ETCOG Announces Regional Award Recipients for Exemplary Contributions to East Texas

East Texas Council of Governments • March 24, 2023
A group of people standing next to each other holding awards.

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) honored regional citizens who exemplify excellence in performance, innovation, and contributions to the community at its 103rd Semi-Annual Board of Directors Meeting last week at Bear Creek Smokehouse in Marshall, Texas. Award criteria and recipient information are as follows:


REGIONAL FIRST RESPONDER AWARDS

ETCOG conferred two Regional First Responder Awards, recognizing first responders who have rendered extraordinary service, putting their lives on the line for our safety while performing their duties. Tyler Stroschein with Longview Police Department, and Darren Renshaw with Emory Volunteer Fire Department, and Reserve Deputy for Rains County Sherriff Department were this year's award recipients.


Officer Tyler Stroschein was selected for the award for an extraordinary act of service in which his training and experience came to aid. On October 16, 2022, Officer Stroschein responded to a shooting where an individual accidentally shot himself in the leg, causing severe damage to his femoral artery. Officer Stroschein acted quickly and applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding, which allowed the subject to receive medical attention. Thanks to Officer Stroschein's timely intervention, the subject was able to keep his leg, regain full motion, and walk again.


Darren Renshaw was selected for the award for his outstanding service, dedication, and commitment to his community. In his award nomination, Rains County Commissioners Court expressed their admiration for Darren's selflessness and unwavering dedication to the betterment of the community. Darren has been a key figure in the Volunteer Fire Department and in his service as reserve Deputy for Rains County Sherriff's Department, having been on the scene for over half of the 1155 calls in the past two years. He has also played a significant role in recruiting and mentoring numerous individuals into the VFD. Despite his busy schedule, Darren always makes time for others, leading by example and inspiring others in their citizenship and servanthood. The Court called Darren one of the best role models in the community and thanked him for his tireless efforts in making the community a better place.


REGIONAL CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS

ETCOG's Regional Citizen of the Year award is designed to honor a citizen of East Texas who has contributed to the well-being of the East Texas region. The City of Kilgore's Mayor, Ronnie Spradlin, III, and Dr. Beverly Waddleton Johnson of Quitman were honored with the awards.


Mayor Spradlin, a lifetime resident of Kilgore, has been awarded this prestigious award for his unwavering commitment to education and community service. Mayor Spradlin's dedication to education is evident in his work mentoring and funding the dreams of many students, as well as supporting KISD and the Rangerette organization. His community involvement spans several decades, co-founding organizations such as the Kilgore Historic Preservation Foundation, Kilgore Boys and Girls Club, and the Community Development Corporation and helping to establish the Texas Shakespeare Festival and Hearts Anonymous. His contributions to the community include a quarter of a million dollars to The Lazy S Splash Pad in Kilgore to honor his late parents, donating land for the Kilgore Dog Park, and serving on the city council from 2007 to 2010 and as Mayor since 2010.


Dr. Beverly Waddleton Johnson has dedicated over 40 years of service to her community, making significant contributions to the field of medicine and community involvement in East Texas. She was the first Black female physician in Wood County, where she served as Clinic Medical Director and Cardiac Rehab Medical Director at UT Health East Texas. Dr. Waddleton's unwavering commitment to education and medical care is reflected in her various board memberships, including the Tyler Junior College Wesley House and the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry for the Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Her contributions to the medical field have been recognized through numerous accolades, including being chosen as one of the 50 Heroes for Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2020. Dr. Waddleton is a member of several community organizations, including the Wood County Economic Development Health Committee, Quitman Chamber of Commerce, Quitman First United Methodist Church, and the Quitman Rotary Club. After more than 40 years of selfless service to her community, Dr. Waddleton now enjoys a well-deserved retirement.


REGIONAL CORPORATE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

The Regional Corporate Citizen of the Year award honors a corporate partner in East Texas that has contributed to the well-being of the East Texas Region. The ETCOG board conferred the award to the Northeast Texas Public Health for their unwavering commitment to public health. Every month, NET Health clinics see approximately 28,000 pregnant women, new mothers, new fathers, and children up to age five, ensuring healthy pregnancies, healthy babies, and healthy young children. The NET Health Regional Laboratory is also instrumental in ensuring public safety, performing regulatory milk analysis of dairies throughout northeast Texas, and testing municipal water supplies. "The organization has also played a significant role in protecting the community against emergencies such as weather-related events, bioterrorism, and most recently, COVID-19," said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland. "Their dedicated service during the pandemic has been especially noteworthy, with George Roberts and his staff doing everything possible to educate, encourage, and vaccinate vulnerable East Texans against COVID-19. They are the rock stars of public health, addressing nearly every major threat to public health in East Texas, including West Nile, H1N1, Tuberculosis, Zika, Ebola, and Whooping Cough, and more."

 

REGIONAL STATESMANSHIP AWARD

Former Anderson County Judge Robert Johnston has been awarded this year's Regional Statesmanship Award for his valuable and dedicated service to regional cooperation. Since taking office in 2011, Judge Johnston has served Anderson County, ETCOG, the East Texas Region, and the State of Texas in a variety of capacities. He has been a member of the ETCOG Board and Executive Committee since his tenure began and became Chairman in 2015. In 2022, Judge Johnston was elected the first ETCOG delegate to serve as President of the Texas Association of Regional Councils Board. This statewide association of regional councils focuses on enhancing the quality of life through regional strategies, partnerships, and solutions. "Judge Johnston's leadership has been marked by several characteristics that make him an outstanding public servant. He loves the region he serves, always does what he believes is right, and consistently supports our agency. He is a humble, dedicated public servant who always places the needs of others before his own," said Cleveland. 


REGIONAL COMMITTEE SERVICE AWARD

Kristy Swan Range serves on the ETCOG EasTexConnects transportation committee. Through her exemplary service, she was chosen for the Regional Committee Service Award, which recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a sustained, dedicated commitment to ETCOG efforts and activities. Kristy is an exceptional public transportation advocate and passenger who has made outstanding contributions to the development of East Texas and the well-being of its residents. Kristy's passion for educating the public on their transportation options is unmatched, and she has worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone has access to public transit. She serves as the Regional Mobility Manager for East Texas and is actively involved in several committees, including the East Texas Veterans Community Council, EasTexConnects Regional Transportation Committee, Smith Co Passenger Advisory Committee, and Smith Co Transportation Advisory Committee.

 

Photos of the event are available on the ETCOG Facebook page, www.facebook.com/EastTexasCOG.

City of Lubbock announcement card for Mike Murray as new city manager, with his portrait and blue text panel

ETCOG Supports City of Lindale in Successful City Manager Recruitment

By East Texas Council of Governments • August 4, 2026
ETCOG was honored to support the City of Lindale in its recent search for a new City Manager, providing professional executive recruitment services that helped guide the city through an important leadership transition. The search resulted in the selection of Mike Murray, an experienced local government professional with decades of municipal leadership experience in city administration, economic development, infrastructure planning, budgeting, and public service. For ETCOG, this partnership reflects the organization’s continued commitment to supporting member governments across East Texas, especially smaller communities that may not have full-service human resources, recruitment, or communications teams in-house. “Working alongside our member governments in these moments is incredibly meaningful,” said Brandy Brannon, ETCOG Assistant Executive Director. “Many elected officials serve in volunteer roles while also balancing full-time careers and other responsibilities. When a city is searching for a key leadership position, such as a City Manager, we know how much time and coordination that process requires. Being able to step in, manage the details, and provide qualified candidates through a professional screening process is a tremendous way we can support them.”  Through our Executive Recruitment Services, ETCOG assists cities with multiple stages of the hiring process, including job description development, position marketing, applicant screening, resume review, interview coordination, candidate review, and technical assistance. Our team brings experience in recruitment, human resources, public relations, and marketing, allowing the organization to provide comprehensive support for member governments with limited funding and staff capacity. “Our role is to be a trusted facilitator,” Brannon said. “We are not there to make the decision for a city. We are there to help make the process easier, stronger, and more manageable so local leaders can make an informed choice with confidence.” Congratulations to the City of Lindale, Mayor Gavin Rasco, the Lindale City Council, city staff, and Mike Murray on this important milestone! We look forward to seeing Lindale continue to grow and thrive under its new leadership. For more information about this offering, visit www.etcog.org/executive-recruitment .

Discover More About ETCOG Through Our 101 Workshop Series

By ETCOG • August 4, 2026
Whether you're a board member, elected official, community partner, or simply curious about how regional collaboration works—these sessions are for you! ETCOG 101 is a great chance to learn how we serve as the bridge between federal, state, and local governments. From job training and transportation to emergency communications and aging services, we’re here to support what makes East Texas strong.  Upcoming Workshops Workforce Solutions East Texas 101 Learn how Workforce Solutions East Texas connects job seekers, employers, students, and families with workforce development services, child care assistance, training opportunities, and business solutions. ETCOG 101 Get a broad overview of the East Texas Council of Governments, our mission, the programs we administer, and the impact our organization has across the 14-county region. GoBus 101 Discover how GoBus provides safe, reliable transportation for thousands of East Texans each year. Learn about the services available, who is eligible to ride, and why public transportation is a vital resource for many people in our communities. Every day, our team works to improve the quality of life for East Texans by delivering trusted solutions. These workshops are a great way to connect with our staff and gain a better understanding of the services available throughout East Texas. View upcoming dates and register at: https://www.etcog.org/etcog-101-workshops

ETCOG Announces Application Period for Veteran-Friendly Community Designation

By ETCOG • August 4, 2026
Applications will be open from Monday, August 31, 2026, through Friday, November 27, 2026.
People writing in a grant workshop around a table with notebooks, laptop, and coffee mugs

Grant Writing Workshop Coming to Tyler Texas

July 21, 2026
ETCOG's Economic Development District and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grant writing workshop in Tyler, TX, August 27-28, 2026. This training is for grant seekers from all disciplines. Attend this class to learn how to write winning government grant proposals and find the available grant funding. Beginning and experienced grant writers from city, county, state agencies, K-12, colleges & universities and nonprofits are encouraged to attend. Registration is $525 and includes everything you need: Grant Writing USA Workbook Two days of expert instruction Lifetime access to Grant Writing USA Alumni Resource Center Grant Writing USA is offering ETCOG members a $50 discount. Please use the discount code "less50" at the time of registration. When: August 27 - 28 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Where: 1421 S Beckham Ave, Tyler, TX 75701 For event details visit: https://grantstraining.com/ty0826

Registration Open for Illegal Dumping Class in Longview

July 16, 2026
Registration is now open for the Texas Illegal Dumping Resource Center Illegal Dumping Class , co-hosted with the East Texas Council of Governments. This two-day training is designed to support city and county officials, enforcement partners, and others who work to address illegal dumping and related environmental concerns in their communities. About the Class Illegal dumping continues to be a challenge for many communities, impacting public health, safety, property, waterways, and the overall quality of life for residents. This class will provide information and resources to help local partners better understand enforcement tools and response strategies. Topics covered will include: Illegal dumping Outdoor burning Public health nuisances Water pollution Hazardous waste City and county enforcement considerations Other related environmental enforcement issues Event Details Dates: August 17–18 Time: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Location: Workforce Solutions East Texas Address: 1905 W Loop 281, Suite 40, Longview, TX 75604 Cost: $125 Continuing Education: 12 CEUs included Who Should Attend This class is suitable for professionals involved in environmental enforcement and community response efforts, including: County deputies Constables Fire marshals Code enforcement officers Emergency management coordinators Prosecutors Local officials Others involved in environmental enforcement How to Register Participants can register at https://tidrc.regfox.com/cee-illegal-dumping---longview---aug-18-19 ETCOG is proud to help bring this training opportunity to East Texas and support local partners working to protect public health, safety, and the communities we serve.
Narrow stream flowing through tall green grass in a sunny field

Tips from TDA to Prepare for Upcoming 2027 TxCDBG Applications

By Texas Department of Agriculture • July 13, 2026
TDA is pleased to see interest from many communities in the upcoming 2027 Texas Community Development Block Grant applications. No action is required for communities at this time; however, here are several items that may be useful as you look forward to the release of grant applications this fall: Save the Date for your local governing body resolution. All TxCDBG grant applications require a resolution adopted by the local governing body to authorize submittal of the application, commit to adhere to the requirements of the TxCDBG program, and commit matching funds, if applicable. TDA recommends marking your calendar to complete this task at your October 2026 meeting. The required resolution language will be provided in the Application Guide, to be released in September 2026. Procure a grant administrator. Many Grant Recipients hire a consultant to be responsible for grant administration and reporting requirements. If your community would like to have a grant administrator also assist in preparation of the grant application, the services contract must be competitively procured prior to any participation by the firm in the application process. TDA has compiled a user-friendly guide to procuring a grant administrator according to TxCDBG policies: Solicitation and Contract Documents for Administration Services* Contracts The Unified Scoring Committee will determine at its meeting in September whether to offer an annual or biennial cycle for the Community Development Fund – the sample documents in this guide account for both options. A similar guide for engineering procurement will be made available later this fall. No engineering work is required for the first phase of the application process. Attend your regional meeting to establish Project Priorities (or review the adopted priorities once posted). Consider the projects important to your community in each of the Priority 1 categories, as well as other projects that are important to your community. ETCOG's regional meeting will be held Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 12 noon, at ETCOG headquarters TDA’s default priorities can be used as a reference for the available project categories; each region will identify its own priorities within this structure: 2027 Regional Project Priority Scoring Element - Default.pdf

ETCOG to Hold Public Hearing on TxCDBG Regional Project Priority Types August 6

By East Texas Council of Governments • July 13, 2026
ETCOG will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. during its Executive Committee meeting at 3800 Stone Road, Kilgore, Texas. The purpose of the hearing is to gather public input on the Texas Community Development Block Grant ( TxCDBG ) Program Regional Project Priority Types for the East Texas region. As part of the standard TxCDBG process, each Council of Governments region in Texas is encouraged to identify the project types that best reflect regional needs and priorities. During the hearing, ETCOG’s Executive Committee will receive comments from local officials, stakeholders, and members of the public regarding which eligible project categories should be prioritized for East Texas. These priorities may include needs such as water and sewer infrastructure, street improvements, housing, and other eligible community development activities. Regional project priority types play an important role in the TxCDBG application process. The priorities adopted by ETCOG will be submitted to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), which administers the TxCDBG program, for use in the upcoming funding cycle. Regional priorities account for a portion of the scoring used to evaluate grant applications. ETCOG encourages anyone with an interest in community development needs across East Texas to attend the hearing and provide input during the public comment period. 

Texas Parks and Wildlife Community Outdoor Outreach Program Grant Announces Schedule of Grant Application Workshops

By Texas Parks and Wildlife • July 10, 2026
The CO-OP Grant team will host a series of Grant Application Workshops to cover all the elements needed for a competitive application. Offered both online and at sites around the state, the workshop will provide application support and assist potential applicants with an overview of the application process, grant program requirements and priorities, scoring criteria, budget planning and eligible grant expenses, and answer questions from applicants. Opportunities for in-person project consultation appointments with grant staff will also be made available at the site-based workshops. The CO-OP Grant will begin accepting project proposals August 3, 2026, through October 1, 2026, at 5 pm CST. Grant Awards will be announced March 1, 2027, and programs will take place over 18 months. Eligible projects should engage program participants in areas of conservation, outdoor recreation, and environmental education and connect participants to TPWD sites, programs, and staff. Grant funding can support personnel, training, travel, food, fees, and supplies. There is no match requirement. This grant supports outdoor programs for populations that are under-served. The CO-OP grant does NOT fund any type of construction, trails, boat ramps, or vehicles. This is a reimbursement grant. REGISTER To attend at workshop, complete the online registration at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BA5AD2DA1F5C16-64420560-tpwd#/ ONLINE WEBINAR Monday, July 20th 2 p.m.- 4 p.m Live (Recording will be available on/after 7/22)

TCEQ Launches Program to Reduce Emissions from Stationary Sources

By Texas Commission on Environmental Quality • June 5, 2026
$16.5 Million in Grants Available
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