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Vol. 3- Issue 28

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CannonThe GonzalesBy DAVE MUNDYmanager@gonzalescannon.com

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Thursday, April 5, 2012

City alters truck routeGonzales City Council on Tuesday took steps to address an issue near and dear to many residents, modifying the citys designated truck route to curb big rigs use of city streets and made one of the historic symbols of Gonzales the citys official flag. The council voted to amend the citys truck route ordinance by clarifying that US Highway 183 is Water St. and by eliminating Spur 146 (St. Louis) from the approved routes. The citys old ordinance, drawn up before the Highway 183 bypass was built, Patrons react to a huge catfish as it is pulled from the holding tank to be weighed in during Saturdays fun at made the official truck the 8th Annual Alvis Malatek Catfish Tournament. For more details, see Outdoors, page C4. (Photo by Cedric route down what is now Highway 183 Business (St. Iglehart)

Thats a BIG one!

Despite work, downtown is still openBy DAVE MUNDYmanager@gonzalescannon.com

The city of Gonzales wants to let visitors to the historic downtown area know that although the St. George St. reconstruction project has re-routed vehiclular traffic, businesses in the vicinity of the St. George-St. Joseph intersection are still accessible and open for business. The businesses still have access,

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The circus is coming to town!Carson & Barnes Circus to perform here on April 11By CEDRIC IGLEHARTregion@gonzalescannon.com

and were working to keep that access open, said Todd Remschel of the citys Street Department. Well do whatever it takes to make sure they have access, and when we have to pour the sidewalks, it will be when they are closed or well work with them to have the least affect possible. Remschel and city engineer Keith Schauer said the worst part of the project is dine. The water and sewer lines are

in, and we got the utility lines in, Schauer said. Theres still a section on the south side (of St. George) where we will have those lines under the sidewalk, but for the most part thats all done now. The city has all but completed work on the 100 and 200 blocks of St. George, an area which had been prone to flooding. The 300 block is receiving a beautification renovation which includes cut-out parking, ADA access and potted trees

for beautification. Its a diamond in the rough right now, Remschel said. We will have raised sidewalks to make access to the businesses easier for wheelchairs, Schauer said. There will also be access in the bumped-out intersections (with wheelchair ramps). Gonzales Main Street coordinator Barbara Friedrichs said the project is due for completion by the ST. GEORGE, Page A7

Joseph), city manager Allen Barnes told the council. In consultation with TxDOT, were removing Spur 146 from the truck route and the new ordinance clarifies what is US 183, Barnes said. He said the citys police department is paying particular attention to big rigs which are straying from the route. The biggest problem has been the gravel haulers going up St. Lawrence past those three schools, he said. The police are giving that special attention and gifting those drivers with tokens of their esteem (tickets). The council also voted to make the Come and Take It flag the citys official flag. Barnes said while designing the citys new logo, he had been asked if the city had a flag and hed assumed the historic Come and Take It colors had always been the citys banner. We did some research, and since 1835, its never been designated, he noted. Well, then, its about time, Mayor Bobby ONeal remarked, and the council enthusiastically voted the adoption. City residents will also COUNCIL, Page A7

Inside This Week:Business.............................. B1 Arts/Entertainment...... D1 Oil & Gas............................. B3 Classifieds.......................... B4 Comics................................ D6 Crime Beat........................ A2 Faith & Family................... E3 In Our View........................ A4 In Your View...................... A5 Obituaries.......................... A9 Puzzle Page...................... D5 Regional............................. A6 Sports.................................. C1

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Come and Hear It! Tune in to radio station KCTI 1450 AM at 8 a.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Tuesday for weekly updates from Gonzales Cannon news editor Cedric Iglehart and General manager Dave Mundy with KCTI personality Egon Barthels.

Dont look now Gonzales, but the circus is coming to town! The Carson & Barnes Circus, an American institution since 1937, will be in Gonzales on Wednesday, April 11 to perform two shows, beginning at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. respectively. Known for spreading its signature brand of family entertainment all across the country, the circus is also a business that has been affected by rising costs, particularly fuel costs. The Carson & Barnes circuit consists of traveling to 200 towns in eight states. Moving the show from town to town is not only logistically challenging, but it takes 45 semi-trucks loaded with equipment, animals and personnel to transfer the show from place to place on a near-nightly basis the equivalent of moving a small community.

Marcus Vela, director of publicity for Carson & Barnes Circus, said according to the recent cost of diesel quoted by AAA, the costs of just fueling up alone can be quite staggering. The average cost of diesel is $4.164 per gallon, he said. I figured our trucks get an average of four miles per gallon considering everything they have to tow. We covered 18,500 miles during last years tour so that basically cost us $866.632.50 in fuel costs. Even though fuel is an expense that the business cant control, they take measures to ensure the costs doesnt get passed along to their customers. We havent increased ticket costs at all, said Vela. Basically what we do is try to supplement with a good ticket day. If a particular date doesnt meet the cost for that day, then the circus has to absorb that and move on with hopes that upcoming dates will make up for it. The reason why there arent many circuses around like the Carson & Barnes is because its so difficult to keep costs down. But its piece of Americana that we CIRCUS, Page A7

Chico Tico (left, standing), Triulito (left, kneeling) and Marquino (right) of the Carson & Barnes Clown Troupe pose with Isa the Pachyderm before the Carson & Barnes Salute to the Red, White and Blue Parade. (Courtesy Photo)

Thursdays Forecast: partly cloudy and warm. High-87, Low-59. 10% chance of rain. Winds from the west-southwest at 8 mph, 56% relative humidity. UV index: 9 (very high)Friday: High-84, Low-61 Mostly Sunny Saturday: High-83, Low-61 Partly Cloudy Sunday: High-81, Low-62 Partly Cloudy Monday: High-81, Low-61 Partly Cloudy Tuesday: High-82, Low-62, Isol. Thunderstorms Wednesday: High-80, Low-64 Cloudy830-672-8585

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For The RecordThe Cannon

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Today in Texas HistoryApril 5, 1896

Thought for the Day

On this day in 1896, in El Paso, U.S. deputy marshal George A. Scarborough shot constable John Selman, a celebrated gunman and gambler who had just left the Wigwam Saloon. Selman died the next day on the operating table. Scarborough was acquitted of murder but was forced to resign his position as deputy marshal. Selman, perhaps best known as the man who killed John Wesley Hardin in 1895, had himself been a notorious figure since the 1870s. Four years to the day after Selmans death, Scarborough died at his home in Deming, New Mexico, following a gun battle with rustlers in Arizona.

Dost thou understand me, sinful soul? He wrestled with justice, that thou mightest have rest; He wept and mourned, that thou mightest laugh and rejoice; He was betrayed, that thou mightest go free; was apprehended, that thou mightest escape; He was condemned, that thou mightest be justified; and was killed, that thou mightest live; He wore a crown of thorns, that thou mightest wear a crown of glory; and was nailed to the cross, with His arms wide open, to show with what freeness all His merits shall be bestowed on the coming soul; and how heartily He will receive it into His bosom? John Bunyan

New program proving to be instrumental for Gonzales Sheriffs OfficeBy CEDRIC IGLEHARTnewseditor@gonzalescannon.com

Gonzales police seeking suspect in car break-insBy CEDRIC IGLEHARTnewseditor@gonzalescannon.com

The Gonzales Police Department announced Wednesday afternoon that they have a suspect, whom they believed is connected to the recent rash of car breakins. Captain Allen Taylor said there were several reported vehicle burglaries in the month of March. The cars were parked in the area of the elementary schools, the College St./St. Lawrence area and near the Gonzales County Courthouse. Theres up to 17 on the books right now, Taylor said. The latest two happened

Monday night. Apparently what the suspect was doing was looking through the windows for purses or wallets. When he sees them, he smashes the window, reaches in and takes the objects. It the investigation of a robbery of a vehicle that occurred on Friday, March 30 which yielded enough information to lead to the issuing of an arrest warrant for Daniel Navejar, 38 of Gonzales. He was released from the pen in February and has a lengthy criminal history, Taylor said. We can only tie him to the one burglary at this time. In my opinion, this subject is going to be tied to the majority of the vehicle

burglaries that we had in March. I want to thank Gonzales Wal-Mart for their assistance. Because of their help, we were able to obtain the suspects identity. Burglary of a motor vehicle is a Class A misdemeanor but since Navejar has three such previous charges on his record it is enhanced to a felony. Officers went to serve the warrant on a residence where they believed Navejar was staying, but were unable to locate him. If you have any information to the whereabouts of Navejar, contact Capt. Taylor at 830-672-8686.

DeWitt Co. Sheriffs Office ReportDeWitt County Sheriffs Office Report from March 23-29 March 23 Arrested Joel Reid, 29, of Spring, Driving While Intoxicated, Bond of $1,200, DPS Arrested Randy Cabello, 34, of Cuero, Assault Family Violence, Bond of $1,000, DCSO Arrested Moody Blanton, 22, of Waco, Burglary of a Habitation, Bond of $35,000, DCSO Arrested Jason Whites, 39, of Pflugerville, Possession of Marijuana < 2 oz. Bond of $1,000, Possession of Drug Paraphilia Fine of $217, DCSO Arrested Johnny Janecka, 55, of Yoakum, Violation of Probation/Driving While Intoxicated 3Rd or More, No Bond, Jackson Co, DCSO Arrested Colten Ellington, 23, of Victoria, Reckless Driving, Bond of $1,000, DCSO March 24 Arrested Michelle Mainka, 32, of Cuero, Theft of Property >=$50=$50