Free COVID-19 Mobile Testing Scheduled Friday
Another free COVID-19 mobile test collection is scheduled from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Friday, May 15, at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, 1200 Houston St., in Sulphur Springs.
Hopkins County Hospital District COO/EMS Director Brent Smith and Hopkins County Emergency Management Team encourage individuals to take advantage of the opportunity to test if they feel that they may have come in contact with someone or feel they have symptoms.
Anyone working in the fields of healthcare, public safety or critical infrastructure will automatically be accepted for the testing even if the person has no symptoms.
Registration is required. The registration call line, 512-883-2400, opened at 8 a.m. Thursday, May 14, for the free mobile test collection screening at the Civic Center. Registration can also be conducted online to txcovidtest.org. Those registering will be asked some simple brief questions about any symptoms they may have
Testers don’t have to be Hopkins County residents to test Friday at the free testing site. In fact, tests may be scheduled at any of the state’s mobile test collection sites free. The City of Emory will also offer free mobile test collection on Friday at the Rains Junior High School. Callers (or online registrants) may request either location.
Those registered will simply stay in a vehicle, get in line and roll down their window when it’s time to be tested. The sample will be taken. When the results are in, the person tested will be notified of the results.
If testing at any other type of test location, those being tested should be sure to enquire about associated fees. A list of available and upcoming testing locations, free or otherwise, can be viewed online at covidtest.tedem.texas.gov. Check the map, then click the site or additional information including times, address and directions.
On April 30, 82 tests were collected at the mobile screening conducted by the National Guard, in conjunction with multiple state and local agencies, at the Civic Center. Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said it’s his understanding that up to 130 screenings can be conducted this Friday at the Civic Center.
“We had 82 last time and hope to do all 130 this time, the more tested the better. Last time, we had 82 negatives,” Newsom said.
While all of the tests from the April 30 mobile test collection came back negative for Coronavirus, Hopkins County has had four new positive cases of COVID-19 reported since May 1 (tested at either a private lab or Texas Department of State Health Services). While very few details have been released about any of the Hopkins County coronavirus patients due to HIPPA regulations, all four individuals recently diagnosed, as far as Newsom has been informed, have been in self quarantine, where they have been treated for the virus at home.
However, Newsom said the Hopkins County Local Health Authority, Dr. IL Balkcom, is working with the local cases in Hopkins County to ensure procedures are being followed with the related cases. Balkcom has a nurse assigned as a contact tracer, someone who investigates people who have had the virus to trace where they may have been infected.
“Our hospital has more than enough space to take care of anyone, but most active cases are at home,” Newsom said, noting one woman who was treated at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs for COVID-19 agreed to be videoed as she was leaving the hospital. That brief clip was shared by the hospital on social media.
“That is the most serious case we’ve had yet, that we know of, but she recovered. God has got his hand on this county. Citizens need to continue to do what they are doing. Hopkins County has done extremely well,” Newsom said.
Both Newsom and Smith encourage local citizens to continue practicing social distancing, proper hand washing and good hygiene to help slow the spread and process of this virus.
Cumby ISD Honors Athletes For Hard Work
Cumby High School‘s annual athletic banquet was another casualty in the battle to keep COVID-19 cases and potential exposure low in Hopkins County. But, school officials didn’t let that stop them for honoring their student athletes. Cumby ISD Tuesday announced this year’s award winners online.
“We wish that we could be handing out these awards in person, but we wanted to make sure that we give recognition to our athletes that work hard all year long. All of your Cumby Trojans work day in and day out to be the best and we are PROUD of you!” Cumby ISD posted along with the announcement.
This year’s Top Male Athlete Award went to Cameron Scott. He too was named Offensive MVP in football and Co-Offensive MVP with Colby Lindsey in boys basketball.
Lindsey also was named Defensive MVP in football and boys basketball.
Top Female Athlete honors are shared by Rylee Jo Krotky and Neely Jo Hammond. The pair also were named Co-Offensive MVP in girls basketball. Hammond too earned Outstanding Hitter in volleyball.
The Trojan Heart Awards were presented to Elijah Pahcheka, and shared by Charli Butler and Carly Talley.
Pahcheka too was named Lineman MVP in football.
Carly Talley and Bre Morgan also shared Co-Defensive MVP honors in girls basketball.
The Trojan Spirit Award, given to a cheerleader, went to Skyler McJohnston.
Dayli Sims was named Best Runner Female in Cross Country.
In powerlifting, Jacelyn Thornton was named Best Lifter.
In volleyball, Erin Morgan was named Outstanding Setter and Heather McCraw Outstanding Blocker.
Cumby ISD staff and officials encourage the community to “send a huge congratulations to all of these athletes and all the hard work they have put in and continue to put in!”
JPs, Tax Offices Officially Reopened
The lobbies of Hopkins County Courthouse Annex, which houses the Justices of the Peace (JPs) and Tax Offices, officially reopened its doors for in-person visits for county residents on Wednesday, May 13.
Justices of the Peace Offices
The portion of the Jefferson Street annex which houses the Justices of the Peace and Constable’s offices had modifications and upgrades during the closures. Those visiting will notice new glass between the clerk’s desks and the public, creating a foyer waiting area. This will better help protect both citizens and staff. People will slide any paperwork through one of the two designated window slots.
The office also got a facelift with carpeting replaced and new paint. A few water leaks were also addressed during the closure.
A table in the hallway in front of the JPs’ offices contains several folders to make frequently requested forms more accessible and a bulletin board with important notices. Precinct 2 JP Brad Cummings said they hope to be able to eventually place a computer int he foyer area, which would allow visitors to complete the paperwork electronically, reducing the need for them to print and return the paper form, then for the information to have to be typed into the system.
While the Justice of the Peace offices are open for walk-in customers, social distancing and the use of proper personal protective equipment is encouraged while during the pandemic.
The judges ask visitors to be mindful of personal space as well as their own health. Anyone who has had a recent fever, shortness of breath, body aches, a cough of any sort, or other symptoms or signs of influenza, COVID-19, or other illnesses are asked to stay home and not enter the Courthouse Annex. The general public is asked to also be mindful of the social distancing rule of keeping at least a 6 feet of space between themselves and others while at their offices.
Based on Texas Supreme Court Orders and advisement from the Office of Court Administration, courts will not schedule any non-essential court hearings until after June 1st. The JP courts will accept filings, but cases will not be scheduled and the constables will not serve any papers that pertain to non-essential hearings until after June 1, according to Judge Cummings.
June 1 is currently a tentative restart date, pending further direction from the Texas Supreme Court and Office of Court Administration.
Tax Assessor/Collector’s Office
The Tax Assessor/Collector’s Office also made the decision to reopen May 13 to county residents, although that office has not been outfitted with protective glass.
Tables were placed longways in front of the front counters, to observe proper social distancing guidelines and as an added layer of protection for staff and citizens.
Those entering the building for either the JPs or Tax Assessor’s offices will notice the front entry way has been modified. The front entry foyer has been removed. The front entrance at the glass door is also more easily accessible.
The office, which also handles vehicle registration, reportedly had steady business all day.
Clerk’s Offices
Hopkins County Clerk’s Office and the District Clerk’s Office lobbies remain closed except by appointment, pending modifications as well. The offices are fully staffed and operating. Calls will be taken and emails answered. The district clerks are monitoring the Efile system daily as well as emails, but passports aren’t being processed at this time. Certain services at the county clerk’s office are available by appointment.
“The County Clerk is getting a new cabinet for the front of that office. It’s scheduled to be installed on Friday. We are waiting on the glass for that. We should have movement on that next week, and have it opened hopefully soon. The District Clerk also is going to be along the same timeline. We are wait on glass there too,” said Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom.
Adult Probation/Other Offices
The Adult Probation office on Hinnant Street has been conducing a lot of remote reporting and telephone reporting, with limited in-person reporting. That office is currently expected to be fully reopened on June 1, according to Newsom.
“We should be fully functioning as county before on June 1 or the very latest,” the judge said.
Como-Pickton Athletic Award Winners Announced
The annual Como-Pickton CISD Eagles athletic banquet, like many other activities, had to be canceled this year — victims of COVID-19 school closures and measures in place to reduce potential spread of the virus. CPCISD officials did not, however, let the tradition of honoring outstanding students and players. In lieu of a banquet, the Como-Pickton athletic award winners were announced on social media.
Awards will be mailed to recipients over the next few days, according to the school announcement.
This year’s award winners include a few students who received recognition multiple awards.
The Iron Eagle Awards went to Lexi Busby and Braden Miller. Busby also shared the MVRunner award with Bailey Neal and was named Offensive MVP in girls basketball. Miller also shared the Ron Heflin Award honors in football with Jhonathan Mejia.
Jazmine Tapley was named Defensive MVP in girls basketball and received the Ron Helfin Award in softball.
Jackson Monk was named Defensive MVP in football and shared Ron Heflin Award honors with Kris Mayfield in baseball.
David Palacios was named MVRunner in boys cross country and Offensive MVP in boys basketball.
Como-Pickton Athletic Award Winners includes:
Fuller Street Traffic Stop Results In Controlled Substance Arrest
A Fuller Street traffic stop Tuesday afternoon resulted the arrest of a 30-year-old Sulphur Springs man on a controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Adrian Pruitt initiated a traffic stop on a Dodge 1500 pickup at 2:38 p.m. May 12 in the 700 block of Fuller Street.
Upon contact with the driver, Pruitt noted the man to appear extremely nervous so he asked to search the truck. Police found a bag containing a white crystal-like substance weighing less than 1 gram, Pruitt alleged in arrest reports.
The driver, 30-year-old Jonathan Edward Watkins of Sulphur Springs, was taken into custody at 2:55 p.m. for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone, according to arrest reports.
Watkins remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, May 13, on the third-degree felony controlled substance charge. Bond was set at $10,000, 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.
Tennessee Woman Arrested On Probation Warrant
A 32-year-old Tennessee woman was arrested on a Hopkins County warrant Tuesday evening.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was notified that Constance Shunta Barr, was in custody in Shelby County jail in her hometown of Memphis on the Hopkins County warrant.
HCSO Deputy Elijah Fite traveled to Shelby County jail, where he took Barr into custody at 4:59 p.m. and transported her to Hopkins County jail. Barr was booked on the warrant for violation of probation, according to arrest reports.
She was on probation for a Sept. 29, 2018 driving while intoxicated with a child under 15 years of age in the vehicle charge. She was stopped by Sulphur Springs police on Interstate 30 at mile marker 124 around 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 28, 2018, for a defective license plate light.
An officer alleged smelling a strong marijuana odor coming from the car and seeing a small bag of the substance inside of it. A search allegedly revealed other marijuana-related drug paraphernalia and several prescription pill bottles in the woman’s name. She admitted to smoking marijuana and failed standard field sobriety test, the officer alleged in arrest reports. Barr had three children younger than 15 in the car with her at the time of the stop, police noted in
Barr was taken to jailed on the felony DWI charge, then released later Sept. 28, 2018, on a $5,000 bond, according to jail reports. She was indicted on the charge during the October 2019 grand jury session, according to court reports.
Barr remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning on the violation of probation 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.
Northeast Texas Farmer’s CO-OP Must Delay Annual Meeting
In a press release received from Northeast Texas Farmer’s CO-OP, operating locations in Sulphur Springs, Greenville, Canton, and Clarksville.
Your Ag Cooperative’s Feed Mills, Farm & Ranch Centers, and Fertilizer Plants remain open for business under our Homeland Security Essential Critical Infrastructure designation. As all of us experience the incredible uncertainty surrounding our World since March, I want to recognize our “Front Line” folks that serve you on a daily basis. They/we have practiced sanitizing and cleanliness to a degree we never thought obtainable. But…what risks were/are they taking engaging in daily face-to-face interaction? Our folks have done it and done it well.
The business and governance structure of your Co-op continue despite the Pandemic. Our Year-end was March 31, 2020. With that comes our Year-end Audit. Your Board of Directors and our Management Staff are working closely with the Auditors to assure that the year-end inventories and financial results are verified accurate. The Audit process will take approximately another month to complete. It has been both virtual and physical in scope.
Now, let us talk about our Northeast Texas Farmers Co-op Annual Meeting scheduled for the first Thursday in June. We will NOT have our Annual Meeting on June 4 th. Your Board and management are working with our Auditor, Co-op Attorney Gary McLaren, and other folks to determine our By-Law obligations and legal obligations to our NETFC Members. It is our obligation to have the Annual Meeting, but the timing of it very likely could be pushed out as far as late next Fall. Some of these questions are tough to answer because there is no precedence. We are actively practicing the “Do The Right Thing Doctrine”. I and our Board wish we had more definitive answers for you on this May 11th date of writing, but we don’t. What can we assure you of? Your Cooperative is in good Board Governance and Management Staff hands.
What I can be definitive about is the fact that 100% of our employees are showing up to work on your behalf. Agriculture is Essential Critical Infrastructure to Our Counties, Our State, and our Country. You are in need Essential Critical support in your agricultural operation, and our Cooperative was formed to do just that.
Stay safe and may we all continue knowing that we walk daily in His Grace and in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Tackling Fairy Ring Disease Before It Gets Out Of Hand
With our lawn care season in full swings, is important to take a closer look to our lawns BEFORE conditions get out of hand.
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension:
fairy ring disease causes brown or dark green arcs or circles that appear in lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, and other turf areas. The symptoms are most likely to develop between spring and fall. They are caused by fungi that feed on decaying plant tissue.
Brown-colored drought symptoms from fairy rings develop when the fungus forms an almost impervious (hydrophobic) layer in the soil that prevents water from reaching the grass roots.
Dark green and lush growth of turfgrass near infested areas by fairy ring is caused by the nitrogen that is released when the fungi decompose organic matter. The circular symptoms of fairy ring can range from a few inches wide and 5 to 10 yards in diameter.
Fairy rings are classified by their symptoms:
- Type I: Ring of brown, wilted, dead grass
- Type II: Ring of dark green grass
- Type III: Ring of mushrooms or puffballs
Fairy rings produce varying degrees of symptoms, making classification difficult. The symptoms may occur simultaneously. It is important to note that drought symptoms in turfgrass are associated with Types I and II, and scalping (mowing leaf blades too low) can be associated with Type II symptoms.
Fairy ring fungi are spread by wind or introduced into new areas when contaminated soil and organic matter are added to a site.
Take these steps to prevent and control fairy ring:
Reduce thatch by mowing the grass with a vertical mower and by aerating — removing small soil plugs or cores from the lawn. Remove tree stumps and roots to reduce the amount of organic matter on which the fungus feeds. Topdress — add a fine layer of high-quality sand on top of the lawn. This dilutes the amount of organic matter and provides a substrate for turfgrass root growth.
For dark green fairy ring symptoms (Type II), fertilize the grass with nitrogen to mask the rings by stimulating growth in the rest of the turfgrass. For brown-colored drought symptoms (Type I), aerate the soil and drench it with a wetting agent (a chemical that helps water penetrate and spread) to enable water to reach the grass roots. Apply extra water on the hydrophobic root zone.
Usually, fungicide application is not recommended for home lawns, but it may be necessary for golf courses and other commercial turf.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic, please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-884-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Trustees Approved 30 Personnel Changes For SSISD
Top Students Recognized, Board Reorganized, Budget Calendar Presented At May Board Meeting
During the regular May board meeting, Sulphur Springs Independent School District Board of Trustees approved 30 personnel changes and recognized top seniors. The 2020 budget calendar was also presented and unopposed incumbents were sworn in for another term, then, the board reorganized during the meeting as well.
Personnel Items
The trustees approved 30 personnel changes, during the May 11 Zoom meeting, including 12 resignations, eight new personnel recommendations and 10 changes either in job position or location among current SSISD employees across the district. The recommendations approved include the following:
Top Students
The trustees recognized Sydney Washburn as the SSHS Class of 2020 valedictorian and Andrew Westlund as the salutatorian.
SSHS Principal Derek Driver last month officially announced the pair as this year’s top students during a small gathering of media, a few school officials, Washburn and her family members — social distancing was enforced. Westlund did not attend the announcement.
“You guys are great shining example of what SSISD can do,” SSISD Superintendent Michael Lamb told them when offering congratulation to the pair.
The daughter of Troy and Kris Lopez and Scott and Ashley Washburn, Sydney Washburn finished her career at SSHS with a 4.0 grade point average.
She plans to attend Baylor, where she will major in medical humanities and religion. She sees becoming a pediatrician as “an opportunity to provide a more general care in areas that need it.”
Westlund, who was unable to attend the honors announcement Monday, graduates with a 3.96 GPA. He is the son of Daniel Westlund and Misty Westlund.
Westlund plans to attend Oral Roberts University, where he will study to become a quantum computer programmer.
Washburn offered thanks to the trustees and SSISD staff for all of their “wisdom and hard work” that went into making Sulphur Springs High School “such a special place.”
The SSHS class of 2020 valedictorian noted her experience at SSISD to be a great one, providing what will always be “some of my best memories.”
Salutatorian Westlund too expressed thanks to the school board for the honor as well as a fewer other occasions in which he earned other recognition for his academic achievements. He said he too has had a “really great school career; thank you for that.”
SSISD Board of Trustees President Robbin Vaughn extended congratulations to both for their hard work. She noted typically, the board would present each with a plaque at their board meeting. However, because the meeting was held on Zoom, so the district will get that out to them.
Oath, Reorganization of the Board
SSISD Board of Trustees May 2 trustees election was cancelled at the March board meeting, ahead of the COVID-19 changes to planned elections. The incumbents were the only candidates to file for the May 2020 election. Because they were unopposed for the two seats, the election was not necessary.
Robbin Vaughn, who serves as president of the board for two years, and Robert Cody, who has served as vice president of the board, Monday night were sworn for another 3-year term on the school board, with Marci Owens administering the oath.
Afterward, the trustees selected the three members to serve as top officers on the board. Robert Cody will now serve as president, Craig Roberts as vice president and Jason Dietze as secretary of the school board.
Budget Calendar
SSISD Business Manager Sherry McGraw presented to the trustees with a planned calendar for development of the 2020-2021 fiscal budget for the district.
Officials anticipate presenting a preliminary budget to the school board on June 8. This will feature revenue based on a new template, and estimated tax values and estimated student counts. Expenditures will include campus requests and estimated payroll increases. Employee turnover will not be entered in budget at this point. Any new expenditures will be added, however.
On July 13, the board should receive another preliminary budget with will include revenue based on new template, estimated tax values and 2019-20 student counts. Expenditure will include campus budget requests, payroll increases, employee turnover and any new expenditures.
The district should have certified values on July 25, which will give school officials a more firm idea regarding revenues. That will allow a proposed 2020-2021 budget and tax rate to be drafted and presented for the board to consider adopting on August 10. This final proposed draft of the budget will include certified values and final student counts used for revenue. Expenditures will include all changes to payroll, all campus budgets, and any new expenses that have been identified that need included.
To finish out the 2019-2020 budget, McGraw anticipates presenting to trustees at a special noon board meeting August 28 for trustees approve the amended 2019-20 to reflect any changes made to the original budget due to unexpected expenses or revenues.
Chamber Connection — May 14, 2020
Texas is opening back up as we speak! I sure would like to encourage everyone to be safe and smart as we re-open our daily lives, and I will admit that it sure feels good to be getting back to normal.
Next week, Governor Abbott will be having another press conference to release the details of the next round of businesses openings. I know everyone will be watching on the 18 to hear the outline of this.
It’s hard to plan events approaching for the summer and fall. Truth is … it’s hard to plan things one month away! 2020 is going by in a blur, and I’m just not sure we’ll remember the details of it when it is all said and done. Just hang in there, everyone! Hopkins County is doing well and trying extremely hard get moving again.
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 May 7 th , Century 21 Firstgroup.
