The Pleasanton Express takes a look back at 2024 as we head into a New Year. The 2024 Presidential election held the nation’s attention for the year with some hotly contested races here locally. Thank you to all the readers who have supported the Pleasanton Express. As Atascosa County’s official newspaper of record since 1909, we are excited to bring you all the good news, hard news, sports, events and happenings in 2025.
JANUARY
n The 2024 March Presidential Primary election put voters and candidates in high gear for elections on a national, regional and local level.
Tom Caldwell entered the race for the 81st Judicial District Attorney position held by incumbent District Attorney Audrey Gossett Louis.
The hotly contested Atascosa County Attorney’s race had incumbent Lucinda Vickers running against Molly Grosbeck Solis and JJ Treviño.
Statewide, U.S. Representative Dist. 28 incumbent Henry Cuellar sought re-election as the lone candidate in the Democratic primary. In the Republican Primary, Lazaro Garza Jr., Jimmy León, Jay Furman and Jose Sanz face off for a chance to go against Cuellar.
Jose Rodriguez, former Poteet ISD band director, accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to eight years in prison for improper relations with a student. PLEASANTON EXPRESS FILE PHOTO
Dist. 80 State Representative Tracy O. King announced retirement opening up his position to eight candidates. Locally, former Pleasanton Mayor Clinton Powell filed to run D-80 State Rep and faced Don Mclaughlin Jr. and JR Ramirez in the Republican primary.
County Commissioner Precinct 3 incumbent Eliseo Perez faced Poteet City Councilmember Nick Vasquez in the Democratic primary. In the Republican Primary, George “Butch” Pawelek ran against Atascosa County Animal Control officer Henry Dominguez. n Loralei Jenschke of Poteet FFA sold her Grand Champion Steer for $18,000 at the 2024 Atascosa County Livestock Show bringing in a record $1,227,370. n The Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce announced the return of the 56th Cowboy Homecoming, featuring a concert with famed Norteno artist Ramon Ayala. The court included Queen Delanie De La Fuente, Ilianna Solorzano, Aryanna Partida, Larissa Villarreal, Emily Morales and Amber Amaro. n Chief Eric Kaiser announced his retirement from the Jourdanton Police Department. Kaiser had worked for nearly 22 years with the JPD serving 15 of those years as chief. n Derrick Sherwood, 29, was sentenced to life after he pled guilty to killing his parents Rene, 56, and Michael Sherwood, 60. The killings occurred in the Sherwoods’ home north of Leming. n Atascosa County Animal Control seized 29 dogs in Rossville after finding poor conditions.
Hilario Saldivar was named 2024 Cowboy of the Year at the Pleasanton Young Farmers Open Rodeo and Dance in August. PLEASANTON EXPRESS FILE PHOTO
FEBRUARY
n Former Police Chief of Pleasanton Ronald Sanchez was hired as the Atascosa County Fire Marshal. n Atascosa County Commissioners began the process of moving forward with a Regional Medical Examiners Facility proposed to be located behind the Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Building in Pleasanton. n The Jourdanton City Council voted unanimously to authorize the mayor to make a conditional offer to Debbie Molina for the city manager position. Molina had served as Interim City Manager and before that was the City Secretary.
MARCH
n 81st District Attorney Audrey Gossett Louis defeated Tom Caldwell to remain District Attorney. Louis received 8,416 votes to Caldwell’s 7,186.
Molly Groesbeck Solis and incumbent County Attorney Lucinda Vickers were forced into a runoff in the March 4 Republican Primary after a final vote count of 41% for Solis and 35% for Vickers was tallied.
Mark Medina won the Atascosa County Constable Pct. 1 position defeating Clint Luckett and Johnny Salazar defeated Enrique Lopez for the Atascosa County Constable Pct. 2 place.
In the Atascosa County Constable Precinct 4 Republican race, John “Andy” Rutherford edged Ernest “EJ” Lozano with 52% to 48% of the votes.
Republican Primary, Pct. 3 County Commissioner win went to George “Butch” Pawelek who defeated Henry Dominguez. Pawelek faced Pct. 3 Commissioner incumbent Eliseo Perez in November, after winning the primary over Nick Vasquez.
In statewide runoff races, Atascosa County resident Cecilia Castellano defeated Rosie Cuellar in the Democratic Primary Runoff with 58% of Texas votes for a chance at the Texas House, District 80 position. She faced Republican candidate Don McLaughlin Jr. in November, who defeated JR Ramirez and Clinton Powell in the March 4 Republican Primary. n Debbie Molina was officially named Jourdanton City Manager by a unanimous vote. n Gavin Loredo-Orta and Adriana Treviño were chosen as the 77th Poteet Strawbery Festival King and Queen. n Cafe Chris owner Mary Rodriguez was awoken by a call by co-owner Erica Lopez at 11 p.m. stating that their restaurant was on fire. The restaurant was burnt beyond repair shocking the community. The owners immediately began work to reopen in a new location. n The City of Poteet and Poteet Chamber of Commerce helped to officially open the 4500 square foot Poteet Splash Pad located at Canyon Park.
APRIL
n “Big Chief” finds a new home at JISD Indian Stadium. For over half a century, Big Chief towered over the IH-410 in San Antonio at the former Red McCombs Superior Pontiac. Red McCombs Enterprises donated Big Chief to Joudanton ISD and he now watches over the team. n Charlotte ISD adopted a four-day week schedule for the 2024-2025 school year. Superintendent Roger Solis said the main goal was for teacher recruitment. n Leticia Garcia of 4G Reyes Farms wins 2024 Grand Champion Berries. Total Poteet Strawberry Festival auction sales swell to $73,675. The prizewinning berries were of the Ruby June variety and sold for $13,000. The primary bid was Darrell Polasek and Dicki Lee Sparks of Darr Built, LLC.
MAY
n District Judge Jennifer Dilingham sentenced Gregory Anthony Mendez, age 38 of Pleasanton, to 32 years for aggravated assault on a public servant and 20 years for injury to a child. n Sarah Rihn was hired as Animal Control Facility Director after Atascosa County Commissioners voted to create the position. n Atascosa County officials met with AT&T and announced the installation of a new fiber line along US-281 South from San Antonio connecting to their main line down IH-37 creating a “fiber ring” for the area. n Longtime Pleasanton City Councilmember J.R. Gallegos was voted in as the next Pleasanton mayor. n Poteet ISD voters approved a $65 million bond allowing for improvements across the district as officials project future growth. This includes upgrades and expansion to an existing gym and cafeteria, new classrooms and more. n The McMullen County Cowgirls earned a state championship trophy in the Class 1A 4×200-meter relay at the UIL State Track and Field Meet in Austin. Pleasanton senior vaulter Preston Pilgrim was the bronze medalist in the Class 4A Boys Pole Vault competition at the UIL State Track and Field Meeting. n Charlotte ISD voters supported two bond proposals presented and approved by CISD Board of Trustees, one for a new elementary school building and the other for a new athletic field house, new concessions and public bathrooms. n A storm system moved into Atascosa County, causing considerable damage across Poteet and portions of the county. n The community mourned the loss of Pleasanton ISD educator and Director of CTE/CCMR Erica Bernal, 43, after a courageous battle with a rare form of cancer. n Jose Rodriguez, former Poteet ISD band director, accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to eight years in prison for improper relations with a student. n St. Andrew Catholic Church in Pleasanton celebrated its 75th anniversary. n Following the May 28 Republican Primary Runoff, Molly Groesbeck Solis was declared the winner and next Atascosa County Attorney, over incumbent Lucinda Vickers. In the Atascosa County Constable Precinct 4 runoff race, John “Andy” Rutherford edged Ernest “EJ” Lozano.
Cecilia Castellano garnered 69% of Atascosa County votes to Rosie Cuellar’s 31% in the Atascosa County May 28 Democratic Primary Runoff.
In the Republican US Representative, District 28 race for congress, Jay Furman defeated Lazaro Garza Jr. in the May 28 runoff with 65% statewide votes over Lazaro, who finished with 35% of the votes.
Furman will face District 28 US Representative Henry Cuellar (Laredo-D) in November. Furman won Atascosa County with 63% of the votes. n Twenty-one Poteet High School seniors were among the graduates earning their Associate’s degree at a Palo Alto College ceremony.
June
n After battling health issues, Poteet City Councilmember and Poteet VFD fireman Rick Flores Sr. passed away peacefully on June 9. n Joseph Saiz, 26, was sentenced to 40 years in prison, after accepting a plea deal as a result of the murder of Ricky Bernal Jr., 22. n Lindsay Smith pleaded guilty before a jury sentenced her to 17 years for intoxication manslaughter for the death of reserve Poteet Police Officer Jeffrey Richardson. n Harmony Ratterree won the City of Pleasanton District 3 seat in a runoff election against Daniel Zertuche. n The Pleasanton Express staff received the 2023 Texas Press Association Sweepstakes award at the Texas Press Association conference for Best Newspaper in Texas, Division 5. n Legendary sports journalist Maggie Rodriguez was honored by the Texas Press Association with the Golden 50 award.
July
n Rosendo Jesus Montoya, 28 of Poteet, was sentenced to life for the double murder of Mary Heinz, 33, and Laura West, 43. The two were roommates from Leming. n Gregory Barbaro, 35 of Houston, was sentenced to 13 years in prison after accepting a plea deal from the district attorney’s office, stemming from a crash that killed Erika Sanchez, a Pleasanton High School graduate. n Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that Pleasanton High School graduate Norman Roy Garza Jr. was named as the Executive Director of the Texas Space Commission. n John Mayse of the band 86’D addressed Pleasanton City Council after it was learned the Ultimate 80s Throwback Party would not take place in 2024. n Members of the Atascosa-McMullen Cooperative visited Jourdanton ISD and Poteet ISD meetings, as a welcoming visit to kick off new beginnings. This followed Poteet ISD becoming the fiscal agent for the Co-op, with some staff members having offices at Poteet ISD and JISD. n Joe Saucedo was named the third Jourdanton Interim Police Chief. The Jourdanton City Council voted to amend an ordinance to remove the powers of the city manager to hire and fire all department heads. n Trouble loomed at a July 16 Poteet City Council meeting, as the seat for
Place 3 remained unfilled, after the passing of the late Rick Flores
Sr. Councilmember Nick
Vasquez left the meeting after his motion to appoint a candidate through an application process wasn’t seconded. n The family and friends of the late Stephanie Seelk held a Celebration of Life service in her honor. She was an educator and counselor for 33 years at Pleasanton Junior High. n District Judge Jennifer Dillingham sentenced Jose Molina, 45 of Dallas, to 68 years on six consecutive counts of possession with intent to promote child pornography. Molina was found guilty by a jury in June on all six counts. n The City of Pleasanton purchased land adjacent to the Pleasanton Municipal Airport for $10 million. This is part of a proposal to extend the runway and add development space in and around the airport. n Many dignitaries and veterans gathered for the dedication of the McMullen County Veterans Memorial Park in Tilden on July 31.
August
n Felipe Martinez, 18, and Joe Delatorre, 26, were arrested in San Antonio following an investigation by the Pleasanton Police Department of an armed robbery in Pleasanton. n Poteet ISD held a special ribbon-cutting ceremony and unveiled the addition of their Mental Health Center. n Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jake Guerra received a 30-year service pin from Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward. n Pleasanton ISD hosted the OneSight Essilor Luxottica Foundation, a free vision clinic for students and staff. A total of 189 students attended and walked away with a free pair of glasses. n Denise Balbaneda and Gerald Gonzales, the mother and stepfather of a 12-year-old Christine girl, were charged with injury to a child after the young girl succumbed to fatal injuries. n Jesus Arce Reyes Jr., 27 of San Antonio, was killed in a head-on collision about nine miles west of Charlotte on SH-97. n St. Andrew Catholic Church in Pleasanton welcomed Father Arul Francis Arputham as the new administrator of the church. n Hilario “Lalo” Saldivar was named the 2024 Cowboy of the Year at the 58th annual Pleasanton Young Farmers Open Rodeo and Dance. Charles Rae Maddox, Donny Lawrence and Lonnie Rakowitz were inducted into the South Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. n Karnes Electric Cooperative sent two area students, Kianna Cruz of Jourdanton High School and Ryan Bailey of Karnes City High School, on an all-expense paid trip from Austin to Washington, D.C. as part of the Texas Electric Cooperative Government in Action Youth Tour. n Cowboy Fellowship in Jourdanton celebrated the opening of their new Children and Youth Center on Aug. 18. n Pleasanton ISD welcomed Janis Nott, M.Ed., the new Director of Special Education and introduced their new team. n Poteet ISD saw student enrollment skyrocket, as enrollment soared for their Cosmetology program. The district approved a new unit for Cosmetology and Barber students.
September
n Former City of Pleasanton employee Sanchez was indicted by a Bexar County grand jury for aggravated sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child by sexual contact on May 10. Sanchez later read to children at the Longhorn Museum in Pleasanton during an event for the City of Pleasanton Cowboy Heritage Days on Aug. 20. n Pleasanton Primary campus was evacuated after receiving a bomb threat via phone call, according to Superintendent Cheryl Barron. Hundreds of staff and students were immediately evacuated as law enforcement agencies swept the exterior and interior of the building before it was deemed safe. n Pleasanton High School has started the school year with three new administrators: Principal Nicholas Hinojosa, Assistant Principal Tim Salinas and Academic Dean Priscilla Lopez-Gonzales. n Juan Felix Jimenez, 33 of Pleasanton, was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Sept. 11 by an Atascosa County jury after he was found guilty of bail jumping. n San Miguel Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SMECI) has been selected as a finalist for a proposal to build a large solar energy and battery storage project. This funding will allow SMECI, which helps power about 340,000 customers in 47 South Texas counties, to improve affordability and reliability for co-op members. n Atascosa County native and author Irma Sanchez received word this summer from the International Latino Book Awards that she is now an award-winning author. Her first book, “Los Tejanos De Bexar,” is an Honorable Mention winner in the Dolores Huerta Best Cultural and Community Themed Books (English) category. n A Pleasanton man that was missing for four days was found deceased in Webb County after an investigation was launched by the Webb County Sheriff’s Office for a missing person. Lorenzo Castillo, 42, was found on the Laurel Ranch in Webb County on Tuesday, Sept. 17 by Webb County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Highway Patrol Brush Team and Texas Rangers. n The Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce announced the 2024 Pleasanton Cowboy Homecoming Court: Emrie Criado, Teairra Garza, Abigail Hotchkin, Juliana Bernal, Heather Akers, Cerenity Flores, Xittalli Hernandez “Lalli” and Saleen Schreiber. n Four graduates of the first in-house fire academy in Pleasanton were recently honored by the City of Pleasanton and city councilmembers. Roman Marmolejo, Firefighter/ EMT candidate; Patrick Vega, Firefighter/ EMT candidate; Garrett Doyal, EMT/ Firefighter; and Raquel Seaton, Firefighter/NREMT were honored as the first candidates to graduate from the academy.
OCTOBER
n Rene Felix Reyes, 36, accepted a plea bargain of 40 years for murdering 41-year-old Joe Hector Hernandez on July 27, 2022. n Pleasanton native Logan Moore officially clinched the 2024 PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year (Team Roping Heeler) title, capping off a remarkable season that saw the 23-year-old roper dominate the competition. With season earnings totaling $66,026.39. n The City of Charlotte is in a major financial deficit as the city mulls cutbacks in its budget, including the cutting of employee salaries. City employees and citizens held serious discussions like that of a town hall meeting as the city faces nearly $500,000 in deficit. n David Taije Castleberry, 27 of San Antonio, was convicted of the murder of Lucio Gustavo Carmona III, whose body was discovered on Tessman Road in Pleasanton on Jan. 3, 2023. A jury sentenced Castleberry to life in prison. n Pleasanton High School senior Emrie Criado was crowned the 57th Pleasanton Cowboy Homecoming Queen on Oct. 19. n Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) announced $1,818,725 in federal funding for Pleasanton ISD. n The City of Pleasanton has a new fire chief. Brad Chambers was introduced to the city council on Oct. 3. n The City of Jourdanton unanimously approved of a new police chief announced at its last regular meeting on Oct. 21. Santos Gonzales is a former police officer with the City of Jourdanton. n Atascosa County Judge Weldon P. Cude delivered his State of the County address in front of a full courtroom at the Atascosa County Justice Center.
NOVEMBER
n McMullen County took two podium spots at the UIL State XC meet with the Cowgirls taking first and the Cowboys taking third. n The beloved eatery Cafe Chris officially reopened at its new location at 1627 Second St. in Pleasanton after a long hiatus due to a fire on March 11 at their original location. n Ty Bauerle was named the 2024 Resistol Rookie of the Year in October and is ranked #29 in the world standings for Steer Wrestling with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). n Four individuals ranging in ages 17 to 21 were arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 13 after officers responded to Rexco Pharmacy in Pleasanton in an attempt to forge a prescription. n The City of Charlotte will be without a police department after the city council voted 4-1 on Thursday to disband the department effective Nov. 30. n The Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office captured Adolpho Garcia, 53, following a multi-agency manhunt in the northern portion of Atascosa County. Garcia had been on the run. n The Poteet Aggie Band is honored to have been invited to the 2025 Sugar Bowl Parade in New Orleans.
DECEMBER
n Two men were arrested after deputies heard gunfire on SH-97 early Tuesday morning. ACSO deputies later found guns and narcotics in a vehicle leading to their arrest. n Jourdanton FFA students are advancing to compete at the State Level in Huntsville on Dec. 6. n Pleasanton ISD Athletic Director and former Head Football Coach Tab Dumont officially announced his retirement last Wednesday. n Atseko Factor, 40 of San Antonio, was sentenced to federal prison for over 28 years for robbery of three pharmacies including Center Pharmacy in Pleasanton on Oct. 31, 2020. n Despite rain dampening the start of Merry on Main on Friday, Dec. 6, the community’s spirits remained high as families gathered at the Pleasanton River Park to welcome the holiday season. n Pleasanton Police arrested four individuals on Wednesday morning after all refused to comply with officers’ commands following a traffic stop for a minor infraction. During the stop, officers discovered drugs on the driver leading to additional charges. n The community is grieving the loss of Eldon Doyle Tuttle Jr., who passed away peacefully on December 17, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Tuttle was the third generation owner of Tuttle Motor Company in Poteet, which is now Tuttle Outdoor Power under the fourth generation ownership of his daughter Erinn and her husband Evan. n The holiday season sparkled with Christmas cheer at the 12th annual Vintage in Verdi, held Dec. 6-7. This beloved community tradition drew 1,800 shoppers and featured 105 vendors showcasing their crafts, creativity, and holiday spirit. n Pleasanton ISD is proposing upgrades to Pleasanton Primary campus with the addition of the second grade level class that was moved to the campus at the start of the 2024-25 school year.
