What are you thankful for this year?

By GabeSemenza in Crowdsourcing

It's that time of year already. Thanksgiving. It's this holiday that sparks us all to remember all the reasons we're thankful. With a crumbling economy, war in Iraq, dangerous southern border, health care problems, and a national housing crisis, this ...

Mexican cartels: What interests you about Laredo, Nuevo Laredo?

By GabeSemenza in Crowdsourcing

Three Advocate staffers spent three days in Laredo and Nuevo Laredo last week, canvassing both cities to better understand this trade corridor following the fallout of a bloody drug war there. From 2005 to 2007, the Gulf and Sinaloa drug ...

Should American soldiers be deployed to U.S.-Mexico border?

By GabeSemenza in Crowdsourcing

Violence in Mexico has reached unprecedented levels, and the dangers are spilling into the United States. So, how do you stop it? Some say the U.S. monetary aid bound for Mexico is a start. Equip the Mexican military and let ...

How soon is too soon to celebrate Christmas, decorate?

By GabeSemenza in Crowdsourcing

Christmas decorations are already on sale in Victoria stores -- and ornaments and lights are beginning to crop up outside and inside local homes. But as you know, I could have written that comment before Halloween. How soon is too ...

Should newspapers publish public salaries online?

By GabeSemenza in Crowdsourcing

Ever wonder how much Joe Blow, who works on the county's road crew, makes in yearly salary? How about that hot-shot professor at the college? You missed a heckuva debate today at the Victoria Advocate. For 90 minutes, we debated ...

Do you know the late Chelsea Margaret Currie?

By GabeSemenza in Crowdsourcing

The bones of Chelsea Margaret Currie, a 25-year-old Victoria woman, were found recently in the woods near Rupley Lake Road. Dental records confirmed Currie's identity, the Advocate's Leslie Wilber reported. Currie was last seen in July, Victoria County T. Michael ...

Calling all stay-at-home moms and dads

By GabeSemenza in Crowdsourcing

Are you, or do you know, a stay-at-home mom or dad? Can you offer us an inside look at what it's like to be a stay-at-home mom or dad -- and describe to us the stigmas attached these days to ...

Help us find local examples of questionable zoning realities

By GabeSemenza in Crowdsourcing

How many Victoria zoning examples do you know of where a business is located next door to a home? An upscale neighborhood adjoining a rundown home or neighborhood? Help us locate as many of these examples as possible. We're looking into ...