Home > Waco Breaking News > Archives > 2008 > November
November 2008
Laura Bush: Dallas on weekdays, Crawford on weekends
Laura Bush soon will no longer live in the country’s most famous mansion or be able to get away to the coveted Camp David presidential retreat. But beyond the perks, she says what she will miss most about being first lady are the staff and friends who surround her.
“I’ll miss all the people that are around us all the time, from the ushers and butlers who are there for every president … to our own staff, of course, that we love to laugh with and talk with and solve problems with,” she said in a televised interview broadcast Sunday. “So I’ll miss the people the most.”
President George W. Bush’s tenure ends on Jan. 20, when President-elect Barack Obama will take office. The Bushes plan to return to Texas, where they will likely spend their weeks in Dallas and weekends at their secluded ranch near Crawford.
The first lady has given advice to Michelle Obama about making the White House a warm, family home. The Bushes’ grown daughters, Jenna and Barbara, have given some playful tips about having fun in the executive mansion to the Obamas’ young daughters, Malia and Sasha.
Laura Bush recalled in the interview that she met the Obamas a few years ago at a reception for freshmen senators; Barack Obama had been elected as an Illinois senator. Asked if she viewed them back then as a prospective president and first lady, Laura Bush said: “I don’t know if I would say that. But I certainly saw somebody who was very ambitious and accomplished — in both of them.”
She jokingly referred to the start of her post-White House years as “the afterlife.”
The first lady spoke on NBC’s “Meet the Press” in a taped interview that focused largely on her advocacy for women and girls in Afghanistan. She encouraged Americans not to forget about Afghanistan, particularly as the militant Taliban, which brutally represses women, is fighting to re-establish itself.
“Our tendency in the United States is to become isolationist, become protectionist,” she said. “I hope people in the United States will look outside of our life here in the United States and do what they can both financially, to be able to support the people of Afghanistan, and then every other way.”
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Fire danger warning, wind advisory
Waco and surrounding counties are under a red flag warning for wildfire danger from noon to 6 today. A wind advisory is already in effect.
From the warning: NORTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WITH OCCASIONAL GUSTS NEAR 40 MPH WILL DEVELOP THIS MORNING BEHIND A COLD FRONT. RELATIVE HUMIDITIES BELOW 30 PERCENT WILL ALSO EXIST IN THE WARNING AREA. CONDITIONS WILL BE THE MOST DANGEROUS DURING THE AFTERNOON HOURS WHEN WINDS ARE STRONGEST AND HUMIDITIES ARE THE LOWEST.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Weather
Waco area under red flag warning Sunday
Waco and surrounding counties are under a red flag warning from noon to 6 pm Sunday. From the warning text:
NORTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 35 MPH AND HIGHER GUSTS … AND SURFACE HUMIDITY FALLING TO 30 PERCENT OR LESS WILL CREATE A VERY DANGEROUS WILDFIRE SITUATION ACROSS THE WARNING AREA SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Weather
Wisconsin hands Lady Bears 1st loss of season, 59-58
Melissa Jones missed two free throws with a half-second left on the clock, preserving a 59-58 victory for Wisconsin over the sixth-ranked Baylor women’s basketball team today in the title game of the Paradise Jam tournament in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Alyssa Karel gave Wisconsin (5-1) its only lead of the game with a bucket with 7.3 seconds remaining.
Jones was fouled on a put-back attempt right at the buzzer, but missed a chance to win the game or at least send it to overtime.
Baylor (6-1) will return to action next Saturday at home against St. John’s.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Baylor men defeat No. 14 Arizona State, 87-78, advance to tourney final
The Baylor men’s basketball team defeated No. 14 Arizona State, 87-78, late tonight at the 76 Classic in Anaheim, Calif.
LaceDarius Dunn led Baylor with 27 points, including six 3-pointers, and Curtis Jerrells added 22.
After the Bears took a 61-46 lead midway through the second half, James Harden helped the Sun Devils cut the lead to as little as four (82-78) with four 3-pointers. However, Baylor was able to make its free throws in the final two minutes and close out the game.
Harden finished with 32 points.
Baylor (6-0) advances to play No. 19 Wake Forest in the tournament championship game at 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Arizona State (4-1) will play UTEP in the third-place game at 7 p.m. Sunday.
Click here for a full report.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Lady Bears defeat Villanova, 62-57, at Paradise Jam
Villanova put a scare into Baylor’s perfect season, but the Lady Bears survived.
Sixth-ranked Baylor saw its lead of as many as 21 points trimmed to three with 2:29 remaining, but made the plays it needed down the stretch in a 62-57 win over Villanova today at the Paradise Jam tournament.
Villanova (2-3) trailed by 16 points at the half, but managed to make a second-half surge behind some scorching shooting from behind the 3-point arc. Meanwhile, Baylor (6-0) couldn’t find the range for much of the second half, hitting just six of its first 21 shots and going more than six minutes without a field goal.
Ultimately, little plays made the difference, as Melissa Jones picked up a key offensive rebound with the Lady Bears up 3 in the waning minutes, and Baylor made two steals defensively.
Jessica Morrow, shooting 28 percent on the season coming into the game, broke out of her slump with a team-high 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Police look for credit union robber
Waco police are looking for a man who robbed the First University Credit Union this afternoon.
The suspect entered the credit union, 605 S. Univeristy-Parks Drive, and told a teller he had a gun, Waco police spokesman Steve Anderson said. He never produced a gun, and no one was injured.
The man fled the building toward Interstate 35 with an undisclosed amount of money. Police do not yet have a detailed description of the suspect.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Police & crime
Police investigate credit union hold-up
Waco police are at the scene now of a hold-up at First University Credit Union, 605 S. University-Parks Drive.
Reporter Cody Winchester is on the way to find out more. Check back for details on wacotrib.com.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Shopper voices: everything but the kitchen sink
At Kohl’s department store, doors opened at 4 a.m. and a little shoving took place as two different lines tried to enter the store at the same time.
Julie King, 17, of Axtell, was the first in line when the Target Greatland store opened at 6 a.m. King said she arrived at the store at about 1:30 a.m.
Royce Henley, 41 of China Spring, wasn’t kidding when he said he was shopping for appliances at Sears. He said he was in the market for a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher and washer/dryer.
“It seems like everything went out at once and needed to be replaced,” he said.
Laura Hawkes, 49, of Robinson, followed her annual tradition by hitting the stores early and often. She said she probably will spend less this year because of tough economic times.
“I still have my job, but some people in our family have lost theirs, and I wouldn’t want them to feel like they have to give big gifts,” said Hawkes.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Shopper voices: 90 minutes to check out?
Kim Ince of Lake Whitney got a REALLY early start on her Black Friday shopping. Early as in, she actually started at 11 p.m. yesterday at Hillsboro’s outlet mall. Leaving there at 2 a.m., she slept a couple hours and then hit Target and Richland Mall in Waco.
She’s buying mostly for her children and a grandchild, she told the Trib’s Regina Dennis.
She’s spending less this year, but noticed she’s had plenty of company in looking for bargains.
Kim Bennett of Hewitt started at 4 a.m. at Kohl’s, Target and Old Navy and then went to Richland Mall. Her big find: Bath and Body Works had some great discounts, and workers were giving away a gift bag with purchases that carried about $100 in free products.
She’s out with the grandkids — who must be much more patient than MY son: They were in line for 90 minutes waiting to check out at Old Navy earlier this morning. Now that’s dedication.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
New airport manager brings experience from Del Rio
Joel C. Martinez, 30, who previously served as director of Del Rio International Airport, confirmed today that he has been hired as director of Waco Regional Airport.
Martinez will succeed Richard Howell, who left Waco Regional to serve as manager of airports in San Luis Obispo County, Calif., not far from where he grew up in Santa Barbara.
Martinez has resigned his position in Del Rio and said his first day on the job in Waco is Dec. 15.
He grew up in Del Rio but said Waco Regional Airport offers him an opportunity to work for a larger operation.
“In Del Rio, we have about 17,000 passengers a year. You have about 85,000 enplanements,” said Martinez, speaking by phone from his home in Del Rio.
Waco City Manager Larry Groth confirmed that Martinez was offered the job after a round of interviews with several applicants. “He stood out from the rest,” said Groth.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Tragedy in the name of getting a bargain
Black Friday got completely out of hand at one New York Walmart, according to a New York Daily News article, leaving one worker dead and causing a pregnant shopper to allegedly miscarry.
All this to get a good deal?
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Navarro County man dies in rollover wreck
A Navarro County man is dead after a rollover accident early Thursday morning.
Adam Scott Lewis, 26, of Mildred, was driving southbound on County Road 1090 just east of Corsicana about 1:35 a.m. when his 1991 Nissan pickup ran off the road, a Texas Department of Public Safety spokeswoman said. Lewis overcorrected, causing his pickup to roll over and hit a fence, she said.
Conditions at the time were foggy, the spokeswoman said. Lewis was not wearing his seatbelt, she said.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Got a great deal? Have a Black Friday beef? Let us know
I’m not an early riser if I can help it. And I hate crowds. And I pretty much always work the Friday after Thanksgiving. So I’ve never joined in the Black Friday thing.
Did you know that the day after Thanksgiving is called Black Friday because it was, historically, the day that many retailers moved into the black, or became profitable for the year? So says the New York Times.
Are you out there doing your bit for the economy? Are you already done shopping for the day? Where’d you get your best deal? Whose parking lot is the most packed? Let us know about your experiences today (and whether you’re up for doing it next year).
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Early shoppers beating the rain
Trib photographer Rod Aydelotte was on the job at 4 a.m. today, snapping photos of about 2,000 diehard shoppers lined up at Kohl’s (and one small scuffle when folks tried to cut in line). He reports that Best Buy and Target were also full of early birds.
Good thing they’re out early, because we’ve got a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms today. Hope everyone gets those gifts in the trunk before the rain starts coming down.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Baylor men defeat Providence in 76 Classic opener, 72-56
Kevin Rogers collected 16 points and seven rebounds to lead Baylor to a 72-56 win over Providence in the opening round of the 76 Classic late Thursday night.
The Bears (5-0) advanced to the semifinals against No. 14 Arizona State (4-0) at 11:30 CDT tonight at the Anaheim Convention Center. Arizona State beat Charlotte, 84-56, earlier today.
For a full game report, click here.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Lady Bears defeat Central Florida in Paradise Jam opener, 79-67
The sixth-ranked Baylor Lady Bears feasted on Central Florida’s turnovers in garnering a comfortable Thanksgiving Day win.
Baylor got its fast-break game off and running thanks to UCF’s turnover problems in a 79-67 victory over the Knights at the Paradise Jam Tournament at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas.
Baylor (5-0) led just 18-15 midway through the first half, but upped its defensive pressure to increase its advantage to 12 at 39-27 by halftime.
The Lady Bears emerged from the locker room after halftime with a hot touch, increasing their lead to 20 on a Morghan Medlock turnaround with just over 11 minutes remaining. With Baylor’s starters all resting in the final minutes, UCF (1-3) took advantage with a late spurt to trim the final gap to 12, but the Lady Bears were never threatened.
Baylor will continue action at the Paradise Jam at 2:30 p.m. Friday against Villanova, a 47-45 loser to Wisconsin earlier Thursday.
Read Brice Cherry’s tournament preview here.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Roads, airport starting to slow with holiday traffic
Looks like there are some travel snags for Thanksgiving travelers.
A spokeswoman for Continental Airlines in Waco said flights are two hours delayed. The next flight to Houston leaves at 6:20 p.m. She the problems are related to delayed air travel throughout the country. A spokeswoman for American Eagle said their planes are all on time.
A spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Public Safety said southbound traffic on Interstate 35 is slow but steady. She said northbound traffic, however, is backed up due to several minor accidents north of Waco. She said crews are working to clear the accidents. No major injuries have been reported and no lanes have been closed.
Check back at wacotrib.com for updates.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Deadline for Toys for Tots registration nears
The Salvation Army of Waco sent us this release about registering for Toys for Tots.
Thousands of children in McLennan County will not experience the joy and excitement that Christmas brings this year for many different reasons, however, through the Marines Toys for Tots Foundation; you can make a child’s wish become reality.
The Salvation Army of Waco will conduct its last week of Marines Corps Toy for Tots Registration on December 1-5. Registration will be at The Salvation Army of Waco located at 1225 S. Jack Kultgen Expressway from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Applicants should bring a Valid Driver’s License or other government issued photo I.D, Birth Certificate of each child, and proof of residence (utility bill) at the time of registration.
“We do our best to help as many people we can in need immediate assistance,” said Rosa Burks, Director of Social Services for The Salvation Army. ”We really want the public to know that (The Salvation Army) is a free service, not just for the holidays, but all year round.”
This free assistance program is provided to low income individuals who are registered for Toys for Tots through The Salvation Army. Parents can receive their toys at scheduled appointment times during the days of December 18, 19, 20 and 21 at the Toy Warehouse located at 800 Schroeder (by the Room Store) off Franklin Drive.
This program involves the entire community by directly allowing them to become personally involved through sharing with those less fortunate in their community, by providing gifts of new toys to thousands of children throughout the community who otherwise might not have anything for Christmas.
“It’s so exciting to see the looks on the parent’s faces as they are able to fulfill their children’s Christmas dreams, said Captain Tracey Czajkowksi, Commanding Officer. “This is made possible by the generosity of the people of the McLennan County.”
Last year, 77,318 toys were provided to local children during the Marines Toys for Tots Foundation.
During, the 2007 Kettle Campaign, The Salvation Army was able to help thousands of local families, children and shut-ins experience a joyous holiday season. They distributed 4,210 gifts to local nursing homes, hospitals, and veterans, provided over 800 meals on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day and helped 9,872 individuals in the month of December through the Social Service Program.
For more information about The Salvation Army holiday programs, to donate or volunteer, please contact the local Salvation Army in Waco at 254-756-7271, or stop by and see us at 1225 S. Jack Kultgen Expressway.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas, Nonprofit news
Odd Waco connection to fatal crash near Chicago
The Chicago Tribune has this story today about a deadly joyriding crash that killed two teenagers and injured three youngsters. Several paragraphs into the article is a mention that the car in the accident was bought by a Waco woman for her 21-year-old daughter.
According to a sheriff’s department there, the daughter allowed a 15-year-old who she thought was 18 to borrow her car to run an errand. Instead, he went joyriding on a stretch of road long known for attracting fast drivers, police say.
Sadly, it’s the type of thing that could happen anywhere.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, National news
Alleged drunk driver runs over himself
How’s this for cosmic karma? A 21-year-old man in New Mexico accused of driving drunk and leading police on a chase ended with him running over himself. And he suffered only minor injuries.
Read the story here.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, National news, Weird & wacky
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.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
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.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
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.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
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.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
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.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
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.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Around the state
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.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas
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.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Health
Dunn leads Bears past Jacksonville
PHOTOS
LaceDarius Dunn buried seven treys and scored a game-high 23 points as Baylor overcame Jacksonville, 76-68, Monday night at the Ferrell Center.
Curtis Jerrells collected 17 points and eight assists as the Bears improved to 4-0.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Three killed in fiery collision
Three people were killed this morning in a fiery three-vehicle crash in which two people were trapped in a burning vehicle.
The collision happened about 4:50 a.m. on State Highway 14, one mile north of Farm-to-Market Road 27 in Freestone County, a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman said.
Sammy McGowan, 42, of Wortham, died when his 2004 Honda Ridgeline collided head-on with a 1996 Ford F-150 pickup, the spokesman said.
McGowan was driving north on Highway 14 when, for an unknown reason, the southbound pickup crossed the median, going into oncoming traffic, the spokesman said.
A 1996 Ford Explorer then crashed into the F-150, causing the pickup to catch fire with its two occupants trapped inside. Those names have not been released, pending identification, the spokesman said. Their bodies were sent to the Dallas Medical Examiner’s office for autopsies.
The threein the Explorer were taken to Parkview Regional Hospital in Mexia with non-life threatening injuries, the spokesman said. Their names were unavailable this afternoon.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Baylor ‘pinwheels’ campaign ends today
If you stroll along the Baylor campus this morning, you should see about 3,000 pinwheels at Fountain Mall.
The Baylor Social Justice group is leading the “Pinwheels for PLC (Preemptive Love Coalition)” campaign today. The 3,000 pinwheels represent the number of children in Iraq who need heart surgery.
The Preemptive Love Coalition is a nonprofit organization that exists to fund heart surgeries for the children in Iraq who are dying of heart disease. PLC has an office in Iraq assisting the children and families, along with an office in Texas that raises funds and handles the administrative end of the organization.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor University
SpaceX issues statement on concerns caused by Saturday night’s test
MORE
The following press statement was issued moments ago by SpaceX about its test Saturday night in McGregor:
Dear Greater Waco Area Residents,
We appreciate your feedback regarding our recent test as it allows us to improve our notification process to the surrounding community.
Since we began operations in 2003, SpaceX has conducted over 2000 tests, and nearly ten have been multiple engine tests at similar times of day. During these previous tests, we did not receive complaints from citizens in your area. The weather on November 22, with low clouds and cool temperatures, drastically affected the distance the sound and light travelled. We began test procedures for this particular test at 7:00am on Friday, Nov. 21 and executed it as quickly as possible, working through hundreds of pages of procedures designed to keep the community, staff, and hardware safe. While no further tests are planned for this stage in McGregor, in the future we will increase our notification to include local news media and law enforcement in McLennan, Coryell, Bell, and Falls counties.
As a resident of Central Texas for over 25 years, with family in the area, it is extremely important to me, as well as all of SpaceX, who choose to raise their families in the area, that our testing is safe for local residents. The propellants used are non-toxic and environmentally friendly, In fact—the Falcon 9 burns a higher grade of kerosene (more environmentally friendly) than a 747 and burns only about half of what a single 747 flight does. The smoke you may have seen was composed mostly of steam and dust.
SpaceX strives to be a good corporate neighbor, bring high technology jobs to the area, and stimulate the local economy. We are proud to have operations in McGregor and make use of facilities which have historically played such an important role in American history. Engines which propelled American astronauts to the moon and back were developed and tested here, as well as the Sidewinder and Phoenix missiles.
The launch vehicle engines tested last night will soon take cargo, and eventually crew, to the International Space Station. Falcon 9 represents the only medium to heavy lift rocket that is 100 percent Made in America and with this vehicle—SpaceX will bring leadership in launch back to the US. The leadership role is currently held by former Soviet Republics, France, and China.
Permalink | Comments (23) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Press release on SpaceX rocket firing
MORE
The following press release about last night’s rocket test in McGregor was retrieved from SpaceX.com today.
SpaceX Successfully Conducts Full Mission-Length Firing of its Falcon 9 Launch Vehicle
Significant Milestone Achieved as SpaceX Prepares to Demonstrate U.S. Transport to the International Space Station
HAWTHORNE, CA — November 23, 2008 - Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) successfully conducted a full mission-length firing of its Falcon 9 launch vehicle’s first stage at its McGregor Test Facility in Texas, on November 22. For the static test firing, the first stage remains firmly secured to the massive vertical test stand, where it fired for 178 seconds or nearly three minutes — simulating the climb of the giant rocket from the surface of the Earth towards orbit.
At full power, the rocket generated 855,000 pounds of force at sea level. In vacuum, the thrust increases to approximately one million pounds or four times the maximum thrust of a 747 aircraft. The test consumed over half a million pounds of propellant. All nine engines fired for 160 seconds, then two engines were shut down to limit the acceleration and the remaining seven engines continued firing for 18 more seconds, as would occur in a typical climb to orbit.
The test firing validated the design of SpaceX’s use of nine engines on the first stage, as well as the ability to shut down engines without affecting the functioning of the remaining engines. This demonstrates the ability of Falcon 9 to lose engines in flight and still complete its mission successfully, much as a commercial airliner is designed to be safe in the event of an engine loss. Like an airliner, the Falcon 9 engines are enclosed in a protective sheath that ensures a fire or destructive loss of an engine doesn’t affect the rest of the vehicle.
The Falcon 9 will be the first vehicle since the Saturn V and Saturn 1 to have the ability to lose any engine/motor and still be able to complete its mission without loss of crew or spacecraft. Engine out reliability proved crucial to mission success on two of the Saturn V flights.
“In the past month, we performed significant upgrades to the test stand and flame trench in preparation for this test,” said Tom Mueller, Vice President of Propulsion for SpaceX. “We added the flight base heat shields around the engines to protect the bottom of the rocket from the prolonged blast of heat and vibration.”
“The full mission-length test firing clears the highest hurdle for the Falcon 9 first stage before launch,” said Elon Musk, CEO and CTO of SpaceX. “In the next few months, we will have the first Falcon 9 flight vehicle on its launch pad at Cape Canaveral, preparing for lift-off in 2009.”
About SpaceX
SpaceX is developing a family of launch vehicles intended to increase the reliability and reduce the cost of both manned and unmanned space transportation, ultimately by a factor of ten. With its Falcon line of launch vehicles, powered by internally-developed Merlin engines, SpaceX offers light, medium and heavy lift capabilities to deliver spacecraft into any altitude and inclination, from low-Earth to geosynchronous orbit to planetary missions.
On September 28, 2008, Falcon 1, designed and manufactured from the ground up by SpaceX, became the first privately-developed liquid fuel rocket to orbit the Earth.
As a winner of the NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services competition (COTS), SpaceX is in a position to help fill the gap in American spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS) when the Space Shuttle retires in 2010. Under the existing Agreement, SpaceX will conduct three flights of its Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft for NASA, culminating in Dragon berthing with the ISS. SpaceX is the only COTS contender with the capability to return cargo to Earth and demonstrate the capability to carry crew to and from the ISS.
Founded in 2002, the SpaceX team now numbers nearly 600, located primarily in Hawthorne, California, with four additional locations: SpaceX’s Texas Test Facility in McGregor near Waco; offices in Washington DC; and launch facilities at Cape Canaveral, Florida, and the Marshall Islands in the Central Pacific.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Around Central Texas, Technology
Police: Men robbed Bellmead store and stole clerk’s car
Bellmead police are looking for two men wanted in connection with a Saturday night convenience store robbery, authorities said.
Two men wearing masks and gloves and brandishing guns, entered the Phillips 66 gas station at 2004 Bellmead Drive about 8:30 p.m. and demanded money from the clerk, Bellmead police said in a press release.
The men, armed with a shotgun and a chrome revolver, took an undetermined amount of cash from the store and locked the 28-year-old clerk into a closet, police said.
The men also took the keys to the clerk’s 2004 Nissan Sentra and fled east on Spur 299, off Waco Drive. Police say the car was recovered later that evening in the 2000 block of Hoffman Street in Waco.
Bellmead police ask anyone with information regarding this robbery to call 799-0251.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Lady Bears steam past Rice
PHOTOS
- gallery: Baylor Lady Bears vs. Rice
HOUSTON — All five of Baylor’s starters scored in double figures as the 10th-ranked Lady Bears rolled over Rice, 83-58, in their first road test of the season this afternoon at Rice’s Tudor Fieldhouse.
After leading just 16-14 midway through the first half, Baylor (4-0) took control with an 11-2 run fueled by a couple of nice passes from senior guard Jessica Morrow that led to baskets.
Rachel Allison tallied a double-double for the second time this season, and both times she’s done it by halftime. Allison finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds, while sophomore guard Melissa Jones also had a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards.
Morrow chipped in 14 points, four rebounds and three steals, while Jhasmin Player scored 12 and Danielle Wilson added 11.
D’Frantz Smart, Rice’s waterbug guard, led the Owls (2-1) with 14 points, six assists and five steals. Megan Elliott added 11 points for Rice.
Baylor’s next action will be Thursday against Central Florida at the Paradise Jam Tournament in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Massive rocket test in McGregor rattles Central Texas
MORE
Update: SpaceX responds to residents’ concerns about Saturday night rocket test
The orange glow seen over McGregor late Saturday night wasn’t a bomb explosion or a Martian invasion.
Around 10:30 p.m., SpaceX, a private space exploration technologies company, tested its nine-engine Falcon 9 rocket at the McGregor Airport, said Lauren Dreyer, manager of business development for SpaceX.
Dreyer said the 177-second-long, nine-engine “mission duty cycle” was a complete success.
“We ran the engines just like they would run during flight,” Dreyer said. “But instead of being up in the air, they were held down. They weren’t moving.”
SpaceX is working on rockets to travel to the International Space Station, Dreyer said.
A Waco police spokeswoman said her department received dozens of calls from concerned citizens inquiring about the test, but Dreyer said SpaceX had been working with the McGregor community during the week, placing a notice in the McGregor Mirror and on the marquee in front of McGregor High School.
“This is something the public should be excited about,” Dreyer said. “It’s nothing to worry about.”
Dreyer said anyone with questions about Space X should contact her at lauren@spacex.com.
To read previous a previous Tribune-Herald profile of SpaceX, click here.
For the SpaceX press release on the test, click here.
Permalink | Comments (149) | Post your comment |
Baylor freshman sets Big 12 record in 85-43 win over Southern
PHOTOS
- gallery: Check out photos from Bears' win
Freshman Quincy Acy hit all five shots to set a Big 12 record by making 18 straight field goals this season as Baylor roared past Southern, 85-43, today at the Ferrell Center.
Acy finished with a team-high 15 points while grabbing five rebounds.
Baylor guard Henry Dugat nearly recorded a triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Lady Bears roll past Stephen F. Austin, 77-42
It wasn’t always pretty, but the Baylor Lady Bears will take it.
No. 10 Baylor limited Stephen F. Austin to 32 percent shooting in a relatively easy 77-42 romp tonight at the Ferrell Center.
Baylor (3-0) built an overwhelming 41-9 lead by halftime, holding the Ladyjacks (2-1) scoreless for a 14-minute span at one point. However, the Lady Bears played sluggishly and sloppily at times in the second half, forcing a bevy of tough passes and finishing with 19 turnovers.
Jhasmin Player and Melissa Jones tied for high-point honors for Baylor with 13 apiece.
Tammara Marion led SFA with 12.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Margaret Mills to spend first night in prison tonight
Margaret Mills will spend her first night in prison tonight.
Mills, 67, who pleaded guilty earlier this month to embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars as executive director of Downtown Waco Inc., rode a McLennan County Sheriff’s Office bus Friday with several other women prisoners to the Woodman State Jail in Gatesville.
Mills had been housed in the McLennan County Jail’s medical segregation unit since 54th State District Judge Matt Johnson sentenced her to nine years in prison Nov. 10. The Woodman unit is an intake facility where new prisoners go through the classification process, said Texas prison spokesman Jason Clark.
Prison officials consider an inmates’s educational level, psychological background, medical history, age, work experience and other factors before determining to which prison unit to assign her, Clark said.
It could be several weeks before Mills is moved to her assigned unit, Clark said. While there are female prison units in South Texas, the majority of female prisons are in the Gatesville area, Clark said. Those include the Woodman, Murray, Hilltop, Crain and Mountainview units.
Mills likely will have to serve a little more than two years before she becomes eligible for parole, county officials have said.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Margaret Mills
Waco VA celebration to honor native Americans
Here’s a release about a celebration honoring native Americans today at the Waco Veterans Affairs Medical Center. I’m told that the meal for participants is being cooked in a pit dug in the ground in the Indian tradition. The person doing the cooking started at 5:30 this morning. (Full disclosure: the photo at right is not from the event, but from a Google search online.)
This event is open to the public. Here’s the release:
The Central Texas Veterans Health Care System honors the generations of American Indians and Alaska Natives at a “Veterans’ Dance” celebration Friday beginning at 11 a.m. at the Waco VA Medical Center between Stracke Auditorium (Building 6) and Building 11.
CTVHCS Native American Program Committee invites the media and the public to attend the colorful celebration that includes: Native American music, dance, drummers, an Indian health service display, and food. The celebration is part of Native American Heritage Month.
Native American Indians from the Kickapoo, Cherokee, Apache, Choctaw, Comanche, Navaho, Black Foot, and Seminole Nations will participate in the program. Beginning at 1 p.m., traditional dances and songs will be performed by over 50 dancers from across the nation. Songs will include the Veterans’ Song, Flag Song, War Mothers’ Song, as well as songs from past and current wars; World War II, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Family and veterans will be asked to join in the dance to honor the veterans of each war.
Of the 2.5 million Native Americans and Alaskan natives in the United States, the 2000 Census reported that 195, 871 are veterans. Nearly 12,000 served in the military during World War I, over 44,000 during World War II, and approximately 42,000 fought in Vietnam of which 90 percent were volunteers.
The rich history of our Native Americans speaks to us through the names of our cities, lakes, and rivers; the magnificent ruins of ancient communities; and most important, through the lives of the people who retain the cultural, spiritual linguistic, and kinship bonds. Please join us as we celebrate National American Indian Heritage Month.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas
Waco’s education summit continues
The Greater Waco Community Education Summit concludes today with more discussion and a speech by U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Waco).
A key theme on Thursday was communication.
Trib senior editor Bill Whitaker examines some of the ideas brought up in discussion groups in his column today.
Trib photographers also captured many of the faces involved in the summit, as seen above with Autumn Outlaw from Texas State Technical College and student ambassador Matthew Bell. For more faces at the summit, check out our slide show.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas, Education
Vacant Marlin school building fire ‘suspicious’
A fire at a vacant Marlin school building early today is being viewed by officials as suspicious.
Firefighters responded to the 500 block of Oak Street shortly after 3 a.m., said James Adams, chief of the volunteer fire department. A fire had been reported at the gymnasium and auditorium of the vacant Marlin Middle School.
“The was no gas or electricity on in the building, so it’s real suspicious how it got started,” Adams said, adding that it was too early to pinpoint a cause for the blaze.
Adams said the school had been closed for 15 to 20 years. The building had caved in a few months ago, and the city was in the process of clearing out the remains.
Fires were still smoldering in parts of the building as of 10 a.m. Friday. Adams said fire crews would continue to monitor the scene until the fires are completely out. Once the building is safe for entry, officials can being investigating the cause, he said.
In the summer, a string of house fires in Marlin were ruled arson, Adams said.
Waco Fire Marshal Jerry Hawk declined to speculate about whether the fire could possibly be related to four fires here that investigators have ruled arson during the past month.
Three of those fires occurred on Oct. 24. They were at the old Sanger Avenue Elementary School, located between 17th and 18th streets on Sanger Avenue; the abandoned Townhouse Hotel at 17th Street and Washington Avenue; and Vittles, a defunct restaurant at 23rd Street and Waco Drive.
The fourth fire occurred Nov. 14 at the old Waco High School building on Columbus Avenue.
Hawk has previously said that investigators believe the initial trio of fires is connected and that officials have suspects in those blazes. They are unsure if the fourth fire is also linked.
No arrests have been made, and Hawk said there are no updates in any of the cases.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas, Police & crime
Skinny’s in Waco robbed early this morning
Police are looking for a man who robbed a convenience store early Friday.
The robbery occurred around 12:50 a.m. at the Skinny’s convenience store at 600 N. Valley Mills Drive, said Waco police officer Steve Anderson. The suspect walked into the store, brandished a knife at the sales clerk, and demanded the money from the cash register, Anderson said.
The man left the store with and undisclosed amount of cash. The sales clerk was not injured.
On Thursday, a Waco jury sentenced Joshua Jimenez to 55 years in prison for his robbery of a Valero store at knifepoint.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Dr Pepper to deliver on its free-soda promise
Dr Pepper is making good on its promise of free soda now that the release of Guns N’ Roses’ “Chinese Democracy” is a reality. The soft-drink maker said in March that it would give a free soda to everyone in America if the album dropped in 2008. “Chinese Democracy,” infamously delayed since recording began in 1994, goes on sale Sunday.
“We never thought this day would come,” Tony Jacobs, Dr Pepper’s vice president of marketing, said in a statement. “But now that it’s here, all we can say is: The Dr Pepper’s on us.”
Beginning Sunday at 12:01 a.m., coupons for a free 20-ounce soda will be available for 24 hours on Dr Pepper’s Web site. They’ll be honored until Feb. 28.
Dr Pepper, of course, began in Waco. The soda was created at Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store in Waco in 1885. You can find out more at the Dr Pepper Museum Web site.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Business
Family Abuse Center seeks sponsors to help families
The Family Abuse Center in Waco is seeking help to provide a good Christmas for its families. Here’s a news release from the organization:
Sponsor a small family as an individual, or a larger family as an organization. You may sponsor a family residing at the shelter during the holidays, or a family that is transitioning from the shelter into a home of their own.
The Adopt-A-Family program matches you, or your organization to a family according to your wishes.
You will be provided with a profile that lists the age, gender and sizes of each family member, along with a short wish list of items that the family would need.
For more information, contact Jennifer at (254) 772-8999. The Family Abuse Center serves Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, McLennan and Navarro counties.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Gatesville prison unit to be renamed today
A ceremony commemorating the renaming of a female prison unit in Gatesville for former Texas Board of Criminal Justice Chairman Christina Melton Crain is scheduled for this morning.
The formal dedication of the Christina Melton Crain Unit, 1401 State School Road in Gatesville, will begin at 11 a.m. Keynote speakers will be former board Vice Chairman Pierce Miller, and former board secretary Patsy Day.
Members of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice voted in August to rename the unit, previously known as the Gatesville Unit, after Crain, who served as the board’s first female chairman from 2003 until 2008. The nine-member board, appointed by the governor, is responsible for the management and operations of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
For more about Crain, click here.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Hot stories, Around Central Texas
Are you ready for some football?
The second round of the prep football playoffs begins tonight, with a host of games involving local teams. Check out Jason Orts’ high school preview.
Our high school feature is on Midway running back John Hubert, who has 2,078 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns.
Also tonight, the Baylor Lady Bears hit the hardwood again at the Ferrell Center.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Man sentenced to 55 years in prison for knifepoint robbery
MORE
- link: The trial: Day 1
A 19th State District Court jury sentenced Joshua Jimenez, 37, to 55 years in prison and a $1,110 fine for robbing a Valero store at knifepoint in July.
The jury deliberated for about 30 minutes before reaching its verdict. Jimenez will have to serve at least half of that sentence before he is eligible for parole.
Jimenez faced from 25 years to life in prison.
In reaching its guilty verdict earlier today, the jury took about an hour to deliberate.
Jimenez told the court that the incident was actually a drug deal that went awry with the store’s clerk.
Prosecutor Hilary LaBorde showed jurors a portion of a video showing Jimenez brandishing a knife and demanding money.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Jury deciding fate of convicted robber
MORE
- link: The trial: Day 1
A 19th State District Court jury is now deliberating the punishment of Joshua Jimenez, 37, who was found guilty of robbing a Valero store at knifepoint in July.
Jimenez faces from 25 years to life in prison.
In reaching its guilty verdict earlier today, the jury took about an hour to deliberate.
Jimenez told the court that the incident was actually a drug deal that went awry with the store’s clerk.
Prosecutor Hilary LaBorde showed jurors a portion of a video showing Jimenez brandishing a knife and demanding money.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Shannon Elizabeth at Baylor? (updated 2:39 p.m.)
Actress Shannon Elizabeth was seen at Baylor University today, and has visited other locations throughout Waco. She was spotted on campus with a film crew.
Two sources at Baylor said they didn’t know anything about Elizabeth’s visit, saying “that’s not to say it’s not true,” but a third source did confirm Elizabeth was in town.
Elizabeth grew up in Waco and attended Waco High, where she played tennis.
The actress rose to prominence with her role in the 1999 film “American Pie.”
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Another Waco restaurant closes
Who is it? Click here for the Mike’s Marketplace blog to find out.
Permalink | Comments (13) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Business
Jury finds man guilty in Waco robbery trial
MORE
- link: The trial: Day 1
A 19th State District Court jury has found Joshua Jimenez, 37, guilty of robbing a Valero store at knifepoint in July.
The jury took about an hour to deliberate. The punishment phase is starting now.
Jimenez told the court that the incident was actually a drug deal that went awry with the store’s clerk.
Prosecutor Hilary LaBorde showed jurors a portion of a video showing Jimenez brandishing a knife and demanding money.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Courthouse, Police & crime
Waco woman’s home damaged in overnight fire
A Waco woman returned home early today from her overnight job at a nursing home to find that, while she was gone, a fire had broken out in her home, and that most of her uninsured belongings were too damaged to save.
At about 3:30 a.m. today, Waco firefighters responded to Nireta Oliver’s 1124 Preston St. home, and extinguished a fire in her dining room, said Waco Fire Marshal Jerry Hawk.
He said the fire started at an extension cord that was plugged into an outlet in the dining room to a window unit. The rest of the house suffered smoke damage, he said.
While the house is not a total loss, Oliver’s belongings were uninsured, Hawk said. Oliver, who Hawk said is in her late 40s, is staying with friends until her house can be repaired.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas
Jury deliberates in Waco robbery trial
MORE
- link: The trial: Day 1
A 19th State District Court jury has begun deliberations this morning in the aggravated robbery trial of Joshua Jimenez, who allegedly robbed a Valero store at knifepoint in July.
Prosecutor J.R. Vicha told jurors that while it was a 10-second crime and that the trial was relatively short, it doesn’t mean that it’s not a serious crime.
Jimenez told the court that the incident was actually a drug deal that went awry with the store’s clerk.
Prosecutor Hilary LaBorde showed jurors a portion of a video showing Jimenez brandishing a knife and demanding money. That led to an outburst by Jimenez.
“Where’s the other video? Where’s the other video?” Jimenez said, referring to his claims that approached the clerk twice and the second video showed his confrontation with the clerk after discovering that an iPod he had traded for didn’t work.
Judge Ralph Strother admonished Jimenez for his outburst.
“I’m just sayin,’” Jimenez replied.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Courthouse, Police & crime
Man indicted in deadly Waco shooting
A McLennan County grand jury today indicted an 18-year-old Waco man in the Aug. 23 shooting death of Robert Nevarez.
Steve Kelly was indicted on a murder charge in the death of the 21-year-old Nevarez, who was found about 4 a.m. in the 2500 block of Cole Avenue. He suffered a single gunshot wound to the head, authorities have said. Nevarez was taken to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, where he later died.
Kelly has also been charged with retaliation in the case, but he was not indicted on that charge today.
Investigators determined that Kelly threatened several people who had cooperated with police during the initial investigation into Nevarez’s death and arrested Kelly on Sept. 11 after an anonymous caller gave police information on where he was hiding.
Waco police also arrested Larry Vonzell Waits, 20, and Keith Wayne Caufield, 19, both of Waco, on murder charges in Nevarez’s death. Their cases have yet to be presented to a grand jury.
Kelly remains in the McLennan County Jail in lieu of $550,000 bond on murder and retaliation charges, Waits in lieu of $750,000 and Caufield in lieu of $100,000 bond, both on murder charges, a jail official said. Waits was also held without bond on a parole violation.
Staff writer Van Darden contributed to this story.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Courthouse, Police & crime
Teen critical after collision near Waco
A 16-year-old boy is in critical condition at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center today after he drove into oncoming traffic and was struck on the driver’s side door.
Texas Department of Public Safety Cpl. Charlie Morgan said the teen was taken to the hospital by medical helicopter after the 7:30 a.m. accident at the intersection of State Highway 6 and Bosque Ridge Road, near Waco.
Because he is a minor, Morgan would not release the boy’s name, and a Hillcrest spokesman said hospital policy forbids the boy’s condition to be released.
Morgan did not know where the boy was from or details regarding the accident such as what vehicles were involved.
Morgan said the youth had the sun in his eyes when he was stopped at the stop sign at the corner of Highway 6 and Bosque Ridge Road. He pulled out to make a left and didn’t see oncoming traffic, Morgan said.
Two vehicles swerved to miss him, but he was struck by a third in the northbound lanes, Morgan said.
Morgan said no other injuries were reported at the accident. North and southbound lanes on Highway 6 were backed up for a couple hours.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Controversial billboards in Waco changed
Two controversial billboards posted by the Waco Police Association that alerted drivers traveling in and out of Waco that the city is among the most “violent” in the state have been replaced, upon expiration of the association’s contract with the company that owns the billboards.
Mat Naegele, vice president and general manager of Temple-based Lamar Advertising, said today that he replaced the billboards on Saturday, the day the association’s contract was up.
In place of the billboards that claimed, “The Murder Rate is Up! Waco is the 7th most violent city in Texas!”, Naegele said he covered the message with one touting Waco as a “great place to live.”
He said he thought it was time for a more positive message.
Officer Anne Cyr, president of the association, had said the billboards — which dismayed local business owners and city officials — were erected to expose the Waco City Council’s refusal to meet with the association to discuss issues including police staffing and resources. The group’s request has not yet been granted.
Earlier this month, Waco Police Chief Brent Stroman presented the city council with a detailed crime analysis to counter the association’s claims that the city is covering up negative statistics.
Permalink | Comments (15) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Baylor Law School group to debate Gitmo
The Baylor Law School Federalist Society will host a debate at 7 tonight on the detention and torture of the Guantanamo Bay prisoners.
The debate will be in Room 120 of the Umphrey Law Center, 1114 S. University-Parks Drive. Professors Brian Serr and Mark Osler will represent two sides of a discussion that has embroiled the nation and her courts.
“This is a key issue that the legal community and the next administration must address,” said B.J. Jiral, Baylor Law School Federalist Society president. “We’ve captured a large number of hostile prisoners, and we have to find a legally permissible way to deal with them.”
More of the release follows:
Since the beginning of the Afghanistan campaign in 2001, military prisoners deemed too dangerous to release have been held at Camp X-Ray in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The Bush administration has labeled these prisoners “enemy combatants” or “detainees,” designations that remove the protections of U.S. laws and the Geneva Conventions, and has unsuccessfully attempted to try them in military tribunals outside the United States. President-elect Barack Obama has announced that one of his first executive orders will establish a special court process for these detainees on U.S. soil and under U.S. law.
“We’re honored to have such knowledgeable and deep-thinking advocates to debate this topic,” said Jesse Davis, Baylor Law School Federalist Society vice president. “Both professors are well-known and widely published legal scholars, so it will be very interesting to get their perspectives on such a crucial constitutional issue.”
Prof. Serr is a noted civil and human rights advocate, and has been on the Baylor Law faculty since 1986. He teaches Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Advanced Criminal Procedure, and Supreme Court Seminar, and has briefed and argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Prof. Osler is a sought-after expert in the fields of criminal law practice and sentencing. He is a former Assistant United States Attorney, and his book Jesus On Death Row is forthcoming (January 2009, Abingdon Press). Prof. Osler has also briefed cases to the U.S. Supreme Court (including the recent United States v. Spears crack cocaine case) and argued in several U.S. Courts of Appeal.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor University
Waco to have pro indoor football team?
Looks like another professional sports franchise has Waco lined up as a member. According to this story from the Southwest Daily News in Sulphur, La., the Southern Indoor Football League has been created and Waco is set to join in 2010.
League President Thom Hager, who also owns the Louisiana Swashbucklers, announced the league’s creation yesterday.
The inaugural season, set to kick off after Easter 2009, includes Texas teams from Austin, Houston, Galveston and Pasadena, and the Louisiana cities of Lake Charles, Houma and Lafayette. Two other teams might be announced soon, he said.
Hager is looking at six more franchises to join in 2010, including Waco. Other markets preparing to join the SIFL, he said, are Birmingham, Ala., and four Florida cities — Pensacola, Tallahassee, Tampa and Lakeland. When these teams join, the SIFL will be divided into a west and east division.
Here’s the SIFL Web site.
Will this be any more successful than other pro and semi-pro teams in Waco? Based on past history, they have a pretty short shelf life.
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Pro & college sports
Waco-area agencies finalists for office makeover
We received this e-mail announcing that CareNet Pregnancy Center of Central Texas and the Waco Humane Society are among seven charities across Central Texas selected as finalists in the Perry Office Plus $25,000 Charity Office Makeover contest.
Online voting at www.perryop.com ends on Sunday.
Here’s more of the news release:
The other finalists are Central Texas Youth Services in Belton; Cornerstone Christian Academy in College Station; Cove House Emergency Homeless Shelter; Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity; and Ralph Wilson Youth Clubs of Temple.
The winning organization will receive a total office makeover from Perry Office Plus worth up to $25,000 in HON office furniture, and space planning, design and installation services. The space will be customized to be more efficient, attractive and allow the organization to better serve the community. The winner and one runner-up will receive an office prize package of office machines, artwork and supplies to complete the space.
More than 40 contest entries were received from area nonprofit organizations, who described their need for an office face-lift. Finalists were chosen based on need, lack of office functionality, and community impact and the public is asked to visit perryop.com to vote for the office they want to see made over.
Sales and Marketing Director Bonnie Hunt says, “Non-profits struggle enough, especially during uncertain economic times, and we want to encourage the public to continue to support these important programs.”
About Perry Office Plus Perry Office Plus is the largest independent office products and furniture dealer in Central Texas and has been locally owned and operated since its establishment in 1920. Headquartered in Temple, Texas, Perry Office Plus has retail locations in Killeen and Belton and a furniture showroom in Waco. They offer thousands of office products for free delivery throughout the area and provide a wide range of office furniture, custom space planning and installation services. For more information, visit www.perryop.com.
About The HON Company The HON Company is a leader in the design and manufacturing of workplace furniture including chairs, storage, panel systems, tables and desks. Headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa, The HON Company has numerous manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the United States, and markets its products through a nationwide network of dealers and retailers. The HON Company is an operating company of HNI Corporation (formerly HON INDUSTRIES). For more information, visit www.HON.com.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Major accident on Highway 6
State troopers are on the scene of a major accident in northbound lane on State Highway 6 near Bosque Ridge Road.
According to a Department of Public Safety spokeswoman, injuries were reported and an ambulance was called to the scene. A call about the accident came in at 7:32 a.m., she said.
According to an eyewitness, a truck hit a car.
The police scanner just reported that a CareFlight helicopter has left the accident scene.
We’ll try to get more information as it is available.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
PHOTOS: Baylor men defeat Centenary, 90-55
Curtis Jerrells collected 20 points and eight assists as Baylor blew past Centenary, 90-55, this afternoon at the Ferrell Center.
The game was part of ESPN’s College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon.
Freshman Quincy Acy hit all seven field goals and finished with 15 points for the Bears, while LaceDarius Dunn hit four of seven treys and scored 18 points.
Henry Dugat added 14 points, four rebounds and four assists, and Kevin Rogers chipped in 13 points.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Downtown Waco ‘inspirational piece’ to show at 3 p.m. council meeting
MULTIMEDIA
- video: Rick Sheldon's vision of Waco in 2015
- gallery: Artistic designs
Waco-based developer Rick Sheldon will unveil his vision of downtown Waco’s future with a computer-simulated video at the Waco City Council meeting at 3 p.m. today.
“It’s an inspirational piece,” City Manager Larry Groth said of the video, which he thinks will be a useful recruiting tool for businesses and developers who are interested in the downtown and river corridor area. “That doesn’t mean this is the way it’s going to be, but it’s a way to get people thinking.”
Among other attractions, the video shows a 55,000-seat “Beardome” stadium on land across the river from the Texas Ranger Museum. Sheldon also hopes to persuade the Texas Department of Transportation and other parties to build a prominent new I-35 bridge of eight lanes, with six lanes of frontage roads.
The video also shows the Elm Street corridor transformed into a market and cultural center, then soars upriver to Cameron Park, the Bosque River Stage and the Waco Mammoth Site, which are envisioned as water taxi stops.
To read more about Sheldon’s plans and what city leaders think, city reaction, click here for J.B. Smith’s preview.
We’ll have the video and other conceptual mockups of the downtown cityscape available today on WacoTrib.com around the time of the council meeting.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, City hall, Downtown development
UPDATE: Democrats let Lieberman keep committee chair
WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Lieberman will keep his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security Committee despite hard feelings over his support for GOP nominee John McCain during the presidential campaign.
The Connecticut independent will lose a minor panel post as punishment for criticizing Obama this fall.
Lieberman’s colleagues in the Democratic caucus voted 42-13 Tuesday on a resolution condemning statements made by Lieberman during the campaign but allowing him to keep the Homeland Security Committee gavel but lose a subcommittee chair on the Environment and Public Works panel.
Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he was very angry by Lieberman’s actions but that “we’re looking forward, we’re not looking back.”
Added Reid: “Is this a time when we walk out of here and say, ‘Boy, did we get even?’” said Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Giving Thanks, Giving Hope banquet photos now online
We’ve got new photos online from Sunday’s Giving Thanks, Giving Hope banquet at the Lions Den. The event benefited Compassion Ministries, which helps homeless people and those on the verge of homelessness find permanent housing and employment.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
What’s popular, what’s coming up on WacoTrib.com?
Want to know what everyone else is reading this morning? We’ll tell you here on Waco NOW:
Our most popular story so far today is the flap in the Waco suburb of Hewitt over recently fired officer Danny Powell.
Powell and his supporters claim the officer of 16 years was fired in retaliation for talking to a city council member in support of the civil service proposition for the police department, a contentious measure which passed in the Nov. 4 election.
We’ll also have some interesting economic development news on WacoTrib.com today as developer Rick Sheldon will unveil his vision for the Waco of the future at this afternoon’s city council meeting.
He has a computer-generated video of a virtual blimp ride over the Brazos River Corridor circa 2015, which includes upscale hotels, a domed Baylor University football stadium, a riverfront restaurant row, a signature Interstate 35 bridge, art galleries and a gourmet grocery store, all tied together with streetcars and water taxis.
We’ll have the the 16-minute aerial-style video will be available about 3 p.m. today here on wacotrib.com, so check back for that.
“I’d like everyone to look at it,” Sheldon said. “It’s there to generate debate and to inspire. This is just our idea, but we wanted to get community input. The only way this can be successful is if the community picks up this transformative effort.”
Rounding out our top 5 most popular stories this morning:
- The Baylor men’s basketball team will face Centenary on national TV at 3:05 p.m. today as part of ESPN’s College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon;
- Baylor University officials announced Monday that a sophomore student from The Woodlands died Saturday afternoon after a car accident north of Houston;
- Our lead story in today’s paper: Local businessmen weigh in on the auto bailout;
- Expanding and developing the skate park and Charlie McLeary Tennis Center will be on the agenda at a city meeting tonight.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, City hall, Downtown development
Gas tank explodes in Gatesville fire
The Gatesville Fire Department is investigating a Sunday night fire that destroyed a shed and car at a home, authorities said.
About 9 p.m., the department received a report of a shed on fire next to a residence in the 200 block of Carroll Drive, a department spokesman said.
A vehicle inside the shed caught fire and its gas tank exploded, the spokesman said.
Early reports indicated that the homeowner was injured in the fire, but the spokesman said that report was erroneous.
The spokesman said a passerby, who was watching the firefighters battle the blaze, fell and was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Waco house burns
Waco fire officials are investigating a fire that broke out in a North Waco home this morning.
The fire was reported at a house in the 1500 block of Trice Avenue about 2:20 a.m., a Waco Fire Department spokesman said.
Firefighters responding said they saw smoke coming from the house and that the residents had all gotten out safely, the spokesman said.
The spokesman said that the house was not fully engulfed in flames and that some of the residents’ belongings may be salvageable.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Baylor women move to No. 10 in AP basketball poll
A day after the Baylor Lady Bears trounced second-ranked Stanford, the new Associated Press women’s basketball poll rewarded the team with a nine-spot jump to No. 10.
Baylor (2-0) avenged a big loss last year in Palo Alto, Calif., with a resounding 81-65 win in the Ferrell Center Sunday afternoon.
The Cardinal, meanwhile, slipped six spots to No. 8.
In other poll news, LSU’s streak of Top 25 appearances is over while Connecticut became a unanimous choice at No. 1.
The Lady Tigers fell out of The Associated Press poll for the first time since Feb. 25, 2002, a span of 117 straight weeks. It was the sixth-longest active streak in the country behind Tennessee (417), Connecticut (279), Duke (169), North Carolina and Stanford (134).
LSU, 24th in the preseason poll, lost to then-No. 16 Notre Dame 56-50 on Sunday. The Lady Tigers have had four different coaches during their streak in the Top 25 and have had a steady stream of talented players. However, they graduated their starting five from last season’s Final Four team and Hall of Fame coach Van Chancellor is basically starting from scratch.
Maryland, third in the preseason poll, was shocked by TCU on Friday and fell to No. 11. Buoyed by the victory, the Horned Frogs entered the Top 25 at No. 24 for the first time since the final poll of the 2004-05 season.
“It’s good to be back,” TCU coach Jeff Mittie said. “We always schedule tough, which gives us some opportunities. We still play Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Cal on the road.”
With losses by Stanford and Maryland, Oklahoma moved up two spots to second — eight points ahead of No. 3 Rutgers. North Carolina, Tennessee, Duke, and California each moved up two spots.
Rutgers visits seventh-ranked Cal and No. 8 Stanford this weekend.
The Cardinal were followed by Louisville and Baylor.
Maryland fell out of the Top 10 for the first time since the preseason poll of 2005-06. Only Tennessee, Connecticut, and North Carolina have been in the Top 10 longer.
The Terrapins were followed by Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Texas, and Notre Dame.
Virginia dropped one place to 16th and visits Tennessee tonight. Ohio State and Arizona State flip-flopped their places in the poll. Oklahoma State dropped five spots to No. 19 after losing at Duke on Friday. Auburn remained in 20th.
Purdue, Florida State, Xavier, TCU, and Old Dominion held the final five spots. The Lady Monarchs’ visit Texas tonight.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Baylor sports
Baylor’s Pawelek named Big 12 defensive player of the week
Baylor linebacker Joe Pawelek has been named Big 12 defensive player of the week.
Pawelek collected seven tackles and made two interceptions in Baylor’s 41-21 win over Texas A&M. His third-quarter interception set up a Baylor touchdown, and his fourth-quarter interception in the end zone stopped an A&M drive.
We have loads of coverage from Saturday’s big game here.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor football, Baylor sports
TSTC begins spring registration
Class registration for the spring semester at Texas State Technical College Waco got under way today. Registration hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and ends Dec. 19.
Registration will resume on Jan. 5 and continue through Jan. 8.
Spring classes are to begin Monday, Jan 12.
TSTC notes that because financial aid processing can take several weeks to complete, those needing financial assistance should contact the TSTC Financial Aid Office immediately at (254) 867-4814. The TSTC Waco Web site — www.waco.tstc.edu — provides additional details, dates and an online application.
Students have a choice to sign up for a variety of different degree and/or certificate options.
To find out more, you can call toll-free at (800) 792-8784 or direct at (254) 867-2005.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas, Education
Baylor women win
Rachel Allison scored 25 points as No. 19 Baylor upset No. 2 Stanford, 81-65, Sunday at the Ferrell Center.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
One killed, one injured in Gatesville crash
A Gatesville teen has died and another was injured when the pickup they were riding in overturned on State Highway 36 north of Gatesville.
Jessica McGehee, 17, of Gatesville was killed around 9:30 p.m. Saturday when the 1999 Ford F-150 pickup truck left the roadway, overturned and rolled several times, a Texas Department of Public Safety spokeswoman said.
The spokeswoman said the truck’s driver, 17-year-old Kodi Hitt, also of Gatesville, was injured in the accident and taken to Scott & White Hospital in Temple.
Hitt was driving north on Highway 36 when she drifted out of her lane onto the right shoulder, the spokeswoman said. Hitt overcorrected and veered off the left shoulder. In an attempt to regain control of the pickup, Hitt overcorrected a second time, causing the truck to roll three times.
Justice of the Peace Jimmy Wood pronounced McGehee dead at the scene.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Edwards says he’s not interested in Obama cabinet post
Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, said today he’s staying in Congress despite speculation he was being considered for Veteran Affairs secretary.
The Waco Democrat said Sunday he told President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team that he’ll continue representing his Texas district where voters this month re-elected him to a 10th term.
Edwards, who is chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Committee, said he believed he could be more effective in Congress than the Cabinet.
Edwards defeated Republican Rob Curnock to win a 10th term on Nov. 4.
He was also reported to be on Obama’s short list of potential running mates during the presidential campaign this summer.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Waco sees season’s first freeze
Waco Regional Airport had an overnight low of 30 degrees this morning. It was already 32 at midnight, so yesterday goes down in the record books as the date of this year’s first freeze.
That puts us a bit ahead of the average date, Nov. 23, but not especially early, according to National Weather Service records. The earliest first freeze on record was Oct. 24, 1917; No. 10 on the list is Nov. 5,
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Weather
Baylor men defeat Paul Quinn in opener, 108-50
The Baylor men’s basketball team defeated Paul Quinn, 108-50, in its season opener tonight at the Ferrell Center.
Henry Dugat led Baylor with 22 points. Curtis Jerrells had 17 points and 10 assists, Kevin Rogers and LaceDarius Dunn had 16 points each, and newcomer Quincy Acy had 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Check back to wacotrib.com tonight for a full report.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
West teen killed in car wreck, 2 other teens injured
A Friday night rollover wreck claimed the life of a West teen and sent two others to a local hospital, authorities say.
Katherine Gant, 17, of West, died around 10:45 p.m. when her 2002 Toyota Rav4 rolled over on Farm-to-Market Road 2114 at the Czech Hall Road intersection in West, a Department of Public Safety spokeswoman said.
The spokeswoman said Gant was eastbound on FM 2114 and traveling at an unsafe speed when she failed to negotiate a curve and left the roadway, overturning her car.
Keri Boyett, 17, sustained broken bones in the wreck and is in stable condition at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, the spokeswoman said.
Tyler Bettge, 16, of Abbott, was also injured and is in critical condition at Hillcrest, the spokeswoman said.
The spokeswoman said all three were wearing seat belts when the accident occurred.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Fire weather warning
Waco and surrounding counties except Limestone are under a red flag warning from 11 am to 6 pm. Winds of 15 to 25 mph gusting to 35 mph, combined with low humidity and dry vegetation, will create a high fire danger.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Weather
Lady Bears romp past Florida Atlantic in opener, 90-45
Rachel Allison had 18 points and 13 rebounds, and newcomer Morghan Medlock had 14 points and 16 rebounds as the 19th-ranked Baylor Lady Bears rolled past Florida Atlantic, 90-45, in their season opener tonight at the Ferrell Center.
Baylor outrebounded Florida Atlantic 70-33.
Check back to wacotrib.com for a full report.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Fire chief: Old Waco High fire was arson
The fire this morning in the old Waco High School building has been ruled arson, Waco Fire Chief John Johnston said.
Investigators are unsure whether the fire is linked to three fires set Oct. 24, all of which were ruled arson. Johnston said investigators talked today to a person about the blaze.
The fire, which was confined to the bottom floor toward the rear of the building, took about 20 minutes to put out and resulted in no significant structural damage, Johnston said.
The school is being renovated into affordable income housing, and today’s fire delayed work at the site. A worker said when his crew arrived this morning, they found a fire in the basement.
Sanger Avenue Elementary School, the Townhouse Hotel and a local restaurant were all hit by arson last month. The school and hotel were gutted, and the city of Waco demolished the hotel this week.
Fire Marshal Jerry Hawk said last month that investigators believe those three fires were connected and said they had suspects in the blazes. No arrests have been made.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Police & crime
Update: March at Baylor ends
The racial awareness march on the Baylor campus this morning has come to an end, with marchers saying that they were pleased to address their concerns in a meeting with Dub Oliver, vice president for student life, and Interim President David Garland.
Baylor’s Association of Black Students and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People organized the silent march this morning.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Can drive at Baylor-A&M game to help food pantries
Caritas has sent out a news release that the Baylor University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will host its first Food for Families can drive at Saturday’s Baylor-Texas A&M football game at Floyd Casey Stadium.
Donations can be made at all gates from 1 p.m. through the end of the first half. The rest of the release follows:
All fans attending the 105th rendition of the ‘Battle of the Brazos’ are asked to bring a canned food item to this game. Baylor student-athletes will be collecting the canned food good items before the game at each Floyd Casey Stadium entrance gate. Canned food items collected on Saturday will help fill the food pantries of 11 McLennan County food pantries who will be participating in the annual Food for Families Food Drive, which culminates on Friday, November 21st.
The SAAC is a committee comprised of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience at Baylor University. The SAAC also offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-atheletes’ on-campus experience.
Kickoff for Saturday’s game is set for 3:05 p.m. and tickets may be purchased by calling 254-710-1000, or online at baylorbears.com.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor University, Baylor football, Baylor sports, Nonprofit news
Boil-order notice for Elm Mott residents
The McLennan County Water Control and Improvement District 2 in Elm Mott has issued a boil-water notice for its customers as a precautionary measure due to low water pressure.
The district advises residents to bring water to a vigorous, rolling boil for two minutes before using it. For more information, call 829-1824 or 829-1954.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas
Fire in basement of old Waco High School
An early morning fire put a temporary stop to renovation work at the old Waco High School building on Columbus Avenue.
A worker at the site said when his crew arrived this morning, there was a fire in the basement. By 9:30 a.m., the fire was out, but the Waco Fire Department was still at the school and workers had not been given the OK to go back in the building.
The smell of smoke lingered around the basement doors at the back of the large building. It is unknown at this time how large the fire was.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
March on Baylor campus under way
Students involved with a racial awareness march on the Baylor campus this morning were moving from Morrison Hall to the location of the alleged noose, and then stop at Pat Neff Hall, where they plan to meet with administrators.
Baylor’s Association of Black Students and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People organized the silent march this morning.
The alleged noose, according to an e-mail sent Thursday by Baylor Interim President David Garland, turned out to be a rope swing discarded by students.
Discovery of the “noose” was one of three incidents on election night that were thought to be racially motivated after Barack Obama became the first black elected president of the United States.
The march is one of a number of events this week that were designed to increase cultural and racial awareness on campus.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor University
Baylor cheerleader featured on Sports Illustrated Web site
Freshman Baylor cheerleader Marisa McKee, a biochemistry major from Forney, is featured as Sports Illustrated’s Cheerleader of the Week on its Web site. It’s part of the SI on Campus portion of its Web site.
Her photos and information were posted to the site yesterday and I assume will be up through Wednesday of next week.
The page has a short question-and-answer piece, such as why she chose Baylor and her worst habit, along with several photographs. She is pictured in a couple of shots with fellow cheerleaders Nikki Friend and Kourtney McMillian. Kourtney is the taller one in the pics.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Hot stories, Baylor University, Pro & college sports
BU: Students say rope was for swing, not noose
BU interim president David E. Garland issued a statement this afternoon stating investigators believe a crudely fashioned noose found on campus last week after the election of Barack Obama as president, was in fact not a noose at all.
“On Wednesday afternoon, a student met with Baylor police and provided information pertaining to the rope that was found on campus,” the statement reads. “This student claimed responsibility for the rope and described its origin. The student explained that he had been spending time with a group of friends on Fountain Mall the evening before the election and had discovered a rope he believed to have been from one of the tents used during the university’s homecoming activities. The students thought they could use the rope to create a rope swing. The students tied one end of the rope to a limb of the tree and tied the other end in a loop from which they attempted to swing. Later they abandoned the swing. The students strongly deny that the rope was intended to mimic a noose or to convey a message of any sort.”
The call for unity comes on the heels of racially charged incidents on campus after Obama was elected the nation’s first black president. A rope was found hanging from a tree outside Morrison Hall. Later in the evening, black and white students exchanged words outside Penland Residence Hall but were dispersed by police before the incident turned physical. Outside Brooks Flats, students reportedly burned Obama/Biden campaign signs, though that incident has since been downplayed by school officials who said they understand students were burning empty computer boxes.
Garland’s statement said the group who had been involved in the creation of the rope swing talked to student leaders who were together Wednesday night planning the unity march that is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday on campus. The Friday march is one of several events held at Baylor this week to encourage tolerance.
Permalink | Comments (23) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
City, Sanger School group meet with judge about building
The badly damaged Sanger School building won’t face a possible wrecking ball until at least Dec. 11 when a hearing has been scheduled on the structure’s fate.
Waco City Attorney Leah Hayes and LaNelle McNamara and John McNamara, who own the building and head Sanger School Foundation Inc., met with 74th State District Court Judge Alan Mayfield for about 30 minutes today in his chambers.
Mayfield announced that both parties are working together. The city had called for the building to be torn down after an early-morning fire on Oct. 25 gutted the building along with two other structures. Fire officials called all three blazes arson.
But the city did say it didn’t want to raze a historic building, while the McNamaras said they won’t continue to support renovation of the structure if it’s determined to be a danger to the community.
The Sanger School Foundation sought a temporary injunction to keep the city from tearing it down. The city wants a mandatory injunction either to force the owners to tear down or have it approved for the city to tear it down.
Structural engineers will be examining the building soon, Mayfield said.
The postponed hearing will resume Dec. 11, Mayfield announced, though he said if the weather or other factors caused further deterioration to the building he would reschedule the hearing sooner.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, City hall, Courthouse, Education
TSTC group seeks help with Galveston cleanup effort
Twelve members of Texas State Technical College’s SkillsUSA Advanced Technology chapter have volunteered to travel to Galveston Island Saturday to help with cleanup in the Crystal Beach and Bolivar Peninsula portions of Galveston County.
According to a release from TSTC, the students are in great need of donations of shovels, wheelbarrows, wader boots, a dolly and other related items. Additional donations of DEET bug spray and suntan lotion are needed. The goal for donations is 10 or more of each of these items.
Here’s the remainder of the release:
If you can afford to donate, please bring items to the John B. Connally Center on the TSTC campus at the corner of Crest and Campus drives, located at the main entrance of the campus. Donations can be processed by Trish Kimberly, Carol Salvato or Walton Yantis in the Computer Networking and Systems Administration Department. Also joining in the project is Network Security Technology students.
Tractor Supply has graciously donated gloves and facemasks for the group, and Bush’s Chicken has donated gallons of iced tea.
After the project is completed, the group will donate all useable items for further use by the local fire department.
Please give today!
To find out more, call 867-3592 or 867-3852 or visit http://cns.tstc.edu/skillsusa.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Education
Domestic violence workshop for church office administrators next week
A free workshop luncheon for church office administrators titled “Domestic Violence 101: Resources for First Responders” will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Family Abuse Center in Waco.
The event is cosponsored by the Baylor Center for Family and Community Ministries and the Baylor Center for Ministry Effectiveness and Educational Leadership.
Becky Ellison, executive director of the Family Abuse Center and a Baylor MSW alumna, will present the workshop. “We believe this workshop will be a great opportunity to learn and get resources that you need to help those who come to the church hurting as a result of domestic violence,” Ellison said. “We also would like to see pastors attend.”
The two Baylor Centers offered a similar workshop in the fall on the topic of benevolence, with training and information about response to those who come to the church doors in need of food or services.
Register by Monday, Nov. 17, by contacting Tammy_Woods@baylor.edu or at 254-710-3704. Directions to the Family Abuse Center will be given upon registration.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Baylor University, Religion
Waco Tennis Association to dedicate courts to Charlie McCleary
The Waco Tennis Association tonight will dedicate a marker naming two of the teaching courts at Waco Regional Tennis and Fitness Center after Charlie McCleary. McCleary was a key figure in developing the sport in Waco and the Charlie McCleary Tennis Center just off downtown was named for him, though parts of the site are now being used as a skate park.
The dedication ceremony will be at 6:30 p.m. McCleary’s family will be there and the Waco Tennis Association’s annual meeting will follow.
The WTA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the furtherance of tennis development in Waco and the surrounding communities, both competitive and recreational. Founded in 1926, the Waco Tennis Association is the oldest continuing non-profit tennis association in the State of Texas.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Health
A&M Corps of Cadets to march in Waco before game
The Texas A&M Corps of Cadets will march in downtown Waco Saturday morning before the Aggies play Baylor at Floyd Casey Stadium.
The march will begin at 11 a.m. on Avenue Avenue between 13th and 14th streets. The group will march east down Austin Avenue and end at Fourth Street near Heritage Square.
The reviewing stand for the parade will be on the corner at Eighth Street.
The night before, the Greater Waco A&M Club will have yell practice beginning at 11:30 p.m. Friday at Indian Spring Park near the Suspension Bridge. For more information about that event, call 776-8282.
I have mentioned before on this blog that I am an A&M graduate (Class of ‘82), so what do you think it’s like for me working in the Waco Tribune-Herald newsroom a few football fields-distance away from the Baylor campus? We have this video to show you.
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor football, Baylor sports
Two-vehicle accident near Richland Mall
Emergency personnel are working a two-vehicle accident this morning near Richland Mall at State Highway 6 and U.S. HIghway 84.
It isn’t known if there are injuries, but ambulances and two tow trucks have arrived at the scene when a Ford Explorer and minivan have collided, according to a Waco Police Department spokeswoman.
We’ll update as more information is available.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Traffic
City sets public meeting on McCleary tennis, skate site
The city of Waco parks and recreation department will host a public meeting on Tuesday to gain input for a master plan for the McCleary Tennis Center and Waco Skate Park, according to a city news release.
The meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at the Waco Regional Tennis and Fitness Center, 900 Lake Shore Drive.
With assistance from Skate 254, Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, local citizens and area tennis players, the city plans to examine the potential of creating a more natural park setting that would include a variety of recreational amenities.
For information, call the parks and recreation office at 254-750-5781.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, City hall
McGregor man arrested after beer truck rollover in Colorado
A Central Texas man was in Colorado police custody early today, held on a driving under the influence charge after the 18-wheeler he was driving flipped over, spilling a 45,000 pound load of beer.
Bobby Dodge, 56, of McGregor, was driving east on Colorado Highway 58 about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday when he tried to enter an onramp to Interstate 70 too fast, Wheat Ridge, Colo. police spokeswoman Lisa Stigall said.
The rig overturned and the full load of beer, which Dodge had picked up from Coors Brewing Company in nearby Golden, smashed inside the truck, Stigall said.
The onramp was closed for nearly seven hours while cleanup crews manually unloaded the trailer, Stigall said.
Dodge, who Stigall described as a contract truck driver, was cited for driving under the influence and taken to the Wheat Ridge city jail.
Stigall said this incident was the second time this year a truck had overturned on that onramp.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Get primed for Baylor vs. Texas A&M football
Are you fired up about this year’s Battle of the Brazos? It’s always a classic rivalry matchup, and we’ve got plenty of coverage on WacoTrib.com:
- A Modest Aggie: Check out our video of Trib community editor Ken Sury, a transplanted Aggie suffering in (sometimes) silence here in Bear Country;
- Matchup: Trib beat writer John Werner analyzes his keys to the game in 5 matchup categories in our weekly interactive graphic;
- Podcast: The sports guys huddle for their weekly Baylor/Big 12 chat — on tap this week: How important is the A&M game for Baylor? Who are the Bears’ best senior standouts? And is Graham Harrell the frontrunner for the Heisman? Find out what they think this week;
- Video: Know any good Aggie jokes? The Trib’s Emily Ingram asked some Baylor fans in last year’s EmZone;
- The Bear Blog: Trib sportswriters John Werner and Brice Cherry bring you Baylor sports tidbits all week long on the award-winning Bear Blog;
- Complete coverage: All our Baylor football stories, photos, videos and more on the Baylor football page.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor football, Baylor sports
Robinson police looking for jewelry missing from scene of man’s killing
Robinson police are asking for help in finding jewelry missing after the killing of Waco businessman Joe Sturdivant, who was found shot to death in his home on Oct. 8.
Sturdivant was found by his wife, Joyce, after she returned home to their residence in the 3100 block of Highway 77 around 5:20 p.m. Sturdivant was pronounced dead as a result of a gunshot wound to the back of the head and another to his back, according to an autopsy report.
Joyce Sturdivant told Robinson police detectives that a butterfly-shaped brooch was discovered missing from the home when she returned to the residence a few days after the homicide, Robinson police said.
The missing butterfly brooch is similar to a diamond-encrusted gold, blue and green butterfly brooch Joyce Sturdivant still has in her possession, police said. She said the missing diamond brooch, however, is gold, pink and green.
Robinson police encouraged anyone with information about the missing brooch or with any information regarding the death of Joe Sturdivant to call police at 662-0525.
Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 753-HELP.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Police & crime
Operation Christmas Child continues
Operation Christmas Child, which benefits children across the world by filling shoe boxes with school supplies, toys, necessity items, candy and a letter of encouragement, is under way in Waco.
The Chick-Fil-A on Franklin Avenue is accepting filled Operation Christmas Child boxes through this Saturday. Click on the photos with this post to see what was going on Saturday.
“Operation Christmas Child is a unique opportunity to do something as simple as packing a shoe box that will have a lasting impact on a child across the world,” said Keri Pribble, Operation Christmas Child regional manager. “We are excited about the 2008 collection season as community members have already begun packing shoe box gifts.”
Some 8 million gift-filled shoe boxes will go out to children in more than 100 countries suffering from natural disaster, war, terrorism, disease, famine and poverty.
Another local collection site, running Nov. 17-24, is at Highland Baptist Church, 3014 Maple Ave. Hours to drop off the shoe boxes during that period are 9 a.m. to 5p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and 2 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. To ask questions, call (800) 910-2498.
Step-by-step shoe box packing instructions are available at www.samaritanspurse.org.
If you know of other collection sites locally, please comment on this post.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Nonprofit news
Former Waco pastor’s new church at odds with Georgia Southern Baptists
Our “big sister” newspaper, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, has this story today about the Georgia Baptist Convention approving a policy Tuesday aimed at diminishing the role of churches led by women pastors.
The policy is broad and provides the organization the ability to refuse donations from entities out of sync with Southern Baptist beliefs. There is only one church that currently falls into that category: the 2,700-member Decatur First Baptist, headed by the Rev. Julie Pennington-Russell.
Pennington-Russell, who recently spoke at Baylor’s Chapel, was called by Decatur in 2007. She had been pastor at Waco’s Calvary Baptist Church from 1998 until joining Decatur.
Last year, there was talk of breaking ties with Decatur First Baptist over Pennington-Russell, said J. Robert White, executive director of the convention, according to the story.
If convention executives take action, that would allow Decatur First to remain associated with Southern Baptists, but they would not accept donations from it. Churches whose gifts are not accepted lose their organization voting privileges and the ability to give to Southern Baptist missions and help programs.
Full disclosure: Pennington-Russell, or “Pastor Julie” as we called her, was my family’s pastor and we still attend Calvary here. I recall the brouhaha over her arrival at our church in 1998 and having to walk through a picket line to enter the building.
She addressed some of those issues about women as clergy in this Day1.org video podcast. It’s nearly nine minutes long.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Religion
Friends of Peace to present award-winning documentary
Waco Friends of Peace will present the Waco premiere of the Academy Award-winning film Taxi To The Dark Side (best documentary, 2007) at 6 p.m. Thursday during its monthly movie night.
The movie explores the development of torture as policy in the war on terror after the Sept. 11 attacks. Included is a free pizza buffet. Go to www.friendsofpeace.org for details.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: This, that
TSTC’s offering OP-TEC Parent Night
Texas State Technical College has a parent night planned on Monday for parents of children in junior high and high school who might be interested in optics and photonics (the science of generating, controlling, and detecting photons).
The release is below.
Parents of children in grades seven through 12 are invited to attend OP-TEC Parent Night on Monday, Nov. 17, at Texas State Technical College Waco. The event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. in the campus’ IDEAS Center, located in the Electronics Center building on Airline Drive.
OP-TEC (National Center for Optics and Photonics Education) is a national consortium of two-year colleges, high schools, universities, laboratories, industry partners and professional societies committed to creating a secondary to postsecondary “pipeline” of highly qualified and strongly motivated students.
Job opportunities in the emerging field of photonics are plentiful and pay well. Optic and photonic skills are used in an extensive variety of industries, including medicine, construction, manufacturing, Homeland Security and more.
Because of this, TSTC offers a free summer camp every July to inform students, teachers and high school counselors of the skills needed for a successful career in photonics and to provide a chance to let them try it first-hand.
Learn more about photonics and the opportunities available in this emerging field. Attend Parent’s Night and find out what all the excitement is about. (Counselors and teachers are also welcome to attend.)
To find out more about OP-TEC and what it can offer your child, go to www.op-tec.org, or call 867-3173.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Education
Doc Anderson was on Dr. Phil Tuesday
In case you missed yesterday’s appearance by our state Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson on the “Dr. Phil Show,” he was part of a show titled “Risky Teen Behavior” and focused on the reckless and sometimes illegal activities by teens.
Anderson is crusading to criminalize Salvia, a hallucinogenic herb. He filed a bill Monday to bring up the issue again in the 2009 session of the Texas Legislature. It died in committee last session.
Here’s a link to the “Dr. Phil Show” program on that topic. Anderson’s appearance is addressed on the fourth and last page of the recap about the program.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Health, Politics
Police: Woman killed trying to leave KKK ritual in Louisiana
An Oklahoma woman who was lured over the Internet to take part in a Ku Klux Klan initiation was shot and killed after the ritual went awry, and the group tried to cover it up by dumping her body on a rural roadside and setting her belongings aflame, authorities said.
But the plan failed: By Tuesday, a local Klan leader sat in jail on a second-degree murder charge, and seven others were charged with trying to help conceal the crime.
“The IQ level of this group is not impressive, to be kind,” St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain said Tuesday.
The woman, whose identity was not released, was supposed to be initiated near the village of Sun, La. and then return to her home state to find other members for the white supremacist group, Strain said.
It wasn’t clear what rites awaited her at the campsite, but authorities believe the initiation had begun by the time the shooting happened. Strain said the group’s leader, Raymond “Chuck” Foster, 44, shot and killed her Sunday night after a fight broke out when she asked to be taken back to town.
Read the rest of the story here.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, National news
Waco-area man one of three dead in apparent Dallas murder-suicide
A man with Waco ties shot and killed his estranged wife and her mother today before turning the gun on himself in East Dallas, authorities said.
Police are calling the three deaths a double murder-suicide.
The estranged husband of Janice Hill, 24, Keith Lewis Hill, is the suspect in the killings, said Dallas police spokesman Sgt. Gil Cerda. The 28-year-old man was found dead in a home with a rifle by his body. There was no sign of forced entry.
Janice Hill and her 52-year-old mother, Jeanne Carroll, were also found dead in the home when Hill’s grandmother woke up around 1 p.m. She is in her 80s, hard of hearing and never heard the rifle shots, Cerda said.
Cerda said Hill’s truck is registered in Waco. He said he didn’t know how long Keith Hill had been in the Dallas area before the incident occurred.
A public records search showed Hill renewed his driver’s license in June showing he lived at an address on Lacy Drive in Lacy-Lakeview.
This afternoon, yellow police tape surrounded the ranch-style East Dallas home in the 9000 block of Michael Lane, near Eastfield College, a Dallas community college.
About 100 yards south of the home, the suspect’s vehicle was hooked up to a tow truck to be carted away. Police said they believe the man parked there, walked up the residential street with his rifle and was let into the home early Tuesday.
Police records indicate that Janice Hill was assaulted by her husband in Grand Prairie on Oct. 9, Cerda said. Keith Hill was arrested on Oct. 23 and Janice Hill sought a restraining order five days later.
Police were at the home as recently as Sunday. Janice Hill called police, saying she has been receiving harassing phone calls from an unknown person whom she believed was her husband. The caller never spoke, Cerda said.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
One sent home after area fatality accident
As a funeral is held today for 16-year-old Monty Huffman of Prairie Hill, who died Saturday morning in a one-vehicle accident, one of his passengers was released from the hospital.
Karen Davis, 19, was treated for minor injuries and released from Limestone Medical Center, said a hospital spokeswoman.
Aaron Martin, 15, was reportedly taken to Scott & White Medical Center after the accident, but today a hospital spokeswoman says he was never admitted.
A spokeswoman at Groesbeck High School, where Martin and Huffman were students, declined to reveal any information regarding Martin’s condition because he is a minor.
Just before 1 a.m. Saturday, authorities said Huffman was speeding in a 2000 Toyota Sienna when he lost control of the vehicle at a curve on County Road 760, six miles south of Groesbeck. The vehicle rolled over, said a spokeswoman with the Texas Department of Public Safety.
She said Huffman died instantly.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Around Central Texas, Police & crime
DHL Express to close TSTC hub in Waco
DHL Express confirmed today that its Waco hub at the Texas State Technical College airport is one of 19 regional hubs the shipping company will shutter as it ceases domestic operations.
The company announced Monday that it was cutting 9,500 jobs in the United States and would eliminate U.S.-only domestic express shipping by land and air. Heavy losses and fierce competition were cited as the reasons.
The TSTC hub employs only three DHL employees, but a spokesman for the company said dozens of independent contractors also work at the facility. It serves clients in Texas and Oklahoma.
Last day of operation at the Waco hub is Jan. 30.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Waco’s Edwards says he’d consider VA secretary post
U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, who has been suggested as a candidate for Veterans Affairs secretary, said that he would have to consider whether he could be more effective in the Cabinet or Congress.
Edwards said he has not been approached by President-elect Obama, who considered him as a possible running mate.
“I would want to think long and hard,” Edwards, D-Waco, told The Associated Press Monday at a groundbreaking for a new Fort Worth veterans outpatient clinic. “I wake up every day being blessed to represent my district, representing veterans … and we’ve done a lot of good things.”
Edwards is chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Committee, which helped increase funding for veterans’ health care and benefits by $16.3 billion the last two years.
He also said he would have to consider whether he wanted to give up his position as the second-highest ranking Democrat on the Energy and Water Appropriations Committee. Edwards also serves on the House Budget and Appropriations committees and Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.
Edwards was re-elected last week to his 10th term representing the district that includes President Bush’s Crawford ranch.
Edwards said he has not spoken to Obama or his staff before or since the election, about the Veterans Affairs secretary post.
But he said rumors about that possible Cabinet position started after it was revealed — to the nation’s surprise — that he was among Obama’s top four vice presidential choices, the day before Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware was selected in late August.
“I love my present job,” Edwards said. “Where could I do the most good for veterans? I’m not sure.”
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Chet Edwards, Politics, Veterans
Texas Wildscapes workshop comes to Lake Waco Wetlands
The Lake Waco Wetlands is joining with Texas Parks & Wildlife to offer a free workshop called Texas Wildscapes on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the wetlands, according to a news release from the city.
The program will be led by Mark Klym, coordinator of the Texas Wildscapes program for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
Texas Wildscapes helps Texas regain contact with nature while also restoring some of the habitat wildlife has lost to urban expansion, the release says. While the class if free, participants are asked to register by calling the Lake Waco Wetlands at 848-8654.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, City hall, Environmental
How much rain did you get?
That quick-moving storm with the heavy rain dropped 0.36 inches on the official Waco Regional Airport gauge between 7 and 8 a.m. this morning.
The gauge atop our Trib roof recorded 0.6 inches.
How much rain fell where you are?
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Weather
Dr. Phil, meet Waco’s ‘Doc’ Anderson
The office of state Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson, R-Waco, sent out a release that our legislator will be appearing Tuesday on “The Dr. Phil Show,” which will discuss salvia.
You might recall that Anderson is leading the fight in Texas to criminalize salvia, a herb that can cause hallucinations or other delusions when ingested directly or dried and inhaled.
His efforts to criminalize the drug were most recently written about in the Dallas Morning News.
We wrote about it when Anderson introduced House Bill 2347 during the 2007 session. The bill, however, died in committee.
“The Dr. Phil Show” is on KCEN-TV, Channel 6, (cable channel 3) at 3 p.m.
Permalink | Comments (18) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Entertainment, Politics
Waco drug raid nets $500,000 in marijuana, Hummer
Authorities announced this afternoon officers have seized about 750 pounds of marijuana, a Hummer and other items and arrested three men at a house on Chappel Hill Road in Waco.
The seizure Friday was a coordinated effort between the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office, Waco police and local Drug Enforcement Administration agents.
In addition to the marijuana - estimated to be worth about $500,000 - authorities also seized a Hummer H2 truck, a Dodge Charger, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, two handguns, a semi-automatic assault pistol, $1,800 in cash and a small amount of cocaine, authorities said.
Steven Robertson, a supervisory special agent with the DEA, said the raid was significant and that it was “a major blow against marijuana trafficking” in the city of Waco.
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Margaret Mills sentencing live blog
10:37 a.m. - Just more than a half-hour after Mills was taken into custody, the courthouse is quiet. Media are packing up their cameras, and the courtroom is empty.
10:30 a.m. - Upon her sentencing, Mills paid the court $100,000 in restitution, per Wednesday’s agreement. The Tribune-Herald reported in Saturday’s paper that four of the Millses’ friends each paid $25,000 of the amount. Those friends included insurance magnate Bernard Rapoport, former U.S. Ambassador to Sweden Lyndon Olson Jr., and law partners and businessmen Pat Beard and David Kultgen. Beard, one of her lawyers, was the only one of the four who was in the courtroom for Mills’ sentencing. She has reportedly already paid an additional $70,000 in restitution. The deputy state attorney general, who spoke on behalf of the prosecution, said he felt justice was served in the matter because members of the Downtown Waco Inc. executive board were satisfied with the amount of restitution.
10:23 a.m. - A deputy state attorney general, who spoke on behalf of the prosecution, says the investigation against Mills is closed and no additional charges are pending. “We feel very strongly that justice has been served,” he tells reporters. The attorney general’s office has charged that Mills stole more than $500,000 from Downtown Waco Inc. The office reduced those allegations to just less than $100,000. Before the deal was struck, Mills faced a maximum sentence of life in prison on the first-degree felony. More than half of the allegations were dropped by the state.
10:11 a.m. - When asked about Mills’ state of mind by reporters after the hearing, Bostwick says, “it’s a horrific experience to think about going to prison.” At the same time, he says, she’s a bit relieved to have some “closure.” He says his understanding is that all women sentenced to prison in the state, at least initially, go to a prison unit in Gatesville. He says imagines she will not serve the entire nine-year sentence, but declined to guess how long she might serve. A prison spokesman told Tribune-Herald reporter Tommy Witherspoon last week that Mills will likely serve about two years.
10:03 a.m. - Judge Johnson enters the courtroom. Per last Wednesday’s plea agreement, he sentences Mills to nine years in prison and $307,968.99 in restitution to the agency she headed for 18 years. After she agreed to waive her right to an appeal, Johnson tells her she is now in custody of the bailiffs. Seconds later, she was led to a door behind the judge’s bench where court personnel typically take people into custody. The entire sentencing hearing was over in four minutes.
10 a.m. - As the sentencing hearing is about to begin, a reporter from local TV station KWTX, Channel 10, says he asked Mills how she is feeling as he walked in the courthouse. The reporter says her only reply was, “not good.”
9:58 a.m.- With Judge Matt Johnson still in his quarters, Assistant State Attorney General David S. Glickler sits at the prosecution table, and chats with Bostwick. Mills and Beard are talking.
9:54 a.m. - Margaret Mills takes a seat between her lawyers, Rick Bostwick and Pat Beard, at the defense table.
9:51 a.m. - With nine minutes before the sentencing hearing starts, the courtroom is filled with muted chatter from about 25 people sitting in the pews. Toni Herbert, who served as the executive director of Downtown Waco Inc. after Margaret Mills, is seated next to Coke Mills. One seat away from Margaret Mills, on the front row near the prosecution’s side, is Parnell McNamara, a former, longtime, Waco-based U.S. deputy marshal.
9:39 a.m. - Margaret Mills walks into the courthouse to be sentenced with her husband, Coke Mills, a Waco-based lawyer. Her face is solemn as she walks up to the courthouse, goes through security and takes the elevator to the Judge Matt Johnson’s 54th State District Court on the third floor. The Millses enter the courtroom, and sit in the first row on the prosecution’s side.
Permalink | | Categories: Margaret Mills
Baylor men’s hoops whips Tarleton in exhibition, 76-44
LaceDarius Dunn scored 18 points and Kevin Rogers hit 15 to lead Baylor to a 76-44 exhibition win over Tarleton State tonight at the Ferrell Center.
The Bears held the Texans to 31.9 percent shooting as they avenged a 95-85 loss last season.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor sports
Motorcyclist killed in wreck on N. 25th Street in Waco
A Saturday afternoon motorcycle accident killed a Waco man, authorities said.
Waco police say Melesio Barrientos, 18, was killed when his 2003 Yamaha motorcycle crashed into a Nissan Murano, driven by Ramon Castillo, 58, also of Waco.
The accident occurred around 1:20 p.m. when Castillo failed to stop at a stop sign at the corner of Windsor Avenue and N. 25th Street, authorities said.
Police say Barrientos, who was not wearing a helmet, struck the left passenger side of the Nissan.
Justice of the Peace Billy Martin pronounced Barrientos dead at 1:30 p.m.
Police records indicate that Castillo was not cited in the incident.
Permalink | Comments (31) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Accident backs up traffic on Interstate 35
An accident on northbound Interstate 35 near 12th Street has traffic slowed beyond Valley Mills at 6:40 p.m.
A Waco Police Department spokeswoman said there doesn’t appear to be anything significant about the accident, but because airbags deployed, tow trucks and an ambulance were dispatched to the scene.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Traffic
BU to hold unity rally, updates noose investigation
Baylor University interim president David Garland said in a statement today that University officials continue to investigate the appearance of rope shaped into a noose on campus after Tuesday’s election of Barack Obama to the presidency.
“We are grateful to a number of students who have come forward with information pertaining to the rope that was found on campus Wednesday morning,” the statement said. “Baylor police are now in possession of the rope, which appears to have been about 10 feet in length with a crude knot forming a loop at the end. Police are continuing their investigation and invite anyone with information about the origin of the rope to contact them.”
The statement also said campus police will talk to students who engaged in a shouting match after the president-elect’s victory speech and expect to make referrals to the university’s department of judicial affairs.
“Contrary to some initial reports, police have not been able to produce any solid evidence that Obama/Biden campaign signs were burned in the barbecue pit adjacent to Brooks Flats,” the statement continued. “Investigators have learned that what were originally reported to be Obama/Biden campaign signs were actually empty computer boxes. Officers are continuing to look into the matter.”
There have been no additional incidents reported to campus authorities, the statement said.
Campus officials also encouraged students to participate in several forums to promote unity on the campus, including a prayer rally on Wednesday.
Garland’s statement again outlined Baylor’s policies toward racist acts at the school.
“As I have said previously, racist acts of any kind will not be tolerated at Baylor. The evidence we have obtained suggests that a small number of individuals on our campus were responsible for the events of Tuesday evening.
“As I have spoken with students privately and listened to their public comments, I know that they share our profound sense of anger over this entire situation. They resent that the irresponsible actions of a few have left a stain on the university of which they are so proud.”
The student Senate passed a resolution Thursday decrying the Tuesday events.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Mills getting help to pay back $100k
Margaret Mills will be going to prison Monday morning and is expected to pay $100,000 of $307,968 in restitution at her sentencing hearing. The Tribune-Herald has learned that she will be getting a help from some prominent Wacoans to pay a portion of her restitution tab.
Bernard Rapoport, Lyndon Olson Jr., Pat Beard and David Kultgen each are chipping in $25,000 to pay that portion of Mills’ restitution, Rapoport and Olson confirmed Friday.
The partial restitution of $100,000 was ordered by 54th State District Judge Matt Johnson to be paid up-front Monday as part of a plea agreement reached in Mills’ case earlier this week.
Mills agreed to a nine-year prison term, plus the agreed restitution amount, after pleading guilty to stealing money from Downtown Waco Inc., the agency she ran as executive director for 18 years.
She and her attorneys, Rick Bostwick and Beard, agreed to the settlement with special prosecutors from the attorney general’s office after Johnson agreed to reconsider approving a plea offer.
The judge had rejected at least three previous plea deals, saying he would not agree to any deal that called for her to serve less than 15 years in prison. That was before prosecutors abandoned more than half the counts in the 116-paragraph indictment, reducing the maximum term Mills faced from life in prison to 10 years.
Mills, 67, is set for sentencing at 10 a.m. Monday.
Permalink | Comments (31) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Waco native doesn’t win Price is Right model gig
Waco native and Midway High School graduate Lindsey Kelley was one of the five finalists in CBS’s “The Price is Right” model search, but fans voting online chose Southern belle Amanda Shiflett of Corner, Ala., CBS and the show announced today.
Each of the finalists had the opportunity to appear on a Price is Right episode during the week of Oct. 20-24 and fans could get online and vote.
Kelley, 27, is the daughter of Mike and Toni Kelley of Woodway. She and her husband, Mike Palumbo, live is Los Angeles, where Lindsey has had several acting jobs since moving there. They have a 7-month-old daughter, Lillie Marie.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Entertainment
Fire badly damages Waco-area home
An afternoon house fire in Chalk Bluff rekindled later this evening, gutting a guest room and leaving the rest of the home with smoke and water damage.
Engines from the Chalk Bluff Fire Department were called to 108 Wildwood Avenue around 12:30 p.m. Though the cause of the fire is unknown, investigators believe the fire started in a guest room closet. The fire was put out with support from other area fire departments.
Firefighters were summoned again to the house just after 8:00 p.m., when smoldering embers inside the front wall flared up and the attic caught fire, said Chalk Bluff Fire Chief Mike Meadors.
The fire was extinguished by 9:30 p.m. Outside the house sat a pile of half-burned possessions.
The Red Cross is helping the family with food, shelter and clothing, Meadors said.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Man sentenced in three Waco area restaurant robberies
A bullet-proof vest wearing gunman who robbed three businesses this summer was sentenced to 20 years in prison today.
Juan Felipe Arango, 25, pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated robbery and was sentenced on each charge by 54th State District Judge Matt Johnson to serve concurrent 20 year prison terms.
Arango will have to serve at least 10 years in prison before he is eligible for parole. Immigration officials also have placed a detainer on him, possibly making him a candidate for deportation after he is released from prison, officials said.
Arango pleaded guilty to robbing the Smoke Break and More at 325 LaSalle Ave. in Waco on June 8, a Subway restaurant in Robinson on June 21, and the Little Caesar’s on Interstate 35 in Bellmead on July 3.
A security camera at the Robinson Subway showed Arango brandishing a pistol and wearing an armored vest.
Authorities have said Arango’s girlfriend, Erica Lira Sanchez, drove the getaway car while he robbed the three businesses. They were arrested shortly after the Bellmead robbery.
Sanchez, 21, remained in the McLennan County Jail late today, also charged with aggravated robbery. She is set to stand trial Jan. 26 in 54th State District Court in Waco.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Courthouse
Former Waco Internet company owner sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for child porn
A 49-year-old Waco man who is serving a 40-year state prison term for indecency with a child has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for conspiracy to produce child pornography.
Phillip Warren Roberts, former owner of an Internet service provider in Waco called Century Alpha, pleaded guilty in August to federal child pornography charges. He was sentenced to prison this week by U.S. District Judge Walter S. Smith Jr.
Roberts admitted that from June 2003 to October 2003, he conspired with a Pennsylvania woman to provide him with sexually explicit photos of a 2-year-old through this computer in exchange for $2,000, according to federal officials.
Waco police and federal agents executed a search warrant at Roberts’ house and business and discovered more than 47,000 images and about 675 videos depicting child pornography on his computer, officials have said.
In 2003, Roberts was sentenced in state court to 40 years in prison and fined $20,000 for violating his probation after Waco police arrested him for possessing child pornography. Roberts had been on deferred probation since pleading guilty in August 2000 to two counts of indecency with a child involving an 11-year-old.
He won’t begin serving his federal sentence until he completes his state prison term, officials said.
The woman in Pennsylvania was prosecuted there for providing the images, authorities have said.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Courthouse
Longhorn player kicked off for Facebook comments
The Baylor Bears football team won’t have to contend with the Longhorns backup center on Saturday. He was kicked off the team because of comments he made on Facebook, a person close to the team has confirmed to Austin American-Statesman reporter Suzanne Halliburton, who blogs on the Bevo Beat.
According to the blog entry, Buck Burnette made an ill-advised post on his Facebook page after it was announced that Barack Obama won the election.
Halliburton blogs:
According to those who saw the Facebook page, Burnette updated his status shortly after Barack Obama was elected president Tuesday night and wrote that hunters should get their guns. One of the people who claimed to have seen Burnette’s original post said it also included a racial slur. Others saw what Burnette wrote and posted comments on other sites, encouraging their friends to shut down his page.
Burnette’s page has since been deleted from Facebook.
However, screen grabs show that he had updated his status to an apology. Burnette wrote: “Clearly I was in the wrong for what I did and I apologize for being a sore loser.”
Permalink | Comments (40) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Baylor University, Baylor football, Baylor sports, Pro & college sports
Striping to begin for soon-to-be two-way Waco streets
Beginning tomorrow, the city of Waco’s traffic department will begin striping sections of 11th and 12th Streets that are being converted to two-way roads, the city says in a release.
Here’s the rest of the release:
Waco City Council approved the change on Nov. 1, 2006. Since then, staff have been designing and preparing for the reconfiguration.
The changes involve the sections of 11th Street between Bosque Blvd. to Columbus Ave., and 12th Street from Bosque Blvd. to Franklin Ave. During the transition, the west side of 11th Street and the east side of 12th Street will be closed.
During the week of Nov. 17, the traffic signals will be adjusted for the conversion, and the complete switch to two-way traffic is planned for Thursday, Nov. 20 at 4 p.m.
For more information, contact Traffic Services at 750-6620.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, City hall
It’s homecoming week at Waco High
Homecoming week is in high gear at Waco High School this week. The parade around the campus was held last night, followed by a powder puff game and the “Burning of the W” at Paul Tyson Field.
At right are the nominees for 2008 Homecoming king and queen (click on the photo for a bigger image and the names). The 12 finalists were chosen after last week’s election from nominees of the school’s various clubs and organizations. This homecoming court will be presented at the Friday night game with Midlothian. The king and queen will be announced at halftime.
The football game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. A pep rally in the school gym is at 3:25 p.m. that day.
Here’s a shot of some of the fun from last night’s homecoming parade. For more photos from the parade, click here.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Education, High school sports
Injured motorcyclist still critical; driver improves to fair
A 44-year-old motorcyclist injured Monday night when his motorcycle collided with a car during a police chase remains in critical condition this morning, while the condition of the car’s 58-year-old driver has improved from serious to fair, said a spokesman with Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center.
Waco motorcyclist Clarence Majors collided into a Toyota Tercel, driven by Arturo A. Espindola of Waco, at 6:45 p.m. Monday at the corner of 18th Street and Austin Avenue, Waco police have said.
According to police, officers attempted to pull Majors over for a traffic stop at the corner of 15th Street and Austin Avenue, when the motorcyclist sped off, and crashed into the Tercel.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Midway’s Beauty and the Beast begins run
Midway High School students are bringing the Disney classic “Beauty and the Beast” to the stage for four performances beginning tonight.
The Midway High Fine Arts Department does a musical every two years, but school officials say this year’s production pulls out all the stops, with impressive costumes from New York (seen in the photo here), to the fabulous backdrops and scenery, to a phenomenal cast and crew.
Performances will be in the MISD Performing Arts Center, 800 Hewitt Drive. The first show is at 7p.m. today. Other performances are at 7 p.m. Saturday (although that one is already sold out), a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, and at 7 p.m. Monday.
General admission tickets at the door and the day of the show are $10. For more information, call 761-5650, ext. 2054.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Texas Life bought, but will stay in Waco
Waco-based Texas Life Insurance Co., founded in 1901, has been bought by a Connecticut company that says it will leave the company headquarters and its 131 employees in place.
Texas Life, which occupies the building at Ninth Street and Washington Avenue that bears its name, is the oldest legal reserve life insurance company domiciled in Texas.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Business
Axtell ISD election results now in
We now have the Axtell school board election results from yesterday. The lag time was due to the fact that we only had McLennan County figures and not Hill County totals until now.
Adding the Hill County votes didn’t affect the results. Incumbents Brian Frankum and James Caldwell were returned to their seats and Ricky Lyle Stecher will fill the third seat available.
The incumbents each received 683 votes, while Stecher tallied 661. Will Hutson, the fourth candidate, had 381 votes.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Education
Baylor interim president confirms apparent racial incidents election night on campus
Interim Baylor University President David E. Garland released the following statement today:
Baylor police reported today on three disturbing incidents that occurred on our campus yesterday.
Late Tuesday afternoon we were notified of a single clothesline rope that had been seen in a tree on campus. The individuals who discovered it believed it had the appearance of a noose. Baylor police are now in possession of the rope and continue to speak with students who observed the rope in the tree and are gathering additional information about the origin of the rope.
Last evening, police investigated a small fire in a barbecue pit adjacent to Brooks Flats in which it was alleged several Obama/Biden campaign signs had been burned.
Finally, police were called late last evening to a disturbance outside Penland Hall, where a shouting match had occurred between two small groups of white and African-American students.
These events are deeply disturbing to us and are antithetical to the mission of Baylor University. We categorically denounce and will not tolerate racist acts of any kind on our campus.
Further, we are committed to maintaining the safety and unity of our campus community. We wish to celebrate and strengthen inclusiveness, understanding and acceptance of all members of the Baylor family.
As they have thus far, Baylor police will respond quickly and decisively to any additional situations of this nature. Faculty, staff and students with information pertaining to any of the incidents we’ve described are urged to contact Baylor police at 710-2222.
Baylor has specific policies regarding expectations of civility and respect on our campus. Those policies, which we endorse and enforce, can be found at http://www.baylor.edu/content/services/document.php?id=39242.
Faculty, staff and students also participate in on-going weekly meetings hosted by our department of multicultural activities called “Frankly Speaking” in which issues of the day are discussed in a respectful and civil manner. The goal of “Frankly Speaking” is for participants to feel comfortable expressing their opinions and beliefs within a safe environment. The meetings are held in the Bill Daniel Student Center each Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., and members of the Baylor community are invited to participate.
We believe that the incidents on our campus yesterday were irresponsible acts committed by a few individuals. As a community we condemn these terribly unfortunate events that do not represent the values we share as members of the Baylor family.
Permalink | Comments (32) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Local program seeks ‘Waco’s Biggest Loser’
A Waco-area personal wellness coach is challenging local residents to a friendly weight-loss competition inspired by the fitness reality TV show “The Biggest Loser.”
Julie DeSario is launching two nonprofit 8-week courses that offer tips on nutrition and exercise, paired with a bit of competition.
“Together we have fun and all the group support for the best results,” she says. “Course participants can use any weight-loss program they’d like; whether it is Jenny Craig, the South Beach Diet, Weight Watchers or a customized plan. We’ll work with each person to find what works best for them.”
The first eight-week course begins at 10 a.m. Thursday at Gold’s Gym, 250 N. New Road. The next one will start at 6 p.m. Dec. 2 at Hewitt Community Center, 208 Chama St.
Participants will weigh in each week, and the three people with the highest percentage of pounds lost at the end of the course will win prize money. She hopes to have 20 students per class, which would allow for a $250 first-place prize, $150 second-place prize and $100 third-place prize.
The group will charge a participant $1 for each pound gained during the course, and $5 if a participant misses two or more class sessions. This money will be added to the prize pots.
The cost for the 8-week course is $29. All the money will go into the pot for the prize money, she says.
For more information and to register, call 254-224-6261.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Health
Story speculates that Edwards could get Obama cabinet post
A Houston Chronicle story today looking at the gains Democrats made in Texas, but noting that the state remains solidly “red,” includes a paragraph that says there already is speculation that U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, and former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk might be picked for cabinet posts in Barack Obama’s administration.
A shoo-in for Veterans Affairs secretary, ya think?
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Chet Edwards, Politics
Obama big winner at Rapoport Academy mock vote
The results are in from the mock presidential election held yesterday at the Rapoport Academy, where 75 percent of the ballots went to Barack Obama.
One hundred-fifty kindergarten through fourth-grade students voted, the evidence of which can be seen here.
Comments from the students about the importance of voting included “If you don’t vote, someone might get elected that you don’t like” and “ I voted cause that’s what everyone” is “sposed to do.”
Click on each of the images here for a larger version.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Education, Politics
Margaret Mills punishment trial live blog
3:50 p.m. - Rick Bostwick, Mills’ attorney, talked with the media after walking Mills to a vehicle in the parking lot to the side of the courthouse. Bostwick said the decision to take the plea agreement was difficult for Mills.
“I think any time you are talking about somebody’s life, or a significant portion of it, it’s agonizing,” he said. “I think that until you go through a trial, you don’t realize how agonizing it is, especially when it’s much more public than normal.”
Click to see Margaret Mills video.
He said the process has been “embarrassing” for Mills, given the “incredibly vicious and public things” people have said about her in the past two years.
Bostwick said Mills will “spend time with her family” over the next several days before she is sentenced on Monday.
“She has not been hiding from anybody or denying anything,” Bostwick said. “I don’t know how anybody could take more responsibility than she has. Apparently that’s not enough for some people.”
When asked why Mills needed the money, Bostwick said “to live.”
“I think she repaid some (of her son’s) student debt,” he added. He said allegations that she used the money to pay her son’s house payment or for his wedding are “absolutely untrue.”
Like Glickler, Bostwick said he has “no idea” how long Mills will actually serve in prison. Although Mills will be sentenced to the institution decided upon by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, she will likely serve her sentence at the Gatesville women’s unit, courthouse sources say.
3:47 p.m. - The Tribune-Herald, as well as TV reporters and cameramen, followed Mills out of the courthouse. Her face was stoic and she did not speak.
3:43 p.m. - When asked by the Tribune-Herald whether the first couple days of trial have been a waste, given that a plea agreement was reached, Glickler said it is not uncommon for an agreement to be reached after a testimony has begun. He said he is “satisfied” with the agreement, and has “no idea” how long Mills will actually serve in prison. He said he has no intentions of filing additional charges against Mills.
3:15 p.m. - Mills left the courtroom, making yet another walk past half-a-dozen video cameras. She retreated back to the room in which she and her attorneys discussed the agreement. Jurors have been released. All of the jurors declined comment to the media.
3:02 p.m. - Mills is still seated at the defendant’s table. Jurors have been called back into the courtroom. Johnson is advising jurors of the plea agreement. Mills is not showing any emotion.
3 p.m. - Johnson says he will sentence Mills at 10 a.m. Monday.
2:52 p.m. - Judge Johnson goes back on the record. The state says the state has reached a plea agreement, which ends the punishment trial. Glickler says the agreement is as follows: Mills will serve nine years in prison, with no fine assessment. She will be responsible for court costs and have to pay a total of $307,968.99 in restitution to Downtown Waco Inc. Because she has already paid $70,000 in restitution, she will have to pay an additional $237,968.99. At the time of her sentencing, per the agreement, Mills must pay $100,000 to Downtown Waco Inc. Mark Boyd, former treasurer of the agency’s board, was asked by Johnson if this amount of restitution was acceptable. He said it is. Johnson has just accepted the plea agreement, and is repeating it to Mills.
2:48 p.m. - Lawyers for both sides are seated at their respective tables. Mills is seated next to her attorneys. Judge Johnson is in his chambers. The courtroom is silent.
2:42 p.m. - Mills has walked out of the meeting with her attorneys. Her every move followed by video cameras, she walked out of the meeting room and into the courtroom. A TV reporter asked her, “Doing OK?” She said, “Doing just fine.”
2:36 p.m. - Glickler and the prosecution team has left the meeting with Mills, her husband and her attorneys.
2:28 p.m. - Glickler has entered the room in which Mills, her husband and her attorneys are meeting.
2:23 p.m. - Jurors were standing around the courthouse rotunda, and bailiffs led them back in to the jury room.
2:11 p.m. - A bailiff is taking Coke Mills, Mills’ husband, to the room in which Mills and her attorneys are meeting. Coke Mills is a lawyer in Waco.
2:04 p.m. - Glickler has left the courtroom and is talking with witnesses that were called by the prosecution. Mills is still meeting with her attorneys.
2 p.m. - Mills has left the courtroom to talk with her attorneys.
1:50 p.m. - Lawyers for both sides are in the judges’ chamber apparently discussing the plea agreement, courthouse sources are saying.
1:45 p.m. - Although jurors were told to come back from lunch at 1:30 p.m., court proceedings have yet to begin. Mills is seated at the defense table. Neither Judge Johnson nor the lawyers for either side are in the courtroom.
12:07 p.m. - Outside the presence of the jury, Judge Johnson says that, after hearing the testimony of former Downtown Waco Inc. treasurer Mark Boyd, he has decided to “consider and accept” a nine-year plea agreement. Because Boyd’s testimony revealed additional forgeries that would total Mills’ “bad acts,” Johnson says, to more than $500,000, Johnson says the restitution amount that Mills would be required to pay will have to be considerably more. He did not give the defense an exact amount, and will give them until 1:30 p.m. to decide. After Johnson made the offer, Mills began to sob. She clasped her hands over her face and rocked back in forth in the defendant’s chair. Afterward, Mills asked her attorneys if there was anything that could stop Tribune-Herald photographer Jerry Larson from taking pictures of her through the glass of the courtroom door. Her lawyers advised her that she is in public court, and nothing can be done. Johnson spoke sternly toward Glickler when he asked whether, given the revelations regarding Boyd’s forged signature, the attorney general’s office had a plan to prosecute her on forgery charges. Glickler said they have no plans “at this time.” Johnson had previously set his “bottom line” at 15 years, and felt the attorney general’s office “circumvented” his authority by abandoning 63 counts in the indictment, thereby reducing the charges. When asked for a comment about the judge’s statement, Glickler told Tribune-Herald reporter Tommy Witherspoon, “not a chance.” Mills’ attorney Rick Bostwick also declined comment as Mills continued to weep.
Noon - As to what should happen, Boyd says he does not see a future for Downtown Waco Inc. He says he hopes that is not true. Glickler passes the witnesses. Judge Johnson dismisses jurors for a lunch break. Testimony will resume with the defense’s cross-examination of Boyd at 1:30 p.m.
11:50 a.m. - Boyd says Downtown Waco Inc., while defunct, is still paying restitution. Annual dues for Downtown Waco Inc. was about $65,000, Boyd says. Of that amount, about $45,000 were paid by members. Membership drives were always in the summer, so the majority of members paid in June and July. He says those members received no value in 2006 for the dues that they paid. He says board members are attempting to reimburse members for that year.
11:48 a.m. - Boyd says committee members had meetings with Waco city officials. The city decided in October 2006 not to renew Downtown Waco Inc.’s contract. Boyd says he “felt awful” about this. When asked if he would be happy to have Downtown Waco Inc. on his resume, he says “I would probably not put my board involvement with Downtown Waco Inc. in my obituary or on my resume, and that’s a shame.”
11:45 a.m. - After Mills left the agency in 2006, Boyd says it was brought to the board’s attention that the agency’s bills were not being paid. Waco lawyer John Cullar was hired by Mills, he says.
11:35 a.m. - In a letter provided to Boyd and various other board members in June 2006, Mills explains discrepancies in the agency’s finances. Boyd says that “I deeply regret the liberties taken with this account,” and she wanted to discuss reimbursement with board members. Boyd says he felt “dejected” that so much was true. Boyd says after the board read the letter, Mills was terminated. They allowed her, however, to announce to the public that she was retiring from the agency. The year, he says, was supposed to be a celebration of Downtown Waco Inc.’s 50th anniversary. He talks about a multi-page ad in the Waco Tribune-Herald during that time that was a tribute to Downtown Waco Inc. and Mills. Board members said there was no other celebration held by the agency on account of her retirement.
11:28 a.m. - Boyd says Mills prepared financial statements, did the hiring and firing for the agency, among other duties. Glickler asks, “Is it is a smart way” to run the agency “to have one person making all of the decisions?” Boyd says that in hindsight it is not. Boyd, who has testified that he has served on so many boards that he can’t remember how many, says boards on which he has served during the past two years have been run differently. Boyd says that it was “an honor” to serve on the board of Downtown Waco Inc. Glickler asks if Boyd’s happiness to be on the board caused him to be “satisfied” to ride the “coattails” of Mills. Boyd says he “certainly” would have been.
11:20 a.m. - Boyd is asked by Glickler about financial statements that each board member would receive during each month’s board meeting. Mills would prepare each statement, Boyd says. Revenues shown on those statements, he says, did not always match up. The board had concerns that the agency would go over budget. When asked, Mills would always have an explanation, Boyd says. Glickler asks Boyd to describe Mills’ leadership style. Boyd says, “She was unafraid. She would take on anything.” He also says she was “forceful” at times, but “effective.”
11:15 a.m. - Glickler is asking about reimbursement checks made to Mills. The executive committee did not receive explanations about them, Boyd says. Glickler also asks Boyd about “employee advances.” Boyd says that, too, was not a general practice of the board.
11:05 a.m. - During the meeting with the agency’s accountants in 2006, Boyd says he “apparently failed” initially by not continuing the investigation against Mills after he met with her in 2004. Boyd says he talked with the executive committee regarding the checks in question. He says the executive committee was “stunned” and “in disbelief.” He says that the committee realized something needed to be done, and hired a lawyer, John Hawkins, who, he says, specialized in dealing with employment matter. Boyd says he and Scott Felton, who was president at the time, the committee showed Mills the checks and asked for an explanation. Mills was not responsive to the efforts, he says, although she told them she would look into it, and get back to them. He says the executive committee had to keep “hammering her” on the issue for several months.
11 a.m. - During the 2006 meeting with the agency’s accountants, Boyd says he was made aware that other signatures were forged. Per Glickler’s questioning, Boyd goes into detail about his own signature, and how the one on various checks are not his.
10:55 a.m. - The jury is being brought back in the courtroom. Mark Boyd, former treasurer of Downtown Waco Inc., will resume his testimony. Assistant State Attorney General David S. Glickler, representing the prosecution is still questioning him. Boyd talks about a second meeting, which took place in 2006, that he had with the agency’s accountants regarding discrepancies in the agency’s finances. Through Glickler’s questioning, Boyd points out checks in which his signature was forged.
10:50 a.m. - On break, Mills is now seated at the defendants’ table speaking with her attorneys.
10:40 a.m. - On break, Mills is standing at the defendants’ table, speaking with her attorney, Pat Beard.
10:35 a.m. -Judge Johnson calls a recess. Jurors are expected back in the courtroom at 10:50 a.m.
10:30 a.m. - In addition to Bank of America Downtown Waco Inc. account and Wells Fargo Bank River City Corporation account, Boyd says, after being questioned by Glickler, that there was a third way that Mills stole from the agency. He says she was making deposits $3,000 drawn on the Waco Tribune-Herald check and made to Downtown Waco Inc. It’s endorsed by Downtown Waco Inc. with her signature. That bank account number is not a Downtown Waco Inc. number, Boyd says. He says the Tribune-Herald was a partner member of the agency, which meant the newspaper paid higher dues. She deposited the check into her personal bank account, Boyd says. In 2006,
10:25 a.m. - Glickler displays the checks to the jury. Going through similar examples of checks written in 2004. Boyd says he did not authorize these checks. Glickler shows Boyd a check that is not made out to anyone. In 2006, Glickler asks if Boyd saw all of these “questioned check activity” checks. Boyd says, “absolutely.”
10:15 a.m. - Glickler shows Boyd another River City check written in October of 2004. Boyd says he doesn’t remember if he was treasurer of Downtown Waco at the time. Glickler submits the checks into evidence. With no objection from the defense, Judge Johnson admits them. Glickler asks Boyd about Mills’ children. Boyd says she has a son, Richard. Glickler asks if Boyd knew that Richard got married during sometime during the past few years. Boyd says he does not know. Glickler points out a check for $10,000 written under the River City Corporation account. There was a deposit made in Mills’ account for $10,000 on the same day. Mills was the sole signature on the check. Boyd says she would not have been authorized to do this. That check was written Oct. 4, 2004, and the memo line reads “for videographer”.
10:08 a.m. - Glickler is showing Boyd a series of checks, and asks him to read their content to jurors. Many of those checks were written to Margaret Mills. Other checks have just one signature, that signature being Mills’, he reads to jurors. Another check is drawn on a different bank account, which was River City Corporation through Wells Fargo Bank. It was written to Mills, from Mills, Boyd says in response to Glickler’s questioning. Boyd says he did not authorize this check. “It was a corporation which really did not have much life,” Boyd says. “Downtown Waco funded it,” just to have an open account, he says. This was Aug. 4, 2004.
10 a.m. - After the fiscal year, Boyd says he feels Downtown Waco’s financial status was “sound.” Boyd says he didn’t think Mills was stealing then, but that he “certainly does now.” Glickler asks Boyd how many terms he served as treasurer. Boyd says he “can’t recall.”
9:55 - Boyd talks about his 2005, after-hours meeting with Mills. He says he showed Mills the checks and questioned validity. “Mrs. Mills had very competent and relevant explanations,” he says. Boyd says he was “convinced that she was correct, and I took no further action on it.” Boyd says he did not tell anyone about this meeting, but that Mills did not ask him to do so during that meeting. In October 2006, he says there was a change of officers on the board. Boyd moved to the position of vice president. Pat Millar became treasurer. Boyd says he did not brief Millar on the problems that were brought to his attention by the attorneys.
9:50 a.m. - Glickler shows Boyd a check, that Boyd says appeared to look like a check he was shown by the accountants in early 2005. Boyd says he was concerned. “I felt like I had to have an explanation for those checks, so I responded to that.” He says he called Mills for a meeting after office hours, so he could get an “explanation.” In 2006, an internal investigation at Downtown Waco Inc. began, Boyd says. Boyd says he made the Waco Police Department aware of the investigation in 2006.
9:40 a.m. - Assistant State Attorney General David S. Glickler asks Boyd how the budget was performing as 2004-05 began. Boyd said “magnificently.” Boyd said “potential problems” were brought to his attention in early 2005 by the board’s accountant. Boyd says the fiscal year starts Oct. 1 of each year, as it did then. In early 2005, Boyd says he received a phone call from the board’s accountant, who asked Boyd to come to his office for a meeting. Glickler asked if a woman named Denise Wilder was there. Boyd says he didn’t recall, and didn’t know who Denise Wilder is. During the meeting, the accountants told Boyd that there were a “series” of checks related to Downtown Waco Inc. business, that were made to Margaret Mills or a bank.
9:35 a.m. - Testimony has not yet begun. Rather than sitting in the typical defendant’s seat next to her lawyers, Rick Bostwick and Pat Beard, Mills is seated behind her attorneys. The jury is being brought into the jury room.
9:20 a.m. - The courtroom is beginning to fill up. Margaret Mills is not yet in the courtroom. Mark Boyd, the former treasurer of the board of Downtown Waco Inc., is expected to be first on the stand, continuing his testimony from yesterday.
Permalink | Comments (109) | Post your comment | Categories: Margaret Mills
Bruceville-Eddy numbers are final
The numbers in today’s paper for the Bruceville-Eddy City Council races are final. We thought we were missing figures from Falls County and didn’t have final totals, but it turns out that Bruceville-Eddy has only a street and a water line that runs into the neighboring county with two registered voters.
According to city records, neither of the registered voters cast ballots.
That puts Rick Eaton in for the unexpired mayor’s term. Allen Trigg Sr., Connally Bass and Halbert Wilcox won the three at-large council seats, and Frank Holt handily captured the unexpired council term.
Here’s the election report.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Crawford ISD heads ‘back to table,’ superintendent says
Crawford ISD Superintendent Kevin Noack said this morning that the school board and officials will have to “go back to the table” and start looking over its spending after voters turned down a proposed 13-cent rollback increase for the district.
Voters rejected the issue 571-555 Tuesday night. The district’s boundaries are in McLennan and Coryell counties (not also Bosque County as we listed on our results page).
The funds would have been used to provide teacher pay raises and supplement the budget.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Education
Baylor Lariat: Racial incidents occur around election
The Baylor Lariat is reporting racially charged incidents on campus last night, in which Barack Obama memorabilia was burned in the fire pit of Brooks Village and racial slurs were tossed between students near Penland Hall after Obama was declared president.
We’re looking into this as well and we’ll let you know what we find out.
Permalink | Comments (29) | Post your comment | Categories: Hot stories, Baylor University, Police & crime, Politics
VIDEO: Obama says he’ll be president for ‘all America’
A triumphant Barack Obama vowed to be a president for all America, even those who voted against him, and asked for patience to address America’s problems of war and finance, which the called the greatest challenges of a lifetime.
The first black president-elect cast his election as a defining moment in America’s 232-year history and an answer to cynicism, fear and doubt about the power of democracy.
His victory speech was delivered before a multiracial crowd of more than 100,000 people. Many cried and nodded their heads while he spoke, surrounded by clear bulletproof screens on his left and right.
“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,” he said in his first public words after winning the election.
He appeared on stage with his wife, Michelle, and daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, set to become the first family of color ever to occupy the White House. Every family member was dressed in black and red.
To those who voted against him, he said, “I will be your president, too.”
“Even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime — two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century,” he said. “There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and, for us to lead, alliances to repair.”
He was already suggesting a second term to accomplish his goals, saying he expected “setbacks and false starts.”
“We may not get there in one year or even one term,” he said. “But America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you — we as a people will get there.”
Obama, an Illinois senator born 47 years ago of a white American mother and black African father, sprinkled his address with references to the civil rights struggle.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Election night 2008
McLennan County totals
Final McLennan County totals:
President
John McCain (R): 49,005
Barack Obama (D): 29,959
Bob Barr (L): 491
Write-ins: 138
U.S. Senator
John Cornyn (R): 48,960
Richard Noriega (D): 28,182
Yvonne Schick (L): 1,329
U.S. Representative, District 17
Chet Edwards (D): 47,390
Rob Curnock (R): 31,152
Gardner Osborne (L): 675
Railroad Commissioner
Michael L. Williams (R): 43,694
Mark Thompson (D): 30,653
David Floyd (L): 2,103
State Representative, District 56
Charles “Doc” Anderson (R): 44,056
David Meine (L): 6,944
State Representative, District 57
Jim Dunnam (D): 14,127
Neill Snider (L): 1,337
Sheriff
Larry Lynch (R): 48,759
Charles C. Hutyra (D): 28,944
County Commissioner, Precinct 3
Joe Mashek (D): 8,695
Danny Volcik (R): 7,245
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Falls County totals
Final Falls County totals:
President
John McCain (R): 2,975
Barack Obama (D): 1,958
Bob Barr (L): 36
Write-ins: 3
U.S. Senator
John Cornyn (R): 2,905
Richard Noriega (D): 1,863
Yvonne Schick (L): 72
U.S. Representative, District 31
John Carter (R): 2,826
Brian Ruiz (D): 1,867
Barry Cooper (L): 91
Railroad Commissioner
Michael L. Williams (R): 2,255
Mark Thompson (D): 2,243
David Floyd (L): 120
State Representative, District 57
Jim Dunnam (D): 3,481
Neill Snider (L): 528
Sheriff
Ben Kirk (D): 2,693
Michael Baker (R): 2,218
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
VIDEO: McCain congratulates Obama on victory
Republican John McCain conceded the presidential race to Barack Obama, saying the Democrat has achieved a “great thing” for himself and the country with his historic victory.
Flanked by wife Cindy and running-mate Sarah Palin, McCain spoke to supporters outside the Arizona Biltmore Hotel shortly after 10 p.m. CST Tuesday, saying the “American people have spoken and they have spoken clearly.”
He conceded the contest as polls closed on the West Coast, adding a string of states to Obama’s electoral vote tally and sealing the Illinois senator’s victory.
McCain stressed the historic nature of the election, noting that an invitation to Booker T. Washington to dine at the White House by Theodore Roosevelt had been viewed as an insult in some quarters.
“Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country,” McCain said.
Although McCain had criticized Obama during the hard-fought campaign as too inexperienced to be president, the Arizona senator said that “in a contest as long and as difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance.
“But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.”
McCain told his supporters that it was natural “to feel some disappointment. Though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours.”
McCain had been all but counted out of the contest for the GOP nomination in the summer of 2007, when his campaign was all but broke, and his comeback was a remarkable political feat.
“I don’t know what more we could have done to win this election,” McCain said. “I’ll leave that to others to determine. … I won’t spend a moment in the future regretting what might have been.”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Freestone County totals
Final Freestone County totals:
President
John McCain (R): 5,201
Barack Obama (D): 2,032
Bob Barr (L): 41
Write-ins: 3 (2 for Ralph Nader, 1 for Chuck Baldwin)
U.S. Senator
John Cornyn (R): 4,805
Richard Noriega (D): 2,170
Yvonne Schick (L): 142
U.S. Representative, District 6
Joe Barton (R): 5,012
Ludwig Otto (D): 1,916
Max Koch III (L): 102
Sheriff
Ralph Billings (D): 4,342
Tommy Page (R): 2,828
County Commissioner, Precinct 3
Stanley Gregory (D): 1,103
Kurt Kroop (R): 670
Constable, Precinct 3
L.B. Gamble Jr. (D): 1,171
Stephen James (WI): 85
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Hill County totals
Final Hill County totals:
President
John McCain (R): 9,220
Barack Obama (D): 3,802
Bob Barr (L): 104
Write-ins: 67
U.S. Senator
John Cornyn (R): 8,595
Richard Noriega (D): 4,104
Yvonne Schick (L): 249
U.S. Representative, District 17
Chet Edwards (D): 7,226
Rob Curnock (R): 5,525
Gardner Osborne (L): 163
State Representative, District 10
Jim Pitts (R): 9,576
Phil Smart (L): 1,394
Sheriff
Jeffrey Lyon (R): 7,682
Larry Armstrong (D): 5,225
County Commissioner, Precinct 3
Larry Wright (D): 1,285
Sam McClendon (R): 1,243
Constable, Precinct 2
Billy Gerke (D): 1,031
Dowell Missildine (R): 982
Constable, Precinct 4
Bill Wilkins (R): 3,144
Jacky Aitken (D): 2,012
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Bell County totals
Final Bell County totals:
President
John McCain (R): 49,066
Barack Obama (D): 40,185
Bob Barr (L): 537
Write-ins: 389
U.S. Senator
John Cornyn (R): 49,943
Richard Noriega (D): 35,741
Yvonne Schick (L): 2,275
U.S. Representative, District 31
John Carter (R): 49,921
Brian Ruiz (D): 35,370
Barry Cooper (L): 1,994
State Senator, District 24
Troy Fraser (R): 54,023
Bill Oliver (L): 14,268
State Representative, District 54
Jimmie Aycock (R): 15,417
Nicolass Kramer (L): 6,680
State Representative, District 55 (term expires in January)
Ralph Sheffield (R): 24,415
Sam Murphey (D): 21,949
R. Daniel (I): 2,462
State Representative, District 55 (full term)
Sheffield: 30,134
Murphey: 24,224
Chris Lane (L): 1,501
County Commissioner, Precinct 1
Richard Cortese (R): 14,100
Phillip Arnelli (D): 7,371
County Commissioner, Precinct 3
Eddy Lange (R): 12,019
Gil Hollie (D): 7,712
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Add your comments: Up next for Obama … governing
WASHINGTON — Now the hard part.
Barack Obama essentially came out of nowhere, beat the Democratic establishment, conquered doubts about his experience and overcame questions about his race to be elected the first black president after a grueling campaign that lasted nearly two years.
As president-elect, he faces three immediate challenges: confronting the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression, determining the next steps in two lingering wars, and leading his Democrats, including liberals expecting that the change he promises will come instantly. It won’t.
On the heels of a campaign in which cash wasn’t a concern, Obama must tackle all of those tasks with no room in the budget as the nation heads for a painful, perhaps long-lasting, recession.
No new president has faced so much since Franklin Delano Roosevelt — and even he didn’t have two wars on his plate.
Roosevelt had four months to come up with programs to address the Great Depression before he took office on March 4, 1933.
Obama gets just 2½ to put together his government; inauguration is Jan. 20.
He will chart the country’s course against this dreary backdrop: Unemployment is at 6.1 percent and predicted to rise as high as 7.5 percent next year; pessimistic consumers have curtailed borrowing and spending; home foreclosures are rampant; Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security face huge financial problems; and, 152,000 U.S. troops are in Iraq more than five years after the initial invasion, while 32,000 are in Afghanistan in the sixth year of the war against terrorism.
With Democrats expanding their majorities in both the House and Senate, Obama will have to figure out how to lead a country that’s more conservative than liberal while trying to satisfy the left wing of his party. He will face demands for a quick withdrawal from Iraq. He’s promised withdrawal, but carefully.
From the outset, how Obama acts to deal with these conditions will set the tone for his presidency.
Voters got an early glimpse of his style last month when Wall Street collapsed, stocks fluctuated and the government intervened. He struck a cautious stance and deferred to lawmakers dealing directly with the problems. He was deliberative and careful in his response — perhaps just the approach voters were seeking after eight years of what critics call President Bush’s cowboy approach.
Yet, Obama may be blamed for recession woes despite the fact that he inherited the mess from Bush. The troubles are on Obama’s watch now even if there’s little he can do about them. The president in power always suffers when the economy tanks. Just ask the first President Bush in 1992.
Indeed, coming in with a big victory doesn’t guarantee success.
Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson won with 61 percent of the vote in 1964. He won his Great Society programs in his first two years but his administration essentially collapsed in the final two with the escalation of the Vietnam War.
In choosing Obama as the 44th president, the nation took a historic leap beyond its legacy of slavery and toward healing racial tensions just four decades after the tumultuous Civil Rights movement.
Politically, Obama’s election amounted to a wholesale rejection of the status quo after eight years of Bush and Republican rule.
Voters were willing to take a chance on a relative newcomer to the national stage. Obama is a 47-year-old black man from Chicago with a liberal voting record who is in just his first Senate term and has offered few specifics on how he would govern.
Culturally, Obama’s victory was so much more for a nation on the verge of becoming a true melting pot; government estimates say white people will no longer make up a majority of Americans by 2042.
The son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, Obama’s call for change created a movement at a time of great upheaval in the country. And, that proved to be a large enough force to overcome lingering prejudices.
To be sure, the economy proved a powerful motivator.
Preliminary exit poll results showed that six in 10 voters named it as their top issue, far more than other problems named including Iraq and terrorism. Obama was leading among this group. And, nearly all voters — nine in 10 — said the economy was in bad shape and said they were worried about the economy’s direction. Obama had the advantage among these voters, too.
Four in 10 said their family financial status was worse than four years ago — the highest number to report that in a presidential race since at least 1992. Nearly three quarters of this group voted for Obama.
Race didn’t appear to be much of a hurdle.
Nearly one in 10 whites said race was an important factor in selecting a candidate, though only a tiny fraction said it was the most important factor. In both groups, about six in 10 were voting for McCain.
Obama won nearly half of the white vote while nearly all blacks and two in three Hispanics supported him.
Although Obama played down his skin color, it played a part in his general election strategy. Minorities, as well as youth, were identified early on as a key demographic to register and court.
It appeared to work.
Obama was the overwhelming choice of the one in 10 voters who went to the polls for their first time Tuesday. One in five of the new voters was black, almost twice the proportion of blacks among voters overall. Another one in five of the new voters was Hispanic. About two-thirds of them were under 30 years old.
All — whites, blacks, women, Hispanics, young people, Democrats, Republicans and independents — will have high expectations for Obama’s presidency.
Permalink | Comments (24) | Post your comment | Categories: Hot stories
Coryell County totals
Final totals for Coryell County:
President
John McCain (R): 11,537
Barack Obama (D): 6,611
Bob Barr (L): 132
U.S. Senator
John Cornyn (R): 11,629
Richard Noriega (D): 5,906
Yvonne Schick (L): 466
U.S. Representative, District 31
John Carter (R): 11,539
Brian Ruiz (D): 5,912
Barry Cooper (L): 433
State Representative, District 59
Sid Miller (R): 10,429
Ernie Casbeer (D): 7,079
Coy Reynolds (L): 443
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Limestone County totals
Final totals from Limestone County:
President
John McCain (R): 5,062
Barack Obama (D): 2,515
Bob Barr (L): 55
Write-ins: 22
U.S. Senator
John Cornyn (R): 4,817
Richard Noriega (D): 2,549
Yvonne Schick (L): 113
U.S. Representative, District 5
Joe Barton (R): 2,503
Ludwig Otto (D): 1,357
Max Koch III (L): 47
U.S. Representative, District 17
Chet Edwards (D): 2,088
Rob Curnock (R): 1,384
Gardner Osborne (L): 38
County Commissioner, Precinct 1
John McCarver (R): 1,280
Joe Neason (D): 935
Groesbeck ISD $23 million bond
For: 1,938
Against: 1,234
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Voting totals: La Vega ISD bond voted down
On the tax-rate increase for the La Vega ISD: 707 against, 502 for
On the proposed $22 million bond construction project: 647 against, 576 for
On funds for the new athletic facility: 712 against, 507 for
On funds for the new administration building: 744 against, 474 for
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
McLennan County early voting totals are in
According to McLennan County early voting results, 60 percent, or 29,460, of the 49,178 voters cast their ballots for Sen. John McCain for president. Just more than 39 percent, or 19,165, of those voted for Sen. Barack Obama.
More than 53 percent, or 14,227, of early voters cast straight-ticket Republican ballots, and more than 46 percent, or 12,259 straight Democratic tickets, according to the McLennan County Elections Office.
In the District 17 Congressional race, incumbent Democrat Chet Edwards leads Republican Rob Curnock with 59.29 percent, or 28,830 votes. Curnock received 39.96 percent, or 19,432 early votes.
In other county races, the McLennan County Commissioner Precinct 3 race, according to early voting, favors Democratic incumbent Joe Mashek, who has 54.81 percent, or 5,049, of votes. Republican Danny Volcik has more than 45 percent, or 4,163, early votes.
McLennan County Sheriff Larry Lynch leads Democratic challenger Charles C. Hutyra, 62 percent to 37 percent.
Early voting numbers represent 38.07 of the total number of voters. In all, 130,428 McLennan County residents cast their ballots this general election.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Voter Voices: South Terrace Recreation Center
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were on the minds of some voters at the South Terrace Recreation Center polling station on South 12th Street.
Janell Winston, 64, a bus worker, said she was voting straight-ticket Democratic because “it’s just the thing to do.” Winston, who is black, said Obama’s race was not a deciding factor for her. But she agreed with the Illinois senator’s plan for a timetable in bringing the troops home.
‘“I want him to end the war,” she said. “We don’t even know what we’re fighting for. We’re getting in someone else’s business. Everything we’re sending over there we could be using that here. They’re taking away somebody’s child. Boys are coming home all tore up, with their heads mixed up.”
Lee Caufield, 21, a temporary worker, was there with his wife and stepchildren.
Caufield, who is black, said electing a black president would be a “giant step,” but he also looks to Obama for leadership in the economy and wars.
“It’s time for a change,” he said. “We need someone to take us out of the recession, because we’re in one.”
He said if he could meet Obama he would ask how soon he could end the war in Iraq.
“People are getting killed for no reason,” he said. “We shouldn’t have even gone to Iraq. It’s Afghanistan where we need to be.”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
G.W. Carver Academy 6th-graders pick Obama
G. W. Carver Academy’s sixth-graders held a mock presidential election today. The results were Barack Obama 115, John McCain 13.
That means Obama won 89.8 percent of the vote.
Any other mock school elections you’d like to report? Send them to ksury@wacotrib.com and we’ll get them up on Waco NOW.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Voter Voices: Robinson Independent School District Administration Building
Melanie King, 36, a pediatric nurse at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center said she voted for Barack Obama because she thinks he’s more likely to end the war and bring the troops back home.
King also said as a pediatric nurse she sees a lot of babies in the hospital without insurance, and she thinks Obama will make sure all children are insured.
“There are just so many sick kiddos out there,” King said.
She added, “I just feel like he’s more for the working class people and us little guys.”
Jennifer Jackson, 24, a teacher at Sul Ross Elementary School, in Waco, said she voted for Libertarian Party presidential candidate Bob Barr.
Jackson said on economics and education her views pulled her toward Obama, but because of her faith and her opposition to abortion, she chose Barr.
“I just couldn’t decide, so I voted Libertarian,” she said.
Jennifer Garcia, 24, a day care worker, said she voted for McCain because she felt he is more experienced.
“I had a really hard time deciding. I just went with my instinct,” she said.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Voter Voices: Lake Shore United Methodist Church
Brady Henry Bauer, 22, a college student in San Marcos, said taxes and education were the issues that led him to vote for John McCain, along with Sarah Palin’s environmental policies.
Pat Gallagher, a 55-year-old prison guard, said she also voted a straight Republican Party ticket, citing uncertainty about Barack Obama’s religious beliefs.
“Plus, you never heard of him until this election,” she said.
“We need help now,” Gallagher continued. “It couldn’t get much worse. I just hope I made the right choice (voting for McCain).”
Kate Reding, a 26-year-old master’s student at Baylor University, was one of the undecided voters that McCain and Obama have been trying to nab in recent months.
Very undecided.
“I’m still not 100 percent sure who I’m voting for,” Reding said with a laugh as she entered the voting location. “It may come down to the vice presidential candidates. I see good and bad in both. Part of me wants Obama because I am ready for change. On the other hand, I like McCain because of his experience. I’m still struggling with this and may be in there a while.”
Emerging about 15 minutes later, Reding pronounced that she had cast her ballot for Obama.
“I realize I’m in Texas, so it may not matter, but I decided I’m ready for a candidate who hopefully will look to the needs of our nation and get us out of an endless war and maybe bring a fresh view (to government).”
As she walked to her car, Reding yelled over her shoulder with a smile, “Please don’t tell my grandmother that I did that!”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Voter Voices: Waco Center for Youth
As of 1:30 p.m., 125 people had voted at the Waco Center for Youth on North 19th Street.
Richard Davis, 44, a Baylor University staffer, said the crumbling economy was one factor that led him to vote for Barack Obama, along with the chance to make history.
Cynthia Boykin, 52, said she voted a straight Democratic Party ticket.
“The war and everything is messed up,” Boykin said. “The economy, just everything. It seems like somebody needs to get us out of this hole.”
Boykin added, “My daughter is a small business owner and she might lose her business.”
She said she believes Obama and Democrats in general will take better care of small business owners and help turn the economy around.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Conditions released of Waco men injured in collision
Officials have released the conditions of two Waco men injured Monday night when a motorcycle collided with a car during a police chase.
The motorcyclist, Clarence Majors, 44, was in critical condition this afternoon and the car’s driver, Arturo A. Espindola, 58, of Waco, was in serious condition, said a Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center spokeswoman.
About 6:45 p.m., a Waco police officer tried to pull Majors over for a traffic stop at the corner of 15th Street and Austin Avenue, said Waco police Sgt. Gary Harrison. Majors ignored the officer and headed west on Austin Avenue at a high rate of speed, Harrison said.
Majors collided with the Toyota Tercel driven by Espindola at the corner of 18th Street and Austin Avenue, police said.
It was previously thought that the Tercel was carrying a passenger, but police records indicate that Espindola was driving alone when the accident occurred.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Voter voices: Speegleville Baptist Church
Carr DuPuy, 47, who works in the welding supply business, said he voted for Obama because he’s not happy with the Republican administration.
He said the next president’s first priority should be the economy, “because even though things seem good in Central Texas, it’s not nationwide.”
Jennifer Hogg, 31, a nurse, said she voted for Obama because on one of the candidate’s commercials, he talked about how his father’s absence had shaped him. Hogg said she also grew up without a dad, so it hit home with her.
She said this was her first time voting.
The top issue for Hogg is the economic crisis.
She said one positive about McCain is “he recognizes some things need to change.”
Jeff Hanna, 52, who works in automotive sales, said he voted a straight Republican ticket because “the other side is socialism, and I’m not ready to be a communist.”
His top issue is energy. He said this summer was devastating because as gas prices topped $4 nationwide, people couldn’t get to work, buy groceries or pay their bills.
“Energy has to be affordable,” Hanna said.
Hanna said he couldn’t think of anything good to say about the Democratic candidate.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Voter voices: China Spring High School
Brad Herridge, 29, a minister, said he voted for John McCain because of his social values, as well as his stand on smaller government and lower taxes.
His top issue is the economy, although he said the Iraq war and national security are also important.
Regarding the candidate he didn’t vote for, Herridge said Obama is “very inspiring” and credits him with bringing “a lot of people to the voting process, especially younger voters.”
Melanie Bryant, 21, a bio-feedback specialist, said she voted for McCain because she agrees with what the Republican Party stands for and with McCain’s policies.
Her top issue is the economy and coming up with ideas to boost it.
Regarding the candidate she didn’t vote for, she said she likes Obama’s stance on health care.
Brian Johnson, 42, an instructor at McLennan Community College, said he voted for McCain as part of a straight Republican ticket.
Johnson said he fears 100 percent liberal control of the government.
His top issue is Social Security and Medicare because “the government needs to stop making programs that don’t work.”
Although he didn’t vote for the Democratic candidate, Johnson said Obama is a good speaker.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Voter voices: Crawford
Diane B. (she declined to give her last name), 56, a computer administrator, said she voted for McCain because she has fewer issues with him that she disagrees with, compared with Obama.
She said she was troubled by Obama’s views on abortion and redistribution of wealth, and she was concerned about his association “with certain people.”
Her top issue was the economy.
She did say that Obama is a good speaker and that she likes his personality.
Joann Mattiza, 57, works in the Gatesville women’s prison. She said she voted for McCain because he is more experienced and his views align more closely with hers.
She also likes Sarah Palin, whom she said “can play hardball with the big boys.”
Her top issue is the war, because “soldiers are losing their lives. If we need to be over there, they should have everything they need.”
Regarding the candidate she didn’t vote for, Mattiza said she liked Obama’s enthusiasm.
Sue Walters, 39, a teacher, said she voted for McCain because she shares the same values and knows “he’s not going to pull out of Iraq and leave the country unsecure.”
Her top issue is the economy.
She does credit Obama for bringing in more voter participation.
Reagan Hejl, 19, a McLennan Community College student, said he voted for McCain because he believes McCain will “protect the country better.”
Hejl said the first priority should be to give more tax cuts.
Regarding his views of Obama, Hejl said it would be better for him to walk away than to answer the question.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Voter voices: China Spring Intermediate School
Chris Holder, 40, a manufacturing engineer, said he voted for McCain because Holder is from Arizona and likes what McCain has done for that state. He said he also likes what McCain stands for.
His top issues were the economy and the war.
Regarding the candidate he didn’t vote for, Holder said Obama “is a really good speaker and can rally the people.”
Lacey Royal, 18, a McLennan Community College student, said she voted for McCain because her parents are Republicans and she also holds those views. She said McCain’s stance on the issues and his values line up more with hers.
She said the top issue for her is the war, including the number of troops in Iraq and how to concentrate on bringing them home.
Regarding the opposite candidate, she said Obama is smart and persuasive and she likes that he wants to lower college tuition.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Voter voices: Sul Ross Elementary
Kyle Knighton, 22, a Baylor social work student, said “as one interested in social work, social welfare policy is important to me. I think pro-life is great, but life doesn’t end at birth, so it’s important to look at what the government does for children from birth through age 18.”
Temprest Lloyd, age and occupation unavailable, said she voted for Obama.
She said the war in Iraq is a top issue for her.
“Considering that my brother has gone to Iraq a couple of times, I’m ready for the war to be over,” she said. “It doesn’t sound like McCain plans to bring the troops home anytime soon.”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Voter voices: Lake Shore Baptist Church
Karen Hernandez, 51, said she was undecided until she sat down to cast her ballot at Lake Shore Baptist Church and voted for Barack Obama.
“I’ve voted Republican for a long time,” she said. “I’m not sure why I didn’t this time. Maybe it’s because McCain is too much like Bush, and I think we need a new direction.”
The Waco Radiology employee said she chose Obama because of his plan to make sure everyone has health insurance and his stand on health care.
She said the first thing she wants the new president to do is make wise decisions on the economy.
On McCain, she said she believes the Arizona senator truly loves America, but he isn’t enough of a departure from the current White House occupant.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Voter voices: Isbill Junior HIgh School in McGregor
Ron Harding, 66, who is retired, said he voted for Barack Obama because “we need change and he never went along with what (John) McCain represents, which is the same old thing.”
He said the next president’s priorities should be the economy and to bring the soldiers home “because there’s too many wars going on.”
He said one positive about the candidate he didn’t vote for is that “McCain is sincere” and he said he can sympathize with him because “he’s been through a lot.”
Archie Watley, 61, a Texas State Technical College employee, said he voted for Obama because “from his speeches, he has the best program to fix the economy.”
He said the top issue facing America is health care, “because so many can’t afford it.”
He said one positive of the candidate he didn’t vote for is that McCain “wasn’t afraid to select a woman as a running mate.”
Sonya Ledesma, 26, a McLennan Community College student and teacher, said she voted for Obama because of his affinity with Hispanics and his plan to approve more student loans.
She said the next president’s top priority should be to “bring the soldiers back home because a lot of young children don’t have their mom or dad.”
She said she didn’t know a lot about McCain.
Antonio Reynoso, 50, who is on disability, said he voted for McCain because “he has more experience, more overall knowledge and will be able to fix the economy better than Obama.”
Reynoso said the next president’s top priority should be national security and medical assistance. He said he has a son enlisted in the Army and doesn’t want to lose him, and that the war needs to be resolved.
Regarding the candidate he didn’t vote for, he said Obama is “well educated.”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
St. Louis School kids pick McCain
St. Louis Catholic School students held their own mock presidential election today, and John McCain came out on top by a huge margin.
Third- through eighth-graders voted at the school, with 199 voting for McCain and 88 for Barack Obama. That’s 69.3 percent in favor of McCain.
Wouldn’t McCain’s campaign like those polling numbers?
Remember, you can e-mail me at ksury@wacotrib.com and we’ll get the word out about your mock school elections here on at wacotrib.com.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Education, Politics
Voter voices: Brazos Middle School
Wade Snider, 38, said he voted for John McCain at Brazos Middle School because he liked the senator’s stance on social issues, especially his stand against abortion.
He said he also preferred McCain’s economic policies. “I feel that some of his tax cuts are better than those proposed by Obama,” he said.
The Brazos Electric economist said he would like the next president to first address the economy, followed closely by health care. He’s in favor of McCain’s proposed $5,000 tax cut so that people can buy health insurance.
Some of Obama’s economic plans are a little too liberal for his taste, he said, although he likes Obama and thinks he might be a good future candidate.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Four men arrested in Mexia shooting, police chase
A Mexia man is still being treated in intensive care today, after police say he was shot Monday morning by four apparent strangers who broke into his home.
Nick Hill, who is in his mid-20s, was taken to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center Monday after giving police officers a description of the four men who entered his home at 801 N. Ross St. in Mexia about 11 a.m., burglarized his house, and then shot him, said Mexia police Chief Richard Hawthorne. It is unclear which man did the shooting.
After Hill described the men and their vehicle to police, Mexia officers spotted a vehicle matching that description, and were led on a high-speed chase on State Highway 14, Hawthorne said.
At one point, the suspect vehicle made a turn and swiped a police officer who was standing on the side of the road, Hawthorne said. The officer was uninjured.
The chase ended in Bremond, in Robertson County, when the suspect vehicle wrecked, Hawthorne said.
Waco residents Damion Jackson, 22; Willie McCraw, 20; and Louis Smith, 21, are being held in the Limestone County Jail on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary of a habitation, assault of a police officer and evading arrest. The fourth suspect has not yet been arrested, Hawthorne said.
The men could also face charges in Robertson County, Hawthorne said.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
No lines at the poll? You could thank early voting
Chris DeCluitt, president of the McLennan County Republican Club, and county Democratic chairman John Cullar are putting lots of miles on their cars today visiting polling places throughout the county and being alert to any problems.
Both say that several precincts are seeing slow traffic today mainly because efforts to encourage voters to cast ballots early worked so well. One precinct had all but 21 voters cast ballots early.
Jim and Ramona McKeown are precinct captains for Precinct 40, which votes with Precinct 41 at Lake Shore Methodist Church. Of the 3,587 registered voters in both precincts, 2,088 voted early — or 58 percent, Jim McKeown said.
This morning, about 50 people were lined up when the polls opened, but the line was pretty much gone by 8:30 a.m., he said. And things have been slow at the voting site since about 9:30 a.m.. As of 1:30 this afternoon, a combined 405 people had voted from both precincts today.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Voter voices: First Baptist Church in Hewitt
Joe Grunwaldt wants to see an end to capital gains taxes and more support of free markets and capitalism. He thinks Republican John McCain is the president who’ll do those things.
Grunwaldt cast his ballot for McCain at First Baptist Church of Hewitt. Not only does he like McCain’s economic policies better, but the 30-year-old backs his stance on national security and the war in Iraq.
“I like what he did with the surge: go in forcefully, get the job done and finish it,” he said.
Angel Vega, 48, said he wants the war finished, too. So he voted for Obama in part because the Democrat has set a timetable for bringing troops home.
He said he wants the president to concentrate more on people in this country, protecting them and helping families.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Voter voices: Crestview Elementary
At Crestview Elementary School, Baylor employee Al Beck voted straight Republican. He said John McCain has what it takes to restore fiscal responsibility to government.
“I think he offers the best economic solutions,” said the 40-year-old. “He has the experience and leadership to get us through the next four years.”
Beck echoed McCain’s statement that Democrat Barack Obama is “an honorable man.”
“Whoever is picked, I will support them and pray for them and hope they do a great job.”
Niesha Thomas and her fiance, David Edwards, voted for the first time ever. She’s 25, a nurse assistant. He’s 22, a janitor. Both are black.
“We’ve been registered before, but we didn’t feel like we could make a difference,” Thomas said. “As we get older, we’re starting to see it’s important, because your vote might be the one that decides it.
“I voted for Obama because of his speeches and lectures,” Thomas said. “He can make a difference in the world and help those in need. I’m one of those in need. The first priority is to concentrate on the war. If it’s not meant for our troops to be there, we need to bring them home.”
On Obama: “I’m excited that he’s made it this far,” she said. “I just hope that the economy will get better. A lot of people are struggling with gas prices, taxes. A lot of companies aren’t hiring. I think Obama will make a difference to a lot of us.”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Voter voices: Tennyson Middle School
Turnout was strong at Tennyson Middle School in West Waco, especially among black voters, said Democratic precinct chairwoman Margaret Ivory, who had been there all morning.
She said about 40 percent of the voters she saw were black, in a diverse precinct that is about 25 percent black.
“The base is very fired up” for Obama, she said.
Eugene Jackson III, 38, an insurance salesman and father of five said his biggest concern is the economy, and he thinks Barack Obama is the man to fix it.
“I bought the message of change. I watched his infomercial and it really hit home. I’m one of those families, ” he says, “We need to try to right out economy. I know it’s not going to be overnight. But we’ve been doing so much overseas, I feel like our homefront has been neglected. We do so much to clean other people’s houses, while our own house is in shambles.”
That Obama is also black wasn’t the defining factor in his decision, he says.
“I couldn’t have voted for Barack Obama just because he’s a black candidate. I’m just proud that he is black. We as black people are stereotyped so often. Now it’s not going to be hustlers, dealers and pimps. You’re going to have to add ‘President of the United States’ to that.”
And Jackson had good things to say about Obama’s rival John McCain.
“John McCain is an American who sacrificed a lot for his country, and I respect him for that.”
Kim Ervin, a Texas Youth Corrections officer who is black and in her 50s, voted for Obama.
“I was excited that Barack Obama was black, though he’s part white, too. Had a blue person run for office, I would have voted for him. The white people who are in charge haven’t done us right. We were a rich nation, and now we’re a poor one.”
Jobs and wages were on her mind.
“They’re robbing Social Security. The minimum wage should be $11 an hour. We need a new president who will find a way to create jobs that pay wages so we can feed ourselves and make ourselves stronger.”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Voter voices: Family that votes together stays together
Waco’s Latham family voted at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church today, with two members of the clan immediately canceling each other out.
Of course, the Latham trio could have declined to cite their voting selections for president. But they seemed to be enjoying the entire election process so much, why keep it a secret?
Charles Latham Jr., 28, of Waco, a self-employed boat repairman, said he voted for the McCain-Palin ticket out of concern for the Second Amendment. Simple as that.
His brother, James, 25, of Austin, voted for Obama.
“I want change,” he told the Trib, “and, uh, put ‘change’ in parentheses.”
When asked to elaborate, he said he really couldn’t, except that whatever change Obama plans shouldn’t adversely affect him anyway because “I’m not old enough to where anything is going to affect me. I don’t have any kids, any family.”
Charles seemed surprised that his brother had gone and voted for Obama.
Between them, Nancy Latham, their mom, 55, admitted the two boys are often like this. For instance, she said, one is a Texas A&M fan, the other is a Longhorn fan.
So, considering that the two canceled each other out, how did mom vote?
“I’d just like to see McCain win, and (Sheriff Larry) Lynch,” she said. “The sheriff is just a very dedicated man to his profession and I like what he stands for. And I like McCain and Sarah Palin.”
When asked if she would rally behind Barack Obama if he won, she replied: “I don’t really have a choice, and I survived (President Jimmy) Carter.”
Charles, asked the same question, said he’d be glad to support a President Obama “as long as he doesn’t take my guns away.”
The trio was bound for Starbucks at Bosque Boulevard and Wooded Acres Drive where patrons are getting free coffee for voting.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Voter voices: West Community Center
For William Bartosh, Sen. John McCain “can do more right than anybody else” and that’s why the Republican candidate got his vote at the West Community Center.
“For the next president, the most important thing he needs to do is settle the stuff in the Middle East because it’s a mess and it’s always been a mess,” said the 77-year-old Air Force veteran who served during the Korean War.
Beverly Uptmor, 60, said she voted for McCain because of his experience in foreign affairs.
She said the next president has to be able to make sure the United States stays strong in the face of tests from the outside world.
Uptmor hopes that the next leader also can fix some of the problems affecting the middle class, because “it’s getting to where we can’t make ends meet, and we’re on a fixed income,” she said.
She said that she and her husband are both on disability.
Mary Gaiser, a 56-year-old receptionist, said she supports Obama because the country needs a change now.
She wants to see the soldiers out of Iraq and the economy improved, such as reducing the U.S. deficit.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Voter voices: Central Presbyterian in Woodway
Brandon Young, 29, voted for John McCain at Central Presbyterian Church today, because he believes in his economic and national security policies.
First order of business for the president, he says, should be fixing the economy and backing up the nation’s major banking institutions.
There weren’t a lot of voters at Central Presbyterian at lunchtime. Chris DeCluitt, president of the McLennan County Republican Club, stopped by the precinct but said he was not surprised that there weren’t more voters.
He tracked the early voting numbers by precinct, he said. The church hosts voting sites for Precincts 11 and 91, and Precinct 11 voters turned out in huge percentages during the early voting period, he said.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Voter voices: Robinson ISD Administration Building
Construction worker J.J. Williams said he cast his vote for McCain at the Robinson ISD Administration Building because the Republican has more experience and “I just agree with him more than Obama.”
The conduct of the war in Iraq and keeping the nation safe are the issues he weighed most in his decision.
“War is biggest issue,” the 29-year-old said. “I just don’t want there to be another 9/11” that might be prevented “if we need to stay over there and see things out.”
Lori Jarvis, 40, a marketing director, echoed Williams.
Her biggest issues? “Defense and security.and finishing our job in Iraq and Afghanistan rather than pulling out.”
McCain got her vote “because of his values and because I’m scared of a socialist president.”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Mexia man in hospital after home-invasion attack
A Mexia man is still in intensive care today after police say he was gunned down Monday morning by four apparent strangers who broke into his home.
Nick Hill, who is in his mid-20s, was taken to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center after giving Mexia officers a description of the four men who entered his front door in the 800 block of North Ross Street around 11 a.m.
They burglarized his house and then shot him, said Mexia Police Chief Richard Hawthorne.
It is unclear which man did the shooting.
Waco residents Damion Jackson, 22; Willie McCraw, 20; and Louis Smith, 21, are today being held in the Limestone County Jail on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary of a habitation, assault of a police officer and evading arrest. The fourth suspect has not yet been arrested, Hawthorne said.
After Hill gave a description of the men and their vehicle to police, Mexia officers spotted the vehicle, and were led on a high-speed chase to Bremond, Hawthorne said. In Bremond, the suspect vehicle wrecked.
At one point, the vehicle made a turn and swiped a police officer standing on the side of the road, Hawthorne said. The officer was uninjured, he said.
The suspects also could face charges in Robertson County, Hawthorne said.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Around Central Texas, Police & crime
Turnout projections for county seem to be panning out
If you call the McLennan County Elections Office, the elections administrator Kathy Van Wolfe herself picks up the phone on the first ring.
She’s been answering voter phone calls since 5:30 this morning.
“It seems like I’ve been here forever,” Van Wolfe joked. “Is it the afternoon yet?”
The phones are ringing off the hook, she said. Callers overwhelmingly have the same question: Where do I go to vote?
Other calls have been from polling place judges calling to check voter registrations and voters checking their registrations.
The reports she is receiving from polling places suggest that the expected high voter turnout is happening.
“It’s just fast and furious,” she said. “I think everybody is out voting today.”
For a list of polling places, go to click here on wacotrib.com or go to mclennanvotes.com.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Voter voices: Fellowship Bible Church
Janet Ellor, a nurse practitioner in her 50s, said she voted for Republican presidential candidate John McCain at Fellowship Bible Church, 5200 Speegleville Road in McGregor, because that’s who she trusts most to lead the country.
She said the next president’s first priority should be the economy.
When asked for something positive about the candidate she didn’t vote for, she said she thinks Barack Obama is sincere and wants to do something good for the country.
Health Roland, 28, who works in federal law enforcement, said he voted straight-party Republican. He said he supports McCain because he agrees with his policies.
He said the first issues the next president should tackle are the economy and national security, which he said are equally important.
When asked for a positive about the opposing candidate, he said Obama seems nice and with good intentions.
Gay Niblack, 47, who is self-employed, said she voted for McCain because he’s against abortion and also said she doesn’t support Obama’s economic policies.
She said the next president’s top priority should be dealing with Congressman Barney Frank and U.S. Sen. Harry Reid.
“The government needs to be cleaned up,” Niblack said.
When asked for a positive about the candidate she didn’t vote for, Niblack said Obama seems like a “generally good person and sincere.”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Voter voices: Wiethorn Visitors Center at Baylor
Voting has been brisk this morning at the Wiethorn Visitors Center on the Baylor University campus, with 431 ballots casts as of 11:30 a.m. Entering the noon hour, that pace appears to have picked up a bit with several students coming to vote.
Baylor student Sam Hough said he voted for Barack Obama, but did not cast a straight ticket. His main issue is the war in Iraq.
“It’s gotten better recently, but it hasn’t been handled well overall,” he said.
Zach Reece, a Baylor student, said he cast his vote for McCain and a straight Republican ticket. His main concerns are the economy, abortion and the war, he said.
Student Kristin Ray said she voted for McCain and a straight GOP ticket.
She was torn over most issues, she said, but abortion was a big deal for her as were voting records and Obama’s voting record wasn’t strong enough.
“I’m a grad student in the School of Social Work and there’s a lot of talk up there and people are all pretty clear on where they stand.”
Student Paula Haynes voted for Obama, but said she didn’t go straight-ticket.
“I don’t fully agree with Obama or McCain, but I went with the one who most agreed with me,” she said.
Haynes added that she is excited to be part of a historic election that will see either the first black candidate elected president or the first woman as vice president.
“This generation is just awesome, how we’re being more open to what is not the norm in politics,” she said. “I’m glad to see that the world is changing.”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Voter voices: Starbucks (yes, Starbucks)
The voters were coming out Tuesday — at Starbucks.
Tiffany and Bruce Brown were among those standing in line for their free 12-ounce coffees that the company is offering to customers who say they’ve voted.
The couple voted for John McCain, although Tiffany said she has more confidence in Obama on economic issues.
“We weren’t really fond of either McCain or (Barack) Obama. A mix of the two might have been better. But we had to vote with our values,” said Tiffany, a 32-year-old assistant teacher at Waco Baptist Academy.
McCain stands for their beliefs on abortion and marriage, said the pair, who stopped by Starbucks with 10-year-old daughter Haley.
Health care is the most crucial issue for the next president, Tiffany said. She gets no insurance through her job, and her husband is self-employed as a certified public accountant. He has some coverage from the Veterans Administration, but recently had triple-bypass surgery.
While McCain was their pick today, Tiffany said she sees positives in Obama.
“I think Obama has a rallying spirit that allows him to work with people. It also scares me a little bit, but it’s a good ability to have.”
Also in line for the free java was 22-year-old Delilah Harris, who voted for Obama.
Health care is also at the top of her list. While she has insurance, many of her neighbors don’t, she said.
Harris, who is black, said Obama’s place at the top of the ticket is important for the African-American community.
“So things will be different for a change, ” she said. “I know this sounds a little weird, but when you’ve had people like Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, they always get assassinated. I feel this is kind of a reparation for that. We finally get to see something that we’ve never been able to see before.”
And while she has great hopes for Obama, she also has fears that he might be assassinated.
As for McCain, she might not like his policies but, she says, “He has a nice smile.”
McCain’s smile might be nice, but it’s experience in the cockpit that won him Russell Vanhoozer’s vote.
The 41-year-old American Eagle pilot, is a self-described Republican, but said he looked at both candidates.
“Pilots, we stick together,” he said. “I think the two candidates are very close; both are good candidates. But what tips the balance is his being a pilot.”
Obama has his good points, too, he said. “He’s an excellent orator, and he’s a Christian.”
As for the first order of business for the new president to take on, Vanhoozer says, “it’s for the people we elect to decide.” After all, he says, pilots don’t ask the passengers what to do next.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Voter voices: Lacy-Lakeview Civic Center
At the Lacy-Lakeview Civic Center polling site, Angela Burleson, a 35-year-old waitress, said her vote went to Republican candidate John McCain because of his pro-life stance and opposition to same-sex marriages.
“This is my first time voting,” she said. “I’ve decided to do it because it’s so close right now. I became a Christian for the first time this year and I’ve been paying more attention to the (pro-life and same-sex marriage) issues now.”
Tammy Whitworth, 47, a waitress and student, said the economy is the main reason she’s backing Barack Obama.
“It sucks right now,” Whitworth said of the economy. “I wait tables for a living, and with the economy the way it is, people aren’t going out to eat. They stay at home because they can’t afford it, and it affects your tips.”
McLennan Community College student Shameika Mims, 23, said her vote was for Obama because of his intent to have the United States pull out of the war in Iraq.
“My uncle was in Iraq,” she said. “He told me to never go to the Army. He said he doesn’t know the real reason why we’re over there.”
Mims said she thinks Obama will fix the economy, but it may take more than four years to turn it around.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Voter voices: Provident Height Elementary
John Lang, 55, a retired veteran, said he voted for Barack Obama after casting his ballot at the Provident Heights Elementary polling site in Waco.
“It’s time for a change and he’s the right man for the job,” he said.
Lang said more money should be allocated for health insurance and better public schooling.
When asked for something positive about the candidate he didn’t vote for, Lang said he “honestly couldn’t think of one thing.”
Drew Steadman, 26, a part-time youth minister, said he voted for McCain.
“I’m a huge fan of Barack Obama, so this was a tough decision. I’m an opponent of abortion and I can’t go against my conscience on that issue. We have two good candidates this year, and that’s a blessing.”
Steadman said the next president’s top priority should be “addressing the economic crisis in a bipartisan way.”
When asked for something positive about the candidate he didn’t vote for, Steadman said Obama “is a man of conviction, which I really admire. He’s intelligent and caring and would make a good leader.”
Julia Alquinson, 32, a licensed vocational nurse, said she voted for Obama.
“I think Barack inspires and motivates people. This world would see us very differently with him as president.”
Alquinson said the next president’s top priority should be to “address the economic crisis we’re having.”
Regarding the candidate she didn’t vote for, Alquinson said she has “always admired McCain’s service to the country but I see him as four more years of Bush.”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Voter voices: Dean Highland Elementary
It was a split between a couple of voters this morning at Dean Highland Elementary. One person voted a straight ticket for Democrats; the other did the same for Republican candidates.
Retiree Christine Banks, 68, said her ballot went to the Democrats.
” I would have voted for some Republicans, but not knowing all the issues for some candidates, I didn’t want to make an error,” she said.
“I’m torn between health care and the economy, but I guess I’d have to go with the economy because I’m a senior citizen on a fixed income.”
She offered this assessment: “My grandmother used to get milk from the cows and the cream always rises to the top, and I just believe that Barack Obama is the best of the candidates and will rise to the top.
“Not to say John McCain is not a good man, because he is, but I believe Barack is the best and will rise to the top.”
Contractor Kirk McCommas, 49, said his ballot was completely GOP.
“One, I’m not a Democrat, but I won’t vote for anybody who won’t stand up for the Pledge of Allegiance,” he said. “I don’t care who you are, so that counts Mr. Obama out.”
Ann Maldonado, 54, a gas station attendant, wouldn’t reveal whom she voted for.
But she said, “we just got rid of one bad president and I’m just hoping we don’t get another one.”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Voter voices: Bellmead Civic Center
Two voters at the Bellmead Civic Center said they cast their ballots for Republican candidate John McCain.
Sean Patel, 50, a hotel manager, said he always votes for the Republican Party.
“Whoever wins as president, they’re all going to have to work together and we need a good president who’s going to turn around the economy and fix some of the problems we’re facing,” he said.
Sandra Swital, 58, a stay-at-home grandmother, said she voted for McCain because he has more experience.
“I’m more scared right now because we’re in such a terrible situation,” she said. “I know Obama has good intentions, but I don’t know if once he gets in office that he’ll be able to handle everything coming at him. So we need someone like John McCain who has the experience to deal with it.”
But Scott Giddings, 54, a sales manager, said he voted for Obama because he’s “ready for a change.”
“The Republicans have been in office and they’ve had their chance. So now the Democrats should have their chance.”
He said the next president should focus first on the economy, and then on education.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Voter voices: University High
Carlos Melendez had the economy on his mind when he voted today at University High School.
Melendez, who works at Alcoa Fasteners, believes Barack Obama has the right ideas to fix the nation’s financial woes and boost employment.
“Our jobs are based on the economy. If the economy is doing well, we’re doing well,” said the 32-year-old who backed Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary.
“Change is needed for everybody right now. We all need help,” said Melendez, who said he considered McCain before settling on Obama.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
McLennan County enacts burn ban
Due to dry and windy conditions, McLennan County Judge Jim Lewis announced at today’s meeting of county commissioners that he will place an emergency ban on outside burning.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Margaret Mills punishment trial live blog
5 p.m. — Glickler asks about the signing of checks. Glickler asks if Mills had to be one of the signees or if two other members of the board could sign. Boyd said it didn’t have to be Mills.
Glickler asks about paper checks. Boyd says the accountant was required to produce computer generated checks for the operating expenses. The paper checks in the office had one signature line. Boyd says it was discouraged to the use the paper checks.
Glickler asks River City Corp. Boyd says Downtown Waco Inc wanted a way to improve the river corridor. River City Corp. was formed for this purpose.
Glickler asked about Downtown Waco’s financial status at the end of 2004. Boyd said “we were on a roll.”
At this point the court recessed until 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.
4:50 p.m. — Glickler shows Boyd the contracts, and asks who signed these contracts on behalf of Downtown Waco. Boyd says Margaret Mills. Glickler says the contracts amount to over $200,000, but that Boyd had never seen. Glickler asks if this points to the amount of authority Mills had. Boyd said “absolutely.”
Glickler asks Boyd if it was his understanding that the contract with the city required auditing. Boyd said it was not his understanding.
Glickler asks if it was odd that there was no audit required by the city. Boyd said he wondered about it, but he didn’t think it was odd.
Boyd says he’s seen very expensive audits. He says he’s seen them run from a few thousand dollars to $50,000.
Glickler asks Boyd if he ever brought up an audit. Boyd said he did bring it up to Mills. Boyd said she said she would look in it.
4:30 p.m. — Boyd says he was recruited to join Downtown Waco six years ago. He says he was certain Mills recruited him. Glickler asked if this was a big deal. Boyd said yes, he felt with his years of work downtown he had something to contribute. Glickler asks if he is compensated for his work, and Boyd said it was unpaid volunteer position.
Boyd said he became an executive officer, a treasurer, after a year of working with Downtown Waco. Glickler asked where the money for Downtown Waco came from. Boyd said there were duespaying members, fund raisers, but the majority came from contracts with the city of Waco. The contracts were for development. The contracts were renewed annually, by the executive director, which was Margaret Mills when Boyd was involved with Downtown Waco.
Glickler shows Boyd contracts and asks if he has seen them before. Boyd says no. Glickler asks how he could not know about these contracts when he was an officer on Downtown Waco. Boyd said they were handled by Margaret Mills.
4:10 p.m. — Mark Boyd takes the stand.
Glickler asks Boyd to tell the story of downtown, starting in 1953.
In sum, Boyd says downtown used to be very vibrant before the tornado in 1953. He said that was the beginning of the end of downtown. In the late ’60s, stores relocated to suburbs. Then came the pedestrian mall which failed. Nothing was there to draw businesses.
Glickler asks if Boyd recognizes the defendant. He says it is Margaret Mills. Glickler asks how Boyd came to notice Mills. Boyd thinks he first came aware of her with the updating of the Hippodrome around 1985.
I’m not really sure where Glickler is going with this.
3:57 p.m. — Bostwick asks if a credit card was ever used for expenses at Downtown Waco. Sosolik said they had a debit card that had a limit of $50.
Bostwick asks about renovations to the Downtown Waco office. He asks how these improvements were paid for. She said she didn’t know, it was started before she got there. Bostwick said so there were expenses that you didn’t know about and how they were paid for. Sosolik said she didn’t know about some appliances Mills had bought.
3:51 p.m. — The state asks about the mail. Sosolik said she gave it to Mills. The state asks if the post office box had a combination or keys. Sosolik said keys, and she had the locks on the post office box changed.
Sosolik said she was devastated that Mills wrote checks for over $400,000. She said she was very upset. She added that she was mad the money went to something other than downtown.
The state asks how the end of Downtown Waco affected her. She said she lost her job, and she was embarrassed to say she worked for them. She said she felt “betrayed.”
3:47 p.m. — They seem to be covering the same territory they did with Toni Herbert. Sosolik worked with Herbert in compiling the bad checks and how much money had gone missing.
The state asks Sosolik if she had formal training in investigating financial fraud. She says only what she learned from working in banking. She said it was this training that helped her identify where the checks from WISD had been cashed.
The state asks how they got the number $410,000. Sosolik said they pulled out the handwritten checks and the suspect checks. The state asked if there were legitimate expenses in some of the checks. Sosolik said yes and they didn’t include those.
3:40 p.m. — The state asks who usually was the second signature on checks. Sosolik said it was usually Scott Felton, Mark Boyd or Pat Millar.
The state asks if there were handwritten checks. She said it occurred sometimes. The state asked who had the authority to write the checks, and Sosolik said Margaret Mills because she had the checkbook.
Sosolik said she didn’t see checks written to Mills before 2006. The state asks how she got along with Mills. Sosolik said fine. Sosolik said she didn’t want to get on her bad side. The state asks if she saw her bad side. Sosolik said sometimes.
The state asks how Sosolik got her way. Sosolik said she would try to intimidate people if she didn’t get her way.
3:33 p.m. — Nancy Sosolik takes the stand. She works in vault at First City Financial Services.
She says she worked at Downtown Waco for nine years as office manager. The state asked about a discovery that led her to believe Mills was misappropriating funds. Sosolik said she collected money for ad sales and membership dues. She said she had not received payment from WISD, but the district informed her they had paid. The state presents checks that had been sent from WISD. These are the same checks Herbert referred to. Sosolik said the account number on the endorsement was different from the account number of Downtown Waco. The prosecution asks if this is the first time this had happened, and she said yes.
Sosolik investigated others who said they had sent in their payment and asked for the canceled checks. Sosolik said she told Herbert about these checks. She said got the WISD check on a Friday, but she didn’t tell Herbert until Monday. She said shock made her delay at telling Herbert.
3:22 p.m. — As the jury came back in, it appeared Mills smiled at a couple of the jurors.
3:17 p.m. — During the recess, Herbert went up to Mills. They smiled at each other, Herbert patted Mills on the back, and Mills followed in kind.
3:04 p.m. — Bostwick begins to question Herbert. He asks if it is common for companies to have inside directors. Herbert said it is common.
Bostwick asks if there was sloppiness to the records at the company. Herbert asks for specifics. Bostwick says whether you couldn’t find every record of reimbursement. Herbert says yes.
Bostwick asks about a credit card Herbert used to buy software for Downtown Waco. Herbert said she wasn’t sure where the credit card came from; she was told Downtown Waco had a credit card that hadn’t been used. Bostwick asked who came up with the card. Herbert said she didn’t know, and it never got used again.
Bostwick asks about the state of downtown Waco in 1984. Herbert said it was a pedestrian mall without pedestrians, with pigeons and homeless people. Bostwick asks if was an area that was embarrassing. Herbert said Waco isn’t easily embarrassed, but it wasn’t a place you would take people.
Bostwick asks if Downtown Waco was one of the pioneers in efforts to redevelop the area from being “blighted.” Herbert said Downtown Waco was the primary mover in improving downtown. He asks if it is fair to say that people had written off downtown. She said many in the city government had.
Bostwick asks if it took some courage and effort to improve a place that had been practically abandoned. She said it was a literal abandonment. She said if she had seen downtown in 1984 then had been whisked away to 2008, she would be shocked with the improvement.
Bostwick asks her to describe Mills’ effort to improve downtown. Herbert said at the beginning, Mills was the person who carried the entire process. Mills had to overcome significant negativity, she said. Herbert said Mills does things on a “grand scale,” with four big ideas going on at the same time. She was always good at getting the resources behind her ideas, Herbert said.
2:39 p.m. — Glickler asks Herbert if this is difficult for her. Herbert’s voice breaks just a bit as she says yes, Mills is her friend and she knew her well, although “not as well as I thought.”
Glickler asks if Mills was known to spend a lot of money. Herbert said Mills had expensive tastes, judging from the things she had.
Glickler asks if she remembers a check written to Mills for $10,000. Herbert says she remembers the check, it was the biggest one. It was written the same month of the wedding of Mills’ son.
Glickler asks if Mills had functions for Downtown Waco at her house. Herbert said yes. Glickler asks if they were lavish affairs. Herbert said not lavish, but they were nice. Herbert said these events benefited Downtown Waco because Mills was the face of the firm.
2:33 p.m. — Herbert said some checks that came in as revenue for Downtown Waco were going to an account called River City Corp. Herbert said this account was supposed to be dormant. Glickler presented a check from March 2006 drawn from the River City Corp. account and deposited into Margaret Mills’ private account.
2:25 p.m. — OK, now things are getting very technical and confusing, and I’m glad to hear Glickler is as confused as me.
To sum up the the next part, Herbert was saying Mills was able to draw money from the Downtown Waco account at Wells Fargo even though she didn’t have an account there. She went to Wells Fargo to draw money, gave them her account from a different bank, but because that account didn’t have enough money, Wells Fargo gave her money from Downtown Waco’s account.
I’m probably not completely getting that right. I have no power to tell them to stop and slow down so I can hear it again.
2:20 p.m. — Herbert said Mills still had access to a post office box after she had left Downtown Waco, which is how she was getting the checks.
Herbert said she was asked to figure out the damage in September 2006. Glickler asks about “questioned check activity.” Herbert said “questioned check activity” were checks with one signature or with a second signature that didn’t seem authentic. Glickler brought up a check that had a signature of Scott Felton, Wells Fargo’s branch president. Herbert said the signature was on the magnetic strip on the check. She said Felton was a banker and he would never sign there.
Herbert said there was other checks from companies that Downtown Waco didn’t do business with.
Herbert said she was asked to come with how much money Downtown Waco had, and she said it was $70,000 in debt. Glickler submitted into evidence a check and a letter Downtown Waco had received in September 2006. The check, for $70,000, was from the law firm of Mills’ husband, Coke Mills. The letter said the money was for restitution.
Herbert said she was then asked to determine how much the questioned checks added up to. She said it was about $410,000.
2 p.m. — Herbert said she was also concerned about dues and ad sales not being paid to Downtown Waco. She said she contacted the school district (unsure which one) about money owed. Glickler submitted as evidence two checks written, one for $2,000 and one for $3,000, to Downtown Waco that had been cashed but not deposited into Downtown Waco’s account. They were endorsed “Downtown Waco MM.”
Glickler asked if this was the other concern she had, and she said yes. Herbert said she was still slow to go to the board because it was so unexpected from Mills.
Glickler asked if she really knew what she was saying about Mills. Herbert said yes, but she didn’t realize the scope. Herbert said she went to Pat Miller, the treasurer.
Herbert said she thought Miller would be shocked. But Miller said, “I know this sounds bad, but don’t worry, you aren’t in this by yourself.” Miller said they should go to Scott Felton, the board president.
Herbert said Felton and the rest of the board weren’t surprised. Herbert said she was upset the board had not brought this to her before she was brought on to Downtown Waco.
1:47 p.m. — Glickler asks, if a bill didn’t get paid, would there be invoices? Herbert says if there were, Mills would have it until Herbert took over. She said she contacted Mills about unpaid bills. Mills said it was wrong, that the bills should be current and Herbert wasn’t looking at the right records.
Herbert said this surprised her because Mills was no longer with Downtown Waco. Herbert told Mills that they wouldn’t let her look at the records, but Mills said, “I think they will.”
Herbert called the accounting firm and she was told Mills couldn’t see the records. The firm told her that there were other issues of concern, and she needs to talk to Mark Boyd, a former treasurer of Downtown Waco. Herbert said she didn’t talk to Boyd because she doesn’t always do “what people tell her to.”
Glickler asked Herbert what her concerns were. Herbert said she needed to talk to an attorney over the bills not being paid and another mystery concern Glickler won’t let her get to yet.
1:33 p.m. — I’ve heard rumors that the Herbert testimony could go on for awhile.
11:24 a.m. — Glickler submits into evidence two notebooks Herbert has compiled. Bostwick says he hasn’t had a chance to go over these items and wants time to look over them. The judge calls a recess until 1:30 p.m.
11:20 a.m. — Public improvement district contract. The money goes from the city of Waco to Downtown Waco to contracts. Glickler asked how did accountants get information from Downtown Waco. Herbert says from the staff. Glickler asked who is that. Herbert says Margaret Mills.
Glickler asks if you could say Mills was Downtown Waco. Herbert says that early on you could, but as time went on that wasn’t entirely true.
Glickler asks what are the rules with checks on the Downtown Waco account. Herbert says checks are drawn by the accounting firm and needed two signatures. Glickler says he gave her the “closed-book test,” and he brings out the bylaws and says she is correct. Herbert asks when does she get to give him a closed-book test. He says it was the bar exam.
Glickler asks when she knew something was wrong with Downtown Waco. She said when she was getting overdue notices, which surprised her. No one reported that bills weren’t being paid, she said.
Herbert says checks were coded to each project so accountants would know which account to charge for invoices. Glickler asks who would sign the checks after they were cut by the accountants. Herbert said Mills and one of the executive officers would sign.
Glickler asks what she did in August 2006 when she found out bills weren’t being paid. Herbert said she started looking through bank statements.
Glickler asks about the notebook Herbert has. She says it is a compilation of checks and bank statements with returned checks stored in the office. She said she didn’t have access to Mills’ private account or Mills’ son’s account.
10:51 a.m. — Glickler asks if there were audits on the board of directors of Downtown Waco. Herbert says no.
Glickler submits the bylaws of Downtown Waco. Bostwick doesn’t object, but says he’s concerned that the bylaws had no date and the document wasn’t signed.
10:32 a.m. — Toni Herbert, executive director of Business Resource Center, takes the stand.
She said she met Mills when she worked for the city. She called Mills when she found out she worked for Downtown Waco Inc. She worked closely with Mills for 20 years. She said she has mixed emotions about testifying. She says Mills was one of her closest friends from her work life.
Herbert became part of Downtown Waco’s board of directors around 2003. She said Mills had a lot of autonomy as executive director. Glickler asked if the board of directors is a volunteer position, and she said yes.
Herbert became executive director of Downtown Waco temporarily after Mills resigned and said the executive committee wanted her for the job. In exchange, Herbert asked Mills to help raise funds for a renovation project, because Mills is “really good at that.”
10:30 a.m. — The judge and attorneys get the schedules clear. They will take a two-hour lunch break to allow people to vote. I already voted, but I’ll enjoy a two hour lunch.
10:15 a.m. — Judge takes morning recess.
9:50 a.m. — Defense attorney Rick Bostwick starts his opening statements. He says regardless of how you look at this case, it is undoubtedly a picture “as tragic as you can come up with.” By tragedy, he says he means like you would read about in Greek classics or Shakespeare. A story of a person who did good things, but who fell from grace, “a story of the human condition.” He says “there isn’t any one of us … who would deny clay feet.” He says he won’t say what Mills did is justified. He says Mills admitted to him, “I did this.” He says there is a difference between saying she is responsible and doing something about it. He says the evidence will show Mills went to Downtown Waco Inc. and asked how to make this right. He says this doesn’t absolve the crime, but “Margaret Mills looked into her heart … and did what she thought was right.” He says Mills has endured two years of public ridicule.
Glickler objects and says this is moving into the argumentive stage. The judge sustains the objection.
Bostwick continues. He says Mills was a effectively a housewife for 60 years, and she sought something else after her children grew up. He goes into the problems of Downtown Waco Inc. Again, Glickler objects, saying it is an improper opening statement. The judge sustains.
Bostwick says Downtown Waco Inc was a small organization that Mills helped build up. Over the years, she “unfortunately took liberties.” He says he isn’t justifying it. But he says justice is “just desserts on one hand, mercy on the other.”
9:40 a.m. — Assistant David S. Glickler starts his opening statements. He talks about St. Peter having the keys to heaven, and the ledger of our deeds on Earth. He gives Mills credit for pleading guilty and says she isn’t a horrible person. He says even though probation is still an option, he’s not asking for it. “She is guilty, she said it, she pled it,” he said. He says Mills went 60 years without doing much wrong, then turned into “thief, liar, and amazing con artist.” He says 10 years in prison will be the “final mark in the sad book of Margaret Mills.”
9:41 a.m. — Margaret Mills pleads guilty. Opening statements begin.
9:37 a.m. — Still reading the paragraphs of the charges. They read 53 paragraphs. In summary, it’s a lot of “on or about (date) the defendant Margaret Mills deposited in her private account (amount of money) without the effective consent of (whomever).”
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Margaret Mills
Margaret Mills trial starts slowly
The punishment trial of former Downtown Waco Inc. executive director Margaret Mills is beginning in the 54th State District Court this morning, but actual testimony is at least 45 minutes away because prosecutors are going to first read to the jury the 53 paragraphs outlining the specific items to which Mills pleaded guilty.
That will take some time. The state initially had 116 items in its indictment of Mills.
After that is read, Assistant State Attorney General David S. Glickler will begin calling witnesses and said that the first five will likely have lengthy testimonies.
We will be resuming our live blog from the trial today.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Courthouse, Margaret Mills, Police & crime
Voter voices: Democratic headquarters
Some Waco neighborhoods will be hearing all about the election — at least the Democratic side of it — when trucks topped with loudspeakers hit the road today.
“We’re going back to the streets,” local Democratic Party official Dave Gray said of the trucks. “We’re taking campaigning back to the streets.”
Just a few yards away: A big, red Ford F-150 truck with two loudspeakers on top.
Such campaigning is a throwback to the 1940s and ’50s, when trucks and big cars with loudspeakers spent part of the campaign cycle motoring through neighborhoods, urging voters to side with one candidate.
Local Democrats were busy this morning, with volunteers making the rounds of polling places, ensuring that they had opened on time and were operating with efficiency.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Voter voices: G.W. Carver Academy
Two voters at the G.W. Carver Academy polling site, 1601 J.J. Flewellen Road, said they cast ballots for presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Celeste Carter, 25, a telemarketer, said she voted for Obama because she believes in his message of change.
“I watched the debates and gave both of them a fair chance, and I feel Obama promotes the change that’s needed in America right now.”
Cynthia Long, 49, a medical clerk, said she voted for Obama because she thinks he’s capable of fixing the country’s big problems.
“What I’m hoping is he can get in there and straighten out all this mess because we’re in a recession right now,” she said. “They’re not calling it a recession, but we’re in a recession and times are hard.”
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Voter voices: Straight tickets at rec center
Two more voters spoken with at the Dewey Recreation Center said they voted a straight ticket for the Democratic Party.
Danny Long, 29, said he cast his vote for Barack Obama and the Democrats because “They seem like they care more about what’s going on with common people instead of just the rich.”
Health care also is a big issue for him in this election, he said.
“We’ve got two sets of twins and health care is too expensive,” he said. “We’ve got Fortune 500 companies who are just worried about making money and don’t treat their employees right. Plus, we just had eight years of something that didn’t work, so we might as well try a different approach.”
Because this is a historic election, Long said, “I’d have voted no matter what. … I’m gonna try to do what I can.”
Another straight Democratic ticket was cast by Jacqueline Smith, 42, a dietitian.
“The most important issue, of course, (is) I want a black man in,” she said “This is history being made today. I think Obama will bring a lot of people together.”
She said she believes a lot more people will be voting this year.
“I think a lot more people will get out to vote just to make history and get Obama elected.”
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Voter voices: Holy Spirit Episcopal Church
Issues ranging from abortion to the economy to leadership moved voters to the polls at West Waco’s Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, 1624 Wooded Acres Drive, though most vowed they’d rally behind the new president, whoever wins.
Not that some won’t be a little reluctant about it.
“Yeah, sure, it’s American,” said 49-year-old Alden Smith, a Baylor University faculty member who bicycled to Holy Spirit early this morning, only to learn he would have to pedal to nearby Lake Shore Baptist Church to vote.
“You have to,” he said of supporting the new president. “You have to have respect for the office, if not the person.”
Smith’s overriding issue this election: Abortion.
“Genocide is just a hard thing to swallow,” he said of his vote for the McCain-Palin ticket.
Mary Anthony Arriola, 60, who works at the Waco Housing Authority, said the troubled economy got her to the polls even before they opened.
“It’s affecting everyone,” she said. “I have a 401(k) and it’s probably nothing now. It’s gone down quite a chunk.”
She voted for the Obama-Biden ticket but vowed to support whoever the winner is.
“We need to be a unified country,” she said. “We need to get behind whoever comes out of this. It’s like the primary with us Hillary (Clinton) supporters. We rallied behind Barack Obama.”
Kerri Lauderdale, 40, a Waco accountant, voted for McCain-Palin because of the strong leadership she believes Sen. John McCain offers. But she plans on rallying behind the victor, even if it’s not her candidate.
“Absolutely,” she said. “I believe that’s the person it’s supposed to be, that’s who we’ve chosen to represent us.”
Another Baylor faculty member, who declined to give his name, said he voted for Obama because of the war and the United States’ loss of standing in the global community.
“I’ve soured on Republican politics quite a bit,” the 50-year-old said.
He said he believes the United States could have fared far better had it built on the goodwill of the world for America after the terrorist attacks of 2001, bolstered its alliances and chosen a different course than the invasion of Iraq.
However, he likes both candidates.
“I think both are good men,” he said. “I have been disappointed by all the dirty politics, and on both sides.”
Russel Walker, 49, who works at a local welding supply business, voted for John McCain for a variety of reasons, including national security, health care and experience.
However, he said it’s important for all voters to rally behind the winner of today’s election.
“I think you have to,” he said. “I think you’ve got to come together as a nation, as a democracy. Now, I’m not saying it’s going to be easy.”
Debby Kelley, 54, a local court reporter who voted with her husband, Mike Kelley, and cited abortion as her key issue, acknowledged gathering behind the victor certainly won’t be easy if it’s Obama.
When asked if she would support the new president if it was Obama — she voted for McCain — she replied: “I’m not going to start an uprising, if that’s what you mean.”
Jessica Attas, 30, who teaches sociology in Cuernavaca, Mexico, but spends part of the year in the United States and her hometown of Waco, says teaching abroad has proven to her how much prestige the United States has lost in the past several years.
She said one of her reasons for returning home was to vote for the Democratic ticket, “the hope of turning Texas blue.” However, she said she would rally behind whoever wins today’s election.
If McCain wins, however, “I will pray for his health so Palin never gets in,” she said. “I think he’s a great person, but I don’t think he’s what we need in terms of leadership, and Sarah Palin definitely isn’t.”
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Voter voices: Dewey Recreation Center
The flow of voters at the Dewey Recreation Center, 925 N. Ninth St., has been steady. Polling site volunteers said about 40 people voted between 7 a.m. when the polls opened and 7:45 a.m., but then another 15 or so arrived up until 8 a.m.
Nursing supervisor Reyna Reed, 44, said she voted for presidential candidate Barack Obama on a straight Democratic ticket.
“I didn’t vote in the last election, but this election … first of all, it’s history,” she said. “But also the economy is a big issue. I felt had I voted for McCain we’d be in the same situation as throughout the Bush administration.”
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Politics
Get out there and vote
Welcome to Tuesday and more importantly, Election Day. If you haven’t voted early, you have until 7 p.m. today to get in line and cast your ballot.
The weather is going to be great, although a bit windy. We’re going to have partly sunny skies with a high near 78 degrees. There will be a south wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
If you’re not sure about polling places, click here. Also, keep coming back here for election coverage.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Weather
First returns already in: Obama wins in 2 N.H. villages
Election Day 2008’s first returns are in, and Sen. Barack Obama already leads Sen. John McCain 64 percent to 32 percent.
Of course, it sounds much less impressive when you realize that means he won by 16 votes.
The New Hampshire villages of Dixville Notch and Hart’s Location — by tradition, the first to vote in the nation — have already opened and, having reached 100 percent turnout within minutes of the midnight EST opening, closed their polling places. The results: Obama won Dixville Notch 15 votes to 6 for McCain, and Hart’s Location 17 votes to 10 for McCain and two (write-in) for Rep. Ron Paul.
Obama is the first Democrat to win Dixville Notch since Hubert Humphrey did it in 1968.
More here from the Associated Press, and be sure to check out our election news page for the latest as the day progresses. Polls open here in Waco at 7 a.m.
Permalink | Comments (5) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, National news, Politics
China Spring, Gatesville bands don’t advance
The China Spring and Gatesville marching bands didn’t make the finals of the Class 3A competition of the UIL State Marching Band Contest today in San Antonio’s Alamodome.
The top seven bands out of 20 at the state contest were chosen to compete in the finals this evening after performing earlier in the day.
China Spring placed 16th while Gatesville came in 19th during the preliminary round.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Education
Three injured in Waco collision
Waco police are investigating a wreck this evening that sent three people to area hospitals, one with life-threatening injuries.
Just before 7 p.m., a Waco police officer tried to stop a man driving a yellow motorcycle for a routine traffic stop at the corner of 15th street and Austin Avenue, Sgt. Gary Harrison said.
The man ignored the officer’s order to pull over and took off westbound on Austin Avenue at a high rate of speed, Harrison said.
A four-door sedan, traveling south on 18th street, smashed into the motorcycle at the corner of 18th street and Austin Avenue, Harrison said.
The motorcyclist was thrown from his cycle. He was taken by ambulance to Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center.
Harrison said the sedan’s driver was also taken to Hillcrest. That person’s condition was unknown. The sedan’s passenger was also taken to a local hospital, however Harrison said he was unsure of which hospital.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Police & crime
Waco radio station pulls controversial political portion of restaurant ad
An advertisement on a Waco talk radio station that told listeners to vote Tuesday for Republicans and Wednesday for Democrats has been changed, the station’s manager said today, adding that “some people just can’t take a joke.”
Jerry Lenamon, station manager at KBCT-FM 94.5, said one of his staffers designed the ad for Donald Citrano’s Coffee Shop Cafe in McGregor.
“It was meant to be funny,” Lenamon said. “Who would be so stupid to believe something like that?”
Citrano said he heard the advertisement the first day it ran last week, and called the station to have that part of the ad pulled. The station obliged, he said, and the ad that has run since has not included the controversial addition. Lenamon confirmed that the ad was changed.
The radio station airs such conservative talk radio shows as Dr. Laura Schlessinger and Bill O’Reilly.
Waco resident Robert Denton, 57, said he was appalled when he heard the ad.
“Between education problems and language problems, someone could easily hear this ad and think they had an extra day to vote,” Denton said. “Voting can be complicated enough as it is.”
McLennan County Democratic Party Chairman John Cullar said that he hadn’t heard of the advertisement.
“When you are broadcasting on public airwaves, you have a duty to not mislead the public,” Cullar said. “That’s just a blatant untruth.”
Still, Cullar said he is not concerned about voter confusion as a result of the advertisement.
“I don’t think it’s going to make any difference,” Cullar said. “Folks who want to vote know by now and understand when and where to vote.”
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines
Margaret Mills jury selection live blog
5:25 p.m. — The 12 chosen jurors are called to the jury box and sworn in. The jury is composed of 7 men and 5 women of a wide range of ages. The others are released. The court is recessed until 9 a.m. Tuesday.
5:15 p.m. — It’s 5:15, and no decisions have been announced.
4:54 p.m. — The audio link to the court is in the jury room. Apparently, the prosecution is looking for a room to make their selections. I heard David Glickler outside say he wanted to use this room “as long as there’s no one in there.” Then he saw me, said “oh” in a kind of disgusted way, and left with his team.
4:50 p.m. — The judge releases jurors 45 through 90. He said he’ll give the attorneys a chance to make their strikes until 5:15.
4:30 p.m. — The judge and attorneys are still meeting privately with some in the pool. I’ve been told most jury pools are around 45 people. This one is 90, so it could take a while to whittle it down.
4:06 p.m. — The judge tells the jury pool to remain close by as some will be called in for private interviews. He then calls a break and goes into a private meeting with the attorneys.
4:02 p.m. — Bostwick says most of us aren’t doing as well because of the economic downturn. He says when times are tough, people get more “severe.” He asks if this will affect consideration in a trial of theft. Judging on the lack of response, most don’t find this to be a factor. Bostwick concludes his questions here.
4 p.m. — Bostwick asks if they feel restitution is unimportant. He gets no response. He asks if in a case where someone denies then takes responsibility, would that be a situation where they would take into account the full range of punishment. Most agree.
3:52 p.m. — The judge and counsels return with no explanation of what they talked about. Bostwick again asks if there were facts indicting a theft of $500,000, would that predispose you to give the 10-year sentence. A few raise their hands.
3:34 p.m. — Bostwick asks if they would be predisposed to give a 10-year sentence if they knew the theft was up to $500,000. The judge quickly calls the counsels and the court reporter to his chambers.
3:30 p.m. — Bostwick asks the jurors if they would consider probation even if they knew the crime was $100,000. Then he asks “what about 300?” A jurors asks “300 dollars?” Bostwick clarifies he meant $300,000. He then asks about $500,000. I’m unable to see inside the court, but it appears most in the juror pool could consider probation up to $500,000.
One jurors asks if he means probation as well as jail time. The judge says if the jury doesn’t recommend probation, it won’t happen. But if probation is recommended, Mills could still get jail time.
3:20 p.m. — Upon being asked if they have been a victim of a crime, or if they’ve known family or friends who have been a victim, several jurors raise their hands. Bostwick says it’s not unusual to be a victim of a crime, but for some people this may affect their judgment on a jury. A couple jurors say yes. One says that a few years ago it would have affected her, but she has come to terms with it.
3:11 p.m. — Bostwick asks if anyone lives or works downtown, leading to questions on the definition of downtown.
3:06 p.m. — Bostwick asks if any jurors had dealings with Downtown Waco Inc. One said yes, and it was not favorable. He said he would discuss his reasons in private.
3:00 p.m. — Bostwick asks if, based on what they have read or heard, they have a good idea of an appropriate punishment. A couple of jurors say yes.
2:54 p.m. — Bostwick tells them this hearing has nothing to do with being good or bad people, just if they are a good fit on the jury.
2:50 p.m. — Margaret Mills’ lawyer Rick Bostwick begins questioning the juror pool.
2:30 p.m. — A couple jurors say they will have trouble if the trial goes into next week. One says he has a trial date in Austin on Monday.
One juror says if one of her patients goes into labor, she will leave. Glickler asks if any other jurors have patients going into labor.
2:26 p.m. — One juror asks how long the trial will go because he has a transportation problem. Glickler asks how this will affect his judgment. The juror says it will make him late.
Another juror says she has patients and is afraid of having her “time wasted.” She says this might affect her judgment.
2:22 p.m. — One juror asks how many years Mills will actually serve if given 10 years. The juror is told not to consider rules of parole.
2:20 p.m. — Jurors are asked if, for any reason not yet discussed, they couldn’t be unbiased. Another juror says he couldn’t give her 10 years in prison.
2:05 p.m. — One juror says he could not give Mills, a 70-year-old first offender, a 10-year prison sentence. He says theft under $100,000 is not worth someone’s life. Glickler reiterates the details of the case, saying she has already pleaded guilty, and again asks if he could sentence her. The juror replies: “Can you?”
2 p.m. — Glickler says there are 53 instances of theft in the case, but they are counted as one, which is why it is called aggregate theft, meaning Mills would be punished once, not 53 times. A couple of jurors say they have a problem with this concept.
1:50 p.m. — Quick law lesson: Glickler tells the juror pool that anyone who hasn’t committed a felony before can be granted probation. He also says the jury assigns a prison sentence but not restitution. All jurors in the pool say they are comfortable with this.
1:44 p.m. — Glickler tells jurors that “Waco is a smaller town than it’s given credit for” and that many of witnesses could be well known. He reads off the names on his witness list, and many in the juror pool do know people on the list. Most say this won’t affect their judgment.
1:37 p.m. — Preliminary questions are out of the way, now the prosecution begins talking to the jurors.
1:30 p.m. — One juror claims to have done business deals with Mills, but said it wouldn’t affect his judgment.
1:22 p.m. — Jurors are asked if they believe everything they hear in the news media. No one raised their hands. This was followed by a round of laughter, even by members of the news media.
1:20 p.m . — The jurors are asked if they have information about the trial that didn’t come from the news media. A handful raised their hands. The judge asks if this info was from “rumor, speculation, or gossip.” It’s unclear how many agreed to that.
1:14 p.m. — The jurors are told the conditions of the trial. They are asked if they can accept the guilty plea Mills has submitted. No one said they couldn’t.
1:11 p.m. — One juror commented that she “doesn’t believe in the system.” The judge said the counsels may want to question her further.
1:00 p.m. — Potential jurors are sworn in.
12:50 p.m. — The judge said he was not “in the mood” to accept any pleas from the defense or the prosecution. Assistant State Attorney General David S. Glickler wanted it on the record that the plea was for nine years of prison, with $100,000 paid in restitution, making the total restitution $217,000. Jurors were allowed into the courtroom.
12:45 p.m. — Before the potential jurors are allowed into the 54th State District Courtroom, both the defense and the prosecution requested a private meeting with Judge Matt Johnson.
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Margaret Mills
Mills’ jury selection to start earlier
Word from the McLennan County Courthouse is that jury selection in the punishment trial for former Downtown Waco Inc. executive director Margaret Mills will begin 15 minutes earlier, starting at 12:45 p.m. instead of 1.
How her violation of the public’s trust will be viewed was the focus of Sunday’s story about the upcoming trial.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Courthouse, Margaret Mills, Police & crime
Waco’s Circuit City store survives closing plans
The Circuit City location in Waco has been spared its parent company’s plans to pull the plug on about 20 percent of its U.S. stores in an effort to return the nation’s No. 2 consumer electronics retailer to profitability.
Circuit City Stores Inc. made the announcement this morning. The Temple store is among the nine casualties in Texas. Stores in Burleson, McKinney and Cedar Park also will be shuttered.
The Richmond, Va.-based company said it will close 155 of its more than 700 stores in 55 markets, including Phoenix and Atlanta, by Dec. 31, laying off about 17 percent of its domestic work force. Circuit City also said it will further reduce new store openings and plans to work with landlords to renegotiate leases, lower rent or terminate agreements.
Click this link for the full list of U.S. stores.
The company said it expects the stores it is shuttering, which generated about $1.4 billion in net sales in fiscal 2008, will not open on Tuesday and store closing sales will begin on Wednesday.
The move comes as Circuit City heads into a crucial holiday shopping season that could determine its future, amid a slowdown in consumer spending that has even the least vulnerable retailers worried.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Hot stories, Business
Another beautiful start to the week
You can’t ask for much better weather than we’ve had lately (and that extra hour of sleep Sunday was great). Today, we’re looking at mostly sunny skies again, with a high near 81 degrees. We’ll have a south wind between 10 and 15 mph.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Headlines, Weather
