Friday, March 12, 2010
Abilene Zoo will be Open on First City Furlough Day
ABILENE -- The Abilene Zoo will be open next Friday, March 19th. Nearly all City offices, except for those providing life safety services like fire and police protection, will be  closed for a furlough day.
Zoo staff members will have their schedules adjusted so their furlough day may take place on a different day.
Punishment Phase Underway
ABILENE -- The punishment phase is now underway for 22-year-old Jason Anderson. He was convicted around 9 p.m. last night of murder by entering into a conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and murder was committed. In November 2007, Abilene Police say Anderson was one of six people who killed 36-year-old Michael Myrick.
KTXS Crime and Courts Reporter Melissa Garcia is in the courtroom and we'll have updates online and on KTXS News at 5 and 6 as developments warrant.
Records link cell phone use to accidents
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Cell phone use has contributed to thousands of Texas automobile accidents since 2005, according to records obtained by a San Antonio television station through an open-records request.
WOAI examined the Texas Department of Transportation database and found that investigating officers cited cell phone use as a contributing factor in more than 17,00 accidents with more than 7,500 injuries and 167 deaths.
Reid's Wife, Daughter Recovering After Car Accident
WASHINGTON (AP) - A tractor-trailer driver has been charged with
reckless driving after allegedly causing an accident that seriously
injured the wife of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Police say Landra Reid and her daughter were traveling in
suburban Virginia yesterday when the tractor-trailer rear-ended
them, forcing them into another car.
Landra Reid has a broken back, neck and nose. She's in serious
condition but is not expected to require surgery.
The daughter was released from the hospital after treatment.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Anderson Guilty
ABILENE -- The jury in the trial of an Abilene man accused of murder has come back with  a guilty verdict.
22-year old Jason Anderson was found guilty about 9 PM Thursday of murder by entering into a conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and murder was committed.
Anderson, is one of six accused of killing 36-year-old Michael Myrick in November 2007. In closing arguments, defense attorney Daniel Barnes pointed out that there's no DNA evidence connecting Anderson to Myrick's murder.
Prosecutor Joel Wilks said that's because Anderson was standing behind Myrick, hitting him over the head with a shovel, when Thelma Maldonado was stabbing him from the front.
The trial sentencing phase starts Friday morning. Anderson faces up to life in prison.
Ruff Riders Player Shot
ABILENE -- A member of the Abilene Ruff Riders football team was injured in a shooting Wednesday night.
 According to police, defensive lineman Rico Brooks was shot in both legs outside an Abilene apartment
complex. The shooting happened sometime after midnight. Ruff Riders Coach Gerald Dockery tells KTXS he was informed of the shooting about 1 AM Thursday. Dockery says Brooks was approached by a masked man wielding a shotgun. The man fired one shot that struck Brooks in both legs.
Dockery says the player had emergency surgery early Thursday morning and is looking at a long recovery.
Police tell us they have no suspect information at this time.
Furlough Days Still A Hot Topic
ABILENE -- Several groups continue to discuss alternatives to planned cuts and furlough days that the City of Abilene has scheduled to make up for a budget deficit.
The Abilene Firefighters Association says the furlough days will undoubtedly affect the quality of emergency services in Abilene. Watch our story...
Abilene Police Association Speaks About Furlough Days
ABILENE -- In a press conference Thursday, members of the Abilene Police Officers Association said they understand why city furloughs need to be made, but wanted to clear up some issues.
Police officers association President Mike Hobbs said rumors had surfaced that they had hired an attorney to stop the furlough situation. Hobbs says that's not the case, the association was just working to make sure the required furlough days agreed with their existing contract in accordance with the civil service code.
Hobbs also said he didn't believe safety in the community would be compromised by the police furlough days.
Petition Started to Protest Cuts
Dozens of senior citizens are also angry at the city's discussion of possibly discontinuing their bus service.
One woman came up with a list of alternative suggestions for the city. She has also started a petition and collected over 300 signatures. Watch our story...
Stamford Bank Robbery Suspect In Custody
STAMFORD -- Authorities have arrested a Fort Worth man who may be responsible for robbing a Stamford bank.
Friday, Vernon Parrish, Louisiana deputies tracked down 55-year-old Eddie Joe Sutton about 45 minutes after a bank there was robbed. They say he confessed to the February 5th robbery of the First National Bank of Stamford and three other bank robberies. Official charges have not yet been filed.
City Wins Energy Award
ABILENE -- The City of Abilene got an incentive check at this morning's City Council meeting from AEP.
The $44,610 check rewards the City for several energy-efficiency projects as part a multi-year plan to reduce energy costs. The City of Abilene upgraded traffic signals and HVAC equipment, installed energy management systems and replaced outdated lighting in a variety of city buildings.
The CitySmart program provides technical and financial assistance to help city governments reduce operating costs by increasing energy efficiency.
Firefighters Battle Early Morning Fire
ABILENE - Another blaze broke out around 3 a.m. in the 1300 block of Lake Side Drive.
According to officials, most of the damage was contained to the attic and exterior of the house.
The one person who was home at the time managed to escape.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
KTXS Severe Weather Special
ABILENE -- If you missed our KTXS Severe Weather Special Thursday night, you can watch it on-line.
CLICK HERE
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Santiago Garza, Jr. to Spend Life in Prison
 ABILENE -- Santiago Garza, Jr. has reached a plea deal and will spend life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Garza admitted to the capital murder charges in the deaths of 18-year-old Nathaniel Moss and 24-year-old Tina Moreno last July. If he had gone to trial and been convicted, Garza could have faced the death penalty. Watch our story...
The other man accused of the murders, Yrineo "Neal" Flores, will face trial in June.
Fire Destroys Merkel Family's Home
MERKEL -- The house fire that broke out around 9:45 Wednesday morning destroyed a large 2-story home.
The fire, in the 300 block of South 8th, was fanned by winds more than 40 miles an hour.
The wind also spread the fire to nearby structures. Watch our story...
The family who lived in the home lost everything. Watch our story...
If you'd like to donate to help the victims of the fire, call the Abilene Red Cross at 677-2622 and specify that the money go to the Merkel fire victims or click here.
WASPS Get Congressional Gold Medal
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Members of the Women's Airforce Service Pilots were honored with the Congressional Gold Medal today. Many were on hand to receive the award.
The women trained at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, supporting male pilots who flew combat missions in World War II. Watch our story...
Abilene Sales Tax Numbers Increase
ABILENE -- Abilene's Sales Tax Revenue numbers were up in January, for the first time since April 2009.
January 2010 sales tax revenue increased $65,586.60. The City of Abilene is watching these numbers very closely because they could have to make more cuts in city services. Watch our story...
Texas Education Board will Take First Vote Since Primary
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas' state education board is set to take a vote on a new social studies curriculum that could reverberate in classrooms nationwide.
A three-day meeting beginning today is the first since primary elections that could push the panel's far-right leanings toward the center. Terms of conservatives who are leaving expire in January.
The board's decisions affect the textbook content around the country because Texas is one of publishers' biggest clients.
The 15-member board is expected this week to finish debating social studies, history and economics curriculum before taking a preliminary vote. Debate could flare over such issues as the Founding Fathers' religious beliefs and border security.
The final vote is expected in May.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Dealing With Lower Tax Revenue
SWEETWATER -- The town of Sweetwater is finding itself in the same boat as many Texas Towns. Dealing with declining sales tax revenue.
However the city manager says, because of the size of Sweetwater, the town doesn't have the same options as other larger communities in cutting costs to stay within budget. Watch our story...
 Sweetwater Denies Raising Lake Leases
SWEETWATER -- In a heated debate at Tuesday's Sweetwater City Commission meeting, commissioners tabled revisiting contracts for land at Lake Sweetwater and Oak Creek Lake.
They decided, at this time, not to raise lake site lease rates for people who live on the lakes.
One Dead In I-20 Crash, Hawley Couple Injured
EASTLAND -- A McKinney man died and a Hawley couple are injured from an accident Monday morning on Interstate 20 in Eastland county.
The DPS says 54-year old Russell Geiger was driving a pickup pulling a trailer westbound on I-20- when he crossed the center median striking an 18-wheeler that was driven by 41-year old Anita Bohannan of Hawley. Both Anita and her husband Shannon, a passenger, where transported to Eastland Memorial Hospital, with unknown injuries.
Geiger died on the scene.
Census 2010 will Test for New Employees
ABILENE -- This Saturday, you can take a test to see if you qualify for one of the 2000 jobs  with Census 2010. A practice test will be given at 1:00 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center, and the actual test will be given at 2:30 p.m.
Click here to find out more about the test.
$1 Idea Turns Into $20,000
ANSON -- Anson students unknowingly initiated a state wide school movement to raise money for Haiti.
The idea was for every student in Anson to bring $1 to school to donate to the Red Cross for Haiti relief. The movement took off as a simple e-mail spread their idea across Texas. Watch our story...
Help with Filing your Taxes is Now Available
ABILENE --Taxes are due April 15, but already help will be available if you want to get your taxes filed early.
The help is free of charge. You can find people set up at the Mall of Abilene and the Downtown Public Library.
Mall of Abilene Tax Help: Downtown Library:
Monday --10 a.m. -- 2 p.m. Wednesday 1 p.m. -- 5 p.m.
Tuesday -- 4 p.m. -- 8 p.m. Thursday 1 p.m. -- 5 p.m.
Friday -- 10 a.m. -- 2 p.m.
Saturday -- 10 a.m. -- 2 p.m.
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