Aug. 17 Hopkins County COVID-19 Update: 6 New Cases, 27 Active Cases, 18 Recoveries
After a day with no case reports, Hopkins County Emergency Management officials at 5 p.m. Aug. 17 reported 6 additional Hopkins County residents have received positive COVID-19 test results and 18 residents have recovered from novel coronavirus 2019.
That brings the overall total since March to 220 positive COVID-19 cases and 193 recoveries for Hopkins County.
Aug. 17 marks the seventh time this month in which HCEM officials have reported more recoveries than new case counts — that’s every time recoveries were reported in August 2020. The 94 recoveries reported so far in August have helped offset the 68 new cases, dropping the total number of active case in Hopkins County to 27 cases.
Monday is the first time in over a month that there have been fewer than 30 active COVID-19 cases in Hopkins County. The last time there were less than 30 cases was on July 13, when HCEM reported 14 recoveries and two new cases, leaving only 23 active case.
Other good news reported on Aug. 17 is that the number of patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances-Sulphur Springs has also declined, from 7 cases on Aug. 13 and Aug. 15 to three on Monday, Aug. 17. None of those patients were reported to be on ventilators. However, HCEM officials said the report they received did not indicate whether the three patients are residents of Hopkins County or other counties.
Texas Department of State Health Services on Aug. 17 continues to show three COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County, on July 17, July 23 and Aug. 2.
Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator/Fire Chief Andy Endsley said despite checking daily, neither he nor other regional officials have yet received official information about any COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County.
There continued to be no residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 19 at any of the Sulphur Springs nursing homes and assisted living facilities through Aug. 3, the most recent data available from the state. Only one nursing home in Sulphur Springs has reported any positive cases among staff; three employees at Sulphur Springs Health & Rehab have tested positive for COVID-19 since the state began tracking these types of cases. There were no active cases at the facility as of Aug. 3, according to Texas Health and Human Services’s COVID-19 Case Counts for Nursing Facilities and Assisted Living Facilities.
Extra Summer Work Benefits Cross Country Athletes
This has been a longer than normal year for summer before-school running for Wildcats and Lady Cats’ middle school and high school cross country athletes. Sulphur Springs Coach Ross Hicks notes that normally, by now, his teams would have already had some meets. Still, Coach Hicks says he feels the extra running time has been beneficial for his teams.
He says his summer numbers have been fairly consistent. Coach Hicks says he has given his teams a week off, here and there, hoping to avoid burnout caused by lots of running without competition.
The Wildcats and Lady Cats’ middle school athletes and high school JV and varsity runners will compete Sept. 9-11 at Hallsville. Each group will compete on a different day to allow some distancing during this time of coronavirus. Coach Hicks says his kids are responding well to everything and have great attitudes.
Monday, Aug. 17, after the usual morning run, Coach Hicks and his assistants supervised running up and down the stands at Prim Stadium.
Coach Hicks says several of his runners have made great strides during the summer. He mentions Lady Cats’ incoming sophomore Emily Soto and Wildcats incoming juniors Hector Hernandez and Kevin Garcia.
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.
Commerce Man Jailed On Firearm Charge
A 39-year-old Commerce man was jailed in Hopkins County on a firearm charge Saturday evening, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Bobby Osornio reported stopping a Dodge Dakota around 8:45 p.m. August 15, 2020 on State Highway 11 west near County Road 4748 for a defective high center mounted light.
Upon contact with the female driver and male passenger, Osornio noted both appeared to him to be nervous. The passenger allegedly admitted to having a handgun in the vehicle that belonged to him. The pair reportedly agreed to let deputies search the vehicle, Osornio noted in arrest reports.
A records check showed the passenger, Sammie Demon Williams, had a felony conviction. When questioned about the firearm, Williams allegedly again claimed it as belonging to him.
HCSO Deputy Aaron Chaney transported Williams to jail for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Osornio released the female driver with a citation for no driver’s license, according to arrest reports.
Williams remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, Aug. 17, according to jail reports.
The arrest marks the second time in just under a year that Williams has been spent time in Hopkins County jail. He was also spent Aug. 24-Sept. 22, 2019 in the county jail, serving a commitment for driving while intoxicated. Williams was charged Dec. 21, 2014 and Feb. 24, 2019 for driving while intoxicated, third or more offense charges, jail records show.
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.
Sulphur Springs Woman Caught In Stolen Vehicle
Police arrested a 21-year-old Sulphur Springs woman allegedly caught in a stolen vehicle Friday, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Department officers were contacted around 11 a.m. August 14, 2020 regarding a stolen vehicle. The white Dodge Avenger was reported to have been taken from an Elm Street address between 1:30 and 10 p.m. Thursday, August 13, 2020.
SSPD Sgt. Matt Glenn reported receiving information regarding the possible location of the stolen car Friday evening. Officers located the car in the 600 block of Gilmer Street August 14 and contacted the female driving it, according to arrest reports.
Glenn placed Tiera Simone Puckett into custody at 7:56 p.m. August 14; the stolen vehicle was released to the registered owner, according to arrest reports.
Puckett soon thereafter reportedly had a medical emergency and was transported to the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs emergency room. After being medically cleared, the woman was transported to jail and booked at 12:45 a.m. August 15 on the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle charge.
Puckett was released from Hopkins County jail later August 15, according to jail reports.
Man Allegedly Caught With Meth Pipe, Marijuana And THC Vape Cartridge
Deputies arrested a 37-year-old man who allegedly tried to use a prosthetic limb to hide marijuana was also found in possession of a methamphetamine pipe, marijuana cigarette and THC vape cartridge. He was also charged with criminal mischief after reportedly pulling on the door handle of a patrol vehicle so hard in an attempt to escape that the handle broke, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff‘s officers reported seeing a gray Chevrolet Metro approach a stop sign on Loop 301 at Industrial Drive. The high-mounted brake light wasn’t working, so the sheriff’s officers initiated a stop on Aug. 14 on the north Interstate 30 service road at College Street, according to arrest reports.
Upon contact with the drive, the man driving claimed to be headed to the library, but couldn’t or wouldn’t say why, Investigator Wade Sheets and Deputy Jason Lavender alleged in arrest reports. The man allegedly showed signs of nervousness, including heartbeat visible through is shirt and on the left side of his neck, and the muscles under his eye twitching.
The man was reportedly untruthful when asked about any criminal history. After exiting the vehicle, the allegedly claimed he didn’t have anything illegal on him or in the vehicle. A pat down, which the sheriff’s officer reported the man agreed to, allegedly something in his waistband. The man, identified in arrest reports as Dandrae Bernard Hanspard, allegedly attempted to pull away from the sheriff’s office, and after being placed against a vehicle, admitted to having a methamphetamine pipe in a glasses case in his waistband. The item was retrieved. A search of the vehicle yielded a marijuana cigarette, which was destroyed at the roadside, Sheets and Lavender alleged in arrest reports.
When a second officer arrived to assist, the 37-year-old man’s prosthetic arm was taken off. The arm upon first contact by that officer was laying int he man’s lap. On second contact, the man had allegedly put the arm back on. Between the rubber cushion for the prosthetic and the arm was another bag that allegedly contained marijuana. A THC cartridge was also reportedly found in the vehicle.
Hanspard, who reportedly refused to give officer his address or city of residence, was taken into custody for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana.
On the way to the jail, Hanspard reportedly unbuckled his seat belt, then, told the sheriff’s officer he was going to get out of the patrol truck and bolt. He allegedly began kicking at the vehicle’s windows and followed that up by pulling on the patrol vehicle’s door handle to the point the handle broke, resulting in an additional charge for criminal mischief, sheriff’s officers alleged in arrest reports.
Upon arrival at the sheriff’s office, the man allegedly refused to answer any questions he was asked by jail staff and refused to comply with any orders or directives given by jail staff, and became aggressive toward jail staff. Consequently, Hanspard was placed into a violent cell.
The car was impounded. The suspected THC cartridge field-tested positive for THC oil, according to arrest reports.
The 37-year-old man remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, Aug. 17, on all three charges, 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.
Candidate Filing For School Trustees, Cumby City Council Elections Ends Monday
There’s only one day of candidate filing left for a spot on school trustees and Cumby City Council elections. Candidate filing for a spot on Nov. 3 rural school board election ballots has been light in most cases.
Filing ends at the conclusion of the business day Monday, Aug. 17, for candidacy in Cumby, Miller Grove, North Hopkins, Saltillo and Sulphur Bluff school district elections. The City of Cumby is also accepting candidate applications for two seats on the council and selection of a mayor.
Cumby ISD
At Cumby ISD, candidate applications for two seats on the school board are available in the Administration Offices through the close of business on Aug. 17.
Currently, Marsha Krotky and Kenny Campbell are serving in those seats on the board.
The trustees seats are at-large and for a full 3-year term. On Friday afternoon the district had received only one completed application, from an incumbent.
Cumby ISD trustees in April postponed the Cumby ISD bond election until November, and recently canceled the bond election due to current circumstances.
Miller Grove ISD
Miller Grove ISD has four seats on the school board up for election this year. Those seats are currently held by Clark May, John Wilbur, Doug Hall, Eric Mabe.
All four seats are for a full 4-year term and members are elected at-large.
Applications are available in the High School office. Applications must be notarized and returned no later than the close of business on Monday, Aug. 17. The district had received several application, including from at least one incumbent, officials reported.
North Hopkins ISD
Candidate filing for two seats on North Hopkins ISD Board of Trustees will be conducted through the close of business on Monday, Aug. 17, in NHISD Administration Building.
Currently, those seats are held by David James and Brian Lewis. The election is for two full term on the board. They are at-large; if more than two candidates file, the two candidates receiving the most votes will win the seats on the school board.
Saltillo ISD
Candidate applications for Saltillo ISD Board of Trustees election are available during regular business hours Aug. 17 in he school office.
Up for election are Place 1, Place 3 and Place 5 on the school board. The places are for 4-year terms. Currently serving in those seats are Marks Sustaire, Place 1; Chad Neal, Place 3; and Randy Johnson, Place 5.
Declaration of write-in candidacy must be received by 5 p.m. Aug. 21, and should a candidate choose to withdraw from the election, a certificate of withdrawal must be submitted by 5 p.m. Aug. 24.
To be eligible to file candidacy in the Saltillo ISD school board election, the applicant must be 18 years old; have been a Texas resident since Aug. 20, 2019, and a Saltillo ISD resident since Feb. 21, 2020; and be a registered voter prior to the Nov. 3 election..
Sulphur Bluff ISD
Candidates filing for a spot on the Nov. 3 Sulphur Bluff Independent School District Board of Trustees Election ballot will continue through the close of business on Monday, Aug. 17. Applications are available in the school office.
There will be four at-large 4-year term seats on the Nov. 3 SBISD school board ballot.
Cumby City Council
Candidate filing for Alderman Places 1, Alderman 2 and mayor on Cumby City Council also ends on Aug. 17 at the city building.
The City of Cumby had called for a special election in May in April to fill the open seats on the council. However, state election officials contacted city officials in April regarding the Cumby special election. All candidates for Places 1 and 2 in the May 2 election were contacted in April, and all agreed due to the COVID-19 situation postponing the election until November was best for all. Because the Cumby City Council election was a special election, it had to be canceled in April instead of postponed.
The council on June 9 again called for a Special Election on Nov. 3 to fill the 2 alderman seats and to select a mayor.
Cumby Mayor Doug Simmerman at the Aug. 11 council meeting encouraged interested residents to turn in a completed candidate application by the close of business Monday, to generate “good healthy contested races” in the Nov. 3 Cumby City Council Election.
Meal A Day Menu Aug. 17-21
Although the Senior Citizens Center continues to be closed due to COVID-19, Meal A Day volunteers continue to work five days a week preparing and delivering meals to shut-in elderly in the community. The Meal A Day menu for Aug. 17-21, 2020 includes:
Monday – Managers Choice
Tuesday – Orange Chicken, Rice, Egg Roll and Oriental Vegetables
Wednesday – Beef Lasagna, Green Beans and Garlic Sticks
Thursday – Cornflake Chicken Casserole, California Blend Vegetables and a Roll
Friday– Fish, Hush Puppies, Pinto Beans and Green Tomato Relish
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
Aaron’s Hosting School Supply Drive To Benefit Local Schools, Children
Aaron’s in Sulphur Springs is hosting a School Supply Drive to benefit local schools and children in need of school supplies. All school supplies will be sanitized before delivery to those in need. The business began accepting supplies on Aug. 5 and will continue to collect them through Aug. 21.
As an added incentive for people to give, Aaron’s has partnered with numerous local businesses for a basket raffle featuring gift cards and donated items from community merchants. Winners will be drawn at 5 p.m. Aug. 21.
To be entered in the basket raffle, individuals only have to bring in any new, unopened schools supplies to the Aaron’s Sulphur Springs store, 1402 Mockingbird Lane. The contributors’ name will be entered into the raffle drawing once for every 2 items donated to the school supply drive, and 4 entries per backpack. For example: 10 items would result in 5 entries, and a backpack would garner 4 more.
Two winners will get gift baskets full of gifts and gift cards from businesses in the community.
Gift Basket 1 includes:
- $25 gift card from The Spot Nutrición
- $50 gift card from TJ Nail
- $20 gift card from The Magic Scoop General Store Ice Cream Parlor
- $20 gift card from Corner Grub House
- Free breakfast or lunch from Pioneer Cafe
- Free haircut from cloud 9ine
- 2 sets of wildcats bracelets from Miss Behavin
- Free oil change and hat from Jay Hodge Chevrolet
- Free customized shirt from Brittney’s Custom Creations & More
Gift Basket 2 includes:
- $50 gift card from J&J Meat Market-Sulphur Springs
- $35 gift card from Cosmos Salon And Spa
- Cute lunch box from The Sewing Queens
- Fall handmade wreath from Valarie Mathes ️
- $20 gift card from Burgerland Sulphur Springs
- $80 credit or free front windows tint from Premium Window Tint Sulphur Springs Texas
- $10 gift card from Plain and Fancy Sandwich Shoppe
- Gift card from Bodacious BBQ Sulphur Springs
- Lip balm and mask saver from Marlene’s Sass & Class
A 3rd winner will receive a $200 Visa gift card from the Aaron’s team.
“This one is special to us, we would like to give this one to a family in need. We know times are hard and we really want to give back. For this, we are asking for each raffle participant to nominate a family that could use this blessing, along with a short reason of why. We are so excited to be able to have the chance to help out our schools and children get the school supplies they need! A huge thank you to all the business that donated️,” event organizers wrote in notice sent to KSST.
Winnsboro Woman Arrested In Sulphur Springs On Parole Warrant
A 37-year-old Winnsboro woman was arrested in Sulphur Springs on a parole warrant.
Sulphur Springs Police Sgt. Matt Glenn spotted Charla Nicole Tillery early Saturday morning, Aug. 15, on Celebration Plaza. A records check showed the 37-year-old Winnsboro woman to be wanted for violation of parole, which she was on for assault on a public servant, according to arrest reports.
Sgt. Glenn took Tillery into custody at 3:22 a.m. Aug. 15 and transported her to jail, according to arrest reports.
Tillery remained in Hopkins County jail late Saturday afternoon on the violation of parole charge, according to jail reports. Tillery is also reported to be known by the aliases Charlie Hale, Charlie Nickel, Nicole Charlie and Charla Nicole Howk.
Aug. 15 COVID-19 Update: 2 New Cases, 14 Recoveries In Hopkins County
Hopkins County Emergency Management officials at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, reported while there were no new COVID-19 cases on Friday, there were 7 new positive cases and 14 recoveries on Saturday.
That’s 11 days so far this month in which new COVID-19 cases have been reported and six days in which patient recoveries were reported in Hopkins County. So far this month, HCEM officials have reported 62 new positive COVID-19 cases and 76 patient recoveries for Hopkins County.
That brings the overall total since March to 214 positive COVID-19 cases and 175 recoveries, leaving a total of 39 active cases.
Emergency Management officials also reported that there were 7 patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances-Sulphur Springs Aug. 15, the same as on Aug. 2.
Texas Department of State Health Services Aug. 15 continues to show three COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County. Local officials have maintained since the first death was reported by DSHS that neither they nor the regional DSHS representative are aware of any deaths of Hopkins County residents due to COVID-19.
