2020 Hay Bale Sculpture Contest Underway
Hay bale art is once again appearing around Hopkins County. Making art, or possibly making a statement with hay bales has become part of our fall festivities.
The purpose of the event is to:
- Creating a Fun and Entertaining way to Celebrate the Hopkins County Fall Festival
- Recognizing the Importance of Hay on the Economy of Hopkins County
- Developing County Spirit, Teamwork, and Hometown Pride
- Encouraging our community to show support to this industry and have fun!
Judging will take place on Friday, October 16th and the winners will be announced at the Civic Center at 2:00PM Saturday October 24th, 2020.
KSST found this submission on Sunday October 11th, 2020.
If you have a picture of your submission, or you feel one is news worthy, email it to us at [email protected]
19th COVID-19 Death Reported For Hopkins County
Texas Department of State Health Services on Oct. 10 reported another novel coronavirus 2019 fatality, marking the 19th COVID-19 death reported for Hopkins County.
The death, according to the DSHS County Trends report, occurred on Sept. 20. That’s 9 Hopkins County residents who, according to the cause of death on the official death certificate submitted to the state, died during the month of September: two each on Sept. 22 and Sept. 30, and one each on Sept. 30, Sept. 24, Sept. 25, Sept. 26 and Sept. 28.
Six Hopkins county residents were also reported to have died in August: 2 on Aug. 17 and one each on Aug. 2, Aug. 4, Aug. 7 and Aug. 28. Two COVID-19 fatalities were also reported on July, on one July 17 and the other on July 23.
Two COVID-19 deaths have already been reported this month, both on Oct. 5, according to the DSHS reports.
That’s a 4.4 percent death rate among Hopkins County residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 since March.
According to DSHS, the number of fatalities for recent days could continue to grow as more death certificates are filed for those days.
Across the state, only 94 new COVID-19 fatalities were reported on Oct. 10, increasing the total number of Texas residents who have died to 16,526, according to DSHS.
Sulphur Springs City Council Place 1 Candidate Jay Julian
Four places are on the November 3, 2020 ballot for the special Sulphur Springs City Council election. The seats became open when four council members resigned in December.
Harold Nash Sr. was appointed on Dec. 13 to serve in Place 2 on the council until the election; he was the only candidate to file for the seat. Oscar Aguilar was the only candidate to file for Place 3 on the council. He was sworn in to the sea Both Nash will appear on the Nov. 3 special City Council Election ballot.
Place 1 has 4 candidates — Jay W. Julian, Mark Bradley, Vanessa Diosdado and Justin M. Brown. Place 5 has 2 candidates — Ricardo Chavarria and Gary Spraggins.
KSST sent requests to each candidate to schedule a quick interview about their candidacy. Jay W. Julian is the only Place 1 candidate to do so, thus far.
Julian said aside for a brief time in college he has been a Sulphur Springs resident all of his life. He has worked at a local community bank for 33 year.
He said he wants to serve on the council to promote growth and prosperity in Sulphur Springs.
“I’m very growth oriented. I tend to be ordinance last, not ordinance first, so I tend to be a little bit more conservative as far as the ordinances goes,” Julian said. “I also tend to be a little bit more fiscally conservative in my views.”
He began attending City Council meetings in 2017. He currently serves on the Zoning Board of Adjustments and previously served on the city’s Charter Review Commission.
Julian said he’d like to see the creation of a Youth City Council, something he pitched to the City Council in February.
“I believe that’s very important that we try to engage the youth of the city and get them involved. Basically, we would be bringing up our newest crop of people that we hope will take our place some day. I think it’s real important that we foster that early,” Julian said. “I’m going to continue to push that whether I’m on City Council or not. I would still like to see that done.”
Julian said he doesn’t shy away from hard issues, and doesn’t take it personally when others don’t vote the same way he does. For instance, on the ZBA, he noted, his is often the one dissenting vote.
“I don’t shy away from it or take it personally. I just shake it off and we’ll see you next month,” Julian said.
He said regardless of personalities, he believes there is always room to find common ground to push forward the business of the people.
Sulphur Springs City Council Place 5 Candidate Ricardo Chavarria
Four places are on the Nov. 3 ballot for the special Sulphur Springs City Council election. The seats became open when four council members resigned in December.
Harold Nash Sr. was appointed on Dec. 13 to serve in Place 2 on the council until the election; he was the only candidate to file for the seat. Oscar Aguilar was the only candidate to file for Place 3 on the council. He was sworn in to the sea Both Nash will appear on the Nov. 3 special City Council Election ballot.
Place 1 has 4 candidates — Jay W. Julian, Mark Bradley, Vanessa Diosdado and Justin M. Brown. Place 5 has 2 candidates — Ricardo Chavarria and Gary Spraggins.
KSST sent requests to each candidate to schedule a quick interview about their candidacy. Ricardo Chavarria was the first candidate to do so.
Chavarria said he is seeking the Place 5 seat on the council because he loves city and people of Suphur Springs.
He said he has spent the last 22 years in the military, serving this country and dealing with many situations at the international level. He will retire as a Master Sergeant (MSG) with the U.S Army, starting Nov. 1. He wants to now serve the people of Sulphur Springs, taking care of things at home in the community where he lives, as a member of the City Council.
He said he’s been talking to residents and has noticed some things that need improvement. He believes that addressing those matters to the appropriate city personnel with a clear understanding of what needs to be done, these situations can be improved.
Chavarria said in the military, things are planned 6 weeks in advance, and it’s his understanding the city follows a calendar. He’s already talking with current council members about working together for improvements according following the needed schedule and process.
He said he wants to hear from and work with “all kinds of people, especially in the situations we have going on right now.”
“In the military I learned, I’ve been all over the world, so I learned to deal with all kinds of people and cultures. I think that helped me become a better human being as well,” Chavarria said.
He said he is willing to listen to anyone who might have a problem and see if the individual has a recommendation to resolve the situation, then, work with the individual to try to find a solution. When needed, he would also help present the request or suggested resolution to the appropriate decision-makers to achieve the goal.
Chavarria said his next venture will be farming, something Harry Lewis is mentoring him in.
Saltillo ISD To End Virtual Learning On Nov. 9
On Friday, Oct. 9, Saltillo ISD became at least the second school district in Hopkins County to announce the district will end virtual learning. Starting Nov. 9 all Saltillo ISD students will be required to return to campus, unless in quarantine.
Como-Pickton CISD Superintendent Greg Bower was the first to announced all district students, unless in quarantine, would be returning to all on-campus learning starting Monday, Oct. 12, because “online learning for our students has not been successful.”
Dr. Bower on Sept. 28 in a letter to parents stated the decision was due largely to the fact that too many online students were failing as a result of their neglect to attend school online in regards to the state’s mandated 90 percent attendance policy, or were at risk of failing as a result of their neglect to do required assignments or tests. He also, in a letter to parents noted the overwhelming additional workload that online learning has created for CP teachers “is not sustainable for such poor results.”
Saltillo ISD Superintendent David Stickels Friday announced that the district passed a resolution to terminate the synchronous and asynchronous instruction, often called virtual instruction, offered to Saltillo students.
“The overwhelming experience of our students and educators indicate that in-person, on-campus instruction remains the optimal method to provide the highest level of education that you expect from Saltillo ISD,” Stickels stated in the Oct. 9 letter to “Return to In-Person, On-Campus Instruction.” Virtual instruction will continue to be offered through the school district only for a student who is the subject of a quarantine order issued by a governmental entity or on the recommendation of healthcare provider.”
“Saltillo ISD will also consider, on a case-bycase basis, virtual instruction of students who provide documented evidence of immunocompromised health or other extenuating circumstances,” according to Stickels.
The district will continue to follow other health and safety protocols as outlined in the district’s 2020-21 back to school plan.
Families who do not wish their student to return to in-person classes on campus at Saltillo ISD, legally, may also withdraw from SISD and switch to home schooling, enroll in a private school or transfer their student to a district that allows transfers and offers remote learning, Stickels notes.
Any additional questions regarding Saltillo ISD’s decision to terminate distance learning effective Nov. 9 may be directed to Stickels at 903-537-2386.
DSHS School COVID-19 Case Counts: 16 New Cases At Hopkins County Schools
Over the last week, 1,698 students and 985 staff in schools across the state received positive COVID-19 test results the week of Sept. 28-Oct. 4. That’s 38 more Texas students and 71 more staff testing positive during the week of Sept. 28-Oct. 4 than from during the week of Sept. 21-27., according to the Texas Department of State Health Services School COVID-19 Case Counts report.
Cases in the Oct. 4 DSHS COVID-19 public schools report are defined as any staff member or student who participates in any on-campus activity that is test-confirmed COVID-19 of which a public school is notified. These do not include case counts from private schools. Case data if self-reported to DSHS by individual public schools.
Sixteen of the 2,683 new Texas schools cases were reported at Hopkins County schools, according to the DSHS School COVID-19 Case Counts report.
Cumulatively, there have been 99 people, 67 students and 32 staff members at Hopkins County school districts who have tested positive for COVID-19 since classes began for the fall semester. Of those cases the source of infection was reported to be on campus for 18 cases, off campus for 11 cases and unknown for the remaining 70 cases, according to the DSHS report
Overall, that’s 7 new student and 9 new staff COVID-19 cases reported by 3 local school districts over the last week. Como-Pickton, Saltillo and Sulphur Bluff ISDs reported no additional COVID1-9 cases on their campuses.
For the third consecutive week, Texas Department of State Health Services and Texas Education Agency indicate that no COVID-19 reports have been received from Miller Grove ISD.
From Sept. 27-Oct. 4, Cumby reported 3 additional COVID-19 cases, increasing the overall total number of cases in students and staff to 13. over the last week, a Cumby High School student and two employees received positive COVID-19 rest results, including two individuals who were off campus when infected on one individual for whom the source of infection is unknown.
Overall, that’s 8 students in grades 7-12 and 5 Cumby ISD staff members who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since school resumed for the fall semester. That’s three individuals whose source of infection was on campus, 4 whose source of infection was off campus and 6 for whom the source of infection is unknown.
North Hopkins ISD reported a 4 new cases during the week of Sept. 28-Oct. 4, two students at the high school level, which serves grades 7-12 and 2 new staff cases. The source of infection for all 4 was unknown, according to the DSHS report. Cumulatively, that’s 6 students cases and 5 staff cases since school started this fall; the source of infection, off-campus, was known for only 1 of the 11 cases, according to the data reported to TEA and DSHS.
Sulphur Springs ISD had four additional students on campuses serving students in grades 7-12 and 5 additional staff members who who tested positive for COVID-19 for the week of Sept. 28-Oct. 4. The source of infection for all 9 cases was unknown, according to the data SSISD reported to the state.
Since school started on Sept. 1, SSISD has reported 42 COVID-19 cases, 24 student cases (4 in early childhood classes to 3rd grade, 2 in grades 4-6 and 18 in grades 7-12) and 18 staff cases. Of those, 1 person was known to have been infected off campus. The source of infection for the other 41 cases, was unknown as of the Oct. 4 report.
John Prickette To Chair Convenience Distribution Association
The Convenience Distribution Association announced that John Prickette, GSC Enterprises, Inc., Sulphur Springs, has been elected as Chair for 2021 at the association’s annual membership meeting.
Prickette was presented with the customary green jacket and gavel virtually by 2020 CDA Chair Scott Carrico, Richmond-Master Distributors, South Bend, IN, symbolizing the position of CDA Chair, during the meeting at the association’s Convenience Distribution Business Exchange (CDBX), but held virtually.
“John has served on the CDA Board of directors for 9 years, was elected to the Executive Committee in 2019 and also served as co-chair of the Industry Affairs Committee since 2018,” said Carrico. “John’s energy and leadership have been a benefit to the association and those who have served with him. I know his knowledge and experience will be assets as he successfully leads CDA as chair in 2021.”
Prickette is vice president of sales and marketing at GSC Enterprises. He began at GSC working in the warehouse and transportation, before moving into the position of division manager, where he served for 13 years. He has been in his current role for 7 years and with GSC for 20 years.
“John will take over the chairmanship in 2021, bringing a wealth of industry expertise and experience with him. His calm resolve will serve us well in the unusual times that we find ourselves,” said Kimberly Bolin, CDA president and CEO. “John has a keen understanding of the value and importance of healthy relationships between trading partners through his service as Industry Affairs Committee co-chair. This has never been as important as it has been over the last few months when supply and demand have faced challenges. We look forward to John’s leadership in 2021.”
“It is an honor to serve as incoming CDA chair alongside an outstanding Executive Committee, Board of Directors, CDA staff and association membership,” said Prickette. “This year has created new challenges for all us professionally and personally. CDA continues its leadership in providing resources and support for our essential industry during these uncertain times. I wish to thank all former and current leadership of CDA for the many contributions made to position the association to remain relevant during these times. I am excited about the future.”
Prickette is an active member of his community. He has been a member of the Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees for 10 years, has refereed Texas high school football for 18 years, is currently serving at First United Methodist Church as a Sunday School teacher and is chair of the Church Administrative Council. He enjoys cycling, swimming, running and the occasional round of golf, but most importantly, he enjoys time with his family. He is married to Gena and they have a 14-year-old daughter, Caroline.
About CDA:
The Convenience Distribution Association (CDA) is the trade organization working on behalf of convenience product distributors in the United States. Its distributor members represent more than $102 billion in U.S. convenience product sales, serving a wide variety of small retail formats. Associate members include leading convenience product manufacturers, brokers, retailers, suppliers, and others allied to the industry. For more information visit: www.cdaweb.net .
Local Meeting Planned to Explain Medicare Choices During Open Enrollment
Starting Saturday October 17, 2020, a series of local informational meetings will be held in Sulphur Springs by North Texas Medicare, to introduce and explain to Senior Citizens the choices in Medicare coverages available to them during the annual Open Enrollment period, which starts mid-October.
According to Karen Hurtado of North Texas Medicare Plans, “our company is dedicated to providing the best plan for your unique needs. We are originally from Sulphur Springs, and we love the seniors in our community. There are many plan options available from United Healthcare and Humana. Did you know you may qualify for additional benefits such as dental insurance, vision insurance, and even a gym membership all for a zero dollar monthly premium? With North Texas Medicare plans, we will take the time to go through your preferred doctors, prescriptions, and budget to customize your coverage and make sure you are taking advantage of all the benefits you deserve. Plan to attend our informational meeting on Saturday October 17, 2020 at 11:30am at Pizza Inn of Sulphur Springs. Or if you prefer, you can learn more about us online by visiting northtexasmedicare.com or on Facebook @northtexasmedicare.
When: Saturday, October 17th at 11:30 a.m. Where: Pizza Inn of Sulphur Springs Description: Now is the time to be sure your current Medicare plan is still a good fit for you. If your health needs have changed, or your current plan doesn’t offer the benefits and features you’re looking for, it may be time to switch to a UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage Plan. This is a no-pressure presentation from our agency principal, Karen Hurtado. We look forward to seeing you there!
Events 2 and 3 are also planned on November 14 and December 5, same time and location in Sulphur Springs.
Meet Karen Hurtado:
Originating from Sulphur Springs, Karen Hurtado went on to pursue a degree in psychology from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Upon graduation, she set out to find a career where she could help as many people as possible. That’s when she discovered Medicare. She then set out to build North Texas Medicare Plans, a local agency focused solely on helping North Texans choose the right plans to meet their unique needs. Whether you are turning 65, already have a Medicare plan, need someone who speaks Spanish, or just have questions, Karen can help!
Lady Cats Volleyball Team Closes Big Week With A Pair Of District Wins On Friday
Playing perhaps some of their best volleyball of the season, the Lady Cats wrapped up a fine week with a pair of district wins Friday, October 9, at the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School. First, the Lady Cats handled a good Pine Tree, 3-0 and then took care of Mount Pleasant, 3-0. With the wins, the Lady Cats improved to 3-1 in district play and they evened their season record at 6-6. The Lady Cats started the week Tuesday evening with a come from behind home win against Marshall, 3-2.
Against Pine Tree, the Lady Cats started out strong and never took their foot off the accelerator. In set one, the Lady Cats jumped out to a 6-0 lead and eventually took a solid, 25-9 win. At one point Sadie Washburn had ten straight points serving. Midway through the second set, the Lady Cats broke open a close set with a strong finish winning 25-12. The Lady Cats opened set three by scoring the first four points and wrapped up the match with a 25-13 win. Washburn led the Lady Cats with 13 kills and had 8 service aces. Brooklyn Burnside had 7 kills and 4 blocks. Laney Hurst and libero Parris Pickett both had 9 digs. Setter Peyton Hammack had 21 assists.
The strong play continued against Mount Pleasant as the Lady Cats opened with a 25-18 set one win. Mount Pleasant put up quite a fight in set two. At one point, the Lady Tigers led 13-8. The Lady Cats got even at 14-14 and then pulled away for a 25-19 win. Then the Lady Cats dominated the third set getting a 25-6 win. Burnside had a big match leading the Lady Cats with 14 kills and 7 blocks. Washburn had 12 blocks. Pickett had 14 digs. Hurst served up 4 aces. Hammack contributed a whopping 32 assists.
The Lady Cats have a bye next Tuesday. They are scheduled to return to the home court next Friday as they face always tough Hallsville.
Oct. 9 COVID-19 Update: 3 New Cases, 4 Recoveries, 89 Active Cases
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials reported three new cases of COVID-19 and 4 recoveries on Oct. 9. That decreases the overall case county by 1 to 89, the local officials noted in the Oct. 9 COVID-19 update.
That’s 51 Hopkins County residents who have received positive COVID-19 test results and 40 who have recovered from novel coronavirus 2019 during the first 9 days of October. That’s far ahead of September’s pace, when only 18 new cases and 11 recoveries had been reported as of the 9th day of the month, as well as that of the 2 previous months as well. From Aug. 1-9, 47 new cases and 43 recoveries were reported. From July 1-July 9, 14 new cases were reported.
Cumulatively since March, 323 of the 412 Hopkins County residents who have received positive results have recovered from the virus.
There was one less patient in the COVID unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Oct. 9 than the day before, matching the Oct. 6 patient count of 7.
An additional 97 oral COVID-19 tests were performed at the testing center at 128-A Jefferson Street on Thursday. That increases the total of molecular swab tests conducted since the free testing site opened on Sept. 25 to 802, HC/SSEM noted in the Oct. 9 COVID-19 update.
The number of Hopkins County residents receiving positive antigen test results more than doubled over the last week, increasing from 42 for the week ending on Oct. 2 to 101 for the week of Oct. 3-9. That’s 143 total positive COVID-19 antigen rest results reported in October, according to HC/SSEM reports.
These reflect only positive results received by Hopkins County residents from antigen tests performed at testing facilities in Hopkins County. These results do not count toward the cumulative, active and recovery totals reported daily by the state and HC/SSEM.
Texas Department of State Health Services’ Oct. 9 nursing facility report showed no active employee cases at any of the Sulphur Springs nursing facilities on Sept. 25. Cumulatively, there had been 23 nursing home employees who have tested positive for COVID-19: 16 at Carriage House Manor, 5 at Sulphur Springs Health and Rehabilitation and 2 at Sunny Springs Nursing & Rehab, as of Sept. 25.
Carriage House Manor also reported a cumulative total of 45 residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 since the to still have 27 active COVID-19 cases among residents, 13 who have recovered and 4 deaths as of Sept. 25, the latest nursing facility information available from HHS.
The Oct. 9 HHS nursing facility report also shows 4 cumulative resident cases for Sunny Springs Nursing & Rehab as of Sept. 25, but does not indicate any additional information regarding those cases.
There continued to be 1 active COVID-19 case among Wesley House employees on Sept. 25, and 4 others who have recovered from COVID-19. Seven residents of Wesley House also have recovered from COVID-19, according to the Oct. 9 HHS assisted living facility report.
There continued to be no active COVID-19 cases among either employees or students at Hopkins County licensed child care centers, school-age programs, and before or after-school programs on Oct. 8, according to the Oct. 9 HHS child care centers report.
