Trinity County News 2

Write a comment

Special to the News-Times

LUFKIN — For more than 36 years, Horace McQueen was known as the voice of agriculture in Texas. During most of those years, thousands of East Texans started their day with him on his popular Farm and Ranch News on KTRE-TV in Lufkin and KLTV-TV in Tyler.

Over the years he has won many awards, including the National Farm Broadcaster of the Year and the Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture.

On June 22, the Deep East Texas Council of Governments will bestow another honor on McQueen — the prestigious Ralph W. Steen East Texan of the Year.

The award will be presented during DETCOG’s Annual Membership and Awards Luncheon to be held Thursday at Noon at the Pitser Garrison Convention Center in Lufkin.

The Steen award honors an individual who has played a major role in leadership and service to Deep East Texas. DETCOG President and Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison says Horace McQueen fits the bill perfectly.

“Agriculture is so important to our region and always has been,” she said. “It is very fitting that our East Texan of the Year is someone who has devoted his life to promoting agriculture, which is more than just a big part of our economy — it’s a way of life for many of our residents. We invite everyone to come celebrate with us and honor Mr. McQueen and our other award recipients.”

This marks the 48th consecutive year DETCOG has presented the Ralph W. Steen East Texan of the Year Award. In 1976, Dr. Steen was retiring after 20 years as President of Stephen F. Austin State University. To honor his contributions to the region DETCOG presented the first East Texan of the Year Award to him and then decided to make it an annual presentation in his honor.

Other awards to be presented at the DETCOG annual meeting include the President’s Award which recognizes outstanding service on a DETCOG committee. The Key Contributor Award recognizes a staff member who has contributed greatly to the organization’s success. The Star Partner Award honors an employee or official in a state or federal agency. The DETCOG Employee of the Year and Program Director of the Year for 2022 will also be recognized at the event.

Luncheon tickets are $25 and reserved tables are also available. RSVPs are appreciated. Anyone needing information may contact Executive Assistant Lacy Sargent at the DETCOG office in Lufkin at (936) 634-2247 extension 5254.

DETCOG, organized in 1966, is a voluntary association of local governments in the 11-county region encompassing all of Angelina, Houston, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, and Tyler counties.

DETCOG was established in November of 1966 as an Economic Development District under the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration. In 1968 the organization also became a political subdivision of the State of Texas as a Regional Planning Commission under state law. Current membership includes 11 counties, 34 cities, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, plus a number of other entities including school districts, river authorities, special purpose districts, and sustaining members.

“Above all, DETCOG is an organization of, by, and for the local governments of Deep East Texas,” said Executive Director Lonnie Hunt. “We exist to support our member governments and serve their residents.”

Write a comment

Special to the News-Standard

BEAUMONT — Entergy Texas is excited to mark 23 years of fan donations across our service area to help low-income customers stay cool and save money.

Throughout the month of June, the company will donate a total of 1,300 fans to 34 local cities and agencies.

Entergy Texas, Inc. provides electricity to approximately 499,000 customers in 27 counties. Entergy Texas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through its operating companies across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy is creating a cleaner, more resilient energy future for everyone with our diverse power generation portfolio, including increasingly carbon-free energy sources.

With roots in the Gulf South region for more than a century, Entergy is a recognized leader in corporate citizenship, delivering more than $100 million in economic benefits to local communities through philanthropy and advocacy efforts annually over the last several years. Our approximately 12,000 employees are dedicated to powering life today and for future generations.

Write a comment

Special to the News-Standard

AUSTIN — Motorists traveling during the Memorial Day weekend are reminded that state law requires drivers to slow down or move over for emergency vehicles — including tow trucks, police cars and fire trucks — stopped on the side of the road with their emergency lights activated.

Large numbers of travelers are expected on Texas roads, which means that more breakdowns and traffic stops are likely as well. Drivers should pay attention to what’s happening around them and prepare to react quickly.

Texas law requires drivers to slow down at least 20 miles per hour under the posted speed limit or, if able, to change lanes when they’re passing a first responder stopped on the road with their emergency lights activated.

TDLR licenses tow operators and tow companies in Texas, and regulates driver education/driving safety courses, and motorcycle/ATV safety courses.

1 Comment

TCNS staff

HUNTSVILLE — Two suspects from Trinity County wanted for mail theft were arrested by members of the Walker County Sheriff’s Department on May 15.

According to reports from law enforcement, 24-year-old Chastity Stanley and 25-year-old Haley Johnson were both placed in custody and transported to the Walker County Jail after Walker County Sheriff’s Deputy D. Arce observed the two exiting a green passenger at the 3000 block of State Highway 19.

Arce was aware the two women had active warrants; when he approached the vehicle, he observed a green pipe and an abundance of mail covering the floorboard of the back and passenger side of the vehicle. After confirming their identity, dispatch advised that both subjects had active warrants out of Trinity County.

While searching the vehicle, mail belonging to approximately 57 different addresses was found, reports indicate. Additionally, a small bag was found with 5 different written checks with different names and addresses.

Stanley was charged with theft of mail, a third-degree felony, and endangering a child, a second-degree felony. Bond was set at $50,000.

Johnson was charged with theft of mail, a third-degree felony; criminal mischief; and warrants for hindering apprehension or prosecution, a third-degree felony, endangering a child, a second-degree felony; unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, a third-degree felony; possession of a controlled substance, a third-degree felony; and theft of mail a state jail felony. Bond was set at $90,000.

The Walker County Sheriff’s Office has been working with the United States Postal Services inspector, and detectives have been contacting all mail theft victims.

If you believe you may have been a victim of this case of mail them, contact the Sheriff’s Office at (936) 435-2400.