Washington Co. Fair Changes to Youth Exhibitor Event Only
The Brenham Banner-Press
• The Washington County Fair Association announced the annual fair will take place as a youth exhibitor only event this year. The announcement came while many associations continue to navigate regulations set in place by Gov. Abbott regarding large groups of people as the coronavirus pandemic continues. The board of directors voted unanimously to host the youth exhibitor in order to ensure the youth have every possible opportunity to both exhibit and sell their products, an action that shows support to the younger participants in the community. The association hopes that the 462 youth exhibitors who have already reserved their spot will choose to participate even with the changes happening.
• Kruse Village (a senior living community) is reporting 12 residents and eight staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. In a news release, Kruse Village has implemented changes in its operations, including enhanced infection control measures, monitoring residents and staff for symptoms and restricting visitors except in the end-of-life situations and on a case-by-case basis. Kruse Village’s clinical staff has conducted testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19, for all residents and staff in the healthcare unit. The testing allowed staff to identify asymptomatic carriers as well as other individuals with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis to take immediate action to reduce further spread of the virus. There are no pending test results at this time.
• Cases of coronavirus are rising inside Brenham’s Blue Bell facility. In an email, the company said they are monitoring the situation closely and might further adjust operations if the situation worsens. The company declined to reveal exactly how many employees in Brenham tested positive for coronavirus. They do have a robust cleaning and sanitation regiment. Blue Bell said the outbreak inside its Brenham creamery does not mean any of its products aren’t safe to eat. “According to the CDC, there is no evidence to suggest that handling food or consuming food is associated with COVID-19,” Blue Bell said. Blue Bell’s ice cream parlor, country store and visitor center remain open.
• In rural Texas, water is more precious than oil. For Chappell Hill, its most precious commodity has hung in the balance for years, especially after a leak in 2019 warranted a scuba team to come and perform maintenance on the elevated tank. When standing under the water tower, rust and corrosion can be seen at the base and on the tank. Chappell Hill water system customers voiced their concerns at the Chappell Hill Water Supply Corporation Board of Directors meeting recently, asking for the tank to get fixed sooner rather than later. The last time the water tower was inspected was possibly in 2015. Washington County Commissioner Precinct 2 Candice Bullock asked for the audit report of the tower and for projections of how the tower could sustain increased population growth since Washington County is expected to see more residents in the upcoming years. More than 225 water customers could be looking at taking out a loan to pay for the repairs and an increase on their water bills in the future. Due to high income levels, many grants are not applicable to the Chappell Hill area.
The Navasota Examiner
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has reported 176 COVID-19 offender recoveries within a week at units in Grimes County and no new deaths. According to the TDCJ website, as of July 13, Wallace Pack Unit has 13 active offender cases, a 170 drop since July 6 when there were 183 active cases reported. Pack Unit also lists 399 recoveries. O.L. Luther Unit in Grimes County currently doesn’t have any active COVID-19 offender cases.
• Two additional suspects were arrested in connection with an ATM theft at the BBVA Compass Bank in Navasota that occurred on March 19 and a third suspect is the Crime Stoppers’ Fugitive of the Week. Navasota Police Officers were patrolling on March 19 and observed several subjects around the ATM machine at BBVA Compass Bank. As officers approached several subjects fled on foot and jumped into an awaiting vehicle. The vehicle fled the scene onto Texas State Highway 6 southbound toward Hempstead. Officers pursued the vehicle through several counties and eventually stopped the vehicle on Hwy. 290 in Houston. Jeremy Johnson, 25 from Missouri City, and Kyerica German, 21 from Houston, were taken into custody and booked into the Grimes County Jail. Video footage from the ATM theft allowed police to identify the other three suspects involved: Aaron Kirkwood, 23, Brittney Dobbs, 20 and Steve Alexander, 25. All are from Trinity. Kirkwood was arrested during a traffic stop in Montgomery County in June and Dobbs was recently arrested near her residence. Alexander has not been arrested and has outstanding warrants.
Yoakum Herald-Times
• One of Yoakum’s largest employers announced that it had become the latest in a long line of large area employers in the area forced to deal with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Eddy Packing employs between 400 and 500 people in and around the Yoakum area. Attempts to verify exactly how many of those employees might be impacted by the recent COVID outbreak were unsuccessful as of press time, though reports indicated those numbers could involve 60 or more company employees. CEO Jim Reed stressed that the plant site is not where the transmission of the virus is occurring, having recently taken part in a Texas Department of State Health Services survey and walkthrough.
• After a lengthy discussion regarding the Lavaca Rescue Service budget and convening for an hour in executive session, the Lavaca County Commissioners’ Court voted to dismiss Debbie Fishbeck from her position as the service’s director. Fishbeck has served as the Lavaca Rescue Service director for the past 22 yrs. County Judge Keith Mudd said, “Decisions we make are not personal. They are consequential for representing the county. It affects everybody. Twenty-two years of service to the county is not to be taken lightly.” The court also granted Mudd authority to post notice of search for a full-time director and to appoint an interim director of Lavaca County Rescue Service and he chose Melissa Leopold.