Karnes Co. TX - NEWS - December 2007 This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Kimm Antell Copyright. All rights reserved. http://files.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Copyright 2007 Victoria Advocate Online (http://victoriaadvocate.com) unless otherwise notated. ************************************************ From wilsoncountynews.com DEC 01, 2007 County unemployment rate drops Wilson County's unemployment rate dropped again in October, according to labor market statistics released by Alamo WorkSource. The county's jobless rate for the month was 3.7 percent - down from 4.0 percent in September. Wilson County's unemployment rate, meanwhile, registered slightly above than the overall jobless rate of 3.6 percent for the 12-county Alamo area -Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Medina and Wilson counties. Gillespie County registered the lowest unemployment rate in the Alamo area in October at 2.9 percent. The Texas unadjusted unemployment rate for October, meanwhile, decreased to 3.9 percent while the national rate decreased slightly to 4.4 percent. Comparatively, the state seasonally adjusted unemployment rates decreased to 4.1 and the national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held at 4.7 percent in October. ************************************************ From seguingazette.com December 2, 2007 Ramirez steps down as CCSCT director By Michael Cary The Gazette-Enterprise HONDO — Community Council of South Central Texas Executive Director Louis Ramirez tendered his resignation after meeting with the board of directors and consulting with his attorney Friday. Although Ramirez had already vacated his post and relinquished his duties about a month ago to take sick leave, his resignation will not be official until February. Ramirez, who served as executive director of the CCSCT since the 1980s, resigned after allegations surfaced recently of mismanagement of state and federal funds for administration of various community programs. Medina County Judge George Ernst called for a “forensic audit” of the agency when the board of directors met Friday for a special session at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Hondo. “Let’s follow the money,” Ernst said, and the board voted unanimously for the audit. Board chairman Adolfo Aguilar Jr. said Ramirez’s resignation means that he will no longer serve as executive director, but that Ramirez will be paid $10,800 through the end of January as part of sick leave that he has already been taking for about a month. “I hope everything goes well for him. I appreciate his 40 years of service to this agency. He had done a lot of good,” Aguilar said. Heather Hollub, Ramirez’s attorney, said he would turn over access to CCSCT credit cards and would clean out his office under supervision immediately, and that he was not making any statements to the media. “After all of the negative publicity, it is best for him to resign,” Hollub said. The “negative publicity” surfaced after CCSCT board member Gregory Parker alleged financial mismanagement of CCSCT’s affairs in the course of implementing various community service programs. Parker, who had called for a Federal Bureau of Investigation review of the CCSCT’s finances, was absent during Friday’s proceeding. The San Antonio office of the FBI recently confirmed that it had made an inquiry into CCSCT’s financial management style. An FBI spokesman would not confirm that the bureau had launched a full-scale investigation. The CCSCT has racked up about $80,000 in a line of credit with Wells Fargo Bank in the course of operating a federal Head Start Program and other community services and has accrued more than $150,000 in debt with its family planning programs. The line of credit had previously been approved by the CCSCT board of directors as a way of paying its bills, but it had also asked Ramirez to devise an alternate method of financing the operations of the agency that operates with a $7 million annual budget. CCSCT Executive Assistant Mary Lou Castillo will serve as the interim director until the board can conduct a search for new leadership at the agency. “She is next on the flow chart. She will assume the responsibilities until a new director is named,” Aguilar said. Aguilar said the CCSCT will advertise the executive director’s position immediately with the intent to conduct interviews and to make a hire as quickly as possible. Cady Clark, manager of the Performance Management Unit of the Texas Department of State Health Services, reminded the board of the state agency’s longtime relationship with CCSCT, and expressed her concern that the council would be able to continue to serve the 11 counties where it provides services for needy citizens. “You’re vital to serving the needs of the community where you have clinics. We’re committed to working with your agency,” Clark said. Clark said the state is interested in seeing that CCSCT gets its financial situation resolved “in a way that will allow your agency to deliver those services.” “I want to assure this board that our department will continue to work with your staff. Our commitment is to the people of your community. We want to be assured the board will address these issues,” Clark said. Clark said the state agency will amend its contract with CCSCT to reflect the closing of two family planning clinics in Karnes and Wilson counties. County Judge Ernst deferred to “an accountant” for a definition of a “forensic audit,” but he said it would involve a “complete, in-depth audit rather than a cursory audit.” Aguilar confirmed that the CCSCT had already advertised for and had obtained a bid for an outside audit as a matter of routine about a month ago, but the bid was not on the board’s special meeting agenda. “As far as the forensic audit, they want more details,” Aguilar said. Aguilar said that in the past the CCSCT administration has had to shift funds from one program to another to continue its operations. He said the board had already requested a change in direction away from using a credit card to pay its debts. Ramirez also had previously submitted proposals for a different way to handle the CCSCT’s finances without using a line of credit, but the board had not yet responded to those proposals. Aguilar said the CCSCT will respond to the state’s demand that the CCSCT operate under a cost reimbursement plan to pay for its various community service programs. “We now have to try and work out something that is amicable to the board and to the state. The board doesn’t want to be on a credit card, we want to be on a cash flow system. We want to go in a different direction,” Aguilar said. The CCSCT board of directors is scheduled to meet again in one month, but the time, date and place have yet to be announced. ************************************************ From herald-zeitung.com December 2, 2007 The Pony Express rides again By David Saleh Rauf The Herald-Zeitung For Lisa Holcombe and her five daughters, watching horses gallop into Downtown New Braunfels with a gubernatorial holiday wish has become a sort of family tradition. Holcombe has been bringing her family to see Christmas Along the Corridor for the last three years. The event is a 150-mile trek, in which 120 Pony Express Christmas Couriers ride relay fashion across seven counties — Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Goliad, Guadalupe, Karnes and Wilson — with a holiday proclamation from the governor. ************************************************ From kcbd.com December 3, 2007 Lubbock-Cooper Junior Wins 2007 Miss TFB Crown A junior from Lubbock Cooper High School and District FFA president won Saturday's Miss Texas Farm Bureau crown at the 74th annual convention of the state's largest farm organization. Janae Jones, the 17-year-old daughter of Roy and Annette Jones of Lubbock, receives a $2,000 scholarship along with her crown. Although she says she hasn't yet decided which college or major to pursue- she's fairly certain it will be Texas Tech or Texas A&M and something involved with agriculture communications or business-Jones says she hopes to someday work with the American Quarter Horse Association. A total of 13 girls from around the Lone Star State compete in the annual competition, each having won the right to represent her respective county and Farm Bureau state district. Runner-up in the Miss TFB contest was Loni Woolley, 17, a senior at Grandview High and the daughter of Larry and Leslie Woolley of Grandview in Johnson County. She wins a $1,500 scholarship and plans to attend Texas Tech and study animal science before entering the business world as a meat quality assurance manager or an organizational lobbyist. Woolley is the current Texas 4-H Council State President, and is active in several high school organizations. Others competing this year's contest were Shelby Wilson of Dallam County, Sydney Thiele of Baylor County, Brittany Sullivan of Camp County, Samantha Morrow of Nolan County, Chandra Dean of McCulloch County, Sara Jackson of Lampasas County, Amanda Maclin of Tyler County, Jessica Conlen of Hays County, Dalin Woolery of Montgomery County, Alicia Caballero of Karnes County and Lora Gonzalez of Hidalgo County. Each receives a $1,000 scholarship for competing at the state level. Source: Texas Farm Bureau ************************************************ From wilsoncountynews.com December 4, 2007 Texas A&M-Kingsville students recognized KINGSVILLE — The 2007-2008 edition of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges includes the names of 150 students from Texas A&M University-Kingsville who were selected as outstanding campus leaders. The students and their families were honored at a program held Nov. 18 in Jones Auditorium. Students who were honored include Grace A. Sutherland from La Vernia and Samantha L. Karnei from Goliad, both majoring in kinesiology; Holly M. Remmers, a biomedical sciences major from Karnes City; Tristan C. Richards, a pre-pharmacy major from Kenedy; and Ryan C. Novak, an agribusiness major from Pleasanton. Representatives of the faculty, administration, and student body nominated students, who are endorsed by the university’s administration. Students are selected based on scholarship, participation, and leadership in their academic college or in the university and potential for future achievement. Only juniors, seniors, and graduate students are eligible for inclusion in Who’s Who. ************************************************ From seguingazette.com December 9, 2007 Marion dominates in final contest By Jason Chlapek The Gazette-Enterprise STOCKDALE — Once the Marion girls basketball team got past the first round of the Stockdale Tournament it was smooth sailing from there. A 53-44 come-from-behind win over Lockhart on Thursday only led to bigger and better things on Friday and Saturday. The Bulldogs recorded lopsided wins over St. Mary’s Hall (78-33) on Friday, and Karnes City (56-24) on Saturday to claim first place in the Stockdale Tournament on Saturday in Stockdale. Marion (9-4) competed in a tournament championship for the second time in as many weekends. The Bulldogs came up short against Lytle, 44-43, Dec. 1, in the final of the Marion Tournament. In Saturday’s championship, there was little doubt for a Marion victory as the Bulldogs never allowed more than 10 points in a single quarter. The exclamation point came in the fourth when Marion outscored the opposition, 23-3. The Bulldogs ran out to a 14-4 lead at the end of the first quarter, and held on to a 22-14 halftime lead after being outscored, 10-8, in a struggling second quarter. Marion held onto its defensive intensity by outscoring the Lady Badgers, 11-7, in the third to take a 33-21 advantage into the final quarter. Mackenzie Langemeier led the way for the Bulldogs with 24 points, six assists and five steals en route to tournament MVP honors. Langemeier averaged more than 22 points a contest in the three-game tournament. Kalynn White scored 8 points for Marion, while pulling down a team- high 15 rebounds. Marion visits Hondo at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Marion 78, St. Mary’s Hall 33 STOCKDALE — Another defensive gem, another rout for Marion as the Bulldogs suffocated St. Mary’s Hall, 78-33, on Friday in the semifinal round of the Stockdale Tournament. Marion led 17-8 at the end of the first quarter, and held a 34-17 advantage at halftime. A 15-6 third-quarter run gave the Bulldogs a 49-23 edge entering the fourth quarter, where Marion put the game on ice with a 29-10 spurt. Langemeier and Hailey Bolner each scored 17 points in the victory with Langemeier also leading the way with five assists. Pamesia Moore scored 8 points and recorded a team-high seven steals. White had 7 points to go with a team-high eight rebounds. Marion 53, Lockhart 44 STOCKDALE — Marion used a 15-6 fourth-quarter run to break a 38-38 tie before clinching a 53-44 win over Lockhart on Thursday in the opening round of the Stockdale Tournament. For three quarters, the contest was a battle for survival as the teams battled to a 12-12 tie after one quarter of play. Lockhart outscored Marion, 11-8, in the second quarter to take a 23-20 halftime lead, before the Bulldogs outscored the Lady Lions, 18-15, in the third quarter to send the game into a 38-38 tie entering the final quarter. Langemeier led with 26 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Sunnye Baskin and Candace Krause each had 6 points. ************************************************ From recenter.tamu.edu Karnes County, TX Employment Date Employment Unemployment Total % Change Year Ago Rate Unit Change Year Ago 1990 4,761 - 4.4 - 1991 4,796 0.7 5.0 0.7 1992 4,751 -0.9 7.0 1.9 1993 4,731 -0.4 6.6 -0.4 1994 5,160 9.1 5.1 -1.5 1995 5,179 0.4 6.9 1.9 1996 5,768 11.4 5.2 -1.8 1997 5,936 2.9 4.4 -0.8 1998 5,911 -0.4 4.1 -0.3 1999 5,530 -6.4 4.1 0.0 2000 5,081 -8.1 5.4 1.3 2001 5,079 0.0 5.6 0.2 2002 5,101 0.4 7.0 1.4 2003 5,273 3.4 7.3 0.4 2004 5,293 0.4 6.9 -0.5 2005 5,167 -2.4 6.3 -0.6 2006 5,113 -1.0 6.2 -0.1 Monthly Data Date Employment Unemployment Total % Change Year Ago Rate Unit Change Year Ago 1990-Jan 4,649 - 4.9 - Feb 4,634 - 4.6 - Mar 4,689 - 4.3 - Apr 4,770 - 3.9 - May 4,825 - 4.3 - Jun 4,798 - 4.7 - Jul 4,788 - 5.8 - Aug 4,773 - 5.0 - Sep 4,784 - 3.7 - Oct 4,775 - 3.4 - Nov 4,850 - 3.8 - Dec 4,798 - 3.6 - 1991-Jan 4,817 3.6 4.0 -0.9 Feb 4,814 3.9 4.3 -0.3 Mar 4,833 3.1 4.7 0.3 Apr 4,757 -0.3 4.8 0.9 May 4,757 -1.4 4.4 0.1 Jun 4,795 -0.1 6.2 1.5 Jul 4,785 -0.1 5.8 -0.1 Aug 4,737 -0.8 6.1 1.0 Sep 4,796 0.3 5.5 1.8 Oct 4,810 0.7 5.0 1.6 Nov 4,825 -0.5 5.0 1.2 Dec 4,823 0.5 4.6 1.0 1992-Jan 4,783 -0.7 6.5 2.5 Feb 4,807 -0.1 6.7 2.4 Mar 4,786 -1.0 6.6 2.0 Apr 4,745 -0.3 6.4 1.6 May 4,768 0.2 6.5 2.1 Jun 4,837 0.9 7.7 1.5 Jul 4,729 -1.2 8.1 2.3 Aug 4,588 -3.1 7.9 1.9 Sep 4,641 -3.2 6.8 1.3 Oct 4,761 -1.0 6.5 1.5 Nov 4,766 -1.2 6.8 1.7 Dec 4,801 -0.5 6.9 2.4 1993-Jan 4,669 -2.4 7.7 1.3 Feb 4,634 -3.6 7.3 0.6 Mar 4,687 -2.1 6.8 0.1 Apr 4,733 -0.3 6.5 0.1 May 4,726 -0.9 6.5 -0.1 Jun 4,793 -0.9 7.8 0.1 Jul 4,755 0.5 7.3 -0.8 Aug 4,733 3.2 6.3 -1.6 Sep 4,712 1.5 6.0 -0.8 Oct 4,735 -0.5 5.6 -0.9 Nov 4,773 0.1 5.7 -1.0 Dec 4,823 0.5 5.5 -1.4 1994-Jan 4,898 4.9 5.6 -2.1 Feb 4,932 6.4 5.2 -2.1 Mar 4,939 5.4 4.8 -2.0 Apr 5,195 9.8 4.8 -1.7 May 5,225 10.6 5.0 -1.5 Jun 5,333 11.3 6.1 -1.7 Jul 5,365 12.8 5.4 -1.8 Aug 5,258 11.1 5.2 -1.1 Sep 5,250 11.4 4.6 -1.4 Oct 5,213 10.1 4.5 -1.1 Nov 5,150 7.9 5.2 -0.6 Dec 5,167 7.1 4.5 -1.1 1995-Jan 5,025 2.6 5.6 0.0 Feb 5,011 1.6 5.5 0.3 Mar 5,008 1.4 5.3 0.6 Apr 5,005 -3.7 6.1 1.3 May 4,940 -5.5 6.6 1.6 Jun 4,923 -7.7 8.8 2.7 Jul 4,836 -9.9 9.7 4.2 Aug 5,173 -1.6 9.2 4.0 Sep 5,334 1.6 7.9 3.3 Oct 5,667 8.7 6.7 2.2 Nov 5,605 8.8 6.1 0.9 Dec 5,623 8.8 5.7 1.3 1996-Jan 5,636 12.2 5.7 0.1 Feb 5,767 15.1 5.2 -0.2 Mar 5,780 15.4 4.8 -0.5 Apr 5,807 16.0 4.9 -1.1 May 5,819 17.8 5.0 -1.5 Jun 5,841 18.6 6.3 -2.5 Jul 5,794 19.8 6.3 -3.3 Aug 5,711 10.4 5.7 -3.5 Sep 5,779 8.3 4.8 -3.1 Oct 5,748 1.4 4.6 -2.1 Nov 5,733 2.3 4.5 -1.7 Dec 5,798 3.1 4.1 -1.6 1997-Jan 5,900 4.7 4.7 -0.9 Feb 5,880 2.0 4.4 -0.8 Mar 5,902 2.1 4.4 -0.4 Apr 5,958 2.6 3.9 -1.0 May 5,966 2.5 4.3 -0.8 Jun 6,038 3.4 5.8 -0.4 Jul 5,983 3.3 5.7 -0.7 Aug 5,919 3.6 4.8 -0.9 Sep 5,951 3.0 4.2 -0.6 Oct 5,918 3.0 3.7 -1.0 Nov 5,931 3.5 3.3 -1.1 Dec 5,890 1.6 3.2 -1.0 1998-Jan 5,955 0.9 3.6 -1.2 Feb 5,982 1.7 3.4 -1.0 Mar 6,005 1.7 3.5 -0.9 Apr 6,032 1.2 3.2 -0.7 May 6,070 1.7 3.6 -0.7 Jun 6,001 -0.6 5.8 0.0 Jul 5,854 -2.2 5.3 -0.4 Aug 5,774 -2.4 4.8 0.0 Sep 5,831 -2.0 4.2 0.0 Oct 5,791 -2.1 4.1 0.5 Nov 5,833 -1.7 4.0 0.7 Dec 5,798 -1.6 3.7 0.5 1999-Jan 5,581 -6.3 4.2 0.6 Feb 5,545 -7.3 4.2 0.8 Mar 5,532 -7.9 4.1 0.7 Apr 5,594 -7.3 3.9 0.8 May 5,564 -8.3 4.2 0.6 Jun 5,557 -7.4 5.0 -0.8 Jul 5,494 -6.1 4.5 -0.8 Aug 5,527 -4.3 3.9 -0.9 Sep 5,528 -5.2 4.0 -0.2 Oct 5,489 -5.2 3.9 -0.3 Nov 5,451 -6.5 3.7 -0.3 Dec 5,499 -5.2 3.2 -0.5 2000-Jan 5,130 -8.1 5.5 1.3 Feb 5,126 -7.6 5.3 1.1 Mar 5,075 -8.3 5.5 1.3 Apr 5,022 -10.2 4.9 0.9 May 5,055 -9.1 5.1 0.9 Jun 5,128 -7.7 6.0 1.0 Jul 5,067 -7.8 5.9 1.4 Aug 5,078 -8.1 5.9 2.0 Sep 5,138 -7.1 5.4 1.4 Oct 5,039 -8.2 5.2 1.3 Nov 5,020 -7.9 5.3 1.6 Dec 5,093 -7.4 4.6 1.4 2001-Jan 4,998 -2.6 5.5 0.1 Feb 4,962 -3.2 5.3 0.0 Mar 5,017 -1.1 5.4 -0.1 Apr 5,028 0.1 5.2 0.3 May 5,127 1.4 5.0 -0.1 Jun 5,147 0.4 6.2 0.1 Jul 5,116 1.0 6.0 0.1 Aug 5,116 0.7 5.8 -0.1 Sep 5,156 0.4 5.8 0.4 Oct 5,154 2.3 5.5 0.3 Nov 5,066 0.9 5.7 0.4 Dec 5,062 -0.6 6.0 1.4 2002-Jan 5,074 1.5 6.7 1.2 Feb 5,067 2.1 6.4 1.1 Mar 5,046 0.6 6.3 1.0 Apr 5,057 0.6 6.6 1.4 May 5,126 0.0 6.2 1.2 Jun 5,078 -1.3 7.8 1.6 Jul 5,038 -1.5 8.0 2.1 Aug 5,002 -2.2 7.7 2.0 Sep 5,162 0.1 7.1 1.3 Oct 5,194 0.8 7.0 1.5 Nov 5,187 2.4 7.2 1.5 Dec 5,178 2.3 6.5 0.5 2003-Jan 5,168 1.9 7.3 0.6 Feb 5,197 2.6 7.7 1.3 Mar 5,294 4.9 7.0 0.7 Apr 5,267 4.2 6.9 0.3 May 5,285 3.1 7.2 0.9 Jun 5,330 5.0 8.5 0.8 Jul 5,266 4.5 8.1 0.1 Aug 5,257 5.1 7.4 -0.3 Sep 5,315 3.0 7.2 0.1 Oct 5,317 2.4 7.1 0.1 Nov 5,341 3.0 7.0 -0.2 Dec 5,244 1.3 6.4 -0.1 2004-Jan 5,316 2.9 7.3 0.0 Feb 5,287 1.7 6.7 -1.0 Mar 5,242 -1.0 7.0 0.0 Apr 5,308 0.8 6.5 -0.4 May 5,299 0.3 6.7 -0.5 Jun 5,471 2.6 7.5 -1.1 Jul 5,342 1.4 7.4 -0.7 Aug 5,309 1.0 6.7 -0.7 Sep 5,270 -0.8 6.5 -0.7 Oct 5,238 -1.5 6.6 -0.5 Nov 5,234 -2.0 6.9 0.0 Dec 5,197 -0.9 6.4 0.0 2005-Jan 5,192 -2.3 6.7 -0.6 Feb 5,165 -2.3 6.8 0.0 Mar 5,197 -0.9 6.2 -0.8 Apr 5,157 -2.8 5.9 -0.6 May 5,133 -3.1 6.3 -0.4 Jun 5,215 -4.7 7.0 -0.5 Jul 5,331 -0.2 6.8 -0.7 Aug 5,152 -3.0 6.5 -0.2 Sep 5,130 -2.7 6.1 -0.4 Oct 5,147 -1.7 5.6 -1.0 Nov 5,094 -2.7 6.0 -1.0 Dec 5,089 -2.1 5.8 -0.6 2006-Jan 5,124 -1.3 6.2 -0.5 Feb 5,081 -1.6 6.2 -0.5 Mar 5,083 -2.2 6.0 -0.1 Apr 5,069 -1.7 6.1 0.2 May 5,060 -1.4 6.3 0.0 Jun 5,212 -0.1 7.4 0.4 Jul 5,304 -0.5 7.2 0.5 Aug 5,094 -1.1 6.4 -0.1 Sep 5,099 -0.6 6.1 -0.1 Oct 5,060 -1.7 5.8 0.2 Nov 5,054 -0.8 5.7 -0.3 Dec 5,120 0.6 5.0 -0.8 2007-Jan 5,120 -0.1 6.0 -0.2 Feb 5,125 0.9 5.9 -0.3 Mar 5,135 1.0 5.3 -0.7 Apr 5,065 -0.1 5.0 -1.1 May 5,058 0.0 5.1 -1.2 Jun 5,106 -2.0 6.2 -1.2 Jul 5,119 -3.5 6.5 -0.7 Aug 4,948 -2.9 6.0 -0.4 Sep 5,036 -1.2 6.1 0.0 Oct - - - - Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University © 2007. Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University. All rights reserved. ************************************************ From wilsoncountynews.com DEC 12, 2007 No politics in this, the season to be jolly: Fa-la-la-la- la … Elaine Kolodziej 12.DEC.07 I’m so happy to hear that Al Gore finally has received his Nobel Peace Prize. Perhaps now he’ll take this prize and go away to bask in his glory and leave us alone. I know — fat chance. Anyway, I’ve made a commitment to forego politics during this Christmas season, but this is just so tempting … Holiday shopping continues in a frenzy as the Christmas season gets into full swing. The good news is that the frenzy can be lessened, even if only slightly, if you plan some shopping days away from the giant department stores in the big city. In my own quest to shop locally, I’m thrilled to report that I have run into others who are trying the same thing. Shopping in small towns really can be quite a rewarding experience. A day or a weekend spent going from shop to shop and town to town in the rural area can be — quite literally — a breath of fresh air. As one who has always hated the thought of shopping, I usually do a lot of it online, but that is just lazy. Here’s how I am doing it this year. Rather than fighting traffic on the Internet or on the expressways, and buying all the obligatory over-hyped, over-priced commercialized merchandise advertised to promote the latest video or Hollywood production, try to find unique, meaningful gifts. It may be a bit more challenging, but it can be done if you just take the time to look and put some thought into it. It builds the shopping experience and increases the meaning of exchanging gifts. Make it a tradition like finding the most beautiful fresh-cut Christmas tree. There is no circling the block just to find a parking space a half- mile away and then having to walk clear across the mall to reach your destination. Even if you have to park in the next block in a small town, the blocks are so small, it’s no more than a pleasant walk around the corner. You get to meet some nice folks by shopping in small towns. It also makes your shopping experience more rewarding because you make gift- giving a more thoughtful process. Unusual gifts could include locally produced jams and jellies, dried sausage, plants from the local nurseries, and other specialty gift items. There are wonderful shops all along the Adkins and La Vernia corridor from Stockdale and Seguin to Nixon, and the “other” corridor from Floresville and Poth to Karnes City and Kenedy. Try stopping in the hardware stores, drugstores, book shops, flower shops, and the meat markets, in addition to the wonderful gift shops along the way. Even some of the so-called “feed stores” now carry specialty gift items. It’s true, you may have to make more stops, but you’ll have a more relaxing experience and it will be good for your blood pressure. Just set aside a day or a weekend, get in your car, and head for the country instead of the city. And, if you happen to stop in at the local barber shop and they start to talk politics, as they surely will, tell them, “Not now. Tis the season to be jolly!" - One Opinion ************************************************ From seguingazette.com December 16, 2007 Lady Panthers dominate Kenedy, 71-26 By Jason Chlapek The Gazette-Enterprise This one was never in doubt. Especially after halftime. The Navarro girls basketball team outscored Kenedy, 39-8, in the second half on Friday to coast to a 71-26 victory at Kenedy High School. Navarro (9-9, 2-0 in District 29-2A) evened its overall record for the first time this season, and has won six of its last seven contests after struggling to a 3-8 start. The Lady Panthers are on a four-game winning streak. Not only did Navarro’s top two scorers post more points collectively than Kenedy’s team total, all nine players on the Lady Panthers’ roster scored. Brittany Parker and Sydawnie Douglass scored 17 and 13 points, respectively, and Haley Helweg posted double figures as well with 12 points. Rachele Herzog, Noelle Kubenka and Stephanie Moeller all scored 6 points as well, which matched the high point totals for Kenedy’s leading scorers — Justine Martinez and Allyson Andy — who also scored 6 points each. Navarro led 32-18 at halftime. The Lady Panthers return to the court on Tuesday when they travel to Poth for a 29-2A showdown with the two-time defending 2A state champion. Tip off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Poth High School. ************************************************ From wilsoncountynews.com December 19, 2007 Roaming illegal immigrants scare some local residents by Frank Levine FALLS CITY — What started off as a simple suspicious-vehicle call Dec. 9 ended in the roundup of nine undocumented immigrants west of town. First reports indicated that the immigrants were breaking into area houses to escape arrest, but the Karnes County Sheriff’s Department dismissed the reports, saying the incident was greatly “exaggerated by wild rumors.” “We received our first call about two suspicious vehicles parked along C.R. 206 at 9:35 a.m.,” said Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Stephen Monsivais. “When the deputy approached the vehicles, he noticed that there were toiletries and bottled water inside the vehicles, and in the distance there were nine male subjects running away from the scene.” The deputy was unable to capture the men at the time; however, later in the day, at 7:01 p.m., a second call came in from the area near F.M. 791, claiming there was a burglary in progress. “When our deputy arrived at the scene accompanied by a game warden, they didn’t find anything, but following the reported incident, the nine men were picked up walking along F.M. 791.” But during the episode, rumors flew among area residents that there were roaming bands of illegal immigrants breaking into houses, rumors that were further stimulated by the flashing lights of patrol cars and the blocking off of a road by deputies. “That’s pretty much our standard procedure in events like this one,” Monsivais said. “We were just securing the area … as far as I know, the illegals were not breaking into houses.” Monsivais said the men were taken to jail, where they were turned over to U.S. Border Patrol officers the following morning for eventual deportation. There were no indications as to the nationality of the nine men. “I guess it happens around here every couple of months or so,” Monsivais said. “Some-times, even a couple of times a month.” ************************************************ From seguingazette.com December 20, 2007 Pirates hold off Panthers, 71-67 By Jason Chlapek The Gazette-Enterprise POTH — If the Poth boys basketball team is the District 29-2A favorite, then Navarro may have a strong case for being No. 2. The Panthers battled the Pirates to the brink before falling short, 71-67, on Tuesday at Poth High School in the district opener for both teams. Navarro (5-8, 0-1 in 29-2A) has now lost its last four contests. The Panthers’ last victory was Dec. 7, in a 64-63 victory over Poteet in the Poteet tournament semifinals. The contest served as the nightcap of a varsity doubleheader between teams from Navarro and Poth. Poth won the girls game as well, 60-41. The final 16 seconds provided as much excitement as the first 31 minutes of the game. Poth held on to a 68-65 lead as Navarro was looking to tie the game with a 3-pointer, or pull within one with a 2- point basket. But a turnover by the Panthers led to a foul and a pair of Pirate free throws, which gave Poth a 70-65 advantage. Zach Hernandez drove downcourt, and drew a foul on a 3-point shot attempt to earn three shots from the charity stripe with three seconds left to play. Hernandez hit the first two free throws to once again pull Navarro within three, 70-67, and intentionally missed the third in hopes of either himself or a teammate grabbing the rebound and hitting a game-tying 3-pointer before the buzzer. However, the rebound was grabbed by a Poth player, who hit one of two free throws for the final margin. Hernandez led the Panthers with 31 points, six assists and four steals. Will Valdez scored 11 points, while Clayton Warren had 10 points to go with eight rebounds. Wesley Ply led Navarro with 10 rebounds. Poth was led by 21 points from Michael Hrna. Navarro will try to snap its four-game losing streak on Friday when the Panthers host Karnes City at 8 p.m. at the Navarro Special Events Center. Friday night will feature another varsity doubleheader as the Lady Panthers face Karnes City at 6:30 p.m., with the boys contest to follow 15 minutes after. ************************************************ From seguingazette.com December 21, 2007 Area hoops teams hit the court By Jason Chlapek The Gazette-Enterprise GUADALUPE COUNTY — It may be the final day of the first semester for area schools, but five teams hit the basketball courts tonight. The Seguin boys, Marion boys and girls and Navarro boys and girls teams all participate in contests just hours after hitting the books for one last time in 2007. The Navarro girls (9-10, 2-1 in District 29-2A) and boys (5-8, 0-1 in 29-2A) host Karnes City in a doubleheader at 6:30 and 8 p.m., respectively. Tonight marks the second time in a row that the Navarro teams have participated in a varsity doubleheader. Both teams lost at Poth on Tuesday. For three quarters, the Lady Panthers gave the two-time defending state champion Pirettes a scare, and even went into the fourth quarter trailing 44-33 after outscoring Poth, 20-14, in the third quarter. But Navarro could not get to the free throw line in the final eight minutes, and was held to 8 points in the period as they fell, 60-41. Despite the loss, Lady Panthers coach Darrell Harborth saw some things that look promising for his team. “Poth is a beatable team, and we saw some things that could help us the next time we face them,” he said. Navarro hosts Poth on Jan. 22. The Navarro boys also gave Poth a scare as the Panthers had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds before the Pirates hit free throws down the stretch to claim a 71-67 victory. Navarro looks for its first district win against a Karnes City team which finished last season in seventh place in 29-2A. The district race featured a four-way tie for first place between Kenedy, Nixon- Smiley, Poth and Stockdale, and Kenedy was the odd-man out of the playoffs. Randolph was fifth and finished just one game behind the four-way deadlock, while Navarro claimed sixth. Seguin (9-5) returns to the court for the first time in a week, and visits Gonzales at 7:30 p.m. today. The Matadors are coming off a 55-47 loss to San Marcos in the 25-5A opener for both teams. The Marion boys (8-6) visit Wimberley at 8 p.m. today, and are coming off a narrow 69-68 victory over Ingram Tom Moore on Monday at Marion. The victory gave the Bulldogs their second win in the last six games. The Marion girls (11-4) will look for their sixth win in a row when the Bulldogs host Somerset at 7:30 p.m. today. Marion’s last contest was last Friday, when the Bulldogs beat Devine, 54-47, at Marion High School. ************************************************ From seguingazette.com December 23, 2007 CCSCT facing funding crisis By Michael Cary The Gazette-Enterprise SEGUIN — If nothing is done to raise funds, the Community Council of South Central Texas may have no money to make its next payroll and keep various community service programs operating. “We need cash fast or we won’t be able to make our payroll,” Adolfo Aguilar Jr., chairman for the group’s board of directors said during a Friday meeting. Aguilar said the state has refused to implement a new cost reimbursement plan until a new executive director is hired. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs changed the manner in which it pays for the programs that the agency operates, requiring it to pay its employees and other bills up front before seeking reimbursement from the state. On Friday, the CCSCT board of directors appointed Mary Lou Castillo as the agency’s interim executive director. Castillo, who holds a master’s degree in public administration from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State), served as the executive assistant to Louis Ramirez, who resigned the top post in late November after questions were raised about the organization’s finances. “I’m not interested in the executive director position. I feel comfortable in the short term,” Castillo told the board. The CCSCT’s family planning program is more than $150,000 in debt, and the agency’s former method of using a credit card to keep the agency in a cash flow ended when the TDHCA announced that it would no longer tolerate that practice. The CCSCT under Ramirez’s direction incurred approximately $80,000 in debt through a line of credit with Wells Fargo Bank. Castillo said she would rely on the board for guidance during the current financial crisis. The CCSCT’s next payday for employees is Jan. 3. At the request of Atascosa County Judge Diana Bautista, the board voted to meet once monthly and to provide oversight of CCSCT’s finances. Comal County Judge Danny Scheel suggested that oversight be provided by an executive committee of the board since many of the directors would have to drive long distances from the 11 counties the CCSCT serves. The board discussed selling the building at 808 E. Pine St. in Seguin, where the agency’s family planning clinic is located. Karnes County Judge Alger Kendall made a motion to take out a loan on the building and to eventually sell it to raise money to meet the CCSCT’s imminent financial obligations. Kendall made the motion to get a loan “for cash to operate or otherwise shut down in three weeks” — a motion the board approved. Board members Bautista and Thalia Stautzenberger, Seguin’s city secretary, voted against incurring any more debt through a loan on the property. Stautzenberger said the CCSCT could possibly close its clinic if another non-profit agency in Gonzales opens a site in Seguin and offers family planning. Aguilar said the CCSCT would need a loan to get an immediate cash flow, then the building could be sold. “If we don’t borrow against the building we own, there might not be money to pay for programs, or our payroll,” Aguilar said. The board also discussed selling off surplus vehicles to raise cash. Medina County Justice of the Peace George Ernst said local banks are shying away from lending money to the CCSCT because of the recent bad publicity it has gotten in light of accusations of improper spending practices by Ramirez. The board of directors had earlier met in executive session to discuss Ramirez’s request to reconsider his resignation, but they provided no details of the request. Scheel called for the board to reaffirm his resignation under the terms previously agreed to by Ramirez and his attorney when he submitted his resignation. That decision was unanimous. Ramirez was not present for the board meeting Friday afternoon. Scheel told the board that it should consider placing the oversight for the CCSCT’s operations under the auspices of the Alamo Area Council of Governments. “I contacted AACOG and asked if they would be willing to do oversight of this organization. They said they would consider it. Under their supervision, this board would still exist,” Scheel said. ************************************************ From seguingazette.com December 23, 2007 Navarro girls beat KC, 60-45 By Jason Chlapek The Gazette-Enterprise GERONIMO — Brittany Parker had plenty of comparisons to various horror movie characters on Friday. It’s funny how wearing a face protector can do that. Parker, wearing a face protector due to a broken nose sustained in the Navarro girls basketball team’s 60-41 loss at Poth on Tuesday, fought off side affects of the injury — and comparisons to Jason Voorhees and Hannibal Lectar — to record 17 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks in leading the Lady Panthers to a 60-45 victory over Karnes City at the Navarro Special Events Center in District 29-2A action. After the game, Parker said she felt well. “My nose is a little sore, but it’s getting better with time,” she said. After throwing a ball out of bounds in the first quarter, Parker excalimed to Navarro coach Darrell Harborth that she couldn’t see. “The foam in the mask was blocking my vision at first,” she said. “But I was able to adjust to it as the game progressed.” And adjust she did as Parker scored 13 of her 17 points in the second half, including 8 in the fourth quarter. Navarro (10-10, 3-1 in District 29-2A) led 48-44 midway through the fourth quarter before closing out the game on a 12-1 run behind 6 points from Parker and 4 from Sydawnie Douglass. Haley Helweg led all scorers with 19 points. The Lady Panthers play again on Dec. 31, when they travel to Falls City for a 12:15 p.m. contest. ************************************************ From mysa.com December 24, 2007 Two die in Karnes County collision Two Runge residents died in a head-on crash on Texas 72 just after noon on Saturday in Karnes County that may have resulted from a driver falling asleep, according to a report by Department of Public Safety Trooper Javier Reyes. Patricia Saenz, 47, was driving a 2004 pickup west on Texas 72 when she failed to negotiate a right hand curve — possibly because she dozed off — and crossed into the oncoming lane at 12:05 p.m., Reyes said. Neccia Hoskins, 51, was eastbound in a 2002 pickup and tried unsuccessfully to avoid a collision. The vehicles hit on the shoulder at the 554 mile marker, where Saenz and Hoskins were pronounced dead at 1:15 p.m., Reyes said. ************************************************ From whiskeytexas.blogspot.com December 25, 2007 Texas Seven Christmas In mid-December of 2000, seven inmates escaped from the Connally unit ofthe Texas state prison in Kenedy, Texas. After a couple weeks on the run, they robbed an Oshman's sporting goods store in Irving, Texas on Christmas Eve, killing Irving police officer Aubrey Hawkins in the process before they fled to Colorado. It was late January before authorities caught up with the "Texas Seven", five of them at a trailer park near Colorado Springs and the others at a nearby motel. Due in no small part to the Christmas Eve killing, their story had made national news, appearing on such high- profile outlets as "America's Most Wanted."Phone calls poured in on the tip hotlines, and soon the escapees could no longer avoid the spotlight. As the police closed in, one of the convicts committed suicide; the other six were apprehended and taken back into custody. All are currently awaiting their executions onTexas' Death Row. I've thought about it many times -- how evil do you have to be to murder someone -- someone's father, someone's husband -- on Christmas Eve, the most pure and holiest of nights? I've also wondered something else. I was at work the next day, Christmas Day, dispatching the Amarillo desk which included the former Ft. Worth & Denver line from Amarillo through Dalhart to Texline. We had a busy day going, with six westbound trains out of Amarillo heading toward Texline. However, no Trinidad crews were in position to handle the trains once they got to Texline. The Trinidad crews had all been home for the holiday, and a heavy snowstorm descended on southern Colorado and northwest Texas before the railroad could get the Trinidad crews in position. When the trains started arriving in Texline, all I could tell the crews was to tie 'em down and go to the motel. We parked one on #1 track, one on #2, and two trains nose to tail on the main. Somewhere along the way,we also parked two trains in the sidings at Guy and Perico, and since no crew limos were running, the last train en route to Texline picked up those crews. Later, when I found out the Texas Seven had fled to Colorado, I imagined them driving northwest on US 87 through that snowstorm between Dalhart and Texline. Had they noticed the parade of trains as they drove slowly along in their stolen car, one of the few vehicles on the road during that Christmas Day whiteout? Maybe they heard a train whistle during a stop at a Dalhart convenience store for gas and coffee? Hell, they might have driven within a mile or two of MY HOUSE as they departed the D-FW area; I might even have passed them on the freeway on my way home from work on Christmas Eve. Sometimes -- even at Christmas -- evil lurks closer than we think. I can't begin to imagine the level of grief the Hawkins family must have gone through during that Christmas of 2000. For my family, it was just another holiday. K's sisters were in town and her parents drove up from Arlington to join us for dinner like they do every year. Maybe my parents joined us for dinner as well, or maybe we went to their house for dinner a day or two earlier. Eight years down the road, I honestly can't remember. What I do remember is the Hawkins case serving as a sobering reminder of the preciousness and uncertainty of life, of the importance of never taking the people we love for granted, and the thanks and gratitude we owe officers like Aubrey Hawkins for putting their lives on the line -- 365 days a year -- to keep us and our families safe. ************************************************ From seguingazette.com December 26, 2007 Navarro boys use 31-10 run to rally past KC By Jason Chlapek The Gazette-Enterprise GERONIMO — For nearly three quarters on Friday, it looked as if the Navarro boys were destined to lose for the fifth time in a row. But the Panthers picked up the pace in the final 12 minutes of the contest as Zach Hernandez and A.K. Williams scored 15 and 12 second- half points, respectively, to lead their team to a come-from-behind 66-55 victory over Karnes City at the Navarro Special Events Center in District 29-2A action. Part of the Panthers’ second-half surge was likely sparked by some halftime words used by coach Bob Ermel. “I told the guys that we looked like a junior varsity team [in the first half], and that we had to pull together,” Ermel said. Early in the third quarter, though, it looked as if Ermel’s players didn’t get the message as Navarro (6-8, 1-1 in 29-2A) fell behind 45- 35. But, the Panthers didn’t stay down long as they scored the last 9 points of the third quarter to pull within one, 45-44, entering the fourth quarter. The 9-0 run to close out the third quarter was the start of a game- ending 31-10 spurt by Navarro. During the run, Hernandez scored 13 points, Wiliams had 10 and Wesley Ply scored 8. Hernandez, Ply and Williams also happened to be the Panthers’ leading scorers with all three scoring the majority of their points in the second half. Hernandez scored a team-high 19 points with 15 coming in the second half, Ply scored 10 of his 14 points after halftime, and Williams had 12 of his 17 points in the final 16 minutes. Ply also recorded 10 rebounds to post his fifth double-double of the season. Ply and Clayton Warren shared the steals lead with six each. Warren also led with six assists. In the first half, Navarro struggled to put the ball in the basket as the Panthers scored just 9 points in the first quarter and 11 in the second as they trailed 32-20 at halftime. Navarro trailed, 14-9, at the end of the first quarter. Hernandez scored 4 points in the first quarter, but was shutout in the second. Ply and Williams had 4 and 3 first-half points, respectively. “We couldn’t get our shots to fall for anything in the first half,” Ermel said. Karnes City’s Clayton Reynolds led all scorers in the first half with 14 points, but was held to 9 points in the second half to finish with a game-high 23 points. “This was a nice comeback, and it’s good to get a win like this,” Ermel said. Navarro faces D’Hanis at 9 a.m. Friday in pool play of the Natalia Tournament. The Panthers then face Ingram Tom Moore at noon. ************************************************ From barrypopik.com December 30, 2007 Six Shooter Junction A “six-shooter” is a revolver capable of firing six shots before reloading. The Texas towns of Harlingen, Hempstead, Kenedy, and Waco have all claimed to be known as “Six Shooter Junction” at some point in their histories. The term is largely of historical interest today, to promote a “Wild West” past. “Six shooter junction” first appears in print in the 1920s. Wikipedia: Hempstead, Texas Hempstead is a city in Waller County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,691 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Waller CountyGR6. (...) History Hempstead was established as a railroad center in 1856 and incorporated as a town two years later. The town became the seat of Waller County in 1873 as the town grew as a processor of cotton. By the turn of the 20th century, the town’s economy switched from cotton to shipping. Because of violent disputes between different groups, including the Ku Klux Klan, Hempstead became one of several Texas towns known as Six-Shooter Junction. Wikipedia: Harlingen, Texas Harlingen is a city in Cameron County in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas, United States. The city covers more than 34 sq mi (88 km²) and is the second largest city in Cameron County and the third largest in the Rio Grande Valley after Brownsville and McAllen. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 57,564. The 2005 U.S. Census estimate shows Harlingen had a population of approximately 66,498. Wikipedia: Kenedy, Texas Kenedy is a city in Karnes County, Texas, United States, named for Mifflin Kenedy. The population was 3,487 at the 2000 census. Wikipedia: Waco, Texas Waco (pronounced /'we?ko?/) is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas, Texas. The city has a 2005 estimated total population of 120,465. It is the 26th largest city by population in Texas, and 195th in the US. The Waco MSA consists of McLennan County and has a population of 226,189. It is served by Waco Regional Airport. Waco (TX) Police Department Six-Shooter Junction and the Red Light District By the 1890’s, Waco had come to be known as “Six-Shooter Junction” because of the number of famous gunfights that took place in the downtown area. It was also in 1890 that the City of Waco passed laws creating the first legal, licensed “red light district” in the State of Texas. (Oxford English Dictionary) six-shooter A revolver capable of firing six shots without reloading; a six- chambered revolver. Also fig. 1844 (Illinois) Neighbor 24 July 3/1 Joseph..opening the door..discharged one barrel of a six shooter (Pistol) in the entry. 1856 KANE Arct. Expl. II. xxv. 250 The imaginary powers of the angekok-soak and the marvellous six-shooter which attested them. 1865 LOWELL Wks. (1890) V. 267 Every senator seems to carry..a sort of legislative six-shooter. 2 December 1923, San Antonio (TX) Express, pg. A3, col. 6: About Harlingen. (...) A saloon on the west side of the track nearby was the chief congregation point of the little town. Many tough characters found their way thither and many fights and brawls occurred with frequent shootings which often proved fatal. This is why the town has been called the dub name of “Six Shooter Junction.” 14 September 1924, San Antonio (TX) Light, part 2, pg. 5, col. 1: HARLINGEN, Tex., Sept. 13.—“Six Shooter Junction” in 1911; “The Gateway to the Valley in 1924. 20 December 1933, Vidette-Messenger (Valparaiso, IN), “Town Can’t Live Down ‘Six Shooter Junction’ Soubriquet,” pg. 1, cols. 2-7: HEMPSTEAD, Tex., Dec. 20.—(UP)—Hempstead cannot outlive the face it achieved when it was known by its soubriquet of “Six Shooter Junction” and at the same time knew the cosmopolitan air of a European sculptoress. Google Books Texas: A Guide to the Lone Star State by the Writers’ Program of the Works Progress Administration of Texas New York, NY: Hastings House 1940 Pg. 514: In early days Harlingen was the home station of a company of Texas Rangers, and the presence of armed Rangers and United States customs and immigration inspectors on the streets and at the railroad station earned the town the name of Six-shooter Junction. (OCLC WorldCat record) Title: Lillie of Six-Shooter Junction; the amazing story of Lillie Drennan and Hempstead, Texas, Author(s): Bruce, Florence Guild, 1899- Publication: San Antonio, Tex., Naylor Co. Year: 1946 (OCLC WorldCat record) Title: Harlingen golden anniversary celebration, April 24-30; official program. Author(s): McKenna, Verna Jackson. Publication: [Harlingen? Tex., Year: 1960 Description: 1 v. (unpaged) illus. 29 cm. Language: English Standard No: LCCN: 74-151121 SUBJECT(S) Geographic: Harlingen (Tex.)—History. Note(s): Cover title./ At head of title: Memories on parade--the saga of Six-shooter Junction./ “The history of Harlingen in this book was compiled, written, and edited by Verna Jackson McKenna.” 6 April 1962, Corpus Christi (TX) Times, “Six Shooter Junction - The Kenedy Version” by Ed Syers, pg. 2B, col. 1: So far as is known by genial and lore-minded South Texan Bill Chesnutt, editor of the Kenedy Advance, at least three Texas towns claim the title of “Six Shooter Junction.” “I know of Hempstead and Harlingen,” says Chesnutt. “Kenedy’s the real one.” (OCLC WorldCat record) Title: A history of early Waco with allusions to Six Shooter Junction, Author(s): Curry, William H. Publication: [Waco, Printed by Texan Press, Year: 1968 (Trademark) Word Mark SIX SHOOTER JUNCTION Goods and Services (CANCELLED) IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: restaurant and bar services. FIRST USE: 19970801. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19970801 Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING Serial Number 75269447 Filing Date April 4, 1997 Current Filing Basis 1A Original Filing Basis 1B Published for Opposition February 24, 1998 Registration Number 2235047 Registration Date March 23, 1999 Owner (REGISTRANT) Johnson-Dillard Incorporated CORPORATION TEXAS P.O. Box 71 Waco TEXAS 76703 Attorney of Record GALE R PETERSON Type of Mark SERVICE MARK Register PRINCIPAL Live/Dead Indicator DEAD Cancellation Date December 31, 2005 ************************************************ ************************************************