Wood County Sheriff’s Report Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2020
Wood County Sheriff’s Office provided the following activity report for Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2020:
- Abandoned Vehicle: 3
- Alarm: 7
- Animal Complaint: 5
- Arrest/Warrant: 4
- Assault: 2
- Burglary: 5
- Criminal Mischief: 2
- Criminal Trespass: 8
- Disturbances/Disputes: 9
- Driving While Intoxicated: 1
- Fraud: 3
- Funeral Escort: 1
- Harassment: 4
- Inquest: 1
- Livestock at Large: 14
- Missing Person: 3
- Motorist Assist: 7
- Noise Complaint: 2
- Reckless Driver: 5
- Recovered Stolen Property: 1
- Shots Fired: 1
- Suspicious Activity: 25
- Terroristic Threat: 2
- Theft: 7
- Traffic Hazard: 3
- Traffic Stop Cleared by Arrest: 1
- Unauthorized Use of Vehicle: 1
- Welfare Check: 13
Sulphur Springs City Manager’s Report – October 2020
On Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020, Sulphur Springs City Council received from City Manager Marc Maxwell the monthly manager’s report:
COVID-19 Response
The number of active cases in Hopkins County maintains a range of 30 to 90 cases and was at 74 active cases as of October 5th. The state tested 398 people in its most recent round of testing. We have had 314 recoveries in Hopkins County.
As a part of the City’s response to Covid-19 the City suspended the practice of cutting of water service for non-payment. Some of the balances are growing quite high. The total arrearage is $86,000 with 423 accounts (6.3% of all accounts) in arrears. 143 accounts are more than 90 days in arrears. I have not planned on reinstituting cut offs until after a vaccine is available. At that point we will have to decide how to bring the delinquent accounts up to a current status. I will likely propose requiring residents to pay their current bill along with 1/6th or 1/12th of their arrearage to avoid being cut off. In this way their accounts would be brought current in either 6 months or 12 months. I just wanted to put this out there so that you would have plenty of time to consider a fair and reasonable path forward.
Grays Building
The piers for the building have been poured to a depth of 18 feet. The Capital Construction Division is installing the below grade plumbing. We are extremely fortunate to have such a capable Public Works Department with Russ Nuss at its head. Among all of his other talents, Russ is also a master plumber. He and his staff are doing an excellent job on the plumbing. After the plumbing is roughed in the City’s master electrician will install the below grade conduit for electrical circuits. We are also very fortunate to have John Smith on staff as our master electrician. Once he is finished installing the below grade electrical conduits Potts Concrete Construction will finish constructing the concrete foundation.
Senior Citizens Building
Construction drawings are being prepared by REES Associates. We are planning to hire Don Roundtree to manage the construction under the same arrangement that we have on the Grays Building.
Bellview Street
Atmos is finally finished replacing the gas line. We will rebuild the intersection with Texas Street next.
McCann Street
The sewer main and water main have both been replaced. We will now begin replacing curb and gutter, and then the street will be repaved at the same time as Bellview Street.
Claims
We had two minor workers compensation claims in the Police Department in September and one liability claim from a motorist who drove through a pothole on an Atmos trench line on Kyle Street. We also submitted our own property claim for damage to a new police cruiser caused by an officer backing into an I-beam.
Revenues and Expenditures
Finance Director Lesa Smith will present a year-end report of revenues and expenditures.
Miscellaneous
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Treated wastewater to a monthly average total suspended solids count of .20 mg/L.
- Repaired 22 water main leaks/ruptures.
- Replaced 9 water meters.
- Unstopped 31 sewer mains.
- Washed 80,000 feet of sewer mains.
- Flushed 36 dead end water mains.
- Treated 161 million gallons of potable water.
- Conducted 35 building inspections, 13 electrical inspections, 17 plumbing inspections, 1 mechanical inspection, and issued 21 building permits.
- Responded to 208 calls for fire/rescue including 4 structure fires.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 81 fire hydrants.
- Conducted 11 fire inspections and reviewed associated pre-fire plans.
- Responded to 197 calls for animal control, achieving a 72% adoption rate.
- Made 37 arrests, wrote 552 citations, recorded 59 offenses and responded to 22 accidents in the Patrol Division.
- Made 13 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Made 19 major street repairs following utility repairs.
- Repaired 103 potholes.
- Poured a concrete slab for additional storage at the animal shelter.
- Line-trimmed South Town Branch.
- Checked out 2,794 items from the Municipal Library.
- Sold 1,764 gallons of AvGas and 7,900 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Boom shredded upper and lower lakes at Coleman Park.
- Prepared soccer fields and baseball/softball fields for youth play.
2020 Sulphur Springs High School Homecoming Festivities
Friday night’s varsity game may be canceled, but that didn’t dampen the Sulphur Springs High School Homecoming festivities. Wildcats fans and supporters filled the home stands at Gerald Prim Stadium Thursday, cheering for the 2020 Homecoming participants.\
The event featured the SSHS cheer squad, Blue Blazes, band and, of course, the Homecoming Court. A few of the Homecoming nominees pulled double duty not only taking their place among the court but also had an active role in other activities such as band and drill team.
As is tradition, the big event of the Sulphur Springs High School Homecoming Festivities was the Homecoming Queen Coronation. Escorted by family members, each of the nominees walked the field in evening gowns and heels as she was introduced, then either participated with the nominee’s organization or waited in her designated chair on the sidelines until all participants took the field for the announcement.
Selected as 2020 Homecoming Princesses were Lexi Colley and Rorie Young, and the 2020 SSHS Homecoming Queen is Kerie Wright.
Hopkins County Oct. 8 COVID-19 Update: 3 More Deaths, 10 New Cases, 5 Recoveries, 90 Active Cases
The COVID-19 case counts in Hopkins County continued to rise on Thursday, with 3 more deaths reported by Texas Department of State Health Services, and 10 new positive COVID-19 cases and five recoveries reported by Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials in their Hopkins County Oct. 8 COVID-19 update.
DSHS reported a total of 18 COVID-19 fatalities, derived from officials cause of death on official death certificates submitted to the state Vital Statistics office. One death was reported to have occurred on Sept. 30. The other two Hopkins County residents were reported to have died on Oct. 5 as a result of COVID-19.
Ten of the deaths have been reported this month, with 8 occurring in September and 2 in October. Six deaths were reported to have occurred in August and 2 in July, the month the state began using official death certificate cause of death when assigning COVID-19 fatalities to counties.
The 10 new positive COVID-19 cases increased the cumulative case count since March to 409. The five new recoveries helped to offset half of the new cases, increasing the active case count in Hopkins County to 90 and brings the cumulative case count to 409, according to the Hopkins County Oct. 8 COVID-19 update.
HC/SSEM also reported 8 patients in the COVID-19 Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Oct. 8, matching the Oct. 1 total for the unit but one less than on Oct. 7.
An additional 109 COVID-19 tests were performed at the free testing site at 128-A Jefferson St. Testing continues Monday-Saturday for the next couple of weeks. Register online and find out more details about the free COVID-19 molecular swab testing at GoGetTested.com.
According to Texas Health and Human Services, reported three additional resident deaths from COVID-19 at a Sulphur Springs nursing home as of Sept. 24; 1 additional case was reported on Sept. 23 and two more on Sept. 24 for a cumulative total of four resident deaths from COVID-19 Overall, 45 residents of Carriage House Manor had tested positive for COVID-19 since March, with 27 active cases and 13 recoveries on Sept. 24.
The Oct. 8 HHS nursing facility report showed no active employee cases at any of the Sulphur Spring nursing homes on Sept. 24. Overall, there have been 33 employees of Sulphur Springs nursing homes who have tested positive for COVID-19 since March, 16 at Carriage House Manor, five at Sulphur Springs Health & Rehab and two at Sunny Springs Nursing Home.
The Oct. 8 HHS assisted living facility report reported 1 employee COVID-19 case at Wesley House in Sulphur Springs, first reported on Sept. 21 and still active on Sept. 24. That brings the cumulative total of COVID-19 cases for assisted living facilities in Sulphur Springs to 5 employee and 7 resident cases as of Sept. 24.
There also were no active cases among either students or employees at licensed child care centers, school-age programs and before- or after -school program on Oct. 7, according to HHS’ Oct. 8 child care center COVID-19 case count report.
Oct. 9 SSHS Varsity Football Game Canceled
Sulphur Springs ISD released the following statement at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, regarding the Oct. 9 SSHS varsity football game being canceled:
It is with tremendous regret to inform you that our varsity SSHS football game scheduled for tomorrow, October 9, 2020, has been canceled. Our decision, a close collaboration with our Local Health Authority as well as officials with the Texas Department of State Health Services, was made to serve the health and best interest of our students and community. This decision only affects our varsity game. Sub-varsity games are currently proceeding as originally scheduled. The District will soon provide additional details about future varsity games.
Homecoming activities scheduled for this evening, October 7, 2020 at 8:00 PM, at Prim Stadium are continuing as planned.
Full refunds for tickets purchased for tomorrow night’s game will be provided. More details will soon follow.
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.
DSHS Reports 15th COVID-19 Fatality For Hopkins County
Texas Department of State Health Services on Wednesday reported another Hopkins County resident has died from COVID-19, marking the 15th COVID-19 fatality for Hopkins County since March 15th, 2020.
According to the DSHS data, the Hopkins County residents died Sept. 26. That’s 7 Hopkins County COVID-19 deaths reported for September: 2 on Sept. 22 and one each on Sept. 24, Sept. 25, Sept. 26 and Sept. 28 and Sept. 30. September the deadliest month for Hopkins County residents, surpassing the 6 deaths reported in August.
The number of COVID-19 fatalities for recent days could continue to grow as more death certificates are filed for those days, according to DSHS.
Also on Wednesday, Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials reported receiving notification of three now positive COVID-19 cases, which increases the overall active case count to 85 and the cumulative case county since March to 399.
Nine patients were reported to be in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs on Oct. 7, two more than the day before, but the same as on Oct. 2 and Oct. 5.
An additional 75 tests were performed Oct. 6 at the free COVID-19 testing site, located at 128-A Jefferson St.
Wildcats Friday Night Football Opponent Hallsville Led By Tommy Allison
Veteran Texas high school coach Tommy Allison is in his first year as head football coach at Hallsville, the Wildcats Homecoming opponent Friday night, October 9, at Gerald Prim Stadium.
Coach Allison came to Hallsville after nine years as head coach at Robinson, a Class 4A school near Waco. He also coached at Class 2-A Cayuga where he led the Wildcats there to a state championship in 2009. He’s spent 26 years in coaching including 14 seasons as a head coach.
Coach Allison is a native of Palestine and graduated from Palestine Westwood. He’s also a graduate of Abilene Christian University.
The Bobcats have started 2020 with losses to Cleburne and Frisco Memorial. Coach Allison says his Bobcats have played hard and he can’t fault their effort. He says Hallsville had chances to win both games. Coach Allison says the Bobcats entered the fourth quarter down by only 2 points against Cleburne and he adds Hallsville was in the lead in the fourth quarter against Frisco Memorial. He says his team has to learn how to finish games but, he says, that’s just part of the process of building a program.
Coach Allison says among his offensive standouts is junior slot receiver Carter Rogas, who was the Bobcats’ quarterback last year. Another is this year’s Hallsville quarterback, senior Tyler Lee, a baseball commit with a strong passing arm. Yet another is senior Brayden Walker, a speedy wide receiver.
Coach Allison says the leaders of defensive for the Bobcats are junior inside linebacker Jarrett Craig, senior outside linebacker Carson Trainor and senior safety Major Burnett.
Coach Allison says he found the Bobcats football numbers a little light when he arrived and he says he roamed the halls of the high school to add some players. So, Coach Allison says some of his guys have not played football for several years.
He says the Bobcats have been plagued by a couple of big plays and some missed tackles in their first two games. Still, he says, his players are getting better every day.
The Bobcats have a bye next week, then, begin district play against Jacksonville the following week. Coach Allison says the Bobcats’ District 9-5A in Division II is loaded. It includes toughies like Marshall and Texas High. He says he wants to build the Bobcats into a team mentioned in the same breath with the Mavericks and Tigers.
Coach Allison says he’s getting his first look at Sulphur Springs. He says the Wildcats look big and physical, which will help them be successful. Coach Allison believes the Wildcats will turn things around this season after a long season last year. He adds the Wildcats are also getting better each day.
Coach Allison says his rebuilding process at Hallsville will take time but, he adds, it helps that his players are great kids.
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.
Sulphur Springs Cross Country Teams Competing In Eustace On Game Day Thursday
On this game day Thursday, October 8, the Sulphur Springs Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country Teams are competing in a meet in Eustace.
Sulphur Springs Cross Country Coach Ross Hicks added the meet to the schedule to take advantage of a bye week in the schedule. It’s the fifth meet of the season for the Wildcats and Lady Cats.
Coach Hicks’ teams are preparing for the district meet on October 26 at Mount Pleasant.
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.
Sulphur Springs Homecoming Pep Rally, Coronation To Be Held Tonight
The Sulphur Springs High School Homecoming Pep Rally and Coronation of the 2020 Homecoming queen at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at Gerald Prim Stadium.
Homecoming is scheduled to follow the 9th grade football games. The band, cheer, and drill team will all be participating in the evening’s festivities.
The Homecoming court and queen nominees include Ella Moore, Alondra Barcenas, Kerie Wright, Rorie Young, Emma Eddins, Lizbeth Alvarez, Lexi Colley, Alexis Franks, Galilea Sosa and McKayla McGregor. A queen and two princesses will be announced.
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.
HC Genealogical Society Announces Virtual Meeting on Wednesday October 14
Greetings from HCHS,
We will be conducting our October meeting virtually, via Zoom, hosted by the Texas State Genealogical Society. It will be held, as usual, on the third Thursday of the month, October 15, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.
Registration will be required, as there is a limitation to the number of participants. Also, we will need you to register so that we can provide you with the link you will need to join the meeting. We ask that you register as far in advance as possible! THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR THIS! MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS ALIKE ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE. The link, and instructions, will be emailed to you on Wednesday evening, October 14, 2020.
Please send your name, telephone number and email address to [email protected] or call (903)885-8523 and leave the same information.
Ari Wilkins, a graduate of Louisiana State University, has been actively researching family history since 1998. She is the owner of the genealogical consulting company, Black Genesis.
Ms. Wilkins has spoken nationally and at local societies. She has been a Library Associate at Dallas Public Library since 2007. She teaches a series of basic research classes using popular genealogical websites. She specializes in African American research. Presentation – “Black and White Southern Families in Southern Plantation Records.”
The Antebellum Southern Plantation Records can offer multifaceted views into many white and African American Southern families. This resource documents families’ personal and business correspondence, conditions of plantation life (including the elusive names of slaves and descriptions of slave relationships), and much more. Learn about the genealogical value of the Southern Antebellum Plantation Records – how they are organized, how to search the collection, and apply it towards your genealogical research. The case studies will highlight the personal documents of a white Southern family and the indirect documentation of an African American family.
