News | The Gonzales Inquirer

This map shows the fire department coverage areas for Gonzales County. The green-colored area represents the Nixon Fire and Rescue coverage area, while the orange-colored area represents the Smiley Volunteer Fire Department coverage area. When the two departments join to become Gonzales County South, it will assume coverage of that combined area.

Smiley agrees to turn over all VFD assets to ESD 2

The City of Smiley officially released the Smiley Volunteer Fire Department and all its assets to Gonzales County Emergency Services District No. 2 on Tuesday, May 21 — an important step … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 5/22/24

GISD approves $498,000 makeover for Apache Field

Apache Field is getting a summer makeover that should be finished in time for the 2024 football season. At a special meeting Monday, May 20, the Gonzales ISD Board of Trustees voted to approve … more

By LEW K. COHN,Inquirer Publisher | 5/20/24

Explosion kills one at Westhoff plant

An explosion at an Advantek Waste Management Services LLC oilfield saltwater disposal plant near Westhoff on Friday, May 17, claimed the life of an employee, according to the DeWitt County … more

From staff, wire reports | 5/20/24

Gonzales Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop seeks volunteers

The Gonzales Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop has been serving the hospital since 1975 and the current members are looking for new volunteers. Gift Shop manager (and outgoing president of … more

By Vandy Van Epps, Gonzales Inquirer | 5/20/24

Sales tax allocations go up for Gonzales County in May 2024

Sales tax allocations in May 2024 were up for three of Gonzales County’s four municipalities, according to figures released by Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar’s office. Hegar announced … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 5/16/24

Nixon-Smiley CISD honored Roxanne Villasana (Master), Cynthia Stowers (Master), Tabitha Miller (Exemplary) and Kimberly Moses (Master) for achieving designations through the state’s Teacher Incentive Allotment program. Laura VanGundy (Master) and Patrice Turner (Master) earned designations as well, but were not present at the Monday, May 13 board meeting.

Nixon-Smiley CISD honors TIA designated teachers

The first group of Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) designated teachers were recognized at the Monday, May 13 Nixon-Smiley CISD Board meeting. Roxanne Villasana (Master), Cynthia Stowers … more

Special to the Inquirer | 5/16/24

Main Street names Discovery Antiques as business of the month

Discovery Architectural Antiques at 409 St Francis St. was named as Gonzales Main Street’s Business of the Month for May 2024. Discovery was founded in 1997 by Suzanne Kittel, who brings … more

By Vandy Van Epps, Gonzales Inquirer | 5/16/24

Jordan’s Way to hold fundraising event for GPAC

The founder of a national organization which raises awareness for underfunded and overpopulated animal shelters and rescues will be at Gonzales Pet Adoption Center, operated by Kingdom Rescue, this … more

Special to the Inquirer | 5/16/24

GISD Superintendent Administrative Assistant Maggie Holub reads the oath of office to swear in Naomi Brown and Josie Smith-Wright to the school board. Smith-Wright won her reelection for District 4 and Brown defeated incumbent Sandra Gorden for District 7.

Brown, Smith-Wright sworn in; Gorden says goodbye to school board

The Gonzales ISD Board of Trustees met for its regularly scheduled meeting Monday, May 13 at the GISD administration building. One of the big agenda items was the certifying of the general … more

By Vandy Van Epps, Gonzales Inquirer | 5/16/24

Nixon Municipal Judge Deidra Voigt, left, swears in newly elected Nixon Mayor Ellie Dominguez on Monday, May 13, at the Nixon Community Center. Dominguez ran unopposed as mayor after previously serving on the City Council.

Nixon swears in new mayor and council members

The city of Nixon saw a changing of the guard Monday, May 13, with outgoing Mayor Dorothy Riojas presiding over her last City Council meeting and newly elected Mayor Ellie Dominguez being sworn into … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 5/16/24

Gonzales County Judge Pat Davis (right) swears in newly elected Councilwoman Mariah Jordan (left), of District 2.

City Council swears in Jordan, Kridler; council votes no on YMCA funding

The Gonzales City Council held their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 14 at Gonzales City Hall — the date had been moved during a previous meeting. The council kicked off the … more

By Vandy Van Epps, Gonzales Inquirer | 5/16/24

Gonzales County approves final plat for WT Airpark in Waelder

Gonzales County commissioners signed off Monday, May 13, on the final plat for the first phase of the county’s first airpark development — WT Airpark in Waelder. The court had … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 5/16/24

Court approves Gonzales County joining SCATTF as participating member

Gonzales County commissioners gave Sheriff Keith Schmidt the green light to join the Sheriff’s Combined Auto Theft Task Force (SCATTF) as a full participating agency during their regular … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 5/16/24

Early voting begins Monday in 2024 Republican Primary Runoff

Gonzales County voters will be asked to decide the race for Precinct 1 Commissioner and the Republican candidate for Texas House Representative District 44 when early voting opens Monday, May 20, for … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 5/15/24

Severe storms damage trees, knock out power for more than 4,000 GVEC customers

Severe weather knocked out electrical power to more than 4,000 GVEC meters while breaking and uprooting a large number of trees in Gonzales County on Monday, May 13. County Emergency Management … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 5/15/24

Wilkerson named new Chamber operations coordinator

The Gonzales Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture has a new operations coordinator and will soon be looking for a new tourism coordinator. On Wednesday, May 15, the Chamber announced that … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 5/15/24

No Kid Hungry invests in Gonzales ISD for school breakfast programs

No Kid Hungry announces its investment of $90,200 in seven (7) Texas school districts, including Gonzales ISD. The campaign’s latest grant cycle marks a continuation of its commitment to … more

Special to the Inquirer | 5/9/24

Bishop George Sampleton, a Gonzales native, holds letters from Stanford University, Texas A&M University and Texas State University stating his self-published book, “Don’t Give Up Keep the Faith,” has been added to their library catalogs.

Gonzales native’s book added to more university library collections

A Gonzales native’s self-published book chronicling his own experiences growing up in the community during integration has been added to the libraries and archives of more than 48 universities … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 5/9/24

Bantam Fest 2024 to be held Saturday

Bantam Fest is almost here, and the Smiley Bantam Activity Group are excited to bring their annual festival to the Smiley Fire Department this Saturday, May 11. Residents of Smiley, and all … more

By BETTY COHN, Gonzales Inquirer | 5/9/24

TJHRA finals return to JB Wells, Gonzales

The Texas Junior High Rodeo Finals return to Gonzales Saturday, May 25 through Saturday, June 1. JB Wells Facility Manager Amanda Garza and her staff have been preparing for more than 30 vendors … more

By Vandy Van Epps, Gonzales Inquirer | 5/9/24