Without a doubt, 2025 was an interesting year, challenging for just about everyone on just about every level.
San Jacinto County had its share of big news, some of which even put it on the national scene briefly.
Here, in no particular order, are some of the bigger stories from last year.
Organizations dedicated to keeping county residents safe sparred over the look of fire protection services moving into the future.
In June, the ESD terminated its contract with CVFD, citing, according to a letter from ESD President Brian May, the department’s continued resistance to move the district forward, and improperly transferring the deed to the district-funded building to the city of Coldspring.
That began a months-long discussion as to who and how fire protection would be provided.
The issue, according to social media posts, is that the ESD is looking to consolidate nine volunteer departments under one umbrella and one fire chief, a plan that ESD officials say CVFD is resisting.
The ESD maintains that the fire service system within the county has been broken for some time, mainly because each department operates independently and there is a wide disparity in ability and training.
Those claims were disputed by the Coldspring Volunteer Fire Department; representatives said the department still is committed to the community, calling itself a family deeply rooted in this community. Additionally, the volunteers continue training, receiving certifications and community service.
In July, the ESD Board approved hiring three full-time firefighters, to be based in Coldspring, that will augment firefighting in the Coldspring area as well as provide mutual aid to the rest of the county departments.
ESD President Brian May said that the move will fill gaps in coverage and gaps in service that currently exist.
There remains a question of whether the move would be funded adequately; there were concerns that there were enough contingency funds for a year, but there were no guarantees after that.
The ESD will review the success of the plan after a six-month period.
In March, the Pauline Road Fire, which broke out in the southwestern part of San Jacinto County, destroyed about 2,421 acres of forest land, and resulted in the arrest of man contracted to do a controlled burn on a charge arson recklessly destroying a building, a state jail felony.
A man arrested in connection with an arson case filed after a March forest fire allegedly failed to show for a court case and is now facing failure to appear charges.
Garnett “Rip” Valentine, 73, was indicted in June on a charge of, after the March Pauline Road Fire in San Jacinto County, according to San Jacinto County District Attorney Todd Dillon.
According to a Texas A&M Forest Service report, Valentine was a licensed burn manager subcontracted to do a controlled burn in San Jacinto County on March 18. The burn was initially to be only 8 acres, but misjudgment on wind patterns led the fire to escape the area, resulting in approximately 2,421 acres of forest land in San Jacinto and Montgomery counties to be destroy.
The report also states that the fire destroyed a building owned by David Reichard.
An investigation by Texas A&M Forest Service Assistant Chief Law Enforcement Officer Joshua Mizrany led to the arson charge.
Mandatory evacuations were issued in both Montgomery and San Jacinto counties, and emergency shelters were set up.
COLDSPRING — After two years of planning, research, and community input, the COCISD Board of Trustees has called for a $45 million bond election to support major campus improvements and better learning environments for all students.
However, voters in November decided the price was too high.
The plans include campus changes and additions, district-wide facility upgrades and enhancements to athletics and other curriculum.
According to a press release from the district, while the vote wasn’t the outcome hoped for, the district is grateful to everyone who supported the vision for COCISD students.
“What remains unchanged is our unwavering commitment to our students,” the release states. “Improving academic outcomes and providing an excellent education for every student will always be our top priority. We will continue the exceptional work happening in our classrooms every day, supported by our dedicated teachers and staff.”
District leaders will take time in the coming weeks to reflect on community feedback and determine the best path forward, it states.
AUSTIN — The Public Utilities Commission of Texas in September approved a route for a power line, one that crosses Lake Livingston and affects eight East Texas counties.
At a hearing held in Austin, the commissioner, without any public comment, approved the route.
Commission Chairman Thomas J. Gleason, prior to the meeting, had filed a memorandum that stated he felt Route 10 is the best route to move forward with the project, and that concerns about the project interfering with development were not correct since there were no plans in place.
Many East Texas residents agree that the Southeast Texas Area Reliability Project is necessary for power reliability, but those same residents believe that routing the power lines across Lake Livingston is a bad idea.
The project was approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Texas, which also will decide the project’s route, affecting Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler and Walker counties.
However, the preferred route would have the power lines cross Lake Livingston at a narrow portion between Trinity and Onalaska, directly through Barrett’s Landing, an upscale subdivision.
Another concern of those in opposition is that the construction process will create an environmental hazard as the lake is listed as containing dioxides in the lakebed.
According to Entergy, the new line will connect the proposed Babel 500 kilovolt switching station to the proposed Running Bear Substation. The proposed Babel station would be constructed at one of three potential locations and connect into the existing Layfield to Hartburg 500 kilovolt transmission line south of Toledo Bend Reservoir in Newton County.
The proposed Running Bear Substation is planned to extend from one of four potential locations that will connect into Entergy Texas Inc.’s existing Lewis Creek facilities along Longstreet Road between Lake Conroe and Interstate Highway 45 or ETI’s existing transmission facilities east of Willis between FM 1097 and County Line Road in Montgomery County.
A Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper died in a crash in September while en route to assist the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Department with an emergency call.
Reports indicate his vehicle left the road, struck a tree and caught fire. The Trooper, identified as Jerry Adamick, died at the scene.
Trooper Adamick served with the United States Army for more than two decades and completed several tours overseas. After leaving the Army, he joined DPS and was a member of Class A-2024. He was the recipient of the Veterans National Defense Award in June of last year.
He was stationed in Coldspring. He is survived by his wife, Roxanne, and five adult children.
On the afternoon of Nov. 12, William Poff, 53, of Camilla, was recovered from the Trinity River, south of Lake Livingston Dam, by Texas Game Wardens.
San Jacinto County Sheriff Sam Houston and members of the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office were on scene alongside Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Cape Royale Volunteer Fire Department and local first responders during the recovery efforts.
A post from the Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD on Nov. 11 states that the district mourning the tragic loss of two Coldspring-Oakhurst High School students, Jake Poff and Eric Lynn, who also died in the accident.
The two teenage boys, ages 14 and 15, were kayaking on the evening of Nov. 9 when their kayak overturned. Reports indicate William Poff entered the water in an attempt to rescue them. He also went underwater and did not resurface.
Texas has a new, GOP-friendly congressional map will be used for the 2026 midterm elections.
Gov. Greg Abbott praised the ruling.
"We won! Texas is officially — and legally — more red,” he said. “The new congressional districts better align our representation in Washington, D.C., with the values of our state. This is a victory for Texas voters, for common sense, and for the U.S. Constitution."
Justice Samuel Alito ruled that it was “indisputable” that Texas’ motivation for redistricting was “pure and simple” partisan advantage, which the court has previously ruled is permissible. Alito rejected the argument that Texas had engaged in racial gerrymandering.
The change in districting puts San Jacinto County in District 10, which currently is represented by Republican Michael McCaul of Austin, a 20-year veteran of Congress. However, McCaul said he plans to retire at the end of 2026, leaving the position open.
San Jacinto County, at least until the end of 2026, is in District 8, which is represented by Republican Morgan Luttrell. Luttrell also indicated he does not plan to run again.
