Tyler County News

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By Chris Edwards
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NACOGDOCHES – Tyler County’s own James E. White, the former state representative from Hillister, was awarded, last week, the “Silver Bucket Award” from the Texas Forest Country Partnership (TFCP).

White was given the award for his many years of service, representing the former District 19 in the lower chamber of the Texas Legislature at the organization’s summit last Monday in Nacogdoches.

White spoke to the crowds at the Fredonia Hotel and Convention Center, where the event was held, and although he joked, initially, about the possibility of being long-winded, he kept his acceptance speech brief.

White called his years of serving in the House “an honor and a blessing,” and thanked his former constituents, and legislators who supported his work, such as Sen. Robert Nichols.

The Silver Bucket Award is given annually to individuals in the region serviced by the TFCP who work to create opportunities for economic development and viability. Nichols, who was White’s colleague in the Senate, is a former recipient, as was the late congressman Charlie Wilson.

White resigned from office following last year’s redistricting and an unsuccessful bid in the Republican primary to run for the state Commissioner of Agriculture office. Rep. Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) picked up Tyler and Polk counties.

White praised the current legislators and told the crowd they would continue to fight for their constituents.

The TFCP, which is formerly known as the Pineywoods Economic Partnership, was founded in 1960 as a non-profit economic development organization, according to its website.

The organization serves a 12-county area and is dedicated to enriching the economic prosperity and wellbeing of the region.

The counties serviced by TFCP include Tyler; Angelina; Houston; Jasper; Nacogdoches; Newton; Polk; Sabine; San Augustine; San Jacinto; Shelby and Trinity.

Ivanhoe Mayor Cathy Bennett, who previously served as TFCP secretary was recently named chairperson of the organization.

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By Chris Edwards
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BEAUMONT – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has a series of pre-recorded presentations available on its website, TxDOT.gov, which update residents in the region on the US 69 Corridor “Gateway to the Big Thicket” project.

The Beaumont District for TxDOT announced on Tuesday that it posted the presentations, which are available in English and Spanish, to share the approved details of a 13-mile stretch of US 69 that is part of the project, which goes from FM 1943 in Warren to FM 1003, which is north of Kountze.

According to a news release from TxDOT, those who wish to view the presentations only need to visit the agency’s website, located at www.txdot.gov, and use the search term “US 69 Corridor Gateway to the Big Thicket” to find them.

TxDOT’s timetable for the project has the bidding process beginning in September of next year, and according to TxDOT, it does not anticipate making any further project changes.

Some of the aspects of the project include:

•Enhancement of landscaping and added signage at Village Creek in lieu of an aesthetic bridge feature due to funding.

•TxDOT providing a standard trail bridge in lieu of an arched trail bridge, due to rising material costs.

•TxDOT will provide nine monuments at key locations to communicate the significance of the US 69 corridor; quantity and size of monuments have been reduced given rising material costs.

•In keeping with the revised TxDOT Design Manual to clear obstacles in the right of way, such as landscaping, TxDOT will clear the median and portions of the right of way removing trees and shrubbery. TxDOT recommends a roadside free of unyielding obstacles including landscaping for increased safety and reduce the extent of damage and injury of single vehicle, run-off-the-road crashes.

According to the presentation, no additional right of way is needed for any of the changes described above.   

For public comment for the upcoming TxDOT meeting, comments can be sent by mail, if they are postmarked on or before Tuesday, Nov. 8, to be a part of the official meeting record.

They can be mailed to: TxDOT Project Manager, 8350 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, TX 77708. Also: voicemails can be left until 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 8 at 409-209-2240.

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Woodville’s own songbird Kim Cruse performs on NBC’s The Voice on Monday night. PHOTO COURTESY OF NBC THE VOICE

By Chris Edwards
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WOODVILLE – In front of a crowded patio full of family and friends at the Magnolia Bar and Grill, Kim Cruse celebrated her next step in her journey toward stardom in her run on NBC’s The Voice.

Cruse was one of a handful of participants on the show to advance past the battle round on Monday night’s episode. Monday’s episode featuring the Woodville native singer/songwriter was night four of the Battle Rounds, for which the show’s four coaches paired the contestants against each other in duets in order to see who would advance to the “Knockout Rounds,” which begin on Oct. 31.

Cruse, who is on “Team Legend,” named for show coach John Legend, whom she chose in his first appearance, was paired with David Andrew. The pair sand “Heartbreak Anniversary,” a song originally recorded by Giveon.

Ultimately, Legend said that while Andrew was “flawless,” he was up against Cruse, whom he said “is one of the best singers we have this season.”

Hometown support was strong at the Magnolia watch party, with Cruse up front and center, and her parents, Rev. Bobby and Ramona Cruse, helping cheer her on. The crowd cheered and yelled for her as the judges wowed over her performance on the screen, while Cruse, in real time in Woodville, sat and watched herself on the screen; smiling her mega-watt smile.

Support in Woodville for its own star is high. Cruse will be feted on Sunday with a parade at the city park at 2 p.m.

Since her debut on the show, two weeks ago, when she wowed the judges with all four of them turning their chairs and vying for her attention, Cruse has been a breakout star of the show. Some critics have compared her vocal stylings to legends like Etta James.

To the patio full of well-wishers, all happy to help her celebrate, she is still that sweet hometown girl.

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By Chris Edwards
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WOODVILLE – A Tyler County grand jury handed down a no bill to Jillian Bass and Kelly Bass, the owner and director, respectively, of Early Birds Learning Center, a Woodville daycare facility.

The grand jury met on Sept. 29 to decide whether or not there had been any type of physical abuse of the children attending the daycare. The no bill absolves the Bass women of any wrongdoing.

William S. “Bill” Morian, Jr., who is the attorney for Jillian and Kelly Bass, said the investigation conducted by an employee of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services was “a one-sided quasi-investigation.”

The state agency in charge of the licensing component of the investigation (Woodville Police Department also conducted a months-long investigation) determined in early September that abuse did take place, according to a letter sent from its Child Care Licensing Investigative Unit.

The police investigation was to determine if any criminal wrongdoing had taken place, and if, henceforth, there was enough evidence for the grand jury to indict.

Kelly Bass denied the allegations from the start, and stated it was a disgruntled former employee who was to blame. That claim was echoed by her counsel, who said along with the former employee and the insufficient investigation, “a local tabloid website” was also to blame for the closure of the facility.

Morian also said that the Bass women were also “the subject of ridicule, harassment and death threats.”

The “tabloid website” in question to which Morian referred is the Facebook page Concerned Citizens of Tyler County (CCTC), which does not bill itself as a news agency, but as an advocacy platform. 

CCTC broke the story about Early Birds online, and initially showcased a video depicting alleged abuse, but later took the clip down, by request of a parent.

Woodville PD Capt. Jathan Borel confirmed to the Booster in July that there was more than one allegation of abuse concerning Early Birds. Some of the “unfounded” allegations, according to Morian, included giving the children the sleep aid Melatonin and spanking children; allegations which Jillian and Kelly Bass adamantly denied.

The investigation done by the state, which resulted in the voluntary closure, was appealed, according to Morian.

“Now that the Tyler County Grand Jury has spoken and cleared Kelly Bass and Jillian Bass, they look forward to being reinstated,” Morian said.