February 6, 2009

Edwards Funerals Today

ABILENE  --  The funeral services for a mother and son who lost their lives in a fire will be this afternoon at 1 pm. Michele Edwards died from smoke inhalation during the Sunday morning fire. Her 7-year-old son William died two days later in a Lubbock hospital.  The father Eddie, William's twin brother Willis, and his 9-year-old sister Amber, escaped without injury.  Graveside services will be at the Tuscola Cemetery and they are open to the public. 

More Expensive Weekend Travel

ABILENE -- If you're heading out of town this weekend, expect to pay more to fill up.  Prices at the gas pump rose an average 8 cents this week in Texas.  AAA Texas says the average retail cost per gallon statewide reached $1.80. The national average for a gallon rose 6 cents, to $1.90. San Antonio drivers paid the least, at $1.76 a gallon. El Pasoans paid the most, at $1.94. Association spokesman Dan Ronan says oil inventories continue to rise and crude supplies are running at a surplus of more than 50 million barrels.

Paying More to Light Up

ABILENE -- Texas smokers will have to pay more to light up.  The federal tax on a pack of cigarettes will go up 60 cents to about a dollar a pack to help cover more uninsured children in Texas. President Barack Obama signed legislation earlier this week that extends health coverage to 4 million more low-income children.  States have to find a way to help cover the cost and the increased cigarette tax is one way to pay for it.

Latest Texas news from
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A mother has appealed to a judge to vacate the rape conviction of a son who died serving 25 years for a rape DNA tests now show he didn't commit. Ruby Cole Session was among dozens of Timothy Cole's family members who jammed State District Judge Charles Baird's courtroom in Austin. The hearing continues today. Cole was convicted of raping Texas Tech student Michele Mallin in 1985 in Lubbock. Mallin, who's now 44, has come forth publicly to help clear Cole's name. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas officials have authorized millions of dollars in payments to companies that helped with emergency services after Hurricane Ike. State emergency management director Jack Colley told lawmakers the state has $134 million in unpaid Ike bills -- and vendors want their money. Gov. Rick Perry blames the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the delay. But FEMA says paying such bills is the state's responsibility, then Texas will be reimbursed.		DALLAS (AP) - A man has received a life sentence without parole for using Craigslist to lure a prospective car buyer to Dallas in a scheme to rob him. That's after a Dallas County jury convicted 26-year-old Kendrick Demus of capital murder yesterday in the June 2007 death of 21-year-old Christian Marton. Marton had traveled from Axtell, near Waco, after finding the car posted on the classified advertising Web site. DALLAS (AP) - A Funeral is scheduled for tomorrow in Dallas for former Texas Instruments chairman Mark Shepherd Jr. The man who helped convert TI into an electronics giant during a 40-year career died Wednesday of complications from pulmonary fibrosis at his East Texas ranch near Quitman. He was 86. He was TI's chairman from 1976 to 1988. He served as a general director until 1993.

February 5, 2009

HSU social club under investigation for hazing

ABILENE  --  A hazing incident is under investigation at Hardin-Simmons University.  According to Forrest McMillan, the Dean of Students, it involved one of the men's social clubs.  The hazing was reported to McMillan Wednesday afternoon.  The dean says his office is investigating the situation and the club is no longer involved in the pledging process for this spring.  He did not identify the social club or elaborate on what type of hazing may have taken place.  McMillan did say that Hardin-Simmons has a "no tolerance" policy for hazing and the university has several mechanisms in place to urge students to behave responsibly.

Three indicted for gun thefts

ABILENE  --  Three people arrested for stealing guns from homes have been indicted.  58 year old Jimmy Lee Smith is accused of kicking in the doors and entering two Abilene houses in November.  Police believe Smith stole several thousand dollars in guns from homes in north and south Abilene.  Officers also arrested 25 year old Daniel Fry and 27 year old Victoria Jarman, both of Abilene, in connection to the crime.  Investigators believe drug money was the motive.  All three suspects remain in the Taylor County jail.  Smith, Fry, and Jarman are charged with engaging in an organized criminal activity and theft of firearm.

Archibald says the city is in good shape

ABILENE  --  In his State of the City speech Thursday, Mayor Norm Archibald pushed the importance of growth within the community.  He also talked about future water needs and the importance of pursuing construction of the Cedar Ridge Reservoir as a future water source.  Watch our story...

Cable TV Channel 7, the City’s education and government channel, will rebroadcast the address on the following days and times:

• Friday, February 6 – 1:00 p.m.

• Saturday, February 7 – 7:30 p.m.

• Sunday, February 8 – 8:00 p.m.

• Monday, February 9 – 10:00 a.m.

• Tuesday February 10 – 10:00 a.m.

The luster of FFB

ABILENE  --  Several financial publications have noted recently the success of a regional bank headquartered in Abilene.  With all the bad news swirling around the banking industry, First Financial Bankshares continues to be one of the top performers in an otherwise under performing industry.  Watch our story...  

February 4, 2009

Need for Salvation Army services grows

ABILENE  --  The Abilene Salvation Army says they're been busy the last several months.  More people are seeking assistance to make ends meet.  The Salvation Army can offer help in many different ways.  And your generosity to their program is appreciated.  Watch our story...   

Man sentenced for drive-by involvement

ABILENE  --  An Abilene man arrested in connection with a drive-by shooting will spend the next 8 years behind bars. 
19-year-old Gerardo Vidal Stokes pleaded guilty to deadly conduct and aggravated assault.  Last April, Stokes took part in a drive-by shooting in the 15-hundred block of Woodard hitting two homes and shattered the windows of three vehicles.  One bullet hit a 3-year-old's bedroom.  Right after the shooting, police pulled over a pickup with 7 suspects inside, including Stokes.

Sexting could be a crime

ABILENE  -- Have you heard of sexting?  Authorities say an increasing number of young cell phone users are sending sexually explicit text messages, even nude photos of themselves.  Police warn parents to be aware of what their children may be involved in because it could be a felony.  Watch our story...  

Solar added at ACU

ABILENE  --  Abilene Christian University continues to take steps to develop a greener campus.  Solar panels will soon be providing power to parts of the university that have been plugged into the grid.  Watch our story...  

February 3, 2009

Donations Pour In

ABILENE -- Lytle South Baptist Church is hosting a drive again tonight from 6 to 8 pm to collect items for the Edwards family, who lost two family members and everything they owned in a fire early Sunday morning.  Dozens donated clothing, furniture and other items at the church at 1125 E. Industrial last night. 

An account has also been set up at Citizens Bank, 4201 S. Treadaway Blvd., to help the family with expenses. The account is called the Lytle South Baptist Memorial Fund, and the number is 1468782. 

The Day the Music Died

 ABILENE -- It's been 50 years since "the day the music died." That infamous day, three pioneering rock and rollers were killed in a plane crash in Iowa: Buddy Holly, Ritchei Valens, and J-P "The Big Bopper" Richardson. Watch our story...  

Money allocated for new electric transmission lines

ABILENE  --  Money has been allocated to build new power transmission lines to carry wind energy electricity to big population centers in Texas.  The lines are badly needed because new wind energy projects are pending the construction of the lines needed to transmit wind power out of West Texas.  Watch our story…  

Trying to solve a $46 billion social problem

ABILENE  --  Eighty percent of the Texas prison population is behind bars because of drug or alcohol related crimes.  In Abilene the Serenity Foundation is working to treat people with substance abuse problems before they get into the system and become a ward of the state.  Watch our story…