Gonzales City Council Reaches Settlement In Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary Lawsuit
The Gonzales Inquirer
• The Gonzales City Council approved a $1.825 million settlement in the lawsuit brought in 2017 by the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary against the city over its handling of property it received from the estate of J.B. Wells. The settlement avoids more legal fees and the city’s possible loss of the land that now houses the J.B. Wells Park, Expo, and arena. It also leaves the city to find a way to come up with the money. City Manager Tim Patek said a certificate of obligation bond is a likely option.
• Gonzales Police Officer Marisol Sanchez is recovering from injuries sustained when she was struck by a car while diverting traffic from an accident on I-10 near Waelder on June 14. The driver of the car, Pavel Antonio Ramirez, 45, was arrested at the scene and charged with aggravated assault on a public servant and intoxication assault. Marisol was airlifted to Ascension Seton Hays Hospital in Kyle. She had non-life-threatening injuries.
Yoakum Herald-Times
• Police are asking for the public’s help after two vehicles were stolen in broad daylight in Yoakum. The first car theft took place at about 2:45 p.m. on June 10 at the Dollar General store. In that case, police said the woman who owned a white 2017 Ford Explorer had gone into the store and left her vehicle running with her two children ages six and 11 sitting inside. While she was inside a Black male with short hair and a short beard wearing a white T-shirt and black basketball shorts reportedly walked up and jumped inside the running Explorer. Frightened by the man, both children fled the vehicle at which time the man drove away leaving the kids and their mother stranded at the store. The Explorer was found over that weekend parked behind Moo Moo’s in Yoakum. The man has been identified as Kendrick Brown of Hallettsville and has a warrant out for his arrest.
• The second car theft occurred at about the same time on June 10 just outside of Yoakum Nursing and Rehab. The victim told officers she’d last seen her sliver 2010 Ford Fusion about 12:30 p.m. when she left it in the parking lot to begin her shift. When she came out for her break at 3:30 p.m. her car was gone. Officers found the Fusion at about 7:40 p.m. that same day abandoned along CR 431, where it appeared that someone had tried to remove the car’s catalytic converter. Anyone with information about either car theft case is asked to contact the Yoakum Police Department at (361) 293-5234.
The Shiner Gazette
• The month of May ended on a sad note for members of the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office as news circulated that one of their most beloved peace officers would no longer be joining them in their fight against crime. Lavaca County’s K-9 Deputy Brix, a certified narcotics investigation specialist and faithful servant to all local law enforcement for the last decade, passed away peacefully in the arms of those he loved most on May 22. Born on April 1, 2009, he first came to the Lavaca County Sheriff’s Office in 2011, where he served as the department’s lone narcotics detection canine for most of his tenure. His handler since Nov. 2012 was Deputy Noe Miranda.