Friday, May 9, 2008

TOMORROW IS ELECTION DAY

(CENTRAL TEXAS)   Central Texas voters are heading to the polls tomorrow in area city and school elections.

Candidates for the two positions up for election to the Cameron ISD school board are incumbents Larry Green and Willyne Stanislaw and newcomer Jay Beckhusen. Candidates in a special election for an unexpired term are Eddy Young and Lorenzo Majors. 
 
The Cameron City Council cancelled its elections as all candidates are unopposed. Bill Meacham is retiring as mayor and current at-large council member David Barkemeyer is the only candidate for mayor. Incumbent council members Connie Anderle, Ward 2, and Rose Mondrik, Ward 4, are also unopposed.

(BUCKHOLTS)  In Buckholts, the position of mayor is the only position on the May 10 ballot. Mayor Angie Morgan did not file for re-election. Ricky McCall, a former mayor, and Hal Senkel are candidates for the position.

In the Buckholts ISD elections, two three-year terms are up for election this year. Candidates include incumbents James Pollard and A.W. Zajicek and newcomer Eric Solomon.

(MILANO) In the Milano ISD elections, there are four candidates for two three-year terms. Candidates are Kim Lenz, Jay Willingham, Scott Malovets and incumbent John Paniagua.

The City of Milano cancelled the May 10 election since Incumbents Mayor Billy Barnett and Council member Edward Westbrook were unopposed.

(THORNDALE) In the Thorndale ISD trustee elections, four candidates are seeking two at-large positions. Candidates are Rebecca McWilliams, Kimberly Knapek, Larry Fisher and Dean Betak.

The City of Thorndale cancelled its election as all candidates are unopposed. Incumbents Jack Willis and Sam Pickett and candidate Gerald Niemtschk were unchallenged on the ballot.

(ROGERS)  In the City of Rogers elections, there are three at-large council positions up for election this year. Candidates include incumbents Joe Whatley, Charles Helmer and Harley Doggett; Della Lashbrook, a former council member, and Joe David Janicek.

In the Rogers ISD trustee elections, five candidates are vying for two three-year positions. Candidates include incumbents Glenn Marek and Joseph Bedrich and newcomers Penny Coots, Tino Gloria and Rick Gommert.

In Rockdale there are 3 elections, the school, city and a local option liquor-by-the-drink election.  If you live inside the Rockdale city limits you are eligible to vote in all three elections. If you’re outside, but still within the Rockdale ISD, you’ll only vote in the school board election.

Voters will decide whether to allow liquor by the drink in the city and will pick two city council members and a school trustee.

A liquor-by-the-drink vote was placed on the ballot after a petition bearing the names of 478 qualified Rockdale voters was presented to Milam County commissioners, seeking the election.  Backers of the proposal have sought liquor-by-the-drink in hopes of attracting more businesses and thus more sales tax revenue and economic development to Rockdale.

There are races in both city council wards. Incumbent east ward councilwoman Gerry Offield is challenged by Mary Cox Phillips.
In the west ward, Griffin Rogers III and Doug Williams are vying for the position being vacated by Rudy Gutierrez.
Incumbent Barbara Grayson is opposed by Russell Fischer for Place 6 on the Rockdale ISD school board.

POLICE CATCH ROBBERY SUSPECT

(TEMPLE)  Jared Wayne Smith, 20, of Temple was in the Bell County Jail Thursday evening, charged with aggravated robbery in connection with an early-morning convenience store robbery.

The arrest stems from an armed hold-up around 3:30am. Thursday at Teals Exxon at 3002 Thornton Lane in Temple.

The clerk told officers the robber escaped in a 1995 black Volvo four-door, the clerk`s own car, with an undisclosed amount of cash.

About 20 minutes later, a Temple officer spotted the stolen Volvo heading east on FM 93 and gave chase.

The pursuit ended at a residence in the 2100 block of FM 93 when the driver of the car jumped out and fled into a wooded area.

Police established a perimeter and requested search dogs and handlers from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Gatesville.

Around 8:45 a.m., one of the search dogs led officers to a tree, where they found the man hiding in the upper branches.

He was arrested without incident.

Central Texas Christian School, at 4141 West Farm-to-Market 93 in Temple, was locked down during the search.

The private school, home to 530 area students in grades Pre-K through 12, is about a mile from the search area.

FORMER BELL COUNTY JUDGE JOHN GARTH DIES

(TEMPLE)  Former Bell County Judge John Garth died Tuesday at his home following a lengthy battle with colon cancer.  Garth is credited for leading Bell County into the 21st Century as a model for dynamic leadership and change. 

Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church, 102 W. Barton. Scanio-Harper Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements. An informal reception will follow at the Temple Elks Lodge, 2613 Airport Road. 

Although Garth was honored on April 7 for his vision in creating the Bell County Expo Center.    Garth championed the idea of creating the Expo Center despite criticism and controversy. Recently renamed the John C. Garth Arena in his honor, the Expo Center has been a boon to tourism and a venue for hundreds of events from stock shows and rodeos to hockey and graduations to live entertainment and antique shows.

When he first took office, about 158,000 called Bell County home, and the Commissioners’ Court was solidly Democratic. The county also labored with about $2 million in debt, and taxes had risen 26 percent.

By the time he left office in 1999, the population was more than 238,000, and the tax rate was among the lowest in the state.

FORT HOOD SOLDIER DIES IN WRECK

(KILLEEN) A 19-year-old Fort Hood soldier died Wednesday when the sport utility vehicle he was driving struck a concrete pillar on U.S. 190 in Killeen.

The wreck happened about 10:30 p.m. in the 1500 block of West U.S. 190.

Police spokeswoman Carroll Smith said Jarad Alan Gammill drove through a grass median and up a concrete embankment before the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero overturned.

Smith said Gammill was not wearing a seat belt.

ROCKDALE POLICE INVESTIGATE 2 HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENTS

(ROCKDALE)  Rockdale Police were busy Thursday afternoon investigating 2 hit-and-run accidents that occurred almost simultaneously. 

The first wreck occurred around 3:50 p.m. in front of Love and Learning Center.  A 2001 Ford driven by 19 year old Laura Gonzales of Rockdale, sustained moderate damage when hit was struck by an unknown vehicle that left the scene. 

And about 2 minutes later police received a report of another hit-and-run that occurred in the Wal-Mart parking lot.  A 2000 Acura 4-door owned by Christa Granger, 30 of Taylor, sustained minor damage.

No one was hurt in either wreck.

GAS PRICES STILL SOARING

(TEXAS)  (Dallas, TX)  -- Texas gas prices continue to climb.  Amber Browne reports.

          {0509gas.wav}          SOQ          :31.5

The highest average at three-58 a gallon is in Amarillo, up five-cents this week.  The lowest average is in San Antonio at three-51 a gallon, up two-cents.  Houston drivers are paying three-52, up one penny this week.  Dallas motorists are paying about a penny more at three-54 a gallon.  The national average is up two-cents to a new record high of three-65 a gallon.

CLEAN-UP AFTER 3 ROBERTSON COUNTY TORNADOS

(BREMOND)  Officials in Robertson County were cleaning up Thursday after three tornadoes touched down around Bremond Wednesday evening.

No one was injured in the storms, and officials said no buildings were damaged, only trees and power lines.

The first tornado, which caused the most damage, occurred about two miles southeast of Bremond at 8:10 p.m., according to the National Weather Service

Another one touched down six minutes later east of Bremond. At 8:39 p.m., a third touched down between Franklin and Bremond.

The last two tornadoes occurred in an open field and did not cause any damage, according to the weather service.

Power outages were reported in Bremond after the storm but electricity service had been restored by 10 p.m.

ATMOS ASKS TEMPLE FOR RATE INCREASE

(TEMPLE)  Gas customers in the Temple area will likely be in for a rate hike in October.

Atmos Energy Corp., Mid-Tex Division, filed public notice for a rate increase as part of a process begun in September 2007, according to Doug Hill, manager of public affairs in the Atmos Energy Corp., Mid-Tex Division office, based in Waco.

If the rate increase is approved by customer cities, the rates would become effective Oct. 1.

Under the proposed changes, a residential customer with a bill of $75 would pay about $3 more.

The figure represents a 4.02-percent increase and accounts for the cost of gas incurred by the company, officials said.

The Company said a reduced customer fee that would be effective with the increase, would benefit low income and low volume users.

According to Atmos figures, the rates, if approved, would increase the company’s annual revenues,which are now $28.55 million. The increase would be 2.07 percent if it included the company’s cost of acquring gas, or 8.49 percent, excluding the cost of gas.

CENTRAL TEXANS RECEIVING GOVERNMENT REBATES

(CENTRAL TX)  The first of those much anticipated economic stimulus checks go in the mail today, however, many Central Texans have already received their rebates through direct deposit.

Although many Central Texans said high fuel prices will absorb most of the rebate, but they are just happy to get them.

Taxpayers should receive letters in the mail from the IRS explaining how payments are calculated.

SALADO WINS GAME 1

(LOCKHART) The Class 2A No. 4-ranked Salado Eagles racked up 19 hits in routing Edna 19-7 in five innings Thursday to take a 1-0 lead in a best-of-three area-round playoff series.

Game 2 is at 6 p.m. today, with a third game set for 6 p.m. Saturday if needed.  Jackson (6-2) is slated to start for Salado (24-5), while Edna likely will throw ace Michael Vickery.

The series winner will advance to next week’s Region IV quarterfinals to battle the victor of tonight’s one-game playoff between Troy and Danbury in Weimar.

ROGERS FACES HALLETSVILLE

(AUSTIN)  The Rogers Eagles will face No. 9 Halletsville in a best-of-three Area round playoff series this weekend.  Game 1 will be tonight at 7 with game 2 at 4 p.m. Saturday at Nelson Field in Austin.  Game 3, if needed will follow game 2.   You`ll hear Friday`s game right here on 1051 The Ranch.  Saturday`s games will be heard on AM1330.

The Lady Rosebud-Lott Cougars are advancing to the Class 2A Regional Quarterfinals.  The Lady Cougars will face East Bernard in a 1-game showdown tonight at 7 p.m. in Smithville.

POLICE REPORT

(CAMERON)  Cameron police reported 2 EMS runs with no other activity.

(ROCKDALE)  Rockdale police repoted arrest of Phillip Black III of Lufkin for DWLI.  One EMS run, and 2 accidents:
--3:49 p.m. a hit-and run in front of Love and Learning Center. 
--3:52 p.m. another hit and run in the WalMart parking lot. 

(MILAM COUNTY)  The Milam County Sheriff`s Department reported 5 new arrests
--Justin Tiger Thomas, 19 of Bryan, Aggravated Robbery. 
--Kenneth Joe Freeman, 43 of Cameron, Theft of Property Less than $1500 with 2 or more previous convictions.
--Ericka Blizet Garcia, 17 of Houston, Assault on a Public Servant.
--Christina Marie Perry, 30 of Austin, Housed for TDC.
--Brandon Lee Shahan, 26 of Buckholts, on Attorney General Warrants.
The Sheriff`s Department reported a total of 113 prisoners in the Milam County Jail this morning; 105 are Milam County Prisoners, 8 are being housed for Lee County.