Editor’s note: Part one of a two-part series

Elections and skyrocketing gas prices made headlines in the first six months of Bee County in 2008.

January

January kicked off when former Bee County Judge Jimmy Martinez announced he would seek public office again. Martinez said he wanted to run for commissioner of Precinct 3, a position he once held before he was elected county judge. Martinez would face incumbent Precinct 3 Commissioner Eloy Rodriguez in the March Democratic primary election.

Beeville City Councilman Gerald Arismendez also announced he would seek election to the post of sheriff. He would face incumbent Sheriff Carlos Carrizales Jr. in the Democratic primary election.

The Bee County Courthouse was recognized by the Texas Historical Commission for its significant role in Texas history.

Sikorsky Support Services Inc. announced it would hire another 80 workers for its Chase Field facility.

The 127-year-old Gill home on South Washington Street was destroyed by fire.

The Texas Department of Transportation announced plans to cut down the historic oak tree at the intersection of FM 799 and FM 673. Local residents and county leaders joined forces to save the landmark tree.

The Skidmore-Tynan Lady Trojans varsity basketball team won the district title with a win over Bloomington.

February

Hundreds of local youngsters entered animals, food or arts and crafts projects in the Bee County Junior Livestock and Homemakers Show.

The Beeville Lady Trojans varsity basketball team edged the Rockport Lady Pirates to clinch a playoff berth.

TxDOT officials announced they were no longer planning to cut down the historic oak tree on Mineral Highway, citing pressure from Bee County citizens to save the tree.

The Skidmore-Tynan Lady Cats basketball team defeated the George West Lady Longhorns to finish the season with a perfect record.

County leaders celebrated the 150th anniversary of the first commissioners court meeting in Bee County by holding court outside the courthouse and wearing period costumes.

The Skidmore-Tynan Bobcats varsity basketball team edged the Taft Greyhounds to capture a third-place seat in the playoffs.

Former County Judge Jay Kimbrough is the guest speaker at the Bee County Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards and installation banquet.

The Skidmore-Tynan Lady Cats basketball team beat the Yorktown Kitty Kats to advance to the region quarterfinals.

TxDOT says the I-69 Superhighway, which someday will extend from Canada to Mexico, may likely bypass Bee County.

The Poth Pirates end the Lady Cats varsity basketball team’s season in the playoffs.

March

The Beeville City Council adopted a revitalization plan to help a developer qualify for affordable housing grant. District Attorney Martha Warner said low-income housing projects attracts “undesirables” and asked city and county leaders to reconsider their support of such development projects.

Bee County Democrats nominate Eloy Rodriguez over former County Judge Jimmy Martinez in the race for Precinct 3 county commissioner’s post. Carrizales wins the Democratic nomination for sheriff over Beeville City Councilman Gerald Arismendez.

Beeville ISD trustees agree to ask voters to support a $12 million bond issue to improve campuses. Voters will have to pass the measure in a special election set for May.

City Councilman Gerald Arismendez, Beeville businessman Gilbert Herrera and businessman David Carabajal seek election to the Ward 4 post. Herrera drops out one week later, leaving Arismendez and Carabajal to battle it out in the May 10 election.

Beeville businessman Bobby Schauer and Dr. J.R. Castillo announce they will seek election to the one seat open on the Beeville ISD board of trustees.

A.C. Jones High School powerlifter Mari Garza captured the state championship and helped the Lady Trojans to a third-place finish overall at the state meet.

April

The Beeville City Council agrees to spend $60,000 on parks improvements. The project, spearheaded by the newly reconstituted parks and recreation commission, calls for building a walking trail and playscape at Poesta Creek Park.

A Beeville middle school student, Leslie Arrendondo, was killed when the SUV her mother was driving lost control and flipped over on FM Road 888.

Coastal Bend College announces plans to offer an RN degree program in the fall.

Romeo Flores, who lived in Orangedale community just west of Beeville, is convicted of killing his wife in July 2007. He is sentenced to life the following day.

Coastal Bend College officials accuse the school’s business manager of embezzlement. CBC trustees fire Aubrey Smart the following week.

A. C. Jones High School criminal justice students earned top honors in state competition.

May

Beeville businessman Bobby Schauer defeats Dr. J.R. Castillo in the race for the at-large seat on the BISD board of trustees. Businessman David Carabajal beat incumbent Councilman Gerald Arismendez in the race for Ward 4 on the Beeville City Council. Incumbent Councilman John Fulghum defeated businessman Jessy T. Garza in the race for Ward 3. BISD voters approve the $12 million bond issue that will pay for districtwide campus improvements.

A.C. Jones High School star athlete Eric Soza was named the Joe Barnhart Scholarship recipient. The award comes with a $30,000 college scholarship.

Bee County residents and businesses struggle with the skyrocketing price of gasoline.

BISD trustees refuse to allow 17 seniors to take part in graduation exercises because they failed part or all of the state-mandated exit exam.

June

Public outcry forces the City Council to reinstate Jessy T. Garza to the Beeville Economic Improvement Corp. board of directors.

The City Council votes to rescind an earlier resolution in support of an affordable housing project.

HALO-Flight announces it will station a rescue helicopter in Beeville to help reduce the response time to traffic accidents and other emergencies.

Bee County leaders say they believe the county budget could be balanced by the end of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. County commissioners had to dip into the reserve fund to the tune of some $145,000 to help make ends meet during the 2007-08 fiscal year.

TxDOT announces the I-69 superhighway may pass through Bee County.

The 2008 news review will conclude in the weekend edition.