Tyler County News - Breakout

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By Chris Edwards
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IVANHOE — In a special-called meeting last Monday, the Ivanhoe City Council continued a citywide burn ban originally instituted earlier in the month.

Mayor pro-tem Tommy Morris called the meeting to order, as Mayor Cathy Bennett was away on vacation. The resolution, which council passed on Oct. 4, originally, prohibits any outdoor burning, due to drought conditions.

The current burn ban is the second citywide burn ban issued this year. At present, a countywide burn ban is also standing, having been passed by the Tyler County Commissioners Court after a disaster 

declaration made by County Judge Jacques Blanchette.

The lack of sufficient rainfall as of late has been a statewide concern, and fire analysts have cited the potential for significant wildfires throughout the pineywoods region, as well as southeast and central Texas.

The dry conditions across the state have been “significant” as far as fires go, according to Wes Moorehead, who serves at the Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief. 

Burn bans occur when local governments are empowered to take action on the behalf of constituents when drought conditions exist. Burn bans are put in place by county judges or county commissioners to prohibit or restrict outdoor burning in the name of public safety.

According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, nine out of 10 wildfires are caused by human activity, which means that most wildfires could be prevented by taking simple actions. 

Woodville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Alan Gartner said on Monday that the county’s fire departments have been busy, and reminded all county residents of the existing burn bans. “Please stop burning,” Gartner said.

“It is important that all residents take care to prevent wildfires while conditions are windy and dry,” said Karen Stafford, Texas A&M Forest Service Prevention Program Coordinator. “Consider waiting to conduct any outdoor burning or lighting campfires until conditions improve. Even if your county does not have a burn ban in place, we encourage everyone to be cautious with any activity that may cause a spark.”

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By Mollie LaSalle

COLMESNEIL – Colmesneil City Council held their regular monthly meeting last Tuesday at 7 p.m., with all council members present. It was previously reported that Billy Andrus was the Mayor Pro-Tem; Andrus stepped down from the position and Bubba Sheffield was appointed in his place, some months ago. 

City secretary Wendy Bendy reported that the city’s website is being updated, and soon citizens will be able to log in and pay bills online. Bendy reported that the service they will utilize is called Next Bill Pay. Customers will be able to see their bill and for a $2.50 fee, can pay online, or call city hall and pay by credit card, and Bendy will apply the payment for them. 

Bendy reported that she has finally found a bank that offers better interest rates on the CDs that the city currently has at Citizens Bank. The city currently has five CDs of which four are for $50K and one is for $100K. Council voted to move all five CDs to Education First Federal Credit Union in Woodville for a 12-month term where they will earn 2.85% interest.

Bendy reported that Teresa Olivia is the new part-time office help; she started on Sept. 26. Last month was a busy one for the water/sewer department, with 13 leaks reported. 

The third annual Fall Festival is fast approaching, slated for Oct. 29 from 6-8 p.m. A fun time is guaranteed for all in attendance. The Community Center will be open and Bendy and volunteers will serve up some good eats for festival goers. 

In other business, all minutes form the previous month’s meeting as well as all current office, financial, and water/sewer reports were approved in short order. 

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By Mollie LaSalle

WOODVILLE – Woodville City Council held their regular monthly meeting last Tuesday, and prior to the meeting being called to order, David Waxman spoke about the CDBG Grant money the city has applied for. Three million plus has been allocated for Woodville, with no max required. The total amount of the CDBG grant is $3,325.000.00. Waxman stated that a portion of the funds have to be used for low method of distribution, or approximately $1,163,750.00 of the grant. 

The Texas General Land Office concentrated on towns by zip code that sustained the most damage from Hurricane Harvey, and Waxman added that most of the damage was 100% in the city of Woodville. 

Per Waxman, the deadline to apply for the grant is Nov. 15, 2022, with letters of awards going out sometime in April of 2023. 

Council voted to fill the unexpired term of Alderman Herbert Branch, who recently stepped down from the council. Joyce Wilson nominated Lee Mann to serve the remainder of Branch’s term, with Kelly Dillard seconding the motion. The board must meet to approve Mann’s appointment, and should he be approved, Mann will be sworn in at the next council meeting on Nov. 14.

City Manager Mandy Risinger acknowledged Woodville native Kim Cruse’s success on the NBC show “The Voice”, having all four judges turn their chair around at the audition. 

Cruse is the daughter of Ramona and Bobby Cruse of Woodville. Bobby Cruse was a longtime employee of the city for 25 years, and was “a joy” to be around, said Risinger. 

Risinger also mentioned events coming up in Woodville; the Lion’s Club held their Chili Lunch on Friday, Oct. 14, the Harvest Festival took place last Friday and Saturday at Heritage Village, and the Rotary Club’s annual Gumbo Dinner is slated for October 28th at the Fire Station in Woodville. 

The annual “Red Ribbon Day” for the schools (Just Say No To Drugs) is scheduled for the 24th, and the Tyler County Child Welfare Board’s 14th annual “Adopt An Angel” Holiday Tea and Purse Auction is going “live” again (after a two year online auction) at the Family Life Center of Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church, on November 12, at 10 am. 

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Chassin Tausch

By Chris Edwards
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COLMESNEIL – A Tyler County Grand Jury has handed down an indictment to a 17-year-old Colmesneil ISD student who was charged with making a terroristic threat last month.

Chassin Tausch was arrested in late September after allegedly making threatening statements. According to Tyler County Sheriff Bryan Weatherford, he had made threats to shoot other students following an argument on campus. 

District Attorney Lucas Babin presented the case to the Grand Jury on Sept. 29, and the jurors decided to indict Tausch for Felony Terroristic Threat. 

Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Ken Jobe set Tausch’s bond at $50,000 and required that numerous bond conditions be completed, including wearing an ankle monitor.

The charge of which Tausch has been indicted is a third-degree felony.