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East Texas News - June 2009
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Booster - Two Tyler County Youth Baseball All Star teams—(13 yr. old boys coached by Wyatt Walsh and 14 yr. old boys coached by Robert Moore) scrimmaged recently, getting in some “play time” before the upcoming Tournaments. According to Hennigan Park officials, at least two Tyler County all star teams will be headed to the state championship in Dixie Baseball this year. Pictured is Bryce Rains batting for the 14 yr. old team and Jordan Shackleford catching for the 13 yr. old team. Closing ceremonies for the Tyler County Youth Baseball league will be Thursday, July 2 at 6 p.m. at Hennigan Park and everyone is encouraged to attend. Then, watch the Tyler County Booster’s Thursday, July 9 edition where we will run a full color section with pictures and names of every team in Tyler County, championship teams and All Stars. Don’t miss it!

Mistrial Declared in Burks Riot Trial
Polk County Enterprise - June 2009
LIVINGSTON – After 11 hours of jury deliberations, 258th District Court Judge Elizabeth Coker declared a mistrial in the Shannon Keith “SK” Burks riot trial  Thursday. The riot charge is a second degree felony and has a sentencing range of two to 20 years and a fine of up to $10,000. Burks is accused of being involved in a fight with about 10 other people on the Corrigan High School campus that turned into a gun battle in the early morning hours of March 21, 2008. Two weeks prior to that night, several of these combatants were involved in a similar brawl at a cemetery in Chester. One side wasn’t satisfied with the outcome and pushed for a rematch, even driving to the other’s turf to get it. This time they brought a gun.
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Polk County Enterprise - June 2009
Home Page
Log truck hit by train at Leggett RR crossing
LVFD answers 17 fire calls, jaws rescues in four days
Disaster preparedness a hot topic at subdivision meeting
Commissioners to discuss pacts with volunteer fire depts. serving county
Summer Survival: Hot weather myths
Livingston utility worker killed in accident  
Clack hit by pickup while directing traffic in Houston  
Goodrich Elementary gets stimulus funds for cafeteria  
Does ‘help thy fellow man’ mean every man?  
Polk County health officials confirm first swine flu case  
Livingston man dies in train crash  
Spring woman dies from injuries in motorcycle crash  
Perry signs bill to stiffen penalty for cattle theft  
Rep. Otto named among Texas Monthly’s 10 best legislators  
Marshal shoots fleeing suspect Monday  
Sheats gets 35 years for meth  
Filmmakers will pay fee to shoot in Onalaska  
VersaLink to take over RB3 cable company  
Commissioners OK equipment purchases  
4-year-old dies from injuries in crash involving Corrigan man  
IT’S BACK … Hurricane Season  
Onalaska Council to weigh smoking law  
Cable company asks city offi cials to transfer franchise  
County commissioners will discuss budget revisions, victims program  
Onalaska Chamber awakens after 3-year hiatus  
Jr. High Brownies test negative for marijuana  
Alabama-Coushatta tribe to host its 41st pow-wow  
Bus carrying 5th graders catches fire  
House fire in Segno kills family cat, no other injuries  
Trustees OK sale of bonds; Bids sought for high school project  
County, DPS, game wardens step up drunk-driving efforts for Memorial Day weekend  
Major drainage project on West End already easing runoff issues  
OISD swears in new trustees Monday  
TxDOT urges Texans to buckle up  
Gaming bill dies at capitol  
Union Pacific proposes rail crossing upgrades  
Commissioners OK fueling system for county vehicles  
Onalaska swears in council members  
Local historian honored by authors, officials  


City of Crockett Gets Summer Grant
Houston County Courier -  June 2009
CROCKETT – The city of Crockett has received a grant from the Deep East Texas Council of Governments for a summer work program. 
This grant, funded through the Hurricane Rita Disaster Relief Fund, provides positions for an at-risk youth and older Americans activities summer program.
Under adult supervision, participating students ages 16 - 18 become city employees for June, July and August. 
In addition to cleaning up public areas, blighted areas and gateways to the city, the program teaches and requires students to demonstrate skills needed to become effective employees in the work place. 
“It emphasizes the importance of volunteerism, community service, working as a group and citizenship.
“Cleaning up blighted areas in the city emphasizes community pride,” said organizers of the program,” said Crockett City Administrator Ron Duncan.
The first two important tasks of the work groups will be to clean the routes for the Juneteenth and July 4 parades.

Houston County Courier - June 2009
Two Charged with Running Fake Official Document Scheme
Houston County Sheriff’s Office Jail Report
Federal judge delays sentencing of bank robbers
Burn Ban in Effect for Houston County
Recreation Resource Advisory Committee Seeks Applications
Help the VFD’s & Wildland Fire Fighters
Gov. Perry Signs State Budget That Reduces GR by $1.6 Billion
Grapeland man charged with indecency with a child
County gears up for various July 4th celebrations
Gov. Perry Announces Special Session for July 1
Texas’ August Sales Tax Holiday Will Get Bigger
Texas Unemployment Rate Rises in May
City of Crockett Gets Summer Gr\nt
Texas Reading Club underway at libraries across state  
Third Annual Watermelon Festival Scheduled  
Houston County Sheriff’s Office Jail Report  
CISD approves agreement  
Council seats new member, bids farewell to another  
The History of Father’s Day  
73rd Annual Fiddlers’ Festival & Regional Steak Cook-Off Draws Big Crowd  
Student wins state competition  
House nears completion  
Planning begins for Fourth of July events  
2009-2010 Performing Arts Series announced!  
Houston County Sheriff’s Office Jail Report  
Parent addresses CISD policy  
Work Underway on Houston County Justice Center  
Park’s endearing history  
DPS places 1,636 vehicles out of service during Roadcheck 2009  
City to hold run-off election  
History of Fiddler’s Festival  
Kids helping other kids, Penny March  
Local TWC helps students  
Meeting looks at Loop Widening Plan  
Houston County Sheriff’s Office Jail Report  
Attorney recommends CISD take no action on graduation  
CISD begins interview process  
Troopers respond to multiple rollover crashes  
Police search for suspect in armed robbery  
FSA County Committee Nominations Start June 15  
Historical Commission Celebrates Houston County birthday and Eliza Bishop  
New School Immunization Requirements Effective Aug. 1  
Arts workshop signup to be held  

Mayor's Report - City of Groveton
Groveton News - June 2009

   July 15, 2009 has been set as the closing date for the financing of the City’s sewer improvement project.  The bond ordinance has been sent to the Attorney General of the State of Texas for his signature.  Should the bond ordinance meet with his review, the City will close on July 15, 2009.
    An ordinance requiring individual connections to the City’s water and sewer system providing for issuance of permits and collection of fees will be presented and the first reading will be at the Council Meeting on June 22, 2009.
    The City and the engineering firm have encountered a major obstacle during the planning work for the water.  Economi-cally Distressed Area Program (EDAP) may only be used to fund allowable household uses.  The fund may not be used to serves commercial, industrial, municipal or institutional use.  A detailed look at the City’s water accounts reveals 79 ineligible connections.  Click for complete article!



Groveton News -
Home Page
Burn Ban in effect for City of Groveton
First Benefit Dinner for Kalin Center
Mayor's Report - City of Groveton
Appraisal District Chief Allen McKinley to retire  
51 new Game Wardens graduate from Texas Game Warden Academy in Austin  
Annual Juneteenth parade, celebration to begin Saturday at Baldwin Chapel  
Forty-two GHS seniors receive diplomas in Friday graduation  
Grand Jury hands down indictments  
Groveton Mayor’s Report  
Eleanor Garrett receives SHSU Alumni Honors  
New, colorful Texas vehicle license plates to replace old type plates  
WW II Heroes  


July 4 celebration looks to capture Tyler County Past
Tyler County Booster - June 2009
In the midst of planning for the Old Fashioned Fourth celebration to be held at Heritage Village on Saturday, July 4th, our wonderful volunteer docents have been very busy with tours nearly every day. Mind you that is not a complaint! These tours go a long way toward helping us meet our budget each year. On July 12th, we hosted the Garden Oaks Church of Christ group from Houston. On the 15th, another group, the Happy Timers from the First Baptist Church, also came over from Houston. On the 16th, we had about 25 members of the North East Seniors and on the 17th we had about the same number from the West University Place Seniors. Each of these groups came from Houston also. On the 18th the First Baptist Church of Crockett sent a bus load for a tour. Also on that day we hosted a meeting of the Tyler County Hospital personnel. Click for complete article!



Tyler County Booster -
Home Page
3rd Annual Family Fun Day at Lake Tejas is Saturday
Local Business owner excells in inaugural Tour du Rouge
Wildwood Old Glory Celebration
July 4 celebration looks to capture Tyler County Past
Old Fashion Fourth of July Celebration with Fire Works!  
Brady Eighth District Mobile Office in Warren and Colmesneil June 24  
County Treaurer says: Don’t let unclaimed dollars get away!  
Village Is The Place To Be July 4  
Long time Woodville Businessman ‘Polly’ Archer dead at 93  
Warren High School Class Reunion  
Houston Choral Showcase This Saturday At Eagle Summit  
Village Plans July 4 Celebration  
High school seniors awarded scholarships from Sam Houston EC  


TIS now in line for ‘recognized’ rating
Trinity Standard - June 2009

TRINITY – Based on preliminary test results released Monday night, Trinity Intermediate School (TIS) is now expected to earn a “recognized” campus rating for its achievements on state mandated tests.
In addition, Lansberry Elementary School (LES) narrowly missed earning the recognized rating but, along with both Trinity High School (THS) and Trinity Middle School (TMS), is now expected to earn the “academically acceptable” status from the Texas Education Agency.
The Trinity Independent School District (TISD) as a whole also is expected to receive an academically acceptable rating.
Dr. Rowan Ljungdahl, TISD’s director of special programs, presented the preliminary results of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) tests to the board Monday night.
Under the state’s accountability system, each campus and district across Texas must meet certain minimum standards on the TAKS test. Those that fall below the minimum are rated as “academically unacceptable” and are required to immediately address the low scores or face penalties from the state. Click for complete article!



Trinity Standard -
‘Tradition’ is theme for 60th annual fair
Police chase down gun theft suspect
New THS principal selected by board
TIS now in line for ‘recognized’ rating
Trinity residents asked to reduce water usage  
More generators eyed as part of Ike recovery  
City eyes loan, tax hike to improve streets  
Surgical suite added to ETMC plan  
McKinley retiring as chief appraiser  
Trinity man charged with injuring children  
WWII vets honored at Juneteenth celebration  
New ETMC clinic opens in Trinity  
Unemployment rate falls to 7.2% in April  
Diplomas awarded to 63 THS grads  
Beard selected as Pct. 2 JP  
Army scholarships boost local awards to $898,000  


School leader selected for program
San Jacinto News- Times - June 2009|
AUSTIN -- William Chapman of Coldspring Oakhurst High has been selected to participate in Raise Your Hand Texas. For the second year in a row, Raise Your Hand Texas is sending over 100 top public and charter school campus leaders to The Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education to participate in one of five Summer Institutes. The Summer Institutes will expose participants to leading national and international experts in the fields of education and leadership. Participants can choose from one of five distinct learning tracks depending on their area of interest: Redesigning High Schools for Improved Instruction; Charter Schools; Improving Schools: The Art of Leadership; Leadership: An Evolving Vision; and the National Institute for Urban School Leaders. Each Institute lasts for approximately three to seven days beginning June 29 and ending July 24. Raise Your Hand Texas is covering all expenses including travel, hotel and a modest discretionary spending fund. “We recognize the impact that strong campus leadership can have on the quality of instruction being offered in our schools,” said former Lt. Governor Bill Ratliff, a spokesperson for Raise Your Hand Texas. The Institutes provide a unique opportunity for participants to work with renowned educators from across the country and to network with other campus leaders with similar interests and challenges.


San Jacinto News- Times -
Students participate in unique summer learning experience
SISD board approves pay increases, stipends
Local author to speak at annual library event
Boating accidents down as July 4th approaches
School leader selected for program
Not Guilty: Third family member tried for 2004 murder of janitor  
Appeals court upholds 2007 conviction of Richard Winfrey Sr.  
Brady urges state to dedicate new funds to help Ike recovery  
Juneteenth activities begin Saturday  
Library fund raiser planned  
Commissioner caught in web of statutes is making corrections  
Juneteenth celebration announced  
Women’s league donates $4,700  
C-OHS seniors get over $330,000 in scholarships, awards  
One killed in traffic accident  







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