DE LEON – The De Leon Free Press celebrated its 120th birthday June 27-28. The paper was founded during the railroad boom of the 1890s. Local merchants established the Free Press through a stock corporation and chose the name “Free Press” to signify the newspaper’s freedom from political affiliation.
PETERSBURG – John and Kat Gicante, owners of The Paper, Petersburg’s weekly newspaper, are closing due to rising costs and lack of time. The Paper has a circulation of about 260. John Gicante said he would consider putting together a monthly online edition if others are willing to help.
ALICE – On July 1, the Alice Echo-News Journal cut the number of its daily editions in half, from six days a week to three: Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The online edition will continue to be updated daily.
SAN ANTONIO – Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson is fighting an order from the attorney general requiring him to make public e-mails from private accounts in which he discusses public business, The Associated Press reported. The San Antonio Express-News requested the e-mails, under the Public Information Act and the Open Meetings Act, to determine if Adkisson had discussed public business in private correspondence. On June 21, Adkisson cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of the commission suing the Texas attorney general’s office.
ARLINGTON – The Dallas firm of Sullo & Bobbitt accused the city of Arlington, in a lawsuit filed in June, of trying to limit access to its misdemeanor criminal records, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. The city says the records are available at the municipal court and can be inspected at the court one case at time. The issue is how much information the city makes available via its website or through electronic delivery. Litigation is pending.
GRAPEVINE – The Grapevine City Council violated the Texas Open Meetings Act by holding a closed-door meeting to discuss hiring a lobbyist, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. The lawsuit was filed by the Star-Telegram, and a judge ruled that the session should have been open to the public.
BARSTOW – A June 23 fire destroyed the Barstow home of Pecos Enterprise and Monahans News publisher Smokey Briggs. Barstow is located six miles east of Pecos on Interstate 20.
Ward County Fire Marshal Billy Riley said the fire started in an electrical outlet near the kitchen stove and quickly spread.
The Pecos Enterprise reported an outpouring of calls and support from the Briggs family’s friends and business associates. Briggs asked callers to consider contributing to the Barstow Volunteer Fire Department.
|