Petitioner subpoenas Alice daily reporters

ALICE — Two Alice Echo-News Journal reporters have been subpoenaed for deposition in a lawsuit by Juan Rodriguez Jr. against Guadalupe Martinez over the election for Pct. 1 justice of the peace.

Rodriguez said the deposition will center on an interview reporter Mauricio Julian Cuellar Jr. and news editor Ofelia Garcia Hunter conducted with Cindy Villarreal, a canvasser in the March 4 primary hired and paid by district attorney candidate Armando Barrera.

Cuellar and Hunter interviewed Villarreal about several questionable mail-in ballot applications and she admitted to handling as many as 50 ballots, and voting many of her family members ballots herself, including giving votes to Martinez.

County sues AG over records

BANDERA — Bandera County has filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Greg Abbott to try to overturn an open records opinion issued by his office, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

The Bandera County Courier had sought the material, and the attorney general’s office ruled that the county had to release most of it.

Mayor threatens reporters

BARDWELL — Four members of the Ellis County Press were threatened by Mayor P.W. Gentry over their use of video and tape recorders.

Gentry told reporter Jay Hoskins, the first reporter at Bardwell City Hall April 7, that no recording of the meeting would be allowed.

Hoskins continued videotaping as news editor Joey Dauben and reporters Chantel James and Jennifer Creteney came walking in minutes after Gentry’s threat, cameras in hand.

The Press sent its “arsenal” to the packed-house regular meeting to cover residents’ concerns over water-related issues in the city.