Texas City police had already conducted the initial search for the siblings who went missing from their grandparents house in the 2500 block of 37th Avenue at 6:30 p.m.

GALVESTON — The Galveston Citizens Police Academy held a ceremony Thursday, April 26, at police headquarters, commemorating its 25th Anniversary and the largest graduating class in the program's history.

GALVESTON — Interim Police Chief Henry Porretto promoted four officers during a ceremony Friday at police headquarters. Lt. Byron Frankland was promoted to captain; Sgt. Pedro Alcocer was promoted to lieutenant; and officers Douglas Balli and Joshua Schirard were promoted to seargeants.

GALVESTON — Several fire departments are battling a crude oil tank fire after an explosion at a petrochemical facility near Pelican Island. The explosion was heard across the island. Initial reports indicate there was a tank explosion at a facility near 51st Street and Harborside Drive. There are no reports of injuries.

GALVESTON — A jury sentenced Cheretta Smith, 20, to 84 years in prison on Friday. Smith pleaded guilty to murder in the Feb. 12, 2010, slaying of her grandmother, Theretta Gayden Miller, 57, who was found dead in the Texas City home she shared with Smith.

SANTA FE — An investigation into allegations of cockfighting led to the Thursday arrest of a Santa Fe man on felony charges, authorities said. Officers arrested the man accused of raising roosters to sell for fighting. Officers found no signs of animal cruelty, so the man was able to keep his birds, Lt. Joel Caldwell, an animal cruelty investigator with the Galveston Police Department, said.

GALVESTON — Island police chased a coyote to freedom early Wednesday after the animal became trapped in a fenced field on 30th Street between Church and Ball streets. The state’s exceptional drought conditions are driving coyotes to town from the island’s outskirts as they search for food and water, Galveston police Lt. Joel Caldwell said.

GALVESTON — Island police held an awards ceremony Friday honoring officers with metals of valor and other commendations for acts of bravery and service.

GALVESTON — Interim Galveston police Chief Henry Porretto says officers raided a building Tuesday on 45th Street, which led to the seizure of more than 600 marijuana plants. It's one of the largest seizures on the island in recent memory.

LEAGUE CITY — A man who hijacked a cigarette-deliver truck in Hitchcock led police on a chase into League City, where the truck crashed into a fence. The gunman ran into a neighborhood, prompting a door-to-door search.

LEAGUE CITY — A man suffering from snake bites was rescued Monday from a 30-foot-deep manhole near his residence. He was last seen Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

GALVESTON — The smell of smoke and a home's sprinkler system alerted a family to a fire that severely damaged a two-story house that fronts Lake Madeline on Tuesday. A woman ushered her parents from the house, and no injuries were reported. The family salvaged a few photo albums, computer, medicine and a Bible.