The Baytown Sun (Baytown, Tex.), Vol. 99, No. 239, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 12, 2019 Page: 3 of 8
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: The Baytown Sun and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Sterling Municipal Library.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Uhe Wavtown Sun 3
Thursday, December 12, 2019
7
to consider the historic pected to last several hours, with
nal argument for impeachment and Georgia Rep. Doug Collins, argued
that Democrats are impeaching the
Remembering victims of violent crime
Chambers County DA hosts 11th Tree of Angels ceremony
LIECK
POLICE BEAT
2"
r
4
1
TARGET
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
cans contend, as Trump does, that the 63 million people who voted for
he has done nothing wrong, and all this president, all of us in flyover
of them are expected to vote against country, all of us common folk in
opening statements from lawmak-
ers on both sides of the aisle. Votes
won’t come until today, when the
to urge his Republican colleagues
to reconsider. He said the commit-
tee should consider whether the
evidence shows that Trump com-
The Judiciary meeting is to mark
up, or amend, the two articles of
impeachment that Democrats in-
“(The ceremony) was really
good as always,” Railsback said.
“Cheryl and I were talking
about how she has had it for over
10 years. And we’ve been there
since the beginning because she
started it the year Shane was
killed. I commented that it is un-
session
charges.
changed, though, as Democrats are
unlikely to accept any amendments
proposed by Republicans unified
against Trump’s impeachment.
Democrats have already agreed
to the language, which span only
nine pages and say that Trump act-
BY MARY GLARE JALONIGK
AND USA MASGARO
The Associated Press
vA
the articles.
The top Republican on the panel,
with a major accident on Interstate 10.
The county’s Chaplain Danny Biddy gave
the invocation while Cameron Lieck and Jon
Finney of Mercy Gate Church provided the
music.
Lieck was able to celebrate at the ceremo-
ny this year thanks to the passage of House
Bill 1399, also known as the Krystal Jean
Baker Act.
Signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in
August, the law will help law enforcement
collect DNA from violent felons to help
solve cold cases. Lieck, Chambers County
Assistant District Attorney Eric Carcerano,
Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne,
the Sheriff’s Association and many other
law enforcement officials all played a role in
helping the legislation pass.
Krystal Jean Baker was a 16-year-old girl
who was abducted, sexually assaulted and
strangled to death in 1996.
DNA evidence was collected at the time,
but the case remained unsolved until Kevin
Smith was arrested in Louisiana on a drug
charge in 2010.
His DNA was sampled at the time of ar-
EMS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Sim Anthony
Pierre
BY MATT HOLLIS
matt.hollis@baytownsun.com
128
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
1
"*32.3
“=
2ca
eo
h A
March 3, with early vot-
ing Feb. 18-28.
The winner of the Re-
publican primary—Cain
or Hoskins—will face
the winner of the Dem-
ocratic primary—Markle
or Williams—in the Nov.
6 general election. Early
voting is Oct. 22-Nov. 2.
The Libertarian Party
sometimes competes in
this district, but does not
hold a primary.
Ohio, Wisconsin, Tennessee and
Texas.”
Republicans are expected to offer
an array of amendments and make
lice. Texas Department of Public Safety offi- rest, and he eventually pled guilty to Krystal
cers were slated to attend but had to contend Jean’s murder.
fortunate that every year there are so many
new names added. But, it was very lovely
as it always is. Both Cheryl and Danni do a
great job.”
Each crime victim’s name is written on an
ornament, and then either a family member
of a law enforcement agency hangs it on a
Christmas tree in the foyer of the Chambers
County courthouse.
“It was beautiful, and there were a lot of
people there as always, mostly family mem-
bers,” Railsback said.
Chambers County Sheriff Office deputies,
Texas Rangers and other law enforcement
were on-hand as were representatives from
Dist. 23 State Rep. Mayes Middleton’s of-
president because they think they procedural motions, even if they
can’t beat him in the 2020 election, know none of them will pass. The
Democrats think the only thing Judiciary panel is made up of some
now a true inspiration to others,”
Bednarek said. “We are just do-
ing our job. It is a good feeling
on our part since we see negative
things a lot. To be able to reunite
with someone that went above
and beyond and made a full re-
covery, it makes our job worth-
while.”
Bednarek said he feels Duran
will have a successful career as a
first responder.
“She will be able to relate to
people,” he said. “She had a trau-
matic event in her life, and when
she comes across an individual
on the scene, she will be able to
truly understand what is going
on and provide excellent patient
care.”
Kern taught Bednarek years
ago just as she is now teaching
Duran.
“The reunion was a really
special day for me,” Kern said.
“I was so grateful to witness
(Bednarek) meet a current stu-
dent whose life he helped to
save. When our students leave
us, I always pray I have provid-
ed the education, training, and
It has been 11 years since Chambers
County District Attorney Cheryl Lieck be-
gan hosting the Tree of Angels ceremony to
honor those that died as a result of a violent
crime. After all this time, the ceremony has
not lost its poignancy.
The ceremony is a way to celebrate and re-
member those who lost their lives to violent
crimes. Lieck, along with her assistant, Dan-
ni Previte, makes certain the families and
friends of the victims are ensured their loved
ones are never forgotten, especially around
Christmastime.
“It remembers crime victims,” Previte
said. “Cheryl has a lot of people tell her this
ceremony means a lot to them. And around
this time of the year, it never gets easier for
these folks. I think she wants them to know
we are thinking about them.”
Cheryl Railsback attends to remember her
son, Shane Detwiler, a Chambers County
Sheriff Deputy who died on duty in 2009. A
portion of Highway 99 was also renamed af-
ter Detwiler recently.
8
Sim (Shorn) Anthony
Pierre, age 47, passed
away on December 2,
2019 in Baytown, Texas.
Visitation is from 5
to 7 p.m. on December
13, 2019 and the cele-
bration of Shorn’s life
will be on December
14, 2019, 10 a.m., at
Crespo and Jirrels
Funeral Home.
YCRESPO& Jirrels
MFuneral and Cremation Services
crespoandjinels.com 281-839-0700
guests.
“Those plans include the
Baytown store,” she said.
“There are many consider-
Duran said. “I just had my final
appointment for dental surgery,
and that was the last surgery re-
lated to the accident.”
It was several years later when
Duran realized her calling was
to be a first responder like those
who had rescued her.
“It took a while for me to re-
alize it,” she said. “I had gone
through college and changed my
major and decided that EMS is
for me. I looked back at every-
thing, and it inspired me even
more.”
Duran is now enrolled as a stu-
dent at San Jacinto College North
in the Emergency Medical Tech-
nician program. She just finished
taking her finals with the EMT
Basic course and is now looking
ahead to enrolling for Advanced
EMT that starts this spring.
“Being able to give back to
somebody that could potentially
be in the same position as I was,
.11: 11 11 • j • • 4 Photo by Sophia Primera/San Jacinto College
that is what really is driving me,
Duran said. “And (first respond- Members of the Baytown Firefighters reunited with Victoria Duran, a current Emergency Medical Technician strength to complete the tough
ers) do not get the recognition student at San Jacinto College, who they rescued in a 2012 car accident in Baytown. Pictured from left, Gary job we are called to do at critical
they deserve. My appreciation Carlton, Lukasz Bednarek, Victoria Duran, Keith Lowell, Matthew Mitchell, and Clint Kneuven, who was the moments. What a beautiful sight
for them really inspired me.” flight nurse when Duran was flown to the hospital via Life Flight. to see Lukasz, a successful fire
Duran was able to reunite with , . „ officer and paramedic with the
the first responders who helped a thought in my head. So, she and firefighter Keith Lowell, overlooked. I have three family Baytown Fire Department, meet
her that day in 2012 posted on Facebook that she was Clint Kneuven, the flight nurse members in EMS, two paramed- our current student whom he im-
“j was at school and my elm- looking for a certain crew from on the Life Flight that took Du- ics in the family and a firefighter, pacted in spring 2012 ”
ical instructor (Kristine Kern) 2012. Within 30 minutes, two ran to the hospital, was also in Just watching what they do real- Bednarek is grateful to help
happened to be in the room when crewmembers responded, and attendance. ly inspires me. To have the title Duran, but was clear he did not
we were talking about an injury from there, it snowballed.” “They surprised me by show- ‘first responder’ is absolutely do it alone.
and how it was similar to mine,” Among those who showed up ing up,” Duran said. “It takes outstanding and amazing.” “There were other guys in-
Duran said. “We started talking at the reunion were Baytown a lot of hard work, dedication, Bednarek said the whole story volved, and they did their part,
about the accident, and she asked firefighter Lt. Lukasz Bednarek, long hours, time away from is incredible and inspiring. too, so by no means do I want to
me if I had been reunited with Engine Operator Gary Carlton, family. The dedication and hard “She did not give up, and in- all the credit myself,” Bednarek
them. I told her no, but it put firefighter Matthew Mitchell, work they put in is sometimes stead, she fought back and is said.
troduced Tuesday. Those articles ments and likely hold a final vote to
charge Trump with abuse of power send the articles to the House floor,
and obstruction of Congress related House Judiciary Committee
to his dealings with Ukraine. Chairman Jerrold Nadler opened
The articles aren’t expected to be the prime-time hearing to make a fi-
mitted these acts, if they rise to the they need is a “32-second commer- of the most partisan members on
level of impeachable high crimes cial saying we impeached him,” both sides.
M'Eye
57---"
RrgarjAe * An attempted vehicle burglary was
-u om lUd reported in the 4600 block of Garth
- A vacant house and two sheds on the Road shortly after midnight Wednesday
same property in the 100 block of Scott. , 11
c. P.M.. .11 1MN morning. The suspect was described as
Street were reported burglarized Mon- .. , ,11.00 n
day night. Tools valued it about $200 ab lack man in a black Kia Soul with
were reported stolen. Texas license FP9937.
- A home was reported burglarized in * Cash and documents were reported
the 3100 block of Indiana Street Tues- stolen from a vehicle in the 4900 block
day night. of North Main Street early Wednesday.
• About $250 worth of property was ThAf+g
reported stolen from a home in the 3800 ' IUl -D
block of Kingsway Drive Tuesday. ’ A red motorcycle was reported sto-
• Electronics valued at about $600 len from a parking lot in the 300 block of
were reported stolen from a home in the Tri City Beach Road about 5 a.m. Tues-
3300 block of Wisconsin Street Tues- day. The suspects were in a dark-col-
day. ored pickup, possibly a Chevrolet HD.
voting on articles of impeachment crats.
against President Donald Trump, The Wednesday evening session
beginning a marathon two-day of the 41-member panel was ex-
WASHINGTON — The House nority, Republicans wouldn’t have when our country returns, as surely Collins said. “But at the end of the
Judiciary Committee took the first the votes to make changes without it will, to calmer times and stronger day, my heart breaks for a commit-
steps Wednesday evening toward support from at least some Demo- leadership, history will look back tee that has trashed this institution.”
committee will consider amend- to get the president. Most Republi- us,” Jordan added. “They don’t like
I I
' i
Billions needed
to clean up Gulf
NEW ORLEANS (AP)
— Federal agencies have
approved nearly $226
million for 18 projects to
restore open ocean and
marine habitats that were
decimated in the Gulf of
Mexico by the 2010 BP
oil spill.
The projects range
from $52.6 million to
study deep-sea habitats
to $290,000 to find ways
to keep sea turtles from
swallowing or getting
snagged on hooks or tan-
gled in lines set out for
miles along reefs.
They are described in a
report released Tuesday.
The nonprofit Ocean
Conservancy said it’s
“the world’s first plan to
restore the open ocean
and deep-sea environ-
ment from a oil disaster.”
Hudson, applied for a build- ations and factors that influ-
ing permit for remodeling the ence a remodel project’s tim-
Baytown store with a listed ing, scope and specific details
value of $954,154. during the planning process, so
A Target media representa- we can provide more informa-
tive, Liz Hancock, said, “The tion once construction is un-
reimaged stores will feature derway.”
Target’s most ambitious store The new project will bring a
redesign to date, featuring modem look and upgrades like
modernized design elements LED lighting, and will also
and bringing more technolo- improve the store’s integration
gy and digital experiences to with online shopping.
our stores to make shopping The company has not
in store and online even easi- announced a time for the
er and more inspiring for our Baytown project to begin.
Judiciary panel begins final arguments
Committee expected to hold final vote on articles of impeachment today fle
( „__F
ed "corruptly" and “betrayed the and misdemeanors and what the Collins said.
nation” when he asked Ukraine to consequences are if they fail to act. “That’s the wrong reason to im-
investigate Joe Biden and the 2016 “When his time has passed, when peach somebody, and the American
U.S. election. Hamstrung in the mi- his grip on our politics is gone, people are seeing through this,”
on our actions here today,” Nadler Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan said Dem-
said. “How would you be remem- ocrats are impeaching because
bered?” “they don’t like us,” and he read
Republicans are also messaging out a long list of Trump’s accom-
to the American people — and to plishments.
Trump himself— as they argue that “It’s not just because they don’t
the articles show Democrats are out like the president, they don’t like
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Bloom, David. The Baytown Sun (Baytown, Tex.), Vol. 99, No. 239, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 12, 2019, newspaper, December 12, 2019; Baytown, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1467961/m1/3/: accessed June 12, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Sterling Municipal Library.