Tyler County News - Breakout

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From Staff Reports

AUSTIN – Eliminating the state property tax and providing lasting property tax rate cuts were on the agenda for the second special session of the Texas Legislature, Governor Greg Abbott announced last Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Legislature unanimously passed a tax bill that increases the homestead exemption and includes a pay raise for teachers.

“We achieved a great deal during the 88^th Legislative Session that I have signed into law, including laws to provide more than $5.1 billion for border security, hold rogue district attorneys accountable, and add $1.4 billion to make schools safer, but the job is not done,” Abbott said. “I am bringing the Texas Legislature back for Special Session No. 2 to provide lasting property tax cuts for Texans. During the five-month regular session, the Texas House and Texas Senate both agreed on cutting school district property tax rates, while the House wanted to add appraisal caps and the Senate advocated for increased homestead exemptions.

“The Special Session No. 1 agenda was limited to the only solution that both chambers agreed on – school property tax rate cuts. After yet another month without the House and Senate sending a bill to my desk to cut property taxes, I am once again putting the agreed upon school district property tax rate cuts on the special session agenda,” Abbott said. “Unless and until the House and Senate agree on a different proposal to provide property tax cuts, I will continue to call for lasting property tax cuts through rate reductions and working toward eliminating the school property tax in Texas. Special sessions will continue to focus on only property tax cuts until property tax cut legislation reaches my desk.”

The first special session Abbott called ended with both chambers unable to agree on how to provide property tax relief.  The House had passed its version of a property tax package on the first day and immediately adjourned for the remainder of the 30-day session.

The bill passed on Wednesday will provide a $2,000 pay increase for teachers working in urban school districts through the next two years, and a $6,000 increase for educators in rural areas.

The homestead exemption was increased from $40K to $100K.

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By Chuck Davidson

This series of articles focuses on my attempt to identify folks who were born in Tyler County or who lived/worked here and became recognized or famous or important or well known.  I am omitting those currently alive (except for Hall of Famers) and I am only including folks in one field, even though some were famous in more than one.  This is a very subjective list, and I am open to others who qualify. Please let Chris at the Booster know of additions or questions, by emailing him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling 409-283-2516.

I am omitting what each person did as my goal is for readers to do some research on their own, if you do not know why or what someone did.  Obviously, most folks are important, but some have gone the extra mile or done something unique or important that others celebrate, thus the reason they are on one of my seven lists: Arts and Entertainment, Athletics, Government/Law/Politics, Education/History, Medicine/Ministry, Business/Commerce and Pioneers.

All errors of course are mine and while I have shown dates of birth and death (if known) and general area of “fame”, I am open to others that I do not know.

I want residents of Tyler County to recall what each person listed has done, to stimulate some dinner table discussions, or have you do some of your own digging/research.

Barclay, Robert Bernard

1907-1988

Medical

 

Cruse, Judge Barclay

1869-1935

Medical

 

Johnson, James Clyde

1863-1935

Medical

 

Mann, Samuel Edward

1845-1925

Ministry

 

Moye, Marie

1934-2017

Medical

 

Rhodes, Jefferson D

1861-1941

Ministry

 

Young, Acton

1823-1873

Ministry

 

Cade, Lawrence Robert

1868-1961

Medical

 

Hobbs, Erin Loraine

1908-2006

Medical

Mann, Samuel Daniel

1925-1997

Medical

 

Ernest Martin

1911-1998

Ministry

Rhodes, Arnold

1835-1887

Ministry

 

Willson, Stephen Pelham

1789-1861

Medical

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“Taking A Swim” by Merilyn McDonald

WOODVILLE – Winners in Tyler County Art League’s Summer Show, “Lazy Days” are: Best in Show – “Taking A Swim,” oil by Merilyn McDonald; First Place – “Whale’s Greeting,” pastel by Barbara Noll; Second Place – “Down on the Farm,” pastel by Barbara Noll; Third Place – “Looking Ahead,” pastel by Lisa Richardson; and Honorable Mentions: Diamond, acrylic by Lynn Lewis and Rain’s Coming’, pastel by Barbara Noll. Judge’s Choice went to Moccasin Vibes, pastel by Lisa Richardson.

The show will be on view through Aug. 19 at the Gallery, 210 W. Bluff St.

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By Mollie LaSalle
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COLMESNEIL – The Board of Trustees for Colmesneil ISD held their monthly meeting Monday evening and spent the majority of it tying up loose ends in advance of the new school year.

The first agenda item was the approval of the Student Code of Conduct and Student and Employee Handbook changes for 2023-24.

Superintendent Dr. Scott Davis advised the board that the Student Code of Conduct could be approved as it is written, with the proviso that is something comes up, he would be made aware of it, and any changes could be made before it goes to print. The board approved this. The only change in the Student Handbook is an addendum that has been added for the drug-testing guidelines, which the board voted on and approved at a previous meeting. There were no changes to the employee handbook except for directory changes.

Davis was pleased to announce that the district has had a productive hiring season thus far. Jr. High/High School Principal had a long list of new hires at her campus. George Taylor has come on board as the new Head Coach/Athletic Director, and there are several new faces at the junior high and high school levels.

Michael Lannon will teach English and coach, Lucas Snoe will teach History and coach, Matt Carter will teach Math and coach, Davis Shultz will teach Science and coach, and Gina Barrett will teach Biology and Science. Also new to the district are: Cathy Lott, English and Reading, Mackenzie Haley, AG and FFA advisor, Jerry Clower, Building Trades and Welding and Josh Sheffield, ISS. These educators all come highly recommended and have a combined total of nearly 100 years of experience. Smith also stated that they are meeting with a few more Math teachers for Jr. High level and are hoping to be 100% hired by June 28. She also wanted to give a shout out and Thank You to the readers of the Booster for voting CISD as Best Public School in their “Best of Tyler County” contest.

Taylor advised the board that summer workouts have started, and he was excited to announce that they started football/volleyball camp June 26, with a total of 42 kids participating, they are really excited about the punt, pass and kick drills”, he added.

Elementary Principal Shelby Tillery has two new teachers for her campus. Amy Shumake will teach sixth grade and Jamie Sanders, fifth grade. Tillery mentioned that they still have a Kindergarten position to fill. She was very excited about the progress that has been made during the summer break, “we have new flooring, new fencing around the playground, and classrooms are being moved for safety reasons”, she said. “Maintenance crews are working hard every day to get classrooms together, its looking great, like were getting a facelift, and I want to give a shoutout to Autumn Hillhouse for working her tail off this summer, and to Dena Settlocker for coming in and helping too”, she added.

Davis added “there’s nobody on the team that isn’t busting their tail, I feel like we are going to be in really good shape when we come back. I think when you look on the outside, it says something about the way it looks on the inside, as we continue to look at places that need to be polished up. It’s our responsibilities as stewards of the publics trust and money to do thing right, and y’all give us all the support we need to make these things happen. I’m very excited about who we have, and what we have coming.”