De Leon Free Press On Monday, over 500 citizens were called for jury duty in anticipation of the capital murder trial of Brendan Jenkins, charged with the July 25, 2020 shooting deaths of Earl and Patti Stephens and his ex-girlfriend Ashlyn Smith. The shootings occurred on the St. Joe Road, about six and a half miles northwest of DeLeon. Reportedly, the death penalty has been removed from the case. Jenkins, represented by two court appointed lawyers, faces life in prison without parole, if convicted. All three of the murders will be tried as part of a single case. The trial was scheduled to start on Tuesday at the Comanche County Courthouse. However, because of the large numbers in the initial jury summons, and the broken chair lift to the district courtroom in the courthouse, the initial jury selection process was held at the Comanche ISD basketball dome.
The Comanche Chief The Comanche Education Foundation will be hosting its first all class Comanche ISD reunion on Sept. 10. The event will take place on the town square beginning at 6 p.m., with large tents set up by decades to make it easier for classmates to find each other. There will be entertainment, food and drink vendors, and a live action at 8 p.m. with CHS grad Doug Johnston acting as auctioneer. Although certainly not required, guests are invited to dress in the style of their decade, and prizes will be awarded for best dressed. The foundation would like to stress that everyone with an interest in Comanche schools, not just CHS grads, is invited to attend.
The Hico News Review This week, after the first substantial rain in almost two months, the burn ban, which had been in effect since July 1, for Hamilton County was lifted. County Commissioners will revisit the issue each week.
Local rainfall totals from Sunday through Tuesday across the county varied from 1.8 inches in Hico to almost 5 inches near Hamilton.
Overall enrollment in Hico schools was up by 25 students when classes started last week, compared to the year before.
Hico ISD superintendent Shelli Stegall said total enrollment has increased by 25 students compared to the beginning of last school year, for a total of 627.
“This is despite the fact that we have only 26 seniors, our smallest senior class in several years,” Stegall said.
Hamilton Herald News Hamilton City Council will have public hearings Aug. 25 and Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. at City Hall regarding a tax rate increased proposed for 2022-23.
The proposed rate is $.4750 per $100 valuation, which is actually a reduction from last year’s rate of $.5653, but will increase the city’s revenue $49.6 million based on the property adjusted taxable value.
“In order to continue with a superior level of service, the increased funding will help with inflationary costs in fuel, supplies and salaries,” said City Administrator Ryan Polster.
For the property tax amount of $512 per year on the average residence homestead, services such as police protection, municipal improvements, administration, street improvements and much more are available.