Log in

Top Stories        News         Sports

Trinity County News - Breakout

Bringing Awareness - DPS reminding Texans about dangers fentanyl poisoning

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

STOCK PHOTOSTOCK PHOTO

Special to the News-Standard

AUSTIN — This October marks the first ever Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month in Texas as established by Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this year.

In order to help the state continue its fight against this dangerous and deadly drug, the Texas Department of Public Safety is increasing its public awareness campaign and reminding Texans to take action now in order to help save lives.

“We thank the Governor for his leadership on this issue and for making Texas a leader in this fight,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “Fentanyl continues to be one of the biggest threats facing Texans of all ages as it flows across our southern border and into cities and towns across this country. We are losing too many innocent lives, and we must continue to do everything we can not only to stop it from entering the United States, but also to educate our children, our parents, our teachers - everyone in our communities about how dangerous this drug is to every single American.”

Fentanyl makes its way into our communities as a consequence of an unsecure southern border. In March 2021, at the direction of Gov. Abbott, DPS launched Operation Lone Star to secure the border and stop the smuggling of drugs and people into Texas; and prevent, detect and interdict transnational criminal activity between ports of entry.

Since OLS began, DPS has seized over 431 million lethal doses of fentanyl across the state.

To help increase awareness, during the month of October DPS will launch a series of social media videos geared at educating Texans about the dangers of fentanyl and directing them to available resources through the One Pill Kills campaign.

Abbott launched One Pill Kills in 2022 as a way to educate Texans on how to prevent, recognize and reverse fentanyl poisonings.

The department’s Safety Education team is also offering specialized programing to schools, churches, community groups and other organizations that would like to learn more about the statewide One Pill Kills campaign and the dangers of fentanyl. This presentation can be tailored for a variety of audiences and age groups and is available free of charge.

DPS continues with other awareness efforts which began as part of the multi-pronged One Pill Kills campaign, including public service announcements which air in the waiting areas of more than 180 driver license offices across the state, educational signage in more than 350 public facing DPS buildings statewide and a dedicated webpage housing resources and information about the campaign.

Visit www.dps.texas.gov/onepillkills to learn more.

  • Hits: 519

Ranch scores additional awards

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

Casaray Ranch animals won awards in a recent show in Tyler. Courtesy photoCasaray Ranch animals won awards in a recent show in Tyler. Courtesy photo

Special to theNews-Standard

GROVETON — Casaray Ranch has garnered more awards for its red brahman bulls at the Sept. 26 East Texas State Fair.

Mr. Casaray Derek won Senior Yearling Champion Bull, and Mr. Casaray HG Hunter won Reserve Junior Yearling Champion Bull

Additionally, Mr. Casaray Jake won Junior Champion Bull.

Casaray Ranch, is preparing for the  2023 National Brahman Show, to be held in November in Bryan.

  • Hits: 556

Cool weather leads to cool events

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

Julias TidbitsThere can be no complaints. It is either feast or famine. The much-needed rain was much appreciated by everyone in Trinity County.

Saturday was a good day for garage sales and a long-awaited wedding. Next weekend cool weather will bring a fall festival, and the Methodist Church’s Pumpkin Patch opens for business downtown on Sunday.

•Martin Senior Center held its fundraiser at the Alco Parking lot on Saturday and despite all the ballgames going on, it was a huge success. The Center is grateful to the volunteers and customers who attended this fundraiser, and they were treated with barbecue and gumbo for their generosity and endeavors.

•Friday from 5-8 p.m. starts the Fall Festival Weekend at the Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 401 Prospect Drive in Trinity. The festival kickoff starts with a barbecue chicken and sausage dinner for $15 per person and is followed by bingo and prizes galore.

On Sunday, the festival continues at 11 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. The events include a dunking booth, food booths, a bouncing house, funnel cakes, a mechanical bull, ice cream, vendor booths and games.   

The bingo prizes were listed a couple of weeks ago, but I will list them one more time and good luck to all this weekend. First Prize, $2,000 gift card; second prize, $1,000 gift card; third prize, 65-inch TV; fourth prize, $500 gift card; fifth prize, 22-inch Blackstone griddle; and more.

•Don’t forget Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church is hosting a shrimp gumbo dinner on Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. to benefit Toys for Trinity Children project of the Knights of Columbus fraternity organization of MHTCC. The cost is $10 for adults, and $5 for children. The public is invited to attend.

•The SAAFE House Denim & Diamonds Purse Bingo is Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Trinity Community Center, with the doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. which is provided and donated by Agavales Mexican Restaurant. Tickets cost $50 each person, and tables for 8 people are $400 each.

The prizes donated by local businesses are outstanding. Designer purses include Kate Spade, Dooney and Bourke, Coach, Michael Kors and some other Italian leather brands. More bingo prizes are a $500 gift card, $350 paint and power washer, a $375 home surge protector installed, a handmade picnic table, and the Taste of Trinity (Windmill of Fortune Food gift cards) worth $400.

The silent auction includes a pet basket, a girls night out basket, an automotive basket, a wine basket, a Christmas basket, a Halloween basket, a fall basket, a deer feeder, and much more. The local contributors have been very generous this year and we are very thankful for their support. For more information, please call Rana Wingo at (936) 577-8601. Tickets and Tables are on sale until Oct. 19.

•The Wall of Honor Society 16th annual fundraiser is Oct. 28, starting at noon and ending at 6 p.m. The event benefiting the Trinity County Veterans has 10 major raffle drawings throughout the afternoon and you do not have to be present to win. in addition to the raffle drawings, there will be door prizes, food, and music with silent and live quilt auctions too. For more information, please contact Bill Reeves at (936) 661-7107 for raffle tickets prize details.

•Don’t forget the Pumpkin Patch Opens this weekend. Donations are the standard fee. The patch is located downtown Trinity on the FTMC lot.

•Trinity High School seniors are having a Senior Halloween Haunted House on Oct. 28 from 8-11:30 p.m. and the cost is $5 per person.

•The Trinity Police Department is hosting Treats on the Street Halloween festival on Oct. 31 on Elm Street at 6:30 p.m. The festival is free with prizes galore, including drawings, bicycle giveaways, gift certificates, and all the candy donated by Trinity citizens for the children. For more information, please call (936) 594-2505.

November Events

•Saturday, Nov. 4, Boys & Girls Club Bingo Bash at VFW hall.

•Saturday, Nov. 4, Liberty Christian Center Veterans Event.

•Saturday, Nov. 4, VFW Post 6899 Dinner and Dance.

•Sunday, Nov. 5, Knights of Columbus Shrimp Gumbo Dinner.

•Nov. 9, Groveton High School, Veterans Lunch, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

•Nov. 11, Veteran Appreciation Banquet, VFW Hall.   

•Nov. 20-24 is TISD Winter Break.

•Thanksgiving Day is Nov. 23.

•Dec. 2 is the TPCC Christmas Show at the Trinity Community Center at 10 a.m.

•TISD Christmas break is Dec. 25 until Jan. 4, 2024.

  • Hits: 613

Rep. Ashby announces re-election campaign

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

Trent AshbySpecial to theNews-Standard

LUFKIN — After a successful legislative session distinguished by conservative accomplishments, Republican State Rep. Trent Ashby announced he will seek re-election to Texas House District 9 to build on the momentum gained toward securing the border and cutting property taxes.

Texas House District 9 includes the entirety of Angelina, Houston, Polk, San Augustine, Trinity, and Tyler counties.

“I’m very proud to have helped secure a monumental $5.1 billion investment in border security to take the fight to Biden’s open border policies,” Ashby said. “At the same time, we cut property and business taxes by $18 billion – setting a record for the largest state tax cut in American history. We also expanded rural broadband access and passed a long-needed cost-of-living increase for our retired teachers. It’s the honor of a lifetime to represent the folks of House District 9, and I’m committed to continuing to provide effective and conservative leadership to ensure our rural family values drive Texas forward.”

Rep. Ashby announces his re-election with broad support from elected officials across the district, including Keith Wright, Angelina County Judge; Jim Lovell, Houston County Judge; Sydney Murphy, Polk County Judge; Jeff Boyd, San Augustine County Judge; Danny Martin, Trinity County Judge; Doug Page, former Trinity County Judge; Tom Selman, Angelina County Sheriff; Kenneth Hammack, Former Polk County Sheriff; Byron Lyons, Polk County Sheriff; Robert Cartwright, San Augustine County Sheriff; Bryan Weatherford, Tyler County Sheriff; Mark Hicks, Mayor of Lufkin; and Judy Cochran, Mayor of Livingston.

Ashby serves as Chairman of the influential Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee and on the critical Select Committee on Educational Opportunity & Enrichment, which was charged with reviewing education policy solutions in advance of the forthcoming Special Session. In his capacity as a member of the powerful Transportation Committee, Ashby led the fight for infrastructure project funding for Deep East Texas communities.

Ashby has earned a distinction as an advocate for teachers and rural education. As a graduate of Henderson High School, he remains grateful for his public-school education and is committed to paying it forward. Being raised on a dairy farm and cattle operation, he’s passionate about supporting rural communities and those who make their living off the land.

Today, Trent is Senior Vice President for VeraBank. He and his wife, Nickie, live in Lufkin where they raised their two sons — Garin and Grant — who are both in college. Prior to being elected to the Legislature, Ashby served as President of the Lufkin ISD Board of Trustees. Both he and Nickie are very active in their community and attend Harmony Hill Baptist Church.

  • Hits: 370

Annual Veterans lunch set

Write a comment
Star InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar InactiveStar Inactive

Groveton ISD logo 250TCNS staff

GROVETON — Groveton ISD is set to host its annual Veteran’s drive-through/sit-down lunch from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at the school.

Veterans, their spouses, and active military members can either pick up meals at the bus line or sit down in the high school auditorium. The menu includes beef brisket, potato salad, beans, and desserts prepared by Groveton ISD employees and culinary art students.

Administrators are encouraging students, teachers and staff members to invite any family member who served or who may be currently serving in the military.

Students are given the opportunity to write or create works of art to express their patriotism.

For additional information please call the high school office at (936) 642-1473 ext. 8118 or 8001 and ask to speak to Maria Plotts or Jim Dillard.

  • Hits: 563