San Jacinto County News - Breakout

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COCISD Education Foundation president Suzanne York was the emcee for the group’s spring fundraiser. Photo by Mark York

Special to the News-Times

COLDSPRING — The Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD Education Foundation (COEF) recently held its spring fundraiser “An Enchanted Evening Y’all” at Pearls in the Pines in Point Blank. 

The theme of the evening was based on the idea of a second-chance prom for those who may not have attended their prom back in the day — or just wanted to relive it — with a little western cowboy style thrown into the mix.

COEF President Suzanne York said it was an evening of dancing, fine food and fun for all who attended. All of the proceeds will provide funds for academic projects and materials for COCISD teachers, academic departments and campuses for innovative projects that would otherwise not be able to get funding.

“Every dollar raised goes directly to benefit COCISD teachers and classrooms,” said York. “It was a great event for a good cause.”

York said the evening was a huge success thanks to the event’s underwriters: Wolf Creek Air Conditioning, Loflin Environmental Services, Representative Ernest Bailes and family, Carriage House Farm & Vineyard, and Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, LLC. She and her husband, Mark York, also contributed to the event.

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Area first responders simulate the extrication process. Courtesy Photo

Special to the News-Times

COLDSPRING — Coldspring-Oakhurst High School students were witness to a different, more graphic lesson in the mid-morning of April 13.

It was a scene out of the backlots of Hollywood — preplanned and well-orchestrated; a mock life-and-death scenario of what is in many cases the aftermath of driving while intoxicated. 

The objectives of the event were to call attention of the realities of DWI and the effects on the individuals and family members, and how a community can organize, equip and train volunteer first responders to respond to tragedies. 

Saving lives comes about as a result of the response by first responders, starting with the on-scene assessment, extricating and stabilizing victims, triaging to hospitals, and more. 

A witness to the scene said, “I am amazed at the proficiency of these responding agencies, fire, ambulance, police, helicopter who are able to work seamlessly together.” 

Coldspring-Oakhurst High School Assistant Principal Courtney Robison, one of the organizers of the simulation, said the intent of the exercise was to highlight the process that follows a crash, from the initial accident through the arrest. 

That included subjecting the alleged DWI driver to a field sobriety test administered by a DPS trooper, transporting him to the San Jacinto County Jail for processing, and then to court where Assistant District Attorney Todd Dillon brought charges before Justice of the Peace Christina McGee for sentencing.   

“As heart wrenching as DWI is, I should like to point out that on average, 11 teens die every day in fatal texting related car accidents, compared to the average of 8 deaths a day from DWI related accidents,” Robison said. “Parents need to be aware of these frightening statistics.”

Individuals and organizations involved in the event include Robison; Health Science Teacher and First Reponders VP Kaitlin Cook; Texas Farm Bureau; Karen Cox; Allegiance Mobil Health; San Jacinto County First Responders; PHI Air Ambulance Service; Coldspring VFD Chief Emmitt Eldridge; Bear Creek VFD Chief Bryan Matthews; Shepherd VFD Chief Michael Gray; Sheriff Greg Capers; COCISD Police Chief Jack Dean; DPS Sgt. Gary Wright; ADA Dillon; and Precinct 1 JP Christina McGee.

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By Tony Farkas
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POINT BLANK — The Point Blank City Council told a full house of city residents about the new ordinance affecting short-term rentals in the city limits.

Mayor Mark Wood said that people in the area are waking up to the fact that vacation rentals are cropping up throughout the city, especially around the lakefront.

The council fielded numerous complaints about noise and property damage in connection with the short-term rentals. Additionally, there were questions about how to enforce the ordinance, as the city doesn’t field a police force.

No action was taken.

In a separate matter, Wood said he informed the residents and council that FEMA is changing flood plain definitions, which will impact property east of Governor Wood most particularly.

In other business, the council:

 •discussed sale tax revenue being down 15 percent; and

• approved disposing of city assets that are non-functional.

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By Tony Farkas
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Two constitutional amendments dealing with property taxes will be on the ballot of the May 7 election, along with any contested city and school board races for each county.

Proposition 1 will benefit individuals with an over-65 or disabled exemption on their property.

According to information released by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, if an individual currently has an over-65/disabled exemption on their home, the proposal will provide a reduction on school district property taxes.

There are 1.8 million over-65 exemptions and 180,000 disabled exemptions in the state; on average these households will see a $110 reduction the first year and $125 reduction in the second year, and the reduction will continue to grow each year.

This amendment will become effective as of January 1, 2023, if it passes.

Proposition 2 will increase the homestead exemption by $15,000.

If this amendment passes the state homestead exemption on home values for school district taxes will increase from $25,000 to $40,000. On average, the 5.67 million homesteads in Texas will see a $175 savings in their school district tax bill at the current average statewide school property tax rate.

This amendment will be effective as of January 1, 2022, if it passes, so homeowners will see the savings when they receive their property tax bill this fall.

Other races in San Jacinto County include:

•On the ballot in the Cleveland ISD, LaDerrington Baldwin is facing off against incumbent Willie Carter for the Cleveland ISD Board of Trustees Position 4; for Position 5, Sharica Lewis is running against incumbent Amanda Sandoval Brooks.

•On the ballot in the Willis ISD, the district is looking to issue $143,045,000 in bonds for school improvements, $62,565,000 in bonds for improvements to the athletic stadium, and $19,390,000 for a natatorium.

•Coldspring has city and school board elections on its ballots; John Benestante is running against incumbent mayor Pat Eversole, while Dianne Griffith us running unopposed for District 2 and Nichole Gatewood is running unopposed for District 4.

For COCISD, incumbent Tony L. Sewell is running against Roosevelt Joseph for Position 3, and incumbent Berlin Bradford is running unopposed.

For those living in the district but outside the city limits, that ballot will include only the school board elections.

Early voting will be held April 25-29 and May 2-3 at the San Jacinto County Election Administration Building, 51 E. Pine Ave., in Coldspring, during business hours, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

On election day, polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Those places include:

•Elections Administration Building, 51 E. Pine Ave., Coldspring

•Shepherd Community Center, 10251 State Hwy 150, Shepherd

•Evergreen Community Center, 7550 State Hwy 150 W, Coldspring

•Bear Creek VFD, 11550 FM 1725, Cleveland

•County Precinct 4 Annex, 221 Boat Launch Road, Point Blank

•Oakhurst Fire Department, 990 US Hwy 190, Oakhurst

•New Hope Baptist Church, 13200 FM 2025, Cleveland