Asbestos removal scheduled for Willis Motel

Red Cross recognized – John and Mary Annette Stagg, two longtime volunteers with the American Red Cross, accept a proclamation recognizing Red Cross month in Woodville from Woodville Mayor Amy Bythewood. MOLLIE LA SALLE | TCB

By Mollie LaSalle
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WOODVILLE – A public hearing was held to discuss the status of the abandoned Willis Motel, which has a new owner as of January 2024. The new owner has contacted a company to begin removing the asbestos from the property beginning March 25, weather permitting. Once all the asbestos is removed, the demolition of the property will commence, again, weather permitting.

Mayor Amy Bythewood issued a proclamation declaring March to be American Red Cross month. In the proclamation she said, “ whereas American Red Cross heroes volunteer their time, give blood, take life saving courses, and provide financial donations to help those in need, and whereas the American Red Cross tirelessly helps when disaster strikes, providing the comfort of a helping hand, providing 24 hour support to members of the military, veterans, and their families and they work to prevent and alleviate human suffering, our community depends on the American Red Cross with donations of money, blood, and time to fulfill its humanitarian mission.”

Council moved on to the consent docket, and first up was the approval to the 2024 Consumer Price Index Adjustment to Municipal Telecommunications Right-of-Way Access Line Rate. Council approved this item.

Council next considered Resolution No. 20240311, a resolution of the City Council of Woodville, Texas establishing that the Tyler County Dogwood Festival and all activities related to said event serve a public purpose and authorizing the city administrator to execute an interlocal agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for the temporary closure of state right of way for annual activities related sponsored by the festival. This is basically saying that the city has the ok from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to close parts of highways 190 and 69 during Western Weekend and Dogwood Weekend for the parades, which have been occurring since the 1940’s.

The calendar was packed full of upcoming events. Every March, the city sponsors its citywide cleanup, and it is going on now through March 22. The Woodville Methodist Church will have a chili cook-off, Sunday, March 17, and the next weekend kicks off the Dogwood Festival, with the Festival of the Arts weekend at Heritage Village. March 23 will feature the Festival of the Arts, and on Sunday, March 24, the Village will host their annual Dinner on the Grounds from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Western Weekend is up next, beginning on Friday, March 29 with the Lions Club rodeo at 7 pm, and Saturday will be the trailride parade, beginning at 2 p.m., with the rodeo starting at 4:30 that day. March ends with Easter Sunday church services and celebrations.