Runge youth camp

Trying to make a positive impact on the young boys of Runge and its surrounding area, men from several local churches there spent the last week in June teaching a group of youngsters everything from Biblical morality to how to hit something dead on with a throwing axe.

The goal was to get as many Runge area boys age 12 to 18 out of the house, away from the television, and off the streets for a week while nurturing their growth physically and spiritually.

A lawsuit has been filed in district court claiming former murder suspect Augustine Padron, a local dance hall, and several law enforcement entities are responsible for the 2005 stabbing death of Rudy Asebedo, Jr.

The suit names Rudy Asebedo, Sr. and Irene Asebedo as the plaintiffs. They’re seeking unspecified damages from Padron, the Benito Juarez dance hall, Leroy Casanova, Karnes City Police Chief Eddie Salas, Karnes County precinct one Constable Dennis Fenner, and the Karnes County Sheriff’s Department.

The suit goes on to allege the Benito Juarez dance hall parking lot and surrounding area was poorly lit and "inadequately, if not completely lacking in appropriate security measures to prevent the assault on one of its invitees."

It then accuses Casanova, Salas, and Fenner of being negligent security guards on duty that night, saying they and the Sheriff’s Department had a legal duty to "prevent injury to others."

The new Wal-Mart Supercenter in Kenedy is nearly ready for customers to begin shopping as workers are putting the final touches on the building leading up to their opening day.

Wal-Mart will officially swing open the front doors of their 100,000 square foot development at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 8.

The facility will sport a pharmacy, garden center, and food center in addition to offering electronics, books, games, toys, and everything else the current facility sells.

Currently, the store’s entire infrastructure is in place outdoors. Inside, the store’s shelving and displays have been installed and are ready to be stocked with product.

By Elise Tennant

The City of Kenedy is planning to construct a youth activity center, according to discussion at the June 25 city council meeting.

Council members didn’t decide on details such as construction, location, or planned activities, but have decided to look at other centers for ideas.

City officials plan to have the director of the Beeville Boys and Girls Center speak at the next meeting.

"After the next meeting we will have a better idea about the budget, and what activities would be beneficial," said City Administrator Reggie Winters. "It is also possible that instead of being a Youth Center, the building will be a Boys and Girls Club so as to receive grant money from the government."

With only two of the seven elected trustees present at Monday night’s Kenedy school board’s regular meeting, Board President Frank Nieto cancelled the meeting because the board lacked a quorum of four needed to conduct business.

"I apologize," Nieto said. "We will have to reschedule the meeting."

Nieto and Trustee Ed Monson were the only trustees present at 6:15 p.m. when the meeting was set to begin.

Trustees Jimmy Burns, Carl Lundquist, Leo Valerio, Tony Mejia and Velma Garza were absent although Garza did show up later after the meeting had been cancelled.

"Is our attorney getting paid anything for tonight here?" Trustee Ed Monson asked.

"For the drive here and the drive back," Superintendent Richard Irizarry said.