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Natalia man ejected, killed in accident on FM-173
Gerald Black, News Editor - Wednesday, July 28, 2010

An AirLife helicopter prepares to land on Texas Hwy. 173 just about 1/3 milep west of FM-2504. The helicopter transported a passenger from the vehicle which rolled over and came to rest in the bar ditch on the south side of the highway (pictured at far left). The driver of the vehicle had been ejected as it rolled over and was pronounced dead at the scene. (Express photo by Gerald Black)

A Natalia man was pronounced dead at the scene on Hwy. 173, about 1/3 mile west of the FM-2504 intersection in far west Atascosa County on Friday.

The July 23 accident occurred around 2 p.m.

According to DPS Trooper Kyle Harriman’s report, the 1993 Nissan Sentra was traveling east when the driver, identified as Juan Cruz, age 47, of Natalia, lost control and the vehicle ran off the east bound shoulder, across a concrete culvert and began to roll over. The Sentra rolled along the brush line before coming to rest in the bar ditch.

Cruz was ejected and was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was later sent to the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s office for a toxicology report. The passenger in Cruz’ car was Jose Munoz, age 55. He was flown by AirLife helic...

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Prepare for a huge economic explosion
Gerald Black, News Editor - Wednesday, July 28, 2010
‘Eagle Ford’ will soon become an everyday word in your vocabulary. It isn’t a bird and it isn’t a car or truck.

It is a geological layer of shale below about 11 (plus or minus) counties – including Atascosa and McMullen counties. The layer where the activity is taking place is also called a “play.” The Eagle Ford Play is already having a growing influence on the business and population of the area. It is soon expected to be a boon to the economy and growth in the region not seen locally for decades.

The latest in technology has allowed the oil and gas industries to now harvest the fuel which was once almost impossible.

The Eagle Ford Shale is going to be more prolific than the Barnett Shale Play that had been very productive in the Dallas - Ft. Worth area...

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Cowboy Crazy Cash begins this week
., . - Wednesday, July 28, 2010

What’s hot? Just about everything in the Brush Country. It might make it more bearable by winning a cool $500 by participating in the Cowboy Crazy Cash contest that is underway.

Contestants can win big – a $500 gift certificate redeemable at the participating merchants. There will also be a $25 gift certificate winner from each merchant as well.

The contest is easy to enter. Simply visit any merchant listed on page 7B, fill out an entry form and deposit it in their container.

The $500 Grand Prize gift certificate will be honored by any of the merchants. Half of the prize money must be redeemed at the place where the winning entry was deposited. Prize winnings must be redeemed by December 31, 2010.

There will be one entry per person per visit al...

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Crime Stoppers tip leads to arrest for drug selling
., . - Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office acting on an anonymous tip from Crime Stoppers has arrested an Atascosa County woman on charges of allegedly selling dangerous drugs.

On Friday, July 16, Atascosa County Crime Stoppers received a tip of someone selling prescription drugs at the Flea Market on Highway 97 between Jourdanton and Pleasanton.

An undercover deputy was sent to the flea market to investigate. The deputy purchased 60 doses of Lidocain pain medicine along with another prescription drug. Sheriff’s investigators later returned to the flea market and confiscated over 100 doses of the prescription pain medication, along with Nexium prescription pills.

Atascosa County Chief Deputy Sheriff David Soward said the prescription medicine confiscated duri...

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Looking for Lil’ Mister and Miss Cowboy Homecoming, Sunday Aug. 8
., . - Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The Lil’ Mr. and Miss Cowboy Homecoming pageant will be held August 8, at 3:00 p.m. at the ACT Theatre.

Eligible participants are all Atascosa children that are entering Pre-K or Kindergarten (4 or 5 years old by Sept 1, 2010). Entry fees are $15 and forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce Log Cabin or online at www.pleasantoncofc.com.

The winners of the Lil’ Mr. & Miss Cowboy Homecoming will represent Pleasanton and Cowboy Homecoming.

Winners receive a sash, crown and bouquet or boutonnière of flowers as well as a crown, cowboy hat and their picture in the Pleasanton Express.

First place and runners-up will be chosen. The winners will help crown the Cowboy Homecoming Queen and her court on Friday, August 20 at the River Park before the Fri...

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Cowboy Homecoming announces headliners
., . - Wednesday, July 21, 2010

David Lee Garza, Kevin Fowler & Stoney LaRue to preform at Cowboy Homecoming.

Popular Ranch Rodeo will be featured 2 days

The Hottest Festival in Texas, aka Pleasanton’s Cowboy Homecoming just got a bit hotter with the following entertainment headliners.

For a low price of $35, a wristband can be purchased to allow access for all three nights of music, plus all day Saturday. They are available at the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce office, 605 2nd. St.
Thursday Night Coors Light Bike Night

David Lee Garza y los Musicales

David Lee Garza “ The Godfather of Tejano” or El Maestro del Accordion and his los Musicales will take the stage after opening act JR Castillo.

David Lee one of the most notable accordion players in the country with his unique style and musical riffs. After learning the Tejano and Conj...

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Search begins for 2010 Cowboy of the Year
Gerald Black, News Editor - Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Nominations due August 2 for South Texas Hall of Fame, too

Each year, Pleasanton goes in search of a special person that displays the quality, the knowledge and the essence of a genuine cowboy. Not one that just looks or talks the part — but, a real cowboy that rides a horse, ropes and brands cattle, burns prickly-pear for the herd, and mends fences from sunup to sundown.

Cowboy Homecoming in Pleasanton is just around the corner and we need your nomination. The Pleasanton Express, as usual, is ready to host the Cowboy of the Year as part of the Homecoming festivities.

We’re looking for a working cowboy to be honored at this year’s celebration. Nominations are being accepted for the 2010 Cowboy of the Year as well as for inductees into the

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Jobless rate makes ‘June Jump’
., . - Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Well, the traditional unemployment jump – just like every year – hit us in June, again. According to the Texas labor statistics released July 16, Atascosa County’s unemployment jumped from 7.4 percent in May to 8.4 percent in June.

Neighboring counties suffered similar increases in their jobless rates — except McMullen, which remained at 7.9 percent for a second month.

Others changed like this:
May June
Bexar 7.2 7.8
Frio 7.4 8.5
Karnes 9.6 10.4
LaSalle 8.9 9.6
Live Oak 7.2 7.8
Medina 7.1 7.7
Wilson 7.0 8.0

The June unemployment rate(s) in Texas were listed as 8.2 percent (seasonally adjusted) and 8.5 percent (not seasonally adjusted). County rates are only given as “not seasonally adjusted,” so that is the number with which t...

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