Trinity County News - Breakout

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By Tony Farkas
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TRINITY — The Trinity City Council has approved increases in water, sewer and solid waste rates.

At its regular meeting on Thursday, the council approved a pair of ordinances that raises rates for city services an average of 13.27 percent.

For customers in the city limits, the cost for water use of 0-2,000 gallons is now $26.50, up from $24; for 2,000-10,000 gallons, $4.40 per 1,000 gallons, up from $4; and for over 10,000 gallons, the cost is $6.05 per 1,000 gallons, up from $5.50.

For customers outside city limits, the cost for water use of 0-2,000 gallons is now $44, up from $40; for 2,000-10,000 gallons, the cost is now $4.40 per 1,000 gallons, up from $4; and for use over 10,000 gallons, the cost is $6.05 per 1,000 gallons, up (from $5.50).

Sewer rates for single family residential, multi-family and commercial property, both inside and outside of the city limits, are now $12.50, up from $10.50, for 0-2,000 gallons; and for 2,000 and more, the cost is $3.45 per 1,000 gallons, up from $3.

Dumpster service will increase $10 per account.

Council Member Clegg DeWalt said that periodic price changes are necessary to keep the city from operating in the red, as it was several years ago.

The city, according to City Manager Tim King, had lost $250,000 in the first three months of this fiscal year, which could mean without the price hikes, the city could lose $1 million in a year’s time, based on increased costs.

The city also has seen increases in costs amounting to 30 percent.

The new rates only will generate about $10,600 a month in additional revenue; however, Mayor Billy Goodin said there was no way to raise rates to allow those utilities to operate in the black.

The new rates will become effective March 1.

In a related matter, the city approved an ordinance requiring shut-off valves on the customer side of the water meter for any new construction in the city.

The ordinance also states that if water is shut off for major repairs, a valve will need to be installed then.

All other residences will be grandfathered in.

The city will help install valves for a $25 cost.

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Shaun Stout (right), pictured with his wife Tallie Jo Stout, has been named athletic director for the Trinity ISD. Photo by Tony Farkas

By Tony Farkas
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TRINITY — Trinity High School Assistant Principal Shaun Stout has been named the new athletic director for the district.

Stout had been serving as interim director for the last few weeks.

At a special meeting on Wednesday, the Board of Trustees approved Stout’s hiring unanimously. Superintendent Dr. John Kaufman said a hiring committee spent numerous hours seeking a candidate that was the right fit out of more than 100 applications.

Board President Kevin Searcy thanked Stout for his work with the children of the district, and said he was looking forward to the upcoming seasons.

Stout thanks everyone for their belief in him.

“I had stepped away from coaching, but the passion and hunger has always been there, and my loyalty to Trinity has always been there,” he said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without this town.”

Stout said that the kids deserve so much, and the he sees the hunger in them to succeed.

Stout has been in education for 20 years, and only for the last two years has not been a coach. He calls Trinity home and has been and educator in the district since 2015.

“Trinity has been part of me my whole life,” he said. “My family owned a house on the lake, and we spent time here with my grandfather.”

Stout went to high school in Trinity, playing football at the old Sanderson Field on South Robb Street. He played quarterback and defensive back under coaches Danny Mitchell and Clay Lowery.

He also met his wife here and raised his family here, and his children and a niece are alumni of Trinity High School.

“It means a lot to me, the perception of Trinity,” he said. “When I was coaching, I pounded it into the kids to be proud of Trinity.”

Stout said he will approach coaching in a manner of instilling pride in the athletes and teaching them that they can do anything they set their minds to, including academics.

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Groveton ISD cosmetology students present Constable Lawrence Adamick with blankets created by the class. Courtesy photo

Special to the News-Standard

GROVETON — The Groveton Cosmetology students have been working on their tie-knot blankets since the beginning of this school year.

The students presented two blankets to Constable Lawrence Adamick to comfort any child in need.

These three students will be traveling and competing in the Skills USA Community Service competition soon.

The time is now to make a difference and these students are truly making a difference.

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Can you beat this? Two Groveton Indians on the national stage again.

Cody Johnson’s song, “Til You Can’t” won a Grammy and Lane Johnson is playing in the Super Bowl for the Eagles. How proud are we? Also, we have several other outstanding Indians who have been recognized for their accomplishments.

Please check out our ex-student’s association page on Facebook for an update on our latest postings. We are so proud of our Groveton Indian family.

A reminder to our college students; the deadline to apply for your Spring 2023 funds is Feb. 15. Make sure you get your required information in to us now to so we can fund your scholarship.

We will be taking applications for scholarships for the graduating class of 2023 as well as our current college students March 1-April 15. Applications for graduating seniors are available from the GHS counselor’s office, Mrs. Page.

Current college students will submit a letter of interest and their transcript to our secretary, Liz Ledbetter at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mail to the Groveton Ex-Student’s Association, P.O. Box 70, Groveton TX 75845.

Please note: our deadline, April 15, is non-negotiable. No late applications will be accepted. We will hold our scholarship meeting in May and look forward to meeting our current seniors and funding our college students for the fall of 2023. We are here to help you realize your educational dreams.

Our Groveton Indian family has suffered several losses in the past month. Our sincere condolences to the families of John Freeman, Class of 1965; Bill Terry, Class of 1947; Steven Floyd Minch, Class of 1969; Phillip Anthony Bennett, Class of 1974; Laura Thomas, Class of 1980; Katie L. Rhodes, Class of 1978; and Lee Brooks, Class of 1960. So many good people who were great influences on this little town; our love and wishes for comfort go to their sweet families.

I hope you are enjoying this break from rain and the beautiful sunshine we are finally seeing. We look forward to flowers and vegetable gardening as we anticipate Spring.

Jo Ann Anderson Beken is president of the Groveton Ex-Students Association.