Columbus VFD Captain Recognized for Swift Water Rescue
The Colorado County Citizen
• At the Monday Columbus City Council meeting, Columbus VFD Captain and Fire Marshal Brent Gorman, Jr. was recognized for his bravery in a swift water rescue on Feb. 14 on IH-10.
On that date at approximately 1:10 a.m., the Columbus Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a major accident at the 696-mile marker on the Colorado River bridge. The accident involved several vehicles that skidded on the ice during Winter Storm Uri.
The victim was one of two who jumped off the bridge to avoid being hit by sliding vehicles. The victim whom Gorman rescued fell 35 feet into the river and was able to seek safety on a pile of driftwood. While attempting to perform a rescue from the riverbank, it was discovered that the victim was suffering from hypothermia and started to lose consciousness.
Attempts to rescue the victim by throwing the rope bag were unsuccessful. The victim had fallen back into the water but was able to climb back on the driftwood when he became very confused, shaking violently, and started to fall into the water headfirst.
Gorman quickly removed unnecessary clothing, grabbed the throw bag, jumped into the freezing water, and swam out to the victim. He maintained composure and instructed the victim as well as the other firefighters on the banks who were assisting in the rescue. Gorman then assisted the victim out of the river onto the riverbank. Gorman continued to assist in the rescue by helping lash the victim into a Stokes basket, and the victim and Gorman were transported to the hospital.
Hallettsville Tribune-Herald
• The Lavaca County Commissioners’ Court met in a regular meeting on March 8 and approved the purchase of Inoculate software by Lumenare to provide a means for processing required documentation for COVID-19 Sub Hub operations. Lavaca County EMS Chief Michael Furrh presented an explanation on how the software would lessen the logistical situations that were experienced during the recent COVID-19 vaccination clinics held in Shiner and Hallettsville. The total cost of the software is $26,650 and would be equally shared by Colorado County. The price is also totally reimbursable through FEMA.
• On March 16 just before 10:30 p.m. officers with the Hallettsville Police Department tried to pull over a white Ford F-250 on a traffic violation in the 800 block of W. Fairwinds St. Authorities said the vehicle did not stop and sped off southbound on US Hwy. 77 South. Lavaca County Sheriff’s Deputies helped in the chase. Authorities said the vehicle sped down multiple county roads before crashing into a tree on Lavaca County Road 461. Authorities said multiple undocumented immigrants ran from the vehicle. The vehicle was engulfed in flames. Officers helped pull multiple people from the burning vehicle. Lavaca EMS transported eight people to area hospitals. The eight people reportedly all have minor injuries. The Hallettsville Fire Department arrived on the scene to put out the fire.
Lexington Leader
• On March 14 at 4:02 p.m. the Lee County Sheriff’s Dispatch received a call from someone in the area of CR 305. The caller reported that there was a tan, older model sedan with heavy damage and a busted windshield. Inside were four men wearing masks and carrying guns. The caller said the driver displayed a gun as they passed by each other. The vehicle took off after the caller passed them and may have been heading towards Bastrop County. Lee County Sgt. Ray checked CR 305 all the way into Bastrop County and to CR 311 but did not see the vehicle. Information was passed on to Bastrop County Dispatch and a report was taken.
The Navasota Examiner
• Information received from Texas A&M University (TAMU) Police Department detectives led to the arrest of Joseph Adam McBride after large quantities of stolen property were recovered at his residence. Grimes County Investigators along with TAMU detectives executed a search warrant for stolen property at McBride’s residence on County Road 174 on March 3. McBride was arrested earlier that day for possession of stolen property as the cargo trailer he was hauling was found to be stolen out of Austin. The search of his property recovered approximately $70,000 of stolen items. Investigators located the following stolen items: a 2020 bumper pull travel trailer; 2018 Ford Sedan; 2019 Kawasaki motorcycle; 2015 Yamaha moped; and an enclosed cargo trailer. McBride is charged with theft of property greater than $2,500 but less than $30,000 and theft of property greater than $30,000 but less than $150,000. Additional charges are being sought against McBride.
• A dirt bike, driven by Jamikal Thompson, 21 of Navasota, eluded Navasota Police Officers when it fled into Victoria Park on March 3, after a half-hour pursuit. Navasota Police Chief Shawn Myatt stated officers were dispatched to reports of crossing Texas State Highway 6 near the Farm to Market Road 3090 exit at approximately 12:46 p.m. Officers went to the area but were unable to locate the off-road vehicles. Another complaint call was received at approximately 1:36 p.m. concerning the same vehicles. Officers went to the area of Third Street and West Washington Avenue and located the vehicles. “When officers attempted to approach, they both fled, which led officers to give chase,” explained Myatt. The pursuit lasted approximately 30 minutes traveling mostly on the west side of town down streets and vacant lots. The pursuit finally ended around the Victoria Park area when the driver of the dirt bike eluded officers. Officers identified Thompson as the suspected driver of the dirt bike and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On March 9, Thompson was arrested on the warrant, charged with evading arrest and detention in a motor vehicle, and was booked into the Grimes County Jail.
The Bellville Times
• Bellville’s own Cowboy Szymanski, who competed in the first season of the History Channel’s wildly popular Forged in Fire show, invites the public to “Texas Select from Forged in Fire” at his Blacksmith Shop on April 2 and 3 to meet many of his fellow Forged in Fire competitors. This event is free to the public, giving fans of the show the opportunity to a dirt bike and a four-wheeler meet the smiths, shop from their handmade knives on display, watch live forging demonstrations by the bladesmiths, throw tomahawks, and cheer for their favorites in the Chopping Competition Tournament.
Yoakum Herald-Times
• The Yoakum Independent School District lifted the district’s mask mandate on March 8 following the governor’s announcement. After much discussion and a review of a Region 3 survey of surrounding districts, the board decided to sign the resolution-making masks optional. “We need to get back to normalcy,” said Darrin Stansberry, principal at Yoakum Primary. Other campus principals also expressed readiness for the change.
The Shiner Gazette
• In what’s becoming a much more regular occurrence in Shiner than anyone would prefer, another truck was stolen from a home inside the city limits. The most recent theft took place at Shane and Mary Beth Wagner’s home sometime during the overnight hours on March 11. The Wagner’s truck makes at least 10 pickups that have been taken from in and around the Shiner area since the beginning of 2021. Given the types of vehicles the thieves seem to prefer, one-ton, clubcab, four-wheel-drive model pickups, police believe that these vehicles are likely getting stolen by those tied to illegal narcotics and human trafficking.