Reporter-News Archives

Feb. 28 -- Wreck victims remain in hospital; one loses leg: STEPHENVILLE -- Victims of three recent Stephenville area accidents remained hospitalized Friday in Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, one in critical condition and two serious.

Feb. 28 -- Christian educators must spread message beyond classroom, speaker says: Christian educators shouldn't stop telling their message when the bell rings.

Feb. 28 -- Former Tech Saddle Tramp honored for continued service: BALLINGER -- On a night when the attire was western and the theme was "Hats Off to Ballinger!" it was especially fitting that Ballinger's "Citizen of the Year" for 1997 would be a Saddle Tramp.

Feb. 28 -- Ballinger superintendent announces retirement: BALLINGER -- Longtime Ballinger schools Superintendent Rodney Gordon has announced plans to retire after 22 years with the school district.

Feb. 28 -- DPS officer seizes cocaine, cash: SWEETWATER -- A highway patrol officer seized a small amount of cocaine and nearly $12,000 cash from two men he stopped for speeding Friday morning on Interstate 20.

Feb. 28 -- Diocese receives insurance payment of $1 million: The Catholic Diocese of San Angelo received a check for $1 million from its insurance carrier to cover a portion of the funds believed to have been stolen from church accounts.

Feb. 28 -- GAO reports suggests converting Dyess to reserve base: WASHINGTON -- A new federal report suggests converting Dyess Air Force Base to a reserve base to save up to $235 million over five years to maintain the Air Force's B-1 bomber fleet.

Feb. 28 -- Area Election Filings

Feb. 28 -- Tanker accident dumps oil in ditch: BLACKWELL -- A tanker truck overturned Friday morning on Farm-to-Market 1170, dumping approximately 120 barrels of crude oil into a borrow ditch one mile west of Blackwell.

Feb. 28 -- Old Rip's memory even harder to kill: EASTLAND -- The Eastland County Courthouse lobby was abuzz Friday as about 250 people gathered to remember Old Rip and the day in 1928 when he emerged alive from his 1897 time capsule.

Feb. 27 -- City manager proposes variety of capital improvements: Ten projects ranging from otter exhibits to fire trucks would be funded through $2.43 million of certificates of obligation under the city manager's proposed capital improvement program.

Feb. 27 -- City Council OKs drafting of airport blueprints: The Abilene City Council gave architects the go-ahead Thursday to begin drafting blueprints of the Abilene Regional Airport's planned expansion.

Feb. 27 -- Commissioners prioritize additional Expo Center needs: After a windy morning tour of the Expo Center, Taylor County commissioners on Thursday began the challenging task of whittling down a $2.6 million list of additional improvements suggested for the facility.

Feb. 27 -- Clyde library and dog to move to the bank (Ken Ellsworth Column): CLYDE -- I have known gas station dogs, fire station dogs, bait shop dogs and a gun shop cat, but Wednesday I met my first library dog.

Feb. 27 -- Area law enforcement agencies to begin paying for fingerprint analysis: The era of getting something for nothing is ending as Big Country law enforcement agencies will be paying for fingerprint and handwriting analyses provided by the Abilene Police Department.

Feb. 27 -- Two French Robertson guards indicted: ANSON -- Two French Roberston Unit prison guards have been indicted by a Jones County grand jury for allegedly violating the civil rights of a prisoner.

Feb. 27 -- Starving horses seized from Shackelford county man: GRAHAM -- Misdemeanor cruelty to animal charges are being prepared against a Shackelford County man in connection with 10 sick and starving horses found on the man's property near Olney, according to the Young County attorney's office.

Feb. 27 -- Candidate's mailout prompts complaints: A recent campaign mailout by Precinct 4 commissioner candidate Chuck Statler has drawn some criticism for featuring a design used on the county's letterhead.

Feb. 27 -- Area TV program goes international: MERKEL -- A Church of Christ television program based in Merkel has broken new international ground by being broadcast overseas to 44 European countries.

Feb. 27 -- JP's newletter raising questions at courthouse: A justice of the peace has raised some eyebrows at the Taylor County Courthouse by publishing a newsletter that injects ignition interlock issues into the district attorney's race.

Feb. 27 -- Stamford rancher disappointed but will still watch Oprah: Marianne Seidenberger and her husband, James, raise top-notch Charolais cattle in Stamford. She's been a regular "Oprah watcher" for years but will never forget how awful she felt on April 16, 1996.

Feb. 27 -- Howell gets 2 life terms: BIG SPRING -- A jury gave serial rapist Ricky DeWayne Howell two life sentences Thursday after deliberating for 44 minutes.

Feb. 27 -- Abilene woman awaits lung transplant: Deborah Collier gets strange looks and snide remarks when she parks in a handicapped spot.

Feb. 27 -- Veterans clinics approved for Brown, Eastland counties: Health care for veterans in Brown, Eastland and surrounding counties will be expanded through new community-based clinics, Congressman Charles Stenholm said Thursday.

Feb. 26 -- Area Election Filings

Feb. 26 -- Abilene bank robber shares cell with Zamora: An Abilene bank robber spent five months locked up with former midshipman Diane Zamora, telling a Dallas newspaper she was the convicted murderer's "only friend" in the Fort Worth lock-up.

Feb. 26 -- Court ruling puts credit union accounts in question: The status of some of the nearly 50,000 accounts with local federal credit unions was thrown into question Wednesday by a Supreme Court ruling.

Feb. 26 -- DRI breaks ground for new facilities: Backers and beneficiaries of Disability Resources Inc. broke ground Wednesday for the start of a major development to multiply the number of people DRI serves.

Feb. 26 -- Croatian couple honored by magazine (ACU Lectureship): A couple whose faith was tested by war was honored Wednesday with the Christian Service Award given by 21st Century Christian magazine.

Feb. 26 -- Mission school leader receives servant leadership award (ACU Lectureship): Abilene Christian University honored the leader of the three Church of Christ Mission Schools for the Deaf in Ethiopia with the International Servant Leadership Award on Monday during 80th Annual Lectureship.

Feb. 26 -- Freedom is freedom from self, speaker says: People reading the Bible today have never been under the Jewish law that the Apostle Paul wrote about, so what do his writings mean to us?

Feb. 26 -- Senate override of veto restores Dyess construction funds: WASHINGTON -- The Senate voted Wednesday to override President Clinton's veto of funding for 38 military construction projects including a $10 million squadron headquarters at Dyess Air Force Base.

Feb. 26 -- Two students charged with threatening churches: SWEETWATER -- Two 17-year-old Rotan High School students have been charged with "making terroristic threats" against several Sweetwater churches.

Feb. 26 -- Serial rapist convicted again --twice: BIG SPRING --A Howard County jury deliberated only 50 minutes Wednesday before convicting alleged serial rapist Ricky DeWayne Howell of separate attacks on two Big Spring women in December 1996.

Feb. 26 -- 'Current Events' reports on the sinking of the Titanic: CISCO -- The hit movie, "Titanic," makes 1912 seem like yesterday -- when the splendid steamship slid to a watery grave after striking an iceberg on its maiden voyage.

Feb. 26 -- Firefighters like their fairground home: BROWNWOOD -- The fire trucks are parked where the sheep are usually kept and the firefighters bunk where youthful fair goers usually dine, but Brownwood firefighters are happy in their new, though temporary, home at the Brown County Youth Fair facility.

Feb. 26 -- Area News Roundup: School trustees seek to narrow superintendent's field ... Cisco backs fire station efforts ... Nine seek police chief's position ... DPS makes drug bust near Ranger ... Sweetwater school trustees to begin interviewing superintendent candidates

Feb. 25 -- Speaker passionate about Paul's passionate plea: Living up to the title of his lecture, Phil Ware passionately told the story of Paul's passionate pleadings to the Galatians to not let legalisms get in the way of the message of the gospel.

Feb. 25 -- Gift shops draws lecture visitors with menu: It isn't just the longing for spiritual food that brings thousands of people back to Abilene Christian University every year for Lectureship.

Feb. 25 -- Two alumni honored for work in mass media: Abilene Christian University honored two alumni Tuesday who have distinguished themselves in mass media.

Feb. 25 -- Lectureship Notebook: Christians may have been commanded to spread the Good News, but one group of biblical scholars sure can keep a good secret.

Feb. 25 -- Audit report good news for county, treasurer's office: Taylor County is in "very sound financial condition" commissioners were happy to hear Tuesday during the county's annual audit report

Feb. 25 -- B-1 had been overhauled in December: WASHINGTON -- The B-1B bomber that crashed in Kentucky last week had been overhauled at Tinker Air Force Base in December, and crash investigators are reviewing the records of that work, Air Force officials said Tuesday.

Feb. 25 -- Man charged with bank robbery expected to plead guilty: LUBBOCK -- At least one of three men charged with robbing a Ranger bank is expected to plead guilty to the crime as early as next week.

Feb. 25 -- Dublin's history is a thing of the present: DUBLIN -- Several weeks ago I visited the fine, new Dublin Historical Museum for the second time, and it made me feel old.

Feb. 25 -- Fire in Gorman kills child: GORMAN -- A two-year-old Gorman child, carried to safety from a house fire, apparently went back inside to look for his sisters and died in the flames Monday night. Updates on victims of recent fires

Feb. 25 -- Capital murder charged in Erath burglary: STEPHENVILLE -- Two men were arrested and charged with capital murder after an Erath County woman was shot to death in an apparent burglary of her home near the Clairette community about 8 p.m. Monday.

Feb. 25 -- Columbia says JP candidate lacks degree from their institution: RANGER -- Columbia University said Tuesday a Ranger justice of the peace candidate has no degrees from the prestigious Ivy League university, despite his insistent claims.

Feb. 25 -- Rape victims testify about intruder: BIG SPRING -- Two victims testified Tuesday about invasions into their homes by a 33-year-old Snyder man on trial for aggravated sexual assault.

Feb. 25 -- Former ACU student plans return to Vietnam: Twenty-three years ago, just hours after a panicked Saigon had fallen to the Vietcong and the North Vietnamese, Jim Ridgeway narrowly escaped from the South Vietnamese capitol in a stolen helicopter.

Feb. 25 -- Area News Roundup: Callahan drug dog passes sniff test ... Bangs eyes summer start on school project ... Callahan County commissioners approve computer purchase ... Merkel renews administrator contracts ... Ranger city officials hoping sewer loan goes through soon ... Tarleton to dedicate conference room

Feb. 24 -- Judge refuses to bar action against casino-style machines: Casino-style machine owners will continue to operate at their own risk in Taylor County after a judge Monday refused to bar law enforcement action against them.

Feb. 24 -- Lectureship sermon brings vocal crowd to its feet: The best basketball game played in Moody Coliseum won't bring the crowd to its feet with louder shouts of pure joy than Floyd Rose's sermon did Monday night.

Feb. 24 -- Stevens couple honored with Christian Service Award: It would be hard to walk around the ACU campus this week without seeing and hearing the names "John and Ruth Stevens" everywhere you go. On Monday, the Christian Service Award luncheon was full of surprises as the two were honored for lives of service, leadership and commitment to Abilene Christian University and the local community.

Feb. 24 -- ACU Lectureship Schedule: Complete Tuesday listing

Feb. 24 -- ABC religion correspondent talks at ACU: Peggy Wehmeyer sees herself as a pioneer of sorts, making her way without a map and only a few tools through a wilderness, stalked by unbelievers who don't understand what she does or why she's doing it. Those unbelievers are her peers in television studios across America. Wehmeyer was hired in January 1994 by ABC News' Peter Jennings to be the network's religion correspondent. Four years later, she is still the lone religion correspondent on a major network.

Feb. 24 -- Bombing Saddam sounds like a good idea to some oilmen: Some participants at the annual meeting of the West Central Texas Oil and Gas Association think the United States should finish the job it started in 1991 and bomb Saddam Hussein.

Feb. 24 -- City fathers can't agree on what jet service will mean here: City officials disagree on what impact jet service would have on Abilene's efforts to land new business as action on a planned airport expansion approaches.

Feb. 24 -- Local zoo's elephant packs her trunk smoothly: Abilene zookeepers loaded Tanya's trunk and the rest of her two tons in a Tyler-bound truck in a surprisingly smooth transaction Monday.

Feb. 24 -- Don Chambers throws hat in the AISD school board ring: A former teacher concerned about math instruction in the local schools filed his candidacy for the Abilene school board Monday.

Feb. 24 -- Ex-peace officer, gun dealer pleads guilty in Blackley case: A Brown County man received a probated sentence Monday in Lubbock federal court on a firearms plea involving the case of former Nolan County Sheriff Jim Blackley.

Feb. 24 -- Rodriquez won't run for second term on board: Carlos Rodriguez, the Abilene schools' first Hispanic trustee, will not seek a second term, saying Monday he hopes he has "opened the door" for more board diversity.

Feb. 24 -- Rigdon Edwards Jr. dead at age 88: SWEETWATER - Rigdon Edwards Jr., for decades a leader in Sweetwater's civic life, among McMurry University trustees, and in the oil patch, died Sunday afternoon at the Sears Ranch near Maryneal. He was 88.

Feb. 24 -- Audio Adrenaline pumps up the Christian volume: Audio Adrenaline lead singer Mark Stuart knew what was going on Monday night. "I see you jumpin' and sweatin' and screamin' for Jesus Christ," he said, not many songs into the Christian rock group's concert at the Abilene Civic Center. And he was right. A raucous crowd that filled the floor seats and a good part of the balcony was having a blast.

Feb. 24 -- Area Elections Filings: Recent school and city candidates

Feb. 24 -- One-vehicle crash claims area man: A Buffalo Gap man died late Monday in a fiery one-vehicle crash south of Abilene, state troopers said.

Feb. 23 -- Pilot hooked on old military vehicles: BROWNWOOD - Five nights a week, Pat O'Bryan flies for Federal Express. The rest of the time he's free to pursue his hobby, restoring old military vehicles.

Feb. 23 -- Opening speaker talks about 'war of the worlds' (ACU Lectureship): A "War of the Worlds" is raging around us but not the science fiction one Orson Welles concocted, even though it is a war with aliens, the opening speaker at Abilene Christian University's 80th annual Lectureship said Sunday night.

Feb. 23 -- Nancy Miller honored at annual ACU Alumnus luncheon: As executive director of Christian Homes of Abilene, Nancy Miller is usually the one in charge of arranging adoptions for others. But she learned Sunday that she, too, has been "adopted." During a tribute to Miller at the Abilene Civic Center, Jerry Howard said that after he and his wife checked with Miller on their third adoption, the tables were turned. (Also, Sing Song results)

Feb. 23 -- ACU Lectureship: Today's complete schedule

Feb. 23 -- Early voting under way: Early voting begins today at five locations around Abilene. The voting period runs until March 6. The election is March 10.

Feb. 23 -- Our Slice of Texas: Cisco JC to host seniors ... Rhineland dinner coming Sunday ... and more

Feb. 22 -- Christian Homes director named ACU Alumnus of the Year: A local woman who has exemplified Abilene Christian University's mission of Christian service and leadership will be honored today as 1997 Alumnus of the Year.

Feb. 22 -- ACU announces largest ever capital campaign: The largest campaign in Abilene Christian University's history is under way, with a goal of $100 million to take the school into the next century by providing new facilities, endowments and scholarships.

Feb. 22 -- Abilene school board president says she won't seek another term: Betty Davis, whose tender nature belies her bedrock convictions, is standing firm again.

Feb. 22 -- Pelicans land in Lawn: LAWN -- I am confused and, maybe, so are the birds. It is February and the weeds in my yard are eight inches high, having thrived all winter, and my fire ants bite just as well as they do in summer.

Feb. 22 -- Hamlin students disciplined for having gun, possibly drugs at school: HAMLIN -- Undisclosed disciplinary action has been taken against two Hamlin Middle School students after they admitted taking a gun and a substance resembling an illegal drug to school.

Feb. 22 -- Oil business exciting, difficult: The closest most of us ever come to an oil field is filling up our car at the gas pump.

Feb. 22 -- Occupants uninjured after truck slides on bridge guardrail: Sliding sideways across a guardrail for 60 yards isn't what three men had in mind Saturday as they went through Abilene.

Feb. 22 -- New bird rehab facility takes flight at Abilene Zoo: Rehabilitating birds back to full strength is a task that Rodney Weatherby has found much easier at the Abilene Zoo.

Feb. 22 -- Speaker recalls struggle to be included: Audrey Selden couldn't understand why her new $6 hose kept getting ripped up.

Feb. 21 -- Air Force wants secret maps, documents back in bomber crash: MARION, Ky. -- Air Force investigators looking into the crash of a Dyess Air Force Base B-1 bomber in a Kentucky cow pasture want people here to return any top secret documents or maps found strewn among wreckage scattered across 20 acres.

Feb. 21 -- Area News Roundup: Probated term given in assault caseState gets land for veterans homeFatal Dublin fire probedHospital bid opening delayed 2 weeksMoran superintendent given new contractStephens to offer pact to physician

Feb. 21 -- Dyess bombers flying again: Two days after a Dyess Air Force Base B-1B bomber plunged into a Kentucky pasture, base commander Brig. Gen. Mike McMahan took to the skies on a routine training mission.

Feb. 21 -- Abilene's elephant to move to Tyler while space renovated: Abilene's elephant is taking a trip this week she's likely never to forget.

Feb. 21 -- Fire victims move into new home: Senior Airman Jeremy Hulett, his wife and one-month-old baby moved into a Dyess Air Force Base house this week four weeks after a devastating blaze gutted their home.

Feb. 21 -- Assistant principal promoted: Diane Rose, the assistant principal at Bowie Elementary, will assume the campus' top administrative post July 1, Superintendent Charles Hundley announced Friday.

Feb. 21 -- Sweetwater 'dream' activities canceled: SWEETWATER -- Three "We Have A Dream" activities scheduled as part of Black History Month -- including a downtown parade set for today -- were canceled because of last week's death of Jean Jones, founder of the annual observance.

Feb. 20 -- Albany chamber salutes top citizens: ALBANY -- Albany saluted its top citizens in a Thursday night presentation that looked more like the Academy Awards than the traditional chamber of commerce banquet.

Feb. 20 -- Ballinger fire investigation continues: BALLINGER -- A teen-ager remains in detention while arson investigators sift through the remains of the Dollar General Store in Ballinger following a Wednesday fire law enforcement officials believe was deliberately set.

Feb. 20 -- Speaker lauds African-Americans who made difference: The Air Force's top enlisted man of two decades ago came Thursday to praise famous men and women, and some not so famous, for reaching back to help those who followed.

Feb. 20 -- Area News Roundup: Board considers racetrack proposal ... Downtown Brownwood holds annual banquet ... School bonds bring 4.65% ... Eastland school board extends administrators' contracts ... Three named in sexual assault indictments ... Roby pair indicted for cattle theft ... Clinic to lose physician

Feb. 20 -- Attorney general candidate says office should run like law firm: The attorney general's office is a law firm, not a political pulpit or launching pad, and it must be run by a professional, John Cornyn said Thursday. Cornyn refuses to answer opponent's challenge

Feb. 20 -- DPS trooper nabs $288,000 in drug money: EASTLAND -- DPS Trooper Chris McGuairt made a tidy bundle of money Wednesday night for Eastland County -- more than $50,000 -- after seizing $288,995 in apparent drug money from the car of two westbound El Paso men.

Feb. 20 -- District attorney candidates squabble over trial figures: Taylor County's two candidates for district attorney were truly not on the same page Thursday as they squabbled over yearly trial figures and the meaning of them.

Feb. 20 -- Paper carriers report gas smell, save woman: Alert Abilene Reporter-News paper carriers, who smelled gas coming from a house Thursday and called the fire department, may have saved an elderly woman's life.

Feb. 20 -- Court candidate says he wants to bring conservatism to the position: With a famous jazzman's name and 25 years' legal experience, Herb Hancock hopes to bring stable conservatism to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Feb. 20 -- Unit names employee and officer of the year: The Middleton Unit honored two of its top employees Wednesday at an awards ceremony for the prison's 1997 employee and officer of the year.

Feb. 20 -- Local universities receive sizable donations: McMurry and Hardin-Simmons universities have received large contributions, one for scholarships and the other for buildings and renovations.

Feb. 19 -- Teacher reassigned after basketball incident: COAHOMA -- A physical education teacher at Coahoma Elementary School has been reassigned to a job that does not permit contact with students, pending an investigation by the district attorney.

Feb. 19 -- Anson responds to survivors of fatal fire: ANSON -- Community response has been described as "overwhelming" in the wake of a house fire Monday that killed a mother and her 3-year-old son.

Feb. 19 -- Arson suspected in Ballinger fire: BALLINGER -- An arson fire heavily damaged the Dollar General Store in downtown Ballinger early Wednesday afternoon.

Feb. 19 -- Disabled man announcing bid for City Council: A disabled man who has twice lost City Council races filed for the Place 5 northside seat Wednesday.

Feb. 19 -- Turner disappointed, not crushed by veggie libel decision: COLEMAN -- State Rep. Bob Turner, author of Texas' "veggie libel" law said Wednesday he was "somewhat disappointed but not crushed" that the law won't be tested further in the Oprah Winfrey's beef defamation trial in Amarillo.

Feb. 19 -- Abilene native seeks appellate judgeship: Robert Pelton vows to steer clear of the influence of lawyers' money in trying to get elected to an appellate judgeship, and of preconceived notions once he's elected.

Feb. 18 -- Local game room operators file suit seeking relief from attorney general's opinion: Alleging that the attorney general unfairly outlawed slot-style video machines, a group of local game room operators is asking a judge to halt efforts to shut down their establishments.

Feb. 18 -- Correction: Gladys Gerst, Sweetwater Executive Director of People for Progress Inc. and a member of the Sweetwater City Council, has been incorrectly identified as a surviving sister of Jean Jones, a prominent Sweetwater woman who died in a traffic accident Friday.

Feb. 18 -- DCOA triples aid to boilermaker: The Development Corporation of Abilene tripled its financial aid to a local boilermaker Tuesday in exchange for five times the number of jobs originally promised.

Feb. 18 -- Gifted students impress writers (Ken Ellsworth Column): SWEETWATER -- There were no athletes, rock stars or movie stars in Sweetwater at Tara on the Square Sunday, but there were still a few dozen children running around asking for autographs.

Feb. 18 -- Slim majority of people favor military action in Iraq: Sending troops back to Iraq to force Saddam Hussein from power is the desire of a slim majority of people who responded to Tuesday's NewsLine poll.

Feb. 18 -- Prison fight sends two to hospital: Two Robertson Unit inmates were taken to an Abilene hospital Tuesday evening after a fight broke out.

Feb. 18 -- Commissioners approve shared road work: Taylor County commissioners on Tuesday approved an interlocal agreement with Runnels County to work together on three county roads.

Feb. 18 -- Cellular phone tower built in wrong place: City Hall has discovered Lytle Lake's controversial cellular tower sits 20 feet from where it was permitted to be built, a mistake that may cause its move away from disgruntled homeowners.

Feb. 18 -- Rotarians honor Dyess personnel of the quarter: The Rotary Club of Abilene Southwest Texas honored a group of Dyess Air Force Base personnel during a recognition luncheon on Tuesday.

Feb. 18 -- Two incumbents file for re-election: Two of three incumbents on the Wylie school board have filed for re-election -- and the third is expected to file soon.

Feb. 18 -- Area News Roundup: Brown County commissioners lift burn ban ... Medical center found to be not negligent ... Varner resigns Clyde school post ... Coleman principal re-elected ... Eastland's cable TV rates may go up ... Rightmire named to health post ... Stephenville school board to review zero tolerance policy

Feb. 18 -- Fire kills two in Anson: ANSON -- In the second of two multiple death accidents to hit Anson residents in recent days, a woman and her 3-year-old son died in a house fire Tuesday morning in their Anson residence.

Feb. 18 -- Texas congressman attacks Clinton policy during speech supporting Izzard candidacy: SAN ANGELO -- President Clinton is making a mistake as he proceeds toward a military strike on Iraq, a Texas congressman and former prisoner of war said Tuesday during a stop in San Angelo.

Feb. 18 -- Statements admissible in triple murder-arson, judge rules: Three written statements Tommy Monroe Thurman gave investigators will be admissible in his upcoming capital murder trial, 42nd District Judge John Weeks ruled Tuesday.

Feb. 18 -- Son of slaying vicitm may have had problems with father, police say: The 16-year-old son of a slaying victim had expressed a desire that his father be killed but may have recanted, a police detective said Tuesday.

Feb. 17 -- Local and area schools getting Internet grants: AUSTIN - Abilene-area schools will receive more than $4 million in grants to help students log onto the Internet.

Feb. 17 -- "We Have a Dream" activities continue despite death of founder: SWEETWATER - This weeks' "We Have A Dream" activities in commemoration of Black History Month will go on as scheduled despite the death of 59-year-old Jean Jones, who founded the annual observance.

Feb. 17 -- AISD board looks at future of enlarging librairies: Enlarging libraries may soon be in Abilene school trustees' two-year plan. After hearing Monday night how the Abilene schools stack up against new state standards for "learning resource centers," trustee Mike Sullivan said he hopes plans to add space in school libraries by 2000 will become a board priority.

Feb. 17 -- Abilene State Park undergoing renovation: BUFFALO GAP - The unique sandstone structures at Abilene State Park, including those at the park's swimming pool, are undergoing a face lift. The buildings have gone virtually untouched since they were designed by Abilene architect David Castle, then erected by Civilian Conservation Corps workers in 1934.

Feb. 17 -- Maniss not running for another term on school board: Abilene school trustee Dr. Robert Maniss, whose last campaign turned into a boundaries battle, will not seek re-election to a third term.

Feb. 17 -- Susan King files for Abilene school board: "Soccer mom" Susan Lewis King filed her candidacy for the Abilene school board Monday, running on a commitment to promote the "educational welfare" of all students.

Feb. 17 -- Executive search firm CEO to view local 'talent': James Loose, founder of the executive search firm of Galloway-James Inc., will get to size up some of Abilene's future talent at the Abilene Civic Center on Thursday.

Feb. 17 -- Area filings: ALBANY - Two Albany residents filed for positions on the school board on Monday, the first day of filing. (also, more from first day of filing)

Feb. 17 -- National Anxiety IV Hereford sale best in 49-year history: SNYDER - Cattlemen filled the bleachers in the Scurry County Ag Annex on Monday afternoon to compete in high-spirited bidding for cattle in the 49th annual National Anxiety IV Hereford Breeders Bull & Female Sale.

Feb. 17 -- Spence water to be transferred to Ivie: BIG SPRING - Beginning Monday, the Colorado River Municipal Water District will transfer about 17,000 acre-feet of water - more than 5.5 billion gallons - from the E.V. Spence Reservoir to the O.H. Ivie Reservoir.

Feb. 16 -- Sing Song veteran hoping to win overall award for fourth time: As a freshman, Matt Moreland directed his class to an upset victory over the seniors in the annual Sing Song competition at Abilene Christian University. Then he did it again. And again.

Feb. 16 -- More charges filed in Albany gambling raid: ALBANY - Three Albany men were arrested Saturday in connection with last Monday night's raid on a dice game in northern Shackelford County.

Feb. 16 -- Abilenians to help Brownwood downtown planners: BROWNWOOD - Two Abilenians will speak to the annual meeting of Downtown Brownwood Inc., at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Mabee University Center.

Feb. 16 -- AISD board to consider awarding jackets: Abilene school board members tonight will consider awarding letter jackets to members of the Woodson Handbell Choir.

Feb. 16 -- Majority of callers want later bar hours: An easy majority of NewsLine callers want later last call at their favorite bars. As of 8 p.m. Sunday, 265 callers voted "yes" to the question, "Do you favor bars staying open until 2 a.m?"

Feb. 16 -- Model Car Results: Complete list in all categories of local show

Feb. 15 -- Finance reports show candidates gearing up for March 10 primary: Candidates in Taylor County's contested primary races have stepped up their fund-raising efforts, recent campaign finance reports show.

Feb. 15 -- Proposal to use names in HIV reports draws fire: If the government had been taking names, Kevin Ray Bailey would never have let himself be tested for the AIDS virus.

Feb. 15 -- Cooper Fiddlers enlivens music conference: SAN ANTONIO -- The Texas Music Educators Association this weekend allowed a BYOB event for the first time.

Feb. 15 -- Filings for Abilene city and school board elections begin Monday: Abilenians on May 2 will consider candidates for two City Council seats, and three seats each on the Abilene and Wylie school boards.

Feb. 15 -- Museums of Abilene now Grace Museum: The Grace doubled its fun Saturday.

Feb. 15 -- Opera stars populate Longhorn herd: ALBANY -- Dusty Smith runs a pretty good group of Texas Longhorns here on the Stasney's Cook Ranch and I am wondering what those Longhorns sound like and what they sing when they get together for a performance.

Feb. 15 -- 3 school board posts open in '98: BIG SPRING -- Three at-large trustees will be chosen May 2 in the Big Spring school board election.

Feb. 15 -- Hamlin school district calls first election under new voting method: HAMLIN -- Hamlin school trustees approved the purchase of new uniforms for the Hamlin High School band and called its first election by the cumulative method earlier this week.

Feb. 15 -- Sweetwater youth convicted of second-degree murder: SWEETWATER -- A Sweetwater youth has been convicted of second-degree murder in the stabbing of a Eunice, N.M., man last April.

Feb. 14 -- Dyess schedules events for Black History Month: The Black Heritage Committee at Dyess Air Force Base has scheduled numerous events for Black History Month, starting today.

Feb. 14 -- Bowhunter turns hobby into profession: BUFFALO GAP -- Burley Hall did something most people don't do: He parleyed his hobby into his employment.

Feb. 14 -- Son of McMurry founder dies at age 91: Dr. William Anthony Hunt, son of McMurry University founder Dr. J.W. Hunt and president emeritus of Howard College in Big Spring, died Thursday in a local nursing home. He was 91.

Feb. 14 -- Dyess Hispanic Club lending support to Anson family: Dyess Air Force Base's Hispanic Club emptied a large portion of its coffers on Friday, donating $200 to an Anson family devastated by a fatal car accident last week.

Feb. 14 -- Lubbock woman announces bid for education board seat: Texas' State Board of Education needs advocates for public schools, not members espousing other agendas, Lubbock Republican Nancy Neal said Friday.

Feb. 14 -- Traffic stop result in money seizure: An early afternoon traffic stop could net DPS and Mitchell County $62,799 in probable drug money.

Feb. 14 -- Candidate's withdrawal throws wrench into election: SWEETWATER -- The withdrawal of one of the candidates in a three-man race for Nolan County commissioner, Precinct 4, poses some interesting potential problems.

Feb. 14 -- Former county treasurer settles lawsuit: A former county treasurer who tripped over a projector cord during a safety seminar in Abilene has settled a dispute with the session's organizers.

Feb. 14 -- Abilene woman sentenced for role in bank robbery: FORT WORTH -- After glossing over her role in a bloody bank robbery and insisting her cohorts had twisted her kind-hearted goodness, an Abilene woman was sent to prison Friday for 21 years, the maximum sentence for her crime.

Feb. 14 -- Murder victim had recently moved to be close to home: STEPHENVILLE -- A Comanche County native's dreams of returning home and turning a hobby into a viable business came to a sudden end Wednesday in an apparent robbery-murder.

Feb. 14 -- Longhorn has that Valentine Day's look: ALBANY -- You could almost say that Two Hearts, a 900-pound Texas Longhorn, wears his two hearts on his sleeve and is a romantic. But that would not be quite right.

Feb. 14 -- Ugandan editor learns how his paper gets on 'Net: Wafula Oguttu sees his Ugandan newspaper, The Monitor on the Internet every day, but it wasn't until Friday that he saw where his printed words are magically transformed to the language of cyperspace.

Feb. 14 -- Area News Digest: McDowell resigns as Baird school trustee ... Black History leader dies in accident ... More marijuana seized near Sweetwater ... New county attorney takes over

Feb. 13 -- Classmate's introduction turns into eulogy: Ed Heinz was scheduled to introduce one of his classmates at Cisco Junior College Thursday morning. Heinz didn't give the two-minute speech because Mark Lund, his new friend and the person he planned to talk about, was murdered Wednesday morning.

Feb. 13 -- They're brother and sister again after 50 years: It all started with a horoscope and a birth certificate late last summer. Today, Bo Denzel and Brenda Black are trading photographs and hugs, getting used to being brother and sister and catching up on 50 years of family history.

Feb. 13 -- Judge rules line-item veto unconstitutional: WASHINGTON - Twice stung by the line-item veto, Rep. Charles Stenholm, D-Abilene, said he "always had a feeling" it would be found unconstitutional. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan, ruling on a case that sprang from Stenholm's legislation, agreed.

Feb. 13 -- Appeals courts agrees with decision on man's death: An appeals court has upheld a local judge's decision to dismiss a lawsuit claiming an Abilene police officer's computer glitch resulted in a man's death in Washington.

Feb. 13 -- Cornerstone in Big Spring comes full circle: BIG SPRING - Bob Wheeler thinks his Dad, Joe R. Wheeler, would be pleased that the old cornerstone is back at the Howard County Courthouse where it started out in 1908.

Feb. 13 -- Council decides how to spend extra funds: Unspent funds from last year's city budget will help buy gym floors, computers and street signs, the Abilene City Council decided Thursday.

Feb. 13 -- Councilman decides not to seek another term: City Councilman Ray Ferguson, once viewed as the heir apparent to the mayor's seat, will not seek a third term to his northside seat.

Feb. 13 -- Justice Meyers in Abilene seeking a second term on Court: Court of Criminal Appeals Justice Lawrence Meyers says the panel needs experience and more stability, and he cites a controversial Abilene case as an example.

Feb. 13 -- Stephenville shooting now believed to be a murder: STEPHENVILLE - A Stephenville businessman was found shot to death Wednesday in his computer store - the city's first homicide in about eight years.

Feb. 13 -- National bowhunting tourney begins today near Lake Abilene: Look south this weekend and you may see throngs of arrows filling the skies over Buffalo Gap. About 2,500 people from more than 30 states have started arriving for the North American Bowhunters first qualifying tournament of 1998, that begins today on the Abilene Bowhunters Association grounds on FM 89, one-half mile west of the Lake Abilene entrance.

Feb. 13 -- Local, area students winners in state art contest: AUSTIN - Two area school children are among 48 winners in a state art contest featuring Texas beaches, according to Texas Land Commissioner Garry Mauro.

Feb. 13 -- Grand Jury indictments: A former Abilene man was indicted Thursday on charges of kidnapping a woman here nearly two years ago.

Feb. 13 --Authorities find 482 pounds of pot: SNYDER - Two Sweetwater residents were arrested Wednesday night after they were found to be in possession of 482 pounds of marijuana wrapped in 13 bundles.

Feb. 12 -- Police make arrests in deadly house burglary: Abilene police arrested six people within several hours of a bloody house burglary in which a man was shot to death and his son's throat was slit early Wednesday morning.

Feb. 12 -- Murder reminds citizens of unsolved crime from 16 years ago: The shocking murder of an Abilene man and attempted murder of his son early Wednesday shocked some residents of west Abilene into recalling one of Abilene's most perplexing unsolved crimes.

Feb. 12 -- Local economy predicted to stay stable: Abilene's economy should grow at a 2.4-percent pace in 1998, about the same as it did in 1997.

Feb. 12 -- 102 pounds of marijuana seized at bus station: Border Patrol Agent Art Torrez added to his bus station box score early Wednesday, seizing 102 pounds of marijuana and arresting two juveniles bound for North Carolina.

Feb. 12 -- Abilene man pleads guilty to sexual assault for relationship with minor: An Abilene man on Wednesday pleaded guilty to sexual assault for his involvement with a 15-year-old girl two years ago.

Feb. 12 -- Food Bank of Abilene accepts national challenge: The sky's the limit for Food Bank of Abilene in its goal to feed the needy.

Feb. 12 -- Bomber routes opposed at Snyder: SNYDER - Two hundred people expressed opposition Tuesday night to Air Force plans for low-level bomber routes over West Texas.

Feb. 12 -- Combs wants Texas ag products shining in spotlight: At 6-foot-2-1/2 inches without heels, Susan Combs has no trouble standing out in the crowd. As Texas Agriculture Commissioner, Combs says she would see that Texas ag products stand out too.

Feb. 12 -- Candidate says education should be in forefront of race: Education isn't usually a burning issue in a Texas land commissioner's race, but David Dewhurst insists it should be.

Feb. 12 -- Pauken in town campaigning for attorney general nomination: Countless single parents are calling on the attorney general for child support help and finding no one's home, Tom Pauken said Wednesday.

Feb. 11 -- Area News Roundup: Albany lake yields heavy equipment ... Anson fire ruled arson ... Closed campus idea rejected -- for now ... Jones County officer of year named ... Brown County commissioners approve reserve officer program ... Dublin police chief suspends two ... May 2 election set for Hico ... Gorman elections set ... No jury duty for the judge ... Ranger to honor caregiver ... Rising Star superintendent resigns ... Drugs, alcohol send Snyder man to prison

Feb. 11 -- Anson groups helping Martinez family: ANSON -- A group of Anson Middle School students will give a special gift from the heart on Valentine's Day.

Feb. 11 -- Accident vicitms buried: An Anson mother and her two daughters, who died Thursday when a car landed on top of their pickup, were buried Tuesday afternoon near the site of a farmhouse where Nora Mae "Cricket" Martinez grew up.

Feb. 11 -- Abilene man changes plea in Dallas bank robbery: An Abilene man who robbed four Metroplex banks reversed his not guilty plea Tuesday and confessed to the crimes in Dallas federal court.

Feb. 11 -- TABC set to crack down on video gambling machines: The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission will begin warning liquor establishments to pull the plug on casino-style video machines, the commission's administrator announced this week.

Feb. 11 -- Candidate touts varied experience: Attorney Terry McCall said Tuesday he wants to bring a varied background in law and business to Eastland's 11th Court of Appeals.

Feb. 11 -- Lady HOGs run Big Spring bikers organization (Ken Ellsworth Column): BIG SPRING -- At least four women here do not mind being called HOGs. In fact, they are proud of it.

Feb. 11 -- Bid awarded on last major Expo Center improvement project: A year and a half after voters approved an $8 million bond package for Expo Center improvements, commissioners on Tuesday awarded a contract for the last major item on the project's list.

Feb. 11 -- Hagman urges crowd at fund-raiser to sign organ donor cards: Larry Hagman, a new "honorary citizen of Abilene, Texas," had the town in the palm of his hand Tuesday night.

Feb. 11 -- HSU grad recalls meeting famous Russian pairs skaters: Brad Goad's Olympic gold isn't in the shape of a medal, but rather a golden memory of a chance meeting 10 years ago.

Feb. 11 -- Speaker juggles while using activity as focus for talk: Juggling as a metaphor for life, with its ups and downs, is so obvious that you'd better be darned good if you're going to use it.

Feb. 11 -- McMurry celebrates anniversary with capital imrovements campaign: McMurry University will celebrate its 75th anniversary and gear up for the 21st century with the school's first major capital campaign in 30 years.

Feb. 11 -- Free water ends after 70 years: ROTAN -- Seventy years of free water came quietly and apparently amicably to an end Tuesday night when the Rotan City Council unanimously agreed to turn off a user's supply if a deposit had not been made by noon today.

Feb. 10 -- Veterans' nursing home moves closer to construction: BIG SPRING -- The Texas Mental Health Mental Retardation board has agreed to a contract with the Texas Veterans Land Board to transfer property for a 150-bed nursing home for veterans.

Feb. 10 -- ACU student one of six in nation chosen for program: Once you've played Carnegie Hall, what do you do for an encore?

Feb. 10 -- City's finances 'excellent', council told: City Manager Roy McDaniel proclaimed the city in "excellent" financial condition Monday after reviewing its annual audit report.

Feb. 10 -- Hardin-Simmons coed returns home: A Hardin-Simmons University coed flew home Monday after possibly being held against her will in Toronto by a man she corresponded with over the Internet.

Feb. 10 -- Planning and Zoning Commission recommends multimillion dollar slate of improvements: A $17 million roster of capital improvements, including airport expansion, a gym in the Carver neighborhood and an otter exhibit, won planning commissioners' favor Monday, though some of the projects won't be funded.

Feb. 10 -- Wylie ISD evaluates administrators: Wylieschool trustees evaluated their district's administrators Monday night, extending all contracts until the year 2000 and granting each a $2,500 raise.

Feb. 10 -- Shackelford County program wins national award: ALBANY -- The Shackelford County Community Resource Center is one of only six winners of a national award recognizing local efforts to help people with unserved medical needs.

Feb. 10 -- County Commissioner Meetings: County to keep two trappers for now ... Fort Worth firm picked for jail project ... Jones County approves request for room to house 911 system ... Scurry jail to get new phone system ... County and city to share rescue equipment costs

Feb. 10 -- Area News Roundup: Rate hike OK'd for disposal ... Fires damages two Brownwood area homes ... Brownwood police seeking suspect in convenience store robberies ... Former guard pleads guilty to shooting ... Vacant apartment burns down in Ranger ... Break-ins remain unsolved ... Jury calls for maximum security in sexual assault case ... Drug suspect admitted to hospital

Feb. 10 -- Shackelford County commissioners turn down constable's raise request again: ALBANY -- Once again Shackelford County Constable Larry Macon asked county commissioners for a raise Monday, and once again commissioners said no way.

Feb. 10 -- Teen pleads guilty to shaking baby, to be sentenced next month: An Abilene teen accused two years ago of murdering her 10-month-old son wept Monday while pleading guilty to a lesser charge of recklessly shaking the baby.

Feb. 9 -- Widening highway artery from Abilene to Wichita Falls proposed: AUSTIN - A $69 million road project to widen the highway from Abilene to Wichita Falls is one of the state's top 10 priorities in a proposed plan to reduce highway congestion. The proposal is intended to help manage increased traffic caused by the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Feb. 9 -- Does 1928 contract mean free water? ROTAN - For 70 years the successive owners of a rural property on a Rotan city water line have been turning on their taps and consuming water - and they have not paid a dime for the service.

Feb. 9 -- Springtime in Abilene? Though trees stood naked and the ground lay mostly brown and bare, Sunday afternoon managed a convincing impression of springtime.

Feb. 9 -- Our Slice of Texas: Kountz named Big Spring leader ... Comanche library gets grant ... Stamford downtown park completed, etc.

Feb. 9 -- Election date to be considered by Wylie ISD board: Wylie school trustees will consider a date for its annual school board election today and evaluate performances and contracts of administrators. Terms of trustees Ray Templeton, Bob Benham and Ken Hogan have expired. Statewide board elections have been proposed for May 2, with the polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Feb. 8 -- City planning early to replace retiring airport manager: Wanted: young charismatic leader to manage Abilene Regional Airport. Must oversee $3.1 million expansion and position facility for jet service. Will manage airport's daily operation and work to lure flight-related biz to complex. Apply at City Hall.

Feb. 8 -- Falcioni's early exit allows him to fulfill dreams: An engineer by trade, it didn't take Fal Falcioni long to crunch the numbers.

Feb. 8 -- Area News Roundup: Gamble new Runnels appraiser ... FBI has suspect in Colorado City burglary ... Colorado City airport update completed ... Stamford to study water supply ... Haskell plants own Christmas tree ... Open house today for Boy Scout center ... Main Street gets new director ... Mitchell County investigates shooting

Feb. 8 -- Big Spring ready to try twice-convicted Snyder rapist: BIG SPRING -- A former Snyder construction worker already facing consecutive life sentences for aggravated sexual assaults in Lubbock will be tried here on similar charges on Feb. 23.

Feb. 8 -- City manager to make recommendations for spending surplus funds: City Hall reports nearly $1 million in unspent funds and excess revenues from 1996-97, money Abilene's city manager will recommend be spent on technology, heavy equipment and street signs.

Feb. 8 -- Drive-by shooting trial set Monday: COLORADO CITY -- Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday in the drive-by shooting trial of Robert Santibanez, a former correctional officer at the Wallace Prison Unit.

Feb. 8 -- Funds for Dyess housing coming none too soon: Though he's number 37 on the waiting list, Senior Airman Daniel Ryan hopes he'll soon be moving into a home on Dyess Air Force Base.

Feb. 8 -- Sylvester welcomes a place to eat: SYLVESTER -- Downtown Sylvester is booming again. They have a modern post office and in the building where the tiny old post office used to be they now have a cafe owned by a former secretary to Billy Sol Estes.

Feb. 8 -- Two children die in accident: STEPHENVILLE -- Two foster children died Saturday from injuries sustained in a three-vehicle accident Friday afternoon.

Feb. 8 -- Stenholm opposes renaming airport: Congressman Charles Stenholm opposed renaming Washington National Airport for Ronald Reagan last week, citing two reasons:

Feb. 8 -- Student's disappearance baffles parents, college officials: The apparent disappearance of a 19-year-old Hardin-Simmons University sophomore, who may have met up with an e-mail pen pal in Toronto, Canada, about three weeks ago, has both her parents and campus officials concerned and perplexed.

Feb. 8 -- Clyde wins mock trial competition: Clyde High School won the regional mock trial competition Saturday, advancing to the state level for the second straight year.

Feb. 8 -- Opposition to bomber training grows: SNYDER -- Opposition to the Realistic Bomber Training Initiative is growing in several Big Country counties and a meeting to voice opposition is scheduled for Tuesday in Snyder.

Feb. 8 -- Casino supporters make wishes known in Newsline poll: Just like some people who want their MTV, callers to Saturday's Newsline poll were overwhelmingly in favor being able to play casino-style slot machines.

Feb. 8 -- Winters names top citizens: WINTERS -- Two Winters civic leaders whose backgrounds are as different as democracy and communism were named the area's outstanding citizens at the Winters Area Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet here Saturday.

Feb. 7 -- Billie Sol abandons insanity plea in tax fraud case: BROWNWOOD -- Former West Texas promoter Billie Sol Estes has changed his mind about claiming he was insane at the time of his latest run-in with the law.

Feb. 7 -- Coach's wife wins tickets to All-Star game: Alan Wartes got the surprise of his life Friday morning when he took his two daughters to school.

Feb. 7 -- Lights are on in some casino-style game rooms: Taking a chance with possible law enforcement action, a few casino-style game room operators in Abilene have reopened their businesses.

Feb. 7 -- Injured man breaks into church to call for help: EASTLAND -- A young Eastland man who turned to the church for help in time of great need has been forgiven for his unorthodox methods, church leaders said Friday.

Feb. 7 -- Health officials believe flu season has peaked: The current flu outbreak is starting to slow down, say local health officials.

Feb. 7 -- Area News Roundup: Terrell pleads guilty to sex offenses ... Coleman police arrest suspects in drug seizure ... Coleman City Council encounters opposition on airport manager plan ... Eastland parks board seeks grant approval ... Three arrested near Gorman on drug charges ... Gustine discusses plans for new high school ... Erath County JP honored

Feb. 7 -- Historical commission gives award to retired postal worker: James W. "Jim" Bucherie, who was closely involved in restoring more than half of Taylor County's historical markers during the last two years, was given the Maxine Perini Award on Friday night by the Taylor County Historical Commission.

Feb. 7 -- Anson grieves over family's loss: ANSON -- Anson elementary students penned letters Friday morning to two classmates who died Thursday afternoon in Abilene when a car plunged off an interstate and landed on a pickup containing six members of the Antonio Martinez Sr. family.

Feb. 6 -- Teen expected to plead guilty in baby-shaking case: A teen mother accused of shaking her baby and causing his death is expected to plead guilty to injury-to-a-child charges next week.

Feb. 6 -- ACU plans activities to celebrate Black History Month: A chapel service led by international students and a talent show, both being held today, are part of the monthlong activities at Abilene Christian University celebrating cultural diversity.

Feb. 6 -- Coleman murder trial postponed: The capital murder trial of one of the two men charged in a three-fatality fire in Coleman has been postponed until June 8 in 42nd District Court here.

Feb. 6 -- Canditate for appeals court touts experience: Kollin Shadle on Thursday said he would bring more than eight years of "full-scope" criminal trial and appellate experience to the 11th Court of Appeals.

Feb. 6 -- House overrides Clinton veto; would restore Dyess funding: WASHINGTON -- The House voted Thursday to override President Clinton's line-item veto of 38 military construction projects including a $10 million squadron headquarters at Dyess Air Force Base.

Feb. 6 -- Plainview Republican announces bid for education board: Plainview Republican Judy Strickland unveiled her "back-to-basics" campaign platform on Thursday as she makes a bid for the State Board of Education District 15 seat.

Feb. 6 -- 248 pounds of marijuana seized on I-20: Traffic violations led to two major drug busts Thursday on Interstate 20 west of Sweetwater with DPS officers seizing nearly 250 pounds of marijuana.

Feb. 6 -- Roby city manager quits: ROBY -- The Roby City Council, already dealing with the sudden resignation of longtime Mayor Cecil King, has yet another vacancy to fill when City Manager James Streety resigned just as suddenly.

Feb. 6 -- New home health care regulation sparks debate: Congressman Charles Stenholm wants to know more about how tightening eligibility for in-home blood monitoring will work out in the real world.

Feb. 6 -- Four die when car drives off overpass: Four family members from Anson died and a teen-ager was critically injured when a car vaulted from an I-20 overpass onto the roadway below at Old Anson Road Thursday afternoon.

Feb. 5 -- Troy Fraser in war of words with Morales over tobacco attorney's fees: State Sen. Troy Fraser hammered Attorney General Dan Morales over "obscene" tobacco settlement attorney fees Wednesday and laughed off Morales' suggestion he should be held in contempt.

Feb. 5 -- Mississippi cattle firm to acquire Abilene Cattle Feeders: HP Cattle Company of Sumrall, Miss., is closing a deal to buy Abilene Cattle Feeders for an undisclosed amount.

Feb. 5 -- Inmate 'couldn't return to prison': A desperate jail inmate from Post took his life rather than return to prison, Abilene Police Detective Jay Hatcher said Wednesday.

Feb. 5 -- Sheriffs offer guidelines on transporting prisoners: Handcuffs, shackles and shakedowns are the keys to transporting prisoners safely, Sheriffs Jack Dieken and Donnie Rannefeld said Wednesday.

Feb. 5 -- Roberston Unit honors officer and employee of the year: A correctional officer who saved the life of a 2-year-old girl last year and a prison investigator were named the Robertson Unit's top employees at a ceremony Wednesday.

Feb. 5 -- Bridge being enlarged on FM 707: A highway department spokesman said Wednesday the enlarging of a bridge in the Kirby Lake area should be finished in about 45 days.

Feb. 5 -- Stenholm out to big lead in fundraising efforts: WASHINGTON - Rep. Charlie Stenholm, D-Abilene, began the election year with an overwhelming fundraising advantage over his Republican opponent, Rudy Izzard, campaign finance records show.

Feb. 5 -- APD's new "live-fire house" a community-wide effort: Abilene police Sgt. Tracy Weems admits he has "unabashly begged" to gather building supplies for a new live-fire house and an expanded obstacle course.

Feb. 5 -- Local elementary student honored for cancellation stamp creation: Most cancellation stamps used by the U.S. Postal Service aren't half as attractive as the one designed by 11-year-old Martin Verastegui.

Feb. 5 -- Scouts Pellizzari inspired make Eagle: BRECKENRIDGE - Frank Pellizzari Jr. didn't stop making Eagle Scouts when he earned his angel's wings.

Feb. 4 -- AG candidate vows battle on gangs and illegal drugs: Attorney general candidate Barry Williamson on Tuesday vowed to add a new division to the office to battle gangs and illegal drug trafficking.

Feb. 4 -- Candidate's husband doesn't want bankruptcy to be an issue in commissioner's race: Mark Cunningham, the husband of county commissioner candidate Melinda Cunningham, believes his wife's opponent is unfairly using the couple's bankruptcy against her in the race.

Feb. 4 -- Abilene ISD honors school counselors: Abilene school counselors were honored Tuesday as part of National School Counseling Week in Abilene.

Feb. 4 -- Polo horses run against cancer: ALBANY -- If someday your life is extended a bit because you never came down with colon cancer, you might want to thank a bunch of horses that get together every April on the Musselman Brothers Lazy 3 Ranch outside of Albany for a little competition called Polo on the Prairie.

Feb. 4 -- Inmate escapes, kills himself: A Garza County inmate who escaped while on his way back to prison fatally shot himself in a plowed field Tuesday, surrounded by officers pleading for him to surrender.

Feb. 4 -- Japanese visitors impressed with American educational system: Two West Texas traits sometimes taken for granted -- open schools and the eager teachers of the Abilene educational system -- made a sizeable impact on Japanese visitors not used to either idea.

Feb. 4 -- Police see decrease in number of repeat juvenile offenders: Programs designed to help first-time juvenile offenders and runaways have lead to a decrease in the number of repeat offenders last year, according to a law enforcement official.

Feb. 4 -- Commissioners approve unexpected changes to county road's name: A four-mile stretch of country road in Potosi will need new signs after commissioners on Tuesday voted to rename two portions of it.

Feb. 4 -- Wes Heald named to top TxDOT post: After 37 years of paying his dues -- from the back roads of the Big Country to the freeways of the Metroplex -- former Brownwood engineer Charles "Wes" Heald has reached his career destination.

Feb. 4 -- Volunteers offering help with income tax: Can't make it past the first page of instructions with your 1997 income tax forms, and can't afford an expert?

Feb. 4 -- Juror says one hold out brought mistrial in Brownwood murder trial: BROWNWOOD -- The jury that could not reach a unanimous verdict last week in the capital murder trial of Henry Adam Salazar was deadlocked 11-1, with the majority favoring conviction, according to one of the jurors.

Feb. 4 -- Abilene residents view Tucker as rehabilitation success: For several Abilenians, the public drama and execution of Karla Faye Tucker is a rehabilitation "success story" with an awful ending.

Feb. 4 -- Convenience stores comply with security ordinance: BROWNWOOD -- Like it or not, convenience stores in Brownwood are complying with a new, expensive security ordinance because it is either comply or face fines of up to $1,000 a day.

Feb. 4 -- Area News Roundup: Agreement brings psychiatric services to veterans ... Comanche County receives water grant ... Hawley Water Supply to elect new directors ... Three more area schools receive Internet grants ... Rehab to open facility in Ozona ... Academic competition to take place in Coleman ... Coleman County trapper could lose funding

Feb. 3 -- Citizens gather in Snyder to discuss bomber training initiative: SNYDER - More than 50 people attended an informal come and go scoping meeting Monday night to gain information on the Air Force's Realistic Bomber Training Initiative.

Feb. 3 -- Supreme Court hopeful touts judicial bar poll: A Houston appeals judge said Monday the difference between her and her opponent for the Supreme Court can be read in the bar polls.

Feb. 3 -- Road's name drives differing views: Years ago, Marie Vinson designated the county road her family lives on with an old wooden sign reading Vinson Road. Since then, she said, the curving four-mile drive between Potosi Road and FM 1750 has been known as Vinson Road to almost everyone who lives or drives on it. That's why she headed up a petition drive to make sure county commissioners keep it that way.

Feb. 3 -- Perry calls for tougher measures against drunk drivers: Saying Texas punishes drunken drivers with a wrist slap, Rick Perry is calling for a lower blood-alcohol standard and mandatory jail time for DWI offenders.

Feb. 3 -- Clean and Proud has a new coordinator: Abilene Clean and Proud's new coordinator has long preached the importance of the three R's: reuse, recycle and reclaim.

Feb. 3 -- Clinton's budget includes millions for Dyess construction: WASHINGTON - President Clinton's 1999 budget released Monday includes $9.4 million for family housing at Dyess Air Force Base, an encouraging development in light of Clinton's demand for two new rounds of base closings, officials said.

Feb. 3 -- First Family Pathfinders program to be launched: Like a good neighbor, a team of Elmwood West Lions have promised to be there. For a year at least.

Feb. 3 -- AISD board approves innovative programs: An unusual Abilene school board meeting on Monday bristled with pomp and pleasantries as trustees approved funding for 27 innovative instructional programs.

Feb. 2 -- Dyess volunteers take on taxing task: Expecting a refund, Chris Elliott wanted to file his federal income tax return as soon as possible this year. That's why the 19-year-old Dyess Air Force Base airman showed up early Wednesday for the opening of Dyess' Tax Center - a volunteer income tax service offered to active-duty personnel, military retirees and dependents.

Feb. 2 -- Big Country bomber training sites to be focus of meeting in Snyder: An Air Force proposal to offer realistic bomber training over parts of West Texas and New Mexico will be the subject of a public scoping meeting in Snyder tonight.

Feb. 2 -- Innovative teaching grants to be announced at AISD board meeting: The Abilene school board will cause some smiles at today's school board meeting as it announces the recipients of its innovative teaching grants.

Feb. 1 -- Area News Digest: Stamford eco development board helping cattle auction ... Throckmorton county attorney resigns ... Dublin chamber names officers ... Two ordered to prison from Erath County

Feb. 1 -- Former Miss America shares struggles of life: If, as the saying goes, we are what we eat, former Miss America Shirley Cothran Barret joked, then she must be "fast, cheap and easy."

Feb. 1 -- Children graduate 'bug laude' from museum workshop: The first and only graduating class from Abilene's newest college had a squirming experience Saturday.

Feb. 1 -- Fox News gets a side of Oprah beef at R.A. Brown Ranch: THROCKMORTON -- Many cut a trail to Amarillo in January for a glimpse of Oprah Winfrey as cattlemen took her on in a federal courtroom over discouraging words spoken against beef on an April 16, 1996 television show.

Feb. 1 -- Veterans remember three-decades old offensive: It might have been 30 years ago, but the Tet Offensive still remains fresh in the minds of former Marine Sgt. Major Troy Hensley and many other Vietnam veterans.

Feb. 1 -- Neighborhood making small steps toward change: From all outward appearances, Roy Walker's new home is just a house: wood and brick, white with green trim, mesquites in the yard.

Feb. 1 -- Bush proposal would set back 40 percent of Abilene eighth-graders: Politicians and educators are debating whether state tests or local teachers should determine who passes or flunks.