Hopkins COVID-19 Update: 4 Confirmed Cases, 1 Person Recovered, 65 Negative Tests, 20 Tests Pending
Local healthcare providers reported one of the four people confirmed to have COVID-19 in Hopkins County has recovered from it, Hopkins County Hospital District/EMS reported in the April 6 Hopkins COVID-19 update.
No additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Hopkins County since April 4, when Hopkins County Emergency Management Team reports the fourth confirmed case, but 24 additional test results have come back as negative. That brings the total of negative results in Hopkins County for the 22-day COVID-19 pandemic to 65, according to HCHD/EMS reports.
An additional 13 tests were sent out for testing during that time, however, bringing the total of potential cases that met Texas Department of State Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control requirements for COVID-19 testing to 89. That leaves 20 tests still pending in Hopkins County, according to the HCHD/EMS Hopkins COVID-19 update.
Brent Smith, HCHD chief operating officer and EMS director, also reported “Screenings turnaround times are improving from the Private Labs and TX-DSHS Labs,” which means it should take less than the 10 business days labs have been averaging to get the results of those 20 pending cases.
As of noon April 6, Texas had reported 85,357 COVID-19 tests sent for analysis, up from 50,679 on April 2. Of those, Texas had 7,276 confirmed cases Monday, up from 5,660 on April 2. The number of COVID-19 deaths doubled from April 2 to April 6, rising from 70 on Friday to 140 as of Monday’s report.
Commissioners Court Extends Hopkins County Health Emergency Disaster Declaration
Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday agreed to extend the Hopkins County health emergency disaster declaration due to COVID-19 through the end of the month, with one additional item added to the declaration, Monday morning.
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom April 1 enacted an emergency order with terms to fit the Executive Order issued March 31 by Governor Greg Abbott, with “exceptions added to make it clearer.
The April 6 order proposed to the Commissioners Court on Monday included a “locked business” exception to the stay at home, stay safe, essential business and activity order.
A locked door business, according to the 13-page document provided to cities and counties to help “Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response,” is defined as follows:
Essentially, the the lock business class was added to allow businesses to continue to operate at their place of work, provided there are very few employees present, and social distancing is observed within the business.
The public won’t have access to a locked business, but the business can still
allow operations by phone, internet or other source, sending and receiving of mail and deliveries, necessary to keep the business operational, provided the business, provided it’s not a business required by the governor’s order to be closed.
“This will allow the business to function to some extent, to try to stay alive for this short time — through April 30 — duration of the governor’s orders,” Newsom said.
Bartley, when considering approving the document through the end of the month, noted he’d been asked by a constituent if the full time had to be adopted or if the declaration could be evaluated and set in weekly increments.
Newsom noted that the wording as proposed came directly from the Governor’s order, which unless modified or superseded by state, would still be the same. The executive order stipulates the stay at home, stay safe order is in effect through April 30, Newsom said.
“Doing it week to week would be no different. The Governor supersedes us. No, it wouldn’t make a difference, I don’t think. I understand people would like for this to be over with,” Newsom said.
Bartley and Precinct 1 Commissioner Mickey Barker noted that county governments do have to follow the state rules. While they cannot remove sections of the orders set at the state level, county and municipal governances can add more stringent guidelines. They are not opting to do so at this time.
Hopkins County Treasurer Danny Davis asked if the order for nonessential business included restaurants, particularly if people are allowed to walk into a restaurant pick up an order and leave with it, or if entry to the business would be prohibited to the order with the closing of dining halls.
Newsom noted the Governor’s Executive Order and county order specifies that “use of drive-thru, pickup or delivery options for food and drinks is allowed and highly encouraged.”
Hopkins County Fire Chief and Emergency Managements Coordinator Andy Endsley said that specifically allows people ordering take out from a restaurant to walk into the establishment, pick up their take out and walk right back out. Eating on site isn’t allowed, but picking up an order and leaving is OK.
The health emergency disaster declaration approved by the county is “accompanied with lots of definitions of what essential is and not. A lot of businesses are essential. The governor’s order has made it hard on small business, no doubt about it,”Newsom acknowledged.
Below is the order as approved by Hopkins County Commissioner Court. The official record also had attached to it the 4-page Governor’s Executive Declaration as well as a 2-page memo from Christopher C. Krebs, director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the 13-page “Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring Community and National Resilience in COVID-19 Response.”
Amended Local Health Emergency Disaster Declaration approved by Hopkins County Commissioners Court Monday, April 6, which lasts through April 30. All 22 pages of the “4-6-2020 Amended Declaration of Local Disaster for Public Health Emergency,” including the Governor’s Executive Order and guidance on what is considered “essential,” are available on the Hopkins County website.
Resources and information related to Coronavirus are available on the Hopkins County Emergency Management website (http://hopkinscountytxcovid-19.com/) and Facebook pages.
Mickey Barker also asked if possible for the health emergency declaration be translated for viewing by the Spanish-speaking community members. Endsley noted that Dr. Mario Villarino and Sulphur Springs ISD personnel are working with the county to properly translate information that is being provided in Spanish through the Hopkins County Emergency Management Team.
Manhunt Results In 2 Arrests For Alleged Theft, Building Burglaries
A manhunt resulted in two arrests Sunday morning. A 29-year-old man and 33-year-old Garland man allegedly ran after a property owner caught them stealing from his FM 2653 storage building April 5. One man was reportedly chased up a tree while the other was found later walking on FM 2653.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was contacted at 9:35 a.m. April 5 by a man alleging two men fled when he discovered them in his storage building, according to sheriff’s reports.
The pair allegedly attempted to leave the property in a van, which the property owner then rammed with another vehicle, causing it to get stuck in the mud, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Richard Brantley alleged in arrest reports. The pair then allegedly ran into the woods. They were reportedly seen by a citizen a short time later in a nearby field, according to sheriff’s reports.
Texas Department of Corrections officials were contacted to bring trained dogs to the scene. Officers established a perimeter, assisted by Hunt County Constable Terry Jones and Hunt County Investigator Kenneth Peters, Hopkins County Sheriff’s investigators and community members. A manhunt was launched for the fleeing pair of men. The trained dogs were turned loose to track the scent of the two men, according to Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum.
One suspect was allegedly observed by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Investigator Dennis Findley as he was fleeing from the dogs. The man allegedly climbing a tree. Assisted by Hopkins County Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford and Investigator Michael Russell, with the dogs at the base of the tree, Findley removed the man from the tree and took him into custody, according to Tatum.
The suspect was identified in arrest reports as 29-year-old Bobby Daniel Faulkner. Arrest reports show a Faulkner to have a Wills Point address, but jail reports list has as residing in Dallas. Faulkner was taken into custody near County Road 1125 and transported by investigators and Sheriff Lewis Tatum to Hopkins County jail, according to arrest reports.
The other subject, identified in arrest reports as 33-year-old Cash Allen Price of Garland, was reportedly seen Sunday afternoon walking on FM 2653, where he was arrested by Investigator Peters. He was taken into custody at 2:16 p.m. and transported to the county jail, according to sheriff’s reports.
“Investigator Kenneth Peters and Hunt County Sheriff-Elect Terry Jones work with Texas Department of Corrects guards/tracking people all the time, and have been a great asset to help us. And, we help them out if they need us too,” Tatum said Monday morning. “This was good cooperative effort from officers, the property owner and numerous citizens from the community who help set up a perimeter. That’s why things work so well in Hopkins County, everybody working together for the good of all.”
Officials reported finding copper wire, multiple items with other people’s identifying information and other items in the van and within the pair’s possession during the alleged building burglary and subsequent search and arrests.
Price and Faulkner were booked into Hopkins County jail on two burglary of a building charges, as well as theft of property-copper, fraudulent use or possession of more than five pieces of identifying information and possession of a criminal instrument. Price was also charged on violation of parole warrant, according to arrest and jail reports.
The pair remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, April 6. Bond was set at $30,000 on each of the five charges; Price also was held without bond on the parole warrant, 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 Sulphur Springs Requires Masks For All Visitors
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 7am to 7pm (subject to change)
· **NEW effective 4/6/2020** ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable.
Dr. Blake Cross, Family MD Speaks on CHRISTUS Clinic Avenues for Keeping Patients Healthy When Needing to See Their Doctor
Dr. Blake Cross has been a Family Medicine practitioner with the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs since 2019. His office is inside the Medical Plaza building next to the hospital at 105 Medical Circle. Dr. Cross called the KSST studios on Monday April 6, 2020 with encouraging information about protections in place for patients needing to see their doctor during the current COVID-19 health crisis. The following information came from the phone interview with Dr. Cross. **NEW effective 4/6/2020** ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable.
As you know, as of today, April 6, 2020, there are four known cases of COVID-19 in Hopkins County, and these numbers, as they may change, can be found by reaching out to the local health department. Currently, symptoms are cough, fever of 100.4 or higher, and shortness of breath. These are the most common symptoms. For testing recommendations, you can self-screen online using the COVID Health Bot on the christushealth.org website, or by calling the CHRISTUS COVID-Hotline· 1-800-458-4559 What is the clinic is doing to keep healthy patients safe when they need to see their doctor? Our Clinic policies include: Only one essential care taker can escort patients into clinic appointments All visitors are screened at the door, including a temperature taken All associates are screened at start of shift, including temperature taken · What are other means of visiting the doctor? You may call and speak to your doctor by phone, or use Telehealth: Video for a consultation with your doctor on your computer. Visit christusvirtualmedicine.org or call 844.606.DOCS for more information on telehealth. What should you look for if you feel sick and if you believe you may need a COVID-19 test? DO NOT go to the hospital. Call your doctor’s office first and discuss symptoms. You can also call the CHRISTUS COVID Hotline to be screened: 1-800-458-4559. The dedicated COVID line is manned by a team of nurses who screen for symptoms of the virus and schedule appointments for testing as necessary. There is also a drive-thru test site you can use with a referral. You must have an appointment to take advantage of the drive-thru test service. For routine doctor visits, if you may have an upcoming appointment, we are recommending it to be kept. In addition to coming in person to see your doctor for the routine appointment, it might possibly be covered by Tele-Health or phone call. These are other avenues you can use to have that visit performed. **NEW effective 4/6/2020** ALL hospital visitors are required to wear a mask. Visitors should bring their own mask; homemade cloth masks are acceptable. |
Commissioners To Consider Renewing Public Health Emergency Disaster Declaration
http://www.hopkinscountytx.org/Hopkins County Commissioners Court will be asked Monday morning to consider renewing the public health emergency disaster declaration due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Disaster Declaration
April 6 will be the second time the court is asked to approve a health disaster declaration due to COVID-19. On March 23, the court extended until April 3 the emergency disaster declaration, put in place by County Judge Robert Newsom on March 18 due to COVID-19 pandemic.
After Executive Order from Governor Greg Abbott on March 31, Newsom April 1 extended the county’s disaster declaration to match the governor’s stay safe, stay in place order. Emergency disaster declarations by the judge typically expire after 1 week if no other action is taken to extend them. Thus, in order for it to remain in place through the full month to match the governor’s order, the Commissioners Court will need to approve the extended designation.
Contracts, Appointments
The Commissioners Court will also be asked at the April 6 session to consider approving a “change order with Baird Construction in regards to RFP2019-007” and to appoint a sick pool board.
Approval too was given at the March 23 meeting for a contract with Peoples to drop the monthly price of Internet for Hopkins County Regional Civic Center for over $900 a month to about $250 a month. Peoples agreed that if additional internet was needed for specific events, People will provide it for the event for free. Civic Center staff will only need to contact their representative to have it temporarily increased. Kaybro will help monitor usage, according to Civic Center General Manager Lonnie Fox.
Power Distribution
The Commissioners Court too will be asked at the special meeting April 6 to consider a request from Oncor Electric Delivery to construct electrical power distribution facilities across County Road 3515, south of FM 69 north in Precinct 3. The court in recent months have approved at least one similar request for power distribution facilities at each regular meeting.
At the March 23 meeting, the court agreed to let Farmers Electric Cooperative Inc. construct electrical power distribution facilities over County Road 4744, northeast of CR 4742; over CR 4128, wet of CR 4131; and over CR 3528, north of CR 3600.
Prior Approval
Equipment purchases were also approved at the March 23 regular Commissioners Court meeting for Precincts 2, 3 and 4; and a contract for internet service at the Civic Center.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Greg Anglin had previously been approved to purchase a Caterpillar reclaimer. The equipment cost was $310,168. Anglin planned to put down a deposit of $155,000 of the total cost. Of the two quotes received for financing for the lease purchase agreement, Alliance Bank’s bid was selected as the better deal, saving $59.31 over the span of the loan. Also bidding was Guaranty Bank but their bid included a $300 document fee, which made the overall cost a little bit higher, Hopkins County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook explained.
The Commissioners Court also granted approval for Precinct 3 Commissioner Wade Bartley to purchase a reclaimer through Sourcewell, a cooperative purchasing group similar to Buyboard or Tips, which allows the county to make a purchase through the group instead of having to go out for bids for the equipment. Bartley reported the machinery was located somewhere else and he’d like to look at it upclose before making a purchase. The first quote he receive for it was $307,000.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Joe Price received Court approval to purchase an Alamo Boomcutter through Buyboard as well as a Case tractor purchased through Tips. A purchase order was required to move forward with those. The items have to be ordered and won’t be paid for until they come, but a purchase order is required to order them. Initial quotes for these items were $63,300 for the boomcutter and $87,500 for the tractor. The two pieces of equipment will be used together for work in Precinct 4.
Meeting Basics
Hopkins County Commissioners Court meetings are held in the Commissioners Courtroom on the first floor of the courthouse at 9 a.m., immediately afterward the court is slated to enter into a work session, to be held in the third floor meeting room at HopkinsCounty Courthouse.
Anyone planning to attend either the special 9 a.m. Commissioner Court session or the work session will need to contact the judge’s office for admittance as the courthouse, like all county and city buildings, is closed to the public except by appointment as a health safety precaution due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Paris District Road Report For The Week Of April 6, 2020
Paris — Here’s a look at planned road work in Paris District during the week of April 6, 2020. These Texas Department of Transportation schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues.
Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sulphur Springs Area
(Hopkins, Franklin Counties)
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
- State Highway 11, Hopkins County: From State Highway 19 to White Oak Creek. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews replace an existing drainage structure; temporary traffic signals will direct traffic.
- State Highway 11, Hopkins County: From 1.5 miles east of FM 3134 to 0.82 miles east of FM 2653. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform milling operations.
- FM 1448, Franklin County: From Wood County Line to FM 115. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews install drainage structures.
- Interstate 30, Hopkins and Franklin Counties: From Titus County Line to Hunt County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
- FM 900, Hopkins County: Interstate 30 to Franklin County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews install drainage structures.
Paris Area
(Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
- US Highway 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to Bowie County Line. Watch for temporary lane closures and traffic shifts while crews extend cross structures and widen pavement to install passing lanes.
- State Highway 37 safety upgrades, Red River County: from the Texas-Oklahoma state line south to the Red River-Franklin County line. Watch for work zones as workers upgrade metal-beam guard fence, replace or extend new structures and install safety end treatments.
Greenville Area
(Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903)455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
- State Highway 66, Hunt County: from near FM 6 to near FM 2642. A project to widen pavement, install continuous left-turn lanes, and safety-treat fixed objects is underway. Please be aware of lane closures and workers in this area. Weather permitting, they will resume work on the last box culvert extension, and widening County Roads 2666 and 2664.
- State Highway 276, Hunt County: at Bull Creek, rip-rap repair project. The contractor is working on replacing concrete rip-rap that has failed along SH 276. The contractor will do partial lane closures intermittently. Please be careful when traveling in the area.
- SPUR 264, Hunt County: in Quinlan. Sidewalk improvement project. The contractor is currently forming up and pouring sidewalks. Please be careful when traveling in the area and watch out for workers.
- Hunt County maintenance crews are working on repairing pot holes throughout Hunt County. Please be careful when driving in areas where our work vehicles are present. Crews are also working on sealcoat preparation.
- Debris and litter operations are ongoing throughout multiple parts of the county. Please be careful when traveling, and watch out for workers.
- US Highway 69 from Stonewall to BU69 is currently undergoing a mill-and-inlay project, please be careful as lane closures are necessary and workers are present in the area.
Sherman Area
(Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
- US Highway 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to State Highway 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures on northbound and southbound US 75 between Center Street and FM 1417 as crews work on building detours. The southbound Travis Street connector ramp onto southbound US 75 was closed permanently. Traffic is being detoured onto the frontage road to Park Avenue. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and Washington Street as crews work on installing temporary signals. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph has been set for this construction project.
- FM 1417, Grayson County: from US Highway 82 to State Highway 56. Watch for daytime lane closures between US 82 and SH 56. Crews will be performing utility work as well as constructing a portion of the new Sand Creek bridge. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
- FM 691, Grayson County: from FM 131/Loy Lake Road to US Highway 75. Watch for traffic shifts as workers widen FM 691 to an ultimate five-lane roadway. The intersection of FM 691 with FM 131/Loy Lake Road has been converted to a four-way stop intersection and will become a signalized intersection at the conclusion of the construction project.
- FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to widen the roadway to provide a detour section. The ultimate roadway will be a five-lane section at the conclusion of the project.
- US Highway 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
- US Highway 75 Ramp Reversal in Denison, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 main lanes and frontage road between Spur 503 and FM 691. Watch for a lane closure on the southbound US 75 frontage road as well as the westbound Spur 503 ramp while construction crews work on building the new southbound US 75 exit ramp for FM 691. During this phase, westbound Spur 503 to southbound US 75 traffic must use the frontage road through the FM 691 intersection and then enter southbound US 75 using the on ramp after FM 691.
- US 75 Slope Repair at Randell Lake Road, on the southbound US 75 frontage road between SH 91 and Randell Lake Road, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 frontage road between SH 91 and Randell Lake Road. The southbound frontage road and Randell Lake exit ramp are closed due to a slope failure. Crews are working to lime treat the soils and place underdrains.
- US Highway 75 Full Depth concrete repair, Grayson County: crews will be working on US 75, weather permitting, each week from Sunday night through Thursday night. Lane closures will be present during the nighttime only in order for crews to replace failed concrete slabs. Lane closures begin at 7:30 p.m. and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m.
- US Highway 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the daytime.
- US Highway 82 and US Highway 69, Grayson County: from FM 131 to FM 1897 on US 82, and from State Highway 56 to US Highway 75 on US 69. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
- Greer Road, Grayson County: just south of FM 901 at Brushy Creek. Greer Road is closed at Brushy Creek in order to remove and build a new bridge. Traffic on Greer Road will need to use an alternate route, such as Sandusky Road, during construction. Construction at this location is expected to be completed the week of April 6, weather dependent.
- Park Road 20, Grayson County: within Eisenhower State Park. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work to blade level the roadway.
- US 377, Grayson County: between FM 902 and the Denton County line. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work to blade level the roadway.
- FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to State Highway 78. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
- FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to State Highway 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
- FM 2815, Fannin County: from FM 1629 to State Highway 11. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
- FM 1743, Fannin County: from State Highway 56 to FM 1550. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
- US Highway 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two lane roadway to a four lane divided section. Watch for a traffic shift near the State Highway 56 intersection in Honey Grove as crews work to build the new westbound lanes. Westbound traffic is being shifted to the eastbound side during this period.
- County Road 3810, Fannin County: at Loring Creek. County Road 3810 is closed at Loring Creek while crews remove and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 3810 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
- County Road 4920, Fannin County: at Indian Creek. County Road 4920 is closed at Indian Creek while crews remove the existing bridge and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 4920 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
- County Road 2998, Fannin County: at Cottonwood Creek. County Road 2998 is closed in order for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 2998 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
- State Highway 78, Fannin County: from US Highway 82 to State Highway 121. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work on performing base repairs.
Meal A Day Menu — April 6-10, 2020
The Senior Citizens Center may be temporarily closed along with Sulphur Springs Public Library and city lobbies due to COVID-19, but the dedicated Meal A Day volunteers continue to work five days a week preparing and delivering meals to shut-ins in the community.
The Meal-A Day Menu for April 6-10, 2020, as reported by Senior Citizens Center Director Karon Weatherman on March 30 includes:
Monday — Chicken and Dressing Casserole, Cranberry Sauce, Malibu Vegetables and a Roll
Tuesday — BBQ Rope Sausage, Baked Beans, Broccoli and Cheese Sauce and a Roll
Wednesday — Meatloaf, Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes and a Roll
Thursday — Chicken and Dumplings, Crackers and Tossed Salad
Friday — Chili Cheese Dogs, Chips and Cole Slaw
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
National Guard To Help Local Community Chest
Local Food Bank Getting Needed Help,
Late Saturday evening, Judy Moore, the Executive Director of the Community Chest, announced that the local food bank will receive much needed assistance from the National Guard. Judy said, “It has been a challenge to keep the food bank doors open in recent weeks. We’ve only had five people and volunteers who have being carrying the weight of our effort, resulting in reducing operational days to just Tuesdays and Thursdays. Several weeks ago, the North Texas Food Bank asked us if we could use help from the National Guard and we jumped at the chance.”
“A five-person team of Guardsmen will arrive Tuesday, April 7th, and begin helping us distribute food,” Moore said. “They will be with us for 30 days and we have already asked for another 15-day extension to give us a cushion to get back on our feet if the situation continues through the end of April.” Moore went on to say that because of the added help the operational days of our food bank will go to Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this coming week, April 7-9, and she hopes the week of 13-16 April will be a Monday through Thursday distribution schedule. Clients will continue the A/B cycles and hours will be between 8-11am and 1-3pm.
Moore explained, “The lines were longer than expected. I’ve been praying for a solution for weeks. The North Texas Food Bank has blessed us by waiving fees for over a month, so we have the food we need we just didn’t have the people. The real heroes in this story are my 5 staff members and volunteers who held it together until help could arrive, the absolutely wonderful people at the Dallas Food Bank, and of course our National Guard!
“Our intent is to continue operating through the COVID-19 pandemic,” Moore said. “We recognize that these times are exactly when our clients need us most. We ask for your patience as we continue servicing Hopkins County.” Families that have experienced lay-offs and need food assistance can call the Community Chest at 903-885-3452, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this coming week, April 7-9, and Monday through Thursday starting the week of 13-16 April, between 8-11am and 1-3pm.
May Elections Must Be Postponed, According To State Elections Official
Cumby, Yantis Schools Have Already Postponed Their Elections Until November
Both Cumby ISD and Yantis ISD postponed elections within the last week, just ahead of the Secretary of State elections officer’s email notifying local election officials that the May 2 elections must be postponed due to the Governor’s Executive Order requiring people to remain at home unless at an essential job or essential tasks such as grocery shopping to reduce the spread of COVID-19
Early voting in May 2 elections is scheduled to start April 20 and continue weekdays through April 28. While election personnel are included in the federal government’s advisory on essential critical infrastructure workers, that does not include voters.
Keith Ingram, director of the Elections Division of the Office of the Secretary of State, explained in the April 2 letter to elections officials that the March 31 Executive Order prevents elections officials from securing polling places, recruiting election workers, and allowing voters a safe way to exercise their right to vote.
Conducting May 2 election would subject voters to health risks and potential criminal violations. Thus, all May 2 elections should be postponed until November due to the COVID-10 pandemic, according to the Secretary of State.
Schools
Cumby ISD Board of Trustees on March 24 voted to postpone the May 2 bond election. The election will now take place on Nov. 3, alongside other national, state and other elections. Early voting for the election will now be conducted Oct. 19-30.
Yantis ISD Board of Trustees conducted a meeting a special March 30 meeting in which they officially postponed the May 2 trustees election until Nov. 3.
City Council
Sulphur Springs and Cumby City Councils also are slated to address the issue of the May 2 council elections at their next meetings. They are expected to postpone them until November as well.
Cumby City Council called a special election to fill two alderman seats. Two candidates each filed for the Place 1 and 2 seats on the council.
The council is slated to take action regarding the election at the next meeting, to be conducted April 14 online.
Sulphur Springs was able to cancel the election for two regular seats on the council, but still has a special election to fill four seats left vacant when four council members resigned in December. Three of the candidates are unchallenged for the places they seat, but Place 1 drew four candidates and Place 5 two candidates.
Sulphur Springs City Council will be asked during their regular meeting on April 7 to approve Resolution No. 1191 postponing the Special Election until Nov. 3. That meeting will be by video or teleconferencing platform to be streamed online starting at 7 p.m.. April 7 for the public to view
