2016 saw many ups and downs. Here is a month by month look at some of the events that took place this year.
In January, the Eleventh Court of Appeals in Eastland has affirmed the conviction of Pedro Rocha, one of the four men convicted of killing Ronald Philen in Brown County in 2009. In 2013, Rocha was convicted by a jury of capital murder. Punishment was assessed at life in prison without the possibility of parole. The Court of Appeals held that there was sufficient evidence to corroborate Rocha’s participation in the murder.
In February, it was announced that the “Feels Like Home Celebration”, or more commonly known as the “Brownwood Reunion” would be no more after a 15 year run. The committee announced that the annual event held the 3rd weekend of September will be transitioning into a network of events held throughout the year. The first stage of the change will be the development of a network of events by creating partnerships with various organizations around the community. The new concept, according to the committee, was to offer the community and visitors a slate of yearly events to help increase the quality of life in the community and be a draw for those visiting from out of town.
March saw the end of some heated primary elections. In the race for District Attorney for the 35th Judicial District, Incumbent Micheal Murray retained his seat by earning 5,935 votes. Murray’s opponent Bill Ruth grabbed 2,395 votes. In the race for Brown County Sheriff, Vance Hill garnered 4,408 votes, or 51.07% of the vote. Paul Lilly came in second with 2,125 votes and Billy Bloom received 2,098 votes. In the race for County Commissioner Precinct 3, Incumbent Wayne Shaw was reelected, receiving 1,343 votes, with Pat McLaughlin getting 696 and Jessica Acker earning 478 votes. In the race for Precinct 1, Gary Worley received 997 votes, but did not win a majority percentage of 50.1% or more, which meant a runoff election was required between Worley and runner up Tommy Blevins, who received 750 votes. The runoff election on May 24th saw Worley retain his seat. As there were no opposition from the Democratic ticket in the local races, all winners would take office. In the republican primary, 8,925 of the 22,414 registered voters in Brown County cast a ballot. That was a 39.82% participation rate.
In April, for the first time in a decade, the annual Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet was sold out and those in attendance saw several presented with community awards. The Groner Pitts Lifetime of Service Award was presented to the matriarch of the KOXE/KBWD family—Jane Ellen Jamar. . Jimmy Trowbridge was named Ambassador of the Year. Two posthumous Stuart Coleman Good Neighbor Awards were presented to the families of Dee Reynolds and Don Bostick, while Amanda Leija and Jill Bastardo were also presented with Good Neighbor Awards.
On May 7, voters in Brownwood and Early decided to change the course of economic development in their respective municipalities by changing from an economic development corporation to a municipal development district. Also in May was the murder of 25 year-old Rhonda Chantay Blankinship in northern Brown County. The case is still under investigation.
In June, for the second consecutive year, flooding once again happened in Brownwood, closing some businesses and several roads. The aftermath of the flooding also forced the cancellation of the annual Brown County Rodeo Parade.
July saw the Brownwood Police Department welcome new Chief Terry Nichols. Nichols replaced Mike Corley who retired in June after 40 years in law enforcement.
In August, a community event to show support for local law enforcement called “Light the Night” was held at the Depot to allow the community to meet local officials and law enforcement. “Light the Night” was a way for the entire community to join together and honor fallen officers from across the country and show support for law enforcement in Brown County. Several hundred residents took part in the event.
On September 17, 17 year old Cody Michael Flores was arrested and charged with capital murder for the double homicide of his biological father and step-mother on County Road 551. According to the report released at the time, Flores stated he shot both with a 22 caliber rifle. Flores has yet to stand trial.
October saw the inaugural Barktoberfest community event, featuring the first Cake Wars challenge. Barktoberfest was an all-day event featuring food and craft vendors, pet friendly activities and contests. Proceeds from the event benefitted the PAWS program at the Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Center.
In November, it was announced that The Hendrick Surgery Center is progressing towards a spring 2017 opening after breaking ground in June. The facility, located near Brownwood Regional Medical Center, is an offshoot of Abilene’s Hendrick Health System for outpatient surgery. It will include 13,400 square feet of pre-op/recovery rooms, operating rooms and a lobby area. The surgery center will provide a local alternative for residents who previously have had to travel to larger cities, like Abilene, for many procedures. Both Abilene and Brownwood physicians will utilize the facility, which will perform surgeries for specialties including gastroenterology, orthopedics, podiatry, urology, gynecology, ophthalmology, pain management and plastic surgery.
And this month, the results of a hotel market study in Brownwood were released. The study concludes that because of the increases in occupancy and ADR as well as the moderate employment and population growth within the City of Brownwood, it is determined that there is adequate demand for new lodging within the primary market area. Hotel occupancy is expected to continue to increase with the addition of the Sports Coordinator position in Brownwood that will recruit events to take advantage of the Brownwood Sports Complex that includes 11 children and adult baseball and softball fields, an aquatics center, Gordon Wood Stadium, and a new 22-field soccer complex. The position will also recruit for events at other city facilities. Expansions are also underway at the Brownwood Regional Medical Center and in the Brownwood Industrial Park that includes 3M, Kohler, Superior Essex and other major employers.
