County attorney describes challenges with court dates The novel coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the county judicial system, delaying new trials until further notice. Frio County Attorney Joseph Sindon says the pandemic has had a detrimental effect on the way his office handles court proceedings. “It will likely be a long time before we…

La Salle continues gradual reopening Youth sports can resume practice May 31, games June 15 MARC ROBERTSON Editor La Salle County commissioners agreed in a 75-minute meeting Friday, May 22, to pursue a course of reopening public areas and granting permission to some businesses to ease restrictions imposed during a health emergency due to the…

A Pearsall man is being held at the Zavala County jail this week on felony drug charges after a narcotics raid revealed a large amount of heroin, methamphetamine and cash inside his home, police say. According to a report on the case, police were investigating 64-year-old Cruz Ureste after receiving several tips about stop-and-go traffic…

For the eighth time since 2018, Pearsall police are charging habitual offender Torre Leal with burglary of a habitation after fingerprints from a January theft case positively identified him. According to reports filed at the police department, a home on Colorado Street was burglarized in January. The homeowner listed a number of items inside the…

Zertuche plans exit this year for La Salle County job Dilley councilors agreed at a meeting last week to begin the process of hiring a police chief to replace the city’s current top officer, Anthony Zertuche. The decision came after an executive session on Tuesday, May 12, when councilors acknowledged that Zertuche will soon depart…

Adapting to change means new challenges for prosecutors and judges In her 26 years as a justice of the peace, Shanna Gates never imagined a pandemic would prompt a 3 a.m. phone call to magistrate a felony drug charge. “It is frustrating,” Gates said in a candid phone interview Monday. “Since the police department does…

Man threw money at woman, but drugs fell from his pocket Pearsall police officers investigating an alleged assault on Tuesday, May 12, arrested a man on felony drug charges after he was questioned in connection with an apparent theft. The routine call developed into an investigation into drug possession and the seizure of several types…

Going to join the Unicorns… After serving as superintendent of schools in Dilley for seven years, Dr. Clint McLain has accepted an offer for a position in charge of finances and operations at New Braunfels ISD, where he is scheduled to begin working July 1. The superintendent announced his decision to leave Dilley ISD at…

A final celebration during lockdown Pearsall High School’s class of 2020 will meet Friday, May 22 for a parade along Oak Street. The event comes nearly three months after the students were sent home to finish their school year during a shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The parade will begin at Carter Street on…

Meeting needs of the city’s most vulnerable population during the coronavirus pandemic, Pearsall city officials agreed Monday, May 4, to award two local businesses contracts for a meal program to feed the elderly and disabled. Three businesses had replied to a request for proposals that was advertised for a week. Councilors initially proposed awarding the…