Man Drowns; Kruse Trial Update

Brenham Banner-Press

The trial of Paul Kruse, the retired 67-year-old former president of Blue Bell, will begin Aug. 1 in Austin. A jury will decide his fate on conspiracy charges stemming from a 2015 outbreak of Listeria infections and death.

Wharton Journal-Spectator

A pipeline exploded near Wallis July 6 sending flames high into the air which could be seen for miles. There were no injuries and a cause has not been determined.

Hallettsville Tribune-Herald

A man was arrested for driving while intoxicated July 3 in Hallettsville when he drove his car into the side of the building at Hoffer’s Drive In Grocery and Washateria at 11 p.m. before driving the smashed up car to a local apartment complex, where he was located by officers.

Yoakum Herald-Times

La Grange native Rodney Svec was sworn in as a board member of the Yoakum ISD after running unopposed this spring.

Donnie Hart Jr, 41, of Hallettsville, died July 2 when he drowned at Lake Texana near Edna.

Burleson County Tribune

The Burleson County Hospital District is planning an expansion of its emergency room which will double the number of rooms in 2023.

Ovie Lesley Powell II was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide for the July 18, 2020 boating death of Olivia Sweeney of Bryan in Lake Somerville. Powell was operating his boat in reverse in the vacinity of swimmers and failed to be aware of Sweeny’s proximity to the propeller.