San Jacinto County News

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The Coldspring-Oakhurst High School Class of 2021 celebrated the end of their high school years with a jubilant toss of their hats at graduation on Saturday, June 12. (photo by Cassie Gregory)

Special to the News-Times

COLDSPRING — The Coldspring-Oakhurst High School Class of 2021 Graduation Ceremony was held on Saturday.

Faculty, staff, families and friends gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of these graduates who have gone through so much in their school years.

This is a class that saw some of the most tumultuous times in school — and state — history, including Hurricane Harvey, Tropical Storm Imelda, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the record-breaking freeze of Winter Storm Uri.

But through it all they faced the challenges with courage and determination to press on, with positive attitudes and good humor in spite of the obstacles.

Congratulations Class of 2021. You have overcome and we are so proud of you. You will not be stopped.

Band

The COHS band performed for the huge crowd at the Class of 2021 Graduation on Saturday, June 12. (Photo by Stormie Payne)

Hat Toss 1

The Coldspring-Oakhurst High School Class of 2021 celebrated the end of their high school years with a jubilant toss of their hats at graduation on Saturday, June 12. (photo by Cassie Gregory)

Perfect Attendance 2

COHS graduate O'Shai Burnett was surprised by his award for perfect attendance all the way from kindergarten through 12th grade. (Photo by Stormie Payne)

Top 5 at graduation

The COHS Class of 2021 Top 10 (1-5) Graduates from left: Valedictorian Marissa Martinez, Salutatorian Ja'Kayla Mimms, Historian Kynadee Benestante, Tiffanie White and Jared Curry. (Photo by Cassie…

Top 6-10

COHS Class of 2021 Top 10 (6-10) Graduates from left: Kandis Martinez, Jacelynn Head, Joseph Lemon, Caitlin Moore, and Jonathan Buchanan (Photo by Cassie Gregory)

Valedictorian 1

COHS Class of 2021 Valedictorian Marissa Martinez addressed her fellow graduates on Saturday, June 12. (Photo by Stormie Payne)

Valedictorian 3

COHS Valedictorian Marissa Martinez encouraged her fellow graduates to keep moving forward with the knowledge that they can overcome any obstacle. (Photo by Cassie Gregory)

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By Tony Farkas
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COLDSPRING — The Coldspring City Council continues its mission to clean up its streets and dilapidated property.

Mayor Pat Eversole said that at the June 7 meeting, council members were given updates on the status of complaints on the house on Slade Street and the two homes on Highway 150 that have been notified by the city that cleanup was needed.

None of the property owners have responded, and Eversole said that the city’s attorney will take the next step in the process. The council took no action.

In other business, the city:

• discussed expansion of Dixie Youth League Ball Park. Eversole said the council is in discussions with a couple property owners on purchasing new property for expanding the park.
• tabled adopting an ordinance banning helicopter landings within the city limits, as new Council Member Larry McElhaney said that he did not read over the ordinance.
• discussed the construction of 22 RV parking spaces to be made available behind the city’s Exxon gas station;
• discussed a request by a homeowner on Pine Avenue for paving;
• approved paying the monthly Inframark bill of $7,081.96; and
• swore in two council members — McElhaney, elected in May, who replaced John Benestante, who decided not to run again. Also, Benestante was sworn in as a replacement for Council Member Greg Bore, who passed away unexpectedly after his election.

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Shepherd High School graduates toss their caps in their air, marking the end of their high school careers. Courtesy photo by Michelle Cones-Minton

By Emily Kubisch-Sabrsula
SJNT staff writer

WILLIS — In a year plagued by pandemic-related setbacks, the Pirate Class of 2021 had one more final hurdle before crossing the stage — and that was cross the county.

With recent rains making the field unusable, according to Facebook comments made by Superintendent Jason Hewitt, the call was made to move graduation from the district stadium to the Willis ISD Performing Arts Center due to continued concerns over weather.

With limited seating concerns, graduating students were allotted eight tickets each to give to family members, with the district also live-streaming the event for those unable to attend.

Salutatorian Diane Vasquez addressed her fellow students and with a heart-felt speech detailing the ups and downs of their school years together and future decisions ahead of them, ending her speech by quoting Rep. Corey Booker: “Real courage is holding on to a still voice in your head that says, ‘I must keep going.’ It’s that voice that says nothing is a failure if it is not final. That voice that says to you, ‘Get out of bed. Keep going. I will not quit.” and leaving the other presenters to hand out awards to the remaining seniors.

Several other students spoke following, giving historical recollections of the class’ shared memories and others thanking teachers and staff, with Valedictorian Sara Jimenez-Gomez extending a thank you to her mother in Spanish.

After sitting on stage, the group finally stood for one last event together, tossing their graduation caps in the air and leaving each other one last time, looking ahead to their futures.

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By Tony Farkas
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COLDSPRING — The San Jacinto County Commissioners Court talked a little trash at its regular meeting on May 19.

County Judge Fritz Faulkner said that about 20 people from the Trails End subdivision in the southwest part of the county came to express their concerns about a proposal for an area landfill planned in that part of the county.

Faulkner said Peach Creek Environmental has put in an application with Texas Commission for Environmental Quality for a proposed landfill.

Area residents that showed up told the court they don’t want it in their back yards; however, Faulkner said that the county is not part of any of the process. Peach Creek has 2,000 acres of land purchased, and 600 acres will be part of the initial phase.

“When you put one of these things in, there’s a valid concern about water quality,” Faulkner said. “There is a membrane put down to protect water table, but it could rupture. You’re also talking about 500 trucks a day coming in through the roads, and there are concerns about property values. Also, part of the area may be in the flood plain, which carries additional concerns.”

Faulkner said it was a very informative discussion; however, the plan is only in the permitting process and there a lot of work left to do. He also said the county will look into the matter, but took no action.

“It’s people just bringing concerns to the court,” he said.

In other business, the county:

• discussed new storage for the county’s records, which currently are stored in elections building and the basement of the courthouse. Maintenance personnel were asked to price metal buildings or seagoing containers;
• approved purchase of track loader for $86,200; and
• approved bonds for all employees of the Sheriff’s Office.