Reporter-News Archives

Sept. 30 -- County to pay top officials only 1.5% more next year due to key departures: Paying Taylor County's top officials will cost taxpayers an extra $17,956 in the coming year. The county will spend about $1.2 million on the salaries of 30 elected and appointed department heads in the 1999 fiscal year, which begins Thursday. The slight increase represents a 1.5-percent jump.

Sept. 30 -- Suspended Santa Anna superintendent indicted: COLEMAN - The Coleman County grand jury has indicted recently relieved Santa Anna school superintendent Dean Bass on 20 incidences of alleged sexual indecencies with teen-aged, female students, some from as long ago as 12 years.

Sept. 30 -- Board OKs funding for another 911 dispatcher: Taylor County's 911 board approved funding for one of two requested dispatchers Tuesday while finalizing its 1998-99 budget.

Sept. 30 -- Physician assistants gaining popularity in medical profession: As physician assistants become more widely used in health care, you're more likely to be seen first by someone other than your doctor.

Sept. 30 -- Murdered insurance agent remembered with scholarship award: A wildly successful insurance executive who got his start in Abilene in 1951 and was murdered three years ago in Fort Worth was memorialized with the awarding of a scholarship in his name Tuesday.

Sept. 30 -- Meek Blood Center in need of type O blood: People with type O blood have another reason to stay healthy: the Meek Blood Center, which stocks Abilene hospitals, has only one unit of that type left on its shelves.

Sept. 30 -- Drought clearly affects Rehab sale: The 39th Annual Cattlemen's Round-Up for Rehab did well Tuesday in the face of one of the worst droughts in this century. But the Round-Up pace remains about 15 percent behind last year.

Sept. 30 -- Students get health screenings on campuses: Children lined the halls of Bowie Elementary Tuesday waiting for their biennial health screenings while down the road, Ward Elementary employees participated in the grown-up version.

Sept. 30 -- Candidate Cornyn makes campaign stop here: Republican attorney general candidate John Cornyn emphasized his judicial background and desire to increase the efficiency of child support enforcement efforts during a campaign stop Tuesday.

Sept. 30 -- Man pleads guilty to sexual assault: A 22-year-old man pleaded guilty Tuesday to having a sexual relationship with a 12-year-old girl, a child he allegedly seduced three years ago.

Sept. 29 -- City, residents differ about culpability of August water main break: An August water main break that sent hundreds of gallons of untreated water gushing down Cottonwood and Bois D'Arc streets can be chalked up as an act of God, city officials said Monday.

Sept. 29 -- Local water usage could break record in September because of drought: Dwight Eisenhower had become president the last time the city of Abilene endured a drought with so little rainfall run-off into local reservoirs. More than 15 months have passed since Abilene received a significant, lake-level affecting rainfall.

Sept. 29 -- Stenholm agreed with tax breaks but voted against bill: U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm favors all $80 billion worth of tax breaks the House approved Saturday, but he voted against the bill because he doesn't agree with proponents about how to pay for the cutbacks.

Sept. 29 -- Father saves wife and daughters from fire: SWEETWATER - Fire officials are calling Steve Lynch's rescue of his wife and two young daughters from a fire that engulfed their home one of the most daring and dramatic rescues in memory.

Sept. 29 -- Celebrity Day of Helping Hands has inaugural program here: Children at Day Nursery of Abilene listened intently as Hardin Simmons-University faculty member Dr. Joe Alcorta read about love and the lessons learned by two lion cubs named Jake and Jasper.

Sept. 29 -- Sweetwater native on "Frontline" tonight: SWEETWATER - A former U.S. Army officer from Sweetwater will appear on PBS's "Frontline" tonight to discuss the 1993 raid in Somalia in which his son was killed.

Sept. 29 -- State Bar wants action against Abilene lawyer: The State Bar of Texas is seeking sanctions against an Abilene attorney it charges mishandled two family law cases.

Sept. 29 -- Bumbling key thief gets 20 years: Snatching the wrong set of keys earned John Marshall Dodson 20 years of lockup Monday.

Sept. 29 -- "Paperless" technology making inroads into local university: Ashley Kilburn's story for her journalism course flashes on a screen for the whole class to see, and her reaction is not subtle.

Sept. 29 -- WTU launches Home$avers program: Low-income customers of West Texas Utilities can now buy into energy savings without spending their life savings.

Sept. 29 -- State education board candidate in town: Campaigning locally Monday, Allan Butcher promoted a safe learning environment, a strong, modern curriculum and a professional teachers wage as he seeks one of the five contested seats this fall on the State Board of Education.

Sept. 29 -- Almost time to get a flu shot: October is a perfect time to confront the flu bug. A bout with the flu can be a nightmare, and in some cases, can turn deadly, said Janet Robillard, director of nursing with the Abilene-Taylor County Public Health District.

Sept. 29 -- United Way Blitz Day Wednesday: More than 400 local business owners will be contact for donations during the annual United Way of Abilene Blitz Day on Wednesday.

Sept. 29 -- HSU's Days of Renewal starts today: Hardin-Simmons University will hold its annual Days of Renewal Tuesday through Thursday.

Sept. 28 -- 'Little Baron's Round-Up" Friday at Abilene State Park: A celebration for children living with cancer will be held Friday at the Abilene State Park beginning at 6 p.m.

Sept. 28 -- Army veteran making some progress in battle with VA: Three months after an Army veteran went public with his Veterans Administration battles, he is two steps forward and one step back.

Sept. 28 -- Our Slice of Texas: '50s Music rocks to Breckenridge, etc.

Sept. 27 -- MHMR sends counselors to teach 'life school': Three elementary students form a circle on the floor of the school counselor's office. Counselors Mary Thomas and Becky Bell adjust their skirts and slip off their shoes to join them. Thomas distributes a string of toilet paper to each student requesting they share something about themselves for each sheet of paper.

Sept. 27 -- Habitat for Humanity gears up for project: Allean Jasmin was reliving the excitement Saturday.

Sept. 27 -- POW-WOW attracts thousands plus Indians: COMANCHE -- For the first time since participating in the first Comanche County POW-WOW 17 years ago, Native Americans were again part of the festivities Saturday.

Sept. 27 -- National Weather Service observer retires: LAWN -- After keeping her eyes to the sky over this small south Taylor County community for 28 years, Ocellia McAdams has decided to give them a rest.

Sept. 27 -- Inmate in critical condition after beating: SWEETWATER -- A 19 year-old Sweetwater boy remains in critical condition after reportedly being beaten unconscious at a New Mexico prison.

Sept. 27 -- Area News Digest

Sept. 26 -- Suspect's police statement will be allowed in capital murder trial: Prosecutors will be able to use accused capital murderer Billy Don Wilson's statement to police in his October trial despite defense protests it resulted from an unlawful arrest.

Sept. 26 -- Festival offers lots of authentic toys from Mexico: McMurry University's Hispanic Association has plenty of genuine handmade Mexican toys for sale this weekend.

Sept. 26 -- Social Security check update: So much for electronic deposit: A plan to wean senior citizens from their Social Security checks by offering them direct electronic deposit of the same monthly benefits has been tossed into the wastebasket.

Sept. 26 -- Water district OKs smaller budget: The board of the West Central Texas Municipal Water District approved a 4 percent smaller budget Friday morning to finance the district's operations for the new fiscal year starting Oct. 1.

Sept. 26 -- New librarian too busy to notice how busy her new job is: Many people find the first few days of a new job nerve-racking. Abilene's new city librarian, who a week-and-a-half ago still lived in North Carolina, has been too busy to notice.

Sept. 26 -- Kenley School completes International Week: Tiffany Poe traveled to Poland this week, and she didn't even have to miss school. The eighth-grader at Kenley School presented a passport with a fresh stamp from Mexico as well and expected to receive others from India, Germany, Ireland and Norway before the end of the day.

Sept. 26 -- Senator Hutchison to help with local effort to get Amtrak here: U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is on board with Abilene's effort to land passenger rail service. Hutchison's support has been tabbed as critical to bringing a new line of Amtrak's Texas Eagle route through Abilene. On Thursday, the Abilene City Council agreed to draft booster letters, noting a local $100,000 commitment to the project, to both Amtrak and the senator.

Sept. 26 -- Cattle, horses and special items set stage for upcoming Rehab sale: With the 1998 drought, you might think ranchers would be too busy with their own problems to pitch in for the 39th annual Cattlemen's Round-Up for Rehab.

Sept. 26 -- Area schools lead state in physical fitness: Big Country schools have swept two of the three state championships the in national physical fitness competition.

Sept. 25 -- Speaker tells Hispanics to address problems positively: Dallas newspaper executive Gilbert Bailon cajoled local Hispanics to "walk in two worlds" in a talk at Abilene Civic Center Thursday night.

Sept. 25 -- Voter input key to Hispanic political clout: Taylor County's political party chairmen agree that neither wants Hispanic voters to become a "silent majority."

Sept. 25 -- Council OKs committing funds to help bring rail service here: Abilene took a step toward bringing passenger rail service back to town when the City Council on Thursday unanimously approved committing $100,000 in Tax Increment Financing funds toward an effort to do so.

Sept. 25 -- Snyder quints turn 2, thanks to "Duct tape": SNYDER - "Duct tape" would be the first advice Brent and DeShonna Taylor would give to new parents of multiples.

Sept. 25 -- McMurry professor to be on hand when new biblical commentary unveiled: A biblical commentary unlike any the world has seen before will be unveiled in Dallas Saturday, and a McMurry University professor who contributed to it will be there.

Sept. 25 -- Hendrick and Texas Tech to establish network: Three of Hendrick Medical Center's rural health centers will establish a telemedicine network link with the Texas Tech Medical Center.

Sept. 25 -- Settles Hotel project hits a snag: BIG SPRING - After Friends of the Settles announced that a community haunted house was planned for Halloween in the old Settles Hotel, 30 volunteers arrived about a week ago to clean up the old lobby.

Sept. 25 -- Cases upcoming involving relieved Santa Anna superintendent: COLEMAN - Coleman County District Attorney Ross Jones said Thursday he will take two cases involving recently relieved Santa Anna school superintendent Dean Bass to a Coleman County grand jury "as early as next week."

Sept. 25 -- Ag Commissioner candidate looks to future competition: Republican Agriculture Commissioner candidate Susan Combs' campaign centers on adapting the changing Texas agriculture environment to better compete in the future.

Sept. 25 -- Education Council presents mini-grant checks: Some lucky Abilene students are in for a unique educational experience. The Abilene Education Council presented checks Thursday to local teachers chosen to receive the council's annual mini-grants for innovative education efforts.

Sept. 25 -- Kiwanians recognize retired school teacher: A retired longtime educator whose attitude about life and his fellow man resembles that of another educator was presented with the Lowell Perry Memorial Award Thursday.

Sept. 25 -- Court incumbent talks about experience here: Incumbent Judge Charles Baird touts his experience, qualifications and performance in his re-election campaign during a campaign stop Thursday.

Sept. 25 -- ACHS homecoming activities culminate today: Abilene Christian High School will climax its weeklong homecoming festivities today with a string of activities.

Sept. 24 -- Local highway projects may get more attention soon: AUSTIN -- Several local highway projects -- aimed at making travel more convenient and saving lives -- may soon be bumped up in priority. The Texas Transportation Commission is expected to approve or reject the local projects -- along with hundreds of other projects statewide -- during their Thursday meeting.

Sept. 24 -- Missile society set to blast off tonight: A new historical society is set to "blast off" tonight to collect and preserve memories involving the Atlas Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, a pivotal component in the Cold War's most heated moments.

Sept. 24 -- Even most hard-working entrepreneur needs adequate financing: Though hard work is an essential element for business success, the hardest-working entrepreneur cannot achieve business dreams without adequate financing.

Sept. 24 -- Capital murder suspects pleads guilty to avoid lethal injection possibility: COLEMAN - Denis Aiken, accused of capital murder in the fiery death of a young housewife and her two sons, accepted a 40-year prison term on a lesser charge Wednesday, dodging the specter of lethal injection.

Sept.24 -- Harmony Services employee charged with felony sex offense: A youth care worker at Harmony Family Services was charged Wednesday with sexually assaulting two female residents of the facility.

Sept. 24 -- Court candidate stresses strict interpretations: Republican Texas Supreme Court candidate Harriet O'Neill emphasized her strict interpretations of legal precedents during an editorial board meeting Wednesday.

Sept. 24 -- City being invaded this weekend by college parents: If you have a room for rent, this weekend would be a good time to advertise it. Hotel rooms are practically non-existent Friday and Saturday nights with special weekends at McMurry and Abilene Christian universities bringing in hundreds of parents and prospective students from across the country.

Sept. 24 -- Junell receives business endorsements: AUSTIN -- State Rep. Rob Junell, one of the state's key budget writers, picked up business endorsements Wednesday.

Sept. 24 -- Merkel school administrator suspended for violating policy: MERKEL - Merkel High School's assistant principal has been suspended for 10 days without pay for telling her son to remove two hunting rifles from the family's pickup before the arrival of a drug and alcohol-interdiction canine team.

Sept. 24 -- Festival banquet tonight: A banquet tonight marks the beginning of the Festival of the Americas.

Sept. 24 -- TSTC sets new enrollment record: Texas State Technical College's four West Texas centers showed a record enrollment for the fall quarter.

Sept. 23 -- Bond price tage looks at "basic infrastructure needs": The $21 million price tag on the recommended bond package might raise the eyebrows of some taxpayers, but city officials said Tuesday that the CIP committee recommended only what Abilene most needs. Details of bond package

Sept. 23 -- United Way at 28 percent of goal: Pledges of $557,978 have been received toward the United Way of Abilene's goal of $1,999,999.99.

Sept. 23 -- Commissioners shoot down gun restriction ordinance: Taylor County commissioners on Tuesday gunned down a proposal to outlaw the discharge of firearms in rural subdivisions, finding existing laws arm homeowners with enough ammo to combat reckless gunfire.

Sept. 23 -- Employees, employers get needs met at job fair: Ed Shott is between full-time jobs. The pipeline construction worker should be in Mississippi laying a 250-mile project today, but waters from the recent hurricane put the project on undefinite hold.

Sept. 23 -- Arrival of equinox has local eggs dancing on ends: Hard-boiled doubters of autumn's mysterious arrival might well have changed their dismal tune had they seen all the egg-balancing going on at Johnston Elementary Tuesday.

Sept. 23 -- Fall treatments now may mean fewer fire ants in '99: Today is the first day of fall. And fall is a good time to treat for fire ants so you will have a head start on the critters in 1999.

Sept. 23 -- State settles on death of Robertson inmate: The state of Texas has settled for an unknown sum a lawsuit involving the death of Robertson Unit inmate Gary Crenshaw, allegedly at the hands of three prison guards.

Sept. 23 -- Sisneros cherishes being bilingual, likes 'open and accepting' community: Ray Sisneros is a busy man. But in between selling cars at his Pontiac dealership on North 1st and spending time with both his family and in civic organizations, Sisneros, who came to Abilene in late 1997, remains proud of his contribution to Abilene's business community and of his Hispanic heritage.

Sept. 23 -- Festival of Americas this weekend: Abilene's downtown streets will fill this weekend at the second Festival of the Americas, the final major event of Hispanic Heritage Month in Abilene.

Sept. 23 -- Lawsuit, claim have no effect on county's insurance: A settled lawsuit and a pending claim have had no apparent effect on Taylor County's public officials liability insurance.

Sept. 23 -- FACT hosting meeting of attorney general candidates: Attorney general candidates have been invited to a meeting at 2 p.m. Saturday to discuss the candidates' child support enforcement positions.

Sept. 23 -- Hey, fall is here after all: Fall will arrive as scheduled after all. Against earlier expectations, a cool front from the north pushed into the area Tuesday morning to hold temperatures to seasonal norms.

Sept. 23 -- Appeals court candidate touts his experience: Winston Cochran, Democratic candidate for the court of criminal appeals, Place 2, emphasized his prosecutorial and defense attorney experience during an editorial board meeting Tuesday.

Sept. 23 -- Foundation scholars at McMurry this week: Noted scholars from around the country will be in Abilene this weekend for a forum on The Confederacy, sponsored by McMurry University.

Sept. 22 -- Not a lot of interest locally in seeing taped presidential testimony: Sex didn't sell in Abilene department stores Monday morning. The raw video footage of President Clinton's Aug. 17 grand jury testimony about Monica Lewinsky might have kept people talking around the water cooler and their VCRs humming at home, but pickings were slim if a viewer wanted to see the testimony while shopping.

Sept. 22 -- Alleged molester's confession to be used in trial: Accused child molester Brandon Hollis' confession, in which he admitted to orally assaulting a 9-year-old girl, will be used against him at trial.

Sept. 22 -- Fall's here ... yeah, right: Fall's just around the corner, so you have every right to expect things to start cooling off. Yet the weather's started to act like it's July again.

Sept. 22 -- Farm Bureau says wait until after Labor Day to start school: ANSON - The back-to-school bell rings much too early nowadays. That's the way members of the Jones County Farm Bureau see it.

Sept. 22 -- Roy Rogers Jr. here for DRI function: When Roy Rogers Jr. knelt to hear a request from 5-year-old movie buff Alex Warr during a reception Monday at rancher Jim Alexander's home, he could've predicted the tune in mind.

Sept. 22 -- Amtrak resolution up for consideration by Council: The city might come closer to rail service at the Abilene City Council's Thursday meeting. A resolution of support for bringing Amtrak service through the city is up for consideration by council members.

Sept. 22 -- Cancer Society answers tobacco's advertising with campaign of their own: The American Cancer Society announced its advertising campaign in Abilene Monday to combat the recently completed tobacco producers' $50 million campaign.

Sept. 22 -- CIP committee narrows list down to five projects: After an hour of final discussion, the Capital Improvement Program citizen steering committee whittled its list until only five projects remained.

Sept. 22 -- Four area boys named National Merit semifinalists: Four Big Country high school seniors - two from large high schools and two from small - have been named semifinalists in the 44th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Sept. 22 -- Fair was best overall in "last 10 or 12 years": The most successful fair in years just ended, though the bottom line won't be known for another month or so, says Tony McMillan.

Sept. 22 -- Perry wants big pay raise for reading instructors: Education, with emphasis on reading, is Republican lieutenant governor candidate Rick Perry's focus during his campaign.

Sept. 22 -- Sweetwater church fire probably due to bad wiring: SWEETWATER - Faulty wiring is suspected of causing the fire that destroyed the 4th and Elm Street Church of Christ shortly after services ended Sunday.

Sept. 22 -- KTAB picks McAlister for news director: Kyle McAlister has been named to fill the vacant position of news director at KTAB-TV.

Sept. 21 -- Recently married couple 'just want to have fun': Unorthodox was the word Ardie Lund used to describe her wedding to Bill Doty shortly before the Sunday nuptials.

Sept. 21 -- Sweetwater church destroyed in blaze: SWEETWATER -- Less than two hours after the mid-day Sunday worship service, many 4th and Elm Church of Christ members were back on the property to watch firefighters from Nolan County battle to save the building.

Sept. 21 -- Ranger courses at Early still up in air: BROWNWOOD -- Whether Ranger College will be permitted to offer academic courses in Early may depend on the recommendation of an advisory panel appointed by State Commissioner of Higher Education, Dr. Don Brown.

Sept. 20 -- Parole officers consider carrying firearms: On Dec. 20, 1995, four parole officers visited the home of 33-year-old parolee Aubrey "Paul" Morris, acting on a report from a concerned neighbor.

Sept. 20 -- Florida antique dealers find local show by accident: A Florida couple's first trip to Abilene is one they won't soon forget.

Sept. 20 -- Old Rip Festival draws large crowds: EASTLAND -- Two celebrated horny toads joined forces Saturday when Texas Christian University's motorized mascot led Eastland's annual Old Rip Festival parade.

Sept. 20 -- Festival of the Americas takes place Thursday: Gilbert Bailon, president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, will speak at the kickoff dinner of Abilene's Second Annual Festival of the Americas Thursday evening.

Sept. 20 -- West Texas Fair Show Results: Bullard youth shows grand champion market hog at fair ... Fredonia eighth-grader takes showmanship in breeding sheep event ... Denton youth wins steer show with "ER"

Sept. 19 -- Government holds wild horse auction: Wild horses can be broken.

Sept. 19 -- Former assistant DA anxious to be back in court: A full-time mom and part-time aerobics instructor put a ruthless killer behind bars for life last week.

Sept. 19 -- Stenholm and Izzard to debate at Cooper: Congressional candidate Rudy Izzard may finally get his wish.

Sept. 19 -- Local student accused of murder in California: A search of Bryan Modglin's Abilene apartment turned up evidence tying him to the planning of the execution-style slaying of a man in California on Tuesday, investigators say.

Sept. 19 -- State's director of business development resigns: A former Abilene city administrator who left City Hall to join the state economic development department has resigned from his top-level post after only four months on the job.

Sept. 19 -- Professional fisherman gives demonstrations at fair: Fish might seem stupid, but they appreciate creativity, said a professional fisherman.

Sept. 19 -- Abilene prepares for Pollution Prevention Week: Brenda Martinez is a stickler when it comes to the litter at the Whataburger Restaurant she manages on Danville Drive.

Sept. 19 -- Three teachers inducted into Cooper Hall of Fame: Cooper High School inducted three alumnae into its five-year-old Hall of Fame at the homecoming pep rally Friday.

Sept. 18 -- Mend-A-Child closing doors due to funding problems: Program directors voted Tuesday to close Mend-A-Child, an operation that provided medical and dental services to children of low-income families.

Sept. 18 -- Cooper alumni talk about how homecoming has changed: High schools may boast about their traditions, but homecoming changes as the students who celebrate it do.

Sept. 18 -- Grand jury indicts local woman for murder: A woman who admitted shooting her husband during an argument was indicted Thursday for murder.

Sept. 18 -- Rancher Bob Green receives Spanish Gourd Award: ALBANY - Shackelford County rancher Bob Green was named the recipient Thursday night of the second annual Spanish Gourd Award.

Sept. 18 -- Students find out that history is 'now' when it comes to the presidency: History isn't the past, it's now for professors and students watching the drama being played out in Washington.

Sept. 18 -- Suspect in California murder arrested while attending ACU: A first-semester freshman who's the suspected gunman in a Tuesday murder in California apparently had yet to shed his anonymity in three weeks of attending class at Abilene Christian University.

Sept. 18 -- Clyde seniors to be last -- and first: CLYDE - Clyde High School's seniors will not only be the last to graduate before the year 2000, they'll be the first to receive their diplomas in another city.

Sept. 18 -- CIP committee may be ready Monday with recommendations: After months of public input and discussion, Abilene may soon be one step closer to a bond election.

Sept. 17 -- Jet service begins in Abilene in less than two months: American Eagle will begin its commuter jet service between Abilene and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Nov. 15.

Sept. 17 -- Airport OK'd for $1 million grant for improvements: The city of Abilene rolled the dice on a double gamble and hit the jackpot Wednesday. The U.S. Economic Development Administration Wednesday approved a $1 million grant to help fund an expansion of the facilities of Eagle Aviation Services Inc. at Abilene Regional Airport.

Sept. 17 -- Starr Report books sold out fast here: Independent counsel Kenneth Starr may not win a vote of impeachment from his investigation report, but as a potential best-selling author, he's a success.

Sept. 17 -- Two AHS students named National Merit semifinalists: Abilene High School students Henry Lien and Arthur Nguyen wore crisp neckties and wide smiles Wednesday as their principal announced they were semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Sept. 17 -- Abilene Regional MH-MR pleads case for new dollars at luncheon: Several area legislators and surrogates got an earful Wednesday as luncheon guests of the Abilene Regional Mental Health-Mental Retardation Center.

Sept. 17 -- Albany doctor suspended; Abilene physician fined: An Albany doctor was placed on probation for improperly administering care to a patient and an Abilene physician was assessed a penalty for unprofessional conduct by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners.

Sept. 17 -- Calf scrambles always popular; kids also learn responsibility: Excitement is in the air this week as students from area Future Farmers of America and 4-H organizations share the Taylor County Coliseum arena with speeding, scampering calves during the West Texas Fair and Rodeo's four calf scrambles.

Sept. 17 -- Wildfire danger hasn't passed: Cooler temperatures and weekend forecasts of rain shouldn't lull residents of the Big Country into thinking the wildfire danger has passed, the Texas Forest Service warns.

Sept. 17 -- Old Rip Festival begins Saturday: EASTLAND - A road race will kick off Saturday's full day of activities at the annual Old Rip Festival in downtown Eastland.

Sept. 16 -- NewsLine participants want President Clinton out of office: An overwhelming majority of NewsLine poll participants said they believed President Clinton should either resign or be impeached from office, with most citing illegality, immorality and loss of leadership. NewsLine Quotes

Sept. 16 -- Parents concerned about their children hearing about president's sex life: For years concerned parents have regulated TV viewing, checked movie ratings and studied song lyrics, but they could only fantasize about walking in on a child studying a newspaper.

Sept. 16 -- Petree cites 'greed' and 'ambulance chasers' for corporate suits: Chief Appraiser Richard Petree blames the greed of mega-stores and "ambulance chasers" for a spate of lawsuits challenging the values assigned to retailers' inventories.

Sept. 16 -- Commissioners join battle against new EPA rules: Taylor County commissioners have joined a statewide fight against the Environmental Protection Agency over new rules that could trigger regulatory challenges every time a road is graded.

Sept. 16 -- Hispanics remember rich heritage, Mexican independence at local park: The Abilene Hispanic community converged on Sears Park Tuesday night to celebrate El Diez Y Seis De Septiembre, the date of Mexico's independence from Spain.

Sept. 16 -- No damages awarded in fatal accident near Putnam: An Abilene jury refused to award damages Tuesday to an Arizona woman whose two young sons were killed in 1996 when an 18-wheeler clipped their car near Putnam.

Sept. 16 -- At the fair, some people just 'come for the food': There are many reasons to go to the West Texas Fair and Rodeo, but ask any true fair-goer why they make the trek and the real reason resolves. ... Fair attendance down slightly

Sept. 16 -- Request for city support withdrawn by racetrack proponents: Abilene Motor Sports Inc., the proponent of establishing a motor racetrack in Abilene, has withdrawn its request for city support.

Sept. 16 -- Pole rally this morning: Thousands of middle school, high school, and college students will rally 'round the flagpole at 7 this morning for prayer and singing as part of the annual See You at the Pole Rally.

Sept. 16 -- New director of economic development hits ground running: Marty Blubaugh, the city's new director of economic development, wasn't given an overview, and cut loose early on his first day at work.

Sept. 16 -- Callahan County to crack down on illegal dumping: BAIRD - Callahan County Attorney Allen Wright and Sheriff Eddie Curtis say they are ready to crack down on illegal dumping on county roads.

Sept. 15 -- Speculation about McCaleb's replacement already circulating: Though eight months remain until Mayor Gary McCaleb completes his final term, speculation is already percolating about who will succeed the longtime incumbent.

Sept. 15 -- Jet service to come to town before year's end: American Eagle is expected to begin limited commuter jet service into Abilene before the end of the year. An official announcement is anticipated Wednesday morning.

Sept. 15 -- Panel given recommendations on city capital improvements: A citizens advisory panel was served a $20 million capital improvements proposal Monday afternoon and left to chew on it until Thursday.

Sept. 15 -- Wylie board unanimously OKs tax rate: With little fanfare, the Wylie school board unanimously adopted a property tax rate of $1.3499 Monday night.

Sept. 15 -- AISD board votes for 9.4-percent increase: Among the considerations at Monday's meeting, the board set the tax rate to be $1.6250 per $100 valuation.

Sept. 15 -- D.A. says "racial injustice" claims are groundless: Police and prosecutors are disputing a local activist's claims that blacks can't get justice in Abilene.

Sept. 15 -- Physician from 60 years ago rememered: Dr. Frederick Onger may be the first black physician to establish a full-time practice here in the living memory of most Abilenians, but some older citizens have vivid memories of a long-ago predecessor.

Sept. 15 -- GOP urges adoptions of pets: Local Republicans came out in favor of "heavy petting" the other day, but not in such a way that should spark national alarm.

Sept. 15 -- Puppeteer promoting 'good family values' at fair: Water-spewing fish, slobbery dogs and all sorts of critters appear on "Buck Trout's Puppet Show." Buck, a fisherman and camper extraordinaire, was created by puppeteer Rick Leonard, 33. Leonard, in town for the West Texas Fair and Rodeo, said Buck teaches children about nature through a 15- to 20-minute variety show with other puppets.

Sept. 14 -- School taxman cometh with a bigger bill for homeowners: When the taxman cometh next year, the average homeowner in the Abilene school system will pay a combined $1,084 in property taxes, an increase of $86.

Sept. 14 -- AISD board to consider setting the proposed rate: The Abilene school board meets today to consider setting a proposed $1.62 tax rate, partially funding the 1998-99 budget.

Sept. 14 -- Our Slice of Texas: Former Clyde coach to be honored, etc.

Sept. 13 -- Doctor believes in the importance of family: The first black physician to establish a full-time practice in Abilene emphasizes the importance of family in his care.

Sept. 13 -- Mayor McCaleb announces decision to step down: Gary McCaleb's latest vision for the city of Abilene involves a new mayor.

Sept. 13 -- Longtime fair parade coordinator hangs it up: W.O. "Doc" Beazley got a huge send-off Saturday from a record 330 entries in this year's West Texas Fair & Rodeo parade.

Sept. 13 -- Young guitarist wins entry to arts academy: BROWNWOOD -- Former Brownwood High School student, Peter Stanley, 15, has been accepted to the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy in Traverse City, Mich.

Sept. 13 -- Former Brownwood oil producer ordered to appear in court: LUBBOCK -- If absentee Brownwood oil and gas producer Sids Sers has any hope of protecting his family's interest in Trinity Gas Corporation, he's going to have to return to Texas and face the music, according to a bankruptcy judge.

Sept. 12 -- Dyess holds reunion for 80-year old Bombardment Group: The 7th Bombardment Group's past caught up with its present Friday when scores of former members, along with family members, arrived for the 7th's 80th anniversary reunion at Dyess Air Force Base.

Sept. 12 -- Governor Bush speaks during rally: Governor George W. Bush unfurled his political coat-tails to help drum up support for GOP candidates during a Republican rally Friday in Abilene.

Sept. 12 -- Ryan Walters is a double winner in Open Polled Hereford Show: A Dawson youth swept both top honors of the female competition in the Open Polled Hereford Show Friday at the 1998 West Texas Fair in Abilene.

Sept. 12 -- Sentence decided in sexual assault case: A judge sentenced a "born-again" Abilenian to 16 years in prison Friday for fondling three young girls.

Sept. 12 -- Local detective elected president of Forgery Investigators: Detective Danny Wade, a 24-year-veteran of the Abilene Police Department and a certified fraud investigator, has been elected president of the Forgery Investigators Association of Texas.

Sept. 12 -- Jewelry thief suspects return to Sweetwater: SWEETWATER -- One of three suspects in an April armed robbery of Cox Jewelry in Sweetwater has been returned to custody in Sweetwater.

Sept. 12 -- Breckenridge doctor suspended: BRECKENRIDGE -- A Breckenridge family practitioner's Texas Medical License has been temporarily suspended by the disciplinary panel of the Texas Board of Medical Examiners.

Sept. 12 -- Corner Lot project may have to move: DUBLIN -- The next move is up to David Stokes.

Sept. 12 -- Area News Digest: Big Spring Police joins task force ... Hamlin EDC hires director ... Big Spring car dealer pays fine ... Breckenridge searches for new police chief

Sept. 11 -- City Manager can't get excited about taxpayers paying for race track: All the tinkering under the hood still hasn't jump started the city's take on a proposed Abilene race track.

Sept. 11 -- ACU should provide even more volunteers this year: A command center for an army of volunteers opened at Abilene Christian University Thursday, and Abilene had better be prepared.

Sept. 11 -- Big cats come to Abilene for fair: Louie, a 350-pound Bengal tiger, is a pussycat when "Jungle" Jay Riggs feeds him a bottle. Riggs, a licensed trainer and surrogate parent to 65 big cats, brought 16 of them to Abilene for the West Texas Fair and Rodeo. "The Great Cats of the World" exhibit is located next to the Round Building at the Taylor County Expo Center.

Sept. 11 -- Enrollment steady at small colleges in area: Enrollments at two-year colleges in the Abilene area remain steady despite downturns in the farming and oil businesses supporting the communities.

Sept. 11 -- Inmates help build their new jail home: COMANCHE - Construction on the new $1.8 million Comanche County Jail expansion is well under way, thanks partially to the efforts of six willing-to-work Wisconsin trusties who are helping to erect the structure.

Sept. 11 -- Native Americans find religious freedom in Comanche: COMANCHE - Comanche's connection to it's Native American heritage is now being strengthened by a spiritual link being built at the Comanche County Jail.

Sept. 11 -- Tye residents upset about water bills: TYE - Tye residents complained about perceived excessive water billing Thursday night in a town hall meeting.

Sept. 11 -- Bush to hold rally today at fairgrounds: Gov. George W. Bush will hold a rally for Republican candidates at noon Friday in the West Texas Fair and Rodeo Grounds, located at 1700 Highway 36.

Sept. 11 -- Bioethics to be topic of conversation in next decade: Medical advances during the next decade are likely to center on molecular biology and technological advances, said panelists at a discussion held at McMurry University Thursday.

Sept. 10 -- Swissair 111 crash victim memorialized: Family members and friends gathered Wednesday to celebrate the life of Suzanne Bittenbinder, who was killed last week when Swissair Flight 111 crashed off Nova Scotia.

Sept. 10 -- Appraisal district board OKs '99 budget: Without objection from the public, the Taylor County Central Appraisal District board adopted a $1.16 million budget for 1999, $107,400 over the current year's budget.

Sept. 10 -- Local GOP aren't artful dodgers: Rather than hanging artists in effigy, local Republicans have decided to simply hang their artwork.

Sept. 10 -- Local universities set records, show growth in enrollment: College campuses in Abilene are bursting at the seams with Abilene Christian University setting an all-time enrollment record and Hardin-Simmons University recording its second-highest number of students.

Sept. 10 -- Methodist sanctuary safe after fire: COLEMAN - Structural engineers have ruled the sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church and its bell tower are structurally sound but have not yet decided whether the chapel is safe in the aftermath of the Sept. 9 fire that destroyed the rest of the church.

Sept. 10 -- Carnival for West Texas Fair and Rodeo taking shape: The midway bustled Wednesday afternoon as workers set up the carnival rides for the West Texas Fair and Rodeo.

Sept. 10 -- Candidate wants to bring new perspective to appeals court: A state Court of Criminal Appeals candidate emphasized bringing a different perspective to the court and holding to court precedents during an editorial board meeting Tuesday.

Sept. 10 -- Imprisoned Coleman man makes Texas criminal history: COLEMAN - A Coleman man already in prison but suspected of sexually assaulting young girls in Brownwood and Granbury several years ago has made Texas criminal history.

Sept. 10 -- Parental ties to injured baby severed: BIG SPRING - A Howard County jury deliberated less than one hour Wednesday before deciding to terminate all parental rights of a father to a son who suffers from shaken baby syndrome.

Sept. 10 -- Jerry Jeff Walker to visit Stamford: STAMFORD - Country music icon Jerry Jeff Walker will present an outdoor concert and dance here Oct. 17, sponsored by the Stamford Chamber of Commerce.

Sept. 10 -- School of Nursing dean to be honored: Dr. Cecilia Tiller, new dean of the Abilene Intercollegiate School of Nursing, will be honored with a reception today.

Sept. 9 -- Teen gets two years in prison for father's death: Teen-ager Brandon Lund was sentenced to the minimum two-year prison term Tuesday for proposing a guns-for-murder scheme that ended in his father's death.

Sept. 9 -- Commissioners eye restricting firearm discharges in county: With the continuing population spread into rural Taylor County, some subdivisions may have become unhappy hunting grounds.

Sept. 9 -- Newest Stenholm ads take on president, other Democrats: WASHINGTON - With election day less than two months away, veteran Democratic Rep. Charlie Stenholm is running hard - away from his own party.

Sept. 9 -- Taylor County burn ban relaxed: Taylor County Commissioners relaxed the county's four-month-long ban on rural outside burning Tuesday, but only a notch or two.

Sept. 9 -- TIF board OKs improvements for new home for Candies by Vletas: Five thousand more dollars is not a lot to pay to help bring chocolate covered pecans downtown, the Tax Increment Financincg board decided Tuesday.

Sept. 9 -- Planning and Zoning Commission hear about undeveloped land: More than 10 people spoke at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Tuesday about a triangle of undeveloped land lodged between the Abilene Woman's Club and Sylvan Lane in the 3500 block of South 14th Street.

Sept. 9 -- McMurry's Nobel Laureate Lecture features medical winner: Nobel Prize winner Dr. Stanley Cohen will headline the first Nobel Laureate Lecture at McMurry University Thursday.

Sept. 9 -- HPU chancellor to undergo heart surgery: BROWNWOOD - Dr. Don Newbury, chancellor of Howard Payne University and popular after-dinner speaker, will undergo heart surgery Thursday at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.

Sept. 8 -- Labor Day picnic celebrated hard-working people: The Soules sisters ran around and danced at the first Labor Day picnic staged by the Abilene/Big Country Central Labor Council. They just weren't sure why.

Sept. 8 -- $167,000 in cash seized in Erath County: STEPHENVILLE - A Del Rio couple who claimed to know nothing about the $167,210 in alleged drug money found hidden in their vehicle were allowed to go on their way Saturday - but without the money.

Sept. 7 -- Local woman still not satisfied with TRICARE: More than 18 months after TRICARE, the military's HMO, undertook a plan to fix what ailed it, one area woman says it has not fulfilled that pledge.

Sept. 7 -- Ever-popular Chili Super Bowl brings out even the youngsters: One weekend a year, people from all over the Big Country flock to tiny Buffalo Gap to sample some chili, try out the brisket and help out the boys.

Sept. 7 -- Service to be held for woman killed in Swissair crash: A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Minter Lane Church of Christ for Suzanne Bittenbinder, 33, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Glenn Davis of Abilene.

Sept. 7 -- Our Slice of Texas: News from around the Big Country

Sept. 6 -- Despite job market, wages in Abilene lower than average: Searching for qualified employees, 27 Abilene businesses gathered for a college student employment fair at the Abilene Civic Center Thursday.

Sept. 6 -- Working for minimum wage creates strain: The cost of living in Abilene is relatively cheap, unless you're living on minimum wage.

Sept. 6 -- Local cost of living relatively high: Life in Abilene may seem no bargain, measured only in cold economic terms.

Sept. 6 -- Retired military personnel can make valuable employees: When Julius Kronbach retired from the Air Force in 1990, he decided he wasn't ready to quit working. He also wasn't willing to let the skills he attained after 22 years in the service waste away on a mind-numbing job.

Sept. 6 -- AISD teachers hope to get a raise: A substantial cut in state aid this year forced serious belt-cinching throughout the Abilene schools.

Sept. 6 -- Students in Abilene likely to leave after graduation: Students in Abilene's universities tend to leave town after they graduate, but not solely because of the job market or low wages.

Sept. 6 -- Weddings held at Chili Super Bowl: BUFFALO GAP -- Love took center stage not once but twice Saturday in Buffalo Gap under the oak trees.

Sept. 6 -- Arrest made in rash of wildfires around Putnam: PUTNAM -- A Putnam volunteer firefighter has been charged with arson in connection with a rash of wildfires in the Putnam area.

Sept. 5 -- Lund convicted of soliciting father's murder: Brandon Lund is to blame for his father's killing, jurors found Friday, rejecting the teen's defense that he retracted a guns-for-murder offer he made to a violent gangster.

Sept. 5 -- Youth is example of what's at stake in chili cookoff: This weekend's Chili Super Bowl promises lots of spicy Labor Day nonsense in nearby Buffalo Gap, but Kerry Fortune is already looking past all the merriment to the greater good the annual cookoff brings.

Sept. 5 -- Church fire ruled arson: COLEMAN -- The fire that destroyed a large portion of the First United Methodist Church Wednesday night was caused by arson -- but the church was not the target, investigators said Friday.

Sept. 5 -- Arrest made in Loraine bank robbery: LORAINE -- A former prison guard from Loraine has been arrested as part of the investigation into the July 15 robbery of the First Bank of West Texas.

Sept. 5 -- Local carpenter's bond reduction rejected: While widely regarded as a lucky number, seven is not a favorable tally of felony indictments when seeking a bond reduction.

Sept. 5 -- City seeks police chief: CROSS PLAINS -- The Cross Plains city council has agreed to begin accepting applications for chief of police.

Sept. 5 -- Reward offered in rash of fires: PUTNAM -- The Callahan County Sheriff's Department is offering a $1,000 reward for information related to the rash of suspected roadside arsons around the Putnam area recently.

Sept. 5 -- Business federation announces support of Perry: The National Federation of Independent Businesses of Texas announced its support for Republican lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Rick Perry Friday in Abilene.

Sept. 5 -- Area News Digest: Albany grass fire put out ... Former Cisco man wins $1 million in scratch-off lottery ... Shooting victim released from hospital ... Former Eastland girl killed by car

Sept. 4 -- State, national SAT averages exceeded by local students last year: Last year's high school students in Abilene pushed up SAT and ACT scores on all counts, school officials reported Thursday.

Sept. 4 -- Abilene couple lost daughter in Swissair crash: Suzanne Bittenbinder lived her life to the fullest. It ended abruptly Wednesday night, along with the lives of 228 fellow passengers on Swissair Flight 111. The aircraft crashed into the waters off Nova Scotia, on its way from New York City to Geneva. No survivors have been found.

Sept. 4 -- Woman claimed in interview that neck-slashing saved young Lund's life: The woman who slit Brandon Lund's throat claimed in a television interview she slashed the boy's neck to spare his life from the man who murdered his father.

Sept. 4 -- Probation given in death of former Jim Ned valedictorian: TUSCOLA - A former Jim Ned honor student was heading for her Lubbock home when she crossed paths with a psychotic woman who thought she was racing to heaven.

Sept. 4 -- Area airports splitting part of grants: Forty community airports in Texas will split grants through the Texas Transportation Commission, said David Fulton, the Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Director.

Sept. 4 -- Farmers worried about Jim Ned school district's tax rate hike: TUSCOLA - Farmers, struggling with rock-bottom crop prices and drought conditions, say the Jim Ned school district's proposed 9.43-cent tax rate hike will pinch their pocketbooks.

Sept. 4 -- Century 12 movie house officially open here: Century 12 Abilene Thursday officially became the newest member of the city's business and entertainment world, promising to make going out to the movies a brand new ball game here.

Sept. 4 -- Fire guts huge areas of Coleman church: COLEMAN - Fierce flames Wednesday night gutted hallways, classrooms, offices and the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church, but the efforts of dozens of volunteer firefighters probably saved the chapel and main sanctuary of the sprawling, interlinked structure.

Sept. 4 -- Budget cuts brings frustration to some: Trimming the R.B. Evans Center's in-house residential service from its operations reduces its budget deficit and frustrates a patient's mother.

Sept. 4 -- Three plead not guilty to murder of Clyde man: BAIRD - The three people who may face the death penalty for the alleged murder for hire of Ted Saunders pleaded not guilty to the charges Thursday.

Sept. 4 -- HSU convocation speaker relays serious message with humor: If Hardin-Simmons University students were listening Thursday morning, they learned about the importance of knowledge, wisdom, discernment and common sense.

Sept. 3 -- Second day of Lund trial includes incredible testimony: Two co-conspirators who swung deals to testify against Brandon Lund assured the teen no one would die the night he allegedly enlisted their help to murder his father.

Sept. 3 -- Wylie adopts 'abnormal hair color' code: The Wylie school board, together with administrators, have abolished the latest fashion frenzy sweeping the junior high school: marker-colored hair.

Sept. 3 -- Day of Caring brings out hundreds of people who want to help: Jack Martinez and his cohorts, Randy Scott and Ann Santana, seemed to be having more fun than anyone working so hard should Wednesday morning.

Sept. 3 -- Izzard says Clinton Administration has compromised agriculture: The Republican candidate for the 17th Congressional District said he can represent farm and ranch interests strongly if elected Nov. 3.

Sept. 3 -- Abilene's newest movie theater opens tonight: Abilene's first new movie theater in 12 years opens tonight to help support a movie house that has operated here 68 years.

Sept. 3 -- Howard Payne officials speak to accreditation issue: BROWNWOOD - Howard Payne University fell short of being placed on the "accredited" list for teacher certification by just 1.25 percentage points.

Sept. 3 -- West Texas radioactive waste dump near to being a reality: Only President Clinton's signature is needed to seal approval of the agreement between Texas, Maine and Vermont to house low-level radioactive waste in Texas. The Senate approved the proposed compact yesterday by a vote of 78-15.

Sept. 3 -- Rodriquez will keep Howard County Fair date: BIG SPRING - Although arrested on murder charges last weekend, county music star Johnny Rodriguez will perform at the Howard County Fair Saturday night.

Sept. 3 -- Georgia man accepts economic development director position: Known as a man who can negotiate a mean deal, Marty Blubaugh, 39, closed his Wednesday afternoon when he accepted the city's offer of the economic development director position.

Sept. 3 -- Girl completes TAAS test, graduates from AHS: Graduation is better late than never for Sandra Thompson. Thompson scored a 72 on the math portion of the three-part Texas Assessment of Academic Skills exit-level test, allowing her to graduate from Abilene High School.

Sept. 2 -- State's witness supports Lund's 'renunciation defense': After losing his resolve to see his father dead, Brandon Lund was helpless to halt the man's execution by a gang of street toughs, a state's witness testified Tuesday.

Sept. 2 -- Wylie seniors fall short of previous year's in SAT scores: Newly-released SAT scores show last year's Wylie High School seniors fell short of the previous year's test scores, school officials said.

Sept. 2 -- Scripps poll shows lieutenant governor race very close: The race for lieutenant governor is neck-and-neck between Democrat John Sharp and Republican Rick Perry, but nearly one-third of the voters remain undecided, according to The Scripps Howard Texas Poll.

Sept. 2 -- Despite drought, there are doves to be found this year: There's nothing like watching the sunrise over a field of cut milo - especially on the opening day of the dove hunting season.

Sept. 2 -- Commissioners hear from public about raising taxes: Betty Alvarez beseeched Taylor County commissioners at their Tuesday meeting not to raise taxes.

Sept. 2 -- Dublin honor grad dies four days before wedding: DUBLIN - Maria Carolina Lopez overcame plenty of obstacles - including having a baby in the middle of her senior year - to graduate second in her class at Dublin High School last May.

Sept. 2 -- Star jailed, may pass Big Spring by: BIG SPRING - Howard County Fair officials were pleased when they booked country and western star Johnny Rodriguez for the final night of this year's fair.

Sept. 2 -- Three universities receive 'accredited under review' rating: Three area universities failed to meet standards established by the State Board for Educator Certification, but those results are no cause for alarm, officials say.

Sept. 2 -- Local Red Cross volunteers still in Del Rio: Abilene-area Red Cross volunteers remain on the scene in the Del Rio area helping flood victims.

Sept. 2 -- Bill that would give Dyess funds finished by Congress: WASHINGTON - Congress finished work Tuesday on a $8.4 billion military construction spending bill that will provide more than $13 million for Abilene-area projects.

Sept. 2 -- Howard County joins drug task force: BIG SPRING - Howard County commissioners have agreed to join the newly formed West Texas Narcotics Enforcement Task Force.

Sept. 2 -- WTU establishes nonprofit recognition award: West Texas Utilities is establishing an award to honor people who have been the driving forces behind Abilene nonprofit agencies.

Sept. 1 -- Country crickets yearn for bright lights of the city: How are you going to keep 'em down on the farm once they've seen the bright lights of the city? You can't. Especially not when you're talking about crickets this dry year.

Sept. 1 -- Poll shows Bush would take easy win over Mauro: Gov. George W. Bush would easily defeat Democratic Land Commissioner Garry Mauro if the 1998 Nov. 3 election for governor were held today, according to The Scripps Howard Texas Poll.

Sept. 1 -- Dove hunting season begins today: Doves, hunters say, are one of the trickiest birds to shoot on the fly. They're easily spooked and commence seemingly haphazard evasive maneuvers at the flicker of a leaf.

Sept. 1 -- Stenholm survey shows area principals have safety concerns: WASHINGTON - Nearly half of area school principals surveyed have concerns about the safety of their school buildings, and more than a third consider overcrowding a problem, according to a survey by Rep. Charlie Stenholm, D-Abilene.

Sept. 1 -- Local Salvation Army officer details Del Rio tragedy: Salvation Army Capt. Edward Alonzo has seen the devastation of the Del Rio flooding first hand. Last week, remnants of Tropical Storm Charley washed away blocks of homes and killed at least 15 people in this South Texas town of about 34,000 residents.

Sept. 1 -- Standoff defendant pleads guilty, gets 15 years: A suicidal man who gunned his pickup toward police officers at the end of a 1-1/2-hour standoff two years ago agreed to a 15-year prison sentence Monday.

Sept. 1 -- Teen's trial on solicitation of father's murder begins: Brandon Lund's attorney hinted Monday that the teen-ager tried to retract the solicitation of his father's murder, a legally accepted defense.

Sept. 1 -- Johnson's murder trial delayed: The murder trial of an alleged Abilene drug pusher and pimp was delayed Monday when the defendant's mother reported she has located a missing defense witness in New Mexico.

Sept. 1 -- Museum officials meet here to learn better operations: Twenty curators and administrators from small museums throughout the state met here Monday in a workshop session designed to help them operate their facilities in today's ever-changing management environment.

Sept. 1 -- USDA official visits Jones County: STAMFORD - "Remember the little people" was the request Swenson Land and Cattle Company president Gary Mathis had for a top U.S. Department of Agriculture official who visited Swenson Meats, the ranch's meat plant, Monday.

Sept. 1 -- Opposition to property tax rate increase surfaces at AISD board meeting: Two men spoke in opposition to the school board at Monday's public hearing concerning the proposed $1.62 property tax rate.

Sept. 1 -- CIP advisory group hears emergency scenarios: A tornado slams through downtown. Power is knocked out; telephone poles crash into the fire station. The roof is ripped off the police department. Who responds?