Editorâs note: this article discusses mental illness and suicide.
For Mental Health Awareness Month, Franklin Tomorrow dedicated its monthly FrankTalks event Monday to the subject, inviting local mental health experts and advocates to discuss the available resources and efforts to offer support to those suffering in the Williamson County community.
Last May, Franklin Mayor Ken Moore and his blue-ribbon panel of local mental health advocates launched the Find Hope Franklin website, which acts as a hub for finding mental health services and information pertaining to Franklin and Williamson County.
Franklin Tomorrow Executive Director Mindy Tate pointed out community members may not be aware of all the resources available to them, and Moore said Find Hope Franklin not only seeks to spread the word about those resources but start and continue public dialogue around mental health.
Members of the Williamson County Sheriffâs Office (WCSO) Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) and the Spring Hill Police Department arrested a local suspended elementary school teacher Friday.
According to a news release issued by the sheriffâs office, Alfred Amore, a teacher at Bethesda Elementary School, was arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported without incident and booked into the Maury County Jail.
Amoreâs sexual exploitation of a minor charge came after he was found to be in possession of images of apparent child sexual abuse material on his electronic devices, according to the sheriffâs office. The victims depicted in the images appear to be toddlers.Â
Two more federal lawsuits alleging excessive use of force in arrests have been filed in the past week against former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and Williamson County.
Ramsey Mitchell, a Midland resident, filed a lawsuit on Monday saying that Williamson County deputies beat him until he was unconscious and left him with lasting injuries during a traffic stop in 2019 filmed by the Live PD television show.
Mitchell also sued five former and/or current deputies, as well as Big Fish Entertainment, the producer of Live PD, and the A&E Network, which aired the show.
Chody did not return requests for comment about the lawsuits and Williamson County does not comment on pending litigation. Chody has three other pending lawsuits against him claiming excessive use of force. He lost his race for re-election in November.
Williamson County Sheriff s Office mourns the loss of retired K-9
REST IN PEACE: K-9 Ivo lived out his remaining years as a loved and cherished member of his handler s family. Author: KVUE News staff Updated: 4:16 PM CDT April 29, 2021
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of retired K-9 Ivo, who died on Wednesday.
Ivo faithfully served his handler, Sgt. Albert Ortiz, and the citizens of Williamson County for five years before he was medically retired in April of 2012, the sheriff’s office said.
After retirement, Ivo lived out his remaining years as a loved and cherished member of the Ortiz family.