| town_crier_newsletter_for_may_2020.pdf |
|
5 Comments
The latest figure for people who tested positive for COVID-19 virus and a count of those who died of the virus was shown Tuesday morning to be:
Global cases 2,113,226; global deaths 141,454. United States cases 629,264; U.S. deaths 26,708 Texas cases 15,907; Texas deaths 375. Limestone County cases 12; Limestone County deaths 1. These figures are based on (coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html) as of April 16, at 3 p.m. Limestone Medical Center Cares Family Medicine Center, Kosse Community Health Care and Rettig Family Health Care providers continue to see patients while taking all of the necessary precautions to keep our patients and our staff safe from COVID-19. We are following all of the CDC and Department of State Health Services guidelines. We are seeing patients during regular business hours. Patients that identify with symptoms of COVID-19 will be directed to the COVID-19 clinic specifically set up for the coronavirus. Patients are asked to wear masks during their time at the Clinics. If patients already have their own masks please bring. Patients with diabetes, hypertension and other conditions requiring regular visits are encouraged to come in for appointments to stay well. Family Medicine Center (254) 729-3411 Kosse Community Health Clinic (254) 375-7001 AUSTIN- Over half a million Texans have filed unemployment claims in the last 18 days as a result of COVID-19. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will soon outpace the total number of claims received in all of 2019. This unprecedented increase has led to long wait times, overwhelmed call centers and technical issues with the Unemployment Benefit Services portal. TWC staff is working around the clock to expand the capacity to take claims but needs your support. Effective immediately, TWC recommends that Texans stagger their calls and access to the online portal based on applicant’s area codes. “The outbreak of COVID-19 has reminded each of us the importance of acting with others in mind,” said TWC Executive Director Ed Serna. “Just as with the virus, we can treat this problem far more effectively if we work together and space out the demand rather than having everyone call at the same time. I know there are Texans worried about being out of work and missing their paychecks. We keep working until every Texan that needs help gets help. We are asking for you to join the effort.” Effective immediately, TWC asks that Texans use their area code to find their proposed call and access times listed below. See below chart for recommended call and access times:  Texans will not be penalized for a delay due to call or user volume. Claims for individuals affected by COVID-19 are eligible to be backdated. Staggering claims will provide help to reduce frustrations for many Texans and provide better access to needed services.
For more information on COVID-19 and unemployment benefits, visit: https://www.twc.texas.gov/news/covid-19-resources-job-seekers
First COVID-19 death in Limestone County
Limestone County Emergency Management Director Matt Groveton reported at noon that Health Region 7 has reported the county’s first COVID-19 virus death. A Mexia woman in her late 50’s to early 60’s passed away Tuesday, March 31. “It’s suspected that underlying health issue may have contributed to her death,” Groveton reported on the Emergency Management’s Facebook page. The patient was hospitalized in Mexia when she died. “At this point, everyone should know the COVID-19 is an indiscriminate killer,” Groveton said. “Please follow all CDC recommendations … your life depends on it.” Spring Cleanup postponed The Groesbeck Spring 2020 City Wide Cleanup Event that was scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 3 & 4, 2020 has been postponed until further notice due to COVID-19. Governor issues executive order AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday issued an Executive Order implementing Essential Services and Activities Protocols for the entire state of Texas. The protocols direct all Texans to minimize non-essential gatherings and in-person contact with people who are not in the same household. The Governor’s Executive Order renews and amends his previous order enforcing federal social distancing guidelines for COVID-19, including closing schools and instructing Texans to avoid eating or drinking at bars and restaurants. The protocols allow exceptions for essential activities and services based on the Department of Homeland Security’s guidelines on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce. Examples of these essential services include healthcare, grocery stores, banking and financial services, utilities, child care for essential service employees, and government services. Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order implementing “Essential Services and Activities Protocols” for the entire state of Texas. These direct Texans to minimize non-essential gatherings and in-person contact with people that are not in the same household.
The protocols allow exceptions for essential activities and services based on the Department of Homeland Security’s guidelines on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce. Essential services include healthcare, grocery stores, banking and financial services, utilities, child care for essential service employees and government services. The focus of the order is to highlight social distancing guidelines and extend their implementation at least until April 30. The order does not stop Texans from accessing essential services or engaging in essential daily activities, like going to the grocery store or gas station, providing or obtaining other essential services, hunting or fishing, or engaging in physical activity like jogging or bicycling. Anyone engaging in the listed activities should take necessary precautions to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Exemptions for religious services conducted in churches, congregations and houses of worship were also included. All critical infrastructure will remain operational, and government entities and businesses will remain open. “Social distancing is our best tool in the fight against COVID-19, and the actions we have taken thus far have proven to be effective in limiting the spread of this virus,” Abbott said. “Now it is time to redouble our efforts to reduce further exposure as much as possible and flatten the curve.” The order maintains that the public should minimize social gatherings and minimize contact with people who are not in the same household, in addition to rules of avoiding eating or drinking at bars, restaurants, and food courts and visiting gyms or massage establishments. The order was expanded to include tattoo studios, piercing studios and cosmetology salons. Visitors are still prohibited at nursing homes aside from nursing staff, though most residences have options for communications available locally. This includes long-term care facilities and assisted living facilities. Schools will remain closed to in-person attendance through May 4 of this year. The Texas Department of Emergency Management will maintain an online list of essential services specified at www.tdem.texas.gov/essentialservices/. Other essential services will be added as approved. The order will remain in effect until midnight of April 30. Second confirmed case of COVID-19 Limestone now has its second Covid-19 positive confirmation. DSHS Region 7 advised that it is a man in his 60's and that his case was travel related and not the result of local community spread. Leon County announced their first Corona positive on Sunday. Governor takes statewide measures to address COVID-19 issues By Arthur DeVitalis [email protected] Governor Greg Abbott has issued multiple directives and some executive orders over the last moving, in an attempt to clarify the law, create exemptions that work with the general public across the state and implement staff to handle the supply-chain issues faced by increased demand. He directed the Texas Department of State Health Services to allow the sale of bulk retail products from restaurant supply chain distributors directly to consumers. In this way, supplies obtained by owners for previously-anticipated crowds. Said foods must be in original condition, packaging or presented as received by the restaurant. Under this guidance, restaurants will be able to sell items like packaged meat, fruit and vegetables, and dry goods directly to the public to prepare and consume at home. These bulk food items would be available for purchase through restaurants offering drive-thru, delivery, pick-up, and curbside service. The Supply Chain Strike Force secured more than $83 million of purchase orders for essential supplies. Additionally, the Governor announced that the Texas Division of Emergency Management will begin receiving 100,000 masks per day by the end of last week. The SCSF also began receiving 100,000. The state is now receiving more than 1 million statewide. A portal accessible through www.texas.gov serves as the intake process for individuals or groups wanting to provide valid leads on PPE and donations. Volunteers and volunteer professionals, including those with medical skills, can find an outlet here as well. “The State of Texas is rapidly accelerating the purchasing and delivery of essential personal protective equipment and other supplies to aid in our COVID-19 response,” said Governor Abbott. “The Supply Chain Strike Force is working in concert with the Texas Division of Emergency Management to secure these vital resources and to swiftly distribute them to medical professionals, hospitals, and first responders in communities throughout the state. Certain hospital licensing rules and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission also adopted an emergency rule to increase hospital capacities in Texas while the state responds to COVID-19. For certain facilities that have pending licenses or facilities that have been closed for no more than 36 months, facilities can come online under existing hospital building licenses. These facilities will be administered and operated by hospitals with existing licenses. The waivers that remove certain mileage restrictions will allow hospitals to operate additional facilities that are more than 30 miles away from the central hospital. Governor Abbott directed the HHSC to waive certain regulatory requirements regarding facility license renewals. These waivers allow general, special and psychiatric hospitals, free-standing emergency medical facilities and end-stage renal facilities to renew their license without a fire marshal's report. The facilities will still be required to update their records at a later date. The United States Department of Agriculture seeking permission to allow Texas Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program recipients to use their benefits at the take out and drive-through locations. A licensing grace period for Registered Nurses This grace period will allow nurses who are otherwise in good standing to continue practicing and will give them additional time to renew their license without added fees and penalties. If approved, federal Medicaid flexibilities applied for by state officials would include temporarily extending existing prior authorizations for services, extending deadlines for state fair hearings and appeals, allowing services to be performed by telehealth, telemedicine, or telephonic contact, extending current medical necessity, service authorizations and level of care authorizations for Medicaid programs, and allowing the state to waive any requirements that require the signature of a physician, durable medical equipment provider or Medicaid recipient. Streamlining provider enrollment for out-of-state and new providers to increase the number of providers in Texas, which will ensure continued access to care. Provisions also include waiving requirements that health are professionals be licensed in the state in which they are providing services, so long as they have equivalent licensing in another state. Interest-free federal loans, known as Title XII funds, will be utilized to pay unemployment claims. Title XII is a federal process that allows states to receives advance loans from the federal government to continue to cover unemployment benefit payments without disruption. In a request letter to Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia, Governor Abbott authorized the Texas Workforce Commission to officially request access to these additional funds. Department of Labor’s approval would allow Texas to apply for federal loans that would be interest-free through the end of the current calendar year. In the past, TWC received loans then issued bonds to pay them off. The agency has never missed making a payment to an eligible claimant. HHS also announced $250 million in grants from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to help communities provide meals for older adults. Texas received a grant for $16,205,796. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, signed into law by President Trump March 18, provided the additional funding for the nutrition services programs authorized by the Older Americans Act of 1965. These programs provide meals to more than 2.4 million older adults each year, both through home delivery and in places like community centers. The need for these services, particularly home-delivered and packaged meals, has increased as community measures to slow transmission of COVID-19 have closed meal sites and have left many family caregivers unable to assist their older loved ones. Funding has been provided to states, territories, and tribes for subsequent allocation to local meal providers. Grant amounts are determined based on the population-based formulas defined in the Older Americans Act. Older adults who need assistance can contact the Eldercare Locator to find services available in their community. The Eldercare Locator can be reached at 1-800-677-1116 or https://eldercare.acl.gov/. For more information about COVID-19, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. For more information about the Older Americans Act nutrition programs, please visit ACL.gov. Those traveling from specific states must comply with mandatory 14-day quarantines, according to an executive order issued by Abbott. States were altered from the Tri-State area in New York and Louisiana to more states heavily affected, including Miami, California and more. Menus for Kosse's Restaurants are Posted Here! Pick up the phone and place an order. You can pick up a great meal and take it home to enjoy! Click on the menu image to view a printable menu. Links to their Facebook pages and specials are here too.AUSTINS MCCARVER FAMILY STEAKHOUSE (254) 375-2345
  KOSSE CAFE - (254) 375-2274
    KASA KOSSE - (254) 375-2600
    Due to the CoronaVirus crisis, the Kosse Spring Festival scheduled for April 25, 2020 has been postponed.  The 2020 US Census has job openings for Limestone County. $18/hr - Text JOBS 2020 313131, or Apply online  
Tickets are available on Eventbrite.com as Meet Lt. Col. West, by email inquiry to [email protected] or at Southern Grace Gifts, 501 S. Ellis Groesbeck. $50.00 per person. Massey Foundation member ticket price is $25.00. Heavy appetizers and drinks will be served. Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Allen B. West is a Christian constitutional conservative, combat veteran, and former Member of the US Congress. His life has been defined as one of service, sacrifice, and commitment to this Republic, the United States of America. The Republican served in the 22nd Congressional District in the Florida House from 2011 to 2013. In July 2019, West announced his bid for the chairman's position of the Republican Party of Texas in 2020. He is a frequent guest on Fox News. Lt. Col. West believes it will be conservative, free market policies, not politics that secures a sound economic future for Americans – with growth, opportunity and returning the promise of the American dream for this generation and those to come. Saving Texas Values Tee shirts will be available at the event. Limestone Medical Center is pleased to announce the Opening of the new Kosse Community Healthcare Clinic, a Limestone Medical Center Clinic . Walk-ins welcome or call 254-375-7001 for appointments.  The annual Kosse Community Christmas Dinner will be held on Thursday, December 12th starting at 6:30PM. Ham will be served! Bring your favorite side dish or dessert. Also, please bring canned goods for the Kosse Food Bank. For more information call 254-375-2212.  The annual Kosse Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on Thursday, November 14th starting at 6:30PM. Turkey will be served! Bring your favorite side dish or dessert. Also, please bring canned goods for the Kosse Food Bank. For more information call 254-375-2212. 
 Preservation Texas is hosting a Cemetery Restoration Workshop on November 2nd, 2019. We will be teaching our participants to clean grave markers and repair graveside fencing. This workshop will be lead by Jane Ashburn, a PT staff member and trained conservator who has worked in cemeteries in several states, as well as internationally. It will consist of a quick lecture on proper practices, then participants will get to do hands on work. Doughnuts and water will be provided. The workshop is free for members of Preservation Texas, but non-members can join onsite for $10 and become a “Friend of the Farm”.
You can learn more at our facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/events/2598385583515450/ or by going to www.preservationtexas.org/cemeteryworkshop We hope everyone will come and join us, currently we have 25 spots available, but we may open it up to a few more if the need arises.  Kosse residents are invited to a Citywide Celebration on Saturday, October 26 from 6PM-10PM in downtown Kosse.
Help us celebrate Kosse's new Medical Clinic and the new Water System and enjoy free food and snacks, great live music with Raymond Ramirez and the TLC Band and a big fireworks show! Coolers are welcome and don't forget to bring your chairs! Sponsored by the City of Kosse, the LMC Foundation and the Kosse Community Center.  Preservation Texas’ historic Bassett House (1875) and Farmstead at Bassett Farms Conservancy will be open for self-guided tours on the first Saturday of October, November and December 2019, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Visitors will be able to explore the grounds, outbuildings and first floor of the Bassett House. Admission is free but a suggested donation of $5 per person or your new/renewed membership dues will help support ongoing restoration and research initiatives.
The Bassett Farmstead is located at 1343 LCR 667 just northwest of Kosse, Texas. More details will be available soon at www.PreservationTexas.org/BassettHouse If you are interested in volunteering please contact Program Coordinator Jane Ashburn at [email protected] The Kosse water well system is progressing towards a targeted October 1st completion. Pipeline is currently being completed on LCR 706 and will soon be extended under the railroad tracks in Kosse. The water tank was recently erected at the well site. This is exciting news for Kosse as completion of this seven-year project is now in sight!  |
City News Archives
December 2024
Categories |
||||||||
RSS Feed