Chamber Connection — June 4, 2020
Fireworks Planned On July 4, Symphony League Concert Scheduled Labor Day Weekend
By Lezley Brown, CEO/President Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
Every year, the Sulphur Springs Symphony League hosts our Independence Day celebration on our CelebrationPlaza. The night is filled with beautiful music, wonderful fellowship between family and friends, and amazing fireworks that light the night sky. The year 2020 has brought several changes that no one anticipated, and so the Symphony League has adjusted their concert and fireworks to Labor Day weekend. We are beyond excited and relieved that this favorite downtown event is still happening. Make sure to mark your calendars for Labor Day weekend!
Judge Newsom reached out to some businesses in town in hopes to offer fireworks of some kind for July 4. As a result, fireworks will be held on Saturday, July 4. There will be a band downtown who will play until about 8 p.m. Fireworks will begin at nightfall.
Let’s talk about some ways to keep everyone safe and healthy.
First, you are welcome to bring your lawn chairs and sit on the Plaza to listen to the band and watch fireworks. Please make sure to put six feet in between your family and the family next to you.
Second, you are also welcomed to find a place near the square to park and watch the show from your vehicle. Grab a snack from your favorite local business, take your lawn chairs, and hop in the back of your pickup! This will be a great way to watch the show and remain perfectly socially distanced.
Third, keep in mind the COVID is still a part of our lives right now. Be respectful of peoples’ wishes. They may not want to shake hands or hug, and that’s perfectly okay. Everyone has a varied opinion about the virus, so we need to be understanding of all of them. Attendance is a personal decision, so do whatever it is that you are comfortable with, personally.
Finally, let’s all keep in mind that this holiday celebration is our favorite each year because of the outstanding talent and hard work of the Symphony League. They will host their concert and fireworks as usual in 2021; this is the only year things will look a little different.
The Chamber is getting close to our annual Golf Tournament! Our reschedule date is Friday, June 19, at Sulphur Springs Country Club. As usual, we will have morning and afternoon flights, and we have availability
for teams right now.
This tournament will look different in a few ways. … We will spend the day completely outside, we will wash our hands often and well, lunch will be picked up in a box instead of being on a buffet, and all team members and volunteers will “Spend the Day a Club’s Length Away!” That will be our social distancing motto to keep everyone safe and healthy! We are looking forward to beautiful weather and a great time! Give us a call at (903) 885-6515 to register your team!
Business Highlight
During the year 2020, The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is highlighting a business each week.
Please join me in congratulating our Business of the Week for June 4, Four Seasons Landscaping and Irrigation. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and
Instagram page.
Nine Health Checks you Need For Diabetes
By Johanna Hicks,Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent
Numbers are a fact of life for people with diabetes – blood glucose levels, grams of carbs, units of insulin. Those are important, but so are the target numbers for screenings. Whether type 1 or type 2 diabetes, there is in increased risk of developing a slew of other serious health conditions, including heart, kidney, and eye disease.
The American Diabetes Association provides a list of necessary medical screenings and how to make sure you’re in the target zone based on the ADA Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes:
- A1C: this is the test that measures your average blood glucose level over the past tow to three months. An A1C of less than 5.7% is considered normal; 5.7 to 6.4 is considered prediabetes; and 6.5 or higher on two tests indicates diabetes. A high A1C is a sign of frequent high blood glucose and puts you at risk for complications (nerve damage, kidney disease, vision impairment). A more relaxed goal may be necessary for kids or adults who experience frequent low blood glucose (hypoglycemia). Frequency of testing depends on your treatment goals – every six months if you last A1C was in goal range, every three months if medication changes or your last A1C is not in target range.
- Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (ACR): this is a urine test that check how much albumin (a type of protein) is in your urine. Too much is a sign of kidney damage. More than 35% of people with diabetes ages 20 and older have chronic kidney disease. Early treatment can prevent of slow the disease’s progression. The target number is 30 mg/g of urine creatinine. The test should be done annually.
- Ankle-brachial Index: this is a blood pressure reading at your ankle compared to reading from your arm to screen for peripheral artery disease (PAD). This disease can cause leg pain, weakness, and numbness when walking and can make it more difficult for foot sores to heal. The target is 0.9 to 1.3. This test is only needed if you have symptoms of PAD.
- Bone Mineral Density: measures density of bones. People with diabetes are at a higher risk for hip fractures and osteoporosis. A T-score of -1.o or above is desired. A T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 indicates low bone density. If below -2.5, medication for osteoporosis is needed.
- Blood Pressure: measures force of blood flow in your blood vessels. Diabetes raises the risk for high blood pressure which increases the risk for heart disease, stroke, vision loss, and kidney disease. The target is 130/80mmHg if you have heart disease or high risk for it. Get this checked with every doctor visit.
- Body Mass Index: measure body fat based on your height and weight. Added weight increases chances of complications from diabetes. The target is 18.5 to 24.9. If you know your height and weight, you can determine your BMI with the calculator found at http://www.cdc.gov.bmi.
- Dilated Eye Exam: The eye doctor examines your eyes for signs of diabetic eye disease or diabetic retinopathy and other problems, such as glaucoma or cataracts. Getting this done annually is a good practice.
- Estimate Glomerular Filtration Rate: Estimates how well your kidneys function. The target for the eGFR is higher than 60 ml/min/173m² (normal is 100 to 120 ml/min/173m². This test is recommended annually for type 2 diabetes or type 1 for at least five years, and twice per year if previous tests showed signs of kidney disease.
- Cholesterol & Triglycerides: this test measures the waxy substance in your blood and the blood fats in your bloodstream. High LDL (“lousy” cholesterol) and triglycerides raise chances of developing cardiovascular disease. Target for cholesterol is less than 100 mg/dl (or under 70 mg/dl if you have heart disease). HDL (“happy” cholesterol) should be higher that 4o mg/dl for men and 50mg/dl for women. Triglycerides should be under 150 mg/dl. Age 40 and under with diabetes should be checked at diagnosis and at least every five years. If abnormal results, more frequent screenings may be needed. If taking statin medications, you’ll need testing 4 to 12 weeks after beginning medication. If numbers look good, repeat annually.
Hopefully, this information from the American Diabetes Association helps clear up confusion about different testing.
Closing Thought
The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook. – William James
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs Business News
By Holly Ragan, MS, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Sulphur Springs, Texas, June 2, 2020 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.
Hospital Visitation
For the safety and health of the community and our ministry, CHRISTUS Health is screening all associates and visitors to our hospitals to help lessen the risk of infectious disease transmission among our patients, associates, and guests.
- (1) Entrance to hospital through Emergency Department 24/7
- (1) Visitor per patient
- Visitors must be between the ages of 16 years-old and 65-years old
- All visitors are screened at the door, including a temperature taken
- All associates are screened at each shift, including a temperature taken
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (subject to change)
- ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable.
Carter BloodCare – Blood Drive
Get a free t-shirt!
shortage at carterloodcare.org
Carter BloodCare will be holding a blood drive on Friday, June 5, 2020 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs parking lot in the Carter BloodCare bus.
Donors must wear face masks, and will receive a FREE t-shirt.Please make an appointment by going to: https://ww3.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/115207 or calling Patricia Wilson at 903.438.4380.
To honor social distancing, donors should make an appointment.
Services
Women’s Center
We are excited to announce the soft opening of our Ruth & Jack Gillis Women’s Center at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. Services available include: 3-D Mammography (screening and diagnostic), Bone Density, and Ultrasound. For more information, call 903.439.4325.
Clinics
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Urgent Care at 1339 South Broadway St. in Sulphur Springs is temporarily closed. Anyone needing to be seen by a physician may walk-in at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Primary Care at 105 Medical Plaza, or to schedule, please call 903.885.3181. If you are showing signs or symptoms of COVID-19, please call our COVID-19 Hotline at 800.458.4559, Option 9, to be screened, and instructed on how to proceed. As always, if it is emergent, present to the Emergency Room or call 9-1-1.
We want to reassure our patients that CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic and CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital continue to be a safe place to receive your care, and we encourage you to follow up with your regular healthcare needs. For any reason you cannot come into the clinic, or do not feel comfortable, virtual visits and telephone visits are available. Please contact your provider to discuss all of the many options for accessing care.
# # #
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler ContinueCARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties. For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler ContinueCARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
Another COVID-19 Case Reported In Hopkins County
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, announced one additional COVID-19 case for Hopkins County. That’s 21 active cases and 6 recoveries, for a total of 27 cases reported in Hopkins County since mid-March.
Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley said county officials were only notified about the new case about 15 minutes prior to the press announcement.
Newsom said very little is known about the case other than the fact that it’s in the county, rather than inside the city limits.
The Local Health Authority will be reaching out to the individual to see if there are any immediate needs which aren’t being met.
As far as officials know, the 21 individuals who currently have COVID-19 are isolating at home. They are aware of no reports of any Hopkins County COVID-19 patients in the hospital.
While some sources may be reporting 7 patients recovered, and there may be, the county can only report those they have officially been notified about, Newsom said. Hopkins County has received notification of only 6 Hopkins County residents who have been verified by a doctor or health authority as recovered.
Arbala Homecoming for June 7th has Been Canceled
Due to Covid 19 the Arbala Homecoming for June 7, 2020, has been canceled. Donations to the upkeep of the cemetery may be mailed to Arbala Cemetery Association, care of John Gammill, 144 Drexel Drive, Sulphur Springs, Texas, 75482.
Man Accused Of Throwing Capsule During Traffic Stop
A 31-year-old Winnsboro man was accused of throwing a capsule-shaped tablet out of a pickup window during a traffic stop, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff‘s Deputy Jason Lavender stopped a Chevrolet Silverado at 3:04 p.m. June 1 for passing vehicles in a no passing zone on State Highway 11 east.
The driver, identified as Marcus Aaron Williams, refused the deputy’s request to search his truck. When the deputy advised Williams he was calling for a police canine to sniff around the truck, Williams allegedly went back to the truck, after being told not to. Williams then entered the truck and made a throwing motion from inside the passenger’s seat area, Lavender alleged in arrest reports.
Lavender placed Williams into custody then checked the area. The deputy reported finding a white capsule-shaped tablet on the road. Williams allegedly admitted to throwing it out of the truck. Another capsule-shaped tablet was found on the driver’s seat of the truck. A glass pipe of the kind used to smoke methamphetamine was also allegedly found between the driver’s seat and console of the truck.
Williams was arrested for tampering with physical evidence. He remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday morning. Bond was set at $10,000 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.
Update: Name Of Inmate Who Died In Custody At Hopkins County Jail Released
June 2, 2020 – Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday morning released the name of the inmate who died in custody at Hopkins County jail Monday afternoon. The deceased was identified as 53-year-old Mark Alan Hicks.
The inmate reportedly had an existing medical issue prior to his arrest May 19 for possession of a controlled substance, more than 1 gram of a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine, according to sheriff’s reports. At that time, Hicks displayed signs of bruxism, was checked by EMS and jailed.
On May 19, officials at the jail contacted Dr. I.L. Balkcom. Hicks’ medications were called into a local pharmacy, where they were picked up to maintain his drug regimen, according to Hopkins County Jail Administrator Kenneth Dean said Tuesday morning.
“It was my understanding he had a very serious medical issue,” Dean said.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Tanner Crump noted that people who are sick or have health conditions can be arrested and remain in jail. Hicks had remained in custody in lieu of a $10,000 bond.
Hicks had been placed in a handicap equipped cell and was on medical watch due to the pre-existing medical condition. He was monitored by jail staff regularly as required by law.
Jail staff are required to check on inmates placed on medical watch every 30 minutes. Inmates on medical watch in Hopkins County jail are checked on by jailers every 20-30 minutes, typically more frequently than required, the jail administrator said.
On June 1 shortly after noon, a jailer reportedly noticed that Hicks was not moving and entered Hicks’ cell to check on him. As is standard procedure, Dean reported, the jailer checked the inmate’s vitals, then called for EMS. Hopkins County EMS responded at the jail but, their efforts were reportedly unsuccessful in reviving him.
The cell was secured and the Texas Ranger was contacted to conduct an investigation, as is standard procedure for the death of an inmate in the local jail, the chief deputy and jail administrator noted.
An autopsy has been ordered by Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Brad as is also standard procedures for the death of an inmate in the local jail, the chief deputy reported. Tapp Funeral Home staff conducted the transport to Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, the Dallas County medical examiner’s office.
City Council To Consider Selecting Architect For New Senior Citizens Center
Real Property Deliberations To Be Conducted During Executive Session
Selection of an architect for the new senior citizens building, purchase of a new sewer truck, COVID-19 funding and a real property matter are among the items on the agenda for Tuesday night’s regular meeting of Sulphur Springs City Council.
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic caused business closures and enforced social distancing, the City Council meeting will be conducted in-person at the Municipal Building, 201 North Davis St., instead of by Zoom videoconferencing.
The regular meeting will begin at 7 p.m. However, the city council is slated to meet in executive session starting at 6:30 p.m. June 2, to “deliberate regarding real property.” The council is slated to discuss and consider taking action if any is needed regarding that deliberation during the regular session.
Sulphur Springs City Council will also be asked to consider taking another big step forward in the process of constructing a new senior citizens center. The City Council will be asked to consider selecting an architectural firm and authorizing the city manager to execute contract documents to get that process rolling.
The Council will also be asked to approve a resolution authorizing the city’s participation in the Office of Governor, Public Safety Office Criminal Justice Division Coronovirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program.
This would allow City of Sulphur Springs to apply for a small portion of the $38 million in the federal Emergency Appropriations for Coronavirus Health Response and Agency Operations Act funding Governor Greg Abbott on April 15 announced were available to local governments in Texas.
Governments can apply for funds to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. Allowable projects and purchases, according to the Governor’s Office, “include but are not limited to, overtime, equipment, supplies, training, travel expenses, and addressing the medical needs of inmates in local and tribal jails and detention centers.”
The agenda for City Council to consider also include the purchase of a new sewer truck and a fee schedule for use of the City Council Chambers.
The city manger is scheduled to give a report on capital improvements, wastewater treatment plant operations, accidents and claims for the month, and a review of expenditures and revenues.
Recycling Old Concrete Helps Sulphur Springs Reduce Road Repair Costs
Some of the slab from an old nursing home and most of the old Thermo mine silo have been earmarked for future use — in city streets. By recycling old concrete from other construction projects, the City of Sulphur Springs anticipates saving thousands of dollars in materials and other costs for street repairs, according to Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell.
In recent months, the city has had two structures demolished, the former nursing home building on Oak Avenue, to allow for construction of a new Senior Citizens Center, and a silo at the old Thermo mine.
As much as possible of the foundation for the concrete slab the old nursing home sat on will be reused to create a parking lot for a Senior Citizens Center to be constructed on the property. The concrete that could not be salvaged for this project were designated for removal to the city’s stock yard, where the pieces of concrete will be added to the stockpile for future use in street improvements.
In April, the city also had the old Thermo mine silo demolished. The concrete from the silo, estimated to be about 7,000 tons, has been relocated to the stockpile over the last 2 weeks as well. Once the pile is big enough, it will be crushed and reused as road base.
That’s not the only concrete the city is reusing.
“If we tear up a road or sidewalk, curb or gutter, what we take out has value,” Maxwell said. “It makes fantastic road base. When we buy road base from Oklahoma, it costs about $24-28 a ton to buy and deliver. We are saving money doing it this way.”
Recycling the concrete overall saves the city about $11.50-$12 a ton instead of $24 a ton — including $8.50 a ton to crush it.
Once the city piles up about 34,000-40,000 tons of concrete, a company is called in to crush. Once crushed, it can be used in road building and repairs. The crushed concrete, put down on the road bed with water, typically sets up well, to help provide a good foundation on which to build a road. While the recycled concrete doesn’t set as hard as new concrete, it makes a good base for asphalt or concrete, the city Manager noted.
The City of Sulphur Springs will also accept at no charge to contractors loads of torn up concrete at the city stockyard. For instance, if a contractor working on I-30 had to break up the road and had pieces of concrete left from redoing roads, or if a building contractor needs a place to take concrete from a torn out foundation, that broken up concrete can be taken to the city stockpile. The business should contact city officials at 903-885-7541, before arriving with a load of concrete to dump, however.
