Huge Fire in Garwood; Car Burglaries in Shiner
The Shiner Gazette
• Shiner police are asking for the public’s help in solving a string of car burglaries that occurred around town last week. As many as six vehicles were burglarized at different locations around Shiner sometime between the hours of 9 p.m. on June 3 and 2 a.m. on June 4. Also, two more vehicles, in addition to those where items were taken, were likely rummaged through. Oddly though most of the stolen items were later found by their owners, tossed on the ground not far away from where they were taken. Anyone with information or if someone might have seen something suspicious, please call the Shiner Police Department at (361) 594-3339.
Yoakum Herald-Times
ˆ• The DeWitt County Commissioners Court heard from the public on open records requested in January regarding commissioner precinct equipment and operations. Gus Leck opened the forum with concerns about how bids are being sent out and received. He believes the taxpayer’s money is being spent foolishly. He noted how some roads in Precinct 4 are not holding up as well as other precincts. Allan Hartman also spoke about his concerns over the quality of road construction in Precinct 4. He was concerned about the strength and durability of roads in the county. No actions were presented during the meeting, but DeWitt County Judge Daryl Fowler wrote down notes on what the public said to discuss at upcoming budget meetings.
Colorado County Citizen
• Eleven firefighting agencies were in full response mode on June 14 battling a fire at Stallman Dryer on FM 1693 in the Garwood area. Units from Columbus, Eagle Lake, Garwood, Sheridan, Rock Island and Weimar Fire Departments were assisted by El Campo, Wharton, Glen Flora, Midfield and Hungerford departments. In addition to fire agencies, CCEMS Medic 3 was on location. First responders received the call at 9:01 p.m. and had the fire stopped at 3:30 a.m. Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Chuck Rogers said water supply impacted operations until enough tankers were brought into rotation. Rogers also said that the ladder truck from Columbus and an elevated water platform from El Campo had a positive impact on operations. Garwood VFD Fire Chief Todd Krenek said that there were no injuries, the dryer (which was still in operation) was empty and that the structure is a complete loss. Krenek said the loss is estimated to be in the $8-$10 million dollars range. The suspected cause of the fire is either electrical or a lightning strike.
The Brenham Banner-Press
• Dane Acker, a 2017 Brenham High School graduate, was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB First-Year Player Draft. The right-handed pitcher, who starred for the Cubs before joining Rice, transferring to San Jacinto-North and eventually signing with the University of Oklahoma, will go pro one year after rejecting a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Burleson County Tribune
• Tensions were high between two separate groups at a protest in Somerville last weekend, after police say a threat was made against a pair of local businesses. According to Police Chief Craig Wise, he and the Burleson County Sheriff’s Office had to keep a small group of police brutality protesters from the area and an armed group of citizens separate from each other at a scheduled protest, after the owners of Rockin’ MC Rustic Furniture and Mama’s Kitchen reported violent threats against their businesses. Wise said he believes neither of the feuding groups were from Somerville. However, Ann Marie Ureste, one of the protestors, said the unarmed group consisted of many local residents, including family members of Chester Jackson, Jr., the Somerville man who ended up on life support at a hospital in Austin after a series of events during his time in Burleson County custody last year. Ureste said the small group, called “Voices for the Cause,” has never tied itself to a larger movement such as Black Lives Matter, while others in the group said they did not make any threats toward any business in Somerville. The groups ultimately remained peaceful and cooperative with authorities, never violating any laws. Wise said the police department is still piecing things together in the investigation.
• The Somerville police chief says he has not resigned and does not plan to leave the department. During last week’s city council meeting, Somerville Mayor Michael Bradford said he wanted Chief Craig Wise and City Administrator Danny Segundo to quit their jobs. The comments came at the end of the council’s discussion about possibly rehiring Chauna Thompson as a member of the Somerville Police Department. Mayor Bradford said he would call a special session on June 16 to discuss the termination of Wise and Segundo if they did not resign. As of Tuesday afternoon, city staff said there was not a special meeting scheduled for that evening. City staff, including Segundo, said Bradford had not submitted the necessary paperwork calling for the special meeting. Segundo and Wise both said they have received support from council members who have told them not to resign.
What the Neighbors Are Talking About
A look at what’s making news just over the county line.