News Stories

Thursday, August 26, 2010 Edition

Building emptied by fire marshal

Fire Marshall and Office of Emergency Management director David Lamb just happened to be at the Houston County Courthouse Annex Monday morning, Aug. 23 when the fire alarm sounded.

Lamb said he emptied the building as soon as he heard the alarm.

The Crockett Volunteer Fire Department and the Crockett Police Department responded, and an inspection of the building indicated the alarm was a false one.

County accepts funds for courthouse renovation

By Lynda Jones
Managing Editor


The Texas Historical Commission notified Houston County Judge Lonnie Hunt that it has voted to award Houston County an additional $33,362 in supplemental funding to the county's Round VI planning grant through the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program. During the regular meeting of the Houston County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, Aug. 24, the commissioners unanimously approved Amendment Number 1 to the Courthouse Preservation Program Funding Agreement to reflect an increase in the funding to be provided by the Texas Historical Commission.

This $33,362 increases the amount of the state share of the planning project cost from a 2/3 state match (66.666%) with a 33.333% local match to a 76.0% state match with a 24% local match. Stanley O. Graves, director of the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program, explained in a letter to Hunt, “This now higher percentage of state funding is more typical of the match in previous rounds and should allow the county to decrease commensurately its share of the funds required to complete the planning work.” “The Houston County Courthouse restoration project was previously awarded $238,300 in state funds with a county match of $119,150,” Graves explained, “With this supplemental award of $33,362 the state contribution has been raised to $271,662.”

According to the amended agreement approved by the commissioners Tuesday, the Texas Historical Commission (state share) will be 76 per cent, $271,662. The Houston County (local share) will be 24 per cent, $85,788. The total project cost will be $357,450. In other action during Tuesday's meeting of the Houston County Commissioners Court, the commissioners approved an extension of the agreement between Houston County and DETCOG for the Fiscal Year 2010 Social Services Block Grant Summer Program to September 2010. Frank Minton, the program's coordinator, reported to the court that 16 of 19 students who prepared for the high school equivalency test (GED) took the test after completing the county's free eight-week work-study program.

Of those students eight completed and passed all parts of the test. The others are continuing to work to try passing the sections they still need in September, Minton said. “It's been a very, very rewarding program and I'm proud to have been a part of it,” Minton said. In other business, the commissioners conducted a public hearing on the proposed Houston County Budget for Fiscal Year 2011. After Judge Lonnie Hunt summarized the budget for those present in the courtroom, there was no public comment. The commissioners then voted unanimously to approve the budget for the new fiscal year.

The commissioners also approved renewal of the county clerk's contract with Texas Department of State Health Services. This contract allows the county to charge a fee and issue copies of birth certificates locally. County Clerk Bridget Lamb mentioned her office was “very busy” on Monday, Aug. 23 due to the first day of school. Other business conducted by the court included:

* Approval to hire Bianca Coad as administrative assistant in the county attorney's office. Coad is a replacement employee and will be paid $807.96 bi-weekly. This is below the midpoint on the Houston County Pay Scale. * Salaries for all officers and employees of Houston County for FY 2011 were set. * Accepted sealed bid for sale of delinquent tax property located in the North Wade Survey Abstract 1060 in Grapeland, west of CR 2260.

Open forum scheduled for Medicare questions

The public is invited to an open meeting with David Schultz of Deep East Texas Council of Governments as he answers questions regarding the Medicare open enrollment period and various prescription programs.

This meeting will be held Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 1 p.m., at the Crockett Resource Center for Independent Living (CRCIL) located at 1020 East Loop 30 inCrockett. For more information call CRCIL at 936-544-2811.

Crockett approves CEIDC budget, sale of refunding bonds

By Lynda Jones
Managing Editor

Once again there was no public comment during a public hearing regarding the Crockett City Council's proposed tax rate change Monday, Aug. 23. That proposed ratechange is 0.49940.

During Monday's meeting, the council members approved the 2010-2011 fiscal year budget for the Crockett Economic and Industrial Development Corporation. The CEIDC Board of Directors approved a proposed budget on July 19, but the Crockett City Council tabled discussion of the budget during its Aug. 2 meeting.

The revised proposed budget that the Crockett City Council approved Aug. 23 was approved by the CEIDC board on Aug. 16. The revised and approved budget shows expense reductions in the areas of supplies, professional services, dues/ subs/printing/pub., salaries and USDA loan payment. The first proposed budget allowed for $118,000 in salaries and the final approved budget allows for $115,000 in salaries. The USDA loan payment was initially estimated at $180,000 and the approved budget figure for this payment is $160,000. Also included in the budget is $1.5 million for “A Prospect Incentives”, $20,000 for consultant services, $15,000 for promotional advertising and $5,000 for public relations.

In other action, council members approved an ordinance that authorizes the issuance of general obligation refunding bonds, series 2010. Council member Ansel Bradshaw was the sole vote against the ordinance, arguing that council did not receive the 36-page document explaining the process in time to read it before the meeting.

Bradshaw said he wanted to read the document and make sure he is making the best decision for the people and city of Crockett. Mayor Pro Tem Bill Holcomb said the city is facing $700,000 in payments this year if the city does not restructure. He added that if the city did not approve the sale of refunding bonds, the new budget would be “out the window” and the city would be looking at a deficit. Also during Monday's meeting, council members approved the appointment of Charles (Chuck) Cunningham to the Crockett Economic and Industrial Development Corporation Board of Directors.

Cunningham replaces Terry Cutler who moved out of the city, making him ineligible for the board. There was continued discussion by Police Chief Jimmy Fisher, Council, and owners of “BYOB” establishments regarding allowable operating hours.

Fisher restated what he said in previous meetings; the state law mandates no alcohol served or on tables after 12:15 a.m. Monday-Saturday or after 1:15 a.m. on Sunday. Council did not take any action on the matter.

Barrel racer places 40th at national rodeo

Megan Duval of Latexo recently competed at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette, WY in barrel racing. She finished 40th out of 200 of the nation’s best high school rodeo contestants.

Duval, a recent Latexo High School graduate was named Houston County Rodeo Queen in 2009 and will attend Sam Houston University in Huntsville in the fall and compete with the Bearkats Rodeo team.

She is the daughter of Wendi and Gene Duval and the granddaughter of Evelyn Duval and Jerry and Paula Gounay. Duval wants to recognize all the people who have helped her throughout the year. She said, “I want to thank my parents and grandparents for all the time and effort they’ve given me.”

She also wishes to thank her sponsors, including ETMC-Crockett, Crockett Lions Club, K Hill Ranch, Mask Chiropractic, Johnny and Cathy Merriwether, Georgiana Bozeman, Joanne Warner and KIVY, Terry and Daisy Fritz, Will Yates, Dr. Tiemperman of Midway and many more who donated in the boxes located throughout Crockett.

Sexual assault confirmed in GPD update of shooting case

By Lynda Jones
Managing Editor

No arrest has been reported yet in last week's Grapeland shooting case which is still under investigation. However, Grapeland Police Chief Dewayne Newman has issued an updated press release. Newman reported the Aug. 20 shooting victim is a Black female, approximately 45 years old, and that she was transported to ETMC and later released. The incident occurred on Carver Street, according to GPD.

In the early stages of investigation, Newman stated the other woman in the home was not attacked. However, Newman's updated report states that “further investigation” revealed the second woman was sexually assaulted. Also on Aug. 20, at about 12 a.m., GPD officers responded to a domestic disturbance in the 600 block of Washington St.. Newman reported the actor fled the scene and a warrant will be obtained for his arrest.

At about 9 p.m., also on Aug. 20, GPD officers responded to a disturbance in the 300 block of Sycamore. Newman reported that a white female, Kristie D. Williams, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and taken to the Houston County Jail.

Moe Bandy performs

Moe Bandy, country-western singer formerly of San Antonio and currently of Branson, MO., and his band drove their bus to Lovelady last weekend and performed to a full house.

Arrest Report