CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs Appoints New Healthcare Foundation Director
By Holly Ragan, Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Sulphur Springs, Texas, September 15, 2020 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs and the Board of Directors of Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Shannon Barker as the organization’s Foundation Director. Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to fundraising in support of patient care of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs and the residents of Hopkins County.
“We’re exceptionally pleased that Shannon has taken on this leadership role,” said Paul Harvey, Administrator of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. “Her infectious enthusiasm and commitment to building relationships throughout the Sulphur Springs community is important and at the core of everything we do.”
CHRISTUS Health Vice President of Philanthropy for Northeast Texas, Louisiana and Southeast Texas, Scott Fossey shared, “Shannon’s innate nature to develop genuine relationships throughout Hopkins county coupled with her desire to share the latest innovative projects of our CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs will give the community opportunity to support important health care initiatives that will benefit the patients and families of this region for decades.”
“Speaking on behalf of the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Board, we are truly excited about Shannon’s vision and excitement to raise funds for our local hospital,” said Leesa Toliver, Foundation Board Chair. “We are all committed to partnering with Shannon to build on the past successes of fundraising so our local hospital will continue to offer exceptional health care to the people of our community.”
Shannon Barker and her family moved to Sulphur Springs in 2016 and fell in love with the community that welcomed them warmly. She immediately pursued service with local organizations: Mother’s Culture Club, PTO at Travis Primary and Sulphur Springs ISD strategic planning.
With an early career in workforce development consulting, Shannon has studied interpersonal behavior across corporate and altruistic America, leading improvement efforts and contributing on various projects with both Fortune 500 companies and government organizations.
Shannon earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communication Studies at TCU in Fort Worth. Post collegiate, Shannon served as the Business Manager and Senior Consultant for a boutique-consulting firm in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with clients spanning the country and many abroad.
Shannon believes, “Finding, fostering and cultivating rich communication with persons who care about the wellness of Sulphur Springs and the progress of this community [will be] key.” The Director of the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation position is the perfect fit to continue that work and utilize her skills in event planning, relationship development and community building. She is delighted to step into a position and team that is already highly functioning and successful and hopes to carry on the work and legacy of the people that have come before her.
About Hopkins County Health Care Foundation
Health Care Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 1997 and was organized to secure funds from individuals, businesses and corporations, to provide, promote, maintain and improve the continual growth of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs.
Two Hunt County Men Arrested On Oak Avenue On Possession Charges
September 15, 2020 – Two Hunt County men were arrested on Oak Avenue on possession charges Monday night. Two others were arrested on warrants related to controlled substance charges.
Oak Avenue Arrests
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Elijah Fite and Sgt. Tanner Steward reported stopping a Nissan Maxima at 11 p.m. Sept. 14 on Oak Avenue at Jefferson Street for failing to signal the required distance prior to turning and no license plate light.
Upon contact with the driver, identified as 32-year-old John David Sampson of Greenville, and passenger, a 38-year-old Caddo Mills man, deputies alleged they could smell a strong marijuana odor emitting from the car. They were asked to exit the car.
As the passenger stepped out, Fite alleged seeing a small clear bag containing marijuana. He was asked to open his mouth; the deputy observed a green, leafy substance in his mouth. He was placed into handcuffs.
A records check showed Sampson to be wanted in Hunt County on a manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. Sampson was placed in handcuffs.
A probable cause search of the car allegedly revealed a small yellow bag containing a clear crystal-like substance in a compartment above the rear view mirror. Sampson was placed under arrest and transported to jail by HCSO Deputy Justin Wilkerson.
The clear, crystal-like substance, which weighed 2.1 grams, field-tested positive for methamphetamine, resulting in Sampson being charged at the jail on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. He remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, Sept. 15. Bond was set at $15,000 on the Hopkins county possession charge and $75,000 on the Hunt County charge.
The passenger allegedly claimed ownership of an empty hypodermic needle found in a bag in the vehicle during the search. He was taken into custody and transported by Sgt. Tanner Steward to the county jail. The passenger was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. He remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning on the charge.
Jail Transfer
HCSO Deputy Elijah Fite traveled to Denton County jail, where he took Johnny Ray Cason Jr. into custody at 3:37 p.m. Sept. 14, 2020.
Fite transported the 29-year-old The Colony resident to Hopkins County jail, where he was booked on a warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Cason remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning, Sept. 15 on the charge.
I-30 Traffic Stop
HCSO Deputy Thomas Patterson reported stopping a 37-year-old Dallas man at mile marker 126 on Interstate 30 at 11:54 p.m. Sept. 14 because the Chevrolet Malibu he was driving did not have an operational license plate light and for disregarding an official traffic control device. A records check showed the man to be wanted for violation of parole, which he was on for possession of a dangerous drug. He was jailed on the warrant, according to arrest 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.
Armyworms: What To Do If You Find Them
By Mario Villarino, DVM, Ph.D., Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag, NR
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, hay fields with a dense canopy and vigorous plant growth are often more susceptible to armyworm infestations than less intensely fertilized and managed fields. Irrigated fields are also susceptible to fall armyworm infestations, especially during drought conditions.
Monitor volunteer wheat and weedy grasses in ditches and around fields which may be a source of armyworms that can move into the adjacent crop. Look for fall armyworm larvae feeding in the crop canopy during the late evening and early morning and during cool, cloudy weather.
During hot days, look for armyworms low in the canopy or even on the soil surface where they hide under loose soil and fallen leaves. A sweep net is very effective for sampling hay fields for fall armyworms. When fields are wet with dew, armyworms can stick on rubber boots worn while walking through the field. Small larvae chew the green layer from the leaves and leave a clearing or “window pane” effect and later notch the edges of leaves.
The key to managing fall armyworms is frequent inspection of fields to detect fall armyworm infestations before they have caused economic damage. Once larvae are greater than ¾-inch long, the quantity of foliage they eat increases dramatically. During their final 2-3 days of feeding, armyworms consume 80% of the total foliage consumed during their entire development.
The density of armyworms sufficient to justify insecticide treatment depends on the stage of crop growth and value of the crop. Seedling plants can tolerate fewer armyworms than established plants. Infestations of more than 2-3 armyworms (1/2 inch or longer) per square foot may justify an insecticide application. If practical, apply insecticides early in the morning or late in the evening when armyworm larvae are most active and therefor most likely to come into contact with the insecticide spray.
If the field is near harvest, an early harvest, rather than an insecticide treatment, is an option. Parasitic wasps and flies, ground beetles, and insect viruses help suppress armyworm numbers. However, these natural enemies can be overwhelmed when large numbers of migrating moths move into an area and weather conditions favor high survival of eggs and larvae.
There are several products labelled for armyworm control. IF you find more than 3 caterpillars per square feet of pasture or hay meadow do not delay and treat the area. Due to the fast growing speed (few days) of these caterpillars the damage might be quick.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Age Ranges Of COVID-19 Patients Reported Sept. 14, Along With Daily Case Updates for Hopkins County
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials today, along with the daily case counts provided an updates report regarding ages of COVID-19 patients in Hopkins County.
As of Monday, people ages ages 61 and older made up the 22 percent of Hopkins County residents ho have tested positive for COVID-19, the largest percentage of any of the groups. In second were people ages 31-40. Tied for third largest group at 14 percent each was the group consisting of people ages 21-30 and ages 51-60. People age 51-50 make up 13 percent of the COVID-19 cases among Hopkins County residents on Sept. 14, followed by Hopkins County residents ages 11-20 at 12 percent. Children ages 1-10 years account for the final 6 percent of Hopkins County residents who have tested positive for COVID-19.
While there have been no new cases reported Sept. 14, HC/SSEM reported 7 additional people have recovered from COVID-19, since Friday. That’s 23 recoveries reported so far this month. Overall, that’s 217 of the 281 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 since March have recovered.
The 7 recoveries reported Sept. 14 reduce the number of active cases among Hopkins County residents to 62.
Two fewer patients were reported to be in the COVID-19 unit at Hopkins County Memorial Hospital on Monday than the four reported on Friday, Sept. 11. That’s the fewest number reported in the COVID unit so far this month, according to the updates provided by HC/SSEM during their Monday-Friday updates.
From Sept. 7-Sept. 12, there were 319 COVID-19 tests conducted during the free testing offered at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.
As of Sept. 13, there were no active COVID-19 cases among enrolled students or employees at Hopkins County child care centers.
There also were no active cases at Sulphur Springs assisted living facilities as of Aug. 31, the most recent data available provided by Texas Health and Human Services. There continued to be two active COVID-19 cases among employees at Carriage House Manor on Aug. 31, HHS reported.
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Saw Good Things And Bad At Saturday Home Scrimmage
After the Lady Cats Volleyball Team scrimmaged Greenville, Princeton and Forney Saturday, September 12, at the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School, Lady Cats Coach Bailey Dorner commented on things positive and negative.
Coach Dorner said the Lady Cats served well at times and had some good blocks and digs. She said she would have liked her team to play better defense. Coach Dorner said there were times the Lady Cats did not read the ball well and ended up reacting late and not getting where they needed to be to make a play on the ball.
She said part of it was Saturday was the first time this season for the Lady Cats to face another team. All of their practices so far have been against themselves. Coach Dorner said it was good to face the other good teams because it helped point out current Lady Cats’ weaknesses. Now, she said,the Lady Cats can work to improve in those areas to get better.
Coach Dorner said she has to remind herself that it is very early in the season. She said if the Lady Cats were playing their best at this time of the year that might not bode well for later in the season.
The Lady Cats split sets with Princeton and Forney Saturday but struggled against Greenville. Coach Dorner said the Lady Lions are a good team that always comes to Sulphur Springs ready to play
Coach Dorner said several of the Lady Cats are capable of playing better than they did on Saturday. She said some of the younger players came in wide eyed at first.
The Lady Cats open the regular season Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. at Greenville.
TDSHS To Report 2 Additional Measures Of COVID-19 Positivity Rate
The Texas Department of State Health Services today will begin reporting two additional measures of the COVID-19 positivity rate, the percentage of tests that are positive in a given period. The update is the result of DSHS’s work to enhance the state’s COVID-19 data in partnership with the Governor’s Strike Force.
While DSHS will continue to post the data in the form Texans are used to, DSHS will primarily rely on the positivity rate calculated according to when people were tested, the specimen collection date, which provides the most accurate view of the pandemic’s effect over time. Because all test results received will be counted by when the test occurred, the rate for previous days will change as that information becomes more complete, and it will not be skewed by delays in reporting test results to the state.
“These enhancements are part of our continuous effort to improve the information we present,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner. “As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, so must the data we share. Our information must provide the clearest possible picture of what is happening now and what has occurred in the past. The trends in this and other data shape our understanding of what to expect in the future.”
As an additional point of reference, DSHS will also post a rate based on when lab results were reported to the state. Both new methods will use positive and total molecular test results reported in NEDSS, the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System, and be calculated as a seven-day average. They will also exclude duplicate or other erroneous lab results. Recent upgrades to NEDSS now allow DSHS to clean up the testing data more quickly to be used in the positivity calculations.
The state’s legacy positivity rate used the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases over seven days divided by the number of new molecular test results over the same seven days. That method served as a reliable proxy for the overall COVID-19 trend for most of the pandemic. However, an influx of older test results in August caused new cases and new test results to get out of sync, leading to large swings in the positivity rate and the need to reevaluate methods to calculate it.
The positivity rate by specimen collection date shows a peak in late June and July as Texas saw a dramatic increase in the number of COVID-19 cases reported in the state. The other methods mirror the same overall trend until diverging when the older test results began to be reported in August. DSHS will post all three methods for a time to allow for a continued comparison.
Each day, more than 600 clinical laboratories and other testing providers, 600 hospitals, 57 local health entities and the eight DSHS public health regions submit data about COVID-19 to DSHS where it is quickly analyzed and reported to the public to the provide the most up-to-date information possible. DSHS will continue to work with the Strike Force on further improvements.
Update On COVID-19 Cases Reported At County Schools
Several county schools have posted notifications regarding additional cases of COVID-19 among employees and students.
Como-Pickton CISD as of the last campus update reported there were 4 active student cases and one active staff cases. Fourteen students and two staff members who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered and returned to classes/work.
Cumby ISD has posted no new cases since Aug. 20. Both students who tested positive should already be back at school.
Miller Grove has posted no updates since Aug. 31. The superintendent at that time reported three students had tested positive for COVID-19. One of the students was already in quarantine before their diagnosis, a second had not been at school since exposure and the third student was at school but did not exhibit any symptoms while present.
One junior high student who was present on the North Hopkins ISD campus on Sept. 3 was reported to have tested positive for COVID-19.
Saltillo ISD has not reported any additional COVID-19 cases since Aug. 24 at that campus. One student reportedly tested positive on Aug.; 24 and one school employee on Aug. 12.
Sulphur Bluff ISD, as of the last update on the district chart listing of cases, reported 2 active student cases and 1 active employee case. Four students were also reported to have recovered and returned to school.
Yantis ISD on Sept. 10 reported an elementary student had tested positive for COVID-19; the student was last on campus Sept. 9. On Aug. 30, a staff member that’d been on campus through Aug. 25 was reported to have tested positive for COVID-19.
| School District | Student Cases (active/recovered, if reported) | Employee Cases (active/recovered, if reported) |
| Como-Pickton | 4/14 | 1/2 |
| Cumby | 2 | 0 |
| Miller Grove | 3 | 0 |
| North Hopkins | 1 | 0 |
| Saltillo | 1 | 1 |
| Sulphur Bluff | 2/4 | 1 |
| Yantis | 1 | 1 |
3 Additional COVID-19 Cases Reported For Sulphur Springs ISD Campuses
Sulphur Springs ISD Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams over the weekend received information regarding 3 additional COVID-19 case reported for SSISD campuses.
On Sept. 11, another Sulphur Springs High School student was lab-confirmed to have COVID-19. The student was reported to have been present at SSHS during the first week of school. The student is at least the third high school students confirmed to have COVID-19 since school started on Sept. 1
The first student high school was reported to have been present on campus Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 1-2. The second SSHS student was reported Sept. 9 to have been on campus within the past week.
On Sept. 13, 2 middle school teachers who were present on campus during the week of Sept. 8-11 were lab-confirmed to have COVID-19.
Two Bowie Primary students — one who was on campus Sept. 1-3, and another who was on campus Sept. 1, 2 and 4 — were reported to have tested positive for COVID-19.
One Sept. 9, a Travis Primary School teacher who was on campus the week before tested positive for novel coronavirus 2019.
On Sept. 8, a SSISD bus driver also was reported to have COVID-19. The individual drove a bus Sept. 1-4, according to SSISD reports.
| SSISD Campus | Student | Employee |
|---|---|---|
| Austin Academic Center | 0 | 0 |
| Barbara Bush Primary | 0 | 0 |
| Bowie Primary | 2 | 0 |
| Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center | 0 | 0 |
| Lamar Primary | 0 | 0 |
| Travis Primary | 1 | 0 |
| Sulphur Springs Elementary | 0 | 1 |
| Sulphur Springs Middle School | 0 | 2 |
| Sulphur Springs High School | 3 | 0 |
| Other (bus driver, special services, admin. etc.) | 0 | 1 |
5 Arrested After THC, Bundles Of Money, Pills, Firearm, Marijuana Found During Interstate 30 Stop
Five Tennessee residents were arrested Saturday after THC, bundles of money, pills, a firearm and marijuana were found in their vehicle during an Interstate 30 traffic stop, according to arrest reports.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Arturo Ugalde reported stopping a Hyundai Sonata before 8 a.m. Sept. 12, 2020, at mile marker 110 on Interstate 30 west for speeding. When he approached the vehicle he detected an odor of fresh marijuana coming from inside. A probable cause search was conducted.
The driver, identified as 33-year-old Alphonso Orlando McCracken, was accused of having a bundle of cash totaling $20,000. Two of the passengers, identified in arrest reports as 32-year-old Michael Daniels Thomas Jr. and 26-year-old Cadarrius K. Bell, were alleged to have bundles of cash in their pockets. Bell allegedly had $2,000 and Thomas $6,000.
McCracken also was accused of possession of 5 oxycodone acetaminophen pills (3 mg), a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Bell was accused of possession of approximately 5.6 ounces of marijuana in a glass jar and unlawful carrying of a weapon, a semi-automatic Glock handgun.
Another passenger, 28-year-old Cardiss Savannah Henderson, allegedly possessed of a bag containing 3 suspected Ecstasy pills (weighing 3 grams), another bag with approximately 21 grams of THC edibles and a plastic bottle containing THC syrup that weighed approximately 35 grams. The fourth passenger, a 25-year-old Memphis, Tennessee woman, was allegedly found in possession of a green pipe containing marijuana residue.
All five Memphis residents were placed under arrest and transported to a highway patrol office for further investigation. Criminal Investigations Division Special Agent Kelly conducted interviews with the Tennessee residents.
“All occupants of the vehicle were traveling from Memphis, TN to Dallas, TX, both hub-city for narcotics distribution while in possession of controlled substances, a large amount of currency and a firearm. Thomas admitted to being a ‘prior’ gang member. Based on the totality of the circumstances and evidence, the occupants of the vehicle were traveling to Dallas with the intent to use the currency to further the commission of criminal activity,” Ugalde alleged in arrest reports.
Jail reports show the following were released from Hopkins County jail Sunday, Sept. 13 on bond:
- Cadarrius K. Bell on a $20,000 bond on the money laundering charge, on a $10,000 bond on the possession of more than 4 ounces but no more than 5 pounds of marijuana charge, and $2,500 on the unlawful carrying a weapon charge;
- the 25-year-old Tennessee woman on the misdemeanor drug paraphernalia charge; and
- Michael Daniels Thomas Jr. on a $20,000 bond on the money laundering charge.
The two other Tennessee residents remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, Sept. 14, according to jail reports. Cardiss Savannah Henderson’s bond was set at $40,000 bond on the possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charge and a $25,000 bond on the possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charge. Alphonso Orlando McCracken’s bond was set at $25,000 bond on the possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and a $20,000 bond on the money laundering charge.
Local DAR Reminds of US Constitution Week, Observed Annually September 17 – 23
The observance of Constitution Week runs annually from September 17 to September 23. It was officially enacted on August 2, 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower from a congressional resolution petitioned by the Daughters of the American Revolution , but it was George W Bush who officially declared the inception of Constitution Week in September 2002.[2]
The purpose of the observance week is to promote study and education about the United States Constitution which was originally adopted by the American Congress of the Confederation on September 17, 1787. Specifically, the Daughter’s of the American Revolution state the purpose as:
- Emphasize citizens’ responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution.
- Inform people that the Constitution is the basis for America’s great heritage and the foundation for our way of life.
- Encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787.[3]
The Captain David Phillips Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met on Saturday September 12, 2020 at Gafford Chapel United Methodist Church. During the meeting, two proclamations were presented by County Judge Robert Newsom; one for Star Spangled Banner Day September 14, and one for Uncle Sam Day September 13. Both these dates lead up to Constitution Week, September 17-23. The DAR chapter will have a display at the Sulphur Springs Public Library which everyone is welcome to view.
“Uncle Sam Day” is September 13. Uncle Sam became the nickname for the United States government more than 200 years ago. It was coined indirectly by Sam Wilson, a meatpacker from New York. Wilson, who in supplying barrels of meat for soldiers during the War of 1812, identified the shipments by stamping ‘U.S.’ on the barrels. Soldiers dubbed the deliveries as being from “Uncle Sam”. The image of Uncle Sam has had many forms, most with the starred top hat and striped pants. His image with the slogan “I Want You for the U.S. Army” first appeared in “Leslie’s Weekly” news magazine during a World War 1 recruitment campaign.
“Star Spangled Banner Day” is September 14. A few lines were jotted down by an observer during a fierce battle in the War of 1812. Those lines became a poem in the mind of attorney Francis Scott Key who at daybreak next morning, beheld the American flag still flying. He originally titled the work “The Defense of Fort McHenry”. The poem was later set to music, and in 1931 became America’s national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”.
