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Local
Brazoria County Deputy Kevin Tippit Fired After Fatal Shooting of John Mendoza Jr.
Brazoria County Sheriff Bo Stallman announced that Deputy Kevin Tippit has been fired following the fatal shooting of 18-year-old John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. in Lake Jackson. The firing marks a major development in a case that continues to draw calls for transparency, video release and answers from the community.
Local
John Mendoza Jr. Family Attorney Calls for Bodycam Release, Charges Against Deputy
Attorney Charles Adams, representing John Mendoza Sr. and the estate of John Mendoza Jr., provided Gulf Coast Times with a statement calling for the release of body camera footage, dash camera footage, audio recordings and charges against the deputy involved in the fatal shooting.
Community
March for John Mendoza Jr. Planned in Angleton as Community Calls for Justice
A peaceful march for John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. is planned for June 14 in Angleton, with organizers saying the event will begin at City Hall and continue to the courthouse in support of his family.
Crime
Freeport Officers Injured After Fire Call Leads to Struggle, Police Say
Four officers were injured Thursday after a fire call at a multi-residential unit in Freeport led to a struggle with a man wanted on outstanding warrants, police said.
Local
Brazoria County Sheriff Breaks Silence After Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting
Brazoria County Sheriff Bo Stallman issued a public statement following an officer-involved shooting that left a young man dead, saying the Texas Rangers and the Brazoria County Criminal District Attorney’s Office are conducting an independent investigation.
Community
Freeport Museum’s Shark Exhibit Gives Families a Free Summer Stop Through Aug. 1
The Freeport Historical Museum’s Shark Exhibit is open through Aug. 1, giving local families a free summer activity with shark jaws, life-sized models and ocean life displays.
Local
Firefighters Respond to Reported Fire Call at Freeport Dollar General
Firefighters responded Tuesday afternoon to a reported fire call at the Dollar General on North Brazosport Boulevard in Freeport, but no visible smoke, flames, or major damage were seen at the scene.
Local
Family Demands Answers After Brazoria County Deputy Fatally Shoots John Mendoza Jr.
The family of John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. is demanding answers after the 18-year-old Texas State student was fatally shot by a Brazoria County deputy following a pursuit in Lake Jackson.
Local
Brazoria County Deputy Fatally Shoots 18-Year-Old Texas State Student After Lake Jackson Chase
An 18-year-old Texas State University student died after being shot by a Brazoria County sheriff’s deputy following a pursuit that ended at a Lake Jackson home early Monday morning, officials said.
Community
Joshua Lahai’s Family Launches GoFundMe After Surfside Beach Drowning
The family of 11-year-old Joshua Lahai has launched a GoFundMe to help cover funeral and burial expenses after he drowned during a beach trip at Surfside Beach.
From the Editor
How Gulf Coast Times Works
Learn how Gulf Coast Times approaches local journalism, breaking news, weather coverage, community reporting, contributor submissions, and independent Gulf Coast news coverage.
Local
Angleton brings back live concerts downtown
Angleton is bringing live music back downtown with free community concerts aimed at supporting local restaurants, businesses and family-friendly nightlife.
Crime
Houston Man in Custody After Pursuit Ends at Lake Jackson Elementary School
A Houston man was taken into custody after authorities said he led deputies on a pursuit through Lake Jackson neighborhoods before running from a vehicle at Bess Brannen Elementary School.
Local
Joshua Lahai’s Body Recovered After Dayslong Search at Surfside Beach
The body of Joshua Lahai was recovered Tuesday afternoon near Surfside Beach after he disappeared in the Gulf during a Memorial Day weekend beach outing.
Local
Recovery Efforts Continue for Joshua Lahai After Child Goes Missing at Surfside Beach
Recovery efforts continued Monday at Surfside Beach for Joshua Lahai, a Richmond child who disappeared after going underwater while swimming offshore Sunday evening.
Local
Search Continues for 10-Year-Old Richmond Boy Missing Near Surfside Beach
A large search continued into Sunday night near Surfside Beach after a 10-year-old boy from Richmond disappeared during an end-of-season beach outing with his youth football team.
Community
Skarlett Patton Benefit Planned for July 12 at Clute Municipal Park
A family fun-style benefit for Skarlett Patton is planned for Sunday, July 12, 2026, at Clute Municipal Park, with hundreds of people already responding to the public event.
Weather
Storms Bring Lightning, Heavy Rain, Lake Jackson Damage and Galveston Waterspout
Strong storms moved across Southeast Texas Saturday, bringing lightning, heavy rain, reported damage in Lake Jackson and a waterspout spotted off the Galveston coast.
Weather
CenterPoint Prepares for More Houston-Area Storms After Power Restored to Thousands
CenterPoint Energy says crews are preparing for more storms across the Greater Houston area after severe weather knocked out power to roughly 133,000 customers earlier this week.
Local
West Nile Virus Detected in Mosquito Traps in Sweeny and Manvel
West Nile virus was recently detected in mosquito traps in Sweeny and Manvel, prompting additional spraying and renewed warnings for Brazoria County residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Local
AI Data Center Near Sweeny Raises Water, Noise and Local Control Questions
A proposed AI data center and power plant project near Sweeny is raising questions in Brazoria County over water use, noise, property values, jobs and how much control local officials have after commissioners rejected a step tied to tax incentives.
Community
Memorial Day Madness Mud Drags Canceled Due to Weather in Brazoria County
The Memorial Day Madness mud drag racing event scheduled for May 23, 2026, in Brazoria has been canceled due to weather concerns. Officials have not announced a rescheduled date.
Local
Clute Man Identified After Fatal Tesla Crash at Municipal Park Pool Complex
Steven Alvarez, a 22-year-old Clute man and Brazosport ISD employee, has been identified as the victim in a fatal Tesla crash at Clute Municipal Park. Investigators say the vehicle went airborne before crashing into the pool complex and catching fire.
Emergency Preparedness
Hurricane Preparedness: Why Radios Matter When Cell Service Fails During Storms
As hurricane season approaches the Gulf Coast, emergency officials warn that cell service may fail during major storms. Here’s why NOAA weather radios, GMRS radios, and ham radios could become critical communication tools when power and internet outages strike.
Local
Clute Man Killed After Tesla Crashes Into Municipal Park Pool Complex, Catches Fire
A 22-year-old Clute man died after a Tesla crashed into the former pool complex at Clute Municipal Park and caught fire Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.
Weather
Happening Now: Strong Thunderstorm Near Freeport Could Bring 50 MPH Wind Gusts
A strong thunderstorm near Freeport is moving east and could bring wind gusts up to 50 mph to parts of southeastern Brazoria County, including Freeport, Clute and Surfside Beach.
Local
Heavy Rain and Thunderstorm Chances Could Impact Brazoria County This Week
Brazoria County residents could see several rounds of rain and thunderstorms this week, with forecasters warning of possible heavy downpours, street flooding and dangerous beach conditions.
Crime
Texas Killing Fields Suspect Faces New Felony Charges After Bacliff Search
James Elmore, a suspect tied to the decades-old Texas Killing Fields investigation, is facing two new felony charges after authorities searched his Bacliff property.
Local
Clute Community Mourns 11-Year-Old Skarlett Patton After Fatal Bicycle Crash Near School
Skarlett Patton, an 11-year-old Clute Intermediate student, died Thursday morning after a crash near the school parking lot, according to police and local reports.
Community
Gulf Coast Times Launches Community Drive to Help Expand Offline Learning Access
Gulf Coast Times is collecting working devices, storage drives, books and school supplies to help create offline learning kits for students, families, classrooms and community programs.
Local
Nina’s Nuggets Brings Freeze-Dried Candy, Viral Snacks and Local Flavor to West Columbia
Nina’s Nuggets in West Columbia is building a local following with freeze-dried candy, nostalgic treats and viral snack challenges while giving families a fun place to stop.
Community
Brazoria County Events This Week Include Auto Show, Bird Banding, Workshops and Local Meetings
Brazoria County residents have several local events to choose from this week, including library programs, ribbon cuttings, city meetings, an auto and bike show, bird banding and community workshops.
Local
Brazoria County Residents Encouraged to Prepare Ahead of Hurricane Season
With Atlantic hurricane season beginning June 1, Brazoria County residents are encouraged to review evacuation zones, prepare emergency supplies and make family plans before storms enter the Gulf.
Opinion
Why Downtown Freeport Still Has Potential
Downtown Freeport has empty buildings, visible challenges and a complicated history, but its waterfront location, historic character and redevelopment plans show there is still potential worth paying attention to.
From the Editor
Why Reader Tips Matter to Local Journalism
Reader tips help local news sites find community stories, public concerns, events, small business updates and issues that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Community
Mother's Day Weekend Events Planned Across Brazoria County Area
Families across the Brazoria County area will have several ways to celebrate Mother’s Day weekend, including markets, brunches, a wellness walk, a church breakfast and family art events.
Local
Brazoria Central Appraisal District Seeks Residents for Appraisal Review Board
Brazoria Central Appraisal District is accepting applications for residents interested in serving on the Appraisal Review Board for the 2026–2027 term.
Business
Gulf Coast Times Looking to Feature Locally Owned Businesses Across Brazoria County
Gulf Coast Times is inviting locally owned businesses across Brazoria County to share their stories for future business spotlight features.
Crime
Former Sweeny Fire Chiefs Facing Child Sex-Crime Charges as Community Questions Grow
Two former Sweeny Fire and Rescue chiefs, a father and son, are facing serious child sex-crime charges, while another former volunteer firefighter has also been charged in a related investigation.
Community
Sweeny Pride Day Brings Families, Vendors and Parade Crowds to Backyard Park
Sweeny Pride Day brought a steady crowd to Backyard Park on Saturday, with vendors, food, crafts, small businesses, a cookoff and a parade creating a family-friendly community event.
Community
Brazoria County Historical Museum to Host Free 'Cowboy Up!' Event Saturday
The Brazoria County Historical Museum will host its free Cowboy Up! event Saturday in Angleton, giving families a chance to experience cowboy culture through demonstrations, children’s activities and local history.
Local
Surfside Beach Saturday to Feature Election Day, VFD BBQ Fundraiser and Treaty of Velasco Re-enactment
Surfside Beach residents and visitors will have a busy Saturday with general elections, a Volunteer Fire Department BBQ fundraiser, and a Treaty of Velasco re-enactment planned throughout the day.
From the Editor
How Brazoria County Residents Can Submit News, Events and Story Tips
Gulf Coast Times welcomes local news tips, community events, announcements, photos, business updates, sports highlights, and story ideas from residents across Brazoria County.
From the Editor
What Gulf Coast Times Is and What We Hope to Become
Gulf Coast Times is a new local news source focused on Brazoria County, built to inform, connect, and spotlight the people, places, businesses, events, and stories that matter to our community.
From the Editor
Gulf Coast Times Is Seeking Volunteer Contributors to Help Cover Brazoria County
Gulf Coast Times is inviting aspiring journalists, students, community members, event reporters, opinion writers, sports writers, and other local voices to apply as volunteer contributors as the publication begins building local coverage across Brazoria County.
Schools
Angleton ISD Approves Technology and Safety Upgrades During April Board Meeting
Angleton ISD trustees approved more than $1.17 million in technology and safety-related upgrades, including new Chromebooks for Angleton High School and an intercom system upgrade at Angleton Junior High.
Community
RiverFest Returns to Freeport This Weekend With Music, Food and Family Fun
RiverFest is back in Freeport this weekend, bringing live entertainment, food, vendors and family-friendly fun to Freeport Municipal Park on Friday and Saturday.