Democrats Select Hegar, Castañeda In July 14 Primary Runoffs
Just before 2 a.m. July 15, with all 3,178 polling locations reporting, Mary “MJ” Hegar and Chrysta Castañeda finished ahead of their opponents in the July 14 Democratic Party Primary Runoffs.
While more Hopkins County Democrats voted for Royce West for United States Senator (262-190), across the state more preferred Hegar. She finished with 498,180 votes to Royce West 457,555 votes, giving her the state win with 52.13 percent of the vote.
Hegar will face incumbent John Cornyn on the November election ballot. Cornyn defeated challengers Virgil Bierschwale, John Anthony Castro, Dwayne Stovall and Mark Yancey in the March Republican Primary for US Senator.
In runoff for Railroad Commissioner, 55.4 percent of Hopkins County voters selected Chrysta Castañeda and 44.76 percent voted for Roberto R. “Beto” Alonzo. Across the state, Castañeda received 575,460 votes (61.95 percent) to Alonzo’s 353,399 votes (38.05 percent), making her the winner. according to tallies posted at 2:45 a.m. July 15 by the Secretary of State’s Texas Elections Division.
The winner of the Democratic nomination for Railroad Commissioner will face Republican James “Jim” Wright on the ballot in November. Wright defeated incumbent Ryan Sitton in the March 3 Republican Primary.
| Candidate, Election | Hopkins County Election Day | Hopkins County Absentee | Hopkins County Early Voting | State Of Texas Totals |
| Royce West, US Senator | 79 | 104 | 19 | 457,555 |
| Mary “MJ” Hegar, US Senator | 46 | 78 | 66 | 498,180 |
| Roberto R. “Beto” Alonzo, Railroad Commissioner | 51 | 94 | 47 | 353,399 |
| Chrysta Castañeda, Railroad Commissioner | 64 | 84 | 89 | 575,859 |
Slaton Defeats Flynn In July 14 Republican Party Primary Runoff Election
Bryan Slaton has defeated incumbent Dan Flynn for the Republican Party nomination for State Representative, District 2. He will challenge Democratic candidate Bill Brannon in the November General Election.
Slaton received 61.07 percent (9,757 votes) of the vote to Flynn’s 38.93 percent (6,221 votes) out of the 45 polling locations across Hopkins, Hunt and Van Zandt counties.
“It can’t tell you how humbling it is to be so overwhelmingly supported by my community,” Slaton wrote on his Facebook page.
Slaton led by 60 percent or more in all three counties in the runoff.
| Early Voting | Absentee | Election Day | Total Votes | |
| Dan Flynn | 368 | 49 | 305 | 722 |
| Bryan Slaton | 731 | 73 | 512 | 1,316 |
He received 64.57 percent of the overall 1,221 votes cast in the Republican District 2 State Representative runoff in Hopkins County, including 731 votes during the early voting period, 73 absentee votes and 512 on Election Day. Flynn received 35.53 percent of the overall vote in Hopkins County, including 368 ballots cast during early voting, 49 absentee votes and 305 on Election Day.
In Van Zandt County, Slaton received 60.57 percent (4,055) of the overall 6,695 votes to Flynn’s 39.43 percent (2,640). In Hunt County, Slaton received 60.54 percent (4,386) to Flynn’s 39.46 percent (2,859) of votes.
| Hopkins County | Hunt County | Van Zandt County | Total Votes | |
| Dan Flynn | 722 | 2,859 | 2,640 | 6,221 |
| Bryan Slaton | 1,316 | 4,386 | 4,055 | 9,757 |
This was shift from the March 3 Primary Election, where Flynn received 44.76 percent of the overall votes 27,358 ballots cast in the District 2 State Representative Election to Slaton’s 26.15 percent, with Dwayne “Doc” Collins receiving the remaining 19.09 percent. Following the March 3 primary, Collins publicly expressed his support for Slaton in the party primary runoff.
“I first ran for this seat 6 years ago,” Slaton said of the past years’ elections won by Flynn. “Those of you who supported me from day 1, thank you!,” Slaton said to those who have supported him in previous elections. “To those of you who have come on board in the last several months, I couldn’t have done this without you. This is a victory for House District 2, and I promise I won’t let you down,” Slaton’s post stated.
“To the grassroots conservatives across the state, I promise you I won’t back down from the fight next session,” he concluded.
| Candidate/Election | March 3, 2020 Republican Primary | July 14, 2020 Primary Runoff |
| Dan Flynn | 12,246 | 6,221 |
| Bryan Slaton | 9,889 | 9,757 |
Hopkins County Results Of July 14 Party Primary Runoff Elections
Below are the unofficial final results of the July 14 party primary runoffs conducted in Hopkins County. Results reflect Hopkins County totals only.
REPUBLICAN RUNOFF
District 2 State Representative
Slaton defeats Incumbent Flynn to challenge Brannon in November General Election. Slaton received 61.9% (11,605) of the vote to Flynn’s 38.1% (7,152) out of the 45 polling locations across Hopkins, Hunt and Van Zandt counties.
Hopkins County results are shown below:
- Dan Flynn
- Absentee Voting 49
- Early voting 368
- Election Day 305
- Total 722 (35.43 percent)
- Bryan Slaton
- Absentee Voting 73
- Early Voting 731
- Election Day 512
- Total 1,316 (64.57 percent)
DEMOCRATIC RUNOFFS
Texas Railroad Commissioner
- Roberto R. “Beto” Alonzo
- Absentee Voting 94
- Early Voting 47
- Election Day 51
- Total 192 (44.76 percent)
- Chrysta Castañeda
- Absentee Voting 84
- Early Voting 89
- Election Day 64
- Total 237 (55.24 percent)
United States Senator
- Mary “MJ” Hegar
- Absentee Voting 78
- Early Voting 66
- Election Day 46
- Total 190 (42.04 percent)
- Royce West
- Absentee Voting 104
- Early Voting 79
- Election Day 79
- Total 262 (57.96 percent)
Hopkins County Update: 3 New Positive COVID-19 Cases Reported On July 14
The Hopkins County Emergency Management Team at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, reported that 3 new positive COVID-19 cases have been announced for Hopkins County. Local officials are requesting verification of addresses for two of the three new patients as they were listed only as Post Office boxes in Hopkins County.
July 14 is the 6th consecutive day in which new COVID-19 patients have been reported for Hopkins County, and at least the 9th day this month that new cases have been reported. New case counts reported earlier this month by HCEMT included: 1 each on July 6 and July 11; 2 each on July 7, July 13 and July 12; 4 on July 9; 6 on July 10; and 7 new cases on July 2. Overall, that’s 28 new cases report so far this month for Hopkins County.
That brings the total of positive COVID-19 cases reported since March for Hopkins County to 91. So far, 65 Hopkins County patients have recovered from COVID-19. That leaves 26 active cases of COVID-19 for Hopkins County.
One Hopkins County resident is in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs on July 14. One patient who was in CMFH-SS COVID-19 Unit Monday was discharged today, Sulphur Springs Emergency Management Coordinator/Police Chief Jason Ricketson reported.
Trustees Approve 20 Personnel Changes For SSISD
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees approved recommendations for 20 personnel changes following an executive session at the regular July 13 board meeting. That’s 7 resignations, 4 in-district changes of jobs or campuses, 8 new hires and one retirement which will impact 6 school campuses, plus the administration building and maintenance department. The 20 personnel changes for SSISD include:
The Edge Benefits Wildcats Tennis
In summers past, Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez, in his 7th year in Sulphur Springs, would busy himself by conducting tennis camps, most of them at the University of Texas in Austin. His Wildcats would have the summer off but he would occasionally let some of them know about various tournaments they could compete in. The Edge has predominately been a conditioning program for football players. However some athletes, both boys and girls with other teams, would attend to get in better shape. With the UIL allowing more time per week for coaches to teach their players specific sports skills, more and more coaches are utilizing The Edge for their teams. With the need to spread out due to coronavirus concerns, football has taken over the Multipurpose Building this summer but other sports are using the high school gym, middle school gyms, Prim Stadium and the Wildcat Tennis Center. As The Edge nears its end for tennis on July 31, Coach Martinez says he’s been very happy with The Edge. He says working with middle school and high school players during June and July, he’s seen the players getting better and better by leaps and bounds. Coach Martinez says after the kids were required to stay at home for several months due to the pandemic, they were very eager to hit the courts in June. He says he gave the kids last week off due to increasing virus cases in Texas but he says at the end of last week he started getting a lot of calls asking when they could resume. The Edge for tennis cranked back up Monday night. The Wildcats are pointing toward the beginning of the team tennis season, scheduled to start on Monday, August 3. The Wildcats are a young bunch with only one senior, veteran and captain Harleigh Stegient. Coach Martinez will have to rebuild his boys team that had heavy losses to graduation. Possible returners include Carlos Lopez, Tate Smith, Waylon Matlock and Alex Romero. The girls side is loaded with experienced players who started as freshman the past two years. Among possible returnees are Jeauxleigh Cantu, Paige Miesee, Savannah Lilley, Emily Dick, Trynity Luckett, Ella Ray, Mykylee Meador and Kaylee Schumacher.
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.
SSISD Board Approves New Lady Cats Basketball Assistant Coach
At a regular meeting of the Sulphur Springs School Board Monday night (July 13), the board approved the hiring of Timothy Aguillon as a math teacher and coach at the high school. Coach Aguillon will replace former Lady Cats Basketball Assistant Coach Katelyn Webster who resigned to take another coaching opportunity. The Lady Cats Basketball staff now includes third year Head Coach Brittney Tisdell with Assistant Coach Bryan Jones and now Assistant Coach Timothy Aguillon.
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.
Administrators Outline The 2 Back To School Learning Options For SSISD Students In 2020-21 School Year
Parents Need To Complete Online Registration Soon, Will Be Asked To Select Full Time On-Campus Or Virtual Academy Schooling
One of the big questions for educators and families has been what to expect for the 2020-2021 school year, which is still scheduled to begin on Aug. 18 for Sulphur Springs Independent School District students, with staff returning for professional development days on Aug. 6. SSISD Director of Curriculum Lisa Robinson and Superintendent Michael Lamb Monday evening discussed the 2 learning options available for SSISD students, but noted portions of the plans depend on enrollment, COVID-19 and related state requirements.
Basics For Fall 2020
First, the SSISD administrators noted, parents need to complete the online Skyward registration process for their students as soon as possible. Any parents who has lost their login information, gotten locked out of or need assistance in completing the Skyward registration can call Mikki Daniel at 903-885-2153, ext. 1151, starting next week.
Then, starting July 23, parents will receive educational commitment forms. They will be asked to commit to either the full time on-campus program or the SSISD virtual academy. The selection will need to be made no later than 8 a.m. Aug. 4. This information will be used to prepare schedules, finalize staffing decisions and make teacher assignments.
All options are offered based on current state and federal guidelines and is subject to change. Districts too are asked to budget in up to 30 make up days in the event schools are required to temporarily close again as they did in the spring due to spread of COVID-19, other illnesses, whether or other unforeseeable events. If these types of closures occur, they will be made up on currently scheduled professional development days and/or in June if necessary.
Information about both kinds of learning programs, as well as a FAQ for are available on the SSISD website, ssisd.net, by clicking on the 2020-21 Back to School link on the main page.
Each family is asked to consider the full scope of both options and make the best choice for their students. However, be aware, if the state shuts down schools again, the district is working on a plan for all students to receive virtual instruction; there will be no strictly paper instruction as there was with distance learning in the spring.
Currently, school is moving forward as if athletics and other UIL activities will be held. Summer strength and conditioning sessions and band practices are under way according to the latest guidelines released by UIL on July 8. UIL has yet to rule regarding fall activities, Lamb noted.
Lamb said based on the online surveys that have been voluntarily completed by families so far regarding preferences for the upcoming school year indicate about 20 percent of families want Virtual Academy for their students. If that turns out to be the case, that would providing additional room for distancing between desks and tables in regular classrooms for on-campus learning.
That’s why parents completing the learning program commitment form between July 23 and 8 a.m. Aug. 4 is important. It will allow the district to plan for space, staffing and instructional needs for all campuses and learning options.
Full Time On-Campus Learning
The second of the back to school learning options for SSISD is a Virtual Academy. This will be much like classes in the past, with additional safety measures observed. Students will generally follow the same schedule they would have normally followed.
This will be much like classes in the past, with additional safety measures observed. Students will generally follow the same schedule they would have normally followed.
SSISD will follow the governor’s executive order requiring face masks or coverings when it is not feasible to maintain 6 feet of social distancing from others. Currently, masks must be worn by secondary students and any student age 10 and older. Outside of an executive order from the governor or a requirement from the Texas Education Agency, SSISD will not require face masks.
The district has masks that will be available, even if that order is loosened or rescinded. Students and staff will be permitted to wear face masks if they choose, even if not required.
Hand sanitizer will be readily available and thorough hand washing will be practiced.
Lamb also noted that while state school guidelines initially indicated class sizes might have to be reduce to 10 or less with students not going to lunch.
The current plan includes a regular instructional schedule with face-to face learning during regular school hours, Monday through Friday. Elementary students will participate in specials such as music, PE, and recess as normal. Secondary students in grades 6-12 will follow their class schedules as normal and transition to different classrooms for instruction.
Desks or tables will be socially distanced as much as instructionally possible. Class sizes will adhere to state guidelines and will be determined by the number of students who choose to participate in on-campus learning.
Due to updated medical advisement to Texas Education Agency, SSISD will not be required to check students’ temperatures upon arrival at school. Parents are asked to screen their students for symptoms of illness, particularly COVID-19 and staff members will self screen. Teachers will monitor students and refer them to the nurse if symptoms are present.
Per public health guidance from the Texas Education Agency, in the case of an individual who is diagnosed with COVID-19, the individual may return to school when all three of the following criteria are met:
- At least three days have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without medication);
- The individual has improvement in symptoms;
- At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
SSISD Schools will identify, clear, and thoroughly clean any areas used by an individual who is discovered to be COVID-19 positive. The district has special spray machines to help with cleaning and sanitizing procedures.
Students or staff who test positive for COVID-19 will be sent home to recover. When notification of a possible exposure occurs, in coordination with local health authorities, SSISD will conduct contact tracing. Based on the results, a determination will be made as to which students meet the criteria for “close contact exposure” and must be quarantined. If students are required to temporarily quarantine, services will be provided through the Virtual Learning Academy.
Students who experience short term absences from school may participate in virtual instruction for the duration of their absence.
Complete and detailed health and safety plans for SSISD will be communicated publicly at least 1 week prior to the start of on-campus instruction.
The district will have transportation services for students attending full time in-person classes on campus, but for social distancing purposes, parents/guardians who can are encouraged to bring their children to and pick them up from school.
Virtual Academy
The virtual academy offered for SSISD students for 2020-21 school year will be very different from the distance learning program students participated in this spring. The distance learning program was a temporary plan devised due to the unanticipated closure of in-person classes due to COVID-19. Virtual Academy will be a year-long school program that follows the rigorous and comprehensive state curriculum.
Families will need to establish a set schedule and productive learning environment. Students will be required to attend Monday-Friday and must engage in specified instructional activities and show adequate daily progress to be counted “present” for the day, Robinson noted.
Students will require access to the Internet during the regular school week, as instruction will be primarily recorded video instruction and independent learning activities, with some live video conferencing with teachers in large and small group and individual settings as needed, according to a regular schedule through the week.
Pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students will access their courses using SeeSaw while grads 6-12 will access courses through Microsoft Teams. Resources and support will be offered to families.
While Virtual Academy students will follow the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills curriculum and follow the sequencing and pacing of in-person instruction, instruction will not be the same as tradition on -campus instruction. It will better fit virtual students’ more independent learning. Accommodations and support services will be provided virtually when possible, but some specialized services may only be available on-campus.
Courses will be graded using the same grading policies as on-campus. High school credits earned virtually will be counted in the student’s GPA calculation and class rank outlined in the SSISD grading policy. Students will also still need 90 percent attendance for credit.
Students will be provided with a list of courses available through the Virtual Academy.
Core courses will be offered, as will dual credit and AP courses. Students who are planning to take a dual credit course must enroll through Paris Junior College; they should contact their SSHS counselor for questions.
Some electives, specifically some high school courses, may not be available due to the hands-on nature of the course work. Arrangements can be made for Virtual Academy students to come to campus for specific course work that cannot be completed at home, but transportation will not be provided for these exceptions.
Virtual Academy students will be allowed to participate in athletics, band, other extracurricular and UIL activities that may be offered on campus, provided the students satisfy UIL requirements, are enrolled in the
applicable course, and able to attend on-campus practices and competitions. SSISD will not provide transportation to the campus for Virtual Academy students to participate in these activities.
Parents and students of Virtual Academy will also be able to contact a school counselor or nurse by phone or e-mail during school hours if needed.
Genealogical Society Lock-In Cancelled
The Genealogy Lock-In originally scheduled for Saturday, July 18th has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fall Transplants by Mario Villarino
Developed by Dr. Mario A. Villarino, County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources Hopkins County, Texas
If you haven’t already done so, this is the time to begin sowing seeds for fall transplants. According to Texas A&M Agrilife Extension by starting now, you can have pansies, calendulas, Johnny-jump-ups, flowering cabbage, lettuce and othe cool season transplants ready to plant in the garden in September or early October.
If starting your own transplants has been disastrous for you in the past, especially in spring, take heart because starting fall transplants is easier. Since the soil is not as cool as it is in spring, there is not much damping-off disease. Gardeners are able to start the transplants outside where they receive plenty of sunlight; however, don’t let transplants get too much sun. Morning sun and afternoon shade are a good combination. Although many different containers can be used to grow seeds, one of the most convenient is a styrofoam coffee cup. Simply poke three or four holes in the side at the bottom of the cup. Write the name of the variety on the side of the cup so it won’t get lost, as so often happens with labels. Another advantage of using coffee cups is that they’re white and reflect heat.
The next major concern is a potting soil mix. Many standard potting soils will work fairly well, but you can make your own. To one bushel each of vermiculite and peat moss (finely ground pine bark can be substituted for peat moss), add 10 tablespoons of 0-20-0 (superphosphate) and l/2 cup of garden fertilizer, such as 12-24-12. Mix the material thoroughly by putting the ingredients out on the drive, scooping into the bottom and throwing each shovelful on top, pyramid fashion. Another technique is to roll the mixture back and forth in an old tarp. The soil should be slightly watered down so it’s damp but not soggy. Most seeds should be barely covered with the soil mix, but some tiny seeds like lettuce need not be covered at all. Water them thoroughly, preferably by setting them in a pan of water and allowing the soil to soak from the bottom. Allow the containers to drain and then put them in a plastic bag out of sunlight. Within a few days the seedlings will begin to grow. As soon as this happens, take the containers out of the bags and put them in a well-ventilated area. As the seedlings begin to make growth, use any soluble houseplant fertilizer to keep them growing vigorously.If you’ve had problems with disease in the past, you might want to use a fungicide twice: once at planting and again at germination. Lightly dust the seeds prior to planting. A fungicide can also be used to drench young seedlings just as they come up.
Before you know it, you’ll have a pot full of tiny seedlings that can either be transplanted into individual containers, or if there aren’t too many in the pot, held until time to go into the garden. Perhaps the simplest technique is just to plant two or three seeds in each pot, thinning them to one plant after a few weeks.If you opt for transplanting, be sure that you handle the young seedling only by the leaves. If you grasp the stem and damage it to any extent, the young seedling will be stunted. Pots for transplants should be filled to within l/4 inch of the rim. A pencil can be used to put a hole in the center of the potting soil mixture. This is where a little moisture is critical; dry soil won’t allow the soil to stay open. Carefully lower the seedling roots into the hole and then use the pencil again in a lever-like action to firm the soil against the root system. Be sure to water the plants carefully, picking up any leaves that get knocked into the soil. Before you know it, you’ll be eating delicious, home-grown broccoli.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topics please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office by calling 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
