Trinity County News - Breakout

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Trinity County Commissioners Court members and representatives from the Child Protective Services office pose after the county declared November and National Adoption Month. Photo by Tony FarkasBy Tony Farkas
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GROVETON — As well as being concerned about housing prisoners, Sheriff Woody Wallace expressed concern to the Trinity County Commissioners’ Court about stray animals and where to house those.

Wallace told the court at its regular meeting on Oct. 25, that the stray animal problem in the county is bad, and that his office is receiving about 100 calls per month.

He also said that his office does not have the capacity to handle the problem, and that the kennels the county does have need to be renovated.

“Deputies don’t have time to handle the calls,” he said. “We need to revise the plan that we have, and maybe hire a part-timer person to get this under control.”

Commissioner Neal Smith asked if the Sheriff’s Department had ordered the required drugs to euthanize the animal; Wallace said it would be too expensive and not an answer to the problem.

While the county took no action, the court did approve applying for U.S. Treasury Local Assistance/Tribal Consistency grants, and if approved, will be used to help solve the problem.

In a separate matter, the court heard a presentation for Medi-Vac services from PHI Air Medical.

Representatives said that for a little more than $42,000 per year, there would be air ambulance service provided to all areas of the county, and it would be of no out-of-pocket expenses for the patients.

Commissioners likewise took no action; however, should they approve an agreement, grant funds from the same place as for the stray problems would be used.

In other business, the court:

•approved an inmate housing agreement with Waller County, with Smith voting no;

•approved modifying an inmate housing agreement with Somervell County, raising daily costs from $45 to $70. Smith again voted against the measure;

•approved a construction project for Precinct 4;

•took no action on a pauper funeral payment for non-compliance; and

•approved personnel action forms.

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TCNS staff

Early voting for the Nov. 8 general election ends Friday, and election day is Tuesday.

These midterm elections will be for the Texas governor and other state offices; State Senator; State Representative, and for new U.S. Representative, Pete Sessions, after redistricting placed Trinity County in District 17.

Sessions, the Republican incumbent, faces Democrat Mary Jo Woods.

On the state front, incumbent Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, is being challenged by Democrat Steve Russell and Libertarian Desarae Lindsey; and incumbent Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin, faces Democrat Jason Rogers.

Most local races were decided in the May primary election, and the only county election is for treasurer, and Orrin Hargrave faces Cheryl Boggs Savage to replace Bob Dockens, who lost in the primary.

Apple Springs ISD also will have an election. Daniel Murray, Melanie Aycock, Tonya Odom, Amanda Roden and Jerry Sanders are the five candidates vying for the four positions up for election.

For information, contact the Election Administrator’s Office at (936) 642-3959.

Trinity County Voting Location

Nov. 8 General/Joint Election 

•Groveton High School, 202 N. Main, Groveton

•Chita Baptist Church, 10959 FM 355, Trinity

•Lakeway Baptist Church, 12748 FM 356, Trinity

•Glendale Methodist Church, 184 Glendale Church Road, Trinity

•Trinity Middle School, Jefferson Street, Trinity

•Friday Community Center, 4198 FM 1280, Groveton

•Pennington Community Center, 11568 W. FM 358, Pennington

•Nogalus Calvary Baptist Church, (4712 FM 357 2 miles farther), Centralia

•Apple Springs VFD, 14755 N. SH 94, Apple Springs

•Centerville School, 10327 N. SH 94, Groveton

•Risin Sun Cowboy Church, 13984 E. Pegoda Road, Trinity

•Groveton Community Center, 147 Fair Loop, Groveton

•Trinity Pines Baptist Church, 4769 FM 356, Trinity

•East Prairie Church of Christ, 138 Norsworthy Lane (Possum Walk), Groveton

•Baldwin Chapel, 288 MLK Jr. Drive, Groveton

•Trinity Community Center, 502 S. Robb, Trinity

•Ligon Chapel CME Hall, 565 E. Deason Loop, Apple Springs

•Trinity City Hall, 101 W. Madison, Trinity

•Oaklawn Baptist Church, 4833 N. SH 94, Groveton

•River of Life Church, 2390 S. SH 19, Trinity 

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Trinity Memorial Hospital District board President Randy Karnes signs a lease agreement resolution on Monday after the board unanimously approved an agreement with MidCoast Health System to reopen the Trinity hospital. Photo by Tony Farkas

By Tony Farkas
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TRINITY — The Trinity Memorial Hospital District board ended a five-year search by signing a lease agreement with a firm that will reopen the hospital.

At a special meeting on Monday, the board signed resolutions required for leasing and conflict of interest issues with MidCoast Health Systems, which will create the MidCoast Medical Center-Trinity.

Hospital Board President Randy Karnes, many times tearing up, said it was like a great weight being lifted from his shoulders, which had been there since East Texas Medical Center pulled up stakes in July 2017.

“We talked with 28 entities over five years,” he said. “This the best option of all of them.”

Karnes said he did not know of any timelines that exist, but said that if he were to guess, the center would not open for business until at least February, since the hospital would require work to bring it up to current safety codes.

According to a press release from MCHS, the facility will be a full-service hospital for residents throughout the county, including surgery, rehabilitation, diagnostic services and WellCare clinic services.

“The town of Trinity and surround area is lacking medical services and we are proud to have partnered with Trinity Memorial Hospital District to bring these services back,” Nathan Tudor, CEO of MidCoast, said. “We are excited for the expansion of our health care services to East Texas and plan to be a part of the community for years to come.”

Karnes said he is pleased with MCHS, and said that during talks, he was told the group has never failed and won’t start now.

Once up and running, the hospital would employ from 50 to 70 people.

Funds for the renovations will come from the taxes collected by TMHD; board member Marjory Pulvino said that there has been some concern in the community about the need to collect taxes for a closed facility, but it has given the board funds to complete the construction efforts.

MCHS started as a regional health care provider for the Texas Gulf Coast region, but now has expanded throughout the state to enhance rural health care. The company operates hospital facilities in El Campo, Palacios and Llano as well as 20 clinics. It has been recognized for its achievements and methods.

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By Michael G. Maness

CHESTER – Chester city council approved several measures for GrantWorks to proceed with improvements on their grants at their rescheduled meeting, Tuesday evening, Oct. 11. Most of these will be road improvements.

The city seemed to have had a record gas arrears, causing them to lock off 14 who did not keep up their commitments. Mayor Robert Poynter facilitated a substantial discussion on profit and loss from gas usage and timings with the readings of the supplier. A lot of work had been done. 

The city agreed to renew their agreement the Railroad Commission as a gas supplier.

City Secretary Balela Mahaffey presented an option for her to take a webinar with the Texas Secretary of State’s office, and council opted to pay for that. 

Mahaffey was asked about signs by the city park. The city had no ordinance, and there appeared no need to create one. As long as the signs were no “in the park” or on the city fences, they decided to leave enforcement to TxDOT.