The Wood County Sheriff’s Dept. will soon take possession of a portable classroom from Mineola schools.

The building is no longer needed by the school district after opening its new Primary School in August.

The portable building sits behind the former primary campus, which has been repurposed for 4th and 5th grades.

The sheriff’s office plans to relocate the building to its firing range, where it can serve as classroom for firearms training for the department, as well as for guardian programs for local school districts.

Guardians are school staffers authorized to carry firearms on campus.

Commissioners approved a $600 fee for a pauper’s cremation for Ronnie Lynn Bell, a homeless man from Mineola.

Bell, 61, was found dead on Aug. 6 near the tent he called home for many years off E. Broad St. in Mineola.

He was born Oct. 1, 1962 in Mineola and never married or had any children.

An ex-brother-in-law told county officials that his deceased wife was Bell’s sister, and he was unaware of any other family members.

Bell could often be seen walking along Hwy. 80 between his tent and stores he frequented in town.

Commissioners approved a change in the travel reimbursement policy to accommodate tax-assessor clerks who travel to substations. The current limit of $350 per month was increased to $425 for those months in which a clerk might exceed the current limit.

Commissioners approved an agreement with Bassmasters to host a kayak fishing tournament  March 19-20, expected to draw around 200 fishermen.

The Wood County Economic Development Commission is hosting and will contribute $5,000.

Commissioners also approved the WCEDC’s $150,000 in grant awards from the hotel/motel tax fund (see related story).

The 2025 county holidays, 2025 commissioner meeting dates and payroll dates also met approval.