N-SCISD coach arrested for DWI

A Nixon-Smiley CISD coach was arrested early Sunday, Dec. 17, by a Gonzales County Sheriff’s deputy on a charge of driving while intoxicated.

Loraine Yates was released on a $3,500 surety bond, according to GCSO.

Yates is the district’s head volleyball coach, having taken the Lady Mustangs to back-to-back playoff berths in 2021 and 2022. She teaches biology at Nixon-Smiley High School and also has bus driving duties that go along with her coaching.

Her status with the district was not addressed by administrators, who are limited in what they can say until Yates’ case has a legal disposition.

“It has come to the district's attention that one of our employees was detained for driving while intoxicated. As per our established district procedures, I am unable to provide comments on personnel matters,” Nixon-Smiley CISD Superintendent Jeff VanAuken said.