Caldwell Kid’s Ornament Makes It Onto National Christmas Tree
Burleson County Tribune
• Every year one-of-a-kind ornaments representing every U.S. state, territory, and the District of Columbia are displayed as part of the America Celebrates ornament display on the Ellipse in President’s Park in Washington, D.C. This year the artwork from 12 Caldwell High School art students was selected for the 2020 National Christmas Tree display. Caldwell students in Tammie Novosad’s art classes designed ornaments that symbolize the history, heritage, and culture of Texas. These ornaments will decorate one of the 56 smaller trees that surround the National Christmas Tree.
The Navasota Examiner
• Navasota Independent School District announced on Dec. 13 that they will start asynchronous learning on Dec. 14 through Dec. 18 due to a rise in COVID-19 cases across the district. Navasota Superintendent Dr. Stu Musick said in a press release, “we have seen a sharp increase in reports from students, staff, and parents that they have been displaying COVID-19 symptoms, have received a lab-confirmed positive result from their COVID test or have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.” From Dec. 7 until Dec. 11, Navasota High School Principal Kristi Ramsey stated there were 206 periods at the high school that was uncovered. Ramsey said other teachers, administrators, and even herself filled in to help cover classes. As of Dec. 14, there were 34 teachers out that had received a positive test or have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, there are 109 jobs that the district doesn’t have subs to fill. The district is planning to return to school as scheduled on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021.
The Bastrop Advertiser
• The Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office seized about 15 ½ pounds of crystal methamphetamine and arrested two people from the Houston area during a traffic stop on U.S. 290 in Paige on Dec. 7. A deputy stopped a vehicle being driven by Daylin Lopez-Iglesia, a 30-year-old woman from Harris County, for a traffic violation on U.S. 290. After speaking with the woman, the deputy observed “indicators consistent with criminal activity,” and probable cause was developed and the vehicle was searched. The deputy found 15.4 pounds of meth, which has an estimated street value of $100,000, in the vehicle’s trunk. Lopez-Iglesia and Dakota Packard, a 29-year-old man from Galveston County, were arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance greater than 400 grams.
The Brenham Banner-Press
• A Dayton man faces multiple charges after a confrontation with Brenham Police on the night of Dec. 12. Just before midnight, police were called to the 1400 block of Summer Court in reference to a disturbance with a possible weapon. Police say the weapon had been discarded when they arrived at the scene. When police attempted to detain the suspect, 30-yearold Samuel Castillo of Dayton, he reportedly resisted detention resulting in one of the officer’s eyeglasses being broken. Police were able to get Castillo into handcuffs without injury. Castillo was charged with resisting arrest/detention and criminal mischief. A warrant check also revealed that he had four active warrants for enhanced assault on a family member, injury to a child/elderly, bail jumping/failure to appear on a felony, and a class “C” warrant.
Brenham Junior High School Principal Bryan Bryant has been dismissed from his position. Brenham ISD Superintendent Dr. Tylor Chaplin said Bryant is no longer serving as principal as of Dec.15. Dr. Chaplin did not elaborate on the reason for the decision, only saying it was “time for a leadership change.” District officials say there are no plans to release more information on Bryant’s dismissal at this time. Dr. Chaplin said the district will identify an interim principal in the next couple of days to serve during the spring semester. The district will begin the process of searching for the next permanent principal after the holiday break. Bryant was hired in 2014 to serve as the principal at the junior high school after a four-to-three vote by the board of trustees.
The Sealy News
• A Houston man is in jail in Austin County awaiting trial on a charge of murder for the death of a 36-year-old Sealy man. George Aguinaga was found dead at his home in the 500 block of Frydek Rd. on Nov. 15. An autopsy conducted by the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Aguinaga died of a gunshot wound. An investigation conducted by the Sealy Police Department and the Texas Rangers identified Dominique Riston, 27, of Houston as a suspect. A felony murder warrant was issued for his arrest and forwarded to the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Fugitive Task Force for service. On Dec. 4, Riston was arrested by members of the task force and transported to the Fort Bend County Jail. The last murder in Sealy occurred in 2013, according to Police Chief Jay Reeves.
Giddings Times & News
• Two police officers suffered minor injuries after being dispatched to a family violence call in the 300 block of Edgewood Ave. on Dec. 13 at 5:37 p.m. The caller reported that Jordyn Green, a 19-year-old female reportedly had a gun. After some negotiations, officers attempted to arrest Green, but she resisted and begin fighting with the arresting officers. She managed to kick and scratch one of the officers in the face. A second officer sustained minor injuries,
Thomas Garza called 911 on Dec. 8 at 11:52 p.m. after he drove by a tenant’s house and a car was parked there in the 1100 block of Deer Valley Dr. in the northern area of the county near Blue. Someone got out of the car and hit Garza in the head with a gun then took his vehicle and started driving back and forth in the area. Local deputies, along with Lee County EMS, were dispatched to the scene. A pursuit of the stolen vehicle began with the driver wrecking out at Scottfalls Rd. in Bastrop County. Two subjects bailed on foot and were unable to be captured.
Lexington Leader
• The Lee County Commissioners Court met Dec. 14 for a regularly scheduled meeting and of particular interest to Lexington was the continued discussion of having a paramedic stationed in Lexington as much as is fiscally possible. While a final decision was not made during the meeting, the hope remains that Lee County EMS would provide a paramedic with a furnished truck to be stationed in Lexington from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily beginning in early Jan. 2021. The paramedic would respond to EMS dispatch calls for the purpose of stabilizing patients until the Lee County EMS could reach the scene.
• On Dec. 11 Lexington Police were called to Woodson’s Lumber in Lexington for a theft complaint that occurred on Dec. 10. Two unknown Hispanic males, driving a black older model pickup with white graphics on it, arrived at the store and stole $550 worth of merchandise. Then on Dec. 12 Lexington Police and Lee County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched back to Woodson’s. The complaint was, once again, theft. Three subjects arrived at the store. Two subjects were dropped off and the third left in the vehicle. A short time later, the vehicle picked up the two suspects after they stole some items. The officers unsuccessfully attempted to locate the vehicle. This investigation continues for both reports and it is unclear if the suspects were the same individuals.