Lee County Goes Without Constable
Giddings Times & News
• Due to a lack of clear language in the Texas Local Government Code, Lee County Precinct 4 is currently without an acting constable despite having recently elected a candidate. The wording in question does not provide a clear statement on when a candidate’s qualifications, or lack thereof, disqualify him/her from taking office. Lee County resident Lee Dobos was elected Constable of Precinct 4 last November. Dobos ran unopposed in the Republican primary election last March and there was no Democratic candidate. Two qualifications for constable, according to the code are related to education and certification. Dobos met neither requirement but planned on completing both while in office. The County Attorney’s office has submitted questions to the Texas Attorney General’s office for clarification.
The Examiner
• Grimes County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) is warning the community of someone attempting to impersonate a law enforcement officer over the phone. In a press release issued by Grimes County Sheriff Don Sowell, another law enforcement agency alerted GCSO that someone was calling and identifying themselves as Lt. Brooks with GCSO. The calls originated from 936-247-3457. Sowell said GCSO does not have a Lt. Brooks at the department and the phone number that is being used in the fraudulent calls is not a GCSO number. Anyone that is randomly contacted by someone claiming to be a GCSO law enforcement officer is urged to contact GCSO directly, 936- two felony charges of assault on a public servant after he allegedly beat two officers at the jail and sent them to the hospital with serious injuries. Jamichael Djon Adams, 24, is also charged with DWI, DWI (2nd), theft of property, assault on a family member, and unlawful restraint. Adams was arrested by Brenham Police on Feb. 6 in the 1600 block of South Day St. The arresting officer said they recognized Adams and said he had active warrants for his arrest. The officer took Adams to the Washington County Jail to book him on those warrants. While at the jail Adams refused several directions given by officers, and Adams then allegedly hit one of the officers in the face. This officer while trying to bring the situation under control, broke his ankle. Another officer suffered back and leg injuries while fighting with Adams. Both officers went to the hospital to get treatment for their injuries and were later released. Adams is currently in the Washington County Jail on a $157,500 bond.
The Shiner Gazette
• Smoke filled the air in the area of Shiner after an oil tanker caught on fire on the morning of Feb. 5. The smoke was coming from FM 443 at Dryer Rd. All emergency units monitored from their command station at the oil pad site. The driver of the oil tanker truck did escape and no injuries have been reported. Lavaca County Office of Emergency Management confirmed a “hot oil” bobtail truck and a truck tractor semitrailer caught fire while working on an oil pad site. Both vehicles are a total loss. Initially, all immediate homes were asked to evacuate until the fire was under control. “Due to safety concerns and limited water supply, the propane fire was allowed to burn itself out. Fire crews remained on-site until the fire had been extinguished,” said Lavaca County Office of Emergency Management. “The incident location has now been turned over to the Railroad Commission and the property owner. Representatives from Marathon Oil were on-site and are working with the Texas Railroad Commission inspector.”
The Examiner
• Blanche Steward, a disabled retired City of Navasota employee who has received recent housing assistance from Grimes County Helping Hands, was robbed at his residence in the 100 block of Abraham St. on Jan. 29. Navasota Police Chief Shawn Myatt stated around midnight officers received a report of a burglary. The victim, Steward, stated two individuals entered his residence and took over $100 from him. Steward recently received a small home from Grimes County Helping Hands Ministry to replace the current structure he was living in that had unsafe living conditions. Myatt said officers have been able to identify persons of interest and the investigation is ongoing, but currently no arrests have been made.