There’s a New Sheriff in Town: Steven Greenwell Lavaca County Sheriff – Yoakum, Texas
Sheriff Steven Greenwell has officially taken the oath of office as the new sheriff of Lavaca County. Yoakum, Texas, which spans both Lavaca and DeWitt Counties, is home to one of the four police departments in Lavaca County. Yoakum law enforcement officials have expressed their enthusiasm to collaborate closely with Sheriff Greenwell and his deputies. Their shared commitment to enhancing safety, security, and quality of life for the community remains a top priority. This partnership aims to foster collaboration and build trust, ensuring that Lavaca and DeWitt Counties continue to be places residents are proud to call home.
Sheriff Greenwell’s journey to this position began with a decisive victory in the Lavaca County Republican Party primary on Tuesday, May 28. Greenwell defeated long-time County Sheriff Micah Harmon, who had served for 20 years and was seeking his sixth term. Greenwell dominated the voting, securing 2,486 votes (66.28%) compared to Harmon’s 1,265 votes (33.72%). With no Democratic candidate to oppose him, Greenwell is set to take over as Lavaca County Sheriff in 2025.
“The new sheriff brings a wealth of experience and a strong vision for the future,” said a representative from one of the local police departments. “We are excited about the opportunities this new leadership brings and look forward to a productive partnership.”
Sheriff Greenwell’s appointment is expected to bring renewed energy and strategic initiatives to address the needs of the communities. Residents can anticipate a focus on community-oriented policing, enhanced communication between departments, and innovative strategies to tackle crime and improve public safety.
Greenwell ran his campaign on the following background:
- 1987 Graduate of Moulton High School
- 1987 Joined U.S. Marine Corps and began 4 years active duty followed by 3 years in active reserve, honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant
- 1990 Served in Persian Gulf War
- 1996 Graduate of the University of Texas at Austin
- 1997 Graduate of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy
- 1997 Served with U.S. Border Patrol in Laredo
- 1998 Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), Special Agent (Federal Criminal Investigator), Houston Office of Investigations
• INS Criminal Alien Program – Investigate and initiate deportation proceedings for criminal aliens
• Anti-Smuggling Unit – Investigate criminal organizations that smuggle illegal aliens- 2004 Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Supervisory Special Agent, Houston Office of Investigations
• Cyber Crimes/Operation Predator Squad (Supervisor) – Child sexual exploitation investigations
• Houston H.I.D.T.A. Major Drug Squads H-31 Task Force (Supervisor) – Investigations of drug trafficking organizations
• Asset Identification and Removal Group (Supervisor) – Criminal asset forfeiture/Bank Secrecy Act Investigations
• Houston HSI Special Response Team (SRT) Tactical Supervisor (Special Weapons and Tactics Team)
• Houston HSI Rapid Response Team (RRT) Supervisor (Humanitarian/Natural Disaster Response Team)
- 2012 HSI Victoria, Victoria Office of Investigations, Special Agent and Supervisory Special Agent
• Investigated cases of every type under the jurisdiction of HSI, including drug smuggling, alien smuggling, gun running, bulk cash smuggling, human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, fraud, and national security matters. Supervised Special Agents and Task Force Officers (state and local law enforcement cross-designated to prosecute federally)- 2015 Detailed to United States Secret Service (USSS) Personal Security Detail (PSD) – Assigned as driver and personal security to the President of Palau.
- November 30th of 2021 – Retired from federal Government and filed as Candidate for Lavaca County, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1.
- May 2022 – Elected as JP 1, Lavaca County.
- June 2022 – Appointed by Commissioner’s Court to fill vacant JP1 position.
- December 2023 – Resigned from JP position to run for Sheriff of Lavaca County.
- Married to Kim Rains Greenwell for 36 years, with 2 children and 3 grandchildren. Active member of Vienna Baptist Church
New Year’s Eve Dance at American Legion Hall
As we approach the end of the year, the residents of Cuero have something exciting to look forward to. Pachanga Entertainment proudly presents the New Year’s Eve dance at the American Legion Hall, and everyone is invited to join in the festivities!
For those who don’t know, Pachanga Entertainment was created to bring fun and engaging activities to Cuero. It aims to offer a variety of entertainment options, and the New Year’s Eve dance is just the beginning.
Event Details:
- Date: December 31, 2024
- Location: American Legion Hall
- Live Band: El Grupo La Sensacion
- Presale Tickets: $15.00
- At the Door: $20.00 (Buy via CashApp: $OftheSaints6285)
Ticket Purchase Locations: (Buy before 1 pm Dec 31)
- La Plazita
- Vallarta
- Maya
Highlights of the Event:
- Door prizes
- Jello shots
- Raffles
- Balloon drop at midnight
- BYOB (Bring Your Own Party Favors; some will be available for sale)
- Snacks and set-ups available
Please Note:
- No glitter confetti (to avoid additional cleanup fees)
- Security will be on duty
This event promises to be a night filled with fun, laughter, and great music. Let’s celebrate the New Year together in style and make unforgettable memories. Tell your friends, and let’s ring in the New Year with joy and excitement!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Yorktown Wrestling Federation: A Holiday Spectacle
The Yorktown Wrestling Federation (YWF), based in Yorktown, Texas, brought the holiday cheer with their thrilling event, YWF EVE OF DESTRUCTION, on Christmas Eve. Known for their engaging and dramatic performances, the YWF wrestlers captivated their audience with an unforgettable show.
A Highlight Event
The Christmas Eve event was particularly special with the return of Luis “Mexican” Rosas, a former two-time YWF world champion. Fans eagerly anticipated what was next for this legendary wrestler as he made his grand entrance. His performance added an extra layer of excitement to the already electrifying atmosphere. 
A Word of Caution
While the YWF events are a source of entertainment and excitement, they are not recommended for children due to the perceived violence. The wrestlers skillfully act out animosities and rivalries, setting the stage for intense and dramatic matches.
Stay Connected
YWF maintains an active presence on social media, including Facebook and YouTube, where fans can catch up on the latest matches and behind-the-scenes content.
Click the link below to catch up on the action and never miss a moment of your favorite local wrestlers in action:
YWF EVE OF DESTRUCTION! 🎄🎅🏼 | Patreon
YWF 2019: Official Trailer “7th Anniversary”
Gobbler Science & Engineering Fair Showcases Student Talent
On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, the 3rd Annual Gobbler Science & Engineering Fair took place at the CIS cafeteria, celebrating the hard work and ingenuity of secondary students. The fair was a resounding success, with all participants impressing judges and spectators alike with their innovative projects and presentations.
The highlight of the event was the announcement of the Regional Qualifiers, who will represent the school at the Alamo Regional Science & Engineering Fair on February 22 and 23 at St. Mary’s University. The following students earned their spots as regional competitors:
Regional Qualifiers:
– Luke Brzozowski
– Andrew Cooper
– De’Marion Dilworth
– Maria Gonzales
– Dominic Lester
– Kinsley Marie
– Addison McClellan
– Greyson Post
– Charles Sutton
– Kamryn Villa
Top Honors:
1st Place Individual: Maria Gonzales
2nd Place Individual: Andrew Cooper
1st Place Team: Luke Brzozowski, Dominic Lester, and Charles Sutton
2nd Place Team: James Jones and Breliya Jones
These talented students demonstrated exceptional skills in science and engineering, earning well-deserved recognition for their hard work. The community eagerly anticipates their performance at the regional fair, confident that they will continue to excel and bring honor to their school.
Congratulations to all participants for their amazing efforts and to the Regional Qualifiers for their outstanding achievements. Good luck at the Alamo Regional Science & Engineering Fair!
Chinese Satellite Creates Dazzling Sky Show Over Multiple States
Residents across parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama were treated to a spectacular celestial display late Saturday night. Bright, slow-moving objects streaked across the sky, a sight caused by the reentry of a Chinese satellite.
At approximately 10:08 PM CST, the commercial imaging satellite GaoJing 1-02 (SuperView-1), operated by Beijing-based SpaceView, broke apart as it reentered Earth’s atmosphere above New Orleans. The satellite, originally launched on December 28, 2016, was widely observed as it traveled northbound toward Mississippi, Arkansas, and Missouri.
Astronomer Jonathan McDowell identified the space debris as GaoJing 1-02, confirming it had been inactive since January 2023 and its reentry was uncontrolled. He explained, “We knew it was coming down today but only with ±2 hour accuracy estimate, so we didn’t know where.” The slow pace and vivid brightness of the debris led many observers to initially mistake it for a meteor.
Social media platforms quickly filled with videos and photos of the event, with users sharing their awe and curiosity. The sighting captivated many who happened to look skyward at the right moment.
This event adds to the growing list of re-entry events witnessed globally as humanity’s activity in space continues to increase. Just last month, a fireball lit up the sky over North Texas, identified as a SpaceX Starlink satellite launched in 2022.
The dazzling display of the Chinese satellite’s reentry serves as a reminder of the ongoing presence of space debris and its occasional spectacular descent back to Earth.
If you missed this celestial event, keep an eye on the skies; with the increasing activity in space, similar spectacles are likely to continue.
The Grinch Shares Wisdom at Yoakum Community Hospital
Last Friday morning, Yoakum Hospital had a special visitor at their leadership huddle: none other than the Grinch himself! Pictured with the hospital team, the Grinch brought his unique expertise and insight, proving invaluable to the leadership team.
Despite his reputation for being a bit of a grouch, the Grinch showed a different side, offering some green wisdom and maybe even a laugh or two. It looks like he’s learned a thing or two about teamwork and leadership since his days of scheming to steal Christmas!
This festive visit was a delightful surprise and a great way to kick off the holiday season at Yoakum Community Hospital.