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February 2008
Clinton blasts Obama during Waco rally
From Waco Tribune-Herald reporter David Doerr:
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton attacked her Democratic primary rival, Sen. Barack Obama by questioning his competency on national security issues during her speech today in Waco.
The criticism coincides with the launching of a new ad campaign that asks voters to consider who they want to answer the phone in the White House at 3 a.m. when a national crisis erupts.
“There isn’t any time to convene your advisers or do a survey about what will and what will not be popular,” Clinton said during the rally. “You have to make a decision. And in the world that we face, with both challenges and opportunities, we need a president who picks up that phone ready to decide.”
She criticized Obama for saying that when Clinton has talked about national security, he has accused her of trying to scare people.
“Well I don’t think people in Texas scare that easily,” Clinton said. “The American people aren’t afraid of the challenges and dangers that we face in the world. They want a president with the strength and wisdom to take those challenges and dangers head on. Now there is a big difference between giving speeches about national security and giving orders as commander in chief.”
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Hillary Clinton focuses on military, veterans’ needs during Waco rally
U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, who is hoping to become the 44th president of the United States, spoke to more than 1,300 people this afternoon during a rally at the Waco Convention Center.
Clinton is competing with U.S. Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination for the presidency, and Texas delegates will be decided in part by the results of Tuesday’s primary election.
During today’s speech, Clinton focused on the military, veterans and the war in Iraq.
“I promise you this, when I am president I will fight as hard for our military, veterans and their families as they have fought for us.”
She also focused on the importance of making sure veterans’ health care needs are met.
“Every veteran in the United States needs to have access to health care,” she said.
Clinton said she has the ability to get the job done.
“I don’t just want the job of president. I will do the job of president,” she said, getting a standing ovation from the veterans behind her as well as from the crowd attending the event.
Among those attending were two Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center employees who took the day off from work to attend the rally, Susan McJunkin, 53, and Wynne Barnes, 52.
“I think she’s awesome in every way,” McJunkin said of Clinton. Today, she directed her speech more toward the military. But I think her strongest suit is her stand on healthcare.”
Clinton spoke for about 35 minutes, and stayed afterward for almost half an hour shaking hands with well-wishers and chatting with those attending the rally.
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Local veterans among supporters at Hillary Clinton rally
1:45 p.m. update from Trib reporter David Doerr:
About 30 minutes before the beginning of the rally about 740 people have arrived at the convention center to welcome Clinton to Waco. There’s still plenty of room on the floor for people to watch and hear Clinton deliver her speech, which is supposed to focus on veterans issues.
Robert Zahirniak, commander of the VFW post in West, is one of several veterans here today who have said he wants to hear how she plans to take care of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Janet Walters, an English teacher at Hillsboro High School, said is supporting Hillary because she has “put in the time” and would bring more to the presidency than charisma. She said she wants to hear Clinton address how she plans to end the war in Iraq and “clean up the mess Bush has made of the economy.”
Several local veterans are among those gathered to hear presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton speak at a 2 p.m. rally at the Waco Convention Center.
Trib reporter Erin Quinn is on the scene and talked to some of them.
Robert Hawkins, 69, the mayor of Bellmead, served in the U.S. Army Reserve as well as the Texas National Guard.
He said Clinton’s emphasis on affordable health care for all Americans is one of the key issues of the 2008 campaign.
“The citizens of the greatest nation can’t even afford health care,” Hawkins said. He added that he supports Clinton because he believes she is the best qualified candidate to lead the nation.
He pointed to a giant American flag and to a line of veterans on the stage who will stand behind Clinton when the rally begins.
“Our primary thing is that flag,” Hawkins said. “We’ve all served under that flag and we want the best for the people that live under that flag.”
Veterans standing near Hawkins were T.D. Steinke, 82, of Waco, who served during World War II, and George Coffee, 80, of Waco, who served during the Korean Conflict.
Also attending the rally were Kimberly Ramirez, 28, an education student at McLennan Community College, and her mother, Tauline Ramirez, who declined to give her age.
Kimberly Ramirez described herself as a strong Clinton supporter, and said the Waco Veterans Affairs Hospital and veterans health care were among the issues she wanted to hear Clinton talk about.
“My dad’s a Vietnam veteran and I want to make sure that veterans are well taken care of and given proper medical treatment.”
Tauline Ramirez said she attended the rally with her daughter because it is a “once in a lifetime experience.”
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Crowd gathering for Hillary Clinton rally in Waco
Tribune-Herald reporter Erin Quinn is on the scene at the Waco Convention Center awaiting the start of the rally for presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. this afternoon.
At least 300 people were waiting outside the convention center more than an hour and a half before the rally.
With a giant American flag in the background, Clinton supporters handed out signs to those attending the rally, while songs like Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” and Tom Petty’s “American Girl” played.
A mix of people of all different ages were waiting for the start of the rally, including four Baylor University students.
One of the students, Hunter Klein, 19, is majoring in theology and political science. He described himself as “intensely conservative.”
“As much as I don’t agree with what (Clinton) believes in, she’s still a very powerful political leader,” Klein said. “I couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to hear her speak in Waco.”
Amy VanValkenburg, 21, a Baylor communications major, said she was undecided on whom she will vote for.
“I think (Clinton’s visit) is part of history and I couldn’t not go,” she said.
(Check back with WacoTrib.com for updates).
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Downed light pole caused I-35 accidents
A downed light pole stretched across the southbound lanes of Interstate 35 early this morning caused a three-car pileup that tied up traffic for hours.
Waco police say a car struck the pole shortly after 2 a.m. today near the Waco Drive exit and then left the scene.
A Nissan Sentra driven by a 23-year-old San Antonio woman, a Toyota Camry driven by a 19-year-old from Fort Worth, and a Dodge Caravan driven by a man from Atoka, Okla., struck the pole, Waco police officer Steve Anderson said.
No one at the scene received treatment for any injuries, he said. All vehicles were towed from the scene because of the damage. Anderson said there were no witnesses to the hit-and-run that caused the light pole to fall. The scene was cleared by 5:30 a.m., he said.
— Erin Quinn
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MCC instructor dies in collision in South Texas
Longtime McLennan Community College teacher Patsy White was killed Wednesday in a head-on collision on her way to Corpus Christi. She was 71.
According to MCC spokeswoman Lisa Wilhelmi, White was a part-time instructor teaching psychology and orientation courses, and worked with the adult basic education program as a retiree.
She had worked for years as the college’s director of student support services.
White was traveling Wednesday on U.S. Highway 77 to Corpus Christi in a 2005 Kia sedan with MCC adult basic education instructor Helen Barragan, 72, according to a spokesman from the Texas Department of Public Safety in Corpus Christi.
At 4:15 p.m., when the women were just south of Hallettsville, the spokesman said, the southbound Kia drifted into the northbound lanes, encountering a 2000 Ford pickup on a two-lane bridge. It was unknown why the Kia drifted across the highway.
The Ford, the spokesman said, attempted to evade the collision, but the vehicles struck head-on. The two men riding in the Ford were not taken to a hospital from the scene, the DPS spokesman said.
White was taken to a Victoria hospital where she died less than four hours later. Barragan was taken to a Yoakum hospital to be treated for injuries, which were described as non-life-threatening.
Wilhelmi said MCC is planning a memorial service for White but no details are available yet.
— Erin Quinn
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Obituaries, Police & crime, Traffic
Clinton’s new security ad
The Hillary Clinton campaign has a new ad playing in our state. Worth noting that the ad begins airing the same day she will have a campaign rally with veterans and flag officers in Waco.
Here’s the release from her campaign about the ad:
New National Security Ad Asks Voters Who They Want In The White House During A Crisis “It’s 3AM and your children are safe and asleep. Who do you want answering the phone?”
AUSTIN, TX - The Hillary Clinton campaign unveiled a new national security ad that asks voters who they want answering the phone at the White House during a crisis. The 30-second spot called “Children” will begin airing in Texas starting this Friday. The ad points to Hillary Clinton’s strength and experience to be president at this time and the clear positive choice she represents.
“One of the most important duties of the President is ensuring the safety of the American people,” said retired General Wesley Clark. “Inevitably, another national security crisis will occur. And when it does, voters shouldn’t have to wonder whether their President will be ready. As President, Hillary will be ready to act swiftly and decisively.”
“The stakes for our nation have never been higher,” said Retired General John Watkins. “As someone who has met with world leaders and is a leader on national security in the US Senate, I am confident that Hillary Clinton is ready to serve as our nation’s Commander in Chief on day one. She would come to the job more prepared than most of our recent Presidents and certainly with better judgment.”
“America faces a number of daunting challenges. I am confident that Hillary Clinton will meet these challenges and that she has the experience and judgment necessary to be Commander-in-Chief today,” said former Secretary of the Navy John Dalton. “As President, I am also confident that she will re-establish our moral authority and our leadership throughout the world.”
Here’s the ad:
Remember to keep up with all things political in Central Texas at our Election ‘08 blog.
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Fuel spill at Flying J
Hazardous material crews this morning are working to contain a fuel leak on an 18-wheeler at the Flying J truck stop off Interstate 35.
Crews have been containing the spill for at least the past five hours.
Waco fire officials say each of the tanks in trucks that size carry about 130 gallons. It is unclear how much fuel leaked.
—Erin Quinn
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Good Leap Year Friday morning, Waco
Warmest morning yet this week. No wind chill and we’re at 57 degrees.
We should have partly sunny skies with a high near 70. A south-southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east will greet us today.
Permalink | | Categories: Weather
Chuck Norris: The man, the myth, the madness
This important report from the Tribune-Herald staff:
So who did most people come to see during Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee’s campaign stop in Waco Thursday afternoon — Chuck or Huck?
Most of those interviewed by the Tribune-Herald claimed they were there to see Huck — or “Huckleberry,” as one devoted follower from Bosque County put it. But action star and contemporary cultural phenomenon Chuck Norris, a Huckabee supporter who together with his wife travels with the candidate from town to town, certainly created plenty of buzz at the Waco Hilton.
When Diana Teichelman, 53, of Valley Mills, was encountered by a Tribune-Herald reporter, she was exclaiming excitedly to friends, “He kissed me! He kissed me!”
She wasn’t talking about Mike Huckabee.
“I asked him if he would kiss me,” Diana said. “And I said if his wife was there, it would be a lot easier because he wouldn’t have to really explain anything.”
So Chuck Norris kissed her, all for the sake of his candidate and the American way.
Even so, Diana insisted she came to the rally to see Mike Huckabee.
Baylor University student Shayli Hughes, 20, said she was there to see Huckabee — “I didn’t even know Chuck Norris was going to be here,” the McAllen resident said — but friend David Hammack, 22, of San Diego, said he came to the rally because he strongly suspected Norris would be on hand.
Asked about the allure of Chuck Norris, David — with a straight face — said the action hero had accomplished much, including, as a teen, impregnating an entire convent of nuns who in turn produced the 1972 Miami Dolphins, “the only undefeated team in NFL history.”
Right.
This is one of the most common quips and jokes made about Norris who, yes, truly is a cultural hero, much to the shock of those who saw his martial arts movies back in the 1980s and ’90s.
Local businessman Bill Johnson said he was there to see both Huckabee and Norris. Even got his cowboy hat signed by them.
The action star, Johnson said, once invited the dying child of a friend to the set of “Walker, Texas Ranger,” Norris’ popular TV show. The boy, J.R. Dixon, died shortly afterward, just shy of his 7th birthday.
“Chuck Norris is a wonderful guy,” Johnson told the Tribune-Herald. “You can tell a lot about a man by how he treats kids.”
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Community advisory committee votes to recommend WISD hold bond election in May
The Waco Independent School District facilities committee, made up of community members, voted tonight to recommend the school board go out for a May bond election.
The vote was 18 to 8 that the district should pursue an election in May, rather than delay it until November. Though many options were presented, the committee did not come to a consensus on a particular board package.
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Burning train car fills Waco-area sky with black smoke
A train car on fire has slowed traffic on Interstate 35. The car is engulfed in flames, sending large clouds of black smoke into the air and across I-35 near Bruceville-Eddy, a Texas Department of Public Safety spokeswoman said. No one has been injured in the blaze, which was reported just before 6 p.m. Traffic is slowed on I-35 and access roads near the blaze. A DPS spokeswoman said the car contains refrigerator coils and other recyclable materials, but was unsure if hazardous materials are involved.
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Huckabee speaks at Waco rally
Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor and a Southern Baptist pastor, addressed about 1,000 people gathered at a rally today at the Waco Hilton.
Tribune-Herald reporter Emily Ingram was at the scene, which she described as being as enthusiastic as a rock concert.
Among those on hand to offer their support for Huckabee’s candidacy was pop culture icon and actor Chuck Norris, star of the TV series “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
Huckabee noted that Norris was a major reason many attended the rally.
“Hey, I’m not stupid,” he said. “I know y’all showed up for Chuck Norris. Well, I’ll say this: I showed up for him, too.
“Chuck Norris doesn’t just draw a crowd. Chuck Norris shows up and the crowd materializes,” he joked.
Huckabee, who trails Arizona Sen. John McCain in the chase for the nomination, told the crowd the race isn’t over yet.
“Most assume that the real race is between Hillary and Obama,” Huckabee said. “I’m sure they assume the Republicans have already decided their candidate. But I don’t believe that’s so … until someone has 1,191 delegates, we don’t have a nominee yet.”
In appealing for people to vote for Huckabee, Norris said the former Arkansas governor is ready to lead.
Huckabee “is a man who has experience, a man who has youth and he has a vision to lead us forward,” Norris said. “People, we need this desperately.”
Norris said despite Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s seemingly insurmountable lead, he knew Texans would not let the odds stand in their way.
“What I like about Texans is that we are free thinkers,” Norris said. “We don’t let the pundits tell us what to do.”
A Baylor student on stage led the crowd in the “Sic ‘em Bears” chant, which Norris joined as the crowd went into a frenzy.
The room hosting the event holds normally 500 people, a Hilton spokesman said, but 660 were crammed inside and more than 150 people stood in an overflow area in the lobby.
Matt Hess, 29, the education director at the local World Hunger Relief Farm, was among the local residents gathered to listen to Huckabee.
“We want to make sure that Christians aren’t just represented by some values, but also take a stand against hunger and poverty,” Hess said. “So we’re hoping to hear Huckabee speak on those issues today.”
Several college students were in attendance, with people ranging in age from toddlers to senior citizens waiting for the event.
John and Linda Tomlinson of Hillsboro, ages 65 and 64, respectively, were among those waiting to listen to Huckabee.
They both said they had cast their ballots for the former Arkansas governor and Southern Baptist pastor during early voting.
“We hope he becomes president,” John Tomlinson said. “That’s what we hope and pray for every day. We pray for a righteous leader.”
When asked if it was unusual for Waco to host such an event, Linda Tomlinson laughed and said, “Huckabee being here, that’s not every day that it happens. But we do have a president who comes to town pretty often.”
The reference, of course, was to President Bush, who frequently returns to his ranch just west of Crawford.
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UHS boys basketball coach says he won’t be retained
University High School boys’ basketball coach Kevin Greenleaf said Thursday he was notified on Wednesday that his teaching contract at the school will not be renewed.
Greenleaf just finished his third season at University, but missed much of the season after he was injured on the sidelines at the University-Waco High football game in October.
University finished 9-26 overall and 2-8 in District 16-4A after forfeiting two games because an ineligible player participated in those games.
Greenleaf said he took responsibility for the ineligible player, but also said he was cleared by a District 16-4A committee of knowingly using the ineligible player.
Greenleaf said he was called into University principal Nolan Correa’s office on Wednesday afternoon and notified of the decision.
“He said, ‘I think it’s your fault that our team was not in the playoffs,’ ” Greenleaf said. “But sitting in front of him was a letter from the committee saying I was cleared on that. They didn’t find anything that I intentionally did wrong.”
Greenleaf said he believed Correa has been wanting to make a change with the boys’ basketball coaching position and has been looking for a reason to dismiss Greenleaf.
“I think he used this here to make the move he wanted to make,” said Greenleaf, referring to the Trojans’ forfeited district games.
Correa said he could not comment.
“That’s a personnel issue,” he said. “I don’t talk about personnel issues.”
An attempt was made by the Tribune-Herald to reach Waco ISD athletic director Johanna Denson on Thursday afternoon but a phone message was not returned.
Greenleaf, who has 16 years of coaching experience, got his first head coaching opportunity when he came to University before the start of the 2005-06 season.
He said he had been offered the opportunity to resign to keep a nonrenewed contract off his record. But he said his continuing need for medical care as a result of his knee injury made him turn that offer down.
“(Correa) not renewing my contract, I don’t think that’s going to break my career,” Greenleaf said. “My main concern is I want to make sure my knee gets healed so I can work.”
Greenleaf was on the University sidelines as an assistant coach when a Waco High running back and a University defender collided with him. He needed surgery to repair damage to his right knee and was on crutches until mid-January.
Greenleaf said he will continue to teach classes at University through this school year.
“I don’t have any hard feelings,” Greenleaf said. “I’m going to continue with these guys in the offseason program and hopefully find a place for some of them to go to college.”
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McCain to hold town hall meeting in Waco Monday
Over on our Election ‘08 blog, David Doerr lets us know that Republican frontrunner John McCain will host an event at the HOT Fair & Rodeo complex on Monday.
Click here for the full scoop.
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Pictures galore from youth basketball awards
There’s no shortage of online photos from Waco’s parks and recreation department’s youth basketball awards banquet. See anyone you know?
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Actors who back Obama coming to Waco
It’s not Barack Obama himself, but for young supporters of the president candidate, the America College Tour for Change will stop in Waco tomorrow with actors Adam Rodriguez of CSI: Miami and Sophia Bush of One Tree Hill.
It’s one of several stops that includes Richardson, Lubbock, Denton and Arlington.
Obama’s campaign headquarters are at 1818 Columbus Ave. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and the program starts at 10.
If you don’t know Rodriguez or Bush, here’s what they look like.
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More on our Bassmaster champ
Dallas Morning News outdoors writer Ray Sasser takes his turn today writing about 2008 Bassmaster Classic champion Alton Jones. The Waco resident is a Highland Park graduate.
The column is headlined “Good-guy Texan celebrates Classic win” and Sasser does a good job informing readers about Jones’ win and what’s ahead for him.
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Governor appoints 2 new TSTC regents
The Texas State Technical College board of regents has two new faces to replace those whose terms expired.
Cesar Maldonado of Harlingen and Gene Seaman of Corpus Christi were appointed today by Gov. Rick Perry to replace Connie de la Garza and Jerilyn K. Pfeifer.
Maldonado and Seaman will serve on the TSTC board through Aug. 31, 2013. Regent Mike Northcutt of Longview was reappointed.
The appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
The new appointees are on the nine-member board that governs the system. The only local regent is China Spring resident and Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Barbara Rusling.
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Federal agents stop by Davidian compound
Today marks 15 years since the Branch Davidian standoff began at Mount Carmel when the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms attempted to execute a search warrant at the compound. Gunfire was exchanged, resulting in the deaths of four ATF agents and six Davidians.
Staff photographer Rod Aydelotte, who was among the Trib staffers covering the siege and subsequent 51-day standoff in 1993, said four carloads of federal agents left the compound this morning after paying their respects to the ATF agents who died a decade and a half ago.
From there, they joined an estimated 100 law officers at the police memorial at Indian Spring Park for a similar ceremony.
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Overnight fire damages Waco apartment
An overnight fire that is being called accidental by Waco fire officials caused considerable damage to a one-bedroom garage apartment in the 1500 block of Indiana Avenue.
Waco fire marshal Jerry Hawk said gas and electricity were turned off in the apartment, and it appeared the resident had been heating the apartment with a “lot of candles” and by “burning things” in cans.
The apartment’s resident had told a neighbor that she was asleep on the couch when the fire started in her bedroom, Hawk said. When the fire department arrived, he said the resident could not be located.
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Car fire may be arson
Waco fire officials say an overnight vehicle fire in front of a home is being investigating as arson.
Fire marshal Jerry Hawk said that shortly before 3:30 a.m., firefighters extinguished a blaze in a 1998 Mazda 626 parked in the driveway of the home in the 2700 block of South 12th Street.
Hawk said a resident of the home told him that she was awakened by the car’s alarm.
When the woman went to turn off the alarm, she noticed the vehicle’s back window cracked, she told Hawk, and said she hadn’t left it that way. Seconds after she walked back in the house, fire sparked around the rear of the vehicle, Hawk said.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, and Hawk said the damage to the vehicle is barely noticeable.
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Hillary Clinton coming to Waco Friday
According to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton’s Web site, she’ll be stopping in Waco for an “Early Vote Rally with Veterans and Flag Officers.”
The rally is from noon to 3 p.m. at the Waco Convention Center, 100 Washington Ave. Organizers say they expect Clinton to arrive about 2 p.m., but advise those planning to attend to come well before then because they’ll have to go through metal detectors and such.
Here’s the Web site’s description of the event:
Join Hillary for an Early Vote Rally with Veterans and Flag Officers at the Waco Convention Center in Waco! Hillary has spent the past 35 years fighting for American families and she has real solutions to tackle the tough issues we’re facing. Join Hillary in Waco to learn more about her lifetime record of results. Host: Texas For Hillary
Be sure to keep up with campaign coverage locally by checking out Trib political reporter David Doerr’s blog.
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Photos from Lady Bears’ win in slide show
We’ve got loads of images online in our slide show from last night’s Lady Bear 76-62 victory over Colorado. Pictures like the one below:
If you haven’t read it already, Jerry Hill has the story here.
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Former Waco weatherman retiring after 50 years
Longtime Houston Channel 13 weatherman Doug Brown is being lauded by his colleagues as he is retiring after 50 years in the business. According to the story on the ABC13 Web site, Brown’s second stop in his career was in Waco.
According to his bio on the station’s Web site, he arrived at KTRK-TV in 1975 as the station’s weathercaster for Eyewitness News This Morning.
Before that the Brady native and Baylor graduate was in Waco at KWTX-TV.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Entertainment, Weather
It’s Thursday, Waco … and it’ll be windy
We’re starting out cool, but skies will remain sunny and we should hit a high near 75.
Expect a windy day, with a south-southwest wind between 15 and 25 mph. Gusts could reach 35 mph.
The recording station at Waco Regional Airport says it’s 48 degrees with a wind chill of 42.
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Chuck Norris coming to Waco
Movie and television star Chuck Norris, perhaps best known for his role in Walker, Texas Ranger, will visit Waco Thursday to campaign for Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.
For more details, see David Doerr’s political blog.
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Emily gets chatty with Kevin Rogers
In the last of the new set of three Em Zone videos, our Emily Ingram talks with Baylor men’s basketball post player Kevin Rogers about his missing headband, the reported cleanliness of the men’s locker room, and his mom.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Pickup gets crunched a bit by semi
Traffic around 30th Street and Franklin Avenue needs to watch out where a semi truck and pickup have collided, which is forcing vehicles to maneuver around it.
Reporter Erin Quinn, who came upon the scene, said it appears the semi was trying to make a wide right turn into a strip center parking lot. The driver of the pickup was making a right turn as well and pulled alongside the semi, not taking into account that the semi was coming into that lane, too, as it turned.
No one appears hurt, but traffic will likely be slow there for a while as police sort things out.
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Images from Connally boys’ playoff game
Here’s sports writer Chad Conine’s coverage of the game.
The Cadets (25-8) will return to Sam Houston State’s Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville for a rematch with Hardin-Jefferson. The two teams are scheduled to play at 8 p.m. Friday.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, High school sports
Former BU coach Bliss reflects on scandal
The Rocky Mountain News today has a lengthy interview with former Baylor men’s basketball coach Dave Bliss, who now lives in Lakewood, Colo. He talks about how he got himself embroiled in the scandal.
Here’s an excerpt:
As for the lives and the institution left in disarray during the last of his four seasons in Waco, Bliss said in an interview with the Rocky Mountain News, “I messed up and I hurt a lot of people. I mean, I really messed up… .
“I cheated because I was weak. I’m not in denial; I cheated. I take responsibility and, unfortunately, the consequences have really been terrific… . If I take my situation and I cower, and I go off into the hills, which is what your instinct is to do, that’s not what I need to do.”
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports, Pro & college sports
Inquirer comes to Crawford
No, not the National Enquirer, but the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper, which asks the question: “Any blue in Bush Country?”
Reporter Thomas Fitzgerald essentially came to Crawford to query its residents, who live with the Bush ranch close by, whether they’d vote for either of the Democratic front-runners Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton.
Check it out here.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas, Politics
Update: Powder mailed to Temple PD nonhazardous
The suspicious white powder mailed to a Temple police officer tested as nonhazardous, after police were on lockdown for three hours Tuesday night.
About 7:30 p.m., an officer at the department at 209 E. Avenue A in Temple, opened a letter and discovered the substance, said Thomas Pechal, a Temple fire official.
Fire crews, including a hazardous materials team, quarantined the section of officers while they tested the powder.
At 10:30 p.m., Pechal said, the substance was determined to be nonhazardous, and the police personnel were released.
The case is still under investigation by the Temple fire and police departments, Pechal said.
— Erin Quinn
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
“What would you do?” about the ABC segment?
Despite my blog reminder about last night’s ABC News Primetime segment of “What Would You Do?” set up at the Little Czech Bakery in the Czech Stop in West, I forgot to watch it when I got home late and was busy doing other things.
But I just finished watching the two-and-a-half minute Webcast version on the ABC News Web site. You do have to sit through a 30-second commercial first, however.
I worry that this comes across an indictment about people in West or Waco (since the Webcast made certain to mention the bakery was near Waco), but there’s no telling where a lot of the people “caught on tape” were from. The Czech Stop is a popular stop along I-35 drawing people from Dallas and Fort Worth as easily as from Waco.
I’m curious what you thought, either from watching the whole segment last night or just the Webcast that’s online.
Permalink | Comments (13) | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas
Downright frigid this morning
Waco Regional Airport says we’re still below freezing at 31 degrees right now with a wind chill of 26 degrees. It got as low as 25 degrees during the overnight hours.
The sunny skies, however, should warm us up nicely with a high near 63. The winds will be out of the south-southwest between 5 and 10 mph.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Weather
Wednesday morning starts with a grass fire
Just heard the scanner and a dispatcher’s call for Bellmead firefighters to respond to a report of a possible grass fire near Interstate 35 at mile marker 339.
These dry conditions are going to keep us in danger of grass fires.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
White powder discovered in letter to Temple Police Department
Temple police are investigating a white powder that arrived in a letter tonight at police headquarters.
About 7:30 p.m., an officer received a letter and carried it to his third floor office, police said. He opened it and discovered a suspicious white powdery substance, police said. He isolated his area and the area where he picked up the letter, and called the Temple Fire Department. Fire officials are testing the areas, the letter, and police personnel.
Police officials said testing is being conducted as a precaution and no one has shown any negative health symptoms.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines
Em Zone dials up Tweety
Our Emily Ingram of Em Zone fame continues her interviews with some of the Baylor men’s basketball team.
Today, it’s Tweety Carter’s turn. Hey, Emily! Why is he nicknamed Tweety?
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Primetime piece on Muslim prejudice tonight
That ABC News “Primetime: What Would You Do?” piece that uses the Little Czech Bakery in West as the location for its test of bystanders’ reactions to Muslim prejudice premieres tonight at 9 p.m. on Channel 25 (cable 5).
Reporter Erin Quinn had our story about it yesterday.
Here’s a story about “Islamophobia” on the ABC News Web site promoting tonight’s Primetime. The bakery isn’t mentioned by name in this Web article and is merely referred to as “a bustling roadside bakery north of Waco, Texas.”
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas, Entertainment
The Texas primary, Chet and Health Camp
Say what you will about the New York Times’ big misstep with the McCain lobbyist story, the newspaper still produces plenty of well-written, well-reported political stories.
There’s an excellent article today, datelined “Crawford, Texas,” that examines the challenge the Democratic candidates face with the Texas primary because of the regional differences in our large state.
Go to the second page of the article, and you’ll find quotes from U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, a Crawford-area rancher and a Central Texas resident who used to live in Port Arthur. Waco’s Health Camp restaurant even gets a mention.
It’s good reading.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Around the state, Politics
Lady Bears move to 8th in women’s hoops poll
The Baylor women moved up to eighth in the latest Associated Press women’s Top 25 basketball poll, swapping positions with California.
The Lady Bears (23-3) have three games remaining in the regular season. They host Colorado Wednesday night in the Ferrell Center and go to College Station to face Texas A&M Saturday afternoon.
Here’s the latest AP poll.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Falls County youth badly burned
The Falls County Sheriff’s Office this morning sent out a news release about a 12-year-old boy who suffered severe burn injuries during the weekend from a trash fire in northwestern Falls County near the Blevins community.
According to the release, sheriff’s office personnel along with Scott & White EMS and Troy Volunteer Fire Department firefighters responded to a location on County Road 453 Saturday morning where they found the boy with burns to his legs and upper torso.
The initial investigation, the release said, determined that a nearby gasoline can exploded and ignited the boy’s clothing. Embers from a burning trash barrel ignited the gasoline vapors coming from the can.
The child was taken by ambulance to Scott & White Hospital in Temple and was later transferred to the Parkland Hospital Burn Unit in Dallas for further treatment.
The sheriff’s office is not releasing the child’s name because of his age. Consequently, we won’t be able to check on his condition at the hospital without providing a name.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Fire at Waco detention center
A small fire broke out overnight in a basement dryer of the McLennan County Detention Center operated by Civigenics.
Waco fire investigator Lt. Chuck Lindorfer said firefighters were called to the scene at 12:30 a.m., but upon arrival found that the sprinkler system had extinguished the fire.
“That’s why we’re always pushing sprinkler systems,” he said.
No one was injured and the jail did not have to be evacuated.
The cause of the fire was determined to be clothes left in the industrial dryer, he said.
— Erin Quinn
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
TSTC department chair U.S. News resource
U.S. News and World Report recently highlighted 31 jobs with a growing demand in its Best Careers 2008 edition. Biomedical equipment technician was among those jobs and the magazine quoted a Texas State Technical College official who’s an expert on the subject.
Roger Bowles, department chair of the biomedical equipment technology (BET) program at Texas State Technical College, is author of Critical Careers: A Guide to Opportunities in Medical Equipment Service. He was interviewed for the article and his book was cited as a resource.
Bowles, who earned an associate degree in 1991 from TSTC in biomedical equipment technology, has been an instructor at the college for 11 years while earning master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of North Texas. He often contributes to trade journals and other publications, and is a member of the editorial advisory board of 24X7, a technology magazine for biomeds.
He also spends a lot of time in career placement at TSTC, helping students find jobs. Of the approximately 50 students who graduate from the program each year, the job placement rate is about 90 percent, Bowles said. National pay for biomedical equipment technicians average about $53,000, according to the U.S. News article.
For more information about the BET program, call Bowles at 867-2669 or go to http://www.waco.tstc.edu/bet/.
For more on Best Careers 2008, click here.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Education
Tuesday in Texas … must be serving chilly
As a reminder that the weather in Texas is ever-changing, yesterday’s high of 84 at Waco Regional Airport has given way to today’s brisk, biting winds. The temperature is 43 degrees but the wind chill is 33.
We’ll only hit 59 for a high today, and with that big north wind today it probably won’t even feel that warm.
We’re supposed to hit freezing tonight with clear skies, a north wind and a low around 29.
Permalink | | Categories: Weather
Wildfire rages in Central Texas
One home is still in danger as firefighters battle a 100-acre grass fire in Hamilton County tonight.
Texas Forest Service spokeswoman Mary Hicks said volunteer firefighters and forest service officials have been battling a fire since shortly before 5 p.m. off County Road 622 in Hamilton County.
Firefighters saved one home from the flames and another is in danger. The fire continues to be out of control tonight. Officials are unsure how the blaze started.
A team of bulldozers is working to stop the fire’s spread and a helicopter has been attacking the flames from the air, although the pilot was forced to leave shortly before 6 p.m. when the helicopter ran low on fuel.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines
More slide shows than you can shake a mouse at
It’s almost dizzying how many events were shot this weekend and that we have up as slide shows. For example:
Bledsoe-Miller Black History Celebration
So spend your lunch hour checking out our slide shows (because we don’t want to get you in trouble with your boss).
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, This, that
Baylor moves up in Baseball America poll
After sweeping Purdue by winning each of its games by one run, the Baylor Bears moved up two spots to No. 13 in the Baseball America Top 25 poll released today.
UCLA fell from No. 1 to third after splitting two games at home against Oklahoma. Missouri and Texas, who each went 3-0 for the weekend, moved up one spot. Missouri went to No. 5 and Texas is one rung behind Baylor at No. 14.
Texas A&M (2-2), which was ranked 21st before splitting its four games at home against Northern Colorado, was supplanted at that spot by Oklahoma State (4-0).
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
We’ve got Autorama photos
Autorama was at the Waco Convention Center during the weekend, with special guest former Dallas Cowboy receiver Preston Pearson. Cool looking vehicles like the one below were on display. Check out more on our slide show.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines
Police searching for convenience store robber
Waco police are still looking today for a man they say robbed the Valero Corner Store at 335 W. State Highway 6 at gunpoint early Sunday.
Police say the man fled the store with cash, but decline to say how much, per department policy. No one was injured.
— Erin Quinn
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Huckabee coming to Waco
Trib political reporter David Doerr on his Election ‘08 blog tells us that former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will make a campaign stop on Thursday at the Waco Hilton hotel, according to a posting on the presidential candidate’s Web site.
If you stayed awake long enough Saturday night when Saturday Night Live returned with a new show, you might have been Huckabee on the “Weekend Update” segment of the show. If you didn’t, here it is again here.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Relive the Bears’ win over Kansas State
Still excited about that Baylor victory Saturday night over No. 24-ranked Kansas State? Here’s a Kevin Rogers stuff from the game. Plenty more shots on our slide show.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
SUV hits Waco house
Waco police say they have not yet located the driver of an SUV that smashed into a house in the 1100 block of Spring Street early Sunday morning.
Officers found the late-model Dodge Durango parked halfway inside the home around 7 a.m. Police say the driver of the Durango was speeding, and caused considerable damage to the home, though no one was injured.
The driver fled the scene before police arrived, according to the report.
— Erin Quinn
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Slide show from Community Race Relations Coalition event
The Community Race Relations Coalition had a Black History Month celebration at the former Paul Quinn campus Friday night. Check out our slide show photos, like the one below, from the event.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, This, that
Columnist laments Jenna wedding in Crawford
Not that those of us in Texas give a flyin’ rat’s behind about the opinions of someone in Bawh-ston, but I share with you this Boston Globe column by Elinor Lipman who admits to a tinge of disappointment upon hearing the news that Jenna Bush’s wedding to Henry Hager will not be held in the White House.
There’s a joke near the end of the column that she assumes the invitation for author Laura Lippman was meant for her instead. Laura Lippman, author of the Tess Monaghan series of books, had a stint here at the Tribune-Herald before heading on to the defunct San Antonio Light and then the Baltimore Sun.
Her husband, by the way, is David Simon, a former Sun reporter and now executive producer of the acclaimed HBO series The Wire.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Headlines, Celebrity gossip, National news
Em Zone returns, but to the hardwood
Our Emily Ingram is a sweet person, but she’ll be the first to tell you her knowledge of sports isn’t one of her strengths. You may have seen her videos during football season and now she heads to the basketball court.
Her interview with Baylor head men’s basketball coach Scott Drew is today. Check it out.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
It’s Monday … but warm day ahead
Good morning, Waco. Welcome to the Breaking News Blog here at wacotrib.com. I guess we’ll check to see if any of the Oscar winners are too exhausted or got into trouble from too much partying after last night’s telecast.
I didn’t watch much of the show, though I did stay up to see the director and best picture honors since the TV was already on. I keep wanting to go see all the Oscar nominees, but rarely do I follow through on that.
Today, it’s a cool start but we’re supposed to hit 84 for a high. Really? I suppose that’s due to the mostly sunny skies and a brisk south wind that could gust as high as 35 mph bringing us the warmer weather. At least for today.
Winds tonight will change to the north and we’ll only hit 59 for a high Tuesday.
Permalink | | Categories: Weather
Jurors convict William Mark Gibson in 1999 arson deaths
This just in from Tribune-Herald courthouse reporter Tommy Witherspoon:
William Mark Gibson, 31, who has been on trial for capital murder this week in the Nov. 13, 1999, arson deaths of his ex-wife, Janie Rios, and her 18-month-old daughter, Abby, has been found guilty this afternoon.
The jury deliberated about two hours before finding Gibson guilty. Because he was charged with capital murder, he will receive an automatic life sentence.
Gibson’s first trial in September ended in a hung jury and a mistrial.
Prosecutors Crawford Long and Susan Shafer and defense attorneys Guy Cox and Russ Hunt Jr. closed their cases Thursday afternoon after testimony from attorneys involved in Gibson’s child-custody and child-support disputes, who said that Gibson would continue to owe the $10,800 plus interest he owed Rios in back child support even after her death.
Prosecution witnesses have said they heard Gibson say he killed Rios to get custody of his two sons that he had with her. The boys were not with Rios when the apartment on North 16th Street burned. Another witness said he heard Gibson say he killed her over the child-support debt.
Gibson received an automatic life prison term because the state elected not to seek the death penalty.
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Tribune-Herald.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Headlines
Midway swimmer advances from state prelims
Midway freshman Emily Neubert swam into the finals of the 50-yard freestyle and the 100 butterfly today at the Class 4A state swimming meet at the Lee and Joe Jamail Swimming Center in Austin.
Neubert’s prelim time of 24.95 seconds was fifth-fastest in the 50 freestyle, 1.49 seconds behind Skylar Smith of Richmond Foster. She grabbed the eighth and last spot in the 100 butterfly final at 1:00.30.
The 4A finals begin at 9:30 Saturday morning back at the Jamail Swimming Center.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines
Waco man arrested in attempted murder, 1 other sought
This just in from Waco Police Department spokesman Steve Anderson:
“Ray Chatman, 22, of Waco, was arrested early this morning for attempted murder.
“Officers responded to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center shortly after 3 a.m Dec. 23, 2007, on two shooting victims. Officers found that Marquis Haynes, 30, of Waco, had been shot in his left shoulder and Jestan Jerome Hopkins, 21, also of Waco, had been shot twice in his back. Information given to officers that morning was very conflicting, but as the investigation continued Ray Chatman became one of the prime suspects.
“As investigators’ started looking into the shooting it was determined that Marquis Haynes and a Tyrell McKamey were driving westbound on Waco Drive. About this time a vehicle pulled up along side Haynes vehicle on the passenger side. Ray Chatman who was riding in the back left passenger seat, of that vehicle, shot at Marquis Haynes vehicle (hitting) Haynes in the left shoulder.
“The vehicle Chatman was riding in immediately turned off Waco Drive heading north on North 11th. As the car was turning Tyrell McKamey, who was riding with Haynes, pulled up a rifle firing numerous rounds at the vehicle Chatman was riding in. As the bullets hit the vehicle Chatman was riding in, the passenger in the back seat with Chatman, Jestan Hopkins, was struck twice in his back.
“On Jan. 28, an arrest warrant was issued for Tyrell McKamey and onFeb. 18, a warrant was issued for Ray Chatman.
“Shortly after midnight today officers received information that Chatman was at his grandmother’s house located after 541 Carver Ave. Chatman came to the front door but then went back inside the residence. After a few minutes Chatman came out of the residence where he was placed under arrest.
“At this time Tyrell McKamey is still wanted for attempted murder for his part in this incident.”
Ray Chatman
Tyrell McKameyPermalink | Comments (16) | Categories: Headlines
Finally “official:” Bush library going to Dallas
Yeah, yeah, whatever. We’re tired of hearing about this in Waco.
Southern Methodist University trustees today approved the official agreement with the Bush Foundation, which will manage construction and raise money for the George W. Bush Presidential Library.
The library and museum will be run by the National Archives and Records Administration. The partisan institute will be run by the foundation.
Here’s today’s Dallas Morning News story that said an announcement was imminent.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: Headlines, Around the state, Politics
Sportswriter to sign new book at Hall of Fame
If you’re a sports fan, especially a Texas sports fan, you might want to swing by the Texas Sports Hall of Fame between 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday for a booksigning with longtime sports writer Al Pickett.
The book costs $14.95 and that price include a free admission to the museum (a $6 value).
Pickett has spent the last 33 years covering sports as both a radio announcer and a sports editor in Texas, Arkansas and Kansas. He owns and operates Picktee Publications and Sales and hosts a radio sports show in Abilene. He is also the author of Team of the Century: The Greatest High School Football Team in Texas.
Pickett is a member of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
Anyone who is unable to attend the signing but would like to reserve an inscribed copy can contact Jay Black at 800-567-9561.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Pro & college sports
Taste of Midway pics online
We have no shortage of photographs online from last night’s Taste of Midway event. Here’s a sample.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Headlines, Education
Update: Motorcycle officer dies
A police motorcycle officer died after a crash in Dallas while escorting Hillary Clinton’s motorcade to a campaign rally.
“We are just heartsick at this loss of life in the line of duty,” a subdued Clinton said in a statement to reporters after the rally.
The officer died after apparently crashing into a concrete barrier along a viaduct near downtown Dallas. Aerial video showed wreckage scattered for several yards and emergency medical technicians laboring to treat the officer.
Permalink | | Categories: Around the state, Police & crime, Politics, Traffic
Murder trial goes to jury
Trib courts reporter Tommy Witherspoon reports that the jury went to begin deliberations in the trial of William Mark Gibson at 10:25 a.m.
Prosecutor Crawford Long, in his final arguments, pointed at Gibson — accused in the arson deaths of his ex-wife and her young daughter — and said, “This man’s heart is full of scorpions.”
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Courthouse, Police & crime
President Clinton to stump in Killeen
The closest the former president comes to Waco this weekend will be a stop in Killeen Saturday at 12:15 p.m. at the Andy K. Wells Hike and Bike Trail, 2201 E. Veterans Memorial Blvd.
On Sunday President Clinton campaigns for Hillary in Ohio, the other big state in the March 4 primaries, hosting “Solutions for America” rallies in Bowling Green and Lima.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Headlines
Obama foreign policy advisers coming to Waco
In what looks like a drive down Interstate 35 this weekend, top Barack Obama foreign policy advisers will host what the Obama campaign calls “Judgment To Lead” town halls. One stop will be at 4 p.m. at the East Waco Library.
Here’s the release it sent out:
Former Clinton White House Officials to Discuss Obama’s Strong Foreign Policy Judgment in a Series of Town Hall Meetings
AUSTIN, TX - The Obama for America campaign announced that a group of his top foreign policy advisors will participate in four town hall meetings taking place in Dallas, Waco, Austin and San Antonio. The town hall meetings will give the people of Texas an opportunity to discuss Senator Obama’s vision for a strong and principled new direction for American foreign policy with his top foreign policy advisors.
“The panelists will answer questions from Texas voters and discuss Senator Obama’s specific plans to end the war in Iraq, renew American diplomacy, pursue aggressive diplomacy with Iran, fight terrorism and extremism, reduce the threat of nuclear weapons, and invest in a 21st century military,” said Josh Earnest, Texas Obama for America Communication Director.
“The town halls are part of Senator Obama’s commitment to being open with the American people, and making them a part of the dialogue about America’s foreign policy,” added Earnest.
The following foreign policy experts are participating in the “Judgment To Lead” Town Halls:
General Scott Gration - Retired Major General, United States Air Force Dan Restrepo - Director of The Americas Project at the Center for American Progress Greg Craig - Former Clinton Administration official Denis McDonough - Senior Foreign Policy Advisor, Obama for America
The schedule for the weekend is: Saturday — 12:30 p.m. (doors open at noon), Fort Worth Stockyards Rodeo Plaza Bluebonnet Room.
Saturday — 4 p.m. (doors open at 3:30 p.m.), East Waco Public Library, 901 E. Elm St.
Saturday — 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.), The Atrium in the Sun City Activities Center, 1 Texas Drive, Sun City in Georgetown.
Sunday — 11:15 a.m. (doors open at 10:45 a.m.), San Antonio Public Library, 600 Soledad St.
All the town halls are free and open to the public. Sure looks like on Saturday they’ll be rushed to get to each of the sites.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Murder trial reaches summations
Trib courts reporter Tommy Witherspoon says that Judge George Allen is giving instructions to the jury before the prosecution and defense attorneys give their final 30-minute arguments in the case of William Mark Gibson.
Gibson, 31, is on trial in the November 1999 arson deaths of his ex-wife and her 18-month-old daughter.
Here’s the story in today’s paper.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Courthouse, Police & crime
SMU to announce Bush library agreement
The Dallas Morning News is reporting today that Southern Methodist University and the George W. Bush Library Foundation should be announcing that the presidential library will be coming to the Dallas campus.
TGIF … and another cold start
Welcome to the end of the work week, at least for those of you with regular Monday through Friday schedules (and hey, if you had Presidents Day off on Monday it’s a short week).
Waco Regiona Airport is reporting a temperature of 36 degrees and a wind chill of 26. That’s chillier than yesterday morning.
We should mostly sunny skies today, with a high near 59. Winds will be from the north -northwest between 5 and 10 mph.
Permalink | | Categories: Weather
Waco ISD officials table grade restructuring
The Waco Independent School District school board voted tonight to postpone any reconfiguration of grades. Under the motion, approved unanimously, the board will not restructure the grouping of grades at district buildings until at least the 2009-2010 school year.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines
Waco police investigate man found dead in home
A man was found dead inside his West Waco home this afternoon. Family members called police at 2:41 p.m. after they could not contact the man, Richard Mathew Turner, 42, said Waco police spokesman Steve Anderson. Officers entered the man’s home in the 1100 block of Monte Vista Street and found him and his cat dead. Anderson said police are unsure how long the man had been dead. Officers found no signs of foul play. McLennan County Justice of the Peace Fernando Villareal ordered the man’s body sent for autopsy to determine the cause of death. Family members told police the man sometimes used a generator for electricity inside the garage, since the home’s electricity was not on, Anderson said. Firefighters investigated the home for carbon monoxide, but found no traces, he said.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines
Midway athletic director reassigned
Trib youth sports editor Brice Cherry reports that Midway ISD is looking for a new athletic director, as the Midway school board has approved the reassignment of current Midway AD Angie Wishert, district spokesperson Julie Henry confirmed Thursday.
Wishert will continue to serve as athletic director through the remainder of the school year before becoming the health and physical education coordinator for the school district for the 2008-09 school year.
Midway ISD has already posted the athletic director position on its Web site, with a listed annual salary of $65,000 to $85,000. Henry said she didn’t know the timetable of when the position would be filled.
Wishert was hired as Midway’s AD in June of 2000 after a stint as the athletic director of the school district in Stillwater, Okla. Since her arrival, Midway has won state championships in three different sports — boys’ soccer (2002), baseball (‘03) and volleyball (‘07).
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Headlines, High school sports
Candidate Sibley pulls support for Craddick
Wonder what the political fallout will be on this news: Jonathan Sibley, Republican candidate for House District 56, has announced his withdrawal of support for Tom Craddick, speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.
In Trib political reporter David Doerr’s Election ‘08 blog, he notes that Sibley initially pledged to support Craddick, R-Midland, in August soon after announcing his intention to run for state representative.
That has changed. Check it out, including the full text of a letter Sibley sent to Craddick.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas, Politics
Waco produces work zone safety commercial
The city of Waco has made a commercial to promote the idea of safety in construction work zones. Sounds like a good idea when you consider all the work being done on highways not only here but throughout the state.
Here’s the city’s news release on it:
In response to the requests by numerous construction contractors, utility companies and city workers in the Waco area, the Municipal Information Department of the City of Waco has produced a 30 second PSA television commercial aimed at trying to get motorists to slow down in work zones. In 2007, over 150 utility and construction workers were killed in Texas while working on projects for the good of their communities.
The spot was filmed at several locations around Waco including IH-35 and the Oakwood Cemetery and features ten year old Haley Moore as the concerned daughter of a construction worker. In addition to providing copies of the PSA to all local television stations and cable companies, local utility and construction contractors are contacting members of their various professional organizations to let them know the spot is available for use in their communities. The spot has already been provided to 30 other Texas cities for airing on their cable access channels.
Brandon Honea, City of Waco Safety Coordinator, said “This is a serious problem that utility contractors and city workers face when working near streets and highways. We hope this spot will help motorists realize that the barricades and cones are there for a reason, so workers can do their jobs without injury.”
The public service announcement can be viewed on the city of Waco’s Web site.
In the photo above, Haley Moore attaches “My Daddy” to a sign as WCCC-TV videographer Troy Shaw captures the action on tape.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, City hall, Traffic
Capital murder trial won’t resume until afternoon
Trib courts reporter Tommy Witherspoon tells us that the capital murder trial of William Mark Gibson won’t resume until this afternoon because of a scheduling problem with a witness who can’t arrive any earlier.
Gibson is accused of setting a Nov. 13, 1999, fire that killed his ex-wife, Janie Rios, and her 18-month-old daughter, Abby.
Witherspoon reported in today’s paper that Gibson’s mom and ex-girlfriend testified in court Tuesday that he was home all night with them and couldn’t have set the fire.
Permalink | | Categories: Courthouse, Police & crime
Hewitt chamber banquet pics online
We had a photographer at last night’s Greater Hewitt Chamber of Commerce banquet, where coach Kim Mulkey was the guest speaker. She had a rare Wednesday night opening during basketball season.
Lots of photographs are online in our slide show like this one of Mulkey. At left is Woody Butler, president of the chamber.
You can even play “Where’s Freddie?” as the owner of Freddie Kish’s Complete Car Care Center is in one of the photos with his wife, Jeanna.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, This, that
Baylor prof editing book on eloquent oratory
Baylor University professor Martin Medhurst in the communication studies department is quoted in a Cleveland Plain Dealer story today about the power of political oratory.
Words of a Century: Top 100 American Speeches, 1900-1999, which Medhurst is editing, is to be published later this year by Oxford University Press.
The list ranks King’s “I have a dream” speech as the best of the century, followed by President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address and Roosevelt’s first inaugural address. The late Rep. Barbara Jordan of Texas, who placed fifth on the list, is the highest-ranked woman for her keynote address at the 1976 Democratic National Convention.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Baylor University, Politics
Man dies in overnight I-35 accident
A 24-year-old Austin man was killed overnight on Interstate 35 in a wreck that shut down the interstate in Waco for more than an hour.
A spokesman with the Texas Department of Public Safety said Justin Harvey was traveling south in a 1999 Dodge Durango on I-35. At about 3:30 a.m. near the New Road exit, the driver drifted off the left shoulder and struck a concrete bridge pillar, the spokesman said.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The spokesman declined to release the man’s name, because his family had not yet been notified of his death. Conditions on the interstate at the time were wet and foggy, he said.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime, Traffic
Drippy Thursday morning
It definitely felt colder than I thought it would walking from my car to the Trib building this morning. Mist falling, and just enough wind to make me shudder a bit. That, and maybe I should have grabbed a thicker jacket.
We have a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. It’s 46 degrees right now at the Waco Regional Airport and a wind chill that dips to 39. We’re expected to hit only 51 for a high. With a north-northwest wind picking up during the day, we’ll probably keep wind chills around the upper 30s and low 40s.
I’m trying to decide whether to cancel soccer practice tonight.
Permalink | | Categories: Weather
Lockhart to get help selling T-shirts at mall
We just received this e-mail regarding the ongoing Ultimate T-Shirt Challenge fundraiser at the Richland Mall:
More Dallas Cowboys Descend on Richland Mall In Support of Education Telethon
(February 20, 2008-Fort Worth, TX) The “Ultimate T-Shirt Challenge”, a fundraiser for scholarships honoring Hazel Harvey Peace, the long-time Texas educator, and award-winning children’s literacy advocate, has set up shop at the Richland Mall in Waco, TX. Eugene Lockhart has been sleeping in the Mall to promote education through the sale of T-shirts, which have been stuffed into a brand new PT Cruiser. He vowed to sleep in the mall until all shirts have been sold. As a result of his commitment, he has contracted the flu, so, former Dallas Cowboys, Robert Newhouse, Michael Downs and Jesse Penn will come to his rescue on Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 10:00a.m.
The fellow Cowboys will participate in a telethon by calling on businesses to invest in education in their areas and purchase sponsorship packages that will help remove the T-shirts from the PT Cruiser while supporting the Hope for Education “TAKS Pep Rally” on March 1st at the Heart of Texas Coliseum from 10:00am to 5:00p.m.
The “TAKS Pep Rally” will be hosted by Lil JJ, star of the “Just Jordan” show on Nickelodeon. This event is sponsored by the Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce and the Hazel Harvey Peace Scholarship Fund serving 20,000 plus 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in Region 12 at the rally.
Free admission for those wearing T-shirts!
Guest speakers will be: Mayor DuPuy-City of Waco County Commissioner-Lester Gibson The Office of State Representative-Jim Dunnam Carl Boyd-The Advice Teacher Miss Texas 2006-Shilah Phillips Eugene Lockhart-NFL Single Season Tackle Record Holder
Miss Texas, who was a Hollywood participant on the hit show “American Idol”, will perform live during the Hope for Education “TAKS Pep Rally!
To donate to the Scholarship Fund and learn more about “The Ultimate T-shirt Challenge,” go to www.theultimatetshirtchallenge.com or call 972-274-FUND. To learn more about the scholarship fund, go to http://www.hhpscholarshipfund.org.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Education, This, that
Waco chamber banquet slide show online
There are loads of photos from last night’s Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce banquet Tuesday night.
Anyone you know in the photos?
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Business
LA man still trying to get Waco’s Doris Miller full honors
The Los Angeles Daily News has a column about 87-year-old Stephen Sherman and his now-60-year crusade to get Waco’s Doris Miller’s Navy Cross upgraded to a Medal of Honor.
Sherman, a Van Nuys, Calif, resident who is an Army World War II veteran and medal recipient, “is commander of Dorie Miller American Legion Post 639 in Los Angeles and possibly the last man still alive to call Doris a friend,” writes columnist Dennis McCarthy.
Here’s the full column.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Headlines, National news, Veterans
Ex-Midway pitchers together on Pirates
Former Midway High aces Casey Fossum and Zach Duke never played together in high school because they’re five years apart. But they currently are sharing a locker during spring training in Florida.
A story in the Bradenton Herald interviews the pair as they are at spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Pro & college sports
Centenary softballer reflects on games at Baylor
Allison McClain, a junior infielder from Diboll High School, plays on the Centenary softball team. She also blogs in her “Turnin’ Two with Allison McClain” blog on the www.gocentenary.com site.
Her entry posted today looks back at her team’s trip to Waco for the Getterman Classic that kicked off the Lady Bears’ season.
Though the blog is obviously specific about her team, McClain has a few comments about playing at Getterman Stadium and the “beautiful Baylor infield” that had to be covered with a tarp during Saturday’s rains that canceled that day’s tournament games.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports, Pro & college sports
Murder trial breaks; pathologist next on stand
The capital murder trial of William Mark Gibson, accused of setting a fire that killed his ex-wife and her 18-month-old daughter in 1999, is taking a break until 1:30 p.m. today when the prosecution calls its last witness, Trib reporter Tommy Witherspoon tells us from the 54th State District Court.
Waco Police Department Detective Steve January testified this morning about his investigation into the case. The prosecution requested a break until 1:30 in order to get a pathologist on the stand. The pathologist is expected to be the state’s last witness before the defense gets its turn.
Here’s Witherspoon’s story from Tuesday’s court action.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Courthouse, Police & crime
Slide show up from Midway boys’ hoops game
We’ve got photographs in an online slide show from the Midway boys’ 64-56 bi-district win last night over Midlothian.
Be sure to check it out.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, This, that
Fatal wreck overnight near McGregor Airport
Apparently we didn’t hear this over the scanners last night, and neither did the local TV stations because I don’t see anything about it on their Web sites, but one person died in an accident last night near the McGregor Executive Airport.
The accident involved two vehicles and occurred in the westbound lanes of U.S. Highway 84 in front of the airport.
The Department of Public Safety assisted McGregor police at the scene and provided this information to Trib reporter Erin Quinn, but we don’t have any other details or the name of the victim. The McGregor officer who worked the accident is now at home asleep, the dispatcher told our reporter, and added that she won’t call him while he’s sleeping.
We’ll update this story when we can.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime, Traffic
Sanger Avenue complex has another fire
Firefighters overnight battled the fifth fire in less than four months at a Waco Sanger Avenue apartment complex. This time, the fire temporarily displaced some of its residents.
Firefighters were called to the laundry room of the Commons Apartments on the 5000 block of Sanger Avenue, said Waco fire investigator Lt. Charles Lindorfer.
He said the fire was intentionally set to the contents of the laundry room’s trash can, which spread to damage the washers and dryers.
Water seepage and smoke damage from the laundry room spread to surrounding apartments, Lindorfer said, forcing those residents out.
Lindorfer declined comment regarding the possible link between the spate of fires, saying only that they are under investigation.
— Erin Quinn
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
A few sprinkles this morning
Had some raindrops on the drive in this morning, and we do begin a stretch of decent likelihood for precipitation the next couple of days.
It’ll be mostly cloudy today, with a high near 64. There’s a 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after noontime.
Tonight, the rain chances increase to 50 percent. And on Thursday it remains a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms with a temperature that’ll stay in the upper 50s.
Permalink | | Categories: Weather
Barack’s supporters show up in Waco
Tribune-Herald assistant managing editor Bill Whitaker went to check out how much support Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has in McLennan County.
Turns out, it was more than he expected. Here’s his entry on our Election ‘08 blog.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Highway stretch near Austin has been deadly
A section of State Highway 71 in western Travis County, where a former Waco resident died in an auto accident Saturday, has had 10 people die in five accidents there since October 2006, the Austin American-Statesman reports in a story today.
Lauren Hoffman, 17, was buried Monday. She had grown up in Waco until her family moved to Austin about a year ago.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas, Police & crime, Traffic
Father-Daughter Ball images on slide show
We also have posted photographs online from Saturday night’s Father-Daughter Ball at Ridgewood Country Club benefiting the Central Texas Fatherhood Initiative.
I was there with my 11-year-old Elaine. And while I could have posted one of Michael Bancale’s shots from the event showing us, I’d rather not have my lack of dancing skills on display. This guy looks much smoother. (Though if you search through the slide show, you can probably find Elaine and me).
The group does good work to promote the need for fathers being active in the lives on their children. Saturday’s event offered some wonderful father-daughter bonding time for Elaine and myself. I’m sure the other dads there would agree.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Nonprofit news
Clues and Cocktails images online
If you attended the Clues and Cocktails event Saturday night at the Karem Crystal Ballroom we might have captured you for our online slide show.
The fundraiser was for the Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Nonprofit news
Update: Capital murder trial
Trib reporter Tommy Witherspoon relays to us some of the testimony this morning in the retrial of William Mark Gibson, 31, who is charged with capital murder in the November 1999 deaths of his ex-wife, Janie Rios, and her daughter, Abbygail.
In 54th State District Court, jurors heard testimony from Ibrahiim Ford, who lived next door to Rios in a second-floor apartment.
Ford said that about 3:30 a.m. on the day of the fire, he had gone outside to his car to get some cigarettes. About three minutes after he returned to the apartment he shared with his wife, Amy Goff, and their 3-month-old girl, he smelled smoke, Ford said.
The fire in Rios’ apartment spread quickly, he said, blocking the stairwell and their only exit. He went to the back of the second-floor apartment and jumped, gashing his back on some scrap metal in the backyard.
Amy tossed the 3-month-old down to him, he testified. Amy jumped down a few minutes later ahead of the rapidly spreading fire, he said.
For more on this story, here’s the initial post from this morning.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Courthouse, Police & crime
Retrial starts for man charged in arson deaths
The retrial of a Waco man charged in the arson deaths of his ex-wife and her 1-year-old daughter began this morning in 54th State District Court, Trib reporter Tommy Witherspoon tells us.
William Mark Gibson, 31, is charged with capital murder in the November 1999 deaths of his ex-wife, Janie Rios, and her daughter, Abbygail.
During opening statements this morning, prosecutor Susan Shafer told the jury of seven women and five men that Gibson was between $10,000 and $12,000 behind in child support payments to his ex-wife.
Gibson, Shafer said, made a statement to a potential witness with which he’d had a dispute threatening that he could do to him what he did to his ex-wife.
Defense attorney Russ Hunt Jr. said in his opening statement that Gibson was at home all night when the fire happened with his 7-months-pregnant girlfriend.
The first witness to be called is a retired Baylor professor who owned the home where the fire occurred.
Rios, 23, had divorced Gibson in July 1999. Their two sons were not home when Rios and her daughter died in the fire at 912 N. 16th St. that officials have said “was deliberately set to block the only exit from the apartment.”
Gibson’s first trial in September ended in a mistrial after the jury deadlocked after deliberating about 10 hours.
Gibson is charged in a three-paragraph indictment with committing capital murder by killing someone during the commission of arson, killing more than one person in a single incident and killing a child younger than 6.
Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty if Gibson is convicted of capital murder. If he is, he faces an automatic life sentence and must serve a minimum of 40 years before becoming eligible for parole.
Records filed in the case allege Gibson reportedly told others he started the fire to “get his older boys and because the younger girl was getting in between him and Janie.”
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Courthouse, Police & crime
High school step show video online
If you’d like to see Waco, University and Midway High School step show participants in action from Saturday night’s competition, check out our video.
There’s even a youtube video available of University’s performance. The
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Education, Entertainment
A good-looking Tuesday
A cool start, but we should have a gorgeous day today with a high around 68. That’s good, because I’m starting soccer practice with my kids this evening.
We’ll be getting winds from the south wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. It’ll start clouding up tonight, but not get too cold, about 51 degrees.
Forecasters are looking at a good chance for rains Wednesday, Thursday and into Friday.
Permalink | | Categories: Weather
Lady Bears ranked No. 9 in new AP poll
The Baylor Lady Bears fell from eighth to ninth in the latest Associated Press women’s basketball poll after a midweek loss to Texas and a weekend victory over Oklahoma. Here’s the full story.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines
Another accolade for Baylor’s Weems
Baylor junior shortstop Beamer Weems has been named to the 2008 Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List by USA Baseball.
Weems is one of 75 players on the initial list, which could grow during the season.
USA Baseball officials will cut the watch list to 50 semifinalists May 20. That list will be sent to a voting body that consists of select professional baseball personnel, past USA Baseball national team coaches, select members of the media, former USA Baseball Sports Information Directors and current USA Baseball staff.
For the first time ever, fans will have a chance to vote for the Golden Spikes Award online at www.USABaseball.com.
Five finalists will be announced June 3 with the 2008 Golden Spikes Award winner announced July 16. Baylor’s Jason Jennings won the honor in 1999.
The Bears open the season Friday night against Purdue. Here’s the 2008 schedule.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Central Texas High School Step Show photos online
We’ve got the photos from the Central Texas High School Step Show online in a slide show, so check them out, like the image below.
The Waco High boys group, named Elite Steppaz, won first place. Team members are Noel Carter, Ramad Carter, Qwamaine Oneal, Donnell Flye, Da’shaun Dukes, Adriann Hobbs and Rhyan Hannah.
The Waco High girls team, named Lady Lion Steppaz, took second place. Team members are Shanique Hudlin, Jasmine Daniel, Shoki Nelson, Danika Adams, Symone Deckard, Chanelle Gill, Ashley Williams, Brittaneey Robinson, Lakeshia Wright and Rekayla Sauls.
They advance to the state-level contest in April.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Headlines, Education, Entertainment
Update: Refinery blast closes I-20, injures 1
All workers were accounted for about an hour after an oil refinery explosion this morning in Big Spring, said Blake Lewis, spokesman for refinery owner Alon USA. One injured worker was in the hospital, but the person’s condition was not known, Lewis said.
The violent blast shook buildings miles away. The fire sparked by the blast was under control this morning, Lewis said. The Dallas-based company does not know what caused the explosion, he said.
Click
View Larger Map">here for a map of Big Spring is located.
Here’s CNN coverage from its I-Reporters.
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Former Waco teen mourned at Austin High
Austin High is dealing with the deaths of two juniors, while another is in critical condition today from a Saturday accident in Travis County. One of the dead victims is Lauren Hoffman, who had attended Waco schools before her family moved to Austin.
Here’s the Austin American-Stateman’s story.
Here’s the obituary in today’s Trib. The funeral is at 2 p.m. today in Austin. She had turned 17 just 10 days ago.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Baylor-OU women’s game photos online
If you haven’t gotten enough of the Baylor Lady Bears’ big victory over Oklahoma Sunday afternoon (and since someone forgot to send the story to our Web site last night), here’s a lot of photos in our slide show, offering shots like below and more.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Baylor-Texas men’s hoops photos in slide show
We have a slide show up from the Baylor Bears’ 82-77 loss to Texas Saturday in the Ferrell Center.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Chet Edwards to announce endorsement today
U.S. Rep Chet Edwards (D-Waco) will be announcing his endorsement in the race for the Democratic nomination at 1:30 today at the Waco Suspension Bridge.
Interesting that he’s doing this on Presidents Day.
As an elected U.S. official, Edwards is a superdelegate to the convention. There’s a super delegate tracker at this Democratic Convention Watch blog.
Edwards is the second ranking Democrat in the Texas congressional delegation and the chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.
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Black history celebration today
At 10 this morning, the Central Texas Senior Ministry will sponsor a black history celebration at the East Waco Senior Center, 1809 J.J. Flewellen Road.
Dr. Ralph Steele, senior pastor at St. James United Methodist Church, is the guest speaker for the event.
And this week, the Waco-McLennan County Libraries will celebrate Black History Month at the library story times, which are:
*10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the East Waco Library, 901 Elm St., “I’m Tellin’.”
*10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the R.B. Hoover Library, 1428 Wooded Acres Drive, “African Animal Folktales.”
*10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Central Library, 1717 Austin Ave., “I’m Tellin’.”
*10:30 a.m. Friday at the South Waco Library, 2815 Speight Ave., “African Animal Folktales.”
Day care groups are welcome to attend.
For more information, call 750-5942.
A&M, Texas hoops coming to a theater not near you
ESPN is trying something different to fuel the interest of Texas and Texas A&M men’s basketball fans. Sure, the contest is part of the Big Monday package tonight on ESPN, but some fans unable to attend the sold-out matchup in Austin can watch the game in a theater on a big screen in high-definition so that you feel like you are on the front row.
The catch, naturally, is that you have to go to a movie theater that has digital cinema, and there’s only a select few chains, like Carmike, that offer it. I can find only 12 theaters in the state offering this. The closest is the Galaxy Highland 10 in Austin. There’s another in Fort Worth.
Waco, and even College Station, are out of luck. However, if you live in Tyler or Abilene, there is a theater showing it. And there’s two in Lufkin.
I’ll watch the game at home. On my relatively paltry 27-inch, non-HD TV.
Permalink | | Categories: Pro & college sports
Happy Presidents Day
If you’re a government employee or work at a bank, then enjoy today because you have a holiday while the rest of us have another day at the office, store or wherever. It is a popular sale day at stores, too.
Today will be a mostly sunny day with a high near 60 degrees.
What is Presidents Day? Here’s the wikipedia entry.
Permalink | | Categories: Weather
Tornado watch for Falls, Limestone counties
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch, which means conditions are favorable for the formation of tornados, for two of our area counties. Joe Weather has more at his blog
Severe thunderstorm watch in effect
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch in effect until 7 p.m. for McLennan and adjacent counties. Click for more at our Joe Weather blog.
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Sign up for college scholarship at the mall
Former Dallas Cowboy linebacker Eugene Lockhart plans to sleep in at Richland Mall this weekend as part of a scholarship effort and fundraiser for the Ultimate T-shirt Challenge.
The 2006 Miss Texas and current Miss Waco Elise Banks also will help with project, though I don’t know if they’re planning to camp out in the mall overnight.
A chance to sign for college scholarships and win a new car also will be available at the Ultimate T-Shirt Challenge kiosk near the center of the mall.
Considering the weather this weekend, indoors somewhere like the mall might be a good place to be.
Have a good weekend and try to stay warm and dry.
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Front’s here
I haven’t been outside since arriving at the office before 8 a.m. But those who have ventured out have come back to announce that the front is here. And a check of the National Weather Service site confirms that as well.
The Waco Regional Airport recording station reported 63 degrees for its 9:51 a.m. recording time. At the 10:51 a.m. reading, it recorded 54 degrees and a wind chill of 50.
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Marlin watershed to get $810K in federal funds
The Big Creek Watershed next week will receive $810,000 in federal funds that will help with the Brushy Creek reservoir project. The presentation will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, in the Marlin Hospital board room, 322 Coleman St.
This is big news for Marlin folks, who have been hampered with water issues for years. Trib reporter David Doerr notes that these federal funds are needed for impact studies that must be done for the Big Creek flood control project, which is a precursor to building Marlin’s future main water source, the Brushy Creek Reservoir.
Here’s the release:
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. John Carter (TX-31), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, will present Norman Erskine, Mayor of Marlin, Mike Meyer, President of the Falls County Water Control and Improvement District #1, and other members of the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Temple a check for $810,000 in federal funds to complete necessary archaeological, biological and design surveys to bring the Big Creek (Tri-County) Watershed to construction. The structures are for flood control and for a new water reservoir for the City of Marlin in Falls County.
CNet interview with SpaceX owner
CNET News.com, a technology site, has this interview with Elon Musk, an entrepreneur who owns the commercial space business SpaceX, which has a site in McGregor at the old Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant for testing rocket engines.
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Komen honorary race chairs named
The 2008 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure’s honorary chairs have been announced. Here they are:
Above are (from left): Diana Cooke, currently in breast cancer treatment; Debra Deaton, a two-time breast cancer survivor nine years apart; and Jane Allen, a breast cancer survivor for the past seven months.
Race for the Cure will be held in downtown Waco at Heritage Square on May 3. It was moved up from the initial May 10 for a couple of reasons, a large technical convention and the reported date for the Jenna Bush wedding, as written by Mike Copeland in today’s story.
Registration for the race is available online at http://www.komencentraltexas.org for those interested.
HOT Sweethearts can apply
Applications for area high school girls to be Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo Sweethearts are available until March 14.
For more information, check out this pressrelease.pdf.
A pdf of the HOT Sweetheart application is shapplication.pdf">here.
You also can go to the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo Web site.
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Midway High principal seeks new challenge
Longtime Midway ISD employee Sharron Zachry plans to step down as Midway High’s principal at the end of the current school year, the district has announced. She has requested the chance to open the new elementary school planned for the district.
“Sharron plays such an important role in the life of the students, staff and parents of our district,” Midway ISD Superintendent Brad Lancaster said in a news release. “She has done an amazing job at the high school and will be instrumental in the opening of the new elementary school. I believe this new role for Sharron will be a win-win situation for both her and the district. This is great news.”
Zachry is a Midway graduate and was the principal at Hewitt Elementary and served as an assistant principal at several campuses before taking on the role as the high school principal 10 years ago.
“The principalship of a large 4A high school is a huge job and I’ve done it for 10 years,” Zachry said in the release. “I love Midway High School and I love the students and staff at Midway High School; however, I’m looking forward to a slightly different pace. I appreciate the district considering my request to make a move to an elementary campus and I look forward to working with the elementary students and staff again.”
Zachry would open the new elementary school pending the successful passage of the bond election in May. The school is scheduled to open in fall 2009.
Here’s more information about that bond package proposal.
Matt Baker story to be in March Texas Monthly
The Tribune-Herald’s Tommy Witherspoon interviewed Matt Baker for this question-and-answer piece that ran Dec. 8.
Names released in fatal I-35 crash
Texas Department of Public Safety officials have released the names of the two women killed last night in the four-vehicle pileup that had northbound interstate lanes shut down for eight hours.
Peggy George Bays, a 73-year-old retiree from Elm Mott, was driving a 2006 Mercury sedan, a DPS spokesman said. She had dropped her grandson off at a movie theater in Waco and was headed home, said DPS Senior Cpl. Charlie Morgan.
Patricia Niesler, 60, of Canada was a passenger in a 2006 Ford pickup involved, the spokesman said. Both women were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the pickup, Robert Niesler, 62, is in the surgical intensive care unit this morning at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center listed in serious condition with head trauma, broken ribs and a broken arm, the spokesman told Trib reporter Erin Quinn.
As written in today’s story, a tractor-trailer slammed into the pickup on Interstate 35 in Lacy-Lakeview at about 7:45 p.m. Thursday, starting the deadly chain-reaction collision.
Morgan said he didn’t know any more about the cause of the crash.
Good Friday morning … waiting for the rain
Our Joe Weather covers this well on his blog, but we’re expecting lots of rain in Central Texas starting this afternoon and especially into Saturday.
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Ah, those romantic movies
Our Brazos Living section today serves up romance on stage and screen and invites you to sound off as well on your favorites.
Carl touches on his favorites that were left on the cutting-room floor, so to speak, on his blog.
Check them out and, if I haven’t said so already, Happy Valentine’s Day!
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Entertainment
Dunnam endorses Obama
Trib political reporter David Doerr has received an e-mail that Texas House Democratic Leader Jim Dunnam today announced his strong endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama’s candidacy for presiden.
Dunnam released the following statement:
“It gives me great pride to endorse Barack Obama for President. The constituents I serve, and all the people of Texas, are tired of politics as usual. In Texas — and across the rest of the country — we want a president who will finally put doing what is right above corporate special interests and radical partisan agendas. We want change we can believe in, not the same old Washington-style promises made and promises broken.
“Texas House Democrats are fighting hard to improve our public schools and bring health coverage to the uninsured. With Barack Obama as president, we will have a remarkable ally in achieving those vital goals and many more.”
Check out David’s blog on the local election scene. Other recent posts are on Doc Anderson’s second endorsement this week and the take of “Dr. Politics” on the part Texas will play in the presidential nomination process.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Two incumbents file so far in Midway ISD race
Midway ISD trustees Pete Rusek and John H. Boyd have filed for the May 10 ballot. Both are seeking re-election.
Rusek filed for Place 1. His bio on the Midway ISD Web site notes that he is the board president and has been a board member since 1996. He is an attorney and shareholder with Sheehy, Lovelace, and Mayfield P.C. He serves as a member of the Westside Rotary Club and on the Heart of Texas Goodwill Board. His five children and their activities keeps him active in Midway extracurricular activities, the bio says.
Boyd is on the ballot for Place II. His Midway ISD bio says that he is vice president of the board. He is the director of career services at Baylor University. He is a deacon at First Baptist Church, Woodway, and is a member of Westside Rotary, Waco Chamber of Commerce and the Airport Marketing Task Force.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Education
University High head football coach chosen
Trib sports writer Brice Cherry reports that San Antonio Reagan offensive coordinator Matt Carroll has been named the new head football coach at University High School.
Superintendent Roland Hernandez presented Carroll to the school board at an 11 a.m. special meeting.
Carroll served as an assistant at Class 5A San Antonio Roosevelt from 1995 to 2005. He’s worked the past two seasons as offensive coordinator at Reagan, helping the school achieve its first winning record and first playoff appearance in 2006. The Rattlers returned to the postseason in ’07, reaching the regional final for the second straight year before falling to eventual state finalist Converse Judson.
He was chosen over the other finalist, Italy head coach Buddy Griffin.
The University position, which also includes the title of athletic coordinator for the high school, opened in November when LeRoy Coleman retired after 30 seasons and a 141-137-9 record.
Waco ISD received 85 applications for the vacancy.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Education, High school sports
Judge rejects man’s request to withdraw capital murder plea
Trib courts reporter Tommy Witherspoon informs us that 54th State District Judge Matt Johnson this morning rejected a request by a capital murder defendant to withdraw his guilty plea.
Tony Lee Johnson, one of three men involved in the robbery and shooting death of 32-year-old Joel Alvarez Perez on Sept. 27, 2006, had pleaded guilty to capital murder in May 2007 for shooting Perez in the neck with a sawed-off, .410 shotgun.
He had asked to withdraw his plea after claiming he wasn’t fully informed his life sentence wouldn’t include the possibility for parole.
Judge Johnson rejected the request, then sentenced the 32-year-old to life without parole.
Jason Clovis House, 35, was sentenced to life in prison in January for his part in the killing. He pleaded guilty in exchange for his testimony against Alton Degrate Hawkins and a prosecutor’s recommendation that he be sentenced to life in prison.
House will be eligible for parole in 30 years.
Hawkins, 33, was convicted of capital murder as the mastermind of the robbery-slaying plot and was sentenced to life in prison without parole in December.
Perez reportedly was killed while trying to buy methamphetamine from Hawkins and his associates.
Permalink | Comments (9) | Categories: Headlines, Courthouse, Police & crime
New blog on Waco’s live music scene
Trib writer Van Darden has just launched his new blog called WacoLive, which will cover the live music scene for the area.
Welcome him on board and check out his blog.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines
An online program with heart
Give Scott & White’s marketing department props for knowing when to start something related to preventing cardiovascular disease.
Central Texans can now assess their risk for cardiovascular disease by taking a quick, online screening test called HeartAware. The program, which begins today (and if I’m having to remind you men what today is, it may already be too late for you), is aimed at identifying people who may be at risk of heart attack, stroke or diabetes.
“This is our Valentine to the community,” said Dr. Catherine McNeal, co-director of the Women’s Cardiovascular Health Clinic at Scott & White in Temple, in a release sent out by the healthcare system. “We are hoping all adults will take the time now to identify their risk so they can avoid heart attacks, stroke and diabetes in the future.”
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of both men and women in the United States. Because nearly half of those who die from it have no symptoms beforehand, assessing risk is of vital importance, Scott & White officials say.
The screening test is available to any local resident, not just Scott & White patients. The way it works is people log onto Scott & White’s Web site to complete a questionnaire, which takes less than seven minutes to complete, officials said. It also is available in paper form.
At the end, participants receive a personalized report indicating their overall risk of developing cardiovascular disease, as well as ways to reduce that risk.
People whose test results indicate they are at risk for cardiovascular disease have the option of going to a Scott & White facility for a free, 30-minute consultation, officials. It includes checks on blood pressure, cholesterol, blood-sugar levels and body mass index.
To take the assessment online, go to www.sw.org. People without Internet access can call 254-724-0537 to receive an assessment that they can do by postal mail.
They even have this snazzy-looking graphic.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Health
Lady Bear slideshow online
Although the Lady Bears didn’t win in Austin last night, Trib photographer Nick Simonite got plenty of great shots from the contest. Like this one.
Here’s a link to the slideshow.
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More love stuff with Baylor angle
This might take a moment to explain, but I’m adding yet another post related to today’s love holiday. Here’s this online story I found about a long-distance relationship between a couple who met while they were sophomores at Baylor.
She now lives in Allston, Mass. He’s in Texas. Here they are (click on the photo if you’d like to see it larger).
What you’ll notice about the online Web site where this story resides is that it’s an online town blog, part of something called Wicked Local, which is part of Gatehouse Media New England.
Here’s an explanation about the Wicked Local concept. It’s an idea that media companies are exploring and trying, but with varying degrees of success … mostly not much.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Baylor University, This, that
Happy Valentine’s Thursday
It’s not too late yet to get your sweetheart something for today. There were plenty of people poring over the Valentine’s Day cards at the stores last night, so some of you might be out of luck today.
As for the weather, it’s going to be pretty windy today with breezes out of the sound from 20-25 mph and gusts that could hit 35 mph. It’ll get up to 72 today in front of a cold front that will bring the chance of rain and a drop in temperatures after midnight. Joe Weather’s blog has more about the wind advisory.
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Ex-Waco pastor at odds with Fort Worth congregation
The religion blog on the Dallas Morning News has this entry about some members of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth calling for the dismissal of pastor Brett Younger over a pictorial directory.
Younger, a Baylor alum who previously pastored at Lake Shore Baptist Church, is scheduled to speak at Chapel at Baylor on Feb. 27. He also is the author of the book Who Moved My Pulpit? and writes ongoing columns for Baptists Today and the online editions of the Baptist Standard.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Religion
Woman seriously injured in Waco crash
A 52-year-old Waco woman is in serious condition at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center today after police say she struck two trees with her car late last night near Lake Shore Drive and Forrester Lane.
Waco police say Marjorie Behringer left an area bar around 11 p.m. Tuesday.
About 15 minutes later, Waco police say Behringer’s Ford Taurus left the road near Forrester Lane, struck a tree, spun, and hit another tree.
Concerned friends of the woman’s who had followed her home from the bar were the first on the scene of the crash, police say.
Rescue workers used the Jaws of Life to cut Behringer out of her vehicle, police say. No charges have been filed against the woman, according to police.
—Erin Quinn
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Baylor grad named COO of Miami hospital
Steven Burghart, a 1996 Baylor graduate, was appointed chief operating officer of Hialeah Hospital in Miami, Fla., overseeing the day-to-day operations of the 378-bed acute care medical facility, the Miami Herald reports.
Burghart has more than 10 years of experience in healthcare administration, including, most recently, serving as associate administrator at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach.
He received a master’s in healthcare administration from Trinity University in San Antonio in 1998, and a bachelor of science in biology from Baylor University in 1996.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Baylor University, National news
It’s not Du-pew-ee
I have not watched the “local” Fox newscast since its first night on air. I derided it for not having anchors or its news studio here but using its Tyler anchors for the broadcasts.
Its reporters at least are in Central Texas, which they should be if they are doing stories. But I am told that last night the cute anchor, whose face is gracing several billboards around town, butchered the name of Waco Mayor Virginia DuPuy.
She pronounced it Du-pew-ee, which sounds too close to Warner Brothers character Pepe LePew.
I’m sorry, but how difficult is it to find out beforehand or to have it phonetically spelled out on the teleprompter how to pronounce the mayor’s last name? I admit that the first time I saw the mayor’s name, I wasn’t certain on the pronunciation. But I certainly would have asked before going on air.
By the way, my last name is pronounced like “fury” but with an s. Or think of it as “sir-ee”, as in “yes, sir-ree!”
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: Headlines, Entertainment
“Lincoln Center” director dies, had Waco tie
The New York Times has this feature obituary on Kirk Browning, whose unusual career path took him from chicken farmer to television director of “Live From Lincoln Center.”
The 86-year-old died Sunday in Manhattan of a heart attack, his son, David, said.
Browning directed 185 telecasts from Lincoln Center’s opera, orchestra, dance and theater halls since “Live From Lincoln Center” first appeared on public television in 1976. According to the story, Browning left Cornell University after a month and somehow came to Waco where he worked as a newspaper reporter.
Assuming I have the time (not very likely), I’d love to check our microfilm archives to see if there are any Kirk Browning bylines from long ago.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Entertainment, Obituaries
Bond for man accused in Evans’ slaying set at $950K
A McLennan County judge set the bond of one of the men charged with first-degree murder in connection with Bobby Evans’ June slaying at $950,000.
James Terry Ramirez, 43, remains incarcerated in the McLennan County Jail, where he was being held on drug charges before being charged with murder late Tuesday.
Bellmead officials will serve Jerry Mack Newland, 31, today with a murder warrant in Palestine, Texas, where he is serving a 10-year prison sentence for drug offenses, said Texas Ranger Matt Cawthon.
Evans, who was Bellmead’s animal control officer, was shot in the back on June 18 as he was bringing a dog to the remote animal shelter on Dugger Drive in Bellmead. Officials said at the time there was no sign of a struggle, and they were not aware of any previous threats made against Evans.
Ramirez and Newland were named in a search warrant affidavit obtained by Bellmead police in December to search three locations, including the county jail property room. The searches yielded two .45-caliber rounds, three .22-caliber rounds, four .38-caliber rounds and one size 10 1/2 Ozark Trail hiking boot, officials said. However, the items seized were not useful to the investigation, they said.
Authorities suspected the two killed Evans during their search for an anhydrous ammonia tank stashed near the animal shelter, according to the search warrant affidavit. Anhydrous ammonia can be used to make methamphetamine, a powerful, highly addictive stimulant.
Court documents say a witness said Evans, 47, a husband, father and grandfather, was killed “for no reason.”
The city of Bellmead has scheduled a news conference for 3 p.m. today.
— Erin Quinn
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: Headlines
It’ll be getting cold, forecasters say
Joe Weather blogs for us online and keeps us updated on what the weather is supposed to do.
The National Weather Service is saying that we could get some wintry precipitation Friday morning, although Joe tells me that the weather service’s special statement is for all of North Texas. He wonders if the wintry mix will come this far south.
But it is supposed to get really cold Friday and Saturday.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Weather
Defense secretary Gates breaks shoulder
Defense Secretary Robert Gates broke his right shoulder in a fall on an icy step at his home in Washington, D.C., and was being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the Pentagon said.
Gates was taken to the military medical center this morning after realizing that the injury he suffered Tuesday night required medical attention, Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, National news
Meridian seeking new police chief, officer
The city of Meridian is looking for a new police chief and officer to serve the Bosque County seat after the city council chose to terminate Scott Martin’s employment because he “abandoned” the post two weeks earlier, citing long work hours without compensation.
This story was ready to go last night for today’s paper, but didn’t get in for some reason. We do have some fresh comments from Mayor Jeff Keese after talking to him by phone this morning.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas
It’s Wednesday, it’s chilly
Good morning, Waco. I had frost on my car this morning, and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one.
Waco Regional Airport is currently reporting 32 degrees with a wind chill of 27. We actually dipped down to 28 degrees before 7 a.m. (Note to self: dress more warmly when going outside to pick up the paper).
We are going to have sunny skies today, with a high near 64. The winds will be out of the south-southeast between 5 and 10 mph.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines
High school softball poll released
You may have read Brice Cherry’s high school softball preview story already, noting that Bosqueville and Troy are ranked No. 1 in their respective Class 1A and 2A polls.
Midway, at No. 9 in 4A, is the only other area team ranked.
If you’re curious, here’s the complete Texas Girls Coaches Association polls for the sport.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, High school sports
AG’s office: Rebate check scam
This release was e-mailed by the Office of the Attorney General:
Consumer Alert: Scammers Taking Advantage of New Federal Economic Stimulus Package
Texans should be aware of a scam that has emerged in connection with the proposed federal economic stimulus package. Under recently passed legislation, the IRS will mail tax rebate checks to eligible Texans over the next few months. President Bush has indicated he will sign the package into law on Wednesday.
Several Texans recently filed complaints with the Office of the Attorney General after receiving unsolicited e-mails and telephone calls from purported IRS agents claiming that the taxpayers are eligible for “Bush refunds.” The scammers demand taxpayers’ Social Security and bank account numbers, claiming the IRS will use the information to directly deposit “rebate checks” into the taxpayers’ accounts.
This is outright identity theft fraud. The IRS does not call or e-mail taxpayers unexpectedly to demand personal information for direct deposits. Taxpayers solicited in this manner should just hang up or delete the e-mail.
Texans who have received these bogus solicitations can file a complaint with the IRS at www.irs.gov or by calling (800) 829-1040. Consumers also can report such calls to our office.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Around the state, Police & crime
Anderson endorsement today
It’s state Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson’s turn to have a political bigwig come in town for an endorsement.
Tina Benkiser, chair of the Republican Party of Texas will be at the Carleen Bright Arboretum, 9001 Bosque Blvd. in Woodway, from 4:30 to 5:15 today.
Here’s the release from Anderson’s campaign office:
STATE REPUBLICAN CHAIRMAN TO ENDORSE DOC ANDERSON
WACO: Tina Benkiser, Chair of the Republican Party of Texas will be at the Carleen Bright Arboretum, 9001 Bosque in Woodway, from 4:30 to 5:15 on Tuesday February 12th to endorse and show her support for State Representative Doc Anderson in the March 4th Republican Primary Election. All republicans are invited and urged to attend to greet our outstanding State Chairman.
Tina Benkiser was elected in 2003 as the second woman to chair the Republican Party of Texas. Prior to winning the election as chairman, she served three terms on the State Republican Executive Committee and was chairman of the Rules Committee.
Tina has worked at every level of the state party from precinct chairman to state chairman. She has always been active in the Texas Federation of Republican Women and in 2000 was named a TFRW Tribute Honoree.
Chairman Benkiser’s goal is to make the Texas Republican Party the majority party in every elected position in Texas. In the lasts election cycle, the Texas GOP gained 206 seats and need another 200 to become the total elected official majority. Texas Republicans hold every statewide elected position.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas, Politics
Dancing with the Stars … in Lorena
Lorena ISD is taking a cue from the popular TV show and having “Dancing With the Stars - Leopard Style,” a ballroom-dance competition and fundraiser to raise money to help upgrade the school district’s only auditorium.
Ballroom dance professional Jeff Page and other Central Texas ballroom instructors are volunteering their time to work with Lorena High School students and teachers to produce a competition similar to “Dancing With the Stars.”
The event takes place at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 in the Lorena Performing Arts Center. Tickets cost $3 for students and $5 for adults at the door. For more information, contact Tammie Hanlin at 254-717-8071.
Permalink | | Categories: Education
Ex-Meridian police chief wants job back
The Meridian City Council will decide tonight whether it will grant former police chief Scott Martin’s request to rescind his resignation last month.
The council meets at 6 p.m. at the Meridian City Hall. Martin told city officials that he reconsidered his resignation.
He had resigned Jan. 28 without explanation to city officials, but told the Tribune-Herald he wanted to make a statement about the long hours city officers work and the department’s poor reputation under Mayor Jeff Keese.
He left the force unmanned, and in the hands of Bosque County sheriff’s deputies to enforce.
The city police force had consisted of an officer and a chief, but was left a one-man department late last year after the officer took a job with the Bosque County Sheriff’s Office.
Even when it was a two-man department, Martin had said it was difficult to maintain a stable operation because of the long hours involved. He said he worked at least 84 hours a week for about $37,000 a year.
Keese and council members had expressed surprise at the chief’s resignation, saying Martin hadn’t voiced any concerns or complaints to him or the council.
A 20-year veteran of the Cedar Hill Police Department, Martin retired from Cedar Hill and joined the Meridian police force in March 2007, becoming chief in December.
— Erin Quinn
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas, Police & crime
Tuesday morning and the wind has teeth
The thermometer says 46 degrees at Waco Regional Airport, and a wind chill of 38, but with the rain in the air it sure feels like there’s more of a bite in the wind this morning.
Waco Regional reported 0.34 inches during the overnight hours. I didn’t hear rain at my home in Woodway until 6:15 a.m. and while it was accompanied by a pretty strong wind, neither lasted long.
Hillsboro Municipal Airport had a heavy thunderstorm between 5 and 6 a.m that dropped 0.64 inches. Another 0.02 inches fell in the hour after that.
We have a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon today. It’s supposed to become sunny for the afternoon and reach close to 65, but there will be a north-northwest wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Tonight the low will be around 36. That north-northwest wind will persist, but blow about 10 mph less than during the day.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines
DuPuy, Riggs file for Waco council slots
Waco Mayor Virginia DuPuy and District 3 Councilman Randy Riggs filed for re-election Monday, the first day for filing for the May 10 city elections.
DuPuy, CEO of DuPuy Oxygen, was first elected in a special election in 2005 following the death of Mayor Mae Jackson, and she was re-elected in 2006 without opposition.
Riggs, a certified public accountant, served his southwest Waco district from 2000 to 2004, the year he lost a mayoral election. He was appointed by the council to replace DuPuy in the District 3 seat after she won the May 2005 mayoral election, and was re-elected to the seat without opposition in 2006.
DuPuy is the first mayor to benefit from a voter-approved charter revision that used to limit mayors to two terms.
As of noon Monday, no one had filed for the District 1 council seat held by Wilbert Austin. The filing deadline for the election is 5 p.m. March 10.
—J.B. Smith
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines
Slew of slide shows to view
Good gravy, wacotrib.com is bursting with slide shows chock full of photos from local events this weekend. Here’s a sampling:
*Wesley Woods Alzheimer’s Care Center’s A Date with Dessert
*Welcome reception for Waco police leaders Leah Hayes and Brent Stroman
*Battle of the Burning Sands step show at Waco Hall
*2008 Home Products Show at Heart O’ Texas Coliseum
*Waco ISD Distinguished Alumni, Retired Faculty Banquet
*Lady Bear basketball game against Texas Tech
*Greater Christian Tabernacle Valentine’s banquet
Check them out. When you have the time, of course, and won’t get in trouble with your boss.
Permalink | | Categories: This, that
Man gets 30 years for shaking child
A Child Protective Services foster parent received a 30-year sentence in 19th State District Court this morning after pleading guilty to shaking a 2-year-old.
Matthew Lewis Anderson, 51, of Waco was sentenced by Judge Ralph Strother after Anderson pleaded guilty to first-degree felony injury to a child, with serious bodily injury.
The girl, now 3 years old, was removed from her parents in Bosque County by CPS workers. The incident with Anderson occurred April 2, 2007.
Anderson’s attorney, Rob Swanton, said his client is devastated by what happened and is “very remorseful.”
— Tommy Witherspoon
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Headlines, Courthouse, Police & crime
Another big gun to stump for Sibley here
Just four days removed from a visit to Waco by former state education commissioner Mike Moses, now former Texas Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff will be in town today to campaign for Jonathan Sibley, who is looking to unseat state Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson for the District 56 seat.
Today’s rally will start at 5 p.m. in the commons area at Midway Middle School, 800 Hewitt Drive.
For more on Sibley’s run, go to www.sibleycampaign.com.
In the interest of fairness, I added this link to Anderson’s campaign Web site, docandersonfortexas.com, but I couldn’t get it to load.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Midway student among youth entrepreneur finalists
A Midway High School student is one of 24 finalists in the running for tonight’s TCU Texas Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, which honor students who have started their own business.
Bryce Lindley, a senior at Midway, founded Custom Tees, which creates designs for T-shirts and other apparel for schools and organizations. His first big order was for the school choir.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has this story about the awards and synopses on the finalists.
A panel of business leaders will pick the entrepreneur of the year tonight along with four runners-up, who each receive $1,000 scholarships.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Business, Education
Komen Race for the Cure kickoff party set
The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure kickoff party, which is for team captain signups and a chance to meet this year’s race sponsors, has been scheduled for March 6 at the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.
It will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. with food, beverages, door prizes and entertainment.
For more information contact race@komencentraltexas.org or go to the Web site.
The race date has been moved a week earlier to May 3 at Heritage Square. The May 10 date was a problem in part because of the Jenna Bush wedding in Crawford that weekend.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas, Nonprofit news
City offers cable channel programs online
The city of Waco is now offering several of the programs that air on its cable channel online. Here’s the release from the city:
Many of the award-winning programs that air on the Waco City Cable Channel are now available online. Each week as new programs are shown on the City’s Cable Channel, they will also be available “on demand” for viewing on the City of Waco Web site at www.waco-texas.com.
As more programs are added, they will be listed in an archive section and grouped by titles such as Waco’s History, Waco’s Museums and Waco’s Industries.
City council meetings are also available online allowing users to pause and replay council agenda items of interest. The weekly City Beat news program and Public Health District food inspection reports will also be available for online viewing.
“We are excited about sharing stories about Waco’s history, museums and industries with the world,” said Larry Holze, director of municipal information. “This also makes our programs accessible for Wacoans who don’t have cable television service or have moved away and are still interested in keeping up with exciting developments in their hometown.”
For more information, call Larry Holze at 750-5636.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, City hall, Education
Suspects from Killeen ditch car in Waco
Killeen and Temple police departments were involved in a chase overnight for two men who police say fled Killeen in a stolen car and left it in Waco.
The chase started just before 2 a.m. today when Killeen police attempted to pull over a white Grand Prix identified as stolen, but the driver wouldn’t stop, said Killeen public information officer Carroll Smith.
The two men in the vehicle fled north on Interstate 35 through Temple and Waco, Smith said. Temple police shut down a portion of I-35 to lay down spike strips, but that failed to stop the suspects.
The drivers stopped on Robinson Drive on Waco, where they ran from the vehicle into a wooded area, Smith said. Killeen police have the vehicle, but the men are still at-large.
Texas Department of Public Safety helicopters were brought in to help in the search overnight, but the men were still on the loose this morning, Smith said.
— Erin Quinn
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
First Waco ISD candidate files
Current Waco ISD trustee David Schleicher is the first person we know of that has filed to run for election.
Today is the first day that candidates for local school boards and city councils can file for office.
Here’s Schleicher’s pdf of his announcement.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, City hall, Education
Good Monday morning, could there be rain?
Welcome to the work week, Waco! We are looking at the possibility of showers today and into tomorrow.
Expect cloudy skies with a high near 73 and a south wind between 15 and 20 mph. The chance of rain is 30 percent.
The chance for rain is greater after midnight with about a 60 percent coverage predicted.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Weather
Grass fire in Lorena area
Trib reporter Monica Ortiz Uribe reports that a grass fire is burning around the 900 block of Pilgrim Lane in Lorena.
Dispatchers have called for volunteer firefighting units from Lorena, Robinson and Hewitt.
Lorena Fire Chief Jim Menefee, although not out on the scene, said from reports he’s getting, the fire appears to be 10 to 15 acres in size.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Last chance to vote on local celebrity look-alikes
We’re shutting down the online voting booth at 5 p.m. today, so if you haven’t voted yet on the local folks that you think look most like the celebrity they claim to look like, now’s the time to do it.
It’s a battle of the Reese Witherspoon lookalikes in the women’s category, and no one else is even close. Will it end up being Malorie White or Candice Barsh?
On the men’s side, Robby Allen as Rob Schneider is the current frontrunner at noon today.
And in the kids division, Allyson Buckner as Jennifer Aniston is slightly ahead of Nicole Lentsch as Dakota Fanning.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Headlines, Entertainment
Waco city council filings start Monday
If you’re considering running for a spot on Waco City Council, the filing period begins Monday. The last day to file is March 10.
Here’s more information from the city’s Web site.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Headlines, City hall
Family Abuse Center receives $45,000 grant
The Family Abuse Center has announced it received a $45,000 grant from the Rapoport Foundation for the Meyer Domestic Violence Center. Here’s the release:
When Meredith Jones, executive director of the Family Abuse Center, approached the Rapoport Foundation for grant money to support children’s programs at the shelter, the foundation answered, but not in the usual way.
Instead of a one-time program contribution, the Rapoport Foundation agreed to fund the salary of an additional development position for one year, as well as several key marketing projects, to raise money for the children’s programs as well as other Family Abuse Center needs.
In the 22 years that Family Abuse Center has served McLennan and six surrounding counties, it has evolved from a six-bed crisis shelter to a 60-bed facility complete with full-time counselors and social workers as well as a brand new children’s program. Last year, the Meyer Domestic Violence Center provided emergency shelter and services to over 1,000 women and children.
In addition to their emphasis on helping and healing children, the Family Abuse Center staffs a 24-hour crisis line and emergency shelter. FAC has programs to facilitate healing among victims with case management services, group counseling and non-residential counseling, as well as programs to help victims of domestic violence transition into safe housing after their stay at the center.
Family Abuse Center also developed and implemented prevention programs in area schools and community youth programs and many other services to victims and their families.
“While the new facility certainly meets the growing needs of victims of family violence in our community, our operating costs have tripled over the past two years. In addition, we are anticipating several large cuts to key federal domestic violence money that will have a devastating effect on our ability to operate. Having an additional development staff member will allow us to focus on building relationships with individual donors who will support us now and in the future” said Meredith Jones, executive director of the Family Abuse Center.
“Carrie Martinez comes to Family Abuse Center with experience in marketing, project management, event planning and development and administrative support. She will be a big asset in helping us raise money for the center as we strive to complete our capital campaign and meet our goal of $500,000 in 2008. The Rapoport Grant for her salary and several key marketing/public awareness projects has brought this goal within reach.”
For more about the center, go to www.familyabusecenter.org.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Nonprofit news
Check out our online BU slamfest
We have a new audiovisual feast for Baylor men’s basketball fans — an slideshow set to music of Baylor players jamming dunks along with reactions for coach Scott Drew.
Enjoy.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines
L-3 to be involved on new aircraft project
The U.S. Navy awarded the Boeing/Argon ST; Lockheed Martin; and Northrop Grumman/L-3 Communications teams each $1.25 million contracts Thursday to help develop the EPX program requirements and potential system concepts, according to an announcement.
Northrop Grumman, of Bethpage, N.Y. will be teaming with L-3 Communications, which is in Waco and Greenville, Texas.
The EPX is planned to replace the EP-3 Aries aircraft, which is a surveillance and reconnaissance plane, as seen here.
Here’s the joint release from L-3 Communications and Northrop Grumman:
Northrop Grumman and L-3 to Study New Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting Aircraft for U.S. Navy
BETHPAGE, N.Y. - Feb. 7, 2008 - The U.S. Navy has awarded a study contract to Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), working with L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL), for the Navy’s EPX aircraft program.
EPX is envisioned as a shore-based, manned aircraft providing intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting (ISR&T) support to carrier strike groups and theater, combatant and national commanders. The contract is valued at $1.25 million.
The Navy initiated a competition in November 2007 to study the replacement of its EP-3E signals intelligence aircraft fleet and the expansion of its mission capability. This contract, the first step in the Navy’s multiyear selection process for the EPX system, calls for development of a preferred system concept and analysis of the associated risks and requirements.
“This competition is about more than replacing an aircraft,”said Patricia McMahon, vice president of Information Operations and Electronic Attack for Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Systems sector. “It’s about transforming Navy warfighters’ ability to perform the ISR&T mission and share that information with joint and allied forces. EPX will develop the capability to execute an evolving set of missions, and no one understands those missions better than Northrop Grumman and L-3.”
“It’s exciting that we can approach this program from the standpoint of what works best for the mission” said Mike Holmes, vice president of Federal Programs for L‑3’s Integrated Systems. “This is an important program as the Navy recapitalizes its fleet, and the systems integration experience offered by L-3 and Northrop Grumman will help transform its ISR&T capability.”
The companies will perform the work under this contract in Bethpage, N.Y., and Waco, Texas. The results of the study will be delivered in five months.
Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications employs over 64,000 people worldwide and is a prime contractor in aircraft modernization and maintenance, C3ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems and government services. L-3 is also a leading provider of high technology products, subsystems and systems. The company reported 2007 sales of $14 billion. To learn more about L-3, please visit the company’s web site at www.L-3Com.com.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $32 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Business
Pittsburgh paper writes about Baylor assistant
The PittsburghTribune-Review today has a story on Matt Driscoll, a western Pennsylvania native who is an assistant coach on Scott Drew’s Baylor staff.
Like other media this basketball season, Baylor is getting a lot of positive press over its resurgence.
Baylor improved to 17-4, 5-2 in the Big 12 with an 80-74 win Wednesday night over Texas Tech. The Bears travels to face No. 4 Kansas in Lawrence Saturday night.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Regional History Fair under way at Baylor
The Heart of Texas Regional History Fair is being held today in the Bill Daniel Student Center on the Baylor campus.
Students throughout Central Texas are competing for the right to advance to Texas History Day and then the National History Day contest.
Public viewing is under way right now for all papers and exhibits until 1 p.m. The judging will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Barfield Drawing Room where the exhibits reside. The room will be closed to the public during the judging. It will reopen from 3 to 5 p.m., when everyone shifts to the Marrs McLean Gym for the awards ceremony.
Documentaries and individual and group performances are going on now in various rooms of the student center. These are open to the public.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Education
It’s Friday, end of the work week … for some
Welcome to another cool start this week, but a day that should warm up nicely. It’s 48 degrees at Waco Regional Airport with a wind that makes it feel like 42.
Sunny skies again for today with a high near 71. South-southwest winds of 10 to 20 mph will blowing during the day, though eventually they’ll turn to the north-northwest and give us a cool evening and Saturday morning.
Permalink | | Categories: Weather
Female cyclist hit by car in Hewitt
A woman was struck from behind by a car while riding her bike this morning near the intersection of Sun Valley Boulevard and Russell Lane in Hewitt, police said.
The 39-year-old woman was riding her bicycle east on Sun Valley Boulevard at about 7:30 a.m. when she was hit from behind by a 2004 Chevrolet sedan going in the same direction, said Hewitt Police spokesman Lt. Tuck Saunders.
She was taken to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center for evaluation, he said. An officer at the hospital recently reported to Saunders that so far the woman didn’t appear to have any major injuries, but that she was still under evaluation.
No charges have been filed as of this morning, and the case is under investigation, Saunders said. It’s possible the sun may have been a factor in the accident, he said.
— Monica Ortiz Uribe
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Reese Witherspoon in Waco?
Not really, but you might do a double-take when you look at some of the entries in our Celebrity Lookalike Contest on WacoTrib.com.
As of 10:45 a.m. Thursday, the leaders are:
*Robby Allen of Waco as Rob Schneider in the men’s category
*Candice Barsh of Gholson as Reese Witherspoon in the women’s category
*Allyson Buckner of Hewitt as Jennifer Aniston in the kids’ category
Cast your votes now!
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines
Give me your poor, your tired…
The Waco City Council’s vote on the proposed Texas Ranger statue is getting a lot of coverage on the Web. Perhaps this story from The Money Times is the most interesting, though, given the choice of photograph.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines
City league softball deadline approaches
The registration deadline for the city of Waco’s adult spring softball leagues is Feb. 15, but the cost will go up $25 tomorrow.
The cost is currently $350 per team. Starting Friday, the cost will increase to $375.
Each team will play 10 games beginning Feb. 25. All games will be played at River Bend Park and Cotton Palace Complex.
A manager’s meeting will be at 6 p.m Feb. 21 at Bledsoe Miller Recreation Center, 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Teams can register at the parks and recreation office at 201 W. Waco Drive or by calling 254-750-8092.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines
KWBU gets $50,000 grant from Rapoport Foundation
KWBU-TV & FM, the public broadcasting stations for Central Texas, announced that they have received a $50,000 grant from the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation.
Here’s more from the release:
These funds will be a catalyst for change by improving KWBU’s education and outreach capacity, thereby improving the quality and amount of training given to teachers, parents, students, caregivers, low-income families, and displaced workers in need of new job skills. With these funds, KWBU will be able to develop various new education and outreach efforts based upon new national initiatives being developed now which will be available to the station over the next five years.
According to Polly Anderson, President and CEO of KWBU, “Bernard and Audre Rapoport and the Rapoport Foundation have done so much for Central Texas and our nation over the years, especially in support of our children, our teachers and our schools. With the grant from the Rapoport Foundation, KWBU will be able to increase our service to area schools and the community by implementing some of the exciting new programs available to us from PBS nationally. Programs that assist teachers in the areas of curriculum development, that help caregivers become more effective in helping children and by helping small children arrive at school ready to learn by having a strong background in basic literacy skills. We will be talking with area foundations and businesses to try to secure additional contributions to KWBU’s educational and outreach initiatives tied to the Rapoport Foundation gift that will allow KWBU to exponentially increase all the education services we provide.”
Bernard Rapoport said that public broadcasting is important because it is owned by the public. “Whatever you hear on public broadcasting assures that no political or financial group controls what is said,” Rapoport said. “It is essential for democracy. Those who are totally committed to democracy have an opportunity to support this valuable institution financially and spiritually.”
To make a donation to KWBU, contact Loretta Howard at 254/710-7887 or loretta@kwbu.org.
KWBU’s mission is to serve as an essential lifelong resource providing quality public television and radio programs and services for the enrichment of the lives of Central Texans while the mission of the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation is to meet basic human needs while building individual and social resiliency. Both organizations working together are helping the citizens of Central Texas have a higher quality of life.
Affiliated with National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), KWBU serves more than 80,000 people each week through its public radio, television and educational outreach programs. It is a service of Brazos Valley Public Broadcasting Foundation, Baylor University and its member listeners/viewers and corporate sponsors, and is one of only 86 joint licensees (public television and radio) in the nation.
Above, Bernard Rapoport and Polly Anderson
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Nonprofit news
Ex-education commish to stump for Sibley
Mike Moses, the former commissioner of education under Gov. George Bush, is campaigning for Jonathan Sibley in his race for District 56 state representative at 5 today at George’s Too Banquet Hall, 1925 Speight Ave.
According to this release from Sibley’s campaign:
Local educators, family, and supporters will be in attendance for the event.
Public education has been one of the top issues in the race, and Jonathan has picked up considerable support from the McLennan County education community because of his strong support for public schools.
Jonathan supports raising teacher pay to the national average, opposes unfunded state and federal mandates, supports local community control, and will restore regular meetings with superintendents, which incumbent Doc Anderson has not done.
Additionally, Doc previously declined Jonathan’s invitation to a series of six debates in front of teacher and educator groups.
To view Jonathan’s entire plan for public education, please visit www.sibleycampaign.com and click on the “issues” button. Interesting that Sibley’s campaign is bringing out a big name from the Bush administration when Jonathan’s dad was a state legislator.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Headlines, Politics
New play structure to go in at Pecan Bottoms
The city of Waco has sent out this release:
Construction is under way in the Pecan Bottoms area of Cameron Park to remove the playground and replace it with a new play structure.
Construction will continue through the spring, and the new playground should be open in May. The splash pad area will be closed during this time as well.
The new, larger playground will have separate play areas from preschool and school-age children along with swings and a climbing rock. Ramps on the play structure will allow kids in wheelchairs to access most of the play area.
For more information, contact Sharon Fuller at 254-750-8091.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Headlines, City hall
Good Thursday morning, Waco
A chilly start to the day but it’s sunny — though at this point I’d like to see some rain — with a high near 60. And it’ll be windy again, too, with breezes from the west-southwest at 10 to 20 mph becoming north northwest. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.
Tonight, it’ll stay clear and drop down to around 38 degrees.
Permalink | | Categories: Weather
Signing day: Houston Lamar DE picks Baylor
Houston Lamar defensive end Tracy Robertson did choose Baylor over the University of Houston today, Trib sports writer Jerry Hill reports.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder becomes the 19th new signee for coach Art Briles and the 22nd overall member of the 2008 signing class.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports, High school sports, Pro & college sports
Stay with us this afternoon
Although the posts to the newsblog are ending at noon, we’ll continue to update the Web site with more signings as we hear about them. Midway players, for example, sign at 2:45 p.m. and Baylor will have its signing day activities at 2:30.
We also will let you know about Chet Edwards’ via-satellite discussion of construction projects coming to the Waco VA.
So keep checking back!
Permalink | | Categories: This, that
Signing day: Houston Lamar DL undecided
CHECKLIST
- link: Baylor signing class
Trib sports writer Jerry Hill says Houston Lamar defensive lineman Tracy Robertson has a noon-hour signing ceremony planned at his school, but even his coach doesn’t know whether he’s going with Baylor or Houston.
Robertson is not a Trib Top 100 recruit, but he’s highly regarded and had previously orally committed to Minnesota. Of course, as has been said many times, verbal commitments are nonbinding. It doesn’t count until you sign.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports, High school sports, Pro & college sports
Signing day: Baylor picks up Top 50 recruit
CHECKLIST
- link: Baylor signing class
In what has to be considering a big “get” for Baylor and coach Art Briles, wide receiver Kendall Wright, a Trib Top 50 football recruit, signed with the Bears this morning.
The 5-foot-11, 165-pounder from Pittsburg, Texas, had not committed to a school until today. He was being pursued by Oklahoma and reportedly Texas called him this morning.
But he signed with Baylor.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports, High school sports, Pro & college sports
Signing day: McGregor QB signs with UMHB
McGregor quarterback Joe Seward at 10:15 a.m. signed a scholarship to play at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, High school sports, Pro & college sports
Signing day: West pole vaulter going to Rice
Not everyone signing today is going to play football at college. West High School pole vaulter Blaine Bassler inked at track scholarship with Rice at 10 a.m.
Bassler won the 3A boys pole vault last year with a vault of 16 feet, 2 feet better than the nearest competitor. He took second in the event in 2006.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, High school sports, Pro & college sports
Signing day: 7 more at Marlin, 1 at Robinson
MORE
Marlin High has seven athletes signing right now, led by running back Travis Miller, who is heading to Okahoma State.
Offensive lineman Quentin Tasby and linebacker Narada Johnson are both going to West Texas A&M in Canyon.
Running back Antonio Moore signed with Missouri Southern. Defensive lineman Matthew Phillips inked with Henderson State in Arkadelphia, Ark.
Ali Alexander, who played wide receiver and defensive back, and Vance Richardson, also a defensive back, are going to Texas College in Tyler.
At Robinson, linebacker Levi Kirkland has signed with Tarleton State.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, High school sports, Pro & college sports
Edwards to announce big Waco VA construction projects
We have just received word that U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Waco) will announce major new Waco VA construction projects live via satellite from Washington, D.C., at 1:30 p.m. today.
Edwards will give an opening statement before taking questions via satellite.
The Waco congressman is chairman of the House VA Appropriations Subcommittee.
From the release:
In 2007, Congressman Chet Edwards became the Chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee. In his first year as Chairman, Chet authored a historic increase of $11.8 billion in veterans’ health care and benefits, and hospital maintenance and construction, the largest increase in veterans funding in the 77-year history of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Veterans
Signing day: 2 ink at La Vega
Adding their names to the signees today from La Vega High School are two outstanding linebackers. Will Henry is going to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. Michael Bigelow has signed with West Texas A&M out in Canyon.
Henry will join Waco High defensive lineman Quentin Horn as Bearkats. The two had played together on defense in middle school.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Headlines, High school sports, Pro & college sports
Signing day: Mart has 2 ink paperwork
CHECKLIST
Mart High School had a 9 a.m. news conference lined up for quarterback Lee McLendon, who is signing with Missouri Southern in Joplin, Mo., and wide receiver Kenny Barrett, who is headed to the University of North Texas.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, High school sports, Pro & college sports
Signing day: Waco High starts us off
MORE
Waco High football coach Johnny Tusa gets the frenzy started first thing every year, with an 8 a.m. signing session. He has six seniors signing national letters of intent, with two going to major colleges.
Running back Jarred Salubi has chosen Baylor, while teammate Victor Johnson, a defensive back, is signing on the dotted line with another Big 12 team, Oklahoma State.
Defensive lineman Quentin Horn is headed to Sam Houston State in Huntsville, while defensive back Terrance Adkism has committed to Midwestern State in Wichita Falls.
Two players are going to the junior college route. Offensive lineman Nick Johnson and defensive end Josh Hicks are going to Navarro College.
Also signing football scholarships this morning:
*Mart quarterback Lee McLendon, Missouri Southern
*Mart wide receiver Kenny Barrett, University of North Texas
*La Vega linebacker Will Henry, Sam Houston State
*La Vega linebacker Michael Bigelow, West Texas A&M
*Marlin running back Travis Miller, Okahoma State
*Marlin offensive lineman Quentin Tasby, West Texas A&M
*Marlin linebacker Narada Johnson, West Texas A&M
*Marlin running back Antonio Moore, Missouri Southern
*Marlin defensive lineman Matthew Phillips, Henderson State
*Marlin wide receiver/defensivel back Ali Alexander, Texas College
*Marlin defensive back Vance Richardson, Texas College
*Robinson, linebacker Levi Kirkland, Tarleton State
*McGregor, quarterback Joe Seward, Mary Hardin-Baylor
*Killeen, Demetrius Daniels, West Texas A&M
*Killeen, David Grant, Nebraska
*Killeen, Khiry Hicks, Trinity Valley Community College
*Copperas Cove, Thomas Durcan, Texas Lutheran
*Copperas Cove, Anthony Gonzales, Blinn College
*Copperas Cove, Jerry Hill, Texas Lutheran
*Copperas Cove, Donel Morrison, Trinity Valley Community College
*Copperas Cove, Sean Robertson, Blinn College
*Copperas Cove, Troy Vital, Idaho
*Copperas Cove, Steven Welch, Tarleton State
*Copperas Cove, Joseph Wright, Trinity Valley Community College
*Shoemaker, Andre Smith, Arkansas State
*Harker Heights, Ryan Balentine, Trinity Valley Community College
*Harker Heights, Marcus Banks, Trinity Valley Community College
*Harker Heights, Bobby Cook, Blinn College
*Harker Heights, Terrance Harris, West Texas A&M
*Harker Heights, J.T. Taylor, Blinn College
Central Texas student-athletes who signed in a sport other than football today were:
*West, Blaine Bassler, track (pole vault), Rice
Permalink | Comments (16) | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports, High school sports, Pro & college sports
Bellmead man arrested in sexual assault
A Bellmead man has been arrested in a woman’s sexual assault.
Lonnie Paul Heslep Jr., 18, was arrested Monday and charged with sexual assault, a second-degree felony, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.
Heslep allegedly had lain next to the victim on a bed, began touching her and when she told him to stop, he grabbed her by the arms and raped her, according to the affidavit.
Heslep was being held at the McLennan County Jail Tuesday night in lieu of $11,000 bond, a jail spokeswoman said.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Waco man arrested in rape of 16-year-old
A Waco man remains in McLennan County Jail today after his arrest Monday in which police say he raped a 16-year-old girl.
Manuel Enriquez, 20, was arrested Monday and charged with sexual assault of a child, said Waco police spokesman Steve Anderson.
The assault happened at a South Waco home at 2 a.m. May 13, 2006, Anderson said. The teen didn’t know her attacker. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the girl was sleeping on a couch when Enriquez woke and raped her after telling her to be quiet.
Enriquez was 18 at the time of the assault, Anderson said.
Enriquez is being held at the jail in lieu of $15,000 bond, although he will not be able to bail out due to a recent sentencing on drug charges, a jail spokeswoman said.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Cold morning; signing day to heat things up
It is a cold morning in Waco. Current temperature reported at Waco Regional Airport is 33 degrees, with a wind chill that has it feeling like 29.
We’ll be sunny, but certainly cooler than the last few days. Highs should hit the upper 50s.
Stay with us for area signings this morning. Waco High’s recruits will be putting their names to the papers right about now.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, High school sports, Pro & college sports, Weather
Be with us tomorrow for signing day
We’ve also had a few issues with our server this morning that kicked us off the blog and wacotrib.com, so I’m going a little past my usual noon-ish cutoff for the newsblog.
Please join us Wednesday when wacotrib.com is the place to be for constant updates on national signing day. We’ll keep you aware of all the signings by local prep athletes and those who choose Baylor as soon as we find out and can get them posted.
In today’s Internet age, that’s pretty quick!
See you again tomorrow, when it’s going to be a lot colder. Besides, wouldn’t you prefer to stay warm by your computer and let us do the work?
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, High school sports
Mission Waco UrBanquet tonight
Well, my e-mail account is acting up and I haven’t been able to receive an e-mail from Jimmy Dorrell with Mission Waco, who is reminding me that the Urbanquet is tonight, starting at 6 p.m. in the Waco Convention Center.
Larry James, president and CEO of Central Dallas Ministries, is the guest speaker.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: Headlines, Nonprofit news, Religion
Some call it Supersized Tuesday
I nearly forgot that in addition to the political Super Tuesday hoopla, today also is Fat Tuesday, the last day before Lent begins and some folks get ashes on their foreheads and start consuming more fish on Fridays.
Co-worker and fellow blogger Joseph Abbott (Joe Weather) has gone to calling today Supersized Tuesday. I may have to agree with him.
The Mardi Gras parades have begun in New Orleans.
So “Laissez les bons temps rouler!” That’s “Let the good times roll!” in French, a phrase I heard many a time during my nine years in Southeast Texas at the last stop on Interstate 10 before hitting Louisiana. There’s a lot of Cajun to be found in Orange, Texas.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, National news, Politics
Ceremony today for Hewitt Drive extension
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 2 p.m. today in Hewitt for the opening of the new Farm-to-Market Road 1695/Hewitt Drive extension and bridge at F.M. 2113 (Spring Valley Road).
The ceremony is sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation, city of Hewitt and Greater Hewitt Chamber of Commerce.
The approximately 2-mile project began in fall 2004. The existing two-lane roadway was extended and widened to four lanes.
Both Ritchie Road and Waterford Way were realigned and extended to F.M. 1695 just south of the post office in Hewitt. A bridge also was built to allow F.M. 1695 to span the intersection of F.M. 2113 and the Union Pacific Railroad.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Traffic
Mammoth Foundation gets $100,000 gift
The city of Waco sent out this release this morning:
The Waco Mammoth Foundation has received a $100,000 grant from the Rapoport Foundation. The money will be applied towards a $1.5 million matching grant provided by Paul and Jane Meyer that was announced in October of 2007. The Waco Mammoth Foundation is now within $200,000 of their fundraising goal for Phase one of the Mammoth site project.
“The Rapoport Foundation is well known for its support of worthy projects that enrich lives in our community and provide educational enrichment for our children,” said Gloria Young, fundraising chair for the Waco Mammoth Foundation. “This is a vote of confidence in the value of this project for our community.”
“We are excited about the project as a significant potential economic development component for Waco,” said Tom Stanton, executive director for the Rapoport Foundation. “We are honored to have the opportunity to participate and encourage others to help the Mammoth Foundation in their quest to raise the necessary funds to see this project to fruition.”
The first phase will include a building to cover and protect the site, and amenities such as restrooms, walkways, parking lots and an entry road, that would allow local citizens and tourists to visit the site. The estimated cost for Phase I is $3.2 million.
At right, Gloria Young, fundraising chair for the Waco Mammoth Foundation, receives the check from Tom Stanton, executive director for the Rapoport Foundation.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Nonprofit news
Another sentenced in fatal drunk driving accident
Waco resident Sandy Reyes, the driver of the car hit last year by Marcus Dewayne Fittsgill, which resulted in the death of a 23-year-old Waco woman, was sentenced this morning to 10 years probation in 54th State District Court.
Reyes had requested deferred probation in the Jan. 26, 2007, traffic accident in which Rebecca Louis Weaver, a 23-year-old mother with three young daughters, was killed. Reyes had pleaded guilty in December to manslaughter charges in the accident.
Judge Matt Johnson sentenced Fittsgill to 10 years probation Monday, fined him $1,000 and ordered him to begin serving a 120-day jail term Feb. 18 as a condition of his probation.
Johnson rejected Reyes’ deferred probation request and in addition to the 10 years of probation, sentenced her to 120 days in the McLennan County Jail and 300 hours of community service.
Weaver was riding in a car on West Loop 340 with her best friend, Reyes, when she became ill about 2 a.m. Reyes stopped the car in the right lane, and Weaver leaned over into the left lane of traffic to throw up, according to police reports.
A pickup driven by Fittsgill struck the left side of the car, hitting Weaver. The impact threw Weaver into the roadway, and a third vehicle driven by an 18-year-old Robinson man hit the back of Reyes’ Malibu before hitting Weaver, police have said.
— Tommy Witherspoon
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Courthouse, Police & crime
West art teacher allegedly assaults student
A 43-year-old West Middle School art teacher accused of punching an eighth-grade boy in the stomach has bonded out of the McLennan County Jail.
West Police Detective Kimberly Lucien said Jay Casada punched the boy Jan. 30 during art class. The boy was physically standing in the way of a female student from participating in class, Lucien said.
“The teacher lost his cool and punched the student in the stomach,” she said.
The boy was not injured, but told officials that “it hurt,” Lucien said.
Casada, a Hill County resident, was arrested Monday on a charge of injury to a child, a third-degree felony. He was released from jail Monday on a $5,000 bond.
Casada resigned his position at the school Jan. 31.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Categories: Headlines, Education, Police & crime
Bank of America robbery suspect to get psych evaluation
A 27-year-old Waco man arrested last week in the robbery of a downtown Waco bank has been ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation.
U.S. Magistrate Jeffrey C. Manske on Monday ordered Marvin Goodlow Washington to be evaluated at a federal medical facility for up to 45 days to determine his competency to stand trial and his sanity at the time of the alleged offense.
Waco police have said Washington entered the Bank of America at 514 Austin Ave. shortly after 10 a.m. Wednesday. Police said Washington walked behind the counter, confronted the teller and demanded money. Washington threatened to stab the teller if she didn’t give him the money, but he never displayed a weapon, police said.
Washington left the bank with $2,711, according to federal records. He was arrested at Fourth Street and Austin Avenue.
Washington’s attorney, Stan Schwieger, said he believes the evaluation is necessary.
— Tommy Witherspoon
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Rachel’s Park in Waco vandalized
Waco police are searching for the person responsible for destroying 300 of the 4,000 crosses representing aborted lives in a memorial park in Waco.
The crosses, made of PVC pipe and steel rebar, were driven over either late Friday or early Saturday morning, Waco police officer Steve Anderson said.
The crosses, located in Rachel’s Park Memorial at the Church on the Rock on North 19th Street, represent the 4,000 abortions in the nation each day, the Rev. Rusty Lee Thomas said.
The memorial, constructed in 2000, is a tangible place women and families affected by abortion can go to grieve, said Thomas, a pro-life minister.
“Most of the time when people have abortions, they would rather forget about it, and Rachel’s Park doesn’t allow them to forget,” Thomas said. “It makes them deal with it.”
Of the incident, Anderson said, “It has all indications that it was intentional.”
He declined to specify the criminal mischief as a hate crime, however, saying the vandal would first have to be apprehended and interviewed.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding the vandalism to call the police department at 750-7500 or Waco Crime Stoppers at 753-HELP (4357).
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Waiting for the rain this Tuesday morning
The NOAA weather radio in the newsroom, provided by own blogger and co-worker Joe Abbott (aka Joe Weather) has been chattering nonstop since I came in this morning.
The yellow “watch” light is illuminated as we await the arrival of the cold front that should spark showers and thunderstorms ahead of it. Severe thunderstorms and hail is possible. Forecasters expect this to hit us quickly, then move out. Much cooler will be blowing in behind it during the afternoon.
Waco Regional Airport reports a temperature of 69 degrees under cloudy skies. The temperature has been at 69, 70 or 71 for the past 18 hours according to the recording station.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Weather
Pedestrians hit on Waco Drive bridge
Trib photographer Jerry Larson just happened upon an accident scene on the Waco Drive bridge over the Brazos River. Two pedestrians walking across the bridge were hit by a pickup truck and have been taken to a hospital, though they didn’t appear to be seriously hurt.
It is unknown why the truck came across the median, but one bystander said that the driver appeared to be flailing his arms before the accident, perhaps having a heart attack.
The conditions of the driver and the two pedestrians aren’t known at this time.
Drunk driver who killed woman sentenced to 10 years probation
A Fort Worth resident who drove drunk and slammed into another car, killing a 23-year-old Waco woman, was sentenced today to 10 years probation, a $1,000 fine and 120 days in the McLennan County Jail, starting Feb. 18.
Marcus Fittsgill, 21, pleaded guilty to intoxication manslaughter in November 2007. Fittsgill had a blood alcohol content of .09 percent following the Jan. 26, 2007 accident on West Loop 340. The legal limit in Texas is .08.
He pleaded guilty in the traffic death of Rebecca Louis Weaver, who was riding in a car with a friend about 2 a.m. when she became ill. The friend pulled the car over in the 2100 block of West Loop 340, but the car was not completely off the roadway when it stopped, according to police reports.
Weaver, who was in the left back seat, opened the door and leaned over as she got sick, police have said. A 1998 Ford F-150 pickup driven by Fittsgill struck the Chevrolet Malibu that Weaver was in on the left side.
The impact threw Weaver into the roadway, and a third vehicle driven by an 18-year-old Robinson man hit the back of the Malibu before hitting Weaver, police have said.
— Tommy Witherspoon
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Headlines
Loads of photos from weekend events
Curious about what went on in Waco last weekend? Check out our photographs from Sunday afternoon’s With This Ring bridal extravaganza, Mardi Gras Waco from Saturday night, or the Baylor men’s loss to Texas Saturday afternoon.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, This, that
Politics, black vote topic of Baylor lecture
Waldo Martin, a history professor at the University of California-Berkeley, will give a lecture titled “Be Real Black for Me: The Cultural Politics of Black Power” at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Kayser Auditorium on the Baylor campus.
The speech is sponsored by the school’s department of history as part of Black History Month.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Baylor University, Politics
City to tout housing award
The city of Waco and its housing partners will hold a news conference at 1:30 p.m. today at 509 N. 15th St. (the corner of 15th and Waco Drive).
Mayor Virginia DuPuy and other city officials will be present to discuss national recognition that the city recently received for its housing programs and partnerships.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, City hall
Last day to register to vote in primaries
Trib political reporter David Doerr reminds me that today is the final day for Texas residents to submit an application to register to vote in the March 4 primaries.
It also is the last day a voter who has moved to a different election precinct within the county may submit a change of address to be eligible to vote (in the general primary) in the precinct of his or her new residence.
I wouldn’t suggest downloading an application and mailing it at this point. You probably need to go to the McLennan County Elections Office.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Baylor Law School icon dies
Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday for Edwin P. Horner, emeritus professor of law and an icon at Baylor Law School, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home.
He died Friday at his home in Waco. He was 92. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, at Lakewood Christian Church, 6509 Bosque Blvd. in Waco.
“We have lost a consummate gentleman who had a loving heart for all. Ed was devoted to the art and craft of teaching, which he regarded as the highest calling of a faculty member,” said Baylor Law Dean Brad Toben. “He enjoyed nothing more than studying and discussing the law (especially oil and gas law and contracts) with all who shared his interest and passion for learning.
Read the full story from Baylor here.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Obituaries
East Waco makeover to be discussed at luncheon
If you have an interest in ideas for making over East Waco, that’s the topic of today’s Fred Batts Leadership Luncheon, which begins at noon at 300 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Anyone is welcome and lunch costs only $5. Carol Dugat has really carried the banner on this idea online on her blog. Check out the conversation there and feel free to share more today at the luncheon.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, This, that
Tomlinson thanks God, mom at Super Bowl breakfast
University High School alum and current San Diego Charger superstar LaDainian Tomlinson received the 20th annual Bart Starr Award during the Athletes in Action Super Bowl Breakfast Saturday in Phoenix.
Starr, who led Green Bay to the first two Super Bowl victories, presented the award, which honors the Hall of Famer’s lifelong commitment to be a positive role model to his family, teammates and community.
Here’s the story from Baptist Press Sports.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Pro & college sports
Warm today; wet, turning cold tomorrow
We could reach close to 80 degrees today. That’s like springtime temps. It’ll be mostly cloudy with a south-southwest wind between 15 and 20 mph, and gusts as high as 25 mph.
The change comes tonight and into Tuesday as a cold front pushes in and is expected to fire off showers and possibly thunderstorms after midnight and throughout the morning hours Tuesday.
After that pushes through and the skies clear, we could reach a low around 27 degrees. A northwest wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph, will blow.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Weather
Monday morning starts with huge traffic jam on I-35
Authorities are working three injury accidents along Interstate 35 this morning, tying up northbound traffic for more than 25 miles, Trib reporter Erin Quinn tells us.
The first accident happened at 7 a.m. near the 357 mile marker near Abbott. Details are still coming in, but a Waco police spokeswoman said cleanup teams are being called out to the scene to mop up some liquid spilled from one of the vehicles.
Twenty-five minutes later, as traffic slowed, another injury accident occurred at the 338 mile marker in Bellmead.
Police are working yet another accident involving a motorcycle on the crossover bridge at Moonlight Drive and Interstate 35 in Hewitt.
Details of the crashes and conditions of those injured are still coming in.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Traffic
Mardi Gras in Waco Saturday night
A quick reminder before I sign off for the week that you can celebrate Mardi Gras in Waco Saturday evening from 8 p.m. to midnight right downtown on Austin Avenue.
The action will happen between Seventh and Eighth streets with a masquerade block party to benefit the Waco Performing Arts Company.
Tickets cost $100 and will let you go to any of the six venues and includes all food and drink, with the exception of a VIP dinner at the Green Room Grille.
For more information, go to mardigraswaco.org.
Weather should be nice for the event. Saturday’s afternoon high will be around 68 degrees and it’s only supposed to hit a low of 56 as a light south wind will blow and clouds will come in to retain the heat. There is a 20 percent chance of showers, which usually means we won’t see a drop.
The better chances for rain are Sunday and Monday.
Have a great weekend. And don’t eat too much during the Super Bowl Sunday night.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Headlines, Environmental
Judge rules in favor of Mart over Battle Lake residents
Trib reporter Tim Woods has just informed us that state district Judge Vicki Menard denied the temporary restraining order requested by 19 Battle Lake residents to prevent the city from forcing them off city-owned property.
In her ruling, Menard cited a lack of jurisdiction in the matter.
It’s interesting in that Mart city attorney Roger Gordon told Woods afterward, “There are no winners in this matter.”
The dispute centers around a tract of land near Battle Lake, which lies outside of Mart but is owned by the city. The 19 tenants lease the land from the city but own the homes on the land. The leases hold the tenants responsible when they vacate the land for the cost to remove any structure they built on the property. Some of the tenants have lived there as long as 25 years.
At a city council meeting in January, Mart’s council decided the city would not renew the leases beyond 2008 and would explore options for selling and/or developing the property. The money would be used for improvements to Mart’s infrastructure.
The 19 plaintiffs, represented pro bono by attorneys Rick Bostwick and Ryan Johnson, were claiming that the city of Mart had not negotiated new property leases in good faith.
Here’s the story we had in Thursday’s edition.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: Headlines, Courthouse
Deadline today for ‘Chocolate and Cabernet’ evening
Today is the deadline for $100 reservations to the “Chocolate and Cabernet” evening of fine wine and fine dining at the Green Room Grille on Feb. 25. Snobby Tours Inc.’s Cork Club is sponsoring this event as part of the American Heart Association’s Go Red campaign during Heart Health Month.
The cost goes up after Feb. 1 to $115 per person.
The Green Room Grille’s executive chef is creating multiple special courses for the 5:30 p.m. event at 725 Austin Ave., across the street from the Hippodrome.
To ask questions, call 754-8687 or toll-free at 866-284-8687. The Web site is www.snobbytours.com or you can e-mail snobbytours@yahoo.com.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Nonprofit news, This, that
Edwards’ campaign well-funded
Congressman Chet Edwards’ campaign has reported $1,016,900 cash on hand as of Dec. 31, 2007, according to the Federal Elections Commission report made public Thursday.
That figure is $101,900 more than he reported at the same point during the 2006 election.
Here’s a comment from Elizabeth Connor, Edwards’ campaign spokeswoman:
“With a proven record of effectiveness for our district, broad-based bipartisan support and over $1 million in the bank, Chet is strongly positioned for the 2008 election.”
And from the congressman:
“My first priority this year is to continue fighting for jobs, economic growth, and improved quality of life for the hardworking families of our district, but we intend to run a solid grassroots campaign.”
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Teaff, Pennington-Russell speak at New Baptist Covenant convention
Former Baylor football head coach Grant Teaff and pastor Julie Pennington-Russell, who headed Waco’s Calvary Baptist Church for nine years before taking a new senior pastor role in Decatur, Ga. last year, were two of the guest speakers at the Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant convention in Atlanta.
Last night was key note speaker and best-selling author John Grisham.
Here’s coverage of Grisham’s talk from the Baptist Standard. It includes remarks from Teaff and Pennington-Russell.
Full disclosure: Pennington-Russell was our family’s pastor. She is a gifted speaker and a marvelous person. We miss her and her family, but feel that God has great things ahead for her.
Permalink | | Categories: Headlines, Religion
Exxon, Chevron make gains in 4th quarter
No surprise here if you’ve been going to the pump, Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp., the two biggest U.S. oil companies, reported large gains in fourth-quarter earnings after record crude prices more than made up for declines in output.
Permalink | | Categories: Business
Mills meets with judge to set trial date
Trib courts reporter Tommy Witherspoon tells us that Margaret Mills and her attorneys met behind closed doors in Judge Matt Johnson’s office this morning about setting a date for her trial on allegedly embezzling funds from Downtown Waco Inc.
The meeting was held privately because the Attorney General’s Office that is prosecuting the case is tied up in a trial in Amarillo and the conference had to be held via teleconference.
Neither Mills nor her attorneys had any comment upon exiting the judge’s chambers.
Witherspoon has since learned that pretrial will be July 18 with the trial scheduled to begin Sept. 15.
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UIL realignment: Six-man ranks
Here’s the breakdown for six-man football in our area:
Division 1 will have a District 13 of Abbott, Aquilla, Blum, Bynum, Covington, Kopperl and Milford.
District 14 will be Apple Springs, Avalon, Coolidge, Oakwood, Penelope and Trinidad.
District 16 will have Buckholts, Calvert, Lometa and Prairie Lea.
Division 2 will have a District 14 of Cranfills Gap, Jonesboro, Mullin, Sidney and Star.
District 15 will be Iredell, Laird Hill Leveretts Chapel, Morgan, Oglesby and Walnut Springs.
Permalink | | Categories: High school sports
UIL realignment: Mart does drop, heads east
The expectation was that Mart would drop from the Class 2A ranks down to 1A and that did happen. Riesel also dropped back to 1A after a two-year stint in the larger class.
Those schools will be the westernmost members of a new District 22-1A that includes Bremond, Iola, Lovelady and Normangee.
Axtell, meanwhile, remains in District 21 in a six-team league with Dawson, Frost, Hubbard, Italy, Itasca and Wortham. Italy dropped a classification.
Bosqueville and Chilton will be in Region IV as members of District 25-1A with Evant, Goldthwaite, Meridian and Valley Mills.
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UIL realignment: Longer trips for 2A teams
District 21-2A will move from Region III into Region II as District 16-2A with a few changes, most notably going from an eight-team district to one with six schools.
Bruceville-Eddy, Clifton, Crawford, Hamilton, McGregor and Moody will be joined by Troy and Hico. That’s a fairly significant trip north. Of course, that’s probably worse for Hico.
The new District 20-2A in Region III will be Franklin, Hearne, Leon, Marlin, Rosebud-Lott and Teague.
And District 25-2A in Region IV will be Florence, Jarrell, Lago Vista, Lexington, Little River Academy, Rogers and Salado.
Permalink | | Categories: High school sports
UIL realignment: District 16-4A jostled
Big change for District 16-4A in that it’s now an eight-team district with Waco High, University and Midway head north to join Cleburne, Corsicana, Ennis, Waxahachie and Midlothian.
Copperas Cove moved up to District 12-5A and Brownwood dropped to District 20-3A with Abilene Wylie, Breckenridge, Graham, Snyder and Sweetwater.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: High school sports
UIL realignment: Old 17-3A split over two regions
This UIL move will have people in the current District 17-3A scratching their heads: China Spring and Gatesville slide over to 7-3A in Region I for a district that includes Glen Rose, Hillsboro, West and Whitney.
The new District 19-3A will be Connally, La Vega, Groesbeck, Lorena, Mexia and Robinson.
That means the good rivalry of Connally vs. China Spring goes bye-bye. China Spring athletic director Mark Bell did tell Brice Cherry that its game with Robinson will continue.
Permalink | Comments (23) | Categories: High school sports
Stick with us this morning for UIL realignment
If you follow high school sports, the every-other-year University Interscholastic League realignment, which sets up the classifications and districts that Texas public schools compete in for the next two years, is always interesting.
Our Brice Cherry has a good column today about the speculation aspect for coaches before the packets are opened at 9 this morning.
Most people focus on what the changes mean for football, but this affects every sport as well as UIL academics and even the UIL marching band and solo and ensemble contests.
Check back in with us here. Brice Cherry will be at the Region 12 Education Service Center when the packets are handed out and coaches and athletic directors get their first peek at what the UIL has dropped in their laps. The UIL will post all this on its Web site, but in years past its server gets so overwhelmed with school officials and fans trying to log on that you usually can’t pull up the site during the morning.
We’ll be going a little back-door, low-tech in that Brice will call me about the moves that will affect our area as he looks over the paperwork in the packet and I’ll post that here as soon as I can.
So check back at wacotrib.com for updates on UIL realignment this morning.
Permalink | | Categories: High school sports
Colder start to Friday than expected
I didn’t check the thermometer before leaving the house this morning, too ticked off that my third-grader was still finishing his math homework as we’re needing to get out the door, and then noticing that my fifth-grade daughter left the lunch I packed for her field trip on the kitchen table.
That’s why my first blog isn’t getting to you until now. (Grumble, grumble, muttering something under my breath).
Anyhow, it’s a really nippy 26 degrees at Waco Regional Airport. It feels like 20 with the wind chill. But at least it’s sunny and should warm fairly quickly.
Looks like we got as low at 23 during the overnight hours.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Headlines, Weather
