Traffic Advisory

A traffic reminder from the city of San Angelo: Irving Street between Concho Avenue and Veterans Memorial Drive is closed during daylight hours intermittently for about eight weeks as new sewer lines are installed across the street. The closures began today last Wednesday. Street closure and detour signs are being utilized to direct traffic in the area. At least one lane will be open to traffic at night. No work on the lines will occur after dark.

ABC Center Grand Opening

A grand opening is scheduled for tomorrow for the Autism Behavior Communication--or ABC--Center for Children. This is a new program of MHMR Services for the Concho Valley that works with children with autism and their families.  The celebration will be held at 902 Spaulding Street in San Angelo from 4:30 to 6:30.  The public is invited to meet the staff, take a tour and enjoy refreshments.

Extreme Fire Danger

Critical fire weather conditions are expected today in the Concho Valley.  The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning, in effect from 11 AM to 8 PM, for Tom Green, Nolan, Sterling, Coke, Runnels, Irion, Concho, Crockett and Schleicher counties. West winds 20 to 25 miles an hour will gust to 35 miles an hour with humidity down to 10 percent.  Any fires that start will spread rapidly.  Outdoor activities that may result in flames or sparks are strongly discouraged.

Join Hands Day

An event that is part of the national Join Hands Day project will take place tomorrow in San Angelo.  Royal Neighbors of America local San Angelo Service Chapter will partner with the Concho Valley Master Gardeners and a Girl Scout Troop to plant a Live Oak tree near the cabins at the San Angelo State Park. The tree-planting is scheduled for 6:30 PM tomorrow. Join Hands Day is celebrated annually the first Saturday of May with the goal of bringing together "multi-generational" groups to work together to make their community better.  You can find out more at join-hands-day-dot-org.

Wollner Sentenced

Trestin Wollner has received 11 years in prison for murder.

This follows Tuesday's conviction in the death of Sam Harrison at a party near Dove Creek the day before Christmas Eve 2012.

The district attorney's office says the then-17-year-old Wollner shot the 19-year-old Harrison with a shotgun. The two of them and a couple other people at the party had a fight at some point in the evening.

The office says Harrison lay down in a truck bed, only to have Wollner approach the truck with the shotgun. Harrison only wore boxers and socks as he approached Wollner in what witnesses described as between a power walk and a jog.

Assistant district attorney Jason Ferguson calls the right to self-defense an important one, but not an excuse to kill.

Wollner must serve five and a half years before any prospect of parole.

Town Hall Meeting

McNease Convention Center holds a voting center town hall meeting tomorrow.

The meeting features representatives from Lubbock County, the first county in the state to consolidate polling places into voting centers.

These people present the concept and discuss the protocol for making that change.

The Tom Green County Elections Office has proposed instituting voting centers.

The meeting begins at 11 o'clock tomorrow at the convention center.

Irving St Closed

Part of Irving Street in San Angelo has intermittent daytime closures for nearly the next two months.

The closure stretches from Concho Avenue to Veterans Memorial Drive.

The road closes so that crews can install new sewer lines across the street.

Closure and detour signs direct traffic in the area. At least one lane remains open to traffic at night. No work on the lines happens after dark.

The parking lot adjacent to The Bosque games court area along the Concho River has access only from the south during the daytime closures.

Faculty Fellows

Angelo State has formed its next group of Community-Engaged Faculty Fellows.

This group develops courses for this fall semester that the university hopes improves student involvement in the community.

ABC Center

The Autism Behavior Communication Center for Children has a grand opening next Tuesday.

It takes place at the A-B-C Center on Spaulding and North Browing streets in San Angelo.

The event begins at 4:30.

Healthy Seminars

Shannon Health & Wellness offers Words of Wellness Workshops that urge people to incorporate healthy behaviors into their daily routines.

One seminar has the title "Portion Distortion."  It runs on Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

Another workshop called "Get Fit for Your Life!" takes place a couple times next month.

For more information, contact Shannon Health, or visit www.wordsofwellness.org.

Bradford

San Angelo continues discussing renovations to Bradford Elementary School park with people who live in the neighborhood.

A meeting on this takes place May 8 at 5:30 in Bradford's cafeteria.

Carl White from parks and recreation and construction manager David Knapp plan on discussing the renovations' design.  People gave input on the design last spring.

The city says next month's meeting helps solidify the design's direction, which finishes in the coming months.

The project may actually begin this summer.  It takes a year to complete.

ASU Top Grade

Angelo State has named a San Angelo native this year's Presidential Award winner.

Wall High School graduate Sean Motl has emerged as the top graduate in his class at ASU.  He has majored in psychology and minored in chemistry.

Motl receives recognition at the university's commencement May 10.  Following graduation, he attends the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School to prepare for a career in global health and human rights in Francophone Africa.

ASU Professor Poetry Contest

An Angelo State professor has won first prize in a poetry contest from Jewish Currents magazine.

The poem from Chris Ellery has won the second annual Alexander and Dora Raynes Poetry Competition.

Ellery's poem "Shekinah" has emerged as the best of 700 poems nationwide.  The poem illustrates the friendship of two boys -- an Arab and a Jew -- in Bethlehem right before the partition of Palestine.

Poet and playwright Joan Larkin has judged the contest, saying Ellery's poem "explores family and brotherhood simply and beautifully."

The works of all 40 finalists make up a new poetry collection that the magazine's book imprint publishes next month.

Water Usage Update

On Sunday, San Angelo was saving water. City residents and businesses used 10-point-one million gallons of water compared to 12-point-five million on the same date last year.

Rainfall-to-Date

Weekend showers increased San Angelo's year-to-date rainfall to zero-point-five-two inches--just over half an inch--which is more than 4 inches below normal. Unfortunately, the city's Water Utilities Department reported that did nothing to raise lake levels. Ivie Reservoir remains at 12 percent of its capacity, Twin Buttes is down to two percent and Nasworthy has shrunk to 53 percent.

ASU Research Symposium

More than 40 Angelo State University students will present the results of their academic research and creative endeavors during the Third annual Undergraduate Research Symposium Thursday, in the Houston Harte University Center on Rosemont Drive. The symposium will run from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and will include student interaction with community members who are interested in research activities on campus.

Assault Arrest

On Sunday night, San Angelo police responded to the Creekside Apartments on Knickerbocker Road in reference to an Assault in progress. Upon arriving on scene, officers confronted a white male leaving an apartment and the subject refused to comply with verbal commands as he pushed passed officers. Attempts to subdue him with a Taser were unsuccessful and the man then ran toward an area behind the apartments. That's where police say he was finally taken into custody after a lengthy struggle. He was identified as 24-year-old Jerry Lee Smith.

SA Unemployment

San Angelo's unemployment rate continues to drop. The jobless figure last month four-point-two percent compared to four-point-six percent in February and four-point-nine percent in March of 2013. About one-thousand more people have jobs than a year ago. The March rate of four-point-two percent compares five-point-three percent statewide and six-point-eight percent nationally.

HUD Funding Meetings

The City of San Angelo has scheduled public meetings to discuss funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. San Angelo will get getting an estimated 700-thousand dollars from ghd Community Development Block Grant Program and almost 250-thousand dollars from the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. Citizens and interest groups are invited to get information and provide input at a meeting this evening at 6 o'clock at Southside Recreation Center on Ben Ficklin Road and next Tuesday at 6 PM at the Carl Ray Johnson Recreation Center on North Farr Street.

Easter Events

This weekend's Easter events include First Baptist Church's Easter egg hunt from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Firefighters Memorial City Park on East Twohig Avenue. And TLC's 14th Easter Fest will be at Texas Bank Sports Complex on Rio Concho Drive, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. It's free for the whole family. There will be food, drinks, face painting, rock climbing and the Texas largest Easter Egg Hunt.

Water District Manager Fired

For the second time in the last year and a half, the Tom Green County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 has an opening for a district manager. On Wednesday, board members voted unanimously to fire Linda Schneeman. According to the Standard-Times, Schneeman said after the meeting--quote--"I knew they were going to fire me. I've been threatened a lot." Schneeman was hired in October 2012 to replace Yantis Green who resigned in the wake of a federal embezzlement scandal.

Nature Center Easter

The San Angelo Nature Center on Knickerbocker Road will host an Easter event on Saturday from 1 to 4 PM. The festivities include an egg hunt, a petting zoo, photo stations (participants are encouraged to bring a camera) and free candy. The cost is one dollar per person for Nature Center members. Non-members pay between one and four dollars, depending on age.

Discover ASU

Angelo State University will welcome high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors and their families to campus on Saturday, April 26th, for "Discover ASU." It's a daylong program for high school students to learn about campus life and educational opportunities at the university. You can find out more about Discover ASU or register by calling the ASU Admissions Office or going online at myfuture-dot-angelo-dot-edu.

Good Friday Closures

City of San Angelo offices will be closed tomorrow in observance of Good Friday. If you have City business to conduct, you're asked do so today. There will be no interruption of trash service this weekend.





The Southside and Carl Ray Johnson recreation centers, and Station 618 and Santa Fe Crossing senior centers will be closed tomorrow.

Water Usage

Residents and businesses were saving water over the weekend.  On Saturday and Sunday, San Angelo used 11-point-eight million and 11-point-five million gallons of water, respectively, compared to 11-point-nine million and 13-point-three million on the same dates last year.

New Fertilizer Rules

The state Fire Marshal wants new rules on how fertilizer plants handle ammonium nitrate. Chris Connealy told a legislative committee in Austin that plants should store the chemical in fireproof containers or have automatic sprinklers. Connealy believes those requirements would help prevent disasters like last year's explosion in West.

Davis Bomber Sentenced

A homeless man is going to prison for seven years for a fire at state Senator Wendy Davis' office. Tarrant County prosecutors say Cedric Steele received the sentence following a guilty plea for arson. Steele admitting to throwing several Molotov cocktails at Davis' office in March 2012. No injuries were reported.  Davis is currently seeking the Democratic Party's nomination for governor.

San Angelo School Make-Up Days

A reminder for students in the San Angelo Independent School District and their parents.  To make up for two days when winter weather kept schools closed, officials say classes will take place this Friday--Good Friday.  The other make-up day will be on Monday, May 19th. Schools were closed on December 6th and February 11th by weather that left roads, parking lots, and other places icy and unsafe.

SAPD Lieutenant

A San Angelo Police Department Lieutenant, along with 221 other law enforcement officers, recently graduated from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Virginia. The 256th Session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 47 states. The class also included members of law enforcement agencies from the District of Columbia and 23 foreign countries. Lieutenant Mike Hernandez, who oversees the San Angelo Police Department Community Services Division, was among the selected few chosen to attend his year’s session.

Water Usage UPD

Water-saving continued on Friday in San Angelo as city residents and businesses used 11-point-eight million gallons of water compared to 12-point-three million on the same date last year.  To show why conservation is important, San Angelo rainfall year-to-date is at one-third of an inch.  Last year at this time it was over two and a half inches and normally it would be over four inches.

Shots fired, suspect arrested

Last Thursday evening, San Angelo police responded to the Bella Vista Apartments in the 4100 block of Ben Ficklin Road for several reports of shots fired. Upon arriving, officers found a Honda Accord that had damage consistent with rounds fired from a handgun.  The woman who was the target of those gunshots was unharmed and not in the vehicle at the time of the incident. After an all points bulletin was issued, the suspect was located at the Arden Ridge Apartments.  22-year-old Mark Edwin Jones the Second was arrested on a charge of deadly conduct.

Pedestrian Bridges Closed

The Concho River's pedestrian bridges will be closed this week. The low pedestrian bridge, east of the Visitors Center and nearest to the Girl Scouts' offices, has been temporarily closed for repairs. As part of the river improvement project, the bridge's wood decking is being replaced. It is scheduled to reopen tomorrow morning. The high pedestrian bridge, west of the Visitors Center, is scheduled to be closed Wednesday morning for concrete repairs, maintenance and touch-up painting. The bridge should reopen no later than next Monday, April 21st.

Family Day

Angelo State chemistry students and faculty help SAMFA host Family Day Art and Science this Saturday.

The event shows the connections between art and science in a fun family setting.

Activities include students leading art and science experiments, art in the SAMFA education studio, interactive tours in the galleries with chemistry students, and chemistry magic shows.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hit and Run Suspect

San Angelo Police want help in identifying a hit and run suspect who left a crash scene yesterday.

Police say a silver older model Buick headed south on Gunner Street and through the stop sign at Avenue Q.

The car hit an eastbound motorcycle and did not stop, heading eastbound on Avenue R. Police believe it may have damage to its right back side.

Witnesses at the scene describe the suspect as a Hispanic male.

The 44-year-old motorcyclist went to San Angelo Community Medical Center for treatment.

School Make Up Dates

San Angelo school officials say classes now take place on Good Friday and a day next month to make up for lost time.

Classes now happen on Friday, April 18 and Monday, May 19.

The new dates result from winter weather closing schools on December 6 and February 11. It left roads, parking lots, and other places icy and unsafe.

Kids Marathon

Shannon Medical Center is inviting all area elementary students to join them for the CATCH in Motion Kid's Marathon Final Lap Celebration next Thursday, April 17th, 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 get a water bottle and the first 500 finishers get a medal and a t-shirt.

ASU Jazz Concert

Angelo State University's Jazz Ensemble will perform its spring concert next Tuesday, April 15th, in the ASU Auditorium. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and is open free to the public. The ASU Auditorium is located in the Mayer Administration Building on West Avenue N. The show includes songs by Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, George Gershwin and Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein. For more information, contact the ASU Department of Visual and Performing Arts.

Perry in South Pacific

Governor Perry is in the South Pacific helping out in an effort to find remains from servicemen missing since World War Two. It's a two-week trip organized by the BentProp project looking for downed aircraft in a series of islands now called Palau. The project has about 80 MIAs listed believed downed in flight missions in the area.

President and Mrs. Obama to Visit Fort Hood

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are expected to visit Fort Hood Wednesday for the memorial service of victims in last week's tragedy. The president's last visit to Fort Hood was to speak at the memorial service for the 13 killed in the 2009 massacre. They're also scheduled to be in Austin this week for festivities celebrating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act.

Gas Prices Up

Gasoline prices continued their spring push this week amid tightened supplies and increasing demand. That's according to Triple-A, which says the national average for a gallon of regular is the highest since August. It's currently at three-58 a gallon, up three cents from a week ago. In Texas, the statewide average is three-40, up four cents. In San Angelo, gas-buddy-dot-com reports the price of regular ranges from three-24 to three-47 a gallon. Triple-A says prices may move a little higher in the coming weeks, but the end is likely in sight for many drivers across the country.

Dog Therapy

Registration is open for therapy dog preparation classes beginning tomorrow. The four-week training class, open to dogs 1 year or older, will run from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturdays. Classes cost $80 per dog/owner team, and owners must provide proof of rabies vaccination. Therapy dogs are volunteer dogs, along with handlers, taken to schools, hospitals, nursing homes and other therapeutic settings to interact with patients.

To enroll in the class, complete a registration form at dogjazz.com.

Fort Hood Shooter ID

The soldier responsible for Wednesday's deadly shooting at Fort Hood never saw combat in Iraq.  Army Secretary John McHugh told the Senate Armed Services Committee today Specialist Ivan Lopez served as a truck driver in Iraq for four months. He said Lopez bought the weapon used in the shooting off base and never registered it with the post. Lopez took his own life after killing three fellow soldiers at the army base, and injuring 16. Lt. General Mark Milley says a memorial service will be held next week to honor the victims.

Progress at Meet and Confer

The City of San Angelo (COSA) and the San Angelo Coalition of Police (SACOP) made some strides at this week's Meet and Confer meeting. For the past eight months the two sides have been at an impasse over a proposed police pay raise. At the latest meeting, they've agreed on a starting point for negotiations, City staff and SACOP began making plans for how to move forward.

South Orient Railroad Rehab

The South Orient Rail Line, which runs from San Angelo to Presidio, is getting some much-needed TLC. To extend renovations to Fort Stockton, they are asking for support to get more funding. The South Orient Railroad fell into the hands of Texas in 2001. Rehabilitation began eight years later on the Eastern-most part of the line to San Angelo. TxDOT made it a plan to continue construction Westward. Next up, Fort Stockton, and surrounding counties are all on board. Brewster County Commissioner, Mike Pallanez says they've submitted a letter to TxDOT Rail Division in support of their application for grant money to rehabilitate the line between Fort Stockton and San Angelo. TxDOT Rail Division says, "At a national level, this project will support the goal of energy independence, in addition to providing future potential to export goods from the U.S. to Mexico."

SAPD recover stolen vehicle

You may have noticed San Angelo police in the midst of a search around Christoval Road and South Chadbourne street areas yesterday. They were looking for a man wanted for vehicle theft. The man, described to be a hispanic male in his mid 40's with a stocky build and short haircut was on foot in the area. Police were searched areas of Dellwood, Crestwood and South Chadbourne streets. Police found both the suspect and the vehicle - a stolen landscaping truck. The suspect was arrested and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Registration Set for Therapy Dog Classes

Registration is open for therapy dog preparation classes beginning tomorrow. The four-week training class, open to dogs 1 year or older, will run from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Saturdays. Classes cost $80 per dog/owner team, and owners must provide proof of rabies vaccination. Therapy dogs are volunteer dogs, along with handlers, taken to schools, hospitals, nursing homes and other therapeutic settings to interact with patients.

To enroll in the class, complete a registration form at dogjazz.com.

Cub Scouts Pick Up Litter

The lot behind Target and the former Big 5 Sporting Goods is no longer an eyesore thanks to some Cub Scouts. Cub Scout Pack 374 and their parents spent most of a recent afternoon picking up the litter - and a lot of it - behind Target. By the end of the clean up effort, plastic shopping bags, litter, bottles and other debris in the area were gone. The scouts teamed up with a charter at Sierra Vista Methodist Church to organize the cleanup.

DeCoty Fire

Fire fighters responded to a fire at the DeCoty Coffee Company plant on Austin Street yesterday just after noon. While the plant has an internal fire brigade, they needed assistance with the fire that was in the in the plants's roaster chimney area. The San Angelo Fire Department discharged 90 pounds of dry chemical extinguisher into the building’s chimney system from the roof. Battalion Chief Ricky Long said the dry extinquisher did most of the work, and less than a five gallon bucket of water was necessary to cut the heat. Long said he has responded to multiple fires at DeCoty and that  the SAFD actually trains at the building. DeCoty may have to replace two sections of pipe and melted insulation material to repair the damage.

Dog Park Meeting

Those in favor of the development of a dog park in San Angelo met last night for a public meeting. The group is trying to come up with ideas for doing some private fundraising. Last month, the City Council voted to move forward with the idea presented to them by a local girl scout. Fundraisers, grants and walkathons are some ideas proposed to cover the costs. Proposed locations for dog park are near Lone Wolf Bridge or near College Hills. The second location would be cheaper with development costs ranging from $50-$150,000. The plan is to ensure the sapce is at least  2 acres with separate parks for smaller and larger dogs.

WIC Division Manager Retiring

The WIC Division manager for the City of San Angelo and six surrounding counties will retire at the end of this month. Gloria Hale has worked for the organization for 22 years, and served as manager for  9 years. Her career includes more than 35 years as a registered nurse. WIC - which stands for Women, Infants and Children - is a city-administered nutrition program that helps pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children eat well, learn about nutrition and stay healthy.

Woman Carrying Rifle

San Angelo Police are relieved no was was injured by a woman walking around with what appeared to be a rifle on Monday. Police responded to the report of the woman and asked her several times to drop the gun before she finally did. The 25 year old woman - who as it turns out was carrying a pellet gun - was released to the custody of Tom Green County Mental Health Deputies.