Three San Angeloans Killed In Wreck

Three San Angeloans are dead in a two-car crash west of Garden City last night. The Highway Patrol says the driver, 43-year-old Robert Mendoza, along with his girlfriend, 28-year-old Mary Ellen Bryant and 13-year-old niece, Erica Jimenez -- died when their car strayed onto the shoulder of Highway 158 between Midland and San Angelo shortly before eleven last night. Troopers believe Mendoza over-corrected, the car spun into the opposite lane and was slammed into by a semi driven by 64-year-old Richard Lerma of San Angelo. Lerma wasn't injured. Counselors on hand today at Lincoln Middle School in San Angelo where Erica Jimenez was a sixth-grade student.

Decline in young drivers

New figures indicate that young people are not rushing to get behind the wheel. In Texas, census numbers show the number of teens 19-and younger licensed to drive is down nine percent over the last decade. Analysts say the main reasons for the decline are an increasing ability to communicate through technology as well as teens seeking other modes of transportation.

Early voting begins

San Angelo City Elections take place May 12th, but you don't have to wait until then to cast your ballot. Early voting begins today at five locations: the Edd B. Keyes Building, Plaza Del Sol Apartments, River Place Apartments, Assembly of God Church and Victory Christian Church. Hours are 8 to 5 today through Friday and 7 to 7 next Monday and Tuesday.

Gas prices falling

Triple-A reports that, for the first time since the start of the year, Americans are paying less for a gallon of gas than they did in 2011. In the past week, the national average price for a gallon of regular dropped five cents to three-81 and, in Texas, the price went down six cents, to three-70. According to gas-buddy-dot-com, the price of regular gas in San Angelo today is even lower, ranging from three-46 to three-65 a gallon.

Florida suspect arrested

A doctor from Florida wanted for a number of charges, including international money laundering, was arrested last Thursday evening in San Angelo. Police say they found 56-year-old James David Zebranak at Alcoholics Anonymous on Avenue N. Zebranak had reportedly been hiding in Panama since 2010. He was being held in the Tom Green County Jail on a bond of more than nine million dollars.

San Angelo's most wanted

San Angelo's Most Wanted this week is wanted for probation violation. unauthorized absence from a correctional facility and burglary of a habitation. 19-year-old Paul Castillo Junior is a 19-year-old Hispanic male, 5-8, 135 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He has tattoos on his neck, chest and arms. His last known address was in the unit block of East 10th Street. There is a 250 dollar reward for information leading to the arrest of Paul Castillo Junior. You can call Crimestoppers and remain anonymous at 658-HELP.

ASU Exporting Conference

Business owners who want to promote importing and exporting are invited to a the Concho Valley Exporting Conference 2012. Angelo State University’s Small Business Development Center will host the event from 1 to 5 PM tomorrow in the LeGrand Alumni and Visitors Center on University Avenue. For more information or to register for the conference, go online to s-b-d-c-dot-angelo-dot-e-d-u.

Money Laundering Suspect Nabbed At AA Meeting

An international money laundering suspect arrested at a San Angelo A-A meeting. City police arresting 56-year-old James Zebranek last night while he was attending an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at a location off Avenue N. Zebranek booked as a fugitive from justice on suspicion of international money laundering. He's awaiting arraignment and prosecutors have requested bond totaling nine-point-eight million dollars.

Infant murdered

Last Sunday, police responded to San Angelo Community Hospital where a one-year-old Andrea Hernandez had died and her body had shown signs of physical abuse. On Wednesday, officers arrested 24-year-old Atreyo "Trey" Carter and charged him with murder. They say the girl had been left at a motel on South Bryant in Carter's care. His bond was set at one-million dollars.

Meth lab bust

The Tom Green Sheriff's Office, working with other local law enforcement agencies, has busted a meth lab operating at a home on North Van Buren across from Austin Elementary School. Arrested Wednesday were 47-year-old Joseph Andy Bailey and 28-year-old Aimee Clifton.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service in San Angelo has again issued a hazardous weather outlook for parts of West Central Texas, including the Concho Valley. That means people in Tom Green, Nolan, Sterling, Coke, Runnels, Irion,Concho, Crockett, Schleicher and Menard can expect gusty winds, hot temperatures and low relative humidities, resulting in elevated fire weather conditions.

Severe weather week

The National Weather Service in San Angelo reminds us that this is the first-ever National Severe Weather Awareness Week. It was scheduled to coincide with today's first anniversary of severe and deadly storms that hit the southeastern U.S., including devastating tornadoes in Alabama. For more information on how you can participate this week and increase both your and your community’s preparedness go online to ready-dot-gov-slash-severe-weather.

Grape Creek food service

The Grape Creek Independent School District has announced its sponsoring a summer food service program through the month of June. Breakfast and lunch will be served in the Grape Creek Middle School Cafeteria on Grape Creek Road on Monday through Thursday of each week. Meals are available free of charge to those from one to 18 years of age. Adults may eat for a nominal fee. There is no pre-registration, but proof of income or a lunch ticket is required.

Firefighters support MDA

San Angelo firefighters will have their boots out for one more day, ready for your dollars and change in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Look for them at Harris and Abe, 29th and Bryant, Johnson and Knickerbocker and Sherwood Way and Avenue N. This is the 13th year in a row the firefighters have been collecting for MDA. Last year, you gave them 52-thousand dollars.

San Angelo record high

The official high temperature in San Angelo Wednesday was 104 degrees. That broke the old record for the date of 99 degrees set on April 25th, 1996. The normal April 25th high is 83 degrees.

GOP women meet

Candidates running for the Tom Green County Commission will be speaking today at the regular meeting of the Concho Valley Republican Women’s regular meeting today. Willie Ruiz and Ralph Hoelscher are the scheduled guests from 11:30 AM to 1 PM at the San Angelo Country Club.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service at San Angelo has issued a hazardous weather outlook for portions of West Central Texas, including Tom Green, Nolan, Sterling, Coke, Runnels, Irion, Concho, Crockett, Schleicher and Menard counties A combination of gusty winds, hot temperatures and low relative humidities will keep fire weather conditions elevated across the Concho Valley.

Ballet tickets on sale

Tickets are now on sale for the San Angelo Civic Ballet’s annual spring performance, An Evening of Dance. The performance takes place May 18th and 19th at the Bill Aylor Memorial River Stage. Gates open and dinner will be served at 7:00pm with the performance beginning at 8:30pm each evening. More information about this performance may be found at san-angelo-civic-ballet-dot-org.

ASU awards

Yolanda Fay Elias has been named recipient of Angelo State University's 2012 Presidential Award as the top graduate in her class. A Canadian citizen who came to ASU from Seminole, Elias will be recognized at ASU's May 12th commencement exercises along with the three Distinguished Student Award honorees. They are: Laura E. Hardin of the College of Education; Emily Hendryx, College of Arts and Sciences; and Cathryn Rittenberry, College of Business.

Fill the boots

For the 13th year in a row, you can help San Angelo firefighters help the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Today and tomorrow, fill the firefighters' boots with dollars and change when you see them at Sherwood Way and Avenue N, Johnson and Knickerbocker, 29th and Bryant and Harris and Abe. They'll be out between 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM. Last year, they collected 52-thousand dollars.You can find out more at m-d-a-dot-org.

Arson arrest

A San Angelo man has been arrested in connection with the burning of two trucks last month. 33-year-old Robert Paradise is facing two counts of arson for allegedly setting the fires that slightly damaged two vehicles owned by Kenners Diesel Service. Paradise was being held on 25-thousand dollars bond for each charge.

School bus accident

A San Angelo ISD school bus was hit by a car Tuesday afternoon. State troopers say a woman driving a blue Dodge was pulling out of her driveway on Edinburgh Road in Highland Range Estates and ran into the bus. Eight students were checked out at the scene. The driver of the Dodge went to Shannon Medical Center.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service at San Angelo has issued a hazardous weather outlook for portions of West Central Texas, including the counties of Tom Green, Nolan, Sterling, Coke, Runnels, Irion, Concho, Crockett, Schleicher and Menard. Fire weather conditions will be elevated today across the Concho Valley as strong gusty south winds and low relative humidities combine with triple-digit high temperatures.

ASU research symposium

Angelo State University graduate students will present the results of 20 different research projects during the first annual Graduate Research Symposium this Friday from noon to 1:30 in the Houston Harte University Center on Rosemont Drive. It's open free to the public. Students will be available to discuss the projects, which represent research from the departments of Agriculture, Biology, English and Kinesiology.

Longtime ASU professor retiring

A man who has taught at Angelo State University for 36 years will be honored at a retirement reception next week hosted by the College of Education. Dr. Mack McCoulskey, professor of teacher education, is stepping down after the current spring semester. The reception is open free to the public and will take place from 4 to 6 PM Thursday, May 5th, in the Carr Education-Fine Arts Building on Dena Drive.

Firefighters for MDA

San Angelo firefighters will be asking you to help fill their boots today, tomorrow and Friday as they support the Muscular Dystrophy Association for the 13th year in a row. The firefighters will be at Harris and Abe, 29th and Bryant, Johnson and Knickerbocker and Sherwood Way and Avenue N from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM looking for your dollars and change for MDA. Last year, San Angelo firefighters raised over 52-thousand dollars. You can find out more at m-d-a-dot-org.

Houston Harte accidents

Several mishaps backed up traffic on the Houston Harte Monday afternoon. Police say it started when the driver of a truck that was towing a backhoe on a trailer lost control and jack-knifed his truck. That caused the trailer to flip and the backhoe to overturn, forcing traffic to be narrowed to one lane on westbound Houston Harte between Glenna and Garfield. The backups led to two more accidents, one involving a pickup, a Mustang and an Escalade; another involving a Mustang and a Ford Focus. There were only injuries in that last accident and they were minor.

Vehicle burglaries

Once again, San Angelo policle are reminding you to hide valuables or take them with you when you leave your vehicle. Several vehicle burglaries occurred over the weekend in San Angelo and police say criminals tend to act on impulse when they see something valuable inside a car, truck or van. Good hiding places do not include car floors, dashboards or seats. If you have any knowledge of the burglaries, call San Angelo police or call Crime Stoppers at 658-HELP.

Farmers Market returning

The Concho Valley Farmers Market is about to re-open. The thrice-weekly produce sales begin a week from Saturday--May 5th at 7 a.m. Vendors, who come from a 75-mile radius around San Angelo, will be offering locally grown and seasonal fruits, vegetables and plants from 7 a.m. until noon every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday thereafter. The farmers market gathers under the pavilion on South Oakes Street across from Fort Concho.

ASU student honored

An Air Force ROTC student at Angelo State University was recently honored with the William Randolph Lovelace Memorial Award as the top junior-level cadet in the Southwest Region at a ceremony in Detroit. Abraham Morland was chosen for the award from more than 32-hundred cadets in the Southwest Region, which contains 11 states and 36 Air Force ROTC detachments. Moreland said "It is a real honor, but it still hasn't sunk in for me yet."

ASU appointment

Following a national search, an administrator and faculty member at Angelo State University has been named the school's provost and vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Brian May, who has been at ASU since 1994, was one of four finalists interviewed for the job. May said he was honored and added--quote--"Angelo State certainly opened up a world of opportunity for me, and I want to ensure that our students have even broader options for success."

School Board To Vote On Summer Meals Program

The Summer Meals Program run by the San Angelo Independent School District will be on the agenda at tonight's school board meeting. The program begins in June and provides breakfast and lunch for tens of thousands of kids who are enrolled in Early Head Start, the Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA, ROTC and San Angelo Rec Department programs. Food service workers estimate they'll serve up around 42-thousand meals in the month of June alone. School trustees will be asked to vote on the Summer Meals Program at their regular meeting this evening at six at the District Administration Building on University Avenue.

March unemployment down

For the seventh month in a row, the unemployment rate in Texas has gone down. The March jobless figure was seven percent, a drop of one-tenth of a point from February. It's also well below the national employment rate of eight-point-two percent. In San Angelo, the numbers are even lower. The March unemployment rate was five-point-three percent, down from five-point-four a month ago and down from six-point-one percent a year ago. For the 20th month in a row, the number of jobs in Texas went up; 10-thousand-900 were added in March.

Gas prices

Triple-A reports that consumers paid less for a gallon of gas last week for the second week in a row. Both national and state averages decreased. In Texas, the average price for regular gas is now at three-76 a gallon, down five cents from a week ago. According to gas-buddy-dot-com, the price range in San Angelo is even lower, going between three-56 and three-69 a gallon.

Power outage

Some 450 customers of AEP were without power for about a half hour on Friday afternoon after a truck hauling a large tank clipped a TV cable wire on Christoval Road. A spokesman for the utility says cable line caused two utility lines to touch, triggering the power outage.

Missing diver found

The body of a missing diver was found Friday at Lake Ivie. Working with a dredging crew on Wednesday, 77-year-old Richard Stovall of Midland was collecting soil samples in the intake tower of the lake's pumping station and did not return to the surface. Members of a special dive team from Houston located Stovall's body about 350 feet away from where Stovall entered the tower.

Facebook Twitter bootcamp

If you have a business, you can find out how to market it through social media in a workshop presented this week by the ASU Small Business Development Center. Facebook and Twitter Bootcamp takes place Wednesday afternoon from 3 to 5:30 at the Rassman Building Computer Lab Room on Dena Drive at the ASU campus. The cost is 50 dollars per person. Seating is limited and registration is required. Find out more at s-b-d-c-angelo-dot-e-d-u.

Pops at the Pavilion

Angelo State University's Chamber Singers and Vocal Ensemble will perform "A Gospel Jubilee" for their 10th annual Pops at the Pavilion concert tomorrow evening at the LeGrand Alumni and Visitor Center on University Avenue. The concert will begin at 7:30 and is open free to the public. This year's program will feature a variety of gospel styles, including evangelical hymns, African-American spirituals, Christian pop and rock, Broadway showstoppers and a 1950s jazz novelty tune.

Walk in Her Shoes

Men of San Angelo, it's time to slip into high heels and walk to show support for the victims and survivors of sexual assault. The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event is scheduled for this Saturday morning at 10 at the Courthouse lawn. It benefits the Concho Valley Rape Crisis Center and gets the community to talk about a difficult subject: gender relations and sexual violence. You can find out more online at walk-a-mile-in-her-shoes-dot-org.

Look Twice

The Texas Department of Transportation has launched a new safety campaign called "Look Twice". The effort uses billboards and public service announcements to encourage drivers to be on the lookout for motorcyclists. TxDOT says 470 motorcyclists died on Texas roads last year. That number increased by 41 compared to 2010.

Divers continue search

Divers from Concho County and the San Angelo police department are expected to continue searching O.H. Ivie Reservoir this morning. They're looking for a diver from Midland who went missing two days ago. Authorities say the man was working for a dredging company; he went underwater on Wednesday to collect soil samples from the lake bed and never resurfaced. His name and age have not been released.

Manslaughter arrest

On April 4th, San Angelo police responded to the 300 block of Pulliam and found the body of a 59-year-old George Moya. According to witnesses, Moya had been involved in a physical altercation with 32-year-old Michael Wayne Palmer the night before. Police say Palmer has admitted to striking Moya. The preliminary cause of death to Moya was ruled as an acute subdural hematoma and cervical spine fracture due to blunt force trauma. Palmer has been charged with manslaughter.

Habitat ReStore

You can save big this weekend on new and used building materials as the Habitat for Humanity Warehouse Restore opens to the public. They're selling paint for just a dollar a gallon, mini blinds for a dollar. Five dollars gets you large blinds, doors, windows, commodes and light fixtures. Save money on those home improvements and help a good cause: Habitat for Humanity's ReStore will be open tomorrow morning from 8:30 to 11:30. The address is 401 North Chadbourne Street.

Spring Service Project

Young Professionals of San Angelo is holding its Spring Service Project at Rust Street Ministries, a no-cost food, clothing, furniture and household items center. It's happening tomorrow from 10 AM to 2 PM at 803 Rust Street. Volunteers are needed. You can find out more at facebook-dot-com-slash-y-p-san angelo.

ASU Earth Day show

In celebration of Earth Day 2012, Angelo State University will present a new planetarium show, "Dynamic Earth: Exploring Earth's Climate Engine." Free showings will take place tomorrow at 2 PM and 3 PM in ASU's Global Immersion Center just outside the main entrance to the Vincent Nursing-Physical Science Building, on Vanderventer. Afterward, ASU's Physics Department will have telescopes set up for safe solar viewing, also free to the public.

Arrest In San Angelo Death

An arrest in the wake of a fight two weeks ago that left a San Angelo man dead. Police now charging 31-year-old Michael Palmer of San Angelo with manslaughter in the death of 59-year-old George Moya on April fourth. Investigators say Moya had been involved in an altercation the previous evening, then got into a fight with Palmer on the afternoon of the fourth in the 300 block of Pulliam Street in San Angelo. Moya was already dead when officers arrived. His body has now been sent to Lubbock for an autopsy.

United Way venture grants

For the first time in five years, the United Way of the Concho Valley is accepting applications for Venture Grants. These are time limited grants designed to provide short term support for the start up and development of programs by nonprofit health and human service agencies.

Clean-up time

The city of San Angelo's annual neighborhood paint and clean-up blitz is back--this time in two parts. Starting at 8 tomorrow morning, city employees and volunteers will begin painting four dozen homes in the old Lincoln Middle School area, and clean up streets and alleys, among other activities. Then, a week from Saturday, the rest of the homes near Lincoln Middle will be painted. A number of city offices will be closed tomorrow to give employees time to pitch in, however, vital services such as police and fire, will remain open.

ASU ring ceremony

The Angelo State University Alumni Association will host 87 ASU ring recipients during its annual spring Ring Ceremony today as a precursor to ASU's May 12 commencement ceremonies. The event will be held at the LeGrand Alumni and Visitors Center on University Avenue. Students initially wear the ASU ring with the school name facing them. When they receive their degrees, they will turn their rings around to symbolize that they are ready to face the world.

ASU Wind Emsemble

Angelo State University's Wind Ensemble will feature a cross section of American music during its annual spring concert, titled "Kinda Blue." It's scheduled for this evening in the Houston Harte University Center, on Rosemont Drive. The concert will begin at 7:30 in the University Center's C.J. Davidson Conference Center and is open free to the public.

Ceramic Symposiuim

Angelo State University will host the 27th annual San Angelo Ceramic Symposium tomorrow in the Carr Education-Fine Arts Building on Dena Drive. It will run from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. and is open free to the public. The Symposium is just one of several events hosted at ASU as part of the 19th annual San Angelo National Ceramic Competition and the Ceramic Invitational Exhibition and Symposium that runs today through Monday.

2-1-1 Information Fair

You'll have a chance next month to learn about 2-1-1 and how it can benefit you! 2-1-1 Texas is a free, easy-to-use, non-emergency phone number for people to call to get connected to local health and human services. The service is available for individuals of all ages and can help connect you with resources for child care, food pantries, counseling, aging services, and more. A 2-1-1 Information Fair will be held on Wednesday, May 2nd from 10 AM to 1:30 PM at the Concho Valley Council of Governments Training Center on West Loop 306. For more information, dial 2-1-1.

Tighter Water Restrictions To Go Into Effect

San Angelo is moving into a higher level of water restriction soon as effects from the prolonged drought continue to be felt. Beginning May first, the San Angelo City Council is ordering Drought Level Two into effect. Among other things, that will restrict lawn watering to once per week and then not between the hours of noon and six P-M. It will also impose a higher surcharge on city homeowners who use more than ten thousand gallons of water per month. Higher surcharges, too, for parks, schools, cemeteries and golf courses. The higher drought level was put into effect after city Water Utilities Director Will Wilde told the Council that as of now, San Angelo has less than eighteen months of water available.

FAA Investigates Experimental Plane Crash

The F-A-A is investigating the crash of a light plane near San Angelo this week that injured a pilot. State troopers say 73-year-old Robert Heiser, Junior, was hospitalized after his experimental plane crashed into a back yard shortly after takeoff from Ducote Airpark west of San Angelo. WItnesses reporting the aircraft appeared to stall. Heiser's injuries not reportedly serious. The plane was a Pulsar X-P experimental fixed-wing aircraft. No one else was aboard and no injuries were reported on the ground.

Elizabeth Smart in San Angelo

Some 600 people turned out at the McNease Convention Center last night to hear kidnap victim Elizabeth Smart, the keynote speaker for Day of the Woman. Smart was in San Angelo with her father promoting a program called radKIDS--"rad" stands for Resisting Aggression Defensively. Smart says she knows things would have been different had she gone through the radKIDS program. You can find out more about it at rad-kids-dot-org.

SALSA

There's a new avenue for victims of sexual assualt to obtain legal advice. SALSA, Sexual Assault Legal Services and Assistance is a free statewide program, was the subject of a news conferene in San Angelo Tuesday. They've got a toll-free confidential help line at 888-343-4414 and you can find out more at their website: hope-laws-dot-org.

Drought stage 2

The San Angelo City Council went along with the recommendation of utility officials Tuesday and moved the city into Stage Two of its Drought Emergency Plan. Heat, coupled with a lack of rainfall, has left San Angelo with a water supply of a year and a half. Under stage two, residents are restricted to watering their lawns only once every seven days, with no exemptions for new laws. There is also an increased surcharge for using more thant 10-thousand gallons of water in a month.

CATCH Kids marathon

Shannon Medical Center is inviting all area elementary students to join them for the CATCH Kid's Marathon Final Lap Celebration tomorrow from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at San Angelo Stadium. Students will be albe to run the last lap of the 26-point-two miles they've been running since they start of the spring semester. After crossing the finish line, students will be presented with a t-shirt and a water bottle which they can use to gather autographs from local collegiate and high school athletes who will be on hand.

ASU meat judging champs

Angelo State University's Meat Judging Team won the championship at the Southeastern Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest held last Saturday at Ohio State University and the University of Kentucky. Competing against 17 other teams, all from Division One universities, ASU's Division Two team placed in the top 10 in each of the contest's seven categories to win the overall title.

Brown Bag Luncheon

The Business Brown Bag luncheon series, presented by the ASU Small Business Development Center, the Chamber of Commerce and the Concho Valley Center for Entrepreneurial Development, continues tomorrow. The topic--from noon to 1 in the Chamber Riverview Room--will be "Better Money Management from Profit Mastery." The event is free and open to the public. Find out more at san-angelo-dot-org.

Habitat for Humanity sale

If you're looking to do some home improvements, save some money and help a good cause, you might want to check out Habitat for Humanity's Warehouse ReStore Saturday morning. Just five dollars for doors, windows, commodes, light fixtures and large blinds. Mini blinds just a dollar and paint, just one dollar a gallon. The Habitat for Humanity Warehouse ReStore will be open to the public Saturday morning from 8:30 to 11:30. It's located at 401 North Chadbourne Street.

Tax deadline

It's the final day to drop those federal tax returns in the mail. Tax returns must be postmarked by today to qualify for timely filing. Taxpayers should double check postage to make sure it's sufficient and won't be returned. You can file for an extension, but if you owe Uncle Sam money, you have to pay up now.

Blood donors needed

United Blood Services of San Angelo has put out the call for blood donors. UBS is down to a two-day supply for all bood types. Those who give blood, platelets or plasma this week will receive restaurant vouchers and be registered for a prize drawing. United Blood Services is located at 2020 West Beauregard Avenue.

Federal building safe

It looks like San Angelo's federal courthouse is safe. A committee of judges has been looking at a list of some 60 courthouses across the country that might be shut down. But word is that the O.C. Fisher Federal Courthouse has been taken off that list.

Drought plan

Utility officials will recommend today that the San Angelo City Council move the city into Stage Two of its Drought Emergency Plan. Heat, coupled with a lack of rainfall, has left San Angelo with a water supply of a year and a half. Moving to stage two would mean that residents would be restricted to watering their lawns only once every seven days, with no exemptions for new lawns. There would also be a surcharge for using more thant 10-thousand gallons of water in a month.

ASU concert

Angelo State University's Wind Ensemble will feature a cross section of American music during its annual spring concert, titled "Kinda Blue." It's scheduled for Thursday in the Houston Harte University Center, on Rosemont Drive. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the University Center's C.J. Davidson Conference Center and is open free to the public.

YPSA needs volunteers

Young Professionals of San Angelo is holding its Spring Service Project at Rust Street Ministries, a no-cost food, clothing, furniture and household items center. It's happening this Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM at 803 Rust Street. Volunteers are needed. You can find out more at facebook-dot-com-slash-y-p-san angelo.

Broadway summer camp

The San Angelo Broadway Academy is now holding open enrollment for the 2012 Musical Theatre Summer Camp Sessions. This summer the school will be performing Disney's Cinderella and The Aristocats at the Coliseum. Tuition for camp is 300 dollars. The Academy also has limited scholarships available for those needing financial assistance. For more information, go to s-a-broadway-academy-dot-org.

Special School Board Meeting Tonight

Health insurance is one of the hottest topics in the country and it's on the agenda for this evening's special meeting of the San Angelo Independent School District Board. Members will hear an update on a decision they made last month to enroll in the TRS-Active Care Health Insurance Program. Also this evening, the Board will hear financial reports and some other business. This meeting is in addition to the school board's regularly-scheduled meeting, which is next Monday. Tonight's meeting is set for 5:30 at the District administration building on University Avenue. It's open to anyone.

Good causes

Concho Valley residents turned out to support a couple of good causes over the weekend. Almost four-thousand people attended the Spring Chicken Affair, held behind First Financial Bank on Knockerbocker Road and benefitting West Texas Rehabilitation Center. And the seventh annual Picnic in the Park attracted several hundred families in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month--where the goal was to raise awareness of the problem and resources available to deal with it.

Traffic advisory

A traffic advisory from the Texas Department of Transportation: the Big Lake Exit off US 87 and US 277 to Loop 306 will be closed today. It's undergoing surface repairs and you'll have to make a detour. That goes from Bryant Boulevard to Ben Ficklin Road, make a U turn, and go back on Bryant Boulevard to the first exit to return to Loop 306.

Tea Party rally

The deadline to file your federal income tax return is tomorrow, but Tea Partiers will gather in San Angelo later today for their annual Tax Day Rally. It takes place on the Tom Green County Courthouse lawn and is open to the public with live music beginning at 5:30. Several speakers will be addressing the rally theme of "Restore America."

Civil War lecture

This week, Angelo State University presents the last of seven public presentations addressing various aspects of the Civil War on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. "A New Birth of Freedom" will focus on the conflict's corollaries with struggles of other nations in the 20th century. The lecture is open free to the public at 7 tomorrow evening in ASU's Houston Harte University Center.

PTSD seminar

Angelo State University will present a seminar on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder tomorrow morning in the Houston Harte University Center on Rosemont Drive. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the seminar will run from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and is open free to the public. The program will include three speaker presentations followed by question-and-answer sessions.

Ceramic Symposium

Angelo State University will host the 27th annual San Angelo Ceramic Symposium this Friday in the Carr Education-Fine Arts Building on Dena Drive. It will run from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. and is open free to the public. The Symposium is just one of several events hosted at ASU as part of the 19th annual San Angelo National Ceramic Competition and the Ceramic Invitational Exhibition and Symposium that run Thursday through Monday.

Trauma Symposium

Shannon Medical Center is sponsoring the 12th annual Gus Eckhardt Trauma Symposium this Saturday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the West Texas Training Center in San Angelo. The Symposium provides continuing education for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses and EMTs and paramedics seeking to enhance their skills in caring for and managing trauma patients. Registration deadline is Wednesday.

Gas prices down

The price of gas has actually gone down in Texas in the past week. According to Triple-A, the statewide average price for regular today is three-84 a gallon, down from three-82 a week ago. And a check of gas-buddy-dot-com finds even lower prices in San Angelo, ranging from three-65 to three-79 a gallon.

Padron procession

Funeral services will be held this morning at St. Joseph's Catholic Church for Jaime Padron, the San Angelo native shot and killed one week ago today in the line of duty while working for the Austin Police Department. After the services, Padron's body will be escorted to Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens for burial. The procession will leave the church, going south on Bryant Boulevard to West Avenue North, then east on West Avenue North then south on South Chadbourne to Lawnhaven.

Padron funeral

Funeral services will be held this morning for a former San Angelo police officer who died last Friday morning while working for the police department in Austin. Jaime Padron was shot and killed at a Wal-Mart in north Austin, allegedly by 24-year-old Brandon Daniel, who's been arrested and charged with capital murder. Services were Wednesday in Austin for Padron, whose body was then transported to San Angelo for this morning's services at St. Joseph's Church. Padron grew up in Knickerbocker and served on the San Angelo police for for 14 years.

Watch Your Drink

A reminder that, as part of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, the Concho Valley Rape Crisis Center will be conducting the Watch Your Drink Campaign tonight. It is intended to educate the public about the dangers of date rape drugs like Rohypnol and GHB and encourage club goers to party safely. The campaign is scheduled for tonight at 9 o'clock.

Relay for Life garage sale

The Relay For Life garage sale will be tomorrow from 7:00 am to 12:00 noon at the American Cancer Society office. That's at 3228 College Hills Boulevard. For more information, call the American Cancer Society Office at 944-2500.

ASU Ring Ceremony

The Angelo State University Alumni Association will host 87 ASU ring recipients during its annual spring Ring Ceremony next Thursday as a precursor to ASU's May 12 commencement ceremonies. The event will be held at the LeGrand Alumni and Visitors Center on University Avenue. Students initially wear the ASU ring with the school name facing them. When they receive their degrees, they will turn their rings around to symbolize that they are ready to face the world.

Boil water notice ends

The city of Robert Lee has announced that its water customers no longer need to boil their drinking water. A boil-water notice had gone out because of reduced pressure resulting from water main breaks. But after an analysis of bacteriological samples, the water has been determined to be safe for consumption. Again, Robert Lee water customers no longer need to boil their drinking water.

Padron memorial

More than five-thousand people, many of them law enforcement officers from all over Texas and the rest of the country, turned out Wednesday for a memorial service for a former San Angelo police officer fatally shot last week while a member of the Austin police force. 40-year-old senior officer Jaime Padron was called a hero and a prince by Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo. A procession then brought Padron to his native San Angelo for funeral services and burial tomorrow.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service at San Angelo has issued a hazardous weather outlook for parts of West Central Texas, including the Concho Valley. There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, mainly along and west of a line from Ozona to San Angelo to Abilene and to Throckmorton. The main threats will be large hail and damaging winds. The potential for severe thunderstorms continues tomorrow through Sunday.

Business Brown Bag

The Business Brown Bag luncheon series, presented by the ASU Small Business Development Center, the Chamber of Commerce and the Concho Valley Center for Entrepreneurial Development, continues next Thursday. The topic--from noon to 1 in the Chamber Riverview Room--will be "Better Money Management from Profit Mastery." The event is free and open to the public. Find out more at san-angelo-dot-org.

ASU concludes Civil War series

Next week, Angelo State University presents the last of seven public presentations addressing various aspects of the Civil War on the occasion of its 150th anniversary. "A New Birth of Freedom" will focus on the conflict's corollaries with struggles of othre nations in the 20th century. The lecture is open free to the public Tuesday evening at 7 in ASU's Houston Harte University Center.

ASU PTSD seminar

Angelo State University will present a seminar on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder next Tuesday in the Houston Harte University Center on Rosemont Drive. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the University Center's C.J. Davidson Conference Center. The seminar will run from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and is open free to the public. The program will include three speaker presentations followed by question-and-answer sessions.

Officer funeral

A public funeral is set for today for slain Austin police officer Jaime Padron. The 11 AM service at Shoreline Church will include a three-volley rifle salute and a flyover by police aircraft and will be followed by a procession from the church ending in San Angelo, where Padron will be buried on Friday. Padron was shot to death Friday inside a north Austin Walmart while responding to a public intoxication call.

First lady in San Angelo

The first lady of Texas paid a visit to San Angelo Tuesday. Anita Perry appeared at the Museum of Fine Arts, where she named San Angelo an official "First Lady's Texas Treasure City," in recognition of local historic preservation and revitalization efforts. San Angelo is one of only eight cities in Texas to receive the award from the Texas Historical Commission.

Chamber of Commerce awards

The San Angelo Chamber of Commerce handed out its annual Economic Development Awards on Tuesday, recognizing those who've contributed to local business growth. Among the companies honored were the accounting firm of Armstrong, Backus and Company; the consulting and staffing firm Business Excellence Professional Consulting; Patriot Automation and Control and Performant. A special award went to Sunset Mall.

Lowe's MDA collections

San Angelo-area Lowe's stores and their customers came together for a cause, raising eight-thousand-558 in dollars Shamrocks Against Dystrophy donations. Nationwide, the retailer collected more than seven-point-six million dollars to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA) research and services programs. Funds raised by the San Angelo-area Lowe's stores help local individuals and families affected by muscular dystrophy and related diseases.

ASU candidate forum

Angelo State University's Student Government Association will host a forum for various candidates running in the May 12 local election and the May 29 primary this Saturday in the Houston Harte University Center on Rosemont Drive. The forum will begin at 2 p.m. and is open free to the public. Candidates for Tom Green County commissioner, district attorney, sheriff and constable, and the San Angelo City Council will participate.

Robert Lee boil water notice

Due to reduced pressure resulting from water main breaks, the city of Robert Lee has issued a boil water notice. To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and for making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source.

New most wanted

A high-risk Houston sex offender on electronic monitoring, who escaped from an east Houston halfway house last Thursday, has been added to the Texas 10 Most Wanted List. A 75-hundred dollar cash reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of 42-year-old Michael Elbert Young. Young is considered to be a sexually violent predator. He's a black male, 5-6, 150 pounds. If you know anything concerning the whereabouts of Michael Elbert Young, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-252-TIPS.

Service for former SAPD officer

Funeral services are planned this week for a former San Angelo police officer who died Friday morning while working for the police department in Austin. Jaime Padron was shot and killed at a Wal-Mart in north Austin, allegedly by 24-year-old Brandon Daniel, who's been arrested and charged with capital murder. Services will be held Wednesday in Austin for Padron, whose body will then be transported to San Angelo for services Friday morning at St. Joseph's Church. Padron grew up in Knickerbocker and served on the San Angelo police for for 14 years.

First lady in San Angelo

Security officers with the governor's office were checking out San Angelo's Museum of Fine Arts Monday. That's because the first lady of Texas will be there today. Anita Perry will be attending a public reception where she will present a community award to San Angelo city officials.

Chamber luncheon

The San Angelo Chamber of Commerce will hand out its annual Economic Development Awards at a luncheon today, recognizing companies and individuals who have helped grow the local business community. Guest speaker at the event at Bentwood Country Club will be Carolyn Corbin, author and president of the Center for the 21st Century.

Alcohol awareness panel

The Concho Valley C.A.R.E.S. Coalition and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council for the Concho Valley are hosting an Alcohol Awareness Panel tomorrow. Several representatives from the community will share their stories of how drunk driving has affected their lives and experts will discuss the dangers of alcohol. It takes place from noon-1:30pm at Shannon Women's and Children's Hospital on East Harris Avenue. The public is invited but an RSVP is required.

Pockets Of Heavy Rain

Heavy rainfall in some areas over Easter weekend have helped the Concho Valley in its efforts to recover from almost a year of drought conditions. Even though it's still officially a drought, you wouldn't have known it in some places over the past few days. The National Weather Service office in San Angelo says just over half an inch of rain was recorded at Mathis Field over the weekend while over three-quarters of an inch fell in Bronte. One area just south of Abilene received nearly an inch-and-a-half of rain in just a few hours.

Ex SAPD officer killed

A San Angelo police officer died Friday morning after being shot while working for the police department in Austin. Jamie Padron responded to a disturbance call at a Wal-Mart in north Austin, arriving to find a suspect with a semi-automatic handgun who police say shot the officer at point blank range. Padron -- who grew up in Knickerbocker -- worked on the San Angelo police force 14 years.

Car vs pedestrian

A pedestrian was seriously injured Saturday night when she was struck by a car near the intersection of 21st and Armstrong streets. San Angelo police say 23-year-old Priscilla Findlay was struck by a 1988 Chevy Impala being driven southbound on Armstrong. The driver, 25-year-old Adrian Perez, did not see Findlay crossing the road. Perez was cited for driving with an invalid license. Findley was transported to Shannon Medical Center.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service at San Angelo has issued a hazardous weather outlook for an area of West Central Texas, including the Concho Valley. An area of storms is expected to develop over the panhandle this afternoon and move southeast into the area by late afternoon and early evening. A few of these storms are expected to reach severe levels, with large hail, dangerous lightning and locally heavy rainfall all possible.

PDK grant

The Concho Valley Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, a professional association of educators, has received a one-thousand dollar grant from the national Phi Delta Kappa organization to renovate a garden area at the Rio Vista Head Start campus on Ben Ficklin Road. The local group, made up of Angelo State University graduate students, faculty and professional educators, has scheduled workdays this Friday and Saturday to convert the garden area into an outdoor nature center for students.

Physical Therapy Olympics

A team made up of 40 Angelo State University physical therapy students recently took first place at the 13th annual Texas Physical Therapy Olympics at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. The ASU squad finished first in softball, men's and women's basketball, and the wheelchair relay race on its way to compiling 75 points and the team championship. The first-place prize is a plaque and bragging rights for the upcoming year.

Shannon final lap invitation

Shannon Medical Center is inviting all area elementary students to join them for the CATCH Kid’s Marathon Final Lap Celebration on Thursday, April 19th from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at San Angelo Stadium. The event will give students a chance to run the last lap of the 26-point-two miles they’ve been running since they start of the spring semester. After crossing the finish line, students will be presented with a water bottle which they can use to gather autographs from area collegiate and high school athletes who will be on hand.

ASU-CTC agreement

Angelo State University has signed an articulation agreement with Central Texas College to allow CTC students to seamlessly transfer into programs offered by ASU's Department of Security Studies and Criminal Justice. As a result of the agreement, CTC students who transfer into any of the current programs within the ASU Department of Security Studies and Criminal Justice will have all their CTC academic credits accepted at ASU.

Former San Angelo Cop Killed In Austin

A former San Angelo police officer killed on duty early today. Reports say officer Jaime Padron, an officer in Austin after several years on the San Angelo police department, was ambushed while responding to an early-morning call concerning a drunk man inside a Walmart store. Reports say the suspect attacked Padron as he arrived at the store and that the officer never had a chance to draw his weapon. The suspect was tackled and captured by two Walmart employees and is now in custody. Reports say the entire incident was captured on the store's surveillance camera system.

Days off

The holiday weekend begins today for many of us. San Angelo city offices and schools are closed today in observance of Good Friday. The city offices will re-open Monday. City trash pick-up will continue as usual. Schools in the San Angelo Independent School District are closed today and won't re-open until next Tuesday.

Art Extravaganza

The numbers are in from the 13th annual Stribling Art Extravaganza,held the weekend before last at historic Fort Concho. 112 original art works by 84 Concho Valley artists sold during the event, which benefits West Texas Rehabilitation Center. The grand total for the event including art sales, entry fees and underwriting is 67-thousand-700 dollars.

Tea Party meeting

The San Angelo Tea Party will be hosting an informational forum of the candidates for the Texas State Railroad Commission next week. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:30 PM at the West Texas Training Center on North Highway 67. It's open to the general public. For more information, go to san-angelo-tea-party-dot-org.

ASU award winners

Angelo State University's chapter of the Tri-Beta biological honor society brought home several top awards from the Tri-Beta South Central Regional Meeting last weekend at the Oklahoma University Biological Field Station. Senior biology major Katelynn Frei was the big individual winner for ASU as she earned the Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Research in Biology. It includes trip to present her project at the Tri-Beta National Meeting next month in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Gas prices

If you're hitting the road this holiday weekend, bring along a little extra money to pay for fuel. According to Triple-A's Daily Fuel Gauge, the current statewide average price for a gallon of regular gas is three-dollars 84-cents, up two cents from a week ago. A check of gas-buddy-dot-com finds the price of regular gas in San Angelo ranges from three-66 to three-89 a gallon.

Jonathan Ramsey's mother speaks

The biological mother of a boy who police say was starved to death says she last talked to her son more than a year ago. Judy Williams lives in New Mexico and says her ex-husband and his wife cut off her contact. Police say the pair locked 11-year-old Jonathan Ramsey in his room and fed him almost nothing. Jonathan's body was said to have been dumped in a rural area of Ellis County but has yet to be found.

County Health Rankings

The population of Tom Green County includes some of the healthiest people in Texas. According to the annual County Health Rankings, Tom Green comes in 39th out of more than 220 counties that were rated. Factors considered include tobacco use, obesity rates and access to healthcare and healthy foods. Several Concho Valley counties were not ranked; among those that were, Crockett was at number 138, Runnels at 168 and Nolan 208.

New Habitat home

Habitat for Humanity has begun working on a new home for a San Angelo family. Officials from Wells Fargo and five local banks were on hand for Wednesday's groundbreaking in the 700 block of North Adams Street. This is the third home that Habitat for Humanity will have built in the Blackshear area.

Nature Center Easter weekend

Among the family holiday events you're invited to this weekend is one hosted by the San Angelo Nature Center. It's scheduled for Saturday from noon to 5. Activities will an Easter egg hunt, a petting zoo, photo stations and candy. If you're a member of the Nature Center, the cost is 10 dollars for families or three dollars per person. Non-members will pay 15 dollars for families or five dollars per person. You can find the San Angelo Nature Center at 7409 Knickerbocker..

Forgery suspect sought

San Angelo police are looking for a man wanted in connection with forgery and the theft of checks. The suspect is a black male, 20 to 30 years old, 5-10, 180 pounds with a medium build. He was seen wearing a flat-billed cap, white long-sleeved shirt with a blue stripe and glasses or sunglasses and driving a late-model tan-colored Toyota, possibly a Corolla. If you know who he is or where he might be, you are encouraged to contact San Angelo police.

ASU undergrad research

Angelo State University undergraduate students will present the results of 24 different research projects during the first annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. That is scheduled for next Wednesday in the Houston Harte University Center on Rosemont Drive. All the activities are open free to the public, and light refreshments will be served.

ASU graduate studies banquet

Angelo State University's outstanding graduate students will be recognized at the annual College of Graduate Studies Awards Banquet on Friday, April 20th, in the Houston Harte University Center on Rosemont Drive. The banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Tickets are $12 per person and should be purchased by 5 p.m. Friday, April 13th.

Social Media Marketing

You can learn how to use Facebook and Twitter in your business at a seminar called "Social Media Marketing," presented by the Angelo State University Small Business Development Center. It will be next Tuesday from 6 to 8:30 PM at the Rassman Building. Cost is 20 dollars per person. You can register online at s-b-d-c-dot-angelo-dot-e-d-u.

ASU MBA speaker

The Angelo State University Master of Business Administration Student Association will feature guest the president and chief executive officer of the First National Bank of Sonora at its spring speaker series event next Thursday. Bob Malone's presentation, "How to Build a Successful Career in Business," will begin at 6 p.m. in the Rassman Building on Dena Drive. The event is open free to the public.

Many Flights Canceled In Wake Of Twisters

Hundreds of flights canceled in Dallas-Fort Worth today in the aftermath of the series of tornadoes that struck north Texas yesterday. DFW airport reporting many of its flights not operating -- a total of 424 today alone just from American Airlines. Many aircraft need to be inspected for possible damage from the high wind and hurtling debris before they'll be cleared to fly again. According to the airline's website, American Eagle flights to San Angelo's Mathis Field were scheduled to go but you're advised to check directly with American if you have flight plans.

Debra Brown sentencing

A sentencing date has been set for the woman accused of stealing from the Children's Advocacy Center. Former director Debra Brown was originally facing six counts of theft but was allowed to plead guilty to one count, which carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to a quarter-million dollars. Brown will learn her fate on June 19th.

United Way awards

The United Way of the Concho Valley held its annual awards luncheon at the McNease Convention Center Tuesday to honor its top supporters during the past year. The top award, "The Spirit of Caring," went to volunteer Shelley Burnett of Atmos Energy. The Chairman's Circle Awards went to Shannon Medical Center and Clinic, the Combined Federal Campaign and Ethicon.

Pot arrest

A San Angelo teenager was arrested Sunday night for possession of marijuna. Police had responded to a reported dispute between neighbors on West 27th Street. A 17-year-old male from San Angelo had allegedly displayed a hundgun while making threatening statements toward his neighbors. A search of the suspect's residence turned up no handgun but rather, six ounces of pot.

Twin Buttes pumping

In the face of a drought that's likely to continue, the San Angelo City Council voted Tuesday to accept a bid for a company to pump water from the south pool to the north pool at Twin Buttes reservoir. If it's needed, the pumping would start in July. It would last about two months, moving about 65-hundred feet acre-feet of water a day.

City manager search

The San Angelo City Council has hired a company to help find a new city manager. The services of Strategic Government Resources will cost the city some 22-thousand dollars. Harold Dominguez left the city manager's job last month to take a similar position in Colorado.

Poetry reading

National Poetry Series winner Carrie Fountain will read from her award-winning book Burn Lake and other works next this evening at Angelo State University as part of ASU's National Poetry Month observance. Fountain's reading will begin at 7 p.m. in Room 100 of the Cavness Science Building on Dena Drive on the ASU campus. The program is open free to the public.

Business Plan Bootcamp

If you have a new or growing business, a strong business plan is essential. The ASU Small Business Development Center is conducting two seminars on that topic tomorrow. "How to Write Your Business Plan" is scheduled from 10 AM to noon and, after a lunch break, "Business Plan Financials" runs from 1 to 3. The event fee is 25 dollars and registration is required. You can find out more at s-b-d-c-dot-angelo-dot-e-d-u.

Watch Your Drink Campaign

As part of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, the Concho Valley Rape Crisis Center will be conducting the Watch Your Drink Campaign. It is intended to educate the public about the dangers of date rape drugs like Rohypnol and GHB and encourage club goers to party safely. The campaign campaign is scheduled for Friday, April 13th at 9 pm. Volunteers are needed to go to area clubs/bars to post signs and leave informational materials for patrons. If you are interested in volunteering, call 655-2000.

Drought Eases

Technically, we're still in a drought -- but it's a lot better than it was. Heavy rainfall this spring has dumped more water on the Concho Valley than at in any spring since 1923 and crop experts say there's now enough water in the soil for cotton planting. Forecasters say that while ground water is looking far better than last spring, the area's lakes and other water catchments are still low. Even so, they say that even if there isn't another drop of water until the end of May, the Valley will at least be at normal average for spring rainfall.

Traffic fatality

A San Angelo woman was killed in a crash in Sutton County Sunday. The Texas Department of Public Safety says it happened following a blowout eight miles south of Sonora on U.S. Highway 277. The driver, 76-year-old Maria Elena Sosa, lost control of the vehicle and it eventually overturned. Sosa died at the scene. The DPS says she was not wearing a seatbelt. A passenger who was wearing her seatbelt was injured and taken to a hospital in Sonora.

Hunting rules

If you're one of the Concho Valley's many hunters, you'll want to know about changes that have been approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. It has given the go-ahead to using firearm silencers when hunting game animals or game birds. The silencers are already legal in Texas but current rules require an application with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms that includes a 200-dollar fee.

Water plan

At today's meeting, the San Angelo City Council consider a plan to deal with the probability of a continued drought. It involves pumping water from the south pool of the Twin Buttes Reservoir to the north pool. The south pool currently has a five-month supply of water. It would take about three months to pump the water from one pool to the other at a cost of 60-thousand dollars a month. Meanwhile, city officials urge residents to conserve; San Angelo water use almost doubles during summer months.

Hiring seminar

If you're looking to hire new employees or just wondering how to keep the employees you've got now, the Angelo State University Small Business Development Center has a seminar for you. "Hiring and Retaining Good Employees" will be held tomorrow evening from 6 to 8:30 in the ASU Rassman Building. The event fee is 10 dollars. To find out more about this seminar or to register, go online to s-b-d-c-dot-angelo-dot-e-d-u.

PAWS cat drive

A reminder that Concho Valley PAWS is currently conducting a cat food and litter drive. The agency is soliciting donations of pet food to help support the pet rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing programs. The cat supplies are needed for the organization's cat adoption center and to support the partnership with ASU Cat Coalition to feed the ferals that call the university campus home. The Concho Valley PAWS Adoption Center is located inside Sunset Mall.

New ASU Physics Dept head

Angelo State University has named the new head of its Department of Physics. He's Dr. David Bixler, a professor of physics at ASU, who takes over effective today. Bixler has been an ASU faculty member since 1998 and teaches astronomy, physics and physical science courses. He replaces previous department head Dr. Andy Wallace, who recently moved into a new position as dean of academic excellence.

ASU commencement speaker

Angelo State University has announced its commencement speaker for spring graduation ceremonies. He's ASU alumnus Kevin Carroll, a former Nike executive and found of Kevin Carroll Katalyst. Carroll will address more than 700 graduates in two ceremonies on Saturday, May 12th, in the Junell Center/Stephens Arena.

Car-shooter shoots self

San Angelo police say a man, reportedly upset after arguing with a woman, was shooting at passing cars in the 200 block of West Avenue L early Saturday morning and then apparently turned the gun on himself, committing suicide. 21-year-old Johnny Vara was found lying in the street with a gunshot wound to his chest. No vehicles were hit and no one else was injured.

Doppler upgrade delayed

Work on upgrading Doppler Radar at the Weather Service office in San Angelo was to have begun today, but there's been a delay. The installation won't begin until tomorrow at the earliest. Once it starts, it will take two weeks.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service at San Angelo has issued a hazardous weather outlook for West Central Texas, including the Concho Valley. A strong upper level storm system will move into the area this afternoon, producing severe thunderstorms, possibly with large hail, damaging winds and dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning. In addition, much drier conditions and gusty winds will create the potential for dangerous fire weather conditions.

Gas prices

Triple-A reports the national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is now at three-dollars 92-cents, up three cents from last week. The auto club says tensions between the U.S. and Iran are likely to contribute to continued increases with the price likely to hit four dollars a gallon by the end of April. In Texas, the statewide average price for a gallon of regular is up four cents from last week to three-82. According to gas-buddy-dot-com, the price in San Angelo ranges from three-59 to three-82 a gallon.

Middle school bust

Lee Middle School was the scene of a pot bust on Friday afternoon. Police say the campus security officer was tipped off that a student might be smoking marijuana on school grounds. A subsequent search by the assistant principal turned up a silver pipe and a small amount of pot. A student was taken into custody.
.

Mega Millions

If you bought a Mega-Millions ticket in Texas, you did not win the world-record 640-million dollar jackpot. That will be divided between the holders of tickets sold in Maryland, Illinois and Kansas which did match all numbers drawn Friday night.

Nielsen sentenced

On Friday, a jury in Midland County has sentenced Wendell Lloyd Nielsen to 10 years in prison and a 10-thousand dollar fine for each of the three counts of bigamy brought against him. The sentence followed verdict earlier in the week finding Nielsen guilty of the crimes. Nielsen will serve all three sentences concurrently.