TxDOT Approves Millions For Concho Road Work

The state has now funded some long-needed road construction work in the Concho Valley. The Texas Transportation Commission approving three billion dollars in Proposition 12 bond funding to address congested highways, rehabilitate bridges and improve connectivity among the state's major cities. The San Angelo TxDOT District, which serves 15 counties, will receive about $23 million for 10 construction projects for Tom Green, Sutton and Schleicher counties. Construction will begin next summer for the projects, which include adding changing lanes on U.S. 277 between San Angelo and Sonora, replacing bridges at U.S. 277 and 67 and completing widening and resurfacing work on FM388, or Paint Rock Road, near Bell Street. Eight of the 10 projects approved for San Angelo's TxDOT region make up what's called a "Super 2" highway. The highway project will be grouped into three contracts — Christoval, Christoval to Eldorado and Eldorado to Sonora.

MildTo Run For Sheriff

As expected, Tom Green County Sheriffs Captain Steve Mild announced this morning that's he's running for Sheriff. Mild has been a peace officer for thirty-nine years, including experience as a patrol officer, jailer, detective and supervisor. He's currently the number three person in the department's command structure. Mild has been with the Tom Green County Sheriff's department for eleven years. His announcement this morning puts his name in the hat for the county's republican primary election.

FLDS Trials May Remain In San Angelo

The trials of two more polygamist sect leaders accused of child sexual assault and bigamy may not be moved out of San Angelo as their lawyers hoped. Attorneys for former F-L-D-S President Wendell Neilsen suggested holding the trial in Runnels or Winkler Counties or other locations. They say they want to move the trial out of San Angelo because of the extensive media coverage when sect leader Warren Jeffs was tried and convicted over the summer. However, 51st District Judge Barbara Walther indicated she might not move the trials at all, at least not very far. She told the lawyers that the cases have been thoroughly covered by the media everywhere in Texas and that she preferred to remain within her district. Final pre-trial hearings are now set for October seventeenth.

Texas Bases, Others, Would Suffer Under Mandatory Spending Cuts

Digging deep in military cost-cutting. A report today says that a quarter of the U-S civilian defense workforce -- at least 200,000 jobs -- would be lost among other drastic measures if Congress can't come to an agreement on broader budget cuts. Lack of an agreement would trigger an automatic reduction in military spending. If that happens, Texas would inevitably be among the hardest-hit states. A report from Congressional Republicans today saying another round of base reductions and closures would likely happen if the 600-billion-dollar automatic military spending cut happens. The military has already been slapped with 350-billion dollars in cuts over the next ten years. No indication how Goodfellow or other area military bases might be affected if lawmakers fail to shrink the deficit by at least one-point-two trillion dollars over the next decade.

County Won't Apply For Law Enforcement Step Grant

The Tom Green County Sheriff's Office will go at least one more year without matching state funding for overtime pay for some activities. County commissioners say the amount the state requires the county to pony up in order to get a Step Grant is too high. The grant helps with overtime pay for DUI and speeding enforcement. That money wasn't there this year, either, because the grant was turned down.

Last Week Of 3-Day Farmers Market

Lack of rain is postponing some significant farm work this fall. Normally, fall planting would be under way in many areas but due to dry weather, some farmers are putting off planting until it rains. This is also the last week for the three-day-a-week farmer's market at the Paseo. It'll be open again tomorrow and Saturday. After that, only one farmer's market a week in San Angelo -- on Saturdays -- for the rest of the fall and winter.

Triple-Triple Heat Days

One hundred days of one hundred degrees. It happened in San Angelo yesterday when the high reached 102. The old record for hundred-degree days was sixty and that's obviously long gone. What's ahead? Forecasters say more warm weather but there could be a better chance for rain. Still, weather experts are looking at below-normal rainfall for the next three months.

Ex-Children's Advocacy Center Head Pleads Not Guilty of Embezzlement

The former head of San Angelo's Children's Advocacy Center has pleaded not guilty to charges to six counts of theft involving programs that received federal funds. Debra Brown entered the plea in front of a U-S magistrate in Lubbock. The indictment alleges Brown embezzled over a quarter of a million dollars from the Center. Brown was with the Children's Advocacy Center for sixteen years. She resigned in February after an internal audit uncovered irregularities. The Center's board then turned the findings over to the Texas Rangers and the F-B-I. Trial date has now been set for November ninth in Lubbock.

Hispanic Republicans Canvass Area

The Hispanic vote is among the most coveted in all politics. A group Hispanic Republicans of Texas is making a swing through west Texas to talk about the future of Hispanics and the Republican Party. Group members, some of whom are state legislators, say it's all about dialog when it comes to getting their votes. In 2008 two out of three Hispanics voted for Barack Obama over John McCain. However, according to the National Association of Latino Elected Officials the number of Hispanic Democrats holding office nationwide dropped 2 percent since 2006 while the number of Hispanic Republicans in office increased by 22.5 percent. Last November, four Democratic seats in the Texas House, all held by Hispanic incumbents, were lost to Republican rivals.

SA Man Arrested In Series Of Gas Thefts

A San Angelo man has been arrested for stealing gasoline – and damaging gas tanks of parked cars -- in a series of incidents in the Concho Valley over the past few weeks. San Angelo Police Department charging 46-year-old Michael Henry in relation to numerous damaged vehicle gas tanks and gasoline thefts that have occurred in San Angelo from Aug. 15 to Sept. 20. Henry reportedly became a suspect in the recent gasoline thefts and damaged gas tanks after his vehicle was captured on video in the Shannon Hospital Parking lot after a botched attempt to steal fuel from a vehicle at that location last Wednesday. Police report they stopped Henry in the 1500 block of Glenna, and say he gave a statement to detectives admitting to being responsible for several of the incidents. There have been 23 vehicles that reportedly had fuel stolen in a similar manner.

Tainted Cantaloupe Kils Texas Man

Health officials in Texas and much of the Midwest and west concerned over some cantaloupe from Colorado that are tainted with the listeria bacteria. Now, an elderly Dallas County man has died after eating one of the bad cantaloupe. The man not identified. According to the Centers For Disease Control, his death would be the ninth attributed to the cantaloupes, which were produced by Jensen Farms in Holly, Colorado, and shipped to grocers in Texas and at least a dozen other states. The cantaloupe, which are sold under the Rocky Ford brand, have been recalled. If you're concerned about your cantaloupe, check with the grocer who sold it to you.

Flirting With 100th Hundred-Degree Day

It was a record nobody wanted and San Angelo flirted with it all day today: one hundred days of hundred-degree heat. At the start of the day, temps were forecast to hit close to a hundred if not to set the record. At last report, recording stations topped out at ninety-five. Some a touch less. It was 106 in the Concho Valley yesterday, just missing the record high of 107. That was the ninety-ninth day of triple-digit temperatures here. As I'll tell you in a minute, we probably won't hit that hundredth hundred-degree day any time this week.

Free Day Saturday At San Angelo Museums

It's National Museum Day tomorrow and that means free admission to several local museums you might not have visited for awhile. Or ever. Now's the time to get in free at Fort Concho National Historic Landmark on Oakes Street in San Angelo. Among other attractions tomorrow: an 1800's-vintage baseball game. You can also view an exhibit of the 75th Anniversary of the Great San Angelo Flood of 1936 in Barracks One. Free admission tomorrow also to the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts on Love Street. And to the San Angelo Railroad Museum, just a few blocks away on Chadbourne Street. A free day at all those attractions tomorrow as part of National Museum Day.

San Angelo "Most Wanted" Arrested

He was on San Angelo's "Most Wanted" list -- now, he's behind bars. It was a tip to CrimeStoppers that led officers to an area where Christopher McLelland was reportedly seen. Three officers searched the area, found McLelland and slapped on the cuffs. McLelland had been featured on "San Angelo's Most Wanted" just days ago. That apparently produced the tip that led to his arrest on burglary and forgery charges.

Execution Imminent For White Supremicist

A purported white supremacist is set to be executed for participating in a notorious hate crime in Texas, in which a black man was chained to the back of a pickup truck and dragged to his death. Lawrence Brewer is scheduled for lethal injection this evening. He was condemned for fastening 49-year-old James Byrd Jr. to the truck in Jasper in 1998 and pulling him along a bumpy road. Another man's case in Byrd's death remains under appeal. A third got life in prison.

Cold Case Solved With Prison Sentence

A very cold case -- closed. 56-year-old Gilbert Talamantes of San Angelo has been sentenced to sixteen years in prison in the 1976 stabbing death of Manuel Rodriguez. Cold case detectives reopened the case, tracked down leads and produced evidence that led to Talamantes' indictment for murder by a Tom Green County grand jury. He subsequently pled guilty to a reduced charge of voluntary manslaughter. Talamantes already serving time in prison for a variety of drug and burglary offenses.

SA Council Supports Prop 2 Water Measure

The San Angelo City Council today approved a resolution from the city's Development Corporation supporting Proposition 2, a proposed Texas constitutional amendment providing for water financial assistance bonds. The proposition will appear on the November 2012 ballot. The city says it would authorize the Texas Water Development Board to issue new bonds to raise funds for the Texas Water Development Fund, with the restriction that the total amount of bonds outstanding at any time does not exceed $6 billion. The state's water planning agency is providing a $120 million, low-interest loan to San Angelo to finance the Hickory Aquifer water supply project.

Water Conservation Proposition Gaining Traction In Austin

Bipartisan support building in Austin for a ballot initiative that would provide property tax incentives for water conservation in rural areas. The Nature Conservancy of Texas and several state lawmakers are establishing a Political Action Committee this week to draw attentyion to the initiative, which is known as Proposition Eight. Among the requirements for rural landowners who want those tax incentives: controlling erosion; managing habitat to benefit water quality or conservation; helping restore native aquatic and riverbank plant and animal species; and controlling invasive aquatic plants and animals.

San Angelo Woman Among Dead At Reno Air Races

A San Angelo woman has died in that air show crash in Reno. The Washoe County Medical Examiner confirming that 53-year-old Regina Bynum was among ten people who were killed when a vintage P-51 fighter plane crashed into the stands at the Reno Air Races. More than fifty others reported injured. Bynum, was attending the races with her husband, Jerry, who survived when debris from the crash flew into their seating area. Regina Bynum one of five fatalities now confirmed, including the plane's pilot, veteran raced Jimmy Leeward. The other five victims have not yet been identified. Bynum's body will be returned to San Angelo for burial.

Air Races to offer refunds

After Friday's tragedy at the Reno Air Races, other events were cancelled for the weekend. Air Race officials say they are working on a plan to refund the purchase price of tickets. As soon as they have the details, they'll post them on their website.


http://www.airrace.org/

More Funding For Volunteer Fire Departments

Volunteer fire departments in the Concho Valley and elsewhere are about to get some much-needed financial help. Lawmakers adding an additional five million dollars to the twenty-seven million already appropriated for the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. That’s to help cover expenses from the unprecedented wildfire season we’ve had this year

Another Counterfeit Currency Arrest in San Angelo

Another counterfeit currency arrest in the Concho Valley, the second in a week. San Angelo police say 35-year-old Gregory Garivay tried to pass a bogus fifty at the Dead Horse Saloon last night. When police were summoned, he was still there. Officers say they found around nine hundred dollars in counterfeit money on him.

John Deere Lawn Tractor Recall

If you own a John Deere lawn tractor, and many people in the Concho Valley do, listen up: John Deere has recalled more than 20,000 lawn tractors sold at John Deere dealers, Lowe’s and Home Depot stores from October of last year until this month. Here are the model numbers: D-as-in-Deere100, D110, D120 and D130. Those model John Deere lawn tractors are being recalled because hardware used to hold their blade brake assembly to the mower deck can break, causing the mower blades to spin longer than normal after power is turned off. This poses a laceration hazard, although no injuries have been reported.

Another Counterfeit Money Arrest In San Angelo

Another counterfeit currency arrest in the Concho Valley, the second in a week. San Angelo police say 35-year-old Gregory Garivay tried to pass a bogus fifty at teh Dead Horse Saloon last night. When police were summoned, he was still there. Officers say they found around nine hundred dollars in counterfeit money on him.

Legislators Blasted For Under-Funding Wildfire Protection

A former state legislator is calling it "dereliction of duty": An ambitious wildfire protection plan proposed more than three years ago by the Texas Forest Service is still barely half-funded, even as one of the worst fires in state history continues to burn in Bastrop County. The twenty-million-dollar plan would have added more than 200 firefighters, created rapid-response teams to quash small flare-ups, built advanced automated weather stations and established two training academies for wildfire crews. The Forest Service admits even that plan wouldn't have reduced the effects of the huge blazes being fought this month. Legislators have provided about twelve million less than Forest Service officials think they need for adequate wildfire protection.

Arbiter Upholds SA Police Officer Suspension

A San Angelo police officer's suspension for sexual harassment has been upheld by an arbiter. The officer was handed a five-day suspension without pay for allegedly hugging and trying to kiss a female records clerk two years ago. He testified he had not intended to kiss her, was only showing his appreciation for her work and that the suspension was unfair. But an arbiter in Dallas has ruled in favor of the San Angelo Police Department in upholding the suspension for what it calls "conduct unbecoming and officer".

Goodfellow Adds Surveillance Aircraft To Static Display

A new winged warrior joining the static display at Goodfellow Air Force Base. Base officials say an RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude unmanned aircraft system was set to arrive at Mathis Field today. The RQ-4 is described as a long-endurance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft that can be deployed worldwide. It will join the static display at Goodfellow at a later date.

No Property Tax Hike In Tom Green County

Good news about your property tax rate, at least if you live in Tom Green County. The county today approving its budget for the 2012 fiscal year and the property tax rate will remain the same: 52.5 cents per hundred dollars evaluation. The county will still realize more than half a million dollars in new property tax revenue. That comes from new property added to the tax rolls as well as increases in some property values. There could be additional tax income from the Tom Green County Appraisal District, which is controlled by the state of Texas.

Updates On Three Largest Wild Fires

The tally is now 1,554 homes burned in those massive fires that are raging near Austin. Over one hundred-thousand acres burning in just three major fires today. The Texas Forest Service says the 34,000-acre Bastrop County Complex Fire is now sixty percent contained with no fires burning outside the fire containment lines. The forty thousand-acre Bear Creek Fire in Cass County is eighty percent contained. Meanwhile, the 19,000-acre Riley Road blaze in Grimes, Montgomery and Waller Counties has destroyed at least 73 homes. It's now 75 percent contained.

Earthquake In Snyder

So that's what it was! Firefighters in Snyder were watching 9-11 ceremonies on TV at their firehouse yesterday when they suddenly heard a boom and felt their building shake. They were understandably relieved to learn that it was an earthquake. The U-S Geological Survey says a four-point-four magnitude earthquake was detected eleven miles northeast of Snyder around seven-thirty yesterday morning. Damage still be assessed today.

Guard Unit Marches To Commemorate 9-11

If you were out early yesterday near the Lone Wolf Pedestrian Bridge, you saw the Army on the march. That was the Lone Wolf Unit of the San Angelo Army National Guard, on a 6.2-mile march to commemorate the 9-11 attacks. The unit was on the road for about three-and-a-half hours. The Lone Wolf Unit is specially trained to clear roadways of anything from abandoned vehicles to improvised explosive devices.

Jeffs Trial Now Delayed Until January

Religious sect leader Warren Jeffs made an appearance in a San Angelo courtroom today - by telephone - and the result is that his new trial on a felony bigamy charge has been tentatively set back to Feb. 15, 2012. The trial was originally scheduled to start Oct. 31. At a pretrial hearing this morning which Jeffs, who is in a Galveston hospital, was given the new date after District Judge Barbara Walther asked him whether he would request additional time. Jeffs said he would. A pretrial hearing is now set to take place Jan. 6. Jeffs has been recovering in the prison hospital after being treated following an episode of malnourishment apparently brought on by fasting. It was not known when he would return to Huntsville state prison, where he is serving a term of life plus 20 years on two convictions of sexual assault of a child.

Massive Air Tanker Not Yet Needed For Huge Blaze

Firefighters were prepared to launch the biggest aerial assault yet of a massive wildfire that has raged across Central Texas,
but now say there's no need at present. The blazes have destroyed nearly 1,400 homes and tens of thousands of acres of drought-parched land. Officials had planned to deploy a converted DC-10 jumbo jet capable of dropping 12,000 gallons of fire retardant on the blaze and smoldering hotspots. But the Texas Forest Service says that, while the plane is ready to go, there's no immediate need. Retardant is dropped to help make flames shorter and smaller, allowing firefighters on the ground to make headway. Crews have said they've made steady progress against the fire near Austin and have closed in around its biggest flames and are focusing on hotspots with ground crews. Concern lingers, however, about wind sparking flare-ups or fanning flames outside the area. The DC-10 could now be used anywhere in the state should the need arise.

Fires Have Now Destroyed 1,386 Homes, Killed 4

One thousand, three hundred eighty-six. That's how many homes the Texas State Police now say have been torched by those raging wildfires in the Austin area and in eastern Texas. Four known dead so far, thousands evacuated. The fire reported about thirty percent contained now. Firefighters from all over Texas are battling those blazes and they're making some progress thanks to lower temperatures and lessening wind.

Man Dragged In Red Light Road Rage

A case of road rage with an old West feel to it. San Angelo Police say when an SUV and a white pickup stopped next to each other at a red light at LaFollette and North Bell last night, obscene gestures and insults were exchanged. Then, they say, a passenger in the S-U-V -- 23-year-old James Davis -- got out and tried to mix it up with the occupants of the pickup. Officers say Davis had grabbed the tail gate when the light changed and the pickup pulled away. Davis was dragged about fifty feet before he let go. Officers say he wasn't badly hurt although he was, in teh words of the police report, "extremely intoxicated". Officers then discovered teh driver of the SUV, 21-year-old Morning Star Brazeal, had some outstanding warrants. She was arrested. They don't know where the pickup went.

Change of Venue Considered in Steed FLDS Trial

Unclear where the trial of the next FLDS member to be judged on charges of sexual assault on a child will be held. Attorneys for Leroy Steed saying that because of intense media coverage, they'd like to move his trial somewhere other than Sleicher County, where the FLDS' Zion Ranch was located and feelings run high. At a hearing in Tom Greene County district court in San Angelo this afternoon, Judge Barbara Walther told attorneys for both sides that if they can agree among themselves on a new location, she'll consider it.

Concho Valley Red Cross Seeks Donations For Fire Victims

The wind has calmed some and the fire has slowed but that massive blaze near Austin continues to ravage the countryside today. Exhausted firefighters are getting some help from all over the state and so are aid workers. Locally, the Concho Valley Red Cross is asking for donations to help with relief efforts in the fire area. You can find out more online at red-cross-dot-org.

Jeffs Wants A New Trial

Warren Jeffs wants another trial. The imprisoned religious sect leader was, of course, convicted here in San Angelo just last month and sentenced to life in prison on child sex assault charges. Now, Jeffs -- who represented himself in that trial -- says his religious rights were violated in that trial. He's filed a motion for a new one. The Texas attorney-general's office hasn't';t commented so far.

Arrest In Drive-By Shooting

A San Angelo man in custody today after a drive-by shooting over the weekend. Police say 23-year-old Jose Aguilar was arrested following an investigation that lasted several days. Investigators say a man pulled up behind a house in the 1300 block of Spaulding Saturday night and opened fire at a group of men who were standing outside the house. No one was injured. Aguilar being held in lieu of bond today.

Multi-Chem To Be Purchased By Halliburton

North America's number two oil field services company says it's buying the continent's number four oil field production chemicals provider. Halliburton Corporation announcing today that it's reached an agreement to buy San Angelo-based Multi-Chem Worldwide. Price not disclosed.

Wildfires Claim more than 1,000 Homes So Far

A thousand burned homes -- and counting. That's the total so far as at least 57 wildfires rage across rain-starved Texas. Most of the devastation in that monster blaze close to Austin that's still raging out of control. Governor Rick Perry now says more than 100,000 acres have burned. The fires whipped by wind pushed along by Tropical Storm Lee in the Gulf of Mexico, although calmer winds are expected by this evening.

SA To Penalize City Employees Refusing Health Screening

The City of San Angelo cannot legally require its employees to participate in the city's new wellness program and many are refusing to do so. But the city CAN penalize those who don't. At issue is the city's health insurance plan, which it self-funds, and efforts to control rising costs and premiums. San Angelo Resources Director Lisa Marley says around 850 city employees are covered by the health insurance program. Of that number, she says only about 500 have completed a Health Risk Assessment questionnaire -- and only half of them have done a health screening that involves drawing blood and measuring the waistline. City employees reportedly saying they fear the city might use negative health information against them, something city leaders say they not only wouldn't do but cannot do by law.The large number of non-participators puts health insurance cost controls at risk. The City Council this morning unanimously agreed to charge employees who refuse to participate in the program up to twenty percent of their individual premiums.

Iowa Farmers Donate Hay To Hard-Pressed Concho Producers

Iowa pitches in to help Concho Valley livestock producers. Farmers and ranchers in desperate shape for hay because of all the hot, dry weather. Now, church leaders have organized a "hay lift" to try to bring some relief. Already a number of thousand-pound bales have been donated by Iowa farmers through their Lutheran Church relief organizations and have arrived in the Valley. Pastors working to get more volunteers in the Hawkeye State, which has experienced almost too much rain this summer, to donate hay to West Texas producers.

New Traffic Laws In Effect Today

Some significant new traffic laws going into effect today and one of them directly affects how fast you can drive and when. Beginning today -- the existing nighttime and truck speed limits on highways in the Concho Valley -- and across the state of Texas -- will no longer be in force. State lawmakers agreed to do away with the 65-mile-an-hour speed limit for nighttime and truck speeds during the last session -- and the change takes effect September 1ST. The same legislation allows TXDOT employees to create 75-mile and 85-mile an hour speed limits on any state highway found to be reasonable and safe.