San Jacinto County News - Breakout

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SJNT staff

POLK COUNTY — The Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers are investigating a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 190, approximately four-tenths of a mile east of the 770-mile marker, that occurred Jan. 9.

Reports indicate that at approximately 3:46 p.m., a 2020 Hyundai passenger car was traveling west, while a 2010 Lexus SUV was traveling east. It is reported that the driver of Hyundai traveled into the oncoming lane and struck the Lexus.

The driver of the Hyundai, 29-year-old Kyle Farris of Livingston, was transported to HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe for treatment.

The driver of the Lexus, 82-year-old Pauline Adams of Onalaska, was transported to Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center for treatment.

This is an ongoing investigation.

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There is no word more frightful at the dinner table than the word “fentanyl”, especially when you’re in discussions with your children.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) recently revealed that they have seized more than 350 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl tablets in Texas, enough to kill every man, woman and child in the US. Additionally, the DPS has reported an increase in deaths in Texas, resulting from fentanyl by 89 percent from 2020-2021 and the percentages are increasing rapidly.

fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Even a small dose, (as seen in the photo on the tip of a pencil) fentanyl exposure can result in a life-threatening overdose.

The Mexican cartels are importing fentanyl from as far away as the Far East and mass-produced counterfeit pills to look like oxycontin, oxycodone, Percocet, Adderall, Zanax and other pills so that the unsuspecting user doesn’t know what they’re taking that potentially will end their lives.

Of particular interest to me as your sheriff with children and grandchildren of my own is the ever-increasing availability of “rainbow fentanyl” throughout our state of Texas and beyond. As you can see from the photo depicting “rainbow fentanyl” how easy it would be for one of our children to succumb to the temptations of what appears to be a candy-like treat.

The signs of an overdose are varied, as is the first aid protocol for victims:

•Small, constricted pinpoint pupils, face is extremely pale and feels cold or clammy to the touch. Attempt to wake the person up.

•Body goes limp. Give Naloxone if available.

•Fingernails or lips have a purplish color: Administer CPR.

•Vomiting or making gurgling noises: Turn person on their side to prevent choking.

•Cannot be awakened or unable to speak: Stay with the person until emergency services arrive.

In all cases of overdose or suspected overdose, call 911.

What is Naloxone?

Naloxone, or Narcan, is a medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids, including fentanyl. Keeping it on hand, could mean the difference between life and death. It’s available at many pharmacists in Texas without a prescription.

As sheriff, I’m committing myself and the assets at my disposal to combat what we are experiencing in the state of Texas and throughout the country with the introduction of a dedicated drug interdiction team with the assignment of Special Operations K9 Handler Deputy Dustin Oliphant with his partner, K9 Belgian malinois Lady Duna, along with a specially outfitted pursuit vehicle to maintain proactive surveillance throughout the county in partnership with federal, state and other local authorities.

In further partnership with the residence of the SJC and beyond, I ask for your assistance.

It’s my hope that you will find the information helpful, and I look forward to sharing my experiences and the experiences of my senior law-enforcement professionals with the community of San Jacinto County and beyond.

Greg Capers  is Sheriff of San Jacinto County.

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By Tony Farkas
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COLDSPRING — The Coldspring City Council on Jan. 9 discussed ongoing and new grants for numerous projects, including installing sewer lines throughout the city.

Mayor John Benestante said that providing sewer lines to all points inside the city limits is a project that needs to be completed “once and for all.”

Benestante said the city only uses 20 percent of the capacity of the sewer plant, but it costs as if it’s running at 70 percent. Additional revenue will help offset those costs.

Additionally, the project to extend sewer lines down FM 2025 is progressing; engineering drawings are finished, and Benestante said the city hopes to solicit bids statewide in May.

The council also discussed the 2023-24 Texas Community Development Block Grant of $630,000 application, as well as applications for TAP grants to construct sidewalks near the High School.

In a separate matter, the council discussed construction of the proposed concession stand for the youth league ballparks.

Benestante said the council is waiting on design changes, and when finished the city will seek local bids, possibly by end of January.

In other business, the council:

•discussed a proposed purchase of 10 acres of land from the school system;

•approved budget transfers for the 2022; and

•approved the election contract with the county. The council members have elections every year, based on terms of city alderman.

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By Tony Farkas
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COLDSPRING — The San Jacinto County Commissioners Court approved using funds budgeted for unfilled position to offer a month’s worth of overtime pay, with a promise of looking at the issue again in February.

At the Jan. 11 meeting, Chief Deputy Tim Kean said the Sheriff’s Department is near a crisis point and was looking for help.

A letter from Sheriff Greg Capers, which Kean read to the commissioners, states that a possible solution to staffing issues would be paying overtime pay to jailers, instead of current offering only comp time.

Capers said the solution would not include any additional taxpayer funds. He states that income from housing inmates from other counties has been averaging more than $60,000 a month; since the staffing issue at the jail is in critical shape — the department is short 11 jailers.

In the letter, Capers said that six jailers left in one day, moving on to jobs in Walker County, which pays overtime. Polk County also provides overtime pay.

The county is losing jailers because we don’t pay overtime while all surrounding counties do, the letter states.

Capers writes that overtime would cost about $10,000 per month at current staffing levels; as staffing goes up, though, overtime costs will go down. Adopting the proposal, at least on a trial basis, should help solve the staffing issues.

Faulkner said that the county went through a similar issue six months ago, and that every nickel of revenue that comes into the county is accounted for, and it’s all spent.

“It’s all spent,” he said. “If it’s the will of the court, I could go along with using unspent funds from unfilled positions.”

Faulkner reminded the court that the funds from housing prisoners was accounted for, and the court approved raises for county employees and elected officials. Diverting those funds could mean layoffs, he said.

Commissioner Laddie McAnnally proposed sending all out-of-county prisoners back until their own jail facilities can get back lost personnel.

District Attorney Todd Dillon pointed out that the county’s inmate population is mostly felons, and given that court calendars are structured such that only 12 weeks a year are used for trials, it’s hard to keep the population down.

The county did not amend its budget or its pay policy to allow for overtime, but authorized $10,000 on a one-time trial basis, as long as there are concrete figures available, which is to be used to pay jailers only, and not any deputies that are filling in as jailers.

In a related matter, the county approved retiring four Crown Victoria used by the Sheriff’s Department and will offer the vehicles for auction.

In other business, the commissioners:

•discussed ordering a land survey on property the county has up for sale;

•discussed removing a crossover near the intersection of Highway 59 and FM 1127;

•approved extending a lease for office space to the county Health and Human Services Commission for one year;

•discussed renewing the Vidanyx system contract for the District Attorney’s Office;

•approved changing the mileage rate from 62.5 cents per mile to 65.5 cents

•approved bond renewals for Tracy Galloway;

•approved updates on the county’s financial goals and policies and federal grant procurement policies;

•declared items as surplus and approved offering the items for auction;

•approved a lot split in the Samuel Folger survey abstract; and

•accepted an agreement with Kelly Hoot for dumping unusable material.