Reporter-News Archives JANUARY '97 ARCHIVES January ... February ... March ... April ... May ... June ... July ... August ... September ... October ... November ... December   Jan. 31 - Library Panel Considering One City Center Jan. 31 - Dian Owen Inducted into Texas Women's Hall of Fame Jan. 31 - Flu Bug Taking Bite Out of School Attendance Jan. 31 - Officer's Death Still a Mystery: Results of a toxicology report expected in about two weeks may solve the mysterious death of a 25-year-old juvenile probation officer. ....Jimma Vahlenkamp was found dead at her home Monday after she didn't report for work, said Fisher County Sheriff Gene Pack. Authorities have ruled out foul play or suicide but haven't determined the cause of death. ....Vahlenkamp's supervisor, Matt Woodruff with the 32nd Judicial District probation office in Sweetwater, called Pack's office for assistance after Vahlenkamp didn't show up for work Monday morning. .....Pack's chief deputy went to Vahlenkamp's home on the south outskirts of Roby and found her pickup there and the doors and windows to the house locked. ....The deputy contacted Pack, and the two of them located the owner of the house. The deputy managed to enter through a window and found Vahlenkamp dead in the bedroom, Pack said. ....An autopsy performed at a Dallas forensics lab says cause of death is pending, Pack said. However, he said there were no signs of foul play, and the death was "definitely not a suicide." Jan. 30 - Abilenians Find Out What Bush's Tax Plan Could Mean to Them Jan. 30 - Vietnam Wall Replica Makes Impact on Local Citizens Jan. 30 - Quints Kick Off March of Dimes Campaign Jan. 30 - Teacher Evaluation System Unveiled: Student performance is one of the 52 factors on which teachers will be evaluated in the new teacher appraisal system, revealed Wednesday at an administrators' conference in Austin. ....As proposed in December, the Professional Development and Appraisal System will replace the current Texas Teacher Appraisal System beginning in the 1997-98 school year, Education Commissioner Mike Moses told more than 4,000 educators at the Administrators' Midwinter Conference on Education. ....The TTAS has been in place since 1985. ....The 1995 Education Code mandated the commissioner to develop a way to measure "observable, job-related behavior including the teacher's implementation of discipline management procedures and the performance of the teachers' students." ....After considering many proposals, Moses said he decided to use the campus performance rating system instead of tying student scores to individual teachers because every teacher should be involved in students' success. Jan. 30 - RRC Office Moving: The office of the Texas Railroad Commission will move this summer to Bank One, ending 63 years in downtown Abilene. ....Railroad Commissioners in Austin approved the change Tuesday. ....The local RRC office will be on the sixth floor of Bank One - space once occupied by the Abilene Club during the oil boom of the 1970s and '80s. ....The move will occur in August or September, said Bob Kaufman, information officer for the RRC, which regulates the oil and gas industry. ....Abilene is headquarters for District 7-B, which oversees 24 counties in West Central Texas. It has about 25 personnel, all of whom will move to the new office, Kaufman said. ....The current commission office is in One City Center, 241 Pine, its location since Sept. 1, 1979. Jan. 29 - Jurors Send Billy Brown to Prison for Life Jan. 29 - Library Consultants Retreat from Renovation Plans Jan. 29 - Investigation Under Way in French Robertson Prison Violence Jan. 29 - Version of Vietnam Wall Erected: Local Vietnam veterans and Dyess personnel joined forces on a cold, windy Tuesday afternoon on the McMurry University campus to help erect a traveling version of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. ....Although "The Wall" inscribed with names of military personnel lost in the Vietnam War was one of sheet metal rather than stone, local veterans said mere sight of the vast array of names was emotionally overwhelming. ...."Everybody's kind of in shock right now and worn out, but it's worth it," 47-year-old event co-organizer and local Vietnam veteran Robert Rubio said of exhaustive efforts to bring the display to Abilene. Jan. 29 - Newbury New Chancellor: Howard Payne University President Don Newbury has been named the school's chancellor by a unanimous vote of the college's Board of Trustees. .....The move was a voluntary action on Newbury's part, who has been president since succeeding Dr. Ralph Phelps Jr. in December 1985. ....To make the switchover possible, the board first had to amend the university's by-laws to accommodate Newbury's new position. .....Once the board approved the chancellor slot, it became a matter of seeing if Newbury wanted the position and then approving the change on Tuesday. ....A search committee to find a successor for the president will be formed within the next few weeks. Jan. 28 - DNA Test Results Tie Brown to 1994 Attack on Woman Jan. 28 - Stenholm Says President Rooted for Both Teams in SB XXXI Jan. 28 - Tuba Football: It Works for One Area Youngster Jan. 28 - Snyder Residents Hear Hospital Proposal: About 75 people showed up at the Scurry County Courthouse Monday afternoon to hear a proposal to lease Cogdell Memorial Hospital and to be assured the hospital would not be sold. ....During the 2-Jan. 2-hour session of the county commissioners, representatives of Community Health Systems Inc. of Brentwood, Tenn., offered their proposal. ....No action was taken. County Judge Ricky Fritz said he would like to see a group formed consisting of two commissioners, two hospital board members, a hospital auxiliary member and a nonmanagement hospital employee to pursue the proposal. ....Explaining why the commissioners court was investigating the lease rather than the hospital's own board of managers, Fritz said that under law, certain responsibilities are delegated to each body. The sale or lease of the hospital is assigned to the commissioners, he said. ....Robert E. Hardison Jr., vice president of CHS Inc., said his firm operates 40 non-urban hospitals in 15 states in the south, southeast and southwest. The hospitals range in size from 36 to 200 beds, averaging 110. Cogdell is certified for 99 beds. Jan. 27 - Lawmakers Want to Change Nutty Way Prisoners Released Jan. 27 - Juveniles Find Out What It's Like to Be an Inmate Jan. 26 - Legislature Looking at Citizen-Created Laws ....Residents Differ Over Effectiveness of Initiative Process ....Initiative and Referendum Q&A Jan. 26 - Colleges Push for Increase in TEG Grants Jan. 26 - Coleman: City of Lights and Titles Jan. 25 - Laura Bush Headed to Breckenridge: First Lady of Texas Laura Bush will be in Breckenridge March 20 to celebrate the designation of the city as an Official Texas Main Street City. ....The wife of Gov. George W. Bush will also visit Bowie, Celina, Ferris and Weslaco as part of the Texas Historical Commission's Texas Main Street Program for 1997. ....At each of the five cities, Bush will give the keynote address and unveil the first architectural restoration drawing for the downtown renovation. A reception will follow a tour of the city's downtown area. ....Representatives of the Texas Historical Commission and Independent Bankers Association will accompany Bush. Jan. 25 - SuperBowl Saturday Morning: More than 125 teams are expected for the 10th anniversary of the Junior Achievement SuperBowl, scheduled Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at Whitewood Lanes. ....A silent auction also will be held, featuring three autographed items including a game jersey by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman and a Nolan Ryan baseball. ....At 7 p.m., a high-score tournament begins. Open to the public with a $15 entry fee, cash prizes will be awarded to the top three individual bowling scores. ....An original bronze sculpture by artist Terry Gilbreth, a Native American piece titled "Vision Seeker," will be raffled. It's valued at $3,200. Tickets are $2 each, or six for $10. ....The event benefits Junior Achievement, which this school year will send 300 volunteers into the schools to teach practical, hands-on economic education classes to more than 7,000 students. Jan. 24 - Council Votes for Hendrick Parking Lot: The Abilene City Council voted Thursday to rezone an area near Hendrick Health System to allow the construction of a parking lot. ....Hospital officials ask their employees not to park on neighborhood streets, but because other parking is not often available, extra spaces need to be made available, said Celia Davis, vice president of Hendrick Health System. ....The unanimous vote came after protest during a public hearing by Joey Kincaid of the 1000 block of Compere St. ...."I've got to look after Joey's best interest," said Kincaid. ....Poor planning kept officials from looking into the future to see what their needs would be, Kincaid said. ....He said he was tired of noise from jackhammers and backhoes in his neighborhood, and he feared the rezoning would allow Hendrick to build more structures in the area. ...."I don't want my nice house surrounded by a hospital," he said. ....But Councilman Don Drennan said that in looking at Abilene's needs as a whole, allowing Hendrick to build a parking lot would serve the greater good. Jan. 24 - Two Local Robberies, One Gang? Police believe that Thursday morning's two aggravated robberies in north Abilene were most likely committed by the same persons. ..."There are similar descriptions and very similar methods," said Lt. Mark Moore. "The addresses are very close together." ....Moore added that detectives do have a several leads in the cases. ...."There was a car stopped after the second robbery and there was some indication that the car was involved," Moore said. ....At about 12:30 a.m., three men wearing ski masks barged into a 20-year-old woman's house in the 1700 block of State when she answered the door. ....As they ransacked her house, the handgun-toting robbers threatened to shoot the victim if she resisted. The suspects then fled with one piece of jewelry. ....Two suspects, wearing ski masks and carrying guns, entered the Allsups just around the corner in the 800 block of Grape, and demanded money at 2:15 a.m. ....Holding the 51-year-old clerk at gunpoint, they demanded that he turn over the contents of the cash register drawer, police said. ....The suspects fled the store on foot with cigarettes, food and an undetermined amount of money, Moore said. Jan. 23 - Local Man Buried Alive Did "Some Serious Praying" Jan. 23 - Judge Orders Inmate to Pay Fine: Judge Sam Cummings has ordered an inmate to pay a $150 fine and blocked him from filing more lawsuits in his district after hearing his "totally frivolous" claim in Abilene federal court. .....Orders such as the one issued Wednesday are rare in the court. .....On Tuesday, the Lubbock-based judge drove three hours to Abilene to preside over a one-hour trial on the claims of Yousef Rouhani, a convicted heroin smuggler imprisoned at the Federal Correctional Institution in Big Spring. .....Rouhani claimed that in December 1993 Scenic Mountain Medical Center and Dr. John S. Farquhar were negligent and deliberately indifferent in their care and treatment of him. ....The inmate was treated over the course of two days after complaining of blurred vision, chest pains and dizziness. ....His suit, filed more than three years later, further charged the defendants discriminated against him because of his race, religion and status as a prisoner. Jan. 23 - Walker to Perform at Polo on the Prairie: Mr. Bojangles himself, Jerry Jeff Walker, will perform at Polo on the Prairie, the unique annual fund raiser for the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to be held April 19 at Albany. ....The native Texan who wrote the popular hit more than 25 years ago will round out a day of world-class polo competition that draws professionals in the sport from across the globe, all donating their time to raise money for M.D. Anderson. ....The family event is held on the Musselman Brothers Lazy 3 Ranch and has drawn as many as 1,500 people. Over the last decade it has raised more than $1 million to fund 33 research and patient programs at the Houston cancer center. ....For more information on the event call (713) 792-3450. Jan. 22 - Laura Bush Pushes "State of the Arts" Plates in Abilene Jan. 22 - Lambert Details City Hall's Three Goals for '97 Jan. 22 - Commissioners OK Juvenile Bid: Taylor County can save money once builders complete the long-awaited 36-bed juvenile facility. ....Taylor County commmissioners approved Tuesday the architect's bid specifications for the facility. ....Once juveniles with long-term sentences are housed there, the county will no longer have to spend money to incarcerate the juveniles in other counties where space is available for them. ....County Judge Lee Hamilton said the bids should be back and ready to open in late February. Groundbreaking could begin as early as March. ....After completion of the new facility, Precinct 3 commissioner Stan Egger said the present facility will be used for juveniles with short-term sentences. ....The new area will be for those with longer sentences who've had their hearings and received sentences for at least six months. Jan. 22 - Council Has Light Agenda: The Abilene City Council should whiz through its Thursday meeting. ....The council's agenda is its lightest in months, offering nothing but routine matters: a handful of bid awards, three noncontroversial zone changes, and an amendment to a city ordinance to allow 4-foot rather than 6-foot fences around some swimming pools. ....The agenda's most interesting items are first readings of ordinances that should prove newsworthy when council members consider them at their Feb. 13 meeting. ....The first would create a downtown parking stamp that businesses would buy to void patrons' parking tickets. ....The second would call for a city charter amendment election to let voters decide whether to lower the age limit for City Council service from 21 to 18. Jan. 21 - Stenholm Hopes Gingrich 'Does the Right Thing' Jan. 21 - ACU Democrats Describe Pomp of Inauguration Jan. 21 - A Little Drama Behind Birth of Clyde Girl Jan. 20 - Diversity Hailed at Martin Luther King Luncheon Jan. 20 - One Killed in Wreck: One 25-year-old Abilene man was killed and another seriously injured early Sunday when both were thrown clear of a vehicle that flew off Interstate 20 between Merkel and Tye. ....Felipe Montoya was pronounced dead at 3:13 a.m. by Justice of the Peace Jack Keenan in the service road median across from the former NuCorp oilfield service yard. ....Passenger Joseph McNeil was in serious condition Sunday night at Hendrick Medical Center with head and neck injures, said a hospital spokeswoman. ....A Department of Public Safety spokesman said Montoya was driving a 1986 Ford pickup west on the north service road at 2:15 a.m. when it swerved into the median. The vehicle then struck a culvert, sending it airborne for about 85 feet before it rolled over several times and slammed to a stop 200 feet farther on. The DPS spokesman said neither man was wearing a seatbelt. Jan. 20 - Worker rescued after burial under dirt released from hospital: A construction worker who escaped after burial for four hours under tons of dirt in a ditch cave-in in south Abilene Saturday was treated and released at Abilene Regional Medical Center Saturday. ....Elvin Seals was trapped at the bottom of a 17-feet deep sewer line excavation after the sides of the ditch gave away. Luckily, he wasn't crushed, and he found an air pocket that enabled him to breathe until fire department rescue workers maneuvered an air hose down through the loose dirt. ....Rescuers then dug the trapped man out by hand. ....Workmen were installing a sewer line off Forest Hill about 2:30 p.m. Saturday when the cave-in occurred. Jan. 19 - "Stormy" Shelton Remembered as Benefactor to Community Jan. 19 - Five Announced as Winners of MLK Awards Jan. 19 - Hendrick Performing Community Checkup: Hendrick Medical Center will perform a community-wide health checkup Monday and Tuesday. ....Just how much of the community will be examined, though, remains anybody's guess. Hendrick officials aren't predicting attendance numbers for its first Community Health Convention at the Abilene Civic Center. ...."We really don't have a good handle on how many people will actually attend," said Tom Craig, Hendrick public relations coordinator. "This one, we're flying by the seat of our pants." ....Some convention events look like surefire draws, though, said Rolanda Fulham, Hendrick community services director. In that category is the keynote talk by recently retired football coaching legend Gene Stallings at 7:45 p.m. Monday. ...."We expect (the auditorium) to be full, going on what we've done in the past," she said. "With lesser names, we've filled the civic center." ....The hospital's offerings appear difficult for a savvy health consumer to pass up. The centerpiece will be a personal wellness profile you can complete by filling out a questionnaire and submitting to a few common medical screenings, such as a cholesterol check, blood pressure and pulse, blood sugar and percent body fat. Jan. 19 - Voters Speak Loudly in Area Saturday: Voters in the Shackelford County Hospital District said in a loud voice Saturday they want to roll back a huge tax increase that backers said was necessary to keep the hospital open. ....The special election was one of three in the Big Country Saturday. Voters in Roscoe chose a mayor, and Rotan voters elected two council members. ....In complete but unofficial returns in Shackelford County, 725 people voted to roll back hospital district taxes to 25.09 cents per $100 valuation, while 230 voted against the rollback, siding with the hospital's board of directors. ....Several hundred taxpayers legally petitioned directors to call the election after the hospital board set the tax rate at 66.70 cents, an increase of 178 percent. ....Board president Bob Tidwell said the increase was necessary to keep the hospital operating. He said directors tried to educate taxpayers that they still would have to pay for 24-hour emergency services and care for indigents even if the hospital closed. ....Backers of the rollback said the old hospital costs too much to operate and that it is no longer needed, especially because several excellent hospitals are within easy driving distance of Albany. Jan. 18 - ACU Democrats (!?) Heading to Inaugural Jan. 18 - AISD Audit One of the Best Ever Jan. 18 - Judge Refuses to Delay Rape Trial: A judge Friday refused to delay next week's aggravated rape trial so the defendant could continue a double-jeopardy appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. ...."The case will go to trial Tuesday," state District Judge Billy John Edwards said after hearing a motion for continuance filed by Billy Glen Brown. ....Brown, accused of stabbing and raping a 40-year-old Abilene woman in March 1994, has argued the aggravated sexual assault charge against him is double jeopardy because the state has already seized his van as part of its action against him. Prosecutors allege Brown used the van in committing the crime. ....He's already lost on the double-jeopardy issue in district court, and his appeals have been denied by the 11th Court of Appeals in Eastland and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. ....But Brown told the court Friday he wants to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, needs to represent himself and must file by a Feb. 18 deadline. He can't do that and be involved in next week's trial, he said. ....His attorney, John Bailey, argued that double jeopardy is a constitutional issue and Brown has a right to have it heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. Jan. 18 - Bogus $50 bills spotted in Abilene: Officials at First National Bank reported Friday the appearance of five counterfeit $50 bills at two Abilene bank locations. ...."They look really good. Whoever did it did a good job," said Kelly Hill, downtown lobby manager, describing the quality of the bogus notes. ....There were no immediate suspects, Hill said, adding that law enforcement officers would be notified, along with the Better Business Bureau. ....The bills were spotted downtown and at the Wal-Mart bank branch, he said. ...."We just wanted to alert merchants who are taking deposits or taking cash that counterfeits are floating around," Hill said. ....Abilene Police Sgt. David Watkins said several counterfeit bills were passed at banks in Sweetwater last week. A.B. "Stormy" Shelton Dies at Age 82 Jan. 17 - Bill Chaney Speaks Out for First Time Jan. 17 - Ballinger Woman Wins $35 Million: Debbie Chance of Ballinger took a chance on the estimated $35 million Texas Lotto Wednesday night and won. ....Chance's winning ticket, which she apparently is splitting with a friend, is bringing fame and fortune to the Big Country for the second time in two months, following in the footsteps of the "Roby Gang" of 43 that split a $46 million jackpot the day before Thanksgiving. ....Chance's win probably won't bring as much fame as the Roby Gang's jackpot, but her fortune will be considerably more than those 43 winners. ....Chance was in Austin Thursday and couldn't be reached for comment. A Texas Lottery Commission spokeswoman said Chance came to the office to claim her prize and then decided to get legal advice first. "We had a prospective winner come by, but that person elected to return home to obtain legal and financial advice," said Leticia Vasquez. "No person is a winner until the ticket is confirmed. That process has not taken place yet," she said. ....However, Chance notified people in Ballinger that she and a friend, identified by co-workers as Frank Smith of Ballinger, had the winning ticket. ....The ticket was purchased by Chance at Pic-N-Pac, said Doug Robinson, son of the store's owner. Jan. 17 - Academic Decathlon This Weekend: Nearly 150 students from high schools across the region will be in Abilene this weekend to participate in the 13th annual Texas Academic Decathlon meet. ....Abilene Independent School District is the host district for the Academic Decathlon this year and for the 1997-98 school year. The meet, which will be held at Abilene High School, will begin today and culminate with a banquet and awards ceremony Saturday night. ....There will be a 14 school competing in the large school division, which includes Abilene schools, and three in the small school division for 1A, 2A and 3A campuses. ....The Decathlon will be taking place this weekend simultaneously in 20 different regions across the state. ....The students are tested in seven academic subject areas - economics, fine arts, language and literature, math, science and social studies. Students are also judged on communication ability, which includes a prepared speech, an impromptu speech and an interview. ....The final competition is the Super Quiz, the only event conducted before an audience. The Super Quiz involves the entire team at once and is a series of multiple choice questions conducted on a relay format. Students are aware of the topic prior to the competition. Jan. 17 - No Finding in Fire Investigation: The investigation of a fire that destroyed the sanctuary and fellowship hall of First Baptist Church closed with no conclusive findings. The Rev. Mark Chadwick, pastor, said officials told him they "closed thebook" without determining the cause or origin of the Dec. 26 fire. "It's an end but not really much of an end," he said. Chadwick was notified by the church's insurance adjustor and an agent withthe Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Jan. 16 - Abilene to build $750,000 park at Dyess Jan. 16 - Price of Propane Peeves Public Jan. 16 - Hope, Last of Sweetwater Triplets, Dies Jan. 16 - River Otters May Be in Zoo's Future Jan. 16 - Commissioner's New Appraisal System Concerns Teachers: Teaching ability could be subject to the ultimate test under the education commissioner's plan to grade teachers based on student performance. ....Abilene teachers are concerned about the prospect of a new appraisal system that would base their performance partially how well their students score on the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills. ....TAAS tests third through eighth grades in math, reading and writing, and eighth grade in social studies and science. The exit-level TAAS must be passed in high school in order for students to graduate. ....Texas education commissioner Dr. Mike Moses announced his plan to tie TAAS scores to teacher evaluations in December. ....Moses' system would appraise teachers in eight different domains, or teacher proficiencies, including professional development, compliance with policies, management of instruction, discipline, material and time and TAAS performance. ....It appears classroom observation, which is a large part of the current evaluation system, will continue to be part of the process. Jan. 16 - Area Receipts Down: Sales tax receipts for area communities were not particularly good in January, but they reflected a statewide "leveling off" trend in the economy. ...."The first sales tax rebates to cites and counties for 1997 are virtually the same as rebates for the same period in 1996 as the recent burgeoning growth of the Texas economy appears to be leveling off somewhat," said State Comptroller John Sharp. ....Of 34 communities in the Big Country, 19 showed decreases in sales taxrebates over January 1996 while 15 showed increases. Jan. 16 - Livestock Show Begins: The 1997 Taylor County Livestock Show begins two days of judging today at the Taylor County Expo Center with a whopping 978 livestock entries in the final count. ....A new twist this year is the kicking off of the event with market swine first to show. ....The swine judging will start bright and early at 7 a.m. today. ....Considering that there are 526 hogs entered by youngsters (more than half the overall livestock numbers), that's probably wise. Show officials realized that the hog event had gotten so huge, that if they waited to start it in the afternoon - as has long been tradition - the show might go to extremely late into the night. Jan. 15 - Final Chaney charge dismissed Jan. 15 - County man improving after losing arm to dogs Jan. 15 - Library Report Delayed a Week: A report recommending how best to expand the Abilene Public Library will be delayed at least a week. ....The recommendations from two consultants were to be delivered to the Citizens Library Review Panel this week. But City Librarian Cynthia Pirtle said the consultants will be given more time to replace the week lost while the panel waffled on expanding the report's scope. ....In December, the panel briefly considered asking the consultants to explore the possibility of adapting existing structures, particularly the NationsBank Tower, for a main library. ....."We had them on a short string, and we want make sure we get a full, complete report," Pirtle said. ....She guessed the report will be about a week late. The consultants will formally present the panel their report at month's end. ....Pirtle reported one consultant told her Monday the final report will contain "no big surprises." A preliminary report recommended renovating the existing downtown library as the most "practical, political and cost-effective" remedy. Jan. 15 - Commissioners Award Arena/Stage Contract: Taylor County commissioners awarded a $1.85 million contract Tuesday for the Expo Center's new covered arena and covered stage. ....The contract went to the low bidder, Epic Construction of Abilene, whose leader, Charles Doby, was chairman of the original planning committee that in 1993 studied long-range needs of the Expo Center. .....Epic beat out five other bidders, all but one of whom are local companies. Its total bid was $8,288 below the next lowest bid, by Associated Contractors of Abilene. The highest of the six bids was $2.5 million. ....As much preparation as possible in the winter weather will begin today, Doby told commissioners. The city is still in the process of preparing building permits. ....Work on the covered arena must be completed by June 2 and the covered stage needs to be up and ready by July 1, the contract says. The Expo Center has events planned for June, Expo Center Manager Tony McMillan told the commissioners, and the county is hoping for some type of July 4 celebration at the stage. Jan. 14 - Hispanic Leadership Council Meeting Thursday: City Hall officials will detail how citizens can get involved on city boards and commissions at a Hispanic Leadership Council meeting Thursday night. ....The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at Sears Park Recreation Center, 2250 Ambler, and is open to everyone. ....The program will include a panel discussion on the appointments process with Planning and Zoning Commissioner Joe Lopez, library board member Adelina Zamarippa and Councilman Paul Vasquez offering insights. Information on the city's 35 boards and commissions, and applications for appointment will be available. Jan. 14 - Job Fair Participants Arrive by the Hundreds: The prospect of employment filled the parking lot and lobby of the Embassy Suites Hotel on Monday as Blue Cross/Blue Shield opened a three-day job fair in Abilene. ....Job applicants began arriving early and by noon 300 people had registered, estimated Mike Doll of Dallas, spokesman for the Texas health insurance company. ...."The turnout has been fantastic," Doll said. "A lot of people have come into the hotel to participate in our job fair and we're excited." ....Doll said it is "conceivable" that a thousand job-seekers will have been interviewed by the close of the fair Wednesday evening. ....The applicants are seeking 195 openings for a claims and customer service center, due to open in March in the former Texas Instruments building in southeast Abilene. Jan. 13 - Rehab Telethon Looked Different, But Same Result Jan. 13 - Board Meeting to Be Educational: Monday's Abilene school board meeting could be an enriching experience for some educators, if they are presented funds from the district's first Innovative Teaching Awards grant program. ....It started out as just an idea to motivate creative instruction last summer, and tonight the idea will culminate in reality for educators across the district at a recognition reception at 7:30 p.m. in Abilene High School's west cafeteria, 2800 N. 6th. ....Educators who submitted applications to the district will be honored for their participation, with the ultimate rewards going to those whose programs were selected. ....Board president Betty Davis would not reveal how many winners or how much money will be awarded. The amount set by the board this summer was $50,000, but some individual, team, campus and districtwide applications reportedly requested close to or more than that amount. ....Requests came from 93 individuals and teams, and requests for campus and districtwide grants numbered 11. The total amount requested was $1,091,953. Jan. 12 - Most Abilene-area lawmakers oppose re-doing 'Robin Hood' Jan. 12 - Local Educators Afraid of Getting Short-Changed in Austin Jan. 12 - Local Southwester Bell Wireless Employees Rally Jan. 11 - "Story" of Creation Lands Local Boy on "Funniest Home Videos" Jan. 11 - Iglesias Promoter Being Sued: The promoter who failed to bring Julio Iglesias to town is now being taken to court. ....Attorney General Dan Morales' office filed suit Thursday against Louie Gavrel of Houston, accusing him of deceptive trade practices and demanding that he pay more than $7,000 in refunds for the canceled concert. ...."It's about time," one of the unhappy Julio fans said Thursday night. "Maybe they can get something out of this guy." ...."I'm glad but I have my doubts about it working," said another, Glenda Stringfellow of Abilene, who's still awaiting a $248 refund. "He just walked into town and walked out with several thousands dollars. It's kind of like highway robbery." ....Gavrel, who could not be reached for comment Thursday, originally scheduled the Iglesias concert for Thanksgiving weekend 1995 at the Abilene Civic Center. He promoted it as being presented by KEAN radio and KIDY-TV, the suit says. Jan. 11 - AISD's Leadership Seminar Held: Abilene elementary counselors used cooperation, communication and encouragement Friday to teach a group of fifth-graders about being at the head of the class. ....Abilene ISD's 17th annual student leadership seminar was held yesterday at McMurry University for 70 fifth-grade students, tapped to participate by their teachers, principal and counselor because they have shown leadership potential on their campuses. ....The seminar is sponsored and planned by the elementary school counselors, who started the program as a vehicle to help students successfully transition to middle school. Jan. 10 - City Targeting Unpaid Parking Fines: Along with encouraging downtown shopping, a new extended business stamp should help City Hall lick the problem of unpaid parking fines. ....The Abilene City Council on Thursday approved the creation of the stamp that downtown businesses will give to patrons to void parking tickets issued while customers are in their establishment. ....At the same time, the council authorized hiring a clerk to manage the parking ticket program, which city officials say will give them enough manpower to crack down on parking scofflaws, who owe tens of thousands of dollars in fines on 4,163 outstanding citations. ....By March, city officials expect to begin mailing letters to those with unpaid fines warning their vehicles could be towed or immobilized with the infamous but still un-used "boot." They can avoid such action by arranging a payment plan with the city. ....The new city marshal will work with parking control officers to target offenders for the boot, which was purchased with great fanfare three years ago but has never been used. ....The city hired two additional municipal court clerks in 1992 to concentrate on outstanding fines. But the clerks' time has been devoured by the higher priority of issuing warrants for criminal offenses such as speeding. Under state law, parking violations have been a civil offense since 1994. Jan. 10 - DOE Visiting Merkel Regarding Alleged Discrimination: Merkel school officials will be interviewed Monday and Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Education about alleged discrimination against girls athletics. ....Last summer a complaint was filed with the Civil Rights Division by a group of parents concerned about equality between boys and girls athletics. ...."All we're after is compliance with federal law - Title 9," group spokesman Andy Caraway said when the complaint was filed. ....The group wants to know why the district is short one girls sport and why baseball is getting preferential treatment over softball. ....Superintendent James Logan said the federal official will talk to him, high school principal Gaylon Brnovak, all high school coaches and some female athletes. They also will tour facilities. Jan. 10 - Winter Open Cutting Begins Today: Abilene Winter Open Cutting, three days of cutting horse activity, starts today at 8 a.m. in the Taylor County Coliseum and Horse Barn. ....Co-sponsored by Carolyn and Junior Gray of Graham and Pat and Carolyn Gully of Novice, the three-day show will feature 11 classes each day. Each day will be a separate show but anyone participating in all three days will be eligible for a circuit award based on the point system. ....An added $750 will be offered in the Open and Non-Pro Classes with $500 added to the $50,000 Amateur, $10,000 Novice Open and the $10,000 Novice Non-Pro. The $3,000 Novice Open Class will have $100 added. The $20,000 Non-Pro, $10,000 Amateur, Youth, $2,000 Limited Rider and $500 Limited Rider will be jackpot affairs. ....Judges scheduled for the three days are Bob Freeman of Arnett, Okla., Friday; Chris Benedict of Weatherford, Saturday, and Leslie Shaw of Greenville, Sunday. Jan. 10 - First Ms. Texas Senior Midwest Pageant Saturday: The inaugural Ms. Texas Senior Midwest Pageant will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Abilene Civic Center. ....Seven women, age 60 and older, will compete in four areas - interview,talent, evening gown and a short interview with the judges concerning theircommunity involvement, volunteer work and lifestyle. ....Contestants are Gert Diffie, Norma Fisher, Hazel McMahon, LaWanda Opella, Sady Summers and Dorothy Wiseman, all of Abilene, and Lois Cook of Post. ....The winner will advance to the statewide contest this spring. Jan. 9 - Wrong number results in arrest of two prostitutes Jan. 9 - Killers Reunion Officials Announce Plans Jan. 9 - Armed Robbery Charges Dropped: The Taylor County District Attorney's Office has dropped two counts of aggravated robbery against a man originally believed to be behind two armed robberies. ....Police say that further investigation revealed that Mark Curtis Edwards, 26, has an alibi for the Nov. 2 and Dec. 17 robberies of China Bowl. ....Detectives had also thought that Edwards might be the culprit in several other incidents, including a Dec. 17 robbery of KC Cleaners. ....Edwards was arrested Dec. 22 on two first-degree felony warrants. When police interviewed him, he claimed he had been at work at both times. ...."He had an alibi that gave us doubt that he was the robber," said Sgt. Garland Wade, head of the crimes against persons division. ....Wade said that his work records backed up what Edwards told detectives. Jan. 9 - Goodfellows Makes Goal: A little past the 12 days of Christmas, an anonymous Santa's gift fulfilled Goodfellows' final Christmas wish for 1996. ....A donor who didn't wish his name used gave a $1,250 check through the Community Foundation of Abilene to Goodfellows to enable the organization to surpass its $50,000 fundraising goal. Each year at Christmas, Goodfellows purchases toys for needy children plus food and clothing for the children and their families. ....The Community Foundation invests and distributes monies of scores of charitable funds. Grants and distributions from those funds totaled nearly $1.3 million for the fiscal year ending June 30. ....More than 40 donor-advised funds are managed by the Community Foundation, most established by Abilene families. The gift to Goodfellows came from such a fund. Jan. 9 - Home Team City's Newest Non-Profit: Rather than relying on Austin or Washington for help, needy Abilenians may be looking to the Home Team. ....Abilene's newest non-profit agency, created to link citizen volunteers with their needy neighbors, was unveiled Wednesday by its 21-year-old founder, John Wayne Rosson. ....Speaking to the Abilene North Rotary Club, Rosson explained that as Washington shifts the responsibility of welfare to the local level, communities must be more proactive. ...."If one family in Abilene is struggling with some overwhelming challenges, then as a community it is our responsibility to help," Rosson told the Rotarians. Jan. 8 - Breckenridge Disagreement Ends in Shooting: A disagreement over a broken water line sent a well-known area conservationist to the hospital and another man to jail Monday afternoon. ....Tommy Lee Hailey, 62, of Ivan, recently retired career biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Service, was shot once in the leg with a .22 caliber rifle, Stephens County Sheriff Jim Reeves said. The shooting occurred about 4:45 p.m., apparently after a bulldozer cut through a rural water line near Hailey's property. ...."There was a disagreement over the water line. Blows were exchanged, then it escalated into a shooting," the sheriff said. He added that "several" shots were fired, but Hailey was struck only once. ....Felony aggravated assault charges were filed here against Steve Roy Atchison, 52, of South Bend, the bulldozer operator. ....Atchison was arrested near the scene less than an hour after the shooting. Reeves said Atchison surrendered without incident and that a .22 rifle was recovered for evidence. ....Justice of the Peace Lynne Duggan set bond for Atchison at $10,000. Jan. 8 - Committee Advises Racquetball Court Restoration: Members of the Sears Park Advisory Committee said Monday the racquetball courts at the center should be restored and at least three other changes made to enhance neighborhood usage of the center. ....The city removed the gymnastics program from the center earlier Monday pending an agreement on where to keep it between the advisory committee and city council. ...."This was not built as an all-city center but to serve a specific population. And the consensus is that gymnastics has done little or nothing to help Sears Park," said Billy Enriquez at an advisory meeting Monday. ....Beckie Joy, a Sears Park resident, said the citizens wanted the gymnastics program out because it was getting out of hand. The center is not in compliance with the terms of the $358,000 Federal Community Block grant used in 1978 to construct space for the gymnastics program, said Enriquez. Jan. 7 - Truth About Macintosh Has Locals Wondering Jan. 7 - Economic Upturn Coming? Abilene may be on the verge of an economic upturn. ....A survey of Abilene businesses by Condley & Co. L.L.P. found optimism is about the same as last year, but other signs indicate a possible growth cycle. ...."Overall, people's economic expectations this year are roughly the same as last year," said Ray Ferguson, a partner in the local CPA firm and coordinator of the annual survey. "However, when we examine this year's results closely, we can see a few significant changes from last year's responses in certain key segments ... changes that could signal an approaching economic growth cycle." ....He said the 1997 responses are very similar to those in 1992. ...."In 1991, the Abilene economy was having a downturn, and the talk around town was that everything was looking pretty bad," he said. "But when we did our survey for 1992, at the end of 1991, the retail sector was significantly more optimistic than any others. Jan. 6 - '96 Abilene Homicides: Victims Getting Younger Jan. 5 - Unlimited Access Makes It Difficult for AOL Users in Abilene Jan. 5 - Outdated Phone Technology Causing Serious Line Dancing Jan. 5 - Winter Returns to Area: Defying the recent spring-like weather, winter has returned to Abilene Sunday as a cold front moving through Texas made itself felt locally. ....The area will be below freezing by tonight, and the wintry weather will continue into Tuesday, with temperatures in the 20s on Wednesday with a chance of snow and sleet. Jan. 5 - Girl Struck by Car: A 9-year-old girl was struck by a car Saturday afternoon in North Abilene after she ran into the street in front of oncoming traffic. ....Brittany McCollum and her sister were standing at the corner of North 12th and Victoria when she attempted to cross the street. ....McCollum was hit by a car driven eastbound at about 3:35 p.m., according to police. ....She was taken to Hendrick Medical Center where she is listed in stable condition, suffering from bruises, abrasion and shock. Jan. 4 - Man Given Six Years in Sexual Assault: A man who admitted to performing oral sex on a 12-year-old girl but claimed she enticed him was sentenced to six years in prison Friday. ....After hearing the evidence, state District Judge John Weeks concurred with both the district attorney and the victim that Michael Pons, 39, should spend time behind bars for preying upon the child. ...."I'd like to see him go to prison," the girl told Weeks. "He deserves it for how he made me feel. I want him to feel the same way. I think prison would do that." ....District Attorney James Eidson echoed the sentiment in his closing argument. ...."Some offenses aren't forgivable," he said. "Some crimes are so offensive they must be punished. This is one of those. You can't have oral sex with a 12-year-old, say you're sorry and that you want counseling, and walk away. He should go to prison." ....Pons had sought probation after pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual assault. Jan. 3 - Locals Enjoying Warm Weather: The recent warm weather, with temperatures reaching up into the 80s on Thursday, isn't at all what comes to mind when someone says "dead of winter" - even in Texas. But Abilene met the new year with sunny skies and well-above-average temperatures that seemed just like spring. ....But no one should be putting up the winter sweaters yet - meteorologists at the National Weather Service in San Angelo are expecting temperatures to drop back to normal by the weekend. ...."It looks like we're just about ready to hit the end of our above-normal period," said Greg Jackson, science and operations officer at the NWS - maybe by late tonight or early Saturday. ...."We should have a decent cold front," he said. "It's going to bring us a lot closer to what is seasonably normal." ....While it lasts, though, the warm weather is encouraging golfers, walkers. Jan. 3 - Investigators Sort Through Church Ashes: Three investigators sorted through the remains of First Baptist Church of Lueders Thursday trying to determine the cause of a fire a week earlier that destroyed the sanctuary and fellowship hall. ...."They can't even say anything until they get some testings back," said Rev. Mark Chadwick, pastor. ....No one is speculating on the cause of the Dec. 26 fire, Chadwick said. Until investigators finish their work, Chadwick and church members are having to stare at the rubble and envision a day when the structure is rebuilt. ...."If we could just knock down what's left we could go on," Chadwick said. ....For now the church is meeting in a building designed for children's activities. Although the setting is uncomfortable, it has not caused the faithful to stay home. ....Chadwick said just last Sunday one new family and one individual joined the church. ...."We're not slowing down," he said. ....Fourteen new members have joined in the past two weeks and last Sunday 70 people crammed into a space built for 40. Jan. 2 - Taking a Last Look Back at 1996 Jan. 2 - A Lighter Look at 1996 Jan. 2 - First Baby of the New Year: Alex Tyler Besherse made his way into the world a bit behind schedule, but he was ahead of everyone else born on New Year's Day 1997 in Abilene. ....The 7-pound, 3-ounce youngster arrived at 3:56 a.m. at Hendrick Medical Center, to claim first position among the city's Jan. 1 newborns. His mother's due date had been Dec. 31, but she had no complaints Wednesday afternoon. ...."It's a blessing - it will always be," said Quata Jones. "It will be extra special" for the New Year's birth anniversary, she added. ...."His father and I are very proud, very glad he's healthy and strong," said the 29-year-old mother. Robert Besherse, 40, is the child's father. Jan. 2 - Brownwood Man Dies in Wreck: A 22-year-old Brownwood man died in a two-vehicle crash in the last half-hour of 1996 on a road north of Stephenville. ....Christopher Allen Moore, driver of one vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene after a collision that sent four other people to the hospital. .... Critically injured was Shannon Vanevery, 17, of Brownwood, a passenger in Moore's car. She was in Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth Wednesday night with injuries that included multiple broken bones. Jan. 1 - Indecency Charges Dropped Against Bill Chaney Jan. 1 - Smallest quintuplet flown to hospital: The smallest of the five quintuplets born to a Snyder couple in September is in stable condition after being flown to a Lubbock hospital Monday night. ....Aleksi Taylor was taken to Cogdell Memorial Hospital in Snyder by ambulance about 8:30 p.m. Monday suffering from chest congestion, said her grandmother, Bobbie Taylor. ....She later was flown to St. Mary on the Plains Hospital in Lubbock where the quints were born Sept. 21. She is expected to remain in the pediatric intensive care unit in Lubbock. ....The quints were born to DeShonna and Brent Taylor Sept. 21. They made national news and were honored with a Texas-size baby shower in October. ....Aleksi was brought home Dec. 19, the last of the infants to come home. Jan. 1 - Skiing Not an Adventure This Year: With temperatures more like mid-year than first-of-the-year, water skiing on Lake Fort Phantom won't be much of an adventure today. ....But, while some folks are eating blackeyed peas and watching football on TV, members of the Phantom City Ski Club will carry on another tradition by skiing the lake beginning at 2 p.m. ...."This is our fifth year in a row," said Jim Cagle, the "self-appointed president" of the club. ....The tradition was started in 1957 by the late Luther Marr, who skied every New Year's Day until the 1970s, no matter what kind of weather he encountered. Marr died in 1994 at age 90. ....The Phantom ski club revived the tradition five years ago and has skied in a variety of weather. The first day of the year in 1995 was much more seasonable than today will be. ...."We had snowflakes like 50 cent pieces," Cagle said. "This will be the nicest year out of the five we've done it." Jan. 1 - NewsLine experiencing technical difficulties: Updates of all NewsLine national categories are temporarily unavailable due to technical difficulties. ....A satellite linking piece of equipment has malufunctioned and will not be replaced until Thursday, when normal service should resume. ....Categories affected include horoscopes, soap updates, stocks and other lines. ....Local NewsLine categories such as sports scores, police report and Lotto numbers will continue to be updated.   January ... February ... March ... April ... May ... June ... July ... August ... September ... October ... November ... December Today's Local News 1999 Local News Archives ... 1998 Local News Archives