Tyler County News - Breakout

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Herbert Johnson, public relations coordinator of Naskila Casino, gave a tour of the casino and other facilities on the Alabama-Coushatta tribal land. Naskila hosted the Tyler County Chamber of Commerce’s bi-monthly “Cheers With the Chamber” networking mixer. The event drew close to 50 guests, who enjoyed a meal, networking opportunities and the chance to win some money at the facility. CHRIS EDWARDS | TCB

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By Chris Edwards
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WOODVILLE – A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 20 of the Tyler County Adult Protective Services Advisory Board.

The meeting, which is to take place at noon in the office of County Treasurer Leann Monk at the Tyler County Courthouse, will be the first time the board has met since the coronavirus pandemic swept the nation in 2020.

Monk, who serves as the board’s president, is looking to get some new volunteers interested in serving and is encouraging anyone who might have an interest to attend the meeting.

“Our Adult Protective Services Advisory Board supports our APS field workers,” Monk said. The volunteers on the board help bring awareness to the problem of elder abuse and neglect, as well as those same problems that face disabled individuals.

As a state agency operating under the Department of Family and Protective Services, APS investigates abuse, neglect and exploitation of adults who are elderly or have disabilities. Any adult who has a disability or who is age 65 or older over who is in a state of abuse, neglect or exploitation is eligible to receive adult protective services, according to its website.

The APS Advisory Board has, in the past, organized fundraisers, as well as fan drives.

“You normally see [abuse and neglect] in Tyler County a lot with the senior population,” Monk said. “[Seniors] come here to retire and individuals know that and take advantage of them financially as well as physically,” she said.

At present, APS has two caseworkers who service Tyler County, including one who lives in Wildwood and one from Polk County.

Monk noted that the board was very active until the pandemic put a stop to many activities. The inability to meet was also affected by the state-level umbrella agency, DFPS, as it was unable to meet.

The goal is to get a state-sanctioned advisory board similar to the one here in every Texas county, Monk said, however, there is no state funding. It is entirely locally funded, and aside from fundraisers, individuals, churches and civic groups contribute.

“The idea right now is to recreate interest in the board,” Monk said.  “I need vested Tyler County people to be involved,” she added.

The process to become a part of the organization involves filling out an application and submitting to a background check.

Monk said that an RSVP is requested, but not required for anyone who wishes to attend the meeting. Prospective attendees can contact monk via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., of by phone at 409-283-3054. Monk’s office is located in Room #003 of the courthouse.

APS also has a statewide hotline to report suspected and/ or incidents of abuse or neglect. That toll-free number is 1-800-252-5400.

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By Chris Edwards
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WOODVILLE – The community room of the Wheat Elementary cafeteria in Woodville was the central hub of some brainstorming on Tuesday afternoon.

The event was an economic development forum, which was the result of a partnership between several entities. The end result of the collaborative effort is to hopefully identify the needs of the entire Deep East Texas region.

Tyler County is the first of 12 counties to host one of the forums, which came about as a partnership between  the Stephen F. Austin Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation (CARRI), the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) and the participating counties, themselves.

“Sometimes as adults we forget to dream,” said Kelly Hall, during part of her presentation.

Hall, who works with the Longview Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the need for opportunities in areas such as Tyler County, and had participants supply one-word answers to a variety of questions in order to gauge how they saw the county, in terms of economic viability and what prospects might look like 25 years in the future.

Monica Loa, who works with CARRI, said the intention of the forums is to bring economic ideas and strategies into each of the counties.

“We hope to identify the needs of each county, as well as what resources each one has,” she said.

During brainstorming sessions facilitated by speakers such as Hall, participants such as Tyler County Judge Milton Powers and Woodville City Administrator Mandy Risinger collaborated on conversations identiying resources, such as tourism opportunities and the lush forests of the area, as well as the need for economic sustainability via livable wages for young workers.

“Salaries matter,” Hall said, and said that in her market, starting salaries for fast food employers is $15 per hour.

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Woodville City Administrator Mandy Risinger receives a proclamation from Mayor Amy Bythewood honoring her spotlight as the county’s “Best Public Servant” by popular vote in the Tyler County Booster’s “Best of” contest. MOLLIE LASALLE | TCB

By Mollie LaSalle

WOODVILLE – At its regular monthly meeting on Monday, the Woodville City Council approved the purchase of a new four-ton A/C unit for the Tyler County Chamber of Commerce office, which the City of Woodville owns.

The Chamber’s vice president, Chris Edwards, spoke to the council about the necessity of a new A/C unit and the need for financial assistance from the city toward the purchase.

“The problem with our Chamber building right now is we need some help. One of our A/C units has gone out, the one in the front part of the building,” he said.

Edwards noted that the Chamber received bids from three different contractors, and the lowest bid was from Casey Tolar of Magnolia Appliance, at a cost of $6,500 to replace the entire unit.

“We don’t have that kind of money to replace the system,” he said.  He added, “per the terms of our lease agreement, we are responsible for the first $5,000. Anything exceeding that amount, the landlord is obligated for, and we need some help with that.”

He said part of the $5,000 has already been spent on remodeling a bathroom.

Edwards noted the importance of the Chamber’s office as a welcome center for visitors and a hub of information, in addition to the benefits the organization offers to the countywide business community.

“We want to continue nourishing the community with these services, and it’s hard to do without a functioning AC in the summertime. We do have another unit in the back part of the building that keeps the boardroom cool, but not the front,” he said, noting that it would be uncomfortable to visitors, and that the Chamber’s executive director’s office is in the front part of the building.

The Chamber’s office is closed until further notice, and Holly Wells, the executive director, is working from home, mainly doing clerical work, networking and social media marketing. Edwards was asked by council if monies could be obtained via fundraisers, membership dues, etc.

He was also asked about repairs already done this year to the building, and Edwards replied “there are other issues that need to be addressed, but right now, [the AC unit] is the most pressing.”

Mayor Amy Bythewood said the Chamber of Commerce pretty much operates on a month-to-month basis. They do receive a stipend from the city, which goes to paying staff salary, as well as an allotment from the county for the Christmas in Tyler County celebration.

Edwards did mention that under the current chamber leadership, they are looking for ways to economize right now, as well as planning upcoming fundraisers and the annual Chamber banquet in September.

Alderman Lee Mann made a motion to approve the Chamber’s request, noting its importance and adding “we’re not going to have a Chamber unless we approve this request”.

Council approved the request from the Chamber for the city to be invoiced $6,500, and to contact Tolar to replace the unit.

Pet shop fee set

Other items discussed were the approval of a pet shop licensing fee, and amending the hours at the city park. Licensing fees for pet shops run anywhere from $50 to $200; it is an annual fee, and has to updated every year. Council discussed this licensing fee regarding the new pet shop which opened at 1905 West Bluff, Castillo Family Farm, which has relocated from its Dam B location.

Mann added “my understanding is this is a small shop, and we’re a small town. I think $50 is fair, we want to be a business-friendly community, that is my opinion.”

Bythewood added, “since we are halfway through the year, the fee would be pro-rated, and Castillo would only pay $24.95 (ish) for the remainder of the year”. Council voted to approve the pet shop license fee.

Council approved an ordinance modifying the hours at the city park, from the current 7 a.m to 10 p.m. to dawn to dusk. Alderman Mike Cabaniss said, “ a lot of the problems we are getting is from vandalism in the bathroom at the park, so once we get it cleaned up and painted, it’s going to be locked up at night by the police department, and opened back up in the morning by the city, so there won’t be free reign at night for any type of vandalism”. There are cameras up now, so if you make a bad choice, you will get caught.

Risinger honored

After all agenda items were tackled council adjourned, but mayor Bythewood had a surprise proclamation issued in honor of City Administrator Mandy Risinger being voted the best public servant in the Tyler County Booster’s “Best of” contest.

Bythewood cited “her deep and genuine love for the city and surrounding areas. She has served this community with distinction, always willing to place her concern for the public good ahead of her own personal interest, and throughout her career, she earned the respect of government, civic, religious leaders, area residents, and employees who are proud to call her friend. On behalf of the entire council and citizens of Woodville, I want to acknowledge Mandy Risinger as the Best of Tyler County Public Servant.”