There were a number of notable events in 2008 for Live Oak County. As expected some involved crime, yet some events involved honors and others acts of kindness.
Beginning in January 2008, Julie Cobb, NP (nurse practitioner) joined the Three Rivers Health Center.
George West freshman oboist Lauren Cordani earned all-state honors at area auditions and was named as a member of the All-State Band. Cordani is one of the top five oboe players in Texas.
Mary Valdez, the driver of a white 2006 Buick Rendezvous, struck the side of the Handi-Stop #2 at Hwy. 281 and US 72. TR Police Officer Lee Wilkinson’s incident report read, “...damage was done to the outside wall and inside wall of the building. Damage was also done to the front of the vehicle.” Valdez appeared to have an ache in her neck; however she was not seriously injured and refused medical assistance.
While moving containment tarps from the recently painted silos at Badger Mining in George West a cable guide bounced and landed on an electrical pole causing a major power outage in George West. Electrical exposure was evaded by the quick thinking of Ralph Taylor, the operations manager. Taylor said, “This 51-year-old mind knew what the power line had in it ---7200 volts. The angels were guiding us because no one was hurt.”
At mid-January, TRHS Choir Director Cindy Hessong was named Educator of the Year by the Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce during the chamber dinner. Mike Pierson was named Volunteer of the Year.
As always Valero is dedicated to improving children’s lives. In early 2008, Valero management and staff presented checks from the Valero Texas Open Golf Classic. The local portion benefiting six area children’s charities was $158,000.
TR city employee Robbie Conn was hospitalized after he was stuck by a rattlesnake while reading water meters in late January.
Several members of the Bazaldua family of TR were indicted by the LOC Grand Jury on drug charges. Included in the indictment: Pedro Bazaldua, Sr., Pedro Bazaldua, Jr., Maria Vasquez, Jose Guadalupe Bazaldua and Justin Chimene.
Also in January, TR police officers William Jones, Officer Lee Wilkinson and Investigator Eddie Bostwick pursued a motorcyclist that was traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour. The high-speed chase ended near Jim Wells County.
The GW Primary staff accepted the National Title I Distinguished School in February.
Paige Hatley, a TRHS sophomore competed in the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (V.A.S.E.) at King High School in Corpus Christi on Feb. 16.
First State Bank in Three Rivers said goodbye to Allen Zamzow and Darlene Bellows. The pair retired from the bank with 80 years of combined service.
Eight GWHS students: Felicia Guerrero, Rachel Meyer, Travis Liska, Alyssa Roach, Sara Roach, Frank Alvarez, Abi Carachure and Patrick Wilborn attended the 2008 Business Professionals of America State Leadership Conference on March 6-8 in Dallas. Meyer placed third in interview skills, Alyssa Roach placed fourth in fundamental word processing skills and Liska placed fifth in human resource management.
GWHS junior Lacey Gee was crowned Miss Live Oak County 2008; she was also named Miss Congeniality. Autumn Chaka, daughter of Mike and Cheree Chaka, was named Miss Little Live Oak County in the LOC child photo contest.
George West High School senior Andrew Hancock and junior Patrick Wilborn competed in a Regional Powerlifting meet.
An early morning traffic stop yielded bundles of money last March. DPS Trooper
TRHS Principal Kenneth Rohrbach received the HEB Excellence in Education award in March.
The Live Oak County Fair set new sales records. The livestock auction brought in approximately $410,000 as compared to $267,000 in 2007. The grand champion steer shown by Travis Liska of George West brought in $10,400.
In late March, family, friends and citizens of George West said goodbye to longtime Mayor August E. Caron, Jr. Six months prior to his death the George West City Council honored him by dedicating of the City Park Pavilion in his honor.
Yolanda Pena and her partner Manual Galindo were suddenly awakened by the sound of Live Oak County Deputy Nick Chavis banging on their front door and yelling, “Get out, your house is on fire.” Pena later said, “The house was dark and smoky and there was fire behind me. I heard the deputy telling me to come toward his voice and the light.” Pena and her partner followed his instructions and managed to get out of the burning house.
Also in George West, the newly renovated Live Oak Medical Associates clinic held a ‘Meet and Greet’ with Frank Dehnisch, M.D.; Karole Beasley, M.D.; Terrance Meineke, PA-C; and Terri Trevino, PA-C, as well as other medical staff. The 3,500 plus sq. ft. clinic features an on-site Quest Diagnostic lab and eight examination rooms.
The Lady ‘Horns softball team won the area championship in a rematch from the prior year’s regional quarterfinals round. The Lady Horns got revenge on the Navarro Lady Panthers. In other GWISD news, residents voted to pass both bond propositions to provide the needed building and program upgrades in the school district.
During the May GWISD trustees meeting, Ty Sparks was unanimously selected for the position of superintendent. He replaced Dr. Sue Nelson, who had served as the interim superintendent for the 2007-08 school year.
During the May George West City Council meeting, councilmen appointed Sylvia Steele as mayor pro-tem. Steele will fill the duties of the mayor until May 2009.
In early June three vehicles burned at the LOC impound lot. In the early morning hours of June 11, a vehicle caught fire in the impound lot and subsequently burned two other vehicles, confirmed Live Oak County Chief Deputy Glenn Thompson.
Just after school ended in May, Three Rivers first-grader Julious Guzman, son of Jaime and Esperanza (Espe) Guzman, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Area residents gathered and held fundraisers to help with medical expenses.
Steve Lane, a former George West Longhorn coach, was honored posthumously on June 15 by another former GW coach J.D. Centilli, wife Pauline and son Douglas Centilli.
The George West Chamber of Commerce welcomed Dennis Gaines, the Texas State Liar Champion and Storyfest storyteller, during its annual banquet on June 24.
Seven young people and four adult members from Tilden Baptist Church joined over 300 youth and their leaders June 21-28 for a World Changers national construction project in Paradise, TX.
The Live Oak County Memorial Airport hosted the fourth annual Fun Fest and pancake breakfast on July 4.
Daniel Villarreal of Three Rivers was arrested for burglary of a building while out on bond from a May arrest of theft-possession of stolen property, said Three Rivers Police Chief Vance Roberts.
The LOC Grand Jury indicted Steve Anthony Martinez, a.k.a. “Blackie,” of Three Rivers for delivery of marijuana (1/4 oz < 5 lbs). He was arrested at his King David Dr. residence a block away from the Three Rivers Police Station by Chief Vance Roberts and Cpl. J.R. Rodriguez on Aug. 18.
Fire broke out at the Historic Oakville Mercantile last September. The building owned by Glen Curfman, contained Oakville’s original post office boxes from May 11, 1857. More than 20 firefighters labored over 5 hours to contain the flames.
In a joint law enforcement effort with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the District Attorney’s Highway Interdiction Officer, and Live Oak County Sheriff’s Office they were able to confiscate 2,036 pounds of marijuana hidden in two pickups with ‘Schlumberger’ marked on their doors, said Live Oak Sheriff Larry Busby.
Harry J. Schulz, III, son of Harry (Jr.) and Alicemary Schulz, returned to Texas and joined the law firm of Schulz & Schulz, P.C. as a partner, where he will be a general practitioner.
In early October, Valero Refinery had up to 830 contractors for the turnaround. By Oct. 20, only 100 additional contractors remained.
Victor Carbajal, Jr., Robert Lucas Diaz and Randall Wayne Miller, all from Three Rivers, were arrested in connection with eight burglaries in the Three Rivers area. “In a joint effort with the Live Oak County Sheriff’s office we were able to clear eight burglaries. When you have the local police department and sheriff’s office working together, crimes are solved in high numbers,” said Three Rivers Police Chief Vance Roberts.
During the October Three Rivers Lions Club meeting, the group toured the nearly complete jail facility with LOC Sheriff Larry Busby, Pct. 3 County Commissioner Jim Bassett and the architect group of Solka-Nava-Torno.
Thirteen members of the Three Rivers High School Speech and Debate Team traveled to Salado in October for the Salado Speech and Debate Tournament and brought home the sweepstakes trophy.
Lindsey Franklin and Josh Longan of Tilden received the American FFA Degree at the 81st National FFA Convention in Indianapolis on Oct. 25. It is the highest degree awarded by the National FFA Organization and recognizes these young people’s demonstrated leadership abilities and outstanding achievements in agricultural business, production, processing and service programs.
Larry R. Busby was re-elected as Live Oak County Sheriff on Nov. 4, defeating opponent Sid Moore.
Master Sgt. Frank Brown of Three Rivers was awarded a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service in his third combat tour in Iraq with the Air Force 586th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron.
The George West Longhorns and Three Rivers Bulldogs (the two undefeated Live Oak County football teams) took the field for their district game. The Longhorns came away with the victory and the District 31-2A championship in the 28-17 win over the Bulldogs.
The Lady Horns played a region game in San Antonio after beating Banquete.
During the November Lions Club meeting, a Texas Lions Camp representative accepted a $1,500 check from the Three Rivers Lions Club that will help send a child with a physical disability to camp.
At the George West Homecoming, Hannah Iley was named Homecoming Queen. Viviana Lopez was named GW Band Sweetheart and Winston Daniels was named GW Band Beau. During the Thanksgiving break, George West High School junior Whitley James and sophomore Larissa Liska both attended 4-H conventions. James was a Texas delegate to the National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Ga., while Liska attended the 2008 Texas 4-H Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.
A group of ladies from the First Baptist Church in George West made and donated 50 pillows for patients who have recently had surgery as part of their treatment for breast cancer.
The LOC Criminal Justice Center held an open house and dedication on Dec. 12 for the new 96-bed Criminal Justice Center. State Sen. Judith Zaffirini addressed a gathering of nearly 300 citizens and presented a flag to Live Oak County Judge Jim Huff and Sheriff Larry Busby.
And on Christmas Eve, Duane Phillip Ranthum, a Live Oak County jail trusty working in the kitchen, escaped while a jailer was making his rounds. As of this publication, he has not been apprehended.
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