COURTESY PHOTO Apple Springs ISD logo

APPLE SPRINGS — The Apple Springs ISD School Board will get to spend $808,000 of federal grant funds.

At its regular meeting on May 10, the board approved a spending plan designed by Superintendent Cody Moree, which will take effect in mid-July, the earliest the money can be drawn down by districts.

“This is an occasion where there’s a lot of leeway in spending protocol,” Moree said. “Typically, federal money will have to supplement what we’re already doing; this will allow us to (use grant funds for) payroll operations for a year, and take our regular allotments and put them in a fund balance to give us a cushion.”

Moree said that $575,000 of the funds will be used for payroll.

Other uses include $107,000 to be used on direct learning loss strategies, purchasing personal protective equipment, and replacing plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, fountains and sinks, to non-touch varieties, all necessary because of the pandemic; and $15,000 for new computer hardware.

In other business, the board:

• moved the regular meeting days to the second Thursday of the month from the second Monday, the first being June 10. Moree said this was because the district moved to a 4-day week, and is closed on Mondays; and
• approved changes to school policy based on Texas Association of School Board recommendations.

TONY FARKAS | TCNS Groveton right fielder Reese White beats the pickoff back to first base during the Indians’ 19-1 win over Apple Springs on April 6.

CENTERVILLE — On March 23, Centerville pulled off a 14-1 win against the Apple Springs Eagles.

Starting pitcher for the Bulldogs was Aydn Self, squaring off against the Eagles’ Dakota Campbell. Self went five innings with five strikeouts, and giving up one run; while Campbell pitched four and picked up seven strikeouts, while allowing 11 runs.

Closing pitcher for the Eagles was Daniel Johnson, who gave up three runs with one strikeout.

For the Bulldogs, Self went 3-for-3 with a double and two singles and five stolen bases; Logan Villanueva went 2-for-3 and three stolen bases; and Weston Dial, Ty Havard, Anthony Commiato, Ethan Rutledge and Logan Whittlesey each contributed hits as well.

The win put Centerville’s record at 4-1 on the season.

On March 16, Centerville downed the North Zulch Bulldogs 13-12.

On March 12, Centerville downed the Richards Panthers 13-11 in extra innings.

The Bulldogs and Panthers were tied 11-11 at the bottom of the sixth. Neither team scored in the seventh; in the eighth, Travis Thorne was on base after a walk, and lead-off batter Aydn Self clobbered a homer to bring the Bulldogs score up to 13.

Starting pitcher Self went five innings and recorded five strikeouts.

Logan Villanueva, Weston Dial, Travis Thorne and Logan Whittlesey each contributed hits in the win.

Scores roundup

Apple Springs

April 12 vs. Wells, 3-2 win

April 9 vs. Centerville, 20-0 loss

April 6 vs. Groveton, 19-1 loss

April 1 vs. Douglass, 29-0 loss

Centerville

April 9 vs. Apple Springs, 20-0 win

Groveton

April 9 vs. Douglass, 10-9 win

April 6 vs. Apple Springs, 19-1 win

Trinity

April 9 vs. Tarkington, 16-1 loss.

MUGSHOT Blake Ellery Partain

APPLE SPRINGS — A Kennard man was arrested Sunday for a one-vehicle crash that left a woman dead.

Blake Ellery Partain, 29, is facing a charge of intoxication manslaughter in connection with the death of Chelsea McBride, 29.

According to reports from the Department of Public Safety, troopers were notified of a one-vehicle crash on FM 357, about 2 ½ miles north of Apple Springs.

The preliminary crash investigation indicates at about 2 a.m., a 2009 Dodge pickup, reportedly driven by Partain, was traveling north at an unsafe speed when the driver drove off the roadway to the right, then crossed back over the roadway and struck a tree. The pickup then caught on fire.

McBride was pronounced deceased at the scene by a Trinity County Justice of the Peace, the report states.

During the investigation, Partain was determined to be intoxicated and taken into custody, the report states.

This crash remains under investigation.

FILE PHOTO Apple springs calendar

APPLE SPRINGS — The Apple Springs school district is going to four-day week.

Beginning with the 2021-22 school year, students will attend Tuesdays through Fridays, with Monday now being off. The measure was approved at the April 12 School Board meeting.

Superintendent Cody Moree said the move was something he had proposed the year before COVID hit, but for various reasons, it didn’t gain momentum; however, since then, several districts — Latexo, Corrigan-Camden, Oakwood, Calvert — have made the move, with good results.

Interest then picked back up, Moree said, and with other districts doing it and the rumors of more, Apple Springs began to move in that direction.

“I guess the word got around that those districts that have done so are glad; I talked to a board member in Corrigan who said it’s the best thing they’ve ever done,” he said.

Moree said the district first surveyed the parents electronically, through email and Facebook, which came back with 85 percent of respondents in favor of it. A paper survey came back at more than 90 percent in favor.

“We felt like we had community support,” he said. “We’re going to try it and hopefully it will turn out good.”

Moree said the immediate benefit will be teacher recruitment and retention, because small school districts can’t offer the same pay scale as larger ones.

“We have to compete with that, but we hope by offering this it will help recruiting good people and keep the people we have,” he said.

Additionally, Moree said there is an academic benefit with teachers and students spending longer, concentrated time on subjects, and students will be in the same room with a teacher.

“In the long run, the 20 percent rule kicks in; there will be better attendance because appointments can be made on off-days, teachers can make appointments during the week; we’re running the buses 20 percent less so transportations costs should drop,” he said. “With all those things, we think we’ll improve what we’re doing.”

With students being home an additional day, child care requirements and the effect on the district was discussed, and Moree said the change will be an adjustment for parents and families. However, one of the unintended consequences of the district dealing with the shutdown and changes because of COVID was parents making such arrangements, so the effect should be minimal, he said.

“We appreciate the support,” Moree said. “We’re trying to be innovative and look for better ways to teach the kids.”

TONY FARKAS | TCNS Trinity Tiger Terius Maxie (No. 22 white) goes over a Lovelady defender during the team’s Dec. 8 matchup, which Trinity won 59-51.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Trinity

Dec. 12 vs. Alpha Omega, 68-53 loss.

Dec. 8 vs. Lovelady, 59-51 win.

Groveton

Dec. 11 vs. Hemphill, 56-35 loss.

Centerville

No scores reported

Apple Springs

Dec. 11 vs. Colmesneil, 58-25 loss

Dec. 8 vs. Zavalla, 45-36 win

COURTESY PHOTO A host of Groveton Lady Indians go for the ball during the team’s win over Lovelady on Friday.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Trinity

Dec. 11 vs. Tarkington, 55-44 loss.

Dec. 8 vs. Corrigan-Camden, 64-31 win.

Groveton

No scores reported.

Centerville

No scores reported

Apple Springs

Dec. 11 vs. Kennard, 36-21 win.

Dec. 8 vs. Neches, 62-15 loss.

TRINITY COUNTY FAIR LOGO

GROVETON — The Trinity County Fair and Youth Livestock Show is slated for the third week in March in Groveton at the County Fairgrounds.

It all starts Tuesday, March 16.

The Fair will be a little different this year because of masking and social distancing requirements; board members decided to spread the show out over more days to eliminate having so many people in the barn at the same time.

Patrons also are requested to wear masks. Additionally, there will be no pet show this year.

Despite the changes, there will be a host of animals and student projects to see and a limited concession stand will offer refreshments.

Students from 4-H and FFA from Apple Springs, Centerville, Groveton, and Trinity schools are expected to compete.

Awards will be given at the conclusion of each show.

All buyers are welcome, and add-ons will be accepted.

There will be an online auction at Wal-Lee Auction Co. Inc. Online bidding starts March 15 at walleeauctioncompany.com.

For information, call Show Secretary Laura Worsham Anderson at (936) 465-0110 or President Bill Wagner at (713) 501-6733.

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, March 17

Shop projects should be entered between 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. but will be accepted up till 5 p.m. for the sale. Judging will start at 2 p.m.

8-10 a.m. Fryers and broilers check-in

11 a.m. Broiler show at

1 p.m. Fryer show

Commercial Heifer test and record book due at 4:30 p.m. at the Groveton High School Ag Building

Thursday, March 18

7:30 a.m. Steer sift begins

8-10 a.m. Commercial heifers, lambs, and steers check-in

11 a.m. Heifer show

1 p.m. Lamb show

3 p.m. Steer show

Friday, March 19

8-10 a.m. Goats and hogs check-in

2 p.m. Goat show

5 p.m. Hog show

Saturday, March 20

5 p.m. Online/live auction begins at 5 p.m. starting with shop projects and the animal projects.

Only the Grand Champion and Reserve Champions will walk at the auction. All projects will be sold.

COURTESY PHOTO Centerville Bulldog runner Kayla Mott will be running the 100-meter hurdles at Mike Myers stadium in Austin on May 8 after she qualified at regionals with a second-place finish and a time of 16.82. Kayla also placed fourth in the 300 meter with a time of 52.95 at the regional track meet.

Of the four schools in Trinity County, Centerville has the only athlete that will travel to the state meet this weekend in Austin.

Groveton had plenty of athletes participate, but none made the cut for the state invite.

However, plenty of athletes from all schools set personal and season records for themselves.

Trinity

Region 3 3A track meet

April 23-27

Girls

Pole vault

Fifth, Shelby Walters, 9-00 (personal record)

High Jump

11th, Shaniya English, 4-08 (season record)

Groveton

Region 3 2A track meet

April 24-26

Palestine

Boys

800 meters

Ninth, Hayden Lee, 2:13.40, (personal record)

1600 meters

15th, Jarrett Loftin, 5:25.05, (personal record)

3200 meters

Ninth, Jarrett Loftin, 11:39.12, (personal record)

300-meter hurdles

Ninth, 12 King Jones, 43.47, (personal record)

4x400-meter relay

16th, David Ayala, Navid Pat, Chase Blair, Hayden Lee, 3:55.71

Shot put

Sixth, Tyler Allen, 42-03 (personal record)

High jump

Fifth, Malachi Stewart, 6-00 (personal record)

Pole vault

10th (tie), Hayden Lee, 10-00 (season record); Daiton Chandler, 10-00 (personal record)

Girls

1600 meters

Eighth, Caitlyn Antley, 6:09.28 (season record)

4x100 relay

Seventh, Kaylee McCrory, Maicey Smith, Emma Alexander, Breanna McQueen, 52.46,

4x200 relay

Fourth, Kaylee McCrory, Maicey Smith, Emma Alexander, Breanna McQueen, 1:50.34

Shot put

Eighth, Canaan Dillard, 31-05 (personal record)

Discus

11th, Stacy Rojo, 84-01 (personal record)

Long jump

14th, Breanna McQueen, 14-05 (personal record)

Apple Springs

Region 4 1A track meet

April 23-27

League City

Boys

Long Jump

14th, Sydney Williams, 12-08 (personal record)

Centerville

Region 4 1A track meet

April 23-27

League City

Girls

100-meter hurdles

Second, Kayla Mott, 16.82, (personal record)

300-meter hurdles

Fourth, Kayla Mott, 52.95, (personal record)

COURTESY PHOTO The Centerville Lady Bulldogs are headed to the playoffs against Zavalla on Thursday.

TCNS staff

TRINITY — After a win last week, the Trinity Lady Tigers fell to district rival Onalaska on Saturday to place third in the district.

Trinity lost in overtime 57-52, even though the Feb. 2 score was a 40-37 win.

The Lady Tigers next play East Barnard at 6 p.m. Thursday at Waller High School.

The Tiger boys lost to Tarkington 54-48 on Saturday. Trey Goodman led scorers with 21 points, and Jakai Miller-Gates chipped in 16.

Trinity was to play New Waverly on Tuesday and Anderson-Shiro on Thursday.

On Feb. 2, Trinity overpowered Onalaska 67-57.

TONY FARKAS | TCNS Trinity Tiger center Terius Maxie (No. 22) attempts a bucket during a district game against Tarkington on Saturday.

Apple Springs

Coach Michael Powell said the Lady Eagles finished district play with a 2-10 record.

“We beat Kennard twice, but lost to everyone else,” he said.

The Eagles went 0-10 in district with two games left to play this week.

Their last game, Feb. 2 vs. Laneville, ended up a 68-20 loss.

Centerville

Head Coach Kevin Parker said the Lady Bulldogs will be advancing to the playoffs and will face Zavalla in the Bi-District Round on Thursday in Huntington.

Boys

Feb. 5 vs. Kennard, 59-42 loss.

Girls

Feb. 5 vs. Kennard, 55-36 win.

Feb. 3 vs. Neches, 50-19 loss.

Groveton

Coach Rogelyn Andrews said the Lady Indians are tied with Leon for fourth place in district.

Groveton was to play Tuesday in Grapeland, and the winner will move on to play Martin's Mill Friday in Bi-District. 

PHOTO BY MARTHA MERICLE A Groveton player looks to move toward the goal during the Indians’ 35-31 win over Latexo on Jan. 26, 2021.

COLDSPRING — The Trinity girls outlasted the Coldspring-Oakhurst Lady Trojans, but the boys, who played catchup for the game, lost by 20.

The Lady Tigers stopped COHS with a 57-11 drubbing, while the Trojans downed the Tigers 72-52 on Friday.

For the Tigers, Jakai Miller-Gates led scoring with 18, followed by Trey Goodman with 12.

Coach Jacoby Mitchell

The win puts the Lady Tigers at 7-3 in district play, while the boys fall to 3-5.

On Jan. 26, The Lady Tigers edged out Anderson-Shiro 48-47.

Coach Taylor Wilson said it was the team’s first time to beat the Lady Owls in district play.

Top scorers were Rayn Balli with 19 points, Peyton Robb with 10 points, Cynthia Sizemore with 7 points, Shania English with 5 points and Nevaeh Craft with 5 points.

Centerville

Girls

(10-2 overall, 6-1 in district)

•Jan. 27 vs. Laneville, 31-20 win.

Top scorers: Gracie May with 11 points, Alexis May with 8

•Jan. 26 vs. Apple Springs, 34-19 win

Top scorers: K.K. Mott with 14, Gracie May with 14

Boys 

•Jan. 27 vs. Laneville 67 Centerville 67-41 loss

(Ethan Rutledge 14, Aydn Self 14)

•Jan. 26 vs. Apple Springs 66-44 win

(Aydn Self 33 points, Ethan Rutledge 10 points)

Groveton

Girls

•Jan. 25 vs. Grapeland, 50-41 loss.

Scorers: Tatum Porter with 12, Lena Taylor with 10, Kiki Smith with 8, Kassie Plotts with 5, Chasity Blair with 5, Maicey Smith with 1

Rebounds: Kassie Plotts with 16, Chasity Blair with 6 op Assists: Kiki Smith with 3, Chasity Blair with 3, Maicey Smith with 3

Blocks: Kiki Smith 2, Tatum Porter 1

•Jan. 23 vs. Lovelady, 43-26 loss

Scorers: Tatum Porter with 8, Lena Taylor with with 6, Kassie Plotts with 5, Chasity Blair with 4, Kiki Smith with 2, Maicey Smith with 1

Rebounds: Chasity Blair with 8, Lena Taylor with 8, Kassie Plotts with 6

Assists Kiki Smith with 2, Kassie Plotts with 2

•Jan. 21 vs. Centerville, 60-25 loss

Lena Taylor with 9, Tatum Porter with 9, Maddy Thomas with 3, Chasity Blair with 2, Kassie Plotts with 2

Rebounds: Lena Taylor with 8, Kassie Plotts with 7

•Jan. 20 vs. Grapeland, 56-32 loss.

Scorers: Tatum Porter with 15, Lena Taylor 1 with 2, Maicey Smith with 2, Chasity Blair with 2, Bre McQueen with 1

Rebounds: Kassie Plotts with 10, Chasity Blair with 9

Assists: Kassie Plotts with 4, Ingrid Rojo with 1

Boys

•Jan. 26 vs. Latexo, 35-31 win.

•Jan. 25 vs. Centerville, 59-44 loss.

Apple Springs

Girls

•Jan. 29 vs. Wells, 48-25 loss

•Jan. 26 vs. Centerville, 34-19 loss

Boys

•Jan. 29 vs. Wells, 70-26 loss

•Jan. 26 vs. Centerville, 66-44 loss