Man Moves in When Couple is on Honeymoon

Burleson County Tribune

James Jantzen, 33 of Caldwell, is behind bars after he allegedly moved into a couple’s home and used their vehicle while the pair was on their honeymoon. Jessica Garza says she and her husband were on their honeymoon when a family member called and told her someone was living in their home and using their truck. Police were alerted when Janzen reportedly became involved in a pair of disturbances; one involving a backhoe on the roadway and another on a neighbor’s property. According to Garza, they returned to find their home in shambles including broken beer bottles and glass, discarded food, broken mirrors, and a destroyed clothes closet. Jantzen is charged with burglary of a habitation and unlawful use of a motor vehicle, following his arrest last Thursday.

Wallis News-Review

Several agencies responded Monday morning after what authorities call a “suspicious bag” was found outside the Austin County Justice of the Peace Office in Wallis. The Austin County Sheriff’s Office received a call at about 8 a.m. alerting to the bag at the Precinct Four Justice of the Peace building. When deputies arrived to investigate, they found a backpack chained to the front door of the building, with the zippers of the backpack stitched together preventing the bag from being opened. The Sheriff’s Office set up a perimeter and evacuated all residences in a one-block radius as a precautionary measure. BNSF railroad authorities, at the direction of deputies, closed the nearby rail line until the “all clear” was given at approximately 11 a.m. Also responding to the scene were Austin County EMS, the Wallis Fire Department, and Austin County Precinct Four Constable James Clark. The Houston Police Department Bomb Squad responded to assist with the investigation, and upon arrival, bomb squad techs removed the device from the building. They determined the backpack did not contain any dangerous materials. According to the Sheriff’s Office, a local man was detained at the scene when deputies learned he was the one who put the bag at the county building. He was ultimately taken by deputies to Memorial Hermann Katy for a mental health evaluation.

The Colorado Citizen

A 15-page September 2020 investigation report determined City of Eagle Lake Alderman Carlos Gonzalez acted inappropriately and interfered with City operations. The City of Eagle Lake’s law firm, Olson & Olson, LLP hired investigator Gary Brye to look into allegations against Gonzalez by former City Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer Victor Shimek in July. The complaint alleges Gonzalez’s direct involvement in City operations as relating to Shimek’s job duties were inappropriate. The complaint states Gonzalez’s “inappropriate and incorrect statements” and interference with the permitting process to local business owner John Delgado caused Delgado to abandon his desire to build a new building in Eagle Lake. Brye’s investigation concluded that Gonzalez did “move beyond his scope and role as a member of Council.” City Administrator Melissa Landin said the actions followed concerns expressed by several council members about Gonzalez’s “poor and unfair treatment of City employees and fellow council members.”

Hallettsville Tribune-Herald

Keith Eric Lee, 28 of Victoria, accused of stabbing to death Jeremy Andrew McAfee (AKA Jada Lillight) of Hallettsville and then setting the victim’s house ablaze in hopes of concealing the crime last year on March 10 pleaded guilty on Oct. 12 to all counts against him and will spend the next 40 years behind bars. He admitted his guilty to first-degree murder, arson that caused bodily injury or death, and tampering with or fabricating evidence (specifically, a corpse), with intent to hinder an investigation. He will be credited for the 13 months he has served in Lavaca County Jail awaiting trial.

The Brenham Banner-Press

Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire that heavily damaged a Brenham home and led to a woman’s arrest, Tuesday afternoon. Just after 3:30 p.m. the Brenham Fire Department was called to a blaze at a home in the 1200 block of East Alamo St. At the scene, firefighters found heavy flames and smoke coming from the front of the house. The occupant, who was outside the home, told the department that someone could possibly be inside. A search by the department found no one was inside and they were able to extinguish the blaze. The home sustained heavy fire damage to the front two rooms of the home and there was also heavy smoke damage throughout the house. After the fire department’s investigation, Brenham Police located 41-year old Tanora J. Deere, who was arrested and charged with: burglary of a habitation with intent to commit assault; failure to identify as a fugitive; and an outstanding warrant out of Brenham Municipal Court. Deere was taken to the Washington County Jail. The investigation continues.