Franklin Students Present $4,000 to Chloe’s Family
FRANKLIN, Texas — Franklin High School Student Council officers presented $4,000 to the family of Chloe following a community fundraising effort through the school’s Pass the Helmet campaign. The presentation was made to Chloe’s mother, Kayleigh, and her sisters, Haylei and Brooklyn. In addition to the monetary donation, the family received a special Franklin Lion as part of the presentation. Franklin Independent School District recognized the community for its support and generosity toward Chloe and her family. The $4,000 was collected through Pass the Helmet, an effort that brought students, families and community members together to provide assistance to the family. Student Council officers participated in presenting the proceeds and showing the school’s support for the family. Franklin ISD thanked everyone who contributed to the fundraising effort and expressed appreciation for the continued support shown to Chloe’s family by members of the Franklin community.
Two Injured in Fiery Highway 6 Crash in Bremond
BREMOND, Texas — Two people were injured in a fiery vehicle crash on Highway 6 in front of the Hammond store in Bremond, according to the Bremond Volunteer Fire Department. The crash occurred after a vehicle reportedly lost control before becoming fully engulfed in flames. Additional details about what caused the driver to lose control were not immediately available. Emergency crews responded to the scene and treated two patients involved in the crash. One patient was transported by ambulance to a hospital for treatment. A second patient, reported to be in critical condition, was airlifted from the area for emergency medical care. The Bremond Volunteer Fire Department managed emergency operations at the crash scene. The Calvert Volunteer Fire Department assisted the response by managing the helicopter landing zone. Authorities had not released the identities of those involved or additional information about their conditions. The crash remains under investigation.
Former Franklin chief arrested
Terry Thibodeaux
Roy McCoy
roy@robconews.com
Robertson County News
posted: 09/23//2026
FRANKLIN — A months-long investigation involving the Franklin Police Department has led to the arrest of former Police Chief Terry Thibodeaux on three charges of tampering with a governmental record involving fraud or harm. Thibodeaux, 52, was booked into the Robertson County Jail on Friday, September 18, at 9:23 a.m. Bond was set at $2,500 on each charge, bringing his total bond to $7,500. He was released at 10:51 a.m. His arrest came one day after former Franklin Police Officer Jason S. McCord, 41, was arrested on one count of tampering with a governmental record involving fraud or harm. McCord’s bond was set at $2,500. The investigation first became public in May, when the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement confirmed it was investigating allegations of forged or falsified governmental documents involving the Franklin Police Department and Thibodeaux. The current charges are believed to have some connection to a two-day course that area law enforcement officers took part in. Questions have reportedly centered on attendance and records connected to the course. However, the exact records involved and the details surrounding the course have not been confirmed through publicly released court documents. As the investigation unfolded in May, Thibodeaux and Franklin Police Officer John Key were suspended with pay by the Franklin City Council. Both men later retired from the department. Their retirements were announced during a May 18 City Council meeting, where council members had planned to discuss complaints and the ongoing TCOLE investigation. With both men no longer employed by the city, the council did not take any further employment action. Robertson County District Attorney Coty Siegert recused himself from the matter, and Brazos County Attorney Earl Gray was brought in as an outside prosecutor. McCord joined the Franklin Police Department in January after previously serving with the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office. As of September 18, Key had not been arrested in connection with the investigation. The arrests are the latest development in an investigation that has now stretched across several months and resulted in the retirement of two Franklin officers and criminal charges against two former members of the department. The charges are allegations, and the cases remain pending.
Hearne ISD lands $345K nursing grant
Roy McCoy
roy@robconews.com
Robertson County News
posted: 09/23//2026
HEARNE — Hearne ISD has been awarded nearly $345,000 to help local students begin training for careers as registered nurses. The district will receive a $344,985 Jobs and Education for Texans grant from the Texas Workforce Commission. The money will be used to purchase and install equipment for a nursing training program offered in partnership with Blinn College. The program is expected to initially train five Hearne students as registered nurses. The grant is aimed at giving students access to equipment similar to what they will use while continuing their education and eventually working in the healthcare field. Gov. Greg Abbott announced the award September 3 as part of a group of career and technical education grants issued through the Texas Workforce Commission. “These grants will provide students with valuable training and resources to launch successful careers,” Abbott said. The Jobs and Education for Texans program provides funding to school districts, colleges and other eligible educational institutions to help cover the cost of starting or expanding career and technical education programs. Grant money can be used for equipment and technology needed to prepare students for occupations considered to be in high demand. For Hearne ISD, the funding will create another opportunity for students interested in healthcare to begin working toward a nursing career while still close to home.
