Trinity County News - Breakout

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By Tony Farkas
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GROVETON — The Trinity County Commissioners Court last week heard presentations regarding design and construction of a possible new county jail.

Two firms that primarily work on county jail construction — Burns Architecture and Southwest Architects — spoke at length at the March 8 meeting about each firms past accomplishments and what each firm would do for the county should it decide to build a jail.

County Judge Doug Page said that two additional firms will give presentations at the March 22 meeting.

Cost for the services are expected to run around $40,000 for concept and planning.

The county will take no action until after all presentations have been given.

In other business, the county:

•approved a work-based learning agreement with Texas WorkForce Solutions, which will give the county part-time help for its offices and commissioners at no charge;

•approved repair on the generator for the main Courthouse;

•approved canvass of votes, and briefly discussed upgrading equipment;

•set April 12 as a public hearing at 4/12 for nuisance property in several county subdivisions;

•tabled a discussion about America Rescue Plan Act funds;

•approved a pauper funeral payment for Roger Pollard; and

•approved a renewal with the Affordable Care Act reporting and tracking service.

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Tabytha Gipson and Trixe, Grave Davis and Daisy, along with Jill Watts and Ruben, exercise their pigs to help get them ready for the Trinity County Fair, set to kick off Friday. Courtesy photo by Philip Schmitten

Special to the News-Standard

GROVETON — The Trinity County Fair and Youth Livestock Show starts Friday.

However, on Thursday all shop projects must be turned in, and steers will be weighed and sifted in the afternoon.

The fair, always the third weekend in March at the Y in Groveton, will feature the animal and other projects completed by students from Apple Springs, Centerville, Groveton and Trinity schools. 

The fair barn, the volunteers, and the competitors have all chipped in to prepare, a worthy endeavor to support the youth of Trinity County, according to organizer and Board President Bill Wagner. 

“The kids have worked very hard in raising their animals and building their projects and we all need to show them we care and are very proud of them for their efforts,” he said. “Whether they win a belt buckle or come in last, they all need our support.”

The Pet Show will begin at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 19. Any child that wants to participate in the pet show must be there by 10:30 a.m. to register and must be under the age of 8 years old and bring their pet. 

Also on Saturday, the Awards Presentation will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the live auction at 5:30 p.m. All buyers and add-ons are welcome. 

There will be food vendors selling barbecue, hamburgers, sausage on a stick, breakfast burritos, funnel cakes, drinks and more.

For information, call Show Secretary Laura Worsham Anderson at (936) 465-0110 or Bill Wagner at (713) 501-6733.

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By Tony Farkas
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GROVETON — With no Democratic challenger filing for the primary, Danny Martin will become the new Trinity County Judge.

Martin picked up 1,645 votes ahead of challenger Steven Jones, who garnered 1,317, during the Primary Election on Tuesday. The two were seeking the Republican nomination to replace Doug Page, who opted not to run again.

Incumbent County Treasurer Bob Dockens lost the GOP nomination to Orrin Hargrave 1,676 to 1,106. Hargrave will face Democratic challenger Cheryl Boggs Savage, who ran unopposed on the Democrat ticket.

Another incumbent, District Clerk Kristen Raiford, lost her primary nomination bid to Jillian Steptoe 1,429 to 1,405. Since Steptoe garnered 50.42 percent of the vote, no runoff will be held, according to Elections Administrator Priscilla Rasbeary.

To fill the open Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 slot, Keith Johnson picked up 496 votes to challenger Lenzy Meshell Hargrave’s 237. The spot was left unfilled following the death of Hayne Huffman.

District Judge Travis Kitchens held off a challenge from Polk County DA Lee Hon in the 258th District — which includes Trinity, Polk and San Jacinto counties — by getting 7,505 votes, or 54.86 percent, to Hon’s 6,156. However, in Trinity County, Hon had 1,617 votes to Kitchens’ 1,419.

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By Tony Farkas

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TRINITY — The Trinity ISD has shown improvement is most academic areas, according to the recently released Texas Academic Performance Reports.

The Trinity School Board discussed the report in a public hearing on Feb. 28.

Superintendent John Kaufman said that compared to 2019 numbers, there’s been significant improvement in most areas. 

“We’ve progressed in almost everything, perhaps 95 percent of the areas analyzed,” he said. Good report, and very good for us. Those numbers 2 years old, and we’ve improved, so we’re excited as t where we’re going.

Kaufman did say the districts CTE numbers are not as high, but adding more courses will help improve those figures.

Prior to the meeting, the board recognized the Junior High School UIL academic team members, who became district champs for the second year in a row.

Kaufman said the students competed with all schools in district, and won by more than 200 points.

In other business, the board:

• approved an agreement with Texas Kids First Insurance, which is a supplemental insurance normally for any kids participating in UIL activities. Kaufman said it’s now open for all students;

• moved march payroll date to the 23rd;

• approved 2022-23 school calendar; and

• approved the Trinity Middle School Beta Club to travel to nationals in Nashville.