Promising Sweets Manufacturer Folds

Owner Found Dead in Piles of Product


Kate Rhinehart
Associated Press Writer


SAN ANTONIO - A very promising new business folded this month after suffering from either a targeted attack, or the worst case of bad luck ever seen. Sweet Stuff Incorporated, a company founded by eccentric entrepreneur Lawrence Brusco, suffered devastating losses in the month of December when a series of events crippled their ability to do business in San Antonio.


The company suffered from not one, not even two, but four separate cases of what even a well established business would call a nightmare. The issues began as minor, and quickly escalated. There was a shooting at a local HEB distribution plant. It may have been considered entirely unconnected has a factory supply Sweet Stuff Inc’s new revolutionary artificial sweetener not also been destroyed later that evening. SWAT was called out to the area, and the building was leveled by a large explosion. There were several guards
found dead inside.


Bad enough, but later that evening the company suffered a gruesome break in. Critical
files were stolen from an office, and a secretary brutally murdered in the process. SWAT
was not able to apprehend any suspects.


The death blow came the next morning when the company was informed that its license
to practice business in the Greater San Antonio area had been revoked, due to problems found with the product. Sweet Stuff Incorporated filed for bankruptcy later that week.


Unfortunately, like most of these stories, this one quickly turns from sad to utterly tragic. Lawrence Brisco’s family came from oil money, but Mr. Brisco was always considered the black sheep. Mr. Brisco had come to San Antonio to make his own way in the world and seemed to have struck a new kind of gold when he discovered the revolutionary new sweetener. His company exploded overnight, and the sweetener was  rolled out in hundreds of products across the city. But when all the sweetener had to be recalled, and  business were insisting on refunds, Mr. Brisco had neither the money, nor the fortitude to overcome
his colossal failure.


He disappeared for three days. Family and friends were hectic, as his mental state had been far from sound before his disappearance. On Tuesday the 27th, he was found dead in a huge mound of the recalled artificial
sweetener. He had apparently been there the whole time, buried under the product. He drowned
in his own failure.

There is no evidence of foul play in the death of the man, as he was known to be very eccentric.
Sources say that its believed that he intentionally suffocated himself with the powered product
sometime late Christmas Day. The family is refusing further comment.

Violence Rises in SA

  Gangs and mystery cults- SAPD under suspicion

of cover up operation

Flames engulf a factory Satuday night. several guards were found dead inside the blaze

Valerie Strong
San Antonio Gazette - Staff Writer


SAN ANTONIO - Violence has skyrocketed in the month of December, to rather alarming levels. Citizens
are frightened to leave their homes, and even businesses are not immune to the havoc that the encroaching gangs and alleged cults are playing on the city.


11 bodies were found gunned down early Sunday, the 4th. Police reports indicate that all the victims were gang members, and that no bystanders were injured. It is unknown at this time who took down all 11 members, or what the motive may have been, but the police are writing it off as a turf dispute. Local members of the community are accusing police of ignoring the facts, insisting the gang was on their home turf, and that the police were dismissing important warning signs.


Accusations of police incompetency came raging back to the  forefront of the public mind when more violence erupted on Saturday, December 17th.


Local businesses were targeted this time, in an attack that almost seemed in line with terrorism. SWAT was called out to several different locations over the course of the night and people
encouraged not to leave their homes.


There was a shooting at both a HEB distribution center and a local vegan restaurant, a break in at a local office building where important files were stolen and one woman was brutally
murdered, raped with office supplies, and partially eaten, and finally, a factory building was completely destroyed and
all the guards killed when someone tampered with a gas main. In all of the death and destruction, not one suspect has been arrested, and there is reportedly almost no available evidence.


SAPD has issued a statement stating the violence was caused by
a doomsday cult operations out of a small town in the south.


People are beginning to fear for their safety, and are reticent to leave their homes. Critics are calling foul on the San Antonio Police Department, with arguments that not all these crimes fit the MO of a gang or a cult- even one as violent as the Mexican Mafia, or as unhinged as a doomsday group. Even the most conservative
members of the community are beginning to believe the cover up
conspiracy, and are questioning who the SAPD are really trying to protect and serve, the people of San Antonio, or the criminals?


A cover up is, however, unlikely. People just don’t want to be afraid, and this new cult is terrifying with the damage and mayhem they have already caused. But without public opinion on their side, the SAPD may not be equipped to handle the new threat, and more lives may be lost in the coming weeks.

Conspiracy theorists cry aliens!

Strange lights cause local conspiracy theorists to cry aliens! (V)
By: Tammy Kendall


A colorful burst of light in the night sky over Comanche Hill, akin to the Aurora Borealis, was reported early Sunday morning. Meteorologists responded by noting that, with the increase in humidity, lightning storms can mimic the appearance of magnetic storms, and that the phenomenon is most assuredly not due to alien activity.


This has not, however, discouraged locals from setting up telescopes to catch another “alien sighting”.

Black Swan Inn Reopens

Damage caused by recent gang violence repaired (V)

By: Jim Smith


The Black Swan Inn has completed renovations, and is reopening at the end of this week.
The famous inn was shut down recently after gang violence erupted one weekend. Sources say that a group of ghost hunters, in town for the convention, ran afoul of a local gang while investigating the Inn.


The Black Swan Inn is one of San Antonio’s many famous haunted places. It was built in 1867 on the site of the Battle of Salado, only 25 years after the battle took place. While the battle had relatively few casualties, as go (60), it is one of several reasons people say the Inn is haunted today. There are also legends and rumors that there is an Indian burial ground on the property, as the land was once home to the Coahuiltecan tribe.


Reported ghost sights have been frequent. The former owner has seen a man standing at the foot of her bed, a man working underneath the house reported children poking him with sticks and laughing, dolls in a room had been rearranged and left out as if they had been played with and a visitor reported a “creepy looking” man standing outside her second story window.


Rumors among the contractors hired to rebuild the walls talk of strange whispered conversations in other rooms, and laughter after the sun goes down. Aside from the workers, the rooms have remained empty for the duration of the remodeling.

Police Lose Arrest Records

By Associated Writing Staff




Criminals, vagrants, and over-zealous partiers lucked out on Saturday, November 19th.
Police were forced to release all those who had been arrested that evening after their records went missing. As there was no longer any documentation for those who were languishing away in the cells, the supposed law breakers walked free, with the exception of those who were still noticeably intoxicated.
Sources say that among those who went free were individuals suspected of armed robbery, sexual assault, and murder.


Police are remaining tight lipped about the situation, and insist that no one is to blame. It is unknown at this time if the loss of arrest records was caused by human error, a computer glitch, or intentional tampering.
Authorities say that those who had been arrested for serious crimes would be monitored or re-arrested, if they had not already fled the area.

LOCAL FARMERS MISSING CATTLE

Witnesses claim undead cows are wandering the hill country

Artist rendition of “zombie cow”

By Associated Writing Staff




BEXAR — Something is spooking the farmers in the hill country. "I'll tell you what we got out here, if frickin' walking dead cows! That's what!". Yes, it appears farmers just outside of Bexar county claim that at night the fields are host to "zombie cattle" — Undead cows shambling through the night, attacking anything in their paths.


Even with the long list of supposed supernatural creature and ghost stories in San Antonio, this is new phenomena. Some say it's a prank or better yet, the machinations of the recent ghost hunter convention that occurred Downtown. It is important to notes that the first story occurred on the night of the convention itself with Poughkeepsie native Eugene Fineberg, in for the convention as well, claiming to have captured one of the beasts only to embarrass himself by revealing a mess of slaughterhouse guts and viscera spilling from his truck. Regardless of the obvious hoax, the story persists with residents surround the area where Fineberg claims to have herded the animal. "People are gullible inbred misfits in that neighborhood." says area Sheriffs deputy Dean Kowalski. "I'm often called out there to catch Cupacabra, so you know you’re dealing with a brain trust.”


When asked if he was concerned what residents would think upon reading his quote he replied "You think they read?".


Mr. Fineberg could not be reached for comment before the deadline for this report.

San Antonio, Texas’ Next Big City

San Antonio is a rising star in Texas  after a history of being overlooked

By Scott McGrath
SAN ANTONIO GAZETTE WRITER




What comes to mind when someone mentions Texas?


Often, people think of cattle, the old west, Dallas, Austin, and even Houston. All of these are iconic in the great if somewhat short history of Texas.


Texas was and continues to be a large contributor to the cattle industry in everything from food, leather, and even blood and genetic material for scientific testing and education.


Dallas had its own television show, multiple major sports teams, and big oil money.


Austin the weird city often people forget she is the capital of this great nation state. It also sits a major center for education and artistic creativity with a font of youthful energy that is regularly tapped for new ideas and inspiration pumping new life into old and tired ideas.


Houston is a scientific wonderland! With the phrase “Houston, we have a problem” she is forever etched into the psyche of this land. She also boast her multiple sporting teams and centers of scientific research excellence a place where one can truly succeed and climb the ladder with their own merit.


Often when people think of San Antonio it is in passing or when the Spurs have snatched away another victory over their favorite basketballs team.


However, when you peel away the layers, San Antonio has a deep and dark secret.


It is one of the best little big cities in Texas. Many people ask why she is over looked and it’s a fair question. We have a major sports team that, in the past years, has won five national championships.


Not into sports? What about education? The city has multiple colleges each with multiple special areas of study. That, along with a comparatively low cost of living, one would expect the city to have grown by leaps and bounds.


Education is not your thing, okay how about medicine? BAMC is the premier medical center noted for more than a dozen specialized fields of medicine from burns to traumatic brain injury to prosthetic limbs and even ears; BAMC is your one stop shop.


Another major point for San Antonio is historical sites. You have, to name a few, the Alamo, the mission trail, any number of haunted streets and locals, the Spanish Governor’s Palace, The Rose Gardens, and the King William District.




For entertainment, you have the Riverwalk, two major theme parks, Ripley’s Believe it or not, The Majestic Theatre, the Ultimate Mirror Maze, Enchanted Springs Ranch, and the seasonal Rodeo. There are just too many to name.


The flux and flow of people in and out of San Antonio is incredible. San Antonio sits on I10 which connects coast to coast which allows tourist and traffic to pass through without much difficulty.
But San Antonio also has her dark side, drugs, gangs, and the homeless; like any major city.. On any given day if you need smack or blow, a hooker or just a guy who knows a guy all you have to do is walk down to your local Kwik-E mart and wait 20 minutes and they will find you.


Need something harder or bigger? It might take time but I have heard stories of people buying assault rifles with "custom modification's" as art pieces.


But the bad doesn’t outweigh the good? With all that this wonderful city has to offer one has to question why it is so often over looked. When the real-estate market took a hit San Antonio remained fairly stable. When NFL teams go shopping for new homes they ignore San Antonio, the same is true of major industry. The real question is why? Do the city officials not make deals and offers trying to attract new growth? Do other cities simply have more to offer? Does San Antonio not have the population to support another Major sports team? Does San Antonio not have the traffic and transport infrastructure to move large amounts of Cargo? Or is there some other unknown group or factors that have an interest in keeping others out of San Antonio?
While this writer can’t answer these questions, I do feel they bear a second look. Is it time to “clean house” politically? Do we need to take San Antonio back for ourselves and show the world what we have to offer?
Is it time for San Antonio to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight to be the sunny star she is? Most assuredly!


So take heart San Antonio! Take charge San Antonio! Take off to the future San Antonio!


 ~Excelsior!

Bosco, a black panther, rests in his cage at SA Zooworld. Despite the initial call that tigers had escaped, the owner claims that he has not had any tigers on the premises in over 3 years. Bosco is one of three panthers that currently reside at SA Zooworld.

STREETS REMAIN SAFE FROM WILD CATS
No Big Cats Escaped Say Local Police (V)

By Tammy Kendall
San Antonio Gazette STAFF WRITER



BEXAR COUNTY- Bexar County deputies are saying false alarm after investigating a report of loose tigers in north Bexar County that prompted the lockdown of a nearby elementary school.


Deputy Chief Dale Bennett said three tigers were reported loose at a home in the 27000 block of O'Kent drive around 7:05 a.m. He said the homeowner does own large exotic cats, but that all three cats were found inside their cages when deputies arrived. There was one empty cage, but authorities were assured it was only used as a back-up, and was not regularly home to any of the cats.


The property is registered as SA Zooworld. The owner has reportedly worked with wild animals for 40 years and has rescued a number lions, tigers, leopards and mountain lions. According to the sheriff's department, he is only permitted to have three large cats on the property.


The sheriff's office was alerted after the owner called a friend, saying he needed help, that the cats were lose. Fearing for his friends safety, deputies said that person then called authorities.San Antonio Zoo officials said they sent three workers -- a member of their shoot team, a veterinarian and a member of their living collections department -- after the sheriff's office contacted them for help in recapturing the tigers. Nearby Timberwood Park Elementary School, of the Comal ISD, was locked down Tuesday morning per the request of the sheriff's office.


Sgt. Valentine Saucedo said deputies thoroughly searched the property but found nothing.


"We've pretty much concluded our search as far as we've determined," he said. "We've gone all over the whole property. We've walked it. We've driven and we've driven around it. We've gone looking, checking in all the trees to make sure they didn't climb up there."


Deputies said the owner of the cats appeared confused.


Late Tuesday Bexar County authorities were back out at the home after saying they received a second call from the owner.
They will be conducting an evaluation on the man before closing the books on this case.


After the second false alarm, he suggested that he became alarmed when he saw the outline of a stuffed bobcat in the dark that he keeps mounted in his living room, and became convinced his cats had escaped.


Despite being assured that all the animals were indeed accounted for, reports of a large bengal tiger heading towards interstate 35 were called in by several anonymous sources.

Austin Pointe Apartments loses an entire building to flames in November.

North Side Apartment Burns to the Ground- 8 Dead


By Associated Writing Staff
November 6th, 2011




Spectators stood in awed fear as a building went up in flames on San Antonio’ north side, early Sunday morning, the 6th. Austin Pointe Apartments, located off Braesview in Castle Hills, was the site of the fire. Firefighters were unable to place an exact time that the fire began.
Even though the complex was heavily occupied, the blaze was not reported until it has already begun to spread to neighboring units, and the first building was already fully involved.
The Fire Department was able to contain the fire and the surrounding units sustained only minimal damage,
but the building where the fire began was completely destroyed.
Emergency Responders pulled the bodies of 8 young men from the ashes. ..Investigators have found evidence that the fire began in the unit the men were occupying, and may have been caused by drug manufacturing. It is suspected that the young men were intoxicated; however, the official cause of ignition is unknown.
No arson or foul play is suspected at this time. No other residents of the complex were injured.

Blood oozes from the closet were victim was found.               Associated Press Photographs

Homicide in Castroville (V)
Teen found butchered in abandoned condominium
By Jim Smith
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CASTROVILLE — Police were called to a Castroville condominium, slated to be renovated and resold, after the realtor reported a "horrible stench."
Upon entering the unit, the patrolmen called in a forensics team. The scene was, according to the realtor, " a slaughterhouse."
The remains that were discovered had apparently been butchered by someone with a knowledge of human anatomy, and had been stored in a closet

with blocks of dry ice to slow decomposition.
Police have yet to officially release an identity for the victim or a possible description of the suspect, but among the evidence found was a Medina Valley High School Class Ring.
Police are not, at this time, looking at the possibility of a serial killer. However, according to some experts, this gruesome murder has many of the earmarks of a mass killer in the making.
Residents of Castroville were stunned, and police are working diligently to find the person responsible.
Due to the state that the body was in and the huge amounts of recent disappearances in the San Antonio and surrounding areas, identification of the victim might take some time. Meanwhile, many families are left without comfort, as they pray that the butchered remains are not one of their missing loved ones.
If you have any information about this murder, or if you have witnessed suspicious activity in the Castroville area, please contact Crime Stoppers, at 555-555-5434.