Houston County News - Breakout

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Fan-favorite Texas singer/songwriter Josh Ward is among the slated lineup of entertainers at this year’s Houston County Fair and Youth Livestock Show. COURTESY PHOTO

By Jan White
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CROCKETT – Mark your calendars and get ready for the 2023 Houston County Fair and Youth Livestock Show, which begins on Saturday, March 25.

The doors will open at 8 a.m. with check-in for the horse show that takes place at 10 a.m. And at 7 p.m. that evening, the Fair’s Kick-off Concert takes place at the Crockett Civic Center, featuring country singer Josh Ward and local band, HipShot. Monday, the arena begins setup for the week’s events. Here is the schedule so far:

Tuesday, March 28

4–6 p.m. Check-in Replacement Heifers, All Market Animals, and All Breeding Animals except Rabbits & Broilers

6 p.m. Breeding Heifer Entry Deadline

4–7 p.m. Check-in Home & Garden Non-Baked Good Entries (Quilts included) @ Civic Center

7 p.m. Breeding Gilt Entry Deadline

5–6 p.m. Check-in Pet Show

6:30 p.m Introduction of Queen & Princess; Pet Show to follow

Wednesday, March 29

8-9am Check-in Home & Garden Fresh Floral & Baked Goods @ Civic Center

8:30 a.m. Check-in Broilers – Show to immediately follow

9 a.m. Civic Center closed to judge Home & Garden entries

10:30 a.m. Check-in Rabbits/Sift – Show to immediately follow

3:30–6 p.m. Civic Center open for Home & Garden viewing

5:30 p.m. Market Lamb Show followed by Market Goat Show

Pee-Wee Showmanship following the conclusion of the Lamb & Goat Show

Thursday, March 30

7–9 a.m. Check-in Shop Projects

9 a.m. Judge Shop Projects

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Civic Center open for Home & Garden viewing

1 p.m. Check-in Horse Futurity. Show to follow immediately

2 p.m. Replacement Heifer Show – Interview to follow

6 p.m. Breeding Gilt Show followed by Market Hogs

Pee-Wee Showmanship following the conclusion of the Market Hog Show

Friday, March 31

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Civic Center open for Home & Garden viewing, entries are available for pick up except Best of Show

3 p.m. In County Heifer Show

5 p.m. Market Steer Show

Pee-Wee Showmanship following the conclusion of the Heifer & Steer Show

Saturday, April 1

8 a.m. Set up Arena for Sale of Champions

10:30 a.m. Buyer Registration Open & Buyer Floor Opens

11 a.m. Buyer Social

1 p.m Sale of Champions

Load out at the conclusion of Sale

7 p.m. Buyer Appreciation Dinner with entertainment provided by Jason Allen.

Sunday, April 2

8 a.m. Load out the remaining animals

In his letter welcoming entrants to the Houston County Fair & Youth Livestock Association, Fair Association President Clayton Smith expressed gratitude for everyone participating in the 2022-23 events:

“First, I would like to thank all the exhibitors who participate in the fair. Without your interest, hard work, and dedication to your projects, this fair would not exist.

Our youth are our future, and we must invest our time, attention, and support toward them so that they are learning positive lessons for the future.

“To the parents, grandparents, and family members who allow their children to participate in the fair; it does not go unnoticed. I thank you for your grit and determination in making this happen for your children.

“To the many businesses and individuals who sponsor divisions, classes, trophies, and purchase projects on sale night, I cannot thank you enough. Your generosity and support for our youth go beyond expectations.

“Playing a vital role in our fair is our 4-H Leaders, Ag-Teachers, Teachers, and School Administrators. Your leadership, mentoring, and guidance is crucial, and each of you performs at the highest level. I greatly appreciate the contribution you make to our fair and to our exhibitors.

“And finally, to all the fair board members, volunteers, and committee members that spend immeasurable hours throughout the year, your dedication to our youth is unwavering. I appreciate each of you and the positive impact you have on this community and our fair.

“It is my hope that everyone enjoys the Houston County Fair and Youth Livestock Show. I would like to personally invite those interested in volunteering to join our Fair Board. Your involvement will help the Houston County Fair and Youth Livestock Show Association become stronger and better by paving a positive path for our youth.”

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The annual Lovefest celebration in Lovelady, last week, held a lot of fun for everyone who attended. Ranchin Rigs presented young Esther Driskell and Tate McDonald (left) and a new Lovefest King and Queen, Tyler Gilchrist and Kenya Terry (right), were crowned. Photos courtesy of Lovefest

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By Jan White
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CROCKETT – During a brief meeting of the Houston County Commissioners court held on Feb. 7, members approved the purchase of several needed equipment items.

The first action was to accept the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) and make budgetary amendments for such funds.

County Auditor Melissa Jeter explained that the county would be awarded a total of $374,658, which would be divided into two payments, one of which was received on January 17, the other to be received next year. The amount was considered to be a lump sum to be used on projects as needed.

Using the LATCF funds, the court approved the purchase of a Kubota M Series Tractor from Houston County Equipment totaling $57,325.

The other agenda item was to approve equipment to be purchased through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Grant fund. The equipment approved for purchase included a road cutter and claw grapple to help remove debris from right-of-ways  Houston County Equipment totaling $19,974 and $4,782, respectively. Approval was also given to use ARPA funds for the purchase of a 2020 Ford F-350 Truck for a total of $25,000.

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By Jan White
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CROCKETT – During the Houston County Commissioners Court meeting held on Jan. 24, County auditor Melissa Jeter was honored for her outstanding work by the Texas Association of County Auditors (TACA).

Kris Klein, Guadalupe County Auditor and immediate past President of TACA presented Jeter with the annual Jerry Ware Award. The award commemorates the Jefferson county auditor who passed away from cancer in 1994. In introducing the award, Klein said that “Jerry was a man who embodied leadership, compassion, and common sense. The board chooses one person every year – a person who has those traits and who steps up. Jerry was a person who stepped up and helped out. Melissa is one of those people.”

In addition to Jeter’s contributions to the association as TACA vice-president, Klein said that she personally appreciated Jeter’s East Texas charm and common sense. “When things come up in my county,” Klein stated, “I ask myself, ‘What would Melissa do?’” Klein went on to thank Jeter for all the time and effort she put into improving county government and the auditors association.

While accepting the award, Jeter praised the commissioners. “I couldn’t have done this without the support of the Commissioners Court. I learn so much every day. It will be twenty-five years doing this job, and I learn something every day. So thank you all.”

Moving on to other agenda items, Joel Martin, Courthouse Bailiff, reported that between August 15, 2022 – December 15, 2022, 4,834 people entered the courthouse building. Election Administrator Cindy Lum announced the need for new polling places and asked the Commissioners Court for suggestions and recommendations.

The court voted to approve the resignation of Veterans Service Officer Milton Ladnier and to appoint Joshua Caldwell to the position.

Several representatives from Latexo Baptist Church addressed the court, requesting aid from the Hotel Occupancy Tax Fund for their Valentine Banquet to be held on Saturday, Feb. 11. While sympathetic to their cause, the commissioners passed on the request, citing that the stipulation for receiving funds correlates to the number of overnight guests expected to stay in local hotels. Because this is the first year the event has been offered to the public, there is no basis for how many out-of-towners it would attract.   

The court approved an agreement with NCR for online and over-the-counter credit card transactions for payment of taxes and registration/titling transactions for the Houston County Tax Office, fees for which will be passed to the customer. Commissioners also appointed Laura Goolsby, District Clerk, to replace Carolyn Rains as a member of the Human Resource Committee.

Approval was given to purchase items using funds provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for twelve VHF 5W 260 Channel radios and programming for Jail/Dispatch at the cost of $4,748 and a 2012 Mack CHU 613 truck for Road & Bridge Precinct 4 for $45,000.

Authorization was also given to the County Grant Administrator to apply for a grant through the Texas General Land Office Community Development and Revitalization CDBG-MIT Funds for the County’s Local Share of the Houston County Hazard Mitigation Action Plan Update.

Budget amendments and plans were made for beginning renovations on the former Jail located at 110 E. Houston Ave. and to prepare for the relocation of several county offices. Currently, the county is trying to obtain several bids for the work, which will include updating the flooring, paint, lighting, ceiling tiles, cabling, and phones. The county plans to use inmate labor for cleaning and demolition and has authorized a budget amendment of $35,000 from the contingency funds to pay for expenses. The court also approved the budget amendment request from the contingency fund of $15,709 for boiler pump repairs and tank insulation in the County Jail.