Two defendants plead guilty in Lexington County drug trafficking case abccolumbia.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from abccolumbia.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
BELTON â James Stapler believes it is important to understand how the United States got to where it is today.
To do so, the criminal defense attorney said it is best to reference defining documents from the nationâs roots â a suggestion he and his colleagues follow annually with the Declaration of Independence.
âI just think itâs important,â Stapler told the Telegram. âMost people havenât heard (the Declaration of Independence) ⦠but back in the day (public) readings were how people would hear about things.â
On Friday, Stapler and nine other local members of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association recited the Declaration of Independence followed by the Bill of Rights at the Bell County Justice Center, 1201 Huey Road in Belton.
BELTON â West Temple area resident Savannah Stroud said sheâs seen an increase in crime in her neighborhood as a result of local game rooms.
Stroud, who addressed the Bell County Commissioners Court Monday during a public hearing on the game room ordinance, said she was in support of the new ordinance.
âCrime in this neighborhood, and I have been in this neighborhood for seven years, has never been this high,â Stroud said of the Lake Belton peninsula that includes parts of West Temple and Bell County.
Commissioners heard from those for and against the ordinance â which has been debated for months â during a mandated public hearing required by state law before the measure could be voted on.