Tyler County News - Breakout

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The 80th Tyler County Dogwood Festival Princesses were selected by the Kingsmen last week. Each public school in Tyler County is represented, and one of these ladies will be crowned Queen on April 1. Pictured (left to right): Savannah Ludewig-Woodville, Gracen Lindsey-Colmesneil, Natalie Standley-Warren, Kaylee Tolar-Chester, Ella Hatton-Spurger.

The Ladies in Waiting were also announced last week. Standing (left to right): Maycie Allen-Warren, Sydnie Odom-Woodville, Chloe Powers-Colmesneil, Brilynn Gore-Warren, Madison Wainwright-Woodville. Sitting (left to right): Emily Mejia-Warren, Lacey Chapman-Spurger, Alyssa White-Chester. The theme for the Dogwood Festival this year is “New Beginnings in Tyler County – 80 Years of Traditions.” The festival will kick off with Festival of the Arts weekend out at Heritage Village on March 18-19, then Western weekend will take place March 24-25 and the Queen’s Weekend is scheduled for April 1. Photographs by Becki Byrd | Dogwood Festival Photographer

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By Mollie LaSalle
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COLMESNEIL – Colmesneil ISD School board held a special called meeting, on Tuesday, Jan. 24 to consider naming a lone finalist as CISD Superintendent.

Dr. Scott Davis, who has been serving as interim superintendent, was named the lone finalist for the position. Davis was appointed interim superintendent in July, 2022, and the board voted to name him as the lone finalist for the position.

Davis spoke to board members of all he has accomplished since his arrival at the district. His top priorities upon taking the position remain, number one, safety and security, and number two, academics.

Davis said “this has basically been a six-month job interview for me. My main priority right now is looking into the CTE facilities we have in regard to Agriculture Mechanics, Horticulture and the Construction trades to determine if they are adequate enough. History has its place in the community, and I respect that.”

He went on to say, “ I’m not changing the things that I’m doing. We need to set some goals, and I already have a plan in this regard. If we don’t have staff, we can’t take care of the kids. So teachers can teach and kids can learn, that’s why we do what we do, that’s why we’re all here, and I won’t change.”

The board will vote on hiring Davis to the position at the February meeting.

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By Chuck Davidson

CHESTER – With a meal provided later by the Chester Buyer’s Club on Thursday, Jan. 26, Superintendent Dr. Paul Drake welcomed about 75 community members who came to learn about the district’s facility needs and review ideas for bond propositions.

Chester ISD has served the Chester community for more than 100 years and currently has several old buildings needing major upgrades or replacement.

Goodwin-Lasiter-Strong out of Lufkin recently completed a structural assessment on all campus buildings and presented updates as to what is needed for each one. Bottom line: this audit recommends that the current high school building (not the gymnasium) and the current junior high building and old gym be demolished.

Both buildings are out of compliance with security gaps and the high school has asbestos which must be abated.

An analysis by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) estimated that it would cost more than 125% to remodel these vs replacing them. The preliminary budget for possible projects (new junior/senior high school, demolishment of the two current structures, new entry and restrooms for the competitive gym, upgraded Ag shop and cafeteria kitchen work) is more than $4.8 million, not counting soft costs like asbestos work, surveys etc.

The current Chester ISD M&O (maintenance and operations) tax rate is only .9603 (with no existent I&S, or Interest and Sinking rate), one of the lowest in the area, and the maximum proposed I & S rate would be .3 %.

Handouts were available for those present to see specific building needs and after Drake’s overview, tours were given of the facilities mentioned, led by himself and business manager Austin Odom.

Once concluded, all attendees enjoyed food and fellowship provided by the members of the buyer’s club and friends.

If you missed this open house and want to learn more about the study, call the school at 936 969 2371 or check out www.chesterisd.com.  Questions may be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Allan Shivers Library and Museum administrators, staff and Friends of the Library volunteers, along with several elected officials and community members turned out on Saturday to the grand re-opening of the museum. Attendees got to see the many renovations and rearrangements of the facility that have taken place throughout the past year, including an elevator. MOLLIE LASALLE | TCB

By Mollie LaSalle
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WOODVILLE – The Allan Shivers Library and Museum held its grand re-opening, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27 and 28.

Friday evening saw a VIP event in the museum, where visitors were welcome to tour the facilities and see all the updates, both in the library and the museum. Saturday, January 28, was the grand re-opening with a reception and ribbon cutting held in the museum.

Kay Timme, director of Allan Shivers Library and Museum welcomed visitors to the festivities Saturday with a brief history of the facilities. Timme said, “we are proud of what we have been able to accomplish here” and wanted to recognize the governing board which consists of representatives from the city, county, and Woodville ISD.

County Judge Milton Powers was in attendance, along with Woodville mayor Amy Bythewood.

Timme also recognized Pct. 3 Commissioner Mike Marshall; Woodville City Administrator Mandy Risinger; WISD superintendent Lisa Meysembourg and WISD Board of Trustees member Josh McClure, for all their hard work on behalf of Allan Shivers Library and Museum.

A brief history of the library and museum: In 1962, former Governor Shivers and his wife purchased land adjacent to the school and donated it to the school district. Their intention was to build a library and museum for the children of Tyler County. Governor shivers purchased the house, which was built in 1881 by R.A. Cruse, after it was scheduled for demolition, in 1963, and had it moved to its current location with the intent to house both a library and museum. They quickly realized that it wasn’t going to be enough space. The complex was formally dedicated in October 1966, and renovations and upgrades have continually taken place over the years. The current complex contains the museum, library, children’s reading room and the newest addition, the John and Rosemary Bunch reading and meeting room.

One new addition to the facility is an elevator, which will accommodate patrons with mobility issues. The elevator was purchased and installed through a generous grant from the TLL Temple Foundation, Timme said. Extra funding from the grant is being used for re-wiring.

The complex also received a grant from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission in the amount of $10K; part of the money was put toward purchasing glass display cases in the museum, the rest was used to purchase new furnishings for the Marialice Shivers Children’s room in the library.

Timme gave a shout out to her leadership team, which took over in 2021. “We came on board and got busy”, she said. She reiterated that the library/museum is in capable hands under the team of herself, assistant director and head librarian Carolyn Williams, and museum manager Roschelle Springfield.

She also wanted to thank the Friends of the Library, and its president Felina Pence for everything they have contributed, and also the many volunteers who help.

The library was closed for two weeks for remodeling and inventory, and together with the newly renovated museum, will serve the citizens of Woodville and Tyler County for many years to come. Timme explained, “the library is a friendly and usable space, every book on every shelf was removed, catalogued, and put back; carpeting was laid. It’s been a monumental effort. A good library offers more than just books.”

She also cited Springfield’s dogged determination in getting the museum re-modeled and updated. “We handled every item in the museum, everything that was moved. There were days when everything was stirred upside down; now, it is something to be proud of.”

Kay, Roschelle, and Carolyn invite everyone to come and check out all the library and museum have to offer. The library is open Monday-Friday, 9-5, and Saturday, 10-2. You can call them at 409-283-3709 to learn more of what they offer or schedule a tour of the museum.