President Announces Guidelines For “Opening Up America Again” Plan
President Donald Trump has unveiled Guidelines for “Opening Up America Again,” a three-phased approach based on the advice of public health experts. These steps will help state and local officials when reopening their economies, getting people back to work, and continuing to protect American lives from COVID-19.
Phase One
Phase one of the Opening Up America Again plan for states and regions that satisfy the gating criteria includes:
Individuals
- All vulnerable individuals should continue to shelter in place. Members of households with vulnerable residents should be aware that by returning to work or other environments where distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus back home. Precautions should be taken to isolate from vulnerable residents.
- All individuals, when in public(e.g., parks, outdoor recreation areas, shopping areas), should maximize physical distance from others. Social settings of more than 10 people, where appropriate distancing may not be practical, should be avoided unless precautionary measures are observed.
- Avoid socializing in groups of more than 10 people in circumstances that do not readily allow for appropriate physical distancing (e.g., receptions, trade shows)
- Minimize non-essential travel and adhere to CDC guidelines regarding isolation following travel.
Employers
- Continue to encourage telework whenever possible and feasible with business operations.
- If possible, return to work in phases.
- Close common areaswhere personnel are likely to congregate and interact, or enforce strict social distancing protocols.
- Minimize non-essential travel and adhere to CDC guidelines regarding isolation following travel.
- Strongly consider special accommodations for personnel who are members of a vulnerable population.
Specific Types of Employers
- Bars should also remain closed.
Phase Two
Then, phase two of the Opening Up American Again plan for states and regions with no evidence of a rebound and that satisfy the gating criteria a second time includes:
Individuals
- Members of households with vulnerable residents should be aware that by returning to work or other environments where distancing is not practical, they could carry the virus back home. Precautions should be taken to isolate from vulnerable residents.
Employers
- Continue to encourage telework, whenever possible and feasible with business operations.
- Close common areas where personnel are likely to congregate and interact, or enforce moderate social distancing protocols.
- Strongly consider special accommodations for personnel who are members of a vulnerable population.
Specific Types of Employers
- Schools and organized youth activitites (e.g., daycare, camp) can reopen.
- Visitors to senior care facilities and hospitals should be prohibited. Those who do interact with residents and patients must adhere to strict protocols regarding hygiene.
- Large venues (e.g., sit-down dining, movie theaters, sporting venues, places of worship) can operate under moderate physical distancing protocols.
- Elective surgeries can resume, as clinically appropriate, on an outpatient and in-patient basis at facilities that adhere to CMS guidelines.
- Gyms can remain open if they adhere to strict physical distancing and sanitation protocols.
- Bars may operate with diminished standing-room occupancy, where applicable and appropriate.
Phase Three
Finally, phase three of the Opening Up America Again plan for states and regions with no evidence of a rebound and that satisfy the gating criteria a third time includes:
Individuals
- Vulnerable individuals can resume public interactions, but should practice physical distancing, minimizing exposure to social settings where distancing may not be practical, unless precautionary measures are observed.
- Low-risk populations should consider minimizing time spent in crowded environments.
Employers
- Resume unrestricted staffing of worksites.
Specific Types of Employers
- Visitors to senior care facilities and hospitals can resume. Those who interact with residents and patients must be diligent regarding hygiene.
- Large venues (e.g., sit-down dining, movie theaters, sporting venues, places of worship) can operate under limited physical distancing protocols.
- Gyms can remain open if they adhere to standard sanitation protocols.
- Bars may operate with increased standing room occupancy, where applicable.
Alliance Bank: Call To Action On Paycheck Protection Program Funds
Alliance Bank April 17 announced on behalf of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) the following press release from Tom Sellers regarding the Paycheck Protection Program:
Our fears that the funds allocated by Congress for the critically important Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) would be exhausted have sadly become reality. The SBA announced this
morning that no further applications for this small business relief/survival program would be considered.
Community banks across Texas have stepped up in a major way to support small businesses and have been met with constant challenges, changes and delays in their attempts to process these loans. Virtually all the banks we have been in contact with have numerous applications still unapproved, despite their heroic efforts to move this process forward. There is rampant frustration from both prospective borrowers and the banks attempting to meet an unprecedented demand for these critical loans.
The Independent Bankers Association of Texas, in the strongest possible manner, urges our Congressional and Administration leaders to take immediate steps to provide sufficient additional funding for this program and make it clear to the public that they are committed to ensuring that adequate funds are appropriated to support the small business sector in this period of economic crisis. There are many areas of need in our country that should and will be addressed. In our assessment, this program should take precedence at this juncture.
To contact Texas Senators Cornyn and Cruz, as well as your U.S. House member, use this link to register your support for immediate and additional PPP funding!
https://www.ibat.org/grassroots-action-center?vvsrc=%2fcampaigns%2f73543%2frespond
Sulphur Springs ISD Officials Are Working On Plan for High School Graduation
2020 Honors Breakfast, Prom and 8th Grade Banquet Postponed
In accordance with Governor Abbott’s executive order issued April 17, 2020, Sulphur Springs ISD will continue its school closure for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. SSISD will continue to serve students through May 21 via the Distance Learning Program.
The 2020 Honors Breakfast, Prom, and 8th Grade Banquets are postponed indefinitely. The District is working on a plan for our High School Graduation, and details will soon be available, according to SSISD Assistant Superintendent Rusty Harden.
All UIL sanctioned activities including contests, practices, rehearsals and workouts are suspended until further notice.
“Thank you for your support and cooperation as we ensure that all members of the community stay safe and healthy,” Harden stated in a news release.
While school is dismissed, the district will be holding Kindergarten Round-up, taking Kindergarten Dual Language Two-Way program applications and conducting new student registration April 20-24. Click this link for information.
Retail To Go Will Be Available April 24th For Retailers That Have Been Closed
Your favorite dress shop, gift shop, or other retailer that has been closed due to COVID-19 will be able to open with a “Retail-To-Go” format on Friday, April 24th. This opportunity to get retailers back open in stages has been announced by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. This information comes as welcome news to retailers that fall into the “non-essential” category determined by the state during the coronavirus pandemic. More information is yet to come from the state level as to what the next stage will be for each type of business. The State of Texas, will announce the next stage on April 27th.
Although some savvy retailers have already been using FaceTime and other resources to stay in touch with their customers, this new “retail-to-go” guideline will allow retailers to provide cubside service or home delivery of items from their establishments. Hopefully, this will expand with the next phase from the state level after a couple of weeks.
Carrie Crowson from Lou Nell’s Fashions tells KSST News, “that this is welcome news for retailers.” Crowson’s store has been closed since April 2nd but she has been staying in contact with customers in other ways.
Texas State Parks Will Open To The Public Monday, April 20th
After closing all Texas State Parks on April 7th, due to COVID-19, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that they will reopen on Monday, April 20th. Social distancing guidelines will need to be followed and gathering size will be limited.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will continue to stay current with the latest public health recommendations and will have up to date information on any restrictions concerning these guidelines.
Outdoor recreational opportunities such as hunting, fishing, biking, jogging, walking, hiking, wildlife viewing and the like are essential activities for Texas citizens. TPWD will continue to do its part to actively encourage and promote these opportunities in ways that are safe and close to home, said Smith.
Through this trying time, TPWD has worked diligently to facilitate access to the outdoors across the state, including in the state park system, which hosted nearly 740,000 day and overnight visitors throughout the month of March.
Questions regarding state park reservations can be emailed to [email protected] and general park information can be found at TexasStateParks.org.
Governor Abbott Announces Closure Of Texas Schools Through End of School Year
In a televised press conference on April 17, 2020 Texas Governor Abbott announced the closure of all Texas schools through the end of the school year. Teachers and administrators will be allowed back into the classrooms for video teaching, adminstrative duties and to finish up their duties in their classroom.
Cumby Special Election Cancelled
City Council Addresses Court Security Committee, Depot Street Sewer Line, Name Correction
The only actions taken by Cumby City Council during the Zoom meeting earlier this week involved the Cumby special election on May 2, need for a main sewer line repair, a name correction and proposal for a Court Security Committee.
Special Election
Cumby Mayor Doug Simmerman reported the city was contacted by state election officials last week regarding the Cumby special election scheduled May 2. The city was to share election costs with Cumby ISD. School trustees recently postponed the Cumby ISD bond election until November.
All candidates for Places 1 and 2 in the May 2 election were contacted, and all agreed due to the COVID-19 situation postponing the election until November is best for all. The council gave unanimous approval to cancel the May 2 election.
Sewer Line
Simmerman noted that the main sewer line and around it on Depot Street is deteriorating. When repairs are attempted it crumbles more. He noted that while consideration has been given potentially applying for a grant to help fund the project, the wait time for grant funding the city had been allocated for a new lift station has shown that process takes a while. The need is more imminent, as opposed to one that can wait for several months or over a year, the mayor explained.
Simmerman asked Hayder Engineering to look at the condition and give a proposed cost estimate, not a bid but a ball park estimate.
Place 4 Alderman Betty McCarter agreed that there are major issues with the Depot Street sewer line that need to be addressed.
Simmerman said the project, if attempted, would likely need to be done in increments, as not only will the sewer line need to be repaired, but also the street work to be addressed afterward. He asked the if they’d like to authorize him to start the process to go out for bids for the project.
“Yes, I think we should. The longer we keep putting it off the worse it’s going to get,” Place 5 Alderman Julie Morris said.
McCarter, who is directly affected by the “horrible” sewer line problems, made the motion to authorize the mayor to seek to go out for bids to repair the Depot Street sewer lines. Morris seconded the motion. It received approval from Mayor Simmerman and Place 3 Alderman Guy Butler as well.
Name Correction
The City Council also approved a resolution correcting the name of the city’s appointed auditor on official documents.
City Secretary Codi Reynolds explained that the council on Jan. 14 appointed Evans & Knauth to conduct the annual financial audit. Since then, the company’s name has changed to K. Evans & Associates. The name on the contract was the old name. The resolution simply authorizes the mayor and city secretary, in consultation with City Attorney Edgar J. Garrett, to take the necessary actions to correct or amend the name of the auditor to K. Evans & Associates.
Court Security Committee
The Cumby Court Security Committee was approved, as recommended by Cumby Judge Lana Adams.
“This is to get us in line with the law, Senate Bill 42 in effect since 2017, to be in compliance with a committee and standing order for court security. Every year, we’ll bring it for review,” Adams said.
The members selected are either on the committee because they are required by law or recommended to be on it, according to the judge.
The Court Security Committee is to be chaired by the presiding judge and will establish policies necessary to provide adequate court security.
Also on the committee are the mayor, Court Clerk Quanah Wright, City Attorney Jay Garrett, Police Chief Paul Robertson, City Secretary Codi Reynold and a slot for another court clerk, which is vacant at the moment, according to the information provided in the April 14 Cumby City Council agenda packet.
Court Security officers are required to hold a court security certification. Cumby Police Chief Paul Robertson and Officer Jeff Hundley have the required bailiff training and will serve in that capacity.
Cumby Municipal Building has secure access for comings and going for meetings and court sessions, which should put the city in compliance with requirements for that, the officials reported.
The council unanimously approved the Court Security Committee as recommended by Judge Adams.
HCSO: Two Men Jailed On Felony Warrants
Two men jailed in other counties were transported Thursday to Hopkins County jail on one felony Hopkins County warrant each, according to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office reports.
HCSO Deputy Elijah Fite traveled April 16 to Pushamataha County jail in Atlers, Oklahoma, where Shawn Wayne Austin was held on a Hopkins County warrant. Fite took Austin into custody and transported him to Hopkins County jail. The 38-year-old Sulphur Bluff man was booked on the warrant for violation of probation, which he was on for burglary of a building, according to jail reports.
Austin remained in Hopkins County jail on the charge Friday morning April 17, according to jail reports.
Deputy Fite also traveled April 16 to Hunt County jail, where Todd Phillip Jefferson was held. Fite took the 41-year-old Brashear man into custody and transported him to Hopkins County jail. Jefferson was booked into Hopkins County jail for violation of probation, which he was on for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to jail arrest reports.
Jefferson remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning on the charge, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
CR 1165 Disturbance Complaint Results In Warrant Arrest
A CR 1165 disturbance complaint resulted in a misdemeanor warrant arrest, according to arrest and sheriff’s reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff‘s Deputies Colt Patterson, Chris Baumann, Justin Wilkerson and Bobby Osornio responded at 7:35 p.m. to a CR 1165 disturbance complaint. A woman’s husband was alleged to be “breaking everything” in the CR 1165 home, a caller told dispatchers, according to sheriff’s reports.
Upon arrival, however, deputies determined the disturbance was verbal only, not physical. A records check did show the 31-year-old Brashear resident did have two active warrants for his arrest. Thus, the male resident was taken into custody at 8:03 a.m. on the failure to control speed and driving while license invalid warrants, according to arrest reports.
The Brashear resident remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning. Fees owed on the outstanding traffic charges totaled $811, according to arrest and jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Spring is Here! How Does Your Garden Grow?
We would like to know how your garden grows! Send us photos of healthy plants growing in your garden or patio now, and send photos again when your crop is harvested! For families in our community, gardening is a popular part of Spring/Summer 2020, and we’d like to share photos of your success here! Send photos to [email protected]
Gardening has experienced an upswing in popularity this year, for varying reasons. For some, it’s enhanced appreciation for organic, hand-raised produce, and for others, the COVID-19 ‘stay home, stay well’ declaration has furnished extra time for yard and garden projects. Some have started a backyard plot for the first time, with the whole family or even neighbors pitching in. Gardeners who usually cultivate ‘a few tomato plants’ have expanded to a fuller array of vegetable, herb and floral favorites. Container gardening is even more widely enjoyed on the porches, patios and decks of apartment dwellers and homeowners. Out in the country, large-garden plantings continue to be a springtime habit for many, and despite excessive rainfall this Spring, well-drained garden plots are thriving. Here’s some photos from a gardener in the Arbala area.
Early-spring produce like English peas, greens and radishes which thrive in cool, wet conditions must be planted early. Potatoes and onions must also be placed in the ground early. That’s an easier task if your garden plot is already established and the ground is ready. Later-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, squash, peas and beans, melons and okra can be planted later in the spring when the ground warms up. Fall crops of certain vegetables may be planted and harvested before the first autumn frost. Pumpkins and winter squash can be planted in mid-summer for harvest in the Fall, and greens can be sowed for a Fall crop.
Marlon Webb celebrates his 69th birthday this week doing what he loves most, being out in the yard and garden. He told me it keeps him young! He and his wife Donna grow enough to eat all year, but it takes daily maintenance, practically year round. Sometimes when he needs a little extra help before a storm or a frost, friends like Gary Mayers offer to pitch in. In late 2019, friends showed up to help pick all the green tomatoes off the vines before a hard freeze was expected that night.
