Gonzales Man Arrested for Murder
The Gonzales Inquirer
• The Gonzales Police Department arrested Tristen M. Lopez, 23 of Gonzales, for murder stemming from an incident around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5. The victim was identified as Clyde Thomas Lowe, 29 of Gonzales. According to the police, Lowe recently moved to Gonzales from Reklaw, TX. Officers responded to a call of a man with a gun in the 900 block of Tate St Upon arrival, Officer Cody Thomas observed a male subject, later identified to be Lopez, standing in front of one of the duplexes, covered in blood. Officer Thomas detained Lopez and asked him who was hurt. Lopez referenced a person laying in the yard about 50 feet away. Officer Thomas advised Sgt. Mendez of the person on the ground. Sgt Mendez went to the injured person and began first aid and called for EMS. The victim had multiple stab wounds and cuts. Officer Thomas secured Lopez in his patrol unit and continued his investigation. EMS arrived and advised the subject was deceased. Justice of the Peace Diedra Voigt arrived and ordered an autopsy. Lopez was booked into the Gonzales County Jail for murder. No gun was located. Witnesses advised both subjects had spent the evening drinking together. The investigation is ongoing.
The Brenham Banner-Press
• Bluebonnet Haven’s public hearing on Nov. 4 brought concerns about the future intentions of the facility. Rachel Blankenburg, executive director and one of the owners at Bluebonnet Haven, explained that the facility is asking for a licensing expansion from 36 to 64. However, the facility does not plan on growing beyond its self-imposed limit of 48 residents. Sheriff Hanak spoke against the proposed expansion, stating he wondered when it would stop and referred to the Aug. 10 public hearing when Bluebonnet Haven was asking for an increase from 32 girls to 36. Randall Bryant, coowner of Bluebonnet Haven, reassured Hanak’s concern by saying there is no more expansion planned. Hanak also raised concerns about the Bluebonnet Haven residents potentially being problematic for the community, as there has been one significant event since the facility opened in the fall of 2019.
• After two students at Krause Elementary School tested positive for COVID-19, contact tracing linked the children to 65 students and five staff members who have since been sent into quarantine. The district learned of three positive cases in students in the same home, two of which attend Krause while the other is a student at Brenham High School.
Lexington Leader
• A favorite teacher of many Lexington school children lost her long battle with cancer on the morning of Nov. 2. Kimberly Diane Sweat had taught kindergarten at Lexington Elementary School for many years. She was a loving wife to David, and mother of Macy and Levi.
The Shiner Gazette
• Ensuring the city’s eldest population has a place to gather for its weekly social events claimed the better part of discussions when members of the Shiner city council met for their regular monthly meeting recently. Like many places across the nation, Shiner’s Senior Center closed its doors to the public in March and the center’s closure sparked great concern in the city, prompting roughly a dozen elderly residents to gather at May’s city council meeting to discuss options for its future. Rumors circulated earlier this year regarding the center’s permanent closure, but center director Becky Jasek-Janak said those are not true. Instead of returning to the 30-year-old building, the council suggested the Kaspar Pavilion which will offer nicer accommodations. This was supported unanimously.
What the Neighbors Are Talking About
A look at what’s making news just over the county line.