Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Immunization clinic closed today

The immunization clinic at the San Angelo-Tom Green County Health Department is closed today. Nurses are participating in a professional conference. Today's clinic was held Monday instead. All other upcoming clinics will continue to be on Tuesdays.

Early voting continues

A reminder that early voting for the May 11th election is under way. Six of the San Angelo City Council's seven seats are on the ballot. Early voting hours are eight to five this week and seven to seven next Monday and Tuesday. Locations include the Edd B. Keyes Building on West Beauregard, River Place Apartments on South Irene, Victory Christian Center on Sunset Drive, Assembly of God Church on Edmund Boulevard and Plaza Del Sol Apartments on Oak Grove Boulevard.

Social media marketing seminar

ASU's Small Business Development Center will host a seminar later today called Social Media Marketing 101. Participants will learn about what social media marketing is all about, where it came from and whether its staying, what their options are, how to get started, how to reach their target market and much more. It takes place from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Business Resource Center on north Chadbourne Street. The cost of the seminar is 10 dollars, and must be paid online before the event. For more information, go to sbdc-dot-angelo-dot-edu.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Wanted man arrested

Last Thursday evening, San Angelo police spotted a wanted man driving a red GMC Yukon near the 2200 block of Glenwood Street. The suspect attempted to flee on foot after being pulled over but was caught and arrested after a brief struggle. Police say 31-year-old Phillip A. Sosa of San Angelo was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and materials used in the sale and distribution of narcotics. A passenger in the vehicle, 26-year-old Amanda Rivas of San Angelo, was arrested for several outstanding city warrants.

Aggravated robbery suspect sought

The San Angelo Police Department is seeking help identifying an Aggravated Robbery Suspect. At about 12:30 Friday morning, a man entered the Stripes Convenience Store located on South Abe Street, armed with a handgun. He demanded money from the clerk before fleeing the area in a Chevrolet pickup. No one was injured . The suspect is described as a white or light-complected Hispanic male, about 5-8, 180 to 220 pounds, short hair or bald, wearing a dark colored hoodie, and light colored denim jeans. His vehicle is described as a late-model Chevrolet Silverado single cab pickup, possibly a long bed. You can find surveillance images of the suspect on the San Angelo police Facebook page. If you know anything, call 855-TIPS-247.

Farmers Market returns

The Concho Valley Farmers Market will be open for business again this week. Thrice-weekly produce sales begin Saturday morning at seven. Vendors, who come from a 75-mile radius around San Angelo, will be offering locally grown and seasonal fruits, vegetables and plants every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The farmers market gathers under the pavilion at 609 South Oakes Street across from Fort Concho. A grand opening sale and celebration will be scheduled in the coming weeks.


Gas price update

Gasoline prices fell again last week, although oil prices went up and down, reflecting good and bad news on the U.S. economy. Triple-A is predicting little change in pump prices this week as the market remains volatile. The nationwide average price of regular gas is three-50 a gallon, down two cents from a week ago. The average in Texas is three-30, down five cents from a week ago. In San Angelo, gas-buddy-dot-com reports the price of regular ranges from three-19 to three-37 a gallon.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Immunization clinic day change

The immunization clinic for next week at the San Angelo-Tom Green County Health Department has been moved up a day and will be conducted on Monday. The weekly clinics are normally held each Tuesday, but nurses will be participating in a professional conference on that day. All other upcoming clinics will continue to be on Tuesdays.

Neighborhood Blitz today

Most City of San Angelo offices will be closed today, as City employees participate in the annual neighborhood blitz. Most City employees will spend the day attending to special projects, such as improving the Concho River walking trail and Harmon Park, sprucing up a baseball field at Northern Little League, and cleaning alleys, replacing street signs and rehabilitating two fences in the Blackshear neighborhood. Employees who provide public safety services, such as police officers, firefighters and dispatchers, will not participate in the blitz.

Genealogy Day

Today is West Texas Genealogy Appreciation Day in the city of San Angelo. As proclaimed by Mayor Alvin New, the day commemorates the 40th anniversary of the San Angelo Genealogical and Historical Society.

Early voting starts Monday

Election day is May 11th, but you can start voting Monday to fill six of the San Angelo City Council's seven seats begins next Monday and continues through May 7th. Early voting hours will be eight to five next week and seven to seven the following Monday and Tuesday. Locations include the Edd B. Keyes Building on West Beauregard, River Place Apartments on South Irene, Victory Christian Center on Sunset Drive, Asumbly of God CHurch on Edmund Boulevard and Plaza Del Sol Apartments on Oak Grove Boulevard.

Final Fill-the-Boot Day

You've got one more day to help the San Angelo Fire Department and the San Angelo Fire Fighters Association Fill the Boot for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Firefighters will be collecting loose change and spare dollars at 29th Street and North Bryant Boulevard, Abe and Harris streets, Johnson Street and Knickerbocker Road, and Sherwood Way and Avenue N. They are aiming to raise 50-thousand dollars. All monies raised are spent locally.

SNAPS photo contest

48 entries in the SNAPS photography contest celebrating San Angelo's visual beauty and individuality will be publicly exhibited next month. The images include shots of landmarks such as the Concho River and Lake Nasworthy and attractions such as the International Water Lily Collection and Fort Concho. They'll be on display May 16th through the 18th at the Coop Gallery, adjacent to the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts. Award and merit winners will be announced the first night.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Genealogy Day

San Angelo Mayor Alvin New has proclaimed tomorrow as West Texas Genealogy Appreciation Day. The day commemorates the 40th anniversary of the San Angelo Genealogical and Historical Society.

Texas Roadhouse fundraiser

You'll be able to help victims of the fertilizer plant explosion at West by dining at a Texas Roadhouse next Monday. The chain of 53 restaurants is conducting state-wide fundraiser to benefit the West, Texas Victim Relief Fund and the Firefighter and EMS Fallen Hero Fund. From 4 to 10 p.m. Monday Texas Roadhouse will donate 10 percent of all dinner proceeds those two funds. The San Angelo location is at 3057 West Loop 306.

CDBG grant meeting

The City of San Angelo will host a second public meeting to gather citizen input on how federal Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds should be spent in the coming year. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at St. Paul Presbyterian Church, 11 North Park Street.

Fill the boot

The San Angelo Fire Department and the San Angelo Fire Fighters Association are, with your help, working to Fill the Boot for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Today and tomorrow, firefighters will be collecting loose change and spare dollars at 29th Street and North Bryant Boulevard, Abe and Harris streets, Johnson Street and Knickerbocker Road, and Sherwood Way and Avenue N. They are aiming to raise 50-thousand dollars. All monies raised are spent locally.

Early voting starts Monday

Early voting in the May 11th election to fill six of the San Angelo City Council's seven seats begins next Monday and continues through May 7th. Voting hours will be eight to five next week and seven to seven the following Monday and Tuesday. Early voting locations include the Edd B. Keyes Building on West Beauregard, River Place Apartments on South Irene, Victory Christian Center on Sunset Drive, Asumbly of God CHurch on Edmund Boulevard and Plaza Del Sol Apartments on Oak Grove Boulevard.

Assault arrests

Early Tuesday morning, San Angelo police responded to a residence in the 2700 block of Freeland where a prowler was reportedly trying to gain entry. Officers say the prowler turned out to be a 23-year-old man who was trying to get help after having been injured during an assault by two other men. He was transported to a nearby hospital with apparent stab wounds. Police then went a block over on Freeland where they found the two men named as suspects. After several hours of negotiation, 27-year-old Tito Galindo and 23-year-old Emilio Delacruz, both of San Angelo, were arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Group: Texas plant blast loss likely exceeds $100M

An insurance industry trade group estimates losses from a deadly fertilizer plant explosion in a tiny Texas town will likely exceed $100 million.

Insurance Council of Texas spokesman Mark Hanna said Wednesday that insured losses after the explosion in West, Texas, included dozens of damaged homes, businesses and cars - as well as the costs of resettling displaced residents.

Last week's explosion at West Fertilizer Co. left a crater 90 feet wide and totaled nearby homes and buildings.

The homes closest to the plant have been kept off-limits as officials investigate the blast.

Hanna said he believes as many as 140 homes were destroyed, based on conversations with numerous insurance agents and adjusters.

Early voting for San Angelo city council begins Monday

Early voting in the May 11th election to fill six of the San Angelo City Council’s seven seats will be from April 29th to May 7th. Early ballots can be cast from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 29 through May 3 or from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 6-7 at any one of five locations:
Edd B. Keyes Building, 113 W. Beauregard Ave., second floor, River Place Apartments, 501 S. Irene St., Victory Christian Center, 1620 Sunset Drive, Assembly of God Church at 1442 Edmund Blvd. and at the Plaza del Sol Apartments, 4359 Oak Grove Blvd. On May 11th, voters will elect a mayor and Council members in Single Member Districts 2, 4 and 6 to serve full, two-year terms. Voters in SMDs 1 and 5 will elect a representative to fill an unexpired one-year term.

San Angelo offices closing Friday for blitz work

Most City of San Angelo offices will be closed Friday as City employees participate in their annual neighborhood blitz project. Most City employees will spend Friday attending to special projects, including improving the Concho River walking trail and Harmon Park, sprucing up a baseball field, and rehab work in the Blackshear neighborhood. Employees who provide public safety services, and needed services will not participate in the blitz. The water billing office will be closed Friday. The effort has grown to two days to include volunteers from local churches, Angelo State University students and Goodfellow Air Force Base personnel.

Relief heading to West following plant explosion

Food and supplies to feed the victims of the plant explosion in West Texas near Waco left yesterday. The San Angelo volunteers of Texas Baptist Men Disaster Cooking Team left here with their mobile kitchens and with more than a dozen volunteers. Also, a bus full of supplies for the victims left with the Cornerstone Christian School Tennis Team. They were headed to Waco to compete in state and brought the bus filled with supplies. They were to leave the supplies in West on their way to the tournament.

TVFC fees change for eligible Health Department patients

Effective June 1, fees charged to Texas Vaccine for Children patients served by the San Angelo-Tom Green County Health Department will change.


The new fee for eligible children will be $22.06 per child per visit. The new fee for eligible adults is $22.06 per vaccination. Although the TVFC program allows providers to charge the children’s fee for each shot administered, local Health Department officials decided to charge the new fee on a per-visit basis to reduce patients’ costs.


The Texas Department of State Health Services on April 10 increased the maximum administration fee its providers may charge eligible patients, effective immediately, in an effort to help them recoup costs. Previously, the fees were $14.85 for one shot for a child or $15 for multiple vaccinations, and $14.85 per shot for eligible adults. Health Department administrators opted to give the public 30 days notice before instituting the increase.


To receive a state-funded vaccine, patients must meet Texas Vaccines for Children eligibility requirements. For children, those are: no health insurance for the child or health insurance does not cover vaccines; eligible for Medicaid; or of American Indian or Alaskan Native descent. The eligibility requirement for adults is that they have no health insurance.

The Health Department’s immunization clinic is open to walk-ins (no appointments) from 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and from 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays in its offices in Suite 9 at 2030 Pulliam St. Those seeking vaccines must present updated shot records at the time of the visit; there are no exceptions to this requirement.

Catfish return to Concho

Catfish are once again swimming in the Concho River. On Tuesday, biologists with Texas Parks and Wildlife supervised the release of 600 catfish into the river in downtown San Angelo. It's the first time the Concho has been stocked with catfish in two years as part of a neighborhood fishing program. It's designed to let urban residents to enjoy fishing, even if don't have access to a boat or large lake.

Helping out in West

A couple of local groups are doing their part to help survivors of the fertilizer plant explosion at West, north of Waco. The Cornerstone Christian School tennis team is competing this week in the state competition in Waco. They took along a bus filled with donations. And more than a dozen volunteers with the San Angelo unit of the Texas Baptist Men Disaster Cooking Team left Tuesday. They took three trucks and trailers filled with food and cooking supplies.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Neighborhood blitz

Most City of San Angelo offices will be closed this Friday, as City employees participate in the annual neighborhood blitz. Most City employees will spend Friday attending to special projects, including improving the Concho River walking trail and Harmon Park, sprucing up a baseball field at Northern Little League, and cleaning alleys, replacing street signs and rehabilitating two fences in the Blackshear neighborhood. Employees who provide public safety services, such as police officers, firefighters and dispatchers, will not participate in the blitz.

Vaccine fees increase

The San Angelo-Tom Green County Health Department will be increasing the fees charged to Texas Vaccine for Children patients. Effective June 1st, the new fee for eligible children will be 22 dollars, six cents per child per visit. The new fee for eligible adults is 22-oh-six per vaccination. The Texas Department of State Health Services on April 10th increased the maximum administration fee its providers may charge eligible patients, effective immediately, in an effort to help them recoup costs. Health Department administrators opted to give the public 30 days notice before instituting the increase.

Special weather statement

The National Weather Service at San Angelo has issued a special weather statement for west central Texas, including the Concho Valley. A strong late-season cold front will move through this morning and temperatures will fall rapidly. Most locations will drop into the 40's this afternoon. Brisk north winds at 20 to 25 miles an hour with higher guests will result in wind chill values in the upper 30's to low 40's. Areas of frost are possible tomorrow morning.

Monday, April 22, 2013

ASU grad research symposium

Angelo State University graduate students will present the results of 27 different research projects during the second annual Graduate Research Symposium this Friday in the Houston Harte University Center on Rosemont Drive. The symposium will feature a research poster session from 1 to 3 PM and is open free to the public. The students will be available to discuss their projects with campus and community visitors, and light refreshments will be served.

State park senior day

A special annual event for San Angelo's senior citizens is coming up next month. The Friends of the San Angelo State Park and park employees will host Silver Bluebonnet Day at the South Gate Chaparral Pavilion on FM 2288, on Wednesday, May 8th, from 9 AM to 1 PM. It's a free day for seniors to take tours to see the Bison and Texas Longhorn Herd and learn about native plants, animals and volunteer opportunities. The morning will be caped off by a free picnic lunch.


New city domain name

The address to the City of San Angelo's website has changed: it is now c-o-s-a-t-x-dot-us. The new domain name also affects the email addresses of City employees and City Council members, whose new addresses will be FirstName-dot-LastName-at-cosatx-dot-us. The change to a shorter domain is meant to be easier to remember and more user-friendly. Citizens whose email contacts include City employees and officials are encouraged to update those contacts with the new address at their earliest convenience.

CDBG meetings this week

The City of San Angelo will host two public meetings this week to gather citizen input on how federal Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds should be spent in the coming year. The City estimates the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will allocate more than 641-thousand dollars for CDBG programs in the coming year and those programs are expected to generate 40-thousand dollars in income. The meetings will be at 6 PM tomorrow at Southside Recreation Center on Ben Ficklin Road and 6 PM Thursday at St. Paul Presbyterian Church on North Park Street.

People-Plant groundbreaking

The People/Plant Connection will have a groundbreaking ceremony for its educational garden at 5:15 p.m. today. That will take place at Southside Recreation Center, 2750 Ben Ficklin Road. Mayor Alvin New, Councilman Johnny Silvas, Parks and Recreation Director Carl White and Susan Stanfield, the founder and president of the PPC, will participate.

Fort Concho speaker

The final topic in the Fort Concho Speaker Series will be "The Buffalo Range -- Past and Present," presented by local historian Carl Brockmann. That is scheduled for noon this Wednesday in the fort's Commissary at 702 Burgess Street. Admission is free. To reserve a sack lunch from Mr. T's for seven-50, call by 5 PM today. Or bring your own brown bag.

Gas prices still falling

Gas prices continued to fall over the past week. Triple-A expects that trend to continue for the next several weeks as oil prices have also decreased and the nation's oil output has increased. The nationwide average price of regular gasoline is three-51 a gallon, down two cents from a week ago. The average in Texas is three-35, down five cents. According to gas-buddy-dot-com, the price of regular gas in San Angelo ranges from three-22 to three-39 a gallon.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Frost advisory

The National Weather Service at San Angelo has issued a frost advisory for west central Texas, including the Concho Valley. Temperatures were dropping this morning down to 32 to 37 degrees and even colder in river valleys and low-lying areas. These temperatures might adversely affect sensitive vegetation or pets.


School zone warning

A reminder from San Angelo police: please obey traffic laws in school zones. On Monday, officers issues 8 citations near Austin Elementary School for Speeding, going the wrong way on a one way and other violations.

Donations for West

Ener-Tel Services, located on Adobe Drive in San Angelo, is accepting donations of water, blankets, clothes, food, baby supplies, and more for those in the town of West affected by Wednesday night's explosion. Ener-Tel is accepting donations all day today and plans to deliver the items to disaster relief groups in West tomorrow. For more information, you can find a contact number and email on the San Angelo Police Department's Facebook page.

ASU Phi Kappa Phi installation

The installation of Angelo State University's new chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's most selective collegiate honor society encompassing all academic disciplines, will occur during formal ceremonies next week on the ASU campus. Dr. Missy Hopper, vice president of the South Central Region of Phi Kappa Phi, will conduct the installation ceremony at 4 p.m. Thursday in Room 100 of the Mathematics-Computer Science Building. The ceremony is open to all ASU faculty and staff, as well as the public.

Nature Center repair day

Don't plan on visiting the San Angelo Nature Center next Thursday. It will be closed for repairs. The Nature Center, located on Knickerbocker Road, will resume its normal operating hours on Friday, April 26th.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Mexican Mafia member sentenced

A San Angelo man said to be a ranking member of the Mexican mafia will be spending a long time behind bars. 32-year-old Eric Cortez Flores pleaded guilty in connection with a methamphetamine ring conspiracy case and a federal judge sentenced him to 30 years in prison. Investigators say Flores told them that he had been distributing about a pound of meth from Mexico every two weeks.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

ASU spring concert

Angelo State University's Flute Choir and Clarinet Choir will present a joint spring concert next Monday in the Carr Education-Fine Arts Building on Dena Drive. The concert, featuring music by Bach, Mozart and Gershwin, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the EFA Building's Eldon Black Recital Hall and is open free to the public.

City council meeting rescheduled

The next meeting of the San Angelo City Council has been rescheduled from May 7th to May 14th. That's because a quorum of five council members will not be available on the 7th. The meeting on the 14th will begin at 9 AM at the McNease Convention Center, 500 Rio Concho Drive. City Council meetings are open to the public and can be watched live at the Public Information link on the City's website, cosatx-dot-us. The Council will also meet on May 21st to canvass votes from the May 11th election and to conduct a regularly scheduled meeting.

Child abandonment arrests

Late Tuesday night, San Angelo Police were called to the San Angelo Lodge on West Beauregard where occupants at the location found an infant at the top of a stairway. Near the same time, a second call came in regarding a toddler who was in the roadway of the 1700 block of West Harris Avenue. It turned out that the infant, a nine-month-old female and the toddler, a three-year-old boy, were siblings. Police arrested 24-year-old Lyndan McMullan of San Angelo, who was found asleep in a room at the San Angelo Lodge, and 23-year-old Susan R. Schafer of San Angelo. Both were charged with two counts of abandoning and endangering a child criminal negligence and McMullan was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. Child Protective Services took custody of the children.

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. There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms later today and tonight, mainly along and north of a line from Colorado City to San Angelo to Mason to San Saba. The main threats are large hail, damaging winds and dangerous lightning. Isolated tornadoes are possible.


ASU research symposium

Angelo State University students will present the results of 24 different research projects during the second annual Undergraduate Research Symposium this Friday, in the Houston Harte University Center on Rosemont Drive. The symposium will run from 1-3 p.m. and is designed to recognize students' contributions to the universal body of knowledge through their research and creativity and to provide student interaction with community members who are interested in research activities on campus.

ASU Rat Pack tribute

Angelo State University's Chamber Singers and Vocal Ensemble will perform a tribute to the Rat Pack for the 11th annual Pops at the Pavilion concert next week. The concert will feature hits from Las Vegas' legendary "bad boys," Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. Among the selections on the program will be "Come Fly with Me," "That's Amore," and "Mr. Bojangles." The show is open free to the public and begins at 7:30 PM next Tuesday at the ASU Pavilion next to the Plaza Verde residence hall on South Van Buren Street.

Genealogy Appreciation Day

San Angelo Mayor Alvin New has proclaimed April 26th as West Texas Genealogy Appreciation Day, commemorating the 40th anniversary of the San Angelo Genealogical and Historical Society. The president of the society, Susan Ball, was at Tuesday's city council meeting to accept the mayor's proclamation.

San Angelo water supply

San Angelo’s current water supply is 18-point-two months. Water Utilities Director Ricky Dickson told the city council on Tuesday that means San Angelo will likely enter Drought Level Two by next month unless it receives substantial rainfall. Under Drought Level Two, outside watering is restricted to once every seven days between 6 p.m. and noon. San Angelo is currently in Drought Level One, under which watering is allowed twice every seven days between 6 p.m. and noon.

CDBG meetings

The City of San Angelo will host two public meetings next week to gather citizen input on how federal Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds should be spent in the coming year. The City estimates the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will allocate more than 641-thousand dollars for CDBG programs in the coming year and those programs are expected to generate 40-thousand dollars in income. The meetings will be at 6 PM Tuesday at Southside Recreation Center on Ben Ficklin Road and 6 PM Thursday at St. Paul Presbyterian Church on North Park Street.

Be Safe. Drive Smart.

A new statewide campaign hopes to raise awareness about work zone crashes. Tex-DOT has unveiled "Be Safe. Drive Smart," encouraging drivers to put down their cell phones, slow down and pay attention in work zones. A new survey found there were over 16-thousand crashes in construction and maintenance zones in Texas last year, resulting in 134 fatalities. The survey also found that, in the past year, vehicles crashed into 45-percent of the state's highway construction zones.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

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. There is a slight risk of thunderstorms late this afternoon and evening. The main threats are large hail and damaging winds. Isolated tornadoes are possible.

Shannon sleep center reaccreditation

The Shannon Clinic Sleep Center of San Angelo has received program reaccreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The four-bed Center offers several sleep studies for adults and pediatric patients and studies may be performed during day and nighttime hours. The Center was the first accredited sleep center within a 90 mile radius of San Angelo.

ASU commencement speaker

Angelo State University has announced the commencement speaker for spring graduation ceremonies. She's ASU alumna Satcha Pretto, an Emmy Award-winning news anchor for the Univision Network. Pretto has been seen for the last three years on Wake-Up America, the top-rated live Spanish-language morning show in the U.S. On Saturday, May 11th in the Junell Center/Stephens Arena, she will address graduates of the Colleges of Education and Health and Human Services in the morning and graduates of the Colleges of Business and Arts and Sciences in the afternoon.

TCG burn ban continues

Here's a reminder from the San Angelo Emergency Operations Division and the Tom Green County Commissioners Court: a burn ban remains in effect in Tom Green County. Fire Marshal Ross Coleman also stresses that residents cooking on outdoor grills should use propane as a fuel source. And ground fires are not allowed in the camping areas in Spring Creek and Middle Concho parks. All fires there must be in a stone or metal container, such as a grill or fire pit.

ASU provost search continues

Angelo State University President Brian J. May has announced that the search for a new university provost and vice president for academic affairs will resume in 2014. May said that, in the meantime, Dr. Nancy Allen, will continue to serve in the position on an interim basis. The provost position, second in command to the ASU president, came open last November when May, who had held the post, was named president. An initial search brought three finalists to campus for interviews last month, but the university did not reach a hiring agreement with any of the three.

SAFD oilfield traning

San Angelo Fire Department firefighters completed a training course last week on oilfield hazards and injuries. That is in anticipation of increased oilfield activity resulting from production of the Cline Shale, a massive formation east of the Midland Basin that reportedly holds 30-billion barrels of recoverable oil. San Angelo officials have begun planning how increased oilfield activity might affect the community on a number of fronts, including housing, economic development, workforce availability, education and public safety.

Car thief apprehended

San Angelo police were able to apprehend a suspected car thief following a brief chase last Friday night. 19-year-old James Garza of San Angelo allegedly stole a car that had been left running at the Shell station at One North Main Street while the owner used a pay phone. Police say that as Garza attempted to speed away, he lost control of the 2006 Chevy Malibu, hitting a curb in the 23-hundred block of North Main. He then allegedly fled on foot but was chased by a neighbor who saw the crash until police arrived and found Garza hiding under a trash can behind a residence. He was arrested on several charges and transported to the Tom Green County Jail.


Monday, April 15, 2013

City council meeting tomorrow

San Angelo's director of Water Utilities will be speaking at tomorrow's city council meeting. Ricky Dickson will provide an update on the city's water supply and discuss water-billing late fees. The meeting gets underway at nine o'clock tomorrow morning at the Convention Center. To hceck out the full agenda, you can find a link on the city's Facebook page.

SAPD assists cleanup

On Saturday, members of the San Angelo Police Department assisted representatives of the South Side Boys and Girls Club on Ben Ficklin with a community cleanup. It took place in the Boys and Girls Club's immediate vicinity and included, the playground and nearby empty lots. The police department reports there was a great turn out of volunteers.

Gas price update

Oil and gas prices fell again as more pessimistic news about the economy was released last week. Triple-A reports the average price of regular gasoline nationwide is three-53, down seven cents from a week ago. The statewide average in Texas is three-40, also down seven cents. According to gas-buddy-dot-com, the price of regular gas in San Angelo ranges from three-31 to three-46 a gallon.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

ASU Ceramic Symposium

Angelo State University will host the 28th annual San Angelo Ceramic Symposium this Friday in the Carr Education-Fine Arts Building on Dena Drive. The ceramic symposium will run from 1:30-4:30 p.m. in the EFA Building's Eldon Black Recital Hall and is open free to the public. A reception will follow at 4:30 p.m., also in the EFA Building.

Shannon orthopedic surgeon honored

An orthopedic surgeon at Shannon Clinic Southwest in San Angelo has been designated a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Stacy Beaty began practicing at Shannon Clinic in August 2009. The designation of Fellow is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an orthopedic surgeon. This status is attained by physicians who demonstrate a commitment to mastering their profession through continued educational pursuits and practices.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Laura Bush

Former first lady Laura Bush, the namesake of Angelo State University's Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health, was the keynote speaker Thursday at the institute's Day of the Woman. The event at the McNease Convention Center raised more than 200-thousand dollars for the institute, which provides medical research, education and community outreach for women and girls. .It has offices at ASU and four other Texas Tech-affiliated campuses.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

ASU ring ceremony

The Angelo State University Alumni Association will host 69 ASU ring recipients during its annual spring Ring Ceremony next Thursday. The event will be held at the LeGrand Alumni and Visitors Center on University Avenue. Ring recipients will get the opportunity to touch their rings to the horns of ASU's ram mascot, Dominic, for strength, or rub them through his wool for luck.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 band concert

Angelo State University's Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band will present a joint spring concert next week. The show will include selections by John Philip Sousa and Aaron Copland and is open free to the public. It will get underway at 6 PM nextThursday on the steps between the Carr Education-Fine Arts Building and the Houston Harte University Center, on Rosemont Drive.

Fill the Boot

San Angelo firefighters will hit the streets for three days during their annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign for the Muscular Dystrophy Association on April 24th through the 26th. They'll be holding their boots to be filled by drivers' dollar bills and loose change at the usual intersections: 29th Street and North Bryant Boulevard, Abe and Harris streets, Johnson Street and Knickerbocker Road, and Sherwood Way and Avenue N. Firefighters will be collecting funds from 7:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. each day. Each of the last four years, local firefighters have raised more than 50-thousand dollars for the MDA.

Chase and collision

A man was arrested Thursday morning after allegedly leading San Angelo police on a brief chase and causing a chain-reaction collision. Officers responded to reports of someone causing problems in the 1200 block of Tres Rio to find out that person had left in a Ford pickup. Police say the vehicle was located traveling south on Bell Street and the driver, 41-year-old Desmond Dixon, refused to stop. He led officers on a low-speed chase that got a bit faster when he headed north on Chadbourne. Spike strips were deployed and Dixon continued to drive with flattened tires, running several downtown traffic lights and eventually colliding with a vehicle at the Harris Avenue intersection, resulting in a chain reaction involving a total of three vehicles. Police say Dixon tried to walk away from the scene but was taken into custody following a brief struggle and booked on several charges.

Grand jury indictments

A grand jury has indicted 24-year-old Cody Michael Dunn in connection with a warehouse fire in downtown San Angelo in February. And a San Angelo man has been indicted for the New Year's Eve collision on South Chadbourne that killed Goodfellow Air Force Base airman Brandon Jackson. Daniel Martin Munoz the second is charged with intoxication manslaughter.



Freeze warning

Much of west central Texas, including the Concho Valley, is under a freeze warning until 9 o'clock this morning. The National Weather Service at San Angelo says temperatures will be in the 28 to 32 degree range and slightly colder in the river valleys and low-lying areas. Sensitive plants should be brought indoors or covered with protective material.


ASU Club Cafe comedian

Television actress and standup comedian Jen Kober will bring her original story-telling and improvised "rock 'n' roll" comedy routine to Angelo State University's Club Café coffeehouse entertainment series next week. Kober, who has appeared on "The Mindy Project" and "Anger Management," will perform next Thursday at 7 PM in the Houston Harte University Center on Rosemont Drive. Admission is two dollars for ASU students, five dollars for the general public at the door.

ASU's Truman Scholar

A third-year student in Angelo State University's Honors Program has been named a 2013 Truman Scholar by the Harry S. Truman Foundation, and will receive a 30-thousand dollar scholarship to fund his graduate education in preparation for a career in public service. Sean Motl, a psychology major from Wall, is one of only 62 Truman Scholars nationwide, and one of only three in Texas. Motl is also the first ASU student to receive the designation and corresponding scholarship.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

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. A light freeze is expected tonight with overnight lows falling into the lower 30's in many areas and potentially below freezing for several hours before sunrise. Sensitive vegetation could be at risk.


Ballot by mail

Applications are being accepted to receive a ballot by mail for the May 11th San Angelo City Council election. Registered voters who wish to receive a ballot by mail must complete an application to have a ballot mailed to them. To get the application, you can call the Tom Green County Election Office or go to vote-tom-green-county-dot-org.

Final Lap Celebration

Shannon Medical Center is inviting all area elementary students to join them for the CATCH Kid's Marathon Final Lap Celebration on Thursday, April 18th 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 research project

Angelo State University's Center for Security Studies is joining with Boston University's Emergency Healthcare Management program on a joint research project that could help lead to future health benefits for emergency services responders throughout the U.S. The project, which got under way April 1st, involves testing of something made in Russia called the Self Controlled Energo Neuro Adaptive Regulator. It's a hand-held electrotherapeutic device approved by the FDA for non-invasive and non-narcotic treatment of chronic and acute pain.

ASU Jazz Ensemble concert

Angelo State University's Jazz Ensemble will perform in concert next week. It's scheduled for next Tuesday at 7:30 PM in the Houston Harte University Center on Rosemont Drive. The concert will include the music of Count Basie, Glenn Miller and George Shearing. It is open free to the public.

Convention center closed

The Civic Events Division offices in the McNease Convention Center will be closed to the public tomorrow from 8 AM until 3:30 PM to accommodate former first lady Laura Bush's security detail. Bush will be the keynote speaker at a sold-out Day of the Woman event sponsored by the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health, which is affiliated with Angelo State University. Anyone wishing to purchase a ticket to an upcoming event in a Civic Events venue is encouraged to go online or visit one of the City's four other ticket outlets.

Tips lead to arrests

Tips from citizens helped San Angelo police make a couple of arrests. The police got calls late Monday morning regarding suspicious activities by two men, first pushing trash cans down an alley on Forest Park Avenue, then armed with a gun in the carport of a residence on Juanita Avenue. Responding officers did not initially find the men, but did find the trash cans and inside them, three rifle cases with guns. Eventually, they did track down and arrest 29-year-old Thomas Berger and 19-year-old Robert Baze of San Angelo. Police say Berger and Baze had stolen the rifles and other property from a residence on Webster Avenue and used the trash cans to conceal the weapons during their getaway.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Fatal wreck investigated

An investigation continues into a fatal wreck north of San Angelo Sunday night. It happened on FM2288 near Grape Creek. Authorities say 26-year-old Jerry Lee Martinez of Carlsbad was killed when his car went off the road in a curve and then collided with a car driven by a San Angelo woman who was taken to a hospital for treatment. deadly collision that killed a Carlsbad man.

Hazardous weather outlook

Parts of West Central Texas, including the Concho Valley, are under a hazardous weather outlook. According to the National Weather Service at San Angelo, scattered thunderstorms are possible tonight. A few could become severe, mainly along and east of a line from Haskell to San Angelo to Sonora. Large hail and damaging winds will be the main hazards. There is also the potential for a tornado.

Monday, April 8, 2013

ASU Civil War Series

A dramatic reading of original period correspondence, titled "Beloved Companion," will be staged next week as the final program for the current academic year in Angelo State University's Civil War Lecture Series. The production will feature student actors interpreting the actual correspondence between a private in the 199th Pennsylvania Volunteers and his farm wife in Muhlenburg, Pennsylvania, during the last nine months of the Civil War in Virginia. The performances are open free to the public and scheduled at 7 p.m. next Tuesday and Wednesday on campus in the University Auditorium in the Mayer Administration Building.

Fill the Boot

For the 14th year in a row, you can help San Angelo firefighters help the Muscular Dystrophy Association. On April 24th, 25th and 26th, you'll be able to 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 each day. Last year, they collected 52-thousand dollars, all of which stays local.You can find out more at m-d-a-dot-org.

ASU Family Day

Angelo State University chemistry students and faculty will host an Art and Science Family Day this Saturday at the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts on Love Street near downtown San Angelo. The event will run from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and is open free to the public. It is designed to show attendees the connections between art and science. Activities will include experiments led by ASU chemistry students, art activities and a chemistry magic show. Free snacks will also be provided.

Sleeping man busted

A San Angelo man found sleeping in a vehicle wound up getting busted. On Sunday night, an officer patrolling on East 33rd Street found a Mitsubishi Outlander illegally parked and a man inside apparently sleeping. After several attempts, 29-year-old Michael Anthony Garcia was awakened and exited the vehicle. That's when police found a small plastic bag containing a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. They also found drug paraphernalia and a prohibited weapon. Garcia was transported to the Tom Green County Jail without incident.

Hazardous weather outlook

The National Weather Service at San Angelo has issued a hazardous weather outlook for portions of West Central Texas, including Corsicana. Because of gusty winds and low relative humidity values, near critical fire weather conditions will be possible this afternoon. That will be generally along and west of a line from Haskell to San Angelo to Ozona. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

Animal shelter can collection

The San Angelo Animal Shelter is collecting aluminum cans to raise funds for a program that helps pay for the spaying and neutering of pets owned by low income city residents. Aluminum cans may be brought to the shelter on U.S. Highway 67 North in a plastic bag from 10 to 5 Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9 to 6 Wednesdays, or from 10 to 1 Saturdays.

Clinic date change

The immunization clinic on the last week in April at the San Angelo-Tom Green County Health Department has been moved up a day and will be conducted on Monday, April 29th. The weekly clinics are normally held each Tuesday, but nurses will be participating in a professional conference on Tuesday, April 30th. All clinics preceding and following the last week in April will continue to be on Tuesdays.

Conaway to visit Mosaic

Mosaic in San Angelo has announced that Congressman Mike Conaway is scheduled to make a site visit of the Agency's facilities and programs today at 12:45 pm. Congressman Conaway will be given a tour of the Redwine Child Care Center, the TRAILS Therapeutic Riding Program, and the Day Hab center located on campus. Executive Director Liz Jones says--quote--"We are delighted that Congressman Conaway can make time to come and see the services that we provide, and to meet some of the folks that we serve." Mosaic recently held a Centennial Celebration, and has provided services for those with intellectual disabilities in the Concho Valley for over 27 years.

Gas price update

Moving into a new month, gasoline prices continue to follow March's downward trend. Triple-A says the speculation that fuel demand would increase was not supported by bearish economic news. The national average price of regular gas is three-60 a gallon, four cents less than last week. The Texas statewide average of three-47 is down by five cents. Gas-buddy-dot com reports that the price of regular in San Angelo ranges from three-31 to three-49 a gallon.

Friday, April 5, 2013

MPO survey

The Metropolitan Planning Organization is conducting a public survey to determine pedestrian and bicycle project priorities in San Angelo. They're asking that you take a few minutes to share your opinion on what should be done to improve the city's walking, running and bicycling routes. You can find a link to the survey by going to the City of San Angelo's Facebook page.

Voter registration deadline

A reminder from the city of San Angelo that next Thursday, April 11th, is the final day to register to vote in the May 11th City Council election. Six of the Council's seven seats, including mayor, are up for election this year. Voter registration applications are available at the Tom Green County Election/Voter Registration Office on the second floor of the Edd B. Keyes Building on West Beauregard Avenue and at all three Tom Green County library locations. Early voting will be conducted from April 29th to May 7th.

Mesquite Trio in concert

The Mesquite Trio, made up of Angelo State University music faculty members, will present a concert next Thursday in the Carr Education-Fine Arts Building on Dena Drive. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and is open free to the public. Dr. Constance Kelley, assistant professor of music, Dr. Tim Bonenfant, associate professor of music, and Dr. Jeff Womack, associate professor of music, comprise The Mesquite Trio.

Wanted sex offender caught

On Wednesday morning, members of the San Angelo Police Department Special Operations Section and the US Marshal Service acted on information about the possible whereabouts of a sex offender wanted on two outstanding Felony Warrants. They went to the Crestwood Terrace Apartments on West Beauregard, where they found 32-year-old Reginald Thomas of San Angelo and a woman getting inside a vehicle in the parking lot. As officers approached, they say Thomas got ouf of the vehicle and ran but was taken into custody after a brief chase. A search turned up drug paraphernalia and narcotics. In addition to the warrants, Thomas is now facing drug charges as is the woman, who is identified as 27-year-old Willandra Hollis of San Angelo.


Thursday, April 4, 2013

Elementary school security

Security has been provided for years at secondary schools in San Angelo; as of this week, that's been added to the district's 17 elementary schools. San Angelo police will randomly monitor and visit elementary schools all day, five days a week. Police Chief Tim Vasquez says the goal is to prevent a Newtown, Connecticut-type incident. The increased security at elementary schools will continue the rest of this school year and into next fall.

Child abuse prevention month

April is Child Abuse Prevention month and, to mark the occasion on Wednesday, volunteers placed 427 pinwheels on the lawn of the Tom Green County Courthouse and at Chick Fil A on Sherwood Way. The pinwheels represent the 427 cases of child abuse in Tom Green County last year. The Children's Advocacy Center urges you to wear blue, the national color of child abuse prevention, on Fridays to show support. Blue is the national color of child abuse prevention. On Sunday, April 21st, families are invited to a Picnic in the Park at Kirby Park from two to five PM.

Transportation Information Gathering

A Transportation Information Gathering, sponsored by the San Angelo Metropolitan Planning Organization, is scheduled for this evening at the McNease Convention Center. Speakers will include former assistant city manager Elizabeth Grindstaff, now with Texas Pacifico; Airport Director Luis Elguezabal, Jessica Pena of the Concho Valley Transit District, Doray Hill of the Metropolitan Planning Organization and John Hewitt of TxDOT. The program starts at 6 PM.

Poet laureate to visit ASU

Angelo State University will host the current Texas Poet Laureate next week. Jan Seale, who's written poetry, fiction and children's books, will give a public reading of her works next Thursday in Room 100 of the Cavness Science Building on Dena Drive. The reading will begin at 7 p.m. and is open free to the public. While she is on the ASU campus, Seale will also visit creative writing English classes.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Automated water billing

San Angelo residents will soon have a new--and hopefully easier--way to pay their water bills. On Tuesday, the city council approved a new interactive automated telephone system for water utilities. Customers can use it to pay their bills with a debit or credit card. Officials say the new system can handle up to 40-thousand phone calls a month.

Voter registration deadline

A reminder from the City of San Angelo: the deadline to register to vote in the May 11th city council election is April 11th--one week from tomorrow. City residents who are not registered or who need to update their registration must submit a voter registration application to the Tom Green County voter registrar. Applications can be printed at vote-tom-green-county-dot-org. Six of the Council’s seven seats, including mayor, will be up for election this year.

Wanted suspect sought

The San Angelo Police Department and the local Department of Public Safety are searching for a wanted suspect: He is identified as 34-year-old Guadalupe Robert Ruiz Junior, also known as Robert Ruiz and "Grizzly." He is Hispanic, six feet, 320 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes and tattoos on his back and chest. Ruiz is wanted for engaging in organized criminal activity. If you have information on the whereabouts of this suspect you can contact the Texas DPS or call the San Angelo police 24-hour Tip Hotline at 855-TIPS-247.

ASU downtown concert

The Angelo State University Concert Chorale and Chamber Orchestra will present an all-Beethoven concert in downtown San Angelo tomorrow. It will begin at 7:30 and will take place in the lobby of the Cactus Hotel at 36 East Twohig Avenue. The program will include Beethoven's "Mass in C" and "Ode to Joy" from his Ninth Symphony. Members of the ASU music faculty will provide accompanying instrumentals, along with members of the Permian Basin String Quartet.

Fallen officer remembered

This Saturday, the San Angelo Police Department will host a Memorial Ceremony to honor the memory of a fallen Austin police officer and former San Angelo police officer. Saturday will mark one year since Jaime Padron was shot and killed in Austin after responding to a Walmart store to investigate the report of an intoxicated man who was shoplifting. The ceremony honoring Padron will take place outside of the police department at 401 East Beauregard at 6 PM. This public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

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. Thunderstorms are expected this morning with a chance for severe weather in the afternoon and evening south of Interstate 20. The primary threats will be locally heavy rainfall, large hail and damaging winds with tornadoes a possibility.

City council meetings

The San Angelo City Council will hold a special joint meeting with the Planning Commission this morning starting at nine o'clock at the Convention Center. Among the topics they are expected to address: the increased demand for RV parks, sparked by the coming oil boom. At its regular meeting, the Council will watch a demonstration of software that would allow water customers to access their usage data online. You can get the full agenda by clicking on a link on the city's Facebook page.

Reptile classes

The San Angelo Nature Center will host a two-part identification class titled “Reptiles of the Concho Valley” next week. The classes will meet at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Nature Center, 7409 Knickerbocker Road. Weather-permitting, the class will also meet at San Angelo State Park at 10 a.m. Saturday, the 13th, for a herpetological survey. The deadline to sign up is Saturday; you can find out more on the city of San Angelo's Facebook page.

Pool party reservations

A reminder from the city of San Angelo that reservations are being taken for private and semi-private parties between the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends at Love Municipal Pool.Fees vary depending on the number of people and include the cost of lifeguards. Reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be made by calling or visiting the City of San Angelo's Recreation Division offices in the Santa Fe Crossing building on South Chadbourne.

Disabled parking thanks

San Angelo motorists are getting a thank you from the police department's Volunteers in Policing. They conducted Disabled Parking Enforcement in most of the major retail parking lots Monday morning and did not find any illegally parked vehicles. The respect and courtesy of recognizing theses spaces as being marked for the disabled community is appreciated.

Afternoon of Brass

Angelo State University's Brass Choir and special guest performers will present "An Afternoon of Brass" this weekend. The concert's special guests will be members of the San Angelo High School Trumpet Ensemble. It is scheduled for this Sunday at 2 PM at the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts on Love Street in downtown San Angelo. The concert is open free to the public.

Crash fatality ID

The woman who died in a vehicle crash in the 3300 block of Rockbrook Drive on Saturday has been identified. Police say she was 56-year-old Patricia Ann Willinger of San Angelo. They say that, just prior to the fatal crash, Willinger was involved in a hit and run crash causing property damage but no injuries at the Southland Baptist Church on Meadowcreek Trail. Damage was estimated at about 12-hundred dollars. Investigators Willinger's truck was then westbound on Rockbrook when it hit two signs, a parked car and a tree. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Showdown reservations

This morning, the Chamber of Commerce begins reserving premium table seating in the VIP Tent at the 7th Annual Showdown in San Angelo Drag Boat Races. Businesses or groups of spectators may reserve a table under the VIP tent at the starting line, on the Spring Creek side of Lake Nasworthy for Saturday and Sunday, June 22nd and 23rd. For more information call Pamela Miller at the Chamber or email her at pamela at san angelo-dot-org.

Monday, April 1, 2013

New watering rules

Starting today, new watering rules take effect in San Angelo. Residents will be allowed to use water twice a week through the end of October. That's as long as the city's water supply remains above 18 months; it is currently at 19 months. Watering is prohibited between the hours of noon and 6 PM.

Fatal wreck

A woman was killed in a one-vehicle wreck in southwest San Angelo on Saturday night. Police say she was driving a small pickup in the 33-hundred block of Rockbrook when the vehicle left the roadway and hit a parked car. The victim's name was not immediately released. Police are continuing to investigate.

Gas price update

Gasoline prices fell throughout the month of March, but the new month could bring increases at the pump. Triple-A says that's because of positive economic news and higher demand. The nationwide average price of regular gas is in Florida is three-64, three cents less a week ago. The statewide average in Texas is three-52, down two cents. According to gas-buddy-dot-com, the price of regular in San Angelo ranges from three-46 to three-54 a gallon.