Reporter-News Archives

June 30 -- New laws may hasten Moody's execution: Condemned killer John Glenn Moody won't live to see 1999, District Attorney James Eidson predicts. Moody's conviction for the 1988 rape and murder of an elderly widow is the first Taylor County case impacted by a new law that limits the appeals of capital murderers.

June 30 -- Sen. Gramm urges Texans to grab up federal highway money: AUSTIN - A group of transportation officials traveled through Texas Monday to see how the state's roads have handled years of heavy truck traffic through the North American Free Trade Agreement.

June 30 -- Rodriquez joins DCOA: Carlos Rodriguez didn't take much of a summer vacation. Less than two months after ending his tenure on the Abilene School Board, he is back in service as the newest member of the Development Corporation of Abilene.

June 30 -- Women gaining greater access to specialized healthcare: Abilene Regional Medical Center will break ground today for its Women's Center, the latest specialized addition to its existing medical facilities.

June 30 -- Keffer in town gathering information for writing welfare legislation: Confusion and a barrage of new rules were the most common complaints state Rep. Jim Keffer heard Monday during a meeting on welfare-to-work issues, but the good news was that nobody seemed ready to give up.

June 30 -- Funeral director John Hamil dies: John Robert Hamil, longtime Abilene funeral director and civic leader, died Monday afternoon at his home. He was 62.

June 30 -- Stonewall official can't explain money lost for 11 years: ASPERMONT - Longtime Stonewall County Tax Assessor-Collector Joyce McNutt admitted Monday she misplaced more than $65,000 in county funds for 11 years but refused to concede the error cost taxpayers nearly $44,000 in interest.

June 30 -- Third Ranger bank robber sentenced: LUBBOCK - The third of three men caught robbing a Ranger bank was sentenced to 95 months in prison Friday.

June 29 -- Art is elementary for Albany's young mural makers: ALBANY -- What was created by 3,000 tiny fingers placing 22,500 minute pieces of tile in every color imaginable?

June 29 -- Renovations may be on planetarium horizon: The classroom sprang to life for more than 14,500 students last year as Planetarium teacher Barbara Baber opened young minds to other worlds.

June 28 -- Attorney decries plea bargain: An attorney for accused murderer Denis Aiken called the plea bargain of co-defendant Tommy Thurman a "despicable" deal by a prosecutor "desperate" to win a death sentence.

June 28 -- Dunn postmaster's friendliness is matchless (Ken Ellsworth): DUNN -- You would not think Dunn, pop. 75, could offer much to write about, at least that is what I was thinking when I drove through there Friday.

June 28 -- Be careful about parking on the Fourth: Parking in front of a driveway, blocking an alley, parking in the median and parking in a traffic lane are just some of the no-nos Abilene Police say they will be cracking down on traffic violations at this year's Abilene Prarie Dogs fireworks celebrations at Crutcher-Scott Field July 3 and 4.

June 28 -- Longtime minister eulogized: Amid shouted amens and upbeat hymns, community members gathered Saturday to "celebrate the homegoing" and to say goodbye to a "giant of a man" -- the Rev. T.G. Oliphant.

June 28 -- Rancher dies in one-car accident: An Abilene area rancher died early Saturday morning in a one-vehicle rollover on Farm-to-Market 707 about a half a mile east of Highway 83-84, authorities said.

June 28 -- Dealing with the Millenium Bug:

Millenium bug costly, effects will vary: 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1, 2000. The vault door flies open at your bank. All airliners disappear from radar screens. Elevators freeze between floors. The movie you rented last night is now 100 years overdue. The Social Security office says you are now minus 57 years old, even though you just celebrated your 43rd birthday. You really can't program your VCR.

• Millennium Bug could create Titanic-like global disaster
• Tips for surviving Y2K
• Governments must spend millions to deal with problem

June 28 -- Program to target seat-belt, speeding violators: Speeders and seat-belt scoffers beware -- the Abilene Police Department will have your number in coming months with the beginning of its Selective Traffic Enforcement Program this week.

June 28 -- Murder suspect turns himself in: SWEETWATER -- A murder suspect requested one final drink of water before turning himself in to Sweetwater police on Saturday, Police Chief Jim Kelley said.

June 27 -- Area News Roundup: Dismissed police officer to return to job ... Roby water supply low due to a major line break ... Fireworks in Nolan County are not allowed ... Fireworks show set at Clyde Lake ... Police officer quits over drug charge ... Baird names new superintendent ... Council withdraws curb and gutter offer ... Burks refuses to sign airport contract

June 27 -- Area attorney begins campaign against drug searches: COLORADO CITY -- Colorado City attorney Pat Barber is on a mission to teach people to "Just Say No to Searches."

June 27 -- Trainer left oil fields to make living with horses: Horses became a big part of Tom Merryman's life early on, though it took a while for them to become his livelihood as well.

June 27 -- Girl survives pool incident: An Abilene girl survived a near-drowning Friday morning at the Abilene State Park swimming pool west of Buffalo Gap.

June 27 -- Funeral set for homeless murder victim: BIG SPRING -- Some in sandals, some in suits, local residents have visited Nalley-Pickle Funeral Home by the dozens to pay their respects to a "street person" who made Gregg Street his home.

June 27 -- Judges dismisses some harassment claims against county: A federal judge has dismissed some of a former clerk's claims against Taylor County in a sexual harassment suit that charges Justice of the Peace Sam Matta with making crude advances.

June 27 -- Hendrick comes to aid of nurse stranded in London: Thanks to Hendrick Health System, a former Big Country nurse critically injured in a wreck in Italy nearly a month ago is back on Texas soil -- and will soon be mending properly.

June 27 -- Bondsmen complain about new county program: Local bondsmen complain Taylor County began giving inmates "get out of jail free" cards when a court-supervised release program was expanded earlier this month.

June 27 -- Dyess rodeo team picks up pair of trophies: Months of work for moments of glory.

June 27 -- Jones County settles with former employee for $100,000: Jones County agreed to pay former jail administrator Barbara Russell $100,000 to drop her sexual harassment and discrimination suit, according to a settlement agreement.

June 26 -- Phoenix Sports sues Texas-Louisiana League: A Washington-based sporting goods supplier is playing hardball over some $16,000 worth of baseballs it claims the Texas-Louisiana League has failed to pay for.

June 26 -- Nonprofits seek funds for capital improvements: The Abilene's City Council last year put nonprofit charities on notice to stop submitting applications for operating expense funding.

June 26 -- Safety topic of discussion at council work session: Safety in the streets was the theme at Thursday's City Council work session.

June 26 -- Work to begin July 6 on Hangar 25 air museum: BIG SPRING -- Work is due to begin July 6 on a $573,000 project to restore Hangar 25 as a museum tribute to area veterans, focusing on training aircraft.

June 26 -- District Attorney's staff full again: In an experience that could be dubbed trial and terror, rookie prosecutor Joel Wilks conquered the courtroom in his first try.

June 26 -- Demonstration moved to cooler spot: A flintknapping demonstration originally planned today at Fort Phantom Hill has been moved to a cooler location.

June 26 -- Science quilt brings students together: ALBANY -- It is not easy to inspire students during the final days of the school year, but four years ago Albany elementary teacher Myra Hise discovered an answer -- make a quilt.

June 26 -- Local Red Cross chapter honors board, volunteers: The Big Country Regional Chapter of the American Red Cross honored board members and volunteers during its annual meeting Thursday. The business luncheon included a guest speaker, the election of new officers and the presentation of a special award to a young lifeguard who saved a child's life in Sweetwater on June 6.

June 26 -- Trust suing bank over modifications to building: The late Judge W.R. Ely's trust is suing First National Bank of Abilene for failing to modify a leased building to accommodate disabled visitors.

June 26 -- Area News Roundup: Brisket cookoff growing in popularityJudge issues burn ban for Callahan CountyPlane makes emergency landing in AbileneFireworks warning issuedDrug stop nets 125 pounds of marijuana

June 26 -- Abilene man accused of breaking infant's leg: A 21-year-old man allegedly broke his two-month-old baby's leg while changing her diaper one week ago, Abilene police detective Greg Knight said Thursday.

June 26 -- New giraffe arrives at zoo: Getting to know you, getting to know all about you ...

June 26 -- Father charged in connection with child's death: An Abilene man allegedly smothered his 5-1/2-month-old baby early Thursday morning by covering the child's face with a pillow so he "wouldn't hear him cry as much," a court affidavit stated.

June 25 -- House passes 1999 Agriculture Appropriations legislation: Legislation funding the nation's agricultural programs for fiscal year 1999 has passed the House and includes provisions for agriculture and rural areas of the Abilene region.

June 25 -- Abilene loses airline, prospects for new ones good: Abilene will have only one commercial airline beginning Friday, but two others may be on the way, officials said Wednesday.

June 25 -- Arrow mechanics not involved with go-cart that caught fire: Arrow Ford mechanics were not working on Safety City car that apparently sparked a fire last week at the car dealership.

June 25 -- Hospital management pact won't be renewed: COLEMAN -- The Coleman hospital board voted Tuesday not to renew its present contract with Torch Management Services Inc. of Austin after it expires Sept. 30.

June 25 -- Hobby trades on family name to break down barriers: As Paul Hobby moves to make his mark in Texas politics, he finds his famous family name useful -- within limits.

June 25 -- Murder charged in fatal fall from I-20 overpass: BIG SPRING -- A Big Spring man was charged Wednesday with pushing a homeless man to his death off an Interstate 20 overpass here.

June 25 -- Breckenridge woman backs Lucas: BRECKENRIDGE -- Don't bother trying to convince Joyce Lemon that Henry Lee Lucas is a serial killer.

June 25 -- Moran fire destroys barn, hay: MORAN -- Fire destroyed a hay barn and an estimated $30,000 worth of hay near here late Tuesday night.

June 25 -- Two new Nolan jailers to be hired: SWEETWATER -- Nolan County commissioners have authorized Sheriff Donnie Rannefeld to hire two additional jailers to comply with state jail standards.

June 25 -- Murder defendant pleads no contest to arson, to testify against co-defendant: A man charged in the capital murder of a Coleman housewife and her two sons pleaded no contest to arson and agreed to testify against his co-defendant Wednesday in exchange for a 15-year prison sentence.

June 25 -- Abilene to be site of '99 Texas Police Games: Abilene might just resemble a set from Copland next summer when more than 2,000 police officers descend on the Big Country for the 1999 Texas Police Games.

June 25 -- Andrae Patterson drafted by Minnesota Timberwolves: Abilene just became home to fans of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

June 24 -- Fire engulfs two cars on Interstate 20: TRENT -- Two vehicle were destroyed by fire Tuesday morning about five miles west of Trent on Interstate 20, just inside Nolan County.

June 24 -- Area News Roundup: Homeless man dies in fall from overpass ... Rising Star man charged with indecency with child ... Woman killed in rollover identified ... Snyder ag teacher to take administrative position ... TSU grad student to teach ag in Throckmorton

June 24 -- Environmental PAC targets Stenholm: WASHINGTON -- An environmental political action committee announced Tuesday it will target Rep. Charles Stenholm for defeat in the November election.

June 24 -- Workforce concerns top economic development agenda: Tucker Bridwell ribbed Marion Szurek about the strong turnout for Tuesday's Texas Department of Economic Development town hall meeting.

June 24 -- Dyess included in funding legislation House approves: WASHINGTON (AP) -- Texas military bases will receive $140 million for construction improvements under legislation that has cleared the House.

June 24 -- Volunteers thanked for work with troubled youth: Seldom do their beneficiaries thank them, but Operation Outreach volunteers were served pats on the back along with ribs and roast beef Tuesday in a prison dining room.

June 24 -- Rick Perry pushes program at campaign stop: Calling juvenile street gangs a "cancer on Texas," Rick Perry pushed his "Street Terrorism Prevention Act" at an Abilene stop Tuesday. John Sharp reveals safety plan for state's schools

June 24 -- Sheriff says deputy acted responsibly in shooting: EASTLAND -- Eastland County Sheriff Wayne Bradford said he believes Deputy Sheriff Clay Coffey "feared for his life" and reacted responsibly when he fired eight pistol shots at a 96-year-old Gorman man he said threatened him with a loaded shotgun.

June 24 -- Local social service picture complicated: If "welfare-to-work" is so successful in Texas, why are social agencies swamped with requests for aid?

June 23 -- AISD TAAS scores continue to improve: District TAAS scores continued to climb for the fifth year in a row, according to results released at Monday's Abilene school board meeting.

June 23 -- Teaching Awards Program a big hit the last two years: The Innovative Teaching Awards Program proved a positive addition to the district the past two years by enhancing student learning and building teacher morale, according to a report to the Abilene school board.

June 23 -- Longtime area pastor, T.G. Oliphant dies at age 83: The Rev. T.G. Oliphant, who overcame social injustice to become a leading area "peacemaker" and the dean of Abilene pastors, died Sunday at his home. He was 83.

June 23 -- Fire engulfs two cars on Interstate 20: TRENT - Two vehicle were destroyed by fire Tuesday morning about five miles west of Trent on Interstate 20, just inside Nolan County. There were no injuries.

June 23 -- Possible presidential candidate endorses Izzard over Stenholm: Ohio Congressman John Kasich, a possible presidential candidate in 2000, on Monday endorsed Republican Rudy Izzard in his race to unseat Charles Stenholm.

June 23 -- Griffith Road land to be considered for rezoning at council meeting: More than 200 acres of open agriculture land on Griffith Road will be considered for rezoning by the City Council at its 9 a.m. meeting in council chambers Thursday.

June 23 -- TDED holding town hall meeting today: Abilenians are encouraged to talk about their city's economic development today during a town hall meeting held by the Texas Department of Economic Development.

June 23 -- Teen gets 15 years in crack shooting: An Abilene teen agreed to a 15-year prison sentence Monday for shooting a customer when a crack transaction went awry, causing the loss of the victim's lower leg.

June 23 -- Man shot to death following an argument: SWEETWATER - A 39-year-old Sweetwater man became the city's first homicide victim in almost three years Saturday night.

June 23 -- New albany post office reflects frontier image: ALBANY - The Albany Post Office is sporting a new but old look. The recently renovated building now has a western look complete with board and bat construction, tin awning, a protected community bulletin board and wooden benches.

June 23 -- Convicted child porn possessor to appeal: BRECKENRIDGE - Claude Allen Sparks, 48, of Breckenridge, has been released from Stephens County Jail on bond after giving notice of appeal of his child pornography possession conviction.

June 22 -- Cemetery gift keeps wife's memory alive: ALBANY - Charles Peach grew up knowing how to share. With 18 siblings living under the same roof, he learned at an early age.

June 22 -- Call to Fathers assemblage challenges fathers to seek a God-centered family: Durward Minor challenged fathers to make God the center of their families and lives to realize the most complete joy possible in family life.

June 22 -- Another bomb scare at an area nursing home investigated: COLEMAN - A Coleman nursing home became the third area nursing home to be targeted by a bomb threat in the past month when Coleman police fielded a threatening phone call Sunday morning.

June 22 -- TAAS results to be heard by AISD board: Long-awaited TAAS results for all grade levels will be reported at the school board meeting today.

June 22 -- Water main break creates waterspout: A high-pressure water main break created an Abilene version of Old Faithful on a hot Sunday afternoon, swamping a nearby insurance building with thousands of gallons of high-pressure water.

June 22 -- Our Slice of Texas: Ballinger fireworks display set for Saturday, etc.

June 21 -- Father to be recognized for work with youth: Earnest Merritt never intended to be a mentor. He just wanted to play basketball.

June 21 -- Parolee one of few under special supervision program: Joe Bondick might not be in prison anymore, but the Abilene man is still shackled.

June 21 -- Prison inmates earn GEDs: It was no ordinary graduation setting -- and no ordinary achievement by the graduates, speaker Charlie Dromgoole told 13 young men in the chapel of the French Robertson prison unit.

June 21 -- Grass fires on ranch started by lightning: ALBANY -- Lightning is being blamed for two separate grass fires on the historic Nail Ranch near Albany late Friday night.

June 21 -- Hamlin suffers from summer thunderstorms: Hamlin bore the brunt of hit-and-miss summer thunderstorms scattered widely around the northern Big Country Saturday evening.

June 21 -- Baird student nets lifetime hunting and fishing license: BAIRD -- An area teen-ager's writing skills have allowed her to reel in a prize highly desired by outdoorsmen.

June 20 -- Airport issue unresolved: COLEMAN -- The issue of full-time staffing at the Coleman Airport remains up in the air, with a snag developing over the signing of a contract with Airport Manager Bobby Burks.

June 20 -- Eastland hospital board buys ambulance: EASTLAND -- Directors of Eastland Memorial Hospital voted Thursday to purchase a new ambulance for $80,475.

June 20 -- Two injured while evading wrong-way pickup: EASTLAND -- Two travelers were injured Friday when their vehicle overturned twice as the driver avoided a head-on collision with a pickup being driven the wrong direction on Interstate 20 by an 89-year-old man.

June 20 -- Horsemanship competitor in it for the fun: The 15-year-old didn't care where he placed in the Amateur Western Horsemanship competition Friday. He just wanted some candy.

June 20 -- Abilene infant dies: Jeremiah Price, whose struggles with health problems were the subject of a feature in the Reporter-News on Monday, died Friday at a Fort Worth hospital.

June 20 -- Izzard applauds Republican attempt to ditch income tax: Rudy Izzard applauded as "responsive" Republicans move this week to scrap the income tax, a measure Congressman Charles Stenholm dismissed as an "irresponsible" gimmick.

June 20 -- Regional jail to offer pickup, delivery of inmates: HASKELL -- Officials planning to spend about $5.2 million to build the Rolling Plains Regional County Jail here are attracting the support of area counties with such services as pickup and delivery.

June 20 -- Abilene police believe Lucas involved in local killing: Confessed and condemned serial killer Henry Lee Lucas most likely killed Abilene savings and loan teller Lynn Hall Gray 18 years ago during his bloody travels, a former Abilene detective said.

June 20 -- Teachers learn how to use newspapers in classroom: From rock 'n' roll to newspaper scavenging, Debby Carroll had plenty of assignments for teachers Friday.

June 20 -- Western Round-up kicks off: SWEETWATER -- Sweetwater's third annual Western Round-Up Ranch Rodeo got under way Friday in the Nolan County Coliseum.

June 20 -- Driver indicted in three-fatality ballinger accident: BALLINGER -- The Runnels County grand jury returned three indictments against an Arlington driver involved in a May 3 accident which claimed the lives of three Coleman residents.

June 20 -- Campers learn about computers, the Web: The end-of-camp presentation for Mom and Dad, usually consisting of neat leather and wood crafts, was a little different at McMurry University last night.

June 20 -- Area News Roundup: Anson school board hires principal ... Troops to visit with families by videoconference ... Coleman County agent resigns ... Erath County's largest dairy is sold ... Big Spring dorm project nears completion ... 10 years imposed for drive-by shooting ... Poynor shooting investigation continues ... Roby man charged with injury to elderly ... Smith named Snyder city judge ... Early mayor still in hospital ... Motorcyclist critical after wreck ... Roby elementary principal resigns ... Man attempts suicide in courthouse ... Mother killed in 1-car rollover

June 19 -- Alzheimer's section earns awards: A special report on Alzheimer's disease published by the Abilene Reporter-News in May 1997 has won two awards.

June 19 -- Opera association ad recalls controversial campaign: If last year's scandalous, headline-grabbing crape myrtle campaign taught Abilenians anything, it didn't take.

June 19 -- Dollar General reopens after arson fire: BALLINGER -- The Dollar General Store, which was destroyed by an arson fire in February, has reopened in a new, larger location.

June 19 -- Bond denied for suspect in teen sex-game case: A 28-year-old man initiated sex games with teen-agers the day after he was indicted for molesting a young girl, a police detective testified Thursday.

June 19 -- Voters seem to prefer state Senate candidates from far reaches of district: Distance from Abilene seems to make voters' hearts grow fonder when they choose state senators in districts that include Taylor County.

June 19 -- Split in senatorial districts costs Taylor County influence: When Abilene's Reba Boyd lost her District 24 Republican state committeewoman's post in a bit of political maneuvering last weekend, she resolved not to take it personally.

June 19 -- Project aims to equip young men with life skills: Pass by Treadaway and North 13th this summer, and you probably won't notice what's going on inside the worn shell of an old tire shop: a team of young black men rebuilding the skeleton as a work skills development center.

June 19 -- Newcomers find Fandangle a Western treat: ALBANY -- People who love the atmosphere and color of the Old West were sure to get a kick out of Fort Griffin Fandangle.

June 19 -- Area News Roundup: Big Spring man indicted ... Cisco man indicted by federal grand jury ... Sexual assault charges filed in Eastland ... Shredder accident victim's condition improves ... Range fire scorches 500 acres near Nugent ... Stephenville police chief heads for the mountains ... Davis wins drawing to fill Winters school board vacancy

June 18 -- Buffalo Gap residents gain new water system: BUFFALO GAP -- In the next two weeks or so, Buffalo Gap residents will be able to take a shower without turning off the washing machine or dishwasher.

June 18 -- Perry briefs Glickman and U.S. reps on drought conditions in Texas: Like much of the Abilene region, much of Texas remain in the grips of an extended dry spell.

June 18 -- Former Abilenian drowns saving Dallas child: A former Abilene man and his best friend both drowned Tuesday after saving a 5-year-old boy from a Dallas pond.

June 18 -- Big Country Farmers Market opens this morning for season: Looking for farm-fresh produce? The Big Country Farmers Market opens from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. today at the Taylor County Expo Center in Abilene.

June 18 -- Emergency grazing of CRP acres authorized for eligible applicants: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman has authorized eligible Taylor County producers to graze grass from established fields in the Conservation Reserve Program under certain conditions.

June 18 -- Juneteenth celebration set: A few hundred Abilene residents are expected for lunch at the city's annual Juneteenth celebration Friday at Nelson Park Festival Gardens.

June 18 -- FBI said to be investigating Knockers owners: Lawmen are again knocking on the door of the former owners of Abilene's most infamous restaurant.

June 18 -- Jones County sheriff's employees resign after sex allegations: Two Jones County sheriff's employees have quit after a female prisoner charged she performed oral sex on the men in exchange for cigarettes while in lockup Friday night.

June 18 -- Youths mix fun and learning at Progressive Farmer safety camp: The key to the success of Progressive Farmer Farm Safety Day Camp is a mixture of fun with learning.

June 18 -- Three Abilenians accused of having sex with teens: Three Abilene residents, two of whom were already accused of engaging in sex games with teen-agers, were charged Wednesday with having sexual relations with teens.

June 18 -- Sparks guilty of child pornography charge: BRECKENRIDGE -- A Stephens County jury deliberated 20 minutes Wednesday before convicting Claude A. Sparks, 48, of possessing child pornography.

June 18 -- Area News Roundup: Service academy applications available ... Munday seeks waiver from PUC ... Woman loses part of leg in farm accident ... Thief takes jewelry and a shower ... Hass named to EMS board

June 17 -- Cooper students prepare for Academic Decathlon: A team of Cooper High School students took a crash course in modern art Tuesday to prepare for next year's rigorous Academic Decathlon.

June 17 -- ACU grad dies in one-car accident: Stephanie Whitworth, 29, of Doole, who was singled out for special recognition at Abilene Christian University's graduation in May, was killed Tuesday in a one-car wreck in McCulloch County.

June 17 -- Go-cart starts fire at auto dealer garage: A Safety City hot rod sparked a blaze that filled an Arrow Ford garage with thick smoke Tuesday morning.

June 17 -- Porn trial expected to go to jury today: BRECKENRIDGE -- Both sides rested their cases Tuesday afternoon in the child pornography trial of a Breckenridge man.

June 17 -- Council considers asking public for improvements suggestions: Capital improvement, cops and computers headlined the Abilene City Council's first quarterly work session Tuesday.

June 17 -- DCOA approves grant to lens manufacturer: The Development Corporation of Abilene approved a $35,000 grant Tuesday for a lens manufacturer whose future might be viewed through rose-colored glasses.

June 17 -- Area News Roundup: Brown County commissioners move toward expanded jail ... Eastland city commissioners discuss annexation, zoning ... Coleman school board considers motivational program ... Youth dies after church outing

June 17 -- Elite tumbler suffers spinal injury: BLANKET -- Daniel Saylor, 17, an accomplished Blanket gymnast who suffered a spinal cord injury while training Friday, remained in intensive care at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene on Tuesday.

June 17 -- Mother given maximum sentence for injury to child conviction: An abusive mother earned the maximum sentence Tuesday for beating her children after a courtroom performance that featured claims of a conspiracy, an argument with her own attorney and a belch.

June 17 -- Medications' cost forces MHMR into rationing: The new "atypical" anti-psychotic drugs may go down well with patients, but the state's Mental Health-Mental Retardation system is choking on the costs.

June 17 -- City seeking increased participation in Park Bucks program: City Hall is hoping an insert in Abilenians' water bills will yield a flood of contributions to its Park Bucks program.

June 17 -- Knox County nurse seriously injured in Rome wants to come home: BENJAMIN -- Getting Shannon Parker home from Rome, Italy, where she was seriously injured in a two-fatality car crash last month, is not as simple as purchasing an airline ticket.

June 17 -- Police hope DNA testing will solve old case: Investigators hope to use DNA testing to solve a bloody 1984 slaying of a convenience store clerk.

June 16 -- Abilene Regional Airport gets new manager: Richard Crider, manager of an Ohio commercial airport, was named Monday as the new manager of Abilene Regional Airport, ending a six-month search. City officials hope his economic development experience will help land jobs at the airport's 1,686-acre complex.

June 16 -- New golf course construction starting by August: Ground will be broken in August on Abilene's newest golf course. Senior PGA Tour pro Charles Coody, the 1971 Masters champion, and Abilene businessman Bud Darby announced Monday at a press conference they have formed Lytle Creek Golf Links, L.L.C., a partnership to build a new 18-hole, daily fee public golf course.

June 16 -- Oil price slides to $9 per barrel: Oil's local posted price continued its year-long slide, closing at $9 per barrel Monday, down 10 percent from its previous $10 per barrel close. That's bad news for producers and probably good news for consumers.

June 16 -- Sexual 'Truth or Dare' results in arrests: Two suspects were arrested Monday afternoon for allegedly engaging in a game of sexually-oriented "Truth or Dare" with a group of teen-agers, Abilene police said.

June 16 -- Fires keep firefighters busy: ANSON - A series of Jones County fires kept firefighters busy Monday, including a major grass fire southwest of Anson and a suspicious blaze in Stamford.

June 16 -- Child porn trial opens: BRECKENRIDGE - The child pornography trial of a Breckenridge man began Monday in the 90th District Court.

June 16 -- Nursing home target of bomb threat: HASKELL - For the second time in less than a month, a Haskell nursing home was the target of a bomb threat Monday.

June 15 -- New golf course announcement expected today: Announcement of the first new golf course to be built in Abilene in nearly 20 years is expected to be made today.

June 15 -- Premature baby held his own, comes home: The blue banner reading "Welcome home Jeremiah" hung over the Boyd family's garage belies 11-pound Jeremiah Price Boyd's nine-month struggle for survival in a Fort Worth hospital.

June 15 -- Ballinger teens aiding community: BALLINGER - With shovels and wheelbarrows, sweat and teamwork, some Ballinger teen-agers are doing more than helping beautify a historic library this summer. They're helping themselves as well.

June 15 -- Bicyclist dies after being struck by pickup: EULA - A Seymour man died late Saturday night after being hit by a pickup about three miles south of Eula on FM 603.

June 15 -- Our Slice of Texas: Ballinger planning fireworks show, etc.

June 14 -- Abilenian to head bar auxiliary: Charlsie Bynum, an Abilene native and wife of prominent Dallas attorney "Spider" Bynum, is the new president of the Texas Bar Association Auxiliary.

June 14 -- Breckenridge cleans up after storm: BRECKENRIDGE -- City employees, utility personnel and homeowners were out in force Saturday cleaning up damage from a violent thunderstorm that struck Breckenridge about 9 p.m. Friday.

June 14 -- City Council to meet in special session: The Abilene City Council will meet in a special workshop Tuesday to review some of the community's capital needs and consider initiating a process that could end in a bond election by early next year.

June 14 -- Fandangle to observe 60th anniversary: ALBANY -- Sixty years ago a group of innovative high school seniors launched what would become a Texas tradition -- the Fort Griffin Fandangle. Fandangle timeline

June 14 -- Tape shows inmate went untreated for more than 10 minutes: More than 10 minutes elapsed before injured Robertson Unit inmate Gary Lee Crenshaw received medical attention, according to a Jan. 25, 1997, prison-recorded tape. Accounts of encounter differ widely

June 14 -- Former POW remembers imprisonment: Paul Ruska's internment in Stalag 17 wasn't anything like "Hogan's Heroes."

June 13 -- Sweetwater airport named best in Texas: SWEETWATER -- Avenger Field, Sweetwater's general aviation airport, has been named the state's "Outstanding Airport of the Year" by the Texas Department of Transportation.

June 13 -- Dyess commander praises crew of downed bomber: The crew of a B-1B bomber that crashed in a Kentucky cow pasture reacted "exactly" as it should have by ejecting from a craft it could no longer control, Dyess Air Force Base's commander said Friday.

June 13 -- Popular band director loses position despite support: STAMFORD -- The demotion of popular Stamford High School Band Director Dennis Teasdale struck a bad note with scores of band parents and other supporters.

June 13 -- Senate committee gives, takes away funding for Dyess projects: WASHINGTON -- A Senate committee this week eliminated $3.3 million in proposed funding for a new munitions facility at Dyess Air Force Base, but added $1.4 million for a new equipment shop.

June 13 -- Universities find camps excellent recruiting tools: As a sophomore in high school Carl Brown took his clarinet to McMurry University one summer to play in Professor Raymond T. Bynum's band camp.

June 13 -- Early mayor recuperating after fall: EARLY -- Early Mayor James Lewis was recuperating at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene Friday following four hours of surgery to repair a hip shattered in a Thursday fall from a tractor here.

June 13 -- Area News Roundup: Merkel water safe to drink ... Brownwood water district recognized ... Cisco man held in connection with bank robbery ... Fisher County commissioners hire accounting firm for audit ... Roby school board member resigns ... Fisher County sheriff to leave office ... Rotan school board accepts coach's resignation ... Hailstorm destroys 400 acres of cotton

June 12 -- Task force seeks to determine how to create airline competition: AUSTIN -- Air service officials statewide want to know how often Texans fly in and out of small- to mid-size communities -- and how they can create more airline competition in those cities.

June 12 -- Rural property owners protest annexation plan: Homeowners along the Jones-Taylor county line apparently don't read Money magazine.

June 12 -- Storm damages buildings in Anson: ANSON -- A severe thunderstorm damaged several buildings -- including the historic Pioneer Hall -- and knocked out electricity to part of Anson for about 40 minutes late Wednesday.

June 12 -- Report shows B-1 crash caused by electrical problem: WASHINGTON -- A short-circuit in a cockpit control panel choked off fuel to the engines of a B-1B bomber causing its crash in Western Kentucky in February, according to an Air Force accident report to be made public today.

June 12 -- Baptist statement fails to draw universal support: The Southern Baptist Convention may be certain of a man and woman's role in marriage, but some local Baptist women aren't necessarily buying the company line.

June 12 -- Local law enforcement agencies to receive drug forfeiture funds: The Abilene Police Department and the Taylor County Sheriff's Office will receive a windfall totaling more than $54,000 for their part in a busting up a multi-state drug operation with local ties, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

June 12 -- Longtime DA's investigator leaves for new challenges: After a professor failed to persuade him that cost accounting holds a candle to police work in terms of excitement, Travis Tucker emphatically chunked higher education.

June 12 -- Multimillion dollar rain splashes big chunk of the Big Country: Wednesday's rainfall throughout the Abilene region was a blessing to the crop out- look and a big boost to the area cattle industry.

June 12 -- Judge dismisses former officer's suit: A federal judge has dismissed deposed Abilene police officer Greg Parks' suit against City Hall, ruling the city's interests in firing him outweighed his rights to voice his political views.

June 12 -- Murder and kidnapping indictments handed down: STEPHENVILLE -- An Erath County grand jury has indicted one man for capital murder and another man with murder for the Feb. 23 slaying of Catherine Patricia Dillon, 51.

June 12 -- Early mayor hurt by fall and fire ants: EARLY -- Early Mayor James Lewis was hospitalized Thursday after he fell from a tractor into a mound of fire ants, injuring his back and suffering up to 300 stings.

June 11 -- Taylor County girls do well at 4-H Round-up: Four Taylor County girls finished in the top 10 in their categories at the State 4-H Round-Up held at Texas A&M University June 1-4. Included were one first place and one second place winner.

June 11 -- Robertson unit prepares for inspection: Nearly every drawer, cabinet and closet was checked during Wednesday's mock audit of the Robertson Unit by state prison officials in preparation for an inspection by a nationally recognized corrections association.

June 11 -- Airline should begin service in Abilene by end of '99: Continental Express Airlines should have service to Abilene by the end of next year, the head of the Airport Development Board said Wednesday.

June 11 -- Area News Roundup: Police chief and city manager get public support ... Two caught growing marijuana plants ... Coleman loses competition for a new industry ... Cisco makes appointments and calls election ... Eastland 5th graders ace TAAS ... Former area man among troopers honored ... Brownwood airport named most improved

June 11 -- Eastland hospital breaks ground: EASTLAND -- After three long years of planning and fund raising, directors of Eastland Memorial Hospital broke ground Wednesday for a $1.17 million emergency and obstetrical center.

June 11 -- More counties consider regional jail: HASKELL -- Knox County has become the fourth area county to agree to send its prisoners to the proposed Rolling Plains Regional County Jail, while Baylor County gave a qualified vote of support.

June 11 -- Accused man spent time in jail in Scurry County: SNYDER -- Nobody here remembers much about Lawrence Russell Brewer's stay in Snyder, perhaps because he spent most of the time behind bars.

June 11 -- Leak forces Merkel residents to go without water for several hours: MERKEL -- Merkel residents are urged to boil their water for the next few days after being left high and dry all Wednesday.

June 11 -- Ex-POWs fear long-ago lessons being lost: Laughter may be prevalent at the state ex-POW convention beginning here today, but that doesn't mean the half-century-old horrors of World War II have been forgotten.

June 11 -- Councilman remembers term as first African-American on council: The Rev. Leo Scott's election to the Abilene City Council 20 years ago didn't so much shatter a racial barrier as poked a hole in it.

June 11 -- Abilene ranks high on magazine's list of top places to live: Abilene is ranked the 13th best small Southern city in Money Magazine's latest survey of top places to live.

June 10 -- Interest in Beanie Babies shows no sign of waning: The market for Beanie Baby bears remains bullish.

June 10 -- Area News Roundup: Brownwood airport named most improved ... Brownwood school board increases security monitoring ... Brown County commissioners turn away requests ... Stephens, Young counties to cooperate in hiring juvenile probation officer ... Baird school board completes candidate interviews ... Coleman County grand jury indicts five on welfare fraud charges ... Merkel City Council annexes 70 acres ... More counties join regional jail compact ... Runnels County commissioners approve request for jailers

June 10 -- Film about Abilene lacks Abilene: FAIRVIEW -- Principal photography on the movie "Abilene" wrapped Tuesday afternoon, but the closest filming ever got to the real thing was the rickety Fairview Baptist Church in rural Jones County, 30 miles north of Abilene.

June 10 -- Taylor County commissioners approve mutual fire protection agreement: With the risks of wildfire, in the words of one local fire chief, "deadly serious," Taylor County commissioners approved the linking together of 35 Big Country fire departments Tuesday.

June 10 -- Use of fireworks restricted: Taylor County commissioners voted Tuesday to restrict the use of fireworks in all unincorporated areas of the county, including all county roads.

June 10 -- Judge sentences man convicted of bank robbery: A federal judge sentenced an Abilene bank robber to 51 months in prison Tuesday and ordered him to complete an intensive drug treatment program.

June 10 -- Scholars recognized: Nineteen young scholars were treated to popcorn and recognition as Community Foundation Scholarship Winners for the 1998-99 academic year on Tuesday.

June 9 -- Zoning commission OKs acreage for northside golf course, homes, games complex: Abilene zoning commissioners rezoned 237 northside acres Monday to allow a $20 million golf course development complete with homes and a games complex.

June 9 -- AISD board hears report on salary recommendations: Salary task force committees presented research and recommendations to the Abilene ISD board for the bulk of Monday's meeting.

June 9 -- Officers involved in Gorman shooting back on duty: GORMAN - The two men who were involved in the May 29 shooting death of 96-year-old Euell Poynor are back on the job, according to Eastland County Sheriff Wayne Bradford.

June 9 -- Council will look at improving downtown even more: The Abilene City Council will consider three moves Thursday meant to improve downtown.

June 9 -- Weather continues unpredictable ways: Last week, the local weather played a game of high-low, only the latest extremes in climate experienced by locals in 1998.

June 9 -- Jail to be built at Haskell: HASKELL - A regional jail to house 200 prisoners will be built here, the first of its kind in the state, elated Haskell city and county officials announced Monday.

June 9 -- Snyder friends compete again and again in Rodeo state finals: Stoni Brooke Riggan and Terra Bynum are close friends and even closer competitors. They compete in the same four events and both have won barrel racing titles at the Texas High School Rodeo Association State Finals.

June 9 -- Troopers remembered in new museum: Six Texas Highway Patrol officers who died in the line of duty in the Big Country are now part of a museum in San Antonio.

June 9 -- Intern finds a new job at City Hall: City Hall's new administrative intern program has landed a potential "superstar" in its first participant, City Manager Roy McDaniel reports.

June 8 -- Texas High School State Finals Rodeo begins: The bulls and the broncos had a high old time in the first round of bucking Sunday night to launch the Texas State Finals Rodeo at Taylor County Coli- seum.

June 8 -- Divers recover body in Lake Brownwood: BROWNWOOD - The body of 25-year-old David Eugene Fairchild was recovered Sunday afternoon from Lake Brownwood, nearly a day after he disappeared into murky waters.

June 8 -- Police recapture Georgia runaway: A 14-year-old runaway from Georgia was recaptured by Abilene police Sunday evening at the Abilene Country Club after she and a companion, 15, bolted at Harmony Family Services.

June 8 -- AISD board to concentrate on paying next year's bills: Now that school's out for the summer, the Abilene school board is ready to start figuring out how to pay for the upcoming school year.

June 8 -- Our Slice of Texas: Fandangle ticket sales taking off, etc.

June 7 -- Cancer patient getting life back on track: Twelve-year-old Chris Sanchez drills a green and black foam football past Zeke Morales into a steel door behind him, and a crash resounds across the pool room at West Texas Rehabilitation Center.

June 7 -- Visitors enjoy Zoo Day activities: The red-ruffed lemur and the blond-headed toddler regarded each other solemnly as strolling crowds of visitors to the Abilene Zoo absorbed the sights and sounds of Zoo Day.

June 7 -- Waystones guided buffalo hunters to Rath City: HAMLIN -- Finding their way over rugged terrain was among the many obstacles buffalo hunters had to overcome many years ago.

June 7 -- Versie Brown wins City Council seat: Abilenians answered the Rev. Versie Brown's prayers Saturday, electing him to the City Council by a 30-point margin over Billy Enriquez in a runoff race that recently turned contentious.

June 6 -- Local air controllers complete refresher course: Federal officials ordered retraining for 10,000 air traffic controllers nationwide after two planes avoided colliding by just 20 feet over New York's La Guardia Airport in April.

June 6 -- Area News Roundup: Cross Plains approves dog control ordinance ... Clyde school board hires curriculum director ... Coleman City Council adopts budget ... Charges expected in drive-by shooting ... Juvenile indicted on charge of endangering child ... Search for elderly man discontinued

June 6 -- Inmate given another 20 years for aggravated assault conviction: SWEETWATER -- A Colorado City inmate, already serving a 28-year-sentence for murder, had 20 more years tacked on to his sentence.

June 6 -- Teen makes first court appearance in connection with father's death: Brandon Lund made his first court appearance Friday, initiating a process that could land the 16-year-old in prison for up to 40 years for his father's murder.

June 6 -- Northwest Texas Conference opposes gay marriages: MIDLAND -- Ministers should not sanction same-sex marriages, the Northwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church said Friday in resolutions passed at the conference's annual meeting.

June 6 -- Recent shooting is a hot topic in Gorman: GORMAN -- More stories are flying through the peanut-scented Gorman air than the number of bullets apparently fired last week toward William Euell Poynor.

June 6 -- Lubbock SBA district honors bike shop owner: After opening one year ago, Jim MacDonald's bicycle sales and repair shop is getting on nicely.

June 6 -- Health alert canceled: AUSTIN -- A statewide public health alert warning Texans to avoid outdoor activities because of smoke from still-raging Latin American fires will be canceled at midnight tonight.

June 6 -- Zephyr man indicted in wife's murder: BROWNWOOD -- A Zephyr man who confessed to killing his wife was indicted on two counts of murder Thursday by the 35th District Court grand jury.

June 6 -- Stephenville administrator says railroad holding city street hostage: STEPHENVILLE -- The South Orient Railroad "is holding Harbin Drive hostage," City Administrator Don Davis told the Stephenville City Council earlier this week.

June 6 -- TABC inspectors to target eihgt-liner owners, operators: Inspectors for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, including those stationed in Abilene, again are targeting owners and operators of eight-liner machines.

June 5 -- City pumps water from secondary supply: Abilene has begun pumping water from its secondary source, Hubbard Creek Lake, after the water level at the city's primary reservoir, Lake Fort Phantom Hill, dropped to 8.1 feet below the spillway.

June 5 -- Candidates to debate on radio program: Candidates Versie Brown and Billy Enriquez will debate and discuss the issues in their Abilene City Council race on the radio this morning.

June 5 -- Councilman endorses Brown: Councilman Ray Ferguson is endorsing Versie Brown to fill his seat on the Abilene City Council, saying Billy Enriquez's "deplorable" campaign tactics compelled him to voice his choice.

June 5 -- Albany cleans up for Fandangle: ALBANY -- It's traditional to get a home spic and span before company comes, but can you imagine an entire community "cleaning house?"

June 5 -- Zoo finds new giraffe: Abilene Zoo director Jim Fleshman has a tall tale to tell.

June 5 -- Joyce impressed with statue based on book: William Joyce, a man who thrives on his fertile imagination, was a little awestruck by the real thing early Thursday evening.

June 5 -- Adult education benefits from Scripps grant: The Big Country Adult Education Cooperative has been awarded a $9,270 grant from the Scripps Howard Foundation's Literacy Grant Program to purchase a multi-sensory computer reading package.

June 5 -- Stenholm proposes funding disclosure measure: WASHINGTON -- Rep. Charlie Stenholm believes that negative campaign mail sent by independent groups in the closing days of his 1996 election changed his race from a breeze to a nail-biter.

June 5 -- Direct mail company joins search for children: A national direct mail company has joined the search for six children who have Abilene grandparents, two years after the youngsters and their mother disappeared with their Houston home.

June 5 -- Officials form group to work on solutions to airline problems in smaller communities: AUSTIN -- Arb Rylant moved to San Angelo two years ago into a community that boasted three airlines.

June 4 -- Mother convicted of felony child abuse: A judge convicted a mother of four Wednesday of felony child abuse after hearing she had beaten her children with extension cords, crutches and towel rods for indiscretions as minor as drinking too much milk.

June 4 -- Council sets a new water rate: BAIRD -- The city council set a new water rate and hired a new deputy city marshal Tuesday.

June 4 -- Brownwood police investigate gang fight: BROWNWOOD -- Three people were injured late Tuesday in what police are investigating as gang violence.

June 4 -- MHMR Center to be dedicated to former counselor: BIG SPRING -- West Texas Centers for Mental Health and Mental Retardation will dedicate their building at 409 Runnels St. to Clyde J. Alsup during a 1 p.m. ceremony Friday.

June 4 -- Stamford names official hostess: STAMFORD -- Stamford school teacher Betty Murphree has been selected as the official hostess of the 68th Texas Cowboy Reunion to held here July 1-4.

June 4 -- Physician, physician's assistant disciplined: An Abilene physician and a local physician's assistant were disciplined last month by state professional boards for misconduct.

June 4 -- Summer program fills; children on waiting list: Abilene's summer playground program overflowed with interest this year, leaving 150 children on a waiting list to wonder what, exactly, they'll be doing this summer.

June 4 -- Amendment finds little support among local educators, religious leaders: The Religious Freedom Amendment, scheduled to be voted on today in the U.S. House, isn't necessary and may create a situation backers don't envision, some Abilenians say.

June 4 -- Council approves private club status: STEPHENVILLE -- It looked at first like the Stephenville City Council was going to throw a fast high one past a request by Pastafina Italian's Restaurant for private club zoning.

June 4 -- Williams moves to New Jersey, joins business partnership: STEPHENVILLE -- Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams, former major league pitcher, decided last year his baseball career was over and moved to Hico, just south of Stephenville.

June 4 -- De Leon woman killed in head-on collision: DUBLIN -- A 44-year-old De Leon woman was killed and three people were injured in a head-on collision just west of here on Highway 6 at 11:50 a.m. Wednesday.

June 4 -- More questions than answers in Gorman shooting: GORMAN -- A Texas Ranger is heading an investigation into the Friday night shooting death of a 96-year-old Gorman man by law enforcement officers, but relatives aren't satisfied.

June 4 -- Search continues for missing Lake Sweetwater man: SWEETWATER -- The search for 87-year-old Loy Cosby continued through its second day without success Wednesday.

June 4 -- Rail car shortage backs waiting wheat trucks down the street: The temperature hovered near 100 degrees Wednesday afternoon, but Dub Vinson was hotter.

June 3 -- Commissioners approve Expo Center improvements: Two more Expo Center improvements gained Taylor County commissioners' approval Tuesday: a covered warm-up pen for cutting horses and a larger paving project.

June 3 -- Parks board approves plan for cremated remains plots in city cemetery: A proposal to bury cremains in the Abilene city cemetery will not only meet a rising demand, but also will lengthen the crowded graveyard's life.

June 3 -- Texas jailers collect bounties for turning in inmates: WASHINGTON -- Texas jailers are earning money by snitching on inmates, and Abilene is getting in on it.

June 3 -- Dyess joins other bases in pulling out of electricity fight: AUSTIN -- Dyess and five other Texas Air Force bases have pulled out of a fight to buy electricity at wholesale rates, a case that could set a state and national precedent for utility deregulation.

June 3 -- Breckenridge jail escapee sent to prison: BRECKENRIDGE -- A four-year prison term has been set here for a woman who may have been forced to escape from the Stephens County Jail last fall.

June 3 -- Ballinger wreck claims third life: BALLINGER -- After clinging to life for nearly a month in a San Angelo hospital, Coleman police dispatcher Mary Jane Najera died at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday from injuries suffered in a May 3 wreck near here.

June 3 -- Missing children found after two-hour search: ROTAN -- A two-hour, door-to-door search for two missing Rotan children ended safely when a searcher noticed curtains move inside a vacant house about 11 a.m. Tuesday.

June 3 -- Program teaches convicts to work on drilling rigs: AUSTIN -- Convicts released from Texas prisons are learning to work on oil drilling rigs in Abilene through one of less than five such training programs in the United States, state officials said Monday.

June 3 -- McMurry, president honored for helping Bosnian students: McMurry University and its president were honored Tuesday for providing a sanctuary for two Bosnian students stranded in the United Staes during the war in their homeland.

June 3 -- Man arrested after holding former wife hostage: An Abilene man who held his ex-wife in a car at gunpoint while threatening suicide surrendered Tuesday after about an hour of tense negotiation.

June 3 -- Man still missing despite 10-hour search Tuesday: SWEETWATER -- An 87-year-old resident of Lake Sweetwater disappeared sometime early Tuesday morning, triggering a massive air and ground search, utilizing a helicopter, prison personnel, horseback units, scuba divers, area law enforcement agencies, citizen volunteers and Scouts with the Sweetwater Police Department.

June 3 -- Political activity costs principal job; teacher reprimanded: EASTLAND -- The Eastland school board accepted the resignation of high school principal Tim Turner and voted to discipline three teachers for using school time to campaign, ostensibly in his behalf.

June 3 -- Area News Roundup: Big Spring schools to face big deficit budget ... Commissioner's seek grants for sheriff's officers ... Intoxicated assault charges filed in Big Spring ... Baird school board narrows candidate list ... Concerns about animal shelter raised

June 3 -- Wylie students exceed previous year's TAAS scores: Wylie students managed to do this year what few school administrators thought possible.

June 2 -- Abilene roasting along with the rest of the state: When the hottest May in Abilene history ended on a record 103-degree high Sunday, sweltering residents wondered, "What next, with the summer just beginning?" The answer came quickly: June burst from the chute with a 106-degree reading at 4:06 p.m. Monday, becoming not only the hottest day of 1998 but also the hottest June 1 since 1910.

June 2 -- Wanted: Baggage Express tenant: City Hall is seeking requests for proposals to lease and occupy the newly restored Baggage Express building downtown.

June 2 -- Council candidate to receive same air time as opponent: City Council candidate Versie Brown is due free air time on a Tejano radio station after its program director allowed fellow candidate Billy Enriquez to moderate a public affairs show.

June 2 -- Brown has spent more than Enriquez on on run-off race: The Rev. Versie Brown has collected and spent more money than Billy Enriquez in the past month in their run-off race for the Abilene City Council.

June 2 -- 'Hallowed Ground' returned to Aggieland: Several years before Abilene native Joseph Weber learned the meaning of "Semper Fi," the future Marine Corps general officer experienced "the spirit of Aggieland."

June 2 -- Careless-smoking causes fatal fire: A 38-year-old illegal immigrant died in a fire blamed on careless smoking in his one-room apartment early Monday morning, the second fatal fire in Taylor County in 2 -1/2 days.

June 2 -- Wylie school board to discuss advertising signs: Advertising signs at the football stadium will be among the items due discussion at the 7 p.m. Tuesday meeting of the Wylie school board at the school board room, 7049 Buffalo Gap Road.

June 2 -- Vote early today or wait: Today is the final day to vote early in the Abilene City Council run-off election.

June 1 -- Passion for helping victims draws new coordinator : When Donna Grant first began helping crime victims years ago, she was unaware of the impact it would have on her life.

June 1 -- Callahan County drug dog like one of the family: BAIRD - Sheriff's Deputy Buddy Croft has gone to the dogs - or the drug dog, that is - and that is the way he likes it. He has been Callahan County's dog handler since the first of the year and has tremendous respect for Leika, a 7-year-old Dutch shepherd.

June 1 -- May temperatures set Abilene record: Not everyone believes in global warming, but all can agree on the reality of local warming lately. The National Weather Service's records prove it. May 1998 was the hottest fifth month on record for Abilene, the agency's San Angelo office announced Sunday.

June 1 -- Our Slice of Texas: Fair elected Brownwood mayor pro tem, etc.

June 1 -- Area Digest: Funeral scheduled for victim of accident, etc.