The Texas Railroad Authority (TSRA) will continue to hammer out details for the possible transfer of the Texas State Railroad at its meeting at 9 a.m. on Monday in city hall, 1601 N. Queen St.
Iowa Pacific Holdings officals said they hope to take over the contract to operate the railroad from its current operator American Heritage Railways. The TSRA is a governing board that funnels grant money into TSR for improvements.
Iowa Pacific agreed to take over the contract American Heritage has with the Authority, but many of the original provisions in the document were either not fulfilled or were in negotiation. The three entities hoped for a July 1 transfer date.
The TSRA will discuss the proposed sale and consider the approval of any necessary documentation or other action to facilitate the transfer of control of American Heritage Railways of Texas, Inc. The board will also clarify the interest owed to the TSRA from American Heritage.
The status on remediation of a diesel spill at the Rusk depot between March 1 and March 2 will also be discussed.
American Heritage estimated about 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel leaked from a faulty compression valve in an underground pipe. Both entities said the fueling system is on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) property and was put in place by the department, and therefore the bill for remediation should be picked up by TPWD. The groups said they also believe a historic spill which occurred from the same fueling system in 1998 and was not properly cleaned up.
The final bill for removing contaminated soil is estimated to be around $250,000.
Discussions between the TSRA's lawyer, the legal department at parks and wildlife, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and with the commissioner of agriculture's office have been ongoing since the spill.
On Monday, the board will consider the approval of necessary expenditures, budget amendments, or a combination of expenditures and budget amendments to respond to remediation of the recent and historic diesel spills at the Rusk maintenance facility.
Local News
Texas State Railroad talks to continue Monday
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Reagan Park Spray ground to open Saturday
The City of Palestine Parks and Recreation Department will kick off the first full season for the Reagan Park Spray Ground with an public opening event this Saturday.
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Annual Bluegrass Music Festival begins today at Salmon Lake
Bluegrass bands from across the country will descend upon the Grapeland area this week for the 16th Annual Memorial Day Weekend Bluegrass Music Festival, opening today and continuing through Sunday at Salmon Lake Park.
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Healthy cooking program offered
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Palestine is offering a four-week program starting this Thursday to help diabetics make healthy cooking choices.
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Steps of Faith Dance Center production Saturday
Steps of Faith Dance Center will hold its annual production at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Palestine Civic Center.
“We’re going to take you to a land far away and tell you the ‘real’ story of some of your favorite fairy tale characters,” Steps of Faith Dance Center owner Jennifer Ballew said. “The production is full of lively fun music, a reminiscing ol’ Granny, and of course the incredible dancing of several talented students.” -
Chamber sets photo contest
The Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking shutterbugs to participate in its second annual photo contest — portraying structures, landmarks and memorable locations in the Palestine/Anderson County area.
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Memorial Day celebration set Saturday
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3907 will hold a Memorial Day celebration on Saturday featuring barbecue, live music, an auction and more.
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Longview man injured in motorcycle wreck
A Longview man remained in fair condition in a Tyler hospital Monday following a one-vehicle motorcycle wreck Friday near Montalba on Texas 19.
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Traffic stop leads to arrest
A Palestine man remained in jail Monday on drug-related charges following a suspicious vehicle stop in Anderson County on Saturday.
According to Sheriff Greg Taylor, while on patrol in the early morning hours on Saturday, deputy Johnny Gorden saw a suspicious vehicle sitting on the side of U.S. 287 between Palestine and Elkhart. -
Residents urged to welcome back local troops on Wednesday
Palestine area residents are asked to help welcome back the local National Guard troops, which will be coming by bus to the National Guard Armory in Palestine at about 3 p.m. Wednesday.
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Community invited to welcome back National Guard troops
The community is asked to help welcome back the local National Guard troops, which will be coming by bus to the National Guard Armory in Palestine at about 3 p.m. Wednesday.
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