Trinity County News - Breakout

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By Tony Farkas
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GROVETON — The Trinity County Commissioners Court denied a request for Capital Credit funds for a non-profit organization, only to later approve funds for the city of Trinity that were never requested.

At its regular meeting on Nov. 22, the court denied a request from the Nigton Historical Development Project, which sought $5,000 for bicycles and food for underprivileged children in the Nigton and Apple Springs communities.

The county has roughly $60,000 in Capital Credit funds, money returned from the state to be used for non-profit and minority agencies. At its previous meeting, the Groveton Community Association requested and received $5,000 for its annual Christmas display.

Also at that meeting, Commissioner Neal Smith said that the city of Trinity should receive funds as well, as it was only fair.

However, at the most recent meeting, Commissioner Tommy Park said that all requests needed to be tabled until all requests were received before deciding how to divide the funds.

Commissioner Mike Loftin agreed, saying that once “they hear about” the money, “they line up.”

However, County Attorney Colton Hay pointed out that at the previous meeting, the discussion was about being fair, and the request from NHDP would bring those funds to the north part of the county, making things even more fair.

LaToya Walker-Hernandez of the NHDP told the court that things went at the last meeting, and that the other organizations brought no pricing or bids and there was no discussion beforehand.

Commissioner Steven Truss moved to approve the NHDP request, which was seconded by County Judge Doug Page. However, Smith, Park and Loftin voted to deny the request. Subsequent requests from Circle B Farm and Wildlife Rehab and the Trinity County Boys and Girls clubs were tabled, and yet the donation to the city of Trinity, which was not even requested, was approved, with Truss and Park voting against the measure, and Page breaking the tie in favor of it.

Smith said the court agreed to the donation two weeks prior, but since it was not on the agenda, could only be approved at the Nov. 22 meeting.

Truss said to be fair, that motion should have been tabled.

“We need a better game plan with this,” Truss said.

Hay again said that it was mentioned that what is done for Groveton should be done for Trinity; Smith agreed but did not extend that to the smaller communities in the county.

In other business, the county:

•approved the appointment of county residents to the Trinity County Historical Commission;

•approved personnel action forms;

•canvassed the election returns from the Nov. 8 election;

•approved opening a new bank account for incoming District Clerk Jillian Steptoe;

•approved hiring Axley and Rode for the FY 2022 audit;

•approved the transfer of Microsoft 365 licenses from General Informatics to TAC-CIRA and the county’s IT department;

•appointed Kelly McCroy as Veterans Services officer; and

•set Dec. 13 as a public hearing date for nuisance properties in the Westwood Shores subdivision.

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Special to the News-Standard

GROVETON — The Texas Historical Commission (THC) recently designated Parker Ridge Cemetery as a Historic Texas Cemetery.

The distinction means the cemetery has been legally recorded through the THC’s Cemetery Preservation Program, an important step in ensuring its preservation.

The designation is reserved for cemeteries that are at least 50 years old and documented through the Historic Texas Cemetery designation process to record their historic association and significance.

“Cemeteries are important keys in the history of Texas. Designation as a Historic Texas Cemetery helps increase public awareness of these important cultural resources,” said Mark Wolfe, executive director of the THC. “Knowledge and education are among the best ways to guarantee the preservation of a historic cemetery.”

Craig Callahan sponsored the application for this historic cemetery. There are now 18 historically designated cemeteries in Trinity County. Cemeteries hold valuable historic information and are often the last reminders of early settlements’ historical events, religious beliefs, lifestyles, and genealogy.

While the Historic Texas Cemetery designation encourages cemetery preservation, it cannot guarantee that a historic cemetery will avoid destruction. Threats to historic cemeteries include urban expansion and development, vandalism, grazing animals, and long-term deterioration from weather and uncontrolled vegetation.

For more information, contact the Trinity County Historical Commission at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The THC developed the Historic Texas Cemetery designation to address the destruction of historic cemeteries and the illegal removal of cemetery fixtures. Any individual or organization is eligible to submit an application for this designation.

For additional information regarding Historic Texas Cemetery designation, or to receive an application, contact the THC’s History Programs Division at 512-463-5853 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information about historic cemetery preservation, visit www.thc.texas.gov/cemetery.

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TCNS staff

TRINITY — The Trinity Volunteer Fire Department is offering smoke detectors or services free of charge to every Trinity family.

Assistant Fire Chief Keith Johnson said that the department has 60 detectors for homes without them, and will have them installed if homeowners are unable to do so.

Should the homes have detectors, the Fire Department urges they be tested for working condition. If homeowners are unable or unaware of the procedure, firefighters will be able to help. Additionally, the batteries in the detectors need to be changed twice a year.

Assisting the Fire Department is Higginbotham Brothers, All-Around Electric and Elliot Electric.

To get a detector, or to seek assistance, contact (936) 594-2505.

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Special to theNews-Standard

LUFKIN — Brookshire Brothers, a Lufkin, Texas-based employee-owned grocery chain, is offering a simple way to make an impact in the community against food insecurity.

For just $10, Brookshire Brothers customers can purchase a Brown Bag of Hope containing enough shelf-stable products to feed a family of four.

“Our stores then redistribute the bags to local schools, nonprofits, and others within our communities. Together, we have a chance to offer a helping hand this holiday season and provide hope and support to those who need it most,” said Brookshire Brothers Public Relations & Corporate Responsibility Manager Melissa Crager.

For more information about the Brown Bag of Hope program, visit BrookshireBrothers.com/brown-bag-hope or ask your local store cashier.