Trinity County News - Breakout

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Publisher Points
by Kelli Barnes

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce something new and exciting happening this year in Trinity County. It is sponsored by this newspaper, powered by all of you, and will take place online at easttexasnews.com and in print.

I am referring to the 2023 Best of Trinity County, Readers’ Choice Awards.

It all begins in June when each of you can go online to our contest tab during phase one of the competition and nominate your favorite businesses, non-profits, and individuals in a variety of different categories. Everyone is encouraged to go online daily during June to nominate your favorites. This is a great opportunity to support each other, encourage each other, and promote each other and all the wonderful things we have to offer in Trinity County. What an honor it will be to be NOMINATED Best of Trinity County by your friends and neighbors.

During the month of July, the highest number of nominations (up to five total) in each category will move into the second phase of the contest and become a FINALIST. Again, the community will be encouraged to go online daily to vote for your favorites out of all the finalists in each category.

In August, the WINNER in each category, phase three of the competition, will be announced in a special Best of Trinity County section printed in the newspaper, and the contest results will also be available online at easttexasnews.com.

Remember, nominations will be open June 1 – June 30 for phase one of the Readers’ Choice Best of Trinity County contest.

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By Tony Farkas
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GROVETON —For having no time lost for safety reasons in 2022, Trinity County received an award from the Texas Association of Counties.

The award was presented to the Trinity County Commissioners Court at its regular meeting on March 14.

The award states the county committed to safety practices that reduced worker’s compensation costs, saving tax dollars.

In other business, the county:

•approved a bid of $98,736 from Waters Construction for chip seal work in the Creekside subdivision, but tabled a second bid for work on Lake L Drive. Commissioner Mike Loftin said the road was too sandy, and the specs of the bid needed to be altered;

•tabled a pauper funeral request to gain more information;

•appointed County Judge Danny Martin as the authorized official for the county on block grants;

•approved the addition of Netta and Foley streets to the 911 addressing map;

•approved a new contract with Local Government Solutions for software for the Justice of the Peace offices. JP Mary Wallace said the current software, Intech, is “awful” and there is trouble getting tech support. The cost for the new software will be $2,030 per month;

•approved the purchase of new shelving for the District Clerk’s Office at a cost of $21,805; and

•approved an agreement between Loftin and property owners to use private property to address drainage issues on county roads.

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FFA members Lucas, Reed, Rylie, Hannah, Kutter, Jasper, and Jett started the HLSR Junior Commercial Steer project back in August, and it officially ended at the Choice Auction held recently. Out of 144 contestants, Lucas was a top 8 finalist, Kutter was Junior Rookie of the year and first-place overall junior exhibitor, and Jett was the third place overall junior exhibitor. Courtesy photo

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By Tony Farkas
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TRINITY — The Trinity City Council voted on Thursday to extend its search for a police chief.

After a lengthy closed session during the council’s regular meeting on Thursday, the council voted unanimously to not offer the position to Interim Chief John Raiford, who has been serving as chief for the last five months after former City Manager and Police Chief Steven Jones left the position.

Mayor Billy Goodin said that the council found Raiford would not be a good fit, and chose to look elsewhere.

Raiford said later that he is no longer serving as interim.

In another matter related to the police department, the council voted to amend its regulation regarding wrecker service in cases regarding impounds or seizures of vehicles picked up in Trinity.

The new regulations require any wrecker service to place these vehicles in a lot in Trinity, as well as requiring wreckers to respond to calls in a reasonable amount of time.

The rules were changed since a wrecker service from Groveton was added to the police department rotation, and when a vehicle was picked up by that service, it was taken to Groveton, making it difficult for people living in Trinity to reclaim.

Vehicle picked up after crashes or for other reasons are not subject to the new rules.