News

Lavaca County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Egon Barthels, spent much of his initial response to Friday's derailment, manning the phones, first to establish a workable detour that didn't add too many unnecessary miles to anyone's travels, and later, to gather up the necessary forces needed for a clean-up of this magnitude.

Lavaca County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Egon Barthels, spent much of his initial response to Friday's derailment, manning the phones, first to establish a workable detour that didn't add too many unnecessary miles to anyone's travels, and later, to gather up the necessary forces needed for a clean-up of this magnitude.

Shiner's Avenue G railroad crossing is now open

Bobby Horecka
Saturday, June 4, 2022
Union Pacific crews were still busy working as of 3 a.m. Saturday, Lavaca County Emergency Management Coordinator Egon Barthels reported from the scene of Friday's train derailment in downtown Shiner, but they have managed to clear one of the railroad crossings for those who are trying to drive...
Photo by Bobby Horecka.

Photo by Bobby Horecka.

Train derails in Shiner

Bobby Horecka
Friday, June 3, 2022
As many as a dozen rail cars overturned in Shiner just before 7 p.m. Friday, shutting down all traffic on U.S 90A and spilling several tons of coal in the downtown area.
The Lavaca County Courthouse is featured on the cover of the June 2022 issue of Texas County Progress magazine.

The Lavaca County Courthouse is featured on the cover of the June 2022 issue of Texas County Progress magazine.

Lavaca County featured in Texas County Progress magazine

Bobby Horecka
Friday, June 3, 2022
Those of us who live here already know this, but Lavaca County takes front and center this month as county officials from across Texas make plans to attend one of the many conferences and training session that typically offered this time of year.
​​​​​​​Elmer Michna with Moulton’s SPJST Lodge No. 184 recently passed along a financial contribution to Chief Tim Koncaba with the Moulton Volunteer Fire Department.

​​​​​​​Elmer Michna with Moulton’s SPJST Lodge No. 184 recently passed along a financial contribution to Chief Tim Koncaba with the Moulton Volunteer Fire Department.

Helping our first responders with the Moulton VFD

News Staff
Friday, June 3, 2022
Elmer Michna with Moulton’s SPJST Lodge No. 184 recently passed along a financial contribution to Chief Tim Koncaba with the Moulton Volunteer Fire Department to assist with the departmental month-to-month operational expenses. “We sure thank them for their continued support,” said Chief Koncaba.  
The youngest well in Moulton's lineup at the water works is a quarter century old. Its eldest is three times that.

The youngest well in Moulton's lineup at the water works is a quarter century old. Its eldest is three times that.

Water well back online—sort of…

Bobby Horecka
Friday, June 3, 2022
“It appears that the gamble paid off,” Moulton Alderman Craig Hughes said recently, just minutes before the special-called city council meeting was called to order on Tuesday, May 17.
Members of Post No. 392 line up for a 21-gun salute and performance of TAPS beneath a half mast Memorial Day flag, lowered out of respect to the many lives lost last week in Uvalde.

Members of Post No. 392 line up for a 21-gun salute and performance of TAPS beneath a half mast Memorial Day flag, lowered out of respect to the many lives lost last week in Uvalde.

In Memory of the Fallen...

Bobby Horecka
Friday, June 3, 2022
Some 50 area residents gathered Monday, May 30, at the Moulton City Cemetery Pavilion for the American Legion’s annual Memorial Day observances, a day meant to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and are no longer with us, or a retired Lt. Col. Paul Fikac , the day’s guest speaker pointed...
Gonzalo Lopez's days of outrunning the law were ended late Thursday by local lawmen, after he killed a family of five, apparently, for their truck for their truck.

Gonzalo Lopez's days of outrunning the law were ended late Thursday by local lawmen, after he killed a family of five, apparently, for their truck for their truck.

Fugitive murderer ended by law enforcement late Thursday

News Staff
Friday, June 3, 2022
The Associated Press was reporting early Friday that the convicted murderer on the lam since he stabbed a prison bus driver last month and escaped during a medical transfer was shot dead by law enforcement late Thursday after he killed a family of five and stole their truck from a rural weekend...
Women's Hog Hunt Participants Judy Rhodes, Paula Shipman, Patti Carrel and Connie Hensley pose for a picture at a local diner following their annual hunt held May 20-22, just two days before the Uvalde Massacre occurred on Tuesday, May 24. NRA and, by association, its related state chapters fell under even harsher than usual criticisms in the wake of last week's school shooting, mostly because these citizens didn't cotton to those who attack their constitutional right to bear arms.

Women's Hog Hunt Participants Judy Rhodes, Paula Shipman, Patti Carrel and Connie Hensley pose for a picture at a local diner following their annual hunt held May 20-22, just two days before the Uvalde Massacre occurred on Tuesday, May 24. NRA and, by association, its related state chapters fell under even harsher than usual criticisms in the wake of last week's school shooting, mostly because these citizens didn't cotton to those who attack their constitutional right to bear arms.

Interesting link from the Houston Chronicle last week:

News Staff
Friday, June 3, 2022
Here’s how writers Houston Chronicle reporters Gabrielle Banks and Alexandra Kanik began their Thursday, May 26, story: The frequency of mass shootings in the United States has led to a grim routine: officials have scripts they rely on to express empathy and grief.
At a chaotic and confusing press conference on Thursday, May 26, 2022, Victor Escalon, an official with the Texas Department of Public Safety, offered additional details Thursday about the law enforcement response to a mass shooting at a Uvalde elementary school. Photo by Sergio Flores/The Texas Tribune

At a chaotic and confusing press conference on Thursday, May 26, 2022, Victor Escalon, an official with the Texas Department of Public Safety, offered additional details Thursday about the law enforcement response to a mass shooting at a Uvalde elementary school. Photo by Sergio Flores/The Texas Tribune

Authorities took an hour to stop Uvalde gunman, raising questions about law enforcement response

News Staff
Friday, June 3, 2022
BY JOSHUA FECHTER AND REESE OXNER, The Texas Tribune, May 26, 2022  A gunman who killed 19 children and two teachers at a South Texas elementary school walked unopposed onto school grounds, state law enforcement officials said Thursday — and once he was inside, it took police an hour to stop him.
Subscribe to