Trinity County News - Breakout

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TCNS staff

GROVETON — The Trinity County Commissioners Court has enacted a burn ban following a special meeting on Tuesday.

The order states that the court “finds that circumstances present in all of the unincorporated areas of the county create a public safety hazard that would be exacerbated by outdoor burning.”

The order prohibits all outdoor burning in the unincorporated areas of the county for 90 days unless restrictions are terminated earlier based on a determination made by the Texas Forest Service or this Court.

The order does not prohibit outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety, such as firefighter training; public utility, natural gas pipeline or mining operations; planting or harvesting agricultural crops; or burns that are conducted by a prescribed burn manager.

In addition, the Trinity County Commissioners’ Court acknowledges that the Davy Crockett National Forest is exempt from the ban.

A violation of this order is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500.

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Jack Sullivan’s favorite bit of memorabilia is his TJLA 2022 Senior Showmanship Series Champion belt buckle. Jack Sullivan won Open Show Grand Champion Female at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Limousin competition.Courtesy photos

Special to the News-Standard

Traveling across the great State of Texas and the country for the most part can be daunting but not when you are on a mission. Jack Cutter Sullivan, Groveton native and Sophmore at GHS, can tell you all about it. He has traveled near and far across the United States exhibiting livestock, breeding heifers, and has seemed to rack up in the titles, namesakes, scholarships, prizes, awards and friendships.

Jack is no stranger to the winners circle in the stock show industry. When I asked him what his favorite moment was this past year, or any year, he replied “I went to Limousin Junior Nationals last summer in Grand Island, Nebraska and was selected as Grand Champion Limousin Heifer but I also won the Intermediate Showmanship contest while there too. Basically, that meant I had the number one Limousin Heifer in the US and was selected as a National Showman a day apart. My brother won Limousin Junior Nationals a few years before me so for two brothers to have that honor, three national champion titles is unbelievable. It just doesn’t happen that often to the same family, same breeder or same genetics”.

Sullivan has grown up in the Flat Prairie Community around beef cattle all his life. Showing cattle such as heifers and steers came quite easily, as well as naturally, considering his brother, Cole Sullivan, left some big shoes to fill. Both Sullivan brothers left an imprint for Texas Majors, International Heifer Shows, Groveton FFA and the local Trinity County 4-H Club. Sullivan never meets a stranger and most everyone recognizes him at stock shows.

Jack Cutter Sullivan not only won the Limousin Junior Nationals this past summer, he went on to win Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Open Show, and Reserve Champion at Rodeo Austin. Jack also won 1st at Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, 1st at San Antonio Livestock Show and 2nd at HLSR while competing in the TJLA Showmanship Series. He concluded the year with winning Overall Champion Texas Junior Limousin Association Senior Showman. If you know Jack Cutter Sullivan, you know he has grit and determination in his eye when he walks into the ring. He knows people are watching him and when I asked him “what do you do when you lose”? His response was “shake the opponent’s hand, say ‘Congratulations’ and regroup. Try harder and do better but always be respectful”.

He has the hardware, buckles, trophies, banners and memorabilia from each show displayed at home. Sullivan proudly wears his Limousin Junior National Showmanship buckle on his belt. His says that managing school, sports, calendars, community events and livestock shows can be hard, but you never give up no matter the circumstance. Being able to interact with exhibitors, friends and family from all over the nation is truly what the livestock showing industry is about. That seems to the backbone of success. With all of the livestock activities Jack Cutter Sullivan seems to be in, he also is extremely active at Groveton High School in athletics being on Varsity in each sport. His favorite thing to do outside of the show ring is playing baseball, running cross country and fishing. He hustles and is extremely competitive. Sullivan is a 4-H District 5 Gold Star Recipient for Trinity County. He went to UIL State in Varsity 2A Cross Country in the fall and was named District 22 Baseball 2nd Team All District Infielder this spring for GHS. Jack Cutter Sullivan is a hometown boy competing in a huge world outside of Trinity County.

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Special to the News-Standard

HOUSTON — Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo officials announced that 493 students received a scholarship from the organization’s educational program.

These scholarships are part of the Rodeo’s $14.1 million in scholarships and total annual commitment of more than $22 million in educational funding and are awarded to students across the state of Texas.

Haden Coleman of Trinity ISD received an Area Go Texan scholarship.

“Our mission of promoting agriculture while supporting Texas youth and education is at the core of everything we do at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo,” said Rodeo President and CEO Chris Boleman. “We are proud of what these scholars have accomplished, and it is thanks to the generosity of our donors that we can support these students as they continue their educational journey.”

These 493 recipients represent the majority of the Rodeo’s scholarship programs, including Area Go Texan, Exhibitor, Hildebrand Family, Houston Area, Military and School Art scholarships. Each student received $20,000 to apply toward a four-year undergraduate degree, for a total scholarship commitment of nearly $10 million.

Of the scholarship recipients, 68 percent are female, and 32 percent are male; 35 percent of these scholars are the first in their family to graduate high school and nearly half will be the first in their family to attend college.

These scholars will attend 42 different Texas colleges and universities, and the top three schools these students will be attending are Texas A&M University, The University of Texas at Austin, and University of Houston.

These students have chosen 110 different fields of study, with the top chosen majors being biology, psychology and mechanical engineering.
Additional information about the Rodeo’s continued educational commitment can be found at rodeohouston.com.

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Special to the
News-Standard

HUNTSVILLE — In order to better serve its mission — the clients — the board and staff of the SAAFE House have several projects and fundraisers in the works.

The SAAFE House clients are victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Kimberly Dyan Moore, president of the SAAFE House board of directors, said the organization is strategically planning for the future, which includes improved client services, trauma-informed care, and putting clients first while working to educate the community.

“Our priorities are our clients in our four-county coverage area, which includes Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, and Walker counties,” Moore said.
Toward that end, the organization, through the help of its deeply appreciated donors, will complete the renovation of the Huntsville client residence very soon. Moore said upon completion the new shelter will provide an improved atmosphere for our clients to begin the healing process
Moore also said that to better serve our clients, and since a new fiscal year is approaching, the board is restructuring the management team to improve the quality of service and to strengthen the SAAFE House mission and the advocacy we provide to the communities we serve.

There are several fundraising events planned for the future in all counties in the SAAFE House area.

Due to board positions that are coming open for the new fiscal year, SAAFE House is looking for area residents who are passionate about our mission to help the organization continue to grow, and we particularly would like to see people from Polk, Trinity, and San Jacinto counties come forward.

Moore said they also are looking for volunteers from the communities we serve, as we’re always in need of them.

“We are committed to raising ours and our clients’ voices,” Moore said.

For information contact the SAAFE House Tammy Farkas at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or our website at www.saafehouse.org.