Colorado County Citizen Mourns Death of Owner
The Banner-Press Newspaper
• Owner of The Colorado Citizen and founder of Granite Publications, Jim Chionsini, 74 of San Angelo, passed away suddenly on July 21. Chionsini also owned The Progress-Anahuac, Bandera Bulletin, Boerne Star, Elgin Courier, The Vindicator-Liberty, The Navasota Examiner and Taylor Press. He spent his lifetime serving small-town communities through his newspapers.
The Gonzales Inquirer
• Travis West surrendered himself to law enforcement at the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office on July 28, following a shooting which left one victim hospitalized in serious condition at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.
When Patrolman Eric Long responded to a traffic accident at 5:28 a.m. at the intersection of Saint Joseph and Highway 90 Alternate on Friday, July 24, he found that one of the drivers involved had gunshot wounds. The driver told Long that the person who had shot him was Travis West. According to a release from the Gonzales County Police Department, area law enforcement officers from Gonzales PD, the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Public Safety began investigating West’s involvement in the shooting, coordinating with the Texas Rangers as well. This investigation, led by Gonzales Police Department Gayle Autry, produced the weapon used in the shooting as well as witnesses who identified West. Lieutenant Jason Hinds and Investigator Jason Montoya developed probable cause and obtained an arrest warrant for Travis West. Captain Autry was able to develop information that indicated West had left for Harris County and U.S. Marshalls were also notified and assisted in the search for West.
The Examiner
• Navasota Police Officers responded to a series of vehicle thefts and three suspects were taken into custody. The first report was received on July 13. Officers received a stolen vehicle report and responded to the 1600 block of Neal Street. The victim stated she loaned her 2018 Nissan Rogue to a family member who then picked up a friend named Krystal Cook. The two drove back to the residence on Neal Street and he left for a short time later. When he returned he noticed the vehicle was no longer at the residence and neither was Cook. Several days later the vehicle was located on the roadway in Beaumont. Cook was located near the vehicle and under the influence. Beaumont Police arrested her for public intoxication. The second stolen vehicle was reported on July 17. Navasota Police responded to the 700 block of Radcliff and met with the victim who stated her friend took her newly purchased vehicle without permission. The victim said she loaned the vehicle keys to her friend and later noticed the vehicle was missing. Several hours later Montgomery County Police stopped the vehicle and arrested Landon Moore, age 27, from Navasota on an unrelated outstanding warrant. The final vehicle theft was reported from the 1900 block of Texas State Highway 105 East. The victim stated her 2014 Ford Focus was stolen. She said she left the vehicle unlocked with the keys still in it. Mize said officers reviewed video footage and observed Austin Adair, age 22, from Spring enter the vehicle and drive off. Several days later, Waller County Sheriff Deputies located the vehicle and Adair was in possession of the vehicle. He was arrested and booked into the Waller County Jail.
• Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary made the big move to Navasota and held its grand opening on July 11. The wolf sanctuary was founded by Jean LeFevre in 2002. She passed away the week of the grand opening and the visitors center at the new location is named in her honor. The sanctuary moved from its 3.7-acre location in Montgomery County to its much larger 15-acre facility located at, 6731 Pavlock Drive in Navasota. There are currently 12 wolves and wolf pups at the sanctuary. Guided tours offered at the sanctuary allows visitors to learn the background of each wolf and witness enrichment interaction between the wolves and their caretakers. In addition to the tours that are offered, the sanctuary also offers special events such as birthday parties, howl nights and camping with the wolves. To find out more and to purchase tickets, visit saintfranciswolfsanctuary.org.