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SNAP Online Grocery Purchasing Pilot Program Launches Wednesday

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SNAP Online Grocery Purchasing Pilot Program Launches Wednesday

AUSTIN – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission today announced the planned launch of a statewide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Or SNAP Online Grocery Purchasing Pilot Program. SNAP recipients will be able to purchase groceries online at participating retailers for curbside pickup or delivery starting Wednesday.

“As we respond to this pandemic, the state of Texas is committed to helping SNAP recipients throughout the state access nutritious food for their families,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “I thank HHSC for launching this new program and for its continued work to help Texans in need while containing the spread of COVID-19.”

Starting Wednesday, May 13, SNAP recipients can visit participating retailer websites and use their Lone Star Card to purchase groceries for curbside pickup or delivery. Currently, participating retailers in Texas are Walmart and Amazon.

“This innovative initiative helps provide healthy food to Texas families who need it the most during this challenging time,” said HHS Access and Eligibility Deputy Executive Commissioner Wayne Salter. “We’re committed to reducing food insecurity for at-risk Texans.”

SNAP funds may only be used for grocery purchases. Other associated charges such as delivery or convenience fees may not be paid for with SNAP benefits. SNAP recipients do not need to make any changes or updates to their account to use this new benefit and only need their PIN to complete transactions.

This expedited launch is the latest in the COVID-19 response for SNAP recipients in Texas, which includes recipients having their renewal requirements temporarily waived and receiving the maximum eligible allotment by household. SNAP recipients will see the maximum allotment amount on their Lone Star Card by May 15 and do not need to take any further action to receive additional benefits.

About SNAP

This program provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of families in need, so they can purchase healthy food and move toward self-sufficiency. In Texas, SNAP benefits are put onto the Lone Star Card (EBT card), which can be used just like a credit card at any store that accepts SNAP. Texas Health and Human Services administers the federal program throughout the state. More information about SNAP benefits is available here.

Two Wildcats Football Assistant Coaches Submit Resignations

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Two Wildcats Football Assistant Coaches Submit Resignations

Two New SSHS Coaches Hired

At the Monday night meeting, the Sulphur Springs school board accepted the resignations of two Wildcats football assistant coaches. The Sulphur Springs ISD trustees also approved two new coaches, as Athletic Director Greg Owens is shuffling his coaching staff.

Wildcats Football Assistant Coach and Assistant Softball Coach Chris Valdovinos is leaving to become the Defensive Coordinator at Mexia for former Wildcat player, coach and coordinator Triston Abron, now the Black Cats Head Coach in Mexia.

Wildcats Football Assistant Cameron Warren has resigned to take the Defensive Coordinator job at Commerce High School for the Tigers new Head Football Coach and former Wildcat Johnny McSheffery.

Coach Owens said he has promoted Jason Meskimen from freshman football team coach to varsity assistant to replace Valdovinos. Coach Owens also promoted freshman football coach Kevin Hatcher to varsity football assistant to place Warren.

The board Monday approved the hiring of Kendall Mathis to replace Meskimen as a freshman football coach and Ira Franklin to replace Hatcher as a freshman football coach. Mathis is also a World Geography teacher and Franklin is a PE teacher.

SSISD

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.

Click here for more Wildcat and Lady Cat Sports

13 Lady Cats Players Selected To All District Soccer Team

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13 Lady Cats Players Selected To All District Soccer Team

The Lady Cats Soccer Team earned two superlatives and had 11 other team members chosen on the District 15-5A All District Soccer Team.

Senior Ashley Noe was selected as the All District Midfielder of the Year.

Freshman Rebekah Stanley was named the District Newcomer of the Year.

Three Lady Cats made the All District First Team: senior Jasmine Olvera, senior Haley Robinson and senior Shelby McCormick.

Jasmine Olvera, Haley Robinson and Shelby McCormick

Three more Lady Cats were on the All-District Second Team: senior goalkeepers Lily Worth and McKenna Gammill and Janine Yamaguchi.

Earning Honorable Mention All-District honors were Alexis Franks, senior Lois Rocha, Vanessa Lara, senior Lisseth Carmona and Isabelle Thesing.

Lily Worth, McKenna Gammill and Janine Yamaguchi

When the Lady Cats season was suspected on March 16 by the UIL due to the threat of coronavirus, the Lady Cats were 10-9-1 for the season and were 6-3 in district play. A final match for the season at Royse City and the playoffs were canceled by the UIL.

Alexis Franks, Lois Rocha, Vanessa Lara, Lisseth Carmona and Isabelle Thesing

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.

Click here for more Wildcat and Lady Cat Sports

Hopkins County COVID-19 Stats: 321 Negative, 17 Pending Tests; 4 Active Cases

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Hopkins County COVID-19 Stats: 321 Negative, 17 Pending Tests; 4 Active Cases

Civic Center Will Again Serve As ‘Mobile Test Collection’ Site

Of the 346 COVID-19 screenings of Hopkins County residents, only eight have been confirmed positive, 301 were negative and 17 test results are still pending, according to the COVID-19 testing update reported by Hopkins County Hospital District COO and EMS Director Brent Smith at 11 a.m. May 12. The number of screenings will likely increase significantly within the week, as test results from another free mobile test collection planned in Sulphur Springs this Friday begin coming back, according to the Hopkins County Emergency Management Team.

Free Mobile Testing

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. Registration is required. Call 512-883-2400 starting at 8 a.m. Thursday, May 14 register for the screening. Callers will be asked some simple brief questions about any symptoms they may have.

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.

Smith and HCEMT 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. This is for anyone in those above listed fields, anyone who exhibit symptoms or feel they have been in contact with someone who has symptoms.

May 15 Mobile test collection information

Testers don’t have to be Hopkins County residents either. In fact, tests may be scheduled at any of the state’s mobile test collection sites free. If testing at any other test location, those being tested should be sure to enquire about associated fees. For a daily list of available testing locations, free or otherwise, go online to covidtest.tedem.texas.gov, check the online map for the next nearest site, then click for additional information (including times, address and directions).

The City of Emory will also have the testing on Friday at the Rains Junior High School. Callers 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 tje results. More than 80 people were tested at the mobile test collection site held two weeks ago at the CIvic Center.

Hopkins County Stats

Hopkins County received reports from the state of two new lab-confirmed cases over the last week, bringing for a total of 8 cases confirmed by healthcare providers and Texas Department of State Health Services during the 58 days Smith has been providing regular updates.

The first 4 COVID-19 patients had all recovered from the virus by April 22, giving Hopkins County 8 days without any active COVID-19 cases, according to officials. The first new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 reported in Hopkins County since April 4 were reported the afternoon of May 1. One additional case each was reported on May 7 and May 10; all four cases are still active as of the last report from emergency officials.

COVID-19 TESTING TOTALS AS OF:3/213/273/304/024/064/104/154/204/224/285/55/12COVID-19 TESTING TOTALS AS OF:
Confirmed Positive Cases012344444468Confirmed Positive
Active Cases012343210024Active Cases
Confirmed Negative TestsNANA16416597115130137174279321Confirmed Negative Tests
Pending TestsNANA4432201377831617Pending Tests
Screenings Sent for Testing3153627689114126141149181301346Screenings Sent for Testing
Hopkins County COVID-19 estimated testing information, according to Hopkins County Hospital District/EMS reports.

Because Hopkins County continues to have 5 or fewer active cases, the businesses authorized by the Governor to reopen last Friday may continue to do so at 50 percent capacity.

Overall, 346 individuals with Hopkins County addresses have met the requirements put in place by Texas DSHS and the Centers for Disease Control for testing and have been screened for COVID-19. Seventeen tests were pending at the 11 a.m. May 12 HCHD/EMS reporting time, one more than the May 5 report.

In the last seven days, 32 additional tests have come back negative for COVID-19, for a total of 321 lab-confirmed negative tests as of the May 12 testing report.

Texas Stats

Overall, 219 of Texas’ 254 counties have reported positive cases of COVID-19, which is three more counties reporting cases than on May 5, according to Texas Department of State Health Services and Texas Health and Human Services COVID-19 case counts data, which was last updated at 3:25 p.m. May 11.

Some areas of Northeast Texas are doing better than others as far as number of cases reported, with only four counties in the area reporting fewer overall confirmed cases than Hopkins County.

Delta Counties as of the 3:25 p.m. DSHS/HHS report on May 11 was the only Northeast Texas counties with only 1 case, and that individual has recovered. Rains County remained at 2 cases, both have recovered. Franklin Counties had 1 additional case over the last week, for a total of only 3 cases, including 1 patient who has recovered from CVOID-19. Camp County continues to have only 7 cases, included five people who have recovered, according to the state data.

Morris County’s count increased from 5 to 9 COVID-19 cases, although four people have reportedly recovered from the virus. Red River also has nine cases, eight of which are active.

The remaining counties in Northeast Texas’s cases all have more than 10 cases each, some showing small and others significant increases in cases.

TEXAS Reports (DSHS/HHS)April 10, 2020April 15, 2020April 20, 2020April 22, 2020April 28, 2020May 5, 2020May 12, 2020
Total tests115,918151,810190,394216,783300,384427,210525,697
Cases reported11,67115,49219,45821,06926,17133,36939,869
Confirmed COVID-19 Patients In Texas Hospitals1,5321,5381,4111,6781,6821,8881,725
Patients Recovered (Estimate)1,3663,1505,7067,34111,78616,79121,713
Fatalities2263644955436909061,100
Texas COVID-19 statistics as reported by Texas Department of State Health Services and Texas Health and Human Services

Dallas and Tarrant Counties have the second and most COVID-19 cases in the state, with Harris County leading.

Tarrant County has 3,695 confirmed cases, with an estimated 104 deaths and 806 who have recovered from the virus (putting Tarrant fourth to Bexar County’s 978 recoveries). Dallas County’s 5,870 cases, resulting in an estimated 145 deaths and 2606 recoveries. Harris County 7,878 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases, with 179 fatalities and 3,138 who have recovered.

Five other counties across the state have more than 1,000 cases: Travis County 2,127 cases, Bexar County 1,901, Fort Bend County 1,385, El Paso County 1,340. Potter County also passed that mark this week with a total of 1,124 cases.

An additional 194 COVID-19 deaths were reported in Texas in the last six days, for a total of 1,100 fatalities reported to DSHS and HHS, as of the May 11 report.

Active COVID-19 cases reported by DSHS/HHS as of May 11, 2020

However, an estimated 4,922 additional Texas patients have recovered from COVID-19 in the last six days, increasing the total number of Texas recoveries to 21,713 as of the May 11 report.

Throughout the state, 98,487 additional COVID-19 screenings have been sent for testing over the past seven days, up to 525,697 total screenings for Texas as of the DSHS/HHS report on May 11. Some of the increase can be attributed to the state efforts to offer additional testing in more areas, including temporary drive-through and mobile test collection sites.

An additional 6,500 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed throughout the state during the past seven days. That brings the total of Texas confirmed positive COVID-19 cases to 39,869.

The number of lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals decreased by 163 patients over the last week to 1,725 in the hospital for COVID-19 as of the May 11 report. Throughout Trauma Service Area F, within which Sulphur Springs is located, 16 COVID-19 patients were reported to be in regional hospitals, the same as reported six days ago, according to the state report.

While the number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases remains small, eight total confirmed cases during the last 58 days and only four of which are active cases, HCHD and EMS remind everyone to continue practicing social distancing and proper hand-washing techniques. Doing so will help keep the Hopkins County positive number low by helping to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19 through the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Texas recoveries from COVID-19 by county, as of May 11, 2020

From the Director’s Notebook The Sulphur Springs Public Library is Open

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From the Director’s Notebook     The Sulphur Springs Public Library is Open

The Sulphur Springs Public Library is open!  We are so happy to be assisting the public again.  Please stop by, say Hello and get re-acquainted with your library.  The hours for May are Monday through Friday 10-6.  We will add our Thursday evening and Saturday morning hours in June.

Children 0-13 -We have a great Summer Reading Program planned…online! It may take a little getting used to, but please give it a try.  Friend us on Facebook for announcements, download the ReadSquared app and register for the Sulphur Springs Public Library in Texas! It takes the place of the paper reading log by keeping track of your reading minutes.  There are also fun Missions to complete for extra minutes.  If you do not have online access, do not worry, we still have paper reading logs.  The prizes range from bookmarks, books, brag tags, coupons, backpacks, virtual teddy bear workshop and final drawings for Family/Party packs at local restaurants and activities.  Summer Reading has started early this year and we want to see you get started!

Teens 13+ – SYNC is a free summer audiobook program for teens 13+.  SYNC gives participants two thematically paired young adult/teen themed audiobooks a week.   The purpose is to introduce a variety of audiobook experiences to teens. You can register for SYNC at www.audiobooksync.com.  There will be two featured titles each week through July. The titles, once loaded into the app, are yours indefinitely. The two featured titles this week (May 7-13) are: Picture us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert and Secret Soldiers by Paul B. Janeczko.

Adults – New titles are here and available for checkout!

All Adults Here by Emma Straub

Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner

Close Up by Amanda Quick

The Farm Stand by Amy Clipston

Find Me by Laura Van Den Burg

Hello Summer by Mary Kay Andrews

The Lincoln Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer

Paladin by David Ignatius

Pelosi by Molly Ball

Grudge Match (Robert B. Parker) by Mike Lupica

Sea Wife by Amity Gaige

Unyielding Hope by Janette Oke

20th Victim (Women’s Murder Club) by James Patterson

“Reading makes you sexy.”  Best-selling author Jordan Gray agrees that knowledge and personal development absolutely make you more attractive to the opposite sex.  If you have ever been wondering what to say to be more interesting on a first date, or feel lost in your current relationship on what to talk about, grab some books, start a discussion, and share some insights.  When you start reading more, your partner will start reading more, and you will both become more interesting. Go get more interesting! – Joe Girard
Sulphur Springs Public Library, 611 North Davis, 903-885-4926, www.sslibrary.org

From the Director’s Notebook By Hope Cain, Sulphur Springs Public Library

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From the Director’s Notebook By Hope Cain, Sulphur Springs Public Library

The 2020 Census is the buzz.  What does it mean, why is it so important?

Census Bureau mailed an invitation to complete the 2020 census online or by phone.  The invitation included a code to identify the residence and help minimize duplicate responses. The online census portal is open now.  The census is simple safe and significant for people in our community.

Poor access to technology or a bad internet connection should never be a barrier to participation in this vital exercise in our democracy.  With our nation’s first-ever digital census around the corner, public libraries will offer reliable and trusted places for citizens to get information, fill out their forms and ensure a full and accurate count in 2020.  The library is one of several designated “communication hubs” established in familiar locations across the city to help residents access and take the census.  Staffers will help residents navigate the website.  The library is not only a trusted welcoming place, but it is also the sole source for internet access for many people in our hard to count community.

Learned that the census count is closely tied to millions of dollars in federal funding for our community

Hopkins County does not want to be undercounted and miss out on critical resources. The library can help and staff is ready to assist with the census.  As of May 5th, Hopkins County’s Self Response rate is 52.2%. We need to boost that response rate so, come to the library, fill out and return your census and get a free census themed giveaway!

People think that voting is their civic duty and the feel obligated to do it.  However, they do not realize that the census has just as much impact on their world as voting does.  For example, census data directly impacts congressional redistricting efforts, as well as the number of representatives a state sends to Congress, the census even impacts how much in federal funds will be distributed for local programs – everything from Medicaid to SNAP benefits.

The census is one way the people of this country become more visible.  Only 2/3 of respondents marked themselves “extremely likely” or “very likely” to complete a census form- the main barriers being concerns about data privacy and confidentiality, fear of repercussions, distrust in all levels of government, feeling that being counted doesn’t matter and the belief that completing the census might not benefit someone personally.  

Government attempts to gather citizen data are often met with hostility – and this year’s census is no exception.  The flames of any mistrust that might have already surrounded this census have been fanned at least twice: First, by the new option to complete the form online, which may be met with diffidence by the 52% of American adults whom the Pew research Center calls “relatively hesitant” about using digital tools, and which may also raise concerns around cybersecurity.  Second, by the Trump administration’s controversial and ultimately failed attempt to add a citizenship question. There is a lot of fear around providing information to the government.  By law, census data cannot be shared with Department of Homeland Security, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement or any other government agency or court. For the more than 15% of US adults who speak a language other than English at home, the prospect of completing a lengthy census from may be daunting.  (The Census Bureau does supply video and print guides in 60 languages as well as Braille and Large Print; questionnaire assistance and internet self-response in 12 non-English languages and Tagalog; and a paper census form in Spanish)

In addition to governmental services and funding, the data collected on the census allows people and businesses to understand and analyze information and use it to learn about their communities. 

For example:

The 2010 census data showed that 19% of Adults in Hopkins County do not have a high school diploma. The public library was able to show these data to area businesses and obtain donations to begin participating a high school diploma scholarship program for adults.  We have had seven graduates and have more scholarships available.  We would not have been able to join this program without the census data.

Sulphur Springs Public Library, 611 North Davis, 903-885-4926, www.sslibrary.org

Information and facts from American Libraries, March/April 2020

Emory Man Arrested On Warrant For Sex Offender Registration Violation

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Emory Man Arrested On Warrant For Sex Offender Registration Violation

A 23-year-old Emory man was arrested on a warrant for failure to comply with sex offender registration requirements and two other warrants, according to arrest reports.

Colton Lee Hooten (HCSO jail photo)

Hopkins County Sheriff‘s officers, aware of the active warrant, located Colton Lee Hooten on State Highway 19 south near County Road 1146. The 23-year-old Emory man was arrested on the warrant for not complying with sex offender duty to register. The offense occurred on or about May 7, HCSO Investigator Michael Russell noted in arrest reports.

Hooten also had an outstanding Hopkins County driving while license invalid warrant and was wanted in Hunt County on a motion to revoke on a sexual assault of a child charge, according to arrest and jail reports.

The 23-year-old Emory man remained in Hopkins County jail Tuesday, May 12. Bond was set at $10,000 on the sex offender registration charge and $75,000 on the Hunt County 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.

CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs Business News: Exceptional Nurses Recognized

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CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs Business News: Exceptional Nurses Recognized

Renewal Room For Hospital Staff Provided By Candy And Jimmy Jones

CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
Business News For the week of May 12, 2020

Sulphur Springs, Texas, May 12, 2020 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: to Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.

National Hospital Week 2020: Where Health Comes First

National Hospital Week 2020 highlights the adage of every hospital, health system, and person involved in keeping our communities healthy – that health comes first. Now more than ever, this important week gives us all the opportunity to highlight our hospitals, health systems, and health care workers and the innovative ways they are supporting the needs of their community members during this pandemic.

With that in mind, this year’s celebration of hospitals, health systems and health care workers is taking the form of “A Week of Thanks,” where people can participate from the safety and comfort of their homes while health care heroes go to work fighting against COVID-19. Join us and say “THANKS” via social media, or call someone you love who is serving on the frontline.

THANK YOU, Health Care Heroes!

CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System “Heroes work here” logo

Nursing Award Winners for 2020

  • Excellence in Nursing Award – Katie Harrington, Med-Surg
  • Advancing & Leading the Profession Award – Ashley Ross, ER
  • Clinical Care Award – Robb Sexton, ICU
  • Rookie of the Year Award – Darlynn Montgomery, Med-Surg
  • Executive Choice Award – April Gammill, Infection Control

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.

Renewal Room

CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs opened a “Renewal Room”
(Photo: Anitha Kinard Sanderson)

Workforce fatigue is known to contribute to increased errors, unsafe decision-making and other negative outcomes for patients and associates. Through the generous donation of Candy and Jimmy Jones and in conjunction with the hospital’s healthcare foundation, we are now able to
provide a renewal room for our hospital associates.

The goal is to allow 5 to 15 minutes of uninterrupted times so staff can “disconnect to reconnect.” Staff have access to a massage chair, lounge chair, yoga mat, balancing ball, music, sand garden, water therapy, and many other items to counter stress and combat fatigue.

We appreciate the Jones and the foundations substantial support!

Clinic Services

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 Health Plan

Being out of work does not mean you are out of options. At CHRISTUS Health Plan, they are here for you with low-cost plans you can enroll in today. Get in touch and they will walk you through your options. Pass this message along to a friend or relative who has recently lost a job or experienced another Qualifying Life Event (QLE) to help them get an affordable health plan of their own. Call 844.282.3025 and a representative will be happy to assist you!

CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs.

Mother’s Day ‘Wave Parade’ Hosted by Hopkins Place

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Mother’s Day ‘Wave Parade’ Hosted by Hopkins Place

On the morning of Friday May 9, 2020, a crowd from the community lined up to bring cheer and joy to the residents of Hopkins Place in Sulphur Springs. They did this by parading past in their vehicles, circling the facility, honking, waving and displaying hand-made signs of “We Love You”, “Happy Mother’s Day!” and other wishes for the special day. According to Administrator Rachel Gilbert, “among our 32 residents, almost every one of the women are mothers or grandmothers, and they were all quite excited! Everyone watched the parade from inside their rooms, through the windows. I know all the attention made them feel special! There was a lot of love shown that day!”

Hopkins Place Administrator Rachel Gilbert
Rachel Bramlett, reigning Dairy Festival Queen

Local dignitaries who rode in the parade included Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen Rachel Bramlett and Ms. Hopkins County Senior Vendor Wright. Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department vehicles flashed their lights, and several cars and trucks were decorated festively with balloons and banners. A group of four youth on horseback circled the building twice, and a Shetland pony appeared in the parade too. Many family members who have not been able to visit their loved ones inside the building during the COVID-19 pandemic took the opportunity to show off the kids, grandkids and family pets while driving past.

Vender Wright remarked ‘it doesn’t have to take a lot to show you care! Just reach out in some way with a smile or a song, while keeping your social distance, that’s a simple way of showing love and kindness to somebody who needs it. And it’s good for us too, when we give to others!”

Hopkins Place Housekeeping Director Taylor Clark and Maintenance Director Eric Keaton

Woman Caught With THC Gummies, Marijuana

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Woman Caught With THC Gummies, Marijuana

May 12, 2020 – Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 31-year-old Sulphur Springs woman allegedly caught with THC gummies and marijuana during a traffic stop Sunday night, according to arrest reports.

Danielle Michelle Ray (HCSO jail photo)

Hopkins County Sheriff‘s deputies stopped a silver BMW around 10:30 p.m. May 10 on State Highway 11 near County Road 4784 for after noticing the license plate light was out. The vehicle was occupied by two women.

While talking to the pair, the deputy alleged seeing an open container between the passenger’s seat and center console, resulting in a probable cause search of the car. The deputy allegedly found a package of THC gummies and two containers with a green leafy substance in each. When questioned, passenger Danielle Michelle Ray of Sulphur Springs claimed the gummies and marijuana as hers, HCSO Deputy Bobby Osornio and Deputy Chris Baumann alleged in arrest reports.

Ray was taken into custody and jailed for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance. The other woman, who did not have a valid driver’s license, was given a courtesy ride home, according to arrest reports.

The 31-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was released from Hopkins County jail Monday, May 11. Bond was set at $5,000 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.