BAY CITY – David McCormick dreamed of the day when terrorism would no longer be a threat.On Friday, family, friends and strangers gathered to say goodbye to the war hero who was killed near Baghdad, Iraq, on April 28 during a rocket attack on the forward operating base where he was stationed. He was the first soldier from Matagorda County to be killed in the Iraq war. more >>
DALLAS – Jenny, recognized as the world’s oldest living gorilla in captivity, celebrated her 55th birthday Thursday with a four-layer frozen fruit cake and banana leaf wrapped treats at her wooded home in the Dallas Zoo. Her caretakers say she’s having a few joint issues and her eyesight isn’t what it used to be but she still looks good for an old ape. more >>
A $15 million infusion to Victoria’s DuPont polymers plant will bring about 10 new employees and production improvements dur ing the next three years, officials announced Tuesday. The growth is part of a $150 million company-wide plan to expand and upgrade specific plants in Asia, Europe and the United States, according to a DuPont news release. more >>
CUERO – DeWitt County Sheriff’s Department deputies detained 16 suspected illegal immigrants Monday morning, the third incident in the past nine days that has resulted in more than 30 people detained. “What’s going on is that there is so much enforcement along U.S. Highway 59 and U.S. Highway 77 that it’s natural for them to come up alternate routes and end up on (state) Highway 72 through Karnes County and eventually into DeWitt County,” said Sheriff Jode Zavesky. “It happened last year, too. We ended up with quite a few.” more >>
The first soldier from Bay City and Matagorda County to be killed in combat in Iraq returned home on Sunday. Army Specialist David McCormick arrived by charter jet in a flag-draped casket at the Bay City Municipal Airport at 9:39 a.m. on Sunday. About 250 to 300 people were at the airport to show their respects to the soldier killed near Baghdad on April 28. more >>
Terry Blevins savored the hugs. On Thursday, Blevins stood for the last time before the troop she helped organize almost 20 years ago. She led the members in the Girl Scout promise and the pledge of allegiance to the U.S. flag. more >>
Christmas Mountains tiff AUSTIN (AP) – Arguments over what to do with a rugged tract of 9,200 acres in West Texas went before state lawmakers Monday, with conservationists still pushing for the area to be added to Big Bend National Park. more >>
Calhoun County 9 a.m. jury duty canceled PORT LAVACA – Jury duty set for 9 a.m. today in County Court-at-law Judge Alex Hernandez’s court has been canceled. Calhoun County residents called for the service need not appear, according to a news release from County Clerk Anita Fricke. more >>
DA urges sanctions for prosecutors DALLAS – Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins, whose office leads the nation in wrongful convictions overturned by DNA testing, says prosecutors who intentionally withhold evidence should face criminal charges or other harsh sanctions. more >>
Wet weather is back in Texas’forecast with a chance of some severe thunderstorms in parts of the state today. The National Weather Service said thunderstorms were possible in many regions of the state, with the greatest chance of rain in North Texas. Another round of storms was possible on Tuesday and Wednesday. more >>
