Editor: Shannon Cottongame August 25, 2022 The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released 2022 A–F accountability ratings for districts and campuses last week, the first to be issued since 2019 due to two years of COVID-related pauses. Whitney Independent School District (ISD) received a C rating overall, with each campus receiving a C except the high … Continue reading ISDs receive 2022 TEA accountability ratings
Tag: COVID-19
Hill Regional Hospital hosting 1-day COVID-19 vaccine clinic
June 16, 2022 News release submitted by Hill Regional Hospital Hill Regional Hospital will be conducting a one-day only COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic on Thursday, June 30. The time will be from 2-4 p.m., and registration for either the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines will be taken now for this event. The Silver Connections office will be … Continue reading Hill Regional Hospital hosting 1-day COVID-19 vaccine clinic
Whitney ISD on the mend after spike in COVID cases
Reporter: Ellie Mahan February 23, 2022 The Whitney ISD Board of Trustees met Monday, February 14, in a regular session to discuss the 2020-2021 annual report, hear administrator reports and review other business. It was also announced that the district will use the scheduled bad weather makeup day Monday, May 16, to replace the day … Continue reading Whitney ISD on the mend after spike in COVID cases
Hill, Bosque jobless rates down in December
Editor: Shannon Cottongame February 2, 2022 Hill County's unemployment rate decreased from 4.3 percent in November to 4 percent in December, according to data released recently by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). December's rate was down significantly from the December 2020 figure of 5.9 percent, when the county was being more severely impacted by the … Continue reading Hill, Bosque jobless rates down in December
Covington ISD students out this week
Editor: Shannon Cottongame January 26, 2022 Covington Independent School District announced Friday, January 21, that its campuses would be closed Monday, January 24, through Friday, January 28, due to illnesses and staff shortages. The district was already scheduled to be out Thursday and Friday for the county fair. All campus games, competitions and performances are … Continue reading Covington ISD students out this week
WISD discusses COVID-19 protocol, benchmark data
Reporter: Ellie Mahan January 19, 2022 The Whitney ISD Board of Trustees met Monday, January 10, in a regular session to discuss COVID-19 quarantine protocols, review benchmark data and hear administrator reports. In honor of school board appreciation month, for the January meeting, the board room was decorated with handmade posters for the board members, … Continue reading WISD discusses COVID-19 protocol, benchmark data
COVID-19 cases rapidly increase in Hill County
Editor: Shannon Cottongame January 19, 2022 A rapid rise in COVID-19 cases is causing closures and disrupting normal operations at schools and businesses throughout the county. As of Friday, January 14, the county had recorded 496 positive cases over the previous 14-day period, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). A week … Continue reading COVID-19 cases rapidly increase in Hill County
County seeing surge in COVID-19 cases as omicron variant spreads
Editor: Shannon Cottongame January 12, 2022 Local officials report that Hill County is experiencing an increase in COVID-19 cases as the state is dealing with the rapidly spreading omicron variant. The Department of State Health Services COVID-19 tracker was estimating 307 active cases of the virus in the county as of Sunday, January 9, up … Continue reading County seeing surge in COVID-19 cases as omicron variant spreads
Hill Regional’s new vaccine clinic days, booster criteria
Submitted by Hill Regional Hospital January 12, 2022 Effective immediately, Hill Regional Hospital has moved its COVID-19 vaccine clinic to Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. We would appreciate your making an appointment online by visiting the website, http://www.hillregionalhospital.com. After choosing to make an appointment for a new vaccine or a booster, when you enter … Continue reading Hill Regional’s new vaccine clinic days, booster criteria
Hill County commissioners meet in final 2021 session
Editor: Shannon Cottongame January 5, 2022 The Hill County Commissioners Court considered agenda items related to county construction projects in a meeting held Tuesday, December 28. Commissioners approved a contract with ICE Construction for the new Extension Office that will be constructed at the Hill County Fairgrounds. If the contract is approved by the company, … Continue reading Hill County commissioners meet in final 2021 session
County’s test site opening at new location
Editor: Shannon Cottongame January 5, 2022 The free COVID-19 testing facility that has been operated at the Hill County Fairgrounds has moved to a new location and will reopen Thursday, January 6. When the facility opens this week, testing will be offered in a drive-thru format at the former Hillsboro Elementary School site on Jane … Continue reading County’s test site opening at new location
Mission Hillsboro Medical Clinic to see patients Saturday morning
Editor: Shannon Cottongame December 15, 2021 Mission Hillsboro Medical Clinic, located at 120 East Franklin Street in Hillsboro, will be open Saturday, December 18. Registration begins at 6 a.m. This is a half-day clinic, and the number to be seen will be limited. All patients are required to wear a mask that covers the nose … Continue reading Mission Hillsboro Medical Clinic to see patients Saturday morning
Hill County doctors provide answers to frequent COVID-19 vaccine questions
By Dr. James Earhart, Ascension Medical Group Providence November 17, 2021 We are local physicians and nurse practitioners who live and work here in our community. Many of you may know our names or know us personally, as we may have taken care of you or your loved ones over the years. You see us … Continue reading Hill County doctors provide answers to frequent COVID-19 vaccine questions
New vaccine schedules at Hill Regional
Submitted by Hill Regional Hospital October 20, 2021 In the continuing increased interest of people wishing to receive a booster shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) vaccine, and for those who desire a first or second vaccine of either the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson shots, Hill Regional Hospital is continuing to offer our vaccine … Continue reading New vaccine schedules at Hill Regional
Local residents discuss how COVID-19 pandemic has affected mental health
Reporter: Ellie Mahan October 20, 2021 Four in ten American adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder during the pandemic, an increase from the one in ten adults who reported these symptoms in 2019, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation study. The stress adults feel can be reflected in their children’s mental health. Local … Continue reading Local residents discuss how COVID-19 pandemic has affected mental health
County’s free clinic to be open Saturday
Editor: Shannon Cottongame October 13, 2021 Mission Hillsboro Medical Clinic (MHMC) will see patients Saturday, October 16, during a half-day clinic. Sign-in begins at 6 a.m. To be seen inside the clinic by a doctor and for lab draws, patients must show a COVID vaccination card at the time of sign-in. Phone calls will be … Continue reading County’s free clinic to be open Saturday
COVID numbers still trending down locally
Editor: Shannon Cottongame October 13, 2021 Numbers received at the county level Friday, October 8, show that new cases of COVID-19 continue to be on a downward trend in Hill County. Two-week data shows that between September 23 and October 7, there were 77 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Hill County. Two-week data released … Continue reading COVID numbers still trending down locally
COVID-19 numbers trending down, new fatalities reported
Editor: Shannon Cottongame September 29, 2021 Data received at the county level Friday, September 24, showed that 142 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Hill County over the previous two weeks. That number is down from the 176 cases that were reported in the two-week data released the previous Friday. Over the past month, … Continue reading COVID-19 numbers trending down, new fatalities reported
Updated information released about vaccines at Hill Regional
Submitted by Tricia Shelton, Hill Regional Hospital September 29, 2021 This news release about COVID-19 vaccinations contains the latest information from the FDA and CDC at this time, as of September 24. “At this time” is the caveat for this article.The following is information for those who received the Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) vaccine series and wish … Continue reading Updated information released about vaccines at Hill Regional
Free clinic to offer flu shots in October
Editor: Shannon Cottongame September 29, 2021 Flu shots will be available October 4 and October 16, according to Mission Hillsboro Medical Clinic (MHMC) officials. Weather permitting, the flu shots will be available beginning at 8 a.m. outside the clinic facility due to the current COVID-19 situation in Hill County. Mission Hillsboro Medical Clinic will not … Continue reading Free clinic to offer flu shots in October
Free COVID-19 testing center returns to Hill County this week
Editor: Shannon Cottongame September 15, 2021 A free COVID-19 testing center is once again operating in Hillsboro this week as the latest surge in cases has caused long lines at some testing facilities. "We have been looking for additional COVID-19 testing resources for Hill County for some time," said Hill County Judge Justin Lewis Saturday, … Continue reading Free COVID-19 testing center returns to Hill County this week
MHMC closed to in-person services Saturday
Submitted by Mission Hillsboro Medical Clinic Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Hill County, Mission Hillsboro Medical Clinic will not be open for face-to-face patient care Saturday, September 18. Patients are asked to call 254-479-1489 for questions and/or refills. Callers should leave their name, date of birth, phone number and a short message. … Continue reading MHMC closed to in-person services Saturday
Whitney, Aquilla ISDs update COVID-19 protocols as uptick in cases continues
Editor: Shannon Cottongame September 8, 2021 Local school districts have updated COVID-19 protocols after the Texas Education Agency (TEA) released new guidance and as cases continue to rise. Whitney ISD will now require that students and staff members who live with someone confirmed to have COVID-19 quarantine for 10 days unless … Continue reading Whitney, Aquilla ISDs update COVID-19 protocols as uptick in cases continues
Hill County commissioners discuss COVID-19, budget
Editor: Shannon Cottongame September 1, 2021 The Hill County Commissioners Court met in a regular session Tuesday, August 24, and continued discussing the latest COVID-19 surge, the county budget for the coming fiscal year and other regular business. In his comments to the court, County Judge Justin Lewis reiterated the seriousness of the current situation … Continue reading Hill County commissioners discuss COVID-19, budget
Bosque County officials provide update on COVID-19 surge
Editor: Shannon Cottongame September 1, 2021 The Bosque County Emergency Management office released an update Friday, August 27, amid the latest increase in COVID-19 cases. The most serious issue the county is currently facing is finding intensive care unit (ICU) beds for seriously ill patients. "This also means if you have a heart attack or … Continue reading Bosque County officials provide update on COVID-19 surge
Area officials warn that hospital transfers are becoming difficult
Editor: Shannon Cottongame August 25, 2021 The latest surge of COVID-19 cases is straining the resources of medical facilities throughout the area and the state. Hill County Judge Justin Lewis said Friday, August 20, that he had been informed that with elective surgeries canceled, Hill Regional Hospital's pre-op area was being used to care for … Continue reading Area officials warn that hospital transfers are becoming difficult
State denies Hill County’s request for free testing site
Editor: Shannon Cottongame August 18, 2021 Hill County's request for the return of a free COVID-19 testing center has been denied by the state amid the latest increase in cases. Hill County Judge Justin Lewis said that the county was told it would be responsible for paying for the site, and that cost was approximately … Continue reading State denies Hill County’s request for free testing site
COVID-19 cases rising, local vaccination rates up slightly
Editor: Shannon Cottongame August 11, 2021 The number of reported COVID-19 cases continues to climb in Hill County and the state as the delta variant fuels a spike in new cases. While there was little change in the area's vaccination rates over the summer, the latest wave of cases seems to be leading to a … Continue reading COVID-19 cases rising, local vaccination rates up slightly
County requests return of COVID-19 testing site with new cases rising
Editor: Shannon Cottongame August 4, 2021 Hill County Judge Justin Lewis reported last week that he has requested that the state once again provide funding for COVID-19 testing as the numbers continue to rise. “Currently, there is not a place in Hill County to get tested without a doctor’s order. We anticipate doing the testing … Continue reading County requests return of COVID-19 testing site with new cases rising
Hill Regional Hospital Celebrates one-year anniversary
Hill Regional Hospital Employees Gather To Celebrate One Year Under New Ownership Submitted by Hill Regional Hospital August 4, 2021 Raji Kumar, CEO of Hill Regional Hospital, saw the importance of having a community hospital for Hill County and the vital role it plays in the health and welfare for people living in the area. … Continue reading Hill Regional Hospital Celebrates one-year anniversary
COVID-19 numbers rising, remain below peak levels
Editor: Shannon Cottongame July 28, 2021 While the local area and the state remain in much better condition than they were earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic, a recent rise in case numbers and the increasing spread of the highly contagious delta variant indicate that the virus remains a threat. Numbers received at the county level … Continue reading COVID-19 numbers rising, remain below peak levels
Services for longtime Whitney teacher scheduled for Saturday
Graveside services have been scheduled for a longtime Whitney teacher who passed away Tuesday, June 15, after battling COVID-19 at an area medical facility. Middle school teacher Dana Kay Howard, 72, had been an educator in the district for 35 years. Her service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 26, at Bethlehem Cemetery … Continue reading Services for longtime Whitney teacher scheduled for Saturday
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