Shorts and Stops From Wilson County (Texas) and Beyond
“I expected to come home to my house,” Olivia Leal said. But there was no house to come home to. Still, the Leal family finds hope after discovering several priceless family mementos buried in the ashes and debris of their former home on H Street in Floresville. Among those items is a cherished family photo, taken of Olivia and her late husband, Joe Leal Sr., when their children, Joe Jr. and Melinda, were young. It was July 16 when Mrs. Leal said her friend had just invited her to breakfast. As she was leaving, she noticed several white trucks outside her home of 49 years — the home that she shared with her late husband, who passed away last year. The street was crawling with activity from police, firemen, EMS, and CenterPoint Energy personnel. Olivia went outside and one of the guys had a gas reader. He said it was increasing from 3, to 4 — and when she opened the door for him to go in, he said, “It’s already above 9. You have to get out now!” “I heard the explosion, and I knew …