Latest news with #GrimesCountySheriff'sOffice
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man escapes Austin psychiatric hospital, authorities continue search
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Authorities are searching for a man they said escaped from a psychiatric hospital in northeast Austin on Wednesday. According to the Grimes County Sheriff's Office, McArthur Deashy Mathis escaped from the Cross Creek Psychiatric and Addiction Hospital, located at 8402 Cross Park Drive. GCSO said Mathis was a 6'2' Black man who weighed approximately 185 lbs. He was described as having multiple tattoos on his head and neck, being bald and having brown eyes. He was last wearing a navy blue shirt and teal pants, according to GCSO. Authorities said Mathis was arrested in January on multiple warrants out of Grimes County and out of Victoria, Texas— including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. They also said he was a registered sex offender. After his arrest, Mathis was taken to the psychiatric hospital May 21. GCSO said Mathis escaped the facility by kicking the back door open and jumping over a 6-foot fence. The Cross Creek Psychiatric and Addiction Hospital provided the following statement related to the incident. 'We are aware of an incident involving a patient who left Cross Creek Hospital without authorization. While we are unable to comment on individual patient matters, local law enforcement was notified and is actively involved. We want to extend our sincere gratitude to the law enforcement for their prompt response and continued partnership. Cross Creek Hospital remains committed to providing a supportive environment for all individuals in our care.' Cross Creek Psychiatric and Addiction Hospital Anyone with information on Mathis' whereabouts was asked to contact the Grimes County Sheriff's Office at 936-873-2151, Grimes County Crimestoppers (936) 873-2000 or Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Texas escaped inmate considered armed and dangerous after psychiatric hospital break
The Austin Police Department has issued a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) alert for an inmate who escaped while on hold at a psychiatric hospital in Texas. McArthur Mathis was transported to The Cross Creek Psychiatric and Addiction Hospital on Wednesday after being in custody in Grimes County since he was arrested Jan. 2 on multiple warrants. Mathis is also a registered sex offender. Mathis is facing multiple charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury to a family member, obstruction or retaliation, deadly conduct and burglary of a habitation. 'Devil In The Ozarks' Who Escaped Prison Likely Still In Arkansas Area: Officials Police say they responded to an urgent welfare call at around 10:30 p.m. and learned that Mathis had allegedly kicked the back door open and jumped over a 6-foot fence. Mathis could be attempting to return to known contacts in Grimes, Lavaca, Brazos or Gonzales counties, the department said. Read On The Fox News App Louisiana Ag Confident Remaining Jailbreak Fugitives Will Be Recaptured After Officials Make 14Th Arrest Police also said Mathis should be considered armed and dangerous due to his criminal history. Anyone with information on Mathis is asked to contact the Grimes County Sheriff's Office at 936-873-2151, Grimes County Crimestoppers at (936) 873-2000, or article source: Texas escaped inmate considered armed and dangerous after psychiatric hospital break
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
George Coulam, ‘Ren Faire' Docuseries Subject and Founder of Texas Renaissance Festival, Dies at 87
George Coulam, the founder and longstanding owner of the Texas Renaissance Festival whose eclectic lifestyle and hunt for a successor were documented in the 2024 HBO docuseries 'Ren Faire,' was found dead in his home in Todd Mission, Texas on Wednesday morning. He was 87. An investigation remains ongoing and a cause of death is not known at this time. The Todd Mission Police Department was dispatched to Coulam's residence, adjacent to the Renaissance Festival's premises, on Wednesday morning. The Grimes County Sheriff's Office and Texas Rangers were present for assistance. Coulam was pronounced dead by authorities upon arrival. More from Variety 'Ren Faire' Finale: Director Talks Who Won, What Will Happen to the Renaissance Festival and How the Subjects Reacted to the Docuseries Welcome to 'Ren Faire': Lance Oppenheim's HBO Docuseries Follows a Festival Trapped in a Real-Life Game of Thrones 'Spermworld' Documentary Introduces the 'Sperm Kings' Who Use Facebook to Donate to Dozens - or Hundreds - of Women 'To our Texas Renaissance family and friends, we are deeply saddened by the loss of George Coulam, founder of the Texas Renaissance Festival,' the Texas Renaissance Festival wrote in a statement on social media. 'For more than 50 years, he built a community that has become a cherished tradition for generations of performers, staff and guests. At this time, we ask for respect and privacy for Mr. Coulam's family and the extended Texas Renaissance Festival family as they grieve.' Coulam's death comes less than two weeks after a Grimes County District court ordered the Texas Renaissance Festival must be sold, ending a nearly two-year civil case. In the decision, Judge Gary W. Chaney of the 506th state District Court, also ordered that Coulam must pay over $23 million in damages to cover attorney's fees and money lost by the fest's buyer. The suit alleged that a group of RW Lands Inc., says Texas Stargate, Inc., Royal Campground, Inc., and Texas RF, Inc. agreed to purchase the Festival, property and assets from Coulam for $60 million. The plaintiff claimed that Coulam and his associates did not provide required documents for the sale and that the original owners failed to close the transaction by its agreed-upon date. Coulam denied the allegations. Coulam founded the Texas Renaissance Festival in 1974 and has overseen its growth into the largest such gathering in the United States. Along with the court order to sell, Coulam also lost office as the mayor of the fest's premises, Todd Mission, in early May. He had been the only mayor of the town since its 1982 incorporation until losing re-election this year, with city council member Stephen Mensing sworn in. The operations of the Texas Renaissance Festival, infamous among locals, were documented in the 2024 HBO docuseries 'Ren Faire,' which followed Coulam's less-than-motivated search for a successor to lead the festival, and the surrounding business affiliates vying to take over operations. The three-episode run also included details of Coulam's dedicated online dating pursuits and his unforgiving temperament around his staff. The series' events concluded prior to the emergence of the recent civil lawsuit against Coulam that reached an end in early May. 'Functionally, he actually is a king. He's created a real-life fiefdom,' series director and executive producer Lance Oppenheim told Variety in an interview before the series premiered. 'The first thing he said to me was 'I used to play the king, but now I'm a horny old man. I want to find someone that can take care of the festival.' These were the things just flowing out of him. He was maybe looking for an outlet — somebody that he has no control over. He doesn't have any friends that he doesn't employ.' Coulam faced other legal troubles in recent years, including allegations of sexual harassment and wrongful termination. The festival settled a 2021 lawsuit filed by a former employee, who claimed that Coulam made her sift through 'sugar daddy' websites to facilitate his romantic life. Per Coulam's official website, he earned his master's degree in art from the University of California at North Ridge. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Grimes County Sheriff gets upgrade for high-risk operations
GRIMES COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) – The Grimes County Sheriff's Office has a spiffy new vehicle to help fight crime! The agency has recently acquired a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle (MRAP). This vehicle will be used by its Tactical and Containment Team (TACT) for high-risk operations and will also assist in high water rescues during severe weather events. This comes after the Sheriff's Office was accepted into the 1033 Program last November, also known as the Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) from the Department of Defense. This federal program was established under the 1997 National Defense Authorization Act, and allows state and local law enforcement agencies to receive surplus military equipment to enhance public safety and emergency response. The Sheriff's Office says its new MRAP will receive custom decals in the near future in order to match the agency's branding and to enhance its visibility within the community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
Suspects sought in Grimes County burglaries
GRIMES COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) – The Grimes County Sheriff's Office needs your help to identify suspects in some recent burglaries. The Sheriff's Office originally received a business alarm at Haynie's General Store in Richards on Saturday, February 1. Deputies arrived at 11035 FM-149 to discover a burglary occurred and a large number of vape products were stolen. Sheriff Don Sowell says the Standley Feed Store in Iola was broken into around 5:27 a.m. on Monday, February 10. Four suspects stole approximately $4,000 worth of merchandise, including header/heeler ropes and Case knives. The suspect vehicle appears to be an SUV which was seen traveling northbound on FM-39. The suspects are possibly the same for both locations, according to Sheriff Sowell. If you have any information to share, you can contact Grimes County Crimestoppers at 936-873-2000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
