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The trial for a Poteet landlord facing a murder charge, began on Tuesday at the Atascosa County Justice Center in Jourdanton. Jimmy Garza is accused of killing Brad Rumfield on Feb. 25, 2021, at BR Outfitters. Both 81st/218th Judicial District and defense attorneys presented opening statements on Tuesday morning after a jury was selected on Monday.

The Jourdanton City Council is accepting nominations for a role on the Atascosa County Appraisal District Appraisal Review Board. The role is for a Board of Director, and applicants need to be city residents. The term is two years, from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025.

A domestic dispute in Somerset took a horrific turn, leaving a teenage shooter dead and his mother fighting for her life. At the epicenter of this Thanksgiving week tragedy stands a house on North Dixon Street, where an argument blossomed into a familial nightmare around 5 p.m. yesterday, as reported by KSAT.

Jourdanton FFA had seven first place teams at the Wintergarden District Leadership Development Events (LDE) contest while nine of their teams qualified for the Area X LDE contest. Atascosa County FFA chapters were well represented at the contest with Pleasanton, Poteet and Charlotte competing as well. Pleasanton FFA had two...

It was a day of excitement at Pleasanton Elementary School on Nov. 1, as the bilingual second grade students of Millie Lawhon shared their Day of the Dead projects. Along with staff, administration and family members, bilingual students and staff at the Pleasanton Primary School were also invited to the presentations.

Friday, Dec. 1, 1 – 8 p.m. – $8 admission that includes “First Pickins” and includes two wine tickets and Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – $4 admission which is donated to the Verdi Community Center. Rabbit Validation. Atascosa Co. 4-H...

As we enter the Christmas holiday season, I want to extend my appreciation to the generous folks who have contributed to the County Courthouse Christmas display. This Christmas Display is a new tradition in our community that would not be possible without the support and generosity of our community contributors. I want to give a huge thank you to District Judge Jennifer Dillingham, Atascosa County Court at Law Judge Bob Brendel, Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward, Retired District Judge Lynn Ellison, Methodist Hospital | Atascosa, the Pleasanton Express, Documation, Alonzo and Barbara Peeler, Norma and Tommy Jordan and Adam Figueroa, Thomas Moy and Sons Water Well Drilling and Services, and Linebarger Attorneys at Law. Your dedication to enhancing the holiday spirit in our county is very appreciated, and your contributions will undoubtedly illuminate our courthouse in ways that bring joy to all who pass by. I encourage every one of you to take a moment to visit our display, which will decorate the courthouse lawn for December. I know it will be a sight to see and will stand as a testament to the generosity of our community. While this year’s display is already finalized, we plan to grow the collection year by year. If circumstances allow, I invite those who couldn’t contribute this time to consider joining us in brightening our county courthouse next Christmas. Your support will continue to make our community shine and keep our new tradition alive.

Sophia Castillo shuffles her feet in a full court press last week against Randolph. Jourdanton moved to 8-2 on the season after a 52-42 win over Laredo Martin on Saturday and a 44-36 victory over St. Anthony’s Tuesday night.

An argument shockingly left a 19-year-old dead after shooting his mother before taking his own life. Mother Shot by Son in Domestic Dispute Turned Tragic. In a heartbreaking turn of events in Somerset, a small Texas community is grappling with the aftermath of a domestic dispute that escalated into a fatal shooting. The incident, which unfolded at approximately 5:00 p.m. on Monday in the 19000 block of North Dixon Street, in Somerset, Texas.

“Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down at Merry on Main” … on a helicopter. It says so right there in the schedule of events you’ll find in this edition of the Pleasanton Express. But Santa’s big entrance is just the beginning; there’ll be...

Due to the generous sponsors and those who signed up for the annual Patriot Day 5K run, a check was presented to the Pleasanton JROTC earlier this month. The $4,200 check is the most raised in any of the three years the race has been held. Pictured, from left: Pleasanton Express Publisher Noel Wilkerson Holmes, Jackie Brown and Kendall Schorsch of Security State Bank, Benita Muckleroy – First Commercial Bank, Pleasanton ISD Asst. Supt. of Personnel and Student Services Anthony Kosub, Cadet Lt. Colonel Alyssa Castelar Battalion Commander, PHS Principal Adam Portillo, Robert Hilburn, Command Sergeant Major Derrick Burden (retired), Command Sergeant Major EJ Nuells (retired), Roger Wells – Wells Construction, Cadet Command Sergeant Major Roman Martinez, Barbara Jean Peeler, Woody Wilson – Patriot Day 5K Founder, Trace Blair – Wigington Rumley Dunn LLP, Chief of Staff Tabitha Garza from Judge Weldon Cude’s Office. Not pictured but sponsoring the event was Pursch Motors GMC, Shahan Real Estate, P-C Air, Trace Blair – Wigington Rumley Dunn & Blair, LLP, Atascosa County Attorney Lucinda Vickers, Moy Water Well Drilling and Service, Lillian R. Cashmer Insurance Agency, The Happy Dudes, City of Pleasanton and Chile Bandera. Thank you to Next Level Signs & Designs for providing the giant check for the occassion!

The Lytle City Council voted Monday to reject a proposal to lower the speed limit throughout the city to 25 mph after mostly negative comments during a public hearing on the issue. On a motion by District 4 Alderman Michael Rodriguez the council voted 4-0 to leave the speed at...

Interested in adding a furry friend to your family? Even if you're just keen on viewing some of the cute critters available for adoption nearby, there are ample pets waiting for their forever homes in animal shelters throughout and around floresville.

For seasonal events and holiday giving opportunities, please see our Holiday Give and Go guide on page 11A. Hosted by American Legion Post 436, at 1404 Zanderson Ave. in Jourdanton, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Enjoy music, food and games. Anyone over 62 can attend. Joseph Lira BBQ Benefit at BYK Dec....

Breaking news tonight as a tragic incident unfolds in Somerset. Authorities report a man fatally shooting his mother before turning the gun on himself. The mother's condition remains unknown after being shot twice. Stay tuned for more updates from the scene.

Nov. 21 marked a beautiful day to celebrate “Forever Families,” as three Atascosa County families were granted adoptions. Held in conjunction with National Adoption Month in November, Associate Judge Melissa DeGerolami of the Child Protection Court of South Central Texas presided over the hearings. Hearts and homes were...

The reconstruction project of Donato Road has begun in Poteet. The project is an interlocal agreement with Atascosa County and will be a complete rebuild. Officials advise to use caution when driving in the work zone area. Pictured are Nicholas Vasquez, Poteet City Council; Mark Gillespie, Atascosa County Commissioner Pct. 1; Mando Greigo, operator; Sammy Davidson, foreman; Abel Palasio; Trey Porter and Tim Gould. Not pictured is Darren Faulkner.

Our community has so many magnificent and magical holiday events this weekend, offering all sorts of goodness. The City of Pleasanton’s Merry on Main, presented by Documation, held Dec. 1 and 2 at the Pleasanton River Park, is filled with free family fun, including live entertainment, Santa arriving by helicopter, ice slides, a carnival, a lighted Christmas parade, the biggest firework show yet, Little Miss Merry on Main Contest, food and craft/retail vendors and so much more. See the front page story for more details and the ad featured on page 3A. Don’t miss the feature story on the front of Living, by Jon Brauchle, on the Merry on Main Christmas Play, which features our very own Cade Andrews as Jesus. The play will make its debut at the new amphitheater at 3 p.m. on Saturday at the River Park.

I hope you are all having a great week, and I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving. Mine was great! I’m not a writer by training or trade. Coming up with topics to discuss in these columns can sometimes be challenging. I have relied on the city manager, the city secretary, consultants, city attorney, staff, friends and family for ideas of what to write about. Since we’re coming close to the end of the calendar year, and there is not a whole lot of new business to discuss, so I am going write about what is on my mind. I am in my 13th cumulative year on the city council. I was a council member from 2008 to 2011, mayor from 2011 to 2018, and mayor 2021 to 2024. I will not be seeking reelection next year because I have affectively resigned as I have announced that I’m running for state representative for Texas House District 80. House District 80 includes Atascosa, Uvalde, Frio, Zavala, and Dimmit Counties as well as part of Webb County. I officially filed to run in Austin yesterday.

Now that Thanksgiving has officially come and gone, it’s time to put our heads down and focus for the next few weeks. Starting with this week as the Poteet basketball tournament kicks off tomorrow and goes through Saturday. A handful of local teams will be competing including the Aggies and Lady Aggies (obviously), as well as both McMullen County squads. Charlotte and Jourdanton will be competing in the Natalia Tournament and the Pleasanton Eagles will be down the road in the Border Olympics Tournament in Laredo.