TONY FARKAS | TCN Trinity Lady Tiger Rayn Balli (No. 22) drives around Groveton defenders during a Nov. 7 game in Trinity. The Lady Tigers defeated the Lady Indians 44-22.

TRINITY — An extended football season led to a late start for the Trinity Tigers’ basketball squad, and the lack of playing time may have led to the 88-33 loss to Livingston on Friday in the teams’ first game.

Livingston took advantage of more playing time, as well as a distinct height advantage, during the game.

Head Coach Jacoby Mitchell said there was only five days of practice before their season opener, and that combined with having some key starters out was a factor in the loss.

“We had too many turnovers, we have to take care of ball better than that,” Mitchell said. “We have to work on taking great shots, not just good shots.”

Trinity now stands 0-1 on the season, and Livingston improved its record to 2-0.

Mitchell said his top producers in the game were Jakai Miller-Gates, who scored 13 points, and Terius Maxie, who dropped in 10 points.

Area Roundup

Boys Basketball

• Apple Springs (0-2)
• Nov. 20 vs. Spurger, 75-40 loss.
• Nov. 17 vs Chester, 45-43 loss.
• Groveton (1-0)
• Nov. 14 vs. Westwood, 55-47 win.

Girls Basketball

TRINITY — A cross-county rivalry left the Lady Tigers with a 44-22 win over the Lady Indians on Nov. 7.

The win puts Trinity at 3-1 while Groveton drops to 0-2.

Girls basketball roundup

Apple Springs:

• Nov. 10 vs. Zavalla, 45-42 loss.
• Nov. 17 vs. Chester, 32-28 loss.

Groveton:

• Nov. 13 vs. San Augustine: 41-37 loss.

Trinity:

• Nov. 10 vs. Hearne, 56-42 loss.
• Nov. 13 vs. Latexo, 48-22 win.
• Nov. 14 vs. Centerville, 37-34 win.

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.

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)

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.

FILE PHOTO - Trinity ISD logo

TRINITY — The High School and Junior High in Trinity are now going through the state required procedures of quarantine and contract tracing as one student and one employee have tested positive for COVID-19.

Letters were sent out Thursday to parents.

Superintendent John Kaufman said these are the first positive cases in the district this year.

“We have completed our contact tracing on the two individuals and notified the appropriate parents,” Kaufman said. “A deep cleaning was conducted on all classrooms and common areas associated with the two positives.”

Kaufman said TISD will continue to follow the protocol established in its reopening plan and CDC guidance.  

“Trinity ISD is committed in providing a safe environment for all our students,” he said.

Due to privacy requirements, the district did not release the names of the individuals or any identifying details.

According to the letter sent out to the district, based on the information that was gathered, it has been determined the end of the 14-day incubation period for anyone possibly exposed on campus to the student/staff member is Nov. 25.

The release also states that while the district does not have reason to believe that those who were not in close contact with the infected individual have reason to be concerned, residents are admonished to watch for symptoms of COVID-19, and to follow district guidelines regarding contact with any positive-testing person.

Anyone within the Trinity ISD community that begins experiencing any symptoms in a way that is not typical is encouraged to contact a physician. Anyone who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19 is requested to notify the school nurse at (936) 594-2090.

The release states the district continues to monitor the situation and will provide additional information as needed. Questions or concerns can be directed to (936) 594-2090, or information will be available at Trinityisd.net.

COURTESY PHOTOS | DEBBIE OGDEN Case Robinson was very happy to show off his trophy and ribbon, won in the Houston Rodeo art contest.

TRINITY — The Trinity ISD Board of Trustees is taking off the mask — optionally.

At its regular meeting on May 24, the board approved making mask use optional, effective immediately, said Superintendent John Kaufman.

“This was on agenda before the governor’s mandate,” he said. “We felt that with the availability of vaccinations, it was time to relieve some of the requirements.”

Staff, students and visitors now have the option to wear masks.

In a separate matter, Kaufman said he was given permission to begin researching the district use of school uniforms.

Kaufman stressed that this is the beginning of a process, and any implementation of a policy is a long way off.

“I will start by formulating a parent survey of five or six questions, and later send that out throughout the district,” he said. “We’re a long way off at looking at that; it may not get past the parent survey.”

The rationale that was given for a uniform dress code was to help boost student self-esteem, school pride, the ability to have everyone on a level playing field, and increased attendance.

“The premise for uniforms is pride; they put everyone on a similar playing field where kids aren’t being made fun of for their dress, or harassed because of economic status,” Kaufman said.

In other business, the board:

• granted permission to Kaufman to hire and offer contracts throughout the summer months to new teachers; and
• approved a contract with SFE Food Service.

COURTESY PHOTOS | DEBBIE OGDEN Melissa Garcia, Joni Madera and Jennifer Harlow were named Employees of the Month for May. Each one received a certificate and $100; on June 7, at the End of Year…

COURTESY PHOTOS | DEBBIE OGDEN Lansberry Elementary Houston Rodeo Art Winners are (left) gold medalist Summer Daniels, Art Teacher Jenny Hurst and (right) Best of Show winner Case Robinson.

COURTESY PHOTOS | DEBBIE OGDEN Trinity Middle School and High School Houston Rodeo art winners are (from left) Alyssa Loesh, Best of Show, TMS; Ashlyn Roman, Best of Show, THS; and Julia Lozano, Gold…

COURTESY PHOTOS | DEBBIE OGDEN The Oath of Office was given by Debra Ogden to Judy Bishop and Elizabeth King following their re-election to the Board of Trustees for the next three years. Both ladies…

1 2 3 4

TONY FARKAS | TCNS Justice of the Peace Hayne Huffman (right) swears in (from left) Clegg DeWalt, Wayne Huffman and Chris Dennis at the Nov. 12 Trinity City Council meeting. The three were re-elected to their posts on Nov. 3.

TRINITY — Christmas came early to the Trinity City Council in the form of a $275,000 no-match grant that will help replace some aging infrastructure.

At its regular meeting on Nov. 12, the city discussed a grant that Police Chief Steven Jones said was initially denied.

“Council Member Bubba Smith and I were in Lufkin to discuss it, and we were told that we did not get the grant,” Jones said. “… I got a call out of nowhere recently that said we did get the grant, and we have a confirmation email.”

Engineers will now begin work on replacing a sewer line that runs between Trinity Memorial Hospital and Rockdale Street. He also said it has zero match.

In other business, the city:

• •approved the canvass of votes in the Nov. 3 election of city officials, and swore in returning council members Smith, Clegg DeWalt and Chris Dennis, Mayor Wayne Huffman, and Municipal Judge Lyle Stubbs.
• •re-appointed Billy Goodin as Mayor Pro Tem;
• •approved changes to persons allowed to handle the night depository bag;
• •approved $1,500 in Hotel/Motel funds for the Christmas at the Crossroads event; and
• •approved receipt of the city audit for the 2018-19 fiscal year. Auditor Dianne Sollock informed the council that the audit has an “unmodified opinion,” which is the best outcome, and also said that the city’s financial picture is improving year to year.

TONY FARKAS | TCNS Health professionals from HealthPoint provide COVID-19 immunizations at a clinic held at Trinity High School on Saturday. More than 700 vaccinations were provided through a combined effort of the Trinity Memorial Hospital Board, HealthPoint, the city, the county and the school district, as well as numerous volunteers.

HealthPoint, hospital board hold COVID vaccine clinic

TRINITY — Seven hundred residents received the first round of COVID vaccines at an immunization event at Trinity High School on Saturday.

The event was a joint effort between the Trinity Memorial Hospital Board and HealthPoint.

Marjory Pulvino, vice president of the TMHB, said HealthPoint received 925 vaccinations from the state very recently, and when the event was announced online, 600 people had registered for the vaccinations within hours.

On Feb. 1 and 2, 120 people who did not have online access were registered through the Trinity Community Health Resource Center.

On Saturday, 45 health professionals from HealthPoint, along with help from TMHB, Trinity schools, Trinity Police Department, and County Judge Doug Page and the county’s Emergency Management Operations Center, as well as volunteers, held the drive-through clinic at Trinity High School.

Pulvino said there were no problems with people receiving shots because of the work of everyone involved.

TMHB President Randy Karnes called the event incredibly successful.

“We would like to express our deep gratitude to HealthPoint for their generous support,” he said. “We are fortunate to have HealthPoint in the community. I also would like to recognize the community for supporting this event.”