San Jacinto County News - Breakout

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By Emily Kubisch-Sabrsula
SJNT Correspondent

COLDSPRING — With the year coming to an end, the court addressed changes in the county, including adjusting precincts with new census data and looking into closing roads that are hot spots for illegal dumping. 

Precinct redistricting

With Census data coming out in November, and in compliance with Census Redistricting Laws, an area of the county in Precinct 3 defined in-part by Highway 150, Millard creek, FM 945 S, Butch Arthur Road the East Fork of the San Jacinto River, and back over to Millard creek will now be in Precinct 1. 

Residents in the affected area can expect to receive a notice in the mail. 

The court approved the change unanimously.

Road repairs

During the public comment portion of the meeting, several county residents raised concerns over the lack of recent repairs on Butch Arthur Road in Precincts 1 and 3. 

While new culverts recently have been installed, decades of neglect have started to cumulate under the weight of industrial trucks that use the road to access several businesses. Reports of mud coming through cracks in the pavement and damage to trailers and vehicle fronts have been reported and are attributed to potholes that have been continually patched throughout the years.

With close to a million dollars budgeted from FEMA-related money set to go into redoing the entire road next year, residents are still wondering why roads are worse than ever, especially with recent raises in tax rates. 

The court noted patchwork had halted on the road since there are plans to replace it. County Judge Fritz Faulkner also made comments about plans to stabilize the road better to accommodate heavier vehicles. 

“Give us a little more time, they’re going to fix that road,” Faulkner said.

Impound building

Led by Lt. Ryan Bowen with the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office, a proposal for a new office and impound building was approved by the court. While plans were approved, bids will still be needed for the project, as the costs is anticipated to be more than $75,000. 

The new building will be used to house dispatch workers, who are currently working with aging infrastructure and a lack of radio communication with a tower recently being damaged by lightning. Money from the project also is budgeted to fix the tower and improve radio communications. The building would also house detectives at some point. 

While bids will be placed, the county also intends on using their in-house maintenance staff for projects to help cut down on costs.

In a separate matter, a portion of Caldwell Loop West will be abandoned by the county following an unanimous vote. 

After deliberation over easement closures, making sure no residents would be left without road access, and notices were made in the paper, the measure was approved in part to return some land to nearby landowners and to install gates on the road to help mitigate excessive illegal dumping in the area.

The next meeting will be held Dec. 15 at 9 a.m. in the San Jacinto County Emergency Shelter in Coldspring. Public comment can be made at the beginning of the meeting.

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SJNT staff

SHEPHERD — The annual Shepherd community Christmas event on Saturday was well-attended and well-supported, organizers said.

It was marred, however, by an accident during the parade that left a child injured.

After the parade, the spectators were treated to a Christmas maze and a live Nativity scene, complete with narration and songs.

During the day, booths with vendors and the Kris Kringle Cornhole Tournament were held at the Community Center, and two local authors came and spoke about their work.

Organizer and Chamber President Yvonne Cones said it was a typical turnout, one where she spent a “ton of money.”

“The whole thing was very good,” she said.

Shelby Bell, who spend 13 Sundays honor 13 Marines who were killed in an August attack in Afghanistan, continues her mission.

he Shepherd High School Band performs holiday standards. Photos by Tony Farkas

A live Nativity scene lies at the end of the Christmas maze.

Elementary school students sign to Christmas carols.

Santa makes his appearance.

Memories of gifts past highlight one of the many stops in the Christmas maze.

Spectators get into the Christmas parade spirit.

San Jacinto County Commissioner Donny Marrs shows a whimsical side.

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Special to the News-Times

COLDSPRING — Sunday, Nov. 21, marked the 11th annual San Jacinto County Community Thanksgiving Feast. Citizens gathered together to receive a hot meal and food to prepare for the holidays. 

The Community Feast was hosted by the San Jacinto County Outreach Committee. They reached out to the local churches, organizations, and businesses to help assist  in making this event possible. 

The SJC Outreach Committee is where churches, community leaders, and concerned citizens come together to make a difference in homes, communities, and local counties. It is done by assisting individual, and group outreach efforts by offering mental, physical, emotional, and financial support as needed. 

Last year, with the help of other local churches, organizations, and businesses, the San Jacinto County Outreach Committee was able to feed more than 500 people and gave out turkey dinner bags to 300 families. This year, with the pandemic at hand, major adjustments were made and CDC Guidelines were followed to ensure each person involved in this year’s dinner remained safe.

The SJC Outreach Committee sends a big thank you to everyone who played a part.

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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