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INSIDER

DON MCLAUGHLIN

Uvalde mayor denies coverup as body cam footage requests

This also includes requests for body cam footage from officers inside the building, which he said is restricted from release by the Texas Occupations Code. "Anyone who suggests the city of Uvalde is withholding information without legitimate and legal reasons is wrong and is spreading misinformation. There are specific legal reasons the city cannot release information at this time." Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-NewsMcLaughlin does not cite which specific section of the code the city or Uvalde District Attorney Christina Busbee are using to deny requests to release body cam footage. McLaughlin's statement does not give a timeline for when the body came footage or other records will be released.

mysanantonio.com

Letters: How will you vote?

Would you consider agreeing that no individual citizen needs an arsenal of assault weapons, which have been used almost exclusively for the murder of school children and other innocent people? Would you be willing to vote against any political office holder or candidate who wants unlimited access to assault weaponry, without regard to age or mental competence? These are three questions I hope you’ll ask yourself before you vote later this year. McLaughlin called Beto a “sick SOB,” and Beto was removed. Members of a society who have no problem killing children in the womb have no problem killing children in the classroom.

myrgv.com

Uvalde records first COVID-19-related death

UVALDE, Texas – Uvalde has recorded its first COVID-19-related death. “It’s a sad day for our county today ... so sad for the family that this has happened,” Mayor Don McLaughlin said on Facebook live Wednesday. The mayor blamed an increase in cases in Uvalde to “younger people going to San Antonio and going out and visiting friends that may be sick, whatever. They’re coming back to Uvalde and infecting their family.”San Antonio ranks third for major cities with fastest growing COVID-19 cases, report findsMcLaughlin said as of Tuesday, there are 44 cases of COVID-19 in Uvalde with 33 recoveries. COVID-19 death toll passes grim milestone in San Antonio, Bexar CountyHe said the city will post a statement on its Facebook page later Wednesday about the death, the increase in cases and urged what he called common-sense protection from the virus.

Letter to the editor

The following is a shortened letter distributed to Uvalde County Judge Bill Mitchell, Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin, and Uvalde city manager Vince DiPiazza. The original letter exceeded 1,000 words and was reduced to fit the 500-word limit for letters to the editor. In the United States, there are 956,375 confirmed cases: 800,107 are active cases, 102,340 are recovered cases and 53,928 are fatal cases. In Texas there are 23,773 confirmed cases: 13,164 are active, 9,986 recovered and 623 are fatal cases. I also believe there is one power who handled the coronavirus: God.

uvaldeleadernews.com

Mayor wins shot at four more years

Bingo is a go in countyFuture terms for Uvalde mayors will extend four years, the same length of time as Uvalde City Council representatives serve, and bingo is now legal across Uvalde County. Those measures, as well as nine of the proposed 10 amendments to the Texas Constitution received support from Uvalde County voters, in Tuesdays off-year election that saw a turnout rate of 11.2 percent percent. In Uvalde County, 1,891 of 16,878 registered voters cast ballots in the two-week early voting period, election day, or absentee balloting. Voters also supported allowing incumbent city of Uvalde mayor Don McLaughlin to seek another term, this one under the new four-year plan. McLaughlin was first elected in May of 2014 and has been elected to three two-year terms.

uvaldeleadernews.com

Hurd to bring flag for Garners grave

HBO set to film here on SaturdayThe public is invited to a ceremony where U.S. Rep. Will Hurd will present a flag flown over the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., to Mayor Don McLaughlin, representing the city of Uvalde. The flag is being offered to be flown at the grave of John Nance Garner. The ceremony will be held on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Uvalde Cemetery, 1301 W. Main St.John Nance Cactus Jack Garner III died on Nov. 7, 1967. He was the 32nd vice president of the United States, serving from 19331941 in the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Councilman Everardo Lalo Zamora will welcome guests, Boy Scout Troop 479 will lead the pledge of allegiance, and Alonzo Sanchez will play Taps.A documentary film crew from HBO will be in attendance as they film Hurd for a project in the works.

uvaldeleadernews.com

Capt believes city is missing out on water management funding

Julye KeebleStaff writerUvalde businessman Jared Capt on Tuesday presented a proposed water management plan to city council that could save the city $145,000 this year, but entails close management of the city water supply. The Edwards Aquifer Authority allows water to be classified in one of two ways, municipal water, the public water supply including drinking water provided by city utilities, and water used for irrigation. Mayor Don McLaughlin said he and assistant city manager Joe Cardenas had met with Capt, who suggested the city be more strategic with water allocation, as unused water earmarked for irrigation incurs no fee, while water classified for city municipal use incurs an aquifer management fee of $84 per acre-foot whether or not it is used. Capt presented figures from 2009-2018 showing that, on a five-year average, the city has 3,272 acre-feet of unused municipal water per year. If the water is later required for municipal use, it may be reclassified with no penalty.

uvaldeleadernews.com

City scrutinizing park upkeep

Council debates Memorial Park condition, stenchJulye KeebleStaff writerA spirited discussion regarding park maintenance and how to combat the stench of the Leona River was initiated by Councilman Stephen Balke at the Tuesday meeting of the Uvalde City Council. The meeting began at 6 p.m. at city hall. Balke requested the discussion after an area resident contacted him about playground equipment and walking areas not being maintained at Uvalde Memorial Park, including safety hazards such as a large taped-off hole and an unpleasant odor wafting off the dammed up Leona River. We have to take care of what weve got before we add to it.Mayor Don McLaughlin asked about problems with city pumps intended to aerate the Leona River area of Uvalde Memorial Park. City manager Vince DiPiazza said current pumps had never worked in any sustained manner, and lack of rain had contributed to an odor and algae/moss issue.

uvaldeleadernews.com

Park meeting takeaway: Golf course spending more than all other parks combined

Kimberly RubioAssistant editorConsidering residents on fixed incomes, opening the Uvalde Sports Complex to the public around the clock, maintenance issues and questions regarding the $688,000 allocated each year to the golf course were points brought up by residents who attended the first of two public hearings on the citys parks survey. The meeting was held Tuesday at the American Legion Post 479 with nearly 20 people in attendance. According to city planner Susan Anderson, the city oversees 11 parks that cover nearly 400 acres of land. A lot of people have no idea how many parks we have, Anderson said. Before allowing public comment, Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin said fee income would be used to repair existing park equipment and help the city provide additions including a splash pad or lights at the Uvalde Sports Complex.

uvaldeleadernews.com