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The Navasota Examiner — Since 1894 — www.navasotaexaminer.com VOL. 129 No. 35
September 1, 2021
18 PAGES • $1
Deputies injured in pursuit recovering BY MATTHEW YBARRA Senior news reporter ANDERSON – Two Grimes County Sheriff’s Deputies are recovering after being air-lifted to the hospital following an early morning pursuit Thursday, Aug. 26. Grimes County Sheriff Don Sowell stated Deputies Daniel Caswell and Mike Ryan were air-lifted to St. Joseph hospital in Bryan
in stable condition. Sowell said both Caswell and Ryan are doing well and have made significant improvements. “Caswell has been released [Aug.26] and returned home to his CASWELL RYAN family with a broken leg and numerous stitches to Ryan underwent several begin his road to recovery,” hours of surgery to repair said Sowell. “I spoke with two broken legs. A rod was him a bit ago and he is in inserted into his femur and his fibula. He also suffered good spirits.”
injuries to his knee and feet. “I also had a good conversation with Ryan and he as well is in good spirits with a long road to recovery and rehabilitation,” explained Sowell. At approximately 1:20 a.m., Grimes County Deputies attempted to pull over a grey Dodge pickup truck for a defective license plate lamp on Texas State Highway 90 and Farm-to-Market Road 149 West in Anderson, but the vehicle fled the
scene. Caswell stated the vehicle turned right onto West Johnson Street from Main Street and continued on West Johnson driving at a highrate of speed. The Dodge went over a bridge creating dust that blocked Caswell’s view, causing the patrol unit to crash into the back of the suspect’s vehicle. The suspect, identified as Cole Miller Reynolds, age 19, fled the scene on foot. He was later captured at approximately 6 a.m. on
County Road 185 in Anderson. Reynolds was located at his residence attempting to hide under a blanket. He was transported to CHI Grimes St. Joseph hospital in Navasota with unknown injuries. Once released, Sowell said he will be booked into the Grimes County Jail. Reynolds is charged with Evading Arrest with a Vehicle. Additional charges are pending. SEE DEPUTIES PAGE 18
NPD armed
with knowledge Examiner photo by Ana Cosino
When Navasota Police Officers Jacob Hutto and Michael Srinual were dispatched by library staff Monday, Aug. 30, to read to children, they proudly answered the call. In addition to reading, the officers educated the children on the badge, patch and various equipment they use while on patrol. They taught them how to handle emergencies and reminded them officers are there to protect and serve.
Residents arm themselves with HB 1927 knowledge BY CONNIE CLEMENTS Examiner reporter About three dozen in-person Grimes County residents, and 200-plus via Facebook Live, received an introduction to HB 1927, aka “constitutional carry,” at an information forum at Navasota’s Progressive Center Monday night. The controversial bill passed by the 87th Texas legislature goes into effect today, Sept. 1, and allows Texans over the age of 21 who can legally possess a firearm to legally carry a handgun – concealed or openly in a holster - in non-prohibited places without obtaining the License to Carry (LTC) previously required. A panel composed of Grimes County Sheriff Don Sowell, Navasota Police Lt. Mike Mize and Grimes County District Attorney Andria Bender explained the ‘who, where and how,’ answered questions from the audience about how to interact with law enforcement if
stopped, the right to prohibit persons with guns on private property, the value of obtaining a license even though no longer required, and enhanced penalties. Sheriff urges “use common sense” Sheriff Don Sowell discussed the seriousness of carrying a weapon and emphasized using common sense, saying “don’t try to be a hero.” Sowell said, “It’s a very tough situation to have to consider whether or not you’re going to use deadly force, whether it’s a citizen or a trained law enforcement officer.” He warned that citizens will be held accountable before a grand jury for the use of deadly force. While Sowell thinks the average citizen will be responsible, both the law enforcement and justice side have concerns about gun availability and “the dobads to want to carry one, but that’s their gamble.” SEE HB 1927 PAGE 5
Examiner photo by Matthew Ybarra
Bill Sears was presented the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award Saturday, Aug. 28, by members of the Navasota Evening Lions Club. Sears has been a Lions Club member for over 37 years.
The heart of a Lion BY MATTHEW YBARRA Senior news reporter
Bill Sears of Navasota who is a longtime member of the International Association of Lions Clubs received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award Saturday, Aug. 28. The Melvin Jones Fellowship (MJF) is the backbone of Lions International. It is presented to people for whom a donation was made in their honor, it’s a tremendous contribution to humanity and to the legacy of Lions founder, Melvin Jones.
Sears has been a Navasota Evening Lions Club member for 37 years and has held every position from president to tail-twister (joke teller). Sears embraced the tail-twister role being a natural at making people laugh. Navasota Evening Lions Club members presented Sears with the special award at his home in front of family members. Of course, Sears shared a few jokes before the presentation began. Lions Club member B.J. Moody joked that the ceremony was SEE LION PAGE 6
P&Z sides with residents BY CONNIE CLEMENTS Examiner reporter After a public hearing Thursday, Aug. 26, with 14 comments against, Navasota’s Planning and Zoning Commission sided with residents 6-0 to deny a development plan for an urgent care center at 1595 E. Washington Avenue. Commissioner Dia Copeland, former administrator at CHI St. Joseph Health Grimes Hospital and a co-author of the design standards for the Overlay District, opened discussion with a series of detailed questions. She also moved to deny the request after an hour and a half of testimony, saying, “I feel that it does not meet the definition of a professional business as we designed in Article 10. Architecturally, the business does not meet the character of the historical district.” Copeland referred to the presence of three existing healthcare providers, in par-
Chamber Member of the Year for Grimes County!
Index
Examiner photo by Connie Clements
It was near standing room only in City Council chambers Aug. 26 when residents came to voice their concerns about a proposed urgent care center at 1595 E. Washington Avenue.
ticular CHI St. Joseph, which she described as “absolutely critical to our community.” Copeland continued, “And last, and most important to me, is public opinion. I represent you guys and if you guys are opposed to this, this is what I’ve got to go with. I just have to stand on what you want me to stand on, and that is to be against it.” Overlay district defined The request to approve a development plan for Quick Visit Urgent Care was submitted by property owners Jon and Janice Crouch on behalf of Palm Development for property zoned R-1B Residential District, located
in the Overlay District. The boundaries of the Overlay District, on the north side of Washington Avenue, extend from Millican Street east to N. Post Oak and include the Crouch residence. On the south side, it extends from Nolan to S. Post Oak. It is a mix of residential and historic homes and permits specific types of businesses such as fine dining restaurants, bed-and-breakfast lodging and professional offices. Development Services Director Lupe Diosdado said, “Per the Overlay District standards, medicine with up to four physicians is a permitted use; however, there
are a number of different standards and requirements that must be considered by both Planning and Zoning and City Council if that use is to be approved.” This marks the Crouch’s second request for commercial development of this property. Their first application, to rezone to B-1, General Business to allow construction of a Taco Bell, was denied by P&Z Aug. 8, 2019. It then failed to pass City Council Aug. 26 despite a majority vote of 3-2 in favor because of Texas law which requires a three-fourths (4-1) affirmative vote to override a P&Z negative recommendation. Why Navasota? According to Mark White, a partner in the Tennessee-based company, they have five locations in Texas with four more under construction. According to Palm’s website, one is slated for Madisonville. SEE P&Z PAGE 6
Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Crossword. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Obituaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15-16
The Beat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
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