Oct. 28 COVID-19 Update: 37 New Cases, 2 Fatalities, 236 Active Cases
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials in the Oct. 28 COVID-19 update reported that 37 additional Hopkins County residents received positive lab-confirmed COVID-19 results in the last 24 hours and 2 additional COVID-19 fatalities were assigned to Hopkins County by Texas Department of State Health Services on Oct. 28 as well.
October has officially surpassed September as the worst month this year in Hopkins County for COVID-19 based on new and active case counts and fatalities.
HC/SSEMS Reports
The 37 new positive cases reported by HC/SSEM in the Oct. 28 COVID-19 update increases the active case count among Hopkins County residents from 199 on Tuesday to 236 active cases on Wednesday. That’s more Hopkins County residents who currently have COVID-19 than the combined total number of new cases reported in both August (91) and September (118). The last time the active case count was below 100 was Oct. 10, when only 89 Hopkins County were reported to still have COVID-19.
So far this month, 302 Hopkins County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, including 63 county residents who have received positive results this week. That’s more people testing positive for COVID-19 on molecular tests in October than the combined total of all cases reported in the 3 prior months (298).
The 37 new COVID-19 cases reported Oct. 28 increases the cumulative case count to 663 Hopkins County residents who have tested positive for novel coronavirus 2019 since March, according to the HC/SSEM Oct. 28 COVID-19 update. That means almost half of all Hopkins County residents who have received positive molecular COVID-19 results have tested positive in October.
One the other hand, there have been on new recoveries in the last 2 days. A total of 144 Hopkins County residents have recovered from the virus this month, including 61 reported on Oct. 19. Cumulatively, 427 Hopkins County residents have recovered from COVID-19 since March, according to the Oct. 28 COVID-19 update.
As is often the case, as the active case counts rise so too does the number of patients in the COVID Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs. Thirteen patients were in the COVID Unit on Wednesday, 2 more than HC/SSEM reported on Tuesday, Oct. 27. That’s the highest patient count so far this month, but still 3 fewer than on Sept. 23, a day in which the overall new case count was 2, the active case count was 85 and the cumulative case count was 248.
Free COVID-19 Testing
Staff at the free testing site at 128-A Jefferson St. performed 63 additional tests on Tuesday. That’s 48 less than on Monday and half the number of tests performed at the site on Saturday. Since Saturday, 300 free tests have been performed. A total of 1,908 tests have been performed at the free testing location Oct. 1-28. Since the Jefferson Street testing location opened on Sept. 25, a total of 2,192 tests have been performed.
With the new and active case number continuing to rise, officials first extended the free testing period through Oct. 31 and Tuesday announced the site is now expected to remain open through the end of November.
Free testing is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays to anyone, regardless of age, county of residence or other factors. Children may be tested provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Symptoms and high-risk exposure are not required for testing. Register online for the free oral, swap molecular testing at www.GoGetTested.com. Scroll down to find the Sulphur Springs location, click the green Book Now option and follow the prompts.
DSHS Reports
Texas Department of State Health Services on the Oct. 28 Case Counts dashboard reported Hopkins County now has 29 confirmed COVID-19 fatalities. That means 2 of the 105 newly reported fatalities in Texas Oct. 28 were from Hopkins County.
The 2 newest deaths are reported to have occurred on Oct. 22 and Oct. 24. That makes 11 Hopkins County residents who have died this month from COVID-19: 3 on Oct. 5; 2 on Oct. 9; and 1 each on Oct. 8, Oct. 10, Oct. 13, Oct. 18, Oct. 22 and Oct. 24, according to the DSHS County Trends and Fatalities over Time by County reports.
HHS Reports
The COVID-19 cases at Carriage House Manor continued to decline on Oct. 14, the most recent data available from Texas Health and Human Services on nursing facilities. Three additional residents had recovered from COVID-19, reducing the active case count from 9 to 6 and increasing the number of resident recoveries to 32 at Carriage House Manor. Two employees of Carriage House were also reported to still have COVID-19, the same as first reported on Oct. 12. Cumulatively from March through Oct. 14, CHM had reported 40 employees who tested positive for COVID-19 and 57 residents, including 19 residents who died as a result of COVID-19, according to the HHS Oct. 28 nursing facility report.
Sulphur Springs Health and Rehabilitation continued to have three active employee cases, 5 cumulative employee cases, 16 cumulative resident cases, including 2 resident deaths on Oct. 14, according to the Oct. 28 HHS report.
Sunny Springs Nursing & Rehab has reported no change in patient cases from Oct. 12 to Oct. 14; the facility had 16 active and 20 cumulative employee COVID-19 cases, and three residents who have recovered from the virus, according to the Oct. 28 HHS report.
There were no active COVID-19 cases reported at either Wesley House or Hopkins Place on Oct. 14. Wesley House has had 5 employee and 7 resident cases since March. There had been no COVID-19 cases reported at Hopkins Place as of Oct. 14, according to the Oct. 28 HHS assisted living report.
There were no active COVID-19 cases reported in either employees or students at the 6 licensed child care centers, school-age programs and before and after school programs in Hopkins County on Oct. 27. Sulphur Springs Christian Preschool, His Kids Learning Center, Annekes Preschool, Water Oak Preschool and Little Acorn School have each had 1 employee test positive for COVID-19 since March. Little Texans Learning Center has reported 2 employee cases since March. Sulphur Springs Christian Preschool also reported 1 students case since March, according to the Oct. 28 HHS child care center report.
Wildcats Football Head Coach Discusses Upcoming North Forney
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens said his team felt really good after a week of practicing. The team was able to come in Friday and Saturday of last week and work on techniques and overall team improvement.
The last time the Wildcats played a game was on Friday, Oct. 2, in a home loss to Lovejoy. The week before, the Wildcats lost to Frisco Wakeland at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, where FC Dallas plays, in the team’s season opener.
As such, the Wildcats now sit at 0-2, with this Friday’s game versus North Forney being the first game in a new implementation by the district of “zoning.”
Luckily for the Wildcats, though, with the introduction of zones, as one student pointed out to the coaching staff, that the team was 0-0, giving the team a, more-or-less, fresh start.
Coach Owens said the team will still be playing and reacting week-to-week, thanks to so many changes, postponements, and cancellations caused by the coronavirus, which is part of the reason why Coach Owens believes his team’s energy the last week has been so high, perhaps due to the fact that the team has a game scheduled and, as of now, are still scheduled to do so.
Coach Owens did say his team will have their hands full, both defensively and offensively. The coach noted Defensive lineman #99 for North Forney, and his ability to disrupt plays and as a result the opposing offense.
Coach Owens said his team will have to take advantage of situational football and do their best to capitalize in big moments, something the team has struggled with thus far.
Coach Owens will go to battle this Friday versus a familiar face in Randy Jackson, who according to Coach Owens, attempts to instill identities where ever he is. The North Forney Falcons have been dubbed “Goonville.”
Coach Owens says the team is comprised of goons that is not meant to be derogatory, in that on both offense and defense will attack you at every position and try to disrupt any opponent’s momentum.
The Wildcats will have to continue making improvements and get big stops on defense if they hope to defeat the North Forney Falcons as they come to town Friday to play the Wildcats at Gerald Prim Stadium at 7:30 P.M.
Last week, North Forney had a bye, but entering this Friday’s match-up with Sulphur Springs, the Falcons average 43.5 points/game. The defense will definitely have their hands full as they have struggled to contain the deep ball.
Luckily for the Wildcats, though, North Forney is not as proficient at the deep ball as previous opponents for Sulphur Springs, and as long as the defense can keep the Falcons offense in front of them, Coach Owens says, they will stand a much better chance against such a talented offense.
The game against North Forney (1-0 district, 4-0 overall) Friday will be the second-straight home game for the Wildcats (0-0, 0-2 overall) as the Sulphur Springs squad will be looking to avoid a 0-3 start.
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 Team Tennis Coach Says Too Many Mistakes Hurt In Bi-District Match Loss
Wildcats Team Tennis Coach Tony Martinez says his team basically beat themselves with mistakes in a 19-0 loss to Whitehouse in a bi-district match at LeTourneau University in Longview Tuesday.
He says his players needed to be more aggressive at the net and needed to angle there returns instead of hitting them right back at an opponent. He says the Wildcats served well.
Coach Martinez says he tried several strategic moves in an attempt to win some points. He says he shuffled some girls’ doubles teams placement and paired Jeauxleigh Cantu with Alex Romero in mixed doubles. Despite not winning a point, Coach Martinez says the Wildcats were competitive in matches.
He says Whitehouse did their job and were just the better team. Coach Martinez says the Whitehouse Coach Shelby May agreed to play all matches to the finish and to play best two out of three sets instead of to shorter 8 point pro sets.
He says May played tennis at LeTourneau and that helped to reserve courts there Tuesday after courts at Van proved to be too wet and cold. After a 7 a.m. start for the Wildcats Tuesday, they were finally able to conclude their bi-district match at 6:30 p.m.
Despite the loss, Coach Martinez says the playoff experience will be good for his young team that has only one senior. He says his team is expecting to have a playoff game again next year and the teams’ goal is to reach the second round of the playoffs next season.
Due to the threat of coronavirus and another possible shut down, Coach Martinez says his players have agreed to take a couple of weeks off and then get an early start on spring tennis in November.
Coach Martinez says he continues to work to build the tennis program and he adds the future for tennis in Sulphur Springs is bright.
Chamber Connection: Thanks To Stew Contest Sponsors
By Lezley Brown, CEO/President, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
This year’s Hopkins County Stew Contest certainly looked different than it ever has before; 88 cooks were spread out over 14 acres, most people got their stew via the drive-through, and the park looked a bit empty. But, there was something that was the same … people had fun! The spirit of the stew contest remained in this year marked with cancellations, and we are so thankful for it.
I would like to take a moment to list the sponsors for the Hopkins County Stew Contest as they are critically important to its success. A huge thank you goes to: Jay Hodge Chevrolet, Atmos Energy, Brookshires, Chick-fil-A, City National Bank, Legacy Ag Credit, Saputo, Heritage Hospice, Interstate Body Shop, Clayton Homes, GDC Industrial, ONCOR, Dr. Liao Orthopedic Center, Legacy Ag Credit, Texas Heritage National Bank, Summit Dental, Texas Farm Credit, Circle E Western Wear, Peoples Communication, First Baptist Church and Bright Star Baking Company, Moreland Fence, Hope Family Fellowship, Professional Land and Title, Robinson Bennet Construction, C-n-C Pro AV, Hampton Inn, Jiffy Signs, State Representative Dan Flynn, Sulphur Springs Centre for Dance, Super Handy, Alliance Bank, Galyean Insurance, Latson’s.com, Southwest Dairy Museum, Travel Time RV, Central Baptist Church, Rock Creek Health & Rehab, East Texas Physical Therapy, Brian Toliver Ford, Julia Wilhite State Farm, Landers Creek Outfitters, 95.9 Star Country, KSST, Cheyenne Smithers with Preuss & Flecker, Renee Jennings with RE/MAX Advanced, ECHO Publishing & Design, Miss Behavin, RE/MAX Advanced, The Propane Company, and the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department.
In the next few weeks, we will begin work on next year’s stew, and with everything in us, we hope that Stew Contest will be NORMAL! Save the date for Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, when we celebrate the 52nd Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest!
VR Social to host Halloween Event
VR Social, located at 317 Spring St. in Sulphur Springs, is hosting a ScreamFest Event for Halloween. It is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 30, Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, from 5 to 10 p.m. Cost is $10 at the door and includes 15 minutes of Virtual Reality time to explore a haunted/horror experience.
Tickets are numbered, so while you wait for your ticket number to be called, you can enjoy the horror movies on their big screen with hot cider, candy, and mixing and mingling with the community.
Costumes are highly encouraged! Please bring chairs and blankets.
Ribbon Cutting, Blessing For New Ruth And Jack Gillis Women’s Center Held Oct. 27
A ribbon cutting and blessing for the new Ruth & Jack Gillis Women’s Center was held Tuesday evening, Oct. 27, 2020 at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs. Officially unveiled to the community was the new new living Donor wall. It recognizes those who have made contributions to Hopkins County Health Care Foundation over the years.
Special thanks were offered to Judy Gillis and Janet Jordan, whose contribution the Health Care Foundation was largely responsible for the renovation of the hospital area now named in honor of their parents Ruth & Jack Gillis. Thanks was also offered to Joe Bob and Linda Burgin, Paul and Jill Harvey and Cross Country Cowboy Church for helping to make the center possible.
The ICU waiting area was updated thanks to the generosity of Bob, Peggy and Preston Weaver. The OB waiting area also was updated thanks to the generosity of Markeda Price Fisher and Kayla Price Mitchell.
The idea for the Gillis Women’s Center began with a goal of raising $500,000 for the Health Care Foundation for a new 3-D Mammography machine. The project took off from there, with many people involved in the funding process, including director the Health Care Foundation, Board members and campaign chairs.
The Women’s Center offers a private waiting area with refreshments and private dressing area, breast ultrasound for screening, guided biopsy, diagnostic testing and guided cyst aspiration; 3-D mammography with very low x-ray energy during screening, which allows doctors to examine one layer of breast tissue at a time; and dual-energy X-ray Absorptiomety (DXA) that uses low-dose radiation to more safely and painlessly measure bone mineral density and produce fast T-Score results.
Interventional radiologists are onsite on Thursdays to perform various minimally invasive procedures using medical imaging guidance. The new equipment and services offered at the Gillis Women’s Center provide women in the community an option to have testing performed in Sulphur Springs. Previously a trip out of town to facilities in areas such as Tyler and Dallas was required.
A new Foundation Donor Recognition Wall was unveiled during the event as well. The Recognition Wall was constructed in a way that it can be updated to reflect additional financial contributors, includes inserts with recent news and updates at the hospital. Columns near the wall reflect donors of more than $100 to the Health Care Foundation.
Hospital district board members, foundation board members, and hospital supporters were invited to attend the blessing and ribbon cutting.
Andy Navarro, vice president of mission integration for CHRISTUS Health, Father Daniel Oghenerukevwe, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances priest/chaplain, Sisters Rose Marikudi and Micheala Tomkowiak from Tyler were involved in the blessing and dedication ceremony.
Navarro noted that the Women’s Center and updates are in keeping with CHRISTUS’ mission to extend the health ministry of Jesus Christ. As Jesus commanded His Disciples to heal the sick and care for the poor. The Women’s Center is another sign of CHRISTUS’ fidelity to that command.
Father Daniel provided introductory rites, offering prayer for God’s blessing on all who will be patients at the center and all who will devote themselves to the caring for the sick.
Matthew 4:23-25, which describes Jesus’ teaching, proclaiming of the gospel and curing of disease and illness. Prayer was offered for Jesus to pour favor on the Ruth and Jack Gillis Women’s Center for care and protection and strength for those who care for patients, a deepening of compassion to see and love all who are suffering, especially the poor and vulnerable. Father Daniel also offered concluding rites.
Scott Fossey, vice president of philanthropy for CHRISTUS Health Northeast Texas, Louisiana and Southeast Texas, provided the welcome and closing comments. CMFH-SS and Winnsboro President/CEO Paul Harvey provided a message on the Sulphur Springs CHRISTUS ministry. Special guests were introduced by Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Director of Development Shannon Barker and former HCHCF director and current CHRISTUS Sulphur Springs Program and Patient Experience Director Meredith Caddell.
Following the blessing and dedication ceremony, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting signaling the official opening of the Gillis Women’s Center, Judy Gillis and Janet Jordan asked to do the cutting, and other special guests standing by for a photo. Tours of the Gillis Women’s Center, as well as updated waiting areas, were offered afterward.
Friends of NRA Fundraiser Dinner Will Benefit Local 4H Archery, Boy Scouts, Law Enforcement Youth Program
A BBQ dinner is part of a fundraising event set for Saturday evening November 14, 2020 at The Savannah venue in the North Hopkins area of Hopkins County. Fire and Company will provide the meal. The event is being put on through the charitable side of the NRA organization, which also raises money to support shooting sports. Tickets are being offered at $35 per person or $350 for a table. Diners can take part in auctions through the evening. Additionally, a raffle is being conducted now to win a bolt action rifle, with 100 raffle tickets total being offered at $20 each. For details on the November 14 event, go to www.friendsofnra.org/events or phone Stephanie Stewart at 903 439 5927.
According to committee chair Stephanie Stewart, moneys raised by the local fundraising event will be divided equally, with half going to the Friends of NRA organization and the other half to local needs of youth members of the 4H Archery Club, Boy Scout shooting and archery groups, and local law enforcement youth programs. On the local basis, Friends of NRA provide educational classes such as women’s handgun training, safety classes, and kids camps which teach outdoor skills. Stephanie began teaching archery to youth a few years ago and got them started in area shooting contests. She now has a women’s shooting team which also competes with other teams in the area. Moneys allotted to these activities will be used for arrows, targets, travel expenses to competitions. Stephanie shared that back when her son was in the 4H archery group, it lost a leader and she picked up in helping the club. She liked it, and has become a 4H Certified Coach, along with Jeremy Bridges, another archery coach in the program. Stephanie’s son has since graduated North Hopkins ISD, but she still likes helping youth who have an interest in archery. She also enjoys carrying on the legacy of her late father Paul Stewart, and his Friends of NRA involvements. “Our archery groups are growing. Now, 3rd through 7th grade girls are getting involved, and some of the older ones are competing along with members of the Women’s Archery group. It’s invigorating to see that the interest in shooting sports is growing here and across the country. This is my way of giving back to the community which I grew up in, too.”
Chairman Stewart also hopes that sponsors for tables will come forward during October, so that others may plan to attend and become better informed about the Friends of NRA and meet other individuals interested in shooting skills. If you’d like to sponsor a table, contact Stephanie at 903-439-5927.
Items in the Symphony Auction 2020
The annual Sulphur Springs Symphony League Auction will take place Saturday November 21st, 2020. During the live auction, bidders can call in their bids then listen to the results on KSST 1230AM. You can watch the event via video streaming.
Here is the growing list of items up for grabs.
Proceeds from the annual auction go toward events throughout the year. These events include the annual Independence Celebration on Celebration Plaza.
New Book On The Shelf, ‘Blind Tiger – My Time in Vietnam’ By Local Author
This memoir is available for purchase at the Hopkins County Genealogical Society Research Library, inside the public library, at 611 North Davis Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas.
Blind Tiger-My Time in Vietnam
By: Avery W Smith II
A “First Family” member of the Hopkins County Genealogical Society, Avery served in Vietnam as a Special Forces Advisor to the South Vietnamese Army, and finally at the U.S. Army Surveillance School at Ft Huachuca, Arizona before leaving the service in July 1970.
A Son of the Republic of Texas, Avery is a Sixth-Generation Texan from the Northeast Texas community of Sulphur Springs, Texas.
The book can be purchased at the Hopkins County Genealogical Society Library, 611 N. Davis, Sulphur Springs, TX, or by emailing [email protected] or calling (903)885-8523. You may also just send your request and payment to HCGS, PO Box 624, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483-0624.
The book is priced at $25.00, plus $3.00 Shipping, if applicable.
Oct. 27 COVID-19 Update: 18 New Cases, 199 Active Cases
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials, in the Oct. 27 COVID-19 update, reported 18 new positive COVID-19 cases, more than double Monday’s new case count.
That’s 626 Hopkins County residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 since March, including 265 who received positive results this month. Of the 626 residents, 427 have recovered and 199 still had the virus at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 27.
HC/SSEM officials, in the Oct. 27 COVID-19 update, reported 11 patients were reported to be in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Oct. 27, one more than on Oct. 26 but the same as on Oct. 20.
On Monday, 111 COVID-19 tests were performed at the free testing site at 128-A Jefferson St. That makes 2,129 tests conducted since the free testing site opened on Sept. 25, according to HC/SSEM’s Oct. 27 COVID-19 update.
Free molecular oral swab COVID-19 testing has been extended at the site through the end of November. To register, go online to GoGetTested.com. Symptoms or high-risk exposure are not required for testing. Anyone can be tested, even children, provided they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. Walk ups are also welcome.
Texas Health and Human Services on Oct. 27 reported Carriage House still have 2 active cases among staff and 9 active cases among residents on Oct. 13, the most recent data available from the state.
Rock Creek Health & Rehab was first reported on Oct. 12 to have tested positive for COVID-19. On Oct. 13, the facility showed one cumulative employee case but no active cases.
Sulphur Springs Health and Rehabilitation still had 3 active employee cases and Sunny Springs Health & Rehab had 16 active employee cases on Oct. 13, according to the Oct. 26 HHS nursing home report.
Wildcats Team Tennis Season Ends With Bi-District Loss At End Of A Very Long Day
Wildcats Team Tennis had their season end with a bi-district loss to Whitehouse, 19-0 Tuesday.
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez said despite the score, his team played competitively. He added Whitehouse was just the better team.
It was a long, long day for both teams. They were originally planning to play their match starting at 9 a.m. in Van. The courts were wet. After waiting for several hours, the teams made plans to relocate to courts on the campus of LeTourneau University in Longview. At the time, Coach Martinez guessed courts there might be ready to begin play on by 1:15 p.m. The match was finally wrapped up at around 6:30 p.m.
The Wildcats end the season with a 4-4 record.
Next for Wildcats’ tennis players will be spring semester tennis beginning in late January or early February.
