Reporter-News Archives

Jan. 31 -- Preparation key to winning Academic Decathlon: With a lot riding on this weekend's Region 1 high school Academic Decathlon, coaches and students agree that thorough preparation is the key to winning.

Jan. 31 -- Businesses fight ruling machines are illegal: AUSTIN -- An attorney general's ruling against casino-style machines known as "eight-liners" is being challenged in court by small businesses that operate amusement machines.

Jan. 31 -- School administrators show appreciation to board: Administrators of the Abilene school district recognized School Board Appreciation Month on Friday, saluting their seven-member board at a Clack Middle School luncheon.

Jan. 31 -- Salazar probably to be retried: BROWNWOOD -- Brown County District Attorney Lee Haney expects to try Henry Adam Salazar again for capital murder.

Jan. 31 -- College enrollments remain strong: Enrollment at area colleges remains strong this spring, following an exceptional fall.

Jan. 31 -- Law enforcement officials seize half ton of marijuana: SWEETWATER -- A DPS trooper and Nolan County sheriff's officers seized more than a half ton of marijuana early Friday morning on Interstate 20 in southwest Sweetwater.

Jan. 31 -- Pedestrian dies after being hit by truck: STEPHENVILLE -- A Stephenville High School senior died early Friday in a Fort Worth hospital as result of injuries she received about 12:15 p.m. Thursday when she was struck by a vehicle in front of her home.

Jan. 31 -- Sweetwater gets second chance at expanded local dialing: SWEETWATER -- Whether local Southwestern Bell phone subscribers will get expanded local service to Abilene and several other area towns will depend on an upcoming vote. Cisco voting on extended dialing, too

Jan. 31 -- Bonds can't be used to keep suspects in jail: Joe Davis was outraged when a suspect, who bonded out after allegedly robbing two Skinny's stores in August, was implicated in a string of recent heists.

Jan. 30 -- Students gather at Abilene High for Academic Decathlon: Students from 18 high schools and two divisions will go head to head at Abilene High today and Saturday for the Region 1 Academic Decathlon.

Jan. 30 -- Program gives high school students college credit: Thanks to Abilene ISD's Advanced Placement Program, gifted students like Julie Kunkel and Amy Dickinson can get a taste of college while still in the comfortable surroundings of high school.

Jan. 30 -- FBI affidavit reports suspect confessed to bank robbery: More than $40,000 in cash bundled in straps bearing the stamp of a Ranger bank was found in the car of three men charged Thursday with robbery.

Jan. 30 -- Mock emergency tests preparedness: The scene was a disaster, as it was meant to be.

Jan. 30 -- 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.

Jan. 30 -- A few observations on a murder trial (Ken Ellsworth Column): BROWNWOOD -- The nearest I ever came to a murder trial before Wednesday was watching Perry Mason and O.J. Simpson on TV, and one seemed about as real as the other.

Jan. 30 -- Absences because of illness up in local schools: The insidious flu bug beleaguering much of Abilene this past week has not overlooked the Abilene school district.

Jan. 30 -- Abilene closer to landing minor league hockey franchise: Minor league hockey in Abilene skated closer toward reality Thursday.

Jan. 30 -- District attorney's staff member solicits support on county time, sources claim: An employee of District Attorney James Eidson solicited political and financial support on county time in what could be a misuse of government resources.

Jan. 30 -- Triple murder-suicide ends in Eastland: EASTLAND -- A triple murder-suicide that began Wednesday in Granbury ended Thursday morning in Eastland.

Jan. 30 -- Area News Roundup: Ballinger ISD extends superintendent's contract ... Friends raise funds for Bangs man injured in accident ... Brownwood convenience stores not complying with security ordinance ... Brownwood City Council approves funds for drug task force ... Erath County commissioners name new county clerk ... Comptroller reports operations loss for Fisher County hospital ... Nolan County commissioners approve jail remodeling ... Stephenville student struck by vehicle ... Rotan schools, library receive Internet access grants ... DPS officers confiscate marijuana in I-20 drug bust

Jan. 30 -- Roby mayor resigns: ROBY -- Mayor Cecil King resigned suddenly on Thursday, ending more than 30 years of service to the community as either mayor or city council member.

Jan. 29 -- Area leaders meet to discuss highway's impact on region: ANSON -- Community leaders from Anson, Abilene and Wichita Falls met informally with representatives of the Texas Department of Transportation here Wednesday to discuss U.S. Highway 277 and its importance to the region and impact on small towns.

Jan. 29 -- Area News Roundup: Fire ruled arson, information sought ... Big Spring mayor announces intention to seek third term ... Overpass in Brownwood to stay closed ... Cisco City Council approves loan request ... Coleman hospital trustees turn down credit line ... Trooper makes another marijuana bust ... Rule school board extends superintendent's contract ... Jury sentences man to 20 years for soliciting sex from teens ... Accident victim updates

Jan. 29 -- Appeals court turns down petition from convicted Abilene killer: AUSTIN -- An Abilene man convicted of kidnapping, robbing and killing a Hawley Elementary teacher in 1987 will die for his crime, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled Wednesday.

Jan. 29 -- Local educators say Clinton proposal unnecessary here: Abilene school district officials say educational initiatives outlined by President Clinton in Wednesday's State of the Union address carry little weight in the Big Country.

Jan. 29 -- Gustine fire seen as blessing in diguise: GUSTINE -- Gustine school board President Paul Byrd thinks the Jan. 8 fire that destroyed the high school building might be what the district needs.

Jan. 29 -- Beef with Oprah still sizzles after almost two years: It's been almost two years since fighting words were heard on the "Oprah Winfrey Show" regarding the safety of U.S. beef.

Jan. 29 -- Miss Texas visits Abilene elementary school: Miss Texas 1997 Reagan Hughes mixed beauty with charm Wednesday at Jane Long Elementary in the first appearance of a Miss Texas at an Abilene school.

Jan. 29 -- Suspects in Ranger bank robbery quickly apprehended: RANGER -- By the end of Wednesday, three bank robbery suspects had been caught, and "a large amount" of money taken from the People's State Bank, Ranger branch, had been recovered.

Jan. 29 -- TABC won't tackle gambling machines without notice: The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission won't be raiding bars and other liquor establishments for casino-style video machines, a local TABC officer said Wednesday.

Jan. 29 -- Salazar murder trial nears conclusion: BROWNWOOD -- The murder trial of Henry Adam Salazar, 36, may conclude today in the 35th District Court in Brownwood. The trial begins at 9 a.m.

Jan. 28 -- Casino-style machines illegal, DA says: Eight-liners and other casino-style game machines are illegal and owners who continue to operate them risk prosecution, District Attorney James Eidson said Wednesday.

Jan. 28 -- Area News Roundup: Trooper seizes drug money ... New subdivision approved for Lake Brownwood ... Jurors convict man of cocaine possession ... Dry conditions lead to Nolan, Fisher County grass fires ... Merkel to begin annexation process ... Munday ISD gets computer grant ... Old Rip observance to include race ... Pedestrian critical after accident

Jan. 28 -- Missing Brownwood oilman cited for contempt: BROWNWOOD -- A federal judge has ordered the arrest of Sid Sers after ruling the missing Brownwood oil and gas producer is in contempt of court.

Jan. 28 -- Cisco bred writer visits Abilene (Ken Ellsworth Column): CISCO -- Mary Carey, who grew up in Cisco and is now 85, got into deep trouble early in life, but made the most of a bad situation.

Jan. 28 -- NCCIL asks for assistance to rehabilitate new home: An unnamed supporter has pledged to give an historic downtown building to a fledgling museum for a permanent home.

Jan. 28 -- Ranger JP named in assault case: EASTLAND -- Ranger Justice of the Peace Alford Bush was charged Tuesday with assaulting an Eastland teen-age boy on Jan. 17, an allegation the veteran judge immediately denied.

Jan. 28 -- Matta again denies harassment allegations: Flirting with a federal judge's gag order, Justice of the Peace Sam Matta called reporters together Tuesday to deny he propositioned a former clerk.

Jan. 28 -- Church plans complex on Abilene's southwest side: A visionary building plan accepted by members of South Side Baptist Church is expected to bring a complex to the southwest side of Abilene that will rival a small community.

Jan. 28 -- Taylor County commissioners hearing on road name change draws interest: A public hearing on a proposed road name change drew comments from both sides of the fence at Tuesday's Commissioners Court meeting.

Jan. 28 -- Panel discusses difficulties professional women face: For Judge Barbara Rollins, balancing the scales of justice isn't nearly as hard as balancing the rest of her life.

Jan. 28 -- Tire tool eyed as murder weapon: BROWNWOOD -- A tire tool may have been used to club a woman to death, a medical examiner testified in the capital murder trial of Henry Adam Salazar.

Jan. 28 -- Stenholm has mixed reaction to State of the Union speech: President Clinton's speech included much to applaud but more than a little to worry about, Congressman Charles Stenholm said Tuesday night.

Jan. 28 -- Doctors seeing lots of patients with flu-like symptoms: Some busy bugs have got people hopping in local doctors' offices and on hospital floors, trying to keep up.

Jan. 27 -- Presidential scandal pervasive, and Abilenians have split reaction to it: For Debra Greene, the final straw came Monday morning when she watched President Clinton interrupt a child-care meeting so he could deny having sex with an intern.

Jan. 27 -- Truth imitating the silver screen regarding president: Is fiction more appealing than truth? At the present time, no. Though the emerging sex scandal at the White House involving President Clinton reads remarkably like the movie "Wag the Dog," Barry Levinson's biting political satire isn't lapping up the benefits.

Jan. 27 -- Court documents accuse JP Matta of specific acts of sexual harassment: Justice of the Peace Sam Matta wrote a former court clerk love letters, told her his sexual fantasies and fondled her breasts, the woman claims in new court documents.

Jan. 27 -- Confession allowed in shaking death: A judge Monday allowed use of a confession from a teen mother accused of shaking her baby and causing injuries that led to the boy's death.

Jan. 27 -- Trucker gets 10 years in cross-country kidnapping: An Alabama trucker convicted of kidnapping has been sentenced to the maximum term of 10 years in federal prison.

Jan. 27 -- Airdrop of rabies vaccine begins: AUSTIN - Specially equipped planes on Monday began dropping some 1.1 million rabies vaccines over a 40-county area in West and Central Texas.

Jan. 27 -- Stenholm wants Congress to fix Social Security: WASHINGTON - Rep. Charles Stenholm, D-Abilene, wants Congress to accept the politically difficult job of shoring up the Social Security system instead of asking an appointed commission to come up with a fix.

Jan. 27 -- Teachers unions to agree to merger by 2002: WASHINGTON - Negotiators for the nation's two largest teachers unions have reached agreement on a preliminary plan to merge by 2002, officials said Monday.

Jan. 27 -- Only one prisoner left to be tried: COLORADO CITY - Of the seven inmates charged with the murder of a Wallace Prison Unit inmate, only one remains to be tried.

Jan. 27 -- Hospital food not "funny" at Hendrick: Hospital food is no joke around Hendrick Medical Center anymore.

Jan. 27 -- Drug raid nets 17 pounds of marijuana: SWEETWATER - A Sweetwater man was arrested Saturday night for marijuana possession after a drug-sniffing dog found 17 pounds of the drug beneath his mobile home.

Jan. 27 -- Accept your body at ACU observance: A clinical director of Shades of Hope Treatment Center will speak at a luncheon today in observance of Body Acceptance Week at Abilene Christian University.

Jan. 27 -- Underwood says he's ready to work hard for 30th District: Former Bowie Mayor Greg Underwood said the 30th District needs new ideas and new energy in the Texas Senate.

Jan. 26 -- Distance Learning exposes students to "all the world out there": To some, distance learning is little more than a high-tech correspondence course, but to others it's the future in education.

Jan. 26 -- APD's fingerprint expert retiring after 32 years: For nearly 26 years, police officer Glenn Lawrence has left a lasting "impression" on Abilene's crimefighting endeavors.

Jan. 26 -- Stenholm says Clinton should address scandal before address: President Clinton should have publicly addressed the intern sex scandal before Tuesday's State of the Union speech, and until the air is cleared it will be impossible to focus on the nation's business, Congressman Charles Stenholm said Sunday.

Jan. 26 -- Coleman to discuss predators: COLEMAN - The Coleman County Animal Damage Control Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the courthouse to discuss the continued trapping of predators such as coyotes and bobcats.

Jan. 25 -- Area News Digest: Roscoe superintendent given new contract ... Howard County grand jury indicts three ... Coleman City Council votes to upgrade city electrical system ... Coleman school board extends superintendent's contract

Jan. 25 -- Casino-style game rooms Will AG's decision bust a booming industry?: Jill Monk is ready to picket if the government tries to take away her favorite video games. Lack of regulation a main concern

Jan. 25 -- Cat lovers gather for show: Pixie-Bobs might have the wild bobcat look, but they don't have the call of the wild like their namesakes.

Jan. 25 -- Dogs groomed and ready for big show: Mary Francis carefully washed and conditioned her hair that morning, and then combed and ironed her hair in preparation for the big show Saturday afternoon.

Jan. 25 -- Old post office boxes and other stuff (Ken Ellsworth Column): GUSTINE -- When you are standing outside of a beloved and historic structure that just burned to the ground the night before, it is difficult to think that very much is permanent or even very long lasting.

Jan. 25 -- Ex-Yahweh members distribute anti-Hawkins video: A number of disillusioned members are leaving the House of Yahweh and circulating a video refuting Yisryal Hawkins' teachings.

Jan. 25 -- National League of Cities director impressed with Abilene: Don Borut was wowed by downtown Abilene during a Thursday stopover.

Jan. 25 -- Oprah trial attracts circus atmosphere: AMARILLO -- When Oprah Winfrey was whisked out of court noon Friday, the mob of West Texas fans she passed included somebody dressed as a cow, a kazoo marching band and women wearing T-shirts reading: "Amarillo Supports Free Speech. Go Oprah!"

Jan. 25 -- New group aims at assisting black women achieve goals: Empowering black women to stand up for what they believe is a goal of a new organization that officially took shape Saturday.

Jan. 24 -- Anson fire called "very suspicious": ANSON -- An early Friday morning fire which nearly destroyed the Jones County Adult Probation Office was termed "very suspicious" by arson investigators.

Jan. 24 -- Newsline callers thing Clinton did have affair with intern: Many think he did. Some think he didn't. Some think it's a political frame-up. Others don't care whether President Clinton had an affair with an intern or not.

Jan. 24 -- Horse shoer does "high five" over quintuplet goats: By profession, Monte Montgomery of Abilene has been a farrier the past 23 years.

Jan. 24 -- Woman becomes great-grandmother twice -- in one day: Doris Barnett didn't get to sleep on the idea of being a first-time great-grandmother. Her second great-grandchild saw to that.

Jan. 24 -- 11-year-old saves family from burning home: POTOSI -- An 11-year-old Potosi boy who said he learned about bravery from his late father and about explosives from "watching war movies" saved the lives of his mother and brother when their home was engulfed by fire at 3:45 a.m. Friday.

Jan. 24 -- Recent warm weather fits pattern: Oh where, oh where has Ole Man Winter gone?

Jan. 24 -- TNRCC fines Rochester co-op $366,000: AUSTIN -- A Haskell County farmers cooperative marketing association was fined $366,650 Thursday by the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission.

Jan. 24 -- Teen sentenced to 30 years for burglary: An Abilene teen who admitted burglarizing a 74-year-old grandmother's home and threatening her with her own loaded shotgun was sentenced to 30 years in prison Friday.

Jan. 24 -- Area News Roundup: Baird drops lake project ... Deputy in stable condition ... Suspect arrested in connection with crack cocaine seizure ... Fired vice president sues Cap Rock Electric ... Vandals damage Cisco school ... Youths file suit against city and policeman ... Victim's condition improves ... Wreck victim remains critical ... Stephenville receives park grant ... Raid nets two more drug suspects

Jan. 24 -- Stenholm reconvenes welfare reform task force: Congressman Charles Stenholm reconvened the Abilene Task Force on Welfare Reform on Friday, asking the group to provide suggestions he can take to Washington.

Jan. 23 -- Councilwoman announces intention to seek second term: City Councilwoman Kay Alexander will seek a second term in her southside seat, saying she's still "passionate" about Abilene's outlook.

Jan. 23 -- Local pair wonder what fuss over building is about: Gary Thompson and Richard Petree wonder what the hullabaloo is about with an Austin building bought by former business partners of Gov. George W. Bush.

Jan. 23 -- Bishop says Cuba will be changed by pope's visit: The spirit of the people of Cuba already is changing with a visit from the pope, and that could lead to major shifts in the communist country's political and social life, a local Catholic bishop believes.

Jan. 23 -- City council approves plan to ease flooding: The Abilene City Council approved a plan Thursday that should halve the frequency of flooding problems along Catclaw Creek.

Jan. 23 -- Companies and trade groups spend thousands on Stenholm trips: WASHINGTON -- Companies and trade groups paid for Rep. Charles Stenholm, D-Stamford, and his aides to take 22 trips last year, including trips to Israel, Florida, Tennessee and Nevada, congressional records show.

Jan. 23 -- Scranton, a town that valued education: SCRANTON -- Interstate 20 was mist covered Wednesday and drivers slowed and turned on their lights in the dimness.

Jan. 23 -- Counts says Snyder prison warehouse to save state millions: SNYDER -- After a delay of nearly two years, the Texas Department of Corrections expects to break ground this summer for a 60,000-square-foot warehouse at the Price Daniel prison unit here.

Jan. 23 -- Stenholm says cover-up would be impeachable: If President Clinton took part in covering up an alleged affair with an intern it would be an impeachable offense, Congressman Charles Stenholm said Thursday. Internet sites related to the president's latest problem

Jan. 23 -- Brownwood oilman faces contempt hearing: BROWNWOOD -- Brownwood oil and gas producer Sid Sers faces contempt of court proceedings in federal court in Fort Worth today for allegedly spending Trinity Gas Corporation funds which had been ordered frozen.

Jan. 23 -- Shackelford County hospital board considers changing EMS contract: ALBANY -- Emergency medical service to Albany, now provided by employees of Stephens Memorial Hospital in Breckenridge, may be changing next month.

Jan. 23 -- City Council approves zoning changes: The Abilene City Council approved the following zone changes Thursday

Jan. 23 -- Group gathers to mark 25th anniversary of abortion decision: Amid comparisons to the Holocaust and testimony from women who regretted having abortions, about 150 pro-lifers braved chilly weather to rally at the Taylor County Courthouse Thursday night to mark the 25th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision.

Jan. 22 -- Blood supply improving after public appeal: Officials with the Meek Blood Center are pleased with the recent turnout of contributors following an appeal for more donors.

Jan. 22 -- Burn victim dies: COLORADO CITY -- "I wish I could've done more," Ray Dobson said Wednesday after the burn victim he aided died in a Lubbock hospital.

Jan. 22 -- Appeals court rules Brownwood man must face execution: AUSTIN -- A Brown County man convicted of raping and killing his 12-year-old stepdaughter will die for his crime, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled Wednesday.

Jan. 22 -- Capital murder trial moved to Abilene: COLEMAN -- The capital murder trial of one of the two men charged in a three-fatality fire here has been moved to Taylor County on a change of venue.

Jan. 22 -- Gramm pushes child-care proposal: U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm pushed his own child-care proposal Wednesday, urging tax cuts for families with young children but opposing tax breaks to corporations that provide day care.

Jan. 22 -- Kiwanis announce announces donation to Mend-A-Child: The Kiwanis Club of Abilene is donating $10,000 and 250 volunteer hours to Mend-A-Child.

Jan. 22 -- Roscoe chief no-billed in fatal shooting: SWEETWATER -- A 32nd District Court grand jury no-billed Roscoe Police Chief Bryan Selke on Tuesday in the fatal shooting Nov. 22 of a rape suspect.

Jan. 22 -- Artist helps students remember lesson with quilt: How do you help fifth-grade students remember a social studies lesson on the Civil War?

Jan. 22 -- Central and South West announces management changes: Paul Brower has been named general manager/president of West Texas Utilities Co. and the current president, Floyd Nickerson, will return to a corporate position in Dallas.

Jan. 22 -- Lytle residents seek removal of communication tower: But for its towering height, the dull gray pole would be nondescript.

Jan. 22 -- Resignations may force new fire academy class: The recent resignations of two Abilene police cadets may force the department to start another academy sooner than expected, police officials said.

Jan. 21 -- Abilene ISD's administrative spending well below state limits: Last year's administrative expenditures for the Abilene school district fell short of the state's legal limit by a record amount.

Jan. 21 -- Middle school musicians perform in concert: Seventh- and eighth-grade musicians will showcase their talents at Saturday's All-City Band and All-City Orchestra concert.

Jan. 21 -- Fort Worth man found injured near Baird: BAIRD -- Mystery surrounds a Fort Worth man found injured and bleeding at an abandoned service station on Interstate 20 Tuesday morning.

Jan. 21 -- Breckenridge man survives 110-foot fall: A Breckenridge man who miraculously survived a 110-foot fall from a Louisiana radio station tower said he felt closer to God the farther he got from heaven.

Jan. 21 -- 2 women badly burned by Colorado City blast: COLORADO CITY -- A space heater ignited a downtown explosion that gravely burned two Colorado City women Tuesday morning, Fire Marshal Billy Ray Williamson said.

Jan. 21 -- Bush hails Texas Works during campaign stop: A new Texas Works initiative helped steer more than 2,000 Texans away from welfare and into jobs last month, Gov. George W. Bush said Tuesday. Governor speaks to Sweetwater children

Jan. 21 -- Sweetwater's Rattlesnake Roundup BBQ Cook-off is big (Ken Ellsworth Column): SWEETWATER -- Every year about this time my thoughts turn uneasily to the subject of snakes.

Jan. 21 -- DCOA turns down funding request: The Development Corporation of Abilene denied financial aid Tuesday to a local lawyer who renovated the former Chamber of Commerce building.

Jan. 21 -- Lubbock nurse announces candidacy for SBOE post: Lubbock nurse Nancy Neal announced at a Tuesday press conference her Republican candidacy for the State Board of Education.

Jan. 21 -- City Council to consider plan to ease creek flooding: The Abilene City Council will consider a $350,000 plan to ease flooding along Catclaw Creek on Thursday.

Jan. 21 -- Area News Roundup: Bangs school board wants penalty money for late construction ... Breckenridge City Commission approves electric rate drop ... Bank donates land for historic theater ... Brown County commissioners table drug task force request ... Brownwood trustees hope to save money ... Clyde extends Reed's contract ... Eastland commissioners approve reserve police ... Testimony set today in prison murder trial ... Scurry commissioners make appointments ... Contracts extended by Stephenville ISD ... Superintendent's contract extended

Jan. 20 -- Meek Blood Center 'extremely low on blood': The Meek Blood Center has nothing to celebrate this National Volunteer Blood Donor Month.

Jan. 20 -- Governor in town today: Gov. George W. Bush will be in Abilene and Sweetwater today for fund raising and events spotlighting reading and welfare reform.

Jan. 20 -- Missing peace justice resigns: BRECKENRIDGE - Stephens County's missing justice of the peace has resigned in a letter mailed from Anchorage, Alaska, according to County Judge Gary Fuller.

Jan. 20 -- Criminal Appeals candidate cites judicial experience: State District Judge Mike Keasler said Monday he wants to bring some needed judicial experience to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Jan. 20 -- Candidates gearing up for March primaries: Candidates in Taylor County's primary races already are busy raising and spending funds for their campaigns, campaign finance reports show.

Jan. 20 -- Outspoken jurist says death penalty needs to be consistent: Texas' death penalty laws need no change, despite the growing controversy surrounding condemned pickax murderer Karla Faye Tucker, Houston Judge Ted Poe said Monday.

Jan. 20 -- Schools get grants to help them link up to the Internet: AUSTIN - Logging onto the Internet is going to be a lot easier for Texas students, including those at Abilene High School.

Jan. 20 -- Big Spring woman endows Texas Tech medical chair: BIG SPRING - A Big Spring philanthropist who said she fondly recalls making rural house calls with her country doctor father has given at least $1 million to Texas Tech University to endow a chair to improve rural health care.

Jan. 20 -- Globetrotters bring out proven gags for large crowd: Globetrotters win again! No story in that. Rather, the story Monday night at Moody Coliseum on the Abilene Christian University campus was, as Ross Perot would say, the HIGH-LAR-ITY of the clown princes of basketball.

Jan. 20 -- City manager backs P&Z decision to move tons of stone from drainage easement: A Lytle Shores man must move several tons of stone off a drainage easement the city promised to protect for pro golfer Charles Coody, the city manager has ruled.

Jan. 20 -- Anson library gets gift to renovate: ANSON - A "substantial" pledge of money by an Abilene couple will help the Anson Public Library renovate two downtown buildings for a bigger and better facility, library directors said.

Jan. 20 -- Blanket teen recovering from head injuries: BLANKET - Freya Bundick, 17, a Blanket High School junior, is still hospitalized but improving following a New Year's Eve traffic accident.

Jan. 19 -- King's importance remembered at annual MLK Awards Luncheon: Martin Luther King Jr. came along to shake people out of their shallow pattern of existence and dig for a deeper understanding of what life is really about, Dr. David Cole told an Abilene audience Sunday.

Jan. 19 -- Cable changes in Abilene could mean more channels ... eventually: The change in Abilene's cable TV franchise approved last week by the City Council seems to promise better times ahead. But not necessarily right away.

Jan. 19 -- Our Slice of Texas: New sign boosts Brownwood, etc.

Jan. 19 -- "Pigeon Drop" scam artists in the area: BROWNWOOD - Brownwood police believe that a 78-year-old Brownwood woman who was swindled out of $15,000 last Wednesday fell victim to a pair of traveling "pigeon drop" artists.

Jan. 18 -- Asian financial crisis forcing hard decisions on local students: Richard Gohoputera is already making good use of his marketing and management degree at ACU, and he hasn't even graduated yet.

Jan. 18 -- Health screenings available at convention: Hendrick Health System's second Community Health Convention will be Jan. 26 and 27 at the Abilene Civic Center.

Jan. 18 -- Martin Luther King Jr. Award winners announced: Dee Waggoner's not one to sugar-coat his take on life for kids.

Jan. 18 -- Oil producers optimistic despite price drop: Big Country drillers and producers remain "cautiously optimistic" despite a troublesome downturn in the price per barrel of West Texas Intermediate Crude.

Jan. 18 -- Sisters come together for 50th birthday: All 11 Cantu sisters, joined by their mother, came from across the state Saturday afternoon for a very special celebration in Abilene.

Jan. 17 -- New airline begins service in Abilene: Passengers on Aspen Mountain Air's first flight from Abilene to Austin Friday boarded a Lone Star Airline plane.

Jan. 17 -- Deputies break case of 'disappearing' pickup: STEPHENVILLE -- Sheriff's deputies are seeking the two remaining members of a car theft ring, following the arrest of three suspects, Erath County Sheriff Tommy Bryant said Friday.

Jan. 17 -- Texas Hawking Association Bird enthusiasts enjoy time with feathered friends: Spending time with some of the fastest birds in the world can give a person a feeling of tranquility.

Jan. 17 -- Community responds to parents who lost home: Dyess Air Force Tech. Sgt. Todd Burke might not be comedian Jerry Lewis, but he sure felt like he was running a telethon Friday.

Jan. 17 -- Jurors sentence baby shaker to 99 years in prison: Jurors gave Paul Fisher Jr. a 99-year prison term Friday "because of what he gave that little girl," a member of the panel said.

Jan. 17 -- Antismoking advocate says national settlement unnecessary: Texas' settlement with the tobacco industry proves a national settlement is unnecessary, the founder of the Texas Association of Nonsmokers said on Friday.

Jan. 17 -- Bounty hunter pleads guilty to impersonating police: Former bounty hunter Joseph Dale Daniels received a probated sentence Thursday after pleading guilty to impersonating a police officer.

Jan. 17 -- Stenholm calls King 'prophet for all Americans': STEPHENVILLE -- The late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was "a prophet for all Americans," U.S. Congressman Charles Stenholm declared Friday before a near-capacity crowd of 275 at the Tarleton State University Student Center.

Jan. 17 -- Area News Roundup: Blackwell family's home gutted by fire ... Environmental equipment working well ... Colorado ISD extends superintendent's contract ... Colorado City Council passes street resolution ... Cross Plains ISD extends superintendent's contract ... Potential contractors for hospital expansion narrowed to seven ... Hamlin ISD extend superintendent's contract ... Principal resigns ... Mitchell County commissioners vote to continue detention contract ... Raid puts dent in Nolan County drug traffic

Jan. 17 -- Cow manure could become growth industry for Erath County: STEPHENVILLE -- If what comes out the south end of a diary cow can be packaged and sold economically, Erath County may become the site of a new industry -- collecting, processing, and selling cow manure.

Jan. 17 -- Grass fire keeps VFDs busy: CLYDE -- Thick, billowing smoke from a grassfire, fueled by gusty winds, obscured the sun from view for about 30 minutes Friday afternoon about five miles north of Clyde.

Jan. 16 -- Lawsuit filed in Aspermont cheerleader's injuries: ANSON -- A truck driver who allegedly was speeding in fog and on the wrong side of the road has been sued in connection with a wreck that left an Aspermont High School athlete and cheerleader paralyzed from the waist down.

Jan. 16 -- Airman and wife celebrate birth, mourn loss of home: Senior Airman Jeremy Hulett nearly broke into tears Thursday afternoon as he surveyed the charred remnants of the three-bedroom frame home he shared with his wife.

Jan. 16 -- Former Nolan County sheriff pleads guilty to embezzling $20,000: The former sheriff of Nolan County, Jimmy Allen Blackley, plead guilty Thursday to embezzling more than $20,000 in federal money from the sheriff's office from 1989-95.

Jan. 16 -- General offers good news for Dyess: Dyess Air Force Base's future looks secure despite sweeping military cutbacks, a top Air Force official said on Thursday.

Jan. 16 -- School administrators say fire insurance a necessity: Administrators of the Abilene school district say paying for fire insurance is paramount, despite a healthy general-fund balance and little history of damaging fires.

Jan. 16 -- Convicted child abuser asks jurors for probation: Convicted child abuser Paul Fisher Jr. is also charged with pulling a gun during an argument and having sex with an underage runaway he hid from police, jurors were told Thursday.

Jan. 16 -- Man dies while fighting a grass fire: ANSON -- An Abilene man died of an apparent heart attack while attempting to extinguish a grass fire near Noodle on Thursday afternoon.

Jan. 16 -- Mesa Springs to open Village Center today: Hendrick Retirement Center's Mesa Springs will officially open the doors at Mesa Springs Village Center at the 7171 Buffalo Gap Road campus at 10 a.m. today.

Jan. 16 -- Diehard Oprah fan hoping for Amarillo tickets: Oprah Winfrey's coming to Texas and Liz Smith wants to be there.

Jan. 16 -- DRI announces celebrity quail hunters: Men who've reached the top in space, sports and entertainment will be among 33 featured guests at the Celebrity Quail Hunt here Feb. 5-8.

Jan. 16 -- Area News Roundup: Big Spring athlete charged in stabbing ... Ranger water cost clarified ... Oil field worker serious but stable ... Fisher County commissioners accept insurance bid ... Rotan school board extends superintendent's contract ... Roby school board taking superintendent applications ... Roby City Council discusses hospitalization plan

Jan. 15 -- Abilene Improvement Corp. appoints foundation's director to board: A Dodge Jones Foundation executive will fill one of two vacancies on the Abilene Improvement Corp. board.

Jan. 15 -- Airport Development Board backs expansion: A long-awaited expansion of Abilene Regional Airport is cleared for takeoff.

Jan. 15 -- State representative has beef with Oprah: COLEMAN -- It's highly unlikely that State Rep. Bob Turner will be asked to appear on Oprah Winfrey's TV show, but that's fine with the Coleman County rancher-businessman-legislator.

Jan. 15 -- Area News Roundup: Brownwood school board discusses football expenses ... Cisco City Council to decide future of old City Hall ... Computer purchase tabled ... Council seeks new police chief ... Trent school to receive Internet services

Jan. 15 -- Fire victim's funeral set for Friday: COLEMAN -- Funeral services will be held Friday for Colleen Inez Moore, the 2-year-old Coleman girl whose fire death on Sunday has sparked an outpouring of compassion beyond her hometown.

Jan. 15 -- Fire guts couple's home while wife awaits child's birth: The day of child's birth should be the happiest in a couple's life. However, that day was marred for an Abilene couple as a one-alarm fire gutted their house Tuesday morning.

Jan. 15 -- Winters, Hamlin receive law enforcement grants: Grants from the U.S. Justice Department announced Wednesday will enable the cities of Hamlin and Winters each to hire an additional full-time police officer.

Jan. 15 -- Abilene Regional to build three-story Women's Center: Abilene Regional Medical Center will build a $15.6 million, three-story Women's Center, to be completed by late 1999.

Jan. 15 -- Juvenile sentenced to eight years for aggravated sexual assault: An Abilene teen will serve eight years under the state's determinant sentencing law for the aggravated sexual assault of an 8-year-old boy.

Jan. 15 -- Mental Health Association, Volunteer Center to merge: The Mental Health Association volunteered to take in the Volunteer Center last month, and the merger was announced Wednesday outside MHA offices at 3303 N. 3rd.

Jan. 15 -- Fall injures oil field worker: A worker who fell 30-35 feet at an oil field site Wednesday morning in central Fisher County sustained leg fractures and possible chest injuries.

Jan. 15 -- County judge lauds constructive efforts in state of county speech: Taylor County is in good shape with construction and growth in the forefront, the county's top administrator said on Wednesday.

Jan. 15 -- Illustrator thanks students for honor: Children's book illustrator Janet Stevens thanked the city's young students Wednesday for honoring her with the Abilene ISD's annual Mockingbird Award.

Jan. 15 -- Jury convicts father of injury to his child: After deliberating five hours Wednesday, a jury convicted Paul Fisher Jr. of intentionally shaking his 13-month-old baby, leaving her brain-damaged.

Jan. 14 -- Attorney general candidate vows war on drug lords: Barry Williamson will come on like gangbusters against Texas drug lords, he vowed Tuesday.

Jan. 14 -- Accused bank robber pleads not guilty to crime: An Abilene man who confessed to robbing six Metroplex banks nonetheless pleaded not guilty to the crimes Tuesday.

Jan. 14 -- Area News Roundup: Brownwood ISD saves energy costs ... Jury selection begins in murder trial ... Clyde school board discussed superintendent's contract ... Johnson to get $32,000 as Dublin police chief ... Eastland ISD is debt free ... As police chief, Arnold gets tough in Ranger

Jan. 14 -- Coleman rallies around fire victim's family: COLEMAN -- Coleman may have lost two of its major employers in the last year, but the community's heart is still beating strong.

Jan. 14 -- Police arrest suspect in numerous crimes: An Abilene man allegedly created a one-man crime spree that kept three police detectives busy.

Jan. 14 -- Sheriff, caller disagree on 911 response: CROSS PLAINS -- Callahan County Sheriff Eddie Curtis and a Cross Plains woman disagreed Tuesday over how long it took a sheriff's deputy to answer a prowler call last summer.

Jan. 14 -- Writers' club writers write on: CISCO -- Forgive me, but it was a dark and stormy night a week ago yesterday when I appeared at the Cisco Writers Club to speak, roughly speaking, so I was flattered when a dozen or so people came out in a cold rain to hear what I had to say, because it was not much.

Jan. 14 -- Physicians testify baby's brain damage result of shaking: Danyelle Fisher's brain damage can only be the result of shaken-baby syndrome, two Lubbock physicians testified Tuesday.

Jan. 14 -- City begins replacing street signs: Legible names over Abilene roadways are increasingly becoming a sign of the times.

Jan. 14 -- Building restorations on schedule: Historic rehabilitations to the Freight Warehouse and the REA Baggage Express, both on North 1st, should be finished in the late fall and late spring, respectively.

Jan. 14 -- Hearing on proposed sex business regulations draws no public comment: A hearing on a proposal to regulate sexually oriented businesses in Taylor County drew no public input at Tuesday's Commissioners Court meeting.

Jan. 13 -- Man on trial for shaking baby: A teen mother testified Monday her 13-month-old girl suffered severe head injuries after she asked the father to babysit so she could go to work.

Jan. 13 -- Order regulating sexually oriented businesses goes before the public: A proposal to regulate sexually oriented businesses in Taylor County will go before the public at a hearing today.

Jan. 13 -- Committee says gaps remain in meeting needs of all children: Too many needy youngsters go unhelped in Abilene because service agencies have failed to coordinate their efforts, according to a mayoral committee. The First Four Years Committee in a coming report concludes Abilene is attentive to a few of some youngsters' needs, but many gaps remain in meeting the needs of all its children.

Jan. 13 -- Anderson assumes control of planning after demotion: Planning Administrator Carl Lockett, one of City Hall's most visible officials, has been demoted. Lockett's boss, Community Development Director Andy Anderson, assumed control of the planning division's day-to-day operations last week. On Monday, Anderson declined to characterize as dissatisfaction his assessment of Lockett's job performance.

Jan. 13 -- Board extends superintendent's contract, gives him raise: The Wylie school board unanimously voted to extend Superintendent Cecil Davis' contract Monday night, and also agreed to raise his salary.

Jan. 13 -- Board focuses on the people who make district what it is: In keeping with the spirit of education, Monday's Abilene school board meeting was all about people.

Jan. 13 -- Gustine goes back to school: GUSTINE - Gustine High School students went back to class Monday in a school they thought they had left behind for good - Gustine Junior High.

Jan. 13 -- New branch stayed busy during initial week: Abilene's new branch library issued 145 library cards and welcomed more than 4,000 visitors during its first week in business.

Jan. 13 -- Residents ask for action after bridge closure: ALBANY - County commissioners lifted a burn ban Monday in Shackelford County and formally voted to close the oldest bridge in the area.

Jan. 13 -- Telethon almost set another record: Rehab '98 missed by a little making history as the most successful local telethon ever, but you won't hear West Texas Rehabilitation Center officials complaining.

Jan. 13 -- Death investigated as a homicide: BRECKENRIDGE - A body found last week in a Stephens County pasture has been positively identified as 23-year-old Joseph Francis Ledbetter, Sheriff Jim Reeves said Monday.

Jan. 12 -- Students put area towns on the Net: Skiing may have been on the agenda of many college students during the Christmas break but not April Martin, Kevin Conner and Robyn Parramore.

Jan. 12 -- Superintendents up for annual job evaluations: Two local superintendents will undergo close scrutiny today by their respective school boards.

Jan. 12 -- Weekend shootings leave one man wounded: A pair of weekend street shootings left one man hospitalized and one man wiping the sweat away after his assailant fired wildly.

Jan. 12 -- Bridal Extravaganza shows new traditions in the wings: If local travel agents have their say, the traditional toaster may become toast as a wedding gift. In its place, they look forward to founding a new tradition of well-wishers' chipping in to pay for the blissful couple's wedding trip.

Jan. 12 -- Brown County names top youth (Our Slice of Texas): Leslie Starkey, Amy Simmons and Amy Wood were the overall grand champions in home economics competition at the Brown County Youth Fair Saturday.

Jan. 11 -- Gift shop donates Beanie Babies to benefit Children's Miracle Network: An Abilene gift and specialty shop has donated Ty Beanie Babies to the Children's Miracle Network for auction with proceeds benefitting Meek Children's Hospital at Hendrick Medical Center.

Jan. 11 -- Local licensing office still waiting for calls from caregivers: A week after a child protection law took effect, staff at a local licensing office are still waiting for the phones to ring.

Jan. 11 -- Firefighter relates the horror of fire: GUSTINE -- Brian Ahearn, 41, said he might have died Thursday night in the fire that consumed Gustine High School had he not been protected by his late wife.

Jan. 11 -- Reporter's Notebook: The news behind the news

Jan. 11 -- Births to teens down; abortions up: The number of teen births in Taylor County dipped for the first time in a decade, but abortions for all ages rose substantially, new state records show. Teen moms say lessons hard to learn

Jan. 11 -- Old acts bring new looks to telethon: Rehab '98 logged onto a great headline act for the first time Saturday night.

Jan. 10 -- Abilene man sentenced to 16 year for beating girlfriend: A judge sent an Abilene man to prison for 16 years Friday for severely beating his girlfriend, who testified she later attempted suicide.

Jan. 10 -- Park, business aid voted: ANSON -- The Industrial Development Corp. of Anson voted Thursday to support a city park master plan and give financial aid to a local business.

Jan. 10 -- Skeletal evidence taken to Fort Worth: BRECKENRIDGE -- Lawmen sought Friday to identify the skeleton of a man found Thursday and to pinpoint how he died.

Jan. 10 -- Ex-chief sues Dublin: DUBLIN -- Fired Dublin Police Chief David Johnson has sued his former employer, the city of Dublin.

Jan. 10 -- Surplus giraffe funds will help improve exhibit: Extra funds raised from the campaign to buy a new mate for Bart the giraffe will give the Abilene Zoo a neck up on improving the giraffe exhibit, organizers say.

Jan. 10 -- Fire guts Gustine High School: GUSTINE -- While flames still flickered Friday morning in the scorched brick shell of Gustine High School, plans were already being laid for a return to class Monday.

Jan. 10 -- Reagan students learn about Japanese culture: Students at Reagan Elementary School geared up Friday for the Winter Olympics by learning a little about the culture in Japan.

Jan. 10 -- Rex Allen Sr. returns to Rehab telethon: Rex Allen Sr. returned to his home away from home Friday.

Jan. 10 -- Man gets 30 years for sexually assaulting step-daughter: A judge sentenced an Abilene man to 30 years in prison Friday for the aggravated sexual assault of his 5-year-old stepdaughter.

Jan. 10 -- Asian economy, other worries driving market slump: The Asian economy and concern over corporate earnings drove the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 2.8 percent Friday.

Jan. 10 -- Two local lakes stocked with trout: Trout fishing in Abilene. It could happen.

Jan. 9 -- Group gives Texas 'C' in abstinence education: WASHINGTON -- As Texas and other states launch new federally funded sexual abstinence education programs, some lawmakers and religious groups are trying to ensure that the abstinence message isn't diluted by family planning teachings.

Jan. 9 -- 113-year-old bridge to be closed: FORT GRIFFIN -- After 113 years of service, the oldest bridge in the Abilene area will be closed today, a victim of safety concerns voiced by state highway officials.

Jan. 9 -- PTA questions flood control plan: The concerns of a PTA dammed up action on a city flood control plan Thursday.

Jan. 9 -- Council transfers cable franchise to new operator: The Abilene City Council transferred the city's cable television franchise to a new operator Thursday after gaining a clearer picture of the company's plans.

Jan. 9 -- Alcohol, drug use rises in Abilene in '96: Two local 1996 youth crime reports suggest a rise in alcohol and illegal drug use among Abilene youngsters -- matching a statewide report for the same year.

Jan. 9 -- Jebby Forbes comes back strong (Ken Ellsworth column): COLORADO CITY -- Jebby Forbes, 17, is a strong young man and wants to take his place in the field again -- center field, to be exact.

Jan. 9 -- Group reaches goal for purchase of new giraffe: Going strictly by campaign fund-raiser guidelines, Bart the giraffe's new companion at the Abilene Zoo will be 110 feet tall with 70 spots.

Jan. 9 -- Ministry to prison families delayed: A four-month delay has pushed the opening date to May for Hospitality House, a facility to house relatives visiting inmates in Abilene's two prisons.

Jan. 9 -- Local colleges expect drop in spring enrollment: If tradition holds true, enrollments will be down at Abilene's three universities when the spring semester starts next week.

Jan. 9 -- Water directors make nominations for regional planning committee: Water directors Thursday nominated 13 Big Country leaders for a powerful new panel to draw Texas' water blueprint for the future.

Jan. 9 -- Prosecutor won't appeal new trial motion: A special prosecutor from the attorney general's office will not appeal a judge's decision granting a new trial for three Abilene men convicted of organized criminal activity.

Jan. 9 -- YMCA capital campaign nears goal: One of the largest capital campaigns ever undertaken by the Abilene YMCA in its 50-year history is $195,300 short of its goal.

Jan. 8 -- Fraser calls for boycott of video casinos: State Sen. Troy Fraser wants Texans to boycott those proliferating video casinos, and he asked businesses Wednesday to stop redeeming their gift certificates.

Jan. 8 -- Clinton child care proposal draws positive local response: Melinda Clark shouted "amen" Wednesday when she heard news of President Clinton's child care initiative.

Jan. 8 -- Firms to submit bids on burned school: CROSS PLAINS -- School trustees have named two companies that will be allowed to submit bids to the school's insurance company for repair of the high school.

Jan. 8 -- Abilene man facing federal drug charges: An Abilene man faces four federal drug charges following his arrest Tuesday on a sealed indictment.

Jan. 8 -- F-4 restoration due to begin Saturday: BIG SPRING -- Work is scheduled to begin Saturday on restoring an Air Force F-4 Phantom jet for display at Big Spring's Vietnam Memorial.

Jan. 8 -- Coordinator is Rehab's do-it-all man: Ask Larry Farr, one of the key coordinators for this weekend's "Rehab '98" Telethon, his job title at the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, and you'll get a shrug of the shoulders.

Jan. 8 -- Oilman satisfied with hearing results: Embattled Brownwood oil and gas producer Sid Sers is "very satisfied" with the results of a Tuesday hearing in Fort Worth in which a federal judge temporarily enjoined him from operating Trinity Gas Corporation, but denied a Securities and Exchange Commission request to replace him as operating receiver, Sers' attorney said Wednesday.

Jan. 8 -- Local skiers see advantages in wearing helmets: Helmets may cramp the style of the most fashion-conscious skiers, but Eddie Stash would like to see more of the protective headwear on the slopes.

Jan. 8 -- Mayor issues challenge to continue efforts to improve city: Declaring 1997 a prosperous year in Abilene, Mayor Gary McCaleb issued a renewed charge Wednesday to stress children's issues, jobs, technology and redevelopment efforts in the coming year.

Jan. 8 -- Stephenville attorney files for education board position: Stephenville attorney Allan Butcher has filed as a democratic candidate for the State Board of Education.

Jan. 7 -- Bono came to Abilene in '60s to promote movie: Sonny and Cher came to Abilene just more than 30 years ago. Not for a concert but to promote their first movie, "Good Times."

Jan. 7 -- Taylor County commissioners praise safety committee: Commissioners lauded the efforts of the county's safety committee Tuesday after hearing an annual report on the group's activities.

Jan. 7 -- Composting makes grass greener on other side of fence: STEPHENVILLE -- If the grass turns out to be greener on the other side of Jaycee Park next summer, residents will have the dairy industry and modern technology to thank.

Jan. 7 -- Billie Sol Pleads insanity in tax fraud case: BROWNWOOD -- Former West Texas promoter Billie Sol Estes, facing life in prison if convicted of another crime, claims he was insane at the time of his latest run-in with the law.

Jan. 7 -- Airplane spotter treasures her gold wings (Ken Ellsworth column): CISCO -- When Evelyn Bailey, 84, hears the sound of an airplane, she goes over to the window of her Cisco home to see what it is that is flying by.

Jan. 7 -- Jack Grimm dead: Adventurer's dreams took him around the world: Jack Grimm, a colorful, poker-playing, globe-trotting Abilene oilman and adventurer whose searches for the Titanic, the Loch Ness Monster and Noah's Ark garnered him headlines around the world, died Tuesday morning after a brief illness.

Jan. 7 -- Appeals court reduces sentence against airman: A military appeals court has reduced the sentence of a Dyess Air Force Base airman found guilty of killing her newborn baby two years ago, base officials reported on Tuesday.

Jan. 7 -- Families rescued from gas poisoning: Nine members of two families were rescued Tuesday morning from the carbon monoxide-filled home they share in the 2200 block of Oakland.

Jan. 7 -- Weeks joins Izzard campaign staff: Abilene native David Weeks, now one of the state's leading GOP media consultants, has joined Rudy Izzard's second campaign against Congressman Charles Stenholm.

Jan. 7 -- Abilene educator receives royal treatment in Russia: Until her recent visit to Russia, Abilene teacher Peggy Langford was unaware that life in the struggling country could be so regal.

Jan. 6 -- Abilene revitalization still getting attention over news broadcast months ago: Abilene still hasn't gotten over the business of the ABC-TV "World News Tonight" broadcast of Oct. 13.

Jan. 6 -- Pelton running for 11th Court of Appeals: Attorney Robert Pelton said Monday he's running for the 11th Court of Appeals because he wants to "put my experience to work for the public."

Jan. 6 -- Abilene's new branch library gets warm reception: After just a few minutes of checking out Abilene's new library Monday, Vera Minter was ready to book a return visit.

Jan. 6 -- Charles Stenholm ready for another "tough campaign": Democrat Charles Stenholm launched his re-election bid Monday, vowing to capture the same spirit that "helped 'Charlie Who?' become congressman" 20 years ago.

Jan. 6 -- Parts of local prison remain under lock-down: Portions of the French Robertson Unit remained under lock-down status on Monday, one week after a gang-related inmate stabbing and another attempted assault.

Jan. 6 -- City Council to ponder engineers' request for flood prevention: City engineers may have solved a woe that causes a flood of complaints.

Jan. 6 -- P&Z says retaining wall must come tumbling down: A Lytle Shores man must uproot a huge limestone retaining wall along his lakeside land because it encroaches on a promise the city made pro golfer Charles Coody, zoning commissioners decided Monday.

Jan. 6 -- Ag Commissioner candidate kicks off campaign in Stephenville: STEPHENVILLE - A familiar face was in Stephenville on Monday to kick off his campaign for Texas agriculture commissioner.

Jan. 6 -- Legislative roundup: Turner draws GOP opponent: State Rep. Bob Turner, D-Voss, drew a last-day Republican opponent in his bid for re-election in the 73rd Legislative District.

Jan. 6 -- School begins again; motorists be aware: The Abilene school district resumes classes today after an 18-day winter break.

Jan. 5 -- Veteran photographer hangs up his camera at the Reporter-News: Through the viewfinder of his camera, Don Blakley has seen thousands of people ranging from presidents to peewee sports stars.

Jan. 5 -- Expo Center improvement project Planners expect to see light at the end of the tunnel: On paper, plans to build a tunnel underneath the Expo Center coliseum looked relatively simple.

Jan. 5 -- Business is hot at new concession stands: The Expo Center coliseum's tunnel isn't much to brag about yet, but the building's new and improved concession stands are really cooking.

Jan. 5 -- Fog cancels flight to Metroplex: Patchy but dense fog late Sunday prompted cancellation of American Eagles's first Abilene-to-Dallas flight this morning.

Jan. 4 -- Fire damages Albany restaurant: ALBANY - A mid-morning Saturday fire damaged a popular Albany restaurant, the Lone Star Eatery, causing no injuries but enough smoke and water damage to close the business temporarily.

Jan. 4 -- Jones County residents get a break this election season: If local politics turns you off, you might want to consider moving to Jones County until after November. Jones is the only county in the Big Country that does not feature a single contested local race in either the Democratic or Republican primary in March. List of filings

Jan. 4 -- Library branch to open Monday: Monday marks the branching out of the Abilene Public Library.

Jan. 4 -- Democrats, Republicans to cooperate in primaries: Democrats and Republicans aren't supposed to agree on anything, but in Taylor County this year they've consented to cooperate in combining primaries.

Jan. 4 -- Reporter's Notebook: Times are changing for Taylor County Republicans ... Ping Pong balls replace rolls

Jan. 4 -- Taylor County shows gain in federal workforce: Taylor County is one of the rare spots in America where "reinventing government" has actually meant adding federal employees.

Jan. 3 -- Victims' conditions improve: The conditions of two accident victims, injured in separate mishaps this week, have been upgraded at Hendrick Medical Center.

Jan. 3 -- Stanton man killed in Big Spring wreck: BIG SPRING -- A Stanton man died Thursday after a one-vehicle accident on Interstate 20 in north Big Spring.

Jan. 3 -- CCA names Hardin-Simmons grad as new director: Anna L. Powell, a 1966 graduate of Hardin-Simmons University, has been named the new executive director for the Center for Contemporary Arts here.

Jan. 3 -- Family loses everything in Coleman County fire: BURKETT -- Members of an Abilene builder's family escaped with only the clothes on their backs when a recently-remodeled "dream home" was destroyed by a New Year's Day fire.

Jan. 3 -- Respiratory illnesses up in area: Local medical professionals gave mixed opinions on whether respiratory illnesses are up significantly. But they do agree on one thing: They are up.

Jan. 3 -- Gramm backs Brownwood VA clinic: BROWNWOOD -- U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm has requested that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs approve plans to establish a primary care community-based out-patient clinic in Brownwood.

Jan. 3 -- Tax forms are in the mail: The taxman cometh. And so do the tax forms. The post office is delivering tax packages in Abilene, and all should be received by next week.

Jan. 3 -- Local tax office unmanned: The IRS is MIA in Abilene.

Jan. 3 -- Motorists invade tax-assessor collector's office to renew car tags: The dawning of the first work day of 1998 served as a wake-up call for many people driving around town with expired license plates.

Jan. 3 -- Haywood draws opponent as filing closes: State Sen. Tom Haywood drew a last-minute Democratic opponent Friday as the political filing period closed.

Jan. 2 -- Horse show participants get to have their game and watch it too: For participants at the Abilene Spectacular horse event, deciding whether to watch New Year's day football or cutting horse competitors was an easy one: do both.

Jan. 2 -- First baby of '98 makes early arrival: Caleb Aaron Nations finished first on Thursday, but out of the money by just about an hour and a half. The chubby 18-3/4-inch, seven-pound youngster was born about 1:35 a.m. at Abilene Regional Medical Center, Abilene's first baby of the New Year.

Jan. 2 -- Short-lived outage leaves northeast Abilene without power: A short-lived power outage left northeast Abilene without electricity for about 45 minutes on Thursday.

Jan. 2 -- Truck accident blocks highway: A multiple truck accident Wednesday evening completely blocked traffic on Highway 36 northwest of Comanche for more than an hour.

Jan. 2 -- Dyess officials look forward to new year: Despite a turbulent year for the military in 1997, Dyess Air Force Base is steadily headed for a busy and constructive 1998.

Jan. 1 -- APD ready to enforce law against minors in possession of tobacco: Abilene police officers have undergone fresh training in the event they are faced not with smoking guns, but with smoking youngsters.

Jan. 1 -- Local Muslim to travel around state conducting services: Most of the Muslims that Haywood Shakir Talib leads in prayer during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan would love to trade places with him.

Jan. 1 -- Abilene had only two murders in 1997: The Abilene Police Department reported two homicides in 1997 for Abilene - an unprecedented low since at least 1966.

Jan. 1 -- Lawmaker wants to guarantee all Texans can 'pack heat': AUSTIN - Suzanna Gratia Hupp fought for Texans' right to carry concealed handguns after she watched her parents die in the 1991 Killeen Luby's massacre.

Jan. 1 -- TCI adds Christian station today: A new year usually brings about changes in service by TCI Cablevision of Abilene.

Jan. 1 -- Treasurer announces re-election bid, party switch: Taylor County Treasurer Laura Browder formally kicked off her re-election campaign on Wednesday, but with a different party affiliation.

Jan. 1 -- Christmas tree fire kills Brownwood woman: BROWNWOOD - A Brownwood woman who reported her Christmas tree was on fire died in the early Wednesday blaze, despite a dispatcher's plea to flee her home.