San Jacinto County News - Breakout

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Special to the News-Times

COLDSPRING — Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD is offering a way for college graduates to become adjunct educators in the district for the upcoming school year.

If someone has a bachelor’s degree, they may become a COCISD teacher without the traditional credentials at no cost. The starting salary is $40,000 per year with a full benefits package.

Positions are available in grades pre-K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. The district will provide extensive professional development and support.
Interested individuals may apply at www.cocisd.org/jobs.

For more information contact COCISD HR Coordinator Candy Yeager at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Duna, a narcotics dog with the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office, searches a vehicle. Courtesy photo

Special to the News-Times

SHEPHERD — A San Jacinto County K-9 assisting in a crash investigation was able to expose illegal substances which led to a felony arrest.

The animal named Duna, out in the field for the first time, found drugs in a vehicle involved in a major crash on Friday.

According to Sheriff Greg Capers, deputies with the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division were on patrol on U.S. 59 in the Shepherd area, riding as a 2-man unit with Duna, a narcotics dog.

The deputies were alerted major crash on U.S. 59 just south of FM 223, and they responded to assist with the crash investigation and provide first aid.

While on the scene, the deputies assisted a trooper from the Texas Highway Patrol who was interviewing driver regarding the circumstances of the crash. The narcotics deputies began to notice inconsistencies with the driver’s story that raised their suspicion of possible illegal activity, Capers said.

Duna was deployed — for the first time on a roadside incident — and went around the exterior of the vehicle, and alerted at the open driver’s window of the vehicle, which led to an interior search. Deputies discovered a substance known to be THC wax, Capers said.

After performing field sobriety tests on the driver, who was not named, was arrested for driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance.

“I want to congratulate Duna on her first deployment on duty after being certified,” Capers said. “She is an asset to the Sheriff’s Office in an effort to combat the trafficking of narcotics in and through San Jacinto County.”

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By Tony Farkas
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COLDSPRING — The Coldspring City Council is looking for experts to help administer various city grants as well as seek more.
Mayor John Benestante said he wants to request proposals for other parties to be the administrator of these grants, such as the current American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Benestante said that grant administration is a lot of work, so the council, at its regular meeting on July 11, approve soliciting bids from five firms in the area, as well as anyone with experience that is interested in the position.

“I want to turn this over to someone who does it professionally,” he said. “This will give us some separation of duties.”

In a related matter, the city continues to use ARPA funds to extend its sewer system to FM 2025, and Benestante said the city is earmarked for another $641,000 to finish the project.

“My goal is to give everyone in town sewer service,” he said. “There is no cost difference for what the sewer plant is processing now and if it processes at 100 percent; currently, the plant is operating at 70 percent.”

In other business, the council:

•discussed two pieces of property the city has deemed nuisances have been cleaned and are finally in compliance with city ordinances;

•appointed Jennifer Manuel as alderman for Position 5, as the position was not on the last city ballot;

•accepted the 2018 and 2019 audits by Axley and Rode, which were approved with no discrepancies;

•approved a memorandum of understanding with Coldspring Youth League;

•approved salary range and qualifications for an office clerk, and the city is now seeking resumes for a person who will work 30 hours a week for a salary range of $20,000-$28,000, depending on experience;

•approved a $4,000 bid for flooring replacement in City Hall;

•approved an agreement with San Jacinto Special Utility District regarding meter reading;

•accepted a 30-foot right-of-way at EastTex Environmental from Sarah Brumley;

•discussed changing speed limits in city to 35; and

• discussed grease trap sampling requirements.

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District provides swag for school

Special to the News-Times

COLDSPRING — Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD is providing school supplies for all students for the first day of school this year. No school supply lists needed.

With the exception of backpacks and zippered binders, the school district is making sure every child has what he or she needs to get off to a great start for the 2022-23 school year.

It should be noted that some secondary teachers may have specific requirements for extra items for their classes. In those cases, they will let students know after school starts.

With the tax-free holiday coming up on the first weekend in August, COCISD families will now be able to focus on purchasing clothing, shoes, and other essential items without the worry of long lists of school supplies.

From Aug. 5-7, tax-free items in the state of Texas include backpacks, binders, book bags, clothing, shoes (excluding athletic footwear), lunch boxes, and various school supplies.

Not included as tax-free is athletic clothing or footwear, athletic bags, computer bags and computers, among other items.