DSHS Offers Tips To Help Reduce Risk Of COVID-19 During The Holidays
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, Texas enters the holiday season at a time when novel coronavirus is spreading rapidly and hospitalizations continue to rise throughout the state. The Texas Department of State Health Services is providing guidance on how to decrease the risk of spreading COVID-19 during the holidays.
This year, DSHS recommends being safer by celebrating in person with the people who live in your household and connecting virtually with those who live elsewhere.
A virtual Thanksgiving dinner allows friends and family to gather in their own homes and connect online or by phone as they sit down to dinner together. Other safe activities could include watching parades, programs and holiday movies at home or making a meal for a neighbor and delivering it without direct contact.
DSHS recommends those who do choose to gather with people they don’t live with take the following steps to reduce the chances of spreading novel coronavirus:
- Talk ahead of time to set expectations about the precautions everyone should be taking.
- Keep gatherings small.
- Wear a mask with multiple layers that completely covers tje nose and mouth.
- Always maintain 6 feet of physical distance between people who don’t live together.
- Gather and eat outside or, those who do choose to be inside can improve ventilation by opening windows.
- Have guests bring their own food rather than sharing dishes and utensils.
- Frequently clean and disinfect items and surfaces touched by multiple people.
DSHS recommends that people avoid large gatherings, including crowded stores at peak shopping times, as a means to help decrease spread of COVID-19 during the holidays. Instead, the state health officials recommend shopping at less busy times or in open air markets and places where physical distancing is possible.
Washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home when sick can also help prevent COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses from spreading.
Tira News: Annual Community Christmas Party Cancelled Due To COVID
By Jan Vaughn
The quarterly meeting of the Tira City Council is scheduled for Monday, December 7, 2020, at 6 p.m. at the Community Center.
The annual Community Christmas Party has been cancelled due to the risk of COVID-19 exposure. We hope to have a big party next year.
Joyce Dodd, speaking on behalf of the Council, would like to express appreciation for the “people who help keep our pantry going with their generous and heartfelt gifts of food and money to help those who are having to struggle due to loss of jobs during this pandemic.”
We want to express our sympathy to Debra Wood and her sister, Barbara Cockrum. They lost two cousins less than three weeks apart. Debra reported, “Bonnie Johnston of Enloe passed away on October 28th and her sister Sandra Watkins of Cooper passed away on November 14th, due to COVID complications.” Bonnie’s funeral was held on Monday, Nov. 16, at the Delta Funeral Home. At the time of Debra’s report, Sandra’s funeral arrangements had not been made. Please remember the family in your prayers.
Yvonne Weir shared that her daughter and granddaughter, Dacy and Elise, visited on Sunday and they all went to Justa’s Barn and got a few bargains.
Our great-grandsons spent a few hours with us on Saturday evening. They enjoyed fishing and playing on the riding toys outside and coming in to play electronic games.
I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very safe and happy Thanksgiving!
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Nov. 18 COVID-19 Update: 1 Fatality, 3 New Cases
Another Hopkins County resident was confirmed Nov. 18 to have died from COVID-19. according to Texas Department of State Health Services. Three additional new cases were also reported by Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials in the Nov. 18 COVID-19 update.
HC/SSEM Nov. 18 COVID-19 Update
The HC/SSEM officials reported three additional Hopkins County residents have received lab-confirmed positive molecular COVID-19 tests. That’s 18 new cases this week, 85 so far this month and 769 cumulative cases since March. That’s 2.07 percent of the county’s estimated 37,084 population who have tested positive for COVID-19 since March.
No additional recoveries were reported in the Nov. 18 COVID-19 update. So, the count remains at 82 Hopkins County residents who were confirmed to have recovered from COVID-19 this month. Cumulatively, that’s 622 recoveries since March.
With no recoveries to offset the rise in COVID-19 cases, that means the active case count also increased by 3 on Nov. 18, for a total of 147 active COVID-19 cases among Hopkins County residents who have received positive molecular COVID-19 tests results, according to the Nov. 18 COVID-19 update.
HC/SSEM officials showed 96 additional molecular COVID-19 tests performed at 128-A Jefferson Street on Tuesday, Nov. 17. That’s 360 oral swab tests performed at the location in the last 7 days, 1,257 so far this month and 3,653 since the Sulphur Springs testing site opened on Sept. 25.
Molecular testing will continue to be offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays in November. Register online at www.GoGetTested.com for the oral swab test.
Sulphur Springs ISD COVID-19 Notifications
Sulphur Springs Independent School District Wednesday evening, Nov. 18, sent to parents, students and employees on five district campuses notifications of 12 students and 3 staff members who have received positive COVID-19 results; these individuals have been on the school campus in the last week.
New cases reported Nov. 18 are as follows:
- Sulphur Springs Elementary – 2 staff and 1 student
- Sulphur Springs High School – 2 students, 1 staff
- Sulphur Springs Middle School – 6 students
- Barbara Bush Primary – 2 students
- Lamar Primary – 1 student
Hospital Update
For the third time this month, the patient count in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs has risen to 17, the fullest its been since HC/SSEM began reporting the hospital data in August.
That reflects a fairly steady increase in the number COVID-19 hospitalizations across the state over the last 1 1/2 month, from 3,190 (on Oct. 1 to 7,958 (12.04 percent of the total hospital capacity) on Nov. 18. That’s out of 60,587 staffed inpatient hospital beds in Texas. That left available in hospitals across the state 866 ICU beds, 7,457 ventilators and 11,350 hospital beds.
In Trauma Service Area F, which includes Hopkins County, there were 9 available ICU beds, two fewer than on Tuesday; 74 available ventilators, 1 less on Nov. 18; 138 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients currently in hospitals, 1 less; 620 total hospitalizations, 18 more; 984 total staffed inpatient beds, 18 more than on Tuesday; 1,075 staffed hospital beds, 18 more; and continued to be 364 available hospital beds.
| Trauma Service Area F Categories | Nov. 17, 2020 Counts | Nov. 18, 2020 Counts |
|---|---|---|
| Population Estimate 2020 | 273,329 | 273,329 |
| Total Staffed Hospital Beds | 1,057 | 1,075 |
| Available Hospital Beds | 364 | 364 |
| Available ICU Beds | 11 | 9 |
| Available Ventilators | 75 | 74 |
| Lab-Confirmed COVID-19 Patients in Hospital | 139 | 138 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 602 | 620 |
| Total Staffed Inpatient Beds | 966 | 984 |
DSHS County Fatality & Case Reports
A 49th COVID-19 fatality was reported by DSHS in the Nov. 18 COVID-19 “Fatalities by County of Residence” dashboard, that’s one more death than was reported over the past five days.
The date of the latest Hopkins County resident reported to have death from COVID-19 had not been released by DSHS at 8 p.m. Nov. 18. As of Nov. 17, only one Hopkins County resident was confirmed to have died from the virus in November. There were 28 Hopkins County residents whose death according to their death certificates was COVID-19, 11 in September, 6 deaths in August and 2 in July.
Although the 49 COVID-19 deaths represent only 0.13 percent of Hopkins County’s population, the fatality rate among the residents who have tested COVID-19 positive since March is 6.37 percent.
Hunt and Lamar are the only two surrounding counties with more COVID-19 deaths than Hopkins County.
| County | Total Positive COVID-19 Cases | COVID-19 Fatalities |
|---|---|---|
| Hopkins | 769 | 49 |
| Titus | 1,723 | 38 |
| Hunt | 2,515 | 54 |
| Lamar | 2,385 | 65 |
| Franklin | 242 | 10 |
| Delta | 45 | 0 |
| Red River | 213 | 18 |
| Wood | 817 | 46 |
| Rains | 141 | 6 |
In Hunt County, 2.55 percent of the population(2,515 of the county’s 98,594 residents) had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Nov. 18, including 54 who have died of COVID-19 (2.15 percent of the COVID-19 positive residents.
In Lamar County, 2,385 (4.79 percent) of the 49,859 population have tested positive for COVID-19, including 65 residents who died of COVID-19. That’s a 2.73 percent fatality rate among Lamar County residents who have tested positive for the virus.
The only area county with no COVID-19 deaths is Delta, where only 45 of the 5,331 residents (0.84 percent) have tested positive for COVID-19. Six of the 141 Rains County residents who have tested positive of COVID-19 have died. That’s a fatality rate of 4.26 percent for Rains County residents who have tested positive for the virus, according to DSHS reports.
While both Titus County and Wood County have both had more COVID-19 cases, both have had fewer fatalities from the virus.
Titus County has had 1,723 of the 32,750 residents test positive for COVID-19 (5.26 percent), including 38 who died from COVID-19 (2.21 percent of positive cases).
Wood County, which has an estimated population of 45,539, has had 817 residents (1.79 percent) who received positive COVID results, including 46 who died from COVID-19. That’s 5.36 percent of positive Wood County residents dying from COVID-19 in Wood County.
The local county with the highest fatality percentage among COVID-19 residents is Red River County. The county has had 213 of the 12,023 population test positive for novel coronavirus 2019 (1.77 percent), but has reported 18 deaths, giving Red River County a fatality percentage of 8.45 percent, according to DSHS data.
HHS Nursing and Assisted Living, Child Care Center Counts
Texas Health and Human Services made a correction to the case numbers for Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab.
Monday, HHS reported 5 resident COVID-19 deaths at Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab as of Nov. 2. On Tuesday, HHS reported 27 resident recoveries, 13 active resident cases and 54 cumulative resident cases at SSHR as of Nov. 3. On Wednesday, however, HHS reported there have only been 4 resident deaths at SSHR, 26 resident recoveries, 14 active resident cases and 53 cumulative resident cases as of Nov. 4.
Ten active COVID-19 cases were also reported among Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab employees on Nov. 4, according to the HHS nursing facility report.
The Nov. 18 HHS nursing facility report showed both Carriage House Manor and Rock Creek Health and Rehab to have one active resident COVID-19 case each on Nov. 4, the most recent data available from HHS.
There were no active COVID-19 cases reported in assisted living facilities on on Nov. 4 and licensed child are centers, school-age programs, and before and -after-school programs Nov. 17 in Hopkins County, according to HHS reports.
Wildcats Football Head Coach Discusses Greenville Loss and Upcoming Crandall
On Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, we here at KSST radio met up with Wildcats football head coach Greg Owens to discuss the upcoming game on Friday versus Crandall.
The Wildcats lost to the Greenville Lions on Friday, 47-27. The loss in Greenville last Friday eliminated the Wildcats from playoff contention.
Coach Owens said it was kind of a weird situation, where teams such as the Wildcats have two games left, and the team is already out of post-season contention, which the coach said was hard on the team.
The Wildcats football head coach said the kids were invested and wanted to win, but as Coach Owens put it, Friday wasn’t their night.
Sulphur Springs stayed competitive in the first half, trailing 27-21 at halftime, but the speed and athleticism sported by the Lions was too much for the Wildcats.
Coach Owens said that both sides of the ball still felt like their guys might’ve played their best game of the year in a lot of areas, but the team couldn’t catch RB Miles Denson for the Lions. The coach said the reality was that guy was fast, so the team had a hard time controlling him.
The Wildcats football head coach said guys are disappointed, but said the team has rebounded from the loss well, having a good showing in practice Monday and Tuesday. The team has been working on their game plan for the upcoming game on Friday versus the Crandall Pirates.
Coach Owens said Crandall has a lot of young talent and are well-coached, thanks in large part due to McKinney Boyd’s former head coach, and current Pirates coach, Kyle Hardin. Coach Owens said Coach Hardin brings an extremely potent and long-running success of the knowing how to move the football down field with him to Crandall.
Coach Owens also noted when the The Crandall Pirates were a 4A team, they went three rounds deep in to the playoffs, so the school has a tradition there of winning, and talent to boot.
The Wildcats will have their hands full as this Friday Sulphur Springs (1-2 zone, 1-4 overall) travels to Crandall (1-2 zone, 3-3 overall) to take on the Pirates at 7:30 P.M.
Last Friday Crandall played hard but lost to Royse City, 45-22. Both teams come Friday will be fighting for their second win in “Zone” play.
This Friday’s match-up between the two teams will be the third straight zone game as the Wildcats will be looking to get back in the win column.
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 Coach Likes Balanced Scoring During Win Over North Lamar Tuesday
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta says it’s always good when his whole team gets to play and everyone gets the chance to score. The Wildcats’ entire 10-man roster got to play and everyone scored during the Wildcats’ 85-28 win over North Lamar Tuesday night, November 17, at home.
Coach Cipoletta says he was impressed with the North Lamar team. He says they remind him of his team several years ago before wins became plentiful. Coach Cipoletta says the Panthers are young but he says they play hard. He says before too long, things will begin to look up for them. He says he likes the job that Panthers’ Head Coach David Monds is doing.
Coach Cipoletta says he is thrilled with how the Wildcats played. He says the Wildcats played up to their capabilities. He says sometimes, when a team gets a lead, they will go away from what plans call for them to do. Coach Cipoletta says his team stayed with what they were supposed to do.
Senior Malique Cole and junior Cason Arrington led the Wildcats with 13 points apiece. Cole looks like a completely new person this season. Coach Cipoletta says Cole worked hard this summer and he adds he is committed to getting better. Coach Cipoletta says Arrington has hardly played for the past couple of years due to injuries, such as a torn ACL and crack femur. He says he’s glad to see him back on the court.
Boo Wilkerson scored 11 points and Coach Cipoletta says he can always count on a solid performance from his senior. Caleb Alexander returned from an injury to score 10 points. Coach Cipoletta says Alexander has struggled with his shooting early this season but now seems to be regaining his touch.
Also for the Wildcats, Lamodrick Johnson and Jackson Darrow scored 9 points each. Kordrick Turner added 7 points. Jake Whisenhunt and Parker Whisenhunt both had 5 points. Jatavian Hall scored 3 points.
The Wildcats, 1-1 for the season, play at McKinney Boyd Friday night.
The Broncos are coached by former Wildcats Coach Jeremy Josey, who Coach Cip worked for as a JV Coach. Coach Cipoletta says his mentor is doing a good job at Boyd. He says Boyd is a good explosive team that loves to shoot the three.
He says the Wildcats will have to take their A game with them on Friday.
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.
THC Vape Pen, Marijuana Found During Highway 11 Traffic Stop
A THC vape pen and marijuana found during a State Highway 11 traffic stop Tuesday afternoon resulted in a felony arrest, according to arrest reports.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Chris Sorley reported stopping Layne Reese at 2:23 p.m. November 17, 2020 for driving a Dodge 1500 pickup 86 miles per hour in a 60 mph speed zone. As he approached the truck, Sorley alleged smelling a marijuana odor. Reese reportedly told the trooper he thought he was traveling at 75 mph in the 60 mph speed zone.
Sorley had Reese exit the truck. A THC vape pen was reportedly found on Reese and less than 2 ounces of marijuana was located in the vehicle, resulting in Reese’s arrest on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and a possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana charge.
Reese was transported to Hopkins County jail where he remained Wednesday morning, Nov. 18, on both charges.
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.
Saltillo Boys Basketball Beats Longview Christian for First Win of Season
The Saltillo Lions travelled out on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2020 to play Longview Christian, beating the Eagles soundly, 77-57. The win gives the Lions their first of the season, evening out their record to 1-1 to begin the 2020 season.
Saltillo lead at the end of the first, 24-8, and never looked back, taking a 43-28 lead in to halftime. Even as offensive production for Saltillo slowed in the second half, leading after three quarters, 63-43, their lead was insurmountable as the Lions left Longview with a resounding 77-57 win.
The win was in large part thanks to Chris Boekhorst, who lead the Lions in scoring with 34 points in the game. Two other players, Gunner Tarver, and Coy Collins, also finished in double figures, finishing with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Other scorers for the Lions include Colby McCoy and Andrew Redburn, who finished with 8 points, David Whitworth had 7, and lastly Colton McGill ended the game with 2 points.
The Lions also shot 3-3 from the free-throw line, which can be pivotal in late, close-game situations.
Next up the Saltillo Lions boys basketball team will travel out to Bogota to take on Rivercrest on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020. The junior varsity team is scheduled to tip-off at 2 P.M., with the varsity game starting thereafter at 3 P.M.
Atmos Energy Provides Big Boost to PJC Early Childhood Education Students
Paris Junior College
Public Information Services
Paris Junior College has received a $10,000 donation for early childhood education scholarships from Atmos Energy. The first-time partnership between PJC and Atmos will assist education students attending PJC in Paris, Greenville and Sulphur Springs.
“Through our Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities program, we proudly support the local school districts that nurture bright minds and healthy futures for our kids,” said Beth Dattomo, Atmos Energy manager of public affairs. “This partnership will enable Paris Junior College to continue training the next generation of teachers who will then go forward to enrich early childhood education in the surrounding communities.”
“This scholarship provides a great opportunity for Paris Junior College early childhood education students,” said Dr. Pam Anglin, PJC President. “This could make the difference between someone becoming a teacher, or not.”
Compassion to give back to communities fuels the Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities Program, supported Atmos Energy’s 4,800 employees. The Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities program focuses on three primary areas: students, community heroes and our most vulnerable neighbors. Whether it is through reading to students, working with local food banks or showing appreciation to our hometown heroes, Atmos employees continually invest in the communities we call home. We are proud to present this initiative that captures what we have been doing for years: Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities.
Atmos Energy Corporation is the nation’s largest fully regulated, natural gas-only distributor of safe, clean, efficient and affordable energy. An S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, Atmos Energy serves more than 3 million distribution customers in over 1,400 communities across eight states and manages proprietary pipeline and storage assets, including one of the largest intrastate natural gas pipeline systems in Texas.
Paris Junior College offers two Associate of Arts in Teaching that are four semesters long. The college has education transfer agreements with many universities, including Texas A&M University — Commerce and Texas A&M University — Texarkana.
To learn more about scholarships at PJC and access the online scholarship application, go to www.parisjc.edu/scholarships. To apply to PJC, call 903-782-0425 or email [email protected].
Wildcats Basketball Teams Get First Win Of The Season Over North Lamar Tuesday
The Wildcats Basketball Team evened their season record at 1-1 with a lopsided 85-28 victory over Class 4A North Lamar Panthers Tuesday night at the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School.
The Panthers surprised the Wildcats by coming out and taking a brief 4-0 lead. The Wildcats scored 5 straight points to take the lead and they never looked back after that.
Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta played all 10 of his players and all of them scored. The Wildcats led 26-5 after the first quarter, 47-13 at halftime and 67-23 after three quarters. Wildcats senior Malique Cole got the Wildcats going with 7 first quarter points and he ended up tied for the game’s top scorer with 13 points including two 3 pointers. Junior Cason Arrington earned a start and he too scored 13 points. Senior Boo Wilkerson added 11 points with one 3 point basket. Caleb Alexander, back from an injury, scored 10 points with two treys. Senior point guard Lamodrick Johnson got 9 points with a three pointer. Jackson Darrow did a good job running the court and he was rewarded with good assist passes as he scored 9 points. Post Kordrick Turner tossed in 7 points. Jake Whisenhunt and Parker Whisenhunt scored 5 points each. Jatavian Hall hit a three pointer for 3 points.
Next, the Wildcats’ task gets much tougher. Friday night the Wildcats travel to Class 6A McKinney Boyd for a 7:30 p.m. game. Boyd is coached by former Wildcats Head Coach Jeremy Josey. Coach Cipoletta was a Wildcats JV Coach under Coach Josey.
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.
Symphony League Auction 2020: The Official List
Here is the Official List of items up for grabs at the 2020 Symphony Auction. The auction will take place at the KSST Studios on November 21st, 2020. You can bid by phone [903-885-0700], and watch the audio live on YouTube. You can also listen to the live auction by tuning to KSST 1230 AM. Bidding starts at 6:00PM.
- Bodacious BBQ Dinner for 20-Pick up at restaurant Jay & Patty Isonhood
- Aladdin Lamp-From Northeast Tx. Janitorial Garry Hall
- Blue Toy Truck Jay Hodge
- Christmas Quilt Bill & Beverely Owens
- Christmas Wreath from Rose of Sharon Galyean Ins.
- Christmas Table Arrangement from Rose of Sharon Clay Johnson
- 2 Night Stay – My Oklahome Kayla Price Mitchell
- BBQ Dinner for 20 donated by Andy & Mary Lou Wright Birthright Catering
- Bottle of Texique, wine glasses, 1 gift car $175.00/wine tasting City National Bank
- Corn Hole Stand John Campbell
- Drink a Day at Super Handy Buck Booker
- TV and Sound Bar Alliance Bank
- Gift Certificate- $150.00- Jeff’s Carpet Cleaning Jeff Carpenter
- Custom Made Knife Ron Owens
- 2- $25.00 Gift Certificates- Pizza Inn Travis Srate
- Gift Certificate- $100- Northeast Texas Farmers Coop Brad Johnson
- Gift Certificate- $100- Northeast Texas Farmers Coop Brad Johnson
- Gift Certificate- $100- Northeast Texas Farmers Coop Brad Johnson
- Griddle Guaranty Bank & Trust
- Silver Necklace from Osborn Jewelry Trudie Osborn
- Suite at Clarion Pointe & Dinner Clarion Pointe
- Christmas Pillows Bill & Beverely Owens
- Christmas Aprons Bill & Beverely Owens
- Hallmark Christmas Movie Throw Bill & Beverely Owens
- Glamper Toy Set Sharla Campbell
- Dinner for 8-10 at The Oaks Bed & Breakfast League/The Oaks
- Christmas Wreath from Rose of Sharon Rose of Sharon & Gallighers
- One of a Kind Necklace & Earrings Susan Lennon
- Courthouse Picture- Night Charles & Sharon Helm
- Courthouse Picture- Day Charles & Sharon Helm
- ECHO Show Grocery Supply
- Solo Wireless Bluetooth Headphones Grocery Supply
- Ring Doorbell Grocery Supply
- Christmas Arrangement Ricky & Maleta Reynolds
- Star Wars Toy Carl & Linda Galligher
- Christmas Quilt Tonya Norris
- Basket with 4 bags of coffee and two Rooster Coffee Mugs Mike & Pam Elliott & S. Payne
- Earthsparks Design Jewelry Susan Payne
