Wood County Sheriff’s Report November 4-10, 2020
Wood County Sheriff’s Office provided the following activity report for Nov. 4-10, 2020:
- Abandoned Vehicle: 2
- Alarm: 6
- Animal Complaint: 11
- Arrest/Warrant Service: 7
- Assault: 3
- Burglary: 1
- Criminal Mischief: 2
- Criminal Trespass: 1
- Disturbances/Disputes: 10
- Fraud: 2
- Funeral Escort: 2
- Harassment: 0
- Inquest: 4
- Livestock at Large: 6
- Missing Person: 1
- Motorist Assist: 1
- Noise Complaint: 3
- Public Assist: 0
- Reckless Driver: 5
- Shots Fired: 0
- Structure Fire: 5
- Suspicious Activity: 20
- Theft: 7
- Traffic Hazard: 2
- Traffic Stop Closed by Arrest: 0
- Unauthorized Use of Vehicle: 0
- Welfare Check: 12
Update: Man Killed In Stolen Vehicle Crash Identified
Authorities have identified the man killed early Friday morning, Nov. 13, when the stolen vehicle he was driving crashed into the I-30 overpass at U.S. Business 67 near the 120 mile marker, as a Sulphur Springs resident.
The deceased was 36-year-old Michael Foster of Sulphur Springs, according to a press release from Sgt. Gregg Williams, Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol, Media Communications/Safety Education, Texarkana/ Mt. Pleasant.
“He was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle,” the DPS press release stated.
The crashed Toyota was reported by local authorities to be one of 3 vehicles reportedly stolen from locations in Sulphur Springs, then crashed Friday morning. The stolen vehicle and crashes are also believed to be linked to vehicle burglaries reported overnight Thursday as well, officials reported.
Sulphur Springs Police were first alerted round 1:02 a.m. Friday to the presence of a suspicious vehicle, possibly vehicle burglaries in progress, in the area of Sulphur Springs Public Library, according to law enforcement reports.
Upon arrival, officers spotted a truck in the area. While police were turning around to contact the occupants, the truck was reportedly drive at a high rate of speed in what was police believed to be an attempt to elude authorities. The truck reportedly continued to Main Street, where it crashed into a light pole behind the police department, according to Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson.
When officers arrived at the truck, the occupants had fled on foot. Attempts to locate them were unsuccessful at that time. The vehicle was, however, determined to have been stolen, according to the police chief.
A short while later, Ricketson reported, officers responded to a report of a possible vehicle burglary in progress on Houston Street. While checking that report, additional suspected vehicle burglaries were reported in the area of North Locust Street and Main Street. Officers reported seeing a Honda Accord being driven with no lights on. SSPD Cpl. Chris Rosamond attempted to stop the car. The driver allegedly continued a “significant distance” in until the car crashed, reportedly into a concrete divider or road control device, on Houston Street at North Hillcrest Drive around 2:50 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, Rosamond and SSPD Officer Silas Whaley alleged in arrest reports.
Officers removed the sole occupant, identified in police reports as 19-year-old Sunny J Lea Sweatman of Dallas, from the car at gunpoint and took her into custody for evading arrest or detention with the vehicle. Officers later discovered the Honda Accord had been stolen from a residence on Main Street, resulting in the Dallas woman also being charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, Rosamond and Whaley alleged in arrest reports.
Sunny Sweatman remained in Hopkins County jail later Friday afternoon; bond was set at $10,000 bond on the evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge and $5,000 on the stolen vehicle charge, according to jail reports.
According to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office reports, a Toyota 4-Runner reportedly went off the north Interstate-30 service road, at the US Business 67 bridge near the 120 mile marker at 3:50 a.m. Nov. 13. Texas Department of Public Safety was alerted at 4:12 a.m. to respond for a one vehicle crash investigation.
“Preliminary investigation indicates a 2015 Toyota 4 Runner was traveling westbound on the service road at a high rate of speed. For an as yet undermined reason, the Toyota left the roadway, became airborne and struck part of a highway overpass before stopping,” according to the release from DPS Sgt. Gregg Williams.
According to sheriff’s reports, the vehicle landed upside down between the north service road and Interstate 30 west, according to sheriff’s reports.
The driver of the Toyota, 36-year-old Michael Foster of Sulphur Springs, was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene.
“This crash remains under investigation and no additional information is currently available,” according to Sgt. Williams.
Local officials reported the Toyota 4Runner was determined to have been stolen from a Lee Street address in Sulphur Springs sometime early Friday morning.
“We think the stolen vehicle cases and motor vehicle burglaries are related. The investigation is ongoing by law enforcement,” Ricketson said late Friday morning.
Sulphur Springs 10 and Under Soccer Champs Sponsored by Paris Junior College
CHAMPIONS
Pictured are members and coaches of the U10 boy’s Sulphur Springs Soccer Association Fall 2020 champions sponsored by Paris Junior College. Team members from left are:Rene Gutierrez, Mason Duerksen, Mason Calvillo, Nate Russell, Daniel Cardona, Gideon Stanley, Josiah Stanley, Fox Martin, Kaleb Booth, and Jakob Cotten. Not pictured is Elijah Melton. Back row are coaches, from left, Rebekah, Aaron, Rob and Samuel Stanley.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
16 Indicted On 21 Charges During October Grand Jury Session
The Hopkins County Grand Jury signed at least 21 indictments naming 16 people during the October session, according to court records. Charges alleged in the indictments pushed forward from the October Grand Jury session included child pornography, aggravated assault, controlled substance, evading arrest, drunk driving, sexual assault and indecency with a child offenses, according to information released by the District Clerk’s Office.
Justin Andrew Crump was indicted during the October Grand Jury session on a possession with intent to promote child phonography charge.
As part of officials’ response to a rise in cases involving internet crimes against children during the first half of the year, three search warrants were obtained for three Hopkins County addresses. The warrants were executed June 25, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office investigators reported in July. During the searches, officials seized a number of electronic items. Forensic investigations were conducted on everything seized. Based on the evidence recovered a warrant was obtained for Justin Andrew Crump’s arrest, sheriff’s investigators reported.
On July 7, Crump was located at his place of work and arrested on a child pornography warrant. The 30-year-old Como man was interviewed at the sheriff’s office and allegedly confessed, according to sheriff’s and arrest reports.
Crump has remained in Hopkins County jail in lieu of $40,000 bond on the charge. He also was served with a warrant for violation of probation on a March 2019 DWI charge, according to jail reports.
Indicted for aggravated sexual assault of a child was Marcos Mejia.
The 40-year-old Sulphur Springs man has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest July 17 on a warrant for the charge, according to jail reports.
An arrest warrant was issued for Marcos Mejia’s arrest after a juvenile female made an outcry and attended an interview at a Child Advocacy Center. Mejia was located at his residence and taken into custody on the warrant, sheriff’s deputies alleged in July 2020 arrest reports.
Bond on the aggravated sexual assault of a child charge was set at $100,000, according to jail reports.
Lamont Lankeen Mitchell was indicted on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The 25-year-old Pittsburg, Texas man has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest July 15 on warrants for both charges, which stem from an incident in which two teens were shot on Fuller Street on June 14.
A group of youth alleged a man jumped out of the bushes and “opened fire” on the group as they were walking on Fuller Street around 1 a.m. June 14. An 18-year-old male and 15-year-old female allegedly sustained non life-threatening gunshot wounds and were expected July 21 to make a full recovery police reported. Mitchell was later identified as the suspect, and the two warrants were issued for his arrest, Sulphur Springs Police Sgt. Jason Reneau reported following Mitchell’s arrest on July 15. Mitchell’s bond was set at $100,000 per charge, according to jail reports.
Fernando Santana-Vazquez was indicted on four sexual assault of a child charges.
Santana-Vazquez was arrested Aug. 4 for impeding traffic, by stopping in the middle of the eastbound lane of traffic in a new construction zone on State Highway 11 west. He was later served with one aggravated sexual assault of a child and three sexual assault of a child warrants, according to August 2020 arrest and jail reports. He has remained in jail since his arrest. His bonds total $725,000, according to jail reports.
Jordan Matthew Williams was indicted during the October session for indecency with a child by exposure.
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, sheriff’s investigators reported following Williams’ arrest on Aug. 6 on a warrant for the charge. Williams remained in Hopkins County jail in lieu of $75,000 bond Nov. 12, according to jail reports.
Carla Amanda-Renee Moore was indicted for driving while intoxicated with a child under 15 years of age in the vehicle.
Another woman texted 911 dispatchers that she was in the vehicle with Moore, who was alleged to be “extremely intoxicated, swerving, driving all over the line” on July 9. A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper spotted the woman for speeding on Highway 11 east in front of a school and stopped her. Officials were told Moore decided to travel from the lake to town to purchase swimming toys for her 4-year-old and 4-year-old children, who were in the back seat. The other woman reportedly got in the SUV out of concern for the kid and alerted authorities to their location.
The trooper alleged Moore showed signs of intoxication and could smell alcohol on Moore, who claimed to have had a shot an hour before, but wasn’t sure what time it was during the stop. Moore allegedly showed six of six clues on horizontal gaze nystagmus tests, was unsuccessful on standard field sobriety tests and arrested around 9:30 p.m. July 9, 2020, on a DWI with child passenger charge-year-old Dallas woman was released from Hopkins County jail July 10 on a $5,000 bond on the charge, according to jail reports.
Christopher Daniel Houpt was indicted during the October Grand Jury session for evading arrest or detention with a vehicle.
Houpt reportedly drove off from a Church Street disturbance after police contacted him Aug. 8 and discovered he was wanted in Hunt County for failure to appear on an evading arrest charge and bail jumping/failure to appear. Police pursued the 30-year-old Dickinson, Texas man from town into the county. Deputies spiked three of the four tires on the truck he was driving on FM 1567 at County Road 1443. He allegedly drove for 5 miles before crashing into a grove of trees, then fled into the woods. A multiple agency manhunt was launched in the area. He as reportedly found in the wood line around 5 p.m. that day and was jailed after being treated by EMS, according to arrest reports.
He has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest Aug. 8, 2020; his bond on the evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge was set at $100,000, according to jail reports.
Indicted on two possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charges were Ronald Khristopher Gulley and Monica Shanee Hamilton.
The charges against Ronald Khristopher Gulley stem from an an early morning Interstate 30 traffic stop on Aug. 4. Deputies, in arrest reports, alleged finding 24.6 grams of suspected cocaine and 49.9 grams of methamphetamine in a brief case-type bag in the vehicle. Gulley claimed the bag and was arrested for possession of both substance, according to arrest reports.
The 39-year-old Dallas man has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest on Aug. 4. His bond was set at $75,000 per charge, according to jail reports.
Monica Shanee Hamilton was arrested Dec. 18, 2019, following a routine traffic stop on Interstate 30. State troopers reported seeing a bag of suspected marijuana in a cupholder in her vehicle. While being interviewed, the 39-year-old DeSoto woman allegedly admitted to having half of a pound of marijuana in the vehicle. The trooper, in arrest reports, alleged finding a vacuum-sealed bag with 8.8 ounces of marijuana and baggies containing 26 aggregate grams of Ecstasy in a shopping bag on the rear seat.
Hamilton remained in Hopkins County jail Dec. 18-19, 2019; bonds associated with controlled substance and marijuana charges totaled $45,000, according to jail reports.
Indicted in October for possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance with intent to deliver were 38-year-old Shaunta Daniel Bell and 43-year-old Lana Michelle Goodwin.
Bell and Goodin have remained in Hopkins County jail since their arrests on Aug. 5; bond was set at $75,000 each on the controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
Indicted for possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance were: Oscar Garcia Deleon, Braxton Wayne Fielden, Cody Jerome Tucker, Madeline Lee Walker and Christopher Alexander Graves.
Deleon, 24, has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest on the charge on Aug. 4; bond was set at $10,000. Fielden, 19, and Walker, 22, were arrested Aug. 6. Fielden remains in jail, but Walker was released Aug. 9 on a $10,000 bond, according to jail reports. Tucker has remained in jail since his arrest on July 29 on that charge as well as a Hunt County motion to revoke bond or probation on a controlled substance charge; bond was set at $10,000 on the Hopkins County charge, according to jail reports.
Wildcats Football, Lady Cats Volleyball Are On Game Day Friday, Nov. 13
There are important football and volleyball contests on this game day Friday, Nov. 13.
Football
A playoff spot is on the line as the Wildcats’ football team travels to Greenville to face the Lions.
It’s the third and last zone game for both teams. Both come in with 1-1 records in zone play with a victory over Corsicana and a loss to North Forney. The winner will be the zone’s #2 seed and will be in the playoffs. The team on the short end of the scoreboard will be the zone’s #3 team and will be out of the playoff picture.
The Wildcats come into tonight’s game with a 1-3 season record. Greenville is 3-2.
The Wildcats coach is Greg Owens in his 15th year at Sulphur Springs. The Greenville Coach is Darren Duke, in his fifth year. Coach Duke has coached at Greenville in the past on several occasions as the Defensive Coordinator for his mentor, Marvin Sedberry Senior. Duke replaced Sedberry, when he retired, in 2016.
In the district’s other zone, Crandall and Royse City meet to determine their zone’s #2 and #3 seeds. Ennis and North Forney seem destined to meet next week as number #1 seeds in their respective zones. That leaves Forney and Corsicana to get together next week as #4 seeds.
Kickoff in Greenville tonight at Cotton Ford Stadium is at 7:30 p.m. KSST Radio will have the game for you. The station is going to do its’ best to provide live video streaming for the game. The game will be recorded and will be available on YouTube. It will also be replayed at a later date on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
Volleyball
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team also has a big district contest against Longview on this game day Friday. The match begins at 4:30 p.m. in the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School.
The Lady Cats can win the district championship with a win. They currently have a one game lead in district over Texas High. The Lady Tigers are at Marshall today.
The Lady Cats are 9-2 in district play and 12-7 for the season. Their nine-match winning streak in district was snapped Tuesday at Hallsville.
Basketball
One more note: the Wildcats Basketball Team will open the regular season Saturday at 4 p.m. at home against Tyler Legacy.
KSST Radio will also have that game tomorrow with live stream video and a tape delay airing on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
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.
2 Men Sentenced In District Court
Two men were sentenced in district court in Hopkins County on Thursday, according to court reports.
Probated Sentence
Michael Leslie Copeland appeared before before 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt at 9 a.m. Nov. 12 for a sentencing hearing for a 2019 unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charge. The 39-year-old Yantis man received a felony conviction and 10 years of probation for the third-degree felony offense, according to Assistant District Attorney Matt Harris.
Copeland was arrested on Aug. 27, 2019, following a traffic stop. A sheriff’s deputy, in 2019 arrest reports, alleged the man caught his attention by driving 74 miles per hour in the 55 mph speed zone on SH 11 east at County Road 2417.
When identified the officer recognized the man’s name as that of a person who had been previously been convicted of a felony offense. The deputy obtained consent to search the van. Noting the man to be nervous, the deputy asked to search the car, the 2019 arrest reports alleged.
Copeland allegedly pointed out a pipe used for smoking marijuana on the driver’s side floor; a .22-caliber Mossberg AR-style pistol was found wrapped in a towel in a rear seat and an open Bud Ice beer container was also found, deputies alleged.
He was released from Hopkins County jail Aug. 30, 2020 on the charge, but returned to HCSO custody from Aug. 4-5, 2020 on two Delta County violation of probation warrants for assault and possession of marijuana, and a warrant for violation of probation on a harassment via repeated electronic communication charge. The 39-year-old was also reportedly arrested and released Oct. 22, 2020 for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Prison Sentence
Tom Coy Childress was scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 12 to appear in the 8th Judicial District Court on a trial before the court on a motion to proceed on a 2018 assault of a family or household member that impeded breathing or circulation. He was sentenced in district court to 10 years in prison on the assault charge, according to prosecutors.
The 35-year-old was arrested on Nov. 14, 2018 on the felony assault charge, for allegedly beating on a woman at his Helm Lane residence. Police had been dispatched to a report of a person trying to kick in a door at a Helm Lane apartment. Upon arrival, police reported hearing a female making noise as though in pain and a male yelling. The woman reportedly had visible injuries indicative of having been beaten.
Childress was released from Hopkins County jail Nov. 30, 2018, on a $25,0000 bond on the felony assault charge, according to arrest and jail reports. He was indicted in January 2019 on the charge.
According to Hopkins County jail records, Childress has returned to Hopkins County jail three times since then. He was jailed March 14, 2019 for bond forfeiture on the assault charge; he was released July 11, 2019 on $20,000 bond. Childress also was booked and released from jail April 15, 2019 on a $20,000 on arrant for bail jumping/failure to appear. The 35-year-old Canton resident has remained in custody since he turned himself in at the sheriff’s office and was arrested Aug. 12, 2020 on a warrant for violation of probation on the assault charge, 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.
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.
Woman Jailed On A Money Laundering Charge
A 26-year-old woman was jailed on a money laundering charge early Friday morning, according to police reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Cleve Williams reported stopping a Toyota Rav4 at 10:55 p.m. Nov. 12 at the 128 mile marker on Interstate 30 west for a traffic violation.
The occupant, a 26-year-old woman who told officers she lives in Dallas, reportedly was found to be in possession of nearly $14,000. When asked, the woman was unable to tell officers who the cash belonged to. The interdiction officer reported his narcotics canine alerted on the money for “contamination of an illicit narcotic odor.”
Deras Maria Elizabeth Melara was arrested at 12:18 a.m. Nov. 13 and jailed on a money laundering charge, according to arrest reports.
Deras Melara also allegedly advised she is an El Salvador citizen in the United States illegally. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials were being contacted, according to Williams.
The 26-year-old woman remained in Hopkins County jail late Friday morning. Bond on the state jail felony charge was set at $20,000, 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.
Vehicle Burglaries And Thefts End In 3 Crashes, 1 Arrest, 1 Reported Fatality
Friday, Nov. 13 has been a busy one for local law enforcement. In a three hour span early this morning, local officials responded to what is believed to be a crime spree involving 3 stolen vehicles and several vehicle burglaries ended in 3 crashes, 1 arrest and one reported fatality, according to law enforcement reports.
The activity began around 1:02 a.m. Friday with a report of a suspicious vehicle, possibly vehicle burglaries in progress, in the area of Sulphur Springs Public Library.
Upon arrival, officer spotted a truck. While police were turning around, the occupants fled at a high rate of speed in what was believed to be an attempt to evade police. The truck continued to Main Street, where it crashed into a light pole behind the police department, according to Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson.
When officers arrived at the truck, the two previously observed occupants of the truck had fled on foot. Attempts to locate the pair were unsuccessful at that time. The vehicle was determined to have been stolen.
A short wile later, Ricketson reported, officers responded to a report of a possible vehicle burglary in progress on Houston Street. While checking that report, additional suspected vehicle burglaries were reported in the area of North Locust Street and Main Street, police reported seeing a Honda Accord being driven with no lights on. SSPD Cpl. Chris Rosamond attempted to stop the car. The driver allegedly continued traveling a “significant distance” in the vehicle until the Accord crashed, reportedly into a concrete divider or road control device, on Houston Street at North Hillcrest Drive where the car around 2:50 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13.
Officers removed the sole occupant, identified in police reports as 19-year-old Sunny J Lea Sweatman of Dallas, out of the car at gunpoint and took her into custody for evading arrest or detention in a vehicle. Officers later discovered the Honda Accord had been stolen from a residence on Main Street, resulting in the Dallas woman also being charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Sunny Sweatman remained in Hopkins County jail later Friday morning; her bond was set at $10,000 on the evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge and $5,000 on the stolen vehicle charge.
According to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office reports, a Toyota 4-Runner reportedly went off the north Interstate-30 service road, up an embankment and impacted the US Business 67 bridge near the 120 mile marker just west of Sulphur springs. The vehicle reportedly landed upside down between the north service road and Interstate 30 west, according to sheriff’s reports. A male, identified only as a 36-year-old, was reportedly ejected from the vehicle and died as a result of the crash.
The vehicle came back to a Lee Street address. Officials determined the vehicle was stolen and notified SSPD. After additional investigation, authorities found information indicating the the deceased man to be a 36-year-old who has had a connection to Hopkins County.
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Arturo Ugalde is leading the investigation into the crash, reported at 3:50 a.m. Nov. 13. No additional information regarding the crash had been released at 10:40 a.m. Friday by DPS.
“We think the stolen vehicle cases and motor vehicle burglaries are related. The investigation is ongoing by law enforcement,” Ricketson said late Friday morning.
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.
Canned Food Donations For Tira Food Pantry Always Appreciated
By Jan Vaughn, Tira News columnist, [email protected]
Robert and Yvonne Weir’s granddaughter, Everly (Dustin and Natalie‘s daughter), along with their daughter, son-in-law, and grandson, Destri, Eben, and Nico, spent the weekend with them. On Monday, Yvonne met Dacy and Destri in Mesquite for Dacy’s birthday lunch and shopping. Robert and Yvonne celebrated their 47th anniversary on Tuesday with lunch at Redneck Café in Sulphur Springs.
Veterans were honored with a drive-through parade at North Hopkins School on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11. The band played and students cheered for them as they passed by. We appreciate their service and dedication to our nation.
Chip and I spent last week (first week in November) in Tennessee enjoying the fall weather and scenery. We stayed at Fairfield Glade Resort near Crossville and made day trips to several waterfalls in the area. On Wednesday, we drove into Alabama and followed the Lookout Mountain scenic drive from Gadsden, Alabama to Chattanooga, Tennessee. The fall colors were a little later than usual and were more beautiful at the end of the week than when we arrived. Grace Vaughn, Chip’s mother, stayed with Jim and Sandra Vaughn in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, while we were gone. We came back by way of the Talimena National Scenic Byway, in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, and visited with them before heading home on Sunday afternoon.
Council members have been taking care of filling the Tira Food Pantry. Donations of canned food are always appreciated. If you’d like to help with the cause, please call Joyce Dodd at 903-348-8754.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Nov. 11-12 COVID-19 Updates: 2 Fatalities, 10 New Cases
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials in their Nov. 11-12 COVID-19 updates reported 10 additional Hopkins County residents have received positive COVID-19 test results. State reports also show 2 additional COVID-19 fatalities for Hopkins County.
HC/SSEM Nov. 11-12 COVID-19 Updates
HC/SSEM in their Nov. 11-12 updates reported seven new cases on Wednesday and three on Thursday. That makes 63 Hopkins County residents who have received positive molecular COVID-19 test results this month, 20 less than the first 12 days of October but still 25 more than Sept. 1-12 and 10 more new cases than Aug. 1-12.
While there have been no recoveries reported during the last three days, 82 residents were reported Nov. 2-9 to have recovered from novel coronavirus 2019. A total 622 of the 747 county residents who have tested positive for the virus since March have recovered, according to the Nov. 11-12 COVID-19 updates from HC/SSEM officials.
The COVID Unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs had one less patient daily Nov. 11-12. That left 15 patients in the CMFHSS unit Thursday, the same as on Friday, Nov. 6. The lowest patient census reported this month has been 13 patients on Wednesday, Nov. 4.
At the free testing site on Jefferson Street, 103 free tests were performed on Tuesday and 79 on Wednesday, according to the HC/SSEM Nov. 11-12 COVID-19 updates. That makes 781 molecular tests conducted at 128-A Jefferson Street during the first 11 days in November and 3,174 since testing was first offered on Sept. 25 at the testing location.
The Jefferson Street COVID testing site is scheduled to remain open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays during November, HC/SSEM officials reported in the Nov. 11-12 COVID-19 updates.
To book a test, go online to GoGetTested.com, select “Red Cross/old Fidelity Express — Texas Emergency Management building at 128-A Jefferson St. in Sulphur Springs” or other desired location, then, click “Book Now,” and follow the prompts. Walk-ins are also accepted.
Sulphur Springs ISD COVID-19 Update
Seven additional people who were on Sulphur Springs Independent School District campuses within the last week had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Wednesday, Nov. 11, Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams reported in notices sent out shortly after 3 p.m. Nov. 11 to students and their families, teachers and staff at the appropriate campuses
One additional student at Sulphur Spring High School and one at Bowie Primary had tested positive for the virus.
Five additional staff members also tested positive: two at Lamar Primary and one each at Douglass Early Childhood Learning Center, Sulphur Springs Elementary and Sulphur Springs Middle School.
Monday night, Williams reported there were seven active cases among students (one each at Douglass ECLC and Barbara Bush Primary, two at SSES, and three at SSHS), and 11 active staff cases (1 each at Douglass, Bush Primary, SSMS and one other; three at SSES; and four at Lamar.)
Another 205 students and 16 staff members were not COVID-19 positive, but in quarantine as a precaution due to a high-risk exposure or because they are displaying symptoms, according to the COVID-19 snapshot Williams presented to the school board Monday night.
Since school started, the district has had 71 students and 55 staff who have tested positive for COVID-19, according to Williams’ Nov. 9 report.
Hopkins County COVID-19 Fatality Reports
The Texas Department of State Health Services dashboard showed 47 Hopkins County residents have died as a result of COVID-19. That’s 2 additional COVID-19 deaths confirmed by cause on death certificates in the last 2 days and 5 Hopkins County COVID-19 deaths announced in the last 7 days.
The latest deaths are reported to have occurred on Oct. 21 (a day in which 42 new cases were reported, increasing the active case count to 169) and Nov. 5 (a day with 152 active cases, the highest active case count so far this month). That makes 27 Hopkins County residents confirmed to have died from COVID-19 in October and one in November. There were also 11 COVID-19 fatalities in September, six in August and two in July.
HHS Nursing, Assisted Living Facility Reports
Wesley House still had one active resident COVID-19 case on Oct. 29; the case was first reported on Oct. 27, the most recent data available in the Nov. 12 Health and Human Services assisted living facility report.
Two additional nursing home deaths, one each at Sulphur Springs Health and Rehabilitation and Sunny Springs Nursing & Rehab, were reported Oct. 29 to HHS. That makes 34 residents who have died at Sulphur Springs nursing facilities from March through Oct. 29: 24 at Carriage House Manor, 4 at Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab and six at Sunny Springs Nursing & Rehab, according to the Nov. 12 HHS nursing facility report.
There were 19 active employee cases at Sulphur Springs nursing home on Oct. 29: 1 at Carriage House Manor, 10 at SSHR and 8 at SSN&R. That means 1 CHM employee tested positive on Oct. 29.
The Nov. 12 HHS nursing facility report also showed 24 active resident cases at Sulphur Springs nursing facilities on Oct. 29, 1 at Rock Creek Health and Rehab and 21 at SSHR. That means 6 additional residents tested positive had tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 29.
