Two Found Dead in Home Near New Ulm
New Ulm Enterprise
Two people lost their lives in an apparent murder/suicide on Dec. 20, near New Ulm. Austin County officers were contacted about 10 p.m. concerning shots fired at a residence on Shunka Road. Officers discovered the bodies of Amanda Moeller, 40, and Michael Harrell, 41. Investigators determined that Harrell shot Moeller and then turned the weapon on himself. No other people were in the home at the time of the shooting.
The Brenham Banner-Press
A Blinn College police officer has been identified by DPS as the one killed in a twovehicle accident on Dec. 17 near the Brazos-Burleson County line. Christopher Luttrell, 46 of Caldwell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident which occurred around 9:30 a.m. at Hwy 21 and FM 50 near the Brazos River. DPS Sgt. Erik Burse reports that Luttrell was driving east on Hwy 21 in a 2020 Kia Sorento when his right tire had a blowout. Luttrell overcorrected and crossed over into the westbound lane, colliding with a FedEx delivery truck. The driver of the truck, Rene Garcia, 23 of Bryan, was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bryan in serious condition. DPS says this is an ongoing investigation.
On Dec. 24 approximately 22 acres of land burned in a grass fire along the side of US Highway 290, between Brenham and Chappell Hill. Firefighters from Brenham and Chappell Hill were called to the intersection of 290 East and Jozwiak Road, just after 3:00 p.m. At the scene, they found a fast-moving grass fire that had also engulfed about 10 acres. Eventually, fire departments from Bellville, Berlin, Gay Hill, Meyersville, and Salem were on the scene, along with Emergency Management, Washington County EMS, CERT, and Washington County Air One. No one was injured in the blaze. Then just after 5:30 p.m., Brenham firefighters were called out to a manufactured home on fire in the 500 block of Lacy Lane. Upon arrival, the department found heavy smoke and flames coming from the home. Firefighters extinguished the blaze and checked for any smoldering spots. They were at the scene for about three hours. No one was injured.
Yoakum Herald-Times
Mayor Anita Rodriguez announced at the end of the regular city council meeting on Dec. 8 that she would not be running for re-election in the next city election. At the end of her term, Rodriguez will have served 18 years as mayor and a total of 28 years on the council in her Place 3 seat.
Hallettsville Tribune-Herald
Campus security is a priority and Hallettsville ISD board of trustees approved reauthorization of members and new members of the Guardian Program at its regular monthly meeting on Dec. 14. The Guardians are a highly and vetted group who are allowed to carry on campus and the names of the members cannot be divulged for the protection of those involved.
The Bastrop Advertiser
The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force on Dec. 17 arrested a suspect accused in over 100 counts of child rape and incest in Bastrop, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Cristian Cruz, 35 of Kinston, NC, was wanted for 103 counts of statutory rape of a child by an adult, 103 counts of incest, and 103 counts of indecent liberties with a child that were issued by the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina. An affidavit states that Cruz engaged with an 11-year-old girl about three years ago. The Carolina’s Regional Task Force in Greenville, NC, discovered information that Cruz fled to the Central Texas area. It then requested assistance from the Austin-based task force to locate Cruz, who was believed to be working for a mobile home moving business. The task force’s investigation led authorities to a property in the 100 block Lone Star Circle in Bastrop. He was arrested without incident and transported to the Bastrop County Jail, where he awaits extradition back to North Carolina.
The Navasota Examiner
Grimes County Deputies were involved in a shooting on Dec. 16, when James Earl Byrne, 48 of Bedias, fired several shots at the pursuing deputy. Byrne was identified during an investigation and deputies attempted to stop the vehicle he was driving, south of Todd Mission. Byrne refused to pull over and a pursuit began. Grimes County Deputies maintained visual contact with the vehicle as the pursuit traveled into Waller County. Byrne fired multiple shots at the pursuing deputy and the deputy returned fire. Neither party was injured during the exchange of gunfire. Byrne was eventually arrested and is facing multiple charges.