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YorktownNews-View Proudly Serving DeWitt County • Founded 1895 Wednesday, September 21, 2016 • Yorktown, Texas 78164
Volume 136 • Issue 2
By Mari Gohlke Yorktown News-View
LIVES REMEMBERED
PAGE 4
With 24 years of law enforcement experienc, Garry Smith has been appointed interim police chief of Yorktown Police Department. He has been a part-time officer in the department since 2012. News-View Photo by Mari Gohlke
POKEMON FANS SEARCHING LOCAL TOWNS PAGE 3
Even though it’s only been a few days since his appointment, Yorktown Interim Chief of Police Garry Smith is working on getting the Yorktown Police Department “back to normal.” Smith has been working with the Yorktown Police Department since February 2012 as a part-time officer. He was appointed the In-
Even though he has a binder full of awards and commendations -- and even received a Bronze Star medal -- Sergeant First Class Shane Turner is still quietly modest when discussing his military career, which took him to Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). But while the pages and pages of certificates are carefully tucked away in plastic sleeves in a binder, Turner’s US Army uniform, Bronze Star, and helmet are currently on display for
public viewing at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin. “It’s a privilege and an honor,” Turner said. “There’s displays from World War II and Vietnam. I’m one of the first soldiers to be on display from Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Iraq and Afghanistan.” Turner said the items will be on display at the museum for 14 months. An informational plaque on display at the museum in Austin states, “Sergeant First Class Turner served as an infantryman on tours of duty in Operation Desert Shield (1990), Operation Desert Storm (1991), Oper-
Sgt. Shane Turner
ation Iraqi Freedom (20042005), and in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom (20022003, 2007-2008). During his career, Turned was awarded more than 30
Council meeting covers PD appointments, vacancies By Mari Gohlke Yorktown News-View
LAST SECOND LOSS FOR CATS FG SINKS WILDCATS IN CONTEST WITH STOCKDALE PAGE 14
terim police chief position at the Yorktown City Council meeting on Monday, September 12. Smith began his duties on Tuesday, September 13. Smith has been in law enforcement for 24 years, serving in various capacities, including patrol officer and chief of police. His last position was serving as Chief of Police at a San Antonio school district, ACT.
Smith has a master’s degree in management, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in business education. He is also a 1998 graduate of the Leadership Community College at Sam Houston State University and has 6,500 training hours. “I just basically want to get the department back to normal operations,” Smith said of the department. See POLICE, Page 4
Bullock Museum honors Shane Turner By Mari Gohlke Yorktown News-View
POKEMON CRAZE IN DEWITT
14 Pages Plus Inserts • USPS#696-320 • $1.00
Garry Smith takes control of Yorktown Police Dept.
Inside:
“LIVES REMEMBERED FROM DEWITT COUNTIES PAST” PRESENTED THIS SATURDAY
THIS SPACE IS AVAILABLE! Contact us at 564-2242 for more information.
After going into executive session for over an hour on Monday, September 12, Yorktown City Council unanimously voted to appoint Gary Smith as Interim Chief of Police for the City of Yorktown effective September 13. Council also unanimously voted to take Officer Vicente Flores off of administrative leave with pay and return Officer Flores to regular duty effective September 13. Council members William Baker, Travis Peyton, Manuel Serrano, Blaine Denbo and Ruben “BB” Garcia were present for the meeting, along Mayor Rene Hernandez and City Administrator Robert Mendez.
VFW Membership Drive, Auction, meeting Yorktown VFW Post #8136 and Ladies’ Auxiliary will be holding their annual Membership Drive and Auction on Saturday, September 17 beginning at 6 p.m. at the Post Home. The regular meeting of Yorktown VFW Post #8136 and Ladies’ Auxiliary will be held on Tuesday, September 20, at the Post Home. A potluck supper will be served at 6:30 p.m. with a meeting to follow at 7 p.m. Please join us! For more information, contact Rachel Robinson at 564-3400.
Gabriel Project meeting The Gabriel Project will postpone meetings during the summer
and will resume on Sept. 20 at Sts. Peter & Paul in Meyersville. For more information or want to be a volunteer contact Wayne Smith at 361-56-3742.
Cuero Community Childbirth Classes Cuero Community Hospital (CCH) will be hosting Childbirth Education Classes that consist of 2 sessions. The next sessions will be held Wednesday, September 21 and 28, 2016 from 6 - 8:30 p.m. and are free for those delivering at CCH. To register for classes or for more information, please call 361-275-0527. Classes meet in the Belle Terry Elder Women’s Center located in the Medical Plaza wing of the hospital. Childbirth Classes will be scheduled in January, May & September 2017.
Metting Reunion The Metting Reunion will be held on Saturday, September 24, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Yorktown. The hall will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. with a meal being served at 12 noon. Each family is asked to bring a meat dish and either a salad, vegetable dish or dessert. All other essentials will be furnished. There will also be an auction, so please bring a $5 item. Descendants of Albert, Christoph, Frederick, Gottfried, and Herman Metting are invited
of our forces could arrive.” Turner said after the air war started, his unit was moved to the desert on the western border of Iraq. Turner said his deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan were “rough.” “We lived in holes in the ground for 54 days.” Turned added, “I saw guys blowed up and vehicles blowed up. We lost 18 guys. You just never know who’s gonna get hit.” Turned added he drove over several IUD’s that struck the vehicle behind him. Flipping through a stack of photographs, Turner displayed photos taken in Saddam Hussein’s castle after being taken over by AmeriSee SGT TURNER, Page 4
Officer Flores indicted
Council went into closed session at 7:34 p.m. to discuss the police chief vacancy and Officer Flores’ position. After reconvening into open session at 8:39 p.m., Councilman Denbo made a motion to appoint Garry Smith as Interim Yorktown Police Chief effective immediately, September 13, until the police chief position is filled and to advertise for the police chief position for two weeks. Councilman Peyton seconded the motion and it carried unanimously by a roll call vote. Councilman Denbo likewise motioned to take Officer Vicente Flores off of administrative leave with pay and return him to regular duty effective immediately, September 13. Councilman Serrano secSee CITY COUNCIL, Page 4
News-View In Brief
commendations, medals, ribbons, and badges for his service.” Turner, the son of Sammy Turner and Carolyn Wells, joined the Army in 1998 after he graduated from Yorktown High School. Reflecting, Turner said, “I just wanted to get out of here and it just seemed like the thing to do.” Both his father and grandfather served in the military. Turner’s basic training took him to Korea before he served eight months in Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia. “We were the first unit there,” he said. “We were called “speed bumps” because we helped slow down opposing forces until more
Vicente Flores 51, of Edna, surrendered to the DeWitt County Sheriff’s Office Monday morning, September 19, after being indicted on a charge of official oppression. The charge is a Class A misdemeanor carrying a penalty of not more than one year in a county jail and/or a fine of not more than $4,000. Flores was arraigned by DeWitt County Justice of the Peace Peggy Mayer, posted the $2,500. bond and was released. Flores, an officer with the Yorktown Police Department, was reinstated to regular duty by the Yorktown City Council on September 13 after being put an ad-
to attend. For more information, call Mary Evelyn Hillmer at 361573-1902 or Kevin D. John at 361-938-5570.
YHS Class of 1996 reunion On Saturday, September 24, the Yorktown High School Class of 1996 will hold their 20th reunion. The reunion will be held in Nordheim at the Broadway Bar & Grill beginning at 5:30 p.m. All drinks and food can be ordered off the Broadway Bar & Grill menu on a pay as you order manner. There will be no charge to attend the reunion. That evening, karaoke and DJ Marty Cline are scheduled for entertainment. Please RSVP by September 12 via test message with your name and if you will or not be able to
Vicente Flores ministrative leave in midJuly pending an investigation by the Texas Rangers. Yorktown City Council had scheduled a called meeting Monday evening to decide Flores’ employment status with the police department.
attend Jamie Burda at 361-4911927 or Cori Blaschke Bloch at 361-550-7117 or email cori.michelle@gmail.com.
Weesatche Hermann Sons Picnic Weesatche Hermann Sons Lodge will hold its annual picnic at the lodge hall for all members on Sunday, Sept. 25. The social hour will begin at 3 p.m., Bunco/games at 3:30 p.m., and dinner at 5 p.m. Members are asked to bring a side dish or dessert. A special presentation will be made by the Grand Lodge for 50 and 60 year pin recipients.
(See more News-View News Briefs on Page 2)