Meal A Day Menu For June 22-26, 2020
While the Senior Citizens Center remains temporarily closed due to COVID-19, the dedicated Meal A Day volunteers continue to work five days a week preparing and delivering meals to shut-in elderly in the community. The Meal A Day menu for June 22-26, 2020 includes:
Monday —- Chili Cheese Dogs, Pickle Spear and Potato Chips
Tuesday — Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and a Roll
Wednesday — Chicken Spaghetti, English Peas and Garlic Sticks
Thursday — Soft Beef Tacos, Lettuce and Tomatoes, Refried Beans, Chips and Salsa
Friday — Chicken Broccoli Alfredo On a Bed of Egg Noodles, Normandy Vegetables and Pickled Beets
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
State Reports First COVID-19 Death for Hopkins County, Local Officials Challenge
On June 20th Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom confirmed that the State of Texas had reported that one person has died in Hopkins County due to complications of COVID-19. The Local Health Authority of Hopkins County is challenging the determination as the patient had underlying health conditions. No more information is known about the case or the patient at this time. Two more positive cases were announced during the teleconference.
The Texas Department of Health Services website shows positive cases, deaths, and recoveries by county. That website can be found by clicking here: TSDHS Covid-19
Paris District Road Report for the week of June 22, 2020
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of June 22, 2020. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on northbound and southbound US 75 between Center Street and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes and the new South Travis Street Bridge. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between Park Street and North Travis Street as crews work on building detours and installing drainage structures. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph has been set for this construction project.
The pedestrian bridge near Pecan St. is closed for pedestrian traffic. The east side over the frontage road has been removed. The remaining pedestrian bridge will not need to be removed at this time but will be removed later in the project.
FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews are working to construct a portion of the new Sand Creek bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews are performing utility work. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
FM 1417, Grayson County: at the OB Groner / West Travis St. intersection. Watch for shoulder closures as crews work on widening the roadway to add turn lanes.
FM 691, Grayson County: from FM 131/Loy Lake Road to US 75. Watch for traffic shifts as workers widen FM 691 to an ultimate five-lane roadway. The intersection of FM 691 with FM 131/Loy Lake Road has been converted to a four-way stop intersection and will become a signalized intersection at the conclusion of the construction project.
FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to widen the roadway to provide a detour section. The ultimate roadway will be a five-lane section at the conclusion of the project.
US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
US 75 Ramp Reversal in Denison, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 main lanes and frontage road between Spur 503 and FM 691. Watch for a lane closure on the southbound US 75 frontage road as well as the westbound Spur 503 ramp while construction crews work on building the new southbound US 75 entrance ramp. A new traffic pattern has been implemented where westbound Spur 503 will be shifted to the southbound US 75 frontage road and will travel through the FM 691 intersection and then enter southbound US 75 using the on-ramp after FM 691. The new FM 691 exit ramp is now open to access FM 691. This week will begin the next phase of the project which will be to build the new on-ramp to southbound US 75.
US 75 Slope Repair at Randell Lake Road, on the southbound US 75 frontage road between SH 91 and Randell Lake Road, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 frontage road between SH 91 and Randell Lake Road. The southbound frontage road and Randell Lake exit ramp are closed due to a slope failure. Crews are working to lime treat the soils and place underdrains.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the daytime.
US 82 & US 69, Grayson County: from FM 131 to FM 1897 on US 82, and from SH 56 to US 75 on US 69. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
SH 289, Grayson County: between FM 120 and US 82. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work to blade level the roadway.
US 69, Grayson County: between SH 56 and SH 11. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work on performing base repairs.
FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to SH 78. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
Spur 503, Grayson County: US 69, Fannin County: Westbound from Park Avenue to Theresa Drive: Watch for nighttime and daytime lane closures as workers repair the concrete pavement.
US 69, Grayson County: from Bells to Whitewright: Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers repair base failures along the roadway.
SH 289, Grayson County: from SH 56 to Gunter: Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers repair base failures along the roadway.
FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 2815, Fannin County: from FM 1629 to SH 11. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1743, Fannin County: from SH 56 to FM 1550. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two lane roadway to a four lane divided section. Watch for a traffic shift near the SH 56 intersection in Honey Grove as crews work to build the new westbound lanes. Westbound traffic is being shifted to the eastbound side during this period. Watch for new exit ramps and entrance ramps near the FM 100 intersection.
County Road 2998, Fannin County: at Cottonwood Creek. County Road 2998 is closed in order for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 2998 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
County Road 5060, Fannin County: at Lee Creek. County Road 5060 is closed in order for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 5060 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
FM 3321, Fannin County: at Mulberry. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to apply a surface treatment to the roadway.
FM 2456, Fannin County: in Ladonia. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to apply a surface treatment to the roadway.
FM 897, Fannin County: North of US 82: Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to apply a surface treatment to the roadway.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
SH 11, Hopkins County: From SH 19 to White Oak Creek. Traffic will be shifted to the new roadway while the existing section is being repaired. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays.
SH 11, Hopkins County: From 1.5 miles east of FM 3134 to 0.82 miles east of FM 2653. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform surfacing operations.
IH 30, Hopkins & Franklin Counties: From Titus County Line to Hunt County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
IH 30, Franklin County: At Spur 423. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform maintenance repairs on the bridge.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
SH 19 at Loop 286 – Lamar County. Watch for temporary lane closures as crews install traffic signals.
BU 271D, Red River County: from US 271 to State Spur 38 (Bogata). Watch for temporary lane closures while crews install new end treatments on drainage structures.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 271 (Bogata) to Franklin County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews mill existing pavement and place new hot mix.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to Bowie County Line. Traffic is shifted to the south side of existing roadway between FM 44 and FM 1699 while crews perform pavement widening work on the north side.
US 271, Lamar County: from FM 1499 to Oklahoma State Line. Watch for temporary shoulder and lane closures while crews perform backfill work.
FM 195, Red River County: from FM 410 N to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews upgrade metal beam guard fence and complete cross culvert extensions at 2 locations.
SH 37 safety upgrades, Red River County: from the Texas-Oklahoma state line south to the Red River-Franklin County line. Watch for temporary traffic signals at bridge locations while crews upgrade bridge rail.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903)455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
SH 66, Hunt County: from near FM 6 to near FM 2642. A project to widen the pavement, install continuous left-turn lanes, and safety-treat fixed objects is underway. The contractor is working on driveways, and at county road intersections. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers in this area.
FM 2194, Hunt County: between Merit and FM 903, a project that begins May 27 will widen the shoulders and apply safety treatments to fixed objects. The contractor will be placing SW3P devices and removing and installing driveway culverts. Please be careful when traveling in this area.
SPUR 264, Hunt County: in Quinlan. Sidewalk improvement project. The contractor is currently seeding and watering, sidewalk construction is complete. Please be careful when traveling in the area and watch out for workers.
FM 816, Hunt County: FM 816 at Spring Creek in Wolfe City. Contractors are working on erosion and riprap repairs. Please be careful when traveling in this area and watch out for workers.
Hunt County mowing contractors will be working on I-30 at various locations in Greenville, Texas, and on FM 36 and FM 903. Mowers will also be working in Rains County on US 69. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from these work crews.
Debris and litter operations are ongoing throughout multiple parts of the county. Please be careful when traveling, and watch out for workers.
###
Hopkins County COVID-19 Cases Headed In Positive Direction
Three additional positive cases and five recoveries were reported at 3pm on Friday afternoon (June 19th). This continues a trend this week of more recovered cases than new positive cases. On Tuesday, June 16th, two new positive cases and seven recoveries were reported. Although this news is hopeful, care should be taken, and social distancing guidelines should be followed. KSST News interviewed one local resident who could attest to the fact that the dangers are certainly real for anyone contracting the virus. You can read that story here: Local Resident Describes Experience
Overall testing has remained low this past week, but another state testing site will be available at Shannon Oaks Church on Saturday, June 20th. The mobile testing is scheduled to be conducted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but registration is required. People will be screened if they have COVID-19 symptoms, according to the information released by Hopkins County Emergency Management officials. Mobile test collection is conducted as a “drive-thru.” People arrive as scheduled in their vehicle, follow the vehicle line as directed to the designated personnel. The tested person will remain in the vehicle they are in at all times. Test swab will be processed at a lab other than the collection site, and the individual will be notified if the test shows a positive result.
To register for the mobile testing scheduled this Saturday, go online to txcovidtest.org or call 512-883-2400.
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens Says He’s Taking a Safety First Approach For Players During The Edge
Wildcats Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Greg Owens gave a health update Friday (June 19) after the first two weeks of The Edge conditioning program. He says he knows of no positive tests for the coronavirus for participants of The Edge. Coach Owens says he and SSHS Head Athletic Trainer Tammy Carrell are working with Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams, who is overseeing the safety effort. Coach Owens is telling students to be honest about how they feel. He says he tells them if they do not feel well, they should not show up but he says they should call and let him know. Coach Owens says a couple of athletes have had a fever but he says it turned to be caused by something other than COVID-19. He adds a couple of others felt they had the virus but he says their tests turned out to be negative. Coach Owens says the kids are understanding and are doing what they are being asked to do. He says some high schools around the state have shut down after some positive cases. He says he does not want to shut down but he says they will if circumstances change. Coach Owens says they are working to be smart and he adds that students’ safety is his number one concern. He says maintaining distancing continues to be a challenge. Still he says there are no huddling or chest bumps going on. They are using cones to attempt to keep players 10 feet apart.
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.
Wildcats AD Greg Owens Gives Edge Update After First Two Weeks
Wildcats Football Coach and Athletic Director Greg Owens says the first two weeks of The Edge conditioning program for football (as of June 19) feels like the first couple of weeks of two a day workouts. He says the newness has worn off, players are getting a little sore, routine sets in and some forget that they didn’t get to do anything for three months before they got to return. Despite all of that, Coach Owens is pleased that numbers of participants has remained steady in all age groups. He says about 50 incoming juniors and seniors are still coming as well as good groups of incoming freshmen and sophomores and incoming middle school 7th and 8th graders. Coach Owens jokes that some parents are glad to have the kids out of the house and being active. Coach Owens also says The Edge also feels a lot like two months of football camp, which he calls really good. He says kids are getting strength, agility and skill work. After another week or two of five day Edge weeks, Coach Owens says the UIL has mandated some days off coming up next month. He says he currently is seeing progress as players are getting into better shape. He says the intensity level of The Edge will be increasing. He says kids are responding well and he adds it looks like they were busy doing some things to stay in shape during the hiatus. Coach Owens says The Edge is pointing toward the start of football practice on August 3 pending approvals by the UIL and Texas Education Agency.
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.
Wildcats and Lady Cats Soccer Begins The Edge June 23
Wildcats Soccer Coach Alexi Upton announced Friday (June 19) that soccer will begin The Edge conditioning program for Wildcats and Lady Cats on Tuesday, June 23 at Gerald Prim Stadium. Students from entering 7th graders to entering 12th graders are welcome. The Wildcats will be at The Prim Tuesday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. until 9 a.m. The Lady Cats sessions, under Head Coach Javier Aguayo, will take place Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Offered will be weight work, conditioning and skill drills. On Friday, there will be an all soccer shoot around and skill work for Wildcats and Lady Cats from 8 a.m. until 9 a.m. Coach Upton said there would be temperature checks with followup questions, no sharing of personal items, distancing, group size limits and masks. Bathrooms and locker rooms will be open. Coach Upton said the participants need to bring their own water and equipment. He said soccer coaches would work with those participating also in other sports. The Edge for soccer players will continue through the end of July but with several days off next month.
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.
Brinker Volunteer Fire Dept. Plans a BBQ, Open House on Saturday June 27, 2-8 pm
On Saturday June 27, Captain Wade McDaniel is inviting everyone to the Brinker Volunteer Fire Department located on FM 69 South in Hopkins County for a fun fundraising event. The volunteers will be preparing BBQ plus sides like beans and potato salad which anyone can enjoy by donation. In a phone call to KSST, McDaniel stated, “this will be pretty good BBQ! You can get a plate or just a sandwich. You can eat inside with us, or get yours boxed to go. We will be serving from 2-8pm that day. We also want everyone to see our building and our trucks. We’re at 1415 FM 69 South, in southeastern Hopkins County.”
The Brinker fundraiser is for the whole family and will offer kid-friendly entertainment. “We’ve got a bounce house coming. We plan have a dunking booth and give free fire truck rides. We will also be cooking hot dogs for the kids. You can enjoy all this for a donation.” When asked what the fundraiser was for, McDaniel replied, “we have had a lot of expense in the past year in the way of improvements. It’s one of the ways we thought of to get folks to come out and see the improvements we’ve made, and our station, our vehicles and equipment. Our Chief is Carl Nix and we have a force of about 15 volunteer firemen at this time. We want to welcome the public to get to know us and what we do”. If you would like to make a donation to the Brinker Volunteer Fire Department, it can be mailed to 1415 FM 69 South, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482.
Dedication of Winnsboro’s Community Garden to Late Councilman, Volunteer
The dedication of a community garden was made on Thursday evening, June 18, 2020, to Mel Mellenberger, a long-time community servant. The community garden, built on property near the rodeo grounds in Winnsboro, was completed earlier this year and first cultivated in March. This is it’s first growing season and it has already produced early crops of greens and now is producing tomatoes, squash and other summer vegetables that the members enjoy growing. A crowd was in attendance for the dedication, delivered by David Taylor, Pastor of Walnut Street Baptist Church. A welcome and recognitions were given by Stacy Knight-Finley, Director of the Winnsboro Dept. of Parks and Recreation.
During the dedication, it was stated, “Mel Mellenberger was a community volunteer in all things, a trait carried over from his service in the US Marine Corps; Church events, Winnsboro ISD school events, civic events, parades, the Food Bank, VIPS (Volunteers in Police Service), HAWKS, Hooves&Halos… the list of his contributions goes on, including the setup, security, and teardown weekly of the Farmers Market. He had just been elected to the Winnsboro City Council when he passed unexpectedly at the age of 77 on June 18, 2019. When discussion came about as to what to call the new community garden, the topic started and stopped with “Mel!!” The garden provides hands-on educational classes for citizens of all ages, food stability knowledge, and will support the Winnsboro Resource Center with fresh produce as it grows.”
Hopkins County Resident Describes Experience With COVID-19
Hopkins County resident Triston Pullen reported recently being diagnosed with and suffering from COVID-19. Although considered recovered, Pullen like others who have experienced the coronavirus, continues to work to rebuild his health.
“It’s real. For some people it’s a walk in the park. For some people it’s the worst sickness they’ve ever had. For some, it’s asymptomatic,” Pullen said. “It was bad. People are not wrong. It’s like the flu, only it’s 50 times worse than the flu.”
Pullen said he only spent about 3 days in bed with the flu, but COVID-19 hung around for about 2 weeks.
Pullen, at first, thought he had a really bad sinus infection. After his symptoms continued to worsen he contacted a medical professional. they acknowledged the sinus pressure was evident in his ear and the drainage in his throat, the 24-year-old Hopkins County resident told KSST in a phone interview this week.
He said he contracted COVID-19 despite the many precautions he took. He explained that he has been helping take care of his 72-year-old grandmother since February, so he took precautions to reduce the likelihood of contracting and spreading the illness to his grandmother.
He thought he was prepared for COVID, deep cleaning, following health guidelines and using GermX and Lysol often.
“I took every precaution – face mask I made, gloves – I did everything the CDC said,” Pullen said.
He’d reportedly returned to Hopkins County for only 2 days, after being out-of-state, when he got sick.
He initially believed it to be a sinus infections. On May 31, Pullen reported becoming “really sick all of a sudden,” so he quarantined himself in his room as a precaution and protective measure for his family.
“I got it from someone asymptomatic. No one knew. I know who I got it from and who they got it from. The COVID-19 chain – we all actively knew each other,” Pullen said.
He said for three days he could barely stay awake, and only for about 4 hours a day. He didn’t eat, lost his sense of smell and taste, and his body hurt from the virus.
He reported having a fever of 99.7-103 degrees for 5 days.
On Wednesday, June 3, he said he finally went to a doctor, who agreed he did have some symptoms of a sinus infection, Pullen noted. However, the COVID-19 test was conducted as a precaution and he was sent home to await his test results. If the result was negative for COVID-19 the doctors planned to to recommend mediation for the sinus infection.
“I went home and the fever got worse. Saturday morning around 4 it finally broke,” but that was replaced by coughing and difficulty breathing. That night, June 6, Pullen received the results of his COVID-19 test. He said Sunday and Monday he continued coughing and had difficulty breathing. Tuesday, his cough had gone, but breathing was tough. Wednesday, he woke up breathing better.
“I had 2 heart procedures, one senior year and one freshman year during undergrad. I was sick in February and down for a week. This is the worst sickness I’ve ever had,” Pullen said. “It completely fatigues you. You can’t get out of bed.”
Pullen said his doctor had referred him to therapy in Hopkins County because he is still having some breathing problems.
“I felt like people were squeezing my lungs. I couldn’t catch my breath,” Pullen said during the phone interview with KSST. “Thursday, the day after I tested, was my worst day. I couldn’t sleep all night because of the fever. I was so scared, so sick, so alone,” said Pullen.
He’d been in isolation across the house from his family. His mom had been bringing food and leaving it outside his door. When he contacted his mom, she opened the door and looked at him, so she could see him and he wasn’t alone.
He’d been trying to figure out what to do if his symptoms got any worse. He weighed the merits of trying to drive himself to the hospital in his condition, calling 911 and waiting for EMS to arrive for a transport or to call his mom. His mom, who works during the day, had offered to come get him.
“The reality is I knew how bad I was hurting. I didn’t want my mom to feel that. I definitely didn’t want my grandma to have it,” Pullen said.
He also noted feeling dizzy, and losing his breath when he tried to get up.
“I’m 24 years old. I could not physically get out of bed. I had never slept so much in my life,” Pullen said.
His aunt, a nurse, emphasized the importance of staying hydrated and getting rest. He recalled waking up one morning with fever, and his mouth, skin and even eyeballs felt so dry. He said he stayed up long enough to drink a gallon of distilled water before returning to bed, all the while struggling to breath.
One morning, he woke up and felt the virus was gone. That doesn’t mean he isn’t still experiencing some of the after affects being reported. He said he’s still working on his breathing, and gets out of breath if he talks too long. He’s still not able to sing, and said his full sense of taste and smell isn’t back. He estimates the latter has returned at 50-65 percent. He said he can’t smell lavender or rosemary, and wasn’t able to taste a chicken sandwich.
Just as he began feeling better, Pullen recounted, his mother was contacted at her place of work by someone claiming to be with the CDC. She was told she couldn’t be released back to work for 14 days, then, later was told that she should quarantine and needed to test negative for coronavirus, Pullen alleged.
When he found out what had transpired, Pullen said he checked into the matter and obtained the latest CDC guidelines. He was unhappy someone had obtained his personal information and harassed his mom.
“When all this came about, mom tried to get a test. They wouldn’t give her a test. She had no symptoms,” Pullen said
He was also surprised that he was not contacted while at home in quarantine by the Local Health Authority. He’d heard that the Local Health Authority was contacting people. His experience did not include being called daily by the LHA.
The nurse for the LHA Thursday explained that the Local Health Authority follows up with patients, if needed, to offer support and to put COVID-19 patients in contact with services they may need while at home, but does not contact all patients daily.
Pullen encourages anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, especially those with breathing problems, to be tested and counted. The virus has no political agenda or social economic preference, but can affect anyone exposed to it, he pointed out.
“I think, in my opinion, a lot of people are not getting tested in Hopkins County, due to price, lack of information or they’re scared of going in there. I don’t usually care what people think of me, but I was scared someone would see me walk in there. There is a stigma,” Pullen said. “… I don’t understand the stigma. There’s no harassment of people who’ve got the flu, but you get COVID and it’s like you did something wrong. That’s not true. People can be the safest, take the most precautions and still get it.”
