Infomaniacs: September 07, 2011 (7:40am)

Under Texas law, when you take or damage a campaign sign that isn’t yours, it’s a crime. A campaign sign is considered tangible personal property. Stealing a sign is considered theft. Damaging a sign is vandalism/criminal mischief. The punishment will depend on the total value of the sign(s) stolen. Theft and criminal mischief penalties in Texas: Under $100 = Class C misdemeanor. Punishable by a fine of up to $500. $100 to $749 = Class B misdemeanor. Punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 and up to 180 days in jail. $750 to $2,499 = Class A misdemeanor. Punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 and up to 1 year in jail. Over $2,500 = State Jail Felony (punishments vary by amount stolen) Penalties could increase if it’s not a first time offense. Additionally, entering someone’s yard to steal or damage a sign could be considered trespassing. Live in an HOA? An HOA cannot prohibit residents from having signs within the 90 days before an election or 10 days afterwards. Signs are allowed to be up to 4’x6′. HOAs can adopt measures to limit the quantity of signs for a single candidate/cause, restrict the size of signs greater than 4’x6′, and/or the manner in which it is mounted. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

The City of Bryan announced Wednesday that it will enforce Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) requirements that bounce house providers at city owned venues be certified. Before anyone scoffs at the COB, this is not a new law. They’re just cracking down on enforcement. The TDI requires that “continuous air flow inflatables” have liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence. The City will now require an inspection certificate (Form AR-100) from the insurer, or person with whom the insurer has contracted, stating that each amusement ride has been inspected, meets the standards for insurance coverage, and is covered by the insurance policy. Proof of a vendor’s TDI certification and insurance documentation must be presented during the reservation request process or prior to scheduled events. Regardless of gathering size, and regardless of the organizations reserving city parks and facilities (including schools, churches, businesses and community groups), suppliers must be in compliance. Owners and operators of inflatables must pay a filing fee of $40 per ride to obtain a compliance sticker from the TDI, and provide a Schedule of Operations (Form AR-102) of operating locations and dates for each six-month period. Municipal, county, or state law enforcement officials may at any time and without notice: Check that a ride has a sticker Ensure public safety Immediately prohibit the operation of a ride for non-compliance or unsafe operation If law enforcement requests, an amusement ride owner or operator must provide the following documents for each ride: A copy of the insurance policy A copy of the inspection certificate A daily self-inspection log An offense for non-compliance is a Class B misdemeanor. The laws apply to all commercial bounce house providers, whether the rental is on public or private property. For more information, you can contact the Bryan Parks, Recreation and Facility Services Department at 979-209-5528 or via email at parksandrecreationweb@bryantx.gov. They can provide assistance in selecting a compliant vendor. Providers can get more information about becoming certified at the TDI’s website: www.tdi.texas.gov/commercial/lcamuseinfo.html. Got a news tip? e-mail us at news@wtaw.com, text us at (979) 695-1620, or reach out on Facebook or Twitter/X.

22-year-old Gerardo Gonzalez, who was arrested on September 23rd for possession of child pornography, is facing new charges. The Brazos County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday that the former custodian at College Station ISD’s Greens Prairie Elementary is now facing charges of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child: Victim Under 14 (First Degree Felony). Officials have not release the age of the child associated with the new charge. The investigation began after the Sheriff’s Office received a CyberTip from Snapchat regarding videos potentially containing child pornography. Deputies in the Sheriff’s Special Investigative Unit have been working the case and gathering additional information. As a result, Gonzalez is facing the new charge of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child in addition to two counts of Possession With Intent to Promote Child Pornography and a drug charge. Investigators say they have no information that any of the offenses under investigation were related to Gonzalez’s former employment at CSISD. He remains in the Brazos County Jail.   Read the original story: https://wtaw.com/csisd-custodian-arrested-for-possession-of-child-pornography/