FILE PHOTO Trinity, TX

TRINITY — The Trinity City Council will be looking into some financing to resurface a few roads.

At its regular meeting on Thursday, the council authorized seeking $500,000 to chip seal roads.

Council Member Bubba Smith said that he had a problem with getting money without having a clear purpose; however, Mayor Wayne Huffman said the loan would not be signed until the city determined what roads were in most need of repair.

Huffman said there will be a work session at a later date to decide the order, and all council members will have input.

The Economic Development Board initially planned to loan the city the funds at 1.5 percent interest, but it was later determined that might not be legal. Huffman said then they will seek the funds from the bank, but will need to negotiate a lower interest rate than 4 percent.

During the public forum, Smith said he has been receiving complaints about certain properties that are cluttered with junk and have become eyesores, particularly a property near the intersection of Church and Elm streets.

Smith said the mess was bad enough that if anyone were to park in the roadway across the street, all traffic would be blocked.

Council Member Clegg DeWalt expressed frustration, saying he has tried for years to get something done.

However, Jones, who also serves as police chief, said that in the past when he went to enforce the city’s nuisance ordinances, he was stopped by the city council. He also said the resident of the house in question has been approached many times and nothing has come of it.

Jones also said that he would begin enforcing the ordinances, but it will need to be done across the board.

In other business, the council:

• approved an order certifying that all city candidates were unopposed in the May 1 election;
• approved an order cancelling the May 1 city election;
• approved the annual Racial Profiling Report for the Police Department;
• approved a request from the city’s Economic Development Board to loan $20,000 to the city for a July 4 celebration; and
• approved an application for a $500,000 grant through the Texas Community Development Block Grant program for water system improvements.

FILE PHOTO - Trinity County courthouse

GROVETON — The Trinity County Commissioners Court now has a new contract with Groveton EMS for ambulance services, but not without some discussion as to the nature of the $1,500 monthly payment.

While both the county and Groveton EMS agree that ambulance service is needed, the county on Nov. 10 approved a $1,500 monthly stipend, while the EMS service sought a contract that was based on a fee for services.

Grover Worsham, who owned the service and sold it to current owner David Robison, said he understood Robison’s position, but the real issue was getting the ambulances to run.

Robison initially asked for the contract to read fee for services as it would benefit the organization in the long run; his argument was that the language made the difference between a vendor relationship and a dependent relationship. However, County Judge Doug Page said the contract will read subsidy based on advice from County Attorney Joe Warner Bell.

In the end, both sides agreed that it would be best to end the negotiations and approve the contract. The previous contract expired in December 2019. This contract will last seven years with a 90-day right of termination.

In other business, the county:

• canvassed the county votes from the Nov. 3 General Election;
• approved $332,106 from the October check register;
• approved a budget amendment moving $7,952 into the general fund;
• approved issuing a county credit card to Sheriff Woody Wallace;
• approved disbursing Family Protection Fee funds to three county agencies;
• approved the sale of surplus equipment;
• approved bids for the sale of tax resale properties from the County Appraisal District; and
• approved a resolution authorizing $35,000 in county funds as part of a Community Development Block Grant, a project sponsored by the Deep East Texas Council of Government, for the improvement of regional radio communications infrastructure.

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.

Photo by Tony Farkas | TCNS Trinity residents wait outside the city Fire Department on the first day of early voting for the 2020 general election.

TONY FARKAS | TCNS Centerville ISD Ag Teacher Kelly Dial shows students the proper way to transport chickens during the Broiler Show during the Trinity County Fair and Livestock Sale on Wednesday.

The Trinity County Fair and Youth Livestock Show 2021 was a complete show, judging all animals and placing all projects. The sale generated approximately $169,850 in sales and $20,975 in add-ons.

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Fair Results

Market Fryers

Lexi Larson, Groveton 4-H, Grand Champion; Parker Leach, East County 4-H, Reserve Champion; Adriana Sottosanti, Groveton 4-H, 3rd; Cade Mauldin, Trinity 4-H, 4th; Gunner Hollis, East County 4-H, 5th; Faith Smith, East County 4-H, 6th; Reece Watts, Groveton 4-H, 7th; Braxton Rogers, Centerville 4-H, 8th; Clarissa Ashworth, Centerville FFA, 9th; Kenneth Smith, East County 4-H, 10th; Tripp Turner, East County 4-H, 11th; Mikala Rivers, Groveton 4-H, 12th; Aurora Gonzalez, 13th; Cooper Shanafelt, Groveton 4-H, 14th; Payzlea Davis, East County 4-H, 15th; Wesson Burriss, Groveton 4-H, 16th; Skyler Shaw, Groveton FFA, 17th; Klarysa Peterson, Centerville 4-H, 18th; Samatha Hittner, Groveton 4-H, 19th; Rebecca Braswell, Centerville 4-H, 20th; Hunter Anderson, Centerville 4-H, 21st, Madelyn Bergman, Groveton FFA, 22nd; Dailey Turner, 23rd, Hannah Turner, East County 4-H, 24th; Madison Haislip, Groveton 4-H, 25th; Bentley Thompson, Groveton 4-H, 26th; Mekenna Meshell, Trinity 4-H, 27th.

Market Broilers

Haygen Townsend, Groveton 4-H, Grand Champion; Rhett Hawkins, Groveton 4-H, Reserve Champion; Tristin Eddins, East County 4-H, 3rd; Logan Townsend, Groveton FFA, 4th; Avery Brown, Centerville 4-H, 5th; Hardy Brown, Centerville 4-H, 6th; Trey Page, Groveton 4-H, 7th; Samantha McMullen, Apple Springs FFA, 8th; Jake Snyder, Centerville 4-H, 9th; Payson Dickinson, Centerville FFA, 10th; Aiden Conner, East County 4-H, 11th; Zoey Perez, Groveton 4-H, 12th; Gabriel (Julio) Perez, Groveton 4-H, 13th.

Market Steers

Laney Peterson, East County 4-H, Grand Champion; Kayla Kembro, Trinity 4-H, Reserve Champion; Andrew Kembro, Trinity 4-H, 3rd; Makala Rowe, 4th; Lucas Sottosanti, Groveton 4-H, 5th; Cade White, East County 4-H, 6th; Clayton Tullos, Apple Springs FFA, 7th; Reese White, Groveton FFA, 8th; Madison Nash, Groveton FFA, 9th; Brody Thornton, Groveton FFA, 10th; Austin Wallace, Trinity 4-H, 11th; Alivia Wallace, Trinity FFA, 12th.

Market Lambs

Malley Ecord, Groveton 4-H, Grand Champion; Megan Hannah, Groveton 4-H, Reserve Champion; Abbey Thornton, Groveton 4-H, 3rd; Katie Davis, East County 4-H, 4th; Brenley Fuller, Groveton 4-H, 5th.

Commercial Heifers

Emily Ecord, Groveton FFA, Grand Champion; Conner King, Groveton 4-H, Reserve Champion; Reed Hawkins, Groveton 4-H, 3rd; Rylie Due, Groveton 4-H, 4th; Cash Moore, Groveton 4-H, 5th; Cole Sullivan, Groveton 4-H, 6th; Jasper Due, Groveton 4-H, 7th; Hannah Page, Groveton 4-H, 8th; Lauren Moore, Groveton 4-H, 9th; Haley Denman, Apple Springs FFA, 10th; Jack Sullivan, Groveton 4-H, 11th.

Swine

Landree Martin, Grand Champion; Jace Taylor, Groveton 4-H, Reserve Champion; Peyton Noack, Centerville 4-H, 3rd; Kaileigh Lopez, 4th; Chase Blair, 5th; Colter Hajovsky, 6th; Jackson Cathey, 7th; Hayley Hajek, 8th; Chasity Blair, Groveton 4-H, 9th; Tanner Steubing, 10th; Kade Rosser, 11th; Kutter Minter, Groveton 4-H, 12th; Asa Stewart, Groveton 4-H, 13th; James Hennigan, Centerville FFA, 14th; Ethan Bowling, Groveton 4-H, 15th; Trey Brooks, 16th; Mercedes Wilson, Groveton 4-H, 17th; Laura Rogers, Centerville 4-H, 18th; Gracie May, Centerville FFA, 19th; Ashton Ashford, 20th; A.J. Lopez, Groveton 4-H, 21st; Raylee Boggs, Centerville 4-H, 22nd; Darbi Parker, Groveton 4-H, 23rd; Brance Dial, Centerville 4-H, 24th; Addison Randal, Groveton 4-H, 25th; Jill Watts, 26th; Ian Utz, 27th; Alexis May, Centerville FFA, 28th; Milton Riley Pitts, 29th; Serenity Stanley, 30th; Kyleigh Eddins, Centerville 4-H, 31st; Ethan Rutledge, Centerville FFA, 32nd; Jada Welch, Centerville FFA, 33rd; Sarah Sallas, 34th; Hunter Bowling, Groveton 4-H, 35th; Savannah Woodrick, 36th; Cooper Campbell, East County 4-H, 37th; Wyatt Turner, East County 4-H, 38th; Katie Blanchard, 39th; Ty Havard, Centerville FFA, 40th; Melony Allen, 41st; Gage Hollis, Apple Springs FFA, 42nd; Hunter Davis, Apple Springs FFA, 43rd; Wesley Maxfield, Centerville FFA, 44th; Weston Dial, Centerville FFA, 45th; Kate Roger, Centerville FFA, 46th; Colton Brausell, Centerville FFA, 47th; Daniel Brister, Centerville 4-H, 48th; Jaycee Hildebrand, East County 4-H, 49th; Kayla Mott, Centerville FFA, 50th; Kathryn Turner, Apple Springs FFA, 51st; Samantha Smith, Centerville FFA, 52nd.

Goats

Brianna Davison, Groveton FFA, Grand Champion; Karly Abshier, Groveton 4-H, Reserve Champion; Jett Arbuckle, Groveton 4-H, 3rd; Anna LaRue, 4th; Ayla Abshier, Groveton 4-H, 5th; Marlie Murray, East County 4-H, 6th; Maycynn Meshell, Trinity 4-H, 7th; Zachary Davison, Groveton 4-H, 8th; Preston Murray, East County 4-H, 9th; Miley Hannah, Groveton 4-H, 10th; Tanner Smith, Apple Springs FFA, 11th; Clay Ashworth, Centerville FFA, 12th; Olivia Smith, Apple Springs FFA, 13th; Eryn Eaton, Trinity FFA, 14th; Emily Brister, Apple Springs FFA, 15th; Leo Conner, Centerville FFA, 16th.

TONY FARKAS | TCNS Trey Page tends to his chickens prior to the Broiler Show during the Trinity County Fair and Livestock Sale on Wednesday March 10, 2021.

By Tony Farkas

GROVETON — After a year without, the Trinity County Fair & Youth Livestock Show kicked off Wednesday — with just a few changes.

Instead of a weekend affair, the shows have been spread out over four days to keep in compliance with CDC guidelines, said Fair Board President Bill Wagner.

On Wednesday, rabbits and chickens were checked in and judged; Thursday will see steers and lambs; Friday will be goats and swine; and Saturday will feature the livestock sale.

Even so, Wagner said the first day was going fine. In all, there are 146 entries: 15 steers, five lambs, 18 goats, 57 hogs, 11 heifers, 13 broilers and 27 fryers.

The remaining schedule for the week is:

Wednesday

1 p.m. Fryer show

4:30 p.m. Commercial heifers test and record book turn-in at the Groveton High School Ag Building.

Thursday

7:30 a.m. Steer sift

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

11 a.m. Heifer show

1 p.m. Lamb show

3 p.m. Steer show

Friday

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

2 p.m. Goat show

5 p.m. Hog show

Saturday

5 p.m. Online and live auction

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.

FILE PHOTO Trinity County seal

Concern about contract for vehicles results in argument, no action

GROVETON — Concerns raised by the Trinity County Treasurer over a contract for Sheriff’s Office vehicles with Enterprise Fleet two weeks ago led to a battle between elected officials on March 23.

It also led to Sheriff Woody Wallace asserting his sole authority over the Sheriff’s Office, saying he was the only one to decide what vehicles he and his deputies will drive, and that the Commissioners Court’s only responsibilities were to provide vehicle replacements and approve finances.

He also said the court has been less than supportive in the matter.

Wallace also cautioned Treasurer Bob Dockens about meddling in areas that are not of his concern, saying that according to the State Constitution, that was a crime.

“These people in this room, they elected me sheriff,” Wallace said before a packed courtroom. “They did not elect Bob (Dockens) sheriff. It’s my job as sheriff to operate this department.

“My authority is granted by the constitution as to what I can and cannot do. when one elected official interferes with another elected official he has committed a crime for trying to influence another office. You cannot do it.

Commissioner Neal Smith said he put the item on the agenda today because questions have been raised over the last month regarding the contract, and that Wallace brought the contract forward because no one could not buy vehicles as the manufacturers had shut down production.

He also said there is no one on the court more supportive of the department; he said that everything Wallace has asked for he has gotten, and that day’s discussion, and another item to purchase vehicles outright, should indicate that.

Addressing the meeting, which was moved to the grand courtroom because of the crowd, Dockens said that at a Commissioners Court meeting two weeks ago, he brought up concerns after he was asked by the auditor to take a look at the contract, basically regarding the interest rate being charged and actual vehicle ownership.

Dockens also said he was told by Wallace at the last meeting that if he could find some vehicles, he should; Wallace interrupted, saying he was being facetious.

However, Dockens said he talked with several dealers in the area that had vehicles ready to go.

“All I was doing was exploring if there were other places that had vehicles ready, because if we can buy them then let’s do that,” Dockens said.

Wallace disputed that account, saying the information he received from the same dealers was the vehicles were 90 days out. He also was adamant about being the only one to run his department; saying the Sheriff decides what the Sheriff’s Department drives.

Dockens said he only got involved because he was asked to look into it and because his office is in charge of risk management.

“I have a problem with one man getting you to cancel a contract that we’ve already signed,” Wallace said. “I have a problem with anyone getting involved; this is between me and this court.

“The commissioners can only tell me what I can spend,” Wallace said. “They cannot tell me what I can or cannot drive. The people of the county deserve officers that operate in safe vehicles that are not worn out or subject to crash. It’s a known fact that in the automotive world that vehicles wear out at 150,000 miles. We operate vehicles at 120 mph every day.”

County Attorney Colton Hay said he was asked to review the contract by Dockens, and to “get ahead of” some misinformation provided by Dockens, he did the review.

Hay said he thought the contract was standard and a good deal, and since the contract has been signed, work has been done by Enterprise.

“If we back out of this contract because Dockens has cold feet, even though he was not in on the contract from the beginning, that could potentially cost us everything they’ve spent without any of the benefits,” Hay said. “I urge you to remember you agreed to it, and nothing’s changed except one person got involved that wasn’t in on it at the beginning and didn’t understand it all because it was not his department.

“I don’t think this is too good to be true,” Hay said.

Commissioner Tommy Park, a former law enforcement officer, said he took things upon himself to find answers for the questions the court and treasurer had, and then relayed those answers to everyone concerned.

Smith said that no action was needed on his agenda item as he withdrew his objections; however, he said that in the future, there will be no votes whatsoever until everything is understood by the court.

TONY FARKAS | TCNS Nancy Due Shanafelt, Trinity County tax assessor/collector, goes through paperwork and fee schedules regarding boat registration, which is a service the county will begin providing residents.

GROVETON — Trinity County now has the ability to provide titles and registrations for all your boating needs.

County Tax Assessor/Collector Nancy Due Shanafelt said the county has gotten all necessary approvals and will now register and title boats and motors in the county. Previously, boat owners had to go to Lufkin or elsewhere to have that done.

“We have our login information, we have our forms printed out, and we even have the people waiting to register their boats,” she said. “But, we’re waiting on the stickers and supplies to be sent here from the state.”

Shanafelt said registration is required for any boat to be on a Texas waterway. The county will start registrations no later than April 1, but only in Groveton; the Trinity annex will be able to do registrations once the bugs are ironed out.

“I campaigned on staying open for lunch, which we’re on our second week of that; taking credit cards, which has been a hit; and the third was boat registration,” she said.

Shanafelt said that this will be the first time the county will provide the service.

“Anything for the people,” she said. “We can keep them here, and make a little money for the county.”

Registration fees are based on the length of the craft, varying from $32 for boats 16 feet or smaller, and $53 for craft from 16 to 26 feet; Shanafelt said the $32 fee will be the most common.

Additional fees include $22 for a replacement sticker, and $27 for a title.

“I think we have 1,300 boats in Trinity County, and they need to be registered every two years,” she said. “There’s a lot to it, but it’s a great service for the people of the county.”

FILE PHOTO Trinity County Seal

GROVETON — Trinity County Commissioners’ Court on March 23 heard threats of lawsuits regarding decisions on pay raises.

County Clerk Shasta Bergman told the court that there is a pay disparity between the employees of female elected officials and that of male elected officials, and she, by submitting several requests for raises, was addressing the problem.

Of the four requests that were submitted, three were for Bergman’s employees; one for an additional $2.78 on a salary of $10.92 per hour, one for an additional $3.22 on the chief deputy’s salary of $11.20 per hour, and the last for an additional $1 on a salary of $10.50 per hour.

Bergman told the funds for the raises would be taken from her department’s Records Management account, and not from the general fund, which would not affect county income or tax dollars because the funds came from fees charged for record-keeping.

She also said those funds can only be used in her office, and mostly for salaries.

However, Commissioner Mike Loftin said during the budget season last year that the court decided there would be no raises, as the county needed to be frugal, despite being told by Bergman that the raises will not affect the county budget.

Commissioner Neal Smith said that the county attempted to look at all departments equally, and had the pay scales within pennies of each other.

“You can’t starve people out of a job,” Bergman said. “You are setting yourself up for trouble.”

Sheriff Woody Wallace said the county needed to be mindful of the legal ramifications of its decisions, saying also that he was “sick and tired” of his deputies having to work second jobs to feed their children.

“We need to look at this before we find ourselves in a class action lawsuit,” he said.

Loftin insisted that he understands the plight of the employees, but said the idea was to wait until this year’s budget season to determine what money was available; Bergman again said that the funds came from a different source than tax dollars.

Commissioner Steven Truss said that if the court approved the raises, then all departments will be seeking raises.

Commissioner Tommy Park made the motion to approve the raises, which had to be seconded by County Judge Doug Page. The end result, though, was that Smith, Loftin and Truss voted against the raises.

Bergman told commissioners then that she will present the raises in the same manner until they are approved, or they are handled through legal means.

In other business, the county:

• approved the appointment of Stacye Tullos as Trinity County Extension Agent-Ag and Natural Resources;
• proclaimed the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month;
• discussed billing from Groveton EMS regarding visits to inmates; and
• recognized the county’s constables for taking training regarding the state Open Meetings and Public Information acts.

TONY FARKAS | TCNS County Judge Doug Page is surrounded by SAAFE House members Rana Wingo, Tracy Szymczak and Renee Murphy as the Trinity County Commissioners’ Court proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month on April 23.

GROVETON — With the exception of one commissioner, the Trinity County Commissioners’ Court approved personnel changes — including pay raises — at its Tuesday meeting.

After a raucous meeting on March 23, the commission denied approval of any personnel action forms because they contained pay raises.

Commissioner Mike Loftin said at the time that during the budget season last year, the court decided there would be no raises, as the county needed to be frugal.

At the April 13 meeting, Loftin questioned the source of the raises, noting that none will increase the bottom line of department budgets.

“As long as the budget’s not changing, it is OK,” Loftin said. “We face something we’ve never faced because of COVID — people lost their jobs — and that was the concern that I had. We didn’t know how much tax revenue we would be gaining, and we didn’t need to be eating up our savings.”

He also said he found out that tax collections are very close to last year’s levels.

Commissioner Neal Smith said that now is not the time to be giving raises.

“Since I’ve been on the court, we’ve given raises ever year except last year,” he said. “Now, we’re jumping around and giving this one a little, and that one a little, and that’s not fair, and every month they’re coming in for more and more.”

Smith said the requests will start coming in from all departments requesting raises, and while he is not against paying employees more, he is against approving raises at this time.

Commissioner Tommy Park made the motion to approve, which was seconded by Loftin. Smith was the only commissioner voting against the measure.

Commissioner Steven Truss said that regardless of the outcome of the vote, there needed to be some organization regarding pay raises across the board, suggesting there be a scale instituted, much like there is at the state level.

Smith agreed, saying that he is aware that some starting employees are hired making more that people who have been with the county for 30 years or more, and that pay needs to be fair.

“I’m not against people making more money, but we need to be equal about this,” he said.

The court agreed, and approved the payment of $5,000 for an outside firm to conduct an employee compensation study, which will also provide suggestions for a scale as well as determine how employees’ salaries stack up to state averages.

In other business, the county:

• proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Trinity County;
• proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month;
• approved a budget amendment moving funds into vehicle maintenance after the city received insurance money to fix the wrecked Sheriff’s Department vehicle;
• approved a measure allowing the county to hire for a cleanup of phone and IT cables and the addition of three wifi access points in the County Annex;
• approved closing a bank account the county no longer used;
• approved hiring a part-time clerk to hand filing and processing of notices for nuisance abatements;
• approved the purchase of several used vehicles from the Texas Forest Service;
• approved a road use agreement for Precinct 1; and
• approved a replat of lots on Merrywood Drive

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)

TONY FARKAS | TCNS Colton Hay took the reins of the Trinity County Attorney’s office on January 4, 2021, hitting the ground running.

GROVETON — Colton Hay walked into the office at 8 a.m. on the first day to a ringing telephone and only him to answer it.

The newly minted County Attorney, elected in November to replace Joe Warner Bell, was being asked about creating a protective order. Hay said he had to call around that morning to find out what the protocol and procedures were.

“I started calling around, and Rana Wingo of the SAAFE House was able to help me out, and what I found reaching out to people is that no one really knew exactly what to do, where a protective order was supposed to start,” he said.

Hay went immediately to work, setting up meetings with Wingo, the Sheriff’s Office and the DA’s office, as well as other entities involved, and together created a step-by-step process — that was on the second day.

“That’s what I’m looking to do — update things, trying new things, something you can only do when you’re new and don’t really know exactly what to do,” Hay said. “(The new procedure) will be great for the victims, for everyone, and I don’t want to stop there, with protective orders and criminal cases, I want to keep going and bring that new insight to the office.”

The word update sums up Hay’s entire campaign.

“We’re looking to get new computers, and we, with the DA and the Sheriff, are looking into software that will connect all of us, to expedite things,” he said. “I want to get everyone communicating.”

Hay said he hopes to bring some youthful energy to the position. Having just got married, he said he wants to put down roots, and saw the election as a good opportunity to do that.

Hay graduated law school in 2017, and worked for an insurance defense firm for the nephew of Joe Ned Dean, who gave him some sage advice.

Hay also is a former clerk for the Trinity County District Attorney Bennie Schiro, and has worked in Anderson County for two years doing the essentially the same work as he is doing now. He said he brings experience and a fresh perspective to the position.

TONY FARKAS | TCNS Trinity’s Jakai Miller-Gates (No. 13) goes up for two of his 18 points during a Dec. 4 match with Woodville. The Tigers won the game 62-59.

TRINITY — Practice made for almost perfect as the Trinity Tigers downed the Woodville Eagles 62-59 on Friday.

Head Coach Jacoby Mitchell credited gym time for the improvement over their opening game.

“I felt like we been in the gym a lot more, and they were realizing what is a good shot and a great shot, and had less problems with turnovers,” Mitchell said.

Top scorers in the match include Terius Maxie, who posted 20 points as well as banking the double-double, pulling down 12 rebounds; Jakai Miller-Gates with 18 points; and Trey Goodman with 13 points.

Trinity VS. Woodvillle Video

Boys Basketball

Trinity

Dec. 1 vs. Grapeland, 66-56 loss.

Nov. 23 vs. Huntington, 51-44 loss.

Groveton

Nov. 24 vs. Corrigan-Camden, 34-30 win.

Apple Springs

Dec. 4 vs. Richards, 54-40 loss.

Dec. 1 vs. Zavala, 54-21 loss.

Nov. 23 vs. Brookeland, 55-27 loss.

Centerville

No scores reported

Girls Basketball

Trinity

Dec. 5 vs. Centerville, 53-31 loss.

Dec. 4 vs. Corrigan-Camden, 56-22 win.

Nov. 23 vs. Livingston, 49-32 win.

Groveton

Dec. 4 vs. Caney Creek, 35-32 win

Apple Springs

Dec. 1 vs. Zavala, 46-33 loss.

Nov. 23 vs. Brookeland, 25-22 loss.

Centerville

No scores reported.

TONY FARKAS | TCNS Trinity Tiger Third Baseman Cole Caldwell slides into third following his opening at-bat triple during the Friday game with Coldspring-Oakhurst. Despite going on to score, the Tigers lost to the Trojans 18-1.

TRINITY — Hot bats gave the Coldspring-Oakhurst Trojans a win over the Trinity Tigers on Friday.

Tiger head coach Chad Kinney said senior Sam Allen gave up a total of 4 earned runs and 1 RBI at the plate, and junior Cole Caldwell went 2-for-2 with a triple and a run scored. Freshmen Remi Lassman and Cole Hortman each went 1-for-2 with a double, and freshman David McKendree walked twice.

Trinity managed to put up a few hits, but couldn’t string together enough to counter Coldspring-Oakhurst.

Kinney said that due to having players out, the next game — Onalaska on Thursday — they will be starting five or six freshmen.

Trojan Head Coach Austin Riddell said it was a great overall team win.

Easton Dean, who also carried pitching duties, went 4-for-5 and hit for the cycle, including his first high school-career home run. He also put up three strikeouts while allowing only two hits.

Riddell said this week is going to be a tough test, as they were to play New Waverly on Tuesday at home, and then travel to Anderson-Shiro on Thursday.

“This will be a great measuring tool to see where we truly stand in our district and we are excited for the opportunity,” he said.

TONY FARKAS | TCNS Trinity residents enjoy the mild weather during the downtown Christmas celebration on Saturday December 5, 2020.

TRINITY — Vendors sold their goods and Santa was singing; children were laughing and bells were ringing.

Baked goods and dancing and sleighs full of bling, these were Trinity’s favorite things.

On Saturday December 5, 2020, Trinity residents were treated to its annual Christmas celebration, although organizers had to make some changes to accommodate social distancing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly cancelling the parade of lights.

However, Julia McMichael of the Trinity Peninsula Chamber of Commerce said the event was wonderful.

TONY FARKAS | TCNS Misty Dowdell dances with 4-year-old Alexis Adkisson while Santa serenades the crowd with Christmas carols.

“We had more than 200 people,” she said. “Vendors said they made money and had a steady stream of people.”

McMichael said the day was excellent, full of sunshine and fun, and people wore masks and were cautious.

“We wanted to have something to lift the spirits of the community, and we did that,” she said. “Vendors said they had pretty good traffic and were looking forward to next year.”

Since there were no contestants in the ugly sweater contest, there were two other sets of awards given: cutest baby and best costume.

In the cutest baby contest, first place went to 4-month-old Aria Suttle, second place was Christi Ann Harrelson, and third went to Caroline Suttle.

For best costume, there was a three-way tie for first — Tiffany Sanchez and Natalie and Jesus Reyes; second went to Delilah Poehl; and third place also was a tie — Carolyn and Valorie Cleveland.

COURTESY PHOTO Santa’s sleigh, which was parked this year due to COVID restrictions, still was a hit with Trinity residents.

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. 

TONY FARKAS | TCNS Valedictorian Hunter Cassidy addresses the crowd and assembled students during the Trinity High School Graduation on Saturday at Sam Houston State University.

72 cross the stage

HUNTSVILLE — “I LOVE YOU, JIMMY” rang out, along with other exclamations of praise and congratulations, laughter and not a few tears, after the Trinity High School seniors’ processional.

THS held its graduation ceremony Saturday at Sam Houston State University’s Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville.

In all, 72 students tossed the mortarboards as they were declared graduates by Principal Brittaney Cassidy.

Salutatorian Emilio Cleveland thanked those in attendance for being there for the students’ final steps in their high-school careers, and the first steps into bright futures.

“The start of this year was different than any year we have experienced,” he said. “It was the first year back from the pandemic, and we had to adapt to the new life at school. Luckily, the faculty supported us the entire way, and on behalf of the class, I would like to thank you for that dedication.”

Cleveland also thanked his coaches for their inspiration, with a coach quoting Zig Ziglar to him: “You can’t have million-dollar dreams with a minimum-wage mindset.”

Hunter Cassidy, the valedictorian, said the year was not an easy one for students or faculty, but the dedication of the faculty help see it through.

“It has taken us 12 years to get to this chapter in our lives, and as this one concludes, I am thankful for all the good times we’ve had together, and to all the memories we have made,” he said. “The friendships we have made will stay with us for the rest of our lives.”

Sitting here today is proof, Hunter said, that they are capable of rising to any challenge.

“Time keeps moving forward no matter what we do,” he said. “Remember, when life gets hard, throws a few curveballs our way, keep your head up and look to the future, because before you know it, you will be there.”

TONY FARKAS | TCNS Trinity High School seniors celebrate their graduation on Saturday by tossing their hats in the air.

TONY FARKAS | TCNS Sharon Wilson Allison, sister to Charlie Wilson, reads the text of a Texas Historical Marker that was dedicated to the U.S. Representative on Saturday November 7, 2020 in Trinity, Texas.

TRINITY — Millions of Google returns on a search, as well as a movie, might give some folks a passing familiarity for Rep. Charlie Wilson, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 24 years.

For the residents of Trinity, though, Little Charles, as he was known, was the definition of the hometown boy who done good. Because of that, on Saturday an official Texas Historical Marker was dedicated at his boyhood home.

The Trinity Historical Society also dedicated a marker to the “Wobbly Bobbly,” the Waco, Beaumont, Trinity and Sabine Railroad on Saturday.

Wilson was born in Trinity on June 1, 1933, and served in both the Texas Legislature and the U.S. House, representing the districts around his home town. He died Feb. 10, 2010, in Lufkin, Texas.

Susan Madeley of the Trinity County Historical Commission said that there were many accomplishments made by the congressman, particularly with funding for Afghan rebels during that country’s war with the Soviet Union in the 1980s, the subject of the movie “Charlie Wilson’s War.”

Wilson also was a champion in business and environmental arenas as well, and was known as a consummate dealmaker.

Sharon Wilson Allison, Charlie’s sister, said she cherished the memories of her time in Trinity and her brother.

“(My family) would be so honored that you were here,” she said. “Thank you for doing this.”

Earlier on Saturday, on the southwest corner of Main and Maple streets, the commission dedicated and unveiled a marker commemorating the Waco, Beaumont, Trinity and Sabine Railroad, which was known affectionately by the people of the time as the Wobbly Bobbly Turnover and Stop.

TONY FARKAS | TCNS Historians Jason Rose (left) and Everett Lueck unveil a Texas Historical Marker that was dedicated to the WBT&S Railroad on Saturday in Trinity, near the site of the now-defunct railroad’s home offices.

The railroad was chartered in September 1881, and was used primarily as a logging tram, as the area to this day is a large producer of timber. Over the 115.2 miles of track, passengers, mail, pulpwood, tomatoes, vehicles and oil, among other freight, was transported, according to the marker request application compiled by Jason Rose and Madeley.

It stopped operation in 1959, and the remaining engine was restored and is on display at the Galveston Railroad Museum.

COURTESY PHOTO - Misty Coleman was named professional employee of the month, Keri Dobbs the paraprofessional employee of the month and Ben Stubbs the support employee of the month at the Oct. 26 Trinity ISD School Board meeting.

TRINITY — The Trinity Independent School District board approved a distance learning plan, while at the same time approving a plan to get students back into the classroom.

Superintendent Dr. John Kaufman said the state approved its learning plan on the first go-around, which was rare.

However, Kaufman said that with the board’s approval, he hopes to have everyone back in class by the end of the semester. The plan is to start with one or two grades per campus, wait two weeks, and bring back two more.

Currently, 65 students use distance learning throughout the district, which has about 1,200 students.

“We’ve had a non-success rate of 64 percent of students doing remote learning,” he said. “That’s alarming, especially when there’s a 14 percent non-success rate for face-to-face.”

Kaufman said students that have failed in the first six weeks could either come back for face-to-face learning, be homeschooled, move to a virtual learning environment, or transfer to another district for virtual learning. Students who maintained passing grades will remain in virtual learning until the third six weeks, and plans are to then start phasing them back for face-to-face instruction.

“Face learning is more productive, and has a social aspect that kids need to have,” Kaufman said. “We need to get them back to the classroom. I understand about how parents feel about the safety of their children; but our mitigation efforts at the schools have been very good. We’re taking every precaution to keep our kids safe.”

However, students can remain on virtual learning can remain there if there’s a verified medical condition that would require that separation, Kaufman said.

In other business, the board:

•approved moving the November meeting to Nov. 16, when election results will be canvassed;

•approved resolutions for the Trinity County Appraisal District; and

•discussed all board members meeting their continuing education credits.