Karnes Co. TX - NEWS - August 2004 This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Kimm Antell Copyright. All rights reserved. http://files.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************ August 11, 2004 Kenedy holds off Faith Academy KENEDY - The Kenedy Leopards used a strong serving game Tuesday to hold off the Faith Academy Lady Leopards 17-25, 25-23, 20-25, 26-24, 24-22. The Leopards fired in 31 aces on the night with Valerie Benitez leading the way with seven while Jennifer Gonzales and Ana Espinoza each added five. Alyssa Lundquist, Kelsey Yeater and Marisa Infante each added three. Espinoza also fired in eight kills with four digs and two blocks, while Lundquist had 12 digs and four kills and Infante nine kills, four digs and a block. Karen Martinez added 11 digs and four kills to the attack. The Lady Cougars put together their own strong attack with Kelsey Wyant and Rachel Patek each firing in 13 kills. Elizabeth Cox served up 22 points, while Lindsey Sewalt had 36 assists, 13 points and 12 digs. "They (the Lady Cougars) impressed me tonight," Lady Cougars coach Robbie Curlee said. "They looked much better than I thought they would. We've still got some pieces. It's such a young team. It was a pressure game and they responded well." Kenedy claimed the junior varsity match with a 25-11, 25-23 decision. Faith Academy will face Goliad and Corpus Christi Incarnate Word in a dual match on Friday, while Kenedy goes to Three Rivers. ************************************************ From lnstar.com 08/19/2004 Panna Maria Population- 96 Altitude. 325 General- Reputed to be the oldest Polish settlement in America, Panna Maria is certainly the mother of Polish settlements in Texas. Established December 1854 by Polish Catholics it was named Panna Maria, meaning Virgin Mary, by the immigrants. Early years of the colony were severly difficult, plagued by disease, climate extremes and outlaws who infested the region. Neighboring cowboys and ranchers often riduculed the strange, non-English speaking foreigners. The community established the first Polish school in the United Steates, and other villages like Cestohowa, Pawelkville and Kosciusko sprange from this original settlement. Today, the older generation still speaks an antiquated Silesian dialect (difficult for modern Polish speakers to understand), but Polish is no longer taught in local schools, and the language is being lost. Visit the community cemetery and Immaculate Conception Cathoic Church, topped by a cross carried from Poland by the original colonists more than a century ago. A museum near the church may be visited by request at the church. Southeast of San Antonio, just off Texas 123 between Stockdale and Karnes City; near Helena ghost town. St. Joseph School Museum- Housed in the oldest Polish school in the US; artifacts (many from 19th Century Poland) depicting the life of Polish pioneers. Second floor, originally a convent for the teaching nuns, is now a bed and breakfast. Museum open Thurs - Sat 10am to 5pm and Sundays 2 to 5pm. Panna Maria Visitor's Center- Administered by the Panna Maria Historical Society, the center is housed in the 1875 Pliarczyk STore. Souveniers, handmade crafts, religious articles, local foods as well as information and guided tours are available. For information, call 210/780-4471. ************************************************ August 19, 2004 Runge man dies in fire ROBIN M. FOSTER Victoria Advocate RUNGE - A 75-year-old man died in an apartment fire Wednesday that also destroyed an adjoining apartment at the corner of Front and Mugge streets. The home was fully involved when the department arrived at 12:25 p.m., said Runge Fire Chief Alvo Tucker Jr. Firefighters were unaware anyone was at home because the resident usually attends a local senior center, Tucker said. After nearly two hours working to contain the blaze, firefighters were able to enter the apartment and discovered the man's body, he said. The fire appeared to have started in the kitchen area, and the man was unable to get out of the house, Tucker said. He was found between the kitchen and the door. Firefighters were waiting for the arrival of a fire marshal and a Texas Ranger before concluding their investigation Wednesday afternoon. The man's name was not available because of the ongoing investigation. Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Gilbert Garza said the man's death appeared to be from smoke inhalation. It was undetermined whether an autopsy would be ordered, he said. Volunteers with the Runge Fire Department responded to the call about 12:25 p.m. after a passer-by noticed smoke coming from the house and called the Karnes County Sheriff's Office about 12:15 p.m., Tucker said. Assistant Fire Chief Margarito Villanueva received the dispatch. Robin M. Foster is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact her at 361- 275-6319 or cueroadv@vicad.com. ************************************************ Runge apartment fire victim is identified RUNGE - The man who died in an apartment fire Wednesday was identified as Robert Elizondo Sr., 74. Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Gilbert Garza declared Elizondo dead at 2 p.m. Wednesday, less than two hours after volunteer firefighters extinguished the fire at the public housing apartment duplex on the corner of Front and Mugge streets. Garza said the cause of death remains undetermined pending an autopsy by the Bexar County Medical Examiner in San Antonio. The fire was reported to the Karnes County Sheriff's Office at 12:35 p.m. Wednesday by a passerby who saw smoke coming from the apartment. Runge Volunteer Fire Department responded to the alarm at 12:45 p.m., said Runge Mayor Homer Lott. Assisting were Kenedy Volunteer Fire Department and Karnes County Rescue One. Firefighters were not aware that Elizondo was home when the fire broke out. Fire Chief Alvo Tucker Jr. said the body was discovered after firefighters were able to control the blaze and enter the apartment. The body was found near the front door, making it appear that Elizondo had tried to exit after the fire started in the kitchen area, Tucker said. Tucker and members of the department remained at the scene until late Wednesday with the U.S. Fire Marshal. Tucker said Thursday that the fire marshal's report will indicate the fire started in the kitchen. The fire damaged an adjoining apartment at No. 52 Front Street. Runge Housing Authority executive director Pablo Nunez said those occupants, who were not at home when the fire occurred, will be relocated to another apartment. ************************************************ August 26, 2004 'P-word' back in Runge vocabulary COY SLAVIK Advocate Sports Editor RUNGE - Making the playoffs used to be an annual occurrence for the Runge Yellowjackets. But after the program went winless during the 2001 and '02 seasons, reaching the postseason appeared only to be a dream. Now, coming off a 4-6 record last year and returning 16 starters, the Yellowjackets can once again say the "p-word" without receiving a snicker and roll of the eyes. "They want the playoffs," second-year head coach Jesse House said. "That's all we talk about. I know we're in a real tough district, but 'make the playoffs' has still been our mantra." House installed a wide-open offense last year and it seemed to fit the Yellowjackets' personnel well. "This offense gives us a chance to win," House said. "Overall, I'd like our offense to stay pretty balanced if I can." The Yellowjackets should have no problem moving the ball with nine returning starters from last year's team that averaged 16.7 points per contest. Runge's only question mark on offense was answered by the transfer of quarterback Casey Oldham from Jourdanton. Oldham will have experienced receivers in wide receivers Gabriel Gutierrez, Leroy Dominguez and Domingo Cano, and tight end Zed Zapata. "Casey has been looking pretty good," House said. "It's a new offense for him. He has everybody coming back, but he's still having to transition to our offense." Runge was dealt a setback when Henry Ramirez, a part-time starter at running back last year, was lost for the season with a torn ACL. Johnathan Brasher will be asked to carry the ball more this season in Ramirez's absence. The Yellowjackets' line returns guard Brian Arigullin (6-foot-1, 285 pounds), center Clay Lewis, guard Henry Reyna, and tackle Josh Villanueva. "The offense is looking pretty confident," House said of his team's two scrimmage performances. "We've been moving the ball pretty good, but we can always get better." Runge is stressing improvement on defense. The Yellowjackets allowed a whopping 31.9 points per game last season. The defensive line returns Arigullin, Daniel Salazar and Kevin Shattuck. Reyna is back at linebacker and the secondary returns Brasher, Cano and Gutierrez. House believes the Yellowjackets' hard work in the weight room during the offseason should pay off big this season. "Our kids are stronger this year," House said. "We'll be able to compete a lot better." Arigullin, a senior, feels the time is now for the Yellowjackets. "I think we're going to make the playoffs this year," he said. "We were down for a couple of years and some teams may underestimate us. But we've been working hard." House said to contend with Shiner, Flatonia, Falls City and Woodsboro, the Yellowjackets will need be focused every week. "I really think we've turned this thing around," House said. "No. 1, we're going to have to stay healthy. We'll also need full effort on every play. I think it's a matter of execution. It's time to execute now." ************************************************ Badgers want to reach next level COY SLAVIK Advocate Sports Editor KARNES CITY - It didn't take long for the Karnes City Badgers to leave one of the most successful seasons in school history behind. The Badgers rolled through District 31-2A play with a 5-0 record last season en route to a 12-1 overall mark. "Every year you increase your goals. You try to exceed last year's record," said Karnes City head coach Tom Warlick, who has compiled a 19-5 record and 10-0 district mark in two seasons with the Badgers. "We had a great season last year, but it's in the past. It's time to move on with this year." Warlick's readiness to move on comes from the fact that his Badgers return seven offensive starters, including their entire line and running back Jeff Butler. Butler, who rushed for 976 yards and six touchdowns last season, broke an ankle during baseball season last spring, but has healed well enough to be at 100 percent by the time Karnes City opens the season Friday at home against Marion. Butler will have the luxury of running behind an experienced and talented line. Tight end Anthony Brysch and right guard Brandon Nieto are three- year starters. Left guard John Moczygemba, center Jason Kotzur, right tackle Jaymes Nunez and left tackle Doug McNeese are also back. "Everyone from tight end to tackle was either all-district first team or second team last year," Warlick said. "They know how to prepare for a game." Taylor Griffin, last year's backup quarterback, will step in as the starter. Dustin Witte will be the fullback. Wide receiver Justin Butler will be Griffin's top target. Only three starters return on defense. The Badgers allowed just over seven points per district game last year and hope some youngsters can step up to keep the unit one of the area's best. "We'll have to have some guys step in who don't have a lot of varsity experience," Warlick said of his defense. Moczygemba and McNeese will anchor the line. Ryan Mika is slated to fill a defensive end spot. Brysch, who has started 24 straight games, is steady at linebacker and will be joined by Dustin Skloss and Witte. Justin Butler, Jeff Butler and Griffin will work with Jacob Maldonado in the secondary. The Badgers have improved each year under Warlick. The third-year head coach knows bettering last year's 12-1 mark won't be easy. "We know where we want to be. Our goal is to eventually play football in December," Warlick said. "You can't start preparing for that in August. You have to commit year round. "It is our goal to become one of the best programs in the state." ************************************************ August 28, 2004 Karnes City .........28 Marion .................12 KARNES CITY - In a contest that saw a lot of yardage gained on the ground by both teams, the Karnes City Badgers rushed for 260 yards to beat the Marion Bulldogs 28-12 in the season opener for both teams. The Badgers' Jeff Butler scored on 3-yard runs in the first quarter and second quarter as he put together 73 yards on 13 carries. Playing defense, Butler got the only interception of the game. The Badgers' Taylor Griffin was the first on the board with a 63- yard romp in the first quarter. He rushed for 72 yards on nine carries. Dustin Witte gave the Badgers their final touchdown of the game in the second quarter with a 2-yard run. He handled the ball 13 times for 90 yards. Dustin Skloss was successful on all four of his extra point kicks. Despite the fact that Marion passed for 105 yards, only one resulted in a touchdown, a 14-yarder from Dallas Davis to Randy Alvis in the second quarter. The Bulldogs scored in the third quarter on a 3-yard run by Brad Rich. Both of the Bulldogs' extra point attempts failed. ************************************************ August 29, 2004 Karnes council will hold special session KARNES CITY - The Karnes City City Council will consider whether to include improvements to the library and the water storage tower in the 2004-05 budget when it meets in special session at 6 p.m. Monday in city hall. Facility improvements are only one of the items council members are working on in relation to the budget. Monday's agenda also gives them an option to hold an executive session to discuss wages and salaries. Bids on repairs to the city's sanitary sewer lines were opened Thursday and will be reviewed by the council Monday. The repair needs were identified during recent smoke testing of the system. The council also will consider authorizing the mayor to sign an agreement for services to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant. City Administrator David Carrouthers said the agreement is a requirement to obtain funding from USDA Rural Development. ************************************************ August 30, 2004 Pay raises on agenda for Karnes County commissioners ROBIN M. FOSTER Victoria Advocate KARNES CITY - The Karnes County Commissioners Court will hold public hearings on the proposed 2004-05 budget and tax rate beginning at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. For the second straight year, county commissioners are recommending a 5 percent pay raise for all elected officials and county employees. No raises were granted during the fiscal years 2002 and 2003. The county's proposed spending plan for fiscal 2005 anticipates increased expenditures, partly due to state and federal mandates, said County Auditor Lajuana Kasprzyk. The budget totals $4,032,927, which includes general fund expenditures of $2,996,019, road and bridge fund expenditures of $838,118, and debt service of $198,790, she said. The proposed tax rate is 77 cents per $100 of taxable value for general purposes plus just over 5.5 cents per $100 of taxable value for the road and bridge special fund. The general tax rate is about 1 cent less than the current tax rate, she said. Property valuations in the county have increased by almost $16 million, so the county should collect a little more revenue next year, Kasprzyk said. Taxpayers won't notice an increase unless their appraised value has increased. Kasprzyk said the county will be spending nearly $170,500 more in fiscal 2005 than it is expected to spend in the current budget, due in part to state and federal mandates that have been passed down without additional revenue. The extra expenses may require the county to dip into its reserves, she said. Among the extras are fees for court-appointed attorneys, new voting machines and a higher contribution for mental health services. The county also is restoring a constable position that had gone unfilled and increasing funds for juvenile probation, Kasprzyk said. The public hearing Tuesday precedes a special meeting of the commissioners court set to begin at 9:30 a.m. The agenda for that meeting includes the following items: Discussion of a complaint concerning Karnes County EMS 911 system. Discussion of whether County Road 198 joins the Old Falls City Campbellton Road across privately-owned land. Opening of bids for a 1990 Ford pickup and a Rhino shredder for Precinct 4. Consider an archival fee of $5 for county clerks records preservation and restoration. The Commissioners Court meets in the third floor county courtroom of the Karnes County Courthouse in Karnes City.