Weekly recap: Arrest for explosion in Cove, investigation into ‘Thugville’, KISD tax hike considerations | Local news

Devon Nicole Bellows was charged with tampering with evidence with intent to disrupt public order and arson resulting in death, Copperas Cove officials said in a news release Monday. According to Coryell County Jail records, Bellows was arrested on June 13.

AG stands on KISD’s side and does not want to publish investigations into “Thugville”

The Texas Attorney General’s office has ruled that Killeen ISD does not have to disclose an investigation into a high school principal who allegedly used the word “thug” to describe local students.

Earlier this year, the Herald officially requested the release of the internal investigation report against former Chaparral High School principal Gina Brown, as well as text messages, under the Texas Public Information Act.

The Herald received a letter from the Attorney General’s office this month saying KISD was not required to release the investigation’s findings because of a law protecting “certified” employees, which includes many teachers and educational administrators.

School board considers tax increase to offset deficit

Killeen ISD trustees met Tuesday to discuss the fiscal year 2025 budget proposal and explore options for financing a potential deficit through a possible tax increase.

According to budget plans presented by the Killeen School Board on Tuesday, KISD faces a deficit of at least $16 million if the district does not make cuts in next year’s budget.

The school board also reviewed documents containing proposals for salary increases for employees that would result in even larger deficits in KISD’s proposed budget for next year.

Crime is declining, according to KPD statistics from May

With the release of the May Crime Statistics Report, the Killeen Police Department continues a downward trend in crime reports recorded last month and reports year-to-date.

Overall, “Group A” crimes reported to the FBI through the National Incidence-Based Reporting System in Killeen decreased by 27.9% in May 2024 compared to May 2023, and decreased by 13.46% in the first five months of this year compared to the same period in 2023.

According to the May crime report released by the KPD last week, the total number of reported crimes against property decreased in May, a decrease of 33.25%. There were 269 crimes reported last month, and the number in May 2023 was 403.

Resident files petition to urge Killeen City Council to take action to repair Featherline

A south Killeen resident has started an online petition and created a website to urge the Killeen City Council to take action to repair Featherline Road.

James Sills, who previously opposed the rezoning of 195 acres of agricultural land to single-family homes in the Featherline Road area, cited safety and traffic as his main concerns.

“We feel it is important not to lose sight of what is becoming a major corridor for services and schools in this area, especially as the Chaparral Rd. improvement is pushed back to 2029,” Sills said in an email to the Herald.

As of Saturday, the petition had 249 signatures.