Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Sports Update

The Astros lost last night to the Atlanta Braves three to two.  There's another one tonight at seven-ten when the teams have their rematch at Minute Maid Park.  Collin McHugh will be on the hill for Houston.

The Rangers just hope for a better day. Ian Kinsler homered in his first at bat against his former team, and the Detroit Tigers beat the Rangers in Arlington last night eight to two. The teams reconvene tonight at seven-oh-five.  Joe Saunders will pitch for the Rangers, looking for his first win of the season.

Also in baseball last night, the Colts defeated the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings three to one. The teams play again tonight at Foster Field at seven-fifteen.

The Central Bobcats Booster Club will have the 1st annual golf tournament at San Angelo Country Club on Monday, August 4th. It’s a four-man scramble and proceeds benefit the Central athletes thru the booster club.

TAME Trailer Encourages Science

Hundreds of San Angelo kids had fun learning science yesterday at the Trailblazers science on wheels exhibit outside of Stephens Central Library. The Trailblazer trailer had about 20 engineering exhibits people of all ages can interact with. The 40-foot traveling trailer is the idea of the Austin-based Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering. TAME encourages students to have a STEM — science, technology, engineering, math — career because few college students pursue those fields. The organization encourages minorities to pursue a STEM career. Currently, women only make up 22 percent in those careers. Members of the San Angelo Colts and a few players from the Wall High School football team volunteered, showed the participants how to interact with the exhibits and explained the science behind it.

San Angelo Water Report

San Angeloans used 1,582,000 gallons less water on June 24 than they did on the same date last year. The city of San Angelo pumped 11,702,000 gallons yesterday. Lake Nasworthy water level is at 89 percent with 9,125 acre-feet, Twin Buttes is at 13 percent water level with 23,265 acre-feet and O.H. Ivie water level is at 20 percent with 109,023 acre-feet.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Blood Drives

United Blood Services of San Angelo is continuing its emergency critical appeal for O Negative blood type.  At the latest count, UBS had only 11 pints on hand and it should have 67 pints.  In fact, all negative blood types are in low supply.  Mobile blood drives are scheduled on Wednesday from 4 to 6:45 PM at College Hills Baptist Church on Johnson Street and on Friday from 11 AM to 2:15 PM at Concho Educators FCU on West Loop 306.  Blood that is donated at UBS blood drives stays local and is used to save the lives of patients at Shannon and Community Medical.  

Teacher Pay Raise

Teachers in the San Angelo Independent School District will make more money in the upcoming school year. The SAISD Board of Trustees voted for raises totaling more than four-million dollars last night.  Teachers, along with librarians, registered nurses, and other employees, will receive a 14-hundred dollar general pay raise.  Starting salaries will be increased by 500 dollars to 37-thousand-500 dollars.  The compensation plan also includes a one-thousand dollar health insurance supplement.

Grape Creek ISD Theft

Some unauthorized bank transactions have been made from the Grape Creek ISD and the local law enforcement along with the FBI are investigating. At least $200,000 had been stolen as of yesterday afternoon through 64 automated clearinghouse withdraws. The sheriffs office is looking into the total amounts withdrawn and where they were deposited. The school district was alerted about the theft last week after recieving a call from a bank in Olney, Illinois regarding a $4,500 withdrawal. That's when they noticed an additional 64 unapproved withdrawals. Authorities are looking at each transaction, including names, account numbers, routing numbers and the amount withdrawn.

AECT Scam

The Association of Electric Companies of Texas has warned people of unsolicited calls and emails that threaten to cut off electricity to those who do not share personal information.

This edict has responded to a scam affecting people statewide.

The personal information includes bank accounts and Social Security numbers.

AECT says the scammers do not have the ability to cut service, but people may experience more service interruptions during the summer because the heat increases the prospect of losing it.

CEO John Fainter says law enforcement, electric companies, and consumer organizations continue investigating the scams.

Never provide Social Security, credit card, or bank account numbers to anyone requesting them through unsolicited phone calls and emails.

Senior Centers

Two senior centers in San Angelo close early on Wednesday, July 9.

The Station 618 and Santa Fe Crossing shut down at 2 o'clock that day to aloow the cleaning of carpets at both places.

The early closing does not affect Santa Fe Crossing's weekday lunch program or any programming scheduled before that time.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Crash Hits Beauregard Bridge

A Giddings man was taken to Shannon Medical Center for non-incapacitating injuries after an early morning crash that caused damage to Beauregard Bridge. Jesus Perez, 21 told police he had been drinking alcohol and fell asleep behind the wheel just before the crash. Heis Dodge Ram Pickup crashed through the guardrails on the north side of Beauregard Bridge after crossing over the median.

Friday, June 20, 2014

Water Usage UPD

San Angelo was saving water on Wednesday. City residents and businesses used 11-point-one million gallons of water, compared to 11-point-four million on the same date a year ago.

Single-Vehicle Accident

A single-vehicle accident north of San Angelo last night left the driver in the hospital. According to a member of the Grape Creek Volunteer Fire Department, it happened on March Road, near US 87 North. A pickup truck rolled off the roadway, flipped back rightside up, made a circle in the field and ejected a man. His name and his condition were not immediately released.

Rick Perry

Governor Rick Perry says he's better prepared if he decides to run for president in 2016. Perry told reporters in Washington, DC his failed 2012 run was "very humbling" and painful. And Perry admitted he "stepped in it" last week in San Francisco when he compared homosexuality to alcoholism, but declined to elaborate.

Furniture Theft Conviction

The trial of a San Angelo man accused of stealing lots of furniture ended Thursday. A jury convicted 40-year-old Mark Anthony Serrano and sentenced him to 25 years in prison. Serrano had been accused of stealing more than 100 pieces of furniture from the Trend Furniture store. That was a third-degree felony but, because of prior convictions, was upgraded to second-degree and 25 years is the mandatory minimum punishment, along with a fine of up to 10-thousand dollars.

Farmers Market

The annual grand opening of the Concho Valley Farmers Market is just a day away. It is scheduled for 7 AM to noon tomorrow. The vendors, who come from a 75-mile radius around San Angelo, will be offering locally grown and seasonal fruits, vegetables and plants under the Farmers Market Pavilion at 609 South Oakes Street, across from Fort Concho. The grand opening will feature live music, door prizes and free coffee and lemonade.

UBS Still Needs Blood

United Blood Services of San Angelo continues to struggle with chronically low supplies of O Negative Blood Type. Supplies have been low since June 6th. UBS has four pints on hand but needs to have 67 pints. All Negative blood types are low. You can call for an appointment to give blood at the United Blood Services Donation Center at 2020 West Beauregard. For more information, visit UnitedBloodServices-dot-org.




Thursday, June 19, 2014

Debris Dumping Locations

A reminder that the City of San Angelo has established two temporary areas for citizens removing storm debris from their property: One is the Coliseum parking lot, just north of Lake View Stadium. The other is the large parking area at the east end of Henry O. Flipper Street next to Fort Concho. The public is welcome to drop off their debris at any time at either location through week's end.

High Speed Chase

A police chase in San Angelo ended with the arrests of two juveniles and the recovery of a stolen vehicle. It happened early Wednesday morning after an officer saw two vehicles northbound on South Bryant Boulevard that had apparently collided. One of them, a white Chevy Impala, led police on a chase with speeds reaching 100 miles an hour until the driver lost control and hit a traffic signal pole at Washington Drive. The driver, a 13-year-old boy, was not injured and was taken into custody. The other car, a blue Dodge Neon was found a short time later and turned out to have been stolen on Sunday. The driver of that car, a 14-year-old boy, was also arrested.

Neighborhood Fishin'

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Neighborhood Fishin' program stocks the Concho River near Celebration Bridge with approximately 600 catfish. With the support of a generous donation from Field & Stream Sporting Goods, the program will stock the river with 12-inch catfish again this tomorrow. The fish start biting immediately after their release into the river.

Operation Broken Heart

A man was arrested in Tom Green County as part of a month-long undercover investigation of people who use the Internet to target children. The Office of the Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force collaborated with state and federal law enforcement agencies to conduct “Operation Broken Heart.” 28-year-old Christopher Lara is among 23 suspected child predators taken into custody. Those arrested are accused of possessing, producing or distributing child pornography; engaging in commercial and online solicitation of children for sexual purposes; and/or traveling abroad to sexually abuse foreign children.

Tower Faller ID

The San Angelo Police Department has released the name of the man who fell to his death from a downtown telephone tower on Tuesday afternoon. He was 28-year-old Cody Freeman of The Colony, a contractor with MTSI.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Federal Clean Water Act

The Tom Green County commissioners have voted to oppose a potential expansion to the federal Clean Water Act.The Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers proposed a rule placing ditches, ponds, flood plains and other areas connected to downstream navigable waters, under federal control. The commissioners adopted a resolution in opposition of the rule today, which remains in the public comment phase until Oct. 20, and will send it to the Texas Legislature.

Changes to Sign Ordinance

The San Angelo City Council has approved changes to the the city’s sign ordinance - but not unanimously. The measure, that will allow for businesses to place portable signs for 180 days in a year and to place free-standing signs on a street corner - passed by a vote of 4-2. Councilwoman Elizabeth Grindstaff says she voted against the change because she wants to protect the community and its character. Mayor Dwain Morrison, who voted for the measure, said he believed it should be up to the business owner to decide how long to leave a sign out.

BBB Needs Nominees

Every October, the Better Business Bureau in San Angelo recognizes Outstanding Service by local Businesses. All nominated businesses are highlighted and praised for their service to customers and one is selected to receive a crystal trophy as the Outstanding Business of the Year. If you know of a business or company that has gone above and beyond in customer service, you can nominate them by writing a letter to the Better Business Bureau or by going online to san-angelo-bbb-dot-org and clicking on "Compliment a Business." The deadline for nominations is September 8th.

Fatal Fall

Shortly before two o'clock Tuesday afternoon, San Angelo Police responded to the report of an unconscious person at 378 South Chadbourne Street. Upon arrival, police were met by San Angelo Fire Department personnel who advised that a man had fallen from a telephone tower and died.  Police say the victim was a a contractor with MTSI out of Richardson, Texas.  He was about 140 feet above ground doing repair work on the tower when he experienced issues with his safety equipment and fell to his death.  Police were not releasing the victim's name until next of kin have been notified.

Blood Drives

United Blood Services is continuing an urgent appeal for O Negative blood donations. UBS says it should have 67 pints of O negative on its shelves but it only has four pints.  A mobile blood drive is being held today at Shannon Medical Center on East Harris from 9 AM to 6:30 PM.  Donors get a choice of two movie passes or 10-dollar Starbucks or Gift Shop gift card.  Another drive takes place tomorrow at Jim Bass Ford at 4032 Houston Harte from 2.30 to  5.30 PM in support of Katy Murray – for every four pints of blood donated, Katy’s medical account will be credited for one.  Call UBS for an appointment at either blood drive or at the donation center on West Beauregard.  The number is 223-7500.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

July 3rd Pops Concert

The 27th annual San Angelo Symphony July 3rd Pops Concert is coming up, when else, on Thursday, July 3rd. It will be held at the Bill Aylor Senior Memorial RiverStage on the banks of the Concho River at 16 East Avenue A. The gates will open at noon; the Community Band will begin at 7:00 pm, followed by the San Angelo Symphony at 8:30 pm. This concert, which draws more than 35-thousand in attendance, is now the 4th largest in the state of Texas. For more information, go to san-angelo-symphony-dot-org.

Shannon Retirement

A urologist whose career at Shannon Medical Center has spanned four decades is retiring. Dr. Gail Flood began practicing at Shannon in July of 1979. A reception for Dr. Flood is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25th from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Shannon Women’s & Children’ Conference Room at 201 East Harris. Current and former patients, staff and the public are invited to attend.

Water Usage UPD

Despite more recent rainfall, on Tuesday, San Angelo water usage was up from the year before. City businesses and residents used 11 and a half million gallons of water compared to 11-point-three million on the same date in 2013. A reminder that, under San Angelo's current drought restrictions, outside watering is limited to once every seven days at no more than 1 inch per application. Watering is prohibited from noon to 6 p.m.

Wednesday Night Storm

Thousands of people in Tom Green County lost power as a storm blew through San Angelo last night. Winds topped 60 miles an hour, according to the National Weather Service, knocking down trees and power lines. As a result, American Electric Power says more than 21-thousand customers were without power and some might not have it restored until today or later. Damage reportedly included a collapsed barn or similar structure in Grape Creek. And, according to the Standard Times, there was extensive damage at the Multi-Chem building on Sunset Drive and a scoreboard at Old Bobcat Stadium blew over.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Saturday Crash

Police say a man could not control the speed of his vehicle in a San Angelo collision from the weekend.

KSAN-TV reports officers responded to the intersection of North Howard and Coleman streets on Saturday night.

The 55-year-old man driving a Jaguar rear-ended a Nissan at the intersection.

The 25-year-old woman driving the Nissan went to Shannon Medical Center with minor injuries.

Tom Green County Treasurer

The Texas Association of Counties has honored Tom Green County’s longtime treasurer and a handful of other officials around the state.

The San Angelo Standard Times reports the Conference of the County Investment Academy has recognized Dianna Spieker for her job performance.

The Texas Public Funds Investment Act requires county commissioners courts to designate an investment officer to invest county funds.

Spieker has spent 15 years in the academy program.

ASU Provost Search

Angelo State's president has approved a search committee to recommend a new provost and vice president for academic affairs.

Two people lead this committee of 12: Vice president for student affairs and enrollment management Javier Flores, and physical therpay professor and faculty senate president Heather Braden.

The university hopes to fill the position by the end of the year.

Nancy Allen continues serving as interim provost.  She has done so since Brian May left ascended from that position to university president last November.

Big Spring VA

The director of the West Texas VA Health Care System in Big Spring says his facility doesn't exhibit any misconduct.

The national probe into VA facilities has flagged Big Spring as one that needs further investigation.

The San Angelo Standard Times reports Michael Kiefer saying the initial audit shows no willful misconduct at this facility.  He says the auditors describe his staff members as "dedicated and passionate people who care about veterans."

Kiefer says auditors have found a couple of areas of non-compliance with the VA’s scheduling directive.  They have made suggestions on how to fix those problems.

The report does not say why Big Spring needs a second review.

July Pops Concert

The San Angelo Symphony continues preparing for its July 3rd Pops Concert.

It takes place that night at the Bill Aylor Sr. Memorial RiverStage on East Avenue A.

The gates open at noon.  The community band plays at 7 o'clock.  The symphony starts performing at 8:30.

The symphony calls the concert the fourth-largest in the state, saying it draws 35,000 people.  It includes the Fort Concho cannos, the men and women of Goodfellow Air Force Base, and -- of course -- fireworks.

Water Problems

San Angelo's city council yesterday met in Bronte to discuss water conservation.

The water utilities director told lawmakers that leaks cause the city to lose a quarter of its annual water supply.

KLST-TV reports the mayor describing this information as something that hit him "out of the blue."

The leakage comes from the two-foot iron galvanized pipes under the ground in North San Angelo.  The 60-year-old pipes connect several neighborhoods to the water treatment plant.

The pipe system may cost $100 million dollars to replace.  At the moment, it would take 69 years to install new plastic pipes at $1.3 million annually.

Other water goals for the city include a water conservation plan and a diversified long-term water supply in the next decade.

The city council seeks to reduce the amount of water wasted to 13 percent in five years.

Monday, June 9, 2014

3-Vehicle Crash

San Angelo police say two people were injured in a three-vehicle crash on Saturday afternoon.  It happened just after 5 PM at 7th and Chadbourne.  The driver of a Ford Expedition was transported to the hospital for treatment of non-incapacitating injuries. Police suspect 29-year-old Margaret Delrio was under the influence of an intoxicant at the time of the crash.  They say Delrio was heading westbound on 7th when she ran the red light at Chadbourne. This caused her to collide with a Ford F150 northbound on Chadbourne. The driver, a 48-year-old man, was taken to a hospital, also with injuries said to be non-incapacitating.  The force of the collision caused his vehicle to go across Chadbourne and hit a Chevy Tahoe.  No one in the Tahoe was injured.

Farmers Market

The annual grand opening of the Concho Valley Farmers Market is less than two weeks away.  It is scheduled for 7 AM to noon on Saturday, June 21st.  The vendors, who come from a 75-mile radius around San Angelo, will be offering locally grown and seasonal fruits, vegetables and plants under the Farmers Market Pavilion at 609 South Oakes Street, across from Fort Concho. The grand opening will feature live music, door prizes and free coffee and lemonade.

Fatal Crash

A San Angelo man was arrested by the DPS early Sunday in connection with a multivehicle crash on Saturday night outside the city that killed two people and injured two others.  20-year-old Richard Michael Garcia III was booked into the Tom Green County Jail on two counts of criminally negligent homicide, accident involving injury, racing on highway causing serious bodily injury, and driving while intoxicated.  Garcia is blamed for causing the wreck involving four vehicles about 15 miles west of San Angelo on US 67.  Killed in the crash and pronounced dead at the scene were 21-year-old Stephen Tyler Wadsworth and 22-year-old Emily McKenna Word, both of San Angelo.

ASU Promotes from Within

After conducting a nationwide search, Angelo State University has chosen someone already at the school to become the new vice president for finance and administration.  Angie Wright, who has 23 years of administrative experience at ASU, has been serving in that job on an interim basis for the past 15 months. Wright is also a graduate of Angelo State as well as Lake View High School.

Burglar Caught

Thanks to a tenacious cop, a San Angelo man wound up behind bars shortly after leaving a house he had burglarized.  Police responded just after noon Thursday to a burglary reported in the 100 block of East 23rd Street.  The victim provided a description for the suspect, who had fled the house just moments earlier.  An officer who made several sweeps of the area eventually located a man who matched the description: 22-year-old Estevan Trujillo, who was found to have a knife and a screwdriver. Trujillo was transported to the Tom Green County Jail without incident and charged with Burglary of a Habitation.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Water Main Break

Life has returned to normal following a water main break in San Angelo.

KLST-TV reports a crew ruptured a major main at Southland Boulevard and Green Meadow Drive.

The water department says a private company laying pipe dug into the ground with a small tractor in front of the fire station.

Some nearby residents complained of low water pressure.  Additionally, water shot out of the pipe almost hit power lines.

Hit and Run

San Angelo Police continue looking for a hit and run driver from Tuesday.

Police say the driver dragged a woman 500 feet before leaving the scene on Knickerbocker Road.

They now describe the vehicle as possibly tan-colored, contrary to inital reports of white or cream.  This tan-colored possibly extended cab or four-door may also tow a rust-colored trailer with a rust-colored tractor.

Someone last saw the truck traveling southwest towards Lake Nasworthy.

Police also now describe the suspect as a white man between ages 30 and 50.  They say he has curly strawberry-blond hair cut to the middle of his neck.  He may wear a dark blue baseball cap.

The woman remains under medical observation in Dallas with severe injuries.

Meth Arrest

A police dog in San Angelo used his nose to put a man in the county jail.

The dog smelled drugs during a traffic stop Wednesday night on East 42nd Street.

Officers found meth in the vehicle that 47-year-old Randy Summerlin drove.

Police charged Summerlin with criminal possession of a controlled substance.

New Web Pages

San Angelo's development services department has something new on the city's website: A page for each of the city's 24 neighborhoods.

Residents, business owners, and visitors can now find information about commercial developments, public infrastructure improvements, and demographic data.Each page includes a PDF map that shows assets like schools, churches, fire stations, and parks.Each page includes a PDF map that shows assets like schools, churches, fire stations, and parks.

The pages also feature interactive maps showing locations and types of development projects.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Water Use in San Angelo

The city has a 18-month supply of water remaining and residents are using less water this year than last. San Angeloans used two-million-three-hundred-sixty-nine-thousand gallons less water on May 29 than they did on the same date last year. The city of San Angelo pumped 10,297,000 gallons yesterday; on May 29, 2013, the city pumped 12,666,000 gallons. San Angelo remains in drought level 2 which means outside watering is allowed once every 14 days with no exceptions given for new landscapes. Watering outdoors still is prohibited from noon to 6 p.m., when evaporation rates are highest. No more than 1 inch of water is allowed for each application.

Lake Nasworthy water level is at 95 percent with 9,698 acre-feet, Twin Buttes is at 8 percent water level with 15,577 acre-feet and O.H. Ivie water level is at 20 percent with 112,834 acre-feet. As of May 28, 8.27 inch of rainfall was received in 2014; by May 28 last year, 6.38 inches had fallen. Normal rainfall for this time of year is 7.69 inches. A burn ban is NOT in effect for Tom Green County. Outdoor burning within San Angelo city limits is prohibited.

Shoplifter Arrested

San Angelo police apprehended a suspected shoplifter and seized property he had allegedly stolen.  Officers responded early Wednesday morning after receiving a call regarding a shoplifter who had just left Wal-Mart Supercenter on West 29th Street with a 37-inch television. A perimeter was established and the suspect was located, captured and arrested.  Police say 21-year-old Joshua Noriega was found to be in possession of a driver's license and debit card that had been taken in a vehicle burglary the night before.  Those items were returned to the burglary victim and the TV was returned to Wal-Mart. 

Kidney Support Group

The next meeting of the Concho Valley Kidney Support Group is scheduled for next week. . The informal group is open to pre-dialysis, dialysis and post-transplant patients and their caregivers and loved ones. Kidney disease can be very scary, but it can be controlled, slowed and sometimes prevented. The group meets monthly on the first Tuesday of each month and covers various topics with occasional guest speakers.  Next Tuesday's meeting will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Legacy Room area on the second floor of Shannon Medical Center on East Harris

Water Supply in San Angelo

The City of San Angelo says water is still flowing into Ivie and Twin Buttes reservoirs, so there is still no firm calculation of San Angelo's available water supply. The Water Utilities director says it's safe to say that once the runoff has reached its destination, the supply will total more than 18 months.  Next Tuesday, the city council is scheduled to discuss drought restrictions.  In the meantime, current restrictions remain in effect: outside watering is limited to once every 14 days at no more than one inch per application, and watering is prohibited from noon to 6 p.m.