News

Men, women in GCSO 'brown' take oath at Courthouse

Guadalupe County sheriff's deputies and investigators are sworn in as part of a special swearing-in ceremony Thursday at the Guadalupe County Courthouse. Several elected officials, including Guadalupe County Sheriff Arnold Zwicke, officially took the oath of office on New Year's Day. Nearly 80 deputies were sworn-in by Judge Wiggins. Click here to buy or see more photos from the swearing-in ceremonies.

Seguin area looks to grow, develop in 2009

(Seguin) -- Some major changes are expected to occur in the city of Seguin in 2009. Seguin Mayor Betty Ann Matthies says that she is looking at 2009 with a great deal of enthusiasm.

"I really anticipate the greatest growth in our history, growth through the development of industry, growth through housing, growth through annexation and especially on the west side, which is something I think we've all been talking about for years," said Matthies. "If you look right now with the lovely new building that GVEC (Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative) has built and with the future construction of the elementary school there by Briesemeister and of course with Caterpillar coming right over there in that area too, you can see that it's really a diverse development. I think this is very exciting. I think we are also planning to do some improvement to some of the infrastructure over there on the west side."

The city's west side isn't the only area that will be receiving attention in 2009.

"Looking over on the other side of our community, over on the east side we are nearing the start of the last segment of highway 130, which of course will intersect within the city limits on the east side of town at IH-10. So I really anticipate a lot of growth over in that area too," said Matthies. "Within the city we will be working on the Walnut Branch renovation. We are nearing the time when that will actually start. It's been in the planning stage for so long. That, of course, is going to be a wonderful addition to our community."

Matthies says that all of these things are challenging, but she's looking forward to those challenges and the growth that lies ahead for Seguin.

"I'm very pleased that the Master Plan has been completed, which of course, gives us a really good guideline of things we should be looking at. With the long-term planning committee that has been approved to work with that implementation of the Master Plan, I think that is going to be another exciting part of determining our growth in the community," said Matthies. "I hope also to continue working on a very strong partnership with TLU (Texas Lutheran University). I think this is something that I keep repeating, and I can't stress it enough. I think TLU is one of our greatest assets, and we need to partner with them in whatever it takes for the good not only of the city but also for the university."

The multi-million dollar expansion project at Guadalupe Regional Medical Center is also something that Matthies says will greatly benefit the community.
"The major renovation of the hospital is just a plus for our community. It is going to attract so many people to come here as well as attract a much larger medical staff with a lot of specialties. I am just so very very pleased with the expansion out at the hospital," said Matthies.

With all the growth and expansion that is expected to occur, Matthies says city and community leaders are looking to ensure that the community has the resources it will need.

"I think there's other things the city will be working on. I think the Schertz-Seguin Local Government Cooperation, which of course is our water project with the city of Schertz. Before our wells have always been down in Gonzales County. We are looking to expand into Guadalupe County, which I think is a very visionary move on the part of the water cooperation because we cannot wait until it's time that we need more water. We need to be planning for the future. That is why I have so much respect for the people who are serving on the water cooperation board because they are certainly looking to the future needs of not just Seguin and Schertz but to the whole area," said Matthies.

Matthies says that she's excited about all of the things that lie ahead for the city of Seguin and its surrounding areas.

"There's just so many things going on, and I think it just creates an excitement within the community. I look forward to 2009. I just think you're going to see great things in Seguin. I think that we're so fortunate to be living in this community. Also I have to stress how many, many citizens we have in this community that donate their time and their efforts and work to serve on commissions and boards. This is going to be more important because we need the input of all the people in our community so that we can follow through and really reap the benefits of this phenomenal growth," said Matthies.

Many of the changes that are planned for this year have been drawn out in the city of Seguin's Master Plan, which can now be seen online at www.ci.seguin.tx.us.

Craddick appears out, Straus appears in as speaker

(Austin) -- Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick has given up his hard-fought bid for a fourth term. Craddick aides and allies say the Midland oilman told supporters he lacked enough votes among his fellow members to remain in the powerful job.

State Representative Will Hartnett's a longtime Craddick supporter. He said last night that Craddick ``decided it was getting too tight.'' Craddick is the longest serving Republican in state elective office in Texas and the first Republican to lead the House since the Civil War era.

He'd been campaigning for another term as the presiding officer over the 150-member chamber, but his dwindling support became insurmountable as Representative Joe Straus gained strength.

Shortly before word of Craddick's surrender spread, Straus released a list of 85 pledges of support, more than enough to win the election on January 13th. The San Antonio Republican's a relative newcomer to the political arena, gained strength. Seguin's Representative Edmund Kuempel had been among the GOP candidates in the hunt for the speaker's position, but he gave way to Straus following a meeting Friday in Austin.

Republicans hold a 76-74 majority in the House. The narrow partisan split and divided GOP loyalties mean House Democrats will play a decisive role. All but four House Democrats endorsed Straus. Most Republicans threw their support behind veteran Representative John Smithee. The Amarillo Republican entered the race yesterday, and Craddick's allies say he also endorsed Smithee.

Sen. Wentworth wants to stop straight ticket voting

(Austin) -- Seguin's representative in the Texas Senate wants to revive efforts to eliminate the straight-ticket voting option. The idea has surfaced even after Texans hit a 10-year high in the percentage of ballots sticking entirely with one party.

Republican Sen. Jeff Wentworth plans a second run at deleting the straight-ticket option during the legislative session that starts Jan. 13. His repeal proposal didn't advance in 2007.

Texas Democratic Party spokesman Hector Nieto said straight-ticket voting was good for both parties. He accused Republicans of trying to disrupt the inroads Democrats have made in urban counties.

Wentworth said his proposal had nothing to do with giving either party an advantage. He said Texas needs to join the majority of U.S. states in not allowing straight-ticket voting. Nationally, 16 states offer the option. Five states have repealed it since 1994.

Austin Community College's Center for Public Policy and Political Studies says straight-ticket voting represented nearly 58 percent of votes cast in Texas in November.

Voters going straight Republican outnumbered those on the Democratic side by 1.3 percent. The center says that was the GOP's smallest straight-ticket edge since 1998.

Elected officials, deputies take oath

Newly elected District Attorney Heather Hollub, left, is not officially on the job. Hollub took over the office Thursday after receiving the oath of office from Guadalupe County Judge Mike Wiggins. Hollub will serve as the district attorney for the 25th Judicial District, which includes Guadalupe, Gonzales, and Lavaca counties. Click here to see more photos from the swearing-in ceremonies.

Sheriff Arnold Zwicke, left, Thursday officially began his third term in office. He was given the oath of office by Guadalupe County Judge Mike Wiggins.

(Seguin) -- Several local elected officials are back on the job today after being sworn in during a special ceremony Thursday at the Guadalupe County Courthouse. Most of officials are simply returning to their previously held positions, but there was one new face in the crowd this year.

Heather Hollub officially took over the 25th Judicial District Attorney's office on Thursday after being sworn in by Guadalupe County Judge Mike Wiggins. Hollub defeated incumbent Vicki Pattillo in the spring to earn the Republican nomination, and she ran unopposed during the general election in the fall. Hollub says she's ready to get started, and she knows there's lots of work that lies ahead.

"It's very exciting and challenging. It's been a long time waiting when you win in the primary and you have to sit and wait. But it's been very exciting. There's a lot to get done. I look forward to having a good working relationship with law enforcement and trying to get some cases moved and get some cases tried. We've got some very serious cases set throughout the district in the next couple of months, and I look forward to that challenge. I think I've got a really good team together to help implement a lot of our goals and to meet the needs of the district," said Hollub.

Hollub took the oath as did three members of her staff. She says she wanted the other prosecutors there to help show off the team that has been assembled to serve the people in the district.

"I think it was important to bring them here today to show them they are a part of a bigger universe but part of the whole community. Through my campaign, we really really stressed teamwork and this is going to be a team effort. We wanted to be a part of a team. So I brought them here today in order to see everyone and be sworn in. They are very important assets. Larry Bloomquist is formerly with the county attorney here and was formerly a special prosecutor here. He was an assistant in Hays County felony prosecutor. I'm very anxious about working with them. I think it's going to be a great team and we're going to get a lot of things done," said Hollub.

Carrie Moy and Thomas Mitchell are also members of the DA's team that took the oath on Thursday. Hollub says Moy comes from Atascosa County, and has been in this district for the last three years and Mitchell has been working as a prosecutor in this district for the last six months.

Wiggins handled all of the swearings in on Thursday, including the oath taken by Guadalupe County Sheriff Arnold Zwicke who packed the courtroom with his deputies during the ceremony. He says the great staff at the sheriff's office helped him to be successful during his first two terms.

"It's certainly a great honor to be here today and knowing that the public and employees as well helped to re-elect me for my third term here in office as Guadalupe County sheriff," said Zwicke.

Being sheriff in a fast growing county presents a number of challenges. Zwicke says things have changed a great deal since he took over as sheriff in 2001.

"Guadalupe County is growing. Deputy-wise we have just about doubled. We're one shy of doubling the office since I took office. Looking at that, it's a lot of deputies, but when you spread it out to the county through patrol, investigations, through the courthouse, transports, civil process, you name it, it takes quite a bit of people to operate the sheriff's office today. I owe a lot of that success to my family and my employees who helped me get here for a third term," said Zwicke.

All of the deputies and investigators from the sheriff's office were also re-sworn in on Thursday. Nearly 80 men and women in the sheriff's office brown uniforms gathered around the judge's bench in the grand courtroom upstairs at the courthouse.

In all, nine elected officials were given the oath of office on Thursday. That list includes also County Tax Assessor-Collector Tavie Murphy, Commissioner Roger Baenziger, Commissioner Jim Wolverton, Constable Bobby Jahns, Constable Steve Garcia, Constable Travis Payne and Constable Gene Mays. All of the deputy constables in the county were also sworn in during the ceremony.

New Year’s Eve fire destroys RV in Geronimo

(Geronimo) -- Flames ripped through and destroyed an RV in the Geronimo area last week. The Geronimo Volunteer Fire Department was called to the Geronimo RV Park on state highway 123 shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Chief Keith Lohse says that when crews arrived the RV had already suffered severe damages.

"When we showed up, it was a fully engulfed RV camper. The wind was coming from the north pretty heavily, but luckily the exposures were in the right direction from it so it didn't hurt anything else. It was a total loss when we got on scene," said Lohse.

Lohse says that the department was initially concerned about the presence of propane tanks near the RV and the gas tank on the RV itself.

"Our first approach when we made scene was we actually took care of the propane bottles that were hooked up and we got them out of the way," said Lohse.

The owner of the RV was on the scene trying to extinguish the blaze with two fires when fire crews arrived. He said that he was in another RV when he saw the fire and quickly called 9-1-1. No one was believed to be in the RV at the time of the fire.

Mid-Texas Symphony debs making their grand debut

Molly Cordes is a student at Seguin High School. She is the daughter of Loren and Cathy Cordes and has one brother, Luke Cordes. She is the granddaughter of Elaine Cordes and the late Pastor Robert Cordes and the late Mr. and Mrs. Carl Frankenberry.

Hannah Perry is a student at Seguin High School. She is the daughter of Jimmy and Lisa Perry, and her siblings are Sarah and Noah Perry. She is the granddaughter of Dan C. McCallum, Gail Gant, Elaine Perry and Boy Perry and Lisa McCallum, deceased.

Katie Colleen Mendicino is a student at Seguin High School. She is the daughter of Terry Mendicino and the late Vincent Mendicino. Her siblings are Justen and Dane Maron. She is the granddaughter of Phil and JoAnn Willen and the late Sarah Mendicino.

LeAnne Heckmann is a student at Navarro High School. She is the daughter of Roxanne Heckmann and Mike Heckmann. She is the granddaughter of Ruby Linsey and the late James R. Linsey and Patsy and Raymond Heckmann.

Amanda “Mandie” Mariah Medina is a student at Seguin High School. She is the daughter of Nicolas Medina, Laura Guerrero, stepfather Louis Guerrero and stepmother Michelle Medina. Her siblings are Zachary Guerrero stepbrother Dylan and stepsister Devon Gonzales. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marcelino Medina and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Rodriguez.

Megan Elizabeth Blair is a student at Seguin High School. She is the daughter of James and Jessie Blair and has one brother, Christopher Blair. She is the granddaughter of Virgil and Theresa Blair and Aurora and Cesario Bernadino.

Shelby Lynn Kauitzsch is a student at Seguin High School. She is the daughter of Kimberly Kauitzsch and the late David Kauitzsch and has one brother, Derick Kauitzsch. She is the granddaughter of Lorain and Peggy Kauitzsch, Marilyn Rosenblad and the late Larry Rosenblad.

Stephanie Marie Bohmler is a student at Navarro High School. She is the daughter of Stephen and Susan Bohmler and has two brothers, Kenny and Kary Gipson. She is the granddaughter of Mike and Joan Bright, Betty Bohmler and Stephen Bohmler.

2008 improvements add up; progress being made revitalizing downtown

The bandstand located in Central Park is one of several important projects completed in 2008.

By Mary Jo Filip, Seguin Main Street Program Director

(Seguin) -- It’s always helpful to take a look back and acknowledge the accomplishments of the previous 12 months. 2008 was a very positive year for downtown Seguin in many, many ways.

MOSHEIM MANSION. In January 2008, Carol Hirschi purchased the Mosheim Mansion. During the next six months, Carol renovated and decorated the 7,000 SF mansion for a Bed & Breakfast. Parties, special events, and live community theatre is now held at the house, along with serving guests for the B & B. The Mosheim Mansion Bed & Breakfast is a wonderful addition in downtown Seguin.

MEMORIAL PARK BENCHES. Fifteen people purchased memorial park benches for installation in Central Park. All the benches are placed to offer a view of the fountain. The six-foot-long steel benches include a 4” x 6” memorial inscribed plaque. The benches replace nine smaller old wooden slat benches that required frequent maintenance and were not particularly attractive.

BANDSTAND. Construction on the Bandstand in Central Park was begun on July 5 and completed five months later. Modeled on an historic bandstand in the park in the early 1900s, the new bandstand includes modern lighting, is wired for the installation of a sound system, and is handicap accessible. Funds from voter-approved bonds paid for the project.

GUADALUPE COUNTY. The County moved forward with plans to create a new Justice Center in downtown Seguin. Contractors gutted and removed debris from the old Economy Furniture Store in the 200 block of West Court Street. Plans are to convert this old building to a Justice Center and to build a parking structure adjacent to it.

TEXAS THEATRE. The task force with the Seguin Conservation Society broke ground for the renovation of the Texas Theatre. The new venue will provide a state-of-the-art performance center for Seguin.

SEGUIN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The former Savings & Loan Building at Camp and Gonzales is the new home of the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce and the Convention & Visitors Bureau in downtown Seguin.

MURAL. Seguin’s first historic mural kicked off in September with Brent McCarthy painting historic scenes on the side of the building located at the corner of Donegan and Austin Streets. The mural is called The Old Stagecoach Road and depicts an old ranger station, original Magnolia Hotel, an early Guadalupe County Courthouse, and people from historic photos.

NEW PAINT. A snazzy paint job transformed the former Vivroux Sporting Goods Store into the new downtown Affordable Floors store. Thunder Paws and Chiro Java also saw some cosmetic improvements, all of which significantly spiffed up the area immediately around the Courthouse.

LOCAL HISTORIC LANDMARK. A medallion was designed and the first local Seguin Historic Landmark was awarded to Robert and Christina Kibel, owners of the Weinert House located at 1207 N. Austin Street.

BUILDING SOLD. The former Dale Dyess Realty Offices were sold to Advanced Home Health Care. The new owners have renovated the inside and plan to make improvements to the exterior, too. The former Guadalupe Grille building sold in December. The new owner plans to open a sports bar and grille in 2009.

Seguin student receives Leadership Award

Seven students honored recently during Texas Lutheran University’s Excellence in Leadership Dinner are, left to right, Omar Aguilar, Houston; Whitney Lanford, Seguin; Caleb Hoffmann, New Braunfels; Robinson Swope, Memorial; Aida Sopa, Kosovo; Jalisa Walker, Austin; and Andrea Fernandez, Hondo. Funds from the annual dinner provide scholarships for the students who are active leaders on campus, in their churches, and in their communities.

(Seguin) – Whitney Lanford of Seguin is one of seven recipients of the Texas Lutheran University Presidential Award for Leadership and Service.

A graduate of Lifegate Christian School, Lanford is a senior at TLU majoring in business marketing. Whitney is involved in the American Marketing Association, Leadership Capstone and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She is the social chair of Xi Tau Sorority, a volunteer mentor for the Communities in Schools Program of Texas, and was a member of the 2008 American Southwest Conference West Division Championship volleyball team.

At the annual Texas Lutheran University Excellence in Leadership Dinner, Lanford received the Gen. Robert T. Herres Scholarship, named after the honoree of the first Excellence in Leadership Dinner, which provides funds for the scholarship.

Recipients of the scholarship are recognized for their participation on campus, in their churches and communities, as well as in the TLU Leadership Development Program.

TLU is an exclusively undergraduate university of the liberal arts, sciences and professional studies.

Economic uncertainty rocks 2008; Last year was all about change -- some good, some bad, some still unknown

(Undated) -- The year 2008 will be remembered for the economic instability that could be found all over the world. From Wall Street to Beijing, England to Iceland, economies faltered. Domestically, the collapsing housing market triggered a financial emergency, which was compounded in the first half of the year by rising oil prices that hit nearly 150-dollars per barrel. Banks and brokerage houses tumbled while foreclosure rates reached new highs, but the ripple effects from the flailing economy were felt at one house in particular, the White House.
In a presidential campaign many thought would center on global security concerns, the faltering economy may have been the central issue that led to Barack Obama's presidential victory. While domestic issues were the focus of a long and expensive presidential campaign, there were overseas incidents that once again reminded the world of the threat of global terrorism. Bombings rocked India not once, but four times with the most brutal attacks coming late in the year when Pakistani-based militants targeted Mumbai. In Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai narrowly survived an assassination attempt, but it was the political life of former Pakistan leader Pervez Musharraff that ended when he resigned in an attempt to avoid impeachment and prosecution.

Political drama was also the backdrop for this year's Olympic Games in Beijing. While the government of the world's most populous country was intent on hosting a perfect summer of events, the movement of Russian troops into South Ossetia triggered an armed standoff with Georgia just as the games were about to begin in early August. The world cheered Michael Phelps as he broke nearly every record in the pool, but the Beijing games took on a more somber tone because of a devastating earthquake that rocked central China in May, killing some 70-thousand people. The May earthquake wasn't the only natural disaster that month. A cyclone that hit Myanmar killed an estimated 130-thousand people and the military junta in charge was reluctant to let the outside world provide significant relief. In the Atlantic, the hurricane season was another active one with Hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike inflicting most of the damage. Ike tore across Galveston in Texas nearly wiping the island clean while Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic were all hit with multiple storms this year. California dealt with another bad wildfire season, but one of the most remarkable weather events of the year came on "Super Tuesday" when some 87 tornados touched down in an area that stretched from Arkansas and Alabama to Tennessee and the Ohio Valley.

While scores of homes were wiped out in the devastation of those storms, many investors felt the same way about their 401-Ks. Just one year after reaching an all-time high, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by nearly half and suddenly triple-digit moves seemed to be the rule and not the exception. Even the dollar figures tossed out by Congressional leaders sounded surreal when a 700-billion-dollar rescue plan for banks was approved just months after billions were spent sending checks to Americans as part of another economic stimulus plan. Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns folded and the nation's Big Three automakers soon found themselves on Capitol Hill with hat in hand asking for their own financial rescue plan. Meanwhile, Russia stepped in to save Iceland's economy from melting and even England found itself shoring up one of its largest lenders. Most economists say more rescue packages will be needed in the New Year.

Greed may have been the downfall of investment bankers on Wall Street, but late in the year, federal prosecutors said greed was also at the center of corruption inside the Illinois governor's mansion. Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested after the feds said they had recorded phone conversations of the governor trying to sell the appointment of Barack Obama's replacement in the U.S. Senate. Blagojevich and his chief of staff were charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery. It was a different kind of problem for New York Governor Elliot Spitzer, who had to resign in disgrace after published reports that he was a regular patron of a high-end prostitution service. He resigned in March, handing control over to his Lieutenant Governor David Patterson.

Not all of 2008 was filled with scandal, tragedy or economic upheaval. Scientists in Europe turned on the Large Hadron Collider, a particle accelerator which may help unlock the fundamental mysteries of the universe. China launched its first spacewalking astronauts while a global partnership celebrated the tenth anniversary of the International Space Station. Scientists even confirmed the presence of water ice on Mars. Casualties in Iraq dropped off considerably this past year as the U.S. military surge appears to be bringing more stability to the country.

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates walked away from the company he founded to focus on philanthropy. In entertainment, superheroes were tops at the box office with Batman and Iron Man leading the charge. Teens turned to Disney sensations Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers to get their musical fix while Madonna launched a new world tour in the same year she turned 50. In sports, the Giants won the Super Bowl while the Tampa Bay Rays stunned sports fans by even making it to the World Series where they fell to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Boston Celtics were back on top of the NBA for the first time in 20 years and Jimmy Johnson raced for his third-consecutive NASCAR championship.

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