Little Rock Man Accused Of Money Laundering And Possession Of Marijuana, Pills
A 29-year-old Little Rock man was accused of money laundering and possession of pills and marijuana, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped at 12:38 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, on the north Interstate 30 service road near mile marker 120 to check on the occupant of a Honda Accord stopped on the side of the road. Upon contact, deputies alleged a strong odor of marijuana emitted from inside of the car. Baggies containing a green, leafy substance believe were observed on the front seat and pills were visible in the ashtray, Lt. Amanda Weatherford and Deputy Drew Fisher alleged in arrest reports.
While a deputy was conducting a records check using the Arkansas man’s information, the man allegedly moved to the passenger’s side of the car, where he could be seen making furtive movements. The deputy returned to the car to find the man placing items into the back of his underwear, and when the Arkansas man turned around there was a large bulge in his underwear, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
When a deputy attempted to place the man into handcuffs, he pulled away, resisting the sheriff’s officer’s efforts. The Arkansas man, identified in arrest reports as Bryon Jamison Brown, reportedly reached for the bulge several times. The officer removed a clear bag with several different pills inside and a bag of marijuana from that area, then found a large amount of US currency in Brown’s pocket, Weatherford and Fisher alleged in arrest reports. A search of the vehicle allegedly revealed scales, empty baggies, marijuana, empty medication bottles and other paraphernalia.
Brown was taken to jail, where the pills were identified as 2.39 grams of oxycodone and 0.42 grams of hydrocodone. The money was reported to be over $2,500 but less than $30,000, according to arrest repots.
Brown remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday morning, Aug. 22. Bond was set at $10,000 on a tampering with physical evidence charge and a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, $5,000 on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and $15,000 on the money laundering charge, according to jail reports.
Unresponsive Person Complaint Results In Location Of Meth And Marijuana; Felony Arrest
An unresponsive person complaint allegedly resulted in location of methamphetamine and marijuana, and one felony arrest Friday morning.
Sulphur Springs Police Officers Nick Floyd and Francisco Castro responded at 8:21 a.m. on Kasie street, where a person was thought to be unresponsive. Hopkins County EMS also responded.
Upon arrival, police learned the person in question was conscious in bed, able to talk to police. The 24-year-old man refused treatment by EMS. He was asked to get up and talk to officers another area of the residence, and was assisted in getting up and there., the officers alleged in arrest reports.
A green, leafy substance identified by the resident as marijuana and a a crystal-like substance identified by the resident as methamphetamine were allegedly observed in plain view in the living room area. Jesus Castro claimed the items and was arrested for possession of 3.77 grams of methamphetamine and about half an ounce of marijuana, Castro and Floyd alleged in arrest reports.
Jesus Castrol remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday morning, Aug. 22. Bond was set at $10,000 on the controlled substance charge and $1,000 on the marijuana charge, according to jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
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.
Aug. 21 Hopkins County COVID-19 Update: 4 New Cases, 36 Active Cases
State Now Reporting COVID-19 Information For Texas Child Care Facilities
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom at 5 p.m. Aug. 21 announced 4 new positive COVID-19 cases have been reported for Hopkins County. That increases the total number of active cases in Hopkins County to 36. There were no new recoveries to report on Aug. 21.
There have been 77 new cases and 94 recoveries reported through Aug. 21. That’s 10 more cases and 72 more recoveries than on the July 21, and 12 fewer cases and 46 more recoveries than were reported during the whole month of July.
Since midMarch, the total number of COVID-19 cases reported in Hopkins County is 229, and total recoveries is 193 recoveries.
Officials reported there were 6 patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Aug. 20. That’s one more than were reported on Aug. 20, but still one less than reported on Aug. 2, Aug. 13 and Aug. 15.
State Reports For Hopkins County
Texas Department of State Health Services‘ COVID-19 dashboard on Aug. 21continues to show three COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County, on July 17, July 23 and Aug. 2. Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said local officials have still not had any official notifications of any Hopkins County residents dying as a result of COVID-19 since the state showed the first death last month, but hope to have more information next week.
Texas Department of Health and Human Services Commission’s reports do show there have been no COVID-19 deaths reported for either residents or employees of Hopkins County nursing and assisted living facilities.
HHSC does report an outbreak of COVID-19 cases among staff and patients at an assisted living facility in Sulphur Springs earlier this month, with a total of 3 cumulative employee and 8 cumulative resident cases reported on Aug. 6, the most recent date for which the state has information.
On Aug. 4, the assisted living facility reported 3 active cases among employees. On Aug. 6, the facility still had 3 active cases among employees. The facility Aug. 4-5 had 6 active resident cases and 1 resident had recovered from COVID-19. On Aug. 6-7, the facility reported 7 active cases among residents, and still just 1 resident who has recovered, according to the HSSC Assisted Living COVID-19 Self-Reported Case Count reports.
Among nursing home facilities in Sulphur Springs, there had been no reports of residents testing positive for COVID-19 and no new employee cases reported as of Aug. 7. One nursing home previously reported 3 employees had tested positive for and had also recovered from COVID-19, according to the HHSC Nursing Facility COVID-19 Self-Reported Case County report.
Data for nursing and assisted living facilities is typically 2 weeks behind. It is self-reported by facility staff to HHSC, and is then reviewed for data entry and transcription errors. HHSC investigates every assisted living facility that reports a COVID-positive case for compliance with health and safety regulations. Data on any resident after discharge from a facility would not be reflected in the state report, according to HHSC.
On Friday, Aug. 21, the state also released COVID-19 information regarding Texas child care facilities. Three of the four facilities have reported one worker each who has tested positive for COVID-19 since March but had no active cases on Aug. 20; one of those facilities also had one enrolled child who tested positive for COVID-19 since March but no active child cases. The fourth child care facility has had 2 employees test positive for COVID-19 since March but has no active employee cases, and has reported no child cases since March. These are self-reported COVID-19 cases in licensed child care centers, school-age programs, and before or after-school programs.
Wildcats Coach Owens Pleased With Turnout as Football Team Completes Second Week of Additional Skills and Strength Work
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens couldn’t be more pleased with player turnout during additional skills, strength and conditioning work Thursday that’s been taking place for the past two weeks at the Multipurpose Building. Coach Owens says attendance has been at about 98%. He says their was only one senior missing and perhaps two juniors on Wednesday. Coach Owens says they are not only showing up but they are arriving with phenomenal attitudes. He says it’s as good as he’s ever seen it. He says the weather also cooperated this week as it was not as hot as usual. Coach Owens says he and his staff are treating the sessions just like two-a-days of past falls but without helmets. He says players are getting half an hour of weight work during the two hour sessions. There is also stretching and agility drills and lots of individual, group and team football work. Coach Owens repeats that he believes the Wildcats may be ahead of where they usually are at this point due to all the summer skill work and reps. He says lots of drills are videotaped and coaches have lots of time to stop and teach. This has helped make up for the loss of spring football due to the pandemic. Coach Owens says players are getting in shape. Thursday’s session including some spirited plays with the offense pitted against the defense. There was also time for special teams’ work. Older players worked on punts and younger players focused on kickoffs. There was also a familiar site for all former Wildcats’ players. Those who have yet to pass were seen running gassers from sideline to sideline over and over, right after the other work. These sessions will continue Monday through Thursday until school starts on September 1. Then players will be available during their athletic period and after school. The Wildcats first official practice with helmets will take place on Labor Day, Monday, September 7.
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.
Man Jailed On Controlled Substance Charge After Almost Striking A Sheriff’s Office Patrol Vehicle
A 38-year-old Quitman man was jailed on a controlled substance charge after almost striking a sheriff’s office patrol vehicle Tuesday evening in Hopkins County according to arrest reports.
Aaron Chaney, a deputy with Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, reported he was on routine patrol in the area of State Highway 19, he turned west onto FM 1657 west around 6:45 p.m. Aug. 20. While continuing west on FM 1567, Chaney reported an eastbound Chevrolet Impala entered into the westbound lane, “almost striking my patrol unit.”
The deputy reported turning around and initiated a traffic stop on the silver sedan. The vehicle stopped on State Highway 19, just south of FM 1567 west, according to arrest reports.
Upon contact with the driver, Chaney alleged the 38-year-old Quitman resident appeared to be nervous to the point his hands were shaking and his voice quivered when he spoke. The driver, identified in arrest reports as Russell James Whited, was unable to produce proof of insurance on the car and was asked to step out and talk to the deputy, according to arrest reports. When asked, Whited reportedly admitted he’d been arrested previously for narcotics possession.
Chaney alleged that because of the man’s nervous behavior and past criminal history, he asked permission to search the car. When the Whited refused the search, Chaney had dispatchers run a complete records check on Whited and asked for on-call k-9 handler to response with a police dog. Deputy Thomas Patterson responded with his canine partner, Chiv.
HCSO K-9 Chiv alerted positively for the odor of illegal substances inside the car during an open air sniff search around the car, Chaney alleged in arrest reports. A probable cause search of the vehicle alleged revealed a small container with a crystal-like substance suspected by the deputy to be methamphetamine. He was placed into custody and read his rights, and did not further provide Chaney with information that would lead the deputy to believe he was not in possession of the contraband.
Thus, Chaney took Whited to jail for suspicion of controlled substance possession. At the jail, the substance had a positive result when tested using a NARC II methamphetamine field test kit, resulting in Whited being charged with possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, Chaney alleged in arrest reports.
Whited was released from Hopkins County jail Friday, Aug. 21, on a $5,000 bond on the felony 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.
Hopkins County Had Lowest July 2020 Unemployment Rate In NE Texas Workforce Development Area
Texas Unemployment Rate Down Again in July, Below US Unemployment Rate
Hopkins County continued in July to have a lower unemployment rate than the state and national rates, and even below the overall 7.2 percent unemployment rate for the 9-county North East Texas Workforce Development Area (WDA) within which the county is located. In fact, Hopkins County had the lowest July 2020 unemployment rate in the entire Northeast Texas WDA.
Texas’ unemployment rate declined from 8.7 percent in June 2020 to 8.2 percent in July 2020, with a seasonably adjusted rate of 8.0 percent. The United States’ seasonably adjusted unemployment rate is 10.2 percent, down from 11.1 percent in June 2020, Texas Workforce Commission and Workforce Solutions of Northeast Texas reported Friday morning.
“July’s unemployment numbers continue to show the underlying strength of Texans and our economy,” said Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Bryan Daniel. “TWC remains committed to our goal of creating skills enhancement and career opportunities for Texans to continue to keep Texas as the top state to live and work.”
Hopkins County’s unemployment rate fell from 5.7 percent in June 2020, when 939 people out of the 16,604 labor force were unemployed, to 5.4 percent in July when 898 people out of a labor force of 16,739 were unemployed. The 5.4 percent unemployment rate is still 3.1 percent higher than in July 2019, when 575 people from the overall 17,551 labor force in Hopkins County were seeking employment, according to Labor Market Information data.
Hopkins County’s unemployment rose in March, when COVID-19 began spreading across the state, country and world, to 4.5 percent, with 784 people unemployed in March. That spike followed a steady unemployment rate of 3.2 percent in January and February. The unemployment rate in Hopkins County peaked at 8.4 percent in April, when many businesses were required to closed due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed at the state and national level. These spikes followed a steady unemployment rate of 3.2 percent in January and February.
Hopkins County’s July 2020 unemployment rate of 5.4 percent was the lowest unemployment rate in the North East Texas Workforce Development Area (WDA), as was the case in June 2020 and in July 2019.
Franklin and Delta Counties had the next lowest unemployment rates in July 2020 in the North East Texas WDA. Franklin County’s unemployment rate declined from 6.2 percent in June 2020 to 5.7 percent in July 2020, which is still 1.7 percent higher than in July 2019. Delta County’s unemployment dropped from 6.1 percent in June 2020 to 5.8 percent in July 2020, which is 2.2 percent higher than in July 2019.
In Red River County, unemployment fell from 7.3 percent in June 2020 to 6.8 percent in July 2020, up from 4.9 percent in 2019.
Around the Workforce Development Area, only one county experienced a rise in unemployment last month. Morris County’s unemployment rate rose from 12.1 percent in June 2020 to 12.4 percent in July 2020, according to LAUS data.
The Texas economy lost 12,300 private sector positions over the past month. In July, the government sector offset private employment losses, by adding 43,700 jobs. Professional and business services added 16,400 positions, and education and health services added 10,300 positions over the month, according to TWC. Texas added 31,400 non-farm positions in July.
Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit TexasLMI.com.
Annual Shared Meeting of Genealogical/Historical Societies Set Aug 27, 7pm at Heritage Park Winnifred Building
The Hopkins County Heritage Park’s new Winnifred Building will host the 2020 joint meeting of the Hopkins County Historical Society and the Hopkins County Genealogical Society, planned on Thursday August 27 at 7pm. The meeting room allows space for social distancing between guests in the new, spacious facility. Members of the Societies are encouraged to attend.
Historical Society President Rick Wilson and Society members will host the event. Everyone will be treated to a historical presentation by Paula Altenbaumer, who is a member of both Societies. She will portray an early Hopkins County business pioneer, Jenny V. Kirkpatrick Glasscock, wife of Thomas Glasscock, early owners of hotels and bath houses in the downtown district of Sulphur Springs. Best health practices will be in place to insure the safety of those attending. Wearing of masks by attendees is requested. The Winnifred Building, built through patron donations and labor supplied by members of the Historical Society, was dedicated in Spring 2019.
Deputies Arrest 3 Bogata Men For CR 2302 Burglary
Hopkins County, TX – August 21, 2020 – Deputies arrested three Bogata, TX men on burglary of a habitation charge after allegedly catching them removing items from a County Road 2302 residence without permission late Thursday night. A tip called in to law enforcement alerted sheriff’s officers to the burglary in progress.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint that people, who were not supposed to be at the CR 2303 residence, were there and were attempting to remove items from the residence. Deputy Aaron Chaney and Deputy Bobby Osornio responded.
Upon arrival, the deputies reported seeing a black Chevrolet Silverado with what appeared to be a 16-foot trailer attached to it parked in front of the residence. Deputies contacted three men at the scene.
During the course of the investigation, deputies learned that one of the men, 38-year-old Larry Carlton Johnson, had moved from the residence approximately 1 year ago and was not allowed to be at the residence anymore, Chaney noted in arrest reports. Deputies also reportedly learned the trio was attempting to remove other items from inside the residence.
A person responsible for the residence arrived on scene. Several items inside the trailer were identified as items that had been removed from the residence; the individuals did not have permission from the person affiliated with the house to remove anything.
A pat down of 60-year-old Calvin Clint Chumbley’s front jeans pocket revealed a a small bag with a crystal-like substance deputies suspected was methamphetamine.
Johnson, Calvin Chumbley and his brother, 62-year-old David McCoy Chumbley, were placed into handcuffs.
All three were read their rights, deputies reported, and agreed to talk with officers. The trio did not provide any information that lead the deputies to believe the Bogata men were not committing a burglary, thus all three were taken to jail for burglary of a habitation. Calvin Chumbley was also charged with possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, Chaney and Osornio alleged in arrest reports.
All three Bogata men remained in the county jail late Friday morning, August 21 on the CR 2302 burglary charge; bond was set at $25,000 on the felony burglary of a habitation charge. Calvin Chumbley’s bond on the controlled substance charge was set at $5,000, according to jail reports.
Jail records indicate August 20 was the second time in less than a year that Johnson has been booked into Hopkins County jail. Johnson (whose aliases include known by Larry Jones Johnson, Ray John Johnson, Carlos Donelle Johnson and Larry Dewayne Johnson) was also arrested September 19, 2019, on warrants for abandoning or endangering a child-criminal negligence and not taking care of a speeding ticket. He also was arrested June 21, 2019 on a driving while license invalid charge, according to the 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.
Five People Arrested By HCSO On Controlled Substance, Related Charges
Five people were arrested August 18-20 by deputies on controlled substance and related charges, according to sheriff’s reports.
State Highway 19 North Arrests
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Justin Wilkerson conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet 3500 pulling a white livestock trailer with an obscured license plate on the trailer at 9:22 p.m. August 18, 2020. HCSO Sgt. Tanner Steward also responded as a cover unit at the traffic stock on State Highway 19 at FM 1536.
When the driver handed Wilkerson his ID, the deputy noted in arrest reports that the man’s hand nervously shook. Both driver and passenger were asked to exit the pickup. They were patted them down for officer safety. Deputy Chris Baumann arrived as an additional cover unit. When the occupants refused the HCSO officers’ request to search the pickup, they called for Deputy Drew Fisher to bring his canine partner, Maly, to the location.
Maly reportedly gave a positive alert during an open air olfactory search of the vehicle. A probable cause search allegedly revealed a loose crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine in the driver’s side door and a piece of plastic bag of the kind commonly used to package narcotics under the passenger’s seat, Wilkerson and Steward alleged in arrest reports..
HCSO Sgt. Investigator Dennis Findley and Bo Fox, a special cattle ranger with Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, arrived to assist as well.
Wilkerson, Steward and Baumann placed into custody at 10:16 p.m. August 18 47-year-old Cody Ray Self of Sulphur Springs on a possession of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge and the passenger, a 25-year-old Sulphur Springs man, on a misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia charge, according to arrest reports.
Baumann transported the passenger to jail. Wilkerson, Fox and Findley transported the truck, trailer and livestock to Self’s rural residence. The truck, trailer and animals were left at the residence. Self, who was in Wilkerson’s custody was transported to jail, where he was booked on the controlled substance charge after the crystal-like substance field-tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 0.185 gram. Self was charged with possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
Self was released from Hopkins County jail August 20; bond on the controlled substance charge was set at $5,000. The arrest marked the third time this year that Self has been in Hopkins County jail. He was also arrested February 4 for violation of probation, which he was on for a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge; Feburary. 14 after his bond was revoked on a possession of 1 gram ore more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to jail reports.
The 25-year-old passenger was also released from the county jail on Thursday, August 20, on the drug paraphernalia charge, according to jail reports.
South Broadway Street Traffic Stop
At 3:38 a.m. August 20, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Nick Marney conducted a traffic stop on a Lincoln passenger car with defective license plate lights that was traveling north on South Broadway Street.
Upon contact with the driver, Marney detected a marijuana odor emitting from the vehicle. Found, under the driver’s seat in a bag the man claimed as his, was a small bag containing a baggy with a crystal-like substance the deputy believed to be methamphetamine.
23-year-old Truston Guage McDonald of Sherman was arrested for possession of less than 1 gram of Penalty Group 1 controlled substance. He remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday afternoon, August 20; bond on the charge was set at $5,000, according to jail reports.
Traffic Stop on I-30 West at Mile Marker 112
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Bobby Osornio reported stopping a red Honda Civic at 2:51 a.m. August 20 on Interstate 30 west near mile marker 112 after noticing that the car didn’t have a license plate light on.
While speaking to Osornio, 20-year-old Brady Michael Miller of Pengram, Tennessee appeared to the deputy to be nervous and was frantically searching for his driver’s license and playing with his thumbs, the deputy wrote in arrest reports. Osornio reported the man, when asked, denied that there was anything illegal in the car and gave the deputy permission to search the car.
Osornio alleged a green substance inside of clear pill capsules which he believed to be mushrooms, edible brownies, a green leafy substance he believed to be marijuana and two fake driver’s licenses were found during the vehicle search. When asked about the pills, the man admitted they were mushrooms, marijuana Osornio alleged in arrest reports.
HCSO Sgt. Scott Davis and Deputy Aaron Chaney arrived to assist. Davis searched but reportedly found no further contraband in the vehicle. Chaney inventoried the vehicle so it could be impounded. Osornio transported Miller to Hopkins County jail.
Miller remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday evening, August 20. His bond was set at $35,000 each on two possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charges, $5,000 on a possession of more than 4 ounces but less than 4 pounds of marijuana charge and $5,000 on a fraudulent use or possession of identifying information charge, according to jail reports.
Courthouse Arrest
Rosemary Boone Springer, 64, of Sulphur Springs was taken into custody at 12:30 p.m. August 19, at Hopkins County District Courthouse.
She was scheduled to appear during the 9 a.m. court session in the 8th Judicial District Court for pretrial hearings on two possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, offenses alleged to have occurred on August 13, 2019 and October 6, 2019. She was taken into custody after having her bond revoked on both charges, according to court and arrest reports. Deputy Elijah Fite took her into custody at the courthouse and transported her to jail, where she remained Thursday, August 20, according to arrest and jail reports.
August 19 marked the third time Springer has been in jail this year. She was jailed February 10 for surety off bond one possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance and June 27 on a warrant for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, 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.
Aug. 20 Hopkins County COVID-19 Update: 5 New Cases, 32 Active Cases
HHS Reports COVID-19 Cases Among Employees, Residents At Local Assisted Living Facility
After two days without reports of any new positive COVID-19 cases, Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom at 5 p.m. Aug. 20 announced 5 new positive COVID-19 cases have been reported for Hopkins County. That increasing the total number of active cases in Hopkins County to 32. There were no new recoveries to report on Aug. 20.
There have been 73 new cases and 94 recoveries reported through Aug. 20. That’s 12 more cases and 72 more recoveries than on the July 20, and 16 fewer cases and 46 more recoveries than were reported during the whole month of July.
Since midMarch, the total number of COVID-19 cases reported in Hopkins County is 225, and total recoveries is 193 recoveries.
Officials reported there were 5 patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs on Aug. 20. That’s two more than were reported on Aug. 17, the last day local emergency management officials reported any new cases, two still two less than reported on Aug. 2, Aug. 13 and Aug. 15.
State Reports For Hopkins County
Texas Department of State Health Services‘ COVID-19 dashboard on Aug. 20 continues to show three COVID-19 deaths for Hopkins County, on July 17, July 23 and Aug. 2. Hopkins County Emergency Management officials have adamantly denied any official notifications of any Hopkins County residents dying as a result of COVID-19 since the state showed the first death last month.
Texas Department of Health and Human Services Commission’s reports do show there have been no COVID-19 deaths reported for either residents or employees of Hopkins County nursing and assisted living facilities.
HHSC does report an outbreak of COVID-19 cases among staff and patients at an assisted living facility in Sulphur Springs earlier this month, with a total of 3 cumulative employee and 8 cumulative resident cases reported on Aug. 6, the most recent date for which the state has information.
On Aug. 4, the assisted living facility reported 3 active cases among employees. As of Aug. 6 the facility still had 3 active cases among employees. The facility Aug. 4-5 had 6 active resident cases and 1 resident had recovered from COVID-19. On Aug. 6, the facility reported 7 active cases among residents, and still just 1 resident who has recovered, according to the HSSC Assisted Living COVID-19 Self-Reported Case Count reports.
Among nursing home facilities in Sulphur Springs, there had been no reports of residents testing positive for COVID-19 and no new employee cases reported as of Aug. 6. One nursing home previously reported 3 employees had tested positive for and had also recovered from COVID-19, according to the HHSC Nursing Facility COVID-19 Self-Reported Case County report.
Data for nursing and assisted living facilities is typically 2 weeks behind. It is self-reported by facility staff to HHSC, and is then reviewed for data entry and transcription errors. HHSC investigates every assisted living facility that reports a COVID-positive case for compliance with health and safety regulations. Data on any resident after discharge from a facility would not be reflected in the state report, according to HHSC.
Sulphur Springs Fire Chief David James said while the reopening of nursing homes and assisted living facilities for limited visitation, provided the facilities meet state guidelines, is up to the individual facilities. He said if a facility that had a COVID-19 case requested assistance, the fire department would be available to advise and help.
Free Testing Offered
Free COVID-19 testing is also being offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Friday, Aug. 21, at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center in Sulphur Springs.
“They’ve been doing testing in counties around us and do it for about 2 weeks at a time. It kicked off today at 1 p.m. and starting tomorrow, it’ll be offered every day except Sundays,” Sulphur Springs Emergency Management Coordinator/Police Chief Jason Ricketson said.
Testing will be by oral swab and will coincide with the start of the new school year for county school districts last week and this week, on Sept. 1 for Sulphur Springs ISD.
Children will be able to be tested at the Sulphur Springs location as long as there is a parent or guardian present.
COVID-19 symptoms are not required for testing. Online registration at GoGetTested.com is required for the free COVID-19 testing in Sulphur Springs, but should only take about a minute to complete.
Results are expected to be returned in 48-96 hours, according to information released from state and local emergency management officials.
Anyone who receives a positive result will receive a medical consultation from a health provider.
To register for the test or for more information, go online to GoGetRegistered.com
