How to be your own Watchdog
We here at the newspaper file an ungodly number of open records requests each year. Don't forget that you can, too. Whether you want to learn the salary of a public official or the campaign finance spending of local candidates, ...

Do sex offenders live in your neighborhood?
There's a reason sex offenders must register with the state every time they move. In my opinion, you deserve to know if a sex offender lives in your neighborhood. Click here to search the state database of sex offenders by ...

Want to be a member of Watchdog?
I don’t know if this is going to work, but it’d sure be cool if it did. At the beginning of each new year, we here at the newspaper spell out our goals for the next 12 months. In January, ...

Update: Photos from Gonzales shooting scene - live Twitter reports
       Four Advocate journalists are en route to scene of shooting in front of Gonzales city hall. At least two people reportedly have been shot. Public Service Editor Gabe Semenza will post live updates ...

VIDEO: Port Lavaca to show 'Drug Wars'
 Calhoun County community leaders want residents to know the Mexican drug violence claims victims in Texas. So, they called Rusty Fleming, director and producer of “Drug Wars: Silver or Lead.” The film chronicles the violent cartels that now draw ...

Watchdog: Does your neighbor have an arrest warrant?
More than 4,650 arrest warrants are outstanding locally - down from 4,747 in January - and the amount owed by offenders is more than $1.9 million, according to an Advocate tabulation of Victoria Municipal Court records Who is on the ...

Watchdog: Wanna help me read the economic stimulus plan?
While the idea of reading 1,588 pages (which is growing) might not sound like a leisurely way to spend these warm afternoons, we have 850 billion reasons to trudge through the controversial document. I found a spot online where you ...

Current Victoria municipal arrest warrants list
If you read my Watchdog column today, you know to look here for current arrest warrants issued in Victoria. Following is a list of all folks who have a municipal warrant out for their arrest, as well as the amount ...

Pothole Patrol: Where are Victoria's worst potholes?
Do you have to swerve every day to miss a giant pothole in the street? Ever damaged a tire in those deep, jagged nuisances? I'm beginning a new project, as part of my Watchdog column and blog, called Pothole Patrol. ...

Watchdog: Do your neighbors have a warrant out for their arrest?
Following is a list of all folks who have a municipal warrant out for their arrest, as well as the amount owed, according to records provided by Victoria Municipal Court. Would you believe 4,747 warrants made the list? The amount ...