Trinity County News - Breakout

Write a comment

The Trinity County Commissioners Court proclaimed June 19 as Juneteenth Day in the county. PHOTO BY TONY FARKAS

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

GROVETON — The Trinity County Commissioners Court entertained proposals from three area ambulance services as a replacement for Groveton EMS.

At its last meeting, the court voted to terminate its contract with the local service for several reasons, which now will end in 90 days. However, commissioners still want area residents to have some coverage in case of emergencies.

The county paid $1,500 a month on the Groveton EMS contract.

•Justin Cude of Allegiance Ambulance, which covers numerous counties in the area and provides 911 service for Polk, San Jacinto and Tyler counties, offered three options, only one of which would have a dedicated ambulance in Groveton.

The other options, while providing ambulances and two certified members, would pull the Groveton ambulance to other areas if it was necessary.

The cost varied from $3,000 per month for basic lifesaving service to $40,000 per month for a fully dedicated mobile intensive care unit.

•City Ambulance, based out of Lufkin, also providing coverage in numerous counties across the state, offered two options for dedicated ambulances.

Representative Andre Ruby said he felt that any option that provided non-dedicated coverage was something he could not offer in good conscience.

Options for coverage varied from $15,834 per month for one ambulance to a two-ambulance option at $20,834 per month.

Ruby told the court that there may be grant funds available through Homeland Security or the USDA for public safety needs.

•Keith Shelley of Ventura Ambulance, which is contracted for service to the city of Trinity, also said that a non-dedicated ambulance is not a viable option.

For a dedicated MICU ambulance, Ventura’s proposal was $30,000 per month, and for a BLS ambulance, the cost would be $22,000 per month.

Commissioner Neal Smith said it would be best if the county could have service for what is paid from insurance and Medicare; however, no decision was made.

In other business, the court:

•approved extending Texas transportation code and laws throughout the Trinity Cove Subdivision, after a public hearing where residents complained about traffic laws being ignored;

•approved renewal of official bonds;

•proclaimed June 19 as Juneteenth Day in Trinity County;

•approved an amendment to an agreement with Burke, which provides mental health services to the area, that removes Jasper County from the agreement;

•approved renewal of Texas Association of Counties health benefits, which has a 5 percent increase in premiums but a decrease in vision and dental premiums;

•approved an application for a Bureau of Justice grant to replace the 911 radio system;

•approved the purchase of a John Deere mower for Precinct 4;

•approved an agreement between Commissioner Tommy Park and James Self to access private property on Sweetgum Trail to address drainage issues;

•tabled paying a $45,000 invoice to DRG Architects for work on jail design until a meeting can be arranged; and

•approved a lease of property on Ringo Road to the Sheriff’s Posse.

 

Write a comment

Approximately 170 alumni of Trinity High School attended the annual reunion Saturday at the Community Center. The classes of 1943, 53, 63, 73, 83, 93, 03 and 2013 were recognized. Additionally, the 2023 graduation class who received scholarships from the association were recognized.  COURTESY PHOTO

1 Comment

Family plots that make up the Millican Cemetery have been tidied up, but more work is necessary to keep the area pristine. COURTESY PHOTO

By Tony Farkas

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

TRINITY — Cemetery plots in the Millican area were cleaned up by the county last week, but only as a courtesy.

However, people concerned about long-term upkeep still need to find a permanent solution.

Larry Turner, whose family is buried in one of the plots, said crews worked all day Wednesday and Thursday to clean up the cemeteries, removing trees and trash and mowing grass, but the state of affairs still is not good.

“There needs to be grading work, piles of debris and fence repair,” Turner said. “Residents need to volunteer their services. I hope that I did a public service by raising the flag.”

One step being taken is by Susan Waller, director of the Trinity County Museum, who is applying for historical status for several cemeteries in the county.

Waller said there are 70 cemeteries in Trinity County, but only 15 have historical designations; of the remaining, there are 39 cemeteries in county that need attention.

County Commissioner Mike Loftin said that while his crew did help, it was only done as a courtesy as the county cannot legally operate on private property without permission from the landowners.

Still, the cemeteries need recognition and protection, Waller said, and after the historical designation is done, it will be recorded at County Clerk’s Office.

She said there is no indication that the Millican Cemetery was ever documented; without it, the cemetery will be lost.

“This meets criteria of being more than 50 years old,” Waller said. “It’s long overdue, and there may be possibilities for sponsorships. However, there are not many cemetery associations left, so many plots are left to the care of the landowner and a lot are lost.”

Write a comment

TCNS staff

TRINITY — The annual Trinity Community Juneteenth Celebration will be held Saturday.

The annual parade will kick off festivities at 10 a.m., beginning at Lone Star Baptist Church, 502 W. Main St., and ending at the Trinity Community Center on South Robb Street.

The Trinity Juneteenth Committee is seeking volunteers and donations to help with this year’s activities; committees needing assistance include the Parade Committee, the Decorating Committee, the Food Committee and the Activities Committee.

To volunteer, contact Lena Boston at (936) 661-7192; and to donate, contact Ms. Freddie English at (936) 661-9274.

T-shirts commemorating this year’s event can be ordered by contacting Natalie DeBose at (785) 761-7833.