Reporter-News Archives

Aug. 31 -- Crape myrtle campaign hopes to put scandalous roots behind it: When 24-year-old Holly Haley of Hamlin applied for a job heading up Abilene Clean and Proud, she discovered its past efforts were well-known - in fact, nearly notorious.

Aug. 31 -- Aussies get warm welcome for this week's cutting competition: Rick Knudsen enjoyed quite a celebration on his 25th birthday Sunday. The tall Aussie cowboy was serenaded by the ever-boisterous Cowboy Band of Hardin-Simmons University, welcomed to town by the mayor and the county judge, handed a rose by the West Texas Fair & Rodeo queen and feted at a reception in Taylor County Coliseum.

Aug. 31 -- AISD board to consider public opinion today: As the budget process ends for the Abilene Independent School District, the board will consider public opinion today of the $1.62 tax rate proposed to fund the school budget that was adopted last week.

Aug. 30 -- DA's office pursues prosecution of deadbeat parents: Christi Robbins' ex-husband has dodged paying some $8,000 in child support and still, she chafes, the man is "running around free."

Aug. 30 -- Abilene schools consider safety issues: Abilene joined the rest of the nation in a dreary wake-up call last year when a series of school shootings stunned the nation and heaped responsibility on school administrators and politicians to calm and confront the fears.

Aug. 30 -- Thunderstorm blows through Abilene: Raymond Baker was watching wrestling Saturday evening when a sudden thunderstorm hit Abilene.

Aug. 30 -- Some locals not complaining about construction: Instead of being frustrated, J.D. Womack rather likes the construction that has closed off Hardwick Road.

Aug. 30 -- County commissioners hold budget hearing: Taylor County commissioners expect to play to a small -- if not empty -- room Tuesday when they host a public hearing on the proposed budget and tax rate.

Aug. 30 -- Wild Horse and Burro Program to hold auction: Abilenians can purchase wild horses and burros by silent bid on Sept. 19.

Aug. 30 -- Family adopts cat at Humane Society Fair: Jesse Bromley had big news for his first-grade classmates during "Show and Tell" last week.

Aug. 30 -- Day of Caring to be held Wednesday: Abilenians are planning to wake up early Wednesday and trade their normal duties for a day of service.

Aug. 29 -- Noah Project now offers legal as well as medical help: On almost any weekend you pick, you'll find on the Abilene Police Department's "blotter" several variations of this stock complaint: "My husband (boyfriend, ex-husband, ex-boyfriend) and I were arguing, and then he got really mad and beat me up."

Aug. 29 -- Elementary school holds mock weddings: When second-grader Dennis Willis wasn't feeling well Thursday night, his mother asked him if he was OK to go to school Friday.

Aug. 29 -- Local universities' rankings have a positive effect: When Becky Homsher started looking for a college to attend, she had some guidelines in mind.

Aug. 29 -- Tire fire put out after almost a week: STAMFORD -- The Stamford tire fire that began Sunday was finally extinguished Friday afternoon, smothered by tons of sand and thousands of gallons of water.

Aug. 29 -- Lynn leaves WTRC crowd with lovin' on their minds: It was no accident Loretta Lynn left a sold-out Civic Center Annex crowd with lovin' on their minds Friday night.

Aug. 29 -- Three from Abilene convicted in drug sting: An Abilene man linked to a drug ring that distributed the so-called "date rape" drug across four states was sentenced to three years probation by a federal judge Friday.

Aug. 28 -- Dyess housing initiative could mean another building spurt: A new Air Force initiative could mean a building boom in Abilene. As many as 400 new apartments and town houses will be constructed in the Air Force's first attempt to establish off-base, contract-built housing for military personnel.

Aug. 28 -- Locals gather in downtown garage for "Bat Watch": Nearly 300 people gathered in a dark, downtown parking garage Thursday to observe nature's only flying mammals: bats.

Aug. 28 -- Murder dismissals don't affect main charge: BAIRD - Murder charges filed against two brothers in the April 1997 shooting death of Ted Saunders have been dismissed, however, the brothers remain charged with capital murder.

Aug. 28 -- Political race unplugs Friday night football veteran announcer: Fifteen years ago, Chuck Statler insisted his wedding be rescheduled because a fall date would have clashed with the high school football season.

Aug. 28 -- Keffer, Human Services officers meet here to discuss welfare legislation: Despite decreasing state welfare rolls, state officials say providing longterm employment for some remaining welfare recipients may prove a challenging task.

Aug. 28 -- Confiscated monkeys making debut at Abilene Zoo: The first New World monkeys to be housed in the Abilene Zoo are now on exhibit.

Aug. 28 -- Second annual Watt Matthews Days set: ALBANY - Legendary Shackelford County rancher Watt Matthews' memory and spirit will be honored again this year during the second annual Watt Matthews Days set for Friday through Sunday, Oct. 16-18.

Aug. 28 -- Council OKs ordinances to allow McMurry new practice fields: McMurry University is two steps closer to establishing new practice football fields.

Aug. 28 -- Clyde man survives train wreck with minor injuries: CLYDE - A Clyde man never made it to the store to buy razor blades Thursday, but he experienced the closest shave of his life on the way.

Aug. 27 -- "Book Lady" gets books to children who need them: Among a small but growing number of children in these parts, Larry McMurtry doesn't rank as the leading literary light from Archer City.

Aug. 27 -- Treatment for Crohn's disease approved by FDA: The first treatment for Crohn's disease, an incurable disorder characterized by inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration Monday.

Aug. 27 -- Friday night football returning to West Texas: The return of high school football steps up social calendars of sports groupies who prove you don't need a child on the football team, the cheerleading squad or the drill team to catch the spirit.

Aug. 27 -- Burglar hitting local churches: Abilene ministers and laymen are on the lookout for a certain sinner who prefers not to show his face in church.

Aug. 27 -- Tony Garza in town to talk about oil policies: Republican Texas Railroad Commissioner candidate Tony Garza emphasized oil policies and ideas to change the oil climate Wednesday during a campaign stop in Abilene.

Aug. 27 -- Merkel city council proposes 7.99 percent tax hike: MERKEL - No opposition has been registered so far in the city of Merkel's intent to raise taxes by 7.99 percent.

Aug. 27 -- What if you're found guilty but already in prison? Disciplinary Captain Richard Avants rattles off a list of charges, questions and warnings, speaking in the uninterrupted cadence of an auctioneer.

Aug. 27 -- Firefighters to try something different on stubborn tire fire: STAMFORD - Nothing wet has worked effectively, so firefighters will try something dry to put out the stacks of shredded rubber tires that have burned near here for four days.

Aug. 27 -- Rule drive-in fund started: RULE - Residents have started a drive to rebuild the Tower Drive-In Theater, a Rule landmark that was flattened during a violent wind storm on May 8.

Aug. 26 -- Taylor County Commissioners want to hire two more dispatchers: Upon hearing the move will cost Taylor County nothing, commissioners promptly dispatched Sheriff Jack Dieken Tuesday to hire two more call-takers.

Aug. 26 -- AISD board gets crisis management plan report: Although Abilene likes to brag about a high quality of life that includes a safe environment for raising children, last spring's string of violent incidents in schools across the nation alarmed even local parents, school officials said.

Aug. 26 -- Family puts up memorial along Dublin road to remember tragic death: DUBLIN - So many crosses have sprung up beside Big Country roads to mark fatal accidents motorists often speed past without noticing.

Aug. 26 -- School headmaster: No parents refused to sign waiver: Christian Academy of Abilene parents willingly signed documents waiving the city's liability if a blaze at the tiny school kills their children, the headmaster reported on the first day of classes.

Aug. 26 -- Fumes from Stamford tire fire shouldn't harm residents: STAMFORD - Despite the presence of some toxic chemicals, fumes from burning tires at a local recycling plant present little danger to Stamford and area residents, according to officials from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Aug. 26 -- Manufacturer to bring 350-500 jobs to Abilene: The Colonel's International Inc. will open a manufacturing facility in Abilene as early as January.

Aug. 26 -- Speaker brings message of friendship to McMurry Convocation: A college education must prepare students intellectually for the 21st century, but perhaps more importantly, the college experience must be a time of forming friendships.

Aug. 25 -- Gasoline keeps going down in price here: Today's 88.9 cents per gallon local gas prices are about half gas and half tax.

Aug. 25 -- City agrees to let school open dispite fire code violation: An 11th-hour agreement with City Hall will allow Christian Academy of Abilene to start school as planned this morning even though the private campus violates fire codes.

Aug. 25 -- ACU begins fall semester on a rousing note: A splash of old-time religion and unabashed patriotism, combined with a colorful parade of flags and a goosebump rendition of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" set a rousing tone for the fall semester at Abilene Christian University Monday morning.

Aug. 25 -- Disciplinary officer at Robertson hears several cases daily: Disciplinary Captain Richard Avants rattles off a list of charges, questions and warnings, speaking in the uninterrupted cadence of an auctioneer.

Aug. 25 -- Tire fire near Stamford resists firefighters' best efforts: STAMFORD - A team of Texas A&M specialists trained in fighting chemical and hazardous material fires was called in Monday to help nine rural fire departments and a strike team from the Texas Forest Service try to extinguish the toughest wildfire of a long, hot summer - a virtual mountain of burning rubber.

Aug. 25 -- Juvenile certified, indicted in kidnapping case: STEPHENVILLE - A juvenile allegedly involved in the May 4 kidnapping of a Stephenville woman has been certified to stand trial as an adult in the case.

Aug. 25 -- Backers present racing plan to CIP committee: The audience members at Monday afternoon's Capital Improvements Program citizen advisory committee had one thing on their minds: racing.

Aug. 25 -- New sections added to elementary schools: Another first day of school was thrust upon some teachers, students and parents Monday as classroom adjustments were made because of inaccurate enrollment projections.

Aug. 25 -- Council looking forward to approving budget Thursday: Provided everything goes as City Manager Roy McDaniel expects, the city will have a budget to call its own after the Abilene City Council's Thursday meeting.

Aug. 25 -- Wylie board adopts budget in quick session: In a 22-minute session, the Wylie school board adopted a $13.5 million budget and set a Sept. 14 vote to finalize a proposed $1.3499 property tax rate to help pay for it.

Aug. 25 -- Wanda Merritt chosen for federal job: Wanda Merritt, Abilene's community development administrator, is leaving the city and going federal, with a couple of stops at one of the nation's most prestigious universities along the way.

Aug. 25 -- Local girl suffering from rare disease: Ka'Bonnie Webb is not as happy as she could be, according to her grandmother.

Aug. 25 -- AISD board OKs budget that increases taxes by 9.4 percent: The Abilene school board adopted a budget Monday for the 1998-99 school year that will increase property taxes by 9.4 percent.

Aug. 25 -- HSU ranked by major magazine: Hardin-Simmons University was one of eight Texas universities ranked in the second tier of western region schools by U.S. News and World Report.

Aug. 24 -- Clyde man finds new hope with heart of young woman: CLYDE - Although he never met Teresa Forshage face to face, Jim Harrison owes her his life. While the 25-year-old chiropractor and mother from Lewisville died July 15, she will always live in Harrison's heart - literally.

Aug. 24 -- AISD, WISD boards to listen to public once more before voting on budget: The Abilene and Wylie school boards will meet for public hearings today to listen to opinions one last time before voting on the proposed school budget.

Aug. 24 -- CIP to listen to the public today: The city's Capital Improvement Program citizen advisory committee is shelving its agenda today and devoting its time instead to listening to the public.

Aug. 24 -- Albany children illustrate new book: ALBANY - Sometimes creativity arises in the most unexpected places. For Albany author Pam Carter Davis, the idea for writing a children's book that would be illustrated by children came in a very private place.

Aug. 24 -- Taylor County 4-H Banquet honors outstanding achievers: Some dedicated youngsters and adults were recognized during the annual Taylor County 4-H Awards Banquet Sunday in the Big Country Hall at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.

Aug. 23 -- Woman who filed suit against Matta speaks out: The woman who won a $100,000 settlement in a sexual harassment claim against Justice of the Peace Sam Matta says she was willing to drop the suit for the cost of an apology.

Aug. 23 -- Crowd flocks to Dyess airshow: The first thing many people learned Saturday about the C-5 was the amount of shade that could be found under its wing.

Aug. 23 -- Local organizations raise money to fight hunger: A Rhode Island philanthropist didn't quite match Jesus' feat of feeding 5,000 with a handful of loaves and fishes last February.

Aug. 23 -- Car dealers happy working 7 days a week not allowed: Texas law is restricting entrepreneurship, and local car dealers say that's just fine.

Aug. 23 -- School year gets rolling at local colleges: A row of festive banners along Sayles Boulevard and splashy billboards around town proudly proclaim McMurry University's 75th anniversary.

Aug. 23 -- Runnels County's 911 program in jeopardy: WINTERS -- Runnels County and the cities of Ballinger and Winters are locked in a dispute over paying for dispatching and 911 services.

Aug. 23 -- Prisoners walk to end child abuse: Twenty-five Middleton Unit inmates walked to Dallas on Saturday -- and never left the prison gym.

Aug. 22 -- Afghan missiles were properly aimed: WINTERS -- Winters City Manager Aref Hassan, a native of Afghanistan, was not at all unhappy Thursday when dozens of American cruise missiles slammed into his native country just 70 miles or so from his birthplace.

Aug. 22 -- Harold and Chera Hohhertz honored as Farm Family of the Year: The unrelenting 1998 drought has been treacherous, but Harold and Chera Hohhertz vowed Friday it would not put them out of farming.

Aug. 22 -- Dyess prepares for airshow: Open house preparations by Dyess Air Force Base personnel took a break Friday afternoon for a brief but very loud showing by a Navy fighter.

Aug. 22 -- Preservation angels looking after old St. Francis: Abilene's faith in historical preservation may be tried mightily in coming months, thanks to efforts to save the town's oldest surviving church building.

Aug. 22 -- New procedure for detecting breast cancer saves time and money: A cheaper, quicker mammography method that reduces the need for open surgical biopsies is available at Abilene Regional Medical Center.

Aug. 22 -- Drought driving wild animals to search for water: SWEETWATER -- Sweetwater residents reported a red fox standing just yards away from their apartment complex recently.

Aug. 22 -- TV producers hear stories from local cops: The infamy -- or rather stupidity -- of some of the Big Country's dumber criminals may soon spread far and wide.

Aug. 22 -- Speaker Gene Stallings comes to ACU: Gene Stallings has a stadium full of memorable moments as a major college and professional football coach.

Aug. 22 -- Democratic Party Chair attends celebration: Texas Democratic Party Chairwoman Molly Beth Malcolm emphasized President Clinton's national address Monday would not affect local Democratic candidates during the fall elections.

Aug. 21 -- City Manager says no aluminum threat in drinking water: No sufficient evidence is available that aluminum ingested through drinking water poses any health threat, City Manager Roy McDaniel said Thursday afternoon.

Aug. 21 -- Dyess not commenting on military air strikes: Citing security concerns, a Dyess Air Force Base spokesman refused comment late Thursday afternoon about the U.S. military air strikes against sites in Afghanistan and Sudan and how they might affect activities here.

Aug. 21 -- Abilenians going into Hall of Fame: PAMPA - Retired Air Force Col. Joseph W. Stephens will be inducted into the Panhandle Veterans Hall of Fame tonight, one of two Abilenians among the four honorees.

Aug. 21 -- Texas school systems can't attract teachers: John Cole, president of the Texas Federation of Teachers, addressed its Abilene branch Thursday as part of a statewide "Quality Counts" campaign promoting better pay for teachers to help boost educational excellence.

Aug. 21 -- Chicago analyst: China is key to wheat market: From growing wheat to fertilizer use, China is a key nation in world wheat.

Aug. 21 -- Parking no problem at high schools, except for some nearby residents: Lack of parking is not the problem at local high schools this year; getting students to use them is the challenge, local high school officials said.

Aug. 21 -- McMurry students to help community during orientation: Incoming freshmen at McMurry University will hit the streets Saturday, working for the larger community as part of their orientation.

Aug. 21 -- McMurry gets top rating from 'America's Best Colleges': "We're No. 1!" It's a boast McMurry University can claim, thanks to rankings released Thursday by America's Best Colleges, published by U.S. News and World Report.

Aug. 21 -- Defendants facing retrial see different futures: A trio of defendants nearing retrial in a controversial robbery case confronted three different fates in an Abilene courtroom Thursday.

Aug. 21 -- Lottery ticket sales declining this year: AUSTIN - Texas lottery sales have skyrocketed ever since the tickets hit the shelves in 1991. But the rise in ticket sales, which reached more than $3.7 billion last year, has been on the decline this year.

Aug. 20 -- Ice water keeping local gridiron heroes away from heat-related problems: In an age of sports drinks, vitamin supplements and weight gainers in the training room, athletic trainers at Abilene's two Class 5A high schools serve their players nothing but plain old ice water on the practice field.

Aug. 20 -- Even if more rain comes, '98 drought surpasses 1996 in damage now: It's official - the 1998 drought already has surpassed damage of the 1996 disaster - with a dozen days left in August.

Aug. 20 -- Former Rising Star police chief indicted: Grand jurors have indicted a former Rising Star police chief for allegedly funneling federal dollars meant to fund a fellow officer's salary into his own pocket.

Aug. 20 -- Local private schools staying up academically: Local private schools continue to compete with state and national averages in standard achievement tests.

Aug. 20 -- AISD board to meet once more for public input on budget: The Abilene school board will meet Monday to consider public opinion one last time before voting on the proposed budget for the Abilene schools.

Aug. 20 -- Abilene becoming leader in assisted living facilities: Herman Landrum, a former resident in two nursing homes, said living in an assisted living facility has improved his health and his outlook on life.

Aug. 20 -- Weddington believes GOP candidates to be helped by recent events: Texas Republican Party chairwoman Susan Weddington said Wednesday the recent events involving President Clinton's grand jury testimony will benefit GOP candidates during the midterm elections in November.

Aug. 20 -- Regional HMO fined $100,000: AUSTIN - A Texas health plan serving area residents was fined $100,000 this week for allegedly paying doctors to limit needed services, Texas Department of Insurance records show.

Aug. 20 -- Programs needed to better prevent youth crime: AUSTIN - Texas officials need to better organize programs designed to prevent youth crime, according to a Criminal Justice Policy Council report released Wednesday.

Aug. 20 -- Buffalo Gap: Good water pressure coming: BUFFALO GAP - The pressure is on in Buffalo Gap - or rather will be real soon. Water pressure, that is.

Aug. 19 -- Abilenians' reaction to President's admission is mixed: Public officials, residents and students in Abilene expressed varying opinions about President Clinton's national address Monday evening.

Aug. 19 -- Some local high schoolers ready to forgive President, some aren't: Images of President Bill Clinton flickered on and off a muted television set on CSPAN as Bryan Parmelly's U.S. government students filed into his Cooper High School classroom Tuesday morning, talking and laughing as usual.

Aug. 19 -- Commissioners' funding of arts gets standing ovation: Taylor County commissioners' decision to boost spending and taxes Tuesday raised the roof.

Aug. 19 -- Firefighters won't leave until rain arrives: No end appears in sight for the firefighters stationed at the Hamby fire station to battle wildfires.

Aug. 19 -- New city librarian hired: Ricki Val Brown, who has spent the last 18 years on the East Coast, spent one June day, the beginning of the city's heat wave, interviewing for a job here.

Aug. 19 -- ACU student from China helps elementary students learn about his country: Howard Lam, a native of Hong Kong, brought the Far East to fourth graders as they began their study of China at Long Elementary on Tuesday.

Aug. 19 -- DCOA retains services of consultants: The Development Corporation of Abilene approved contracts Tuesday worth more than $208,000 to retain the services of legal and political consultants through Sept. 30, 1999.

Aug. 19 -- Dr. Willimon to speak at McMurry convocation: One of the "Twelve Most Effective Preachers in the English-Speaking World" will be guest speaker Tuesday at McMurry University's Fall Convocation.

Aug. 19 -- Texas Historical Commission meets at Albany: ALBANY - Texas Historical Commission officials set the groundwork Tuesday to revive the old Texas Forts Trail, which stretches through the Big Country.

Aug. 19 -- Firefighters need to have rope rescue skills as well: Rural firefighters mostly fight fires and rescue automobile accident victims. But a special kind of skill is sometimes required.

Aug. 18 -- School kitchen staff trying to cope with heat: For the past several weeks local taxpayers have turned up the heat on Abilene schools about the lack of air conditioning in campus kitchens -- particularly with school starting early this year.

Aug. 18 -- Community squads help the city, save taxpayers' money: They're probably the only welders in town who feel lucky to have a job that doesn't pay a dime.

Aug. 18 -- Universities kick off the fall semester with orientation: McMurry University students will learn to COPE; at Abilene Christian University they'll discover that "Right Now, It's Your Tomorrow;" and at Hardin-Simmons University they'll learn how to "Soar to New Heights."

Aug. 18 -- THC meets to discuss Texas Forts Trail: Texas Historical Commission officials laid out plans Monday to blaze a trail in "heritage tourism" along the old Texas Forts Trail that snakes through much of the Big Country.

Aug. 18 -- New manager of Higher Education Council looking forward to job: Ashley Gillespie hasn't been in Abilene long, but she's been here long enough to realize one of the benefits of a smaller city.

Aug. 18 -- Missing man's family increases reward: The family of Michael Adams, who vanished 11 summers ago with hardly a trace, has quadrupled a reward for information about his disappearance to $20,000.

Aug. 18 -- Internet gambling lawsuit sparks debate: A lawsuit filed in a California superior court claiming debts accumulated through Internet gambling are unenforceable may help define Internet jurisdiction.

Aug. 18 -- CIP committee hears presentation by private citizen: Pat Addison strode confidently to the podium, presented a steering committee her concerns and questions, turned and strode confidently out the door.

Aug. 18 -- Local veteran to be inducted into Hall of Fame: Abilene's Keith Wells, who commanded the storied Marine platoon that raised the American flag atop Iwo Jima's Mount Suribachi in World War II, will add to his collection of awards Friday night.

Aug. 17 -- Heat wave forcing wildlife closer to 'city water': When high temperatures hit this summer, most city dwellers knew they'd be fine as long as they stuck to the air-conditioned indoors. And farmers, their livelihood threatened by drought, lobbied the government for special aid.

Aug. 17 -- "Tight belts" may mean more outside funds for Abilene schools this year: With the modified calendar pushing back innovative teaching projects in the Abilene schools this year, and general distictwide belt-tightening, the pursuit of outside funds may offer teachers' options in classroom creativity. A list of grant opportunities

Aug. 17 -- Harmony Family Services receives three-year grant: Presbyterian Children's Home of Waxahachie will help Harmony Family Services harmonize its family-based services for the next three years.

Aug. 17 -- A.M.E. conference ends stay in Abilene: The A.M.E. Church's annual conference ended Sunday with a bunch of people "enthusiastic, excited, and full of joy."

Aug. 17 -- Wife allegedly shoots husband four times: EASTLAND - A 44-year-old Eastland man was able to walk about 300 yards to a fire station for help after his wife allegedly shot him four times with a .22-caliber rifle.

Aug. 17 -- Bangs church sued over contribution records: BROWNWOOD - A Brownwood woman charges in a lawsuit filed here that a Bangs church refuses to give her records of her contributions so that she may file them with the IRS.

Aug. 16 -- Neighborhood holds annual back-to-school picnic: The Pasadena Heights neighborhood braved scorching temperatures Saturday to honor its children.

Aug. 16 -- Fisher County's first oil well commemorated: The Fisher County Historical Society and Texaco commemorated Fisher County's first producing oil well Saturday morning, unveiling a historical marker marking the event.

Aug. 16 -- City officials not worrying about reactions to tax increase: When it comes to bond elections, city officials have plenty to worry about.

Aug. 16 -- Veterans celebrate National Aviation Day: Dallas resident Maurice Glover piloted an L-4 again Saturday -- after a 52-year hiatus.

Aug. 16 -- Many businesses expanding to Abilene: Grand openings in Abilene have become rather commonplace.

Aug. 16 -- Commissioners propose tax increase: ROBERT LEE -- Coke County commissioners will hold a public hearing on a proposal to increase total tax revenues from properties on the tax roll by 4 percent. The hearing will be at 9 a.m. Monday at the courthouse.

Aug. 15 -- Drivateria closes after 40 years: Abilene is losing a legendary establishment.

Aug. 15 -- Mental Health Association proposes expansion of CHIP: Expansion of the Children's Health Insurance Plan, which offers health insurance for children of families hovering near poverty level, will be discussed in Austin on Thursday.

Aug. 15 -- High-flying area native puts Siberia behind her: Former Anson resident and one-time Abilene Christian University student Nikki Mitchell is winging her way home to Tennessee after a daring round-the-globe flight undertaken to memorialize Soviet women aviators.

Aug. 15 -- Former area priest faces sex abuse lawsuit: EASTLAND -- A former Catholic priest who served parishes in Eastland and Palo Pinto counties from 1990-93, is facing a sexual abuse civil suit in Massachusetts.

Aug. 15 -- Summer school programs benefit from grant: Many Abilene students have earned a fresh start for school this year after overcoming retainment through the district's state-funded elementary and middle school summer programs.

Aug. 15 -- Texas Municipal Water District Board meets: New board members were appointed and officers were elected during Friday's West Central Texas Municipal Water District's meeting.

Aug. 15 -- Jones County 911 system to be moved: ANSON -- Despite Jones County Sheriff Robby Wedeking's objections, removal of the 911 and a system for checking criminal histories from the sheriff's office began early Friday morning.

Aug. 15 -- Identity of escapee uncovered: BIG SPRING -- Officials at the Mexican Consulate in Laredo have solved a mystery surrounding the identity of a man shot and killed while trying to escape from a private prison in Big Spring one week ago.

Aug. 15 -- Texas historical commission to meet in Albany: ALBANY -- The Texas Historical Commission will host a regional meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Aztec Theater in Albany. Box lunches will be available for $7.

Aug. 15 -- AME ordains new ministers: A Lubbock couple will be ordained today during the Northwest Texas Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Aug. 15 -- Inmates return to Jones County Jail: ANSON -- After nearly five months and $100,000 spent for detention, Jones County prisoners -- at least most of them -- will return to the Jones County Jail in the next few days.

Aug. 14 -- Gindratt, Merritt earn Men of the Year honors: Two men who are a positive influence on youth were honored Thursday night as Men of the Year by the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Aug. 14 -- AME conference enjoyed day of rejoicing: "This is a day the Lord has made - rejoice and be glad in it," the Rev. Caiaphas Cain boomed, and his listeners heard. From Cain's opening proclamation to the closing hymn, the approximately 200 people attending the African Methodist Episcopal Church Conference at the Clarion Hotel did indeed rejoice.

Aug. 14 -- Public hearing to hear opinions from citizens about school budget increase: An upcoming public hearing offers citizens one last chance to voice opinions about the 9.4-percent tax increase proposed with the preliminary Abilene school budget.

Aug. 14 -- Celebrate 2000 committee holds initial meeting: While many people are beginning to toss around ideas for where to spend New Year's Eve 1998, one area committee is already planning memories to carry into 2001.

Aug. 14 -- Inmate says he harbors no bitterness: On the eve of freedom following five-plus years of wrongful imprisonment, Robertson Unit inmate Henry Grady Coleman insisted he harbors neither bitterness nor rage.

Aug. 14 -- Senior citizens get bad news on Social Security's future: The bad news given a group of senior citizens Thursday is that serious financial problems lie ahead for Social Security.

Aug. 14 -- Council OKs amended tower ordinance: After almost a year of preparation, discussion and occasional impassioned debate, the Abilene City Council unanimously approved the amended tower ordinance at the Thursday meeting.

Aug. 14 -- "Titanic" finally ends epic stay in Abilene: "Titanic" the movie certainly has held up better than the ill-fated luxury liner. The film based on the sinking of the White Star Lines ship on its maiden voyage 86 years ago is not showing today in Abilene, ending a string of 238 days on local screens.

Aug. 14 -- Artwalk crowd not 'exactly packed': The sidewalk along Cypress Street wasn't exactly packed Thursday night, but the evening's Artwalk events drew enough locals downtown to make Abilene appear to have at least a smattering of urban nightlife.

Aug. 14 -- 'e-thepeople.com' to make contacting officials easier: Contacting local, state and national officials or initiating a petition is now only a few mouse clicks away on your computer.

Aug. 13 -- Mall of Abilene sues appraisal district: The Mall of Abilene's new owners are suing the Taylor County Central Appraisal District, contending the property's $27.85 million appraisal is at least 10 percent too high.

Aug. 13 -- Bishop talks about different worship styles at conference here: The bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Texas often preaches about human beings "all being one," but his interpretation of that concept may surprise some.

Aug. 13 -- Today is annual Left-Handers Day: Napoleon was one. So was Herbert Hoover. Bill Clinton is one. Joan of Arc may have been. Fidel Castro, Richard Simmons and Tom Cruise are all confirmed.

Aug. 13 -- Local officers given new assignments: Nine Abilene police officers have been reassigned to different divisions, the department announced.

Aug. 13 -- Wylie ISD enrollment up: The enrollment of Wylie schools was up .5 percent from last fall and almost 1 percent from last spring, school officials said.

Aug. 13 -- Wylie's first day of classes runs smoothly: Beginnings swept across Wylie schools Wednesday, not only the commencement of the fall term, but for some, the embarkation on a new era of life.

Aug. 13 -- TDA Drought Workshop brings discussion on tools for surviving drought: STAMFORD - Some estimates say the 1998 drought has been so treacherous Texas may lose up to one-third of its farmers and ranchers from its impact.

Aug. 13 -- Parker won't go on trial again for marijuana possession: Attorney Quanah Parker won't be retried on a drug charge after a judge grudgingly suppressed a pound of marijuana seized from the lawyer's office because of an "undotted i" in a search warrant.

Aug. 13 -- Visiting firefighters have spent a lot of money here: Firefighters brought in to battle wildfires in northwest Texas have helped heat up the Abilene economy over the last month and a half.

Aug. 13 -- Woman dies in Breckenridge house fire: BRECKENRIDGE - A handicapped Breckenridge woman escaped from her burning home, but when her wheelchair became stuck on a porch ramp, "the fire came out and got her," a fire investigator said Wednesday.

Aug. 13 -- Candidate brings "Save Our Schools" campaign to town: A land commissioner candidate toured through Abilene on Wednesday in a school bus and outlined education as his priority during his campaign.

Aug. 13 -- Consultant tells of media's role in "shaping public opinion" concerning hazardous: In the case of a hazardous material explosion, Chuck Wolf said the media can make or break a company.

Aug. 13 -- Inmate ordered released due to "court blunder": A federal judge ordered a Robertson Unit inmate freed immediately Wednesday after the state conceded it has wrongly imprisoned the Abilene man for five-plus years.

Aug. 12 -- AISD enrollment up in high schools, down in elementary, middle schools: The first day of classes Wednesday brought fewer students to Abilene elementary and middle schools this year but a greater number of students to the high school campuses, school officials said.

Aug. 12 -- First day of school brings nervousness for teachers as well: Eric von Atzigen wanted everything perfect. The first-year elementary school teacher at Fannin Elementary reclined in a miniature plastic chair Monday as he took a short break from preparing his classroom.

Aug. 12 -- State school plan includes 14 layoffs and reduction of 32 positions: The Abilene State School will lay off 14 employees and eliminate 32 positions presently vacant if Superintendent Bill Waddill's plan is approved in Austin.

Aug. 12 -- Commissioners' proposed budget would increase taxes: Taylor County commissioners' tentative $21.1 million budget would increase the average homeowner's taxes $21 in the coming year.

Aug. 12 -- Local Methodists react to same-sex ruling: The bishop for local United Methodists said Tuesday he was pleased with a ruling prohibiting ministers from performing same-sex unions but at the same time urged civility and compassion.

Aug. 12 -- Fatal amoebic illness can be avoided: Swimmers looking to escape the record summer heat need only take a few precautionary steps to avoid contracting an amoeba-related illness blamed for two deaths in Texas.

Aug. 12 -- TIF board looking at ways to bring Amtrak to Abilene: Pardon me, boy, is that the Texas Eagle choo-choo? Although it would be awhile in coming, one city board is looking into bringing Amtrak service to Abilene.

Aug. 12 -- Abilene not immune to hazardous materials effects: Despite a long track record of few problems, one area committee warns the Key City, like the rest of Texas, is not immune to the effects of hazardous materials.

Aug. 12 -- United Way launches campaign: The United Way of Abilene launched its campaign for next year's funding Tuesday, announced a new service for children and elected the new coordinator for next year's campaign chairman.

Aug. 12 -- Colorado City just says 'no' to apology request: COLORADO CITY - In the words of Mayor Jim Baum, the Colorado City Council decided to "just say no" Tuesday night to attorney Pat Barber's request for an apology.

Aug. 12 -- Parents, caseworkers irked by child support enforcement: Parents owed child support and child support case workers seemed equally perturbed Tuesday that the enforcement of payments is inefficient while the children were made to suffer.

Aug. 12 -- Glickman sees drought devastation up close in region: COLORADO CITY - With his casual slacks, chambray shirt and work shoes, Dan Glickman could have been a local farmer in Woody Anderson's parched cotton field north of here Tuesday. Except he wasn't.

Aug. 12 -- 'Abilene's Mrs. Bridge' reaches 108 years of age (Ken Ellsworth): Mabel D. Lilius is a "Life Master" in more ways than one. The former Abilenian known for 50 years as "Abilene's Mrs. Bridge" celebrated her 108th birthday Aug. 4 in Brownwood.

Aug. 11 -- Kenyan basketball player remembers explosion at embassy: ACU basketball recruit Alex Aluga expected his first trip to America to be an adventure, but he didn't expect the excitement to begin before he even left home.

Aug. 11 -- Illegal drugs worth $21 million seized in I-20 stop: COLORADO CITY -- Agents of the West Central Texas Interlocal Crime Task Force seized heroin and cocaine valued at $21 million in a traffic stop near here on Aug. 5, officials revealed Monday.

Aug. 11 -- WTU donates $100,000 to help customers with electric bills: At least 1,000 West Texas Utilities customers will get a break from the heat courtesy of the Abilene-based power company.

Aug. 11 -- Stenholm announces activation of 13th B-1 Squadron: The activation of a third B-1B bomber squadron at Dyess Air Force Base in 2000 is "right on schedule" though its full fleet of planes and personnel will be phased in over four years, U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm announced Monday.

Aug. 11 -- Brushing up on slang for the new school year: New teachers aspiring to join the ranks of their "cool" colleagues may need a pop quiz in teen-age jargon before hitting the school halls today -- and a refresher course probably wouldn't hurt veterans either.

Aug. 11 -- Ground broken for veterans home: Just more than a year since the Texas Legislature approved construction of four veterans nursing homes, ground was broken Monday for the Big Spring facility.

Aug. 11 -- CIP Committee hears presentation from Public Works: After taking in what Assistant Director of Public Works James Condry admitted was a lot of information Monday afternoon, one Abilene committee was seeing red.

Aug. 11 -- FACT to discuss child support enforcement: Citizens concerned with child support enforcement will meet at 6 p.m. today at the Oakwood Trails Lodge at Abilene State School.

Aug. 11 -- Jones county 911 debate goes on: ANSON -- Relocation of Jones County's 911 dispatch system has been discussed by county commissioners and Sheriff Robby Wedeking since March, but now 354 citizens are also speaking out via a petition.

Aug. 11 -- Investigation continues in capital murder case: BAIRD -- The return of capital murder indictments against a Clyde woman and the two brothers she allegedly hired to kill her husband does not close Callahan County's most talked about crime in decades, according to the lead prosecutor.

Aug. 11 -- Area News Digest: Anson considers annexation ... Poyner lawsuit moved to federal court ... FBI investigating Big Spring prison death ... Coleman Commissioners adopt agreement with Harris County

Aug. 10 -- Cherokee Tribe of Texas seeking official recognition: Sun Eagle Williams, 47, the newly elected chief of the American Cherokee Tribe of Texas, isn't one to rest on his laurels.

Aug. 10 -- Meeting of two cultures in Abilene: The 20-year-old is just like any other Abilenian his age. A business management major in college, he has been seen two-stepping in local clubs and planning weekend trips to San Antonio.

Aug. 10 -- AISD school board to meet: School safety and continued budget discussions top the list of issues to be addressed at today's school board meeting.

Aug. 10 -- Vote on tax rate in Wylie: The Wylie school board will vote on the proposed tax rate of $1.35 per $100 valuation at today's meeting, school officials said.

Aug. 10 -- Brownwood burn victim will return to school: BROWNWOOD -- Although she is not fully recovered, 11-year-old burn victim Crystal Alyssa Williams will be in her seat when school opens Wednesday at Brownwood Intermediate School.

Aug. 9 -- School board members hear varying opinions on tax increase: Superintendent Charles Hundley's "grim" predictions for the Abilene school budget have proven true.

Aug. 9 -- Schools to begin classes: Students are about to embark on the final full school year of the '90s.

Aug. 9 -- Voters can register online: The effort to increase voter participation during elections now includes voter registration though the Internet.

Aug. 9 -- Local schools see modest increase in demand for school meal programs: The number of Texas students applying for free or reduced price meals continues to swell, and although Abilene and Wylie districts are not exempt from the trend, increases have not been drastic over the past five years, school officials said.

Aug. 9 -- The history of Comanche, again (Ken Ellsworth Column): COMANCHE -- This history stuff which I find myself often writing about is is tough material. I am always getting something wrong.

Aug. 9 -- Area natives return home to practice medicine: It didn't take participation in a statewide preceptorship program to convince four future Big Country physicians of the need for family doctors to practice in rural areas of Texas.

Aug. 9 -- Area News Digest: Colorado City woman says she was robbed ... City Council election results in runoff ... Ag secretary to visit ... Escaping prisoner killed by guard ... New principal named for Winters Elementary

Aug. 8 -- Commissioners delay decision on arts council funding: Taylor County commissioners granted arts funding a stay of execution Friday, postponing a decision until they've determined how much an impending tax hike will cost property owners.

Aug. 8 -- New make a difference day coordinator: The torch has been passed. Sheri Bell of the School of Business at Abilene Christian University will head Abilene's Make a Difference Day on Oct. 24.

Aug. 8 -- Club owner defends Aviators president: A club owner said Friday the Abilene Aviators team president could not have raped a woman in his place, saying no attack was reported to anyone in the throng of patrons and police officers there that night.

Aug. 8 -- Hundreds of students gather for Foundation '98: Seventeen-year-old Wade Leverts sat under the shade of a tent selling T-shirts and talking about what a fun day he was having.

Aug. 8 -- Stamford VA clinic announced: STAMFORD -- A Veterans Administration community-based, outpatient clinic will be established in Stamford this fall, according to U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm.

Aug. 8 -- Eidson announces he will not pursue death penalty: District Attorney James Eidson will not seek the death penalty against Billy Don Wilson, accused of killing a man during a burglary, perhaps at the encouragement of the victim's teen-age son.

Aug. 8 -- Callahan grand jury returns sealed indictments: BAIRD -- A Callahan County grand jury investigating the April 1997 murder of Ted Saunders returned six indictments Friday, three of them sealed.

Aug. 8 -- Chain Gang Ride to begin in Houston, end at ACU: A group of 80 hot and tired cyclists will end a fund-raising trek from Houston today in a parking lot at Abilene Christian University.

Aug. 8 -- Two Abilene residents are double winners in photo contest: Capturing the perfect moment is the goal of any photographer.

Aug. 8 -- Brown County drought damage assessed: BROWNWOOD -- Keith Graf of Dallas, North Texas regional director for U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm, visited Brown County Thursday to assess drought damage.

Aug. 8 -- Coleman City Council meets: COLEMAN -- After a 45-minute executive session Friday, the Coleman City Council authorized City Manager Randy Whiteman to complete negotiations for the city to purchase a building adjoining the city offices.

Aug. 8 -- Comanche man hailed as hero: COMANCHE -- Comanche County officials credited a Comanche man with saving a child from drowning at Lake Proctor on Thursday evening.

Aug. 8 -- Area News Digest: Cisco fire damages mobile home ... Coleman school board completes hiring ... Jury hands down maximum term in drug conviction ... Dog ordinance changed in Cross Plains ... Board hires new employees

Aug. 7 -- Back-to-school shoppers hit the retail stores: One of the biggest retailing seasons is under way as parents scramble to accommodate their clothing-conscious, cash-strapped children. Oh yeah, they're actually buying school supplies, too.

Aug. 7 -- Garry Mauro begins "Million Door Walk": Whether it's a return to the door-to-door, face-to-face campaigning of the past or a new-fangled publicity stunt, Democratic candidate for governor Garry Mauro has pledged his party will knock on the doors of one million Texans by Labor Day, Sept. 7.

Aug. 7 -- New airport manager on the job: Richard Crider has never flown into the airport he manages.

Aug. 7 -- Abilene's MH-MR struggles with funding issues: The board of Abilene Regional Mental Retardation Center is teaming up with community centers statewide to try to shake loose some emergency funds to cover skyrocketing medication costs.

Aug. 7 -- ACU coach and family wait in line for three hours to get Beanie Babies: The wait was long, the prospects grim, and the specter of uncertainty hovered over all.

Aug. 7 -- High school seniors wrap up Junior Scholars program: The parents of Jennifer Cooke and Liz Curtis should be forewarned: Their daughters may be insufferable for a few days.

Aug. 7 -- Second woman files lawsuit against Aviators president: For the second time in a week, a woman has filed suit against the Abilene Aviators alleging sexual assault by the hockey team's president.

Aug. 7 -- Local teen accused of convincing friends to kill his father: Brandon Lund's statement to police will be entered into evidence when he is tried later this month for soliciting his father's murder.

Aug. 7 -- Dominguez sentenced to 20 years in prison: A 21-year-old Abilene man was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison for aggravated sexual assault of a girl who was 13 when he began a sexual affair with her.

Aug. 7 -- Budget setbacks may require tax increase: An increased insurance premium negated four days of whittling on the Taylor County budget Thursday, though the overall savings could dwarf the cost.

Aug. 7 -- Corrections

Aug. 6 -- AISD holds convocation: God and country hung in the air in song, speech and symbolism as Superintendent Charles Hundley challenged district employees to "aim high" at the Abilene school district's staff convocation Wednesday.

Aug. 6 -- Students 'kicking off' during last days of freedom: With the start of classes only days away, many local youths are spending their last hours of freedom kicking up a sweat, all under the gaze of funny-accented soccer experts from the United Kingdom.

Aug. 6 -- Ranger gets more rain: RANGER -- If this keeps up, Ranger officials may want to ask the Texas Legislature to designate the Eastland County town "The Rain Capital of the Big Country."

Aug. 6 -- Budget hearings continue; expected deficit cut: Juvenile offenders cleaved 40 percent from Taylor County's $1.2 million budget shortfall Wednesday when commissioners learned their incarceration here will earn an estimated $550,000.

Aug. 6 -- Local voters share views on Clinton-Lewinsky issue: Citizens buttonholed at local coffee shops say fast-breaking developments in the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal won't swing their votes for Congress this fall but just might sway others.

Aug. 6 -- Jones County judge draws write-in opponent: ANSON -- Voters in Jones County will have a choice between two candidates for county judge in the November general election.

Aug. 6 -- Jury finds Mendoza guilty of aggravated robbery: A 350th District Court jury took just more than five hours, with time out for lunch, to find Armando Mendoza guilty of aggravated robbery Wednesday afternoon.

Aug. 6 -- PUC Judy Walsh warns telephone customers about fraud: Public Utilities Commissioner Judy Walsh was in Abilene on Wednesday, warning telephone customers about telephone industry fraud.

Aug. 6 -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield to hold job fair: Abilene's Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas operation will hold a job fair in a couple of weeks, trying to fill approximately 125 new jobs.

Aug. 6 -- Rudy Izzard criticizes Stenholm's support of campaign finance reform: Rudy Izzard weighed in Wednesday on what he called the "Charlie Stenholm career protection act," the campaign finance reform bill passed by the House of Representatives with a 237-186 vote Monday.

Aug. 6 -- Applications due for Leadership Abilene: The enrollment deadline is nearing quickly for Leadership Abilene's Class of 1999.

Aug. 6 -- Scurry County commissioners schedule public hearing: SNYDER -- Scurry County commissioners have scheduled a public hearing for Aug. 17 to gauge citizen opinion about creating a new voting box in Precinct 1.

Aug. 6 -- Baird nears compliance with TNRCC: BAIRD -- City councilors have approved the purchase of a $15,000 back-flush pump for the city's water treatment facility that will bring the city nearer to compliance with Texas Natural Resource and Conservation Commission guidelines.

Aug. 6 -- Bob Hunter to receive arts award: AUSTIN -- State Rep. Bob Hunter, R-Abilene, will receive an award tonight signifying his "outstanding legislative support for the arts," during the Texas Commission on the Arts' Cultural Connections Conference in Austin.

Aug. 5 -- County budget hearings continue: Still facing a $1.2 million deficit after two days of budget hearings, one Taylor County commissioner conceded Tuesday a hold-the-line stance on taxes may have placed the county in an "unhealthy situation" financially.

Aug. 5 -- First Christian Church pastor resigns: First Christian Church is losing its pastor, organist, and a fine bass voice when the Rev. Jim Zug preaches his last sermon Sunday and his wife, Vivian, plays for the final time.

Aug. 5 -- De Leon festival to draw thousands: DE LEON -- Come Saturday, during the 84th Annual De Leon Peach and Melon Festival, lots of people will be puckering with a watermelon seed held between the tips of their tongues and their pursed lips, straining to spit the little flat seed as far as humanly possible.

Aug. 5 -- Zoo officials try to keep animals cool for the summer: After a trip to the Abilene Zoo, most people leave with a better understanding and a deeper appreciation of nature.

Aug. 5 -- Dock workers to face charges for diverting beer: SWEETWATER -- Up to 11 local railroad dock workers may be cooling their heels in jail after they allegedly helped themselves to 109 cases of imported beer mistakenly left on a railroad siding.

Aug. 5 -- Cultural Affairs Council's funding slashed: The arts got squashed in Taylor County's budget crunch Tuesday as commissioners rejected a $34,000 request to fund downtown exhibits and schoolhouse performances.

Aug. 5 -- Testimony begins in Mendoza robbery trial: A former store clerk on Tuesday identified Armando Mendoza as the man who robbed him at a Skinny's convenience store in July 1997 as Mendoza's trial started in 350th District Court.

Aug. 5 -- Memorial service honors Baptist District Association leader: To the shouts of "Yeah!, Yeah!" and "All right!," the Rev. J.J. Johnson worked the crowd and himself into a frenzy.

Aug. 5 -- Speeding trucker falls farther behind in Nolan County: SWEETWATER -- A trucker who was four days behind and on the wrong road with a load of cantaloupes got even farther behind after being stopped for speeding near Roscoe.

Aug. 5 -- Electric utilities association supports deregulation: Citing timeliness and customer desire for choice, one utility trade organization is ready to restructure.

Aug. 5 -- State to sponsor drought relief workshop at Stamford: STAMFORD -- The Texas Department of Agriculture will have a workshop in Stamford on Aug. 12 to provide valuable information to drought-stricken farmers, Agriculture Commissioner Rick Perry announced Tuesday.

Aug. 5 -- Y2K committee meets for the first time: The year 2000 is still 16 months away, but for one committee in Abilene, every second counts.

Aug. 5 -- Fire task force moves to Stephenville: STEPHENVILLE -- A state and federal forest services task force has set up operations at Stephenville to be closer to the wildfires that continue to break out in the area.

Aug. 4 -- Big country schools bring up state average: Big Country schools were the curve-busters as the "report cards" for Texas school districts -- otherwise known as the TAAS test results -- were announced Monday by the Texas Education Agency.

Aug. 4 -- Area schools receive top marks: The state released school ratings Monday both Wylie and Abilene officials interpreted as positive reflections of local school districts.

Aug. 4 -- County commissioners begin work on next year's budget: Taylor County commissioners must raise taxes this year, though how much remains unknown, County Judge Lee Hamilton said Monday.

Aug. 4 -- Justices of the peace still battling it out: The feud between justices of the peace Rex Andrew and Sam Matta escalated Monday with -- as usual -- nothing resolved.

Aug. 4 -- Abilene school board dicusses tax increase: The Abilene school board requested two additional budget drafts from the administration at Monday's board meeting while expressing discomfort with the 9.4-percent tax increase attached to the administration's recommended budget.

Aug. 4 -- Entertainer remembered for involvement with West Texas Rehab: Shari Lewis was remembered locally Monday for her long and popular association with the West Texas Rehabilitation Center.

Aug. 4 -- Sexual harassment suit filed against Aviators president: The wife of a former Abilene Aviators salesman is suing the fledgling hockey team, charging its president sexually assaulted her at a party honoring a local sports star.

Aug. 4 -- Anson woman searches for a man she met over 50 years ago: Mary Kitchen met Jimmy Lee Nord on a rainy May evening on a train in Oklahoma. They were together only an hour, maybe two, and the conversation was light, but the encounter might have changed his life. She has always wondered what happened to him, what he's been doing, and more importantly, if he is alive.

Aug. 4 -- Committee meets for the first time: It didn't take long for the newly minted Capital Improvements Program citizen advisory committee to snub the idea of subcommittees and hammer out a calendar of weekly meetings.

Aug. 4 -- Gas line ruptures at Abilene Regional Medical: Three fire department crews responded to a gas leak on the Abilene Regional Medical Center campus at 1:30 p.m., Monday.

Aug. 4 -- Man goes on trial for aggravated sexual assault: A 21-year-old man admitted in court two months ago to sexually assaulting his girlfriend's 13-year-old sister, who later bore his son, a probation officer testified Monday.

Aug. 4 -- Heat rises in the courthouse annex: Some motor vehicle registration customers were mighty hot under the collar Monday, more so than usual.

Aug. 4 -- Unidentified person killed in accident: ANSON -- One person was killed in a fiery, one-vehicle accident north of here about 5:45 p.m. Monday.

Aug. 3 -- School board to consider proposed budgets: The Abilene school board will convene again today and address the budgets proposed last week by school officials.

Aug. 3 -- National Night Out Against Crime Tuesday: The Abilene Police Department and West Texas Utilities will team up Tuesday night to sponsor the local observance of National Night Out Against Crime.

Aug. 3 -- Albany residents remember flood of '78: ALBANY -- In the middle of a drought -- when Albany has baked under triple-digit temperatures for 27 days in a row -- may seem like a strange time to give thanks for sunshine and dry winds.

Aug. 2 -- Dyess pilot discusses ordeal for the first time: Lt. Col. Dan Charchian lived through one heck of a "war story." It's just too bad he can't remember much of it.

Aug. 2 -- Literacy programs in Abilene help many people: Betty Casarez quit school in eighth grade with literacy skills that wouldn't help her make a grocery list.

Aug. 2 -- Texas Midwest youngsters to race in All-American Soap Box Derby: SWEETWATER -- Two Sweetwater youth are about to experience the thrill of their lifetimes.

Aug. 2 -- Dyess coordinators plan airshow: The peaceful skies of Abilene will roar to life this month with the rumblings of aircraft foreign to the area.

Aug. 2 -- Abilene residents raise money to pay for girl's medical bills: Scores of Abilene residents lent a hand Saturday to help an 18-month-old girl born without a shoulder to get one.

Aug. 2 -- Race across America finishes: Australian endurance cyclist Gerry Tatrai won the 1998 Ensure Race Across America, finishing the 2,906-mile, coast-to-coast race in just over 8-1/2 days.

Aug. 1 -- County officials begin preparing next year's budget: Even before the budget building has begun, Taylor County's good fortune in the state's tobacco settlement has eased any potential money crunch.

Aug. 1 -- Heat may break some local records: With a month to go, Abilene's on track toward its third-hottest summer in history.

Aug. 1 -- Misunderstanding leads to record water usage: STEPHENVILLE -- The lines of communication sprung a leak here this week.

Aug. 1 -- Capital Improvement committee to consider city needs: With some 10 capital needs identified through a recently completed series of public meetings, the Abilene Capital Improvement Program's steering committee will have a full plate when it convenes its first meeting Monday afternoon.

Aug. 1 -- Fires rage in Fisher and Stonewall counties: ROBY -- Area and Texas Forestry Service firefighters continued their efforts late Friday to douse a grass fire that began Thursday and consumed an estimated 3,000 acres of ranch land in Fisher County.

Aug. 1 -- Health officials: Number of confirmed rabies cases down: AUSTIN -- Three years of fighting the deadly rabies virus in gray fox by dropping vaccine-laced pellets across Central and West Texas has paid off, state health officials said.

Aug. 1 -- Commissioners take action on bridges: COLEMAN -- Two "off-system" bridges in Coleman County barely meet minimum safety requirements, according to recent inspections by the Texas Department of Transportation.

Aug. 1 -- Sweetwater child dies in three-car accident: EL PASO -- A 6-month-old infant from Sweetwater was killed and three members of his family were seriously injured early Friday in a three-car accident in El Paso.

Aug. 1 -- Anson experiences heat: ANSON -- Since May 12, Anson residents have experienced 55 days of triple-digit temperatures, according to weather observer Larry Perry.

Aug. 1 -- Board seeks new Hamlin EDC director: HAMLIN -- The Hamlin Economic Development Corporation board has hired Johnson and Associates of Austin to recruit a replacement for outgoing HEDC Director Rick Taylor.