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Erath County Judge Brandon Huckabee recognizes Dublin High School powerlifters at the Monday, April 8 Commissioners Court. Lifters include from right, State Champion Mariana Ortiz, who took top honors for her weight class in 3A, Cassidy Adair (8th place), Cameron Patton (11th place) and Elijah Gonzales (14th place). Submitted photo
Dublin students were recognized this week by the Erath County Commissioners Court after success in powerlifting.
State Champion Mariana Ortiz, who took top honors for her weight class in 3A, was recognized along with other fellow lifters Cassidy Adair (8th place), Cameron Patton (11th place) and Elijah Gonzales (14th place).
“We continue to have kids from all over Erath County represent us in a variety of ways all over this state and nation,” County Judge Brandon Huckabee said. “If you see worthy people or students, we are willing to celebrate them.”
All students receive a certificate of achievement from the court.
The court also approved the proclamation designating National Crime Victims Right Week April 21-27 in association with Cross Timbers Family Services.
The annual Stop the Silence Rally will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 16 in downtown Stephenville. The free family-friendly event is open to everyone.
The contract with HOK for the new joint dispatch architectural design was unanimously approved, allowing one of the first steps for the project to move forward.
The court also moved forward with a memo of understanding between Pecan Valley Centers and the Erath County Sheriff’s Office for Jail-Based Competency Restoration Services.
Coke Beatty, with Pecan Valley, spoke about the program.
“There are people in jail until their competency can be restored and they can serve trial,” Beatty said.
Since there are 2500 beds through state hospitals, there is a big backlog, he said.
Inmates who are not competent are required to stay in jail until they can receive treatment that helps them become competent.
“We petitioned the state so that program can be done in jail so a bed doesn’t have to open up,” Beatty said.
He explained that the program does not remove any mental illness diagnosis or that treatment, rather it helps them to understand the proceedings around them so they are competent to stand trial.
“It can save people being in jail for months or years,” he said.
The program will not cost the county anything financial, however, the jail will need to provide room for the Pecan Valley counselors to meet with the inmates.
“It’s a growing trend and certainly a problem statewide,” – Huckabee said.
In other business the court: ■ unanimously approved a debtbook contract for software that helps track contracts and software subscriptions
■ received and filed the annual Commissary
Audit
■ approved line item transfers
■ approved an order combining voting precincts