Police blotter
The Howard County Detention Center reported the following activity for March 21:
• SKYLAR LYN GUAJARDO, 25, of Limestone Apartments apt. 604, was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana less than 2 oz., and possession of a dangerous drug.
• EVELYN HAWKINS, 64, of 110 NW 8th St., was arrested on a charge of cruelty to non-livestock-fail to provide/abandoned.
• EDRION PATRICK HOUSTON, 33, of 4219 Calvin, was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance PG 1 greater than or equal to 1 gram but less than 4 grams.
• JASON ADAM MORGAN, 47, of 2125 Carolyn Dr., Weatherford, was arrested on a charge of public intoxication.
• GERARDO SANDOVAL, 27, of 39004 Fannie Dr., Penitas, was arrested on a charge of resist arrest, search or transport.
• KAMARA MARIESHA WILLIAMS, 28, of 2601 Langley Dr., was arrested on a charge of public intoxication.
• ERIC MARTIN ZARRAGA, 40, of 804 Johnson, was arrested on a charge of possession of marijuana less than 2 oz.
Tucked behind West Texas Center’s on south Highway
87 is a place for veteran’s of all branches and their families to get the help and guidance they need.
The West
Texas Center
Veteran's Outpost has a mission geared to helping those who have served our country and may need a little help getting back to their old lives and obtaining all that they deserve for the time they devoted to our country. The Veteran’s Outpost has been in existence for many years, but the pandemic took a toll and the number of people seeking help has dwindled.
“It’s time to invite the community back,” said Liaison Brad Rodrigues and explained that homelessness, unemployment and difficulty navigating the VA system are frequent obstacles some veterans face. “We are committed to fighting homelessness and unemployment because some vets are unaware of the help they can get.”
The mission statement of the Veterans Outpost states, “It is our mission to provide accurate resource information to our service members, veterans, and their families and to advocate on their behalf to ensure that their needs are met. Our hope is to help those who have given so much and continue to do so.”
An eight-year veteran himself Rodrigues hopes to help those who are on the cusp of falling through the cracks. “I want to help those who are about to fall, before catastrophe,” said Rodrigues and explained, “It’s easier to hold them up than to pick them up.”
Rodrigues is determined to reach out to area veterans to help them transition to a productive life by helping them fill out forms for benefits, create a resume, apply for jobs, find housing and to act as an advocate for them to the community.
Most of all just to let them know that someone cares and are there for them when they need help.
The requirement to access the services of the outpost are fairly simple. There are no requirements in regards to career phase, circumstances of discharge, branch, or amount of time served.
As Rodrigues succinctly put, “Basically if you showed up for boot camp and put on the uniform you qualify.”
All services that are available are free of charge and include: Housing, counseling, peer support groups (both co-ed and women only), PTSD support, substance abuse and therapy and youth and family services.
Social events are held as well such as the upcoming Memorial Day Welcome Back Barbecue May 29.
Supply Drops, a program to aid the homeless, will be taking donations beginning April 1 at the Veteran’s Outpost locations 319 Runnels and 409 Runnels. Items needed are hygiene items and non-perishable food items to put in care packages for homeless and at risk veterans in the community.
The Veterans Outpost serves 33 Counties: Andrews, Crane, Glasscock, Howard, Loving, Martin, Upton, Ward, Winkler, Fisher, Nolan, Runnels, Garza, Terry, Terrell, Borden, Dawson, Gaines, Kent, Mitchell, Scurry, Yoakum, and Reeves.
Volunteers are needed and applications are available at 3205 S. Hwy 87.
The big take away Rodrigues wants veterans and the community to know is, “We’re here and we’re here to help you get what you deserve.”
For more information call 432606-4948 or 432-606-4947, visit their website at texvet.org, or go by their office. Hours are Monday-friday 8 a.m to 5 p.m. The office is closed on Saturday and Sunday.