Trinity County News - Breakout

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The city’s first African American mayor, Ralph Bennett, was sworn in by Justice of the Peace Richard Steptoe. PHOTOS COURTESY OF LISA ROGERS

TCNS staff

GROVETON — The May 22 meeting of the Groveton City Council was more significant than most, but not because of the agenda.

Ralph Bennett, formerly the city’s Mayor Pro Tem, and who served as interim mayor following the death of Byron Richards, was sworn in as the first African American mayor in Groveton and Trinity County.

Bennett, who was elected during the May 6 election replacing Tommy Walton, said it was a historical event for the county.

Billy Jones was appointed to the council seat formerly filled by Bennett, and will serve 1 year, the balance of Bennett’s council term, and then face his own election.

Long-time Council Member Steven Casper was appointed as Mayor Pro Tem.

Additionally, re-elected Council Members Autumn Dial and Robert Smith were sworn in.

In related business, the council approved continuing compensation for council members, which is a discount on city services.

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TCNS staff

APPLE SPRINGS –Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers investigated a fatal crash on state Highway 94 approximately four miles southwest of Apple Springs, that occurred on May 22.

Reports indicate that at about noon, a 2006 Pontiac G6 was traveling northeast on 94. The driver reportedly failed to drive in a single lane and traveled into the east ditch, overcorrected and side-skidded into the north ditch, where the vehicle struck a tree.

The driver, 63-year-old Tracy Gentry of Trinity, was transported to HCA Houston Healthcare in Conroe for treatment. His passenger, 77-year-old Tommy Staten, succumbed to injuries sustained during the crash and was reported deceased on scene by a Justice of the Peace.

The investigation is ongoing.

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By Tony Farkas
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GROVETON — Concerned residents of Trinity County sought help from the Commissioners Court with upkeep and care of several dilapidated cemeteries in the county.

At the May 23 meeting, Museum Director Susanne Waller said that the Millican Cemetery on FM 1617, as well as many others, are overgrown and many are inaccessible because of the terrible conditions that exist, which include trash dumping.

Currently, there are 70 cemeteries in Trinity County, 15 of which have been designated as historical sites.

Waller said there needs to be some sort of program for care but have found there are no funds designated for upkeep.

Commissioner Mike Loftin said that he realizes there is a problem, but it’s one that doesn’t have a solution since at this time, there is no manpower available to work at the cemeteries.

Loftin said that at one time, the county used jail trustys for the work, but that option is no longer available; Sheriff Woody Wallace said the jail can house only seven prisoners, and those must be the difficult inmates, and prisoner help can’t be used.

The court will view the cemeteries and discuss the matter further.

In other business, the county:

•set a public hearing of June 13 to extend Texas Transportation Code laws to all roads in the Trinity Cove subdivision;

•approved refinancing at 2020 CAT wheel loader with First National Bank;

•declared county items as surplus;

•approved a memorandum of understanding with the Deep East Texas Council of Governments for the Genasys mass notification system;

•approved a bid for three grow lights for Precinct 4; and

•approved participation in a settlement regarding a multi-district opioid lawsuit.

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Apple Springs Principal Kevin Plotts and Superintendent Dr. Cody Moree congratulate Kameron Spencer, who was awarded the Heart of and Eagle Award for his exemplary performance in all sports. PHOTOS BY TONY FARKAS

By Tony Farkas
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APPLE SPRINGS — The best and brightest Eagles were lauded for the accomplishments during the 2022-23 school year at a banquet on Thursday.

Academic and sports awards were handed out, and Superintendent Dr. Cody Moree said the good year that they had could only get better next year.

Among the highlights of the year include the first-ever golf team progressing through to the regional Atournament; One Act Play made it to the second round of UIL competition; and 26 students competed in UIL academic competition, and 13 of those advanced to regionals.

The Junior High track team were district champions, while the high school track team brought home 73 medals and added four plaques to the school’s trophy case.