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San Jacinto County News - Breakout

County noticing additional businesses

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DidYouKnow ColumnHeadIt is ribbon cutting time for bth Chambers. Coldspring held two this week. Deborah Black was welcomed to the Chamber. Deborah is an Avon representative; you can reach her at (713) 818-4432 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Jennifer Hoff of JLA Realty also joined. She and Jeri Bailey are both agents for JLA Realty and all three ladies are now also board members of Coldspring Chamber. Jennifer works in the Livingston office but lives locally. Her cell number is (713) 825-5890. The web site for the company is jlarealtylivingston.com.

In Shepherd, Shepherd Superstore owner Marvin Green was welcomed into the Shepherd Chamber of Commerce. This store is a big surprise on entering. Once Lakeway Store, it has been transformed into a bright, clean and fascinating place to shop.

New and some secondhand items fill the large space. Clothes, jewelry, decorative kitchen ware, furniture and decor along with toys and tools, artwork and bird feeders — the list is long. Everything is very reasonably priced, and Marvin and his sister Joyce offer a really special addition to the area residents looking for a bargain.

Call (832) 620-8700. Located at 11403 Highway 150 and Frontage Road going south on Highway 59.

•Coldspring Chamber will hold its quarterly lunch on April 25 at noon. The guest speaker will be John Fletcher of the Small Business Development Center. Call the Chamber office to reserve your place. Tickets are $15.

•Coldspring Garden Club held their meeting this week. Jessica Jones of the Lake Livingston Water Willow Project explained how volunteers helped with this event which is supported by the Trinity River Authority, Friends of Lake Livingston and Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Planting willow shoots along the shores of the lake serves many worthwhile endeavors. Fingerlings can hide from predator fish till they can grow. Water is purified by the plants which also clarifies the water. Floating islands have been constructed on the lake and all this effort helps to make the lake a place of learning for students from High Schools who help plant the Willow shoots. They also help propagate them in school.

It is a learning experience for everyone involved.

•On March 22 from 1-4 p.m., the Texas Division of the Disaster Recovery Roadshow has partnered with the County to hold a presentation in Coldspring. It will be at the County Shelter and all are invited, especially those who will deal with any disaster in our area.

First responders, elected officials, volunteer groups and private non-profits as well as those who work in maintenance and for the City or County are encouraged to attend.

The presentation will include programs which touch on recovery, grants, preparedness and much more. Personnel from our area involved with this Disaster Recovery program as well as state agencies will talk and answer questions.

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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Winning performance

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Screenshot 2023 03 10 at 3.50.47 PM

Shepherd ISD’s One Act Play troupe placed second in district competition and received the opportunity to advance to Bi-District, as well as several students winning new accolades as well. The all-star cast includes Ty Jipson, Taylor Connick and Charles Minton, and the all-star technician is Jacob Davis. Courtesy photos

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A Toast to Texas Independence

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Houston County Judge Jim Lovell leads the toast to Texas. JAN WHITE | HCCHouston County Judge Jim Lovell leads the toast to Texas. JAN WHITE | HCC

By Chris Edwards andJan White
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CROCKETT – On March 2, 1836, 59 delegates gathered at Washington-on-the-Brazos to sign a Declaration of Independence from Mexico, creating the Republic of Texas.

Throughout the years, Texans have celebrated the event with re-enactments, festivals, parades, cookouts, fireworks, and other festive, celebratory methods that show their Texas pride.

Texas Highways magazine has been a curator of the state’s history since 1974.

When the magazine suggested that all Texans stop whatever they are doing at 2 p.m. on March 2 (the precise time when the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed) and raise a toast to the Lone Star State, the idea caught on. In 1993, historian and writer Joe Franz, a frequent contributor to the magazine, composed a poem, titled “Texas Toast” to use as a toast to commemorate the signing.

Many cities and towns across the state now use Franz’s “Texas Toast” as a model to celebrate Texas Independence Day. While Franz suggested the toast be done with spring water, other Texas-centric beverages have been used in toasts to Texas, like with the celebration in Houston County last Thursday.

At 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2023, local officials, Houston County Historical Commission members, and a handful of die-hard Texans gathered on the steps of the Houston County Courthouse to hear County Judge Jim Lovell read the toast and raise their red solo cups filled with Dr Pepper in remembrance of Texas’ independence.

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Moving outside

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COCISD Superintendent Dr. Bryan Taulton joined CIS Principal Paula McClendon, SJMG Presi-dent Shirley Baker and members of the organization, along with CIS third-grade students and teachers to dedicate the new pavilion on Thursday, March 2. Photo by Cassie GregoryCOCISD Superintendent Dr. Bryan Taulton joined CIS Principal Paula McClendon, SJMG Presi-dent Shirley Baker and members of the organization, along with CIS third-grade students and teachers to dedicate the new pavilion on Thursday, March 2. Photo by Cassie Gregory

Special to the News-Times

COLDSPRING — Coldspring Intermediate School students will enjoy the benefits of an outdoor classroom for their Junior Master Gardeners program thanks to a $5,000 donation from the San Jacinto Master Gardeners to help build the facility.

COCISD Superintendent Dr. Bryan Taulton joined CIS Principal Paula McClendon, SJMG President Shirley Baker and members of the organization, along with CIS third-grade students and teachers to dedicate the new pavilion on Thursday.

Baker said it was the culmination of a five-year goal of the SJMG to help COCISD provide an outdoor classroom for its Junior Master Gardener program.

“Five years ago, when we began to sell our two gardener-submitted, very successful cookbooks, ‘The Garden of Eatin’’ and ‘Second Helpings’, we voted as a group to support our JMG program with an outdoor classroom facility,” Baker said. “We strongly believe in our state-recognized Junior Master Gardener program.”

“JMG is an international youth gardening program of the university cooperative Extension network, with a mission to engage students in unique, “hands-on” group and individual learning experiences that provide a love of gardening, develop an appreciation for the environment, and cultivate the mind,” JMG Coordinator Dr. Judi Benestante said. “This is our 10th year to work with COCISD and are very proud of our COCISD third graders this year.”

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Teenage suicide a crisis

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GregCapersSheriffIn my 4 decades of law enforcement there were few things more disturbing to me than when I was involved in investigating teen suicide.

Suicide continues to be a serious public health problem in the United States. Depression, self-harm and suicide are rising among Americans where suicide is the second leading cause of death between the ages 10–24.

Additionally, according to the Jason Foundation, more teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza and chronic lung disease combined.

Typically, there are signs and symptoms that indicate that a teen might be contemplating suicide. Oftentimes, teens who contemplate or carryout suicide attempts have a mental health disorder of some sort.

In fact, about 90 percent of teens who commit suicide are dealing with a mental health challenge. Most teens do not spend a long-time planning suicide. It often will occur after an event or circumstance that may leave them feeling like they have failed, or after having experienced a loss or some other traumatic event in their life where they have no control.

According to the Center for Disease Control, suicide rates among males in 2021 was four times higher than the rate for females. CDC also reported the following statistics: 52.8 percent of suicides were caused by firearms, 27.2 percent were caused by suffocation, 12 percent were caused by poisoning and 8 percent by other means.

If you see signs that your child’s mental health is under threat, be aware. Here are some things you can do to help identify and hopefully prevent suicide.

•Maybe your child is just having a bad day, but when signs of mental health problems last for weeks, don’t assume it’s just a passing mood. Nine out of 10 teens who took their own lives we’re struggling with mental health issues that were unknown to the parents.

Teens who haven’t been diagnosed with any mental health conditions may still be at risk. Many teens who attempt suicide do not understand mental health issues, but in most cases, they will give signs that they are considering suicide. Therefore, you should be prepared to seek professional help as soon as you suspect there’s a problem.

•Listen, even when your child is not talking. Don’t be surprised if your teen turns away when you first raise the subject of mental health or suicide. Keep in mind that, even if your child is silent at first, actions may speak louder than words. Watch for major changes in your child’s sleep patterns, appetite, and social activities.

If your child is struggling more than usual with schoolwork, chores or other responsibilities, these are additional signs you shouldn’t ignore.

•Realize your child might be facing suicide risk you’re not aware of. Many parents wonder: Could this really be happening to my child? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Young people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, income levels die by suicide every year.

In fact, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people 10 to 24 years of age. Loss of a loved one, bullying, in person or online, discrimination, rejection or hostility due to gender identity or sexual orientation, racism, family history of suicide, or mental health difficulties can become a reason for a suicide attempt.

•Get professional help right away. If your teen appears self-harming, or you sense they are at risk for attempting suicide, take them to the emergency department of your local hospital. Immediate action is critical when things have reached a critical point.

If you see signs of suicidal thoughts but don’t sense an immediate crisis, you still need to act. Reach out to your school administration, your church, your pediatrician or local mental health providers who treat children and teens. Explain what you’re seeing and hearing and schedule a mental health evaluation.

•Remove or secure guns you have at home. Do the same with medications. Half of youth suicides occur with firearms and suicide attempts with firearms are almost always fatal. By far, the safest option is to remove guns and ammunition from your home when your teen is struggling with thoughts of suicide.

A home safe storage is the second-best option. Guns are not the only means of suicide your child might seek out. Prescription medication and over-the-counter drugs can pose hazards during a suicidal crisis. Keep medications locked away whenever possible.

As is the case for firearms in the home the same holds true for alcohol. Removing alcohol from the home will eliminate the potential for misuse.

•Talk to your teen about mental health and suicide. Don’t wait for your teen to come to you. If your teen is sad, anxious, depressed or appears to be struggling, ask what’s wrong and offer your support. Pay attention to what is not said.

If your teen is thinking about suicide, he or she is likely displaying warning signs. Listen to what your child is not saying and watch how he or she is acting. Never shrug off threats of suicide as teenage melodrama.

•Monitor and talk about social media use. Keep an eye on your teen’s social media accounts. While social media can give teens valuable support, it can also expose them to bullying, rumors spreading, unrealistic views of other people’s lives and peer pressure.

If your teen is hurt or upset by social media posts or messaging, encourage him or her to talk to you or a teacher. Feeling connected and supported at school can have a strong protective effect.

•Monitor medications. Although it’s uncommon, some teens might have an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking antidepressants, especially in the first few weeks after starting or a dose changed. But antidepressants are more likely to reduce suicide risk in the long run. Talk to your doctor about the risks associated with suicide and the use of antidepressants for a better understanding.

If you’re child, a loved one or anyone you know is the need of immediate help with suicide issues, the following are excellent sources for you to use in any life-threatening scenario or if you just wish to expand your knowledge on the subject.

The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by dialing 988 or at www.988lifeline.org; the Jason Foundation can be reached at (800) 273-TALK or www.JasonFoundiation.com; or in cases of emergency, call 911 and my office will assist you.

Greg Capers is Sheriff of San Jacinto County.

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