Burglars Can’t Get ATM Open in Industry
New Ulm Enterprise
An attempted burglary at the Industry Bank in Industry didn’t go too good for the attempted thieves as they tried to open the ATM machine located behind the bank sometime between 3 and 4 a.m. on May 23. Two male subjects wearing dark hoodies and masks came to the bank driving a silver/tan, single cab Ford F250. They backed the truck up to the ATM machine with a large chain and were able to pry the machine open, but were unable to get any of the money. They spent about three minutes attempting to open the machine. They left the scene and left the truck at West End Ready Mix.
The Bastrop Advertiser
“No masks allowed.” That’s the new rule Liberty Tree Tavern in Elgin, a downtown bar, is asking its patrons to follow, defying the COVID-19 guidance set by county, state and federal leaders. “Due to our concern for our customers, if they FEEL (not think) that they need to wear a mask, they should stay at home until they FEEL that it’s safe to be in public without one. Sorry, no masks allowed,” the sign read. The sign then advised that it would adhere to Gov. Greg Abbott’s requirements limiting occupancy of bars to 25% and six feet of social distancing between parties. “Sorry for the inconveniences please bear with us thru the ridiculous fearful times,” the sign also read. Elgin, which is Bastrop County’s largest city, has not been spared from the spread of the coronavirus. The city of about 10,000 has recorded the most known COVID-19 cases of the county’s three cities, 53 of the county’s 187 cases and has recorded one of the county’s two coronavirus-related deaths. Kevin Smith, who owns Liberty Tree Tavern, did not answer calls or messages seeking comment and was not around when the Advertiser visited the tavern.
Bastrop County’s local health authority said it’s not yet known if the coronavirus has peaked in the rural county of about 85,000 residents as the number of positive cases of COVID-19 continues climbing. From May 17 through 24, the county’s coronavirus cases grew by 31%, from 132 to 173, according to county data. “We have had a couple of events in the past months, Mother’s Day and Easter and it might be speculated that casual gatherings for celebrating those events may be causal,” Dr. Desmar Walkes, the county’s health authority said.
Lexington Leader
Rogelio Rojas, 29 of Giddings, was charged with intoxication manslaughter following a head-on collision that happened around 12:50 a.m. on May 24 a few miles north of Giddings. Rojas was driving a 2015 Dodge Durango northbound on FM 141 while Jasmin Guyton, 28 of Houston, was driving a 2018 Kia Sportage southbound along the same roadway. The initial investigation indicated that Rojas was intoxicated due to a combination of substances in his body when he drove into the southbound lane striking Guyton’s vehicle. Sadly, Guyton was declared deceased at the scene at 1:41 a.m.
Giddings Times & News
TikTok stars Jaden Hossler and Bryce Hall were arrested in Giddings on May 25 around 7:30 p.m. Hossler, 19, was charged with possession of marijuana, less than two ounces, as well as possession of a controlled substance, less than 400 grams, which is a felony. Hall, 20, was charged with possession of marijuana, which is a misdemeanor. They both posted bond. The arrest has been caught on camera and uploaded to the Internet.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a skydiving accident at Texas Skydiving at 1500 Private Road 7022 east of Lexington on May 23. The victim has been identified as Sung Wan Ham, 40, of United Arab Emirates, Dubai. Ham was the second of four jumpers and he was on his first jump after being released off of student status. He had jumped from around 10,500 feet and deployed his shoot successfully at around 4,500 feet. He may have lost control and landed, hitting a small shed. He suffered numerous injuries and was transported to Dell Seton Hospital in Austin. The Federal Aviation Administration will be sending out an investigator to determine the cause of the incident.
Cheryl Richardson, 53 of Lexington, has been indicted by the Lee County Grand Jury on theft of property, $2,500- $30,000 from a non-profit organization. Richardson was treasurer of the Lee County Go-Texan fund. She turned herself in at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and has been released on bond. No other details of the case have been released.