Wood County recorded its first COVID-19 death on May 18, and the case count rose to 22. As of June 23 there are 77 total cases with five deaths and 31 recoveries. There have been almost 900 tested.

Wood County's emergency management coordinator, Tully Davidson, confirmed the county's first case of COVID-19 was being treated at the UT Health hospital in Quitman March 31. The illness was contracted through community spread, according to a news release.

Youth foundations for Mineola, Quitman and Alba-Golden made decisions to cancel the spring/summer baseball and softball seasons.

Schools

Gov. Greb Abbott issued three new executive orders Friday, April 17 and announced that school classrooms will remain closed to students for the remainder of the school year.

Following the school closures, University Interscholastic League is canceling all remaining 2019-2020 spring activities and state championships.

Resumption of summer school athletics and marching workouts and drill is approved for June 8 with restrictions.

Area schools have announced plans to reopen under normal school calendars beginning in August.

Events and venues

The Mineola Fire Dept. rodeo scheduled in mid-July has been canceled. The department cited challenges for business sponsors among the reasons.

Girls Night Out in Mineola each second Saturday canceled until further notice.

Mineola League of the Arts is closed and all events canceled. The annual Art Show has been rescheduled for Sept. 11.

APET-SPCA animal rescue in Mineola is closed until further notice.

Bread of Life Ministries food pantry in Mineola has resumed services as of April 7 on the first and third Tuesdays.

Mineola Soccer Association has canceled the spring season. Credits for the upcoming fall or spring seasons or refunds are offered.

Quitman Public Library reopened under new guidelines May 1.

Mineola library has resumed limited hours as of June 8. Patrons can reserve an hour of computer time and wear a mask. Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through July, with curbside pickup from 2-4 p.m.

Forever Young Activity Center in Quitman plans to resume activities July 1 and bingo July 3.

Alba library and museum reopened May 12.

The Mineola Historical Museum reopened June 4.

Mineola Civic Center - Outdoor spaces remain open, and playgrounds have reopened. Splash pad has also reopened. All gates locked at night.

The city of Mineola parks have reopened.

Historic Select Theater to resume June 19. Lake Country Playhouse suspended operations until further notice.

Mineola Railers square dancers resumed activities June 22.

Wood County Arboretum in Quitman, mini-workshops canceled but the gardens remain open.

Check with individual churches to learn their plans. Most are having online services and events and drive-up services. Some have resumed restricted live services.

Mineola Kiwanis Club meetings at the Civic Center resumed June 2.

Lake Fork Lions have canceled their May 9 fish fry. Lake Fork Kiwanis have rescheduled their golf tournament to Oct. 3.

The Yantis Catfish Classic benefitting the Yantis Fire Dept. has been postponed until October.

Mineola Kiwanis-Rotary joint benefit golf tournament May 16 has been postponed.

Major retailers have temporarily adjusted store hours to allow additional time for restocking and cleaning and allowing special times for senior citizens and medical and first responders to shop. Some restaurants have added to-go and/or delivery services.

To-go retail business is allowed as of April 24. Reopening with 25% occupancy is allowed as of May 1 for most businesses, including food establishments. As of May 8 barbershops/salons allowed to reopen with guidelines. Restaurants increased to 50% capacity May 22.

Mineola farmers market has resumed Saturday operations.

Government

The city of Mineola has resumed some advisory board meetings.

City council, school board, county commissioners and economic development corp. meetings all have video/telephone virtual meeting options in place.

The Mineola city hall lobby and drive through reopened May 26.

Bulk trash pickup in Mineola has resumed on the first and third Tuesdays. Also free trash receptacles will be hosted at the public works dept. on N. Pacific Saturdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. through June.

The Wood County Republican Party has postponed the county convention. State convention is delayed until July.

City of Quitman has suspended all municipal court activity. City hall lobby and drive-through are closed.

Mineola municipal court resumed June 1.

Most county/district court activity has been postponed until June 1. Future activities are governed by guidelines from the Office of Court Administration.

Visitation at the Wood County jail has been restricted.

Most county offices have been closed to the public, as well as the county appraisal district. Visit individual offices online to learn alternate payment and communication options. County tax office announced it would reopen May 11.

Non-critical visitors are restricted for nursing homes.

Elections for Quitman city and ISD, Mineola ISD, Alba-Golden ISD and Yantis ISD have been postponed until November.

Gov. Abbott postponed the primary runoffs set for May 26 to July 14. Wood County has two Republican runoffs. On May 11 he extended early voting for the runoff by a week, to begin June 29 for two weeks.