The Brazosport Facts from Clute, Texas • Page 6

Got a local news tip? Call The Facts newsroom nightly until 10 p.m. 265-7411 County News The Brazosport Facts Wednesday, August 2, 1995 Page 6A POLICE BEAT Three men stabbed In WC bar fight By Greg Rabel The Brazosport Facts WEST COLUMBIA Investigators have a suspect but nobody in custody after a weekend bar fight at a West Columbia bar in which three men were stabbed, Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Capt. Jeff Adkins said Tuesday. The fight broke out just before midnight Saturday at Maxine's on Highway 36 near West Columbia. Witnesses told investigators an argument started between one of the stabbing victims, 25-year- old Kenneth Lacaze of West Columbia, and another man at the bar.

Lacaze was stabbed in the right arm and shoulder area. Other bar patrons stepped in and two other men were stabbed. Rickey Lynn Shelton, 36, of West Columbia was stabbed in the right side, and James Elbert Shelton, 33, of Brazoria, was stabbed in the lower back, chin and buttocks. After a bar employee called 911 and patrons were told deputies were en route, many of the patrons left the bar. Lacaze and Rickey Shelton both were treated at Sweeny Memorial Hospital; James Shelton and the suspect, a 38-year-old man, both were treated at Brazosport Memorial Hospital.

The suspect was the only person kept overnight for observation. A county jailor said the man was not in custody as of late Tuesday. Girl injured in Freeport pool FREEPORT A 13-year-old girl told Freeport police she was assaulted by a young man while trying to break up an altercation in the swimming pool at a Freeport apartment building last week. The girl told police she and a friend were swimming in the pool when she noticed a young man violently ducking a young woman under water and holding her there. When the young woman began to cry for help, the 13-year-old girl went over and tried to pull her away.

The girl told police the man then grabbed her arm around the wrist and violently twisted it. The girl told officers she went to Brazosport Memorial Hospital for treatment, where her arm was put in a sling and she was toid she had suffered a severe strain. Man arrested for felony DWI ANGLETON A Lake Jackson man was arrested by Angleton police Saturday evening on a drunk driving charge, according to reports. Records show George F. Maraist III, 38, was arrested after a he was stopped by police in the 200 block of East Cedar Street at 5:43 p.m.

He was arrested on a felony charge of driving while intoxicated, according to police. Two children found alone ANGLETON A caller informed Angleton police Sunday night that two small children had been left unattended at an apartment at an Angleton apartment complex. Police records show a 2-year- old and 4-year-old were left unattended at the apartment. Police told the parent if it happened again, Children's Protective Services would be notified. Car stolen in Alvin ALVIN A 1990 Pontiac Bonneville, midnight blue in color, was taken from a driveway in the 300 block of North 7th Street Sunday.

The locked vehicle was last seen at 12:45 a.m. Sunday. It was found to be missing at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. The vehicle had Texas license plates KFF 83R.

CLARIFICATION A story in trie July 29, 1995 edition of The Brazosport Facts about Dr. Mike Tutt and the New Life Family Enrichment Counseling Ministry in Pearland did not mean to imply that Tutt's service is In any way endorsed or supported by The Gulf Coast Baptist Association or by Buddy Scott pf His Love Christian Counseling Center in Lake Jackson. ADD board looks to cut costs in budget drive By Jamie Hegel The Brazosport Facts ANGLETON Though the membership of the Angleton Drainage District's Board of Supervisors was reduced by one Tuesday, the two remaining members are pushing ahead and planning to reduce the fiscal budget. Chairman David Spoor and Vice Chairman Ronnie Slate unanimously approved the resignation of Secretary Robert Salisbury. Salisbury said his resignation, effective July 14, was caused by the present board majority's "desire to move in a different direction and function in a manner opposite to my beliefs." Slate and Spoor have previously expressed concern for drainage district taxpayers.

In Tuesday's budget workshop, they discussed budget spending cuts in several areas including chemicals, diesel fuel, diesel equipment maintenance and fees for supervisors. "One of the things I'd like to bring up is supervisors' fees," Slate said. "I am definitely wanting to show support for cutting our costs all over." The district's appraised property value increased about $25 million over last year's valuation of $378 million. Spoor agreed this would aid the district in providing tax rate relief, but he said he cannot currently estimate what the budget or tax rate might look like. "Personally, I would like to get more figures," he said.

"I think our budget of this year shows some obvious places where we can cut. Hopefully we can get some more answers on this and go from there." Spoor insists the budget is in its preliminary stages, but acceptance of the budget is planned Sept. 8. In its agenda, the Board of Supervisors listed five provisions of the Texas Open Meetings Act under which it could meet in executive session Tuesday. Prior to the closed meeting, Spoor failed to specify which provisions would be discussed.

When the board reconvened after executive session, Raymond Felder, former member of ADD's Board of Supervisors, asked the board if it was required to identify which provisions were discussed. Stephen Coleman, the ADD's attorney, said it was not necessary to be specific. No action resulted from the executive session. Following adjournment, Coleman told The Facts it was not necessary for the board to cite specific provisions to be discussed in closed meetings. Wariner Auction items still needed for youth benefit FREEPORT The call has gone out for donation items to be used during an Aug.

11 auction and dance to benefit Brazoria County Youth Homes. Money raised from the event will hopefully be enough to purchase a van and furniture for the facility, says organizer and Freeport police officer David Wallace. The activities at Freeport Municipal Park will also feature barbecue lunches and a concert by Steve Wariner, a recording artist who has put a dozen songs atop the country singles charts since 1981. Barbecue lunches will be sold at the park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

and delivery can be arranged for orders of 10 or more plates within 15 miles of Freeport. The live auction is set for 6-7 p.m., and at 7 p.m. entertainment will be provided by Leah Hinton and Quintana, Jeff Chance and Wariner. "A lot of folks around here have already seen (Wariner) and know he's an excellent performer," Wallace says. Wallace says he hopes area residents rally to support the Youth Homes facility.

"Our goal is to sell a thousand barbecue plates. We're hoping to get good response from area businesses, refineries and churches. But we still need auction items." Those wishing to donate auction items can call Shanna Campbell Efird at 265-7282. To arrange delivery of barbecue plates, or for more information on the Back to School Dance and Concert fund-raiser, call Wallace at 233-6222 or 233-7394. Tickets to the concert are $12.

However, they can be purchased for $10 in advance and are currently available in Freeport at Baywood Foods, Beach Bait and Tackle Western Wear, Kicks Club and Gardi's Liquor, as well as Carrie's Corral in Angleton, Cowpoke's in West Columbia, Empire Western World in Richwood and J.R.'s Boot Center in Brazos Mall. Facts photo: Robert J. Reed Let there be lights George Fernandez, left, and Shayne Goodrum guide a light pole into place at the new strip shopping center next to Ryan's Steakhouse in Lake Jackson. The men are employees of Quantum Electric. The strip center will be home to Blockbuster Video, Marco's Pizza, Pet Co.

and TGF hair salon. Most stores are projected to be open in September, however, the recent rains may cause delays. County to beat budget deadline By Rivka Gewlrtz The Brazosport Facts The Brazoria County budget is expected to be approved by the end of this month, more than four weeks before the Oct. 1 deadline. Commissioners Court met Tuesday morning to hear requests from various department heads who asked for changes in County budget recommendations.

Requests were heard from Child Welfare, the Tax Office, the Sheriff's Department, Telecommunications, Mosquito Control and the Health Department. None of the requests were extreme, said Jim Clawson, the Precinct 2 commissioner. The biggest changes will be seen in the Sheriff's Department which requested a number of item changes including more funds for employee compensation. However, changes will also be seen, Clawson said, because the Sheriff's office budget will gain as a result of county prisoners that will now be taken and paid for by the state. The hearings ended Tuesday and the commissioners are left to review the requests and make final decisions.

Clawson said commissioners are confident the final budget will be approved by Aug. 28. Search continues for missing newspaper publisher in Gulf The Coast Guard was to continue its search of a square-mile area of the Gulf of Mexico at dawn today for the publisher of the Port Arthur News and two friends missing on a fishing trip. Coast Guard officials said late Tuesday that negotiations were underway to enlist U.S. Navy aircraft in the search.

The search for publisher Wes Plummer, 52, Port Arthur refinery worker Michael Rodriguez, 50, and Beaumont lawyer Robert Meroney, 50, began Monday when Meroney's father reported them missing. Aircraft from Corpus Christi and Mobile, explored a stretch from Matagorda Bay to Sabine Pass, Galveston Coast Guard Chief Michael Spencer said. The Coast Guard never received any type of distress signal from the boat, spokesman Don Merwin said Tuesday night. A line of severe thunderstorms hit the upper Texas coast Friday night and Saturday, then Tropical Storm Dean whipped the area on Sunday. Meroney's 31-foot pleasure boat, "Hook 'em II," left Port Arthur for Freeport, about 110 miles to the southwest, Friday afternoon.

The three were headed for a Freeport fishing tournament and were to return Sunday night. They attended a dinner for tournament participants antl then may have gone to fish neSr offshore oil rigs about 40 south of Cameron, officials said. The boat was last seen Friday 15 miles east of Freeport. From staff and wire reports IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WHAT'S GOING ON The Brazosport Facts welcomes news of any event that Is open to the public, Including community, religious, fund-raising or business functions. You may send your notices to What's Going On, The Brazosport Facts, Box 549, Clute, TX 77531, fax to 265-9052, or bring It by The Facts office at 720 S.

Main, Clute. TODAY BC FRESHMAN ORIENTATION Brazosport College is holding freshman orientation from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today. Orientation is required for all new freshman planning on attending.

Admission counselors will be available to answer questions and help prepare students for registration. Students who did not receive a reservation card should contact Cheri Morrow at 266-3355. The first 200 students to register for orientation receive a free T-shirt. SWEENY REGISTRATION Sweeny ISO is registering new students today and Thursday from a.m. and from 1-3 p.m.

Registration is also being held during those same times Monday through Thursday, Aug. 7-10. For complete information on registration, documents needed, and orientation dates, call Sweeny Elementary at 548-2550, Sweeny Junior High at 548-3361 or Sweeny High School at 548-2157. AHS CHEER CAMP The Angleton High School varsity cheerleaders are hosting a three- day cheerleading camp for students entering kindargarten and up from 1-5 p.m. today through Friday at Angleton High School.

Registration is planned for noon today. The cost is $20, and snacks are being provided. Parents are invited to attend the camp show Friday. STROKE SUPPORT GROUP The Stroke Support Group is meeting from 6-7 p.m. today in the Brazosport RehabCare Center, located on the fifth floor at Brazosport Memorial Hospital.

The program is an open discussion, facilitated by a social worker and nursing staff. The group provides an opportunity for sharing with others who have similar health problems. Call 299-2809 or 2992850 for information. WOMEN'S CONFERENCE St. John's Baptist Church in Van Vleck is holding its annual women's conference at 7 p.m.

today through Friday. The theme is, "Woman Be Free and Thirst No More." Registration is $5. Call 244-5821 for information. GOSPEL CONCERT Brazosport Baptist Temple invites everyone to a gospel concert featuring the group Gentle Persuasion at 7 p.m. today at the church.

The church can be reached by going north on 288-B, turning right on County Road 687 after the first bridge, and turning right on County Road 205. A love offering is being taken. Call 849-3602 for information. Shrimp Boil makes splash with raffle By Unda Formet-Heath The Brazosport Facts When it's 100 degrees outside, the idea of playing in the water sounds like a cool idea, and what better way to play than on a Kawasaki 650 Jet Ski, complete with trailer? The Brazosport Rotary Club is offering the jet ski as one of the raffles which are part of the annual Shrimp Boil, Fish Fry and Auction, scheduled for Aug. 19 in Freeport Municipal Park.

Marc Herns is in charge of this raffle and he may be reached for tickets at 297-3141. If you have something larger in mind for that weekend getaway, the 1995 Chevrolet Suburban is your ticket to ride. One of the coordinators for this raffle is Don Bauer and he promises that only 600 of the $100 tickets will be sold. For tickets, he can be reached at 2338247. READY TO RIDE: Brewster and Kelly Herns try out the Kawasaki 650 Jet Ski their father Marc Herns Is raffling off during the annual Rotary Club Shrimp Boil, Fish Fry and Auction, scheduled for Aug.

19 in Freeport Municipal Park. Day activities in the park will include a 5K fun run, volleyball and horseshoe contests, craft booths and a silent auction. A live auction will also be gaveled by Randy Bush and James Patterson, beginning at Serving of the boiled shrimp, fried fish, cole slaw and beans will begin at 11 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m. Drive-through take-out will also be available next to the Mystery shrimp boat.

Meal tickets are $10 each and are available from Rotary members and the Brazos Mall office. Raffle tickets are available there as well..