Home > Waco Breaking News > Archives > 2008 > November > 25
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
MCC names three to be interviewed to replace outgoing president
The McLennan Community College board of trustees named three people to be brought in to interview for the presidency of the college at their meeting tonight.
The three have applied to replace Dennis Michaelis, who will end his 21-year presidency when he retires on Aug. 31, 2009.
The list of applicants to be interviewed includes Utpal Goswami, provost at Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona; Quintin Bullock, provost at Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach, Va.; and Johnette McKown, MCC executive vice president.
MCC spokeswoman Lisa Wilhelmi said that board chairman Randy Cox said officials expect to interview the candidates in over the next two weeks and did not have a specific time frame for naming Michaelis’ replacement.
MCC’s trustees also set the maximum price to build the campus’ new parking garage at $5.45 million. Joe Mazanec of Waco-based Mazanec Construction, who will build the garage, said at the meeting that construction will begin on the garage first thing this morning.
The new four-story parking garage is set to be completed on Aug. 31, 2009, and MCC officials have said it is necessary to alleviate parking problems on the campus with an ever-expanding enrollment.
The furniture cost for the three new buildings on MCC’s campus— a classroom building, science building and emergency services training center— was also set at just over $1.35 million. McKown said that price was within $6,000 of the amount originally budgeted for the furniture, which includes desks, tables, chairs, computer tables and trash cans.
Also at tonight’s meeting, trustees were told that 10 MCC presidential scholars will travel to Washington, D.C. to attend Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration on Jan. 20.
Al Pollard, MCC’s vice president for program development, said the students will leave on Jan. 19 and will have a full schedule, including a tour of the capitol, stops at Washington, D.C.’s various monuments, the Smithsonian Institution and then the inauguration and parade.
While meeting with the students last Sunday, Pollard said he learned that not only have many of the students not been to Washington, D.C., but several have never traveled anywhere by airplane, which he said added to their excitement about the trip.
Michaelis also said at the meeting that he has been in recent discussions with Texas Tech University about a partnership for MCC to offer Texas Tech bachelor’s degrees through its University Center.
Michaelis described the talks as “promising” and “exciting,” though he said the discussion is still in the early stages.
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Police identify two more killed in fiery crash
Freestone County officials have released the names of two men who were among three who died in a fiery crash early Monday.
Jorge Castaneda, 40, and Rodolfo Gomez, 41, both of Mesquite, died about 4:50 a.m. when Castaneda’s 1996 Ford F-150 pickup collided head-on with a 2004 Honda Ridgeline on State Highway 14, one mile north of Farm-to-Market Road 27 in Freestone County, a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman said.
The Honda’s driver, 42-year-old Sammy McGowan of Wortham, also died in the accident.
The spokesman said McGowan was driving north on Highway 14 when the southbound pickup crossed the median, striking the Honda, and caught fire.
A 1996 Ford Explorer then crashed into the F-150, the spokesman said. Its three occupants were taken to Parkview Regional Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
The spokesman said the three men were from Corsicana, but would not release their names citing hospital confidentiality agreements.
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Waco bicycle ice cream vendor robbed at gunpoint
Waco police arrested a man tonight in the armed robbery of a bicycle ice cream vendor.
The ice cream man was robbed at gunpoint about 5:20 p.m. when he was working on 23rd Street, in between Mitchell and Lyle avenues, a Waco police spokeswoman said.
The vendor flagged down a Waco police officer and told him the direction the robber fled, the spokeswoman said.
Officers caught up with the robbery suspect a few blocks away, she said. She could not say how much money or merchandise was stolen. The arrested man’s name has not been released.
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Taxpayer Field? Kinda has a ring to it
Two New York City Council members say that Citigroup should show its thanks for a federal bailout by sharing the naming rights to the new Mets ballpark in Queens.
The struggling bank is slated to pay $400 million over the next 20 years to name the stadium Citi Field.
The bank made the commitment years ago, when it was flush with cash. Now that Citigroup is getting billions of dollars in federal aid, Staten Island Republicans Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo say the ballpark’s name should be changed to Citi/Taxpayer Field.
Citigroup and Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon have been saying that they have no plan to alter the naming-rights deal for the ballpark, which hosts its regular-season opener April 13.
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Waco’s CareNet, Humane Society win contest
Two Waco organization will receive the top two prizes in the Perry Office Plus $25,000 Charity Office Makeover contest. CareNet Pregnancy Center of Central Texas and the Waco Humane Society received the top two prizes after the public voted in an online survey.
CareNet will receive an office makeover from Perry Office Plus worth up to $25,000 in office furniture, space planning, design and installation services. Both winners will receive an office prize package of office machines, artwork and supplies worth up to $1,000, including products from HP, Smead, Zebra and Acco Brands.
Updates on the makeover will be posted online at www.perryop.com.
More than 40 contest entries were received from area non-profit organizations, who described their need for an office facelift and seven from Waco, Temple, Killeen, Copperas Cove, Belton and College Station were chosen as finalists. Finalists were chosen based on need, lack of office functionality, and community impact.
“Non-profits struggle enough, but especially during uncertain economic times, and we want to encourage the public to continue to support local charities in the days ahead,” said Perry Office Plus Sales and Marketing Director Bonnie Hunt.
The other finalists were: Central Texas Youth Services (Belton), Cornerstone Christian Academy (College Station), Cove House Emergency Homeless Shelter (Copperas Cove), Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity, and Ralph Wilson Youth Clubs of Temple.
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Waco trash collection changes for holidays
Waco residents whose trash collection is normally Thursday will need to take the garbage out a day early this week.
Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, Thursday’s routes will be collected on Wednesday.
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Meager pecan crop saved by last year’s abundance
The state’s pecan crop is one of the smallest in years, but the holidays won’t be ruined if you want to gobble the sweet goodness of pecan pie or give away festive tins of the salty treats.
Last year’s bountiful harvest is supplementing the shortfall. Stored pecans can last for years and appear a bit darker because of their oil, but are just as tasty, agriculture officials said.
“There are plenty of pecans to buy,” said Jose Pena, an extension economist with Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Uvalde. “If you close your eyes and taste one (from each year), they’re identical.”
This year Texas is expected to produce 32 million pounds of pecans. For the second consecutive year the state trails Georgia, on track to produce 70 million pounds, and New Mexico, projected at 45 million, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The nationwide total is expected to be 204 million.
Last year’s Texas pecan crop of 70 million pounds was part of the nationwide total of 385.3 million pounds, the highest in a decade or more, according to the USDA.
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New Jersey church shooting suspect in court
A California man accused of killing his estranged wife and another man in a New Jersey church has appeared in court in Georgia, where he was arrested Monday night.
Joseph Pallipurath of Sacramento waived his right to extradition today in a court in Monroe, about 40 miles east of Atlanta.
Georgia authorities say they will arrange his return with New Jersey authorities within 10 days.
The 27-year-old was wearing a jail jumpsuit and shackles. He answered only “yes” and “no” to the judge’s questions on the charges and extradition process. He did not have an attorney.
Pallipurath is suspected of shooting and killing his wife, 24-year-old Reshma James, and another man at the St. Thomas Syrian Orthodox Knanaya Church in Clifton on Sunday.
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Dow Jones slips into reverse
U.S. stocks tilted lower Tuesday, erasing an earlier advance, as energy and technology shares dragged down the overall market, offsetting cheer over the government’s plan to help revive the economy.
“If the Fed and the Treasury are backing the U.S. financial system, who is backing the U.S.?” asked Tony Crescenzi, bond strategist at Miller Tabak. “For now, investors are putting this question aside and believing that such doomsday scenarios are a low probability.”
After an initial triple-digit rise, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was lately down 81.24 points to 8,362.15, with 19 of its 30 components posting declines.
General Motors Corp. was among the Dow’s laggards, with shares of the automaker sliding 5.2 percent.
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State seeks DNA of sect baby
Texas child welfare authorities have asked a judge to order a teenage member of a polygamist sect to allow them to examine her newborn and collect DNA to determine if the baby’s father is an adult.
Child Protective Services said in a court filing that the girl gave birth to the baby June 14, less than two weeks after she and the other 438 children taken from the Yearning For Zion Ranch were returned from foster care to their parents.
The girl is a minor and CPS believes she was married to an adult male in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when she was 14, said attorney John Dolezal in the Nov. 14 motion requesting a court order. He said efforts to get the girl to voluntarily allow CPS to examine the newborn and collect DNA have been rebuffed.
A hearing on the issue is scheduled before Texas District Judge Barbara Walther this afternoon.
CPS collected DNA from all the children swept from the ranch in Eldorado in April, but the baby was born after the teen mother was returned to her parents.
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Colorado town forces noise offenders to listen to Manilow
This is a hilarious story from CNN. A judge in the town of Fort Lupton, Colo., has an inspired way of punishing teenaged noise offenders … make them listen to Barry Manilow, among other softer music. Check out the CNN video below:
This story also was mentioned on our Access Now blog.
And if you’re now in the mood for a little Manilow, I offer …
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Fort Hood soldier killed in Iraq
Fort Hood has announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Here’s the release:
Sgt. 1st Class Miguel Antonio Wilson, 36, of Bonham, Texas, died Nov. 21 in Abu Sayf, Iraq, of injuries sustained during a rescue attempt of another soldier while their unit was conducting a dismounted reconnaissance mission.
Wilson joined the military in January 1997 as an indirect fire infantryman and was assigned to, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment since September 2006.
He deployed November 2007.
Sgt. 1st Class Wilson’s decorations and awards include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and Overseas Service Ribbon.
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Piano mysteriously placed in woods
I’m thinking college prank when it comes to this CNN story about the mysterious appearance of a piano, in good working condition, in the middle of the woods in Massachusetts.
Click here for more, if you’re interested.
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And now … today’s pirate update
Those Somali pirates who hijacked a Saudi supertanker loaded with crude oil have moved the ship farther out to sea after an extremist Islamic group vowed to fight the bandits because they seized a Muslim-owned vessel, witnesses said today, according to an Associated Press story.
Somali pirates seized the Sirius Star on Nov. 15 in their most audacious hijacking to date off the coast of this lawless country. The vessel is carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil worth about $100 million.
The British Broadcasting Corp. reported today that they contacted a pirate on board the Sirius Star who said the ship owner has not contacted them and that they have not yet set a ransom.
This could get really interesting.
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Waco-area cafes make Texas Monthly Top 40 list
Two area small-town cafes were named among the 40 best small-town cafes by Texas Monthly, which loves to criss-cross the state and find these gems.
The one closest to Waco is Donald Citrano’s Coffee Shop Cafe in McGregor, which already is famous because it’s been a stop for President Bush, Secret Service personnel and the media following our 43rd president. Next closest is Sister’s in Marlin.
There’s also this handy online Google map of the selections, along with a short writeup when you click on the button.
The cafes are featured in the December issue. You can preview them online here, but to read the story, you’d have to be a Texas Monthly subscriber or join online.
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Six people in McLennan County being treated for rabies
Handling a cute little kitten now has six people in McLennan County receiving post-exposure rabies vaccinations to prevent the illness, according to a press release by the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District.
On Nov. 17, a confirmed case of rabies in a kitten was reported to the health district.
Read the rest of the release here:
Due to concerns about the potential of additional persons being exposed to this confirmed animal rabies case, the Health District is releasing additional case information to identify all other persons who may have been bitten by this rabid kitten, so they can receive post exposure rabies vaccinations to prevent rabies.
The rabid kitten was described as a two to three-month-old red (orange) tabby male that stayed near the address listed below (Rosenthal area, off of Hwy 77):
Pina’s Country Store and Cafe, 3857 S. Robinson Dr., Lorena, TX 76655
If you or someone you know were at the Country Store between Nov. 2 and Nov. 13 and were bitten by this kitten (or injured through a scratch with the kitten’s saliva contacting that fresh wound), contact your primary care physician immediately to discuss your risks. If a valid exposure has occurred, rabies post exposure vaccinations should be administered promptly to prevent this fatal disease.
A rabies exposure is defined as (1) an animal bite which breaks the skin or (2) exposure of broken skin (bled or had serious drainage within the past 24 hours) or mucous membranes to saliva or cerebrospinal fluid. Also, please contact the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District at (254) 750-5411.
This incident serves as a reminder to avoid handling stray animals. Think twice about petting any animal, particularly an unfamiliar animal, to avoid being bitten or scratched. Not only do bites and scratches hurt, but the animal’s saliva may pose a rabies virus exposure risk. All mammals, including humans, are susceptible to rabies. This deadly viral disease is usually found in Texas wildlife, most notably skunks, bats, raccoons, coyotes and foxes, but it can spill over from these animals into unvaccinated domestic animals.
For more information on rabies prevention, please contact the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District at 254-750-5411 or the Department of State Health Services Web site at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/rabies.
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Patrol car used to dry out stolen cash
Investigators say two bank robbery suspects in Houston were detained Monday shortly after a holdup in which some of the cash ended up tossed in a bayou.
KHOU-TV video shows a law officer laying out some of the recovered, soaked bills on a patrol car to dry.
A Harris County sheriff’s deputy happened to be at the scene when a bank was robbed. He followed the suspects as they drove away.
KHOU reports the chase led to a Houston apartment complex, where the man and woman fled. She was soon caught.
The male suspect was captured in some brush with the help of search dogs, leading to an area near Halls Bayou where some water-logged cash was recovered.
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Wall Street making gains for third day
Wall Street extended its advance to a third day today after the government announced it is readying a program to aid companies that issue credit cards, make student loans and finance car purchases.
The Dow Jones industrial average is up about 100 points.
The Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve said they plan to provide $800 billion to help unfreeze the market for consumer debt and to make mortgage loans cheaper and more available. The program is aimed at reviving moribund credit markets.
The government, while looking to reduce fear in the credit markets, is eager to see lenders like credit card companies resume more normal levels of lending to help stimulate the economy. Since September, when credit markets first froze, financial institutions have been hesitant to hand over money for fear they won’t be repaid. That, in turn, has made it harder for businesses and consumers to borrow.
The government’s latest effort to combat the fear hobbling the marketplace overshadowed a report that the nation’s overall economic output shrank in the July-September quarter faster than initially estimated as consumers slashed spending by the most in 28 years.
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Economy’s slide worse in 3rd quarter than thought
The economy took a tumble in the summer that was worse than first thought as American consumers throttled back their spending by the most in 28 years, further proof the country is almost certainly in the throes of a painful recession.
The updated reading on the economy’s performance, released today by the Commerce Department, showed gross domestic product shrank at a 0.5 percent annual rate in the July-September quarter.
That was weaker than the 0.3 percent rate of decline first estimated a month ago, and marked the worst showing since the economy contracted at a 1.4 percent pace in the third quarter of 2001, when the nation was suffering through its last recession.
GDP measures the value of all goods and services produced within the U.S. and is considered the best barometer of the country’s economic fitness.
The new reading on GDP underscores just how quickly the economy deteriorated as housing, credit and financial crises intensified. The economy logged growth of 2.8 percent in the second quarter.
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Forecasters missed the mark this morning
Yes, it was colder than predicted this morning. The forecasts I saw yesterday and watching the local news last night predicted a low in the upper 30s. We hit freezing pretty resoundingly, reaching 27 degrees between 4:51 and 5:51 a.m. at Waco Regional Airport.
McGregor Executive Airport also recorded that low a temperature. Hillsboro hit 30.
But the freezing temps are already gone as we’re at 33 degrees and will warm up quickly under sunny skies. Our high will be around near 68 with a southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
The clouds will start moving in this evening, and our low will only get to around 49.
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