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San Jacinto County News - Breakout

Ribbon cut for new crisis center

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The Coldspring Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at Nixon Adult Day Care Center. Courtesy photoThe Coldspring Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at Nixon Adult Day Care Center. Courtesy photo

DidYouKnow ColumnHeadSoon our county will have its first Crisis Center for people in need of a safe place after b being in troubled situations. The Community & Children’s Impact Center acquired a house in Shepherd, and when it is remodeled will provide a valuable resource in emergency situations.

Families who have lost their homes through fire or flood, mothers with children who need to find a safe place and others, will be able to come to this new center until they can be re-situated, Brenda Myers, founder and executive director of the Impact Center, says she has had volunteers from the community come to help get the place up and running.

SAAFE House and CPS have been consulted and Brenda says they are looking for contributions to help. Office supplies, hygiene supplies, food and donations for overhead expenses will be welcome. Trained and certified staff will be there, and the house is being decorated to accommodate adults and children.

This is a huge step forward for our community. Brenda has recently helped families who lost everything to fires. The resale shop has kitted out women who have fled from dangerous relationships. This Crisis Center will be a very welcome addition for many. To contact Brenda, call at the resale shop or call her at (936) 499-2632.

•Shepherd Library held a sleepover at the library this week. Titled “Sleepover for Stuffies,” children brought their stuffed animals to spend the night. When they arrived the next morning to collect their Stuffies, they found the little rascals had got out of bed and roamed around the place, climbing all over the Time Machine which will be in use for the summer program.

Some had got into the fridge or cabinets, while others squeezed in with the books. One fell asleep over a puzzle he tried to put together. All in all, they were gathered up by their small owners and taken back home.

The sleepover was a big success. Look at the Shepherd Library Facebook page for more photos.

Director Terri says the new part-time assistant, Allison, is a huge help as are the volunteers who work there. Kudos to Alli, Misty and Johanna and all. Call the library at (936) 628-3515.

•Nixon Adult Day Center became a member of both Coldspring and Shepherd Chambers this week. The ribbon cuttings were held at the facility in Shepherd where the Center held an Open Day complete with a delicious light lunch for everyone.

The Center had closed over the COVID pandemic and opened again for adults needing a safe, comfortable and creative place to stay for the day. Friendly staff look after everyone and art classes, games and other opportunities are available for anyone who wants to take part. It is located at 931 N. Byrd Ave. and can be reached at (936) 628-1200. Ask for Manager Kim Willet.

Nurse Rachael Lee is there to serve and look after the clients. The center offers 3 meals a day, nursing service, daily activities and transportation. Services are free through these insurance providers; Amerigroup, Molina and United Health Care.

The Center appreciates community support. If you would like to volunteer, donate art and crafts supplies, school supplies, balls for football, soccer, basketball etc. Board games and landscaping equipment are also asked for.

•The SJC Dog Rescue Shelter held an adoption of Emma this week. Emma is a sweet black Labrador who found a loving family. Kevin and Susan Rogers with their son Duncan watched as Constable Sam Houston chipped Emma so she can be located if she gets lost; however, she seemed to be very happy to be going to her new home.

Constable Sam can be reached at (281) 450-9007 for more information. There are many dogs waiting for a new family at the Shelter.

•Carson Anderson asks for support for her VFD 1839 in Cleveland where she is an auxiliary. They are holding a raffle with some exceptional prizes. First is a Winchester Model 190 22LR, a Walker Mod PPK-522 handgun, a Stihl chainsaw and a custom made cornhole game.

Call Carson at (936) 653-2091 or call in at the Courthouse basement Office for Indigent Health Care. Tickets are $5 each.

Don’t forget to come out to Shepherd Independence Day Celebration on Saturday. Volleyball will be at 9 a.m., the vendors may set up around 10 a.m. with the opening ceremony with the American Legion at 1 p.m. Food, music and games throughout the day with contests and competitions and fireworks at 9 p.m.

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.

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Coldspring, Shepherd win grants

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Grants folders STOCK

Special to the News-Times

AUSTIN — Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., announced the Texas General Land Office approved $128,208,664 in regional mitigation funds for 19 infrastructure projects to improve streets as well as water and drainage facilities last week.

The funds were allotted to the cities of Aransas Pass, Coldspring, Corrigan, Dayton, Freeport, Hitchcock, Iowa Colony, Katy, La Marque, Palacios, Pearland, Richwood, Rosenberg, Shepherd and Texas City, and the counties of Jefferson, Liberty and Waller.

Through the Regional Mitigation Program, the GLO enabled local prioritization, which will have a tremendous impact across multiple regions.

“Locally led prioritization of mitigation projects is important because it strengthens critical infrastructure and protects communities against the impacts of natural disasters,” Buckingham said. “At the Texas General Land Office, we are not only helping those in need, but also supporting our communities as they grow.”

The city of Coldspring was awarded $631,000 for sewer system improvements, to be used for the survey, design, and construction of a sewer collection system, and upgrade its Pea Patch Lift Station.

The city of Shepherd will receive $1,964,000 for water system improvements. The project includes construction of a new water production system, water distribution lines, and drive access.

Texas GLO Regional Mitigation Program Council of Government Method of Distribution (COG MOD):

The Texas General Land Office allocated $1,166,997,000 in Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Regional Mitigation Program to reduce the risks and impacts of future natural disasters.

HUD defines mitigation as activities that increase resilience to disasters and reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of loss of life, injury, damage to and loss of property, and suffering and hardship, by lessening the impact of future disasters.

HUD requires that at least 50 percent of total funds must be used for activities benefiting low- to moderate-income persons. For more information, please visit recovery.texas.gov/mitigation.

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Red Cross hosts disaster workshop

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Disaster STOCK

Special to the News-Times

COLDSPRING — The American Red Cross, in collaboration with the San Jacinto County Office of Emergency Management, is hosting a Community Disaster Workshop at the Coldspring Community Shelter.

This workshop aims to equip community members with the knowledge and resources necessary to respond swiftly and efficiently during emergencies. Attendees will gain valuable insights and have the chance to network with individuals who share a common goal of ensuring the safety and well-being of the community.

The event will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 19 at Coldspring Community Shelter, 121 Live Oak St., in Coldspring. Lunch will be provided to those who register.

A variety of important topics will be presented, including:

•understanding local hazards and their potential impacts;

•how to sign up for emergency alerts and where you can go if you need to evacuate;

•creating effective emergency plans for households and businesses;

•building emergency supply kits and maintaining essential resources;

•developing communication strategies during disasters;

•local and national volunteer organizations that provide trained volunteers and much-needed supplies, and how you can help;

•San Jacinto County peak hurricane season information, planning, and preparedness, emphasizing teamwork between local, state, and federal partners;

•volunteering opportunities with the American Red Cross; and

•Q&A session with emergency management professionals.

To secure a place at the event, fill out a registration form at https://forms.gle/1ishtyMhBjGohuHD7. Please note that spaces are limited, and registration closes on July 1.

Your presence and contribution to this workshop are vital, as a collaboration and collective action are the key ingredients to building a resilient community.

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Shepherd readies to light up the sky

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July 4 STOCK

SJNT staff

SHEPHERD — Preparations are well under way for the annual Fourth of July festivities put on by the Shepherd Chamber of Commerce

This event will be outside in the park next to Shepherd Community Center, and there will be a variety of vendors inside and outside of the center. 

Events start at 1 p.m. Saturday with a flag ceremony by American Legion Post 629 and the National Anthem sung by Mike L. 

Bayou Sounds — a Zydeco Band — will play during the day, with DJ/MC Jaceen Lee keeping music in the caps. There will be a volleyball tournament, cornhole, melon-eating contests and much more, including a patriotic dress competition for adults, children and pets.

The Eagle 102.3 will broadcast live from the center, all leading up to the fireworks display at 9 p.m.

For information or to become a vendor, contact the Shepherd Chamber of Commerce at (210) 995-7420 or go to http://www.greatershepherdchamberofcommerce.org/independence-day-celebration-1.html.

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Principal to attend prestigious institute

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Special to the News-Times

062223 lottSHEPHERD — Alisa Lott, Principal at Shepherd Primary School, is among the 50 educators from across Texas the Charles Butt Foundation will sponsor to attend weeklong summer institutes at the Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education through the Raising School Leaders program.

For this summer’s institutes, preference was given to school leaders from districts that were considered rural or had a student enrollment of less than 5,000.

Creating a space for school leaders in rural and smaller districts to find commonalities, solve problems, and build a network of support is an important component of this year’s Raising School Leaders program.

Annually, the Charles Butt Foundation sponsors educators to attend training at Harvard through the Raising School Leaders program, an initiative designed to develop stronger school leaders who will enhance the quality of education across Texas.

The Charles Butt Foundation covers expenses for the attendees including tuition, travel, hotel, and other discretionary costs for a total investment of more than $10 million since the program’s inception.

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