Trinity County News - Breakout

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By Tony Farkas
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 GROVETON — During discussion about county finances, County Treasurer Bob Dockens was questioned about the security of county deposits and investments.

The discussion was held Feb. 22 during a regular meeting of the Trinity County Commissioners’ Court. Commissioner Neal Smith asked Dockens if the county’s money is protected.

Dockens said that what deposits can be are covered by FDIC to the maximum as allowed by law. However, when the FDIC limits of protection are exceeded, other methods are employed.

The FDIC insures accounts up to $250,000 per bank, according to FDIC.gov. In the case of Citizens State Bank, where the county has its accounts, the bank has $4 billion in bonds as security, pledged to the account.

“Our bank accounts are collateralized by this,” he said. “Our investments have a similar type of protection.”

Dockens said there are insurance policies in place for investments as well.

In other business, the court:

• proclaimed February as Black History Month;

• approved hiring Terracon for soil testing at a piece of property  that is a potential jail site;

• approved personnel action forms;

• approved a maintenance contract with VistaCom for $3,251 for a recorder system for the Sheriff’s Office;

• approved a budget amendment of $5,000.23 to balance the county’s books;

• approved seeking bids for road work on Joe Bailey Road;

• tabled a decision on the purchase of a storage unit;

• set April 13 as the Spring Trash cleanup date; and

• tabled a decision to enact a burn ban in the county.

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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 258^th 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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An overview of the new field for Centerville ISD. (Below) Dugouts under construction. Courtesy photo

By Tony Farkas
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CENTERVILLE — The High School built it, so now they’ll come — to home baseball games, something that the Bulldogs haven’t had for 24 years.

Superintendent Mark Brown said the district is putting the finishing touches on a new baseball diamond, complete with dugouts, fences, and a professional, manicured field. Up until now, the only home games were in the Bulldog gym during basketball season.

“It’s been 1998 since there’s been a home game for baseball,” Brown said. “Four years ago, we started playing outlaw, and only had a backstop to use as practice field.”

The baseball program continued to grow, and with the numbers the Bulldogs were showing, Brown said the district wanted to get back into UIL, have better organized practices and play home games.

“We built backstop 3 years ago, and started on dirt work last year, leveling the field with the help of Prime Acres out of Woodville, who donated the bulldozer and labor,” Brown said. “We started on the fence early in the fall of 2021, and started on dugouts after first of this year.”

Since the district has made good use of donations, including labor, the cost of the new field hovers around $55,000.

“There’s still things to be done; we can’t get bleachers in on time because of supply chain issues,” he said. 

Plans are to hold first district ball game at Centerville on April 1.

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Groveton ISD cosmetology students headed to state include (top row, from left) senior Hailey Bergman, sophomore Adriana Vazquez, and junior Hannah Smith; (middle row, from left) sophomore Emily McCaleb, sophomore Allisyn Cleaver and junior Tanaysha Cole; and (bottom row, from left) freshman Bailee Reed, senior Madison Nash and junior Kaylee Velasquez. Courtesy photo

Special to the News-Standard

GROVETON — The Groveton Cosmetology Department used their skills to garner an appearance at the State Competition.

The students competed at the District SkillsUSA competition in Beaumont Feb. 10-12. 

Hailey Bergman, who will graduate this year, competed in the Nail Art Hand Skill Competition, and placed second and advances to state competition. Juniors Hannah Smith and Tanaysha Cole and sophomore Adriana Vazquez each placed third in Community Service, receiving medals. 

Some students had more than one project. 

Cosmetology Instructor Victoria Robertson said she is very proud of all of her students for their the hard work and dedication, and all of the students will be competing in Corpus Christi at the skills USA state competition on March 31-April 3.