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Trinity County News 2

CASA moves to a new facility, grand opening set for May 11

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Facility STOCK

Special to the News-Standard

HUNTSVILLE — One of the taglines of Court Appointed Special Advocates is helping children to find a “Safe, Permanent Home-As Quickly as Possible.”

In that same vein, CASA’s desire for permanency, in order to better serve the communities of Walker, San Jacinto, and Trinity counties, has led this organization to purchase a new home at 2515 Pine Shadows Drive, the former First Financial Bank Annex Building, in Huntsville.

Although it may seem on the surface that the decision to buy, the selection of the new location, and the move have happened quickly; the process began around five years ago with planning and resource development.

When Debbie Price became the CASA Board President in August 2022, she wanted the conversations to become intentional plans, investigate buildings, and have feet on the ground looking for an existing structure.

“Once the decision was made, Realtor Stacey Roberts joining the Board was pivotal,” Price said. “We had the knowledge; we had the person who could maneuver the process. Her wisdom was critical. That is when it started feeling the most real. We started talking about the investment and the finances.”

The contributions of so many friends of CASA throughout the community and the diligence of those within the CASA family brought the dream of this organization of a permanent Home to fruition.

The Facilities Committee consists of Russell Humphrey, Carlton Boaz, Stacey Roberts, Chris Supan, Pat Stephenson, Price, Jill Pagels, Mary Petron and Sharon Dieringer, and each impacted the process in a variety of ways.

Price said Humphrey and Boaz made it clear that building something was going to be too expensive.

“Carlton is doing the work on the building that we are buying, not just as a contractor but as a Board Associate,” she said. “He brings a totally different mindset to our Board. His perspective is very practical.”

The support of this project extended from within the program out to other entities in Walker County. The people of First Financial Bank (FFB) committed to CASA in a way that was critical.

“The $150,000 contribution from FFB was essential in making this purchase possible, and we are humbled by their evident commitment to CASA’s future success,” Executive Director Kim Weiser said.

Facilities Committee Chairman Ernie Smith said the bank was happy that CASA was in a position to buy the building, and were supportive of us growing and interested in helping the organization meet its needs.

While First National Bank will be losing CASA as a tenant, they also have been supportive of the organization’s desire to vacate and flexible with the timeline of this process.

Executive Assistant Emily O’Rear said she “is looking forward to people being able to come to our facility and staying, feeling at home. That is our mission, to make children feel safe. I love the correlation; we have found our forever home.”

Program Director Rachel Drake said that she is “most excited about the opportunity for growth. We will be able to grow into the ideas we have now; we will see more needs, and have more ideas implemented without having to move again.”

Chris Supan, a 10-year advocate, said he is thrilled for the staff.

“They will have sufficient room to conduct all of the trainings and the ability to serve the needs of the advocates in this location,” he said.

With the move, CASA gains greater visibility and exposure in the community.

Smith said, “With greater exposure, we will have a chance to tell what we’ve accomplished in our support of children in the three counties.”

The doors will be open for business on April 4; CASA invites the public to attend a ribbon cutting and grand opening to be held at 4:30 p.m. May 11,. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information about CASA and how to become involved with this organization, visit www.casaofwalkercounty.org or call 936-291-CASA.

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Trinity County resident dies in boating mishap

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Trinity Fire Department personnel assisted in a search for a missing man, who was found dead early Wednesday morning.Trinity Fire Department personnel assisted in a search for a missing man, who was found dead early Wednesday morning.

By Tony Farkas
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A resident of Trinity County died March 21 after high winds capsized his boat in Lake Livingston.

Sheriff Woody Wallace said in a release that Jerry Lynn Bailey, 74, a resident of the Hawg Heaven subdivision, was found dead, floating in the water near his favorite fishing spot.

A search began Tuesday after authorities were notified Bailey was missing. Family members told police that he had been last seen at around 1 p.m. March 21 on his boat by a private dock. Bailey told his family members he was headed out to check fishing lines between Brown Creek, the power lines and 190 bridge near Onalaska.

Keith Johnson, Assistant Fire Chief for Trinity Fire Department, said they brought their rescue boat to assist Trinity County Sheriff’s Department and Texas Parks and Wildlife Game wardens in the search.

The search began around 6 p.m., and other agencies participated, including the Onalaska Fire Department and the Department of Public Safety, which used a helicopter.

Johnson said the search continued into the night with search crews battling high winds and choppy water; around midnight the search was suspended until Wednesday morning.

He said the search resumed at 6 a.m. multiple boats on the water and DPS in the air, searching the area north of the Highway 190 bridge. The missing boater was located at approximately 10:30 a.m.

Wallace said the boat was not located and authorities suspect it capsized in high winds.

Trinity County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Mary Wallace was called to the scene for an inquest, Johnson said.

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Kembro wins FWSSR Calf Scramble scholarship

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Kayla Kembro brought home a $12,000 scholarship from the Fort Worth Stock Show. Courtesy photoKayla Kembro brought home a $12,000 scholarship from the Fort Worth Stock Show. Courtesy photo

Special to the News-Standard

FORT WORTH — A $12,000 scholarship was recently awarded to Kayla Kembro of Trinity FFA by the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo’s Calf Scramble Scholarship Committee.

She is the daughter of Kimberly and Brian Kembro.

Kembro participated in the 2022 Fort Worth Stock Show Calf Scramble program making her eligible for the scholarship program. Sixty-six youth shared in $425,000 in Calf Scramble scholarship dollars.

Kembro’s scholarship was the result of the hard work and dedication necessary for participants to complete the rigorous Calf Scramble program. The moment they caught a calf during a 2022 Stock Show rodeo performance their Calf Scramble journey began.

These youth utilized Stock Show funds toward the purchase of a calf that they cared for in 2022. Her Simmental heifer project was sponsored by Dodson Family Farms of Robstown. Caring for their heifer, submitting monthly reports, exhibiting at the 2023 Fort Worth Livestock Show and submitting a final essay were required for scholarship consideration.

Meeting in February, the Committee awarded Kembro her scholarship.    

Sponsors for Kembro’s scholarship include Austin Clinkscales; Dalio Foundation Inc.; Hillwood Land & Cattle; Dee J. Kelly Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. David McDavid; Melville Excavating Inc.; R. Watson Boots; Railhead Smokehouse; Roto-Rooter of Tarrant and Parker County; Schutts Land & Cattle Co.; Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show; W&B Service Co.; Walsh Companies; and Jerry L. Wood, Attorney at Law.

The 2024 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is scheduled for Jan. 12 through Feb. 3. Rodeo tickets will be available beginning Sept. 11. For more information go to www.fwssr.com or call (817) 877-2400.

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Child thought to be missing found safe

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Haven BarkerHaven Barker

By Tony Farkas
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GROVETON — An 8-year-old child was found safe on Friday after an Amber Alert galvanized the community and brought numerous law enforcement together.

One person, Charles Estep, 50, was arrested on parole violation charges in connection with case and the child is unharmed at this time.

Sheriff Woody Wallace said that on March 6, the Sheriff’s Office received a request for a welfare check for the child, Haven Barker, 8, who had contacted relatives and Child Protective Services about possible illegal activity at the home.

He said the child was believed to be with her mother, Tamara Barker, and mother’s boyfriend, Charles Estep.

Investigators found the child had not been at school since she called CPS, and that the mother had tried to place the child with other family member, Wallace said. The adults tried several times to leave Haven with a relative in San Jacinto County, then just dropped some of the child’s belongings in the driveway and left.

Officers searched the home, and found that the adults’ belongings were gone, but most of the child’s belongings were left, which led investigators to request the Amber Alert, Wallace said.

Tips from the alert led law enforcement to Colorado, where the vehicle was seen, and another relative of the mother told police that the three were seen in the other state. The car was located at a motel at an unnamed city in Colorado.

Estep was arrested, Haven was located, and Colorado CPS officials determined that she was in no danger and was left with the mother.

Wallace said that officials will continue to investigate the incident, particularly what led to this happening, in order to keep Haven safe.

Wallace said that he was appreciative that things came together so quickly and the help that was provided was invaluable. He thanked all the people offering tips and the numerous Colorado and Texas law enforcement agencies.

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THECB offering new low-interest loan options for students

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Special to the News-Standard

AUSTIN — The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board now offers a new low-interest loan option for Texas students.

The Future Occupations & Reskilling Workforce Advancement to Reach Demand Loan Program is designed to increase the number of students who obtain high-value credentials in high-demand occupations.

The FORWARD Loan is structured to help students complete their degrees with manageable to low debt levels and for students to be able to repay the loan within 10 years.

“The FORWARD Loan Program will help more Texans secure careers in high-demand fields and complete their degrees with manageable debt as they enter the workforce,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Harrison Keller. “We are committed to increasing educational attainment for Texans of all ages, with the goal of 95 percent of all undergraduates completing their credentials with manageable or no debt. This program can be a key piece in achieving those goals.”

The program is open to students who are enrolled in a high-demand credential program that the student will be able to complete in two years or less. Eligible programs include technology, nursing/patient care, teaching, supply chain/transportation and logistics, and energy.

“Texas’ economic competitiveness depends on an educated workforce,” said Chairman of the Coordinating Board Dr. Fred Farias. “The FORWARD Loan is one more program that will help more Texas students enter high-demand jobs and allow them to contribute to, participate in, and benefit from our world class economy.”

Additional eligibility information can be found online.

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