Tyler County News - Breakout

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AUSTIN – Citizens State Bank has been selected as a recipient of the LIFE (Leaders in Financial Education) Award by the Texas Bankers Foundation. The honor was announced at the Texas Bankers Association’s 137th Annual Convention during a special awards luncheon.

“It is our great pleasure to recognize Citizens State Bank. These awards celebrate the banks and bankers who have made a commitment to positively impact their communities,” said Chris Furlow, president & CEO of the Texas Bankers Association. “We are honored to congratulate them on their efforts.”

For further information about the Texas Bankers Foundation, visit www.texasbankers.com/Foundation and check out Texas Banking Magazine, the official publication of the Texas Bankers Association, that includes a special feature on the 2022 winners.

Founded in 1885, the Texas Bankers Association (TBA) is the oldest and largest state banking association in the United States. TBA advocates for its members in Austin and Washington; trains more than 10,000 community bankers annually; provides nationally recognized banking products and services; and proudly invests in Texas communities through financial literacy, scholarship and charitable activities.

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By Michael G. Maness

CHESTER – In a brisk meeting, the Chester City Council approved an online payment contract that will allow customers that convenience.

They discussed several options, and the city secretary explained how such a system may save everyone time in all processes. A letter to Chester residents is forthcoming in the months ahead on how citizens may access it when it becomes active.

Mayor Robert Poynter heard from two customers on two separate issues involving utilities, Willie Thompson and Cody Slaten, and the council worked out an amicable solution for both.

Poynter made the comment that they were refining their processes, and Councilman Bryan Davis was clear on the city’s desire work with residents. The city is working steadily on meter replacement and other updates.

The council approved the minutes from the previous three meetings, including the last special meeting in which they approved GrantWorks to administrate their grants and the previous financials.

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By Chris Edwards
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IVANHOE – In a special-called meeting of the Ivanhoe City Council on Thursday, June 2, the council approved the resignation of long-serving city judge Judith Haney and appointed a replacement.

During the short meeting, the council approved the appointment of Judge Trisher Ford to serve as the city’s magistrate.

Council also approved a resolution to authorize Ivanhoe Mayor Cathy Bennett to sign acceptance of the Deep East Texas Council of Governments’ regional mitigation program funds.

The funds were allocated to the region serviced by DETCOG for the benefit of communities included in the Hurricane Harvey Presidential Disaster Declaration.
Prior to the special meeting, the council held a workshop to discuss a comprehensive plan for the city developed by GrantWorks for the coming fiscal years 2022-32.

The plan, which was drafted, and paid for through the federal Community Development Block Grant program, includes recommendations based on population forecasting made through the 10-year window it covers.

Busera said that according to their projection, the population will likely shrink a bit, but that it would not be anything significant to worry about, he said.

Bennett told Busera there were discrepancies in the most recent U.S. Census figures, that both Tyler County and Ivanhoe had grown, despite what the figures had shown. This was important to note, as Bennett said, because grant funding is based on population figures.

Busera outlined parts of the plan that spoke to the city’s marketability to potential developers; that it should be marketed as a charming lakeside city. Also, he noted a potential for resort-style living. The plan also covered infrastructure and land use within the city.

Bennett said the documentation sent by GrantWorks is thorough and “very important,” and asked for more time for the councilmembers to go over the material.

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Harvest House director Janina Irving speaks to the group at Calvary Baptist Church on the topic of human trafficking. Photo by Wilda Barton

By Wilda Barton

WOODVILLE – The Women on Mission group of Calvary Baptist Church were the host church for the New Bethel Association Women’s Missionary Union meeting.
Betty Cauthen, President of the New Bethel WMU, introduced guest speaker Janina Irving, who serves as the director of Harvest House in Beaumont.
Harvest House’s mission is to “End Sex Trafficking in Southeast Texas.
The services of Harvest House include advocacy and mentoring to survivors, court and healthcare appointment accompaniment, community education and awareness, family education, and prevention and intervention with at-risk youth.
Trafficking is not synonymous with kidnapping; kids do not have to be missing or runaways in order to be trafficked. Many kids live at home and attend school and extracurricular activities while being commercially, sexually exploited by someone in their life.
Unless one is familiar with the Red Flags of sex trafficking many lives may be lost. Red Flags include unexplained injuries and health problems, branding or possessive tattoos, older boyfriend or girlfriend, changes in behavior and appearance, evidence of a controlling relationship or sudden appearance of luxury gifts or items.
The saying, “If you see something, say something” applies. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is an anonymous line and toll-free and can be reached by calling 1-888-373-7888 or texting “Be Free” 233-733.
In Texas, it is mandatory to report any suspected child abuse or neglect. Your call could be the difference in saving someone’s life.
Individuals and organizations can get involved by praying, giving, learning and volunteering. To learn more about Harvest House and how you can help stop and prevent child trafficking visit their website at www.harvesthousebmt.com or their Facebook page.