News

The Sealy City Council made a proclamation at their Dec. 19 regular meeting acknowledging contributions made by participants towards the Fantasy of Lights festival held Dec.

Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part series on a look back at the bigger stories of 2023 as reported by The Sealy News. The first half of 2023 started with a bit of national controversy with an incident at Lindemann’s grocery story brought attention to Austin County. But with most small towns, football remains a top priority and when Sealy’s Shane Mobley announced he was leaving the district, the town turned its attention to the hiring process which brought Clint Finley to lead the Tiger football program.

Disclaimer: Arrests and court records are public information, and the press has the right to publish them under the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It is important to note that an arrest should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

AUSTIN COUNTY INDICTMENT REPORT DEC. 13 The Austin County Grand Jury returned indictments against five people in the Dec. 13 session. Those indicted include: Quintin Darnell Gonzales for evading arrest detention with a vehicle Catherine Diane Jones for possession of a class 1 controlled substance Marissa Nicole Moreno for credit card or debit card abuse Luis Torres for possession of a class 1/1B controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon Rodney Deon Witherspoon for forgery of a financial instrument; theft of property over $2,500 but less than $30,000

Disclaimer: Arrests and court records are public information, and the press has the right to publish them under the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It is important to note that an arrest should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Texas Department of Public Safety commissioned 79 new Texas Highway Patrol Troopers from recruit class C-2023 during a graduation ceremony on Friday, Dec. 8, which was held at Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick gave the keynote address.

Registration is now open for the Gideon Lincecum Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists’ 2024 training class for new Master Naturalists. The mission of the Texas Master Naturalist Program is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the state of Texas.

A $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority will help the Shelby Volunteer Fire Department build a helipad near Shelby American Legion Post 602. The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with more than $49,000 in matching funds from the department, will allow the VFD to construct a 60-by-60-foot concrete landing zone that will be available for helicopter landings 24/7.