Local News
Man assessed 17-year prison terms after Royse City cocaine, marijuana arrest
By Jim Hardin
Herald-Banner Staff
A 31-year-old Arlington man was assessed two 17-year prison terms this week on drug charges involving almost a kilo of cocaine and 99 pounds of marijuana.
Judge Brett Hall sentenced Valentin Acuna on Wednesday after a jury took less than 20 minutes to find him guilty of possession with intent to deliver more than 400 grams of cocaine and possession of marijuana, more than 50 pounds, but less than 2,000. The judge also assessed a $5,000 fine.
The jury deliberated less than 20 minutes before returning the guilty verdicts.
“By their verdict, our citizens have made it clear that drug dealers will be dealt with severely in Rockwall County,,” said Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper. “We are pleased to see a swift verdict of guilty in this case.”
Acuna and a passenger in his car, 28-year-old Juan Flores of Arlington, were arrested on June 13 by a Royse City police officer who stopped their car for speeding on Interstate 30. During the traffic stop, the officer asked whether he could search the car. The driver consented and the officer found the cocaine and marijuana in the vehicle’s trunk.
Assistant District Attorney Stephani Hudgins Woodward, lead prosecutor in the case, said Acuna was delivering the drugs to Tennessee. She said investigators determined the street value of a kilo of cocaine in Tennessee is approximately $24,000. A kilo is about 2.2 pounds, the prosecutor said.
Flores received a 12-year prison term after pleading guilty earlier to the charges.
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BEST grants awarded to new teachers
RISD students were scrambling back to classes this past week. Along with the new students were a whole new slate of first-year teachers. At the beginning of each school year, the Rockwall ISD Education Foundation, Inc. presents each new teacher — new to Rockwall and new to the teaching profession — with a grant of $200. The funds are to assist the teacher in offsetting the expenses of setting up a classroom.
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September means movies in the park
“Movies in the Park” has transformed into “Fun Family Fridays,” a City of Rockwall Parks and Recreation old-time family event at some neighborhood parks in September.
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TAMU-C attendance tops 10,000 for Fall
Texas A&M University-Commerce registered its 10,000th student on Friday, Aug. 20 at 2:38 p.m. making the fall 2010 enrollment one of the largest in school history.
As of 3 p.m., university enrollment was up to 10,031 students with more students expected prior to the first day of class on August 30. -
Main Street prepping for second annual ‘Rib Rub’ competition
It’s almost time to fire up the grills again for the Downtown Rockwall 2nd Annual Rib Rub & Run on Sept. 11.
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Award-winning dedication to landscaping | Rockwall Resident wins national contest
Serving as a consultant in war-torn Iraq, Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Tom Sands had quite a surprise waiting for him when he got back home.
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City of Fate will hold public hearings on tax rate Sept. 7
The City of Fate will hold public hearings Monday and Sept. 7 on a proposal to increase property tax revenue by 13.2 percent.
Both public hearings will be held at the Fate Community Center, beginning at 7 p.m.
The proposal calls for the city’s tax rate to increase from 21.44 cents per $100 of taxable value to 24.69 cents. -
‘Publishing error’ delays action on budget, tax rate
Rockwall County commissioners’ plans to vote on several budget items this week were changed due to what County Judge Chris Florence termed a “publishing error.”
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DA: No evidence of criminal activity involving Heath assistant
The Rockwall County criminal district attorney and the Texas Rangers have found no evidence of criminal activity involving a Heath resident’s allegations against Assistant City Manager Kim Dobbs.
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DA formally announces ‘No Refusal’ plans
Criminal District Attorney Kenda Culpepper, joined by law enforcement officials from throughout Rockwall County, formally announced plans this week for the second annual Labor Day No Refusal Weekend.
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Employment in Rockwall County slowly improving
Jobs are being created in Rockwall County and the local unemployment rate dipped slightly between June and July.
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