Flash Flood Watch

We wanted rain and we're getting it. So much, in fact, that the National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch all the way through tomorrow night for all of Tom Green County. After a period of soaking going into tomorrow, forecasters say low-lying road crossings, rivers and streams in addition to some urban areas are all subject to rapid rises in water. The flood watch includes a number of West Texas counties, all of which are expecting periods of heavy rain today, tonight and tomorrow.

Flash flood watch

The National Weather Service at San Angelo has issued a flash flood watch for West Central Texas, including the Concho Valley. Widespread heavy rainfall of one to three inches is expected with localized amounts potentially exceeding five inches. Runoff from this heavy rainfall may result in flash flooding of roads, low water crossings, creeks and streams and urban areas. The flash flood watch is in effect from this morning through tomorrow night.

Veribest teacher honored

A teacher at Veribest High School has been honored by Humanities Texas with its Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award. Nancy Cooper is one of only 11 teachers so honored in the state of Texas. The award comes with a check for five-thousand dollars, most of which Cooper plans to use to buy books and supplies for her classroom. In addition, Humanities Texas presents Veribest ISD with 500 dollars.

Health Foundation awards

The San Angelo Health Foundation has awarded more than 500-thousand dollars to six local non-profit agencies. The recipients include City of San Angelo Housing, Concho Christmas Celebration, Rust Street Ministries, the Museum of Fine Arts, SAFE Kids and West Texas Counseling and Guidance. The Foundation's donations are designed to add low-income residence and improve local economic development and safety education.

City fee hikes postponed

The San Angelo City Council voted four to three Thursday to postpone proposed increases in city permit fees for some local businesses and city planning fees. Councilman Dwayne Morrison suggested the postponement to allow the new city manager to determine whether the increases are necessary. Daniel Valenzuela takes over as city manager on October 10th.

Drought Level III

The San Angelo City Council has enacted Drought Level Three and restrictions will take effect next Monday. The watering of lawns and landscapes will be prohibited, although San Angelo water customers may water their trees and foundations up to one inch per week by hand or with drip irrigation, including soaker hoses, between 6 PM and noon. Most other outside watering will be prohibited, with a few exceptions, including car washing, swimming pools and golf course greens.

Rehab dinner show

West Texas Rehab's 20th annual dinner show will feature the Bellamy Brothers. It's scheduled for next Thursday at the McNease Convention Center. The event raises money to treat children and adults with various issues who would not otherwise receive treatment because of their financial situation. Tickets and tables are on sale through Tuesday by calling 223-6364.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service at San Angelo has issued a hazardous weather outlook for portions of West Central Texas, including the Concho Valley. Showers and thunderstorms will be possible late this afternoon and tonight, mainly west of a line from Brownwood to Mason. A few of these storms could become strong to marginally severe, with locally heavy rainfall, hail, damaging winds and deadly lightning all possible.

Online impersonator jailed

A man is being held in the Tom Green County Jail on charges in connection with a missing Brownwood woman whose body was found along Highway 67 in Coleman County. 53-year-old Lanny Bush is accused of online impersonation for creating a phony Facebook page. Authorities say 38-year-old Michele Reiter had a date with Bush's fake personna the same night she disappeared. Reiter was reportedly a former girlfriend of Bush, who has denied being responsible for her disappearance.

Mosquito spraying

The City of San Angelo has begun a third round of mosquito spraying that will again touch every street and alleyway in the city limits. Weather permitting, the City’s two spray trucks treat streets and alleys from 5 to 9 AM and from 7
to 11 PM every day, including Saturdays and Sundays. Stagnant bodies of water are also treated with a larvacide. As of Monday, the Texas Department of Health had confirmed eight cases of West Nile Fever in Tom Green County and two cases of West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease, which is the more serious illness.

National Night Out

An annual crime and drug prevention event takes place next Tuesday. That's when neighborhoods throughout San Angelo and Wall are invited to join forces with thousands of communities throughout Texas for the “29th Annual National Night Out.” From 4:30 to 9 on Tuesday evening, residents are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. Many neighborhoods will be hosting a variety of events such as block parties, cookouts, carnivals, flashlight walks, youth activities and anti-crime rallies. You can find out more on the San Angelo Police Department's Facebook page.

Wanted man caught

A man tried to run but he couldn't hide from San Angelo police. Just after midnight Wednesday morning, an officer patroling near the San Angelo Lodge on West Beauregard noticed a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot. It turned out to be connected to a man wanted on several warrants. The occupant of the vehicle gave police what turned out to be a false name and date of birth, then took off running but was caught after a brief foot pursuit. Police say the man was confirmed to be the wanted subject, 36-year-old Daniel Brown of San Angelo. Brown faces several charges, including possession of methamphetamine that was found in his vehicle.

Dyslexia conference

Dyslexia will be the topic of a conference to be held in San Angelo next month. "Leading the Way with Learning," will be presented by the Dyslexic Institute on October 10th and 11th at Education Service Center Region 15 Conference Center on South Irene Street. The cost is free to all who live in Region 15; 100 dollars for those out of the region. You can sign up at net-x-v-dot-net.

Special drought meeting

The San Angelo City Council will hold a special meeting Thursday to again consider implementing Drought Level Three. Drought Level Three is triggered when the city has less than 12 months of water supply remaining and that requirement was reached as of last Friday. It would prohibit outside watering, the refilling of fountains and swimming pools and car-washing. The city council had put off a decision last week, saying there needed to be more discussion of exemptions for businesses using water.

Tea Party meeting

The San Angelo Tea Party will hold its second of its twice-a-month meetings this evening at 6:30 at the West Texas Training Center located on North Highway 67. Guest speaker Tom Pauken will present "Rescue and Restore America". And he will discuss his most recent book, entitled "Bringing America home, how America lost her way and how we can find our way back." The meeting is open to the public. For more information, go to san-angelo-tea-party-dot-org.

Kiwanis donations

In keeping with the Kiwanis motto, "Changing the World, One Child and One Community at a Time," non-profit organizations who work with children will be the beneficiaries as the local Kiwanis Club distributes donations during a luncheon meeting today. Recipients include Angelo Civic Theatre, the Children’s Advocacy Center, Children’s Miracle Network, the Concho Valley Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Healthy Families San Angelo, House of Faith, San Angelo DESK, and the San Angelo Early Childhood Center.

Truck vs bicycle

San Angelo Police responded to the report of a bicycle versus vehicle crash last Friday evening. A 14-year-old boy bicycling on the wrong side of the road on West Avenue L crossed the westbound lane and was struck by a Ford F250 pickup truck. Officers say the boy, who was not wearing a helmet, sustained non-incapacitating injuries and was transported by ambulance to Shannon Medical Center.

ASU E-Day

Students from Angelo State University, Howard College and area high schools are invited to attend E-Day, a free educational event to promote entrepreneurship. It's coming up on Thursday in the ASU Houston Harte University Center on Rosemont Drive. E-Day activities are sponsored by the ASU Small Business Development Center and University Center Program Council and are intended for all students thinking about owning their own business now, or later. Students can register online at angelo-dot-e-d-u-slash-day or at the door.

West Nile Spraying Winds Down

As cases of the mosquito-carried West Nile Virus appear to have spiked in our part of Texas, San Angelo is wrapping up its second round of mosquito spraying today. Trucks began fanning out across the city back in August as increasing numbers of West Nile were reported locally and as Texas became a major source of the virus, the effects of which can range from none at all to, in a few cases, death. All districts in San Angelo were sprayed for mosquitoes in August. Crews took to the streets and alleys again a couple of weeks ago to apply the second round of preventive spray as a new crop of mosquitoes appeared to be hatching in areas of standing water. Now, that effort is complete and health officials say the arrival of cooler weather by the end of this week could spell the beginning of the end for this summer's swarms of mosquitoes. So far, ten cases of West Nile Virus have been officially reported in San Angelo and one resident of the Concho Valley has died.

Train speeds increase

Improvements along 82 miles of track from San Angelo Junction through San Angelo are now complete and train speeds will be increased, starting today. According to TxDOT's operator of the line, Texas-Pacifico, trains will now be allowed to travel 25 miles an hour instead of the previous 10 miles an hour. However, trains will still be limited to 15 miles an hour in the city of San Angelo.

Hit and run suspect arrested

San Angelo police say they've found the person who struck two pedestrians in a hit and run accident earlier this month. On September 15th, a white Pontiac Grand Am reportedly hit a man and woman at Concho and Chadbourne, causing them to flip over the hood. They were both transported to Shannon. The vehicle was later found and seized and since then, investigators identified the driver as 23-year-old Malcolm J. Hunt of San Angelo, and arrested him last Thursday morning.

Meth bust

A San Angelo man wound up in jail on several charges after a brief struggle with police last Thursday. Detectives patroling the 41-hundred block of Crocket detained a man on a motorcycle they believed to be wanted on a felony warrant. The suspect allegedly resisted officers while placing in his mouth a bag containing a white substance that had been found on his person. The police retrieved the bag, the contest of which field-tested positive for methamphetamine. 31-year-old Antonio Robles was arresed on a variety of charges.

Fugitive arrested

A San Angelo police officer was patrolling in the Santa Rita area last Wednesday evening when he observed a vehicle being driven by a subject he recognized as being wanted on a felony charge of theft of a firearm. Contact was made with the driver who was confirmed to be 22-year-old Tyler Jorgensen. Jorgensen was arrested on the warrant, plus driving with an invalid license and possession of drug paraphernalia, and was transported to jail without incident.

Gas price update

According to Triple-A, reports last week of increased crude-oil inventories in the U.S. combined with decreased fuel demand sent oil prices lower. That, in turn, meant lower prices at the pump. The national average price of regular unleaded gasoline is three-81 a gallon, five cents less than last week. The statewide average in Texas is three-61, also down by five cents. Gas-buddy-dot-com reports that the price of regular in San Angelo ranges from three-55 to three-75 a gallon.

Immunization schedule

Immunizations offered by the City of San Angelo Health Services Department will be offered on Tuesdays only, starting on October 1st. The weekly immunization clinic will be open to walk-ins from 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the San Angelo-Tom Green County Health Department at 2030 Pulliam Street. Those seeking vaccines must present updated shot records at the time of the visit.

Assistant city manager resigns

San Angelo's assistant city manager is leaving that job. Elizabeth Grindstaff has
resigned, effective October 2nd, to become the sales and marketing manager for Texas-Pacifico Transportation. Grindstaff has served as an assistant city manager since 2006, capping a 24-year career in municipal government that focused mostly on planning, economic development and downtown revitalization.

Warehouse Workday

San Angelo now has an additional resource to help provide services for low-income elderly homeowners in need of assistance. Helping Hands, a newly created organization, will work in partnership with community volunteers to help restore homes of qualifying homeowners. Helping Hands will hold its first blitz day on October 13th, with the focus on weatherizing 25 homes. And volunteers are needed for “Warehouse Workday” tomorrow from 9 to 1 to prepare the warehouse at 417 East Avenue D for use on Blitz Day.

Tea Party meeting

The San Angelo Tea Party will hold its second of its twice-a-month meetings next Tuesday at 6:30 PM at the West Texas Training Center located on North Highway 67.
Guest speaker Tom Pauken will present “Rescue and Restore America”. And he will discuss his most recent book, entitled “Bringing America home, how America lost her way and how we can find our way back." The meeting is open to the public. For more information, go to san-angelo-tea-party-dot-org.

City fee increases

The San Angelo City Council held the first public hearing this week on a variety of fee increases that would net the city more than 248-thousand dollars. The council approved the fees, which would take effect January 1st. That would mean higher costs for taxicab permits, alarm permits; junk, trash and weed removal, city attorney, land planning; restaurant permitting and rights-of-way abandonment.

ASU military friendly

Angelo State University has been recognized as a military-friendly school. That's the fourth year in a row that ASU has received that designation from GI Jobs magazine, which is devoted to helping military personnel transition back into civilian life. This year's list honors the top 15 percent of colleges doing the most to embrace America's service members and veterans.

West Nile update

The number of confirmed cases of West Nile virus in Tom Green County is now up to 10,
That's twice the number of cases confirmed since the first week of September. Two of those ten cases are the more serious nuero-invasive version of West Nile. So far this year, the Texas health services department has confirmed one-thousand-338 cases of the illness statewide-- with 61 deaths.

ASU professor's new book

An assistant professor of political science at Angelo State University has published a new book. "Mexican Inclusion," by Dr. Matthew Gritter, explores the origins of anti-discrimination policy in Texas and the Southwest and delves into injustices suffered by Mexican-Americans in the 1940's. "Mexican Inclusion" is available on Amazon-dot-com in hardcover or e-book.

ASU mascot unveiling

The public is invited to attend the public unveiling of Angelo State University's new live mascot. Dominic the eighth and his new custom trailer will be introduced at the ASU Alumni Association's Ram Jam activities this Saturday at the LeGrand Alumni and Visitors Center on University Avenue. ASU Block and Bridle Club members and current mascot Dominic the seventh will also be in attendance. Ram Jam begins at 3:30 and the introduction of Dominic the eighth will take place at 5.

Utility fees increase

San Angelo residents will be seeing an increase in their utility bills. The city council voted to increase fees for trash services by 65 cents a month during the first year and then by another 21 cents the following year. Reportedly, the money will go toward landfill upgrades.

Nasworthy consultant

In other action, the council voted to pay a consultant 335-thousand dollars to come up with a master plan to develop Lake Nasworthy. Gateway Planning of Fort Worth will be coming up with ideas to increase tourism and recruit investors for future business projects.

Drought Level III delayed

The San Angelo City Council has put off a vote on implementing Drought Level Three. Drought Level Three is triggered when the city has less than 12 months of water supply remaining and that requirement was reached as of last Friday. It would prohibit outside watering, the refilling of fountains and swimming pools and car-washing. The city council decided that there needs to be more discussion of exemptions for businesses using water. The move will be reconsidered next month.

ASU Family Day

Angelo State University will welcome students' families to campus this Saturday for Family Day 2012 activities culminating with the ASU-Abilene Christian University football game that evening. Family Day offers students' families a look into ASU's programs, facilities and student accomplishments, along with a daylong schedule of events. A full schedule of Family Day activities is available online at family-day-dot-angelo-dot-edu.

ASU Family Day

Angelo State University will welcome students' families to campus this Saturday for Family Day 2012 activities culminating with the ASU-Abilene Christian University football game that evening. Family Day offers students' families a look into ASU's programs, facilities and student accomplishments, along with a daylong schedule of events. A full schedule of Family Day activities is available online at family-day-dot-angelo-dot-edu.

Meet the Authors

The San Angelo Writers Club and The Tom Green County Library are hosting a Meet the Authors night. Area authors are invited to have a table to promote their books. The cost to participate is just six dollars. Area book enthusiasts, aspiring writers or anyone interested is invited to attend and hear readings by the authors as well as visit with them. It's free and open to the public on Thursday, October 18th, from 6 to 8:30 PM on the third floor of the Stephens Central Library on West Beauregard.

TGC burn ban lifted

The Tom Green County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday morning to lift the county's burn ban. Residents are still reminded that if they plan a controlled or monitored burn of brush, grass, etc., to--one--contact the Sheriff’s Dispatch Office to inform them of the planned burn and--two--be cautious, check the forecast and NEVER burn during windy conditions.

Council Debates Water Restrictions

With Drought Level Three seemingly inevitable next month, the San Angelo City Council today considered how it should be applied. Level Three is the most restrictive water conservation measure and goes into effect when the city has less than a year's supply of water left. Already, council members are hearing from business owners who would be significantly impacted by the proposed Level Three restrictions. Those include owners of car washed and swimming pools, among others. Car washing would be prohibited as would refilling pools when their water levels drop. There's a ticking clock on all of this since San Angelo has already hit the point where less than a year's supply of water remains. City leaders say, though, that relief is on the way: the new pipeline into the Hickory Aquifer should be ready by next July.

San Angelo building fire

It took San Angelo firefighters almost seven hours to put out a fire in a large abandoned building. The fire started late Sunday night and continued into Monday morning. It happened in the 300 block of North Magdalen. Firefighters say the blaze did not threaten nearby buildings.

Hazardous weather outlook

Portions of West Central Texas are under a hazardous weather outlook. The National Weather Service at San Angelo says isolated to scattered thunderstorms will move southeast across the Concho Valley this morning. The main threats will be small hail and dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning. The storms will end by noon.

Drought Level III

The San Angelo City Council will today consider implementing Drought Level Three, the final stage of the city's drought criterial plan. Drought Level Three is triggered when the city has less than 12 months of water supply remaining and that requirement was reached as of Friday. The restrictions would take effect October 2nd and prohibit outside watering, the refilling of fountains and swimming pools and car-washing. Meanwhile, the city has established a hotline for citizens to report violations of the drought ordinance. The number is (325) 277-8906.

Drought violation hotline

The City of San Angelo's Code Compliance Division has established a hotline for citizens to report violations of the drought ordinance. The hotline's number is (325) 277-8906. Violations may also be reported online at san-angelo-texas-dot-us. San Angelo is in the second of its three drought stages. Under Drought Level II, outside watering is restricted to no more than one inch once per week between 6 p.m. and noon. Other violations include allowing water to run more than 150 feet down a gutter, street, alley or ditch, and failing to repair a controllable leak.

Crime of the week

Crime Stoppers and the San Angelo Police Department need your help in solving an Aggravated Assault that took place on August 4th. An elderly disabled Hispanic male was leaving a business in the 1300 block of Hughes Street when he was struck from behind and knocked unconscious. Witnesses say the suspects continued to assault the victim while he was on the ground. The victim suffered fractures to his nose, jaw and other facial bones and is still suffering from his injuries. The suspects reportedly left in a tan Cadillac with large wheels. If you know anything about this crime, call Crime Stoppers at 658-HELP.

Robert Lee boil order

Residents of Robert Lee are being advised to boil their water prior to consumption. The city's water treatment plant issued that notification because of reduced pressure resulting from water main breaks. To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.

Train speed limits

Improvements along 82 miles of track from San Angelo Junction through San Angelo are now complete and train speeds will be increased, starting next Monday. According to TxDOT's operator of the line, Texas -Pacifico, trains will now be allowed to travel 25 miles an hour instead of the previous 10 miles an hour. The increase will affect 77 crossings in Tom Green County. Texas-Pacifico will still limit trains to 15 miles an hour in the city of San Angelo.

Hammer man arrested

San Angelo police responded on Tuesday to reports of a man trying to break into the back door of Shannon Pharmacy on East Beauregard with a hammer. The man fled in a black passenger car when witnesses yelled at him. A short time later, a man with a hammer was reported to be trying to break into the Medical Arts Pharmacy on Pecos. This time, officers caught the suspect, 58-year-old Jeffrey Smith, who was charged with attempted burlary of a building.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service at San Angelo is continuing a hazardous weather outlook for portions of West Central Texas, including the Concho Valley. Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected across the area through tomorrow night. These storms might produce locally heavy rainfall and dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning. More thunderstorms are possible Monday night and Tuesday.

New Details On Woman Who Crashed Police HQ

New details on that woman who led police on a high-speed chase that ended when she crashed a stolen pickup into San Angelo police headquarters back in June. 24-year-old Amanda Jeffreys of Manor has now been indicted for stealing the truck, evading police and damage to the police station. Now, details have come out that Jeffreys stole the truck by beckoning its driver to the side of a street and asking for a ride. The truck's driver said Jeffreys appeared to be drunk. Still, he drove to a convenience store and left her in the truck -- with the engine running -- while he went inside. When he came back out, he said Jeffreys was driving away. Police chased her through several residential neighborhoods before she finally plowed into police headquarters where damage is now estimated at around 100-thousand dollars.

Lake Nasworthy down

According to the City of San Angelo, drought, evaporation and usage have caused Nasworthy to shrink to less than 60 percent of its capacity. As a result, low water levels have exposed shelf rock, pipes and other obstructions that could damage watercraft and injure boaters. Buoys have been placed to mark many of the hazards, but boaters should exercise caution at all times and in all locations. Buoys marked “Boats Keep Out” have been placed in areas where the water is too low to use.

Fugitive caught

A fugitive featured on Crime Stoppers in 2008 has been arrested. 26-year-old Antonio Delariva Pinon was wanted by the Tom Green County Sheriff's Department for sexual assault of a child and two city warrants. On August 9th of this year, Pinon was arrested in Virginia on charges of sexually assaulting a child and remains incarcerated.

Hazardous weather outlook

A hazardous weather outlook has been issued for portions of West Central Texas, including the Concho Valley. The National Weather Service at San Angelo says that thunderstorms will be possible today and tonight across the entire area. The primary threats will be localized heavy rainfall and dangerous cloud to ground lightning. More of the same is expected tomorrow and Saturday.

Meals for the Elderly

You are being asked to drop by Albertsons on Sunset Drive this Saturday and take a moment to donate food for seniors. Meals for the Elderly is currently partnering
with Comfort Keepers of San Angelo to raise food to help the Emergency Meal Box and Weekend Meal Sack programs. Those programs ensure that seniors have food on days Meals for the Elderly does not deliver. They're looking for items like fruit cups in water, low sodium soups, sugar free pudding cups, or any other non-perishable individual serve items. Their van will be Albertsons from 9 AM to 6 PM this Saturday.

Early voting location changed

There's been a change in a location for early voting in Tom Green County. There was heated debate over the issue at Tuesday morning's meeting of the County Commissioners Court. The previously-approved location was at River Place Apartments on 501 South Irene Street. Tom Green County Democratic Chairwoman Linda Shoemaker said that was out of the way and unfamiliar to many. Instead, approval was given to one of Shoemaker's other recommendations: the San Angelo senior center at 618 South Chadbourne Street.

County budget approved

There was a public hearing Tuesday on the tax rate and budget for the coming fiscal year in Tom Green County. However, no one from the public spoke and county commissioners approved a tax rate that is unchanged at 52 and a half cents per 100 dollars valuation. And they approved a budget that includes anticipated increases in the costs of electricity and employee health insurance and three percent across-the-board pay raises for county employees.

State of the University

Angelo State University President Joseph Rallo will deliver the State of the University Address today . The program will also include the announcement of the recipients of the Gary and Pat Rodgers Awards for distinguished faculty, staff and administrators. It gets underway at 2 PM in the Houston Harte University Center, C.J. Davidson Conference Center on Rosemont. The meeting is open to ASU faculty and staff.

Cookbook Gala

JPW Learning Center will host its Annual "Cookbook Gala" next Thursday, September 20th, at the Bentwood Country Club. JPW Learning Center provides opportunities for alternative educational instruction for children or adults who are experiencing difficulties learning. Noted chefs will present a dish from each book, their cookbooks and cuisine during the evening meal. For information, contact the JPW Learning Center at 655-2331.

Traffic advisory

Here's a traffic advisory from the Texas Department of Transportation: tomorrow and Friday, TxDOT’s contractor, Reece Albert, will be installing the bridge beams on the new bridge being built over FM 765. Flagmen will be in place to direct traffic and give additional instructions to motorists. Expect delays and to use extra caution while in the work zone.

Polling Location May Move

Tom Green County Commissioners are considering whether to change one of the city's early voting locations. The reason? No one seems to know where it is. Elections officials say voter turnout for the primary was low at the River Place Apartments polling station in the five hundred block of Irene Street. A big reason, they say, is that while the apartment complex is nice and all, it's not on a main street and is not exactly easy to find. Commissioners now considering moving that polling place to a more convenient--not to mention conspicuous--location. Possibilities for that area include a fire station, senior citizens service center and the South Side Recreation Center.

Democratic grand opening

More than 70 people turned out for last night's grand opening of the Tom Green County Democratic Party Headquarters. It's located at 43 West Twohig Avenue and will be open Monday through Friday from noon to 5 PM. Special guests included best-selling author Jim Hightower and U.S. Senate candidate Paul Sadler.

Taste of San Angelo

This evening's Taste of San Angelo event will begin with a special September 11th salute to the troops--and members of the military will get a five-dollar discount on admission. San Angelo restaurants will have their specialties available for sampling at the First Community Credit Union Spur Arena. Proceeds benefit local education, including the West Texas Boys Ranch and high school culinary arts programs.

9-11 observance

Today is September 11th, the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and rememberances will include an event at the memorial monument by the river below the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts. Speakers will include a San Angelo resident who was at ground zero on 9/11 and Mayor Alvin New. It begins at 9 AM and the public is invited.

Chlorine complaints

As we've told you, the City of San Angelo is in the midst of an eight-week treatment of the public water supply with chlorine. In addition to noticing a different odor and taste in the water, some residents claim the chlorine is discoloring their laundry. However, assistant director of water utilities Tom Kerr says there's not enough chlorine in the water to discolor clothing.

Pool facts

The City of San Angelo is thanking residents for their support of the Love Municipal Pool in its first year of operation. The recreation division reports the pool saw approximately 33-thousand visitors from Memorial Day through Labor Day. It generated about 181-thousand dollars in revenue, which was 48 percent more than the 122-thousand that was budgeted.

Mosaic volunteers sought

Mosaic in San Angelo is currently seeking volunteers for their Therapeutic Riding Program. Volunteers will be "side walking" with children and adults with disabilities. The riding sessions begin next week and will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for 8 weeks. No prior experience working with horses or disabilities is required.
For more information, call Janet Ridgway at 651-3333.

Accounts Receivable seminar

Tired of not getting the payments you are due for your work? Then you might want to check out the ASU Small Business Development Center seminar “How to Improve Your Accounts Receivable!” It will be held this evening from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the ASU Rassman building on Dena Drive. To find out more about this seminar or to register go online to s-b-d-c-angelo-dot-e-d-u.

Race on the River

The Girl Scouts of Central Texas will be celebrating their 100th anniversary this Saturday as they host their annual Race on the River. "The Centennial on the Concho" will be held at Glenmore Park and begins at noon. Activities include games, prizes, food and crafts. The canoe races begin at one and are open to students in 6th grade and older.

Democratic party headliner

A New York Times bestselling author will be featured at two Democratic Party events in San Angelo today. Jim Hightower of Austin, also a former Texas agriculture commissioner, will help open the Tom Green County Democratic Party headquarters on West Twohig at 5:30 PM. Then, Hightower will headline the meeting of the Tom Green County Democratic Club at 7 PM.

ASU professor honored

A member of the Angelo State University business faculty was named the "Outstanding World Researcher 2012" by the International Association of Multidisciplinary Research at the group's World Research Festival held late last month in the Philippines. Dr. Detelin Elenkov received the honor based on the prodigious number of scholarly research contributions he has made throughout his career.

Gas price update

Triple-A reports that, for the first time in 10 weeks, gas prices are stabilizing and, as demand starts to taper off with the end of the summer driving season and Gulf production resumes after Hurricane Isaac, motorists should start to see gas prices decrease. The statewide average price of regular gas in Texas is three-65 a gallon, down by one cent from a week ago. In San Angelo, according to gas-buddy-dot-com, the price of regular ranges from three-58 to three-79 a gallon.

Traffic stop, bust

Early Friday morning, San Angelo police attempted to stop a vehicle in the 500 North Baze Street for a traffic violation. The vehicle pulled into a private driveway and both the male driver and female passenger fled on foot toward an alley. With the help of Police Service Dog Snoop, the suspects were found hiding nearby. A search of the vehicle turned up weapons, including a stolen handgun, and methamphetamine. 25-year-old Ernieo Antu and 18-year-old Alma Rivera, both of San Angelo, were arrested on a outstanding warrants and new charges.

85 MPH

If you identify with the Sammy Hagar song, "I Can't Drive 55," you should love this development. A new stretch of highway opening north of Seguin is setting its speed limit to 85 miles per hour, the highest in the nation. But you'll have to pay for the privilege: the segment of Texas 130 running from just south of Austin to I-10 in Seguin will be a toll road. Toll rates have not been set. The 85-mile an hour stretch of roadway is expected to open November 11th.

Ballots by mail

If, for some reason, you can't vote in person on Election Day, November 6th, you can vote by mail and the Tom Green County Elections Office will begin taking requests for ballots by mail starting today. You can pick up a ballot at the elections office on the second floor of the Edd B. Keyes Building on West Beauregard--or you can call the elections office--or you can go online to vote-tom-green-county-dot-com. The mail-in ballots must be received at the elections office by October 30th.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service at San Angelo has issued a hazardous weather outlook for portions of West Central Texas, including the Concho Valley. Record-breaking hot conditions will continue today and temperatures climb well above the 100-degree mark. Use caution if you must be outside during the hottest time of day. The heat, combined with dropping afternoon humidity, will also allow for an elevated fire danger.

New church

Thanks to some 500 volunteers, San Angelo will soon have a new church. Construction began Thursday on the new Jehovah's Witness Church with workers coming in from all over the state. They'll be working in shifts all day long and expect to have the church built by September 23rd. It will hold 400 people, offering services in both English and Spanish.

Credit card theft

San Angelo police are looking for a woman suspected of using a stolen gift card from a San Angelo group home. They have released surveillance video taken at the Wal-Mart Supercenter on 29th Street on the evening of Saturday, August 4th. You can see the video on the San Angelo Police Department's Facebook page. If you recognize the suspect or have any other information about the case, call Crimestoppers at 658-HELP.

Burglary suspect arrested

On Monday, San Angelo police responded to a reported residential burglary on Shady Point Circle Drive. The victim said items stolen included a firearm and ammunition. An investigation led to a suspect, 31-year-old Jerred Denton of San Angelo, who turned out to have several outstanding city warrants. Denton was located at a residence on Ridgecrest, along with the stolen firearm and ammunition, plus a large amount of other property suspected of being stolen. He was arrested and taken to the Tom Green County Jail.

Phone scam alert

Several people have recently reported scams to San Angelo police. Some say they were contacted by someone claiming to be calling from outside the United States, saying they will send a check for the victim to deposit it in their personal account and purchase something for the caller from outside the U.S. Someone else reported being contacted by someone who said he was with the FBI and had a check for the victim to claim. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up- do not give out any of your personal information.

More West Nile Cases

More cases of West Nile Virus in a summer and fall where it's been spreading all over Texas. Now, three people from Abilene and one from Taylor County have tested positive for West Nile. Texas has been an epicenter for West Nile with more than 16-hundred cases now reported statewide, including a handful in Tom Green County. San Angelo has been continuing an aggressive mosquito-spraying program and health officials continue to urge you to drain any standing water on your property and to stay indoors at duck and dawn.

Garden of Hope

Shannon Medical Center and the Shannon Oncology Center will hold an open house for The Garden of Hope, tomorrow, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Garden of Hope is located just outside the Shannon Oncology Center. Doctor David Cummings, Medical Director of the Shannon Oncology Center, said the outdoor space--quote--"was designed to provide a unique healing environment for patients and their families while they receive their treatments." Parking will be available at the Shannon Medical Plaza on North Magdalen.

ASU planetarium shows

Angelo State University's Global Immersion Center, formerly the Planetarium, will present three full-dome public astronomy shows during its fall 2012 schedule beginning tonight in the Vincent Nursing-Physical Science Building on Vanderventer Street. Each Thursday through November 15th, "Tales of the Maya Skies" will run at 7 p.m., "2012: The End of the World? Not!" will run at 8 p.m. and "Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity" will run at 9 p.m. Admissiion is three dollars for adults and two dollars for children, active military and senior citizens. ASU students, faculty and staff are admitted free.

New city manager

San Angelo has a new city manager. The city council unanimously voted Wednesday to select Daniel Valenzuela, the city manager of Eagle Pass. The selection followed two days of interviews and a two-hour public meet-and-greet with the five finalists. Valenzuela said he's--quote--"humbled and blessed to be given this opportunity to serve the fine citizens of the City of San Angelo.”

Car vs restaurant

San Angelo police responded early Wednesday morning to a report of a car versus restaurant. Officers arrived to find a black passenger car had crashed into a pillar of the Asian Buffet on Knickerbocker Road. An investigation determined that alcohol was a factor in the accident. The driver, 34-year-old Terri Horrell of San Angelo, was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and transported to the Tom Green County Jail.

HEB Helping Heroes

In honor of September 11th, more than three-thousand employees from 300 H-E-B stores and work locations across the state of Texas will visit their local fire stations this Friday, as part of the company-wide volunteer service project Helping Heroes. Throughout Texas, H-E-B will adopt 532 fire stations with employees on hand to serve meals to firefighters and help out around the station throughout the day.

City manager interviews

The city council will finish interviewing the five finalists to be San Angelo's next city manager today. The public had a chance to talk to them last night in a meet-and-greet session at the McNease Convention Center. The finalists are Sealy City Manager Christopher Coffman, North Richland Hills Assistant City manager Jared Miller, Peoria, Arizona Deputy City Manager Susan Thorpe, Eagle Pass City Manager Daniel Valenzuela and Angleton City Manager Melissa Byrne Vossmer. The council could decide on a new city manager by this afternoon.

Lunch hour collision

Emergency responders had to use the jaws of life to free two San Angelo drivers involved in a lunch hour collision Tuesday. Police say the accident happened on the loop between the Sherwood Way and Arden Road exits. A brown Dodge pickup and a grey Hyundai sedan became entangled in cable barriers along the median. 33-year-old Charles Starr and 23-year-old Valeria Juarez were both transported to Shannon Medical Center. Damage to the cables was estimated at 15-hundred dollars.

Most wanted arrested

The fugitive currently featured as San Angelo's Most Wanted has been captured. 19-year-old Gilbert Ray Reyes was sought on Tom Green County warrants for burglary of a habitation. Last Friday afternoon, a San Angelo police officer spotted Reyes walking in the 2600 block of North Chadbourne Street. By the time the officer got his patrol car turned around, the suspect had disappeared. But Reyes was eventually tracked down in a business and arrested.

Edging Closer To Drought Level 3

As water issues continue to worry both city and country dwellers in the Concho Valley, the San Angelo City is on the verge of applying Drought Level Three. That's the most extreme set of water restrictions so far. It comes as the prolonged drought has caused record low water levels in all of the city's primary water sources. The Council now looking at September 19th as the first possible day on which Drought Level Three would be approved. At that level, there's no watering of grass, plants or gardens, no washing cars and trucks and a number of other restrictions.

80 years for DWI

A man convicted nine times in Texas for driving while intoxicated, including once in Tom Green County, was sentenced Friday to 80 years in prison. A Tarrant County jury deliberated two hours before sentencing Miguel Medrano, whose latest arrest came on Super Bowl Sunday in 2010 after he drove his Dodge Viper up onto a curb in Bedford. Medrano had six prior DWI convictions in Tarrant County, a seventh in Collin County and the eighth in Tom Green County.

Tax rate hearing

The Commissioners' Court will today hold the second of two public hearings on the proposed tax rate for fiscal year 2013 in Tom Green County. Commissioners have voted to keep the tax rate the same: 52 and a half cents per 100 dollars valuation. The hearing is scheduled for this morning at 9 in the Edd B. Keyes building at 113 West Beauregard Street in San Angelo.

City manager candidates

The city council last week selected five finalists to be San Angelo's next city manager and the public is invited to meet them today. The finalists are Sealy City Manager Christopher Coffman, North Richland Hills Assistant City manager Jared Miller, Peoria, Arizona Deputy City Manager Susan Thorpe, Eagle Pass City Manager Daniel Valenzuela and Angleton City Manager Melissa Byrne Vossmer. The city council will interview the candidates today and Wednesday. The meet-and-greet session for the public is scheduled from 6 to 8 PM at the McNease Convention Center on Rio Concho Drive.

Gas price update

If you're going to be fueling up today for the ride back home after a Labor Day weekend trip, you'll see that prices continue to rise. According to Triple-A, the current statewide average for a gallon of regular gas is three dollars 66 cents, up 10 cents from a week ago. Gas-buddy-dot-com shows the price of regular in San Angelo ranges from three-58 to three-79 a gallon.

CDL residency requirement

The Texas Department of Public Safety has announced that it will begin implementing the new proof of residency requirement for obtaining a commercial driver license effective tomorrow. The requirements, which only apply to first-time commercial driver license applicants, are the result of legislation approved by the Texas Legislature and comply with federal regulations. All new applicants will be required to present two acceptable documents containing the applicant’s name and address.

Mosquito spraying update

Here's the latest on the City of San Angelo's spraying of mosquitoes to help prevent the spread of the West Nile virus. The city completed spraying every street and alleyway for mosquitoes on Friday and will begin a second round of city-wide spraying tomorrow.
Weather permitting, the City’s two spray trucks will re-treat streets and alleys from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. every day, including Saturdays and Sundays. The first round of spraying required two weeks. To date this year, the Texas Department of Health has confirmed three cases of West Nile Fever in Tom Green County and one case of West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease, which is the more serious illness.

Garden of Hope

Shannon Medical Center and the Shannon Oncology Center will hold an open house for The Garden of Hope, this Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Garden of Hope is located just outside the Shannon Oncology Center. Doctor David Cummings, Medical Director of the Shannon Oncology Center, said the outdoor space--quote--"was designed to provide a unique healing environment for patients and their families while they receive their treatments." Parking will be available at the Shannon Medical Plaza on North Magdalen.