Eagle Lake Resident Killed By Amtrak Train

The Colorado County Citizen

• Joseph Ruiz, 29 of Eagle Lake, was struck and killed by a train on Monday in Eagle Lake. The City of Eagle Lake Police Department was dispatched to the scene of an Amtrak Passenger train and pedestrian accident at approximately 9 p.m. The accident occurred near the crossing of North Lake St. Ruiz, a pedestrian, was pronounced dead at the scene. City of Eagle Lake officials and emergency responders state the Amtrak train was traveling west from Houston to San Antonio. The train was carrying 18 passengers, and no other injuries were reported. The accident remains under investigation.

Giddings Times & News

• The Lee County Center for the Arts (LCCA) is seeing dreams come true by officially taking possession of new facilities. The building, located at 115 W. Austin St. in Giddings where “A Blast from the Past” retail store was once located, was graciously donated by former business owners Chuck and June Crane, according to Kelita Thomas, vice president of the Arts group. The LCCA was organized in 2019 by a group of local passionate theater performers. However, a lack of available performance venues and the pandemic caused the first theater season and planned art exhibits to be postponed. Renovations of the building include the creation of performance areas, dressing rooms, an art gallery, box office, concession stand, areas for classes, and a sound studio.

• The Giddings Police Department is getting a makeover. In the coming two months citizens will see a transition into new identification. The old shoulder patches and badges are being replaced. The old badges and patches will be obsolete effective March 1. Officers had a lot of input into the design. The new patch is black and gold, representing the Giddings Buffalo colors. In the center is the County Courthouse, representing Giddings as the county seat, and the word “POLICE” is in large white letters at the top. “This has been a long time coming,” said Chief Haril Walpole.

Burleson County Tribune

• Ethan Bradford, the 18-year-old son of Somerville Mayor Michael Bradford, is behind bars facing multiple charges. Ethan was arrested on Jan. 20 following an investigation by the Somerville Police Department. Police Chief Jake Sullivan said that Ethan was arrested following the execution of a search warrant at the family’s home. According to Sullivan, an initial search warrant was executed the week prior. Then, a second search warrant was served on the morning of Jan. 20. Among the numerous charges, Ethan is facing aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, delivery of a controlled substance, injury to a child/elderly/disabled criminal negligence, and obstruction/retaliation. Ethan was in the Burleson County Jail with a bond set at $195,000.

• The attorney of a former Burleson County employee that filed a federal lawsuit claiming she was sexually assaulted by former Burleson County Judge Mike Sutherland says the judge has agreed to settle the lawsuit. Sutherland agreed to an undisclosed settlement. The lawsuit against Sutherland and his business, the Funky Junky, was dismissed in December, with court records showing he and the clerk jointly filed to dismiss. According to Lewis, Sutherland agreed to settle without admitting any fault. However, the clerk’s lawsuit against Burleson County remains in effect, and the county’s motion to dismiss the case is still pending. The case will go to trial if the motion is not granted.

The Brenham Banner-Press

• An arrest has been made in connection with a shooting that occurred this past weekend in Washington County. Johnnie Earl McKissack, 61-year-old of Brenham, was arrested on Jan. 21 in Fort Bend County on a charge stemming from a shooting, which occurred the morning of Jan. 17 in the 5200 block of FM 389. According to Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak, investigators with the Sheriff’s Office learned that McKissack had been seen at a motel in Rosenburg following the shooting. Texas Rangers and Rosenberg Police were notified of his possible whereabouts and told that a felony warrant had been issued for his arrest. McKissack was taken into custody at approximately 3:30 p.m. without incident and booked into the Fort Bend County Jail. He has been charged with aggravated assault of a family or household member with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury. McKissack remains at the Fort Bend County Jail under a $1 million bond. His transfer to the Washington County Jail is pending. According to prior information received from the Sheriff’s Office, deputies learned while responding to the location of the shooting that a suspect had fled the scene. Upon their arrival, deputies found a male victim who had sustained what appeared to be a gunshot wound. The victim was transported by Washington County EMS to a College Station medical facility for treatment.

• Cheyenne Chapel got to bear a little bit of her soul working as an animator for Disney’s Pixar’s latest flick, appropriately named “Soul.” The 2015 Brenham High School graduate and Chappell Hill native has her bachelor of science in visualization from Texas A&M University, class of 2019. Her job was to dress scenes and make the sets of the film. “Soul” is Pixar’s first film starring a Black lead since the company’s founding in 1986, which has made Chapel’s experience as a young Black female artist working on the film even more special.

• Brenham Middle School sixth grade gateway science and social studies students in Ben Lewis’ class recently put their pen to the paper and documented the American experience for everyone to enjoy. What started as a class project will soon be submitted as a book titled “The American Experience 2020-21” and sold on Amazon.com. Students interviewed veterans, immigrants, and people from all walks of life who shared their American experience stories.

• Brenham is now recognized as a Music Friendly Community, which can enhance tourism and benefit local musicians by getting them more gigs. Texas Music Office Community Relations and Outreach Specialist Chip Adams presented the certification to Brenham Mayor Milton Tate in a video call. Brenham joins a roster of other great Texas cities and is the first inducted Texas Friendly Community for 2021.

What the Neighbors Are Talking About

A look at what’s making news just over the county line.