Trinity County News - Breakout

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Health Occupations Students of America is a career and technical student organization for students planning to pursue health professions. Students will be job shadowing at Tyler Mother Frances Hospital this school year. Pictured are (from left) Misty Coleman, Health Science Teacher/Sponsor/CTE Director; Natalyn Jordan, Brooke Arnold, Chelsea Loftin, Lexie Smith, Emalee Ellis and Aaliya Hale. Not pictured are Kimberly Caceres, Leslie Gonzales, Nancy Velasquez, Jennifer Esqueda, Yesica Lopez and Izabell Hester. Courtesy photoBy Tony Farkas

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TRINITY — The Trinity ISD Board of Trustees approved a contract for engineering work, starting the process to replace aging equipment throughout the district.

Superintendent John Kaufman said the board approved the contract with E3 for an engineering study, centering around school lighting and air conditioners.

He said that 43 percent of air conditioners in the district are more than 23 years old and replacing them will improve efficiency and save money.

Additionally, the older fluorescent lights will be replaced with a more efficient LED system.

Kaufman said the district has spent $150,000 on AC repair or replacement this year, and it has been that way for several years. E3 will replace any system older than 18 years and will scavenge parts for use on other systems.

In other business, the board:

•tabled action on purchasing exterior door alerts to research alarm systems;

•discussed a report on the recently installed vape sensors. Kaufman said they are working very well and that quite a few students have been caught;

•discussed a visit with State Sen. Robert Nichols and some of the legislative issues facing schools, such as funding, vouchers, security; and

•discussed upcoming training for the board.

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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick discusses issues facing Inspiration Village with Director Connie Price and Michelle Newhouse. Photo by Tony Farkas

By Tony Farkas
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GROVETON — The tour bus of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick came to town not only for a campaign stop, but for, as Patrick put it, the best Philly cheesesteak sandwich in 130 cities from the County Seat Café.

The tour hit town on Wednesday at noon, stopping briefly before heading to Lufkin.

While Patrick had no prepared remarks, he did say that this year’s election was critical because the state, and the country, are up against socialist methods.

“The Democrat Party is not the party that some people remember; it’s been taken over by the left and they want Texas to be California,” he said. “The (Texas candidates) are all running on Joe Biden’s platform — (destroy) the oil and gas industry, open up the border more, or letting boys play girls’ sports — all these woke things that will destroy Texas and the country.”

Patrick said conservatives have to draw the line, and the key will be voter turnout.

“We have to get as many people to win, not just by a big margin, but by a big turnout,” he said.

Key issues facing Texans, particularly in the upcoming Legislature, will be getting more power to the Texas electricity grid, border security and education.

To help the grid, Patrick said the state will need to level the playing field with the renewable resource industries, since fossil fuel providers are at a disadvantage because of federal subsidies.

He also said that it is critical to decrease property taxes for landowner, and to provide more funding for border security.

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Trinity County Commissioners Court members and representatives from the Child Protective Services office pose after the county declared November and National Adoption Month. Photo by Tony FarkasBy Tony Farkas
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GROVETON — As well as being concerned about housing prisoners, Sheriff Woody Wallace expressed concern to the Trinity County Commissioners’ Court about stray animals and where to house those.

Wallace told the court at its regular meeting on Oct. 25, that the stray animal problem in the county is bad, and that his office is receiving about 100 calls per month.

He also said that his office does not have the capacity to handle the problem, and that the kennels the county does have need to be renovated.

“Deputies don’t have time to handle the calls,” he said. “We need to revise the plan that we have, and maybe hire a part-timer person to get this under control.”

Commissioner Neal Smith asked if the Sheriff’s Department had ordered the required drugs to euthanize the animal; Wallace said it would be too expensive and not an answer to the problem.

While the county took no action, the court did approve applying for U.S. Treasury Local Assistance/Tribal Consistency grants, and if approved, will be used to help solve the problem.

In a separate matter, the court heard a presentation for Medi-Vac services from PHI Air Medical.

Representatives said that for a little more than $42,000 per year, there would be air ambulance service provided to all areas of the county, and it would be of no out-of-pocket expenses for the patients.

Commissioners likewise took no action; however, should they approve an agreement, grant funds from the same place as for the stray problems would be used.

In other business, the court:

•approved an inmate housing agreement with Waller County, with Smith voting no;

•approved modifying an inmate housing agreement with Somervell County, raising daily costs from $45 to $70. Smith again voted against the measure;

•approved a construction project for Precinct 4;

•took no action on a pauper funeral payment for non-compliance; and

•approved personnel action forms.

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TCNS staff

Early voting for the Nov. 8 general election ends Friday, and election day is Tuesday.

These midterm elections will be for the Texas governor and other state offices; State Senator; State Representative, and for new U.S. Representative, Pete Sessions, after redistricting placed Trinity County in District 17.

Sessions, the Republican incumbent, faces Democrat Mary Jo Woods.

On the state front, incumbent Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, is being challenged by Democrat Steve Russell and Libertarian Desarae Lindsey; and incumbent Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin, faces Democrat Jason Rogers.

Most local races were decided in the May primary election, and the only county election is for treasurer, and Orrin Hargrave faces Cheryl Boggs Savage to replace Bob Dockens, who lost in the primary.

Apple Springs ISD also will have an election. Daniel Murray, Melanie Aycock, Tonya Odom, Amanda Roden and Jerry Sanders are the five candidates vying for the four positions up for election.

For information, contact the Election Administrator’s Office at (936) 642-3959.

Trinity County Voting Location

Nov. 8 General/Joint Election 

•Groveton High School, 202 N. Main, Groveton

•Chita Baptist Church, 10959 FM 355, Trinity

•Lakeway Baptist Church, 12748 FM 356, Trinity

•Glendale Methodist Church, 184 Glendale Church Road, Trinity

•Trinity Middle School, Jefferson Street, Trinity

•Friday Community Center, 4198 FM 1280, Groveton

•Pennington Community Center, 11568 W. FM 358, Pennington

•Nogalus Calvary Baptist Church, (4712 FM 357 2 miles farther), Centralia

•Apple Springs VFD, 14755 N. SH 94, Apple Springs

•Centerville School, 10327 N. SH 94, Groveton

•Risin Sun Cowboy Church, 13984 E. Pegoda Road, Trinity

•Groveton Community Center, 147 Fair Loop, Groveton

•Trinity Pines Baptist Church, 4769 FM 356, Trinity

•East Prairie Church of Christ, 138 Norsworthy Lane (Possum Walk), Groveton

•Baldwin Chapel, 288 MLK Jr. Drive, Groveton

•Trinity Community Center, 502 S. Robb, Trinity

•Ligon Chapel CME Hall, 565 E. Deason Loop, Apple Springs

•Trinity City Hall, 101 W. Madison, Trinity

•Oaklawn Baptist Church, 4833 N. SH 94, Groveton

•River of Life Church, 2390 S. SH 19, Trinity