Hopkins County United Way Campaign Off To Great Start After 1st Report Meeting
Hopkins County United Way’s 2020-2021 campaign is off to a “great start,” according to Campaign Chair Mike Horne. At the conclusion of the first report meeting Tuesday morning, Horne announced $20,156.18 of the $150,000 campaign goal had been raised. Additional donations came in shortly thereafter, raising the total to $20,406.18.
Several businesses and a few local elected officers were recognized for making contributions to this year’s campaign. No individual amounts donated were announced, nor whether the goal set for each was met this year. HCUW officers this year also made the decision that they will not post a “100% Club” this year either.
The HCUW officers this year also noted an upcoming “give back” event at Panda Express on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Guests need to present a copy of the flyer (see below) or show a digital version of the flyer when ordering. A code must be entered for all online orders.
“We are grateful for the opportunity they have given us to raise money for Hopkins County United Way!” HCUW chair Susan Berning said.
Hopkins County campaign report meetings will be conducted at Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Office, at 9 a.m.:
- Tuesday, Oct. 13
- Tuesday, Oct. 20
- Tuesday, Oct. 27
- Wednesday, Nov. 4
- Tuesday, Nov. 10
Sexual Assault Trial Begins Tuesday Morning In District Court
The trial of 29-year-old Denzel Dredon Jackson got under way Tuesday morning, Oct. 6, at Hopkins County Civic Center, which is serving as the 8th Judicial District Courtroom to allow room for social distancing.
Jackson is accused of aggravated sexual assault of his girlfriend, who is also the mother of two of his children. District Attorney Will Ramsay, assisted by Zach Blackmon, is the prosecutor in the case. Gabriel Ogueri, assisted by Petus Nwoke, is the attorney for the defense. The offense is alleged to have occurred on May 24, 2019.
Jackson has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest on Friday, June 27, 2019, on the aggravated sexual assault charge, according to jail reports.
A jury panel, which includes 2 alternates, was selected Monday, Oct. 5, at the Civic Center. The trial began Tuesday morning, Oct. 6, with opening statements, and is expect to continue through Thursday.
Ramsay, in his opening remarks, said he expects testimony and evidence to show a history of violence between Jackson and his girlfriend, with whom he had lived more than once during their 6-year relationship. Ramsay said he expects the jury to hear about passion, violence, sex and manipulation.
Ogueri in his opening statements said while the jury may hear stories of things reported to have happened in 2013, 2018 through today. The trial in progress is for the offense alleged to have occurred in Hopkins County only, not offenses alleged to have occurred in Dallas or elsewhere on a prior date, Ogueri told the jury. He said he expects the evidence will show “he did not make her do something she was not predisposed to do.”
The defendant’s longtime girlfriend testified Tuesday. Ramsay asked her about her relationship with Jackson. She testified to violence within a month of the defendant moving in with her at her Dallas residence in 2013, and other arguments involving physical altercations because of finances and her not wanting to have sex with him since then. She was still testifying just before 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Take “Prescription Nature” at Our Texas State Parks!
“Prescription Nature – How Cooper Lake State Park and Other Texas State Parks can Help Make You Happier and Healthier”
by Steve Killian, Cooper Lake State Park Complex Superintendent
As I wander through the post oak canopied forest on my four-mile Coyote Run Trail hike at Cooper Lake State Park, I’m taken with a sense of well-being and a release from my daily worries. The multiple hues of green, the chattering of a gray squirrel, the foraging of the nine-banded armadillo in the leaf litter, the white-tailed doe and her two fawns that cross the trail in front of me, the multiple species of song birds singing a chorus in the trees, plus my physical exertion all intertwine and set the backdrop for this most satisfying experience. Is this a normal / natural occurrence for those experiencing nature? Well, yes, developing research says this actually is a common reaction to immersion in nature. Let’s explore what scientists are discovering through research on the topic and what poets and philosophers have known for eons about these personal experiences in natural wild places – they touch the soul and uplift the spirit!
We all strive to be our best and we are always looking for that magic pill to help us lose weight, feel better, be happier, be more productive, and live longer. What if I told you that you could begin to see changes in these positive directions by beginning a journey into nature? Could it be that simple? Many scientists are beginning to say YES! After reading the book, The Nature Fix by Florence Williams, I began my deep dive into this fascinating life changing subject. So let’s get started and explore the science.
We Americans are spending many more hours trapped indoors, in our vehicles more than ever before. A recent review of data from a smartphone app called Mappiness showed this unsettling fact with only 7% of our time spent outside of our confinements. American and British children spend 50% less time outdoors than their parents. We humans have developed over the eons spending 99.9% of our time outside. We are wired for nature and not a sterile indoor environment. There is an epidemic of chronic ailments such as obesity, diabetes, ADHD, depression, myopia, and vitamin D deficiency mitigated conditions just to name a few. Our lack of access to the outdoors has dramatically reduced our health. For the first time since the modern era of medicine, we are actually seeing a decrease in life expectancy even with all the “miracles of medicine.” We are moving less and getting less natural light which has serious health consequences for the brain and body.
What can a walk in the woods do for you? Research has shown that we need at least 30 minutes of daily walking that elevates the heart rate to begin to see positive health benefits, especially cardiovascular. Dr. Art Kramer, neuroscientist from the University of Illinois, has shown that exercise protects the brain from cognitive decline associated with aging. Are all walks / exercise equal? Studies have shown that those walking in nature result in a significant reduction in circular negative thoughts as opposed to a walk in a built landscape. Dr. Miyazaki, Chiba University, a Japanese scientist, in a research paper in 2011, concluded that walking on a forest trail can reduce stress in the body. In addition, Dr. Rachel Kaplan from the University of Michigan, has shown individuals who walk in nature show less anxiety and clearer thinking. Nature makes us humans happier and smarter! Liisa Tyrvainen, Natural Resources Institute of Finland, through her research has concluded that positive mood and a reduction in depression is accrued with a minimum of five hours per month in a natural place. She has also found that the relationship seems to be dose dependent with ten hours a month showing even better neurological benefits. A few doctors are now even beginning to prescribe “a walk in nature” as opposed to Xanax or other mood-altering drugs as a course of action for motivated patients. Positive biological pathways are in place that seem to become active when we are hiking a trail by regulating our autonomic nervous system to settle to a calming state of being. Nature immersion also works indirectly to facilitate meaningful moments of sharing between friends hiking a trail and even encouraging you to continue to exercise longer than in an indoor exercise facility.
Nature has additional benefits even if you are not being physically active at every moment when you’re in a park. When is the last time you stopped and watched a beautiful sunset or sunrise across a lake, stood on the edge of a cliff, gazed at a waterfall, watched waves crashing on the beach, observed twin fawns suckling their mom, viewed the heavens where the night sky were awash with hundreds of thousands of stars…? These magical, amazing, goose-bump generating experiences are what we call AWE. Awe is a concept of experiencing something immense and outside what is commonplace. The presence of something vast that challenges our understanding of the world. We feel transcended and part of something bigger with awe. Awe is a powerful positive emotion like love, joy, contentment, and amusement that we don’t get enough of, especially with our indoor sedentary lives. Awe is maybe the most misunderstood positive emotion. Awe from nature has an amazing ability to lower stress, make us more cooperative, giving, happier, and improve our overall feeling of well-being. Our 89 Texas State Parks are all amazing in their own special ways with awe-inspiring landscapes!
I have just touched on a fraction of the benefits of hiking and walking in a Texas State Park, National Park, or natural county or city park can offer. Specifically, how can you get started where you are? Cooper Lake State Park has a vast number of trails through the forest. We have trails for all fitness levels. The Cedar Creek Trail at our Doctors Creek Unit is short and flat with very little vertical relief. These trails are perfect for those just getting into the natural fitness experience. The Coyote Run Trail at the South Sulphur Unit is longer and more physically challenging than the Cedar Creek Trail. The Coyote Run Trail is probably my favorite trail with just enough distance at 4.6 miles and vertical relief to be moderately challenging. Our equestrian trails at the South Sulphur Unit are vast with about 15 miles of winding, relief rich, tree canopied goodness. If you plan on hiking most of these trails in a day, this would be considered the most challenging trail experience we offer. The key here is consistency. Make it a point to schedule your time weekly to get outside into the natural landscape found at Cooper Lake State Park. Both the South Sulphur and Doctors Creek Units at Cooper Lake State Park can be your core workout location while mixing in other local Texas State Parks, natural county and city parks, plus other trails such as the Northeast Texas Trail that runs from Farmersville to New Boston with multiple amazing segments to experience. Exercising in nature can make you happier, healthier, smarter, and more creative! Now it is up to you to begin you own personal journey of health and discovery. Enjoy your hike!
Several Texas State Parks in the region ready to host your physical exploration!
- Atlanta State Park
- Caddo Lake State Park
- Cooper Lake State Park
- Daingerfield State Park
- Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
- Cedar Hill State Park
- Ray Roberts Lake State Park
- Martin Creek Lake State Park
- Purtis Creek State Park
- Lake Tawakoni State Park
- Tyler State Park
3rd Annual Jake Wilson Memorial Lake Fork Bass Tournament is October 10
All ages are welcome at this one-day Open amateur bass tournament to begin at 7am on Saturday October 10, 2020 at The Minnow Bucket Marina on Lake Fork. Prizes? There are 11 payouts, including the Biggest Bass prize of $500. Events for the kids? Yes! The free Kidfish is from 10am til 12 noon. A food trailer will be on site if you get the hungries. And because you love to fish, it’s good to know that at this tournament, you’re fishing for a good cause. Proceeds benefit scholarships for area Senior high school student members of school fishing teams, and to various Christian organizations for children. And, if you’re not fishing that day but would like to watch the excitement, feel free to drop in! For more information, check out our Facebook page and our website jakecwilson.com and find out about the Jake C. Wilson Memorial Foundation Inc. And feel free to phone organizer Diane Wilson at 972-567-5215. From Diane, thank you to the many sponsors and this year’s tournament partner, Applied Consultants. Come spend Saturday October 10 with us on beautiful Lake Fork! To help keep everyone safe, we will have sanitizers for all visitors on the grounds and at tournament headquarters!
The Jake Wilson Memorial Bass Tournament was organized to celebrate the life and legacy of Jake Charles Wilson. Jake passed from this life to the next on August 30th, 2017. He loved the Lord and cherished his children. Jake had a passion for fishing, hunting and singing. He served the Lord with all his heart. In his 34 short years he served as a Children’s Pastor, worked in the Prison Ministry, and led Praise and worship on Sundays. Jake was well respected in the Gas Pipeline Industry, making many friends he came to consider family. We thank the Lord for the relationship we had with Jake and the lasting impact he made in our lives. Until we are reunited in Heaven let us lift others up and choose to speak words of life daily!
Oct. 5 Hopkins County COVID-19 Update: 7 New Cases, 17 Recoveries
While the number of COVID-19 cases increased over the weekend, so did the number of recoveries, according to the Oct. Hopkins County COVID-19 update from Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials. While no new COVID-19 deaths were announced Oct. 5, one of the 13 deaths previously reported was identified as a nursing home resident, according to Texas Health and Human Services’ Oct. 5 nursing home report.
HC/SSEM Reports for Hopkins County
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials received notification from about 2:30 p.m. Oct. 2 to about 3 p.m. Oct. 5 of 7 new cases and 17 COVID-19 recoveries.
That’s 27 new cases and 31 recoveries reported from Oct. 1 to Oct. 5, higher than the first 5 days of September, when only 9 new cases and 6 recoveries had been reported, and less than during Aug. 1-5, when 32 residents received positive COVID-19 test results and 37 Hopkins County residents had recovered from COVID-19. August concluded with 89 total new cases and 97 recoveries. September was a record month for COVID-19 cases with a total of 118 new cases diagnosed and 87 recoveries reported.
The Oct. 5 case counts reduced the overall active case count among Hopkins County residents to 74 active cases. It also increased the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases reported since March to 388 and the raised cumulative number of Hopkins County residents who have recovered from COVID-19 since March to 314, according to the HC/SSEM Oct. 5 Hopkins County COVID-19 report.
The HC/SSEM officials reported there were nine patients in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs, the same as on Oct. 2.
An additional 114 COVID-19 tests were conducted on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2-3, at the free testing site, located at 128-A Jefferson St., in the parking lot behind Hopkins County Tax Assessor/Collector and the Justices of the Peace Offices. That’s 398 COVID-19 molecular swab tests performed since free testing was offered at that site on Sept. 25.
Free COVID-19 testing will continue at the location from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Preregister at GoGetTested.com. Walk-ups are also welcome. There are no requirements for testing.
HC/SSEM reported they’d been notified of 7 additional positive COVID-19 antigen results for Hopkins County residents from tests conducted in Hopkins County facilities, increasing the total number of positive antigen tests conducted from Sept. 25-2:30 p.m. Oct 2at local facilities to 42. Antigen test results do not count toward state numbers (reflected above) as those are based on molecular results only, nor will they be shown as recovered, according to the data from the Local Health Authority.
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom acknowledged that September overall was a more difficult month for two groups of residents based on case counts.
“The elderly have really been affect this last month, and children have also been affected,” Newsom said, referring to changes in those categories based on cumulative age breakdowns from all COVID-19 patients. The LHA provides cumulative age statistics of all Hopkins County COVID-19 patients approximately every 2 weeks.
Hopkins County Emergency Management Coordinator Andy Endsley said some increases were anticipated with the start of the fall semester at local schools and increases in COVID-19 testing.
Those results are being reported by each school district as required to affected communities. Texas Department of State Health Services in conjunction with Texas Education Agency as of last week began what is expected to be weekly reporting of COVID-19 cases counts at school districts.
State COVID-19 Reports for Hopkins County
So far this month, Texas Department of State Health Services has reported 5 additional COVID-19 fatalities for Hopkins County; the deaths occurred in September. COVID-19 deaths since July are based strictly on cause of death as reported by on official death certificates submitted to the state Vital Statistics office. Cases and dates of death are released as they are reported to the state.
Three new deaths were announced Oct. 1 and two on Oct. 3. All 5 Hopkins County deaths are reported to have occurred in September: 2 on Sept. 22 and one each on Sept. 24, Sept. 25 and Sept. 28., according to DSHS. That makes September the second worst month for COVID-19 deaths, so far. Six Hopkins County residents were reported to have died in August. Overall, that’s 13 Hopkins County COVID-19 deaths reported by DSHS since July, which amounts to 3.3 percent of the total deaths reported in Hopkins County since March.
Judge Newsom reiterated that county emergency management officials are not notified individually by the state regarding COVID-19 deaths. They only see what is posted on the DSHS/HHS website regarding county COVID-19 deaths.
Hopkins County officials have, however, requested additional information from the state regarding deaths, including death certificate statistics of Hopkins County residents reported to have died from COVID-19. As of lunch time Monday, county emergency management officials reported had yet to receive any additional information.
One COVID-19 fatality was reported to be a resident of a Sulphur Springs nursing home, according to the Oct. 5 HHS nursing facilities report, which reflects data as of Sept. 21.
Two additional facilities on Sept. 21 were added to the list of Sulphur Springs nursing homes reported to have active employee COVID-19 cases, and a third facility continued to have both active employee and resident cases, including 1 resident death, according to the HHS report.
Carriage House Manor on Sept. 18 was reported to have 21 active employee cases, 6 additional employee recoveries, 15 active resident cases and 3 resident recoveries. On Sept. 21 (the latest data released by HHS for nursing facilities), Carriage House reported 23 cumulative employee cases, 18 of which are still active; and 28 cumulative resident cases, including 23 active cases and 4 recoveries.
Sunny Springs Nursing & Rehab and Sulphur Springs Health and Rehabilitation on Sept. 21 were reported to have two active employee cases each. That brings Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab’s cumulative total to 5, as the facility previously had three employees who battled COVID-19.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission in the Oct. 5 assisted living facility report showed 1 employee at Wesley House had tested positive for COVID-19 on Sept. 21. That is the only active case reported for the facility as of Sept. 21; Wesley House in the past had 4 employees and 7 residents who tested positive to COVID-19, but all 11 have long since recovered, according to the HHS report.
No active COVID-19 cases were reported among either employees or students at child care facilities in Hopkins County as of Oct. 4, according to the HHS report.
Local Emergency Management Efforts
Endsley said city and county officials continue to monitor the situation and are regularly taking steps in regard to COVID-19. For instance they are preparing to receive and distribute personal protective equipment to local entities. For instance, they expect to distribute 30,000 N95 masks and 40,000 surgical masks to a number of locations, including first responders.
The HC/SSEM also is available to help distribute PPE to nursing home facilities and are also prepared to assist facilities of that type in anyway they can, according to Endsley.
An additional precautionary measure being take a requirement for social distancing at public events, such limited capacity at school and organized sports games, the Dutch over cookoff and Indian Summer day held over the weekend, and the upcoming Hopkins County Stew Contest which will be a drive-through event this year, except for the allowed on-site cooks and helpers.
Endsley said even a little league football game was moved to a bigger venue, thanks to the school district, so there could be more social distancing among the crowd.
Local officials also helped 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt work out logistics to hold jury selection Monday (Oct. 5) and jury trials through Thursday in the high-ceiling 7,500-square foot banquet rooms at Hopkins County Civic Center, in order to better social distance during court proceedings, according to Endsley. According to the court docket three cases were set for jury selection on Oct. 5.
Jury Proceeding Operating Plan for Court
This required approval of the operating plan by a regional administrative judicial judge, not more than 5 days in advance, according to the jury proceedings addendum to COVID-19 operating plan for the Hopkins County Judiciary effective Oct. 1. Face coverings will be required at all times unless the person meets the CDC and DSHS exceptions in common areas of the courthouse, including the courtroom or any other location used to conduct a jury trial. Anyone entering the building who will be participating in proceedings (no observers) will be provided with a face shield or face coverings from jury qualification through the end of the trial.
Social distancing is required at all times. Alternate jurors are encouraged as a precaution. The Sheriff’s Posse will assist with crowd control to ensure compliance with necessary social distancing throughout the trial.
Microphones are to be cleaned between uses and shared use limited, with disposable covers on shared mics changed between users.
Physical exhibits and evidence are to be as limited as possible, with single-use gloves provided and worn when handling these items. Exhibits and evidence are to be digital when possible, according to the jury operating plan addendum.
Any food provided must be in individual portions such as boxed meals.
Shared spaces are to be cleaned during transitions of space usage, such as witness stands and gallery seating. Jury seating will be assigned to reduce potential transmission and are to be frequently cleaned.
11 Additional COVID-19 Cases Reported For Sulphur Springs ISD
Eleven additional COVID-19 cases were reported for Sulphur Springs ISD from Sept. 30-Oct. 5, according to notification sent by administrators to families, students, teachers and staff. That increases the overall counts released by SSISD to at least 14 employees and 16 students who have been on campus and tested positive for COVID-19 since school began on Sept. 1.
The district on Sept. 30 reported three high school students were present on the school campus during the previous week had tested positive for COVID-9. On Oct. 5, three additional students and two staff members at SSHS were reported to have tested positive for COVID-19; they were on campus the previous week.
Also on Oct. 5, two staff members at the middle school were reported to have tested positive for COVID-19; they were on the SSMS campus the previous week.
One staff member at Barbara Bush Primary was reported Oct. 5 to have tested positive for novel coronavirus 2019. The individual was reported to have been present on the campus within the last week.
The Sept. 30 and Oct. 5 notifications are in addition to the 20 student and 13 school employee cases included in the Sept. 30 school COVID-19 case counts releases by Texas Department of State Health Services. The state released the following regarding COVID-19 cases from July 27-Sept. 27 for SSISD: 4 cases for early education through third grade, 2 cases for grades 4-6, 14 cases grades 7-12 and 13 staff cases. The state numbers include reports made by the school district to Texas Education Agency of students, teachers or staff members who participated in any on-campus activity who had tested positive for COVID-19 through Sept. 27. Antibody tests, which indicate a previous infection, are not required to be reported, according to TEA and DSHS.
SSISD Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams, in the notifications sent to the campus students, employees and teachers on Sept. 30 and Oct. 5, reported that SSISD staff and the local health department begin a case investigation anytime they are notified of a positive COVID-19 case on campus. They will contact any individuals determined to be in close contact with the infected individual. All students and staff who came into close contact with the COVID-19 positive individual will be directly notified as soon as possible. Those who were determined to have been in close contact will remain off campus for up to 14 days to ensure they do not have the virus, to help reduce potential for any further spread.
Lady Cats Volleyball Team Struggles At Texas High Friday In 3-0 District Loss
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team lost what turned out to be their district opener to Texas High in Texarkana Friday, October 2, 3-0. The Lady Tigers won the first set, 25-19 and, then came out on top in two squeakers, getting by the Lady Cats, 28-26 and 28-26.
Lady Cats Coach Bailey Dorner was disappointed in the way her team played the entire match.
With the loss, the Lady Cats are 0-1 in district play and 3-6 for the season. The Lady Cats have lost four matches in a row. The Texas High match was supposed to be the Lady Cats’ second district match but, a scheduled home match against Mount Pleasant last Tuesday had to be postponed because of illness at Mount Pleasant on their varsity.
This week, the Lady Cats will have three home district matches, including a make up match with Mount Pleasant. Tuesday, the Lady Cats play host to the Marshall Lady Mavericks at 6:30 p.m. Then, Friday, the Lady Cats are scheduled to play a district doubleheader at home. First the Lady Cats face Pine Tree at 4 p.m. At the conclusion of that match, the Lady Cats will have their make up match with Mount Pleasant. It’s a big week for the Lady Cats.
Cross Country Results: Lady Cats Finish 3rd, Wildcats 5th At Mount Pleasant Meet
The Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country Teams competed Friday, October 2, at the Titus County Invitational in Mount Pleasant. The Lady Cats placed third and the Wildcats were fifth. Sulphur Springs Cross Country Coach Ross Hicks billed the event as a district preview. The Lady Cats had just one district team ahead of them, Hallsville. Royse City was also ahead of the Lady Cats but they are not a district team. The Wildcats trailed district foes Mount Pleasant, Longview, Hallsville and Pine Tree.
For the Lady Cats, freshman Haylee Shultz finished in 3rd place. Sophomore Laney Hurst was 9th. Senior Kenia Herrera was 12th. Sophomore Rebekah Stanley was 17th. Sophomore Emily Soto was 22nd. Sophomore Allison Peckham was 26th.
For the Wildcats, senior Camden Fuller was 10th, junior Evan Patrick was 19th, Jose Mejia was 20th, sophomore Hector Hernandez was 30th, junior Alex Flecker was 36th and junior Johnathan Scott was 39th.
Coach Hicks has added a meet this week in what was expected to be an open week. The Wildcats and Lady Cats will compete in a Eustace meet on Thursday.
Wildcats Team Tennis Cancels Pair Of Matches Due To Illness
The Wildcats Team Tennis Squad canceled meets Saturday, Oct. 3, and this Tuesday due to illness. The Wildcats were supposed to play at Van Saturday and at Pleasant Grove on Tuesday but, again, those matches were canceled.
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez said he felt his team had earned a playoff spot after a big win at Pine Tree last Tuesday.
Next, the Wildcats are scheduled to play a home district match against a strong Hallsville team next Tuesday.
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.
Portion of Main Street Closed Tuesday
Main Street at Goodman and Fore Street in Sulphur Springs, TX will be closed on Tuesday October 6th, 2020. The intersection of those streets and the railway crossing will be under construction.
The Highway Department will be reworking the intersection. Traffic is encouraged to plan ahead and take alternate routes to avoid delays and congestion.
Parents and staff traveling to Travis Primary School may be especially affected. People normally traveling east on Main Street might consider Houston for travel to downtown. League to Lee street might be a better route for travel to Broadway north of I-30.
