Trinity County News - Breakout

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By Mark Fleming
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BAYTOWN — A husband and wife from Groveton were killed in a collision on Highway 146 near Ferry Road Saturday as they, along with other family members, were returning home from a Galveston trip.

Several members of the family were operating motorcycles in the northbound center lane, Baytown Sgt. John Butler said.

According to police reports, a Nissan Sentra driven by 19-year-old Keith Harrison of Crosby attempted to pass and struck the motorcycle driven by 24-year-old Bobby Thompson, Butler said. Christina Thompson, 23, was riding as a passenger on the motorcycle, he said.

Bobby Thompson died at the scene, according to police. Christina Thompson was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, where she and her unborn child of four months later died from injuries sustained in the crash, Butler said.

In the course of the collision, Thompson’s motorcycle struck a 2003 Yamaha motorcycle driven by 26-year-old Kolton Thompson, along with passenger Cheyenne Mitchamore, 19 of Hemphill. The two were reported to be hospitalized in stable condition.

Baytown Traffic Management Teams collision reconstructionist was call to the scene and this case is still under investigation. 

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Winners of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Contest were honored at the Trinity School Board Meeting on April 19. They include (from left) Savannah Breaux, Best of Show, Middle School; Denise Puente-Manzanares, gold medal; Evelyn Rangel, gold medal; Drason Owens, Best of Show, Elementary; Kamri Scott, gold medal; and Justin Downing, Best of Show, High School. The group was sponsored by Jolynn Harper, and taught by Joshua Smith and Damar Green. Photos by Tony Farkas

By Tony Farkas
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TRINITY — There was a bad news for Trinity High School as an engineer said the life of the roof is done.

A representative of DK Haney told the board on April 19 that the 35-year-old roof has lived a good life, but it’s time to consider replacing it.

A recent inspection by the Haney company showed numerous issues with the roof, including separation, ponding, deterioration of membrane and missing gravel, particularly above the cafeteria.

Eight leaks have been identified.

It was estimated to cost in the area of $825,000 to replace or repair the roof.

The board took no action as it will hear another presentation at the next board meeting.

In other business, the board:

• engaged Axley & Rode for the annual audit;

• approved the 2022-23 Allotment and TEKS certification form; and

• approved allowing Superintendent John Kaufman to hire teachers without board approval through August, with Board Member Ricky Hortman voting against the measure.

Employees of the month recognized by the Trinity ISD School Board were Robyn Copley, professional; Tahtiana Clinton, paraprofessional; and MariaLlanos, support staff.

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By Tony Farkas
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Two constitutional amendments dealing with property taxes will be on the ballot of the May 7 election, along with any contested city and school board races for each county.

Proposition 1 will benefit individuals with an over-65 or disabled exemption on their property.

According to information released by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, if an individual currently has an over-65/disabled exemption on their home, the proposal will provide a reduction on school district property taxes.

There are 1.8 million over-65 exemptions and 180,000 disabled exemptions in the state; on average these households will see a $110 reduction the first year and $125 reduction in the second year, and the reduction will continue to grow each year.

This amendment will become effective as of Jan. 1, 2023, if it passes.

Proposition 2 will increase the homestead exemption by $15,000.

If this amendment passes the state homestead exemption on home values for school district taxes will increase from $25,000 to $40,000. On average, the 5.67 million homesteads in Texas will see a $175 savings in their school district tax bill at the current average statewide school property tax rate.

This amendment will be effective as of Jan. 1, 2022, if it passes, so homeowners will see the savings when they receive their property tax bill this fall.

Early voting locations for the state measures include Groveton VFD, 249 W. Front St., Groveton; Trinity City Hall, 101 W. Main St., Trinity; and Apple Springs VFD, 14755 Highway 94.

Other races in Trinity County include:

• Trinity: For the city of Trinity, three people have filed for the mayor spot — incumbent Mayor Wayne Huffman, current Mayor Pro Tem Billy Goodin, and Jimmy McCasland.

For Council Member Position 1, incumbent member Clegg DeWalt faces Willie Evans Jr.; for Council Member Position 2, incumbent Bubba Smith faces Martha Gray; and for Council Member Position 3, incumbent Chris Dennis faces off with Scott Womack.

Early voting runs from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays from April 25-May 3 at City Hall, 101 W. Madison St., in Trinity.

For Trinity ISD, School Board President Kevin Searcy, along with incumbent board members Maggie Trevino and Monty Andrew Huffman, face opposition from JoMichelle Mauldin, Khristopher Scarcliff, Don Fisher and Michael “Bubba” Schanfish.

The three candidates with the most votes will be seated on the board.

Early voting runs from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays from April 25-May 3 at the School Administration Building, 101 W. Jefferson St. 

Groveton

Eight people have filed for the three Council Member at Large positions up for election this year.

Three of the hopefuls are incumbents — Mayor Pro Tem Ralph Bennett, the current, Steven Casper and Joe Don Kennedy are joined on the ballot by Camille Simmons, Chris McFarland, Nathan Galloway, Darnell Donovan and David Robison.

Since the positions are at large, the top three vote-getters will be placed on the council.

Early voting runs from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays from April 25-May 3 at City Hall, 115 W. Front St.

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By Tony Farkas
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TRINITY — Martin Senior Center is facing a funding crisis, and sought help from the Trinity City Council to the tune of $2,500 per month.

Center Director David Kester said the center is becoming more active, and has 30 years of wear and tear that needs to be updated.

Additionally, they need to expand their offices, as there is more seniors using the center, and they are trying to develop more activities for seniors

“We’re struggling with money, as inflation has hit us as it has hit everyone else,” he said.

Even though the center is serving roughly 21,000 meals a year, Kester said the community will have to be more involved if they are to continue providing services. 

Additionally, the center needs funding agencies, such as the Deep East Texas Council of Governments, to be timely with payments, as money owed by DETCOG to the center is typically 60 to 90 days past due. Because of that, Kester told the council that there were no funds to make this week’s payroll.

However, the council voted to table the matter for later discussion.

In a separate matter, the council discussed street repair within the city, and identified 14 streets that require immediate intention.

The council had appointed Ronnie Waters of Waters Construction to survey the city streets to create a list for the project.

Since the critical jobs have been identified, the city now will solicit bids for the repair work.

In other business, the council:

 • approved Joyce Baker as voting clerk for the May 7 city election, and City Manager Steven Jones as election judge;

• approved researching the best plans for replacing police and Public Works vehicles;

• discussed renovations at the basketball/tennis courts; and

•approved Economic Development Board recommendations for a loan to George McMichael and awnings installation at Chica’s coffee house amounting to $37,000.