News | The Gonzales Inquirer

AJ Irwin, raised in Gonzales, was a successful coach in his hometown and in Burnet after starring at Victoria College, where he also was a coach for the women’s basketball team. Irwin also was a music artist and producer before he succumbed to cancer at age 37.

AJ "Coach" Irwin remembered as champion for Victoria College & UHV, on and off court

Who would have known a young man raised in Gonzales would circle back to leading student-athletes 20+ years later in small-town Texas to athletic successes they had not seen in decades? Let’s … more

By Robert Royer, Special to the Inquirer | 3/30/25

Commissioners express support for new court covering Lavaca, Colorado counties

Gonzales County commissioners have approved unanimously a resolution supporting the creation of a new district court that would cover Colorado and Lavaca counties beginning Jan. 1, 2027, under the … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 3/30/25

Pilot International Club of Gonzales announces Bunco Fiesta date

The Pilot International Club of Gonzales is excited to announce its fourth annual Bunco Fiesta, scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18. This highly anticipated event will bring the community together … more

Special to the Inquirer | 3/30/25

The Gonzales County Courthouse Annex on Sarah DeWitt Drive could see selective demolition begin as soon as mid-April with construction of a new building to follow. The annex has been vacant since being declared unsafe in October 2023 due to deterioration.

County discusses prospective burn ban, annex renovation update

Gonzales County will institute a burn ban beginning Monday, March 31, unless the county receives significant rainfall from storms forecast to hit the area through Friday night. County … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 3/26/25

Bingo, Bags and Badges officially sold out

Tickets are officially sold out for the one of the biggest nights of the year for Gonzales County: the annual Bingo, Bags and Badges fundraiser, to be held Friday, April 4, at the JB Wells Expo … more

From staff reports | 3/26/25

A special moment in this journey was receiving a generous donation of 150 socks from members of Greater Webster Methodist Church. Pictured in this moment of kindness are Debbie Marshall alongside members of the congregation: Lawrence Strait, Shirlette Williams, Sharon Hastings-Broom, Debbie Marshall, Angela Moore, Alton Allen, and Pastor Barry Moore.

Heartfelt Footsteps: A simple gesture of love and warmth

This story was shared with me by Debbie Marshall, Regional Client Services Manager at Community Health Centers of South Central Texas (CHCSCT) and founder of COPE — Community Outreach People … more

By Sharon Hastings-Broom, Special to the Inquirer | 3/21/25

Gonzales Main Street has named the Lynn Theater the Business of the Month for March 2025. The theater reopened and started showing first-run films on Dec. 14, 2024.

Lynn Theater: a timeless treasure in the heart of Gonzales

Gonzales' historic downtown is home to many cherished businesses, but few evoke as much nostalgia and charm as the Lynn Theater. This month, Main Street Gonzales proudly honors the Lynn Theater … more

Special to the Inquirer | 3/21/25

Inquirer, American Legion candidate forum is March 27

Candidates for Gonzales mayor and Gonzales ISD District 1 and District 2 trustee will answer questions about their qualifications and positions on important issues at a forum sponsored by the … more

From staff reports | 3/21/25

Higher retail sales, inflation creates best-ever March sales tax allocation for Gonzales

Higher retail sales year-over-year as well as inflation have resulted in the best-ever March sales tax allocation for the city of Gonzales — more than $27,000 higher than the previous record … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 3/19/25

City ends agreement with Chamber for tourism activities

The Gonzales City Council ended the agreement with the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture to host the tourism department and Convention & Visitors Bureau — effective immediately … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 3/19/25

City Council approves Texas Legacy in Lights content agreement

Texas Legacy in Lights could be reflecting in 3D on the surface of the Gonzales Memorial Museum as soon as this July after getting unanimous support from the Gonzales City Council on Thursday, March … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 3/19/25

City approves HOT funds for Come and Take It, Cattle Country

The Gonzales City Council made two votes regarding distribution of Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds on Thursday, March 13 — giving $30,000 to the Oct. 3-5 Come and Take It Celebration Committee … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 3/19/25

Waelder Police Chief Cesar Lopez, left, is retiring, which will leave the department with just two officers on the job and three vacancies. Two other positions are currently advertised on Texas Municipal League’s website.

Waelder Police Chief Cesar Lopez retiring

The Waelder Police Department, already operating with two vacancies, will soon be without a police chief as well. Waelder Mayor Pro Tem and Acting Mayor Mike Harris confirmed for the Inquirer … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 3/19/25

Glass to address Gonzales County GOP meeting

Tom Glass, founder and leader of Texas Constitutional Enforcement, will be the guest speaker at the next Gonzales County Republican Party meeting on Tuesday, March 18. The event will take place … more

Special to the Inquirer | 3/13/25

From left, Andy Rodriguez, Gonzales Dog Adoptions Representative Keiko McCormick, Dick Kuenzler, VFW Post Commander David Burger, John DuBose, and two available-for-adoption puppies from the shelter.

VFW gives to Gonzales Dog Adoptions center

Gonzales VFW Post #4817 heard a program given by Keiko McCormick regarding the Gonzales Dog Adoptions Inc., a non-profit organization that operates the Gonzales dog shelter. Keiko explained that … more

Special to the Inquirer | 3/13/25

Marcus Hernandez and Russell "Rusty" Bowles

DPS investigating fatal motorcycle accidents in county

The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating a pair of motorcycle accidents that have claimed the lives of two men within the past two weeks in Gonzales County. Details about the … more

From staff reports | 3/12/25

County will issue tax notes in April to fund annex renovation

Gonzales County will use a seven-year tax note to pay for the renovation of the Gonzales County Annex building — a move that will add about 2.8 cents to the county tax rate beginning this fall. … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 3/12/25

Commissioners rescind LCRA tower bid award in 3-2 vote

The Gonzales County Commissioners Court will start back at square one after voting 3-2 Monday, March 10, to rescind its acceptance of a previously awarded non-competitive bid from the Lower Colorado … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 3/12/25

Michael Martinez of VLK Architects explains the overall site plan for the new Gonzales ISD CTE building and Ag barn during a March 10 GISD board meeting. Construction could begin within three weeks.

GISD locks in $19.5 million price for new CTE, Ag facilities

Gonzales ISD trustees locked in a guaranteed maximum price of $19,523,596 for construction of a new CTE building and Ag barn facility during their Monday, March 10, meeting — meaning the … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 3/12/25

Dr. Dana Arreola, left, officially signs her new contract as GISD superintendent while Board President Ross Hendershot III waits to sign as well.

Dr. Dana Arreola hired as GISD superintendent in historic vote

History was made Monday, March 10, when the Gonzales Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 6-0 to hire Dr. Dana Arreola as the new superintendent of schools at their regular meeting. … more

By LEW K. COHN, Inquirer Publisher | 3/11/25