Reporter-News Archives

Dec. 31 -- Cancer Society offers free 'quit kits': The American Cancer Society wants to help those resolving to quit smoking in 1999.

Dec. 31 -- City's transition to AD 2000 looks smooth: Abilene residents hoping computer problems will save them from paying parking tickets will be in for a surprise a year from today.

Dec. 31 -- Career cop takes up new career--sort of: Frank Cleveland always wanted to be a police officer. Inspired by an older brother with the Abilene police department and an uncle in the FBI, he planned to follow in their footsteps.

Dec. 31 -- Man who assaults teen granddaughter gets 15 years: A 68-year-old grandfather was sentenced to 15 years in prison Wednesday after pleading no contest to the aggravated sexual assault of his teen-age granddaughter.

Dec. 31 -- Hobbs school fire not caused by arson: HOBBS -- The fire that heavily damaged Hobbs Alternative Education Cooperative Tuesday was not intentionally set.

Dec. 31 -- Candle sparks house fire: A candle is believed to have sparked a house fire late Wednesday morning at 922 Forrest Ave.

Dec. 31 -- Standoff ends peacefully: BROWNWOOD -- A standoff between sheriff's officers and an armed woman who threatened suicide ended peacefully Tuesday after five hours of negotiations.

Dec. 31 -- TxDOT estimating New Years' traffic deaths at 24: Texas Department of Public Safety officials are preparing for an estimated 24 traffic deaths statewide during the New Year Holiday period, from 6 p.m. today to midnight Sunday. Related story: Blood center seeks donations: Meek Blood Center is seeking blood donations to meet the need expected from increased traffic accidents around New Year's Eve.

Dec. 31 -- Around Town ... Blackwell Stock Show results ... Our Slice of Texas

Dec. 30 -- 'Pushing wires down' occupies student technicians' time: During the school year Seth Pace works on a master's degree in English and history, but over the Christmas break he's mastering a different discipline.

Dec. 30 -- WWII flying aces recall fallen comrade: Ace World War II fighter pilot Robert S. "Bob" Johnson made a difference in countless lives, but probably few are more thankful than Bill Grosvenor.

Dec. 30 -- Substance abusers seek help to recover: For some people, making the holidays seem as relaxed and carefree as the smiling faces on their family's Christmas card is impossible.

Dec. 30 -- Stenholm campaign spends $1.5 million for re-election: U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm spent nearly $1.5 million to get re-elected to his 11th term in Washington.

Dec. 30 -- Hobbes school damaged in suspicious fire: HOBBS -- Arson may be the cause of a fire that burned its way through Hobbs Alternative Education Cooperative early Tuesday morning.

Dec. 30 -- Fireworks illegal in city limits: Using fireworks to celebrate New Year's is not only dangerous, it is illegal within the city limits, Abilene Fire Department officials said Tuesday.

Dec. 30 -- Eastland commissioners face grave audit: An audit recently presented to Eastland County Commisssioners claims the county could be headed for financial straits that might require layoffs and borrowing to meet payrolls.

Dec. 30 -- 4 year-old girl assaulted: Dublin Police are investigating a report of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Dec. 30 -- Merkel man accidentally shoots himself in knee: MERKEL -- A Merkel man who drove for nearly 10 miles after accidentally shooting his knee with a hunting rifle was recovering Tuesday night in an Abilene hospital.

Dec. 30 -- Ranger commissioners to vote on fire chief's pay: RANGER -- City Commissioners are expected to vote during their next meeting on whether to give Fire Chief Darrell Fox a pay raise.

Dec. 30 -- Our Slice of Texas

Dec. 29 -- Travel, travel, toil and trouble: Travel interruptions are a fact of life. But like other givens, acceptance of the problem doesn't necessarily equal having patience for it. No one might know this better than an airport manager.

Dec. 29 -- Road warriors, beware: Traffic on Winters Freeway will be tied up for the next two years while overpasses and frontage roads are updated.

Dec. 29 -- John Woodin, active in MDA, dies at 27: After a lifelong bout with muscular dystrophy, John Woodin of Abilene died Sunday.

Dec. 29 -- TxDOT's Abilene regional office to move: In staying with its plan to consolidate offices whenever possible, the Texas Department of Transportation's Vehicle Titles and Registration regional office will relocate from 209 Danville to 4250 Clack effective Jan. 4.

Dec. 29 -- 'Snowcones' decorate city back streets: Four days ago, they were the chosen ones. Wrapped in brightly colored paper, adorned with happy, bouncy bows, the sought out packages were lovingly placed under the tree.

Dec. 29 -- Boy robs another child of bike at BB-gunpoint: An 11-year-old boy told police Monday that another child pulled a BB gun on him shortly after noon in the 2000 block of North 2nd Street and demanded his bicycle.

Dec. 29 -- Crimestoppers: Thieves pry open coin changer: Between 10:30 p.m. on Dec.13 and 2:45 a.m. on Monday, someone used a pry tool to break into the coin changer at the American Truck Wash at 3525 Old Anson Road. A small amount of cash was taken.

Dec. 29 -- Bridge to move to museum: COMANCHE -- County commissioners agreed Monday to move an historical county bridge to the entrance of the Comanche County Museum.

Dec. 29 -- Gorman hires new police chief: GORMAN -- Abel Saldana, 42, has been named Gorman police chief. The city council also hired Doug Coffey, 54, as patrol officer.

Dec. 29 -- Haskell names new superintendent: HASKELL -- Longtime Big County educator Billie McKeever will become superintendent of the Haskell school district Friday.

Dec. 29 -- Jones County bridge replacements discussed: ANSON -- Jones County Commissioners discussed the condition of the county's bridges Monday with Texas Department of Transportation official Jerry Conner.

Dec. 29 -- New commissioner's request denied: ALBANY -- Shackelford County Commissioners on Monday declined to pay incoming Commissioner Stan West's insurance costs.

Dec. 29 -- Eastland commissioners agree to purchases: EASTLAND -- Precinct 4 Commissioner Reggie Pittman accepted a $22,000 bid Monday for a 1990 dump truck from Hughes Diesel of Tye.

Dec. 29 -- Our Slice of Texas

Dec. 28 --Local inventor creates cheaper gas/fluid analyzer: Abilene inventor Harold See believes he has the device to help curb the flow of illegal refrigerants into the U.S., possibly detect cancer early and produce better-tasting wines.

Dec. 28 -- Bus, police car collide: Christmas Day provided another trial for the folks at the Abilene Greyhound bus station.

Dec. 28 -- Around Town

Dec. 28 -- Our Slice of Texas

Dec. 27 -- Many students work over the holidays: Brooke Reid worked Christmas Day. She worked Christmas Eve, too, and is scheduled for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Dec. 27 -- Stores deal with gift returns, hold sales the day after Christmas: While many Christmas gift-getters concentrated on making their returns to the stores the day after Christmas, many retailers held price-slashing sales to generate another kind of return -- profit.

Dec. 27 -- Three sent to jail for possession of marijuana: COLORADO CITY -- Two men and a woman remained in Mitchell County Jail Saturday night on second-degree felony charges of possession of marijuana that lawmen said they found among a load of produce Christmas morning on I-20.

Dec. 27 -- Fires keep Eastland, Cisco volunteers busy: EASTLAND -- Firemen from the Eastland Fire Department responded to structure fire calls both Christmas morning and the morning after Christmas.

Dec. 26 -- Dyess B-1 crews return home from mission in Iraq: It was homecoming and Christmas all rolled into one when two B-1 bombers skated to a stop at Dyess Air Force Base Friday afternoon.

Dec. 26 -- Cowboy Band to spend New Year's Day in England: New Year's Day in London is sizing up to be spectacular.

Dec. 26 -- Wreck near Gorman injures two: GORMAN -- Two people were injured in a one-vehicle accident Friday afternoon on Texas Highway 6 near Gorman.

Dec. 25 -- Small miracles still happen at Christmas: The best things about holidays are the memories. When we asked readers for their favorite holiday memories, people shared stories of friendship, love and even miracles.

Dec. 25 -- Runways and roadways clearing for holiday travel: Abilene's weather turned sublime for Christmas Eve, clearing roadways and airport runways for most holiday travel to resume.

Dec. 25 -- City defrosts from four-day chill: Abilene is expected to defrost today from a four-day stretch of below-freezing temperatures.

Dec. 25 -- Fire safety could prevent many blazes: More than 135 house fires blazed in Abilene through the end of November. On Wednesday, another fire destroyed a home on South Elmwood Drive.

Dec. 25 -- Tarleton student graduates at 72: Don't tell Jean Foust that 72 is too old to pursue one's dream.

Dec. 25 -- Coleman man hospitalized after 1-car accident: COLEMAN -- A longtime Coleman barber was in critical but stable condition in Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene Thursday after a one-vehicle accident on an ice-covered Coleman street.

Dec. 25 -- Erath traffic fatality identified: STEPHENVILLE -- A 29-year-old Austin man was killed Wednesday when his vehicle skidded on ice and into the path of an oncoming car in northern Erath County.

Dec. 25 -- Stamford hospital administrator resigns: STAMFORD -- Craig Haterius, the Stamford Memorial Hospital administrator, has resigned from the position he has held for nearly five years, effective Jan. 15.

Dec. 25 -- Winters city council to begin annexation: WINTERS -- The Winters City Council has voted to annex certain area property into the city early next year.

Dec. 25 -- School board position to stay open til May: CLYDE -- Trustees will not fill a vacancy on the Clyde school board by appointment, deciding instead to leave that open until the May election.

Dec. 24 -- Weather wreaks havoc with lives of residents, drivers, businesses: Frigid climes and frozen streets are bad for drivers, which is very good for Theron Durant. Specifically, the icy conditions gripping Abilene are golden for Durant’s Wrecker Service.

Dec. 24 -- Fireplace may be to blame for house fire: A fireplace may be to blame for a fire that destroyed a South Elmwood Drive home Wednesday.

Dec. 24 -- Fire leaves family homeless: LUEDERS — A Jones County family faces Christmas without presents after a fire Wednesday destroyed their home and all of its contents.

Dec. 24 -- Santa swings by Dyess when he needs help: Santa Claus is a busy man on Christmas Eve. He and his nine reindeer must travel thousands of miles bringing presents to all the good girls and boys of the world. Officials at Dyess Air Force Base will give ol’ Saint Nick some help when the big guy hits the Big Country.

Dec. 24 -- B-1 crews, planes to be home for Christmas holiday?: Some of the B-1B Lancer crews might be home for Christmas.

Dec. 24 -- Area churches celebrate the holiday in different ways, on different days: Neither sleet nor snow will be enough to keep people away from Christmas Eve services tonight, pastors predict.

Dec. 24 -- Santa's helper rebuilds bikes to surprise children who need them: A few local folks will be working nonstop today to rebuild bicycles so that at least 20 area kids will have a surprise under the Christmas tree.

Dec. 24 -- Home for the holidays -- maybe: Leroy Edwards just wanted to go home for the holidays. “I haven’t been back to this part of the country for Christmas in 35 years,” the 53-year old grandfather said. “The first time in 35 years and I am not going to be able to make it.”

Dec. 24 -- Teacher pay increases supported by legislators--but how?: AUSTIN — Texas lawmakers heading into the upcoming legislative session say they support increasing teacher pay, but just how to do it has educators up in arms.

Dec. 24 -- Big Spring teacher killed on holiday trip: BIG SPRING — Teri Thomas’ many contributions to the betterment of Big Spring were extolled here Wednesday, four days after the teacher and civic leader was killed during a holiday ski trip to Colorado.

Dec. 24 -- Blood needed for burn victim: BLANKET — Friends are asking for donations of blood for a Blanket man who was critically burned Dec. 16 when a fuel can exploded.

Dec. 24 -- Electrical shock victim improving: LAKE BROWNWOOD — A Lake Brownwood man is improving in a Lubbock hospital after suffering a severe electrical shock in a Dec. 18 accident.

Dec. 24 -- HSU names new coordinator for Life Long Learning Office: Tanna Kieffer is the new coordinator of the Center for Life Long Learning Office at Hardin-Simmons University.

Dec. 24 -- Goodfellows top $50,000 goal; donations still being accepted: When a charity is in dire need, all it must do is sound the alarm and the community will come to the rescue.

Dec. 24 -- Our Slice of Texas

Dec. 23 -- Councilwoman won't run for mayor: Kay Alexander has decided not to run for mayor.

Dec. 23 -- Cold drives homeless to shelter: Wilbur Sprayberry spent Monday night in Abilene's Greyhound bus station and was thinking of staying there again. He wasn't waiting for a bus. He was trying to stay warm.

Dec. 23 -- Fire safety can prevent holiday tragedies: The holidays are supposed to be full of festive parties and cheer. But for more than 500 families across the nation last year, the season was marred by injuries stemming from Christmas tree fires.

Dec. 23 -- Accident that killed three described as unavoidable: ROTAN -- Three Rotan friends had "nowhere to go" to avoid an accident that developed right in front of them and blocked a two-lane bridge, veteran Department of Public Safety trooper Alan Arnwine said Tuesday.

Dec. 23 -- Driver of truck killed at Clyde: CLYDE -- A Georgia truck driver was killed early Tuesday when his 18-wheeler ran off an Interstate 20 overpass.

Dec. 23 -- Slick roads caused Wylie teacher's death: Hazardous weather conditions contributed to the two-vehicle accident that killed a Wylie school teacher and injured another woman in Archer County, the Department of Public Safety reported Tuesday.

Dec. 23 -- Goodfellows is within an arm's reach of its $50,000 goal: With only hours to go before Christmas, the annual holiday fund-raiser for the needy is just $2,400 short.

Dec. 23 -- Where do you find a Furby?: It's the hottest toy of the season. Furry and smart with bodily functions and an attitude, Furby is reminiscent of "Gizmo" -- the heart-stealing mogwai of 1980s movie "Gremlins."

Dec. 23 -- School districts receive Internet grants: School districts in Stamford and Loraine are the latest in the Big Country to receive E-rate funding -- federal grants enabling schools to improve access to the Internet.

Dec. 23 -- Coleman school board hears fume complaint: COLEMAN -- A Coleman mother complained to the school board Monday that her daughter was hospitalized for four days after inhaling chemical fumes in her elementary school classroom.

Dec. 23 -- Ringling Lake permits, signs discussed by commissioners: EASTLAND -- Ringling Lake overnight camping permits must be obtained by 9 p.m., one hour earlier than the parks board has recommended, Eastland city commissioners decided Monday.

Dec. 23 -- Brownwood closes year with surplus: BROWNWOOD -- Brown County finished the 1997-98 fiscal year with more money that expected, County Auditor Rex Bessent told commissioners Monday.

Dec. 23 -- Our Slice of Texas

Dec. 23 -- Clarification: Census test schedule

Dec. 22 -- B1-B pilot calls Iraq mission a success: Sometimes, when flying in combat, an Air Force aviator just knows. "We knew immediately that we totally schwacked the target," said one B-1B Lancer pilot from Dyess Air Force Base who was on a bombing run in Southwest Asia last week.

Dec. 22 -- A little stress is good for you: A little stress is a good thing. Without it, no one would be inspired to get up in the morning, go through the day and do the things that need doing, said James A. Greer, a licensed marriage and family therapist with Abilene Regional Medical Center.

Dec. 22 -- Coleman man helps family who had fire: COLEMAN -- In the spirit of Christmas, a Coleman man has opened his heart -- and his business -- to help a Glen Cove family who lost everything in a fire last week.

Dec. 22 -- Fisher hospital gets grant to attract physician: ROTAN -- The Fisher County Hospital District has received a grant of more than $21,000 from the Center for Rural Health Initiatives to assist in attracting another physician to the community.

Dec. 22 -- Power outage from collision darkens Tye: TYE -- Despite some equipment glitches, officials said activity had returned to normal Monday at the Flying J Travel Plaza following an 8-1/2-hour power outage.

Dec. 22 -- Highland Stock Show

Dec. 22 -- Our Slice of Texas

Dec. 22 -- Correction

Dec. 21 -- B-1Bs to remain near Iraq: Despite halted airstrikes over Iraq, Dyess Air Force Base's B-1B Lancers are expected to remain in Southwest Asia, base officials said Sunday.

Dec. 21 -- McMurry keeps 'Indian' moniker even though OCU changes 'Chiefs': McMurry University athletes will still be called "Indians," even though a sister institution in Oklahoma has acknowledged the wishes of a group of Native Americans and changed its name.

Dec. 21 -- Father and daughter reunited after 37 years: EASTLAND -- Walton Worthy and his daughter Jacque Morgan have a lot of catching up to do. Until a few weeks ago they had not seen each other for 37 years.

Dec. 21 -- Christmas village enchants visitors: People who visit Caryn Hayes' miniature Christmas village find themselves in a magical world of music and laughter.
It's an idyllic place where people enjoy a variety of winter activities amid houses and buildings adorned in holiday splendor.

Dec. 21 -- Highland Stock Show Results

Dec. 20 -- Stenholm and other Blue Dogs vote to impeach Clinton: Partisanship proved key as the House approved two impeachment articles against President Clinton, who became the second U.S. president to face a trial before the Senate.

Dec. 20 -- Abilenians express views on Clinton impeachment: Many Abilenians agreed with impeaching President Clinton, while many others believed it was no different than actions committed by people not yet caught.

Dec. 20 -- Plan before Legislature would keep more inmates behind bars: The man who killed Kayla Wheeler's dad is serving a life sentence, but he could walk out of prison someday.

Dec. 20 -- Laser pointers becoming more popular: A technologically advanced annoyance is beaming its way into Abilene kids' hands, enabling them to grab attention up to 4,000 feet away.

Dec. 20 -- United Way distributes increased funds for '99: Local United Way allocations to most target areas enjoyed modest increases for 1999, thanks to a record fall fund drive by the umbrella fund-raising agency.

Dec. 20 -- Harris HMO loses 1,000 doctors, impacting about 15,000 patients: ARLINGTON -- Nearly 1,000 doctors have dropped the Harris Methodist Health Plan, forcing about 15,000 people to find new doctors or insurance plans.

Dec. 20 -- Groups square off in court over King Day parade: HOUSTON (AP) -- A dispute between two groups wanting to hold parades on Martin Luther King Day is going to court Monday.

Dec. 20 -- Area Stock Show Results

Dec. 19 -- Dyess launches two more B-1s for support in Iraq: Two B-1B Lancers streaked down the runway at Dyess Air Force Base around 7 a.m. Friday under a sky so dark and cloudy it resembled charcoal-colored cotton candy.

Dec. 19 -- Airborne Laser system one step closer to Dyess: Dyess Air Force Base is one step closer to serving as homebase for an anti-missile system.

Dec. 19 -- Stenholm announces intention to vote for impeachment: U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm will vote today to impeach President Clinton.

Dec. 19 -- 'Prince of Egypt' recounts religious story well: If the reaction from an eighth-grade Bible class is any indication, "The Prince of Egypt," is bound for box office success and critical glory.

Dec. 19 -- Creation of water conservation district to be considered by Legislature: COLORADO CITY -- Mitchell County commissioners have paved the way to create a water conservation district to function under the Texas Water Development Board.

Dec. 19 -- Time running out for Christmas mail delivery: It's too late to mail early, so mail now.

Dec. 19 -- Veteran Abilene administrator tabbed to head Clyde: CLYDE -- Lee Roy George, former longtime administrator for the City of Abilene, will come out of retirement Monday to become Clyde's new city administrator.

Dec. 19 -- Colorado City youths expelled: COLORADO CITY -- Three Colorado City youths convicted of shooting at a passing train and wounding an engineer will not be allowed to return to local school classrooms, even if they are released by the state juvenile detention system.

Dec. 18 -- Dyess to send another B-1B to Iraq theater: A B-1B Lancer from Dyess Air Force Base will join the base's two bombers already in Southwest Asia before the sun sets on the Big Country tonight.

Dec. 18 -- Clayton's death sentence appeal rejected: A federal judge has rejected James Edward Clayton's appeal to overturn his 1988 death sentence.

Dec. 18 -- Local doctor observes Ramadan in hope of peace: President Clinton's decision to schedule the bombing of Iraq so it won't interfere with the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is appreciated by Muslims worldwide, one local follower says.

Dec. 18 -- Men burned in explosion: BLANKET -- One of the two Blanket men burned Wednesday when a fuel can exploded remained in critical condition Thursday in Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.

Dec. 18 -- United Way reaches its goal, passing $2 million: United Way of Abilene received an early Christmas present this week with late fulfillment of its 1998 fund-raising goal.

Dec. 18 -- Goodfellows contributions woefully short of goal: Some Abilene families will have a wonderful Christmas a week from today. Some will not.

Dec. 18 -- Theft of trifles gets repeat offender 50-year sentence: An Abilene man was sentenced to 50 years for a robbery that yielded peanut patties, Cheetos, a gold pendant and about $60 cash.

Dec. 18 -- Jury clears LeBlanc of malpractice charge: An Abilene jury Thursday found in favor of Dr. Kirk LeBlanc, an anesthesiologist accused of medical malpractice.

Dec. 18 -- District 350 grand jury returns 33 felony indictments: The 350th District Court grand jury returned 33 felony indictments Thursday.

Dec. 18 -- Tower Apartments rezoned, empty, ready for new owner: Bill Wenson's 110,000-square-foot building is empty.

Dec. 18 -- Brownwood EDC considers spec building: BROWNWOOD -- The Brownwood Economic Development Corporation is considering construction of a "speculative building" to attract new industry to the city.

Dec. 18 -- Coleman student charged with making bomb threat: COLEMAN -- An 18-year-old Coleman High School student was arrested Wednesday and charged with a bomb threat that emptied the high school Dec. 11.

Dec. 18 -- Man tries to cut out his tongue to spite his ex-wife: STEPHENVILLE -- Mental health professionals are counseling a 44-year-old Erath County man who attempted to cut out his tongue with a pocketknife during an argument with his ex-wife, Stephenville police said Thursday.

Dec. 18 -- Rotan schools pass audit, plan building: ROTAN -- The Rotan school board received a clean report on its 1997-98 audit and authorized Superintendent Jim Copeland to proceed with plans for a new agriculture science building.

Dec. 18 -- Two bills aim to help rural counties: Two bills designed to assist rural counties with finances were filed with the Texas House this week by state Rep. Bob Turner, D-Voss.

Dec. 18 -- Our Slice of Texas

Dec. 17 -- Whether with B-1s or not, residents react to Iraq bombing: Dyess Air Force Base officials had not received word late Wednesday about the potential use of the B-1B Lancer in any military action against Iraq.

Dec. 17 -- Jim Mankin, ACU professor, succumbs to cancer: Dr. Jim Mankin, associate professor and past chairman of the Department of Undergraduate Bible and Ministry at Abilene Christian University, died Wednesday in an Abilene hospital at age 62 after an eight-month battle with cancer.

Dec. 17 -- Fire survivor leaves hospital: KNOX CITY -- The survivor of a Monday night fire which killed two relatives was released from an Abilene hospital Wednesday.

Dec. 17 -- Mid-term grads walk the walk--later, or not at all: Abilene schools break for the holidays today, and a handful of high school who leave aren't expected back in January.

Dec. 17 -- Team will review kidnap-rape incident at prison: An incident review team will look at "all aspects" connected with a knife-point kidnapping-rape of a female Robertson unit prison guard early Sunday, prison system spokesman Larry Todd said Wednesday.

Dec. 17 -- Goodfellows: Ill single mother asks help for children: A hard-working single mother with chronic ailments needs assistance this year to give her children a pleasant Christmas.

Dec. 17 -- Rehab board plans telethon: The West Texas Rehabilitation Center board of directors are turning their sights on the Rehab 1999 telecast, which raises funds for individuals unable to afford care.

Dec. 17 -- Breckenridge woman saves dogs from fire: BRECKENRIDGE -- A Breckenridge woman escaped her burning home early Wednesday morning and was able to save three of her five dogs.

Dec. 17 -- City council amends street repair contract: STEPHENVILLE -- The Stephenville City Council on Tuesday approved changes in the contract for repairs to Byron Street.

Dec. 17 -- Big Spring official indicted on theft charge: BIG SPRING -- Former Big Spring housing assistance program director Marva Scurlark has been indicted by a Howard County grand jury on charges of theft by a public servant.

Dec. 17 -- Former Dublin policeman acquitted: STEPHENVILLE -- It took an Erath County jury only 10 minutes Wednesday to acquit former Dublin policeman Curtis Lewis of criminal negligence charges.

Dec. 17 -- Dublin school board approves drug testing: DUBLIN -- The Dublin school board approved procedures for random drug testing Tuesday, effective immediately. The board also hired a laboratory to conduct the testing.

Dec. 17 -- Eastland teen gets probation in fatal wreck: EASTLAND -- A jury convicted an 18-year-old Eastland woman of intoxication manslaughter Wednesday and sentenced her to eight years probation and a $10,000 fine.

Dec. 17 -- Brownwood schools pass test: BROWNWOOD -- The Brownwood school district showed improvement in several areas, according to the Academic Excellence Indicator System for 1997-98, school trustees learned Tuesday.

Dec. 17 -- Commissioners to buy sheriff vehicles: BIG SPRING -- Howard County commissioners granted Sheriff Bill Jennings permission to buy four or five new or used vehicles, budgeting $75,000 for the purchases.

Dec. 17 -- Our Slice of Texas

Dec. 17 -- Correction

Dec. 16 -- Mother, daughter killed in Knox City fire: KNOX CITY -- A young Knox City girl apparently saved her 90-year-old grandmother from a fire Monday night, then died when she re-entered the burning home in a futile effort to save her mother.

Dec. 16 -- Guard assaulted while held at knifepoint: The female officer held at knifepoint by a Robertson Unit inmate was sexually assaulted -- maybe repeatedly -- by the man during the two-hour stand-off in his cell, prison prosecutors said Tuesday.

Dec. 16 -- Lockdown at Robertson seeks contraband: Inmates in the Robertson Unit and every other prison statewide are being confined to their cells around the clock this week as officers search for contraband.

Dec. 16 -- Missing man's body found at remote wreck site: A Tuscola man missing for nine weeks was found dead near his truck in a heavily wooded area of south Taylor County, the apparent victim of a fatal collision with a deer.

Dec. 16 -- Noah Project opens new resource center: Noah Project, which helps victims of spousal abuse, opened a new facility Tuesday located at 1636 N. 20th St.

Dec. 16 -- Winters freeway work postponed: Good news, Christmas shoppers: Freeway traffic south to the Mall will remain two lanes all the way until after Christmas.

Dec. 16 -- Cooper classes cancelled due to broken main: Cooper High School students received a respite from final exams Tuesday after a water main break left the school without facilities and classes were cancelled.

Dec. 16 -- Goodfellows short of goal, short on time: Goodfellows is in desperate need of funds. With nine days to go before Christmas, the annual drive to help the needy in Abilene is less than halfway to its goal of $50,000.

Dec. 16 -- Night court called to order: Justice of the Peace Rex Andrew's night court debuted Tuesday evening looking more like Judge Wapner's old "People's Court" with a West Texas flavor than Harry Anderson's old sitcom, "Night Court."

Dec. 16 -- McMurray's August graduates receive diplomas

Dec. 16 -- Traffic stop leads to drug ring: SWEETWATER -- An Aug. 27 traffic stop near Roscoe that netted 90 pounds of marijuana and the arrest of three people has led to the breakup of a drug ring based in Kansas City, Mo., said Nolan County Sheriff Donnie Rannefeld.

Dec. 16 -- Principal resigns to return to coaching: STEPHENVILLE -- Leon Greeson has resigned as assistant principal of the intermediate school here to return to coaching in Abilene.

Dec. 16 -- Dublin city council won't participate in TexPool: DUBLIN -- By a 5-2 vote, the Dublin City Council turned down a resolution authorizing city participation in TexPool and designating representatives to invest public funds.

Dec. 16 -- Sheriff a victim of forger: ALBANY -- Shackelford County Sheriff Larry Bonner told the Commissioners Court Monday his office has become the victim of a crime, rather than the investigator.

Dec. 16 -- Merkel approves nuisance ordinance: MERKEL -- First-time offenders caught violating the city's new nuisance ordinance could face a $500 fine.

Dec. 16 -- Deputies' pay cut to control overtime: BRECKENRIDGE -- Stephens County commissioners have cut sheriff's deputies pay and adopted a 28-day pay period in an effort to control runaway overtime problems.

Dec. 16 -- Our Slice of Texas

Dec. 15 -- Local residents ponder impeachment question: To Alice Massey, the impeachment controversy boils down to simple issue: "Right is right, and wrong as wrong."

Dec. 15 -- Bois D'Arc Street neighbors get assistance: Three months after a water main break sent thousands of gallons of untreated water gushing down his street and through his home, Terry Burch is a happy man.

Dec. 15 -- Guard held hostage not seriously injured: A Robertson Unit inmate held a female officer at knifepoint for about two hours Sunday morning before Warden Tim Morgan negotiated the prisoner's peaceful surrender.

Dec. 15 -- Twelve organizations to get 38 computers, monitors: SWEETWATER -- Twelve nonprofit organizations and legal subdivisions of the state within the 12-county Big Country Resource Conservation and Development Area will receive some of the 38 computers and monitors donated by the Texas attorney general's office.

Dec. 15 -- TSTC gets $1 million video-link grant: SWEETWATER -- Texas State Technical College-Sweetwater has been awarded a $1 million grant to provide interactive video classes for two colleges and nine school districts.

Dec. 15 -- Former guard gets 14 years for robbery: A one-time prison guard has been sentenced to 14 years behind bars for robbing a Loraine bank of $8,551 last summer.

Dec. 15 -- Driver identifies robbery/burglary culprit: A former A student and self-confessed marijuana addict insisted Monday she was ignorant of the crimes three pals committed while she chauffered them around.

Dec. 15 -- Goodfellows/Call-For-Help Office is often a last resort

Dec. 15 -- Robinson appointed temporary trustee to Wylie school board: Leland Robinson, veteran to the Wylie school board, was appointed at Monday's meeting to serve as a temporary trustee until May.

Dec. 15 -- Ranger sting operation nets two: RANGER -- Two Ranger residents arrested Friday in what Eastland County Sheriff Wayne Bradford called a "reverse buy/bust operation" have been released from jail on bond.

Dec. 15 -- Gorman burn victims improving: GORMAN -- Two burn victims who were injured Dec. 1 during an electrical accident at Gorman Milling Co. are improving.

Dec. 15 -- Burned firefighter improves: Two months after she was critically burned while fighting a grass fire, Oplin firefighter JoAnn Winters has been transferred from a Lubbock burn center to Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, where she continues to improve.

Dec. 15 -- C of C to move to renovated depot: BROWNWOOD -- The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce will move to the Harvey House in the Depot facility as soon as interior renovations are complete, chamber directors have decided.

Dec. 15 -- Big Spring school completion delayed: BIG SPRING -- Big Spring's new junior high school won't be home to students for Christmas, school trustees learned.

Dec. 15 -- Fired teacher settles for $10,000: BRECKENRIDGE -- The Breckenridge school board has approved the payment of $10,000 to settle a lawsuit filed against the district by a fired teacher.

Dec. 15 -- Vandals force park closure at night: BIG SPRING -- A rash of vandalism has resulted in Comanche Trail Park being closed at night.

Dec. 15 -- PPI receives large merchandise donation: SWEETWATER -- People for Progress Inc., a community action program serving a 19-county area of the Big Country, has received a donation of merchandise valued at $594,432 from Avon.

Dec. 15 -- Policeman gets raise: ROSCOE -- The Roscoe City Council gave the town's lone police officer, Heath Tibbets, a vote of confidence in the form of a $200 per month raise.

Dec. 15 -- Hams get antennae on radio tower: COLEMAN -- Coleman County commissioners approved a request from ham radio operators to mount two antennae on the existing radio tower.

Dec. 15 -- Judge presides over his last commissioners court: BAIRD -- Callahan County Judge Bill Johnson presided over his last commissioners court meeting Monday.

Dec. 15 -- Judge administers oath to successor: EASTLAND -- County Judge Scott Bailey, finishing 36 years in office this month, administered the oath of office to his successor Monday during the Eastland County commissioners' meeting.

Dec. 15 -- King awards tickets on sale: Tickets for the eighth annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Program go on sale today.

Dec. 14 -- Sheriff not indicted by Jones County grand jury: ANSON -- A special Jones County grand jury empaneled to investigate unspecified allegations of impropriety against Jones County Sheriff Robby Wedeking declined to indict the embattled sheriff on any charges. Related story: Text of the grand jury's statement

Dec. 14 -- Man convicted of sex crime gets 17-year term: ANSON -- A Jones County jury set a 17-year prison term for an 18-year-old Abilene man it convicted last week of committing a sex crime at Lake Fort Phantom Hill.

Dec. 14 -- Goodfellows: Mother with cancer seeks help for four children: A woman wrote Goodfellows to get help for a mother of four who has cancer.

Dec. 14 -- Crime Stoppers: Man has rude awakening

Dec. 14 -- Connellee Hotel to receive attention: EASTLAND -- One of Eastland's grand old ladies is going to get an overdue facelift.

Dec. 13 -- New farm in Big Spring harvests power of the wind: BIG SPRING -- Big Spring's most abundant natural resource is invisible, but officials expect a new farm to produce a bumper crop by April.

Dec. 13 -- New device may reduce fear of dentists: Technological advances in dentistry may substitute the shrill shrieks of metal drilling into bone with small puffs of air, making future trips to the dentist's chair easier to bear.

Dec. 13 -- Food bank provides nourishment for Goodfellows families: Many Abilene families can consider themselves fortunate this holiday season because they don't have to worry about a shortage of food. Others struggling to make ends meet on a daily basis are not so lucky.

Dec. 13 -- ACU to recognize Distinguished Alumnus: Rosalind Craver Shields, executive director of Kenley School in Abilene, will receive a distinguished alumni citation from Abilene Christian University today.

Dec. 13 -- McMurry holds graduation cermonies: Commencement ceremonies were held Saturday for the 65 McMurry University graduates.

Dec. 12 -- Senators Gramm and Hutchison visit Dyess: U.S. Sens. Phil Gramm and Kay Bailey Hutchison arrived in Abilene in the middle of a snowstorm Friday to extoll the virtues of Dyess Air Force Base.

Dec. 12 -- Area artist's work to be sent to the Middle East: Dorothy Whisenhunt, an artist, will express her hopes for peace in the Middle East in a more personal way than most next week, though not in person.

Dec. 12 -- Winter weather disrupts lives of area residents: The season's first winter storm disrupted the lives of many Big Country residents on Friday, keeping people off highways, golf courses and basketball courts.

Dec. 12 -- Test may prove validity of chiropractic care: Chiropractic care is as yet unproven -- but John Morris, president of Jasao Corp. in Abilene, thinks he may prove the practice's usefulness.

Dec. 12 -- Restaurant owners refuse plea bargain in favor of jury trial: The former owners of Knockers sports grill reneged on a plea agreement in federal court Friday, opting instead for a jury trial.

Dec. 12 -- Student with gun must attend alternative classes: BIG SPRING -- A state district judge has upheld a decision by Coahoma Independent School District requiring a female honor student to attend alternative classes after she brought a firearm onto school property.

Dec. 12 -- Ground broken for retirement center: COLEMAN -- Construction of the future Autumn Falls assisted living facility began Friday with groundbreaking ceremonies.

Dec. 12 -- Sorrels encourages HSU grads to 'appreciate blessings': ABILENE---A record number of Hardin-Simmons University December graduates were challenged Friday night to "appreciate God's blessings," in their own lives and seek to advance that blessing to others.

Dec. 12 -- ACU graduates honored with awards:Several students were honored during graduation ceremonies at Abilene Christian University Friday night.

Dec. 12 -- Area News Digest: Parents asked to consider dress code changes ... Colorado City hires policemen ... Parolee returned to prison ... Ranger family escapes fire

Dec. 11 -- Civic Center, parks will be maintained, city officials say: City officials are quick to reassure bond election voters that, regardless of city plans to find other funding for Civic Center and parks projects, their opinions have not been overlooked.

Dec. 11 -- Temperatures down, sales up: It's beginning to feel a lot more like Christmas, which is very good news to many retailers.

Dec. 11 -- Highway tree brings roadside cheer: (Ken Ellsworth) BRADSHAW -- Most trees lead lonely lives, but not a 15-foot-tall cedar tree that grows on a quiet stretch of U.S. Highway 83 right of way just a mile or so north of Bradshaw in south Taylor County.

Dec. 11 -- Rotary clubs to host blood drive Saturday: Abilene Rotary clubs are hosting a blood drive Saturday in Hendrick Health Place at the Mall of Abilene from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to stock up in case of holiday emergencies.

Dec. 11 -- Abilene Clean & Proud wins 2nd in national beautification awards: The Abilene Clean & Proud board won second place in the Keep America Beautiful National Awards Program for its beautification efforts.

Dec. 11 -- Oil prices reach record low: Posted oil prices reached another inflation-adjusted historic low Thursday with Scurlock-Permian paying just $8 per barrel.

Dec. 11 -- Record number of graduates highlights HSU ceremonies: An honorary doctorate, a posthumous master's degree, and a record number of December graduates will highlight commencement ceremonies at Hardin-Simmons University tonight.

Dec. 11 -- Justice and legislator to speak at McMurray commencement: Retired Texas Supreme Court Justice and former United States Congressman Bob Gammage will deliver the commencement address to 65 McMurry University seniors Saturday.

Dec. 11 -- ACU to grant degrees to 245: Abilene Christian University will award degrees to 245 students in ceremonies beginning at 7:30 tonight in Moody Coliseum.

Dec. 11 -- Anesthesiologist's malpractice trial begins: An Abilene anesthesiologist stands accused of paralyzing a prominent real estate agent and accelerating his death in a malpractice trial that began Thursday.

Dec. 11 -- Goodfellows stories touch hearts: The stories of families in need this Christmas cannot help but touch hearts.

Dec. 11 -- City youth programs to get news standards: The Abilene City Council approved an ordinance to adopt standards of care for the city's youth programs at its Thursday meeting.

Dec. 11 -- Suit alleges pool hall got man drunk: A 20-year-old man is suing an Abilene pool hall saying it served him beer to the point of drunkenness, which precipitated a car crash that left him seriously injured and owing $30,000 in medical bills.

Dec. 11 -- Clyde cheerleader is nation's best: CLYDE -- Richard Oaxaca, a Clyde High School junior, is the best male high school cheerleader in the nation.

Dec. 11 -- Former policeman denied reinstatement: SWEETWATER -- A former police officer who was suspended from the Sweetwater Police Department two years ago was denied reinstatement to the department and back pay by a 32nd District Court jury Tuesday.

Dec. 11 -- Crime Stoppers/Teen wanted for sexual assault on child: A 19-year-old man sought in the sexual assault on a child is Abilene Crime Stoppers' Wanted Fugitive for the week ahead.

Dec. 11 -- Bullet wound worse than wounded thought: CLYDE -- A Clyde man didn't realize how close he was to dying after his small caliber pistol accidentally discharged Tuesday and left him with a small entrance wound near his navel.

Dec. 11 -- Ballinger accepts lease bid:BALLINGER -- The Ballinger City Council accepted the high bid of Corby Chitsey to lease 525 acres of city land surrounding the Ballinger airport.

Dec. 11 -- Winters mayor wins grant for city: WINTERS -- The City of Winters has been awarded a $5,000 grant in the name of Mayor Dawson McGuffin, who has been named a recipient of the American Hometown Leadership Award by the National Center for Small Communities (NCSC).

Dec. 11 -- Suit against former musem director dismissed: BROWNWOOD -- A civil suit against Lewis Evans Walker, former director of the Brown County Museum of History, has been dismissed from court.

Dec. 11 -- Commissioners to research phone system for jail: BALLINGER -- Runnels County commissioners want to make a few calls before they select an inmate telephone system for the new county jail.

Dec. 11 -- Vacant houses targeted by city: SANTA ANNA -- City officials have served notice that unsightly and unkempt vacant houses and lots will not be tolerated in Santa Anna.

Dec. 11 -- Grand jury returns 31 felony indictments: The 104th District Court grand jury returned 31 felony indictments Thursday.

Dec. 11 -- Building to house new city hall: EASTLAND -- City commissioners have agreed to purchase a building that will soon become the new City Hall.

Dec. 11 -- Our Slice of Texas; Academic News

Dec. 10 -- Parks and Civic Center must seek other funding: The passage of almost $18 million in bonds Tuesday means better traffic signals and a bigger emergency operations center will materialize in Abilene.

Dec. 10 -- Grinches steal Christmas lawn decorations: Young grinches are back at their seasonal work, stealing and destroying Christmas ornaments to spoil the holidays for their victims.

Dec. 10 -- Deadbeat parents rounded up: Taylor County sheriff's deputies nabbed half of the 16 deadbeat parents they were chasing Wednesday in a roundup meant to help children this holiday season.

Dec. 10 -- Panian & Mash open house benefits Goodfellows: An open house promotion by a real estate company Sunday afternoon opened some wallets for Goodfellows as well. Related story: Penny drive at Wylie Middle School adds up: It takes pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters and dollars to help the folks who need it the most this holiday season.

Dec. 10 -- Area may experience first snowfall of year tonight: Mother Nature is about to make up for lost time. Two days after experiencing the first freeze of the year, Big Country residents could receive yet another surprise tonight -- the first snowfall of the year.

Dec. 10 -- Dyess investigates prisoner abuse claims: An independent team of investigators is studying allegations of prisoner abuse at the Dyess Air Force Base correctional facility, base officials said Wednesday.

Dec. 10 -- Food drive today for Food Bank of Abilene: Area residents will have the opportunity today to support the Food Bank of Abilene's goal of providing nourishment to needy families this holiday season.

Dec. 10 -- Southbound Winters Freeway to close today: The southbound lane of Winters Freeway at the 14th street overpass will be closed today for construction until further notice.

Dec. 10 -- Grand jury returns felony indictments: BROWNWOOD -- Indictments for aggravated assault and injury to a child were among the 29 felony "true bills" returned by the Brown County grand jury.

Dec. 10 -- Trucker escapes injury in wild wreck: CLYDE -- A Dallas truck driver escaped injury in an accident that blocked the westbound lanes of Interstate 20 near Clyde for 90 minutes Wednesday.

Dec. 10 -- Teen transferred to state prison: STEPHENVILLE -- A former Dublin teen-ager has been ordered transferred to the state prison system because he was not rehabilitated as a juvenile.

Dec. 10 -- High School receives telecom funding: TALPA -- CAP High School in rural Coleman County received $40,226 in E-rate funding to improve its telecommunications services, U.S. Rep. Charlie Stenholm (D-Abilene) announced Wednesday.

Dec. 10 -- Cisco city council accepts bid for delinquent tax property: CISCO -- City council members accepted the $400 bid of Jerry Johnson of Cisco for some delinquent tax property in the 700 block of E. 12th St.

Dec. 10 -- Former policeman denied reinstatement: SWEETWATER -- A former police officer who was suspended from the Sweetwater Police Department two years ago was denied reinstatement to the department and back pay by a 32nd District Court jury Tuesday.

Dec. 10 -- Clyde man stable after shooting accident: CLYDE -- A Clyde man remained hospitalized Wednesday in stable condition after accidentally being shot with his own pistol Tuesday.

Dec. 10 -- Boy recovering from kick in head from cow: EARLY -- A 7-year-old Early boy who was unconscious for four days after he was kicked in the head by a cow on Nov. 22 may get to leave a Fort Worth hospital this weekend.

Dec. 10 -- Brown County museum could reopen in 1999: BROWNWOOD -- The Brown County Museum of History, closed since 1995, could reopen next year, based on a court decision here Monday.

Dec. 10 -- Sanders to work for Texas Forts Trail group: ALBANY -- The Albany Chamber of Commerce accepted the resignation of Lisa Sanders, executive director of the chamber since 1997, Wednesday evening.

Dec. 10 -- Haskell, Knox voters to decide joint water issue: MUNDAY -- Voters in Haskell and Knox counties will decide in a Jan. 26 election whether to create a two-county groundwater conservation district.

Dec. 10 -- Breckenridge gets assistance from state fire marshal: BRECKENRIDGE -- Deputy State Fire Marshal Don Turk of Anson was in Breckenridge Wednesday to help local officials investigate a fire.

Dec. 10 - Our Slice of Texas

Dec. 9 -- Voters approve 3 of 5 bond issues: (Lindsay Tozer) Abilene voters approved almost $18 million of the city's $21 million bond election package Tuesday, embracing streets and traffic signal improvements, a senior center and central fire station and emergency operations center.

Dec. 9 -- Sweetwater firm wins family business award: (Doug Williamson) Ludlum Measurements Inc. of Sweetwater received the "Total Excellence in Family Business Award" Tuesday from the McMurry University Leadership Development and Family Business Center.

Dec. 9 -- Teen Angel Tree gets check from McMurry students: The president of the McMurry University Student Government will present a check for $500 this morning to the Salvation Army for its "Teen Angel Tree."

Dec. 9 -- Prison official indicted by grand jury: (Anthony Wilson) A federal grand jury indicted a former Big Spring prison official Tuesday on seven charges, including smuggling drugs and other contraband into the region's federal lockup.

Dec. 9 -- Goodfellows Toy Store proves that Santa does provide for children: (John Starbuck) Wearing an "I Believe in Santa Claus" ballcap, George Peart spent part of his Tuesday showing less fortunate people that St. Nick always will provide.

Dec. 9 -- Board hopes to revamp city entrance: The Tax Increment Financing District board wants to recycle an entranceway into downtown.

Dec. 9 -- Auto insurance benchmark rate to go down next year: (Anna M. Tinsley) AUSTIN -- Taylor County drivers could save about $6 on auto insurance next year under a benchmark rate reduction ordered Tuesday by the state.

Dec. 9 -- Area residents like HMOs, studies say: (Dirk Fillpot) Big Country residents are pleased with care received from health maintenance organizations, according to recent studies.

Dec. 9 -- Student killed in Big Spring wreck: (China Long) BIG SPRING -- A 17-year-old Forsan High School student-athlete was killed in a two-vehicle accident on his way to school Tuesday.

Dec. 9 -- Burn victim in serious condition: GORMAN -- Gorman Milling Company employee Jerry Ragland's condition was listed in serious condition Tuesday at Parkland Memorial Hospital's Burn Center in Dallas.

Dec. 9 -- Anson city manager gets raise: (Sandra Chittum) ANSON -- City Manager Tex Middleton received a $12,400 raise in pay and benefits Tuesday following a special meeting of the Anson City Council.

Dec. 9 -- Library receives $50,000 grant: ANSON -- The Anson Public Library received a $50,000 grant that wil enhance the library's renovation project at the former downtown Barrett Brothers building.

Dec. 9 -- Nutrition director is Kimberly Baker: BAIRD -- Kimberly Baker is the new director of the Callahan County Nutrition Project, replacing Minnie Martin who resigned in September after being director for eight years.

Dec. 9 -- Stolen property recovered: BROWNWOOD -- Brownwood police have recovered a pickup truck and other property stolen early Saturday morning from a construction site at Howard Payne University.

Dec. 9 -- Drug awareness funding approved: BROWNWOOD -- Brown County commissioners agreed Monday to provide $1,000 in funding for the Brownwood/Brown County Citizens Drug Task Force.

Dec. 9 -- Industries receive $300,000 training grant: BROWNWOOD -- Several Brown County industries have been approved for $300,000 in grants from the Texas Workforce Commission Skills Development Fund.

Dec. 9 -- Grant hearing ponders water improvements: COLORADO CITY -- A public hearing on a proposed $3.4 million grant to improve the city's water supply situation drew a number of interested taxpayers Tuesday.

Dec. 9 -- Our Slice of Texas: Fund started for murder victim: A fund has been set up at First State Bank in Tuscola to help with medical and funeral expenses for a former Abilene man killed in an armed robbery in Oklahoma City.

Dec. 9 -- City Hall to be offered as Post Office site: (Don King) SWEETWATER -- Sweetwater city commissioners agreed unanimously Tuesday to offer the city hall building and its parking lot as a possible site for a new post office.

Dec. 9 -- Nolan United Way drive exceeds goal: SWEETWATER -- Nolan County has exceeded its United Way campaign goal of $54,000 by six percent, officials announced Tuesday.

Dec. 8 -- Voters decide bond issues today: (Lindsay Tozer) It's go-time for the city's $21 million bond election.

Dec. 8 -- Heidenheimer remembered as an area giant: (Roy A. Jones II) ANSON -- Fortunately, Jim M. Heidenheimer, who made his first mark in the clothing business, was an XXL. His body had to be giant sized to hold the extra large heart he had for his adopted home town and for the wider Big Country, saddened friends said Monday.

Dec. 8 -- Across the hall is the boss she sued: (Anthony Wilson) The woman who won a $100,000 settlement against Taylor County returned to toil for the defendant Monday, working across a hallway from the man she accused of sexual harassment.

Dec. 8 -- Five conservationists honored: (Roy A. Jones II) ALBANY -- The top "stewards of the land" in Shackelford and Stephens counties were honored here Monday by directors of the Lower Clear Fork of the Brazos Soil and Water Conservation District.

Dec. 8 -- Housing Authority to offer child care assistance: The Abilene Housing Authority begins taking applications today for a new program aimed at taking care of children as well as housing.

Dec. 8 -- Planning, zoning board makes changes: The city's Planning and Zoning Commission has undergone a changing of the guard.

Dec. 8 -- Blended families face special challenge at holidays: (Danny Reagan) This is the time of the year when blended families can be stretched thin.

Dec. 8 -- Mother recovering from surgery petitions Goodfellows: A mother who recently underwent emergency surgery wrote Goodfellows for help in guiding Santa Claus to her children's stockings on Christmas.

Dec. 8 -- Guide wounded during bird hunt (Jane Pratt) THURBER -- A Morgan Mill man escaped serious injury even though he was struck between the eyes by a shotgun pellet in a hunting accident.

Dec. 8 -- Anson IDC will help expand body shop: ANSON -- The Industrial Development Corporation of Anson Inc. voted Monday to assist the expansion of a local business.

Dec. 7 -- Hope Haven to open second shelter: (Scott Scholten) Hope Haven Inc. announced Sunday it would open a second shelter, primarily for single mothers.

Dec. 7 -- School board to meet today: The Abilene school board will meet at 5:30 today for a workshop discussing issues related to the next session of the Texas legislature.

Dec. 7 -- Collegians list top 12 gifts: (Loretta Fulton) Mom and Dad, add clothes to your college student's shopping list and scratch off the TV and guitar.

Dec. 7 -- Middleton named Jones County police officer of the year: (Sandra Chittum) Hamlin Police Chief Mike Middleton was honored 1998's Officer of the Year by the Jones County Law Enforcement Association.

Dec. 7 -- Local/Regional Events

Dec. 6 -- Salvation Army bell-ringers uphold holiday tradition: Standing in front of Target, Herb Rye is upholding a holiday tradition as familiar as Santa Claus and holiday lights -- Rye is one of The Salvation Army's 36 bell-ringers.

Dec. 6 -- Bond election to be decided Tuesday: Here is a question-and-answer form of the more commonly asked questions about the city's $21 million bond package and the Tuesday election.

Dec. 6 -- Excessive spending can be harmful to kids, professor says: Many people would not consider it harmful for youths to shower their sweethearts with gifts, especially during the holiday season.

Dec. 6 -- Voters reject bond package for second time: SNYDER -- For the second time in four months, voters in the Snyder Independent School district rejected a $16 million bond package for school renovations and improvements.

Dec. 6 -- Ambitious ACU students take it upon themselves to learn how to dance the new old-fashioned way: Kevin Wellborn admits that the first time he tried to swing dance, "I didn't know what I was doing.

Dec. 6 -- Goodfellows plate full with fundraiser, toy transfer: Entering its second week, the Goodfellows program will receive help on two different fronts today.

Dec. 6 -- Study: College grads won't have any troubles finding jobs: DETROIT -- The end of the century is looking bright for the Class of '99. These days, a college degree and computer or technical skills should easily add up to a job, a study to be released Sunday says.

Dec. 5 -- Dyess staff sergeant designs B-1 model kit: Bill Lenches has been busy tinkering in his workshop this fall. But it wasn't fashioning Christmas presents that kept him so busy.

Dec. 5 -- Many stunned by Cantu's stay of execution: If Andrew Cantu deliberately maneuvered to delay his execution, it worked.

Dec. 5 -- Rare astronomical event may explain Star of Bethlehem: Two thousand years ago, the story goes, a group of Persian astronomers looked up into the heavens and saw something that gave them pause.

Dec. 5 -- Brave elves save Santa's 'sleigh' in Coleman parade: COLEMAN -- Hundreds of people viewing Coleman's "Texas Country Christmas" parade Thursday night had visions of calamity, rather than sugar plums, when Santa Claus' "sleigh" appeared to catch fire.

Dec. 5 -- Two men sought in abduction, rape: ANSON -- West Texas police are looking for two armed men who allegedly abducted a 15-year-old girl from near an Anson convenience store, trussed her with duct tape and took her on a long, terrifying ride before sexually assaulting her overnight Thursday.

Dec. 5 -- Fireman's house damaged by fire: SWEETWATER -- As a member of the Sweetwater Fire Department, paramedic and firefighter Daniel Davis has seen his share of personal devastation caused by fire.

Dec. 5 -- Winters council to consider annexations: WINTERS -- The Winters City Council will consider the annexation of certain properties at its next meeting, Dec. 21.

Dec. 5 -- Injured Eula student leaves ICU: After 3-1/2 weeks in the Intensive Care Unit of Hendrick Medical Center, a Eula High School student moved to a regular hospital room Friday.

Dec. 4 -- Supreme Court issues stay; Cantu narrowly avoids execution: HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) -- The U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of execution for condemned killer Andrew Cantu on Thursday, about 15 minutes before he could have gone to the death chamber.

Dec. 4 -- Korean consul general addresses model UN: As a college student, Haeng-Kyeom Oh wanted to be a professor so he could have "four-month paid vacations" among other perks.

Dec. 4 -- Stenholm says farmers' money funds Cotton club trips: WASHINGTON -- Congress should probe revelations that a cotton promotion group spent mandatory payments from cotton farmers on strip clubs and on an annual $400,000 dinner party, a key House lawmaker says.

Dec. 4 -- Forester receives volunteer achievement award: An Abilene Texas forest service officer has been named Midland's 1998 Volunteer Achievement Award.

Dec. 4 -- Murder trial hearings begin: Pretrial hearings began Thursday into charges Luis Carlos Sabogal II, 18, murdered his former girlfriend on May 24.

Dec. 4 -- Nursing home accused of neglecting patients: BIG SPRING -- A Big Spring nursing home is one of two being sued by Texas Attorney General Dan Morales for allegedly neglecting patients.

Dec. 4 -- B-1B veers off runway: A B-1B Bomber was towed back onto the runway at Dyess Air Force Base after veering into a grassy median Thursday.

Dec. 4 -- Downtown Association assesses City Sidewalks event: The Abilene Downtown Association met on Wednesday to assess the impact that City Sidewalks had on downtown Abilene, reporting a rise in attendance and enthusiasm over last year's event.

Dec. 4 -- Grover takes first place in writing contest: Becky Grover of Jim Ned High School won the first place merit award Thursday in a writing symposium sponsored by the Abilene campus of Cisco Junior College.

Dec. 4 -- Grand jury indicts man in arson case: THROCKMORTON -- The Throckmorton County grand jury has indicted a young Throckmorton man for arson in connection with one of the range fires that plagued volunteer firefighters last summer.

Dec. 4 -- 911 errors increase in Erath County:STEPHENVILLE -- A Stephenville resident was surprised recently when a policeman knocked on her door to check on her welfare. Beverly Davis told the officer she appreciated his concern, but there was no emergency at her home.

Dec. 4 -- Throckmorton airport to reopen: THROCKMORTON -- The Throckmorton Municipal Airport will officially reopen early in 1999 for the first time in 14 years, thanks to a substantial, anonymous donation.

Dec. 4 -- Haskell narrows search for superintendent:HASKELL -- Christmas will come about three days late for one of the three Haskell school administrators seeking to succeed Robert "Bob" Pheil as superintendent.

Dec. 4 -- Goodfellows

Dec. 3 -- Reprieve for Cantu seems unlikely:HUNTSVILLE -- Only a Supreme Court justice or the governor can save Andrew Cantu now. Sidebar: Brother of victim ready to see killer die: Mack Hicks is ready -- and eager -- to watch Andrew Cantu die.

Dec. 3 -- Clayton gets another 15 years for escape attempt: HUNTSVILLE -- Condemned killer James Edward Clayton, who is awaiting the ultimate punishment, faces another 15-year sentence for his foiled escape attempt last week.

Dec. 3 -- New church sanctuary is rising in Baird: BAIRD -- By early spring members of Baird’s First United Methodist Church will no longer endure folding chairs and a drab metal building as they have for worship services since 1985.

Dec. 3 -- Jail to celebrate 100 years: BAIRD -- The Callahan County Jail, believed to be the oldest fully functioning jail in Texas, will celebrate its 100th birthday Saturday.

Dec. 3 -- Tuition rate drops for committed HSU students: Hardin-Simmons University trustees approved an innovative "declining rate tuition plan" that will encourage students to stay beyond their sophomore year.

Dec. 3 -- Abilene architect chosen chancellor of peers: Jimmy Tittle, an Abilene architect who’s made an indelible mark on the city with his designs, is being inaugurated chancellor of the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects at a black tie dinner, Thursday, in Washington, D.C.

Dec. 3 -- Draught doesn't keep pecan grower from winning 8 ribbons: J.R. Black’s pecan crop was not as good as it has been in previous years. That did not stop him, however, from earning eight first place-ribbons, one second-place ribbon and a Grand Champion plaque Tuesday at the annual Abilene Area Pecan Show at the Mall of Abilene, which showcased a variety of nuts, as well as an array of pecan-filled food.

Dec. 3 -- ACU delivers barbecue to alumni with a yen: "ACU Delivers" may be the school’s new slogan after Bob Gomez completes his mission -- taking 100 pounds of Joe Allen’s brisket and sauce to barbecue-deprived alumni in the Atlanta area.

Dec. 3 -- Philosophers association meeting in Abilene: National security issues will be at the forefront this weekend when The Philosophical Society of Texas gathers in Abilene for its 161st annual meeting.

Dec. 3 -- McMurry sponsors Model UN: South Korean Consul General Haeng Kyeom Oh will be the featured speaker today and Friday for McMurry University’s Model United Nations.

Dec. 3 -- Five students to read winning essays: Students from four area high schools who were named winners in a writing contest sponsored by the Abilene campus of Cisco Junior College will be on campus today to have their works critiqued.

Dec. 3 -- McMurry to present 'Songs of Season': McMurry University will present "Songs of the Season" at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Aldersgate United Methodist Church.

Dec. 3 -- Big Spring robber convicted: BIG SPRING -- A Howard County jury deliberated three hours Tuesday before finding a Big Spring man guilty of the May 25 aggravated robbery of a local motel manager.

Dec. 3 -- No foul play suspected in missing man’s death: HILLSBORO -- Hillsboro police say there is no evidence of foul play in the death of Wesley Adell Clendennen, 64, a Ballinger native who formerly lived in Abilene.

Dec. 3 -- Santa Anna hires police officer: SANTA ANNA -- For the second time in barely two weeks, the Santa Anna City Council has hired a new police officer.

Dec. 2 -- Tax bills to escalate with bond passage: A proposed $21 million bond package would cause Abilene homeowners' tax bills to gradually escalate for four years - culminating in $35 in additional taxes the fourth year - before the burden would slowly recede.

Dec. 2 -- Great weather brings huge crowd downtown for City Sidewalks, parade: Despite spring-like weather, downtown Abilene turned into the perfect place Tuesday night for "Walking in a Winter Wonderland," taking a jaunty "Sleigh Ride," or just listening to the pealing of "Silver Bells."

Dec. 2 -- Ruling on Cantu's appeal expected today: A federal appeals court today should rule on condemned killer Andrew Cantu's bid to stay his execution Thursday night.

Dec. 2 -- Silent victories celebrated along with special education's 50th anniversary: When Bonham Elementary students maneuvered the wheelchairs of physically challenged children through a Thanksgiving program last week, Superintendent Charles Hundley noted such cooperation would have been incomprehensible when he began his career.

Dec. 2 -- Crude oil price drops even lower: West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark crude, dropped to an inflation-adjusted lifetime low for the second day in a row Tuesday, closing at $8.50 per barrel.

Dec. 2 -- New church sanctuary is rising in Baird: BAIRD - By early spring members of Baird's First United Methodist Church will no longer endure folding chairs and a drab metal building as they have for worship services since 1985.

Dec. 2 -- Commissioners let new treasurer start early: Taylor County Treasurer Lesa Crosswhite began cashing in Tuesday on her predecessor's sudden departure, taking the oath of office and learning about the office she'll lead for the next four years.

Dec. 2 -- Commissioners purchase land on Oak Street: County commissioners spent $100,000 Tuesday to purchase land that neighbors the Taylor County Plaza and will accommodate future growth. Commissioners plan to use the former Shook Tire Co., 502 Oak, for storage and parking.

Dec. 2 -- No death penalty in Saunders murder case: CLYDE - Prosecutors have given notice they do not intend to seek the death penalty for a Clyde woman and the two men she allegedly hired to kill her husband.

Dec. 2 -- Country club could be sold: Fairway Oaks Country Club may soon be sold to private owners.

Dec. 2 -- Third juvenile detained in train shooting: COLORADO CITY - The third Colorado City juvenile involved in the Nov. 11 shooting of a train engineer saw his parole revoked Tuesday by a Texas Youth Commission hearing officer.

Dec. 2 -- Appeals court: Newspaper did not defame candidate: BIG SPRING - A candidate for Howard County sheriff was not defamed by a newspaper editorial questioning his qualifications, according to the 11th Court of Appeals.

Dec. 1 -- New instant check for gun purchases gets mixed reviews here: Some firearms buyers and dealers Monday believed new weapons regulations and paperwork were better protection, while for others they proved an aggravation.

Dec. 1 -- Lake Fort Phantom low, but not critical yet: Some Abilenians are beginning to wonder if the city is about to go dry. But this time it's rainless months, not hootch, that concern them. City officials, however, are not panning the skies for coming storms just yet.

Dec. 1 -- Juveniles punished for shooting train engineer: COLORADO CITY - Two of the juveniles involved in the Nov. 11 shooting of a train engineer here received their punishment Monday, and the third faces a harsher sentence today.

Dec. 1 -- Russian photo-art exhibition opens at CCA: What you're witnessing, vividly displayed on the walls of the Center for Contemporary Arts, is "an expression of our times you won't find anywhere else."

Dec. 1 -- Hundley to be speaker and MLK luncheon: Abilene Independent School District Superintendent Charles Hundley will serve as the keynote speaker for the eighth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Awards Luncheon.

Dec. 1 -- Making a difference noted at Big Brother Big Sisters anniversary dinner: When posed the question of whether being a Big Brother or Big Sister makes a difference, advocate Richard Greif tells a story about starfish.

Dec. 1 -- Women of ACU hosting annual Christmas luncheons: The Women of Abilene Christian University are hosting their annual Christmas luncheons Thursday and Friday featuring "Christmas Casserole," green beans almondine, homemade hot rolls, a cranberry and raspberry congealed salad, and a pumpkin square for dessert.

Dec. 1 -- Goodfellows can help loving grandparents: Loving grandparents caring for a child for two years is a generous blessing to the child. The gift they treasure most, the child's happiness on Christmas, seems beyond their financial resources.

Dec. 1 -- HSU Adopt-a-Child party today: Hardin-Simmons University will sponsor its annual Adopt-a-Child Christmas party today at Ortiz and Johnston elementary schools.

Dec. 1 -- Alternative Certification applications to begin being accepted: The Region 14 Education Service Center will begin accepting applications for the Alternative Certification for Special Education Jan. 4.