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More anticipation for the Bush wedding
As tomorrow’s big wedding day approaches, other media outlets are also writing about the day and what it could mean for Crawford.
This Fort Worth Star-Telegram story mentions the 18-foot metal Angel of Steadfast Love downtown that will wear a veil and a bouquet of flowers.
The Houston Chronicle says that media correspondents are in Waco and Crawford to cover the wedding, though they’re not sure how because of the private nature of the event on the president’s ranch.
We know the feeling. It’s going to happen, but we’re not sure what we’ll find out about it. Will we even see any of the wedding guests around town?
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Ape at Dallas Zoo turns 55
Jenny, recognized as the world’s oldest living gorilla in captivity, celebrated her 55th birthday Thursday with a four-layer frozen fruit cake and banana leaf wrapped treats at her wooded home in the Dallas Zoo.
Her caretakers say she’s having a few joint issues and her eyesight isn’t what it used to be but she still looks good for an old ape.
“It’s a special milestone for us,” said Todd Bowsher, curator of the zoo’s Wilds of Africa exhibit. “It signifies that we’ve made great strides in veterinary care, nutrition and animal husbandry.”
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U.S. military: Iraqi report wrong about captured al-Qaida leader
The U.S. military today denied Iraqi government claims that the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq was captured and said a man with a similar name had been arrested in the northern city of Mosul.
Iraqi authorities had announced Thursday that police commandos captured Abu Ayyub al-Masri in a raid in the northern city of Mosul.
“Neither coalition forces nor Iraqi security forces detained or killed Abu Ayyub al-Masri. This guy had a similar name,” said Maj. Peggy Kageleiry, a U.S. military spokeswoman in northern Iraq. She said no additional details were being immediately provided.
There had been false alarms in the past about al-Masri. At least twice — in 2006 and May 2007 — reports circulated that he was dead, but they were later proved wrong.
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Arkansas mom pregnant with 18th child
When it comes to deserving moms for Mother’s Day, how do you beat Michelle Duggar? The seemingly perpetually pregnant mom in Arkansas is due to give birth to her 18th child next New Year’s Day.
Duggar has been been pregnant for more than 11 years of her life, and the family is in the process of filming another series for Discovery Health.
All the kids’ names start with J and range from Josh, who is 20, to Jennifer, who is 9 months old.
Meet the family at their Web site or on Discovery Health’s Web site.
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A warm and sunny Friday ahead
We’re going to hit the low 90s today if the forecast holds true, and this time of year I have little doubt of that. Skies will be mostly sunny with a south-southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Supposedly there’s a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms this evening. I just don’t see that. It’s going to get mostly cloudy this evening with a low only around 69.
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Katy Faith West shuts down Reicher softball, 3-0
Tribune-Herald youth sports editor Brice Cherry reports:
Katy Faith West held Reicher to two hits in a 3-0 victory today in the TAPPS Class 4A softball state semifinals at the Waco ISD Complex.
Faith West moves on to Friday’s final at Mary Hardin-Baylor.
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State golf: Robinson boy leads, team tied for 2nd after 1st round
Tribune-Herald staff writer Chad Conine reports:
Robinson’s Chase Chapman holds a one-stroke lead in the Class 3A state golf tournament after a round of 1-under 70 today at Roy Kizer Golf Course in Austin.
Graham’s Drew McGee shot even-par 71.
Robinson is tied with Atlanta and Graham for second in the team standings at 297, one stroke behind leader Castroville Medina Valley at 296.
The Gatesville boys are in sixth at 305.
The China Spring girls are tied for third at 328, 23 shots behind leader Andrews. Alyssa Smith had China Spring’s best round, a 5-over 76.
The final round will be held Friday at Roy Kizer.
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Grapevine Faith beats Reicher in TAPPS baseball semis, 13-5
Tribune-Herald youth sports editor Brice Cherry reports:
Grapevine Faith erased an early deficit to eliminate Reicher, 13-5, today in the TAPPS Class 4A state semifinals at the Waco ISD Complex.
Reicher led 5-0 after the top of the third inning, but Grapevine Faith scored three runs in the bottom of the third and seven in the bottom of the fourth to take a 10-5 lead.
The first seven Grapevine Faith batters reached base in the fourth.
The Reicher softball will take its shot at reaching the state title game against Katy Faith West at 4 p.m. today at the Waco ISD Complex.
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Early voting numbers given on Waco, Midway school bond elections
More than 3,000 Waco-area residents weighed in on the two local school bond issues by taking part in early voting.
A total of 1,877 people voted in the Waco Independent School District bond election. Their votes, along with those that come in Saturday will decide whether the district gets to sell $172.5 million in bonds to fund rebuilds and repairs to old and troubled facilities.
Another 1,380 taxpayers cast their vote early in the Midway Independent School District bond election. This bond election will determine whether Midway is able to put $75.8 million into new schools and district renovations.
— Wendy Gragg
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Scouts honor S. Boyce Brown with Silver Eagle Award
Right about now the Longhorn Council, Boy Scouts of America, is honoring S. Boyce Brown, president and CEO of Extraco Banks, with the Silver Eagle Award for his community leadership and volunteerism. It’s the top honor a council can give.
The luncheon honoring him is at the Galloway Suite at Floyd Casey Stadium.
Brown, a 1982 Vanguard College Preparatory School graduate, has been with Extraco since December 1992.
An Eagle Scout in 1980 with Troop 308, the University of Texas business graduate has served on the city of Waco Planning and Zoning Commission and Strategic Planning Steering Committee as well as the Vanguard board of trustees. He’s been president of the TSTC Regents Circle, Hedonia Club of Waco, Earle Harrison House Museum Council and McClane Brown Family Foundation.
He’s even found time to coach the Extraco Eagles soccer team at the Woodway Family Center for two years.
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Just in time for Mother’s Day!
OK, it’s a stretch for Mother’s Day, but the late rocker Frank Zappa did head a band called the Mothers of Invention.
Zappa’s widow, Gail, has told the Associated Press that she is on board with plans for a bust of the eccentric rocker in his hometown of Baltimore.
Gail Zappa said she supports the project, which was spearheaded by Zappa fans from Lithuania.
Baltimore’s public art commission has accepted the gift of the bronze bust, which will sit atop a stainless steel pole. It’s a replica of a bust that went up in 1995 in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Zappa writes in an e-mail that the creators of the bust “have gone about this in the right way, with total respect for the composer.”
She hopes Baltimore will benefit from commemorating its association with her husband along with other famous artists associated with the city such as Upton Sinclair, Edgar Allan Poe and John Waters.
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American Airlines jet lost panel after taking off from D/FW
American Airlines is investigating how a jet bound for Paris lost a panel from its belly shortly after taking off from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport before continuing on across the Atlantic, the Associated Press reports.
Airline officials say the pilot thought the loud noises during the flight last month were due to cargo shifting, and in an internal memo they defended the crew.
A flight attendant on the April 20 trip said there was “a loud shaking noise from the belly of the plane.” A few minutes later, there was another noise that “sounded like an explosion,” the attendant said in an e-mail, according to Dallas television station WFAA.
When the Boeing 767 landed safely in Paris after the nine-hour flight, ground crews discovered the panel about two feet by three feet and covering one of two air conditioners was gone.
In a statement, the airline said it was investigating the incident and wouldn’t comment further.
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Papa John’s pizza chain rolling in dough online
The Papa John’s pizza chain has reached the $1 billion milestone in online pizza sales, according to the Associated Press.
Dominos and Pizza Hut also report bumps in online sales.
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Waco man injured in rollover
A 20-year-old Waco man sustained minor injuries late Wednesday night, police say, when his car struck a guardrail on Interstate 35 and flipped twice.
Darius William Streets was driving a white Toyota Scion on I-35 near Bellmead at about 11 p.m. when he lost control of the vehicle, said Waco Police Officer Steve Anderson. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
— Erin Quinn
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Singer Eddy Arnold dies
The Associated Press wrote: Eddy Arnold, whose mellow baritone on songs like “Make the World Go Away” made him one of the most successful country singers in history, died Thursday morning, days short of his 90th birthday.
Arnold died at a care facility near Nashville. His wife of 66 years, Sally, had died in March, and in the same month, Arnold fell outside his home, injuring his hip.
I think I remember him best for “Make the World Go Away,” one of his many No. 1 country hits and also a top 10 hit on the pop charts.
The Country Music Television Web site has more information and photos on Arnold.
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Holze Music owner says he’s paid taxes, will reopen
From Trib business editor Mike Copeland:
Rob Gibson, owner of the troubled Holze Music Co. chain, said this morning he has paid off more than $170,000 in delinquent sales taxes to the state comptroller’s office. He said he plans to reopen the flagship store in Waco early next week and most of his other nine stores statewide after that.
The comptroller’s office effectively closed all 10 Holze stores statewide on April 9 when it suspended the company’s sales tax license.
The office last week seized the store at 1210 Lake Air Drive and its contents. Customers have been scrambling to retrieve instruments that Holze had been repairing. The comptroller’s office opened the store on Lake Air Drive on Wednesday to allow customers an opportunity to pick up musical equipment or instruments.
Gibson said he was able to raise the $150,000 while the stores were closed because some customers continued to make payments by mail.
“We feel very badly about the inconvenience we have put on employees, customers and everybody concerned,” said Gibson. “We have a very dedicated group of people who want to come back to work.”
Gibson said he likely will close two or three underperforming stores but said he has not decided exactly which ones to shutter.
He said he is talking with two groups that could become investors in Holze Music Co. “I’m still the sole stockholder,” he added.
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Report of fiery wreck north of Waco
An Elm Mott man was injured after his car collided with a pickup north of Waco this morning.
At 6:40 a.m., Reggie Vonner, 22, was driving his 1993 maroon Buick Skylark when he stopped at the intersection of East U.S. Highway 84 and Tirey Road. where he stopped at a stop sign and then drove into the path of an oncoming 1998 white GMC pickup truck, said Waco police spokesman Steve Anderson.
The pickup’s driver, 40-year-old Darrell Blissett, of Dawson, and his 45-year-old passenger weren’t injured in the crash.
The Skylark caught fire after the crash, and Vonner was taken to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center with incapacitating injuries, Anderson said.
Vonner was cited with failure to yield right of way and driving without a license, Anderson said.
Vonner is listed in fair condition at Hillcrest, a hospital spokesman said.
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TSTC to host Pangea Day film screening event Saturday
On Saturday Texas State Technical College is hosting Pangea Day, an international event of film screenings that will take place simultaneously in roughly six worldwide locations.
TSTC Waco is hosting one of three public events in Texas from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. that day. It will feature live music, food and a special speaker, as well as the screening of 24 short films. The event is free and open to the public at the John B. Connally Technology Center Auditorium, located on the corner of Crest and Campus drives.
Here’s a tstc.pdf“>pdf from TSTC with more information.
More information can be found at www.pangeaday.org.
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Report: 3 tornados touch down in Robertson County
Our area saw only heavy rain yesterday, but the Bryan College-Station Eagle reports in today’s editions that Robertson County had three tornados touch down near Bremond.
The story says there were other reports of unconfirmed tornados.
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Aggie says bye to ‘American Idol’
Dreadlocked Aggie Jason Castro was booted off American Idol last night.
“Idol” Chatter blogger Nathan Wade says it was time for Castro to go. Here’s a recap of the show from the Associated Press.
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Some relief supplies get to Myanmar
Relief supplies from the United Nations began arriving in Myanmar today, but U.S. military planes loaded with aid for cyclone victims were still denied access by the country’s isolationist regime.
The junta also continued to stall on visas for U.N. teams seeking entry to ensure the aid is delivered to the victims amid fears that lack of safe food and drinking water could push the death toll above 100,000.
Two airplanes carrying high-energy biscuits, medicine and other supplies arrived in Yangon, and two others were to follow, U.N. officials said. The planes had waited for the last two days while the world body negotiated with the military regime to allow the material into the Southeast Asian nation.
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14-year-old crashes stolen car in Waco
A 14-year-old driving a stolen car led Beverly Hills police on a chase into Waco late Wednesday night before crashing into another vehicle, police say.
Around 10:30 p.m., the teen and three juvenile passengers were northbound on 17th Street in what police say was a stolen white Mazda, when the driver ran a red light and crashed into another vehicle.
The three passengers fled the scene of the crash before police arrived. The driver was arrested at 14th Street and Morrow Avenue, police say.
The occupants of the other vehicle were taken to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, where they were treated for minor injuries, according to police.
— Erin Quinn
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Sunny skies today
After all the rain and storms of yesterday, we’re going to have sunny skies with highs in the upper 80s as President Bush is scheduled to arrive with daughter Jenna today at Texas State Technical College Airport.
And it’s supposed to get warmer throughout the rest of the week.
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Two injured in collision during police chase
Two people were injured tonight when their car was struck by a a car being chased by Beverly Hills police officers on a Waco street.
The collision happened about 10:30 p.m. at the intersection of Waco Drive and 17th Street. A Mazda, fleeing Beverly Hills police north on 17th Street collided with a four-door car that had the right of way on Waco Drive, said Waco police Commander Chris Kinlaw.
Rescue workers had to use extrication equipment to cut the two people free from the four-door car, Kinlaw said. Their injuries did not appear to be critical, he said.
A juvenile in the Mazda fled on foot, but was soon caught by officers. Kinlaw said the teen will be charged with fleeing police and possibly failing to stop and render aid. He was arrested by Beverly Hills officers. Waco police will conduct the accident investigation, he said.
It was unclear late this evening why police were chasing the car.
Check back at wacotrib.com for updates on this story.
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Calling it a night
It doesn’t look like there’ll be any more storms in the Waco area. The tornadic storm is now well to our east-southeast, headed into Leon County.
I’m finally going home and getting some dinner. The city desk will take it from here (from what they’re hearing so far, not much damage besides the downed trees and power lines). So from “Joe Weather,” good night.
P.S.: Ducking back in to pass along a delayed report of a second Robertson County touchdown, 6 miles east-northeast of Franklin at 8:39 pm, reported by the Franklin fire department.
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Tornado touchdown reported in Bremond
KWTX and KCEN are reporting a touchdown near Bremond on FM 46. NWS confirms, reporting trees and power lines down.
Now reporting a 2nd brief touchdown near Petteway, near Twin Oak Reservoir in Robertson County.
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Storm damage (updated 8:30 pm)
Update: NWS passing along ham radio reports of quarter-size hail near Reagan at 7:45 pm. Trees and power lines reported down in brief tornado near Bremond, and 70 mph thunderstorm gusts reported 12 miles east of Marlin, a little after 8 pm. Second touchdown reported in Robertson County, near the community of Petteway, about 8:16 pm.
Earlier: The National Weather Service is relaying law enforcement reports in Hallsburg of trees blown down across a road. Radio scanner traffic indicates at least some of the trees down are on Trading Post Road.
Reports also are coming in of trees down near Bruceville-Eddy at L.W. Hatter Road.
Meanwhile, Limestone County emergency management is reporting penny size hail 2 miles east of Prairie Hill.
What are you seeing out there?
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Tornado warning, Falls County
3rd update: …A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CDT FOR NORTH CENTRAL ROBERTSON AND EAST CENTRAL FALLS COUNTIES…
AT 757 PM CDT…NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS DETECTED A DEVELOPING TORNADO. THIS TORNADO WAS LOCATED 2 NORTHWEST OF BREMOND…MOVING EAST AT 27 MPH. THIS STORM WAS ALSO CAPABLE OF PRODUCING BASEBALL SIZE HAIL.
THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR… BREMOND AT 802 PM CDT
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Waco removed from tornado watch
McLennan, Bell, Falls and Hill counties have been removed from the tornado watch.
Of the counties surrounding Waco, only Limestone County remains under the watch, which is set to expire at 9 pm.
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Judge orders demolition of Townhouse Hotel
A district judge Wednesday ordered the demolition of the Townhouse Hotel, one of Waco’s most notorious eyesores.
Judge Vicki Menard of the 414th District Court gave Waco businessman Banson Fan until May 25 to tear down the two-story building at 1715 Austin Avenue. The abandoned hotel has been tagged as unsafe for more than 15 years and has been used by vagrants.
The city of Waco had sued Fan for failing to meet deadlines from a 2006 agreement in which he promised to bring the property up to code within 14 months. Under a temporary injunction Menard granted April 11, Fan had until April 25 to fence in the property, or he would be required to tear it down. The fence was not built until early May and city officials were dissatisfied with it.
City Attorney Leah Hayes said she was pleased with the judge’s decision, though she’s far from certain Fan will meet the demolition deadline. Judge Menard declined the city’s request to fine Fan $1,000 a day until the building is demolished and to post a $60,000 bond to ensure that he removes asbestos in the building.
Hayes said if Fan misses his deadline, the city will take him back to court to seek penalties, and in the end the city might have to hire someone to demolish the building and put a lien on the property for the work.
Fan said during testimony Wednesday that he couldn’t build the fence on time because of bad weather and his need to research the proper way to build the fence.
Fan’s attorney, Fred Brown, said ordering Fan to tear the building down might bankrupt him, and it’s not a “realistic” solution.
“If he doesn’t do it, the city is going to have to pay for it,” he said. “He had the loan to abate the asbestos and renovate the building and put it back on the market as taxable value.”
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Severe thunderstorm warning, Limestone County
7th update:: And there it is…
…THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN LIMESTONE COUNTY IS CANCELLED…
6th update:: Looking at radar, this storm is almost out of Limestone County. Expect it to be dropped from the warning next update.
…A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 700 PM CDT FOR NORTHERN LEON AND SOUTHEASTERN LIMESTONE COUNTIES…
AT 615 PM CDT…NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS DETECTED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PENNY SIZE HAIL…AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 9 MILES WEST OF JEWETT…MOVING EAST AT 31 MPH.
THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR… JEWETT BY 630 PM CDT… BUFFALO BY 635 PM CDT… OAKWOOD BY 700 PM CDT…
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Severe thunderstorm warning, McLennan County
2nd update: …THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN MCLENNAN COUNTY EXPIRES AT 515 PM CDT…
AT 511 PM CDT THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM THAT PROMPTED THE WARNING MOVED OUT OF THE AREA AND THE WARNING WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXPIRE.
Update: …A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 515 PM CDT FOR SOUTHEASTERN MCLENNAN COUNTY…
AT 445 PM CDT…NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS DETECTED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING QUARTER SIZE HAIL…AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR HALLSBURG…MOVING EAST AT 28 MPH.
THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR… HALLSBURG BY 450 PM CDT… MART BY 505 PM CDT…
Original text: THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN FORT WORTH HAS ISSUED A
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR… SOUTHERN MCLENNAN COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS…
UNTIL 515 PM CDT
AT 429 PM CDT…NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS DETECTED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING PENNY SIZE HAIL…AND
DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED OVER
THE SOUTHEAST PART OF WACO…AND MOVING EAST AT 33 MPH. ADDITIONAL STRONG TO SEVERE STORMS WERE LOCATED NEAR LORENA.THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WILL BE NEAR… HALLSBURG BY 440 PM MART BY 455 PM
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Weather advisory, McLennan/Bell counties
…SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR… NORTH CENTRAL BELL COUNTY EASTERN MCLENNAN COUNTY
AT 422 PM CDT…NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS DETECTED A STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER HEWITT…MOVING EAST AT 41 MPH.
CITIES IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE BELLMEAD…BEVERLY HILLS… BRUCEVILLE-EDDY…HALLSBURG…HEWITT…LACY-LAKEVIEW…LORENA…MOODY …MORGAN’S POINT RESORT…NORTHCREST…RIESEL…ROBINSON…SOUTH WACO AND WOODWAY.
FREQUENT CLOUD TO GROUND LIGHTNING…VERY HEAVY RAINFALL…PEA-SIZED HAIL…AND WIND GUSTS TO 50 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED FROM THIS STORM.
IF THIS STORM INTENSIFIES…A SEVERE WEATHER WARNING MAY BE NEEDED.
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