Trinity County News - Breakout

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Students with the Trinity Middle School Beta Club helped with the gala dinner. Courtesy photo

Special to the News-Standard

TRINITY — Trinity County Crime Stoppers raised more than $20,000 while at the same time honoring the Trinity County law enforcement officers.

Director Larry Grant said the 13th annual fundraiser, held Jan. 27, exceeded expectations while honoring the many officers that attended.

Grant said Crime Stoppers extends its deepest gratitude to everyone who participated.

He also offered a special thanks to the Trinity Middle School Beta Club students, who did an outstanding job of serving the guests.

Other organizations and individuals contributing to Crime Stoppers WR Limited Family Partnership, Carroll R. Ray, Ray and Charline Goodrum of 3G Land and Cattle Chuck Wagon Co., Carol Stevenson of Stevenson Beer Distributing Co., Brookshire Brothers corporate office in Lufkin and local store manager Les Miller, Faust Distributing Co., and Lovelady State Bank.

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By Tony Farkas
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GROVETON — Tempers flared at the Feb. 13 County Commissioners Court meeting over the details of a proposed contract with the city of Groveton to provide law enforcement.

Ultimately, Sheriff Woody Wallace said he will not abide by any contract negotiated by the Commissioners or County Judge Danny Martin, saying it was unfair to the residents of Groveton and would make him out to be someone who couldn’t keep his word.

At the Jan. 23 county meeting, Wallace told commissioners he was approached by city officials about a contract, since the city has been without law enforcement protection since October 23, when all officers were dismissed.

At that meeting, Commissioner Neal Smith expressed concern about the funds the city was providing and whether the funds would cover all costs, especially for vehicles, insurance and fuel.

The city, which has a budget of $250,000 for its police department, would pay $150,000 per year for two years for protection. Those funds would allow Wallace to hire an additional two deputies who will be tasked to patrol a 5-mile area around Groveton.

On Feb. 13, Smith and Martin reiterated the need for compensation for vehicles, and wanted to table approval of a contract until the additional funds were discussed.

However, Wallace said that to delay approving the contract would be foolish, and that he “didn’t appreciate you fooling around in my business.”

Martin disagreed with the characterization, saying the costs for gas and insurance have increased and he wanted to be sure the contract covered all costs.

Wallace reminded Martin that as of this time, the county is providing the protection at its cost, and with the contract, that would no longer be the case. He also said that the Sheriff’s Office did not need to provide vehicles since they already had them, paid for and insured.

Smith said he did not want to give county money away, and that he had nothing against Groveton but they’re required by law to provide protection.

Woody then cautioned the county, saying “do not run my Sheriff’s Office” after the court denied a motion from Commissioner Steven Truss to approve the contract as is.

Truss asked the court why the $5,000 for fuel was so important when the county gives away $5,000 each for Trinity and Groveton’s Christmas displays.

Smith put forth a motion to approve the contract with an additional $5,000 for vehicle costs added, which was seconded by Commissioner Mike Loftin. Smith, Loftin and Martin voted for approval, and Truss and Commissioner Tommy Park voted against the change.

Wallace stormed out of the meeting, admonishing the court that he will not abide by the contract and that the court members could not make him.

He said after the meeting that Groveton would still have what protection they could provide, but not with the additional two deputies.

In other business, the court:

•approved a contract between the county and the city of Groveton for its municipal election;

•approved the distribution of fees collected for Child Safety to four organizations. Boys and Girls Club of Trinity, Trinity County Child Protective Services, SAAFE House and Kalin’s Center will each receive $4,000;

•set a public hearing to deal with properties deemed nuisances;

•approved bond renewals for district judges;

•approved personnel action forms;

•approved renewal of an agreement for tracking services for the Affordable Care Act;

•received a safety award from TAC Risk Management for zero lost time;

•approved the refinance of Mack trucks for the road departments;

•approved the purchase of election tabulation equipment required by the state at a cost of $145,000, as well as the purchase of new poll books;

•approved a new waste, fraud and abuse policy;

•renewed a lease from Innovative Copier for the District Attorney’s Office;

•approved a renewal for rental of Pitney Bowes postage meters;

•approved the application for a water SMART grant;

•approved the application for a cybersecurity grant;

•approved a resolution for a federal off-system bridge program for a bridge on Reese Road; and

•set a county trash clean-up day for April 13.

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The Boys and Girls Club Valentine Dinner and Dance was a huge success. The music was great, the food was delicious, and the community was very gracious with their charity. The Live auction made over $5,000 dollars, but I don’t have a total amount to report at this time.

Our special guest, Trent Ashby, reported what a great time he and his sweetheart Nickie had at this event.

The highlight of the evening was the Presentation to Jannette Hortman for her 24 years of service to the Boys and Girls Club of Trinity from 1999 to 2024. She was stunning in Valentine attire, and pleased to see all her old friends, especially Trent Ashby. We love you, Jannette.

I will list all the donations from the businesses and community next week, so stay tuned for updates and monetary earnings in the next issue.

•The Texas Our Little Miss Scholarship Competition Preliminary Pageant is being held Feb. 18, at the Trinity Community Center located at 640 South Robb, in Trinity Texas from 1-4 p.m. Entry fee is $65.

The pageant is open to girls ages 0-99 and boys ages 0-12. Beauty outfit of choice, and talent ages 7-12. For more information contact Beth and Sam at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

•The Knights of Columbus Lenten Dinners for February are the 16th and 23rd and are held in the fellowship hall at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church on 401 Prospect Drive from 5-7 p.m. You can dine in or take out, and the cost is $12 for adults and $5 for Children. For more information, please call the Most Holy Trinity Church office at (936) 594-6664.

•I am always happy to see registration signs for youth baseball signups. That means spring is on the way. New this year is Wee Ball, ages are 3- and 4-Year-olds. The registration signs are posted on local corners of the city, so register early please. I believe the date I saw was Feb. 23. Call Jackie Goodall, he will tell you the correct information.

The seventh Annual Haley Burk Memorial Foundation is hosting their yearly softball tournament on March 2 downtown at the Stadium Street baseball fields. The cost per team is $200. Please register before Feb. 28 to avoid a late fee. The tournament is co-ed, but ages 15-plus must have a waiver.

Concessions and a silent auction are planned for the day, and vendors are welcome for $100 a space. The foundation will provide food and beverage booths. Raffles and door prizes will abound. For more information, please call Shane Pringle at (936) 662-8180 or (936) 662-4658.

•On March 3, don’t forget Trinity County 356 Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a barbecue and bingo fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. They are located at 12427 FM 356 and the cost is $14 per person.

•TISD Middle School cheerleading tryouts are March 9.

Melonie Beasley, the Cheerleading TISD Sponsor, has mentioned that it would be wonderful if any local donor would sponsor a student to participate in this extracurricular activity, as some of these student applicants cannot afford to participate in try-outs because family financial responsibility is not available to them. A Cheerleading Clinic precedes the Cheerleading Tryouts.

•TISD Spring Break is March 11-14.

•The Trinity County Livestock and Student Exhibition show is March 14-16 in Groveton. Watch this space for more information.

•On March 16, the Circle of Brothers is hosting a fundraiser for T. J. Allbright at the Trinity Community Center Pavilion which is located at 640 South Robb St. The event starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Good food, music, and BYOB is allowed. For more information call Bobbie at (936) 662-2917. (This is a correction from last week on the name and telephone number to call.)

•Here is the greatest news of all: the City of Trinity has finally gotten a sign put up on Stadium Street in honor of the Black Veterans of World War ll. There will be a dedication of this memorial on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the baseball field. The Sign reads “Black Veterans Park.”

Thank you, Patriot Trinity Steel LLC for building and erecting this sign to pay homage to these gallant men. This recognition was long overdue. We are grateful to the Neals and their service to the community.

•Don’t forget the Knight of Columbus Blood Drive on March 17 at Brookshire Brothers parking from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

•Easter Sunday is March 31.

•Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone.

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Trinity Lady Tigers Taneya Maxie, along with twins Ty’Nia and Ty’Nya Foreman, were honored on Feb. 6 during Senior Night after the game against Coldspring-Oakhurst. Photo by Tony Farkas