From high tech conversions to forensic science. In April DNA evidence confirmed that a rapist was still on the loose, not behind bars as Yoakum Police thought. Just months before, several elderly women in the small community of Yoakum had been sexually assaulted in their homes. But police say this rapist not only hit in yoakum, but has victims as far as 150 miles apart. Currently a state wide investigation is underway to capture whom Police have dubbed the "Twilight Rapist."

And fear of another kind...The H1N1 pandemic. Here in the Golden Crescent we had quite a scare of our own, several schools had students who showed symptoms of the flu or had been diagnosed with type "A" flu, the strain that doctors say is usually the H1N1 virus.The Victoria City County Health Department also confirmed that we had one person die that did have the mutated flu strain in her systems at the time of death.

From a virus spreading like wildfire to..literally wildfires raging out of control. Dangerously, dry conditions kept Firefighters busy and land owners on their toes all summer long. On top of that, the drought also made it difficult for farmers to feed their livestock.

Hut there have also been some wonderful things going on in this part of South Texas. The expansion of the University of Houston- Victoria into a four year college made history in June. Just two months later, Governor Rick Perry came to our hometown to sign the bill into law. Underclassmen will begin classes in fall of 2010.

From the classroom, to the courtroom...After a two year battle, Victoria Police Chief Bruce Ure, Lt. Ralph buentello and former City Attorney David Smith were cleared of aggravated perjury charges filed against them. Their cases stem from an investigation into former Victoria County Sheriff Michael Ratcliff. In July of 2009 it was finally over. The Texas' 13th District Court of Appeals denied Victoria County District Attorney Steve Tyler's appeal to continue prosecuting the cases.

And just one month later, a miracle! Three boaters from our area, missing for eight days after going on a fishing trip out in the Gulf of Mexico were found floating atop of their tipped over catamaran. Their sunburned bodies returned to dry land on August 30th.

While they made it home alive, one of our nations finest, did not.

Sgt Anthony Green was fighting for our country over in Afghanistan when a road side bomb struck his vehicle on October 16th of this year. Hundreds turned out to say their final farewells to a true American hero.

And we end 2009 on a happy note. We know Texas weather is wild, but really.. snow in texas? In the Golden Crescent? It happens once in a blue moon and perhaps that blue moon was out on December 3rd because the snowflakes were falling on December 4th!

All of us here at Newscenter 25 look forward to the upcoming year and are grateful to have the opportunity to bring you what ever big news 2010 has in store.