Trinity County News-Standard

GROVETON — With tears and applause from a full stadium, the Groveton ISD football field was renamed the Rodney Thomas Memorial Field on Friday. The former student athlete, Thomas led the Groveton Indians to 32 consecutive victories and back-to-back 2A state championships in 1989 and 1990. He finished his high school career with 8,441 rushing yards, 115 touchdowns, and still ranks as one of the top all-time rushers in Texas history.

TRINITY — The Trinity ISD Board of Trustees approved the new fiscal year budget and tax rate at the Aug. 24 meeting. Superintendent Dr. Benjamin Petty said the board approved a combined rate of .8744, or 87.44 cents per $100 property valuation. The rate includes 69.27 cents for maintenance and operations and 18.17 cents for debt service. Petty said the rate is a little bit less than last year — less than a penny — but will still provide roughly the same revenue due to increases in property values.

GROVETON — The Groveton ISD Board of Trustees kept the property tax rate the same for the new year’s budget. Superintendent Jim Dillard said that at the Aug. 24 meeting, the board approved a rate of .6619, or 66.19 cents per $100 of property valuation. The rate is unchanged but will generate $2,461,958 in local taxes based on home valuations. Last year the tax rate brought in $2,691,964; Dillard said the difference has to do with an increased homestead exemption on property taxes.

APPLE SPRINGS — While the Apple Springs ISD Board of Trustees have set a tax election for November, the result, should the measure pass, would have little to no effect on property tax bills. ASISD Accounting and Business Manager Chase Nielsen said the Voter Approved Tax Rate Election would keep the district’s tax rate the same amount as was set last year.

GROVETON — The Groveton City Council water from the tap and from the drain at its Aug. 24 meeting. Mayor Hayden Lee informed council that the sewer plant needed two air compressor pumps to help with the circulation process, which would cost approximately $6,000 each. No action was taken. Relatedly, council members requested more detailed proposals from vendors who submitted the three bids received for the digital water meters. Those bids will be reviewed at the next regular meeting.

CENTERVILLE — The Centerville ISD Board of Trustees approved a tax rate that was slightly higher that the previous year’s rate at the Thursday meeting. Superintendent Mark Brown said the new tax rate will be .784, or 78.4 cents per $100 property valuation. The tax rate for the 2025-26 fiscal year was .7552, or 75.52 cents per $100 valuation. Relatedly, the board approved the budget for the 2026-27 school year. Brown said it was a balanced budget.

SHEPHERD — The Shepherd Lady Pirates took complete control of Tuesday night's matchup with the Trinity Lady Tigers, sweeping Trinity in three sets and never allowing the Lady Tigers to find their rhythm. Shepherd posted convincing wins in all three sets, 25-13, 25-4 and 25-14, turning what began as a competitive opening into a dominant night for the Lady Pirates.

By Scott Womack TCNS correspondent JEWETT — The Friday Night Lights were on all over Texas Friday night and the Tigers were no exception as they traveled to Jewett-Leon to take on the Cougars. With all the off-season workouts and early morning practices, both teams were ready to take the field, and the season opener did not disappoint.

Huntsville CC Meet Aug.

Mother Nature is teasing us. It was cold these last few mornings at 6 a.m. but the temperature only lasted until about 9 a.m. If we can stand the heat until Oct. 1, maybe we will have cool mornings and fall afternoons and celebrate when fall really comes into being sometime around Nov. 1. News flash. There is a tropical storm heading our way and by the time you receive this publication we should have 6 inches of rain. I don’t believe this, because it is too good to be true information.