Do you think the judge will accept Ratcliff's plea?

By GabeSemenza in Crowdsourcing

Michael Lewis Ratcliff admitted under oath that he lied to a grand jury in October. As part of a plea deal offered to him by special prosecutor Terry McDonald, Ratcliff said he lied to grand jurors about having sex with ...

The mysterious story of Bill Payer

By GabeSemenza in Crowdsourcing

I talked to a Victoria woman this afternoon who said she recently witnessed a random act of kindness. She and 10 of her friends and family members were beneficiaries of this random act. After an expensive dinner at a local ...

Did you see the oil field explosion?

By GabeSemenza in Crowdsourcing

Three oil field workers were injured this morning when sparks from a torch ignited flammable residue. The three men, who suffered burns, were flown to out-of-town hospitals. They suffered the burns while dismantling pipelines. The men worked at the oil field ...

Is it your right to own a handgun?

By GabeSemenza in Crowdsourcing

The Supreme Court ruled today that the Constitution protects an individual's right to bear arms, the Associated Press reported. The court shot down the District of Columbia's handgun ban as an infringement on Constitutional rights. "The court's historic ruling reinterprets ...

UPDATED: Tyler petitioners: The public wants to know who you are

By GabeSemenza in Crowdsourcing

So far today, I've talked to Ernie Cash and Don Mader, two of six residents who signed a petition filed on Thursday to try to oust DA Steve Tyler. I talked to petitioner Scott Hanson by phone Thursday night. But I ...

Should the Ratcliff evidence be made public?

By GabeSemenza in Crowdsourcing

If Michael Lewis Ratcliff accepts a plea agreement next week, as those close to the case suggest is likely, what  happens to the evidence the public would learn had the case gone to trial? That's a tricky question. I talked ...

Unwed parents cause online uproar

By GabeSemenza in Crowdsourcing

Today's story about Porter Gavin Grimes -- a baby boy born at 11:55 p.m. Saturday, five minutes before Father's Day -- caused quit a stir. Little Porter's parents, Michael Acuna and Allison Grimes, are not married. Online commenters are upset the newspaper featured ...

Foundation problems: A lack of rain wreaking havoc on your home?

By GabeSemenza in Crowdsourcing

Certain Victoria County soils are more apt to prompt foundation problems in local homes. Areas with clay are often worse than areas with sandy soils underfoot. Without ample rain this year, the local soils are dry. For many, this is causing ...

Are you afraid of tomorrow , Friday the 13th?

By GabeSemenza in Crowdsourcing

The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskavedekatriaphobia. It's a fear greater than a shyness of black cats and walking under ladders, no doubt. Do you have a fear of Friday the 13th? I did a story about this time ...

Are you an adventure traveler?

By GabeSemenza in Crowdsourcing

Despite skyrocketing gas prices, adventure travel is the fastest growing segment of the travel and tourism industries, Advocate reporter Aprill Brandon found. "It seems families and individuals are foregoing Disney World and instead heading out to the African wilderness for ...