4 New Positive COVID-19 Cases Reported In Hopkins County On July 9
The Hopkins County Emergency Management Team at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 9, reported they have been notified of 4 new positive COVID-19 cases for Hopkins County. The new cases include both city and county cases.
That brings the total of positive COVID-19 cases reported since March for Hopkins County to 77. Of those, 50 Hopkins County patients have recovered. That leaves 27 active cases of COVID-19 for Hopkins County.
There are 2 patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. One patient is a Hopkins County resident and one resident lives outside of Hopkins County. No patients in the COVID-19 unit are on ventilators, the officials reported.
Sulphur Springs Junior Golfers Represented Us Well
Sulphur Springs Junior golfers represented us well today.
Kip Childress(bottom left), Jace Jordan(middle bottom), Mariam Tran (bottom right) won 1st place in their division. Boys 15-18, Boys 11-12, Girls 15-18.
McKenna Meskimen, (Middle Back, 2nd place in girls 13-14) Tatum Tran (2nd in Boys 11-12.)
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.
Attendance Lags For The Edge Thursday After Break
After four days off for The Edge conditioning program for football, it resumed Thursday morning July 9) in the Multipurpose Building. Wildcats Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Greg Owens said he was happy with the ones who were there but he noted that attendance numbers were down. He said attendance was off by about 50% Thursday. Coach Owens added some of the athletes were sluggish Thursday morning. He said there are now 11 workouts left including one on Friday morning. Then the next two weeks will be complete 5 day weeks. Initially the UIL had mandated two days off, Monday and Tuesday July 20-21, due to a high school coaches school. Coach Owens said the UIL decided to rescind those mandated days off. Coaches will now be able to work with athletes in the morning those days and then have a virtual coaching school those afternoons. Beginning next week, Coach Owens said the UIL will allow conditioning programs to do more things including offensive versus defensive drills and 7 on 7 work. He hopes the change will boost attendance over the final two weeks of The Edge. He sand he would work hard to encourage more athletes to attend during those final two weeks. After The Edge, there will be a week off before the beginning of fall football practice on Monday, August 3. Coach Owens said he is hopeful that they would be able to get started on time.
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.
Mount Vernon Woman Jailed After Turning Herself In On A Felony Warrant
Sulphur Springs, TX – July 8, 2020 – A 64-year-old Mount Vernon, TX woman was jailed after turning herself in at Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at 5:32 p.m. July 8.
Jennifer Wilkes was escorted into the county jail by HCSO Deputy Nick Marney and booked on a warrant for driving while intoxicated with 3 or more prior convictions, according to arrest reports.
Wilkes’s reckless driving on Interstate 30 reportedly caught the attention of other motorists who reported her to authorities. An equipment violation lead to a traffic stop near mile marker 115 on I-30, officers noted in the 2019 arrest report.
A deputy, in arrest reports, alleged signs of possible intoxication noticeable in the woman while talking to her. Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Britain Marlow reported an alcohol odor was detectable on her, and that she was unsteady on her feet and had numerous clues of intoxication during standard field sobriety tests. The woman also allegedly admitted to consuming three glasses of gin and soda earlier in the day. A criminal history check revealed a previous conviction for third or more driving while intoxicated offense, Marlow alleged in the 2019 arrest report. Consequently, the Mount Vernon woman was jailed July 22 in Hopkins County on the third or more DWI charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
Jennifer Wilkes was released from custody on a $10,000 bond on July 23, 2019, on the third-degree felony DWI charge, according to arrest reports. She was indicted in September on the charge, according to court 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.
Sulphur Springs Man Jailed On Violation Of Probation Warrant
Sulphur Springs, TX – July 9, 2020 – A 27-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed on a violation of probation warrant July 8, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Sean Hoffman reported seeing Ramiro Eliseo Hernandez walking on Main Street shortly before 8 a.m. July 8, 2020. Aware of an outstanding warrant for the man’s arrest, Hoffman contacted the man.
A records check of the man’s identifying information confirmed the warrant, resulting in his arrest on the warrant for violation of probation. His probation stemmed from a obstruction or retaliation charge.
Hernandez was jailed July 18, 2019, on an obstruction/retaliation charge, after he allegedly threatened a courthouse bailiff, according to jail reports and the 2019 arrest report.
Court dockets show he was scheduled July 18, 2019 to appear in the County Court-At-Law at 9 a.m. for a pre-trial hearing on a Sept. 18, 2018, driving while intoxicated charge and a Feb. 28, 2019 charge on a bail jumping/failure to appear on a DWI charge. Hernandez reportedly became angry around 10 a.m. July 18 because his court date had been rescheduled for another day. Hernandez allegedly exited the courtroom on the first floor of Hopkins County Courthouse and destroyed county property in the hallway, officers alleged in the 2019 arrest report.
When the bailiff confronted Hernandez about what he had destroyed, Hernandez allegedly threatened the bailiff stating he would “meet him when he got off of work and whip his butt,” according to the July 2019 arrest reports. He was arrested and released from the county jail later July 18, 2019 on a $20,000 bond on the obstruction charge and $5,000 on the other charge, according to jail reports. He was indicted on the obstruction/retaliation charge in October, according to court 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.
Chamber Connection – July 9: Hopkins County Adult Leadership Currently Taking Applications For Next Class
By Lezley Brown, President/CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
The Hopkins County Adult Leadership is happy to announce that we are currently taking applications for the 2020-21 class. The Adult Leadership Class is a community leadership development program sponsored by the Hopkins county Chamber of Commerce. The course was created in 1989 with the concept of offering leadership training and community involvement for emerging business and community leaders. Leadership Sulphur Springs is a nine-month session, with meetings held once a month.
For more information and to get an application, please call the Chamber of Commerce at 903-885-6515. Deadline to apply is August 1.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs is now scheduling 3-D Mammography
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs is excited to announce the soft opening of the Ruth & Jack Gillis Women’s Center. Using our new Hologic Genius 3D Mammography with biopsy equipment purchased with funds raised by the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation, they are now performing screening and diagnostic 3-D mammograms right here in Sulphur Springs. Bone Density and Ultrasound are both also available at the Women’s Center, in addition to our full-radiological services. For more information, call 903.439.4325.
Hunt Regional is offering Mobile Mammography Coach in Sulphur Springs
Hunt Regional Hospital is offering the Tubby Adkisson Memorial Mobile Mammography Coach on July 29 in the Spring Village Shopping Center in Sulphur Springs. All insurances accepted at Hunt Regional are also accepted for the Mobile Mammography Coach, including Medicare and Medicaid. To schedule individual screening mammograms, please call ( 903) 408-5010. Appointments and pre-registration are requested.
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 July 9, 4-J’s Body Shop. You can read biographical stories at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page and Instagram page.
Hopkins County Gardening In July
By Bob Suson, Hopkins County Master Gardener
The spring was probably the wettest spring vegetable gardening in our memory; the changes that have occurred are beginning to show up. If you experienced less than desirable results, July is time to start to plan on what you want or need to change.
Low spots that hold water areas that is too shady for plants to grow and don’t produce to their potential, these are suggestion areas that could be a problem. The rain will stop sometime in the near future; our lawns’ and trees’ and other plants’ needs will change, keep an eye out for changes that indicate a need for more water and other needs.
October will be the time to do soil tests; that should give you time to amend the soil for peak performance in next spring’s gardening, lawns, trees and other plants you may have that may require different soil amendments.
It may be a time to consider Solarizing: Solarization is a simple method to reduce harmful soil organisms, like weeds, nematodes, insects and soil-borne diseases, which will help your vegetables and flowers grow and produce better. Research has shown that increased vegetable yields gained by solarization are greater than what would be expected from just destroying insect and disease-causing pests. No one is quite sure exactly why this is true, but results consistently show increased yields. There is evidence that nitrogen is more readily available to plants. And, beneficial soil organisms can be favored by solarization.
The process works by simply trapping the heat of the sun under clear plastic to heat-up the upper layer of the soil, where most of your plant’s roots are located. To solarize your garden or flower bed, first prepare the soil. Eliminate all weeds and old garden plants. Next, rototill the soil as deeply as possible to produce a uniform soil texture. If your soil is too dry to easily work, irrigate, wait a few days and then rototill.
Tira News – July 8, 2020
By Jan Vaughn
We want to express our appreciation to all of those who have sent contributions for the upkeep of the Tira Cemetery. We hope to see you at the homecoming next July.
Billy Moss reports that he and “Cinda Moss celebrated [their] wedding
anniversary on July 4th alone at Cooper Lake Dam, watching the sun go down.” He added that they’ve been together 22 years and have been married for 3 years.
Billy, also, shared, “Mamie Jo Garner [Billy’s mother] will get a new pacemaker soon. Keep us all in prayer.”
Morgan Joslin, our grandson, came for a visit on Saturday, June 28th. He spent some time with his brothers, Kenden and Landon, and their families, and with us that afternoon. He, also, visited Chuck and Karen Olmsted, and then came back to have supper with us before returning to his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Our great-grandsons, Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden Joslin, spent Saturday afternoon with us, and then their family celebrated the 4th with brisket and all the trimmings and fireworks that night.
Grace, Chip, and I practiced social distancing and watched fireworks on the
Capitol 4 th television presentation. It was very beautiful.
I guess that most Tira residents stayed home, too. I don’t have much to report this week.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected]
Sulphur Springs City Manager’s Report – July 2020
The following Manager’s Report was presented July 7, 2020, to Sulphur Springs City Council by City Manager Marc Maxwell.
COVID-19 RESPONSE
• Most City Offices have reopened. Police Department, Fire Department, Water Treatment Plant and Wastewater Treatment Plant remain closed. The Municipal Library has reopened.
• Police and Fire continue to implement new procedures for dealing with persons suspected of COVID-19.
• Police and Fire employees still have their temperature taken when arriving at work.
• Department Heads, the City Manager and the Mayor meet each week (virtually) to coordinate our efforts.
• We are all wearing masks now.
GRAYS BUILDING
The Capital Construction Division has begun preparing the pad site for the Grays building. I expect to hire a construction manager this week. The manager will prepare and receive all bids and manage the day to day construction of the project. Each contract for foundation, structural, HVAC, roof, etc., will be a prime contract with the city. City staff will perform all dirt work, construct all sidewalks and on-street parking. Staff will also perform all plumbing and electrical work.
SENIOR CITIZENS BUILDING
I expect to sign a contract for architectural services later this week.
BELLVIEW STREET
Atmos is still replacing their gas line on this project. I don’t expect Atmos to be finished for 30 days. Suddenlink and Frontier also need to move a
portion of their lines. I expect this to be a problem.
MCCANN STREET – HOLIDAY DRIVE
We have decided to proceed with this project, and staff is currently preparing to begin construction.
CONNALLY STREET
Construction continues on the sidewalk on the south side of Connally Street. We should finish in July!
STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
The Street Improvement Program (SIP) is completed. Below is a list of streets which were paved this year. Only the north-bound lane of Mockingbird was paved. This was according to plan. Fortunately the SIP came in a bit under budget, so we pave the south-bound lane of Mockingbird later this year. The SIP is funded by a combination of General Fund revenues and the Street Maintenance Fee on the water bill. Streets funded by the Street Maintenance fee are highlighted in yellow.
CLAIMS
We did not receive and liability claims in June.
We had 3 workers compensation claims in June. All 3 claims were from police officers. Thankfully, all 3 injuries were minor.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
Finance Director Lesa Smith will give a year-to-date report of revenues and expenditures.
MISCELLANEOUS
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Fertilized all athletic fields.
- Prepared baseball fields for local league play.
- Hosted a 34-team tournament.
- Replaced 17 parking and sidewalk lights at Coleman Park.
- Built stages for two events.
- Performed 12 major street repairs following utility repairs.
- Patched 157 potholes.
- Trimmed South Town Branch.
- Made drainage improvements on CR 2307.
- Installed “No Truck” signs on Whitworth.
- Shredded areas around Lake Sulphur Springs and the Airport.
- Made drainage repairs on Ryan Road and Van Sickle.
- Repaired the beacon light at the airport.
- Responded to 167 calls for fire/rescue including 0 structure fires and 2 vehicle fires and 5 grass fires.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 88 fire hydrants.
- Upgraded lighting in the truck bay at Fire Station #2
- Responded to 164 animal control calls and achieved an 89% adoption rate.
- Made 2 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Responded to 44 accidents, wrote 443 citations, recorded 51 offenses, made 48 arrests, and responded to 2,025 calls for service.
- Treated wastewater to a daily average total suspended solids count of .32 mg/L.
- Repaired 7 water main breaks and replaced 10 water meters.
- Unstopped 13 sewer mains.
- Repaired 5 sewer mains.
- Washed 85,000 feet of sewer mains.
- Treated 166 million gallons of potable water.
- Sold 2,806 gallons of AvGas and 7,017 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Conducted 32 building inspections, 17 electrical inspections, 28 plumbing inspections, and issued 20 building permits.
- Checked out 2,780 items from the library and an additional 755 eBooks.
- Accommodated 522 computer users at the Library.
Sulphur Springs Country Club Hosting NTPGA Junior Tour Event Thursday
Sulphur Springs Country Club will be hosting a NTPGA (Northern Texas Section PGA) Junior Tour tournament Thursday, July 9, beginning at 8 a.m.
Youth golfers between the ages of 11 and 18 will be playing in the Medalist Tour or the Prep Tour.Categories include boys 11-12, boys 13-14, boys 15-18. girls 13-14 and girls 15-18.
Players from Sulphur Springs include Mariam Tran, Tatum Tran, Kipper Childress, McKenna Meskimen and Grant Mohesky.
Players will also represent Rockwall, Heath, Longview, Allen, Mount Pleasant, Hideaway, Tyler, Lindale, Paris, Waxahachie, Crandall, Kaufman, Bullard, Plano, The Colony, Forney, Blossom, Corsicana, Hallsville and McCaskill, Arkansas.
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.
