Log in

Top Stories        News         Sports

San Jacinto County News - Breakout

Point Blank council begins budget process

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

Point Blank City LogoBy Tony Farkas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

POINT BLANK — The new fiscal year budget for the city of Point Blank focuses on roads and history.

The council discussed proposed budget items at its regular meeting on July 10.

Mayor Mark Wood said the city will receive a new grant of $500,000 for specific projects in the city, and a second grant for $500,000 is a definite possibility.

He said they are looking to shore up roads and drainage throughout the city; for the current fiscal year, the budgeted funds were spent, and the council hopes to add additional monies for more street work.

Also, since the city has initiated an ordinance regarding short-term rentals, the fees that have been collected need to be spent. Wood said that in the next budget, those fees would be used for preservation of historical items and areas.

“There’s a lot of history in this area that needs to be accumulated,” he said. “I want to set up a committee to begin that process.”

  • Hits: 627

City deals with grant business

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

coldspringcityBy Tony Farkas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COLDSPRING — The Coldspring City Council dealt with several grant-related items at its July 10 meeting.

The council delayed approval for General Land Office Resilient Community Program resolutions for more information but discussed a $631,000 mitigation grant for which the city is waiting on a contract.

That money is to be used to extend a sewer line to the city limits on FM 2025.

Additionally, the council discussed using COVID recovery funds for repairs to lift station handle the load from the new line and will soon seek bids.

In other business, the council:

•approved a change order to put air conditioning and air movers in the new concession stand/restroom building at the baseball park at a cost of $40,000;

•modified its parade ordinance to add a Fire Department review for all requests. The council is encouraging early applications for parades;

•discussed nuisance complaints for addresses at 301 Highway 150 and 210 Slade, which should be taken care of by the property owners;

•approved an ordinance to participate in the Texas Municipal Retirement System;

•read a proclamation recognizing the efforts of Coldspring Quilts for Kids;

•discussed a review by the Texas Department of Transportation on speed limits on Highway 150, and will do an additional review near the junior high school; and

•discussed companies posting off-site signage, which must have city approval.

  • Hits: 526

County residents defend, decry sheriff

Write a comment

User Rating: 5 / 5

Star ActiveStar ActiveStar ActiveStar ActiveStar Active

Jenifer Jones displays a picture of her brother who was murdered, and accused the Sheriff’s Office of ignoring the case. Photo by Tony FarkasJenifer Jones displays a picture of her brother who was murdered, and accused the Sheriff’s Office of ignoring the case. Photo by Tony Farkas

By Tony Farkas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COLDSPRING — San Jacinto County residents offered praise and criticism for their sheriff, but only criticism for the Commissioners Court, during heated public forum comments at a Wednesday meeting.

Taking up roughly half of the regular meeting of the San Jacinto County Commissioners Court, the comments came on the heels of a recent Associated Press/Yahoo News article alleging corruption at the Sheriff’s Office.

The article, which came out the weekend of July 8, claimed that Sheriff Greg Capers gave inaccurate figures regarding the office’s response to the mass shooting, and discussed a LION report alleging a “culture of corruption.”

Because of the information in the article, Dale Tiller demanded that the county investigate the department and called Capers unprofessional and a political joke; Annalisha Tiller said there are 1,700 people living in the Trails End area of the county who are scared to speak out because of repercussions.

Most of those in the audience, though, offered support, and condemned the commissioners for not fully supporting the department; Charissa Arizpe said that 40 percent of the court was biased against the sheriff.

Sheena Bass told the court that as a 40-year citizen of the country, she never thought that she would ever be ashamed of the people she voted for, but the character assassination of the sheriff is a shame and unacceptable, and it was time to vote the commissioners out of office.

“These are despicable means you are using … you are trying to destroy a man,” she said. “You are to do our bidding.”

George Garrett called the AP article a hit job and infuriating because it had nothing to do with the timeline of the deputies’ response, and even equated Capers to former Sheriff James “Humpy” Parker, who was convicted of torturing prisoners, illegally arresting motorists and extortion.

“Commissioner David Brandon’s comment (in the article) tied those two together,” Garrett said. “You could have taken the high road, but you didn’t.”

Garrett admonished the court to do their jobs and give the sheriff the items he needs to do the job.

“You guys need to take a look at yourselves and come together to support our county,” he said.

The comments were tied to a piece of business before the court where the Sheriff’s Office had requested to raise pay for jailers to around the $20 mark. Chief Tim Kean said that the jail was short 11 people, and because of low pay, they have not seen an application in months.

Kean said that other businesses in the area, such as Panda Express, hire people at higher wages that the county pays people to house criminal suspects, some of whom have attacked jailers.

He also said that if the problems that currently exist at the jail are not remedied, the state could take control of the situation, which could cost the county more.

Commissioners questioned the raises in relation to the banked comp time the jailers have and whether it would be paid out at the new rate or the rate when the time was accrued. The matter was settled when the court approved paying out all banked time prior to the raise, which amounts to $43,000, and then ending comp time in favor of paying overtime.

The court also approved the requested raises — $2.52 per hour for temporary-licensed jailers and $3.52 for licensed jailers.

In other business, the court:

•tabled an agreement with Lubbock County for capital case public defenders;

•extended an agreement with Tyler Technologies for software;

•approved the purchase of a pickup truck from Martin Chevrolet for $40,074, and from Covert Chevrolet-Oldsmobile for $40,916. The vehicles will be used by the permitting office;

•approved completion of the Texas election form;

•approved a change to the broker representing MASA and allowing that person to negotiate with county employees regarding helicopter and ambulance transport;

•approved seeking quotes for a copier for the maintenance department;

•declared 17 label makers as salvage; and

•approved a lot split for Eddie Ellisor pending the results of a drainage survey.

  • Hits: 1241

A hot time was had by all

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

Winner of the adult patriotic dress competition with his trophy and friends. (Left) Winner of the pet patriotic dress contest with his owner. Winner of the adult patriotic dress competition with his trophy and friends. (Left) Winner of the pet patriotic dress contest with his owner. 

DidYouKnow ColumnHeadI hope you had a wonderful July 4. Shepherd held its event on July 1 at the Community Center and it was a day of music and food, fireworks and fun.

Our DJ Jaccen Lee was also our MC, standing in for DJ Joe LeBlanc who had a wedding to play for. Thanks to Bayou Sounds, the Zydeco Band, who played a variety of music and had people dancing under the Pavilion roof.

Thanks to Mike L, our soloist, who also sang the National Anthem and of course, thanks to American Legion Post 629, who, as always, opened up our celebration with the moving Flag Ceremony and prayer. Fireworks were done by Sonny Guzman who always creates a spectacular show for us. KETX, The Eagle, came to join our event, thank you.

Brenda Myers of the Impact Center created games for the children and youth. I saw adults trying out the Limbo Game. Brenda and her team brought boxes of gifts for prizes for the games and also for the Patriotic Costume Contest. Thank you, The Impact Center.

We appreciated our law enforcement officers visiting with the crowd, thanks to Clint Headley and all. Thank you, vendors and Commissioner Donnie Marrs, who attended with the hundred watermelons he donated for the melon eating contest. Well, it seemed like a hundred.

Most of all thank you Shepherd Chamber of Commerce Board members. Without their help in the organization and presentation we would not have had an event to celebrate.

•The Community & Children’s Impact Center is acquiring a building in Shepherd for a Crisis Center. If you are interested in helping by donating supplies, volunteering to help with the painting, landscaping etc, please call Brenda Myers for information. Her Facebook page also has photos and information. Call (936) 499-2632.

•If the hot weather is getting to you, think of Christmas in five months or so. You can shop in Coldspring on July 29 for Christmas with the Christmas in July. Santa in his summer outfit will be there and vendors, music and more courtesy of CABMA will let us pretend it is cooler.

If you want to be a vendor, applications are on the web site or call Paul at 713-471-3460. Plan to be there on Aug. 5, 9 a.m.-noon, for the next Cars, Coffee and Donuts. Both events are held around the Courthouse Square.

•Shepherd Library is almost ready for their Summer Program ‘Journey Through Time’. Sign your child up for this incredible trip through the past from Dinosaurs to Ancient Rome, from Wild West to the Victorian era and then to 100 years ago, back to 1923. The program runs from July 24-28 from 2 to 4 p.m. Call (936) 628-3515 or look online at Facebook.

•Looking ahead to August we have a SAAFE House benefit on 26th. Lures & Lace Bingo at SJC Shelter will run from 6 p.m. till 10 p.m. Tickets are $50 each or $400 for a table for 8 people.

Call Tammy at (936) 284-5547 or go to saafehouse.org/events.

•We have some ribbon cuttings for new members coming up and more events being planned for the future. Go to both Chambers of Commerce for information and also www.sanjacintocountybulletinboard.com, Linda Deeter’s excellent site for all that is coming up in our area. This is a free advertising outlet for all local events.

Contact the Shepherd Chamber at (936) 628-3890 or the Coldspring Chamber at (936) 653-2184.

Yvonne Cones is president of the Greater Shepherd Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Coldspring Chamber of Commerce.

  • Hits: 527

New area code proposed for Houston area

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

AreaCode STOCK

Special to the News-Times

AUSTIN — The Public Utility Commission of Texas is accepting public comments on a petition by the North American Number Planning Administrator for the addition of a new area code to accommodate continuing growth in the greater Houston area.

Comments must be submitted by Aug. 5.

NANPA projects the four existing area codes — 281, 346, 713 and 832 — will run out of numbers by the third quarter of 2025.

The new area code would overlay existing area codes, which currently serve the greater metropolitan area of the City of Houston and smaller cities including Alvin, Baytown, Cleveland, Cypress, Dickinson, Friendswood, Humble, Katy, Kemah, League City, Richmond, Rosenburg, Rosharon, Spring, Sugarland, and Tomball, within the counties of Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto and Waller.

Adding a new area code to the region would not affect the phone numbers of existing customers. Since the greater Houston area is currently served by four area codes, customers are already required to dial a 10-digit phone number to place calls locally. The addition of the proposed fifth area code would not change that requirement.

The PUCT is accepting public comments regarding the proposed new area code in PUCT docket number 54986.

To learn more, please visit https://www.puc.texas.gov.

  • Hits: 509