Free Republic

Saturday, for the first time in the history of Galveston County, an African-American woman was elected mayor. Geraldine Sam, 57, a lifelong resident of La Marque and an educator, edged two challengers to take her place in history by the narrowest of margins. “I cannot even describe how I feel,” Sam said, while celebrating with family and friends at a restaurant. “I was trying to eat earlier, and I can’t even eat. It’s amazing. Just awesome.” Sam received 355 votes, outlasting challengers James Osteen, 316 votes, and Bill Charbonneau, 289 votes, according to complete, unofficial results. Sam, who will serve...

TEXAS CITY — It was about 7:30 p.m. March 2 when Pauline Perrin, 66, and daughter Susie, 41, left Palais Royal after shopping for sales. Neither woman paid much mind to two young men standing outside the store. “They were well dressed, nice looking, just ordinary guys,” Pauline said. But what happened next got the women’s attention. And it ended with Susie’s wild ride on the hood of a moving car, reassessments of mall security and competing conclusions about whether the La Marque women were brave, reckless or both that night. ‘He Cold-cocked Me’ As Pauline was opening the passenger...

The Galveston County Medical Society, the professional association for Galveston County physicians, will install new officers Jan. 26. Congressman Ron Paul will be the keynote speaker for the event, which will be held at Gaido’s Seafood Restaurant in Galveston. Robin Armstrong will be installed as president. He grew up in this area and is a 1987 graduate of La Marque High School. He currently works at Mainland Medical Center as a hospitalist. Armstrong serves on the Board of Directors of the Texas Medical Association’s Political Action Committee and is on the Council of Constitution and Bylaws for the TMA. He...