By Chris [email protected] TYLER COUNTY – Even though the forecast for the coming days doesn’t suggest anything close to a scene from an Irving Berlin song, it will, by Thursday, look a lot like Christmastime in Tyler County. Several noteworthy Christmas celebrations take place this week, including the annual Twilight Tour at Heritage Village, the Woodville Rotary Club’s Breakfast with Santa and the Chamber of Commerce’s countywide celebration. The Chamber’s theme for this year’s “Christmas in Tyler County” celebration is “Bring Back Traditions,” and that will begin on Thursday and continue through Friday. “Let’s all gather to show the true meaning of Christmas in Tyler County,” said Tyler County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Holly Wells. The fun slated for Thursday includes the “Mistletoe Market,” which will take place inside the Emporium Stage in downtown Woodville, beginning at 6 p.m. There will also be a movie screened on the square, “Polar Express.”…

Trinity firefighters pour water on the roof of a home at 201 San Jacinto St. that caught fire on Nov. 24. Courtesy photos by Steven Jones By Tony [email protected] TRINITY — A single-family home was destroyed by fire early on Nov. 24. Assistant Fire Chief Keith Johnson said the fire broke out in the home, occupied by Billie Newland and located at 201 San Jacinto St., at about 2:30 p.m. Johnson said the Fire Department was notified at that time by the Trinity Police. Firefighters responded with a fire engine, two tankers, a ladder truck and a rescue truck, and there were 17 firefighters on scene. Johnson said they worked to extinguish the blaze till 6:30 a.m., but were called back 1 ½ hours later because hot spots flared up. “When we arrived it was in attic, so we had a fight on our hands,” Johnson said. “It had a tongue-and-groove wood ceiling, and we had trouble getting into the attic. Once the fire got into ceiling, it burned through the whole roof.” Johnson said there…

Upgrading -During the Thanksgiving break, Shepherd ISD had new instructional furniture delivered to the Middle and High School for all teachers and students. Courtesy photo

By Chuck Davidson CHESTER – All of members of the Chester ISD board of trustees attended the Monday, Nov. 29 regular board meeting held in the Chester library after having completed a busy month of special meetings in their search for a new superintendent. They had more than 20 applications and after narrowing their choices down to three on Nov. 8, selected Paul Drake on the 16th to be lone finalist. The consent agenda was approved without comments and as no members of the community spoke during the public forum portion, board president Ray McKnight got to the key items on the agenda, which after being presented by interim superintendent Katie Loughner, were all approved. The items included: District of Innovation Plan 2021-2026; TASB Update 118 and Safe and Supportive School Coordinator Stipend. Loughner also updated the board on HB 3 goals and the district’s memorandum of understanding with the county’s special education co-op. Marty Thompson gave the board a comprehensive review of the…