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Region 3 Early Childhood Intervention staff.
For Region 3 Early Childhood Intervention, winning best nonprofit and best place to work comes after decades of building culture and expertise across the years.
This is the second time Region 3 ECI has won the best nonprofit and the first time they've won best place to work.
"I really think that it's such an honor," said Linda Ledwig, ECI deputy executive director. "So much of the credit goes to the staff that we have here."
Since 1981, Region 3 Early Education Center Early Childhood Intervention Program has been serving the Crossroads and that experience has proven invaluable to the nonprofit.
"We are the experts in birth to 3 education in the region," Ledwig said.
This comes from the years of experience across their staff, which has people who have worked their for 15, 20 and 30 years, she said.
That staff includes early intervention specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, registered nurses, nutritionists, speech therapists and case managers.
The importance of the work the ECI does was the key reason they won best nonprofit and best place to work, Ledwig said.
The development of children from birth to 3-years-old is one of the most critical time periods in their growth, Ledwig said. Having an experienced staff that is passionate about what they do along with support from the ECI's regional partners makes all the difference in achieving the organization's mission.
Having that mission to help children and their families and a staff that wants to make a difference makes this a great place to work, she said.
Region 3 Edi
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2022-04-24T13:06:06Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Best nonprofit, place to work: Region 3 Early Childhood Intervention: | Best Of The Best | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/361mag/best_of_the_best/best-nonprofit-place-to-work-region-3-early-childhood-intervention/article_0066ccc0-b072-11ec-82e3-172452bcb87e.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/361mag/best_of_the_best/best-nonprofit-place-to-work-region-3-early-childhood-intervention/article_0066ccc0-b072-11ec-82e3-172452bcb87e.html
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TISD Logo
Best Internet Service: TISD
TISD has been in business for over 27 years, offering broadband wireless internet across the Texas Gulf Coast region at an affordable rate.
The company has a coverage area that stretches over 3,000 square miles and a subscriber base of more than 10,000 customers.
"The entire TISD team works hard each day to make every customer a priority. Our goal is to provide quality service and an excellent customer experience. We provide our employees with the tools to be successful and in turn they are able to assist customers in the best possible way," said Donna Castor, TISD's CEO.
Their great talent and happy workforce is what sets TISD apart from its competition and earned it the award of best internet service provider in the region, she said.
"2022 is a huge year for TISD. We have several long-term projects that will be coming to completion this year, including expanding our footprint. We are implementing new technology to give our customers faster speeds than ever before, " Castor said.
Its new streaming service, Vidgo launched on April 1. It is a live TV streaming service that offers thousands of movies and TV shows on demand. The channels range from local and national news, to sports, to Discovery and Hallmark. Castor believes TISD's customers will love it.
"After 27 years of service to the community, it is truly an honor and a privilege to be the first internet service provider to have won this award. This company was built on serving our community and we appreciate our customers for voting for us," she said.
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2022-04-24T13:07:25Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Best Internet Service: TISD | | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/best-internet-service-tisd/article_11c61596-b43e-11ec-99b5-f3d2527fff71.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/best-internet-service-tisd/article_11c61596-b43e-11ec-99b5-f3d2527fff71.html
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Double J Eatery won best chicken fried steak in Victoria for Best of the Best.
Once you get a bite of Double J Eatery's chicken fried steak, there's no going back.
You'll be hooked for life.
It's quite common to find repeat customers coming from a couple counties over just for another bite, said brother and sister co-owners John Piera and Lauren Tagliabue.
"(They say), it's the best one I've ever had," Tagliabue said. "People drive from Hallettsville, Cuero, all around, just to eat chicken fried steaks."
"All over the Crossroads, they come over to eat," said Piera. "It's tender, juicy, and you have a crunchy crust."
Others make pit stops on trips from Houston, Austin and beyond.
Coated in a proprietary crust, the chicken fried steaks are coated in a creamy white-pepper gravy made in house. Altogether, the combination of complementary flavors and textures is irresistible.
But Double J Eatery has even more to offer.
The restaurant's fried shrimp has a comparable following. Each and every shrimp is butterflied by hand and breaded in the same proprietary crust. That item is so popular they go through about 130 pounds of shrimp each week.
"It's a lot of labor and a lot of love," said Tagliabue.
Since opening, the restaurant has won repeated Best of the Best awards for their chicken fried steak and others.
Seeing that support from the community is great, Tagliabue and Piera said. After all, it's a community they love and support.
Over the years, they have supported local school and student organizations among other groups.
During the pandemic, the restaurant offered free meals to every local public school teacher as well as teachers from several local private schools.
For Tagliabue and Piera, who love Victoria's close-knit sense of community, that act of giving was an easy one.
Double J Eatery
Chjcken Fried Steak
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2022-04-24T13:07:31Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Best chicken fried steak: Double J Eatery | Best of the Best | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/bestof/best-chicken-fried-steak-double-j-eatery/article_2e813606-b151-11ec-87f1-27b08bca7a57.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/bestof/best-chicken-fried-steak-double-j-eatery/article_2e813606-b151-11ec-87f1-27b08bca7a57.html
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Bobby Leon, owner of Chesnick Furniture, talks about the history of his business during the 100th Anniversary Celebration on Jan. 14, 2021 in Victoria.
Best Furniture: Chesnick Furniture
For Bobby Leon, being a part of the furniture store business has been ingrained in his family since 1920 when his grandfather Ed Chesnick immigrated to the United States from Russia.
In 1944, Chesnick purchased the then Holland & Adur and officially changed the name to Chesnick Furniture Co.
Today, Leon is the third-generation in the furniture company’s legacy.
On Jan. 14, 2021, the store celebrated its 100th year in business in Victoria. This year, the furniture store is adding another award as Chesnick Furniture was named best furniture store by Advocate readers.
“I think it’s wonderful,” said Leon, who is owner and president of the company. “I’d like to think that we give our customers the best white glove service that we can do.”
Leon described Chesnick Furniture as a residential home furnishing store carrying items from medium to high-end price points, offering items such as upholstery merchandise, section and reclining sofas, sleepers and gliders. Beside the plethora of furniture the store offers, Leon attributes the continuous success of the business to the customers and the dedicated employees on staff.
“My vision is just to continue on for as long as we can,” Leon said. “My next goal will be 125 years.”
Chesnick Furniturej
Bobby Leon
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2022-04-24T13:07:37Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Best Furniture: Chesnick Furniture | Best of the Best | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/bestof/best-furniture-chesnick-furniture/article_b583aabe-b131-11ec-854f-77a08ccd3eaf.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/bestof/best-furniture-chesnick-furniture/article_b583aabe-b131-11ec-854f-77a08ccd3eaf.html
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RCR Homes
Best home builder/ roofer: RCR Homes
RCR Homes owner Roland Rodriguez loves handing over the keys to a beautiful, brand-new home.
That's because there's nothing quite like watching a family start the next chapter of their lives together in a home that's perfect for them.
"You see these families enjoying the same home you helped create. It’s pretty freaking cool," he said. "It’s such a fulfilling accomplishment."
Rodriguez started building homes in 2008, and he founded his business in 2014. He's now built so many homes, he literally cannot remember the exact count.
In that time, he has learned not only the ins and outs of building homes but also how to work with his customers during what is an admittedly complex and often stressful process.
After all, a new home is a serious investment.
"That can be a little intimidating and scary," he said. "I try to be very transparent about the whole process."
That's become even more important since the COVID-19 pandemic began wreaking havoc on the building supply market. Prices have increased, and any reasonable time estimates for supply availability have utterly evaporated.
"The challenges we face are unprecedented," Rodriguez said.
But that's where the company and its team's business principles come into play.
Now more than ever, it's absolutely essential to consistently inform customers of what's happening with their soon-to-be home. Transparency and clear communication are key, he said.
And those principles have once again won Rodriguez a Best of the Best award from Victoria Advocate readers. The company won best home builder/roofer.
"If you build with RCR, it feels like you are building with family," he said.
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2022-04-24T13:07:44Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Best home builder/ roofer: RCR Homes | Best of the Best | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/bestof/best-home-builder-roofer-rcr-homes/article_eba42b98-b143-11ec-83b3-6b348e469d4c.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/bestof/best-home-builder-roofer-rcr-homes/article_eba42b98-b143-11ec-83b3-6b348e469d4c.html
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Palm Harbor Homes, 1709 E. Houston Highway in Victoria.
Best Manufactured Homes: Palm Harbor Homes
Located at 1709 E. Houston Highway, Palm Harbor Homes won the best manufactured homes business for the fourth year in a row.
“I think we’re right where we’re supposed to be,” JR Shelby, general manager said through a chuckle. “Our customers are seeing it, the community is seeing it and I definitely agree with it. I’m thankful that our customers feel the same way.”
The company has been selling manufactured and modular homes to the community since 1988.
A key to the company’s continued success starts with customer service, first and foremost, Shelby said. Following that comes quality construction that goes into the homes, he added.
“The special thing about Palm Harbor is the many different price points, floor plans and building options that we have,” Shelby said. “We literally have a floor plan in every possible price point for any customers out there.”
Entry level homes start in the $50,000 range, and the company even competes with side builders with the typical house that can go up to $450,000, Shelby said.
“I’m just thankful that we won for the fourth year in a row,” Shelby said. “And I’m looking forward to adding number five to our resume."
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2022-04-24T13:07:50Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Best Manufactured Homes: Palm Harbor Homes | Best of the Best | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/bestof/best-manufactured-homes-palm-harbor-homes/article_0594443c-b06f-11ec-a3e5-736c0fe2a3a6.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/bestof/best-manufactured-homes-palm-harbor-homes/article_0594443c-b06f-11ec-a3e5-736c0fe2a3a6.html
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School Matters: What do we mean when we talk about 'genius'?
When we write these columns, press releases and other content for our stakeholders, you might see that we use a few catchphrases. Finding Their ‘And’ might be one you think of, and you’ve probably read or heard us talk about students and staff finding their genius as well. If you’ve attended or streamed a VISD school board meeting, you’ve probably heard a trustee or Dr. Shepherd comment “and that’s your genius” following a presentation.
Why do we use this verbiage? Why do we have these catchphrases? What do they mean when we are talking about students, staff and the VISD community?
In the simplest educational examples, some of us like math, for some it’s art, others history, and for some it’s music. Not everyone is going to enjoy learning the same things, nor are those subjects or topics going to come easy learning for all students. The number of niches available to students in VISD is limitless. VISD has ensured that students and staff are inspired to teach and empowered to learn through creating choice and living a District Strategic Plan that specifically states, “high school students will pursue their genius.”
Through exposure, exploration, and experiences, students and staff can learn more about themselves, what they enjoy, and what they are good at opening the doors for each person’s genius to come to life.
VISD believes that students and staff should explore through choice, pathways, and experiences in and out of the classroom. So, what does this look like? For students, exposure means attending field trips to the University of Houston-Victoria to learn more about STEM programs offered or meeting community partners at personalized learning campuses to learn about various career fields. Exposure means having the opportunity to take a wide variety of classes through routes such as AP, Dual-Credit, or the Career and Technology Institute. It means getting the opportunity to put classroom knowledge to work through learning-based practicum experiences with local partners. It’s having the chance to try out for the band, softball, basketball, or the dance team.
On a more personal level, doesn’t every parent see the genius in their children? At Victoria ISD, we believe the family/school partnership should be as tight as possible, so we want to celebrate the same genius you see in your own children. Further, we all know how important it is for children to hear positive and authentic affirmations. What could be more positive, authentic, and affirming than to hear about one’s own personal and unique genius? We take this as a charge to know all our students deeply and on a personal level.
Staff in VISD also have the opportunity for exposure outside of their normal classroom through extracurricular opportunities, coaching, summer camps, or curriculum writing, to name a few.
We don’t expect students, teachers, or any of our other staff to find the same things interesting or exciting. It is not necessary for you to like a certain sport, academic subject, or extracurricular just because someone else does. While that may be their niche, it doesn’t have to be yours.
What is necessary, however, is to have the opportunity to find your niche. In Victoria ISD, we call this “Finding Your Genius”.
Your “genius” could be anything. It might be undiscovered, so we’re here to help you find it.
Ashley Scott is the executive director of Communications and Public Relations at Victoria school district.
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2022-04-24T21:20:49Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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School Matters: What do we mean when we talk about 'genius'? | Education | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/education/school-matters-what-do-we-mean-when-we-talk-about-genius/article_9cb1b7f0-c1b3-11ec-bbb8-ffd73d929ce3.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/education/school-matters-what-do-we-mean-when-we-talk-about-genius/article_9cb1b7f0-c1b3-11ec-bbb8-ffd73d929ce3.html
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VC offering ‘Microsoft Excel Level 2 in a Day’ class on May 14
Victoria College is offering a ‘Microsoft Excel Level 2 in a Day’ class from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 14 in Room 307 of the Conference & Education Center at VC’s Emerging Technology Complex.
The course builds on the basic concepts learned in the Level 1 course to provide more advanced tools for analysis and presentation of complex, realistic data.
The cost for the class is $95 and includes all course materials. The deadline to register is noon May 3.
Victoria College’s Emerging Technology Complex is at 7403 Lone Tree Road in Victoria.
To register or get more information, call 361-582-2528 or visit VictoriaCollege.edu/WCE.
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2022-04-24T21:20:55Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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VC offering ‘Microsoft Excel Level 2 in a Day’ class on May 14 | Higher Education | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/highereducation/vc-offering-microsoft-excel-level-2-in-a-day-class-on-may-14/article_f1fc65b8-c0f3-11ec-b248-abdc882f0911.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/highereducation/vc-offering-microsoft-excel-level-2-in-a-day-class-on-may-14/article_f1fc65b8-c0f3-11ec-b248-abdc882f0911.html
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Meredith Bridges
Outstanding business student plans to help communities prosper
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Meredith Bridges was getting ready to start student teaching so she could become a teacher. However, once the schools shut down, all student teaching was suspended, and she decided to find a new plan for her career.
Now, Bridges is preparing to graduate on May 14 with a Master of Science in entrepreneurship and economic development from the University of Houston-Victoria College of Business with a goal to work in community development in the future. She was also named the Outstanding Graduate Student for the business school. Salvador Francis Palma, of Houston, was named the Outstanding Undergraduate Student.
“Receiving this award was such a welcome surprise,” said Bridges, a native of Cypress. “It’s rejuvenated me and helped me find the energy to get through this last semester. The past two years have been some crazy times, and being in UHV’s online program has helped me feel connected to the world.”
Each semester, faculty from UHV’s four colleges select outstanding graduates to be honored during commencement. UHV will hold two spring graduation ceremonies on May 14 at Faith Family Church, 2002 E. Mockingbird Lane. The 10 a.m. ceremony will be for graduates of the colleges of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences and Natural & Applied Science. The 3 p.m. ceremony will be for graduates of the colleges of Business and Education & Health Professions. A live-streaming broadcast of the ceremonies will be available atuhv.edu/graduation.
“Meredith is a great student who did an outstanding job in my class,” said David Summers, UHV associate professor of entrepreneurship. “She will do well in community economy building. I am excited for her and wish her all the best.”
Bridges chose to pursue a degree in entrepreneurship and economic development because she had considered owning her own business in the past, she said. However, as she took more classes and better understood how economic development works, she decided she would rather help communities build their economies.
“We read a lot of articles in class about how communities can come together to revitalize their economies,” she said. “I loved learning about that, and now my dream job is to work in a Main Street development office and help a community grow in new and exciting ways.”
In addition to helping her find a new direction for her career, her time taking online classes also helped Bridges to cope with some difficult times at home. During the pandemic, she gave birth to her third child. She had some post-partum difficulties that resulted in a hospital stay, and her school work gave her something to focus on other than her problems, she said.
At the same time, her husband was working as a resident in a local hospital, which meant he was working about 80 hours a week. However, between help from her parents, who helped take care of the children, encouragement from her husband, and working on her classwork while staying up late at night to feed and care for the new baby, she was able to complete her degree in just two years.
“I’m grateful to everyone in my family for their support and encouragement,” Bridges said. “My parents never hesitated to take the kids for a weekend or even a whole week to help, and my husband has always given me amazing support. He’s never complained about how much time I had to devote to studying or anything. I couldn’t have done it without their help.”
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2022-04-24T21:21:07Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Outstanding business student plans to help communities prosper | News | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/outstanding-business-student-plans-to-help-communities-prosper/article_da8a14d6-c0f1-11ec-9e5c-b740f6829e4c.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/outstanding-business-student-plans-to-help-communities-prosper/article_da8a14d6-c0f1-11ec-9e5c-b740f6829e4c.html
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Marilyn Medina
Sara Munoz
Amy Hatmaker
UHV student prepares for crime scene work through SAPD internship
Marilyn Medina learns something new every day as an intern for the San Antonio Police Department as she rotates between different divisions to gain a big-picture understanding of law enforcement.
Medina, a University of Houston-Victoria sophomore criminal justice major from San Antonio, views the internship as providing essential experience for her goal of becoming a crime scene investigator.
“It has been a really good experience with the police department, and it’s given me a perspective that not everyone gets to see,” Medina said.
The semester-long internship requires her to invest a total of 140 hours observing the work of officers in different units of the police department. So far, she has spent time with officers who work at various substations around San Antonio and in different units, including crime scene investigations, financial crimes, regular patrol, narcotics, traffic fatalities and more.
“Every day always looks a little different,” she said. “I’ve worked with a number of units already, and I think they’ve all been good learning experiences. It’s all been an eye-opening experience to have the privilege to be a part of this and see everything that goes on.”
She has also developed a greater understanding of community issues and an appreciation for the human side of the police officers she was able to meet and work with.
“It’s the people who make it a lot more interesting every day,” she said.
The interns make the work days of the officers more interesting too, as they get to hear civilian perspectives on different issues, said police Officer Sara Munoz, the recruiter who oversees SAPD’s internship program. SAPD also supports its internship program because it is an investment in the police department’s future force and in these students.
“These internships give students insight into this line of work and if it’s something they want to do,” Munoz said.
An internship with a law enforcement agency is ideal for a student who wants to work in forensics, but internship opportunities are uncommon, said Amy Hatmaker, director of UHV Career Services for whom Medina works part time as a student.
“That’s what’s so exciting, because opportunities like that are rare for students who want to go into law enforcement in other areas instead of as officers,” Hatmaker said. “Marilyn’s goal is to do crime scene work, and internships in that area are difficult to find. So when I saw that job posting come through, I was very excited.”
Hatmaker and Munoz said that to their knowledge, Medina is the first UHV student to do an internship at SAPD.
“This program they created in San Antonio is a really good one. She actually gets to ride along with virtually all the different units and see how things are done in the field, so it’s been great exposure for her,” Hatmaker said.
Medina first became interested in becoming a crime scene investigator when she took classes in forensics and anatomy as well as a law enforcement endorsement throughout high school, where she learned how to do foot castings and make fingerprints. One day, she hopes to join the FBI.
“It’s something I’ve been interested in doing for years, so I felt like I needed that exposure to confirm that this is something I want to continue to pursue,” she said. “And this internship has definitely opened my eyes and helped me realize that this is something that I could see myself doing for the rest of my life.”
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2022-04-24T21:21:13Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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UHV student prepares for crime scene work through SAPD internship | News | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/uhv-student-prepares-for-crime-scene-work-through-sapd-internship/article_64503bd2-c0f2-11ec-974c-7f1006aa7872.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/uhv-student-prepares-for-crime-scene-work-through-sapd-internship/article_64503bd2-c0f2-11ec-974c-7f1006aa7872.html
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Bible verse - Isaiah Isa.19:24-25; quote by Audrey Hepburn
In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land:
Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993) was a British actress and humanitarian. Recognized as both a film and fashion icon, she was ranked by the American Film Institute as the third-greatest female screen legend from the Classical Hollywood cinema and was inducted into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame.
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2022-04-24T21:21:19Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Bible verse - Isaiah Isa.19:24-25; quote by Audrey Hepburn | Opinion | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/bible-verse---isaiah-isa-19-24-25-quote-by-audrey-hepburn/article_fe13bd7e-c0b2-11ec-af3d-8f1a253b41ca.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/bible-verse---isaiah-isa-19-24-25-quote-by-audrey-hepburn/article_fe13bd7e-c0b2-11ec-af3d-8f1a253b41ca.html
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Syndicated Column: The Economist: Russia and Texas
The oil imports likely stem primarily from the fact that refineries are designed for specific types and combinations of crude, and Russian products are often included. However, this pattern will likely change as refineries adapt to higher U.S. production levels and convert to cleaner crude options available from the Permian Basin and Gulf of Mexico. The refined products (over 76% of total Russian imports), could easily be supplied by producers within the state using Texas natural resources (in turn, generating economic benefits).
Another issue is whether public entity investments in Russia should be divested and, if so, what consequences would occur. Data related to investments is limited. We do know, however, that U.S. foreign direct investment in Russia is minuscule, comprising only 0.2% of the total. Available information indicates that for various large Texas public pension funds, well under 1% of investments are linked to Russia, and divesting (which may well happen in any case due to increased risk) should not have any material impact on returns.
It is generally preferable to allow markets to determine where goods are exchanged and money flows, but there are times when humanitarian and geopolitical considerations merit exceptions. Given the size and scope of the Texas economy, severing remaining ties with Russia would not have notable effects on long-term growth. Stay safe.
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2022-04-24T21:21:25Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Syndicated Column: The Economist: Russia and Texas | Opinion | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/syndicated-column-the-economist-russia-and-texas/article_2627005a-c23e-11ec-adf9-eb49a6051cbc.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/syndicated-column-the-economist-russia-and-texas/article_2627005a-c23e-11ec-adf9-eb49a6051cbc.html
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"We are proceeding with that," Zeller said on Thursday. "We have the letters of support and this is progressing well. This will be a big step for the county."
"We'll recommend the one that ranked the highest," he said of the panel's evaluation of the proposals.
That should lead to the creation of a public defender's office, which would be tasked with providing legal aid to the indigent who are incarcerated locally.
In recent years, the Texas Indigent Defense Commission has been making grants available to support this function through the creation of regional public defender's offices.
"That would lessen the burden on the taxpayers," he said.
Under the U.S. Constitution, the indigent are required to have legal defense provided if they cannot afford it. Last week, Zeller told commissioners there are two options. Either the county would have to pay for private attorneys, fewer of which are willing to represent indigent suspects, or Victoria County could partner with neighboring counties to establish an area public defender's office, like the Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid in Austin, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas. This would be pro bono legal aid, meaning the client would have to sign an affidavit swearing they were indigent to receive free legal assistance and the attorneys would generally volunteer their time. This is only typically available if the client was accused of a crime.
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2022-04-24T23:05:07Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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County proceeds with plan to create public defenders office in the region | For Subscribers Only | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/government/county-proceeds-with-plan-to-create-public-defenders-office-in-the-region/article_27af82f0-c282-11ec-bfcc-a34171f311a2.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/government/county-proceeds-with-plan-to-create-public-defenders-office-in-the-region/article_27af82f0-c282-11ec-bfcc-a34171f311a2.html
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A mask hangs on the front mirror of a parked car.
Yehyun Kim | ykim@vicad.com
Q: What does the end of mask mandates mean for Crossroads?
A: It is now your choice on how to protect yourself with a mask or not with COVID-19, said David Gonzales, Victoria County Public Health director.
On Monday, a federal judge struck down the mask mandate for public transportation and air travel from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, which was originally set to expire on May 3 with the CDC looking to extend it further.
While the U.S. Justice Department has filed notice that it will appeal the decision, it remains to be seen whether an appeal will be filled to overturn the judge’s ruling.
The U.S. Justice Department plans to move forward with the appeal if the CDC still feels a mask mandate is still necessary, but nothing has been filed outside of the initial notice to keep the transportation mask mandate in effect while the decision is appealed.
Due to this, the mask mandate on public transportation and air travel is no longer in effect and while he can’t speak for public transit agencies in the area, because they may be pursuing their own legal options to continue the mask mandate, he recommends in general people exercise caution and make decisions based on how safe you feel in those environments or how you are feeling symptomatically.
Regionally and across the country cases and risk levels continue to diminish making the mandate not as necessary, but people still have the option to wear a mask for their safety and others if they feel it is necessary for an additional layer of protection in the enclosed environments of public transit and air travel, he said.
“It wouldn’t be a bad thing to continue to wear a mask, it’s just now optional,” Gonzales said.
The risk of contracting respiratory illness still exists whether you choose to wear a mask or not, he said.
Currently the risks in the Crossroads of getting COVID-19 is low and with vaccines, treatments and medications more readily available, the concern that COVID-19 surges could cause issues for the health care system isn’t the same as it has been in the past when they weren’t as readily available, he said.
“It’s always concerning, but the concern is not near what it was,” he said.
Even with the mask mandate ending, Gonzales still encourages people to take protective measures if they are feeling sick if you have to go somewhere rather than stay home or just are unsure about the environment they are entering, he said.
“That’s one thing that hasn’t changed in two years of the virus for sure,” Gonzales said.
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2022-04-25T00:28:09Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Q: What does the end of the mask mandate mean for the Crossroads | For Subscribers Only | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/premium/q-what-does-the-end-of-the-mask-mandate-mean-for-the-crossroads/article_7174478a-c292-11ec-91cd-dfed9525b29f.html
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Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Low near 65F. Winds NE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Commission approves applying for indigent legal aid
Monday morning, county commissioners approved submitting a proposal to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission for assistance in paying for legal aid to the indigent.
Victoria’s County Commissioners Court will again hear about providing legal care for impoverished defendants in local lock-ups at Monday morning’s meeting.
“We are proceeding with that,” Zeller said on Thursday. “We have the letters of support and this is progressing well. This will be a big step for the county.”
“We’ll recommend the one that ranked the highest,” he said of the panel’s evaluation of the proposals.
In recent years, the Texas Indigent Defense Commission has been making grants available to support this function through the creation of regional public defender’s offices.
“That would lessen the burden on the taxpayers,” he said.
Under the U.S. Constitution, the indigent are required to have legal defense provided if they cannot afford it. Last week, Zeller told commissioners there are two options. Either the county would have to pay for private attorneys, fewer of which are willing to represent indigent suspects, or Victoria County could partner with neighboring counties to establish an area public defender’s office, like the Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid in Austin, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas. This would be pro bono legal aid, meaning the client would have to sign an affidavit swearing they were indigent to receive free legal assistance and the attorneys would generally volunteer their time. This is only typically available if the client was accused of a crime.
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2022-04-25T17:55:18Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Commission approves applying for indigent legal aid | | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/commission-approves-applying-for-indigent-legal-aid/article_8ee11882-c4ba-11ec-ac4c-9f0fb158902a.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/commission-approves-applying-for-indigent-legal-aid/article_8ee11882-c4ba-11ec-ac4c-9f0fb158902a.html
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Bible verse - Isaiah Isa.20:1-2; quote by C. S. Lewis
In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it; At the same time spake the Lord by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.
Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963) was a British writer and lay theologian. He held academic positions in English literature at both Oxford University and Cambridge University.
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2022-04-25T20:19:19Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Bible verse - Isaiah Isa.20:1-2; quote by C. S. Lewis | Opinion | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/bible-verse---isaiah-isa-20-1-2-quote-by-c-s-lewis/article_9fee1752-c0b3-11ec-b167-a3a73e69a7ba.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/bible-verse---isaiah-isa-20-1-2-quote-by-c-s-lewis/article_9fee1752-c0b3-11ec-b167-a3a73e69a7ba.html
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The following editorial published in the Dallas Morning News on April 24:
This became a problem when some natural gas suppliers failed to deliver fuel to power plants during the 2020 freeze, contributing to the deadly outages. Now, the PUC is working on a plan for some natural gas-fueled plants to serve as back-up generators in an emergency, if the plant operators agree to keep a supply of fuel on-site or to set up access to a second fuel source. Commissioners intend to hammer out the details of the plan this summer, and put the plan into action early next year, in time for freezing weather.
It will be important to stick to that timeline, but it’s also important that the commission expand the plan to include any type of fuel or technology that meets the reliability requirements, whether nuclear, batteries, geothermal, or something else. Relying on one type of fuel would be foolish.
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2022-04-25T20:19:25Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Gov. Abbott, you aren’t done fixing the electrical grid | Opinion | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/gov-abbott-you-aren-t-done-fixing-the-electrical-grid/article_28055914-c4d0-11ec-868c-d76c677da76f.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/gov-abbott-you-aren-t-done-fixing-the-electrical-grid/article_28055914-c4d0-11ec-868c-d76c677da76f.html
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A grand jury has decided a deputy U.S. marshal was justified when he shot and killed an unarmed Victoria man during a traffic stop.
At 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 5, a Wednesday, JD Javier Lane, 28, was fatally shot when authorities attempted to arrest him at a Victoria intersection near a church and day care.
Lane was unarmed but was carrying a metallic pipe scraper that Deputy U.S. Marshal Max Hernandez thought was a handgun, Victoria County District Attorney Constance Filley Johnson said on Monday.
Shooting timeline
Authorities obtained an arrest warrant for JD Javier Lane after two robberies were reported the night before.This timeline was provided by the…
Authorities had obtained an arrest warrant for Lane being told he may have participated in a pair of armed robberies on the night of Jan. 4.
A Victoria County grand jury heard evidence and testimony this month about the shooting and recommended that Filley Johnson's office not pursue criminal charges against Hernandez.
Victoria County District Attorney
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2022-04-25T22:37:53Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Grand jury finds fatal shooting of Victoria man by deputy U.S. marshal justified | Crime & Courts | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/crime/grand-jury-finds-fatal-shooting-of-victoria-man-by-deputy-u-s-marshal-justified/article_642c91b2-c4c8-11ec-9f32-b35334da8d41.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/crime/grand-jury-finds-fatal-shooting-of-victoria-man-by-deputy-u-s-marshal-justified/article_642c91b2-c4c8-11ec-9f32-b35334da8d41.html
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The pipe scraper JD Javier Lane authorities say he was holding when he was fatally shot.
Victoria County District Attorney Constance Filley Johnson followed the recommendation of a grand jury and declined to charge a deputy U.S. marshal who shot an unarmed Victora man in the back, killing him as he ran from a January traffic stop.
Grand jurors determined the shooting was justified because Deputy U.S. Marshal Max Hernandez said he thought a metallic pipe scraper tool in JD Javier Lane’s hand was a pistol, Filley Johnson said on Monday. Earlier this month, a Victoria County grand jury reviewed the shooting and recommended that Filley Johnson’s office not pursue criminal charges against Hernandez.
Lane, 28, had no weapon during the fatal confrontation that occurred amid a Jan. 5 traffic stop at a Victoria intersection, Filley Johnson said.
Many of Lane’s loved ones have criticized the decision by the grand jury and Filley Johnson, saying his death was wholly unjustified.
“It doesn’t add up,” said Miguel Dominguez, who described himself as Lane’s best friend, adding, “They are in the wrong.”
“They automatically assumed he is in the wrong,” said Ana Castillo, a friend of Lane’s. She added she thinks Hernandez killed Lane in part because the deputy U.S. marshal assumed he was armed based on his criminal history and past run-ins with the law.
Lane, Castillo said, had been released from prison but was in the process of turning his life around.
About 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 5, a Wednesday, police and members of the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force stopped a vehicle carrying Lane near North Ben Jordan Street and Lawndale Avenue. That intersection is near a church and a day care, and Hernandez shot Lane because he thought Lane potentially posed a danger to the public, Filley Johnson said.
Hernandez, who fired once, was the only officer to shoot. Lane was shot in the back and was pronounced dead at the scene despite CPR performed by medical professionals from a nearby clinic.
Hernandez summoned the medical professionals after he was sent to direct traffic, Filley Johnson said.
Before the traffic stop, Lane was considered armed and dangerous because of information authorities received earlier.
Hours before the shooting, a Victoria Police Department detective obtained an arrest warrant accusing Lane of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The arrest warrant was based on 911 calls and interviews that led police to suspect Lane was involved in two armed robberies and an assault the night of Jan. 4.
About 8 p.m., a man arriving home from work was robbed at gunpoint by three men in a small black SUV, according to a timeline provided by Filley Johnson. The driver of the vehicle had a small pistol and was described as a “bald Mexican with tattoos on his face and a red bandana around his neck.”
About 20 minutes later, a man walking to H-E-B to buy milk was robbed and beaten by three men in a black SUV, according to the timeline. The man said he saw a shiny object in one of their hands. That man, who was pistol whipped and suffered a large cut to his scalp, Filley Johnson said, was taken to Citizens Medical Center for treatment.
Less than two hours later, about 10 p.m., police received a 911 call from a person on Bottom Street who said there were men in a small black SUV who had been shooting guns in the neighborhood.
Authorities obtained an arrest warrant for JD Javier Lane after two robberies were reported the night before.This timeline was provided by the Victoria County District Attorney's Office. Contributed
Then about midnight, a 911 caller told police a man, whom they identified by name as JD Javier Lane, had come to their home with two others and beaten up their boyfriend, according to the timeline. The caller told police the men were in a small black SUV and one of the guns they had was a silver .25-caliber pistol.
Just before 1 a.m. on Jan. 5, police located a small black SUV with a black T-shirt covering the rear license plate. Police spoke with the owner and corroborated information provided in the previous incidents, Filley Johnson said.
Investigation and grand jury
The Texas Rangers conducted an independent investigation into the shooting. The findings of that investigation were shared with the grand jury, who decided Hernandez was justified in fatally shooting Lane. As a result, she said, her office will take no further actions in the case.
Filley Johnson shared the grand jury’s findings with Lane’s family before she released the information publicly on Monday, she said.
If the grand jury had decided Hernandez’s actions were unjustified, her office would have presented a case for murder to a grand jury.
In their deliberation, grand jurors used an “objective reasonableness standard” established by the 1989 Supreme Court case Graham v. Connor. The three elements of the standard include the severity of the crime at issue, whether the suspect posed an immediate threat and whether the suspect is actively resisting arrest or attempting to evade.
Filley Johnson said all three of the standard’s elements were met.
When authorities stopped the vehicle carrying Lane at a parking lot on Ben Jordan Street, Lane jumped from the vehicle and ran across four lanes of traffic. He was chased by Hernandez and other officers.
During the chase, Hernandez saw a silver metallic object that would later turn out to be the pipe scraper, a tool meant to be used with drug paraphernalia.
Some of those who knew Lane said Monday they perceive the grand jury’s findings and district attorney’s decision as an injustice.
Like Dominguez and Castillo, Victoria resident Rose Castillo said she thinks Lane was killed in part because authorities profiled him as a criminal.
“JD was a Mexican coming out of prison, tattooed up,” said Castillo, who described herself as a kind of “aunt” to Lane although they were technically not related. “The way they see it is another criminal coming off the streets.”
She also wonders whether members of the grand jury were biased against Lane. She said she thinks some in the Victoria community do carry prejudices against people like Lane.
Lane had convictions in Victoria County for organized criminal activity, assault causing bodily injury to a family member and bail jumping and failure to appear, according to court records.
But Lane had paid for those crimes, and he was moving forward with his life, said Rose Castillo and Ana Castillo. Rose Casillo said just because a person is intoxicated, it does not justify their death at the hands of law enforcement.
For them, Lane’s death reveals double standards and injustice within local law enforcement.
“There are others who run with guns and drugs, and they don’t get shot,” Ana Castillo said.
The Victoria man was unarmed but was carrying a metallic pipe scraper that a deputy U.S. marshal thought was a handgun. A grand jury recommended that no charges be filed.
Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force
Travis County Medical Examiner's Office
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2022-04-26T02:41:46Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Updated: Deputy U.S. marshal won't be charged in unarmed man's shooting death | For Subscribers Only | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/premium/updated-deputy-u-s-marshal-wont-be-charged-in-unarmed-mans-shooting-death/article_1a479c08-c4e7-11ec-8d84-57f9911f59bd.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/premium/updated-deputy-u-s-marshal-wont-be-charged-in-unarmed-mans-shooting-death/article_1a479c08-c4e7-11ec-8d84-57f9911f59bd.html
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Ary Pearl Beaver
VICTORIA — Ary Pearl Beaver, 75, of Victoria, passed away on Sat., April 16, 2022. A Memorial Service will be held Tues., April 26, 2022 at 2:00PM at The Jesus Church, 3402 N. Main St., in Victoria. Thoughts and memories may be shared on line at www.gracefuneralhome.net. Arrangements and services under the personal care of Grace Funeral Homes, 361-552-1705.
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2022-04-26T06:23:32Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Ary Pearl Beaver | Death Notices | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/death_notices/ary-pearl-beaver/article_29009c8c-815d-5969-a8d1-02bc1d5c235e.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/death_notices/ary-pearl-beaver/article_29009c8c-815d-5969-a8d1-02bc1d5c235e.html
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Marion Lorraine "M. L." Sims
Marion Lorraine “M. L.” Sims
EL CAMPO — Marion Lorraine “M.L.” Sims, 91 of El Campo, Texas went to be with his Lord on Sunday, April 24, 2022. Per the request of the family, there will be a Celebration of Life Service at a later date. Services have been entrusted to Russell Todish of Slavik Funeral Home, 209 N. Allen St. Edna, TX 77957, 361-782-2152.
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2022-04-26T06:23:44Z
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Marion Lorraine "M. L." Sims | Death Notices | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/death_notices/marion-lorraine-m-l-sims/article_2b79a8d4-f1c8-5091-9cd0-8e582b611da2.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/death_notices/marion-lorraine-m-l-sims/article_2b79a8d4-f1c8-5091-9cd0-8e582b611da2.html
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Wade Griffin was named Weimar's new athletic director and football coach on Tuesday.
Weimar is less than an hour’s drive from Giddings.
Wade Griffin will be making the short trip after being named the athletic director and head football coach at Weimar on Tuesday.
Weimar Superintendent Jon Wunderlich confirmed that Griffin would be replacing Ryan McIver, who resigned last month after four seasons at Weimar.
McIver resigning as AD/football coach at Weimar
Ryan McIver has resigned as athletic director and head football coach at Weimar effective at the end of the school year.
Griffin has been at Giddings for four seasons. He led the Buffaloes to a 28-20 record that included three playoff appearances, including two trips to the regional semifinals.
Giddings went 2-8 last season and had a 1-4 record in District 13-4A, Division II.
Griffin was previously a head coach at Fort Worth Brewer, Elgin and Brookshire Royal.
Brad Dumont is set to return to Rice Consolidated as its new head coach and athletic director following more than 10 years away from the game.
He has an overall head coaching record of 158-88.
Griffin also worked as the defensive coordinator at Georgetown and Round Rock Westwood, and was an assistant coach at Navarro College and Tenaha.
Weimar had a 2-8 record last season and went 0-4 in District 13-2A, Division I.
The Wildcats will compete in District 13-2A, Division I in the upcoming season against Schulenburg, Flatonia, Hearne, Holland, Thorndale and Thrall.
Nairn promoted to AD/head football coach at Industrial
Industrial didn’t have to look far for its new athletic director and head football coach.
District 13-2A, Division I
Wade Griffin
Ryan Mciver
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2022-04-26T19:47:19Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Weimar names Giddings' Griffin as AD/football coach | Advosports | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/advosports/weimar-names-giddings-griffin-as-ad-football-coach/article_af4f6830-c582-11ec-8b67-2b0be355f282.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/advosports/weimar-names-giddings-griffin-as-ad-football-coach/article_af4f6830-c582-11ec-8b67-2b0be355f282.html
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The Zion Lutheran Church of Mission Valley, 12183 Farm-to-Market Road 236, will be hosting a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 1 in the parking lot.
Zion Lutheran Church of Mission Valley hosting blood drive May 1
South Texas Blood & Tissue encourage sign-ups by visiting www.southtexasblood.org but walk-ins are welcome. All donors will receive a $10 H-E-B gift card. For more information contact Seda Weaver 361-578-5447.
The need for blood donors is urgent. Donor need to be at least 16 years old, weighing at least 120 pounds (with a parental consent form) or at least 17 years old weighing 110 pounds and in good general health can donate blood. Donors must present photo ID, last four digits of their Social Security number and their birth date. Sign up to live, to love, to share. For more information, call 361-578-5447.
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2022-04-26T22:50:19Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Zion Lutheran Church of Mission Valley hosting blood drive May 1 | Local News | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/local/zion-lutheran-church-of-mission-valley-hosting-blood-drive-may-1/article_2811a720-c285-11ec-bbb2-0755e44cea1b.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/local/zion-lutheran-church-of-mission-valley-hosting-blood-drive-may-1/article_2811a720-c285-11ec-bbb2-0755e44cea1b.html
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Mary Post
Guest column: Faith, family and friends
Mary Post - Guest Column
At this Easter time, I have enjoyed being with my family and friends and I feel very blessed.
I have also been fortunate that I have kept in touch with some of my elementary and high school friends and we still stay close.
We were discussing how we were so blessed to have attended Nazareth Academy and Our Lady of Victory. We had a religion class and other great classes everyday day for 12 years.
One of my friends, Alexis, said recently, “We were part of wonderful school, tradition and a had a terrific education.”
My friend Mary said, “Talking about our elements and high school memories made her laugh until I cried. We have great memories.”
Elaine wrote, “I am appreciative we have gone to N.A. and O.L.V. The Sisters educated us physically, emotionally and most important, spiritually. The lessons I learned at N.A. have carried me positively through life.”
Our lives were touched by our teachers, who were Sisters of Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament. We are blessed that we have been able to visit some of our teachers at the convent.
Our Nazareth Academy class will celebrate our 50th Class Reunion in 2022. We all have special memories our school years.
So we asked each other, “Who didn’t get a detention slip in school?” Only one out of seven said she didn’t.
I feel appreciative that my parents sent me to Nazareth Academy and I learned to believe in God. I know our Lord loved us so much that He suffered and died on the cross for us.
I know there is life after death and I also believe that prayer is important to get us through the many challenges we face in our everyday lives.
I do worry about children who are raised never learning about faith and the great love our Lord has for each of us.
Some of my friends that attended public school learned about faith and prayer in the CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) classes or in Sunday school or Bible school.
My viewpoint is life is much better knowing there is life after death and we can look forward to being in Heaven one day with all of our loved ones. I feel that we should pray often and find the deep meaning of our life here on earth.
I would like to say, “Thank You, Lord, for my faith, family and friends. I look forward to one day being in Heaven with You and with my loved ones once again.”
Mary Post is a retired teacher, with a Master of Science in Education. She taught in the classroom and worked with homeless students at VISD’s KIDZconnection. She can be reached at mpost17@hotmail.com.
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2022-04-26T22:50:32Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Guest column: Faith, family and friends | Opinion | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/guest-column-faith-family-and-friends/article_7dc054d4-c256-11ec-a9e6-3fb1e3d94623.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/guest-column-faith-family-and-friends/article_7dc054d4-c256-11ec-a9e6-3fb1e3d94623.html
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Letter: Butler has a passion to grow Victoria
What my hope is that those that run for City Council are civic minded and want to be part of an open, honest discussion about how the city works. This is my impetus for electing April Butler for City Council in the May 7, 2022 Super 6 District race.
April listens and uses rational thinking to understand what the best approach will be for concerns with whom she interacts and serves. I have seen this first hand by working with her in different capacities for over a decade.
I have noticed discrepancies in the incumbent’s statements and campaign signs regarding, “fix the streets and cut the debt”. Is that even possible? Our city government seems to do a good job of balancing the use of debt and tax revenues to fund the budget, as evidenced by its AA bond rating. I’m sure the amount ebbs and flows each year based on available revenues, appraised values, and other factors. The city does seem to plan exhaustively where every penny goes and in a very public manner.
April Butler is genuine, humble, highly intelligent and truly cares for those who will be her constituents. For her, it is not a popularity contest. It is a passion to grow the City of Victoria in a very positive way.
Lynda Torrey, Victoria
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2022-04-26T22:50:38Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Letter: Butler has a passion to grow Victoria | Opinion | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/letter-butler-has-a-passion-to-grow-victoria/article_66398a36-c58c-11ec-8794-d73b42ed38bd.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/letter-butler-has-a-passion-to-grow-victoria/article_66398a36-c58c-11ec-8794-d73b42ed38bd.html
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Letter: Everyone should have the right to vote
I read your article about voting (April 24). I believe all people over 21 years of age should have the right to vote on election day...have proof of your drivers license or birth certificate. All this gerrymandering and hassle over voting is wrong. We all have that right today.
Make it like when we have a holiday for Christmas, Thanksgiving or Presidents day...all day voting, no problem....get it done on that day.
I remember when there was a poll tax for voting..
Linda Ullman, Victoria
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2022-04-26T22:50:44Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Letter: Everyone should have the right to vote | Opinion | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/letter-everyone-should-have-the-right-to-vote/article_cad0ad9a-c57c-11ec-901c-3faf865982da.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/letter-everyone-should-have-the-right-to-vote/article_cad0ad9a-c57c-11ec-901c-3faf865982da.html
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Victoria City Council contenders for Super District 6
043022_vad_news_council_coverage
Two candidates are vying for the Victoria City Council Super District 6 seat on May 7, 2022.
Mark Loffgren, 73, the current representative from Super District 6 - which encompasses Districts 3 and 4 - was elected to the council in 2019. Growing up in a U.S. Air Force family, Loffgren spent his childhood in a variety of countries including England and France.
After earning a degree in chemistry from the University of California-Santa Cruz, he taught in the University of California system while attending graduate school. He went into business when he was recruited by H-E-B to work in Victoria in 1986 and retired from there after almost 25 years as the store director.
In his time on the Council, Loffgren said he focused on fixing the miles of streets and roads. Another concern was cutting debt, and now the residents percentage paid of their total property tax for debt was the lowest in years, he said. But that was not all that needed to be addressed, Loffgren said.
"How do we make things better?", he said Monday. "It's not all roads and taxes."
"That would create a logistics hub from all the trade that would come by there,'' Loffgren said.
He said one the main issues, not only locally but nationwide, was effective roadways.
With roads getting attention, it would mean more local retail generating more sales tax. Because the city was not receiving its fair share of state grants, that would boost city revenues.
"We want our finances to be better too,'' Loffgren said. "We're fixing more roads than ever before and we're paying off more debt."
The city is seeing more retail move into the area, making Victoria more attractive to outside business looking to locate here.
April Butler, 48, owner of the Woodhouse Day Spa in Victoria, is the contender for the District 6 seat. A focal point of her campaign is clarity from the Victoria City Council, wise use of tax funds and choices that not only benefit current residents, but future ones as well.
"As a whole, I think there is a mistrust of government that trickles down from the top,' Butler said last week. "I think there needs to be more transparency in government."
Butler said she had more than 20 years experience in customer service, management and marketing. She has experience not only with Woodhouse, but The "I Fix Computers" Guy Information Technology company as well.
From her background as a local business owner, Butler said her strengths would be her availability to the public, a strong financial foundation and attention to the city budget "to the penny".
She said if Victoria wants to retain a strong community it has to retain existing businesses in town, as well as a focus on public safety through law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services. Victoria must also pay attention to upkeep of local roads and make sure all taxes from the community are spent in a way to most benefit the city.
"I have two children who have purchased homes in the community,'' she said. "I want Victoria to be sustainable so we have a future."
She said her background not only in business, but in community service could improve the quality of life here.
"I feel like out council wants to do what is right, but there is no communication," Butler said. "Can there be a voice for the community? Yes, that's why I put myself out there."
As part of that, she said the city should focus on growth throughout the county. She said that it seems as if all monies are being allocated to the downtown area, but other areas of Victoria County needs attention as well so that it "feels balanced".
"I want to take a well-thought out, balanced approach without the theater, without the drama," she said.
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2022-04-26T22:51:02Z
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Victoria City Council contenders for Super District 6 | | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/victoria-city-council-contenders-for-super-district-6/article_bb183328-c5a4-11ec-ab23-8fe0d2ec85c8.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/victoria-city-council-contenders-for-super-district-6/article_bb183328-c5a4-11ec-ab23-8fe0d2ec85c8.html
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April Butler and incumbent Mark Loffgren are running for Victoria City Council Super District 6.
The outside of the Victoria City Hall building.
Two candidates hope to prevail in the May 7 election for the Victoria City Council Super District 6 seat.
Incumbent Mark Loffgren, 73, was elected to the Council in 2019. Growing up in a U.S. Air Force family, Loffgren spent his childhood in a variety of countries, including England and France.
He faces a challenge from April Butler, 48, owner of the Woodhouse Day Spa in Victoria. A focal point of her campaign is clarity from the Victoria City Council, wise use of tax funds and choices that not only benefit current residents, but future ones, as well.
Super District 6 encompasses districts 3 and 4, generally the northern half of the city, to the north and west of Houston Highway and Sam Houston Drive.
Loffgren's campaign
Loffgren said his focus has been roads, taxes, expanding the base of businesses and quality of life.
After earning a degree in chemistry from the University of California-Santa Cruz, he taught in the University of California system while attending graduate school. He went into business when he was recruited by H-E-B to work in Victoria in 1986 and retired after almost 25 years as store director.
In his time on the Council, Loffgren said he focused on fixing miles of streets and roads in need of repairs. Another concern was cutting debt. As a result, he said, the percentage of property taxes residents pay for debt service is the lowest in years. But that was not all that needed to be addressed, he said.
"How do we make things better?" he said Monday. "It's not all roads and taxes."
"That would create a logistics hub from all the trade that would come by there," Loffgren said.
One the main issues, not only locally but also nationwide, is effective roadways, he said.
With roads getting attention, it would mean more local retail generating more sales tax. Because the city was not receiving its fair share of state grants, that would boost city revenue, he said.
"We want our finances to be better, too," Loffgren said. "We're fixing more roads than ever before, and we're paying off more debt."
The city is seeing more retail move into the area, making Victoria more attractive to outside businesses looking to locate here.
Butler's campaign
Butler said a focal point of her campaign is clarity from the Victoria City Council, wise use of tax funds and choices that not only benefits current and future residents.
"As a whole, I think there is a mistrust of government that trickles down from the top," Butler said last week. "I think there needs to be more transparency in government."
Butler has more than 20 years experience in customer service, management and marketing. She has experience not only with Woodhouse, but the "I Fix Computers Guy" information technology company, as well.
From her background as a local business owner, Butler said her strengths would be her availability to the public, a strong financial foundation and paying attention to the city budget, "to the penny," she said.
If Victoria wants to retain a strong community, she said it has to retain existing businesses in town, as well as a focus on public safety through law enforcement as well as fire and emergency medical services. Victoria must also pay attention to the upkeep of roads and make sure all taxes from the community are spent in ways that benefit the city the most.
"I want Victoria to be sustainable, so we have a future," she said.
She said her background not only in business, but also in community service, could improve the quality of life here.
"I feel like our Council wants to do what is right, but there is no communication," Butler said. "Can there be a voice for the community? Yes, that's why I put myself out there."
She said the city should focus on citywide growth, but it seems as if all the money is being allocated to the downtown area.
"I want to take a well thought-out, balanced approach without the theater, without the drama," she said.
Forum is Thursday
Super District 6
Woodhouse Day Spa
Incumbent Mark Loffgren
Sam Houston Drive
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2022-04-27T01:35:24Z
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Loffgren, Butler face off May 7 in city council Super District 6 race | For Subscribers Only | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/premium/loffgren-butler-face-off-may-7-in-city-council-super-district-6-race/article_bb183328-c5a4-11ec-ab23-8fe0d2ec85c8.html
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Shortstop Matthew Davis, of Industrial, fielded this ball in the second inning of Tuesday night’s game in Hallettsville.
Trace Patek, of Hallettsville, started Tuesday’s district game for the Brahmas against the Cobras. He was relieved in the second inning of Tuesday night’s game.
Clay Martin, of Industrial, started Tuesday’s game against the Brahmas in Hallettsville.
Monte Thigpen, of Hallettsville, relieved Trace Patek, of Hallettsville, in Tuesday night’s game against Industrial in Hallettsville.
Industrial’s Kade Kubecka stole second base in the second inning of their district finale in Hallettsville against the Brahmas.
HALLETTSVILLE — Industrial knew it had to win against Hallettsville or its season would be over.
The Cobras played like a team facing elimination.
Industrial scored four runs in each the first and second innings and went on to a 12-1 District 28-3A win over the Brahmas.
The game was stopped after five innings because of the 10-run mercy rule Tuesday night at Hallettsville Municipal Park Field.
“I think we had a lot of motivation in practice this week,” said Industrial first baseman Kade Kubecka. “We knew we had to win. We were seeing the ball really well tonight. We got the sticks rolling for the first time in a long time. It was a good feeling tonight.”
The Cobras (11-9) finished district at 9-5 and created a four-way tie for second with Hallettsville (13-10), Tidehaven and Columbus.
The four teams will meet in a play-in and seeding tournament beginning Friday with games tentatively set for 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in Weimar, and Saturday starting at noon at Riverside Stadium in Victoria.
“It’s going to be tough,” said Industrial Coach Mike Medina. “The district is tough. It’s very tough. It’s a very competitive district, especially when you don’t even know who’s going to be second.”
Industrial left no doubt it intended to be in the mix by batting around in the first and second innings.
The Cobras had five of their seven hits in the first two innings and took advantage of seven walks.
Kubecka hit a pair of two-run singles in each inning, and Braxton Warren had a two-run single in the second inning.
“Anytime you can jump out with a lead like that and Clay (Martin) gets on the bump and throws the way he did and the boys play behind him,” Medina said, “it’s tough to beat any baseball team like that.”
Martin scattered five hits and one walk, and did not allow an earned run.
“That’s what I said before the game,” Martin said, “I said, ‘We need to get out and jump on them.’ We did that and helped me out on the mound. I had a little bit more confidence going in.”
Hallettsville had five hits, including two by Monte Thigpen, but scored only in the second inning.
“I was thinking that I needed to throw strikes and let my defense work behind me, which is what we did,” Martin said. “Whenever we do that and the basic fundamentals of the game, nothing can go wrong.”
Industrial pushed across a run without a hit in the fourth inning. The Cobras added three more runs in the fifth, with two scoring on a double by Martin and the other on a single by Warren.
The Brahmas put runners on second and third in the bottom of the fifth, but left fielder Adan Baker made an over-the-shoulder catch to end the game.
“We’re on roll right now and we want to keep it that way,” Kubecka said. “We have good energy within the team and we’re going to keep it rolling.”
Industrial 12, Hallettsville 1
Hallettsville 010 00 — 1 5 1
W: Clay Martin. L: Trace Patek. Highlights: (I) Clay Martin 5 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 1-for-1, 2B, 2 RBIs; Kade Kubecka 2-for-4, 2 R, 4 RBIs; Braxton Warren 2-for-2, 2 R, 3 RBIs; Kayden Acera 1-for-2, 2 RBIs. (H) Monte Thigpen 2-for-2, R; Chase Janak 1-for-2, 2B. Records: Industrial 11-9, 9-5; Hallettsville 13-10, 9-5.
1, Yoakum
2, (tie) Industrial, Hallettsville, Tidehaven, Columbus
Teams will meet in four-team tournament to decide second, third, and fourth playoff spots.
Mason Briscoe
Kade Kubecka
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2022-04-27T06:17:43Z
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Industrial downs Hallettsville, creates 4-way tie for second place | Advosports | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/advosports/industrial-downs-hallettsville-creates-4-way-tie-for-second-place/article_86366fda-c504-11ec-bd06-3f13f8e50c4c.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/advosports/industrial-downs-hallettsville-creates-4-way-tie-for-second-place/article_86366fda-c504-11ec-bd06-3f13f8e50c4c.html
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Tina Gay Vibrock
BEEVILLE — Tina Gay Vibrock, of Beeville, Texas, went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 11, 2022 at the age of 58. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. in the Oaklawn Funeral Home Chapel in Edna, Texas. Visit www.oaklawnfhednatx.com to read the complete obituary.
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2022-04-27T06:18:26Z
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Tina Gay Vibrock | Death Notices | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/death_notices/tina-gay-vibrock/article_5fbf1f5b-d745-573d-afcb-637d0f16f3f1.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/death_notices/tina-gay-vibrock/article_5fbf1f5b-d745-573d-afcb-637d0f16f3f1.html
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KENNETH MURLIN HARRIS
SMITHVILLE — After 16 years of living with Parkinson’s disease, Kenneth Murlin Harris, 76, died peacefully at home in Smithville, Texas in the early morning hours of Aug. 17, 2021. A devoted husband, father, grandfather and gifted teacher, Ken lived a meaningful, purpose driven life filled with great love for his family, his friends, his students, his church and his God. Ken had a curious, discerning and creative mind, an easy, open, optimistic nature and an unrelenting kindness. True to his Christian faith, he demonstrated a warm acceptance of everyone he met. He was born at Brooke Army Hospital, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, May 7th, 1945 to Constance Sims Harris and Murlin Wallace Harris. He often shared great memories of growing up on Santa Monica St. in the 50’s playing in the back yard, and riding his bike around the neighborhood. A talented athlete, he played football for Robert E. Lee High School graduating in 1963. After high school, ever on the quest to find answers to the great questions of life, Ken devoted himself to books and travel. With a paperback always in his pocket, he rambled around the country for a few years before joining the Navy in 1966. During the VietNam War, while serving as a communications yeoman on the carrier Forrestal in the Gulf of Tonkin, he came close to losing his life. On July 29, 1967, the ship caught fire and exploded. Though ordered to leave his post due to rising water and smoke, he stayed on sending out the SOS. For this he received a commendation. Out of the military in 1969 he went back to traveling and made great and lasting friends along the way. After returning to San Antonio, a spiritual revelation of a loving God gave him a new joy for living and a renewed purpose for his life. He took a job at Alamo Title company and returned to the church of his youth, Shearer Hills Baptist, where he met his wife, Ann, in Sunday School. They were married June 23, 1973 and remained married for the next 48 years til his passing. Soon after the marriage at the age of 27 he felt the call to teach. He attended Texas State on the GI Bill graduating with top honors. In 1976 he landed his first teaching assignment in Victoria, Texas where he spent the majority of his career teaching 5th grade. While teaching he held leadership positions in teacher organizations, helped design the first computer lab in VISD, helped lead the movement to unite teacher organizations to fight for teacher rights, and conducted many workshops on classroom management and strategies for working with gifted students. He enjoyed coaching UIL Number Sense and sponsored the Rocket Club, Chess Club and Safety Patrol. While teaching at Juan Linn Math and Science Magnet in 1988 he was invited to The International Conference on Technology and Education in Edinburgh, Scotland to present a paper he had written titled Evaluating Computer integrated Learning Systems. During their 23 years in Victoria he and Ann raised two sons, made many enduring friendships and were active in First Baptist Church. Ken coached Little League and enjoyed watching his boys participate in school sports. In 2000 he and Ann moved to Smithville, Texas where he taught math for Bastrop ISD for a year before retiring. An avid reader, he enjoyed many hours reading on their front porch. After joining First United Methodist Church in 2007 he taught Sunday School, visited and shared devotionals with residents at Towers Nursing Home and worked on various church committees. He also shared books with preschool children at the library and began working with CASA to advocate in court for abused and neglected children. His years teaching gave him special insight into working with these young people. As a CASA he said, “This is not a job for the fainthearted, but at least it has meaning and life is short. What better way to use the time I’ve been granted.” He spent the last 5 years of his life enjoying his family, especially his grandchildren, attending church when he could and cheering on his Astros. A few years ago while suffering Parkinson’s symptoms but still able to get out and about, he said, “I’ve enjoyed a meaningful career and raised a great family. Our Lord is truly merciful.” Ken is survived by his wife, Ann, son Samuel and wife Alex of San Antonio; son Joseph and wife Sara of Round Rock and grandchildren Chase, Erin and Adrian. Also sisters Nancy Macumber and husband Jim of Kansas City, Missouri; and Lisa Adams and husband Ron of Frankston,Texas, Aunt Vivian and Uncle Jerry Wilmoth of San Antonio, as well as many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Don Hardwick. A celebration of his life will be held at First United Methodist Church in Smithville, Texas 400 Olive St. on Sat. May 7th at 2pm. A reception will be held in the Family Activities Center. If attending please come in casual, comfortable dress. Ken loved Hawaiian shirts and sports attire. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to The Parkinson’s Foundation, Amnesty International or a charity of your choice.
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2022-04-27T06:18:44Z
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KENNETH MURLIN HARRIS | Obituaries | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/kenneth-murlin-harris/article_cc5c2633-8795-5760-8869-16bcb0ac819f.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/kenneth-murlin-harris/article_cc5c2633-8795-5760-8869-16bcb0ac819f.html
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MARVIN J. HEINRICH
VICTORIA — Marvin J. Heinrich, 74, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday April 23, 2022 after an ongoing battle with cancer. A private service will be held by the family.
Marvin was born on August 21, 1947 to the late Alex Heinrich and Edith Kocian. Marvin married Carol Janda on November 28, 1970.
Marvin was preceded in death by his parents Alex and Edith Heinrich, brothers Ben Heinrich, and Frank Heinrich.
Survivors include Carol Heinrich, wife of 50 years, daughters Penny Hilscher (Stephen), and Jill Waters (Jeremy), sister Kathleen Schacherl (Dennis), grandchildren Megan Hilscher, Ian Waters, Lauren Waters, and many nieces and nephews.
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2022-04-27T06:18:51Z
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MARVIN J. HEINRICH | Obituaries | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/marvin-j-heinrich/article_6257d512-71f6-5e9c-9588-efd0ab497a97.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/marvin-j-heinrich/article_6257d512-71f6-5e9c-9588-efd0ab497a97.html
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Faith Academy’s Annabelle Thurman, 15, plays the part of Cinderella during a dress rehearsal of “G2K Cinderella” on Tuesday inside of Faith Family Church.
Annabelle Thurman, right, as Cinderella, and Nicholas Whyman, as the prince, sing their part together during a dress rehearsal of “G2K Cinderella” on Tuesday inside of Faith Family Church.
Phoebe Clark-Duffley, assistant director and choreographer, shifts around the cast during a dress rehearsal of “G2K Cinderella” on Tuesday inside of Faith Family Church.
Everything is possible when Faith Academy performs Cinderella at Faith Family Church
In Rogers and Hammerstein’s musical Cinderella there is an overriding theme – anything is possible.
At Faith Academy, Christy Sutherland directing G2K Cinderella featuring 62 young actors singing and dancing proves that point.
Sutherland, the school’s fine arts director, with choreographer and assistant director Pheobe Clark, has gathered students from elementary grades through high school to create the magical, musical world of Cinderella on the stage of Faith Family Church’s main sanctuary. The acronym G2K means “Getting To Know.” The public performance is Friday at 7 p.m.
Clark said she hopes everyone will come out to see the show because the students are very gifted and supporting young talent is an important part of being in a community.
“It’s definitely fun to play Cinderella,” said Annabelle Thurman. “I think she’s a lot like an opposite of me, because she’s supposed to be very graceful and light on her feet. And I’m very clumsy – I’m not very elegant. And she’s very good at cleaning and keeping things together. And I’m not so organized or any of that.”
Thurman said her biggest challenge has been “having to work on the way that I walk. And definitely the way that I talk – making my voice sound higher and sweeter.”
Playing the role of the Prince is Nicholas Whyman. “I’m just excited for the show. Because when it was my freshman year, we were planning on doing it, and then COVID. And so, Cinderella got cancelled. And we were going to have it last year, but there were still some COVID restrictions. So, we waited a little more. I was actually supposed to be the Herald in my freshman year. And now, as a junior, I’m the Prince.”
Whyman said he relates to his character’s reluctance to attend the ball, explaining the Prince is only at the ball because his mother wants him to get married. “He’s kind of being pushed. And so sometimes I feel like that, in my own personal life.” He added, however, that a push can lead to good things – such as finding the love of your life like Cinderella.
Sutherland said the musical’s set design is a combination of a digital set and a traditional hand-painted set. They use seven LED panels, and two big screens on the right and left. “We have an incredibly talented audio and visual team. I mean, our sound guy who’s in charge, he literally ran sound at a Superbowl event. He’s just the best. Our audio/visual guy, he came from Disney.”
Choreographer Clark has been a part of the Faith Family Church and school “my whole life.” She attended Faith Academy for most of her childhood and graduated from Faith Academy high school.
I’ve always loved theater.” Cinderella is Clark’s second production with the school, as she previously worked as a choreographer for Alice in Wonderland. This time she is also an assistant director and has expanded responsibilities.
Clark comes from a family of dancers. Her grandmother was in the New York Ballet Academy and her mother, who was creative director at Faith Family Church for many years before retiring, danced with Busby Danccenter. “It’s just always been a god ingrained gift with my family. And I’m very blessed to have also inherited that,” she said.
When asked about her first theater role Clark laughed and said, “I don’t necessarily remember it, but my mother likes to always remind me that I played Baby Jesus when I was really little.”
She discovered a passion for theater when in the eighth grade. She said the school was doing a musical, Camp Rock. “And my friend wanted to try out. And I really didn’t want to.” Explaining she was in the “nothing’s cool kind of phase,” of middle school. Her friend really wanted to try out and didn’t want to do it by herself. “I was like, ‘Okay, fine. I’ll try out with you.’ And I ended up getting the lead.”
She said working with Christy Sutherland has been a valuable experience. “I absolutely love her. We get along so well.” Clark said the collaboration and chance to really explore how to stage a scene or help a performer has been very exciting. “It’s been a lot of fun to see how far my gifts can go.”
Thurman said Cinderella has a beautiful musical score. “It’s very floating, lots of piano, very classical, very ballroom and very pretty,’ adding the music “makes you feel so elegant” when dancing and moving on the stage.
In the role of Cinderella costumes are very important. Thurman said she has especially enjoyed “trying on all these costumes. The ballroom gowns have been incredible. I mean, I’ve never had so much personal attention in my entire life. … it has been so much fun.”
Whyman said one of the pluses of working on a stage production is that “It definitely teaches you responsibility and helps you with your communication skills.”
“I started going to faith Academy when I was in pre-K. My first play was in second grade, Willy Wonka.” Whyman said he was the head Oompa Loompa. Later, in sixth grade, he joined the student ministry worship team at Faith Family Church, playing piano. He has been playing piano since he was 6. Whyman also started singing regularly as a member of the that team.
“The song I’m singing in this play is kind of high for my vocal range.” Sutherland worked with him, and they altered one melody a bit.
He said that when “Cinderella walks in it’s like a complete trance. Everybody’s frozen.”
The ballroom dancing scenes are definitely something new for most of the students, including Whyman who laughed and explained that when Cinderella is wearing a ball gown the main rule is – don’t step on the dress!
Thurman described her school and church community as “one of the most caring, loving groups of people I’ve met my entire life. I think it would be such a good opportunity for people not only to come see a good show, but to come meet godly people who are really going to invite you into their life.” She said maybe people will look around and think, ‘Wow, this is a pretty nice place.’
Faith Academy's Fine Arts Department presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical G2K Cinderella in the Faith Family Church Main Sanctuary on Friday, April 29 at 7 p.m. (G2K means "Getting To Know.")
Tickets are available at the door: $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.
Faith Family Church is located at 2002 E. Mockingbird Lane.
Gallery: "G2K Cinderella" dress rehearsal
Over 70 students from Faith Academy held a dress rehearsal for the upcoming musical Tuesday morning at Faith Family Church. The opening night …
Student Musical
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2022-04-27T10:25:24Z
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Everything is possible when Faith Academy performs Cinderella at Faith Family Church | Features | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/features/everything-is-possible-when-faith-academy-performs-cinderella-at-faith-family-church/article_c700dd4c-c5b9-11ec-88b2-b7e91b376e9b.html
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Victoria West’s Madyson Sebby, 17, practices her instrument during a band rehearsal Monday at Victoria West High School.
Director of Bands Shaka Hawkins guides a rehearsal on Monday at Victoria West High School.
Students practice their parts during a band rehearsal Monday at Victoria West High School.
A student makes notes on their music sheet during a band rehearsal Monday at Victoria West High School.
Victoria West’s Jacob Fuentez plays his instrument during a band rehearsal Monday at Victoria West High School.
The flute section practices their parts during a band rehearsal Monday at Victoria West High School.
The regular knocking of a metronome rang out in Victoria West High School's band hall.
Students' feet tapped along to the beat. The band — the school's wind ensemble — played through their music under the intense scrutiny of band director Shaka Hawkins until finally Hawkins stopped the metronome and brought the playing to a halt.
The band director instructed the students to play through a short section of music over and over again, hitting different notes. Once the students had that section down, Hawkins again directed them through the longer piece until he had heard enough.
"I'm going to give you one minute to look some of this stuff over," he said. "Go."
At that point, the band hall erupted in a raucous wall of sound as students thumbed through their sheet music and played different sections of the song that troubled them.
West band looks to future with new director (w/gallery)
By Amber Aldaco | aaldaco@vicad.com
As the rest of the band practiced, 18-year-old Jacob Fuentez said, "It's a lot of dedication and practicing, time and energy, but it's definitely worth it."
While the practice and hard work is worth it for the students, it's also worth it for Victoria's school district, which has been named one of the 2022 best communities for music education.
The title was bestowed upon the district by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation. Hawkins said he believed the district earned the honor because they offer so many opportunities for music education with qualified instructors. Music students at the schools are also given ample opportunity to perform in the community both on their own and as part of the school bands, said David Edge, the district's director of fine arts.
Victoria West marching band has state in sight
"It is a national award," Edge said. "It's a drawn out process of asking a number of questions about what kind of music activities are within the community, what our school district offers from pre-K all the way up through high school and how many kids are involved, what they're doing within the community and financial support from from the district."
West marching band practices ahead of incoming season
The Victoria Independent School District is among 738 districts across the country that earned the award. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are 19,254 school districts in the U.S., making Victoria's school district part of just 3.8% of districts to receive the honor.
Hawkins thought the award was given because of the wealth of opportunity Victoria students have for music education.
"We allow multiple opportunities for our students to have the chance to participate in the arts, whether it's band, dance, choir, arts, orchestra — all these different things," he said.
The district is lucky to have a community that supports the arts, he said, and they have quality teachers heading up each department.
Just within the realm of band at Victoria West High School, there is marching, wind ensemble, symphonic, concert and jazz bands, Hawkins said.
Each elementary school in the district has a certified music teacher for pre-K to fifth grade, Edge said. At the middle school level, the district offers band, orchestra and choir.
"All of those programs are building blocks, just like athletics or anything else," he said. "They start the program there and then continue on to high school."
Madyson Sebby, 17, a member of the Victoria West wind ensemble band, said that she joined the band in seventh grade and credits her instructors there with her current success.
"They sat down with me and worked with me to kind of get me to a place where I could succeed in music," she said. "It became like a safe space for me to have something good to focus all my energy in."
West band comes together to make music
Those experiences only continued when Madyson reached high school, she said.
"Especially with making friends with older people, that helped you not just with your music, but if you needed help with school, help with classes, they're always there to support you," she said. "That really honed in for me the importance of music in this organization."
Music education is effective for developing minds, Edge said.
"The state asks that everybody be a part of fine arts since fine arts changes kids' brains to be able to read better, to be able to understand things better," he said. "It's a perfect place for kids to be creative."
In addition to enhancing creativity and learning skills, music education can help students develop life skills, Hawkins said.
"We're very demanding," Hawkins said. "But at the same time, this teaches them more than they realize. It teaches them self accountability and how to be efficient in what they do."
The school district's music programs are very active in the community, Edge said. Students are involved in community music groups like the civic choir, the community jazz and concert bands, the community orchestra and Victoria College music programs.
"It's neat to see just the whole range of ages from high school all the way up through adulthood," Edge said. "And they're all in it for the same reason, enjoying music on their instrument or their voice."
East band prepares for fall marching season (w/gallery)
Fuentez said that he's performed for the Special Olympics as part of the band and also participated at benefits throughout the community.
The district's programs have inspired students to continue to keep music in their lives past graduation, too.
Madyson said that while she's still debating playing in the band at Sam Houston State University this fall, she won't be giving up music at all.
"That's a big part of my heart that I could never let go," she said.
Fuentez, meanwhile, said he's going to be studying music education at Texas A&M University-Kingsville this coming fall.
"I'm already seeking a career in becoming a director myself," he said.
There's a chance he could end up back in Victoria in that role, too.
Edge said that a number of teachers in the district have gone through their music programs over the years.
"The band director at Patti Welder went through Victoria East High School," he said. "Grew up in Victoria, went off to college, came back and is now a teacher."
Cody covers the business beat for the Advocate. He can be reached at 361-580-6504 or cbaird@vicad.com
Upcoming VISD shows
Patti Welder and Cade Orchestra Spring Concert
Hours: 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Address: 307 W. Tropical Drive
Howell and Stroman Orchestra Spring Concerts
Address: 4103 E. Mockingbird Lane, Victoria
VISD Sixth Grade Choir Spring Musical
Hours: 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
Address: 1002 Sam Houston Drive
East High School Golden Saber Spring
West High School Band Spring Concert
East High School Band Spring Concert
Hours: 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
VEHS Titan Choir Spring Show
Address: 4103 E. Mockingbird Lane
Victoria West Orchestra Spring Concert
Victoria East Orchestra Spring Concert
Cade and Patti Welder Band Spring Concert
Spring Concert Howell and Stroman Middle School Bands
For more information on VISD events, visit VISD.net.
East band readies for marching season
Victoria East band students marched in time with the constant tap of a metronome. Their feet touched the pavement with each beat.
'Ready to go': Victoria East fans turn out, in limited capacity, for first home game
David Edge
Shaka Hawkins
Patti Welder
Victoria East High School
Victoria West High School
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2022-04-27T10:25:30Z
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VISD named one of nation's top districts for music education | For Subscribers Only | victoriaadvocate.com
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Bailey Zappe scored a 35 on the Wonderlic Test, which the NFL administers to gauge a player’s cognitive ability and problem-solving skills. It was the best score among the 2022 QB class. Malik Willis, one of the top-projected QBs this year, scored a 32. Zappe’s 35 is the same as Aaron Rodgers scored when he was drafted in 2005 by the Green Bay Packers.
Zappe’s lone offer coming out of Victoria East was to Houston Baptist University, where he threw for 10,004 yards and 78 touchdowns during four seasons. He still ranks first all-time at HBU for career passing yards and touchdowns, as well as completions (890). He then followed his offensive coordinator Zach Kittley to Western Kentucky University and set new NCAA single-season records with 5,967 yards and 62 touchdowns in 2021.
Watchful eyes
Cuero graduate Caeveon Patton was able to draw the attention of scouts from the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers to his pro day. Patton finished with 179 tackles in his collegiate career. At Cuero, he helped the Gobblers to a 13-1 record his senior year in 2016.
Victoria East grad Bailey Zappe and Cuero's Caeveon Patton have put in all the work they can in hopes of realizing their longtime dream of playing in the NFL. Now, they wait to hopefully hear their names called in Las Vegas this weekend.
Trying to end a drought
If Zappe’s name is to get called during the NFL Draft, he would be the first Victoria player drafted since 1978 when Johnny Barefield was picked up by the St. Louis Cardinals. Patton would become the first Cuero player drafted since Cody Wallace in 2008, who was drafted by the 49ers.
This year’s draft will take place in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip, with players walking a red carpet by the Bellagio fountains. It will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Day 2 will kick off at 6 p.m. on Friday. The final day of the draft, which will be the rounds 4-7, starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday. You can watch the draft on the NFL Network, ESPN or ABC.
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2022-04-27T18:28:02Z
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5 things about Crossroads NFL Draft hopefuls | Advosports | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/advosports/5-things-about-crossroads-nfl-draft-hopefuls/article_c3d9adb4-c641-11ec-b128-f391bdf007d9.html
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WKU Hilltoppers quarterback Bailey Zappe (4) during a game against Indiana Hoosiers on September 25, 2021 at Houchen Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, KY
The Wait
Bailey Zappe caught the attention of NFL scouts by passing for an NCAA record 5,967 yards and 62 touchdowns last season at Western Kentucky University.
But Zappe was recently the top quarterback on another list NFL teams use in their evaluation process.
Zappe had the highest score of any quarterback on the Wonderlic Test administered by the NFL to determine a player’s cognitive ability and problem-solving skills.
Zappe is unsure if his performance over the last season and his test score will boost his stock in the NFL Draft, which begins Thursday and runs through Sunday.
“I can’t tell you if I’m going in the third round or undrafted,” Zappe said. “I don’t think anybody knows right now.”
The NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday and a pair of area products hope they can hear their name called. Here are five things you need to know before the draft kicks off Thursday.
Zappe, who played high school football at Victoria East, and Cuero graduate Caeveon Patton, who played mostly on the defensive line at Texas State, hope to hear their name called from the podium at the Las Vegas Strip this weekend.
“Most of the teams will contact my agent and tell her what they think about me, my grade, the pros and cons that they see in my game,” said Zappe, who turned 23 on Tuesday. “Most of the contact I’ve had has been through zoom calls, phone calls so the teams can get to know the player.”
Zappe had only one college offer despite throwing for 7,000 yards and 79 touchdowns during his final two seasons at East and leading the Titans to the regional finals.
He signed with Houston Baptist University and threw for 10,004 yards and 78 touchdowns during his four years, that included a four-game COVID season, before transferring and joining offensive coordinator Zach Kittley at Western Kentucky.
Zappe capped his stay at Western Kentucky by being named the Boca Raton Bowl MVP after throwing for 422 yards and six touchdowns and leading the Hilltoppers to a 59-38 win over Appalachian State.
Zappe worked out at a quarterback school in Mobile, Ala., before playing in the Senior Bowl. He participated in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis and went back to Western Kentucky to prepare for pro day before returning to Victoria.
Hometown boy included in Heisman Trophy ballot
Go ahead and call me a homer.
“Every once in a while, I have time to reminisce and look back at everything,” Zappe said. “It’s been a wild ride of course. But right after the draft, it’s kind of a quick turnaround before you begin minicamps, and I’m just excited to get back to playing. My journey has been fun and it’s been long and I’m excited for the next chapter.”
Patton, 23, did not enjoy the same success at Texas State as he did at Cuero. But he’s proud of what he accomplished.
“I showed that I’m versatile and I could do anything,” said Patton, who played a number of positions for the Bobcats. “I think overall the effect I had on the players and the coaches and all the players who are still there means more to me than a ring.”
Despite playing for four defensive line coaches, three defensive coordinators and two head coaches at Texas State, Patton grew from 265 to 295 pounds and attracted scouts from the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers to pro day.
“Personally, I’m pleased with my performance,” said Patton, who returned to Cuero after working out in Fort Worth, and has been training young athletes. “I did everything I could do. I gave everything I could in the offseason for my teammates and myself to be able to perform the best on Saturdays. I did everything I could do even though we didn’t get the wins we wanted or the championships everybody wants to win.”
Victoria East graduate headed to Western Kentucky
Bailey Zappe didn’t receive much attention from recruiters coming out of high school at Victoria East.
Patton is hoping to become the first player from Cuero drafted since Cody Wallace was selected by the 49ers in 2008. Zappe could become the first player from Victoria to be drafted since 1978 when Johnny Barefield was picked up by the St. Louis Cardinals.
“Everybody wants to get drafted, but I want to play in the NFL,” Zappe said. “Whatever way I can get to the NFL is the way I’ll be grateful for.”
“I’m just waiting to see if that phone rings,” Patton added. “If I do get drafted, which is a very low percentage, I thank God. If I don’t, I pray to God my phone rings on Sunday.”
Thursday: 7 p.m., Round 1
Friday: 6 p.m., Rounds 2-3
Saturday: 11 a.m., Rounds 4-7
TYLER — Western Kentucky quarterback and Victoria East grad Bailey Zappe was awarded the ninth annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award on Wednes…
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2022-04-27T18:28:08Z
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Zappe, Patton hope to hear name called in NFL Draft | Advosports | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/advosports/zappe-patton-hope-to-hear-name-called-in-nfl-draft/article_0ce099c4-c5f6-11ec-9612-07d79fc7c772.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/advosports/zappe-patton-hope-to-hear-name-called-in-nfl-draft/article_0ce099c4-c5f6-11ec-9612-07d79fc7c772.html
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CAROL FRITZ
VICTORIA — Carol Fritz died peacefully on March 29, 2022 in Victoria, Texas. Born and raised in Illinois, she lived in Texas and California before settling with her husband in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she lived for forty years. She graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Music and was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority.
She earned a Master’s Degree in Piano from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, Illinois. While at American, she performed as a piano soloist with the Chicago Symphony - one of the high points of her life. Carol loved to play the piano. She taught students in Nebraska for years and was a member of several local music clubs. Later in life, she worked as a paralegal before moving to Victoria, Texas to be near her family. She is survived by one son, Daniel Fritz of Chicago, Illinois; one daughter, Karen Hagan of Victoria, Texas, son-in-law David Hagan, and two grandchildren, Julia and Sarah Hagan of Victoria, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents, Sherman and Esther Clark; and two brothers.
She loved music, gardening, animals, and the close friendships she developed with so many people. In the words of her closest friend, “Carol personified dignity and compassion. She had a terrific intellect, a devilish wit, and most importantly, a great heart.” She will be missed.
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2022-04-28T06:43:13Z
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CAROL FRITZ | Obituaries | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/carol-fritz/article_f1907d17-348d-5f9d-948e-fde95604df8b.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/carol-fritz/article_f1907d17-348d-5f9d-948e-fde95604df8b.html
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Dominga O. Davila
VICTORIA — Dominga O. Davila, age 74 of Victoria passed away Saturday, April 23, 2022. She was born February 15, 1948.
Visitation April 29, 2022, from 5 - 8pm with a Prayer Service to begin at 6pm at Angel Lucy’s Funeral Home in Victoria. Visitation will resume April 30, 2022, at 9am with a Chapel Service at 10am at the funeral home. Burial to follow at Thomaston Cemetery.
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2022-04-28T06:43:25Z
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Dominga O. Davila | Death Notices | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/death_notices/dominga-o-davila/article_5573cefc-9f2d-5c9b-a658-5c39dbe8a41a.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/death_notices/dominga-o-davila/article_5573cefc-9f2d-5c9b-a658-5c39dbe8a41a.html
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Joan Ritz
SHINER — Joan Ritz peacefully passed away at Mustang Creek Farm, Sunday, April 24, 2022, at the age of 93. She was born on February 5, 1929, in Gonzales, Texas, the 8th of 12 children to Edward and Mamie Davis Crow.
Joan met John, the love of her life, when he was driving his car with blue-spoked wheels in Gonzales, shortly after he was discharged from the Marines. After their marriage they moved to Houston where Joan was active in Westheimer Baptist Church, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. They moved to El Campo in 1966 to start Ritz Food Mart stores. They raised four children and instilled the importance of faith, love, family, and hard work which was passed on to their eight grandchildren. They realized their dream to have a farm and retired to Shiner where they raised registered Beefmaster cattle.
Joan enjoyed cooking and was famous for her sweet tea. She was happiest when she was feeding family, friends, dogs, cats, cows and horses. Joan was always ready for a road trip with her siblings, children or grandchildren. She was available with advice or a helping hand, even if she had to paint a house.
Joan is survived by her daughters Linda Janecek (Pat) of Inez, Debbie Humphreys (Joe) of Victoria, Renee Wheeler (Bruce) of Goliad; brother Don Crow (Connie) of Yoakum; grandchildren Shannon Ritz, Blake Ritz (Brandi), Jake Humphreys, Jenny Davis (Cory), Amanda Humphreys, Joshua Janecek, Stacy Fisher, Daniel Janecek, and Meredith Wheeler Flatt; great-grandchildren Kennedy, Conner, Camille, Ainsley, Blaise, Piper, and Fisher.
Joan is preceded in death by her parents; husband John Ritz; son Bryan Ritz; sisters Mabel, Marcie, Nellie, Mary Agnes, and Rene; brothers Preston, Edward, Robert, John Paul, and Richard.
Visitation Saturday, April 30, 2022 at 1 pm followed by Funeral Service at 2 pm at Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home with Reverend Rick DuBroc officiating. Burial at Yoakum Restland Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Shannon Ritz, Blake Ritz, Jake Humphreys, Cory Davis, Joshua Janecek, and Daniel Janecek.
Memorial contributions may be given to Adopt-A-Pet of Victoria, First Baptist Church of El Campo or donor’s choice.
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2022-04-28T06:44:02Z
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Joan Ritz | Obituaries | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/joan-ritz/article_ab9ac776-0864-57c4-a857-97f54e1ee6a7.html
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Victoria East’s Logan Garis spoke with teammates after his victory at the Ricebird Relays in El Campo.
Victoria East’s Logan Garis (right) won the boys 100-yard dash at the Ricebird Relays in El Campo. El Campo’s Reuben Jones (left) finished third in the race.
Victoria East’s Logan Garis (center, back) pulled up lame in the boys 200-meter dash at the Ricebird Relays in El Campo due to tightness in his leg while other competitors finished beyond him.
Victoria East’s Logan Garis fights through the pack during the 100-meter dash at the District 29-5A meet in Portland.
Victoria East's Garis ready to run at regional meet
The cold and windy conditions at El Campo’s Ricebird Stadium didn’t seem to bother Victoria East’s Logan Garis.
Garis won the 100-meter dash at the Ricebird Relays in March in a time of 10.51 seconds – the best in the area this season.
But Garis’ fortunes took a turn for the worse in the 200-meter dash.
“It kind of just happened,” Garis said. “I felt completely fine coming around the curve. I was just about to turn it up. I was coming around the curve and I was ‘OK, I’m about to get that speed and shoot into it,’ and then It felt like a sharp pain.”
Runners do their best in windy conditions at Ricebird Relays
EL CAMPO — David Ursery didn’t need to be told it was cold.
Garis sprained the hamstring in his left leg and has been working hard to get back into top form.
“I have been going full out,” he said. “It hasn’t felt the same. I changed my mechanics so it kind of makes sense. I’ve been trying to get more used to it.”
Garis finished fourth in the 100 at the Districts 29/30-5A area meet in a time of 11.53, and also ran the anchor leg on the 400 relay that finished third in a time of 43.84.
He qualified in both events for the Region IV-5A meet that begins Friday at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio.
Garis, a senior, also competed at last year’s regional meet and knows this is his last chance to make it to the state meet.
“You’ve just got to put in the work and get the result you want,” he said. “I’m more worried about time when it comes to regional than place. I want to run a certain time. That might come with a certain place.”
Garis was a distance runner when he joined the track and field team at East as a freshman. He ran the 1,600 and 3,200, but the coaches noticed his finishing kick.
“I used to sprint the last 200 of the mile and the two mile, and they had less sprinters,” he said. “I transitioned into a sprinter one day and just stayed as a sprinter.”
Garis was back on the track jogging within two weeks of his injury, but the rehabilitation has been a process.
“It was mostly rehab and trusting what the trainers were telling me,” he said. “There was a bunch of stretching and stuff like that. It was rehab, stretching and seeing what percentage you’re at the next day. You slowly keep building up to get to the percentage where you are good.”
Garis attributes his most recent finishes to struggles coming out of the starting blocks, and his running form more than the injury.
“I actually had to work on technique specific stuff or I would have re-hurt it,” he said. “When I’m running, I’m thinking about technique the whole time. I’m trying to fix myself if I’m doing something wrong on the run.”
Garis, who hopes to run on the college level, knows qualifying for the state meet will be difficult. But he’s never shied away from a challenge.
“I’m not scared of competition,” he said. "It’s part of the sport. The people who are really fast you remember the next year.”
NOTES: The top two finishers plus the next best time or mark from the state’s four regions will qualify for the state meet. The state meet is scheduled for May 12-14 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin.
Area Regional Meets
Javelina Stadium, Kingsville
Waco Midway
Challenger Stadium, League City
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2022-04-28T15:41:59Z
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Victoria East's Garis ready to run at regional meet | Advosports | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/advosports/victoria-easts-garis-ready-to-run-at-regional-meet/article_456d672a-c68e-11ec-baa9-77b24357ac34.html
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Nick Champion, 36, has been named the athletic director and head football coach at Hallettsville Sacred Heart.
Nick Champion’s desire to become a head football coach led him to look at jobs in Florida, Virginia and North Carolina.
But Champion, who has been the defensive coordinator at the Geneva School in Boerne for eight seasons, was thankful to find a position in Texas.
Champion, 36, has been named the athletic director and head football coach at Hallettsville Sacred Heart.
“I think the thing that really caught me was just the community and the family of Hallettsville,” Champion said. “Kevin Haas (Sacred Heart principal) has been a huge draw for me. He’s been incredible in this whole process. He’s been really understanding and really supportive.”
Champion will replace Brad Oden, who resigned in February. He will become Sacred Heart’s sixth head football coach in the last six seasons.
Champion has previously coached at Tyler All Saints Episcopal, Bullard Brook Hill and San Antonio TMI.
“I’ve kind of looked at my whole journey as a process,” Champion said. “I’ve been blessed to work with some great coaches. For me, it was that I’ve always had my eye out looking for a head coaching opportunity.”
Champion had a chance to coach against Sacred Heart when the Indians played Geneva in 2016 and 2017.
“Just the reputation of Hallettsville having tough, hard-nosed kids who love football and love the Lord,” Champion said. “It was just an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
Sacred Heart had a 6-5 record last season and advanced to the TAPPS Division IV semifinals before losing to district foe and eventual state champion Shiner St. Paul.
The Indians will compete in TAPPS Division IV, District 2 in the upcoming season against St. Paul, New Braunfels Christian, Temple Central Texas Christian and Bulverde Bracket Christian.
Nick Champion
Geneva School
Brad Oden
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2022-04-28T19:45:29Z
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Champion named Sacred Heart AD/head football coach | Advosports | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/advosports/champion-named-sacred-heart-ad-head-football-coach/article_726e8e28-c71c-11ec-bc10-7f4763ed5f9e.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/advosports/champion-named-sacred-heart-ad-head-football-coach/article_726e8e28-c71c-11ec-bc10-7f4763ed5f9e.html
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$6 billion carbon-neutral fuel plant to be established in Matagorda County
Highly Innovative Fuels Global announced they are establishing their first North American fuel processing plant in Matagorda County.
HIF Global produces eFuel, a carbon-neutral fuel produced from green energy and recycled carbon, according to their website. The plant's construction will cost $6 billion and be located near farm-to-market roads 521 and 1468, said Mitch Thames, president and CEO of the Bay City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture.
eFuel is chemically identical to traditional gasoline, according to HIF. Because eFuel is created from clean air and water it does not contain impurities like sulfur, which can be present in traditional gasoline.
HIF has just one other plant in Chile, Thames said.
The plant will be established south of Elmaton and Buckeye near Farm-to-Market 521 and 1468, Thames said.
The plant is expected to employ 89 people with an average salary of $89,000, Thames said.
There are three new housing projects coming in to Bay City that can support the employees, Thames said. In addition, Palacios has two housing new subdivisions going in as well.
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2022-04-28T19:45:33Z
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$6 billion carbon-neutral fuel plant to be established in Matagorda County | For Subscribers Only | victoriaadvocate.com
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Bible verse - Isaiah Isa.20:5-6; quote by William Cullen Bryant
And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.
And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?
There is no glory in star or blossom till looked upon by a loving eye; There is no fragrance in April breezes till breathed with joy as they wander by.
William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878) was an American romantic poet, journalist, and long-time editor of the New York Evening Post. Born in Massachusetts, he started his career as a lawyer but showed an interest in poetry early in his life. He soon relocated to New York and took up work as an editor at various newspapers.
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2022-04-28T21:38:31Z
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Bible verse - Isaiah Isa.20:5-6; quote by William Cullen Bryant | Opinion | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/bible-verse---isaiah-isa-20-5-6-quote-by-william-cullen-bryant/article_96ccffd2-c0d9-11ec-9b62-0f251abddee3.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/bible-verse---isaiah-isa-20-5-6-quote-by-william-cullen-bryant/article_96ccffd2-c0d9-11ec-9b62-0f251abddee3.html
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The Victoria Generals announced the signings of four pitchers on Thursday.
Luis Martinez, Nick Luckett, Caleb Cude, and Ian Sexton each signed with the Generals ahead of their 14th Texas Collegiate League Season.
Cude is a 2020 Calhoun graduate who’s in his sophomore year at Pratt Community College in Kansas. He’s thrown 46 strikeouts in nine games this year for the Beavers while toting a 6.55 ERA.
Refugio grad Ochoa returning to Generals this summer
Refugio grad Austin Ochoa highlights a group of four returning signings for the Victoria Generals, the team announced on Wednesday.
Martinez, a junior right-hander at Texas A&M-Kingsville, has an ERA of 1.69 and 16 strikeouts in 16.1 innings. Kingsville is currently 28-14 this season.
Nick Luckett, of Kingwood, is in his redshirt freshman year at Southern University. The RHP has a 5.79 ERA in 16 appearances this season for the Jaguars.
Sexton has picked up three saves and 29 strikeouts in 29.1 innings this season as a sophomore at Coastal Bend College.
The Victoria Generals revealed their 2022 schedule on Wednesday.
The Generals open the season at Riverside Stadium on May 31 against the Seguin River Monsters.
Generals return coaching staff from 2021 season
The Victoria Generals announced Monday that head coach Michael Oros will return for his eight season in 2022.
Caleb Cude
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2022-04-29T01:11:33Z
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Calhoun grad highlights 4 signings for Generals | Advosports | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/advosports/calhoun-grad-highlights-4-signings-for-generals/article_365fd3e0-c74b-11ec-b9fc-9bb2875ef26c.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/advosports/calhoun-grad-highlights-4-signings-for-generals/article_365fd3e0-c74b-11ec-b9fc-9bb2875ef26c.html
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Letter: Kathy Bell is a leader
I worked for over 15 years with Kathy Bell.
Kathy usually had difficult classes, either behaviorally or statistically. “Miss Bell” believed every child
could learn, just not in the same way. Many of her students lagged behind their peers for various
reasons, but she never met a child she couldn’t teach, especially about the feeling of accomplishment
that comes with hard work and success. There was always another, better idea for how to reach
particular students. She taught them study skills, test skills, manners, communication skills, putting forth
their best effort each day, and how to get along. Her classes became like a family and students achieved
because she told them they could--she said she believed in them. To her delight, many of her students
kept in contact with her far beyond school to share their accomplishments.
Kathy Bell would be a great change for the School Board. None of the members are teachers; she’s been
in the classroom for 39 years. She knows what works or doesn’t work for students. She’s able to think
outside the box and doesn’t back down from a challenge. She’s positive, passionate but practical, and
believes that the best is yet to be, no matter who you are or what your past looks like.
She’s lived and worked mostly in Victoria, has a child in our school system, and pays taxes just like you and me.
Kathy Bell is a leader, and she’s the right person for the job for District 1.
Donna Moeller, Victoria
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2022-04-29T04:31:30Z
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Letter: Kathy Bell is a leader | Opinion | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/letter-kathy-bell-is-a-leader/article_423ca5d6-c57e-11ec-96d1-2fb9697bd703.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/letter-kathy-bell-is-a-leader/article_423ca5d6-c57e-11ec-96d1-2fb9697bd703.html
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Rev. Herbert Beyer
Saturday Sermon: Crafting a marriage that goes the distance
By Rev. Herb Beyer
Through the years as a pastor, I have had the privilege of presiding at the marriages of many couples. In an encounter with one of those couples who had moved away from the area, they introduced me to their adult sons and continue to be very happy with the choice of their spouse. They’ve been married for about 25 years now.
Another person whom I hadn’t seen for a number of years shared: “Pastor Beyer, you remember how you told us each person in marriage can’t give their 50-50, but each needs to give their 100% to the relationship.” Yes, “I responded. That’s what I’d say.” She confided, “We did the 50-50 and the relationship didn’t last.” She would later be in a new relationship and the two of them sought counseling in the hopes that they could craft a relationship that would last.
When conflicts and difficulties arise in marriage, there is no shame in seeking help. But with so much help available—pastors and priests, the Church, capable counselors and marriage therapists, encouraging family and friends—it’s a shame when folks don’t seek help.
There are those couples who have celebrated anniversaries of 25, 40, 50 60 and more years. Some renew those vows. One couple in the nursing home was married 75 years, and yes, to the same person. It’s really quite an experience to see how each of those persons continued to care for and love each other. When the wife of one couple was hospitalized, the husband insisted that his children bring him each day to see her. He suffered crippling, painful arthritis and got around in a wheelchair. I witnessed him rise from his chair at her bedside (in spite of great pain), lean over the bed rails to give her a kiss and hold her hand. Tears flowed across his face. What a love!
The secret of such a long and healthy marriage was shared by a woman who was married for over 50 years. “Pastor Beyer there must be something to the religious life and marriage. We’ve been married over 50 years, and it’s not been without its challenges. We’re among the 90 percenters (meaning, 90% of the time, you’d find them in church on a Sunday morning and serving through the Church in one of its ministries). Each night before we go to sleep, we hold hands, recite the 23rd Psalm and the Lord’s Prayer, and then give each other a kiss.”
One of the keys to a strong, long and healthy marriage is in fact a strong spiritual life. The same can also be said of a strong and healthy family.
What does such a life look like? There are certain disciplines of the Christian life, a life where Christ, the Cross and the Church serve as center and foundation for a couple and their family:
Weekly worship with fellow believers and partaking of the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper with regularity
Witnessing to others about the Christian faith
Serving and doing good in Christ’s name (through and in the Church, and in the larger community)
Developing spiritual relationships with fellow believers
Reading and study of God’s Word
Giving time, talents and earthly treasures for the work of Christ in the world.
Being a Christian is not simply having a relationship with Jesus, but also having an ongoing relationship with the Church. In the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, He calls the Twelve. You also see the women and others who become part of that fellowship. The Church is a divine creation made up of forgiven sinful human beings. Jesus provides us counsel in how to deal with the difficulties of our relationships focused on love and forgiveness. We are made a family through our baptism. We have a family meal (Holy Communion) and a family prayer (the Lord’s Prayer). It is clear from reading both the Old and New Testaments, that relationships are key—our relationship with God and with one another (family, friends, and people of faith).
While there is no 100% guarantee, living out one’s faith in a supportive community like the Church, is the best way for crafting a marriage that goes the distance. Martin Luther—priest, husband and father—wrote: “There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.” A good marriage of true love, grounded in Christ, can endure the test of time and the adversity that may come your way. The witness of so many who have gone the distance shows that it is possible.
The Rev. Herb Beyer is pastor of Tri-County Cooperative Ministries, ELCA.
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2022-04-29T10:48:33Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Saturday Sermon: Crafting a marriage that goes the distance | Faith | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/features/faith/saturday-sermon-crafting-a-marriage-that-goes-the-distance/article_524fd7d0-c72d-11ec-8d3b-4bd0cc5e2194.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/features/faith/saturday-sermon-crafting-a-marriage-that-goes-the-distance/article_524fd7d0-c72d-11ec-8d3b-4bd0cc5e2194.html
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Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High 86F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible..
043022_vad_news_council
Thursday night the two candidates for the Victoria City Council Super District 6 seat presented their plans if elected to about 50 residents at the Walker Auditorium at the University of Houston Victoria.
Incumbent Mark Loffgren, 73, and challenger April Butler, 48, answered a variety of questions submitted by both readers of the Victoria Advocate and the paper's editorial board. Answers to the questions asked were limited to three minutes. The election is scheduled for May 7.
"I will spend tax dollars wisely and listen when Victoria residents speak to us (the council)," Butler, who owns the Woodhouse Day Spa, told residents at the meeting.
Loffgren, who was first elected to the council in 2019, said he has helped bring $22 million worth of grant funds to the county in his time on the council. Through economic development in the next year, Loffgren said he hoped to attract a wide variety of businesses to the county.
Loffgren worked for H-E-B in Victoria for almost 25 years, retiring as store director before running for the council. His focus there has been on road maintenance and cutting county debt.
Super District 6 encompasses districts 3 and 4, generally the northern half of the city, to the north and west of Houston Highway and Sam Houston Drive. There are seven members on the Victoria City Council.
Another question asked of the candidates was if first responders needed a pay increase, and, if so, where the funding would come from. First responders are police, fire fighters and emergency medical personnel.
"They need better support than they're getting now," Butler told the audience. "We need dispatchers and we need county staff. Our average turnaround (for first responders to leave for better paying jobs) is about two years."
Butler said that when the county received CARES funds, some of that funding could be used to retain first responders.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress on March 27, 2020. The programs and initiatives in the Act are intended to assist business owners and nonprofits with current needs due to the COVID-19 crisis. The city of Victoria still has about $7 million in CARES funding available, after receiving a total of $14.5 million. All funds received must be committed to an eligible expense by Dec. 31, 2024.
"I think we need more raises. We train them up and then they go to Houston,'' he told the audience. "All the people who work for the city need raises. We need to look at that in the next budget, because they need more medical benefits as well."
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2022-04-29T15:31:34Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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city council candidates | | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/city-council-candidates/article_034ba30a-c7c6-11ec-a85a-f334300f568d.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/city-council-candidates/article_034ba30a-c7c6-11ec-a85a-f334300f568d.html
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Joe Frank Valdez
Victoria Crime Stoppers is seeking information on the whereabouts of Joe Frank Valdez.
Valdez has two outstanding warrants charging him with violation of probation in an attempted sexual assault case and duty to register as a sex offender. The probation violation warrant was issued on May 6, 2021.
He is 46 years old, is 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs 205 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes.
Fugitives may be armed and the public should never attempt to apprehend a fugitive yourself.
Anyone with information on Valdez is asked to call Victoria Crime Stoppers at 361-572-4200 or submit a tip by using the “P3 Tips” app on your Android or Apple Device or by visiting our website, www.crimestoppersvictoria.com. All tips are anonymous and if you give information that leads to arrest or charges being filed, you could earn a cash reward.
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2022-04-29T19:22:04Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Crime Stoppers looking for probation violator | News | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/crime-stoppers-looking-for-probation-violator/article_c5c5cf3a-c7dc-11ec-bc7e-8350dce68a3b.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/crime-stoppers-looking-for-probation-violator/article_c5c5cf3a-c7dc-11ec-bc7e-8350dce68a3b.html
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Residents attend a community meeting hosted by the Victoria Police Department in 2021 at Victoria school district's F.W. Gross campus.
Police to hold 2 community meetings
Victoria Police Department will host two community meetings.
Residents will have an opportunity to learn about the Victoria Police Department and other local government groups that serve their neighborhoods during the two community meetings hosted by VPD’s Community Engagement Unit.
Residents will be able to ask questions and provide feedback to representatives of City departments and the County’s Animal Control department.
These come-and-go meetings are free and open to the public.
The meeting for neighborhoods south of Airline Road will be from 6-8 p.m. May 16 at Meals on Wheels, 603 E. Murray St.
The meeting neighborhoods north of Airline Road will be from 6 to 8 p.m. July 14. The location will be determined later.
For more information, contact the Victoria Police Department Community Engagement Unit at 361-485-3808.
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2022-04-29T19:22:28Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Police to hold 2 community meetings | News | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/police-to-hold-2-community-meetings/article_5e36ed52-c7de-11ec-9faf-cf764849f2b7.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/police-to-hold-2-community-meetings/article_5e36ed52-c7de-11ec-9faf-cf764849f2b7.html
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city council advance
042622_vad_news_city council advance_
When the Victoria City Council meets Tuesday afternoon, they will review a plan to simplify bringing more business to the area.
The Code Diagnostic and Analysis Report reviews existing development-related City ordinances to identify possible issues and present actions to the city to solve potential problems. The end result will be the creation of a proposed Unified Development Ordinance, which would provide coordination between different regulations and standards and create a user-friendly format. This would encourage development in the city, by simplifying the process, said Chance Sparks.
Sparks, 40, a consultant from Freese and Nichols, an engineering and design firm, told City Council members in a workshop Friday that by making the procedure easier to complete for companies both inside and outside Victoria County, it should bring in more development.
"We did reach out to outside developers," Sparks said. "We want planning in plain English, so you don't have to have a degree in architecture to understand what is going on."
Another driving force behind the study would be to make sure the planning process is legally sound. Developers want predictability in the development process, Sparks said.
A complete rewrite or major amendment of Victoria's development regulations has not occurred since the 1992 adoption of Chapter 21 Subdivision and Development requirements. Newer procedures have not been adopted and the hope is to make the process less challenging for developers. Chance said the intent is to make the program well-organized, well-written and easy to use.
"We don't want to change things that make Victoria sort of great," Chance said. "We want the process as simple as possible."
The ideal for the development process in Victoria is to have a fair, open, and understandable process for all the parties involved in all parts of the process. The desire is for unambiguous language and a predictable development environment.
The new regulations must be a fair and highly defensible set of rules for the development of land in the community. The new UDO must clearly reflect basic Constitutional principles, recent Court rulings, and other applicable case law. It also must be framed in accordance with Texas statutory authority as it pertains to community planning and land development, with issues such as vested rights, appeal processes, development processing, and due process.
The Victoria City Council meeting is scheduled to begin a 5 p.m. on May 3 at 107 West Juan Linn Street.
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2022-04-30T01:16:46Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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city council advance | | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/city-council-advance/article_577bbeec-c816-11ec-a225-bbbdc6957d77.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/city-council-advance/article_577bbeec-c816-11ec-a225-bbbdc6957d77.html
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Councilman Mark Loffgren and challenger April Butler answered questions at a political forum on April 28, 2022, sponsored by the Victoria Chamber of Commerce and the Victoria Advocate.
Councilman Mark Loffgren discusses his vision of the city of Victoria's future on April 28, 2022, at the University of Houston-Victoria, during a political forum sponsored by the Victoria Advocate.
Council candidate April Butler discusses her vision of the city of Victoria's future on April 28, 2022, at the University of Houston-Victoria, during a political forum sponsored by the Victoria Advocate.
The two candidates for the Victoria City Council Super District 6 seat discussed their goals and plans if elected to about 50 residents at the University of Houston-Victoria's Walker Auditorium on Thursday evening.
Their ideas ranged from incumbent Mark Loffgren's goal for proper zoning and business growth to challenger April Butler's vision of fiscal responsibility.
Loffgren, 73, and Butler, 48, answered a variety of questions submitted by the Victoria Advocate's editorial board. They were limited to three-minute responses. The political forum, sponsored by the Victoria Chamber of Commerce and the Victoria Advocate and hosted by UHV, was in advance of the municipal election on May 7. Early voting already is under way.
"I will spend tax dollars wisely and listen when Victoria residents speak to (the council)," Butler, who owns the Woodhouse Day Spa, said to residents attending the forum.
Loffgren, who was first elected to the council in 2019, said he has helped bring $22 million worth of grant funds to the city in his time on the council. Through economic development in the next year, Loffgren said he hoped to attract a variety of businesses to the city.
Loffgren worked for H-E-B in Victoria for almost 25 years, retiring as store director before running for the council. His focus there has been on road maintenance and cutting municipal debt.
Super District 6 encompasses districts 3 and 4, generally the northern half of the city, to the north and west of Houston Highway and Sam Houston Drive. There are seven members on the council.
One question asked of the candidates was whether first responders like police and firefighters, paramedics and EMTs need a pay increase, and, if so, where the funding would come from.
"They need better support than they're getting now," Butler told the audience. "We need dispatchers and we need city staff. Our average turnaround (for first responders to leave for better paying jobs) is about two years."
Butler said some of that money received from CARES Act funs could be used to retain first responders.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act was passed by Congress on March 27, 2020. It was designed to help businesses and nonprofits survive the pandemic. The City of Victoria still has about $7 million in CARES funding available, after receiving a total of $14.5 million. All of the money received must be committed to an eligible expense by Dec. 31, 2024.
"I think we need more raises. We train them up and then they go to Houston," he said to the audience. "All the people who work for the city need raises. We need to look at that in the next budget because they need more medical benefits, as well."
Victoria Advocate Political Forum
First Respnders
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2022-04-30T01:17:11Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Loffgren, Butler discuss city council goals at Victoria Advocate political forum | For Subscribers Only | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/premium/loffgren-butler-discuss-city-council-goals-at-victoria-advocate-political-forum/article_034ba30a-c7c6-11ec-a85a-f334300f568d.html
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Audrey W. Simpson
CUERO — Audrey Nell West Simpson, 85, of Cuero, Texas, met her Savior face-to-face on the afternoon of April 28, 2022. She was born on July 14, 1936, in Pandora, Texas, to Leo Colbert and Esta Mae Griffin West. She met the love of her life, Sam Walter Simpson, on November 21, 1951, and married him on February 20, 1955, upon his return from serving as an aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Navy. Together, they had four children; Kathy, Julie, Suzie, and John. Nell, known by most as Honey, was a loving and treasured daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. On May 13, 1966, Sam and Nell moved to Cuero with their children for Sam’s work in the oil and gas industry. Nell, a 1953 graduate of Pleasanton High School, went on to graduate from Victoria Beauty College and opened Nell’s Beauty Shop shortly thereafter. Sam and Nell joined Calvary Baptist Church the Sunday after they moved to Cuero and served in various roles until their health no longer allowed them to do so. Nell especially enjoyed serving as a Sunday school teacher. Sam and Nell also served as foster parents for the state of Texas for numerous children in need of protective custody. They also cared for widows in their home. Together, they lived James 1:27. Sam and Nell enjoyed having people in their home and were always up for a visit. So many memories have been made at their home, it’s likely some have been forgotten. The family realizes what a tremendous blessing that is. In her later years, quilting became Nell’s passion. The family lost count of how many quilts she quilted over the years. Even after macular degeneration took her sight, she continued to quilt by touch. Her quilts are among the most treasured possessions of those she leaves behind. To honor her memory, the family would like to invite those who were blessed to be gifted one of her quilts to bring it with them to her funeral service. Nell was feisty and tender hearted. She loved Jesus with all of her heart and wanted everyone she met to know Him, too. Her favorite scripture was Philippians 4:13, which states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Nell lived that verse. She persevered despite enduring multiple health conditions and traumatic losses in her lifetime. It was her sincere desire that others might come to know Jesus in the midst of her suffering. Her family rejoices today that her faith has become sight, and she has been given a new body (Philippians 3:21). She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 66 years, Sam Walter Simpson; daughters, Audrey Kathleen Stanfill and Suzan Joan Simpson; grandson, Earl John McMichael IV; parents, Leo Colbert and Esta Mae Griffin West; and brothers, Joe Mack and John Colbert West. She is survived by her children, Julie Maxine McMichael (E.J.) of Victoria, and John Walter Simpson (Rose) of Cuero. She is also survived by her son-in-law, Neal Alan Stanfill of Cuero, as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews whom she loved very much. Visitation will be held Sunday, May 1, 2022, 2:00 p.m. at Freund Funeral Home in Cuero, followed by the funeral service at 3:00 p.m. with Johnny Cravey officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Cuero. Family and friends will gather at Sam and Nell’s home afterward. Pallbearers include Adam Simpson, Vincent Stanfill, Scott Brysch, Kaiden Shafer, Tyler Wilson, A.J. Alaniz, and Matthew Jackson. Honorary pallbearers include John Paul Jackson, Justin Stanfill, Brandon Shafer, Trey Meyer, Dillon Meyer, Trace DeLeon, and L.J. McMichael. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Hospice of South Texas. You may sign the guest book or send condolences at www.freundfuneralhome.com. Freund Funeral Home, 361.275.2343.
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2022-04-30T07:27:53Z
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Audrey W. Simpson | Obituaries | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/audrey-w-simpson/article_026d7e97-3d15-5134-b0b4-e9fd97d5f30b.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/audrey-w-simpson/article_026d7e97-3d15-5134-b0b4-e9fd97d5f30b.html
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VICTORIA — Robert Hagel, 90 of Victoria passed away on Tuesday April 26, 2022. He was born May 22, 1931 in Victoria to Aloysius and Ann Halepaska Hagel.
Robert was a farmer and was the owner of the Hagel Dairy Farm for 54 years and proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He also started a cow/calf operation and hay baling business that continues to this day.
He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Ann Chlastak Hagel; daughters, Carolyn Weisiger, Grace Heinold, Annie Page, Barbara Hagel, Theresa Powles, Mary Levien; sons, John Hagel, Robert Hagel, Joe Hagel; nineteen grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 1, 2022 from 3-5 PM at Rosewood Funeral Chapels. A rosary will be recited at 9:30 AM on Monday, May 2, 2022 with the Mass of Christian Burial to begin at 10 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Burial with full military honors under the auspices of the Victoria Veterans Council will be in Wood Hi Cemetery.
Mr. Hagel’s grandsons will be pallbearers and his granddaughters will be honorary pallbearers.
Contributions in Robert’s memory may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes Building Fund, 105 N. Williams Street, Victoria, Texas 77901 or Harbor Hospice, 5606 N. Navarro Suite 306, Victoria, Tx 77904
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com for the Hagel family.
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2022-04-30T07:28:17Z
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Robert J. Hagel | Obituaries | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/robert-j-hagel/article_ddc4e1cb-883f-5f7b-afd4-7314db394a41.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/robert-j-hagel/article_ddc4e1cb-883f-5f7b-afd4-7314db394a41.html
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Residents say property tax assessments are rising at an unfair rate.
Residents say property tax assessments have shot up even as other costs of living have climbed, leaving those on fixed incomes in a jam.
George Coryell | kkohn@vicad.com
Residents from the Quail Creek subdivision met with officials from the Victoria County property appraiser last week, questioning increases in their property tax assessments. Over 20 residents attended the meeting, many bringing documentation showing substantial increases in their tax assessments from previous years.
When Rick Streeter, 62, received an appraisal from the county for his home for $190,000, he went to an independent appraiser, who saw its value at $167,000. One of the problems is that the county is understaffed, he said.
"It's a Texas problem," Streeter said. "If everyone shows up requesting an independent appraiser, they don't have enough appraisers."
Complaints such as this have been coming from other areas of Victoria County, as well.
Before the presentation, Streeter said "The system is rigged, so if they want your money, they will get your money."
Many Quail Creek residents are retired, so the assessments came as a shock when they saw their property tax assessments. According to tax-rates.org, the median property tax in Victoria County is $1,753 per year for a home worth the median value of $98,200. That comes to 1.79% of a property's assessed fair market value as property tax. The average yearly property tax paid by Victoria County residents came to about 2.84% of their yearly income, according to the website.
Victoria County Chief Appraiser John Haliburton said if homeowners felt their properties were appraised too highly, they could meet with his office to present documentation showing items such as roof leaks, cracked slabs or termite damage.
"What you do as a taxpayer is bring us that information," Haliburton said. "That's why we need that information and that's why we are there."
Haliburton said his office did not deal with the tax rates, simply with home values as assessed by the appraisal district. Some appraisals were done by comparing similar homes with home that have been sold. Victoria Central Appraisal District is responsible for appraising all real and business personal property in the county. This is done in accordance with the Texas Property Tax Code and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices.
He said all properties in Victoria County were appraised as of Jan. 1. Haliburton said elected officials, such as county commissioners or city council members, who set the tax rates which the appraiser's office collects each year.
But he did want residents to know the last day to protest a current property tax bill is May 16. That means his office must receive an email, a visit from the taxpayer or a letter postmarked May 16 or earlier to be eligible.
Victoria County uses a complex formula to determine the property tax owed on any individual property, so it is not possible to shorten it to a simple tax rate, as you could with a sales tax. Of the 586 homes in Quail Creek, Streeter said he thought most of the residents' tax assessments had increased by 18%. Streeter, who has lived in Quail Creek for 31 years, said he could not sell his home for what it was appraised for.
"If I could get what (appraiser's office) are asking for my house, I would take the money and run," Streeter said.
He said when he and other residents received their tax letters with the estimated housing value, it represented a substantial increase from previous years. Even if the prices of homes had "skyrocketed," Streeter said in the wake of COVID-19 and the recession, residents could not handle the increased tax cost.
His neighbor, Jeremy Martin, 66, said it was too much to expect from the community.
"Since I'm retired, I'm on a fixed income," Martin said. "What can I do?"
On the May 7 ballot, there are two Texas constitutional amendments that would reduce the tax burden on homeowners.
Texas Proposition 1, or the Property Tax Limit Reduction for Elderly and Disabled Residents Amendment, would support allowing the state legislature to reduce the property tax limit for school maintenance and operations taxes imposed on homesteads of elderly or disabled residents to reflect any tax rate reduction enacted by law from the preceding tax year.
Texas Proposition 2, or the Increased Homestead Exemption for School District Property Taxes Amendment, would support increasing the homestead exemption for school property taxes from $25,000 to $40,000.
"Those two propositions on the ballot are towering over those who are over 65 or disabled," Streeter said. "If they want to jack appraisal rates as high as they can, they know those propositions will bring it down a bit."
James Quintero of the Texas Public Policy Foundation explained what taxpayers can do to combat higher property taxes.
Confirm your primary residence is covered by a homestead exemption.
Protest your property tax value.
Tell your local elected officials to adopt radically lower tax rates.
Victoria County Chief Appraiser John Haliburton
Property Appraiser's Office
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2022-04-30T09:50:22Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Property tax assessments jump for many homeowners | News | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/property-tax-assessments-jump-for-many-homeowners/article_aba874b2-c67a-11ec-89a7-bff7bb48f11f.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/property-tax-assessments-jump-for-many-homeowners/article_aba874b2-c67a-11ec-89a7-bff7bb48f11f.html
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Transparency will rebuild community trust after shooting case closed
Authorities should release videos of the JD Javier Lane shooting.
About 2:30 p.m. Jan. 5, Lane, a 28-year-old Victoria resident, was fatally shot by a deputy U.S. marshal during a traffic stop.
On Monday, after months without information released to the public, the public learned from Victoria County District Attorney Constance Filley Johnson that Lane was suspected of being involved in two robberies and an assault from the night before. In one of those robberies, a man walking to buy milk at H-E-B was beaten and pistol whipped.
There were good reasons for police to arrest Lane on Jan. 5. And there very well could have been good reasons for the deputy U.S. marshal to use deadly force. The intersection where the shooting occurred is adjacent to a day care, church and busy intersection. If Lane did in fact have a gun, which Filley Johnson says the deputy U.S. marshal believed at the time, a member of the public could have been injured or worse.
A grand jury of randomly selected Victoria County residents has considered the case and decided the shooting was justified. That decision effectively has closed the case and ended the matter with law enforcement.
But the matter is not closed with the greater Victoria community. Releasing videos of the shooting will allow our community to heal. It will dispel the perception that law enforcement has something to hide and is unjustly working to protect their own.
Filley Johnson and her office should be commended for Monday’s release of information, which included the name of the deputy U.S. marshal. It goes a long way, but more can be done.
The shooting may have been justified, but Lane was shot in the back, and he was not carrying a weapon.
Those two facts carry a powerful weight. They raise doubts among everyday residents. Even with the other circumstances, they may cause many residents to distrust local law enforcement.
Trust within the community for local law enforcement is vital.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, it’s “fundamental to effective policing.”
Both former Victoria Police Chief JJ Craig and current Police Chief Roberto Arredondo Jr. have made building that trust a priority.
Without community trust, residents may begin to see officers as the enemy — crimes go unreported, witnesses are less likely to cooperate and overall the job of law enforcement becomes more difficult.
We must work to repair the damage, and the remedy is transparency. Our community must perceive local law enforcement as unbiased, honest and working in the best interest of residents.
That’s why videos of Lane’s shooting should be released to the public. The videos will allow the public to see for themselves what happened. They will prevent the perception that law enforcement is hiding the truth.
The Victoria Advocate has filed public information requests with local, state and federal authorities for body and dash camera videos, complete investigation files and guidelines for the use of deadly force among other requests. Hopefully, those requests will not be stymied.
We hope to one day put this shooting behind us. We hope to rebuild the trust between law enforcement and the community.
Jj Craig
Roberto Arredondo Jr.
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2022-04-30T09:50:24Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Transparency will rebuild community trust after shooting case closed | Opinion | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/transparency-will-rebuild-community-trust-after-shooting-case-closed/article_5540177c-c061-11ea-a51d-a3a33c9662a2.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/transparency-will-rebuild-community-trust-after-shooting-case-closed/article_5540177c-c061-11ea-a51d-a3a33c9662a2.html
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Hurricanes host Panthers in critical game
The Victoria Hurricanes look to remain in playoff contention when they host the South Texas Bills out of San Antonio at 6 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The Hurricanes are coming off a 33-8 loss to the South Texas Panthers that dropped them to 3-3 in Big South Football League play.
The Hurricanes are currently 11th out of the league's 24 teams, and the top 12 teams make the playoffs.
The Hurricanes got some good news when they learned Bay City graduate Cordero "Showtime" Williams will return from an injury and be back at quarterback.
Gates will open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 and those 12 and under will be admitted free of charge.
South Texas Bills
Big South Football League
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2022-04-30T18:18:54Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Hurricanes host Panthers in critical game | Advosports | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/advosports/hurricanes-host-panthers-in-critical-game/article_5fdcbde2-c691-11ec-9061-b7e4da0a8aa1.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/advosports/hurricanes-host-panthers-in-critical-game/article_5fdcbde2-c691-11ec-9061-b7e4da0a8aa1.html
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Is May here already? I am sure everyone is looking forward to summer vacations, especially the kids. April and May are such a beautiful time of year. Yes, Susan and I took off for a two-day ride on our motorcycle to check out the beautiful flowers and bluebonnets. We met friends in Navasota and rode, of all places, to Jasper, Texas where we spent the night and the next day down to the coast to Galveston and then back home. We saw fields of bluebonnets that first day on the way to LaGrange where we turned east and traveled back roads loaded with more bluebonnets. I love springtime.
I hope many of you were able to attend the reception at the Victoria Art League and saw the beautiful artwork the children and youth of this area have created. Cash prizes were handed out to the winners of different categories. I do not have the names of the winners as I am writing this column before they are even judged. If you were not in attendance for the reception Saturday, the show will remain up for the next two weeks, so I encourage you to go check it out. There should be a brochure there listing all the people who placed in each category and the blue ribbon winners. The various ribbons will be attached to the artwork as well. It is truly amazing what the young people are able to accomplish with various media.
I want to be sure you know about what Alana Sharp is planning for children and youth this summer. She will be offering an Art Summer Camp for kids and a Teen Camps in June and July. I don’t have specific dates so please contact Alana at Victoriaartsforkids@gmail.com victoriaartsforkids@facebook for more information on these. This will be a great activity for your kids or grandkids this summer where they will have fun and learn a lot.
I just finished beginner and follow up pottery classes this week and everyone made some very nice pottery and most importantly, said they had a good time. I am planning to have another beginning class in July if there is enough interest. I do not have dates for this at this time but it will be six three-hour sessions over a period of two weeks and, like always, I will offer an afternoon 1- 4 p.m. and a 6-9 p.m. class. Contact me if you would be interested in taking a pottery class this summer. You can call or text me at 361-649-8309 or email me at whbauer5491@gmail.com.
With the end of the school year fast approaching I know that this is the time for parties and celebrations for this special occasion. If you have not rented a place yet, we have a great venue here at our Victoria Art League, 905 S. Bridge St. We offer our historic building and patio area for rental. You can rent our gallery, our lovely patio area or you can rent it all, you decide. If you have never been here before, come and check it out. You can call Marc Hinojosa at 361-648-6272 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
As always, I encourage everyone to get out and smell the roses which means get out and enjoy life. While you are doing that come see all the great artwork the young ones in this part of the Crossroads have created. I also want to let you know we are planning a summer event here at the Art League this summer. I will have more details in my next Art Corner column. Ok now, until next time, let’s get out there and smell the roses.
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2022-04-30T18:19:12Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Art Corner: Summer art programs planned for children, adults | Local News | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/local/art-corner-summer-art-programs-planned-for-children-adults/article_59fe3560-c680-11ec-9735-17590b9a0114.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/local/art-corner-summer-art-programs-planned-for-children-adults/article_59fe3560-c680-11ec-9735-17590b9a0114.html
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For the first time since 1978, a Victoria high school graduate was drafted to the NFL.
Victoria East standout Bailey Zappe was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round with the 137th overall pick.
Johnny Barefield was the last Victorian drafted when he was picked up by the St. Louis Cardinals in the NFL draft 44 years ago.
Zappe threw for an NCAA record 5,967 yards and 62 touchdowns last season at Western Kentucky University, breaking records set by BJ Symons and Joe Burow.
WKU Hilltoppers quarterback Bailey Zappe (4) during a game against UTSA Road Runners on October 9, 2021 at Houchen Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, KY.
Caeveon Patton, Texas State
Caeveon Patton flexes during a game against Florida International University.
WKU Hilltoppers quarterback Bailey Zappe (4) during a game against Indiana Hoosiers on Sept. 25, 2021 at Houchen Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green, KY
FB vs Northwestern State
Bailey Zappe, a Victoria East graduate, looks to pass during a game against Northwestern State in 2019.
Juan DeLeon/Houston Baptist Athletics
Defense has Cuero zeroing in on district championship
Cuero defensive lineman Caeveon Patton goes up against Justin Ficklen during Monday's practice at Gobbler Stadium.
Angela Piazza apiazza@vicad.com
Victoria East vs. Austin McCallum
Victoria East's Bailey Zappe throws the ball down the field to complete a touchdown.
Victoria East grad Bailey Zappe and Cuero product Caeveon Patton have dreams of a future in the NFL. Here's a look at pictures of them from high school to college.
Prior to his year at Western Kentucky, Zappe threw for 10,004 yards and 78 touchdowns at Houston Baptist University, where he signed out of East High School.
While at East, Zappe helped guide the Titans to the Class 5A quarterfinals for the first time in school history.
Brandon Ogden | Tyler Morning Telegraph
Zappe recently posted the highest score on the Wonderlic test, which the NFL administers to gauge a prospect’s critical thinking and problem solving abilities.
He scored a 35 on the test. Malik Willis, one of the top-projected QBs this year, scored a 32.
Zappe’s 35 is the same as Aaron Rodgers scored when he was drafted in 2005 by the Green Bay Packers.
Draft Glance
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2022-04-30T20:59:10Z
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East's Bailey Zappe drafted by the Patriots | Advosports | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/advosports/easts-bailey-zappe-drafted-by-the-patriots/article_f1396f46-c8ae-11ec-9017-7728ac1ffc6d.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/advosports/easts-bailey-zappe-drafted-by-the-patriots/article_f1396f46-c8ae-11ec-9017-7728ac1ffc6d.html
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Dave Sather: A gambler or a business owner
In the last three days, the Dow Jones Industrial Average sold off more than 800 points twice. Inflation is running above 8% and the Federal Reserve is aggressively raising rates to calm inflation.
Additionally, Russia is not backing down their attacks on Ukraine while China is struggling with COVID-19 as if it was March 2020.
The Dow is now down 10% this year, while the S&P 500 is off 13%. The Nasdaq is down more than 20% for the year.
Is this a reason to panic and what should you gain your attention?
The same day the market dropped 800 points, Microsoft posted record earnings with revenue growth of 18%. Alphabet’s revenue came in at $68 billion, up 23% from the same period last year. And Visa posted earnings of more than 20%.
Despite this stellar growth, Microsoft and Alphabet were down nearly 4% on the day while Visa was down more than 4%.
Ask a fundamental business question. If you owned all of Microsoft, Alphabet, or Visa would you run for the door, or, would you be pleased with the growth and results?
Hopefully, you’d be all smiles. Unfortunately, since these are publicly traded businesses it distracts people from the issues that truly matter. As you think about this, ask yourself, are you a gambler or a business owner?
As you make your evaluation, consider that H-E-B, Discount Tire and Buc-ee’s are all well-known brands. They are very popular with strong revenues and earnings. This is what gives them, or any business, value.
However, H-E-B, Discount Tire and Buc-ee’s are all privately held. No one obsessed over their “ticker” today. No one tried to day-trade these businesses. Regardless of Fed policy, China lock-downs, or the latest inflation data….the owners of these businesses have a laser focus on business fundamentals, and nothing else.
No matter what happens in the world, H-E-B will be the go-to place for groceries. For 115 years it has been the same formula. With revenue of more than $31 billion, H-E-B is the ninth largest private company in the U.S., according to Forbes.
Discount Tire is the world’s largest independent tire and wheel retailer. After 62 years, they focus on reasonable prices, customer satisfaction and a satisfaction guarantee. No matter how busy they are, they always have time to patch a flat for free.
And at the Buc-ee’s you can fill up your car at one of dozens of gas pumps. Buc-ee’s in New Braunfels is the world’s largest convenience store at 68,000 square feet. Over the last 42 years, Buc-ee’s has been known for their clever marketing and billboards. “The Top Two Reasons to Stop at Buc-ee’s: Number 1 and Number 2.”
These private businesses have carefully navigated the entrepreneurial landscape for decades, if not centuries. And there is an important lesson in these private businesses for all investors.
I have no skill as a gambler. While the odds favor the house in Vegas, the gambling odds favor Wall Street even more. You will not out-trade the market.
I have no idea what will happen next week or next month. The next year is completely murky. However, I don’t care as I don’t have to play that game. Don’t gamble. Focus on being a business owner. Own great businesses that consistently get better each year.
Being a business owner completely changes the investing dynamic. Time frames are completely open-ended. Focus on where you want to be over decades. Being a patient business owner over long time frames allows you to build wealth while keeping your tax bill to a minimum.
Even if you are of traditional retirement age, you have decades to manage money. Being a business owner allows one to maintain purchasing power over the remainder of your life.
The one main difference highlighted in these businesses is the public trading aspect. Being publicly traded does not add value; it delivers distraction. Turn off the news, it is not there to inform you.
Know the game you play and the time frame over which you expect to achieve success. The longer, the better. The individual can win the long game.
Own businesses so good you’ll never want to part with them.
Focus on why a business has value: its brand, its people, sales and earnings. Stop asking about the latest ticker quote. Instead, be informed about sales, earnings and margins. These are the things that matter to the successful investor.
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2022-04-30T20:59:22Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Dave Sather: A gambler or a business owner | Business | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/business/dave-sather-a-gambler-or-a-business-owner/article_39ef11fc-c713-11ec-a19a-b7a55f646f0e.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/business/dave-sather-a-gambler-or-a-business-owner/article_39ef11fc-c713-11ec-a19a-b7a55f646f0e.html
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Ian Chen, a senior at Calhoun High School, won first place in both the computer science and the senior mathematics test on April 21 during the 25th annual UHV Math & Robotics Awareness Day. About 160 high school students attended the event.
Crossroads students get interactive look at STEM subjects, careers
When Calhoun High School senior Ian Chen took the computer science and senior mathematics tests at the 25th annual University of Houston-Victoria Math & Robotics Awareness Day, he felt confident in his abilities. Still, it was a welcome surprise to learn he won first place in both competitions.
“It feels good, especially because I want to go to college to study computer science,” the 17-year-old Port Lavaca student said. “The Math & Robotics Awareness Day is a great experience because it helps students get to know different fields with lots of interesting presentations. I’m glad I got to participate in the event again.”
About 160 high school students from eight area high schools attended the event and took part in activities including mathematics and computer science tests, robotics demonstrations, breakout sessions and interacting with industry representatives at expo booths. High schools with students participating in the event were A.C. Jones High School in Beeville, Calhoun High School, Faith Academy, Palacios High School, Sacred Heart Catholic School in Hallettsville, St. Joseph High School, and Victoria East and West high schools.
This is the first year UHV has been able to host the event since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A grant from Alcoa Foundation funded the event as well as robotics courses for high school students. The grant also will fund summer camps featuring math, computer science, data science and robotics at UHV for middle and high school students. For more information, visit www.uhv.edu/stem-events.
Throughout the day, students attended breakout sessions taught by UHV faculty members. The sessions focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics including computer science and nanotechnology. During lunch, Chance Glenn, UHV provost and vice president for academic affairs, gave a presentation on the science behind Star Trek.
“UHV Math & Robotics Awareness Day is always a fun event that encourages students to learn more about what is available in STEM careers,” said Ricardo Teixeira, UHV associate professor of mathematics, chair of natural science and mathematics, and co-organizer of the event. “This is one of the largest student events we’ve held at UHV since the start of the pandemic, and we are proud to see so many students engage in opportunities to learn.”
In addition to the breakout sessions, students were able to interact with displays at various expo booths including talking with representatives from Dow Chemical, Caterpillar, Inteplast Group, CivilCorp, UHV Robotics, Victoria West High School Engineering programs, UHV Recruitment, and the YMCA SHTEAM Bus. Members of a UHV after-school robotics program also showcased some of their projects.
“Math & Robotics Awareness Day is always a huge event that takes a lot of coordination to put together,” said Amjad Nusayr, UHV assistant professor of computer science, director of the computer science program and co-organizer of the event. “Between the mathematics and computer science competitions and the wide variety of breakout topics and expo booths, students had a full day of exposure to many different subjects that could pique their interest.”
Winners of the mathematics and computer science competitions each received an iPad and Apple Pencil. In addition, second- and third-place winners received medals while first-place winners received a trophy. The winners for the computer science contest were:
First – Ian Chen, Calhoun High School
Second – Sanchit Singhal, Victoria West High School
Third – Manas Agrawal, Victoria West High School
The mathematics tests were divided by grade. The winners of the math contest by grade and high school were:
Freshmen – Stacy Zhang, Calhoun, first; Kyle Shedd, Victoria West, second; Ajay Shamma, Victoria West, third
Sophomores – Emmett Lee, St. Joseph, first; Tammy Zhang, Calhoun, second; Judy Rube, Victoria West, third
Juniors – Lisa Du, St. Joseph, first; Sanchit Singhal, Victoria West, second; Luis Ramos, St. Joseph, third
Seniors – Ian Chen, Calhoun, first; Kary Xu, Calhoun, second; Ashton Rainey, Victoria West, third.
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2022-04-30T20:59:28Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Crossroads students get interactive look at STEM subjects, careers | News | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/crossroads-students-get-interactive-look-at-stem-subjects-careers/article_56ded82e-c68c-11ec-a2ee-772d2850c544.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/crossroads-students-get-interactive-look-at-stem-subjects-careers/article_56ded82e-c68c-11ec-a2ee-772d2850c544.html
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100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago: 1997: David Baker heads to Indo-Pacific World Games in South Africa
MAY 1 – The new board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce, who were voted upon Thursday, Friday and Saturday of last week, were put in power at 8:00 Monday night at the court house, when a canvass of returns revealed the election of the following: Herman Fischer, John Ruckman, Frank Crain, R.L. Groce, J.D. Jowers, George H. French, A.W. Carpenter, V.A. Sitterle, and C.C. Zirjacks.
County Agent J.D. Jowers has mailed notices to all parts of the county asking all farmers that are interested in sweet potatoes to be in this city Saturday at 2 p.m. for the purpose of effecting some kind of an organization.
MAY 4 – Miss Daisy Talley left last Sunday for Houston, in which city she has accepted a lucrative position with an oil concern.
The Advocate is exceedingly sorry to chronicle that John T. Scheumack is quite ill at his home with a severe attack of typhoid fever.
Mrs. William J. Bryan, wife of the thrice-defeated candidate for the presidency of the United States and ex-secretary of state William Jennings Bryan, resumed her trip westward Wednesday afternoon, after spending a day and night in her room here at the Denver Hotel.
MAY 2 – An eight-run second inning blast helped the Rosebuds to a 17 to 5 victory over the Edna Pipeliners here Thursday as the Victorians opened 1947 play in their new Riverside Park. The 1,200-seat grandstand was well filled with 797 paying customers, the largest gathering ever to witness a weekday game here.
O.L. “Smut” Griffith demonstrating he is one of the town’s most ardent baseball fans by placing the newspaper rack out in front of his City News Stand yesterday afternoon with the sign: “Take one. Gone to the ball game.”
MAY 5 – A chain of events gave the new police radio system its test Sunday. Returning toward Victoria after investigating an accident near Ganado, State Highway Patrolmen, Doren Cornelius and A.J. Williams were stopped in Edna by officers who said they needed help in catching three men and a girl who shortly before had attempted to break into a filling station at Louise. A radio message was quickly broadcast to Victoria Police headquarters, and Chief Deputy J.C. Durant and a fellow officer soon located the fugitive auto headed toward Victoria. When the four would-be burglars came into Victoria there was a reception committee of city, county and state officers waiting to arrest them.
Albert Harrison Jr., who began his circulation activities on The Advocate as a carrier in 1939, is back as a regular employee. He helped inaugurate the Little Merchant system in 1941 and then went off to the wars.
MAY 3 – Robert H. “Bob” Winley, acting police chief since April 12, was handed the job on a permanent basis Tuesday. City Manager John Lee announced he had appointed Winley as permanent police chief to replace John L. Guseman, who resigned April 10 after being requested to do so.
Happiness is a savings account. 4 3/4 percent regular passbook savings. Victoria Federal Savings.
MAY 7 – Burglars removed an estimated $7,000 in cash and did an estimated $3,000 in damages Friday night or Saturday morning, when they pried open a large safe in the main business of Swain-Kovar Ford, 4702 N. Navarro St. Police said the burglars were apparently the same ones that have committed safe burglaries of business places over the past six months.
Dave Lack of Victoria, president of Lack’s Stores, Inc., has been selected as “Furniture Retailer of the Year” for the South Texas area, it was announced Friday by District 5 of the Retail Furniture Association of the Southwest.
Mrs. Gaylan Duncan was installed as president and Gaylan Duncan as vice-president of Nazareth Academy PTA.
MAY 5 – David Baker prefers a double flip to a double dip any time of the day. The 9-year-old is headed to the Indo-Pacific World Games in Durban, South Africa, for the world trampoline and tumbling championships from Aug. 29 to Sept. 9. David secured his spot at the world games after emerging a winner in the world trials — two different competitions in Las Vegas, Nev. and Knoxville, Tenn.
MAY 6 – Smiling shyly, 14-year-old Michael Mitchell received a standing ovation Monday morning from his fellow students at Industrial Junior High School for his life-saving actions. Sheriff Mike Ratcliff joined other officials in praising the youngster for rescuing Tammy Wilson and her 3-year-old son, Robby, from their burning mobile home on April 19. Ratcliff presented the eighth-grader with a citation of valor plaque during a school assembly for “assisting the Wilson’s escape from their burning residence, without regards for his own life and safety.”
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2022-04-30T20:59:34Z
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100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago: 1997: David Baker heads to Indo-Pacific World Games in South Africa | Features | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/features/100-75-50-and-25-years-ago-1997-david-baker-heads-to-indo-pacific-world/article_68c051fc-c19c-11ec-bc80-cb38fe6ef69a.html
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Dave with our new puppy
A Different Perspective: A dog, a Savior, and a motive
We finally got serious about getting another dog. A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I headed out to Dorothy O’Connor Pet Adoption Center. He’d already looked online and showed me pictures of dogs.
I had my eye on a cute Shih Tzu with a gray face. She was there, a little doll, bouncing around like a pinball.
Then Dave motioned to another dog, a white dachshund with gray spots and the distinctive line down her forehead with different dapple patterns on either side of her face. Black ears, one blue eye, and one brown eye. It was love at first sight. Apparently, we weren’t the only ones in love because there were already four other applications for her.
The tech took her out of the cage—Lacey was sweet and good-natured, everything we wanted in a dog. Fortunately, DOCPAC’S policy is first-come, first-serve when the animal becomes available, so we still had a chance. Bottom line: the person who wants the animal most will get there first.
My husband wanted this dog.
He’d gone in the day before and asked how to have the best chance of getting her. They mentioned signs were helpful, so I made him a sign, leaving no question about what dog he wanted. After that, he packed a thermos of coffee, bought snacks, and loaded a couple of movies on his iPad in anticipation of an early morning and long wait. But here’s the clincher—he asked the Lord to wake him up so he could get there first. (And no, asking for heavenly help is not cheating.)
We’ve never been ones to wait in line for a long-anticipated movie or a big sale, but this just shows that all anyone ever needs is the right motive.
Dave was motivated.
He left the house at 3 a.m. and arrived at DOCPAC around 3:30. He parked his truck so anyone else driving up could see the “I’m here for Lacey” sign on his tailgate. At 4:17 a.m., another car drove up, waited a couple of minutes, then left. If Dave had slept until his alarm went off, he would not have gotten the dog.
Things on the home front were nerve-wracking at best. I’d call and text every so often for an update. Finally, at 10:30 a.m., he called and said he was driving home with our new puppy.
Lacey is the perfect dog for us. She’s playful and helps our other dachshund out of his old stodgy ways. So far, she’s pulled paperbacks off the bookshelf and chewed the corners. She steals Ike’s toy and squeaks it loudly just because she can. We find chewed-up wood and junk on our living room rug from outside. But she’s housebroken and knows about going for walks. And just like all puppies, she’s a cuteness overload. Definite win-win.
Many people have told us they wouldn’t have gotten up at 3 a.m. to get a dog, but it was never about the time. It was about how much my husband wanted the dog.
How bad do you want something? Enough to miss a few hours of sleep? Enough to suffer the pain of being misunderstood or ridiculed?
Enough to hang on a cross?
Our relationship with God needed to be restored. We couldn’t do it ourselves, so God sent Jesus to rescue all humanity. But let’s get specific. Christ came for you and me. Much well-researched theology exists as to how His sacrifice fulfilled Biblical prophecy and how Jesus is God, but I like things plain and simple. I think God loved us so much that He longed for the separation between us to end.
His beloved Son died to make it happen.
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2022-04-30T20:59:40Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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A Different Perspective: A dog, a Savior, and a motive | Features | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/features/a-different-perspective-a-dog-a-savior-and-a-motive/article_62c50292-c193-11ec-8524-b710f519e9a5.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/features/a-different-perspective-a-dog-a-savior-and-a-motive/article_62c50292-c193-11ec-8524-b710f519e9a5.html
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Elizabeth DeLaGarza
Jensen Schindler
Outstanding students ready to serve community
Elizabeth De La Garza and Jensen Schindler remain laser-focused on what matters most to them as they prepare to graduate next month from the University of Houston-Victoria. That’s why the women were named outstanding students by the UHV College of Education & Health Professions.
“My goals are just to be the best I can and to help others,” said Schindler, who plans to become a school teacher. “If I can help out someone each day, such as a kid in need or a kid who just needs some positive encouragement, then I will have done my job for that day, and that is rewarding.”
Her selfless drive to serve others is shared by De La Garza, who is studying to become a licensed professional counselor and therapist.
“My career goals are to have my own practice one day and to offer services that help my community,” De La Garza said.
De La Garza, of Beeville, was chosen as the education college’s Outstanding Graduate Student, and Schindler, of Hallettsville, was named the Outstanding Undergraduate Student.
“Elizabeth and Jensen are two students who have proven their commitment to earning degrees and using their efforts to impact others,” said Rachel Martinez, interim dean of the UHV College of Education & Health Professions. “I am proud to see them receive this honor, and I look forward to seeing how they will progress.”
Each semester, faculty from UHV’s four colleges select outstanding graduates to be honored during commencement. UHV will hold two spring graduation ceremonies on May 14 at Faith Family Church, 2002 E. Mockingbird Lane. The 10 a.m. ceremony will be for graduates of the colleges of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences and Natural & Applied Science. The 3 p.m. ceremony will be for graduates of the colleges of Business and Education & Health Professions. A live-streaming broadcast of the ceremonies will be available at www.uhv.edu/graduation.
De La Garza is set to receive a Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling in May. This semester, she has done an internship and worked as a substance abuse counselor at Gulf Coast Rehabilitative Services Inc. in Corpus Christi. After graduating and passing licensure exams, she intends to shift into full-time work there as a licensed marriage and family therapist and a licensed professional counselor.
She enjoys helping people draw from the powers within themselves to overcome obstacles. What she finds most rewarding is being able to help people in distress face the difficult life situations they are in and find the inner strength to get through it, she said. She lets them know, “As horrible as it may feel in the moment, this too shall pass.”
“It’s difficult for people, but from my own life story, I know that it’s possible,” said De La Garza, who grew up in the foster care system and is an animal rescuer. “If I didn’t believe it was possible, and if I didn’t believe in hope, there is no way I could do this work at all.”
During her youth, she enjoyed school, which she considered her “escape,” she said. At age 18, she won a scholarship to Coastal Bend College in Beeville, where she completed her associate degree in 2000. She spent the next 16 years in various roles, including a certified nurse assistant, a professional pest control technician and a residential community groundskeeper before going back to school. Upon receiving her Bachelor of Science in psychology from UHV in 2018, she enrolled in graduate school. Her determination and resilience got her through it, as did help from the university, she said.
“The whole department has been supportive, so I should be giving them the award,” she said. “Everybody there had a hand in helping me get to where I am today.”
Schindler will receive a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology with a specialization in early childhood through 12th-grade physical education. She also credits UHV’s faculty members for their supportive role.
“The professors have been great,” she said. “They were really understanding and wanted me to learn. They challenged me. I was able to get a lot out of my classes because of that.”
Getting through school was extra challenging because she worked a full-time job.
“I had to have really good time-management skills to make sure I got everything done and make sure I exceeded what I was supposed to be doing for my job as well,” she said.
For more than two years, she has worked full time as a teacher’s aide and softball and basketball assistant coach in the Hallettsville Independent School District. She started in January 2020 as a teacher’s aide in special education at the high school, and continued in that role last school year.
“I really enjoyed doing that. I worked one-on-one and with small groups of kids that needed extra help on worksheets, assignments, projects and tests. I would help them in any way they needed,” she said.
Then this past school year, Schindler has worked as a teacher’s aide in physical education classes at an elementary school in the district, where she also completed her student teaching.
“It’s been cool how I have actually gotten to implement in the classroom things that I learned in my kinesiology and education classes,” she said.
The children have made it rewarding, too, she said.
“I didn’t expect to enjoy working around young children with all the hugs and all the tying shoes and all that,” she said. “But I have really enjoyed it here. So if I could someday get a job at an elementary school doing PE, then that would be the ultimate dream.”
She has an affinity for math too, so she is also considering becoming a math teacher, she said.
“I think I could do well in both areas,” she said. “Whatever I put my mind to, I'll be able to do it and work hard for it.”
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2022-04-30T20:59:52Z
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Outstanding students ready to serve community | News | victoriaadvocate.com
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Hilary Kofron
The UHV 2022 Homecoming Royal Jaguars, from left, Wendy Hughes, Kevin Madrid and Jaira Jenkins pose with their crowns and sashes April 23 at Riverside Stadium. The winners were announced Saturday between UHV Jaguar baseball games and at the end of the UHV Homecoming week.
UHV names 2022 Homecoming Royal Jaguars
For Wendy Hughes, running for homecoming court in college was not something she imagined herself ever doing. But after a spontaneous and last-minute decision to cast her name in the running to be a University of Houston-Victoria Royal Jaguar, she found herself wearing a crown.
“When they reopened the call for homecoming court candidates, I thought if I could show other nontraditional students that you can still have the same experience as younger students, it could maybe inspire them to do the same in the future,” Hughes said.
Hughes, of Victoria, along with Kevin Madrid, of Odessa, and Jaira Jenkins, of San Antonio, were named Royal Jaguars April 23 as part of UHV Homecoming Week. The three students were crowned in between the Jaguars baseball doubleheader against Texas A&M-Texarkana. This year’s homecoming theme was “The Happiest Homecoming at UHV.”
This is the second year the Royal Jaguars have been named during the university’s homecoming celebration. In 2021, the university decided to change the title from Homecoming King and Queen to Royal Jaguars to offer a more gender-inclusive option for students.
The Happiest Homecoming at UHV is also the first in-person homecoming celebration since 2019. The 2020 homecoming celebration was canceled, and the 2021 homecoming celebration took place virtually.
This year’s celebration was well-attended by students, and faculty and staff participation in festivities was wonderful to see, said Hilary Kofron, UHV Student Life director.
“The theme couldn’t be more appropriate as the magical feeling just brought so much happiness and joy to the week, and it was awesome to see the whole university embracing the celebration and coming together as Jaguars,” she said. “I appreciate all the students who applied to be on the homecoming court and wanted to be involved in the festivities. Wendy, Kevin and Jaira are all great students and are well-deserving of the honor of being Royal Jaguars.”
Being named a Royal Jaguar was especially meaningful to Hughes, who has four children and was able to share that moment with her family. As an older student with a family, Hughes felt like there was a possibility that she wouldn’t be able to have a traditional university experience that most younger students have, especially during a pandemic with online learning.
While her UHV journey has had its challenges, she has had a great student experience. She will graduate in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in health studies. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in public health and earn a doctoral degree as well. Her ultimate goal is to teach at UHV and help expand the university’s health studies program.
“This whole experience has been a blessing, especially after going through the pandemic and feeling lost through that time,” she said. “My family and I were all learning together when all the schools were doing virtual learning, so it almost feels like we are all on the same journey with education. I’ve met so many amazing people, and I am glad I can show my children and other students that no matter what, they can live out loud and make the best of life.”
As a formerly shy person, Madrid is proud of how far he has come since becoming a student at UHV. For him, the experience of running for Royal Jaguar to being crowned represents his growth as a person.
“Being a student has been a lot of hard work with academics and learning how to take care of myself,” he said. “I used to keep to myself, but I’ve slowly opened up during my time here. It’s been an overall growing up experience.”
He thought running for Royal Jaguar would be a fun opportunity because it was his first time running for homecoming. In the past, he would support his friends who wanted to go out for homecoming court, and he thought he would give it a shot, too. Madrid had fun campaigning while enjoying the homecoming festivities, including during the block party at the beginning of the week when he sang “Remember Me,” in Spanish from the movie “Coco.”
Madrid will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in digital gaming and simulation and plans to move to San Antonio and look into jobs in game design, graphic design and marketing. He thanks all his coworkers at the Student Success Center and members of the Jaguar Esports student organization for all their support. He also thanks his girlfriend Elizabeth Pilotte, who graduated from UHV last year and has been his “rock” and so supportive, and his friend Randall Jasek.
“I was happy to see that I was supported by so many of my fellow peers,” Madrid said. “This was a fun opportunity to see how far I could get, and I’ve seen how far I’ve grown, too.”
Leading up to the Royal Jaguar announcement, Jenkins was anxious but excited. When she heard her name called as one of the Royal Jaguars, she was surprised and happy. For Jenkins, being a UHV student has been a meaningful experience. She enjoys being involved on campus and is the president of the UHV Multicultural Advisory Council. To her, being a UHV Jaguar is about being a community and evolving together. Now, she is officially a part of the homecoming celebration.
“It’s such a big honor and achievement to be named a Royal Jaguar by my peers,” Jenkins said. “This really makes me feel at home here and almost feels like a reward. I am so proud and honored to represent UHV.”
Jenkins is a junior studying communication design. With one more year to go at UHV, Jenkins plans to pursue internship opportunities and continue to build her design portfolio. She is interested in careers in marketing or advertising. While she plans to be more focused on internships and preparing for life after graduation, Jenkins would like to still be involved in student life activities when she is able.
Jenkins hopes her accomplishment as a Royal Jaguar inspires other students who are afraid and anxious to pursue goals such as going for homecoming court. Having the right positive mindset and confidence can give you the strength to do things you never thought you would do, she said.
“Just go for it because you never know what the outcome will be,” Jenkins said. “I didn’t starting out, and look where I’m at now.”
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2022-04-30T20:59:58Z
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UHV names 2022 Homecoming Royal Jaguars | News | victoriaadvocate.com
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Raymond Tucker
UHV, VC strike athletics internship agreement
University of Houston-Victoria students will have the opportunity to gain experience working in a collegiate sports environment while in school, as part of a new partnership with Victoria College Athletics.
The agreement will provide opportunities for UHV kinesiology students to apply for an internship with the Victoria College athletics program, which includes men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s cross-country. The VC athletics program is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association.
“We are so happy to partner with Victoria College in this new and exciting way that will help our students learn from quality, real-world experiences,” said Rachel Martinez, interim dean of the UHV College of Education & Health Professions. “We are happy that, through the hard work of our kinesiology faculty who prepare our students and help them progress with these amazing internship opportunities, our students will be able to apply what they are learning in the classroom to the exciting world of collegiate sports. We look forward to working with Victoria College Athletics.”
This new internship opportunity will be helpful for kinesiology students who are specializing in exercise sports science and pre-allied health, said Raymond Tucker, a UHV associate professor of kinesiology. Possible career options for students who are specializing in those areas include jobs as strength and conditioning coaches, fitness trainers, and those preparing to attend physical and occupational therapy schools.
Being able to have UHV and VC students work together is beneficial for both institutions, he said.
“This is a great partnership to have with Victoria College, and it is a big deal for us to work with their athletics program so that our students have the opportunity to intern at the collegiate athletics level,” Tucker said. “Not only will this be a great experience for our students, but hopefully the VC student-athletes will see the work our students are doing and consider transferring to UHV for a kinesiology degree after graduating from the Victoria College.”
Victoria College Athletics is under the direction of Trey Anderson, who started in February as the new athletics director. One of Anderson’s goals for the program is to enhance the student-athlete experience. With the amount of student-athlete activity and with the athletics program growing, Anderson saw that a partnership with the UHV kinesiology program could help both the college’s student-athletes and UHV students.
Victoria College student-athletes will receive support from UHV students who are getting ready to graduate, while UHV kinesiology students also will have the opportunity to learn under Anderson, who previously worked as the football director of academic services at McNeese State University, an NCAA Division 1 school.
While kinesiology students will receive real-world experience helping and supporting student-athletes in areas including strength and conditioning, Anderson would like to open the door to even more internship opportunities for UHV students. Other opportunities he is interested in include sports reporting for communication majors, business, event management and more.
Anderson welcomes UHV students to apply for an internship for the fall 2022 semester, and even for this summer, he said. The athletics program is getting ready to have a busy summer to prepare for the fall, and kinesiology students in the internship program who are from the Victoria area may want to apply for a summer internship.
He is thankful to Victoria College President Jennifer Kent and UHV President Bob Glenn for supporting his efforts to partner and enhance the student-athlete experience at the college.
“We want to make sure those dedicated UHV students who want to be part of a collegiate athletics program receive the best experience,” Anderson said. “Collegiate athletics is one of the most unique industries and touches so many different aspects of so many different fields. It will be a great experience and a terrific way for students to network so that they have a head start with getting a job after graduation.”
The UHV kinesiology program was established in 2015 and is recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. The kinesiology program faculty recently created the internship program, and kinesiology students specializing in sport management, exercise sports science and pre-allied health are required to complete 300 internship work hours before graduating. Students must be seniors and meet certain requirements before applying for the internship program.
UHV students who meet the requirements for the internship program and are interested in a summer or fall internship with Victoria College Athletics can contact the kinesiology internship advisor.
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2022-04-30T21:00:04Z
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UHV, VC strike athletics internship agreement | News | victoriaadvocate.com
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Eileen Stewart
Adolfo Mireles
Joseph Brawner
Jefferson Lemmons
Carolyn Nix and Eileen Stewart, of Victoria, sales associates with Coldwell Banker The Ron Brown Company, were recently named to the company’s 2021 International Sterling Society. Only the top 18% of all Coldwell Banker sales associates worldwide qualified for this distinguished group.
City of Victoria Public Works utility maintenance worker Adolfo Mireles Arizpe earned his Class D water operator license from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The Class D license is an occupational license certifying that an individual has the necessary training and experience to perform process control duties in the production or distribution of drinking water. Arizpe began working for the City in 2020.
City of Victoria Public Works utility equipment operator Joseph Brawner earned his Class C water distribution license from the TCEQ. The Class C license is an occupational license certifying that an individual has the necessary training and experience to work in the field of water distribution or to supply water to consumers through a distribution network. Brawner began working for the City in 2017 and previously held the role of utility maintenance worker.
Jefferson Lemmons was recently promoted to the role of City of Victoria Public Works utility crew leader. In this role, he will plan, oversee and participate in the work of crews performing installation, maintenance, repair and construction work on the City’s utility infrastructure. Lemmons began working for the City in 2012 and previously held the roles of utility equipment operator and utility maintenance worker.
Mid-Coast Family Services announces that Beth Svetlik is the new director of Non-Residential Victim Services. Svetlik is a licensed master social worker and has provided victim services for six years. She is also the vice chairperson of the regional Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). Her department serves victims of family violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault with counseling, advocacy, accompaniment, and transitional housing.
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2022-05-01T01:42:02Z
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In Good Company | News | victoriaadvocate.com
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Victoria Martinez, 9, points to her art piece to someone she didn't know at the Victoria Art League Spring Youth Art Show on Saturday at the Victoria Art League.
Edward Martinez, 8, peers over the counter to look at the art on display at the Victoria Art League Spring Youth Art Show on Saturday at the Victoria Art League.
Victoria Art League Spring Youth Art Show attendees browse the art on display on Saturday at the Victoria Art League
Best of Show Middle School: Hope Cooper, 7th Grade, "Get Back Here!"
Best of Show High School: Ziana Cedillo, 12th grade, "Cheerful Worker"
Best of Show Elementary School: Avzily Gonzales, kindergarten, "Magical Castle."
The People's Choice Award: Brooklyn Perez, 4th grade, "Colorful Cat"
Kids show off their art at Victoria Art League
Family and children from across the Crossroads came out to celebrate the art on display at the Victoria Art League's annual Spring Youth Art Show on Saturday afternoon.
More than 180 pieces were submitted from children as young as kindergartens to seniors in high school in various categories from 3D-art, acrylic painting, drawing, watercolor painting and many others.
A Best of Show for Elementary school, Middle School and High School were named, along with a People's Choice winner that was voted on by those who attended the gallery display on Saturday, which will remain up at the art league until May 18, said Nathan Rodriguez, Victoria Art League president.
During the event, children could be seen beaming with excitement as they ran around showing and pointing to their work to anyone who would listen and take pictures with their family.
Victoria Martinez, 9, an O'connor Elementary School student was one such artist with her work on display as she would tell complete strangers which work was her's as she was proud of winning first place watercolor painting in the show for the painting of her grandmother's cat and her other piece which was a tribute to Dia De Los Muertos.
"It's just me," Martinez said about the inspiration being the pieces she submitted.
Ronnica Narvaez, 38 and an art teacher at O'Connor Elementary School, said it was exciting for her and her students to see their work on display.
"It's motivating for them," Narvaez said. "I had two students that got ribbons and I'm excited to see them happy."
Art walk brings Victoria's downtown to life
The show is a great opportunity for children to see their work get recognized and perhaps be encouraged to learn further, Rodriguez said.
"I think it's good for kiddos to have that feel of not only what it feels like to show off their art work to the world, but what these competitions are," he said. "They are going to find more ways to do this outlet than just taking their pen and paper."
Rodriguez said he was glad he didn't have judge these art on display as all them showed immense talent and would be difficult for him to decide. He noted several examples on display from artists who had multiple submission but in different art styles, the abilities for some do work beyond their years, pieces that showcase emotions in ways even adults struggle with and that all of them with practice are going to get better.
"If you start showing them what they can do to feed not just their creativity but their emotional state, the more they'll be able to get older and process it through it as well," he said.
VAL Spring Youth Art Show winners
O'connor Elementary School
Victoria Art League
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2022-05-01T01:42:14Z
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HOUSTON (AP) — On a team that could use help at just about every position, the Houston Texans addressed several important needs in this year's draft.
Houston hadn't had a first-round draft pick since 2019, but had two this season to help boost the talent on this rebuilding team.
"The last few days we've made some progress to build the team here for next season," general manager Nick Caserio said. "But it's definitely a work in progress."
New coach Lovie Smith, who was promoted from defensive coordinator following David Culley's firing after one season, said earlier this month that the Texans couldn't play the type of football they want to play if they didn't get better at cornerback.
The Texans aren't concerned about his limited play over the past two seasons and believe he can be the shutdown corner their defense desperately needs.
"He has been a productive player," Caserio said. "He was a productive player early on in his career. He had some bumps in the road there in '20 and '21, but in the end, we felt comfortable with Derek. We think he is a good player ... fits the profile of what we're trying to do."
The Texans did not take a quarterback in this draft after shipping Watson to the Browns this offseason. So that leaves Davis Mills as the team's quarterback after he started 11 games as a rookie last season with Watson sitting out amid a trade request and 22 lawsuits by women alleging sexual harassment or assault.
The Texans addressed the need to improve their running game by taking Florida's Dameon Pierce in the fourth round with the 107th pick. Houston finished last in the NFL in yards rushing last season after ending the 2020 season ranked 31st.
Pierce is an aggressive runner who doesn't shy away from contact. Last season his helmet was knocked off on a run against Florida State around the 5-yard line, but he kept running for a touchdown.
"I like to fight for my yards," he said. "I like to punish the defense."
"I know everybody laughs and jokes about the SEC, but the caliber of football is a high caliber of football," Caserio said.
"Not that you can say, well, what happens in the SEC is what's going to happen on Sunday. But go through the draft and kind of go through the history (and) there's a lot of good players in that conference."
"Even in practice every single day, with the schools that we went to, we had to be ready," he said. "Not just weekends. Every day."
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2022-05-01T01:42:32Z
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Rebuilding Texans take Stingley, Green in 1st round | | victoriaadvocate.com
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Gladys A. Biehunko
SHINER — Gladys Ann Biehunko, age 92, died April 28, 2022. “Miss B” and her late husband, Erwin, were the owners of Biehunko Plumbing, Heating and Water Well Service established in October 1955. She was a member of Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church.
Survivors: daughter, Gayle Sette and husband, Thomas, of Tucson, Ariz.; daughter-in-law, Charlene Biehunko of Hallettsville; and their respective families.
Rosary 9:30 a.m. with Funeral Mass at 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church. Private burial will be at Shiner Catholic Cemetery.
Online guestbook may be signed at www.thielecooper.com.
Arrangements with Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home, Yoakum, 361-293-5656.
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2022-05-01T07:33:40Z
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Gladys A. Biehunko | Obituaries | victoriaadvocate.com
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Harlan E. Schroeter
VICTORIA — Harlan E. Schroeter, 97 of Victoria, passed from his Earthly life into the arms of his Lord on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. He was born October 12, 1924 in Yorktown, TX to Edgar Ernst Schroeter and Adelheid Wehe Schroeter. The family moved to Cuero where he began his schooling at Hunt Elementary. As the Great Depression continued, the family moved again in 1936, this time to Victoria. Harlan attended Patti Welder High School and was a proud member of the Stingaree football team. He was nicknamed the “Blonde Blitzkrieg” by the local paper for his lightning speed as a running back. He graduated from Patti Welder in May, 1942.
With war raging across the world, Harlan was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Corps in May 1943. He served in the Air Offensive against Japan as an armorer and belly turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator in the Western Pacific. He would later amaze many school children with his stories of his experiences. Following the Japanese surrender, he left the military in January, 1946 and returned to Victoria, where he began his work in the oil fields of South Texas.
On November 16, 1947 Harlan married Dorothy Speakerman at Trinity Lutheran Church. He remained a true and faithful member of Trinity throughout his life. He was in “his pew” each week and loved meeting and greeting everyone, especially all the small children. He served as a member of the church council, sang in the choir for many years, and enjoyed many lifelong friendships there.
Harlan was a hard worker his whole life. After the fall of the oil field in the late 50’s he worked in construction for Brown and Root and H.B. Zachary. While working construction at the Carbide plant he attended the Texas A&M Fire Training School, and was a proud member of the Carbide Fire Unit. Once retired, he still had the drive to “work”. At this stage of his life, his work was cattle. He enjoyed being outside “tending the cows”.
With his children and Dorothy, he enjoyed trips to visit family and yearly camping trips to Garner State Park. Harlan was a devout Aggie fan and loved attending the old bonfires and as many Aggie football games as possible. He and his wife Dorothy were proud Aggie Club Members. Following Dorothy’s death after almost 42 years of marriage, Harlan married Verline Dentler in 1990. They enjoyed many trips across the U.S., often accompanied by children and grandchildren, during their 30 years of marriage. Many have said that Harlan never met a stranger. He carried his smile with him everywhere and loved being around people. He was a true (and usually loud) cheerleader for anything his family did.
Harlan was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Alton Schroeter and Norris Schroeter, wives Dorothy Speakerman Schroeter and Verline Dentler Schroeter, and step-son, Michael Dentler.
He is survived by his three children, Donna Schroeter Appelt (Richard), Diana Schroeter Tuch (Von), David Harlan Schroeter (Patty) all of Victoria; two grandchildren, Amy Appelt Tiemann (Brian), Taylor Schroeter Barton (Cody); and two great-grandchildren, Carson and Daylin Tiemann. Additional survivors include his step-children, Charles Dentler (Julie), Dawn Foerster (Darwin), Ronny Dentler (Darla), Claudette Hofer (Russell); step grandchildren, Charlotte Pomasl, Bryan Dentler (Linda), Genevieve Beyer (Tommy), Scarlett Rangnow (Chad), Sarah Gorenc (Brian), Brandon Dentler (Julie), Dalana Dougharty (Justin), Rebecca Hauboldt (Bradley), Courtney Busselman (Dylan); 14 step great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday from 5-7pm at Rosewood Funeral Chapels, Victoria, TX. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at 1:00pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Victoria. A reception/light lunch will be served prior to the services in the church hall starting at 11:00am. Burial with full military honors under the auspices of the Victoria Veterans Council will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Glenn Schroeter, Brian Tiemann, Cody Barton, Russell Hofer, Homer Soliz, Jr., Mike Hessong. Honorary pallbearers will be Wednesday’s Friends and all members of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or donor’s choice. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.
Matthew 25.23 “...Well done, good and faithful servant...Enter into the joy of your Lord.”
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2022-05-01T07:33:46Z
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Harlan E. Schroeter | Obituaries | victoriaadvocate.com
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John Edward Meitzen
PORT LAVACA — John Edward Meitzen of Port Lavaca, TX, died April 28 of pneumonia with his loving wife Mary Belle Meitzen at his side. John lived a long and remarkable life, full of adventure and accomplishments. He was born in Lake City, Florida. While he was still young, his family returned to Texas, settling in Dickinson. His family was tight-knit and together struggled with the challenges of the Great Depression. He remembered having only one pair of shoes as a child and being sent home from school for being barefoot. Later in life, he would marvel at the number of shoes in his closet and proclaim that he was a rich man.
He graduated from Dickinson High School and was a formidable athlete, including running track and field and competing as a Golden Gloves Boxer. He loved math, science, and music his entire life, and even took extra jobs as a young man to pay for voice lessons. After high school, he worked in print shops, running linotype machines, while taking courses at several different Universities, including the University of Texas, Southwestern, and North Texas. He ran track and field for North Texas at least one season.
During the Korean conflict, he served proudly with the 82nd Airborne in the U.S. Army and earned a Bronze Service Star, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and the Parachutists Badge. During his service, his hearing was damaged, and he suffered from tinnitus the rest of his life. Returning home, he used the GI Bill to finish his education, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and a Master’s in Education from North Texas.
His first teaching job was at the high school in Del Rio, Texas. There he enjoyed numerous trips across the border and began to train in Taekwondo, eventually earning a black belt. While living in Del Rio he also cultivated a love for folk dancing, and over the years attended numerous camps to learn different styles of dance. After several years in Del Rio he served in the Peace Corps from 1962-1964. He first studied Sinhalese at the University of Pennsylvania, and then was sent to Ceylon, now named Sri Lanka. There he taught math, English, and science at Tholangamuwa Central College and in his spare time bodysurfed in the Indian Ocean.
After returning to the U.S., he moved to Port Lavaca to be closer to his family. He taught math and science at Crockett Middle school for 28 years, serving several generations of students. He loved to swim and, in the summers, he often taught swimming for the Red Cross of Calhoun County. In the early 1970s he became the first windsurfer in Texas, competing in races across the Gulf Coast. He continued windsurfing until he turned 83. His car, bedecked with boards and filled with gear, was a common sight at Magnolia Beach. He was a member of VFW Post 4403, and served as its Chaplin for years, until the age of 84. At home, he gardened and cultivated grapes, read science fiction books, and loved his family. He was a kind, quiet, and smart man, with a goofy sense of humor. Even long after a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease, he was able to enjoy a game of dominos and sing hymns at the First United Methodist Church of Port Lavaca, which he attended faithfully for over 40 years.
John Meitzen was preceded in death by his parents, Lillie Mae Carson Meitzen and Ernest Richard Meitzen Sr., his siblings Ernest Richard Meitzen Jr. and sister-in-law Joyce T. Clark, Lillie Carson Meitzen Flak and brother-in-law Henry Flak, and Arnold William Meitzen. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Belle Melcher Meitzen, his children, Robert Milton Loflin, Margaret Belle Loflin Menn and son-in-law Mark Menn, John Edward Meitzen II and daughter-in-law Rose Good Meitzen, his sister Jo Lou Meitzen Gaupp and brother-in-law Peter Gaupp, sister-in-law Agatha Janis Billups Meitzen, as well as grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The family thanks Dr. John Wright and the staff at Bethany Senior Living for their care of John during the past year.
Memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Port Lavaca or VFW Post 4403.
Visitation and Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church, Port Lavaca, Texas. Visitation to begin at 9:00am with Funeral Services following at 10:00am. Burial to follow at Greenlawn Cemetery, Port Lavaca, Texas.
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2022-05-01T07:33:52Z
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John Edward Meitzen | Obituaries | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/john-edward-meitzen/article_b4c04e15-1b75-5d22-90d4-89caeebc5282.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/john-edward-meitzen/article_b4c04e15-1b75-5d22-90d4-89caeebc5282.html
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Ruth Appelt Gilchrist
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Ruth Appelt Gilchrist on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at 10:00 am at St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Alexandria, Louisiana, with Rev. James Ferguson celebrating and Rev. Chad Partain co-celebrating. Interment will follow in Alexandria Memorial Gardens under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at Kramer Funeral Homefrom 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The Holy Rosary will be recited by Deacon Luke White at 6:30pm in the Kramer Chapel. Visitation will resume on Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home.
Ruth Gilchrist, age 83, died at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans on April 29, 2022, after suffering a severe stroke. She was born and raised in a small town in south central Texas. She was the second generation in her family to be born in America. Her grandparents came to America from Germany and Austria. Ruth was born to August and Elsie Appelt in Hallettsville, Texas on November 28, 1938.
After working in Victoria, Texas, she met and married her late husband James Anthony Gilchrist and settled in Alexandria, Louisiana, his hometown.
Ruth received her bachelor’s degree in business and management from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. She was a founding member for startup in 1969 for the paper mill in Pineville, Louisiana, which was later purchased by International Paper. She retired from International Paper as manager of communications and management development.
During her 30 years at International Paper, she served on many boards in Central Louisiana, including the United Way, Friendship House Adult Day Care, Red Cross, and the Food Bank of Central Louisiana. She served on Mayor Randolph’s Committee for Recreation in her capacity as Tennis League Coordinator for the United States Tennis Association. She was a member of St Francis Xavier Cathedral, the Pineville Rotary Club, and the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce where she served on the Partners in Education Committee and the Legislative Committee. She was active in the Central Louisiana Press Club serving as treasurer and president. She was also a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana. She served on the engineering advisory board of Southern University and was the company’s recruiter at the University of Texas in Austin.
She was an avid tennis player and state of Texas high school champion. Ruth enjoyed many years of recreational league tennis until her health and complications from diabetes limited her activities forcing her to stop playing at the age of 78. She served on the Board of Directors of the Alexandria Aquatic and Racquet Club and later worked part time at the tennis courts to continue being involved in the sport.
Preceding her in death were her husband of 27 years, James Gilchrist, her parents, and two brothers, Carl and Franklin.
Survivors include her son, Scott Gerald Gilchrist, and his wife Jennifer; her daughter Jamie Gilchrist Bratton, and six grandchildren: Sean James Sumlin, James Garrett Gilchrist, Ashton Claire Sumlin, Caitlin Pearce Perkins (Grant), Camille Blythe Pearce, and Cullen David Pearce (Shelby).
Pallbearers honored to serve are Scott Gilchrist, Sean Sumlin, Garrett Gilchrist, Claire Sumlin, Cullen Pearce and Mike Peterman.
Memorials may be made to Building Fund, St Francis Xavier Cathedral, 626 Fourth Street, Alexandria, Louisiana, 71301 or Alexandria Aquatic and Racquet Club, 2001 Brentwood Avenue, Alexandria Louisiana, 71301.
To extend online notes of condolence to the family, please visit www.KramerFunerals.com.
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2022-05-01T07:34:04Z
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Ruth Appelt Gilchrist | Obituaries | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/ruth-appelt-gilchrist/article_9a26240c-f4ff-5de9-9480-becb50bd1958.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/ruth-appelt-gilchrist/article_9a26240c-f4ff-5de9-9480-becb50bd1958.html
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VICTORIA — Virginia Callan Welder, an extraordinarily bright, talented, engaging, humorous, generous, and gracious Victorian, passed away on April 28, 2022, at age 95, and is now reunited for eternity with her beloved “Leo”.
Virginia was born in Fort Worth on October 17, 1926, to the late William Bevans Callan and Corinne Richards Callan, better known to family members as Corinne and Big Bevans. The Callan family moved to Victoria in 1937 and soon after Virginia met the love of her life, Leo J Welder. Virginia graduated from Patti Welder High School, where she was voted “Most Beautiful” her senior year, and The University of Texas, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. Virginia and Leo married on June 21, 1947. With Leo’s death in 1996, Virginia became the matriarch of the branch of the Welder family known as J. F. Welder Heirs. She was without question this branch’s biggest cheerleader and unifying force. Everyone loved Aunt Virginia.
Virginia was a past president of the Junior Service League of Victoria, a member of the alumni club of Pi Beta Phi, and she and Leo were among the first parishioners of Our Lady of Victory Cathedral. Virginia also earned the distinction of Life Master (Duplicate Bridge) in 2010. One of Virginia’s proudest moments was when the board of directors of the Victoria Performing Arts Center voted to name its facility in downtown Victoria the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts.
Virginia believed one of the keys to a long and happy life was traveling often with family and friends and she pursued this with abandon. Virginia was ever the optimist and a living example that laughter is indeed the best medicine. She loved a good joke and could “weave a tale” as few can. She was known equally for her clever Christmas cards, stunning needlepoint, and mayhem in the kitchen. Virginia once said she was “One of the luckiest Dames to have ever walked down the path.”
Virginia is survived by her 6 children: Jimmy (Karen) Welder, Smithy (Judy) Welder, Bevans (Anne) Welder, Bet Welder, Roger (Donna) Welder, Lucy (Ed) Welder Beshara, 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and her cherished cat, Velcro. She was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Callan Hamel.
The life of Virginia Callan Welder will be celebrated at a Mass of the Resurrection on May 5, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Victory, 1309 E Mesquite Lane, Victoria, Texas, followed by a graveside service at the Catholic Cemetery #3.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph High School (Tribute Gifts) http://www.stjvictoria.com/giving/tribute_gifts.cfm; Our Lady of Victory Cathedral (Memorials), https://www.osvhub.com/olvcathedral/giving/funds/memorials; Victoria College Foundation (Honorariums/Memorials for the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts) https://victoriacollegefoundation.org/ways-to-give/#donations; or a charity of your choice.
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2022-05-01T07:34:17Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Virginia Callan Welder | Obituaries | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/virginia-callan-welder/article_6636f494-13fa-5624-97af-79e78740d913.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/virginia-callan-welder/article_6636f494-13fa-5624-97af-79e78740d913.html
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Syndicated Column: The Economist: Permits are up, but it doesn't mean drilling will begin immediately
The number of oil and natural gas drilling permits issued by the Texas Railroad Commission reached an all-time high in March, at over 1,100. Hundreds of companies of all sizes are jumping into the fray. Activity is picking up across the state, with the Permian Basin reportedly seeing over 900 horizontal permits.
The demand for fuels began to surge globally as the economy reopened after the worst of the pandemic, yet the pace of recovery in energy activity lagged for a variety of reasons. Even rapidly rising prices weren’t enough. One prominent impediment has been federal policies toward the industry and fears that future activity could be curtailed. Capital has also been difficult to obtain, with investors reluctant to finance drilling programs in the wake of uncertainty regarding adverse governmental actions and the lack of sufficient returns during prior periods. A more pragmatic reason is simply that many wells were drilled but not brought into production before the COVID-19 shutdown, thus allowing production initially to be increased while rigs sat largely idle.
We are finally seeing an escalation as the Russia invasion of Ukraine has hammered home that the U.S. petroleum industry is essential to international and domestic energy security. Attitudes are slowly shifting, and rigs are going into action. Counts are now approaching 350, triple the worst of the COVID-19 crisis but hundreds less than previous peaks —though that is destined to soon change.
The vast majority of currently active rigs are in the Permian Basin, but other areas are also seeing increased focus. One reason is that natural gas prices have been trending around (and above) $5 per MMBTU (at Henry Hub), which is higher than they have been since 2008 (other than during brief spikes such as Winter Storm Uri). Because the upward pressure is driven by the Ukrainian invasion and the related expansion in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) demand rather than a weather event, price levels are expected to remain elevated for the time being. Consequently, the pace of natural gas drilling has accelerated substantially.
Simply issuing a permit doesn’t guarantee that drilling will begin immediately. The industry is facing shortages of both materials and workers — as is virtually every other sector. From frac sand to experienced crews to drivers, there are notable challenges even with permits in place. Although part of the problem is transitory, some obstacles , particularly worker shortages, will be more difficult to resolve.
Oil production benefits the Texas economy. It is also essential to manageable fuel prices and reductions of geopolitical risk. Eventually, there will be a realization that domestic oil and gas are essential to global growth and improving the lives of billions of people (alas, a topic for another day). Stay safe.
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2022-05-01T20:53:12Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Syndicated Column: The Economist: Permits are up, but it doesn't mean drilling will begin immediately | Opinion | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/syndicated-column-the-economist-permits-are-up-but-it-doesnt-mean-drilling-will-begin-immediately/article_5607613c-c7f4-11ec-a898-17977da73d80.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/syndicated-column-the-economist-permits-are-up-but-it-doesnt-mean-drilling-will-begin-immediately/article_5607613c-c7f4-11ec-a898-17977da73d80.html
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Action agenda quarterly updates help residents track City’s progress
By Julie Fulgham
During the development of the 2035 Comprehensive Plan, hundreds of Victoria residents made it clear that they want to see big changes in this community. How do we make those changes happen?
The City develops an action agenda every three to four years to identify concrete steps we should take to implement the vision of the comprehensive plan. While the comprehensive plan is a collection of big-picture desires like “fix the roads” and “bring more entertainment to Victoria,” the action agenda lists specific projects that will help to fulfill those goals.
Action agendas are drafted by Development Services based on the 2035 Comprehensive Plan and approved by the City Council. Our current action agenda spans fiscal years 2021 through 2023.
In addition to the action agenda, some departments are guided by master plans that include more specific goals and project timelines for those departments. The master plans and the action agenda complement each other since both draw from the comprehensive plan.
Because the comprehensive plan was such a community-driven project, we want to help residents keep track of what the City is doing to make it a reality. To that end, we publish quarterly updates showing our progress on the current action agenda. The most recent update was published last month and covers the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
Because action agenda items are completed by different departments, my department has the job of checking in with each department to learn about the progress they’ve made. From there, we update the status of each project and also compile a list of highlights. These updates are available online at www.victoriatx.gov/comprehensiveplan.
You might notice that some items are marked as “in progress,” while others are considered to be “completed, with ongoing work.” What’s the difference?
Items that are “completed, with ongoing work,” also described as “completed ongoing policies, plans, or initiatives,” are ongoing by nature and will never be fully finished; however, they can still be considered completed if we have achieved a set of short-range goals that were outlined for that project. For example, we completed the most recent update of the capital improvement plan (a document that outlines street repairs and other infrastructure projects), but that document needs to be updated on a yearly basis, so it is “completed, with ongoing work.”
As you read the latest update, you’ll see how our progress aligns with the goals of the comprehensive plan. Residents want the streets to be fixed; in the last two quarters, we’ve completed projects on Airline Road, on Mockingbird Lane and in the North Heights and Woodway subdivisions (and we’re working on many others). Residents want to see beautification along corridors; our Keep Victoria Beautiful cleanups and our partnership with TxDOT are helping to beautify these highly visible spaces.
With 71% of the projects in the current action agenda “completed” or “completed, with work ongoing,” we’re looking forward to wrapping up our remaining in-progress items. To learn more about projects in the works, you can view our master plans at www.victoriatx.gov/masterplans or the capital improvement plan at www.victoriatx.gov/engineering, or follow us on Facebook at City of Victoria, Texas – Government.
Julie Fulgham is Director of Development Services at City of Victoria.
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2022-05-02T02:57:57Z
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Action agenda quarterly updates help residents track City’s progress | Government | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/government/action-agenda-quarterly-updates-help-residents-track-city-s-progress/article_cf6373fe-c641-11ec-ae2b-5b581d0672a1.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/government/action-agenda-quarterly-updates-help-residents-track-city-s-progress/article_cf6373fe-c641-11ec-ae2b-5b581d0672a1.html
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Showers and thunderstorms this morning, then partly cloudy during the afternoon hours. It will be windy. High 88F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Higher wind gusts possible..
Alana Ybanez works on her letter for the Adopt-A-Pet shelter.
Aliyah Vasquez writes about Mochi during Kindness Club.
Angel Trevino, age 11, works on his drawing.
Anistyn Williams (left) with Madicella Rosales and Audrey Lynn Garcia work together to create a letter describing an Adopt-A-Pet dog.
Anistyn Williams concentrates on her work.
Davin Stone, 10, works on his drawing of Bruno.
A kitten at Adopt-A-Pet gets a lot of attention.
Photos contributed by Marcela Gonzales
Anistyn Williams sweeps up at Adopt-A-Pet.
Davin Stone, Angel Trevino and Carson Williams tackle the windows at Adopt-A-Pet.
Photo contributed by Marcela Gonzales
One of the dogs playing with the students from the Kindness Club at Adopt-A-Pet.
Davin Stone gets the giggles while playing on the floor with one of the dogs up for adoption at Adopt-A-Pet.
Audrey Lynn Garcia and Madicella Rosales holding one of the puppies at Adopt-A-Pet.
Olivia Shimek, 9, holds a puppy.
Olivia Shimek and Alana Ybanez (foreground) hold up Alana's painting of the puppy Woody.
Drawing by a Kindness Club student to promote the adoption of Mochi.
Natalia Rangel, 9, is absorbed in her drawing for Adopt-A-Pet.
Madicella Rosales works with Audrey Lynn Garcia at the Kindness Club.
A little kindness goes a long way.
That is a lesson learned in the Kindness Club at Smith STEM Academy. Megan Slovacek, counselor at the school, formed the Kindness Club about three years ago. The children in the club work on projects to promote kindness in their school and their community.
In December the school’s student council held a donation drive for the non-profit, no-kill pet adoption service, Adopt A Pet. The service then held a pet parade at the school as a thank you to the students.
That event inspired Slovacek to reach out to Carol Klages and set up a volunteer opportunity for the children in the Kindness Club. “I'm a very huge animal lover. Doing anything for the animals is really important for me.”
Klages, a professor of education at UHV, is the president of the board for Adopt-A-Pet, and is their volunteer coordinator.
“This group of kids was polite, they listened. They worked well with each other. And they worked with the animals. It was just such a great experience,” Klages said of the club’s volunteers.
After volunteering on a Saturday afternoon, they spent time after school writing about the animal they met at Adopt A Pet and drawing pictures. Their work will be placed in the shelter to inspire others to adopt.
Slovacek said the kids were anxious and ready to help with whatever was needed at the shelter. When asked, “Okay, who doesn't mind working with poop?” about half of them yelled out, ‘Oh, I don't mind. I don't mind!’
Some cleaned the cat room, some swept the floors, the boys cleaned the windows, another group put down newspapers.” Slovacek joked about having them come to her house to clean and one said “I’ll do it for $5 an hour.”
Twelve-year-old Alana Ybanez chose the dog Woody to play with and write about.
“He's eight weeks old. He loves to snuggle in laps,” she said. “He likes to lick and nibble skin. Very cute. He is a terrier, a Boston Terrier.” Alana added, “He likes little kids and high-pitched voices. And he was a little energetic, but not too energetic. And I like that about a dog. He was gentle.”
Alana must have been right about Woody, as Klages said Woody was adopted along with another pup called Wiley only a few days later.
Alana said she has pets of her own. “I have two Chihuahuas -- one is a weenie dog Chihuahua mix and I think the other one has a little bit less weenie dog in him. But he's mostly Chihuahua.”
Alana was impressed by the Adopt A Pet facility. “They weren't kept inside of cages or anything. They had their own big room with a bunch of others … it was just a nice place. It wasn't like how you would think that a shelter would be where, like, they're all in cages. It wasn't like that at all.”
Carson Williams, who is 10 wrote about a shepherd mix named Bruno who he described as, “Playful, sweet, lots of energies.”
Carson thought Bruno would be good for a family with older kids because he was kind of a bigger dog.
Carson said he loves “everything” about the Kindness Club. He said he really enjoyed their project doing chalk drawings with positive messages. “We try to help the school be more calm.”
Woody was also a favorite of third grader Olivia Shimek. She played with Woody at the shelter. “He is really adorable and cute. I really liked when I got the time to play with him.”
Olivia was one of the brave volunteers working in the cat room. “We volunteered to help pick up the cat poop,” she said.
Nine-year-old Natalia Rangel, wrote about Mochi, “a terrier mix about nine pounds.”
Although Natalia doesn’t have a pet at the moment, she would like to have one. “Me and my mom want a Chihuahua. Because we know that they're really playful. And sometimes they can bark a lot. And we know like some of them are feisty, but we also know that they're pretty cuddly.”
Aliyah Vasquez, 9 years old, was also writing about Mochi. Aliyah described Mochi as “fuzzy and soft at the same time, and she was photogenic.”
“I have one dog. And I used to have tons of other pets, like rabbits.”
Aliyah said being in the Kindness Club is something she really enjoys. She said they will “write positive things” (that are put in the front of the school) “where people can see” and get the students “pumped up about themselves.”
“I love my school,” she said smiling.
Marcela Gonzales, the social/emotional/behavioral specialist at the school, described other projects the Kindness Club worked on. One involved putting kind words, jokes, and pictures on lunch bags as part of Starbuck’s program Lunches of Love. Another involved creating posters of support and encouragement and love for their school nurse to thank her for her work, especially during COVID.
“They're just creating the atmosphere of kindness. And we'd like to think that we had a hand in that,” Gonzales said. “Kindness is a way of living. It's a personality trait, and it takes so much less effort to be kind to be the opposite.”
“Our goal for kindness club is we're really trying to teach the kids that kindness matters,” Slovacek said. “Kindness is important. You can do kind things, whether it's small or big. It's something you can do at home, at school.”
She emphasized that the kids “get excited about doing these kinds of things. And you know, they're not getting anything out of it. They're just helping. And that means something, ‘I'm doing this, but I'm not getting money, or I'm not getting a toy from it.’ They're just doing it from the goodness of their heart because they want to help.”
“The kids really look forward to coming to kindness club. Every week we do something different, you know, it might be something for the community, it might be something for the school, we do kindness, challenges for the school … it's warming to the heart to see them want to be a part of that.”
Adopt-A-Pet is a no-kill pet orphanage and adoption service located in Victoria. They care for more than 100 animals every day.
Their purpose is to rescue, rehabilitate, and find loving homes for homeless animals. A low-cost spay/neuter program is also available as part of their ongoing efforts to reduce the number of unwanted puppies and kittens that are born.
All donations are used for caring for and rehabilitating rescued dogs and cats. Adopt-A-Pet is a non-profit, tax-deductible community service organization.
Shelter Hours are Monday-Thursday from 10 .m. - 5:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 am. - 4 p.m.; closed Sunday.
Adopt-A-Pet is located at:
8215 Houston Highway, Victoria, Texas 77904
adoptapetvictoria@gmail.com
Read more: https://adoptapet.webnode.com/
A Different Perspective: A dog, a Savior, and a motive
We finally got serious about getting another dog. A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I headed out to Dorothy O’Connor Pet Adoption Center. …
Making an informed decision about pet food
Your Dog's Breed Has Little Influence on Behavior, Study Finds
Five Key Findings From a Huge Study of Dog Life Expectancy
Kindness Club
Children's Education
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2022-05-02T10:25:35Z
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Kindness Club encourages, supports desire to help others | For Subscribers Only | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/premium/kindness-club-encourages-supports-desire-to-help-others/article_d20d5c9c-c807-11ec-95c5-73fb5ec855cd.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/premium/kindness-club-encourages-supports-desire-to-help-others/article_d20d5c9c-c807-11ec-95c5-73fb5ec855cd.html
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The Victoria County Commission Monday approved using the accounting firm of Baker Tilly to review county salaries with those of surrounding counties to see if their employees are being paid fairly.
The compensation survey presented to the Commission planned to factor in results from 10 local counties as well as the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Department of Juvenile Justice, the City of Victoria and the Victoria Independent School District. Giani Cantu, Chief of Staff of the Victoria County Judge's Office, lessened the original plan, to focus more closely on counties that better resembled Victoria County.
She recommended that the accounting firm look specifically at Nueces County, San Patricio County, Calhoun County, DeWitt County, Jackson County Angelina County and Hunt County as well as the City of Victoria, the University of Houston-Victoria, the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Department of Juvenile Justice.
"Those counties are of a larger size and have a tax base and population similar to ours," Cantu said Monday afternoon. "Those are the entities we want to see how we compare to."
Cantu said Baker Tilly would look at factors such as pay structure, policy handbooks, job descriptions, organization charts, union or collective bargaining contacts as well as census files that include names, salaries and hire dates. She said she expects a preliminary recommendation from Baker Tilly in a month, with final research expected by the end of July.
"That's how they will grade the jobs between the differing counties," Cantu said. "We want to be competitive with comparable counties."
County commissioners also approved a legal service contract with Hines & Leigh, an immigration and nationality law firm in Austin, to work on the application of a work visa for the county's epidemiologist. The H1-B visa would be good for three years with room for a possible extension.
Emmanuel Opada, the county’s epidemiologist, hails from West Africa and already has permission to work in the U.S. The H1-B visa program is intended to help employers “that cannot otherwise obtain needed business skills and abilities from the U.S. workforce for certain specialty occupations,” according to a memo sent to the court.
Since COVID broke out in 2020, finding epidemiologists has become difficult for government agencies, as has retaining them from other firms or governments. Because it is a specialized field, epidemiologists play a vital role in disease investigations.
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2022-05-02T18:49:46Z
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county commission | | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/county-commission/article_30eee726-ca38-11ec-86bf-97684f898d06.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/county-commission/article_30eee726-ca38-11ec-86bf-97684f898d06.html
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A new Chick-fil-a is expected to be built at 714 E. Rio Grande St.
Victoria City Council will consider approving a variance for construction of a new Chick-fil-A on Rio Grande Street.
If approved, builders expect to break ground within the two to three months, Assistant City Manager Mike Etienne said. The restaurant would be built at 714 E. Rio Grande St. and would involve demolishing the structures already at that location.
"This would be our fourth Chick-fil-A in Victoria, which is exciting," Etienne said.
The owner of the restaurant is listed as the Ted D. Wilkinson Family Trust, according a variance application to the city.
The developer, Burger Engineering, of Dallas, plans to demolish the structure already on the lot.
"It's been vacant for quite a while," Etienne said. "For years, at least five. Its last use was a used car dealership."
The lot is a prominent block, Etienne said.
"Developing it into a Chick-fil-A will make a significant impact on Rio Grande," he said. "That's one of the main commercial corridors in the city, and that corridor has a significant number of second- and third-generation businesses."
The restaurant will be the second stand-alone Chick-fil-A in the city. One is in the Victoria Mall and one is at the University of Houston-Victoria.
Etienne said the restaurant will hopefully be a catalyst for revitalizing the corridor.
The city is not incentivizing the project, Etienne said. Chick-fil-A conducted its own market analysis.
"This location is very visible and has high traffic counts, so it's actually perfect for them," he said.
The property is a 1.78-acre tract surrounded by Rio Grande, North East, North Cameron and East Nueces streets, according to the agenda for Tuesday's city council meeting.
According to the city, commercial developments require side yard setback abutting local streets to be 20 feet, and the developer is requesting a variance to the city code that will allow a side setback of 8.5 feet along a portion of North East Street.
The restaurant itself will adhere to the 20 foot setback required along North East Street. But a drive-thru canopy will be 8.5 feet from the street.
City staff recommended approval of the variance, according to the council meeting agenda. Chick-fil-A is known to generate high-volumes of drive-thru traffic, and granting the variance would allow the restaurant to keep traffic on the property itself, minimizing traffic being backed up on public roads.
Additionally, the city code already recognizes that canopies differ from other building structures and allows gas station canopies to be set back just 12 feet from roads.
If the variance is approved, the next step for the project is to apply for construction permits.
Mike Etienne
Burger Engineering Llc
Ted D. Wilkinson Family Trust
Rio Grande Street
George Schwarz May 2, 2022 1:13pm
Wow. I one-source story with non-attributions on some judgmental paragraphs. And, no comment from the Chick-fil-A people. No one could get off their duff and go downtwon to ask?
Bragging about awards and then publishing a half-reported story? Fail.
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2022-05-02T18:49:52Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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New Chick-fil-A restaurant planned for Victoria | For Subscribers Only | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/premium/new-chick-fil-a-restaurant-planned-for-victoria/article_90c7c932-ca34-11ec-9de0-d3992dcd0ff4.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/premium/new-chick-fil-a-restaurant-planned-for-victoria/article_90c7c932-ca34-11ec-9de0-d3992dcd0ff4.html
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Guest column: Endings and beginnings
We are at that time of year when there are a lot of endings. Our seniors are coming to an end in their time with the Victoria Independent School District. All our students are ending their time in the current grade. We have teachers and staff who are coming to an end in their time as part of Team VISD. Trustee Pastor Kevin VanHook is not running for his board seat, and we recognized him at our meeting last week as his time on the board ends. Lots of endings everywhere you look. Perhaps you are coming to the end of something.
Personally, my youngest is set to graduate high school... talk about an ending. These events all feel bittersweet. A good definition of the emotion bittersweet comes from Marc Parent in Brene Brown’s book, "Atlas of the Heart," “Bittersweet is appreciating life’s most precious moments and the unbearable awareness that those moments are passing.” This happens with every major milestone our kids go through, a death of a loved one who has been suffering, leaving a job that you loved but knowing that it is time to move on, moving, etc.
That first paragraph got heavy in a hurry so let’s take a quick aside as I regale a story from my childhood. Imagine an unopened loaf of bread. You know there are two slices everyone avoids. Nobody ever wants the end. Family lore is that the ends are my favorite pieces. In fact, I would dump the entire loaf on a table when I was young so I could get both pieces and make the best sandwich you could possibly imagine. I have no idea why, but I still love them.
You all know I have a thing for words and this has been the case all my life. I have never liked endings. Endings are unsettling for me. Endings carry feelings that I mostly want to avoid. I decided these pieces of bread are not the end of the loaf, but the beginnings so I’ve always said, “save the beginning for me” which usually catches people off guard. I am on a personal quest to make sure everyone recognizes bread loaves have two beginnings.
Perhaps it is because we’re coming off the Easter season (talk about an ending that becomes a great beginning), or maybe I’m just really hungry for a sandwich, but I imagine it is all these endings that have me thinking about beginnings. Yes, our students are coming to the end of something, but how exciting that they are also at the beginning of the next thing. Where endings carry emotions I generally try to avoid, beginnings are full of emotions I want to be near. Give me a beginning, lots of beginnings. With beginning comes potential. What could be more exciting than that?
Although some employees are moving on as they end their time with us, they are beginning the next chapter of their working life. This is awesome, and I’m so glad we have had the opportunity to be a part of their past. When someone has a great future in front of them, it becomes a real honor to be a part of their past.
Trustee Pastor VanHook is beginning a new phase of his life and although we’re all going to miss him terribly because we love him, we are excited for this new beginning.
Of course, graduation is the ultimate beginning, which is why the “And” is so important to us.
If you happen to catch me at some of these end-of-year events and celebrations and see a big smile on my face, please know that it’s because I’m grateful to be a part of the beginning. After all, we’re just getting started.
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2022-05-02T21:17:45Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Guest column: Endings and beginnings | Opinion | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/guest-column-endings-and-beginnings/article_df0eb75e-ca1b-11ec-8ee8-b750ee840f45.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/guest-column-endings-and-beginnings/article_df0eb75e-ca1b-11ec-8ee8-b750ee840f45.html
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Kathy Kallus
VICTORIA — Kathy Kallus, 63, passed away April 30, 2022. Visitation will be at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Mission Valley, Tx., from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, with funeral service immediately following.
Kathy was born on June 24, 1958 and raised in the Burleson, Texas area. She earned her master’s degree in special education from University of Houston - Victoria and worked for the Victoria ISD as an educational diagnostician for the majority of her career. She had a deep passion for her special education students and loved working with them.
Kathy was the best person anyone could ever meet, and most especially a true blessing to her husband of 37 years, Steve. She loved her family dearly and brought so much love and caring to all. Preceded in death by her parents, Ethel and Robert McGuire. Survivors: husband, Steve and sister, Lynnda Roselle (Ken).
Arrangements and services are under the personal care of Grace Funeral Home Goliad.
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2022-05-03T07:22:00Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Kathy Kallus | Obituaries | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/kathy-kallus/article_9cdc2817-fcf4-56ef-b08a-48527babca18.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/kathy-kallus/article_9cdc2817-fcf4-56ef-b08a-48527babca18.html
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Trial to begin for Refugio officer accused of injuring infant with pepper spray
Opening statements are set to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday in a trial for a Refugio police officer accused of recklessly injuring an infant with pepper spray last year.
In April 2021, a Refugio County grand jury indicted Officer Lee Jordan was on a charges of official oppression and injury to a child although the official oppression charge was dismissed by a judge in June.
Jordan has elected for a judge to decide his punishment if he is convicted.
At the time of the incident, the infant was three days old.
According to the indictment, Jordan is accused of discharging an "aerosol self defense spray" into a vehicle that carried a child.
The incident was investigated by the Texas Rangers.
After Jordan was indicted, the Refugio City Council unanimously approved a decision to pause Jordan's pay.
About a month earlier, Jordan had been named the 2020 Officer of the Year by the City Council.
Lee Jordan Indictment
The Advocate does not publish the names of children without a legal guardian's permission. This court document has been edited to omit the nam…
Victoria Crime Stoppers is looking for Joshua Licerio
Mike, I know you don't care. I really enjoyed this Blog, it wasn't all one sided like most of your other blogs. You kind of through shade on both sides of the isle and on different subjects. I…
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2022-05-03T10:50:20Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Trial to begin for Refugio officer accused of injuring infant with pepper spray | Refugio | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/counties/refugio/trial-to-begin-for-refugio-officer-accused-of-injuring-infant-with-pepper-spray/article_9c78d216-ca7b-11ec-b222-effa6199c65a.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/counties/refugio/trial-to-begin-for-refugio-officer-accused-of-injuring-infant-with-pepper-spray/article_9c78d216-ca7b-11ec-b222-effa6199c65a.html
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Visitors to the Victoria Public Library can use a tabletop charging station to charge their devices.
Visitors to the Victoria Public Library can use the 3D printer to make their own creations.
When the Victoria Public Library first opened in the 1970s, libraries were mainly warehouses for books.
Since then, the scope of services that are expected from a public library has grown and changed, and the Victoria Public Library has kept up with the times with its events and educational programming, digital collections, access to technology and other services.
In order to better tailor the library’s resources to the community’s unique needs, the library is launching a strategic planning effort that will guide the library’s growth and development during the next three to five years.
Residents can visit www.victoriatx.gov/library to respond to a survey that asks them to describe whether and how they use the library and what types of services they would like to see. The deadline to respond is June 3.
The library will also host a series of public meetings where residents can learn about changes taking place in libraries around the U.S. and discuss whether similar programs could be beneficial in Victoria:
May 9, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Bronte Room in the Victoria Public Library
May 9, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Vickers Elementary School Library
May 10, 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. at the Bronte Room in the Victoria Public Library
May 10, 6-7 p.m. at Meals on Wheels Victoria
Each participant will need an internet-enabled device or a cellphone with texting to respond to polling questions during the meetings.
The meetings are also open to remote attendance through Zoom. Visit www.victoriatx.gov/library for information about how to join through Zoom.
Registration is encouraged (but not required) to help staff plan for seating and food. To register, visit www.victoriatx.gov/libraryevents.
The Victoria Public Library is working with consultant Maureen Arndt, a library architect who has helped to reshape more than 220 libraries across the country. Arndt has already met with library staff to discuss how the library’s space might be reorganized to better meet operational needs.
After the community input phase finishes, Arndt will meet with the Victoria Public Library advisory board, the Friends of the Library and the City Council before drafting the final plan, which is expected to be brought to the council for adoption in the fall.
To receive updates about library events and programs, follow the Victoria Public Library on Facebook.
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2022-05-03T23:23:28Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Victoria Public Library seeks input on strategic plan | Government | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/government/victoria-public-library-seeks-input-on-strategic-plan/article_a11b2a6a-cb31-11ec-b408-ab68fe122217.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/government/victoria-public-library-seeks-input-on-strategic-plan/article_a11b2a6a-cb31-11ec-b408-ab68fe122217.html
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Bible verse - Romans Rom.15:1-3; quote by John C. Maxwell
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.
John Calvin Maxwell (born 1947) is an American author, speaker, and pastor who has written many books, primarily focusing on leadership. Titles include “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” and “The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader.” His books have sold millions of copies, with some on the New York Times Best Seller List.
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2022-05-03T23:23:41Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Bible verse - Romans Rom.15:1-3; quote by John C. Maxwell | Opinion | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/bible-verse---romans-rom-15-1-3-quote-by-john-c-maxwell/article_aca813f4-c0e9-11ec-a995-475a63086e79.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/bible-verse---romans-rom-15-1-3-quote-by-john-c-maxwell/article_aca813f4-c0e9-11ec-a995-475a63086e79.html
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Letter: Kathy Bell has a true passion for education
The school board voting is soon and there is only one clear choice that best meets the needs of all stakeholders, because she is the only candidate that has experience in the classroom. That candidate is Kathy Bell.
Kathy Bell was named Educator of the Year, because she excels and truly has a passion for education. Ms. Bell’s passion can be easily noticed through the bonds and relationships she has maintained throughout her years of teaching, with both colleagues and students.
Kathy Bell is wise, ethical, driven, and honest. As a native of Victoria, she has a strong community presence and is a remarkable advocate for her fellow community members.
Ms. Bell’s 39 years in the classroom has given her many valuable experiences that she can bring to the school board when it comes to important educational decisions that are most beneficial to all stakeholders.
Kathy Bell is excited for the new opportunity in her life so that she can continue to make a difference in the lives of our youth and increase student achievement. I know Kathy will be a driven, dedicated, and incredible school board member, because she is my sister.
Joey Tillmon, Las Vegas, NV
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2022-05-03T23:23:53Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Letter: Kathy Bell has a true passion for education | Opinion | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/letter-kathy-bell-has-a-true-passion-for-education/article_06ddeb1e-cafe-11ec-bba4-c730b5efd42a.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/opinion/letter-kathy-bell-has-a-true-passion-for-education/article_06ddeb1e-cafe-11ec-bba4-c730b5efd42a.html
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Frances Marie’s Restaurant and Cantina, shown in this 2016 photo, will reopen Thursday under new ownership.
Frances Marie’s Restaurant & Cantina is reopening on Cinco de Mayo after being closed for two months.
The restaurant will open under new ownership, previous owner Dr. John McNeill said. The new owners are long time family friends and will lease the building from McNeill.
Jorge Linares and his wife Juliana Linares will take over ownership of the restaurant.
“I’m really excited,” McNeill said. “They’re a good family. They’re good people. I trust them, and I think that they’re going to continue the Frances Marie’s tradition.”
Jorge Linares said he’s known McNeill’s family since his father worked for McNeill’s mother — Frances Marie herself — in the 1990s.
When McNeill announced that Frances Marie’s was closing back in March, Linares couldn’t believe it.
“I told my wife, ‘You know what? This is the opportunity to come in and do something,’” he said. “So I talked to Dr. McNeill, we worked some numbers out, and here we are. Now I’m the new owner of Frances Marie’s.”
The menu at Frances Marie’s will remain the same, Linares said. However, he’s not opposed evolving the menu and changing it based on what customers are purchasing and asking for.
“It’s not what I want to serve,” he said. “It’s what they want to buy.”
Customers will notice that restaurant staff will remain largely unchanged as well. Linares said that much of the Frances Marie’s staff will return.
“We want the same happy, familiar faces that (customers) have seen before and we know they’ll love to have here in the restaurant,” he said.
Frances Marie’s closed in March after nearly six years in business.
The costs of operating the restaurant and finding staff became too much, McNeill said at the time.
“We were busy,” McNeill said. “But at the end of the day, when you’re that busy, and you have to keep raising your prices just to break even, it’s just not worth doing anymore.”
The decision to close was a difficult one, McNeill said.
“I really thank everybody for all their support and all their love,” he said. “I built that restaurant and opened it up in memory of my mother, who died just a few months before it opened. And so, that was an emotional decision. It was a tough decision.”
Linares promised McNeill that he would always keep his mother’s name on the restaurant.
“His dream was to have a building for Mom, and I’m going to help him with that,” Linares said. “That legacy stays alive.”
Victoria restaurant closes
After nearly six years in business, Frances Marie’s Restaurant & Cantina permanently closed Monday.
Jorge Linares
Frances Marie's Restaurant
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2022-05-03T23:24:11Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Frances Marie's to reopen on Cinco de Mayo | For Subscribers Only | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/premium/frances-maries-to-reopen-on-cinco-de-mayo/article_8606986c-ca56-11ec-a9de-b3f9e51ebcba.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/premium/frances-maries-to-reopen-on-cinco-de-mayo/article_8606986c-ca56-11ec-a9de-b3f9e51ebcba.html
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The courthouse hallway leading to the district courtroom where Officer Lee Jordan's trial is occurring.
REFUGIO — Jurors viewed photographs Tuesday of a 3-day-old infant whose mother testified her child had been pepper sprayed by a police officer last year.
Chelsea Berlanga, 27, of Refugio, testified the photos showed her child’s eyes had been swollen shut after Officer Lee Jordan shot a pepper spray brand called Mean Green into a vehicle carrying her, the infant and the infant’s father, Michael Paredes, on March 12, 2021.
“It got everywhere in the car,” Berlanga said. “He was crying and screaming.”
Tuesday marked the first day of testimony in a trial for Jordan, who is charged with injury to a child, a state jail felony that would revoke his state peace officer’s license if convicted. Prosecutors rested their case about 4:40 p.m., and District Judge Jack Marr decided to recess court. Trial was set to resume at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
But, like many of the points made by the prosecution, defense attorney Eric Perkins, of Corpus Christi, disputed Berlanga’s claim about the effect on the infant, offering other photographs taken about the same time that showed the infant’s eyes open.
Perkins also referred to testimony and Jordan’s body camera video that he said showed the child peacefully asleep after being taken out of the vehicle.
When Jordan pepper sprayed Paredes, the infant was in the back seat with Berlanga. She said she, too, was affected by the pepper spray. Windows on the front and rear driver’s side were open at the time, and the wind was strong that day, she said.
It was “awful,” Berlanga said. “It burned.”
Earlier Tuesday morning, jurors watched video from Jordan’s body camera, which began recording when he pulled the vehicle over and ended with Paredes being taken to a local hospital. The video left little doubt that Jordan had sprayed Paredes during the traffic stop, which occurred at a Refugio intersection. But Perkins said evidence and testimony would show the infant was unaffected and uninjured.
Berlanga disagreed, saying the spray had proliferated throughout the interior of their vehicle.
She said it “was too hot to get into the car” the next day.
At the time of the traffic stop, Jordan had pulled Paredes over for speeding and was in the process of arresting him on a warrant charging unlawful carrying of a weapon in an incident weeks prior.
“That’s the precursor,” Perkins said in his opening statement.
Moments before the arrest, an audio warning that indicated Paredes was a potential danger to officers blared in his patrol vehicle, Perkins said. The warning could be heard on Jordan’s body camera.
Jordan sprayed Paredes, who was driving, in the face after telling him he could not make a phone call, which Paredes insisted he make. Berlanga said Paredes was trying to call his sister, who lived a few blocks away.
Just before Jordan doused the with the pepper spray for about , spraying it for about two seconds, Paredes could be heard on the video saying, “Don’t make me get (expletive) violent, because I will.”
Police Chief Enrique Diaz, who was the first of the prosecution’s witnesses, testified the warrant was obtained after a gun was found in a vehicle that Paredes had crashed into a curb and abandoned in front of the Refugio Police Department.
The body camera video also showed Jordan wrestling with the infant’s mother after she had exited the vehicle from the rear seat, opening a rear door to the back seat, where the child could be seen sitting in a car seat.
On the video, she screamed “My baby is in there” shortly before she was handcuffed.
Later in the video, Jordan said he himself was burning “all over” from the pepper spray.
Texas Ranger Samuel Lankford, the prosecution’s third witness, testified he had taken photographs a week after the pepper spraying that he thought showed droplets of the Mean Green pepper spray throughout the front of the vehicle and to a lesser extent in the rear.
Many of the droplets were green, he said.
But the droplets had never been tested, Lankford testified in cross examination by Perkins.
Under questioning from Assistant District Attorney Tim Poynter, Diaz, the police chief, said he would have been “patient” instead of using the pepper spray. Instead, Diaz said he would have chosen to deescalate the incident.
“I did not like the video,” Diaz said on the stand.
Diaz agreed with Poynter, saying an officer is not allowed to “recklessly” use force that could injure third parties.
During cross examination, Perkins asked whether Diaz could have changed police policy to prohibit the use of pepper spray on people inside vehicles. Diaz said he could have, adding to this day the department’s policy has not been changed.
Trial of a Refugio police officer who was accused of injuring a child with pepper spray continues. Check back with the Victoria Advocate for updates.
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2022-05-04T02:21:04Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Attorneys dispute whether Mean Green pepper spray affected infant in Refugio officer trial | Refugio | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/counties/refugio/attorneys-dispute-whether-mean-green-pepper-spray-affected-infant-in-refugio-officer-trial/article_6554fdda-cb2c-11ec-bc9c-bb0f3fb59c2b.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/counties/refugio/attorneys-dispute-whether-mean-green-pepper-spray-affected-infant-in-refugio-officer-trial/article_6554fdda-cb2c-11ec-bc9c-bb0f3fb59c2b.html
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VISD summer hours announced
The VISD Administration Office will move to a summer work schedule beginning May 31 and continuing through July 29.
The district will be closed May 30 for the Memorial Day holiday.
During June and July, VISD Administration Office hours will be 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday.
The office will be closed on Fridays throughout June and July.
The Administration Office will resume normal operating hours Aug. 1.
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2022-05-04T02:21:28Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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VISD summer hours announced | Education | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/education/visd-summer-hours-announced/article_9797087c-cb38-11ec-81e0-63f1af92b2ba.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/education/visd-summer-hours-announced/article_9797087c-cb38-11ec-81e0-63f1af92b2ba.html
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Best Practices Award
The Victoria Fire Department was again named a Best Practices Fire Department by the Texas Fire Chiefs Association at the TFCA’s annual conference April 11-14 in Waco.
The designation that recognizes fire departments that meet high standards in every area of job performance.
The program evaluates fire departments’ compliance with more than 117 best practices that cover all aspects of fire department management and services, including administration and organization, safety and health, professional standards and conduct, emergency medical service, fire prevention, risk reduction and community outreach.
The Victoria Fire Department is one of 30 departments statewide to hold this designation. The department has been a Best Practices Fire Department since 2018. The designation must be renewed every four years.
“I am extremely proud of the men and women of the Victoria Fire Department for earning this distinguished recognition,” said Fire Chief Tracy Fox. “They work extremely hard each and every day to meet this high standard. I would also like to thank the City administration and City Council for their support of our mission.”
To earn the designation, the department had to conduct a thorough self-review and undergo an outside audit. Final on-site reviews were conducted by trained fire chiefs and assistant fire chiefs from around the state, and final results were reviewed by the TFCA.
To learn more about the program, visit www.txfirechiefs.org.
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2022-05-04T02:21:40Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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Victoria Fire Department earns statewide Best Practices designation again | Government | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/government/victoria-fire-department-earns-statewide-best-practices-designation-again/article_4910812a-cb3c-11ec-bf25-8b36e8d25953.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/government/victoria-fire-department-earns-statewide-best-practices-designation-again/article_4910812a-cb3c-11ec-bf25-8b36e8d25953.html
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The Victoria City Council voted on Tuesday to establish a downtown entertainment district.
This would start the process to make the downtown area more dynamic and attractive, said Danielle Williams, the city's director of economic development.
"By having an entertainment district in a central location, it will boost local commerce and make a vibrant downtown," Williams told council members.
The entertainment district will consist of an eight-block area bordered from Constitution Street to Juan Linn and South Williams Street to South Glass Street.
The idea is the downtown area can become a setting for entertainment that improves both the cultural and economic climate in Victoria and the quality of life here. This designation allows the public sidewalks within the district directly in front of retail stores to display merchandise, sandwich board signs, benches, tables and food service.
This would include setting up regulations for sidewalks that would not impede pedestrians, but would allow shops to have sidewalk sales. For concerts downtown, it would regulate how loud music could play and how late. Streets could also be closed during events.
It could allow area businesses to allow customers to bring alcohol outside of bars and restaurants.
"It would allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages in the district, but other laws would apply," Williams said.
Williams said the standard sound level would be limited to 90 decibels. That level is about that of a train whistle at 500 feet. Restaurants or entertainment venues within the district that have an alcoholic beverage license or permit from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission may use sound amplifiers during hours of operation. If no alcohol permit is in place, sound amplification would begin no earlier than 10 a.m. on any day.
City Council approves resolution to establish arts and culture district
Williams told council members that any events downtown would be limited to midnight on weeknights and 2 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Any alcohol consumption at events would follow Texas state law. Possession and drinking beer and wine on public property in this district during the days and hours of a special event would be allowed. As per state law, possession of an open container in a car would still be against state law.
"To cultivate a thriving downtown, we have to do it bit by bit," Williams said. "This is how we're going to do it."
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
Alcoholic Beverage License
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2022-05-04T02:21:47Z
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www.victoriaadvocate.com
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City council establishes downtown entertainment district | For Subscribers Only | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/premium/city-council-establishes-downtown-entertainment-district/article_f050984a-cb3b-11ec-8317-af41a3180c3f.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/premium/city-council-establishes-downtown-entertainment-district/article_f050984a-cb3b-11ec-8317-af41a3180c3f.html
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Mike Leas moves a container in the MikCin Creations wood shop on Thursday afternoon in Victoria.
Several of Mike Leas’ charcuterie boards line the shelves of the MikCin Creations wood shop on Thursday afternoon in Victoria. Leas said he particularly enjoys making the boards because he loves the grain of the wood.
Mike Leas works on an assortment of spoons on Thursday afternoon in Victoria.
Mike Leas works in his garage and wood shop on Thursday afternoon in Victoria.
Mike Leas reaches for a tool on Thursday afternoon in Victoria.
Mike Leas sands the bowl of a spoon on Thursday afternoon in Victoria.
Cindy Leas shows her husband, Mike Leas, a stencil design on Thursday afternoon.
Mike Leas, left, and Cindy Leas, right, of MikCin Creations, pose for a portrait in their wood shop on Thursday afternoon in Victoria.
Mike Leas works on a spoon on Thursday afternoon in Victoria.
For Victoria residents Mike and Cindy Leas, the journey to creating their own woodworking craft business has been a long, winding road filled with debt, stolen cars, floods and hard work.
The couple has been in business full time since December, but gained national attention through the DIY Hero competition, in which over 10,000 do-it-yourself crafters participated to win $25,000 and a feature in Make Magazine. The couple would finish in the top 250.
However, the path to get there goes back to when they were first married and lived around the Austin area, when, during their honeymoon, their car was stolen, still emblazoned with “just married” stickers, Mike Leas said.
That would start a series of unfortunate events — including a second car being stolen — that would drive up their debt and force the couple to rely on making things they need, like furniture, shelves and other items, to save money. At one point their debt was as high as $100,000.
Mike Leas said he hated shop class when he was younger, but his wife asked him to build things for one of their children’s birthdays so they could spend money on party supplies.
The unfortunate events would be compounded in Kyle in 2015 when, during the Memorial Day Floods in Central Texas, their rental house and their car would become flooded, Mike Leas said.
Local barber shop offers not just haircuts, but experiences
“We literally had to swim out of the house,” he said.
Unfortunately, since they lived near a creek that would frequently flood, no insurance company would provide flood insurance, he said.
So after picking up what they could recover and move it into a storage unit near the Kyle Flea Market and sell what they could to recoup what they lost financially, they said.
The rent on the storage unit had gone up, so being next to the flea market was convenient and allowed them to sell what had survived and much the art Cindy Leas had created over the years, she said.
Here, Mike Leas’ woodworking talents and Cindy Leas’ art skills would be put to use. The market would be come the base of their business, called MikCin Creations, where they would make thing to sell, including weathered wood pictures.
At first, they were doing it without permission as the open-air flea market was only open on weekends and then the manager of the market noticed them and gave them permission to use a wood shop there, he said.
This would lead to requests from customers for specialty items, leading to the first origin of MikCin Creations.
However, they would have to leave Central Texas due to the cost of living and eventually landed in Victoria after a cousin offered Mike a job, they said.
While that job didn’t work out, they gained opportunities to sell their wares at market days around the region, while Mike picked up jobs at Formosa Plastics and H-E-B.
Small business owners should invest in themselves
By Mark Martinez
It was particularly difficult at times, as the couple’s work schedules kept them apart for much of the day. Cindy Leas and their children were busy during the day and Mike Leas worked at night, she said.
However, after years of pinching pennies and paying off their debts, their money grew to a point where they could finally commit to focusing solely on their craft business full time, Cindy Leas said.
Initially, they were going to start at the beginning of this year, but they wanted to take advantage of the holiday shopping season, she said.
“We wanted to show our children that even if this was something we failed, at least we tried and that’s what’s important,” Cindy Leas said.
At the beginning of the year, Mike Leas, who manages the business’ social media, saw a notice for the DIY Hero contest and entered. One of the tactics the couple used to pay off their debt is whenever there was a prize giveaway from an account with only a few followers, they would enter, as the odds of winning were higher compared with those having a higher number of follower, he said.
When they entered the contest, they didn’t think much of it, but once they made the cut they started campaigning to get people to vote for them. They reached the top 250 but fell out in a round that cut the field down to the final 32. It’s unclear where the Leas finished in that round, as DIY Hero didn’t disclose where they finished overall when compared with the group they were in.
The greatest thing about the experience was they saw so many people who they never even met vote for them, Mike Leas said.
While the contest hasn’t resulted in an increase in business yet, that fact they got so far was humbling, he said.
Now you can find them back to the grind, with Mike Leas putting the wood craft projects together through their open garage while Cindy works in the house filled with various item they made as she designs their next items for their next market day.
“We couldn’t do it without each other,” Mike Leas said. “Cindy is the brains behind MikCin and I just kind help make it happen. Whatever she asks.”
Interested in MikCin Creations?
Visit: https://www.mikcincreations.com/
Mike Leas
Cindy Leas
Memorial Day Floods
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2022-05-04T02:21:53Z
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Couple gets national attention for crafts after betting on themselves | For Subscribers Only | victoriaadvocate.com
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Marvin Leo Kucera
VICTORIA — Marvin Leo Kucera, 75 of Victoria, TX passed away on March 26, 2022 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease with his family at his side. Rosary will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on Friday, May 6, 2022 at 1:30pm, with memorial services beginning at 2pm.
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2022-05-04T07:16:58Z
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Marvin Leo Kucera | Death Notices | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/obituaries/death_notices/marvin-leo-kucera/article_c5487af3-0d79-5d5d-8b71-e41fba4483df.html
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Gerlene Rose Snider
HOUSTON — Gerlene “Gerri” Rose Tipton Snider passed away at her home in Willis, Texas on April 11, 2022 after a battle with breast cancer. One of 8 children, she was born in Edna, Texas on October 24, 1933 to William Taylor Tipton, Jr. and Mabel Edna Markham Tipton of Victoria, Texas.
Gerri met her husband, Robert Larry Snider, on a July 4th blind date set up by her sister, Lee Scott. Married on Thanksgiving Day 1953 in the Baptist Temple in Victoria, Texas, they were together for over 68 years. Early in their marriage, Gerri worked for the telephone company as an operator while helping Larry graduate from the University of Houston. She was always supportive of her husband’s career, becoming a consummate homemaker as the family moved to 27 different places, including Iran. Texas always felt like home for Gerri, though, and she was happy to return to Houston, where she and Larry resided for many years. A devoted mother to two daughters, Gerri nurtured their interests and supported them as they grew to become strong, independent women. Gerri’s mothering extended to a host of Dachshund and Shar-Pei pups over the years and inspired a similar love of animals in her daughters.
Gerri was an outstanding hostess, and she always had a friendly smile for everyone she met. She was active in service to her family and community as a Room Mother and Girl Scout Leader. As an busy member of the Assistance League of Houston, she received their Ada Edwards Laughlin Award for Outstanding Service for 1991-1992. She continued to be involved in service as a proud member of both the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) through her ancestor Paul Hammond of New York and The Texas Mayflower Society as a descendant of Francis Cooke and Richard Warren.
A talented artist, Gerri enjoyed many different arts and crafts including stitchery, sewing, knitting, rug making, decoupage and home decorating, but her real passion was oil painting. Initially, she painted abstract compositions, but later in life focused on realism. Her paintings were gifted to many friends and family, and several were donated for charity auctions.
Gerri and Larry both loved to travel and instilled that passion in their daughters. They visited many countries and then found their favorite form of travel - cruising - which they did for months at a time. People gravitated to Gerri, and even strangers would start a conversation. Consequently, they made many friends from all over the world.
Gerri was a quiet, but devoted Christian. She and Larry were active members in the Memorial Drive Methodist Church and the Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Houston for many years. After retiring to Lake Conroe, Texas, they joined First Methodist Conroe, where they participated in Bible Studies, Prayer Vigils, and other service activities.
Gerri and Larry were avid supporters of the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering. They funded three scholarships - one for Native Americans and two for women - to encourage minority students to become engineers. Gerri and Larry were both named to the Cullen College Bridgebuilder Society in 2005. In 2022, as a lasting legacy, they endowed a Department Chair for Industrial Engineering.
Gerri is survived by her husband, daughters Melody Kathryn Snider Porter (Robert) of Ponte Vedra, Florida and Rebecca Lee Snider (Karen Cone) of Silver Spring, Maryland, her sisters Willa Lee Tipton Scott of Sugarland, Texas and Patricia Ann Tipton Sharp of Waco, Texas, a beloved niece, Julie Ann Bianchi Brannon (Tim) of Marysville, Tennessee, plus many other nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by siblings William Stanley Tipton, Mabel Laverne Tipton Bianchi, George Taylor Tipton, Raymond Dwayne Tipton and Linda Lynette Tipton Bowen.
A memorial service will be held on May 11th at 1pm at the Chapel of the Oaks Mausoleum in Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston, Texas
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Day School Scholarship Fund at First Methodist Conroe, 4308 W. Davis St., Conroe, Texas 77304 or your favorite charity.
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2022-05-04T07:17:10Z
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Gerlene Rose Snider | Obituaries | victoriaadvocate.com
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Janie Fricke performs with Dion Pride at the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts Charity Concert Series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in support of Bluebonnet Youth Ranch, Victoria Lions Club, and the Welder Center.
Janie Fricke will perform at the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Janie Fricke with Charlie Pride. Pride's son, Dion Pride, will also perform at the Charity Concert Series at the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts.
From left: American Gospel singer and songwriter Larnelle Harris, country music star Dolly Parton and country music vocalist Janie Fricke.
Victoria College’s Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts presents its ongoing 2022 Charity Concert Series featuring country music vocalist Janie Fricke and singer/songwriter Dion Pride (son of the late Charlie Pride) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in support of Bluebonnet Youth Ranch, Victoria Lions Club, and the Welder Center.
Fricke, who has performed at the Welder Center previously and is a strong supporter of the Bluebonnet Youth Ranch, said she is excited for her return to the Victoria stage.
She actually began her career in the marketing industry singing jingles for major companies such as Coca-Cola and United Airlines. Then she went to work as a studio singer for major country artists such as Loretta Lynn, Eddie Rabbitt, Crystal Gayle, Ronnie Milsap, Barbara Mandrell, Mel Tillis and others. Eventually she broke onto the country music charts with her own hits and won numerous awards including being named Country Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year – twice.
Fricke said her earliest musical influences came from television variety shows, such as The Ed Sullivan Show. “You got to watch people like Dionne Warwick and Connie Francis and all of the headliners of the day. So, I learned all of their music and their techniques of singing.”
“I was just amazed at how wonderful their voices were and what they were able to do with their voices,” she said. “So, I just studied that. And I sang along with the radio continuously.”
Fricke grew up on a 400-acre farm in Indiana. “We were country people. And we were always working the land and everything. I would turn on the radio at night when I was trying to go to sleep. And I would just sing along with all the songs on the radio, learned harmony parts and learned a tonal quality value for the voice.”
She said her mom was a useful critic as she was a proficient piano player who performed each week at her church. “And she was always saying, ‘Jane, you’re shrill or you’re sharp or whatever.’ So, I would have to change my tone and be sure that I was singing right on pitch.”
She said her adult musical influences are broad ranging, from the Andrew Sisters and Barbra Streisand to Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins. “All those people influenced me in a different way. So, I didn’t have one favorite,” she said. “I collected all their albums. I still have some of those original albums that I bought back in those days.”
Faith has always been an important part of Fricke’s life and work. She grew up “in a church family” and learned the gospel and scriptures at an early age. She was confirmed into the Lutheran Church at 13. Her parents, however, attended two different churches. “We were doing Lutheran doctrine and country church talk. We had it all.” She recorded an album called “Crossroads” in remembrance of her mother’s country church which sat at a crossroads just a little way down the road from their farm.
Fricke said she looks to God “for strength and for direction. I have little prayers going on all the time, everywhere, and especially when I go to bed at night, and thankful that I wake up in the morning.”
Although she received an elementary education degree from Indiana University she never went into teaching. She realized “I was not cut out to be a schoolteacher.”
Out of all her many experiences, however, she said the most exciting thing she has ever done was sing for four presidents.
She has performed for both Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, President Ronald Reagan, and President Gerald Ford. She said one of the biggest highlights of her long career was when she sang in front of President Reagan at Camp David, Maryland.
She said they were brought to Camp David by presidential helicopter “and they searched us,” adding with a laugh that it was a bit unnerving and a very thorough search. They were “picking apart guitars and everything,” she said.
Reagan was entertaining the president of Mexico at the time, Jose Lopez Portillo. “We did our show, and then they had their meeting after that. … I don’t know how we were chosen, but I was just thrilled,” Fricke explained.
“We were set up out by the pool. And for some reason, during the first song the PA did not work.” She said there was no sound when they began their performance. “I was mortified.” The sound was fixed quickly, however, and after the show she said President Reagan “congratulated me,” shook her hand, and then presented her with a jacket with a presidential emblem on it.
Other memorable events she especially enjoyed were doing television shows such as Hee Haw, the David Letterman Show and Jane Pauley on the Today Show. “Things like that kind of stand out. It was just a great time.”
When asked if there was anything left on her list of things to do Fricke said, “I’ve covered pretty much every part of the gamut in this business. So, I can’t say there’s anything I missed out on.”
Fricke’s husband, Jeff, who calls himself “the champion of steel” plays a major role in her career. He is her drummer, tour bus driver and handles her bookings. “Jeff is very involved in everything we do,” she said.
“We’ve worked up a new show and we’re really excited about it,” Fricke said. On this tour Fricke will be pulling numbers from her “Greatest Hits” CD, “because it’s got 41 songs on it, including some of the major duets that I recorded with major male country singers like Charlie Rich and Merle Haggard, and Johnny Duncan and others. And Ray Charles. So, it’s got some great duet spots on it. And we’re going to do some of those in our shows this year.”
Where: Victoria College’s Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts, 214 N. Main St., Victoria
What: 2022 Charity Concert Series featuring country music vocalist Janie Fricke and singer/songwriter Dion Pride, son of the late Charlie Pride.
When: Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Why: Support for Bluebonnet Youth Ranch, Victoria Lions Club, and the Welder Center.
Cost: Reserved general seating $45
Box Office Phone: 361-570-8587 (The Welder Center Box Office is open one hour before all ticketed events.)
Box Office Hours: Wednesday – Friday, 12:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Tickets online at: Victoria College - Leo J. Welder Performing Arts Center | Performing Arts Center Ticketing - Ticket Office Home (universitytickets.com)
About Janie Fricke
• Cash Box Magazine Top Country Female Vocalist
• Music City News Cover Awards Female Vocalist of the Year
• Academy of Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year
• Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year
• Billboard Magazine Top Country Female Vocalist
• Music City News Cover Awards Most Promising Female Vocalist
• Nominated Grammy Award Best Duet Performance With Charlie Rich
• Nominated Country Music Association Duet of the Year with Johnny Duncan
• Nominated Academy of Country Music Best New Female Vocalist
• Nominated Grammy Award Best Female Performance
• Nominated Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year
Dion Pride
Leo J. Welder Center For The Performing Arts
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2022-05-04T09:30:58Z
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A remarkable life: Janie Fricke's musical career has carried her from a family farm to Camp David | News | victoriaadvocate.com
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Grupo Folklórico de Victoria dancers will perform at the First Annual Guac Party in downtown Victoria.
A group of girls from Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church performed a folklorico dance at a previous Cinco de Mayo celebration in Goliad.
Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day. It’s not even an especially big holiday in Mexico. However, over the years Cinco de Mayo, which celebrates the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War, has evolved into a lively and highly anticipated celebration of Mexican culture and heritage in the U.S., especially in places such as Texas with large populations of Mexican Americans.
Victoria and its surrounding areas are no exception. A variety of events are scheduled for this weekend, beginning Thursday.
Downtown Victoria streets will be closed Thursday for two celebrations, one completely new.
Karissa Winters, community lead for the Innovation Collective, along with business partner Claire Santellana, owner of Jupiter Horizons Gallery, and friend, Krystin Ortiz who opened the boutique, Santa Rita Market in 2021 with her husband Chris Melendez, developed the idea of an annual guacamole party to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Victoria’s downtown. The result was the birth of The First Annual Guac Party. Winters said once they got the Victoria Mainstreet Program and Town Square Media on board things moved quickly.
“I guess I’m living my best life because I love guacamole. So, I found a way to incorporate something I love and I’m all about doing stuff for the community,” Winters said, adding it is important to bring the community together for events such as this.
The First Annual Guac Party will be from 5 to 9 p.m. on 107 W. Santa Rosa St. This event offers music, food, contests, Ballet Folklorico performances, vendors and more. Of course, there will be a Best Guacamole competition with the winner announced at 8:30 p.m.
Restaurant chefs are submitting their guacamole for blind taste tests by judges. The winner of the contest will receive a large “wrestling” belt at the Guac Party, which will be held by the winner until the next year. Local personality, Gary Moses, will award the belt.
Winters said the idea was to celebrate Cinco de Mayo while also providing opportunities for downtown restaurants and local vendors. In addition to live music, there will be three folklorico dance groups performing: Our Lady of Sorrows Ballet Folklorico; Victoria ISD Ballet Folklorico and Grupo Folklorico.
About 40 vendors from artists to jewelry makers to clothing and more will be open as well. Winters said, “there’s a little bit of everything. There’s going to be food vendors, drinks, photo booths, bouncy house, face painters.” She emphasized it’s a family-friendly celebration.
Also downtown Thursday, at DeLeon Plaza Cinco de Mayo will be celebrated from 6:30 to 10 p.m. with a dance party. The sponsor of the event is Glazer Beer and Beverage. This free family-friendly event offers live music by Tejano band, Los Amigos ASG, of Cuero, and Tejano party band, Los PoPo’s. Food vendors will be there. No ice chests are allowed to be brought into the event.
Other local events include: Budogz Bar and Grill is holding a Cinco de Mayo night from 4 to 11 p.m. Live music, OLS Ballet Folklorico Dancers will perform, and food and drink.
Aero Crafters Beer Garden & Gastropub offers live music by Hector Alvarado from 7 to 11 p.m. Thursday. All ages are welcome before 10 p.m. No cover charge.
In Goliad from May 6 – 8
The General Zaragoza Society hosts the 78th Annual Cinco de Mayo fiesta at the Goliad Fairgrounds each year. This event features live music by Tejano and Conjunto bands, BBQ cookoff, mariachis, food and craft booths, and a Cornhole King Tournament.
Friday begins with a Miss Zaragoza Coronation at 5 p.m. and continues with music by The Homeboyz, Magnifico Siete, and Marco Orozco.
Saturday’s activities begin at noon and run until 11:30 p.m. Activities include live music with Jody Farias Y Incredible, La Calma, El Chavalon, Los Desperadoz, and Mariachi Luna Y Sol.
Sunday’s closing ceremony is held at 10 a.m. at Zaragoza Amphitheatre (South of Presidio la Bahia).
Presidio La Bahia reenactment
On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Presidio La Bahia in Goliad, reenactors will gather to commemorate and celebrate the Mexican victory of the Battle of Puebla. They will reenact the victory of Gen. Zaragoza over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
Visit with living historians and reenactors dressed and equipped as men under the command of Gen. Zaragoza and those of the French Army and learn more about the reason behind Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
This is an outdoor event. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free.
Cinco de Mayo through the years
Cinco de Mayo is celebrated annually in the Crossroads. Here are a few photos of the celebrations over the past decade.
Downtown Victoria
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2022-05-04T09:31:04Z
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Cinco de Mayo celebrations bring communities together | News | victoriaadvocate.com
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Claire Blinka
Courtesy of UHV Athletics
UHV’s Kaylle Lopez bats during a game against Texas A&M-Texarkana at the Youth Sports Complex.
Claire Blinka has had to wait patiently in her first two seasons at UHV.
In the fall of 2020, the Calhoun graduate broke and tore ligaments in her ankle, requiring multiple surgeries.
Due to the injury, she made 10 appearances as a freshman in 2021 with only one start.
She did not play during UHV’s historic run to the NAIA World Series last year.
“I was on the come up and doing better, then had to have another surgery,” Blinka said. “It’s just been real up and down with the injury.”
Blinka’s patience has paid off as of late.
UHV softball splits with Xavier
Blinka has started in the last six games, hitting a team-best .526 with six RBIs and a pair of home runs during that stretch.
She racked up six hits during the regular season finale with Texas A&M-San Antonio a week ago.
Her season slugging percentage of .809 and four home runs lead the team, as the Jaguars gear up for their fifth meeting with TAMU-San Antonio at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio in the first round of the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament.
Blinka’s recent form figures to be one of the keys to a conference title defense for the third-seeded Jaguars (27-12).
“Sometimes all it takes is one kid to light a fire,” said UHV coach Lindsey Ortiz. “The team recognizes what she’s been through and how hard she’s had to push to come back. It hasn’t been an easy journey. I think that’s what makes us celebrate her victories even more and that helps elevate us to the level she’s been playing. She’s been big time for us.”
UHV vs. Huston-Tillotson University softball
UHV sophomore Cameron Steen follows through on a pitch during a Red River Athletic Conference game with Huston-Tillotson University at the Victoria Youth Sports Complex on Saturday.
UHV catcher Kaylle Lopez watches the ball into her mit during a Red River Athletic Conference game with Huston-Tillotson University at the Victoria Youth Sports Complex on Saturday.
Brianna Leon fouls swings at a pitch for UHV during Saturday’s Red River Athletic Conference doubleheader with Huston-Tillotson University at the Victoria Youth Sports Complex.
UHV softball vs. Texas A&M-Texarkana
UHV’s Lauren Caka bats during Friday’s game against Texas A&M-Texarkana at the Youth Sports Complex.
UHV’s Brianna Leon makes it to third base during Friday's game against Texas A&M-Texarkana at the Youth Sports Complex.
UHV’s Secilia Lopez celebrates with her teammates during a Red River Athletic Conference game against Texas A&M-Texarkana at the Youth Sports Complex.
UHV’s Alexis Gonzalez makes the catch during Friday’s game against Texas A&M-Texarkana at the Youth Sports Complex.
UHV vs. St. Thomas softball
UHV pitcher Cameron Cowan winds up to pitch in the Jaguars' season opener against the University of St. Thomas on Saturday.
GALLERY: UHV softball 2022
UHV softball opens play in the Red River Athletic Conference tournament on Thursday. Here's a look at the Jaguars' season to this point.
Blinka’s season average of .456 is second only to senior Ashley Reyna, who’s slashed at a .500 clip in 106 at-bats this season.
Reyna, a senior from Harlingen, also leads the team in hits (53), doubles (16), triples (4) and RBIs (38) this season.
Blinka and Reyna highlight a lineup that boasts a team batting average of .335 thanks to seven batters boasting an average north of .300.
Sophomores Madysin Leighton (.445) and Kaylle Lopez (.359) join Blinka and Reyna as the four Jaguars sitting above .350.
Leighton's career game lifts Jags' to split with A&M-Texarkana
Reyna was forced to miss eight games between March 25 and April 2. After returning to the lineup, she hit .471 with 10 RBIs and a slugging percentage of .882 as the Jags went 10-4 for the month.
Last year, she hit safely in 11 of UHV’s 13 postseason games for a .380 average and 12 RBIs.
“I think the way our lineup has developed, especially the top half, the way they put the ball in play takes pressure off the pitching staff and allows them to grow in their roles,” Ortiz said. “It’s a good time for us to be going into the tournament.”
Seniors lift Jags to sweep in home finale
Injuries in the batting order haven’t been the only problem for the Jaguars, however.
Shiner graduate Cameron Cowan injured her finger during the March 18 doubleheader against Jarvis Christian and was eventually lost for the season.
Cowan, a sophomore, was a second team all-conference selection a year ago after winning 11 games and posting an ERA of 2.30 in 136.2 innings.
Since then, Victoria East graduate Cameron Steen, a sophomore, and freshman Alexi Wade have had elevated responsibilities in the circle.
Steen has a 10-5 record in 17 starts with an ERA of 3.13 as the de facto ace since mid-March. Wade has won her last four starts and held an ERA of 2.57 in April. She has not allowed an earned run in her last two starts.
UHV sweeps A&M-San Antonio in season finale
“Talking about Alexi just makes me so excited,” Reyna said. “She feeds off the energy you give her. It’s so exciting to see her grow and be able to feed off that energy. That’s one thing this team is really good at, giving the right set of positive and hyped energy.”
UHV won last year's tournament despite an 8-10 conference record.
“The majority of them have done this before, felt these feelings before and know that nothing is impossible,” Ortiz said. “I think they’re having fun and I think they know exactly what it takes. I think that gives them a leg up over everybody else who hasn’t done it.”
Uhv Softball
Ashley Reyna
Rrac Tournament
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2022-05-04T15:27:29Z
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Blinka, UHV hope to ride momentum to title defense | Advosports | victoriaadvocate.com
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Refugio County Courthouse
Pepper spray expert testifies in Refugio officer trial, closings to begin after noon
REFUGIO — The defense rested their case a little after 11:10 a.m. Wednesday after calling three witnesses in the trial of Refugio police officer Lee Jordan, who is accused of injuring an infant with pepper spray last year.
Closing arguments are scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m.
Jordan is charged with injury to a child, a state jail felony that would revoke his state peace officer's license if he is convicted. The charge also carries a jail sentence of 180 days to two years, as well as up to a $10,000 fine.
Earlier Wednesday, the defense called two EMTs who were dispatched to an intersection where Jordan pepper sprayed Michael Paredes, who was driving a vehicle carrying his 3-day-old son and the child's mother.
Jordan is accused of recklessly using the pepper spray and injuring the infant.
One of the EMTs said he assessed the infant and found no sign of injury. That EMT described the infant as "fairly relaxed" at the time.
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2022-05-04T17:16:16Z
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Pepper spray expert testifies in Refugio officer trial, closings to begin after noon | Crime & Courts | victoriaadvocate.com
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Local businesses have seen support from the community, business owners in downtown Victoria said Wednesday.
Ortiz, who owns the Santa Rita Market at 107 W Santa Rosa St., was honored by the Victoria City Council Tuesday night with a Keep Victoria Beautiful Award for the transformation of her business. She sells merchandise from local artists such as woven and leather hats and purses, earrings and ceramic figures. Everything is handmade in the store.
The Cinco De Mayo celebration in Victoria Thursday is scheduled from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at DeLeon Plaza downtown. The event is sponsored by Glazer Beer and Beverage.
Catrinas, the artsy skeleton figurines made in ceramic, clay, and other materials have become an extraordinary hallmark of Mexican popular culture, one that reflects Day of the Dead traditions in particular and which also tells a history dating back over a century.
El Día de Muertos in Mexico
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2022-05-04T18:56:30Z
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downtown business | | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/downtown-business/article_510381f4-cbd5-11ec-b322-8724aacda75e.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/downtown-business/article_510381f4-cbd5-11ec-b322-8724aacda75e.html
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REFUGIO — After less than 30 minutes of deliberation, jurors found a Refugio police officer not guilty Wednesday afternoon of injuring an infant.
Earlier on Wednesday, the defense rested its case in the morning after calling three witnesses in the trial of Refugio police officer Lee Jordan, who was accused of injuring an infant with pepper spray last year. Closing arguments began in the early afternoon.
Jordan had been charged with injury to a child, a state jail felony that would have revoked his state peace officer's license if convicted. The charge also carried a jail sentence of 180 days to two years, as well as up to a $10,000 fine.
Earlier Wednesday, the defense called two EMTs who were dispatched to the location where Jordan pepper sprayed Michael Paredes, who was driving a vehicle carrying his 3-day-old son and the child's mother.
Jordan was cleared of recklessly using the pepper spray and injuring the infant.
One of the EMTs testified he assessed the infant and found no sign of injury. That EMT described the infant as "fairly relaxed" at the time.
This is a developing report. Please check back at VictoriaAdvocate.com later for updates.
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2022-05-04T20:40:30Z
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Updated: Officer found not guilty of injuring infant with pepper spray | Crime & Courts | victoriaadvocate.com
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/crime/updated-officer-found-not-guilty-of-injuring-infant-with-pepper-spray/article_196524e6-cbc6-11ec-8cb2-2bc36956bba3.html
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https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/crime/updated-officer-found-not-guilty-of-injuring-infant-with-pepper-spray/article_196524e6-cbc6-11ec-8cb2-2bc36956bba3.html
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Dystiny Lopez, 15, of Victoria, dances "La Negra" with other performers in the Victoria ISD Ballet Folklorico for the final dance of Shields Elementary School's Cinco de Mayo celebration in 2014.
Floutas fresh out of the fryer at the Cinco de Mayo celebration in Victoria in 2016.
lbstephenson@vicad.com
Latino businesses have seen growing support from the community, business owners in downtown Victoria said on Wednesday, the day before major celebrations for Cinco de Mayo.
Victoria observes two Cinco de Mayo celebrations downtown on Thursday.
Ortiz, who owns the Santa Rita Market at 107 W. Santa Rosa St., was honored by the Victoria City Council on Tuesday night with a Keep Victoria Beautiful Award for the transformation of her business. She sells merchandise from local artists such as woven and leather hats and purses, earrings and ceramic figures. Everything is handmade for the store by local artists.
She said she was impressed with how supportive the local community had been.
"Victoria is definitely growing as far as I can tell," Ortiz said. "When you make something more appealing, people want to spend time down here."
Because of the businesses already here, revitalizing the downtown makes those workers want to walk around and see what it here, she said.
The city on Thursday is focusing on the Cinco de Mayo celebrations, which is scheduled from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at DeLeon Plaza. The event is sponsored by Glazer Beer and Beverage. May 5th is a huge festival day among Mexican-American and many Latin Americans living in the United States. Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican victory over the more powerful French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. May 5th is typically celebrated mainly in America.
Latino businesses have found a home in the city's downtown. El Paso Tacos and Tequila Manager Andres Mendoza, 25, said he spent four months helping set up the business at 212 S. Main St. During that time, he said there was very little foot traffic around.
DeLeon Plaza hosts Cinco de Mayo celebration
"Now we see a lot of people in the afternoon," Mendoza said. "After 5 p.m. it was dead here, but that has changed."
Even though the city is only three hours from Mexico, Mendoza said the spicier Southern Mexican cuisine at his restaurant gave patrons a different taste of Mexican food, which is often Americanized. The restaurant is brightly decorated on both floors with elaborate paintings of skeletal figures similar to Catrinas, Mexican Day of the Dead figures used in the celebration of loved ones who have passed on.
The Latin decorations at Casa De Luna Gift Shop at 209 S. Main St. are authentic and hand-made, said Chris Melendez, 34. Inside are more statues of Catrinas, who acts as a patron who guides the souls of the dead, she said.
"I get asked a lot about Catrinas," Melendez said.
We have a proud and rich history of Hispanics in the Crossroads
During the Day of the Dead celebration, which will be Nov. 2, Mexican-Americans honor loved ones who have died, Melendez said.
"It's just about love and celebration," she said.
The Moonshine Drinkery, 103 W. Santa Rosa St., has been downtown for a decade, said Genevieve Robles, 42. She is a member of the Victoria Main Street Board of Directors and said she hopes to see more businesses come to downtown.
"We've seen an increase in out-of-towners. A lot of people who live here haven't been down here lately," she said. "We were trying to bring more people down here and it has been working."
Downtown Thursday at DeLeon Plaza, Cinco de Mayo will be celebrated from 6:30 to 10 p.m. with a dance party.
The sponsor of the event is Glazer Beer and Beverage.
This free family-friendly event offers live music by Tejano band, Los Amigos ASG, of Cuero, and Tejano party band, Los PoPo’s.
Food vendors will be there. No ice chests are allowed to be brought into the event.
Cinco De Mayo Street Dance
Santa Rita Market
Glazer Beer And Beverage
El Paso Tacos And Tequila
Moonshine Drinkery
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2022-05-04T23:56:26Z
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Handful of Latino businesses spark more interest in downtown Victoria | For Subscribers Only | victoriaadvocate.com
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REFUGIO — After less than 30 minutes of deliberation, jurors found a Refugio police officer not guilty Wednesday of injuring a child.
Immediately after the verdict, Officer Lee Jordan sobbed as he hugged both of his attorneys. In the courtroom's gallery, Jordan's loved ones and supporters embraced one another.
"I am glad to find reason and common sense prevail, even in small-town America under these circumstances," Jordan's attorney, Eric Perkins, said in an interview after the verdict. "We have had a real rough last two years in defending law enforcement, just a meat grinder. It's been a very dangerous thing for communities everywhere."
Refugio County Assistant District Attorney Tim Poynter, who tried the case, saw the verdict in a different light.
"This is America, and police officers, they are accountable to the community," Poynter said in an interview. "No one is above the law, and no one is below it."
Jordan, whose state peace officer's license was suspended after his arrest, had been charged with injury to a child, a state jail felony that would have permanently prevented him from serving as a peace officer in Texas had he been convicted. The verdict came after two days of testimony in a jury trial during which jurors viewed Jordan's body camera video of a traffic stop in which he pepper sprayed Michael Paredes in March 2021. Paredes' then 3-day-old infant and the child's mother were riding as passengers.
With the trial now behind Jordan, Perkins said he planned to file a motion expunging his arrest.
"It will be as if this unpleasantness never happened," Perkins said.
He also is considering filing a defamation counterclaim in a lawsuit filed by the infant's mother against the city of Refugio.
In April 2021, the Refugio City Council unanimously approved a decision to pause Jordan's pay while on administrative leave from the department. Jordan had been named Officer of the Year by the council in 2020 after being hired that year.
Despite that expungement, Perkins said Jordan would not continue his employment with the Refugio Police Department.
"I can virtually guarantee you he wants nothing more to do with Refugio, Texas," the attorney said. "I think the relationship with Chief (Enrique) Diaz is over with."
Called by the prosecution, Diaz testified on Tuesday he was troubled by a the video recorded by Jordan's body camera, saying he would not have used pepper spray and instead would have been more "patient" and deescalated the incident.
Body camera video of the pepper spraying incident showed Jordan pulling over and arresting Paredes on March 12, 2021, at a Refugio intersection for speeding. Paredes had an arrest warrant charging him with unlawful carrying of a weapon after he crashed a vehicle into a curb in front of the Refugio Police Department weeks earlier, Diaz said. A gun was found in the vehicle, which Paredes abandoned, he said.
As Jordan was arresting Paredes, who was still in the driver's seat, Paredes threatened him, saying "Don’t make me get (expletive) violent, because I will.”
Jordan sprayed pepper spray into Paredes' face after the man refused the officer's order that he not make a phone call and instead get out of the vehicle.
"He threatened violence to police officers," Perkins said in his closing arguments, adding, "What else does an officer need to hear?"
But during trial on Wednesday, Poynter said to jurors the central question was not whether Jordan was justified in spraying Paredes. Instead, he said their deliberation was to decide whether the officer had recklessly injured Paredes' infant, who was in a car seat in the back.
"He had it coming that day … but there were other people in the car," Poynter said.
Jurors were required to consider whether Jordan's actions met a standard of reasonableness laid out in the 1989 U.S. Supreme Court case Graham v. Connor. That standard often results in differences of perception between the public and courts, said use-of-force expert witness Jerry Staton, who was called by the defense on Wednesday.
"It's not what you think … it's what your average police officer would have done," Staton said.
Staton, a retired Austin police officer, testified he thought Jordan had acted reasonably according to that standard.
Earlier in the trial, jurors also looked at photographs taken by a Texas Ranger called to investigate the matter. The photographs, Poynter said, showed dried droplets of pepper spray that had sprinkled throughout the interior.
The Mean Green brand of pepper spray used by Jordan, Staton said, was designed to expel a stream of sticky gel that is less likely to harm nearby people.
The droplets were never tested because the case arrived on Poynter's desk a week after the incident, leaving too much doubt about where they had come from, the prosecutor said after the trial.
Jurors also viewed photographs of the infant that the child's mother, Chelsea Berlanga, said showed his eyes swollen shut from exposure to the pepper spray.
But medical records introduced into court said the child was uninjured, and an EMT who evaluated the child immediately after the spraying incident testified on Wednesday, corroborating that claim.
"There is no injury," Perkins said.
In his closing arguments, Perkins asked jurors to consider the "trickle down effect" message a conviction for Jordan would to send. A conviction, he said, also would discourage local law enforcement from doing their jobs in the future.
"If the criminals in this county can surround themselves with wives and children … (it's letting) the inmates run the asylum … (it's) ludicrous," Perkins said, adding, "Refugio is a less safe place than before this case was prosecuted."
The defense called thee witnesses Wednesday morning. The last, an expert, said the officer acted reasonably when he pepper sprayed the driver of a vehicle carrying an infant.
Officer Lee Jordan
Police Chief Enrique Diaz
Eric Perkins
Tim Poynter
Refugio Police Department
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2022-05-04T23:56:32Z
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Jury acquits Refugio officer in infant pepper spraying trial | For Subscribers Only | victoriaadvocate.com
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