Bounty of Blessings
By Ross LaBenske
When it comes to growing season, results may vary. Not only that, but as the growing season draws to a close, some may see a decrease in the output of crops.
This cannot be said for a resident of Miller Grove, Texas, whose greenhouse crops continuously produce tomatoes.
Jerry Dodd from Miller Grove and his incredible greenhouse tomato crops are pictured above.
Photo courtesy of Mario Villarino
Republican Club Will Meet Sept. 10 At The Venue
Hopkins County Republican Club will meet at 6 p.m. Sept. 10 at “The Venue,” located 219 Main St., in Sulphur Springs. Programs will be presented by Gina Watson Prickette on “Latino Leadership Initiative” and
Detrese Harkey, Texas Regional Director for Trumps Campaign, on “Get out
the Vote,” according to Donnie Wisenbaker, Chairman, Hopkins County GOP.
6 New, 54 Active Cases Of COVID-19 Reported Sept. 9 For Hopkins County
Six new positive COVID-19 cases were reported for Hopkins County on Wednesday, Sept. 9, increasing the number of active cases to 54, Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials reported.
That’s makes 18 Hopkins County residents lab-confirmed to have novel coronavirus 2019 so far in September, 27 less than on Aug. 9 and two fewer than on July 9. Hopkins County has had 261 cumulative COVID-19 cases since midMarch.
There were no new recoveries reported on Sept. 9, but have been 11 Hopkins County residents this month who have recovered from COVID-19, 6 on Sept. 1 and 5 on Sept. 8. That’s 32 fewer recoveries from Sept. 1-9 than Aug. 1-9, and there were no recoveries reported until July 10, and only 1 then, and no more until July 14 when 14 Hopkins County residents were reported to have recovered from COVID-19. Overall, 207 Hopkins County residents have recovered from COVID-19 since midMarch.
Five patients were reported to be in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs on Sept. 9, one more than on Sept. 2 and Sept. 7-8, two more than on Sept. 4, and one less than on Sept. 1.
No new COVID-19 deaths were reported for Hopkins County on Sept. 9. Texas Department of State Health Services on Sept. 9 continues to report 8 COVID-19 deaths of Hopkins County residents based on death certificates filed with Texas Vital Statistics office.
According to the Texas Health & Human Services nursing facilities report, two employees at a Sulphur Springs nursing home were first reported Aug. 25 to have tested positive for COVID-19, both were active cases on on Aug. 26. There had been no reports of any nursing home residents in Hopkins County testing positive as of Aug. 26, the most recent data reported, according to the Sept. 9 THHS nursing home report.
There were no active and no new COVID-19 cases reported at Sulphur Springs assisted living facilities on Aug. 26, according to the Sept. 9 THHS assisted living facility report.
THHS reported there were neither active nor new COVID-19 cases reported at Sulphur Springs child care centers on Sept. 8.
FEMA Ends Lost Wages Assistance Program, State Unemployment Benefits To Continue
Last Week Of Funding Was Week Ending On Sept. 5
AUSTIN – On Sept. 9, 2020, the Federal Emergency Management Agency informed the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), that the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program, which provided an additional $300 a week to qualified unemployment claimants, ends with the benefit week ending Sept. 5, 2020. Because the funds provided by FEMA were limited, TWC cannot extend payments beyond that date.
FEMA previously approved TWC funding requests for the benefit weeks of:
- Aug. 1, 2020
- Aug. 8, 2020
- Aug. 15, 2020
- Aug. 22, 2020
- Aug. 29, 2020
- Sept. 5, 2020
TWC will continue to pay eligible claimants for the approved six weeks, for as long as the existing FEMA funds deposited to TWC remain available. Claimants will continue to receive normal weekly benefit amounts for any benefit weeks for which they are eligible.
The Lost Wages Assistance Program was a temporary provision established after the expiration of the $600 Federal Pandemic Assistance Program, a part of the CARES Act. Other provisions of the federal act do not expire until Dec. 26, 2020. This includes Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), which provides an extra 13 weeks of benefits to persons who exhaust traditional benefits, and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), which provides up to 46 weeks of benefits to persons who are self-employed or who would not otherwise qualify for state benefits.
For more information on eligibility requirements, available benefits and questions about the unemployment process, visit TWC’s COVID-19 FAQ page.
Devanshi Gupta Welcomed As New Neurologist At Sulphur Springs Outpatient Telemedicine Clinic
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Sulphur Springs, Texas, Sept. 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.
Hospital Visitation
For the safety and health of the community and our ministry, CHRISTUS Health is screening all associates and visitors to our hospitals to help lessen the risk of infectious disease transmission among our patients, associates, and guests.
- 1 Entrance to hospital through Emergency Department 24/7
- 1 Visitor per patient
- Visitors must be between the ages of 16 years-old and 65-years old
- All visitors are screened at the door, including a temperature taken.
- All associates are screened at each shift, including a temperature taken.
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (subject to change)
- ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable.
Local Services
The CARE Unit: Inpatient Rehabilitation
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs Inpatient Rehabilitation provides a comprehensive rehabilitation program of the highest quality in order to improve the functional independence of those we serve. Some of the conditions we treat include amputations, brain injuries, knee and hip replacements, hip fractures, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, and stroke. Opened 24/7, we provide around the clock nursing care, three hours of therapy per day, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, and social work/discharge planning to return home. If you believe you or a family member may benefit from an inpatient rehab stay, please contact us at 903.438.4570 for more information.
Neurology
Access Physicians MultiSpecialty Clinic is proud to announce the addition of Neurologist Dr. Devanshi Gupta, to the Sulphur Springs outpatient telemedicine clinic. Dr. Gupta is fellowship-trained in Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases, and will begin seeing adults (18 years and older) on Mondays weekly starting Sept. 14. To schedule an appointment, please contact their office at 105-III Medical Plaza by calling 903.919.5034.
COVID-19
Experiencing Symptoms?
If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, shortness of breath, cough, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, chills, muscle pain or headache, or diarrhea, please call your provider for either a face-to-face appointment or a telemedicine consultation. If your provider determines you need to have a COVID-19 test, they will send you to the appropriate outpatient location for testing.
If you are experiencing an emergency, please present to the Emergency Room. At this time, we are preserving our Emergency Room COVID-19 tests for those who are experiencing an emergency.
Otherwise, we would ask that you follow the steps above. If you do not have a healthcare provider, CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic welcomes new patients. Please call 903.885.3181 to talk to one of our associates about setting up an appointment.
Don’t Delay Care
We want to be perfectly clear – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances remains a safe place for all to receive quality care. Go to the Emergency Department or call 9-1-1 if you are urgently ill. While COVID-19 is new, our processes and procedures in place for infection prevention and preventing the spread of illness are not. To learn more about COVID-19, go to ChristusTMF.org
or www.cdc.gov.
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro
and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother
Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-
term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic.
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties.
For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
AG Paxton Warns Texans About Text Message Scam
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today warned Texans about scammers sending text messages that include a false package delivery notice and a fraudulent link. The text messages in question usually claim that a package is pending delivery and requests the recipient to “claim ownership” by providing their credit card and personal information.
Any Texan who receives a suspicious text message should take the following steps:
- Do not click on any links.
- Do not respond to the message, share the message, or give out any personal, financial or identifying information.
- Delete the message and block the number that sent the message.
- Report the phone number and message contents to the Office of the Attorney General or the Federal Trade Commission.
Shipping companies such as DHL, UPS, FedEx and Amazon will not contact consumers about issues with a package via text message. Unsolicited text messages, particularly those containing unfamiliar links or purporting to come from a company you have not contacted first, should always be treated with caution.
Report suspected fraud to the attorney general’s Consumer Protection Division by calling toll-free 1-800-621-0508 or by filing an online complaint at https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/file-consumer-complaint.
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Wants Defense To Be Good Tacklers, Play Fast, Produce Turnovers
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra is in his third season on the Wildcats’ football staff. Coach Guerra says by the time the Wildcats line up on defense at the Mount Pleasant scrimmage next week, he wants to see a unit that tackles well, plays fast and produces turnovers.
He says the team did not have a good turnover ratio last season and he wants his current group to pick up the pace. He says due to three months of attention to defensive skills, his unit is so far ahead of where they usually are at this time of the season.
Perhaps where they are deficient right now is in the physical aspect of defense. UIL rules have prevented contact. That will change by the end of the week.
Offensive and defensive players both seem to be looking forward to Saturday morning’s intrasquad scrimmage. Coach G says he’s ready to hear the pads popping and he says the players are really ready.
He says this year’s Wildcats’ defense is quick and aggressive up front and again should be fast overall. Coach Guerra says he has some returners at every position. Veteran defensive tackle D’Andre Peoples returns along with nose guards Alex Rodriguez and Kohlson Ivey. Inside linebacker and last year’s leading tackler Ryan Carrillo is back. Cameron Hargrave is an outside linebacker with a lot of experience from last year. Dominique Sims returns at the corner and Korderrian “Bull” Turner at safety. Several other players expect to see more time on the defense after mostly playing offense last season.
Last year’s center Steven Jonaitis has moved to nose guard. Coach Guerra says Jonaitis has a real defensive mentality.
Three former receivers are now seeing a lot of time on the defense. Landry Meskimen is an outside linebacker and Wylie Bennett and Bryson Lacy are in the secondary. Receiver Bryant Sanchez is expected to be a big offensive contributor but may also take some snaps on the defense.
Coach Guerra’s assistants feature two long time Wildcats’ coaches, Bruce Silman, inside linebackers coach, and Kurt McCain, secondary coach, and also two varsity coaches promoted from the freshman team ranks, Jason Meskimen, who coaches the defensive line, and Kevin Hatcher, who concentrates on the secondary.
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.
New Patrol Vehicles, Civic Center Vending Machine, Payroll System Approved By Commissioners Court
New patrol vehicles for the sheriff’s office, a vending machine and a new payroll system were among the items approved during the Sept. 8 meeting of Hopkins County Commissioners Court.
New Patrol Vehicles
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Tanner Crump asked the Commissioners Court to consider approving a financing agreement for 7 Chevrolet Tahoes for the sheriff’s department. The SUVs would be financed for $366,254 through American National Leasing Company, to be paid back over 3 years at a 2.85 interest rate, according to Hopkins County Auditor Shanna Aulsbrook.
Crump said this will include new vehicles fully outfitted with everything except cameras. Typically, the county is out the cost of the vehicles, then another $11,000 to outfit them.
The sheriff’s office vehicles are stripped of police equipment including lights and cages before they can be sold once reaching very high mileages. The new vehicles will be traded in or sold with about half the miles and should sell for more, a difference of the $5,000-$6,000 typically received and $15,000-$16,000 per unit the ANLC units are projected to receive, thanks to the business’ access to additional vendors and dealership, the chief deputy explained.
“That’s fully equipped new vehicles at the same rate as the last few years. It’s a little higher, but I think it’ll be recouped selling the vehicles at a higher rate,” Crump said.
The court approved the financing agreement for 7 Chevrolet Tahoes to be financed through American National Leasing Company.
Vending Machine
Crump also asked the Commissioners Court to allow Hopkins County Law Enforcement Association to place a vending machine at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center for snacks and drinks. Any funds raised from the sales would go to HCLEA to be applied toward community involvement, such as entry fees for the Stew Contest and other types of cook-offs, as well as projects such as the Blue Santa program and annual Easter egg hunt which help improve relationships between law enforcement and the community, and in the past toward hosting a golf tournament or musical shows to benefit the DARE program. HCLEA is required to donate more than 51 percent of any money it receives to charitable causes.
Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook pointed out that the vending machine currently at the Civic Center typically generates additional revenue for the Civic Center, which they would lose if its removed and the HCLEA machine is put in.
Crump reported that the Civic Center Manager had agreed to the installation of a new vending machine, if the Commissioners Court approved it. The chief deputy said law enforcement and the Civic Center staff have a great relationship, trading off which helps the other, and often work together.
The Commissioners Court agreed to the request for the new ending machine to be place at the facility to be benefit HCLEA.
Other Items
The Commissioners Court also approved an order with Kronos SaaShr, Inc. for a new electronic payroll system. This allows for purchase of the parts needed for the new software system to be ordered. The new system will installed in increments by department throughout the county, until all payroll operations are electronic.
Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley reported an asset disposal. Old SCBAs that were out of date and taken out of service per Texas Commission on Fire Protection were stripped down as required. The cylinders were then disposed of properly at Reed’s Scrap metal. They received $6 for them, Endsley reported.
Also approved were four requests from Farmer’s Electric Cooperative Inc. to construct electrical power distribution facilities across: County Road 2333, northeast of County Road 2332; County Road 2326, east of County Road 2322; County Road 1127, north of County Road 1152; and County Road 4747, south of FM 71.
Beth Wisenbaker also presented an update on grants the county has applied for, has been awarded and are seeking, including CARES Act, FEMA and Texas Department of Transportation funding.
A public hearing was conducted, the second to be held as required, regarding the proposed county tax rate. The first was conducted on Aug. 17. The proposed tax rate will now be be presented Monday, Sept. 14, to the Commissioners Court for approval during a 9 a.m. court session.
Driver Of Truck That Crashed Into FM 1567 Fence, Tree, Residential Property Charged With Drunk Driving
The driver of a truck that crashed into a FM 156 fence, a tree and residential property was charged with drunk driving early Wednesday morning, according to sheriff’s and arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, Hopkins County and Arbala firefighters were dispatched at 12:21 a.m. Sept. 9 to FM 1567 west in Arbala, where a vehicle was reported to have struck a house.
Upon arrival, DPS troopers reported seeing a black truck with major damage in the front yard of a FM 1567 residence. The trooper reported the Chevrolet 1500 appeared to have been traveling eastbound. The driver reportedly went off the north side of the road, according to the DPS report. The truck after traveling through what was reported by deputies to be a flooded ditch, then a barbed wire fence. The front of the truck then struck a tree, according to DPS reports. Deputies reported the truck also appeared to have struck the house, but no major damage to the structure was reported, although DPS did not mention the vehicle striking the house in arrest reports.
The pickup driver, a 20-year-old Sulphur Springs man, reportedly admitted he was “under the influence and was going to jail.” The DPS trooper reported the man also claimed to have “just had four beers.”
The 20-year-old Sulphur Springs man was allegedly determined by the trooper to be intoxicated following administration of horizontal gaze nystagmus testing. He refused to perform any other field sobriety tests, however, claiming he knew he could not pass them.
The man was taken into custody for driving while intoxicated and transported to Hopkins County jail. He allegedly tested 0.146 and 0.145 on breath tests, well over the legal 0.08 limit. The 20-year-old Sulphur Springs man was booked into Hopkins County jail at 2:51 a.m. Sept. 9 on a Class B misdemeanor DWI charge, according to arrest 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.
Juvenile Leads Deputies On High Speed Vehicle Pursuit
A juvenile lead deputies on a high speed vehicle pursuit through two counties before being taken into custody by deputies Tuesday night, according to sheriff’s reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office dispatchers at 9:49 p.m. Sept. 8, received a call in which the youth was reported to have runaway from his home in Northeastern Hopkins County and to have stolen his mother’s vehicle. Deputies responded at the residence, according to dispatch and sheriff’s reports.
The mother requested assistance in locating the youth, but declined to file charges against him for taking her vehicle. As sheriff’s staff left the mother’s address, the mother’s missing vehicle was seen driving past it. The driver allegedly fled upon seeing the sheriff’s officers.
The deputy, unable to stop the vehicle, reportedly pursued it down highways, farm and county roads and even onto the interstate in northeastern Hopkins County into Franklin County, before heading back into Hopkins County. The pursuit allegedly reached speeds close to 130 miles per hour.
The juvenile returned to the area of his home, where deputies reported it appeared he was attempting to pull onto the property and drive around the house. Deputies boxed the vehicle in, aided by a tree, which the juvenile narrowly avoided striking with the vehicle. The youth was taken into custody and transported to a juvenile facility in Gregg County, according to sheriff’s 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.
