15 p.m. The varsity game is scheduled at around 3:30 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.
Lady Cats Soccer Team Takes Loss On Second Day Of Kilgore Tournament Friday
With a young team, the future of the Lady Cats Soccer Team looks bright. However there can be growing pains along the way. That’s what happened Friday, January 8, as the Lady Cats played Abilene Wylie in the Kilgore Tournament. The Lady Bulldogs won 6-0 over the Lady Cats.
Lady Cats Soccer Coach Javier Aguayo says small mistakes are still hurting the Lady Cats. He notes that the Lady Cats are a young team that still has a lot to learn. Coach Aguayo promises that the team will continue to work to clean things up.
With the loss, the Lady Cats are 1-1-1 in the tournament and 1-2-1 for the season. The Lady Cats play Chapel Hill at 3 p.m. Saturday on the final day of the Kilgore Tournament.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Lady Cats Basketball Team Picks Up Big District Win Over Hallsville At Home Friday
Whether it was stout Lady Cats defense or poor shooting by Hallsville or perhaps a combination of the two, the Lady Cats Basketball Team outscored Hallsville, 27-4, after the first two quarters on their way to a 60-33 district win at home Friday, January 8.
The Lady Bobcats managed only one basket in the first quarter and a pair of free throws in the second quarter. The Lady Cats got a 20 point night from sophomore Kenzie Willis who hit 3 three-point shots. Willis and senior Nylah Lindley did a good job rebounding against a tall Hallsville team. Senior Bre’Asia Ivery used her speed to convert several driving layups as she totaled 11 points. Sophomore Addisyn Wall hit 3 three-pointers for 9 points. Senior Dalanee Myles scored 8 points. Lindley and sophomore Serenity Lewis both had 6 points.
With the win, the Lady Cats improve to 3-2 in district play and 9-6 for the season. The Lady Cats have won three games in a row. Hallsville is now 4-1 in district play and 9-7 for the season.
The Lady Cats won’t have much time to savor their win. They play a district game at Longview Saturday with a JV game at noon and the Varsity game to follow at around 1:15 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.
Jan. 8 COVID-19 Update: 12 New Cases, 4 Recoveries, 217 Active Cases
In Hopkins County, two people had received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and four Hopkins County residents had recovered, there were also 12 new coronavirus cases and the local COVID unit was within three patients of reaching capacity, Texas Department of State Health Services and Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials reported in Jan. 8 COVID-19 reports. Trauma Service Area F Friday reported a record number of COVID-19 hospitalizations on Friday.
Case Counts
Six additional Hopkins County residents had tested positive for COVID-19, increasing the total number of confirmed cases so far this week (Jan. 3-8) to 84 and this month to 93. Cumulatively, since March, 1,215 Hopkins County residents have received positive COVID-19 test results.
Six new probable cases were also reported on Friday, Jan. 8, for Hopkins County. That makes 30 probable cases reported the first six days of this week and 61 new probable cases reported during the first eight days of January. Since the state began tracking probable cases, defined by DSHS and the CDC as people who tested positive through an antigen test or has a combination of symptoms and a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 without a more likely diagnosis, there have been 1,178 probable cases logged for Hopkins County.
Four additional Hopkins County residents had recovered from COVID-19, according to the Jan. 8 COVID-19 Case Counts dashboard. So far in 2021, 50 Hopkins County residents have recovered from COVID-19, 42 on Sunday, one Wednesday, three Thursday and four more by 3:50 p.m. Friday.
Cumulatively, 154 new COVID-19 cases have been logged so far this month and 2,393 cases (counting both confirmed and probable cases) since March for Hopkins County.
No additional COVID-19 fatalities were confirmed for Hopkins County, so the death count stands at 73. According to Texas Health and Human Services, the four nursing homes in Sulphur Springs had reported a total of 50 resident COVID-19 deaths as of Dec. 23, the most recent data available for nursing facilities.
With only four recoveries to offset new cases, the active case count in Hopkins County rose from 209 on Thursday to 217 on Friday. That’s 217 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases who may still be sick” in Hopkins County.
Hospital Reports
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials in the Jan. 8 COVID-19 update reported 32 patients in the COVID-19 Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs for the second consecutive day. That’s the most patients reported in the unit at CMFH-SS, just three patients short of full capacity in the COVID unit.
The COVID-19 patient count reached a new pandemic high in Trauma Service Area F on Jan. 7, with 235 patients in the hospital Thursday. In fact, COVID-19 hospitalizations accounted for 22.3 percent of the overall hospital capacity (the total number of all staffed beds in TSA hospitals) on Jan. 7. That’s 17 more COVID-19 hospitalizations on Thursday than on Wednesday, with COVID-19 capacities accounted for another 2.66 percent of the total hospital capacity.
While COVID-19 hospitalizations have risen over the last few days, the total number of staffed hospital beds in TSA-F has decreased from 1,088 Tuesday to 1,073 Wednesday and 1,054 Thursday.
While there were 306 beds and 67 ventilators available on Thursday, only three ICU beds available in Trauma Service Area F Jan. 8, one less than on Wednesday — which is the most ICU beds available in the last seven days, according the DSHS Jan. 8 Test and Hospital Data Dashboard and Combined Hospital Data over Time by Trauma Service Area (TSA) report.
Thursday was the 13th day of high hospitalizations, that is days in which COVID-19 hospitalizations made up 15 percent or more of the total hospital capacity in the trauma service area, according to the DSHS report. That means restaurants and most businesses in Hopkins County and four other counties in TSA-F are restricted to 50 percent capacity for at least 7 more days, per Governor’s Executive Order GA-32.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
According to DSHS, two people in Hopkins County have now received the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, one male and one female, both between 16 and 49 years; and 377 others had received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by 11:59 p.m. Jan. 7. According to the DSHS data, that’s 252 women and 125 men who are scheduled for a second dose of the vaccine in the near future. The majority of vaccines in Hopkins County went to people ages 16-49 years, 113 ages 50-64 years, 85 people ages 65-79 and 24 age 80 or older, the Jan. 8 COVID-19 Vaccine Data Dashboard.
Additional information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including a Texas COVID‑19 Vaccine Provider Locations map, can be found by clicking the COVID-19 Vaccine Information link on the DSHS COVID-19 page (https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/).
COVID-19 Testing
HC/SSEM’s Jan. 8 COVID-19 update showed a total of 7,636 molecular COVID tests had been
performed at the free testing center as of 6 p.m. Thursday. That means 92 additional oral swab COVID-19 tests were conducted at 128-A Jefferson Street on Jan. 7, and 439 so far this week.
A total of 12,241 viral COVID-19 tests have been conducted had been conducted in Hopkins County since the pandemic began. Molecular tests, according to DSHS, diagnose current infections by looking for a germ’s genetic material. For COVID-19, molecular tests include nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction or RT-PCR tests (which PCR tests look for pieces of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in the nose, throat, or other areas in the respiratory tract to determine if the person has an active infection) and loop mediated isothermic amplification (LAMP) tests. A positive molecular test is required to meet criteria as a confirmed case.
Twenty-three additional COVID-19 antigen tests were performed in Hopkins County on Jan. 7, increases the cumulative total to 1,275. Antigen tests are nasal swab tests that can show a current infection by looking for proteins on the outside of a germ. They can be performed rapidly where the test is collected. Under the national case definitions, positive antigen tests indicate probable cases, not confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Four additional COVID-19 antibody tests were also conducted in Hopkins County on Jan.7, increasing the total number conducted so far to 1,674. Antibody tests are blood tests that can show whether a person had a past infection by looking for proteins the body creates to fight an infection. Antibody tests, also called serology tests, can’t always determine how long it has been since someone had COVID-19, however.
Free oral swab (molecular) COVID-19 testing will continue to be offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays in January inside the Red Cross (old Fidelity Express Building) in Sulphur Springs. Free testing is open to anyone regardless of age or address. Registration is required online at www.GoGetTested.com in order to be tested at 128-A Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs.
