The Courthouse as “County Central”

By Stephenie O’Brien Yearwood

It is easy enough in 2022 to regard the courthouse as just another government office building—always there, but invisible. But stop, remember how very long the building has been there, and what it has seen since 1891. Events which marked each age happened there. For 131 years, it has been the center of Tyler County’s life. Let’s look back in time.

In World War I, military draftees and volunteers registered in the courthouse. As groups shipped out to Europe, they gathered on the lawn (sometimes with their accompanying horses and mules) for a public sendoff before marching down to the train depot.

After World War I, armistice day was observed at the courthouse. At 11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month, speeches were given, a bugler played taps, and the names of the war dead from the county were read in solemn recognition of their sacrifice.

In the 1920’s and 30’s, the Interdenominational Men’s

‘Jam on the Green’ scheduled at Heritage Village

WOODVILLE – The Heritage Village stage at Heritage Village will play host to one of the brightest young singer-songwriters in Texas on Saturday, Sept. 10 for the Village’s “Jam on the Green” concert.

Courtney Hale Revia has a rich legacy gift of music, for her late father, James Hale, was a beloved and prolific singer-songwriter. Hale died last year but had entertained countless visitors to Heritage Village during Harvest Festival, and other events, usually with his wife Priscilla.

Revia is based out of Beaumont, where she owns and operates 7 Oaks Event Garden, a popular venue for top-shelf singer-songwriters. Her previous two albums, Simple Things and Tattered, released in 2015 and 2018, respectively, helped earn her a following, and she has shared the stage with a variety of acts in a variety of legendary rooms through the region, such as the Old Quarter in Galveston and Courville’s in Beaumont.

Bible Study Class met there on Sundays. During the Depression of the 1930’s, free movies entertained public at the courthouse, and those in need of food and work registered there.

In 1940, Judge J.E. Wheat convened a meeting in the courthouse to organize a countywide event celebrating springtime in East Texas called the Dogwood Festival, and for many years thereafter, festival meetings were held in the courthouse.

In World War II, once again, the courthouse was county central for military registration. Ration stamps were distributed there as citizens gave up meat, butter and gasoline for the war effort.

Even when Armistice Day became Veteran’s Day after World War II, patriotic observations of that day and July 4 continued at the courthouse. In the 1960’s a Christmas Parade started, with Santa arriving on a firetruck and greeting children on the courthouse steps.

The courthouse has seen a parade of historic people and political history. In the 1890s Senator Bronson Coo- per from Woodville held political rallies there. Cooper’s friend John Henry Kirby, lumber baron, sponsored speakers and events. In the 20th century, Senator John Tower, who attended school briefly in Woodville as a child, campaigned there during his run against Lyndon B.Johnson. Clyde E. Smith, a native son who served on the Texas Supreme Court from 1950-66, conducted campaigns at the courthouse throughout his career. Allan Shivers, Governor of Texas from 1949-56, grew up at the courthouse while his father served as County Judge. Shivers campaigned at the courthouse throughout his political career from 1946 when he was elected Lt. Governor until his retirement in 1956. J.E. Wheat, county judge, founder of the Dogwood Festival, historian, and President of the Texas Historical Foundation, made the courthouse his center of operations. Even now, Rep. Brian Babin maintains his local office in the courthouse. More than just an office building, the courthouse is the place where history happens in Tyler County. In recognition of this, the building was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.

Fiscal Notes: Understanding cryptocurrency and its rise

AUSTIN — Nearly9outof10

Americans have heard at least alittleaboutcryptocurrencies, and 16 percent have invested in,tradedorusedacryptocurrency,accordingtoa2021Pew Research Center survey.

Even though more Americans are familiar with cryptocurrency — only about 48 percent of respondents in 2015 reported hearing about bitcoin — skepticism is growing. Critics have called cryptocurrency a scam, a pyramid scheme and much more.

In the recently released August issue of Fiscal Notes, the state Comptroller’s office provides an overview of cryptocurrency and explains its rise the release of her critically acclaimed new record “Growing Pains”, will take the stage at 7 p.m.

The gates open at 6 p.m., which will allow anyone who attends the opportunity to tour the Village, said Heritage Village Director Ofeira Gazzaway. Admission is $15 per person and $20 for couples.

Local singer-songwriter since 2009 as well as its continued interest among some investors.

Chris Edwards will perform a solo acoustic opening set of his rustic country-blues-folk material. The bluegrass group the Big Thicket Ramblers will also help warm the stage for Revia’s show.

“Cryptocurrency frequently appears in the news, but what itisandhowitisusedremains a mystery to many Texans,”

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said.

“Maybethat’sbecausecrypto, as it’s often called, has its own lingo or because it can seem likesomethingoutofascience fiction movie, with its complex software programs and digitized coins,” Hegar said.

Texas cryptocurrency mining operations include one in Rockdale, and more are likely because of Texas’ businessfriendly environment and energy potential.

Jail Booking Report for August 15 – 21

Editor’s Note: The individuals listed in this report are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.

This list is provided as a public service, courtesy of Tyler County Sheriff Bryan Weatherford.

Matthew Chance Amodio,33,of Woodville – Driving while intoxicated/failure to appear

TabithaYarnellBell,39 of West Columbia – Prohbited substance/item in corr./ civ facility

James Rodney Burnett, 43, of Silsbee – No proof of insurance; Expired registration; Expired driver license

Manuel Cabrera, 26, of Corpus Christi – Evading arrest detention /w/ previous conviction/bench warrant

John Lawrence Conner, 29, of Spurger – No driver license; No proof of insurance; Expired registration

Sean Ben Dunnigan, 56, of Silsbee – Possession of controlled substance, PG 1/1-B <1G; Expired registration; No insurance

Scott Robert Funnell, 51, of Nacogdoches – Man/ del of controlled substance

PG 1>=4G<200G

JavierGonzales-Guerrero, 38, of Woodville – Driving while intoxicated/open alcohol container

Kyle Wallace Mullins, 26, of Silsbee – Unauthorized use of vehicle/failure to appear; Burglary of building/failure to appear Byron Todd Peveto, 50, of Colmesneil – No driver license; Not wearing seatbelt; Possession of drug paraphernalia Chad Curtis Tubbs, 29, of Jasper – Unauthorized use of vehicle

Brittany Lynette Winkle,30, of Fred – Disorderly conduct

Inflation reduction a laughable name for an act

by Tony Farkas tony@polkcounty publishing. com

On any given day, I’ll get up in the morning, put on coffee that I bought at the store (paying sales tax, of course, as well as corporate taxes and tariffs built into the price). As I putter around the house (the property which is taxed on state and local levels) getting ready, showering (fees and taxes apply on water, sewer and electricity), using numerous items taxed at sale and elsewhere, I’m finally done.

I’ll hop into the car (which

I pay taxes on yearly, as well taxes and surcharges as at the sale) and drive (only if I’ve paid the license fee) to the gas station to fill up (paying federal, state and local gasoline taxes, possibly luxury and gas-guzzler

Letter To The Editor

Jim Powers’ article with the above title was a bit confusing to me. In it he stated, “When Fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross.” - attributed to the writer Sinclair Lewis. A quick check on one of several meanings of “Fascism” is:

“a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all indus-

Letter To The Editor

taxes, fuel gross receipts tax, and oil and gas assessment taxes).

Depending on the roadwork in the area, I could be paying special assessments for road repairs or taxes for waste management, bridge toll charges, road toll charges, or bike license fees.

When I head to a business, either mine or someone else’s, the taxes could include individual and small business surtaxes, penalties for underpayment of estimated income tax, an alternative minimum tax on income, business taxes and licensing fees, and federal and state corporate income taxes.

Of course, if it’s my business, I’m passing those costs along to the consumer, or if it’s not, the owners are passing that along, so pretty much every tax faced by a business is paid by everybody that makes use of that business.

My paycheck will have federal income tax (sometimes try, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.”

It seems to me Mr.

Powers is directing his comments towards us Christians and especially those of the Republican party. However, by the above definition it would seem that the current administration in Washington is living up to the standards set forth by the definition of Fascism. For example, President

While we keep blaming a small section of our society for all our countries problems, we will never fix these state and local, depending on location), Social Security tax and Medicare tax

If someone from out of state purchases something, they’ll likely pay use taxes.

If I want to take a vacation, I could face paying recreational vehicle taxes, passport fees, air transportation taxes, hotel stay taxes, hunting or fishing license fees, state park permits, watercraft registration and license fees, nature trail permit fees or even yacht and luxury boat taxes.

If I get hurt on vacation, there’s the possibility that on top of medical bills, there’s plastic surgery surcharges or taxes on non-qualified health saving account distributions.

Pets, particularly dogs, require permits and licenses. Jewelry has specific taxes; so do cigarettes (taxed through the roof), alcohol and gifts. Have to pay fees to get married, or if you’re in an area with a pro sports team,

Biden and his administration has become a dictator of sorts with complete power as demonstrated when he first took office. The democratic party forcibly suppresses opposition and criticism.

Anyone remember the Maxine Waters rant about going after Republicans in restaurants and public places. Or Chuck Shumer on the steps of the SCOTUS saying if Roe v Wade was overturned the jus- problems, until we look in the mirror and realize, we allowed those problems. We’ didn’t listen to those who tried to warn us of what was coming, believing it would tyler county stadium taxes (don’t get the large soda and devil dog, or pay taxes on fatty foods and pop).

To own a phone, there’s 911 service taxes, service fees, minimum usage fees, federal, state and local taxes, and usage surcharges.

If I pass away, anything my family inherits is subject to taxes. Lots of taxes. The Inflation Reduction Act recently passed by the Senate includes more taxes on corporations, “investments” in energy security and climate change, an extension of the subsidies for the Affordable Care Act, and, just for that little bit of icing, 87,000 new IRS agents (with all the trimmings). That all comes from new and better taxes.

On any given day, the average citizen of the country pays more than 100 different types of taxes, and the trend is that the government always needs more. One of my favorite TV shows in the past decade tices would have “hell to pay”? Regimenting all industry, commerce? How bout killing production of oil and gas, sending fuel prices through the roof thereby trying to force us all into electric cars? Emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism - the democratic party is pushing this country harder and harder into socialism through academia and dividing this country racially again with their never happen here. We are the ones who got complacent and went along, to get along. We allowed the woke to gain a foot hold on this nation, because we remained silent, and emboldened them in their actions. The only thing needed for was “Sleepy Hollow,” dealing with a man from the Revolutionary War being drug into the current era. It was about supernatural events, but hidden there was social commentary. One quote that had stuck with me was (after the main character bought a cup of coffee and a doughnut), “What’s insane is a 10 percent levy on baked goods. You do realize the Revolutionary War began on less than 2 percent? How is the public not flocking to the streets in outrage? We must do something.”

I appreciate that, because I’ve always wondered what the Founding Fathers would say if they were alive at this time. There are solutions, most of which are at the ballot box, but my guess is that we are the frogs in the old adage, and the pot is boiling. We just don’t notice because the heat was turned up very slow.

CRT nonsense. I see the democratic party as the Fascist, not the Christians of this country. He closes by saying, “ These continuing efforts to slice and dice the people of the US into warring factions are efforts of control. Create anarchy, get the people shooting at each other, then have a leader declare, “only I can fix it”. I don’t know about you, but everything I see on the news about anarchy is done by Antifa, the when it involves risk, but that moment comes only after evil has already been well established and is powerfully on the move. strong arm of the democratic party, and they are the ones burning and looting our cities, not the Christians. The democratic party and especially those on the far Left have successfully created warring factions between conservatives and liberals. Don’t think so? Just go to any college and hold up a Trump sign and see what happens to you!

–Max Hill Woodville, TX