SENTINEL ALERT
4/8/2024 SJC REP HDQTRS
SHERIFF CANDIDATTE PICKS QUESTIONS
As the republican nominee for sheriff, Sam Houston was asked to pick the crumpled questions out of a hat for the debate last night. He performed that task flawlessly flanked by Peter Sparta and Mike Flynt as they gathered toward the Lyin Laddie side of the room. According to sources close to politics, Sam rode in on his own lie that he is, "Sheriff Elect". The truth is he is the republican nominee for the general election coming up in November. No more, no less. As Polk County may find out, the window for a write in candidate is still wide open. The chances of winning write in are about the same as coming from behind in early vote to win on election day , , , ,
We have several constables that would be well qualified. Alvin Wyatt or Ray Atchley are both infinitly more qualified than Sam to be sheriff but only Roy Rogers could compete with the name recognition factor. Wouldn't that be interesting to see.
Until that write in window closes August 19th, Sam,you are the nominee.
Attendees varied in estimate of numbers but overall, the crowd that did show was interested. Laddie delivered some of his same ole, same ole in contrast with Candidate, Luke Sweeny's efforts. Those were described as, "Clear and concise" and one who would not "toe the line". Moody and Dominy were both well spoken of. Butch for his past service but may have lost his edge with the years. Polk County has been well served by their female commissioner, Guylene Roberson.
LACY ROGERS
The "Celebration of Life" service for James Lacy Rogers will be held at the FBC Coldspring this coming Tuesday.
L3/29/2024 HOME SWEET HOME
Sheriff Lacy Rogers has passed on to Glory today around 9 am this morning. As one of the longest serving Sheriff's in SJC History, He was a remarkable man in many ways. You can't speak of his accomplishments with out mentioning the, "behind every great man is a great woman". part of his life.
My greatest appreciation I could ever express would be, "Thank you both for loving my family and caring about my kids and telling us so. We know we are not the only ones but you both have a way of making us feel that way. Raising three boys into men isn't easy but Lacy and Carolyn Rogers did much to shape the environment for us to raise them in. What an example for us all.
3/26/2024 HUNTSVILLE/COLDSPRING
LONG TIME LAW MAN LIVING LEGEND
Hospice Care for the former SJC Sherif, Lacy Rogers was announced yesterday on his personal Face Book page. Sheriff Rogers' family posted the news
SAN JACINTO CO PCT 3 2/10'2024
LETS DO THE MATH
Documents received at The Sentinel offices in response to an open records requst proves Sam Houston inept as an officer of the law. In an effort to honestly guage the effectivnessof Sam Houston's efforts on our behalf, we asked for documents containing name, dates, nature of charge on all of the arrests booked into the SJC jail for the last three years by anyone in the Pct 3 constable's office. FOURTEEN. 13 were Sam's and one and only one is attributedto Sparta. Several of Sam's were women and all of Sparta's were female.
This is where I would normally request all of the money spent on the Pct 3 constable
s office and divide that total by 14 to see how much each arrest costs the taxpayers.
2/18/2024 COLDSPRING
STANDING ROOM ONLY
Quite a crowd gathered yesterday for the memorial service for a fallen firefighter and father in the San Jacinto County community. Mitchell Mathews served for many yearsin the local VFD's battling blazes and working wrecks in his effort to protect the public while at the same time battling stage 4 cancer in his own life. Held at the shelter in Coldspring, the gathering overwhelmed the preperations for seating in short order and required more chairs to be pulled out. It ended up being described to this reporter as, "Standing Room Only".
State Rep, Ernest Bailes did deliver a flag flown over the Texas State Capital to Emmit Eldridge for Eldridge to present to the family, the son of the fire fighter, Sageous Mathews. Rep Bailes quickley blended in with the crowd of mourners relating to the fallen man as a fellow father who first met in the stands under the Friday Night Lights. Both men were supporting their sons best efforts on the grid irons of SJC. That was their connection. One pulled for Shepherd, one pulled for Coldspring but they were both pulling for the youngsters and found comraderie in that.
Maybe now the dark money minions willing to adopt agenda's of the politically powerful will understand that the voters appreciate the genuine care a man likeErnest Bailes has for his community and his ability to step up and meet us at the point of our greatest need, regardless of political hay. No matter how many lying ads the dark money minions can muster, we know who we have representing us and our conservative interests in Deep East Texas.
1/13/2024 TEXANS VS BROWNS
SJC to be well represented in Houston, Tx today as the world tunes in to watch the best battle it out. Our own county Judge, The Honorable Fritz Faulkner, JP Randy Ellisor and 14 year old Brayden Nelson will represent us bypartaking in the opening ceremonies. They will roll out the American Flag and Pledge Allegience to it, It will be great to see generational commitments to conservative values in current and future leaders.
political triplets no doubt now
1/7/2024 FOSTORIA
TWO SETS OF TRIPLETS SPOTTED . . . BRIEFLY
A broadly publicized event attracted three politicians and three possible voters. Property owned by a 'Trust' in Houston was the social media advertised location of the hispanically heralded event so Mexicans, we presume, would come and meet the candidates. Three did. S[arta. Houston might argue that there were four mexicans that showed up. Someone had to count how many attended and pick up any literature passed out. (There was none) It was reported that the candidates showed but left in very short order after the appointed time.
Multiple photos submitted show same 'connected at the hip' sign display for these three. Tony Tap, Hill's Store Rd., etc. What they still seem to miss is that advertising doesn't carry much weight here but word of mouth will make or break a restaurant or political candidate. I just hope Sams kinfolk with the sign printing business doesn't end up causing us a litter problem after the election. Especially if the voters say, "no thank you" to their offers to serve.
1/6/2024 SAM ENDORSES SPARTA IN SPANISH AD
Sam Y Sparta Amenaza a las mujeres
Sam Houston published a political ad entirely in Spanish with no english translation.
The three, including their commissioner pick, are all endorsing each other in this ad.
The problem is with the 4th 'endorsement' listed as, "Jesus Inc.". Jesus Inc. is a real corporation formed around conservative Christian teachings and the C.E.O. stated that his organization is in NO WAY endorsing Sam Houston. The Sentinel did provide him a copy of the ad so he could use it to defend his non profit from accusations that the orginization is engaging in politics. Sam Houston's lie is endangering the tax free status of a long time biblically based Christian organization just for political gain. Stan, the C.E.O. of 'Jesus Inc." asked me if I would publically refute Sam Houston's false claim that Jesus Inc. is endorsing him. Any who question the veracity of this article can email him stan@jesusinc.com
12/24/2023 Pct 3
CONFIRMED !!!!
The address that the 'undeliverable' letters were mailed too then returned undeliverable by the USPS is EXACTLY the same address that Sparta filled out on his candidate application and filed with the State of Texas. Now where would he get the idea that he can lie to fhe state officials, the voters and cheat against the election laws? Oh that is right, sam i am has been training him for years.
Due to Sparta's staunch denial of assaulting a young girl years ago claiming Sentinel documents are "photoshopped", our investigation has led to locating the alleged victim, a grown woman now. When we initially located her, she was in TDCJ on a drug charge but was released in early October. We are attempting to initiate contact with her directly.
During the course of the investigaiton, we learned that Sparta does have a brother that is in prison for a child sex crime but they are not twins per a family source.
SAN JACINTO COUNTY
SPARTA LIES AGAIN
Two different voters in Pct 3 have contacted The Sentinel alledging that a letter was mailed to Sparta at his claimed local address that was returned undeliverable. As always, we challenged for proof and were denied a physical copy to protect their identity but the returned letter was presented to us for inspection and is legit. Another voter has offered proof that Sparta has lived in the pct for less than two months. Nor has he responded to our offer to publish his DL redacted to see if he followed the law to do that change.
2SAN JACINTO COUNTY
HATS OFF TO EMERGENGY RESPONDERS
San Jacinto County Emergency Service District (ESD) planning and preparation paid off during the recent major event in Shepherd, Texas. Working closely with SJC Judge Fritz Faulkner's Emergency Manager Coordinator, (EMC) Emmit Eldridge, all of the Volunteer Fire Depts in this part of Texas converged on the scene. The list is too long and the names too numerous but no one was missing.
Granted, the ESD board with long time members like, Jay Capers and Tammy Russell have made sure the lights were on, equipment was available, Dispatch was manned so when E.M.C. Eldridge said, "Lets Roll", things rolled.
Communication and Coordination was the key to such an amazing response to a major fire and toxic event as this was. Sheriff Capers' crew and DPS knew what to do for public safety evacuations and traffic control. Pct 2 Commissioner, Donny Marrs took the dead end road folks that were trapped by the fire out the back way because he know all the land owners and where their gates were.
Volunteer firefighters from all over dropped what they were doing and ran toward the alarm. THANK YOU.
We know you guys and gals had been worn to a frazzel with so many fires last summer, I lost count but with barely a breather, you all were there for us.
The Volunteer Fire Dept system in East Texas is a jewel of great value. San Jacinto County alone has a dozen or better departments. That doesn't include all of the surrounding counties and The alabama Coushatta fire fighters that were there too.
"Even the ground was on fire" one witness told The Sentinel of the blaze.
To get that many people and that much equipment deployed effictively demonstrated the value of the practice and planning each dept does. Those meetings take time and our volunteers sacrifice much but this event proved how effective servant's hearts can be in a time of crisis. Long time secretary, Denise Lewis would be likened to the CPU of the organization. Connecting information, hardware and people to get a tough job done.
SAN JACINTO by Peter Gabriel Written lyrics HERE
POINTBLANK 9/13/2023
'WASHINGTONS ON THE TRINITY"
Octogenerian, Bettie Washington passed yesterday in Pointblank. Sister of Billy Washington and lifelong residents of this area and SJC, her family's heritage here is so entwined with the history and development of our county, you can't help but remember some of the more fascinating history of our own Washington's on The Trinity.
Hamilton Washington, Nephew of George Washington was the overseer on a large plantation on The Trinity River on and near FM 1127 in SJC today. With emancipation, over 3000 new voters registered in SJC and everyone registered Republican because Lincoln was a Republican. The very first republican and black State Rep to SJC was elected from the Evergreen area.
Now days there is a Washington pastoring New Hope church, just outside Coldspring
SJC 7/12/2023
(2) SJC Commissioners Court 2023 07 12 9am.
Attorney explains lawsuit settlement
COMMISSIONERS McANALLY AND BRANDON SMACKED DOWNBY HOMETOWNERS
Michael Flynt FTA but no warrant issued because he is NOT wanted.
Today's 'Public Comments' at the Commissioner's Court meeting proved to be a brutal smackdown for two of the sitting commissioners. McAnally and Brandon were told in no uncertain terms by normally reserved and eloquent ladies that their time was up. "All of this character assination is NOT tolerable andI think it is time we put you out", Mrs Sheena Bass stated.
Gerald Deeter, an active and observant long time local political pundit opened the public comments with, "Washington D.C. has come to Coldspring" and elaborated equating the constant effort to undermine Sheriff Capers and curcify him to what has happened on the national scene. "He (Sheriff) does not have 100 percent support from you and it is time for that to change."
George Garrett spoke and equated the Lion Report to, "An organized hit job and an attack on our sheriff."
There were a few uninformed who attacked the Sheriff. One particular woman bragged about her 'group' she managed with 1700 members from Trails End. She tried to elicit sympathy from the audience by relating the nass shooting event and how she held the hand of a dying victim then tried to politicize that tragic event and lay the blame at Sheriff Caper's feet for the five deaths. She was soundly BOOOOOED by the crowd. Not for her opinion but for daring to attempt to make political hay from those deaths. Absolutly no class.
The next naysayer was apparently the sister of shooting victim John Wayne Dodge from many years ago. Another tragic story where two men, John Dodge and nephew/son were threatening a young man on his property and he shot one of them. Dodge died from the injury. Despite what the sister said today, the shooting was investigated and turned over to the DA. Her claims of "no investigation" were false. There was no prosecution of the shooter but rather the DA considered the one that was not shot to be responsible because he and his uncle were threatening to commit felony assault when Dodge was killed. The law is plain that if you are participating in a felony crime and someone dies, you can be charged for the death even if you don't pull the trigger. It was a tragic case but to use that old case to score political points by misrepresenting the facts is just bush league.
All in all, todays meeting was a sound defeat of McAnally and Flynt's best effort to put Flynt's name out there as a viable candidate for SJC Sheriff. NOT.
The thing I was most angry about when first reading Flynt's file from Humble was how the city of Humble let this deviant marcicist walk away without prosecution for his crimes he committed in Humble. You can see in the photo caption that Flynt is "sitting for a portrait" in front of his fireplace. I would bet money, the portriat will hang above his mantle so he can admire himself often.
Former Pct 1 commissioner, Ray McCoppin spoke with a unique persepctive. "I can see both sides because I have served as a commissioner and as a deputy sheriff." He noted that when he called about a burglary, the deputies were there quick, acted quite professional and caught the burglar in a fairly short time. McCoppin's conclusion was that when you strip away the rhetoric about funding and staffing, the root of both those problems is the crisis at our southern border.
He has a valid point.
All in all, today should have sent some very clear messages.
Brandon and McAnally, "dont bother running again"
Flynt, "when you have to cheat to try to win, you are a "L" loser"
Sheriff Capers, We don't expect perfection, just your very best. Thankyou.
former deputies said they tried to get the Texas Rangers to look into wrongdoing in the sheriff's office when they worked there, but the state's elite investigative agency did little to pursue a case. One of them later gave a detailed interview to an officer with the FBI's regional public corruption taskforce but said it was met with the same result.
Hey dumbass, did it ever occur to you they can see that you are a liar and have no evidence to support your claims? The same exact reason I would never write your story? Telling the same lie for years will NEVER make it true.
Headline News
SAN JACINTO COUNTY MEMORIAL DAY 2019
CORRECTION: The San Jacinto Special Utility District (SJSUD) DID NOT remove the Cross of Christ from the water tower because they got a threat letter as previously reported in The Sentinel. According to an official reply to our open records request, there was no threat letter, no meeting, no memo, no work order or any minutes related to the decision. SJSUD folded and removed the cross because the county got a threat letter. The spokesperson who came forward at the Commissioner's Court meeting made some misleading statements that led to our error.
COLDSPRING 5/8/2019
600 PLUS ATTEND MEETING
The SJC Commissioner's Court voted 5/0 to keep the crosses on the courthouse. A last minute announcement was made by an employee of the local water company, a taxing entity, that their response to a similiar threat to sue letter was to fold and take the cross down off of the water tower. It has been removed. Former Judge Lovett has agreed to an interview about his thinking and research before having the crosses put up during his tenure. We are seeking an interview with the local person who complained but will shield their identity in hopes of getting their views out for both sides of the story. Stay tuned for more on this story.
COLDSPRING 5/7/2019
COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING MOVED
The new Coldspring Community Center will be the venue for the San Jacinto County Commissioners Court meeting scheduled for tomorrow, May 8th. The Grand Hall will be used to accomodate the crowds expected from the community stir the FFRF threat letter to sue SJC over the cross in our courthouse window has caused. This photo is a Sentinel file photo of the window before the lighted Christmas decorations were added. The Christian Craftsman built the cross right into the window sash and mullion. The lights only highlight this historical architectual feature of our beloved courthouse.
COLDSPRING 5/6/2019
CHANNEL 2 PICKS UP CROSS STORY
The Channel 2 van was parked on the square about 4 this after noon. The 6 o'clock newscast had a story from Coldspring and they said a more indepth report will be broadcast on the ten o'clock broadcast. More interviews and even one pastor is slated to be interviewed.
COLDSPRING MAY 1, 2019
FREEDOM FROM RELIGION FOUNDATION TAKES AIM AT SJC COURTHOUSE CROSSES
According to the Commissioner Court agenda dispersed today, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) has taken aim at SJC and hopes to force the removal of the highlighted crosses hung on all four sides of the SJC Courthouse during former Judge John R. Lovett's tenure. The group was recently successful in Pennsylvania after a federal lawsuit in forcing the removal of a Christian Cross from the county seal and flag of Lehigh County.
In a similiar case much closer to home, the FFRF attempted to force a Montgomery County JP to stop allowing volunteer chaplains from various faiths to open his court proceedings with prayer each day. Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton went to bat for the Texas Court and had a victory. The two stories about that case are HERE and HERE.
The threat letter is published below.
POINTBLANK 2/3/2019
THE DEVIL NEXT DOOR
December 6th of 2018 was eventful for the Pointblank Community when Vance May, a wanted felon, was closed in on by the SJC Sheriff's Dept and members of The Gulf Coast Area Task Force at his home and shot himself just as the lawmen closed in.
This is more than just a statistical event in the fact that Vance May is was the neighbor who was responsible for putting a bullet through my oldest son's
kitchen window that, other than for the Grace of God and a 5 lb bag of sugar on the pantry shelf, would have blown my daughter in law's brains all over my grand daughter.
He was also the Vance May that was responsible for another bullet whizzing right by my baby boy's head on video on a different occasion and richoetting off his momma's car that she had just exited. This first photo is one I took after I got home that day and went up the hill to tell May if one more bullet came our way, I was going to kill him. He wouldn't answer his door. We called the law both times but nothing was done other than getting May to pay for the window. My frustration at that prompted me reaching out to another agency for help. One of the emails in the exchange is below:
Fast forward a little and it is also the same Vance May who was shot in an officer involved shooting in downtown Pointblank. According to sources, May was armed at the time but did not get a shot off at the officer. The young deputy had only been on the force a few days at the time and there was a storm over the shooting because the officer had been involved in two shootings in his last jurisdiction. The Beaumont press was ready to crucify the young deputy but for The Sentinel stepping up for him. We documented that both Jefferson county shootings were determined to be justified. One was a clean kill shot on a gunman holed up with hostages in a trailer park in the line of duty. The other was self defense according to the DA's investigation. The shooting in PtBlank was investigated by The Rangers. According to offiical sources, May was inadvertantly discharged from the hospital after a months long recovery w/o the Rangers being notified.
According to reliable and official sources, the SJC Sheriff dept and Task Force came in from the direction reccomended by the local hunter using the barn for cover and were at May's door unseen until too late for May to "Shower Down" on anyone. Those same sources say that May shot himself in the bathtub almost immediatly after they called out and began to make entry. Thank the Lord and some concerned citizens that none of our LEO's were killed.
TRIVIA: DID 32 MAKE A TOUCHDOWN OR DID 5 TACKLE HIM HARD ON THE SPOT?
COLDSPRING 4/30/2018
SJC COMMISSIONERS APPOINT FRITZ FAULKNER AS INTERIM JUDGE
In a brief but intense one agenda item special called meeting, SJC Commissioners discussed and then voted to fill the void left by the removal of Judge John Lovett Jr. after his recent arrest. Faulkner, who was in county court defending a client, was informed of the decision. The auditor left to prepare the bond and arrangements are being made to swear Judge Faulkner in. This makes at least 3 times Fritz Faulkner has been appointed to the Judge's office to fill a vacancy.
(Sentinel comments in red)
Mr. Watson,
1. I would like to correct a few things you have wrong in your article about me. If your going to write something about me maybe you should speak to me first before publishing it for true and correct answers instead of RUMORS.
1. My medical leave is my business and no one else’s. (Actually, whatever causes you to abandon your duties that we elected and pay you to do is our business. Agreed that your personal medical information is private but you being gone from office and unable to do your duties is completely our business.) It’s no ones business why I am not in the office. (See last answer) As well you know an elected official isn’t bound by hours and days to be in the office. (And as you know, elected officials ARE bound by an oath and THE LAW to do their duty.) I work remotely and can do anything from the house that I can do sitting at my desk. (I won’t even address that stupid statement. It just proves you think we are all idiots.) I spoke with the commissioners about my leave before I ever left. (What a small world. I have spoken with all the commissioners about your leave too.) They know why I am gone not that I needed to tell anyone. (Why you seem to think you can just drop out of site and not owe the taxpayers an explanation baffles me)
2. If your going to use someone’s name you should make sure you spell it correctly. My chief deputy’s name is spelled Sommer Brinkley (My Apology – I stand corrected)
3. As for me resigning don’t know why it still comes up. I have no plans to resign on January 1..I have made it clear to all the commissioners in and out of open court that I’m not resigning but I probably would not stay the whole three years left on my term. Whoever told you this is a complete liar! (Someone is a complete liar. You sure it is my sources?)
4. Regarding me wanting Sommer appointed. Of course I would like to see the Chief Deputy be appointed when I decide to leave. What Tax Assessor wouldn’t want her chief deputy to take her place. (That will be up to and the duty of the commissioners to decide. From what I can gather, there is a consensus among several that a new set of eyes on the books might not be a bad idea. Lots of questions we will get to after this.)
5. The signs on Sommer car are not there to falsify anything or anyone. I had two sets made like two years ago. They have been on her car for nearly two years (Thanks for that confession) except during my re election time during the voting. I spoke with the tax attorney before ever ordering two sets to make sure it was ok she had them on there. He said it was fine. So if I am breaking the law I will have Sommer remove them as I’m not the kind of person to be breaking the law or trying to pull one over on the taxpayers. I again didn’t hand over her “MY” set of magnets. (So she stole them?) She has her own just as I do. (You can’t give someone the right to identify themselves as our SJC Tax Assessor Collector. Only the voters or, in the event of abandonment and/or removal, our elected representatives can do that. Those decals on Sommer’s car are YOURS by default)
6. As for Sommer moving into my office. You are really pulling at straws. Again she moved in there last March 2016 about a year and half ago. (That is about when you started dating Randy L. Wineingar, Hunt Co Tax Collector and quit showing up to work regular if I am not mistaken) We took over doing pay agreements from the attorneys and I thought it would be more private for her to have the taxpayers come in my office rather that have their business being taken care of out in public through the window. So again nothing is meant by her being in my office.
In the future if you want to know something about me and or my office and staff please come to me first by email. I have nothing to hide nor am I trying to pull anything over on the taxpayers or the county.
used for political comment and education THE NEW DEMONCRAT PLATFORM
www.sentinelalert.org
Publisher - Stephen C. Watson
Office - 50 W Oak Tree Drive
Pointblank, Texas 77364
936 730 5717
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