3 New COVID-19 Cases, 6 Recoveries Reported For Hopkins County On Aug. 8
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, announced the state had notified local emergency management officials of 3 new positive COVID-19 cases, and 6 recoveries for Hopkins County.
That marks the seventh straight day in which new positive results have been reported for Hopkins County, for a total of 47 new COVID-19 cases and 43 patient recoveries reported so far in August.
That’s a total of 199 cases and 141 recoveries since midMarch in Hopkins County. That leaves 58 active COVID-19 cases in Hopkins County as of Aug. 8, according to local officials
Officials also reported four patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs, one more case than on Friday, Aug. 7, but still three fewer than on Sunday.
Texas Department of State Health Services on Aug. 8 showed two COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County on the COVID-19 dashboard. The state has continued to show since July 29 one COVID-19 fatality for Hopkins County. That death, according to the Texas COVID-19 Fatality County Data By County report, occurred on July 23. The second death, according to the DSHS, occurred on Aug. 2.
Hopkins County officials said they have received no information from the state about any confirmed Hopkins County COVID-19 deaths.
Hopkins County GOP Hosts Executive Meeting To Select Republic Nomination For Congressional District 4
Hopkins County this afternoon will host a special election this afternoon, with Republican delegates from across Northeast Texas choosing who will represent the party on the November ballot.
Approximately 150 Republican delegates and officials, candidates and guests are anticipated to fill Hopkins County Civic Center when the doors close at 1 p.m. signaling the start of the Congressional District Executive Meeting.
The new Republican nominee selected Saturday will replace John Ratcliffe, on the Nov. 3 ballot. Ratcliffe was nominated by the president and since May has served as the director of national intelligence.
The GOP candidate will face Democratic nominee Russell Foster in November. Due to COVID-19, precautions are being taken, including temperature checks at the front door and masks are recommended. The meeting will be live-streamed for the general public.
Most of the candidates took advantage of the meet and greet for delegates and candidates in the Exhibit Hall Saturday morning. Supporters and signs lined the walk and driveway up to and in front of the Civic Center.
Paris District Road Report for the Week of August 10, 2020
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of Aug. 10, 2020. 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 Washington Street as crews work on building detours and installing drainage structures. The northbound exit ramp for Houston and Lamar is currently closed, and exiting traffic is requested to use the Park Avenue exit ramp. Beginning Sunday, Aug. 9 the southbound exit ramp for Park Avenue will be closed and exiting traffic is requested to use the Houston/Lamar Street exit. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph has been set for this construction project.
The pedestrian bridge near Pecan Street 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. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews are performing utility work. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
FM 1417, Grayson County: at the OB Groner / West Travis Street intersection. Watch for occasional lane closures as crews work on installing flashing beacons at the intersection.
FM 691, Grayson County: from FM 131/Loy Lake Road to US 75. Watch for occasional lane closures as workers perform final touch ups on the project. The intersection of FM 691 with FM 131/Loy Lake Road has been converted to a signalized intersection.
FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to widen the roadway to provide a detour section. Watch for lane shifts and narrow lanes near the FM 3356 intersection as crews have moved traffic to the detour section. The ultimate roadway will be a five-lane section when the project is finished.
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 a lane closure on the southbound US 75 frontage road as well as the westbound Spur 503 ramp while construction crews work on building the new southbound US 75 entrance ramp. A new traffic pattern has been implemented where westbound Spur 503 will be shifted to the southbound US 75 frontage road and will travel through the FM 691 intersection and then enter southbound US 75 using the on-ramp after FM 691. The new FM 691 exit ramp is now open to access FM 691.
US 75 Slope Repair at Randell Lake Road, on the southbound US 75 frontage road between SH 91 and Randell Lake Road, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 frontage road between SH 91 and Randell Lake Road. The southbound frontage road and Randell Lake exit ramp are closed due to a slope failure. Crews are working to construct the new pavement section.
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, Wednesday, and Friday 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.
US 82, Grayson County: in Sherman from FM 1417 West to FM 1417 East. Watch for nighttime and daytime lane closures as workers repair the concrete pavement.
SH 289, Grayson County: between FM 120 and US 82. Watch for daytime lane closures as workers perform pavement repairs.
SH 289, Grayson County: between FM 902 and US 82. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work on performing base repairs.
US 69, Grayson County: between SH 56 and SH 11. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work on performing base repairs.
US 69, Grayson County: between FM 697 and SH 11. Watch for daytime lane closures as workers perform erosion repairs at the Bois D’Arc bridge structure.
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. Beginning the week of Aug. 3, FM 1753 will be closed to through traffic between FM 1752 and FM 2645 while crews perform bridge repairs.
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 2815, Fannin County: from FM 1629 to SH 11. 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.
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 section. Westbound US 82 traffic has been shifted to the new pavement on the eastern end of the project between the Fannin and Lamar County line and County Road 2975. Eastbound traffic will remain in their current lane, while crews begin working on the inside lane to work on completing the 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 SH 121 and US 82 frontage road intersections have been converted to a signalized intersection. The on ramp to westbound US 82 from SH 78 has been closed while crews work on building the new westbound main lanes. Watch for a lane closure on the westbound frontage road between SH 78 and SH 121 while crews work to install a culvert crossing.
County Road 2250, Fannin County: at Coffee Mill Creek. County Road 2250 is closed for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 2250 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
County Road 3530, Fannin Count: at Wafer Creek. County Road 3530 is closed for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new culvert. Traffic on CR 3530 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
County Road 4250, Fannin County: at Freeman Creek. County Road 4250 is closed for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 4250 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
SH 78, Fannin County: from the Collin County line to FM 896: Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to perform base repairs to 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.
SH 11, Hopkins County: From SH 19 to White Oak Creek. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform surfacing operations.
IH 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.
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.
US 82 (Loop 286) at North Collegiate Drive, Lamar County. Watch for workers as crews perform signal upgrade work. An all-way stop will be in place during various phases of this work.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 271 (Bogata) to Franklin County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews mill existing pavement and place new hot mix.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to Bowie County Line. Traffic is shifted to the south side of existing roadway between FM 44 and FM 1699 while crews perform pavement widening work on the north side.
FM 195, Red River County: from FM 410 North to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews upgrade metal beam guard fence and complete cross culvert extensions at two locations.
SH 37 safety upgrades, Red River County: from the Texas-Oklahoma state line south to the Red River-Franklin County line. Watch for temporary traffic signals at bridge locations while crews upgrade bridge rail from Clarksville to Bogata.
Loop 286 Concrete Repair, Lamar County: from US 82 West to Dawn Drive. Watch for lane closures while crews will be performing concrete pavement repair.
Watch for workers while crews perform seal coat operations on various roadways: Lamar County: FM 1510, FM 38, FM 79, & FM 195; Delta County: FM 64; Red River County: FM 195.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903)455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
SH 66, Hunt County: from near FM 6 to near FM 2642. A project to widen the pavement, install continuous left-turn lanes, and safety-treat fixed objects is underway. The contractor is replacing damaged signs, along with project clean up. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers in this area.
FM 2194, Hunt County: between Merit and FM 903. This project will widen the shoulders and apply safety treatments to fixed objects. The contractor is currently working on watering, seeding, ditch work and placing signs. Please be careful when traveling in this area.
SPUR 264, Hunt County: in Quinlan. Sidewalk improvement project. The contractor is currently seeding and watering, sidewalk construction is complete. Please be careful when traveling in the area and watch out for workers.
FM 1566, Hunt County: from FM 272 near Celeste to State Highway 34. The contractor is constructing cross culverts on this roadway. Detours are required to complete this work. Please be careful when traveling in this area and watch out for workers.
Hunt County mowing contractors are working at various locations in Hunt County.
Hunt County maintenance crews are applying seal coating on FM 2194; watch for lane closures, work zones and workers along this roadway. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from these work crews.
Rains County maintenance crews are applying hot-mix pavement on SH 276; watch for lane closures, work zones and workers along this roadway. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from these 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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SSHS Back To School Device Prep Slated Aug. 24-28
Sulphur Springs High School students should plan to visit the campus on their designated day Aug. 24-28 to have their device updated. SSHS device prep applies to all students, both those opting for the virtual academy and those attending face-to-face classes on campus.
All virtual academy students are asked to report to the school to return their devices to school sometime between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. either Aug. 24 or Aug. 25. Students will be required to attend a 15-minute virtual learning training while on campus. They will also complete needed paperwork and receive a new device. Any student with Kajeets should plan to return that as well during their visit to the campus. Students will be required to pay a $10 program fee.
All sophomores, juniors and seniors should plan to stop by the school sometime between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Aug. 25 or Aug. 26 to return their devices for updates as well as any Kajeets they may have. Students will also complete needed paperwork and pay their $10 annual program fee. Their devices will be returned the following week when school begins. The first day of school for SSISD students will be Sept. 1.
All SSHS freshmen are asked to stop by SSHS some time between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Aug. 27 or Aug. 28 to pick up their devices. They will be expected to pay a $10 program fee, complete device paperwork and learn about basic care for the device.
Monday Designated For Yantis ISD Schedule, Technology Pick Up
Monday has been designated for Yantis ISD schedule pick up. Middle and High School students may visit the school during a designated time to pick up their schedules. School officials note that the schedules in the Parent Portal online are not the finished schedules.
These tasks will be conducted a bit differently this year due to COVID-19. The pick up will be conducted as a drive-through event on Aug. 10. Students must remain in the car they arrive in. Students must also have turned in registration packets with a signed technology agreement to receive their device.
Pick up will be conducted by grade level — unless the family has more than one student in grades 6-12. Those families who arrive together should let the school office know in order to receive schedules for all of their secondary students at one time.
Student pick will be as follows:
- 6th Grade – 9 a.m.
- 7th Grade – 10 a.m.
- 8th Grade – 11 a.m.
- 9th Grade – 12 p.m.
- 10th Grade – 1 p.m.
- 11th Grade – 2 p.m.
- 12th Grade – 3 p.m.
Any student who is unable to pick their class schedule up at the designated time may contact the office at 903-383-2463 to schedule an alternate time.
Should students require a schedule change, changes will be processed on Wednesday by appointment or email.
Man Caught In Stolen Vehicle On I-30 in Hopkins County
August 7, 2020 – A 22-year-old was caught early Wednesday morning driving a stolen car on Interstate 30, according to arrest reports.
Texas Department of Public Safety officials notified HCSO dispatchers a license plate reader had hit on a stolen vehicle on I-30 traveling east from mile marker 85 at 1:27 a.m. Aug. 5. Hunt and Hopkins County officials, including Cumby police, were alerted and began watching for the vehicle as it approached Hopkins County, according to sheriff’s reports.
Around 1:40 a.m. Aug. 5 Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, Cumby and Greenville Police Departments stopped an Acura at miler maker 110 on Interstate 30. The car, according to arrest reports, had been reported to Euless Police Department as stolen.
The driver was taken to the emergency room, where he allegedly admitted to Investigator Wade Sheets and Deputy Dan Turrentine to being the driver of the stolen vehicle. The Acura, according to arrest reports, was released to Grand Prairie Police Department.
Sheets and Turrentine reportedly transported the man from the hospital to the county jail. The 22-year-old identified in jail reports as Terrance Patrick Parkman Jr., who is also known as Terrance Patrick Parkland Jr. The man who indicated he had not permanent address, was booked into the county jail for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, according to arrest reports.
He was released from Hopkins County jail later Aug. 5; bond on the charge was set at $5,000, 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.
6 New COVID-19 Cases, 61 Active Cases Reported In Hopkins County Aug. 7
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, reported 6 new positive COVID-19 cases for Hopkins County. That’s the sixth consecutive day in which new cases have been reported and the third day in a row in which 6 new cases were reported for Hopkins County. No recoveries have been reported in two days.
That’s 44 new cases and 37 recoveries reported so far this week. That brings the overall cumulative total since March to to 196 positive COVID-19 cases for Hopkins County. Of those, 135 Hopkins County residents have recovered, leaving 61 active cases of COVID-19 in Hopkins County on Aug. 7 according to Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom.
Three patients were also reported to be in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Aug. 7, That’s two more than on Aug. 6, but still less than the 7 patients reported to be in the COVID unit at the location hospital on Sunday, Aug. 2.
Texas Department of State Health Services and Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s dashboard continues to show one fatality for Hopkins County. The death was first reported on the DSHS/HHS dashboard on July 29. The DSHS “COVID-19 Total Fatalities by County” spreadsheet shows the fatality to have been assigned to Hopkins County on July 23.
Hopkins County Emergency Management officials have maintained that neither they nor regional DSHS officials have received any information regarding any COVID-19 deaths of Hopkins County residents.
Texas Health and Human Services reports show as of July 23 no patients in any Sulphur Springs nursing homes and assisted living facilities had contracted COVID-19 since the state began collecting the data.
HHS reports continue to show only two cumulative positive cases among employees at one nursing home in town, but no active cases as of the July 24 report date. All data in this report is 2 weeks behind so that information self-reported by these facilities can be entered and error-checked, according to DSHS.
Sulphur Springs Man Accused Of Choking Female Household Member
Woman Allegedly Threatened 63-Year-Old Man
August 7, 2020 – A 43-year-old Sulphur Springs man was accused of choking a female household member. A 40-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was accused August 6, 2020 of making a terroristic threat.
Jackson Street Assault
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Tyler Francis responded at 1:42 p.m. August 6, 2020 to a disturbance in the 1000 block of North Jackson Street.
Upon investigation, Francis believed Cris Glenn Brown to be the aggressor in an assault. The 19-year-old household member was allegedly choked to the point she could not breath. She also had multiple injuries on both arms, allegedly from being grabbed around the arms.
Brown was taken into custody at 2:06 p.m. August 6 for assault of a family or household member that impeded breathing or circulation. An emergency protective order was put in place as well.
He remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, Aug. 7. Bond on the felony assault charge was set at $10,000.
Spence Street Threat
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Sean Hoffman arrested a 39-year-old Sulphur Springs woman at 11:08 a.m. August 6 for allegedly making a terroristic threat of family violence.
Hoffman responded in the 100 block of West Spence Street in reference to a threat. Upon arrival, Hoffman was told the 39-year-old female resident had threatened to kill at 63-year-old male resident.
When the officer tried to talk to the woman about the alleged incident, he observed the woman to be extremely agitated; she also appeared to him to be intoxicated, Hoffman alleged in arrest reports. While talking to the woman inside of the residence, she allegedly admitted several times that she would kill the man when the officer left. Believing violence would occur if the woman remained at the location, police took her into custody for on a Class B misdemeanor terroristic threat charge.
The woman was released from Hopkins County jail Friday, August 7, 2020. Bond on the charge was set at $2,000. August 6 marked the second time in 3 months the woman as been booked into the Hopkins County jail. She was also arrested May 27 for possession of drug paraphernalia, according to jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
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.
Holiday Drive Closing At Creek Crossing Due to Erosion
The City of Sulphur Springs is closing Holiday Drive behind Lowe’s at the creek crossing, according to Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell.
“We have discovered significant erosion underneath the road. it may be 30 days before the road is repaired. It should not cause much inconvenience for the few residents on Holiday Drive, since they will still have access,” Maxwell reported on Friday, August 7, 2020.
2 Jailed On Child Sex Charges
August 7, 2020 – Two Sulphur Springs men were jailed on child sex charges, according to Aug. 4-6 arrest reports
Indecency Charge
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Investigators Wade Sheets and Michael Russell at 10 p.m. Aug. 6 contacted Jordan Matthew Williams at a Sulphur Springs residence and served him with a warrant for an indecency with a child by exposure charge, according to arrest reports.
The 23-year-old Sulphur Springs man is accused of exposing his genitals to a juvenile victim. The offense was alleged to have occurred in 2019 in Hopkins County.
Williams remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, Aug. 7. Bond on the charge was set at $75,0000.
Sexual Assault Charges
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Sgt. Shea Shaw and Deputy Aaron Chaney arrested Fernando Santana-Vasquez at 12:10 Aug. 4 for impeding traffic. He allegedly stopped the gray Toyota Yaris in the middle of the eastbound lane of traffic in a new construction zone on State Highway 11 west. The car vehicle allegedly remained stopped for several seconds, impeding traffic. A traffic stop was conducted and the 51-year-old Sulphur Springs man was arrested on the traffic infraction, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
Evans later served Santana-Vasquez at the jail with warrants for one aggravated sexual assault of a child charge and three sexual assault of a child charges, according to arrest reports. The offenses are alleged to have occurred on June 1.
Santana-Vasquez remained in Hopkins County jail Friday, Aug. 7, in lieu of $750,000 bond — $200,000 bond on the aggravated sexual assault charge and $175,000 bond on each of the three sexual assault 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.
