Log in

Top Stories        News         Sports

Trinity County News - Breakout

PORTRAIT OF A LEGEND

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

080323 dean

Retired District Judge Joe Ned Dean was honored on Friday with a portrait hung at the Trinity County Courthouse Courtroom. Speakers at this event were current 258th District Judge Travis Kitchens Jr. and 258th District Attorney Bennie L. Schiro. Also recognizing Judge Dean were Judge Robert H. Trapp, Former Judge Kaycee L. Jones, Joe Scott Evans and Retired County Attorney Joe Werner Bell. Judge Dean retired in 1998 as District Judge and 2012 as District Attorney. His family was in attendance and his great nieces and nephew did the unveiling as well as a host of friends.Photo by Martha Mericle

  • Hits: 476

County chooses new ambulance service

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

Trinity Countyseal 200By Tony Farkas
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

GROVETON — The Trinity County Commissioners Court approved new ambulance service for the county, but not before hearing a plea from the previous service provider.

At it regular meeting on July 25, David Robison, owner of Groveton EMS, the firm the county and the city of Groveton had agreements with for ambulance service, claimed that only one side of the story had been heard, and Groveton EMS was made out to be the worst ambulance in the country.

At a previous meeting, the county sent the firm its notice of intention to end the contract, citing the ambulance service was operating without a license and complaints from patients.

Robison said that he has acknowledged his mistakes, but that in the thousands of interactions he has had with patients you would expect complaints.

“I should be judged by my medical skills, not my diplomacy,” he said. “I will, though, take training on dealing with stressful situations.”

Robison said that it would be a mistake to contract with an out-of-town company, and the county should reconsider using his firm since it is local and non-profit. He offered to provide service for $10,000 per month.

However, County Judge Danny Martin said the issue actually started with the lapsed license; while Robison said it was a simple matter of sending the renewal to the wrong address, County Attorney Colton Hay said that sending it to the wrong address is the same as not sending it in at all.

Commissioner Neal Smith told Robison that he had backed him since he began, but things have gone too far and “you (Robison) caused it.

“I said clean up your act and people will support you, and you didn’t,” Smith said. “People are tired of it and deserve an ambulance service that will get them to a hospital in a crisis.”

The county then discussed contracting with another service, and will take up a contract, with some modifications, with Allegiance Ambulance.

The new service will have an ambulance housed in the Groveton VFD building, but that ambulance is not dedicated to the area and will be used for mutual aid for other Allegiance needs. However, that aid only applies to crises; non-emergency transfers will not be done.

The cost is estimated to be $78,000 per year, or $6,500 a month, which will be shared with the city of Groveton. The Groveton City Council will take the matter up at its August meeting.

In other business, the county:

•approved a burn ban in the county for 90 days;

•approved the annual audit, which was issued with an unmodified opinion;

•approved a ban of the application TikTok on county phones;

•approved the allocation of Rural Schools Grant funds from the U.S. Forestry Service;

•tabled action on a bill from DRG Architects regarding jail plans;

•approved a contract with IT Enabled for support services;

•approved adding a new county road to branch off Josserand Road; and

•approved the allocation of unclaimed property capital credits.

 

  • Hits: 301

Drought increases fire danger

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

Trinity, Groveton and Apple Springs firefighters work grass fires in the area, which are potentially dangerous because of dry conditions. COURTESY PHOTOSTrinity, Groveton and Apple Springs firefighters work grass fires in the area, which are potentially dangerous because of dry conditions. COURTESY PHOTOS

Special to the News-Standard

The risk for wildfire activity remains elevated through the first week of August as very hot and dry conditions continue.

Over the last week, firefighters in Trinity battled several grass fires, including one on Palm Springs Road that was sparked by a power line that moved into a wooded area. It consumed 1 acre.

Groveton, Friday, Pennington, Apple Springs and Lovelady VFDs on Monday battled a grass fire that ended up scorching 32 acres, also caused by a downed powerline, that threatened two homes and a barn.

According to the Texas Forest Service, 90 percent of Texas wildfires are human caused. To prevent wildfires:

•Always check with local officials for burn bans and other outdoor burning restrictions. Pay attention to local guidelines regarding open fires, campfires and outdoor activities that may pose a fire hazard. For burn ban information, visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/TexasBurnBans/.

•Park in designated spaces and avoid driving over and/or parking on dry grass. The heat from a vehicle can easily ignite the grass.

•When using a cooking fire or campfire, never leave it unattended. Always make sure it is completely out by drowning it with water, stirring it and feeling to ensure it is out cold before leaving.

•When pulling a trailer, ensure the chains are properly connected and do not drag on the road as this can create sparks.

Stay wildfire aware. If a wildfire is spotted, immediately contact local authorities. A quick response can help save lives and property.

Trinity County enacted a burn ban last week.

 

  • Hits: 672

Gibson Hotel receives official Texas Historical Marker

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

080323 dedicationFamily members and other Trinity residents commemorate the installation of a historical marker at the site of the Gibson Hotel. courtesy photo

Special to the News-Standard

TRINITY — On July 26, The Trinity Historical Society and the Trinity County Historical Commission hosted the Official Historical Marker Dedication for the Gibson Hotel Site, located at the corner of Main and Railroad Streets in Trinity.

Grandchildren and descendants of J.B. Gibson, as well as guests, were in attendance for the celebration.

Smokey Culver, a local poet, presented the group with a “Farewell to the Gibson Hotel” poem to commemorate the occasion. There will be a display of Gibson Hotel photos and articles featured at the Blanche K. Werner Public Library.

The marker reads:

SITE OF GIBSON HOTEL

The Gibson Family was among the early settlers of Trinity County, with George Gibson settling in sumpter in 1857 and later marrying Elzirah Ann White. They and their family moved to the new railroad and lumber center of Trinity Station in 1872. George and Elzirah’s son, James Benjamin (Ben) Gibson Sr. (1863-1937), was a land agent for John Martin Thompson’s lumber company, and later county surveryor and entrepreneur. In 1906, he married jessie barns clegg (1883-1948); the couple had four children. When a February 1909 fire destroyed Holland House Hotel, Ben purchased 10 town lots at the site, facing the train depot. He commissioned a two-story, u-shaped, red brick hotel, completed later in 1909, with the main entrance facing front street (later Gibson and then Railroad Street).

The Gibson Hotel boasted 40 guest rooms, plus sample rooms where salesmen displayed their wares. A center courtyard included the kitchen. The lobby had a high ceiling and a grand double staircase. The grand dining room was a popular destination for business and train passengers. Most second-floor guest rooms had windows facing front or main streets, and those without windows were outfitted with ceiling fans and gas heaters as well as screen doors for ventilation. Most rooms included a private bath, and communal baths were also available. The hotel leased first-floor space to other businesses including Mansel and Cochran pharmacies, but ownership remained with the Gibson Family. By 1970 maintenance on the building became a challenge and the building was sold to the First National Bank of Trinity. The hotel was demolished in 1980. For decades it was a commercial and social hub and a symbol of progress and prosperity.

“The Official Texas Historical Marker program helps bring attention to community treasures and the importance of their preservation,” said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the THC. “Awareness and education are among the best ways to guarantee the preservation of our state’s history. This designation is a tool that will increase public awareness of important cultural resources.”

A subject qualifies for a marker if two basic criteria are met: historical significance and age. Historical significance is established by reviewing its role and importance in local history and the age requirement depends on the topic.

The THC’s Official Texas Marker Policies are outlined in the “Official Texas Historical Marker Procedures,” which may be obtained by contacting the History Programs Division, Texas Historical Commission, at (512) 463-5853 or visiting the web site at www.thc.texas.gov.

There are three types of Texas Historical Markers. Subject markers are posted solely for public education awareness and awarded more frequently than the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, which is a legal designation for historic structures and comes with a measure of protection.

Unlike subject markers, the RTHL must also meet a third criterion — architectural integrity. Historic Texas Cemetery markers identify cemeteries which have obtained the HTC designation and whose histories have been researched in detail.

Texas has the largest marker program in the United States with approximately 15,000 markers. Seventeen states have used the Texas program as a model; the THC reviews more than 300 marker applications each year.

“It is vital that as we move forward, we do not forget our past,” said Susanne Waller, Chair, Trinity County Historical Commission. “Not only will the Texas Historical Marker provide awareness in the community of our fascinating history, but it will become a building block for the promotion of local tourism.”

Waller also said she has recently received notice from the state that two historical markers applications sent in this year have been approved. The Trinity Volunteer Fire Department and the Baldwin Chapel Baptist Church in Groveton have been approved by the Texas Historical Commission and are now moving through the process.

For questions regarding the marker programs contact Waller at (936) 642-0242 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The office for the Trinity County Historical Commission is located at the Trinity County Museum, 490 W. First St., in Groveton.

The Texas Historical Commission is the state agency for historic preservation. The agency administers a variety of programs to preserve the archeological, historical and cultural resources of Texas.

  • Hits: 1484

NEW OFFICERS

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

masons

Eastern Star Masonic Lodge 284 of Groveton installed officers for the next year, including (front row, from left) Pat Kesinger, Charles Stewart, Mark Sheak, Frank Giacona, Gordon Hollis and Brice Sailer; and (back row, from left) Mark Luce, Gary Jones Jr., Wendell Kendrick and Buddy Kesinger. COURTESY PHOTO

  • Hits: 504