Flying Cross Awarded

An Air Force Master Sergeant at Lackland Air Force Base has been awarded one of the highest medals possible. Master Sergeant James Davis was given the Distinguished Flying Cross Thursday for work done in Afghanistan in 2011. Davis was also awarded the Purple Heart. He now trains pilots on base.

Bihl Sentencing

A San Angelo man convicted this week of three felony crimes was sentenced on Thursday at the Tom Green County Courthouse.  The jury that found 40-year-old Elias Shawn Bihl guilty sentenced him to 25 years for each of two charges of aggravated assault and two years for unlawful possesion of a firearm.  Those sentences will run concurrently.  Bihl has claimed he acted in self defense when he shot two men at an apartment complex on North Lillie Street last February.

ASU Award Winner

An Angelo State University art major, has won the top prize in the student contest that is conducted each year in conjunction with ASU's E. James Holland University Symposium on American Values. The theme of the 2013 symposium was "Climate Change and American Values" with internationally known scientist Dr. Michael E. Mann as the keynote speaker.  Stacy Mata, who specializes in graphic design, won first place and a 300-dollar prize for her digital print "Global Warning."

Police looking for criminal

San Angelo police are asking for the public's help in locating a fugitive sought on a charge of felony criminal mischief.  He's 28-year-old Dustin L. Gilbert, a white male described as 6-2, 195 pounds with blond hair and hazel eyes.  Never attempt to apprehend suspects yourself; doing so may be dangerous.  If you know anything regarding the whereabouts of Dustin L. Gilbert, call the SAPD's 24-hour tipline at 855-TIPS-24-7.

Voter Registration Deadline

If you haven't registered to vote in upcoming elections, you got just two more days to do so, including today.  The deadline is Monday.  Also, if you don't have one, you need to get a photo ID by the time you vote.  According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Election Identification Certificates are available free at all Texas driver license offices for individuals in need of proper ID required to vote in elections in Texas.  Otherwise, a Texas driver’s license, a Texas personal identification card, a U.S. passport book or card, a Texas concealed handgun license, a U.S. military identification with a photo, or a U.S. citizenship certificate or certificate of naturalization with a photo will qualify you to vote.

Cold Weather Coming

The Concho Valley could be in for another blast of cold air and a wintry mix this weekend.  A cold front will move in either late Saturday or early Sunday and the National Weather Service at San Angelo says a mix of rain or freezing rain will be possible on Sunday.  Patchy ice could show up on elevated surfaces, bridges and overpasses.  Highs on Sunday will only reach the 30's to 40's.

Former US Ambassador to NATO to speak in San Angelo

A former U.S. ambassador to NATO will be the featured speaker for Angelo State University's Foreign Affairs Speakers Program this month.  Robert Hunter will speak on "The Middle East: Reinforcing Earthquakes" on February 17th and on "Europe's Mediterranean Challenge" on the 18th. Both presentations will be in the University Center's C.J. Davidson Conference Center and are open free to the public.

Injury Accident

Two people were injured in a major traffic crash in San Angelo on Tuesday morning. Police reponded at about 4:45 AM to the 4400 block of Sherwood Way and found a collision between a commercial street sweeper and a Dodge Ram pickup. The driver of the street sweeper was a 22-year-old San Angelo resident who was trapped inside the vehicle and extricated by fire department personnel. That person and the driver of the pickup, a 24-year-old El Dorado resident, were transported to Shannon Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. No citations were immediately issued.

City service awards

146 public servants will be recognized on Thursday for their loyal service to the City of San Angelo.  The City employees who will be honored at the annual Service Awards Presentation have a cumulative total of one-thousand-830 years of experience. The ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. at the McNease Convention Center, 500 Rio Concho Drive, and is open to friends and family of the honorees.

Successful swim teams

For the fourth straight year, the Central girls and boys took first place to win the District 3-5A Swimming & Diving Championships at the Gus Clemens Aquatic Center. The Lady Cats won 185-135 over Midland High, while the Bobcats  defeated second place Odessa High 214-72. Central head coach David Hague said it was an awesome day for San Angelo. He's thrilled that almost everyone qualified for regionals. The Region I-5A Swimming & Diving meet  is next up for the team Feb. 7-8 in Lubbock.

Successful jump

He made history! Ed Beckley aka “The World’s Largest Motorcycle Jumper” attempted a long distance ramp to ramp motorcycle jump over cars on his Harley-Davidson at Foster Communications Coliseum. It was the first jump of its kind, because no one had ever made a safe jump in that area, until Saturday night. The daredevil motorcycle jump was part of the Texas Hot Rod Truck N’ Tractor Pull plus NO LIMITS Monster Truck Showdown and Thrill Show. This wasn't his first jump here. The 300 pound biker, who worked at the Honda Sports Center in San Angelo, jumped at the old Lake Nasworthy Speedway back in 1974 to a sold out crowd of nearly 5,000 people.

Hospital removes life support

A Texas hospital removed a brain-dead pregnant woman from life support yesterday following a a court order to do so. Marlise Munoz, who was about 22 weeks pregnant, had been on life support in the hospital in Fort Worth since November after suffering what her husband believes a brain aneurysm. Erick Munoz wanted to remove her from life support but Texas law that doesn't allow the removal of life support treatment when patient is pregnant. Munoz took the case to court and a judge who found that Marlise Munoz was legally dead and ordered the hospital to remove the ventilator by no later than today.

2-car fatal

A driver in a two-vehicle crash Friday about 16 miles south of San Angelo on U.S. 277, was killed. The Texas Department of Public Safety identified the driver who died as Michael Eugene Bell, of Palestine. The other driver, Christy Louella Arendt, was flown to Shannon Medical Center for treatment of injuries. Her condition is unknown. According to reports, Bell's vehicle drifted into the southbound lane and struck the Arendt's Chevy head-on. What may have caused Bell to veer into the other lane is being investigated.

Bishop wrapping up this week

After serving almost 30 years of leadership, Bishop Michael Pfeifer is leaving the Catholic Diocese of San Angelo this week. In 1985 he moved from San Antonio to San Angelo to fulfill his calling as bishop. In December, Pope Francis granted Pfeifer's request for retirement, and the diocese announced Michael J. Sis, of Austin, as his successor. Bishop Pfeifer plans to return to San Antonio to continue ministry in some fashion. And of course, he's offered a helping hand for Sis if he ever needs or wants it.

Water Usage

On Tuesday, San Angelo used more water this year than it did on the same date last year: 10-point-two million gallons versus nine-point-six million.  The city reminds you that you can save water by running your washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to one-thousand gallons a month. 

Book Sale

Hundreds of books, magazines and other printed materials, most for a dollar or less, will be available to the public during the annual book sale of the Friends of the Porter Henderson Library and West Texas Collection today through Saturday. The sale will open with a preview this evening from four to eight PM in the Fellowship Hall of College Hills Baptist Church on  Johnson Street. Cost of the preview is five dollars per person. Admission will be free when the sale resumes tomorrow from 8 AM to 6 PM and concludes Saturday from 8 AM until noon.

Teens Arrested

Four teens have been charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Felony Evading with a Vehicle, and Evading Arrest and Detention on Foot after leading police on a short vehicle and foot pursuit in north San Angelo Tuesday afternoon. The four, ranging in age from 14 to 16, allegedly stole a Chevy pickup from the parking lot at the Tom Green County Library and were involved in a hit and run crash before speeding away from the scene.  An officer attempted to pull over the pickup on Pecan Street but it kept going.  The driver jumped out while the vehicle was still moving, as did the three others.  All four were rounded up by police, who say they found marijuana on the driver, who also faces a possession charge.

Execution

Texas has put to death a Mexican national for killing a Houston police officer. Edgar Tamayo was executed last night for shooting Officer Guy Gaddis to death in 1994. Texas had been pressured by the State Department to not kill Tamayo, claiming it would hurt relations with Mexico.

Cold Weather

The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement for an area including Tom Green, Nolan, Sterling, Coke, Runnels, Iron, Concho, Crockett and Schleicher counties.  Temperatures will fall into the upper 20s and lower 30s during the day today.  Lows tomorrow morning will be in the teens to lower 20s.  Northeast winds of 15 to 25 miles an hour will produce wind chills ranging from around 10 degrees to the mid-teens.  Slick spots might develop on area roadways, especially on bridges and overpasses, and create hazardous driving conditions.  The cold temperatures will place outside pets, livestock and exposed water pipes at risk.

Gas Prices Stable

The price of gasoline remains stable and should stay that way for the rest of the month. That's the forecast from Triple-A, which says the national average for a gallon of regular gas is three-29, two cents less than last week. The statewide average in Texas of three-10 a gallon is unchanged. In San Angelo, gas-buddy-dot-com shows the price of regular ranges from two-97 to three-11 a gallon.

Drought Continues

A weekend of water conservation in San Angelo continued on Sunday. On that day, city residents and businesses used nine million gallons of water compared to nine and a half million on the same date last year.  A reminder that drought restrictions continue and watering is limited to once every 14 days at no more than one inch per application.

MLK Day of Service

Some 500 young people took part in a day of service in San Angelo Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Junior Day.  The Houston-based nonprofit group Youth Achieving through Service and Sports was behind the volunteer effort, made up mostly of San Angelo students.   There was clean-up and trash pick up at Martin Luther King Junior Memorial Park and in the Red Arroyo area of College Hills.  And the WIC parking lot next to City Hall was repainted.  Lunch was provided by McDonalds and Little Caesars.

Power outage

The lights went out for some folks in North San Angelo Tuesday afternoon. According to the Standard Times, AEP says more than six-thousand customers were affected by a power outage shortly after 3:30. Outages were reported in Grape Creek, the Lake View area and Water Valley. A spokesman for AEP says it was caused when a piece of high-voltage equipment failed at a substation. Most of the power was back on with an hour.

Murder conspiracy sentence

A San Angelo man, accused along with his cousin of conspiring to commit murder, pleaded guilty Tuesday to that crime and a drug-related felony. The judge sentenced 22-year-old Joe Ventura Medina to 12 years in prison on each charge. The sentences will run concurrently. Medina and 27-year-old Macario Medina had allegedly planned to tie up, beat and kill Ashley Galindo in September of 2012. Medina was also indicted but his case has not yet gone to trial.

Interim Assessor Collector

Tom Green County Commissioners have named an interim Tax Assessor-Collector. She is Chief Deputy Tax Assessor Collector Becky Robles, who had already been filling in following the recent death of Cindy Jetton. Robles will remain in the job until the end of the year. In the meantime, a special election in November will determine who fills the remainder of the two-year term.

Shannon lab accredited

Good news for Shannon Medical Center: the hospital's Laboratory has received national reaccreditation from the Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists based on the results of an onsite inspection. During the accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. They also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and record, and overall management.

Candidate packets available

Citizens interested in filing for a place on the May 10th ballot to fill three seats on the San Angelo City Council can get a candidate packet starting today. The two-year terms for Single-Member Districts one, three and five are up for election. The first day to file for a place on the ballot is January 29th; the final day to file is February 28th. The packets can be picked up from the Office of the City Clerk in City Hall or downloaded online from the city's website.

Chamber banquet

The 98th annual San Angelo Chamber of Commerce Banquet is coming up next week. It will be held on Tuesday, January 21st at the ASU CJ Davidson Center. The event begins at 6:45 with a cash bar, dinner service is from 7-7:45 p.m., and the program is from 7:45-9 p.m. Outstanding volunteers will be recognized and the Citizen of the Year will be named as Chamber members gather to celebrate the successes of the past year and hear about the goals for the coming year.

West Texas Bridal Showcase

For those who might soon be embarking on marital bliss, there's something coming up in San Angelo this weekend. The West Texas Bridal Showcase returns to the Coliseum on Sunday from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are 12 dollars; 15 for the VIP package. You can get them at any City outlet or you can find a link to buy them online at the city's Facebook page.

MLK Day closings

City of San Angelo offices will be closed next Monday, January 20th, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. There will be no interruption of garbage collection or normal landfill operating hours on MLK Day. Among the City operations that will be closed for the holiday are: Southside and Carl Ray Johnson recreation centers, Station 618 and Santa Fe Crossing senior centers, the San Angelo Animal Shelter, and the City of San Angelo-Tom Green County Health Department. City offices will reopen at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

Water usage

San Angelo remains under drought restrictions that allow watering only once every 14 days and no more than one inch per application. On Sunday, residents and business were conserving--using eight-point-eight million gallons of water compared to nine-point-seven million on the same date last year.

Shannon pediatrician honored

A Shannon Clinic pediatrician received the Distinguished Service Award from the American Osteopathic Board of Pediatrics. The award was given to Dr. Fernando Gonzalez for showing outstanding support, dedication and service in the field of pediatrics. Dr. Gonzalez was appointed to the Board in 2003 and was elected Chair in 2005. His 12-year tenure ended January 1st.

Gas prices steady

Gasoline prices held steady last week and Triple-A predicts they will likely remain stable the rest of the month because of several factors, including slow job growth and lackluster demand. The nationwide average price for a gallon of regular was three-dollars 31-cents, unchanged from a week ago. In Texas, the statewide average is three-10, down three cents from last week. In San Angelo, gas-buddy-dot-com reports the price ranges from two-98 to three-11 a gallon.

Water usage

Toward the end of last week, San Angelo residents and businesses got back into conservation mode when it comes to water usage. On Friday, the city used nine-point-two million gallons of water compared to 10 million on the same date last year. On Saturday, the numbers were eight-point-nine million gallons this year, nine-point-five million last year.

Double-murder suspect suicide

San Angelo Police Department S.W.A.T. Team members found deceased suspect inside a north San Angelo residence Saturday after an ongoing double homicide investigation. 25-year-old Jesse Fitchett allegedly shot and killed two men and injured another man in an altercation early that morning in front of Richard's Bar on Martin Luther King Boulevard. Officers tried to convince Fitchett to surrender and the S.W.A.T. team fired several rounds of gas canisters into the residence on West 8th Street. But the suspect did not come out and was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The homicide victims are identified as 23-year-old Eli Delrio and 20-year-old Raul Rodriguez of San Angelo. The third shooting victim was hospitalized in stable condition.

Online Water Payments

City of San Angelo water customers will be unable to pay their monthly municipal services statement online from late tonight through through Monday morning  That's because the online pay system will be undergoing a software upgrade.The system, which can be accessed from the City’s homepage, will be out of service from about 11 tonight through 8 AM Monday. Customers will still be able to leave payments in the overnight drop box at the Utility Billing and Collections office at 122 West 1st Street, adjacent to City Hall.

Christmas Clean Up

Today is the last day for San Angelo residents to recycle non-artificial Christmas trees through this Friday at two City of San Angelo locations: the SAFE Recycling Center or the Coliseum parking lot.  Don't forget to remove all ornaments and decorations to prevent damage to the chippers.

Gun Show

A Silver Spur Trade Shows Gun and Blade Show takes place this weekend at the Coliseum on East 43rd Street. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is six dollars for adults; and children younger than 12 get in free. Attendees can receive two for the price of one for the first hour each day, and active military and NRA members with ID get one dollar off. All police, firemen, state troopers and game wardens in uniform get in free. Participants can bring personal guns for sale or trade at the show. Find out more at silverspurtradeshows-dot-com.

Date Night 2014

"Passport to Anywhere" is the theme of the City of San Angelo Recreation Division's Date Night 2014. This year's festivities will return to the McNease Convention Center from 6 to 9 PM, February 10th through the 12th. The 10th and 12th are Daddy/Daughter Date Nights. The 11th is Mother/Son Date Night.  Tickets are on sale now for 12 dollars each at the Recreation office in Santa Fe Crossing, 702 South Chadbourne Street, from 8 AM to 5 PM weekdays.

Taking over for Jetton

Tom Green County Commissioners took action Friday to keep the Tax Assessor Collector's office running following the death on Thursday of Cindy Jetton. They approved a bond for Chief Deputy Becky Robles so that she could take over Jetton's duties. An interim Tax Assessor Collector will be appointed at a later date.

One day, three fires

The San Angelo Fire Department fought a total of three fires on Saturday. One occurred early in the morning at a house on South Jackson Street. Four people inside got out okay but the house was a total loss. Cause of the fire was ruled accidental, caused by the home's electrical system. A house on Pulliam Street was destroyed by fire. No one was home at the time and no one was injured. The cause remains under investigation. Firefighters also quelled a grass fire that charred one and a quarter acres along the Houston Harte Expressway near the Glenna Street exit. Investigators suspect a discarded cigarette may have ignited the blaze, which was exacerbated by high winds.

House fire

The San Angelo Fire Department extinguished a two-alarm house fire at 1301 South Jackson Street early Saturday morning. When firefighters arrived, the house was fully engaged in flames on its southside. Firefighters tried to make entry into the house, but were pushed back by heat and smoke as the fire had already advanced into the attic and roof. Once firefighters had assured all four of the residents were out of the house, they fought the fire from the outside. There were no injuries, but the home is a total loss. The Fire Marshal's Office has ruled the cause as accidental, caused by the home's electrical system.

City council meeting

The San Angelo City Council will consider making River Fest an annual event when it meets at 9 a.m. tomorrow at the Convention Center. The meeting is open to the public. You can find a link to the full agenda on the city of San Angelo's Facebook page.

2013 water conservation

San Angelo embraced water conservation in 2013. According to figures from the city, residents and businesses used four-point-six billion gallons of water compared to more than five-point-one billion in 2012. It was a difference of 570 million gallons. Or, put another way, San Angelo used just over 14-thousand acre-feet of water last year compared to almost 16-thousand the prior year. Each acre-foot equals more than 325-thousand gallons.

Water usage

Water conservation by San Angelo residents and businesses continued into the new year. On Wednesday, January 1st, 2014, the city used eight and a half million gallons of water, compared to 10 million on January 1st of 2013.

SAPD officer retiring

As of today, the San Angelo Police Department will be losing a 25 year veteran of the force. in Officer David Newsom joined the SAPD on May 4th, 1989. He spent his career in patrol and the criminal investigation division. Newsom became a Field Training Officer while assigned to patrol where he was instrumental in training new officers prior to them being assigned to patrol on their own.

West Texas Collection

Members of the public who enjoy mysteries will have a chance to solve some for posterity when Angelo State University's West Texas Collection hosts a "picture party" to identify people and locations in photographs from the files of the San Angelo Standard-Times. Sponsored by the Friends of the Porter Henderson Library and West Texas Collection the photos will be available for viewing 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. next Wednesday, January 8th, in the C.J. Davidson Conference Center in the Houston Harte University Center on the ASU campus. The event is open to free to the public.

SAPD arrests

San Angelo police pulled over a man wanted on city warrants on Monday afternoon. The man, 25-year-old Hunter Higgins of San Angelo was also driving with a suspended license. A male passenger in the vehicle fled the scene on foot. A police search turned up methamphetamine and resulted in additional charges. The other man was later found at a home and was also arrested. His was identified as 21-year-old Randy Sutton of San Angelo, who faces charges including Evading Arrest and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Both men were transported to the Tom Green County Jail.

Xmas tree recycling

You can still recycle non-artificial Christmas trees at two City of San Angelo locations. Through Friday, January 10th, residents can drop off their trees at the SAFE Recycling Center, 702 Warehouse Road, or the Coliseum parking lot, 50 East 43rd Street. Trees can be dropped off any time and the City will run them through a chipper as needed. Trees must have all ornaments and decorations removed to prevent damage to the chippers.

Water usage

The city of San Angelo is thanking residents and businesses for being water smart. The city closed out the year by conserving water. On Tuesday, San Angelo used eight-point-five million gallons of water compared to nine-point-seven million on the same date last year. City officials say such efforts will be needed more than ever in 2014.