Local News
Heart O’ the Hills Camp director Jane Ragsdale dead following devastating floods in Texas
KERRVILLE, Texas — Channel2 NOW has learned the tragic death of Jane Ragsdale, longtime camp director at Heart O’ the Hills Camp in Hunt, Texas, following Friday’s devastating flash flooding.
Ragsdale, a beloved figure in the camping community, had deep roots at Heart O’ the Hills. She began her journey there as a camper and counselor in the 1970s, later becoming a co-owner of the camp in 1976.
She served as program director before assuming the role of camp director in 1988, a position she held for decades.
Described as “the heart and soul” of Heart O’ the Hills, Ragsdale was widely respected and admired for her leadership and dedication to youth development.
Her contributions were recognized nationally: she was the recipient of the Pioneer Trailblazer Award from the Pioneer Alumni Association in 2022, and the Speedy Altman Award, a prestigious lifetime achievement honor from the Camp Owners and Directors Association.
Ragsdale’s death comes amid a broader tragedy.
As of Friday evening, officials have confirmed 13 fatalities and at least 20 individuals remain unaccounted for due to catastrophic flooding in the Kerrville and surrounding Hill Country region.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing.
The loss of Jane Ragsdale is being felt deeply throughout the local community and the national network of camp professionals she helped shape.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.