Water service restored in Kaufman County
By CYNTHIA VEGA / WFAA ABC 8
FORNEY, Texas — Workers fixed a broken water main in Forney Tuesday morning, but residents faced usage restrictions through Wednesday.
The water line at West Buffalo and North McGraw streets in the suburb east of Dallas ruptured Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. as workers were trying to replace a 14-inch pipe with a larger, 24-inch conduit to serve the county's growing population.
The problem was compounded when repair crews severed a natural gas pipeline in the same area.
Residents and businesses in Kaufman, about 15 miles to the southeast, which received its water supply through the same pipeline.
The Kaufman Independent School District canceled summer classes Tuesday due to the lack of water.
Service was restored on Tuesday, but officials asked area residents to curb outside watering activities until Wednesday at midnight so that the lines can be repressurized.
News from the Lone Star State
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TexasStooge
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Critics question for-profit school accreditation agency
By BYRON HARRIS / WFAA ABC 8
DALLAS, Texas - A Senate investigation described some for-profit trade schools in a probe nearly 15 years ago as "unscrupulous and dishonest."
Some critics said dishonesty still pervades in some of the business, which received more than $2.5 billion of federal grants and loans in the last fiscal year.
The job of policing career colleges belongs, in part, to the agencies that accredit the schools. At least one of those agencies doesn't appear to be operating at arms length.
The Career College Association, the trade association for for-profit career colleges and trade schools, gave congressional staffers a free lunch. In exchange, the CCA told them how it wants to alter the Higher Education Act. One proposed change was letting for-profit career colleges get 100 percent of their funding from the federal government, which could mean billions of dollars in taxpayer funded grants and loans.
Last week in Las Vegas at the Bellagio Hotel, the for-profit college industry had a series of annual meetings. First came gatherings of the agencies that are supposed to police for-profit career colleges. One such agency is the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, which accredited 661 for-profit career colleges in the United States.
The schools provide most of ACICS' income. In all, career colleges paid ACICS more than $4 million in fees last year. Career college executives hold four out of five seats on the ACICS board. The organization gives career colleges their accreditation and the right to dispense billions of dollars in federal grants and loans.
"Taxpayers and students are basically on their own when it comes to fraud and abusive practices," said Barmak Nassirian, associate executive director of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.
Critics such as Nassirian said agencies like ACICS do little to protect the public. The federal financial aid programs are basically operated on the honor system.
"These are private organizations," said Rep. Maxine Waters. "These are not public organizations and they stay in business because they are able to do the accreditation. And I don't have much faith in them."
Many of the 661 schools accredited by ACICS are owned by large companies according to annual reports and ACICS records.
ITT Educational Systems, Inc., which took in $617 million last year, owns 84 schools overseen by ACICS. Corinthian Colleges, Inc., which took in $804 million last year, owns 32 schools. Career Education Corporation had $1.6 billion in revenues last year and owns 16 ACICS schools and Education Management Corporation, with $853 million in revenues last year, owns 40 ACICS schools.
Over the last few years, the ownership of career colleges has become even more concentrated. Of the 661 schools it oversaw last year, ACICS did just one unannounced visit. Only one school was denied accreditation.
By BYRON HARRIS / WFAA ABC 8
DALLAS, Texas - A Senate investigation described some for-profit trade schools in a probe nearly 15 years ago as "unscrupulous and dishonest."
Some critics said dishonesty still pervades in some of the business, which received more than $2.5 billion of federal grants and loans in the last fiscal year.
The job of policing career colleges belongs, in part, to the agencies that accredit the schools. At least one of those agencies doesn't appear to be operating at arms length.
The Career College Association, the trade association for for-profit career colleges and trade schools, gave congressional staffers a free lunch. In exchange, the CCA told them how it wants to alter the Higher Education Act. One proposed change was letting for-profit career colleges get 100 percent of their funding from the federal government, which could mean billions of dollars in taxpayer funded grants and loans.
Last week in Las Vegas at the Bellagio Hotel, the for-profit college industry had a series of annual meetings. First came gatherings of the agencies that are supposed to police for-profit career colleges. One such agency is the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, which accredited 661 for-profit career colleges in the United States.
The schools provide most of ACICS' income. In all, career colleges paid ACICS more than $4 million in fees last year. Career college executives hold four out of five seats on the ACICS board. The organization gives career colleges their accreditation and the right to dispense billions of dollars in federal grants and loans.
"Taxpayers and students are basically on their own when it comes to fraud and abusive practices," said Barmak Nassirian, associate executive director of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.
Critics such as Nassirian said agencies like ACICS do little to protect the public. The federal financial aid programs are basically operated on the honor system.
"These are private organizations," said Rep. Maxine Waters. "These are not public organizations and they stay in business because they are able to do the accreditation. And I don't have much faith in them."
Many of the 661 schools accredited by ACICS are owned by large companies according to annual reports and ACICS records.
ITT Educational Systems, Inc., which took in $617 million last year, owns 84 schools overseen by ACICS. Corinthian Colleges, Inc., which took in $804 million last year, owns 32 schools. Career Education Corporation had $1.6 billion in revenues last year and owns 16 ACICS schools and Education Management Corporation, with $853 million in revenues last year, owns 40 ACICS schools.
Over the last few years, the ownership of career colleges has become even more concentrated. Of the 661 schools it oversaw last year, ACICS did just one unannounced visit. Only one school was denied accreditation.
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TexasStooge
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Texas colleges losing specialty plates
DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) - The University of Texas at Dallas took a hit. So did Texas Woman's University.
Waning support for specialty license plates for those universities and 22 others has those plates on the way out.
The Texas Department of Transportation has decided to phase out specialty alumni license plates that have fallen below certain performance standards. People with plates for 25 other universities will be able to get their licenses renewed.
"We haven't heard from the universities yet," said Christina Flores of the Transportation Department's vehicle titles and registration division, "We may be hearing from some alumni soon."
The Legislature established standards for keeping specialty plates to limit the $15,000 production cost for a new plate.
Standards also include keeping up the demand for each plate.
For universities, 1,500 sets must be issued during its lifetime.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHASING OUT:
Universities whose license plates are being phased out by the Texas Department of Transportation, and the number of vehicles registered with those plates in May:
St. Mary's University – 101
Texas Woman's University – 78
Tarleton State University – 61
Lamar University – 39
Abilene Christian University – 36
Texas Lutheran University – 36
University of Texas at San Antonio – 32
University of Texas at Dallas – 30
Texas A&M University-Kingsville – 23
Midwestern State University – 22
Texas Wesleyan University – 22
Howard Payne University – 21
Houston Baptist University – 18
McMurry University – 18
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi – 16
Incarnate Word College – 15
University of Texas at Brownsville – 12
Huston-Tillotson University – 10
East Texas Baptist University – 8
Texas Chiropractic College – 7
North Central Texas College – 4
Brookhaven College – 1
Richland College – 1
Parker College of Chiropractic – 0
PLATES IN:
1. Texas A&M, 6,346
2. University of Texas, 3,121
3. Texas Tech, 2,764
4. University of Houston, 571
5. TCU, 472
6. Baylor, 446
7. University of North Texas, 320
8. Rice, 269
9. Prairie View A&M, 253
10. Texas State, 228
DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) - The University of Texas at Dallas took a hit. So did Texas Woman's University.
Waning support for specialty license plates for those universities and 22 others has those plates on the way out.
The Texas Department of Transportation has decided to phase out specialty alumni license plates that have fallen below certain performance standards. People with plates for 25 other universities will be able to get their licenses renewed.
"We haven't heard from the universities yet," said Christina Flores of the Transportation Department's vehicle titles and registration division, "We may be hearing from some alumni soon."
The Legislature established standards for keeping specialty plates to limit the $15,000 production cost for a new plate.
Standards also include keeping up the demand for each plate.
For universities, 1,500 sets must be issued during its lifetime.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHASING OUT:
Universities whose license plates are being phased out by the Texas Department of Transportation, and the number of vehicles registered with those plates in May:
St. Mary's University – 101
Texas Woman's University – 78
Tarleton State University – 61
Lamar University – 39
Abilene Christian University – 36
Texas Lutheran University – 36
University of Texas at San Antonio – 32
University of Texas at Dallas – 30
Texas A&M University-Kingsville – 23
Midwestern State University – 22
Texas Wesleyan University – 22
Howard Payne University – 21
Houston Baptist University – 18
McMurry University – 18
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi – 16
Incarnate Word College – 15
University of Texas at Brownsville – 12
Huston-Tillotson University – 10
East Texas Baptist University – 8
Texas Chiropractic College – 7
North Central Texas College – 4
Brookhaven College – 1
Richland College – 1
Parker College of Chiropractic – 0
PLATES IN:
1. Texas A&M, 6,346
2. University of Texas, 3,121
3. Texas Tech, 2,764
4. University of Houston, 571
5. TCU, 472
6. Baylor, 446
7. University of North Texas, 320
8. Rice, 269
9. Prairie View A&M, 253
10. Texas State, 228
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TexasStooge
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Suspects in Fort Worth home invasion arrested
By JIM DOUGLAS / WFAA ABC 8
FORT WORTH, Texas - Police took five suspects, ranging in age from 15 to 19-years-old, into custody after an apparent home invasion in far north Fort Worth on Monday afternoon.
Authorities said a recycling truck driver was making his rounds in the 5100 block of Raisintree Drive when he spotted an Asian female running from the garage of a nearby home, wrapped in a sheet and bound with duct tape.
The driver told News 8 he got out of his truck to follow the woman as she ran down the street, and heard gunshots behind him. Officers who arrived on the scene said they had a hard time sorting out initial details because the victim spoke only Vietnamese, but they soon determined four males had been in the house and tied up the victim before she was able to escape.
A neighbor reported seeing the men run from the residence and jump into a silver compact car just prior to the victim running out from the house. Police were able to run the license plate number, and were waiting to arrest the suspects when they arrived at the west Fort Worth address where the vehicle was registered.
Police said there were items from the home found in the suspects' car.
"I would say there is a good chance the home was targeted," said Sgt. J.D. Marshall. "I don't know the details of what was kept in the house they were looking for, but it appeared to be something specific."
Nearby residents and police were relieved the suspects were captured so quickly.
"We don't have these kinds of robberies in this neighborhood," Marshall said.
WFAA ABC 8
A woman bound with duct tape was seen running from the home in far north Fort Worth.
By JIM DOUGLAS / WFAA ABC 8
FORT WORTH, Texas - Police took five suspects, ranging in age from 15 to 19-years-old, into custody after an apparent home invasion in far north Fort Worth on Monday afternoon.
Authorities said a recycling truck driver was making his rounds in the 5100 block of Raisintree Drive when he spotted an Asian female running from the garage of a nearby home, wrapped in a sheet and bound with duct tape.
The driver told News 8 he got out of his truck to follow the woman as she ran down the street, and heard gunshots behind him. Officers who arrived on the scene said they had a hard time sorting out initial details because the victim spoke only Vietnamese, but they soon determined four males had been in the house and tied up the victim before she was able to escape.
A neighbor reported seeing the men run from the residence and jump into a silver compact car just prior to the victim running out from the house. Police were able to run the license plate number, and were waiting to arrest the suspects when they arrived at the west Fort Worth address where the vehicle was registered.
Police said there were items from the home found in the suspects' car.
"I would say there is a good chance the home was targeted," said Sgt. J.D. Marshall. "I don't know the details of what was kept in the house they were looking for, but it appeared to be something specific."
Nearby residents and police were relieved the suspects were captured so quickly.
"We don't have these kinds of robberies in this neighborhood," Marshall said.
WFAA ABC 8
A woman bound with duct tape was seen running from the home in far north Fort Worth.
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TexasStooge
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State budget change takes money from trauma care
By JANET ST. JAMES / WFAA ABC 8
AUSTIN, Texas - A last minute change in the state budget took money earmarked for emergency rooms and stripped it away.
Millions of dollars raised by the driver responsibility program were set aside specifically for trauma care and the last-minute rider on the state budge changed that.
Texas hospitals already lose about $200 million annually in uncompensated trauma care. Money designed to make up for those losses will now be funneled into the general fund and Texans may pay for that.
Nearly half the trauma cases that come through the doors of Methodist Medical Center in Dallas are the result of a motor vehicle accident.
House Bill 3588 levied extra fines against the primary cause for the trouble - drunk and reckless drivers.
The Driver Responsibility Program raised millions for trauma centers overburdened by uninsured patients and was supported by Gov. Rick Perry.
"It allows something good to come out of acts of irresponsibility," Gov. Rick Perry said.
But just two years after the bill passed, lawmakers decided to funnel those millions into the general fund instead.
"So for Parkland that's a huge deal," said Jorie Klein, director of trauma services. "We spent $41million in uncompensated trauma care last year. We only got back a total of $4 million, but that's better than what we had."
Parkland, Baylor and Methodist, along with John Peter Smith and Harris Methodist in Fort Worth, said they basically gave away $85 million last year in trauma care that patients couldn't pay for.
So far, they have recieved only $8.1 million from the driver responsibility program.
Dr. Robert Simonson, Methodist's director of emergency medicine, said if funding isn't restored, non-trauma patients will end up paying somehow.
"Cost will be passed on there's no doubt about it," he said. "So, when you present with something other than trauma, you may notice your bill goes up to help pay for the trauma care that we're delivering."
Hospital administrators said if funding isn't restored other cuts are also possible including staffing, salaries and wellness programs that help people stay healthy.
Before that happens, trauma directors said they want lawmakers to address the issue in this special session or another one.
By JANET ST. JAMES / WFAA ABC 8
AUSTIN, Texas - A last minute change in the state budget took money earmarked for emergency rooms and stripped it away.
Millions of dollars raised by the driver responsibility program were set aside specifically for trauma care and the last-minute rider on the state budge changed that.
Texas hospitals already lose about $200 million annually in uncompensated trauma care. Money designed to make up for those losses will now be funneled into the general fund and Texans may pay for that.
Nearly half the trauma cases that come through the doors of Methodist Medical Center in Dallas are the result of a motor vehicle accident.
House Bill 3588 levied extra fines against the primary cause for the trouble - drunk and reckless drivers.
The Driver Responsibility Program raised millions for trauma centers overburdened by uninsured patients and was supported by Gov. Rick Perry.
"It allows something good to come out of acts of irresponsibility," Gov. Rick Perry said.
But just two years after the bill passed, lawmakers decided to funnel those millions into the general fund instead.
"So for Parkland that's a huge deal," said Jorie Klein, director of trauma services. "We spent $41million in uncompensated trauma care last year. We only got back a total of $4 million, but that's better than what we had."
Parkland, Baylor and Methodist, along with John Peter Smith and Harris Methodist in Fort Worth, said they basically gave away $85 million last year in trauma care that patients couldn't pay for.
So far, they have recieved only $8.1 million from the driver responsibility program.
Dr. Robert Simonson, Methodist's director of emergency medicine, said if funding isn't restored, non-trauma patients will end up paying somehow.
"Cost will be passed on there's no doubt about it," he said. "So, when you present with something other than trauma, you may notice your bill goes up to help pay for the trauma care that we're delivering."
Hospital administrators said if funding isn't restored other cuts are also possible including staffing, salaries and wellness programs that help people stay healthy.
Before that happens, trauma directors said they want lawmakers to address the issue in this special session or another one.
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TexasStooge
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Spray aims to foil toll, red light cameras
By BRAD WATSON / WFAA ABC 8
GARLAND, Texas - With high-tech cameras now monitoring intersections for red light runners and watching toll plazas for motorists who fail to pay, police and lawmakers are taking a look at a low-tech scheme designed to foil the surveillance systems.
It's a special spray designed to make license plates invisible.
Garland installed cameras at five intersections in 2003, and police said the observation system reduced red light running by about 20 percent. The Texas legislature rejected attempts to ban the cameras in this year's session.
There about 930,000 toll road transactions every day in North Texas, with most motorists now using Toll Tags, an electronic sensor.
But not all drivers like a government camera watching their license plates. "If I had something to spray on my license plates that would block off the camera, you betcha, Bubba—bring it on!" said one motorist.
Well, Bubba doesn't need to bring it on, because a Pennsylvania company sells a spray for about $30 over the Internet.
The spray, called PhotoBlocker, claims to create a high-gloss sheen on the plate that causes a camera's flash to overexpose the image—making the plate unreadable.
Garland police spokesman Officer Joe Harn said the technique is ineffective and illegal. "If you put anything on a license plate̬any kind of a plastic cover or if you spray anything on there that causes a license plate not to be able to be read—that's against the law," he said.
But it is not against the law in Texas to purchase the spray.
The North Texas Tollway Authority admitted the spray could affect its cameras, too. But there's been no glaring problem yet.
"Someone is going to find a way to skirt the system, and we have our own ways of making sure we find those violators," said NTTA spokeswoman Donna Huerta, who noted that human "lane spotters" are used to supplement the video surveillance.
"It's not a good idea," one driver told News 8. "I would rather have it safe than be sorry."
Illinois and Maryland have already banned PhotoBlocker. In Houston, where red light cameras are now being installed, officials want the Texas Legislature to follow suit.
By BRAD WATSON / WFAA ABC 8
GARLAND, Texas - With high-tech cameras now monitoring intersections for red light runners and watching toll plazas for motorists who fail to pay, police and lawmakers are taking a look at a low-tech scheme designed to foil the surveillance systems.
It's a special spray designed to make license plates invisible.
Garland installed cameras at five intersections in 2003, and police said the observation system reduced red light running by about 20 percent. The Texas legislature rejected attempts to ban the cameras in this year's session.
There about 930,000 toll road transactions every day in North Texas, with most motorists now using Toll Tags, an electronic sensor.
But not all drivers like a government camera watching their license plates. "If I had something to spray on my license plates that would block off the camera, you betcha, Bubba—bring it on!" said one motorist.
Well, Bubba doesn't need to bring it on, because a Pennsylvania company sells a spray for about $30 over the Internet.
The spray, called PhotoBlocker, claims to create a high-gloss sheen on the plate that causes a camera's flash to overexpose the image—making the plate unreadable.
Garland police spokesman Officer Joe Harn said the technique is ineffective and illegal. "If you put anything on a license plate̬any kind of a plastic cover or if you spray anything on there that causes a license plate not to be able to be read—that's against the law," he said.
But it is not against the law in Texas to purchase the spray.
The North Texas Tollway Authority admitted the spray could affect its cameras, too. But there's been no glaring problem yet.
"Someone is going to find a way to skirt the system, and we have our own ways of making sure we find those violators," said NTTA spokeswoman Donna Huerta, who noted that human "lane spotters" are used to supplement the video surveillance.
"It's not a good idea," one driver told News 8. "I would rather have it safe than be sorry."
Illinois and Maryland have already banned PhotoBlocker. In Houston, where red light cameras are now being installed, officials want the Texas Legislature to follow suit.
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TexasStooge
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DA says diocese won't be charged
Bishop pleased after grand jury finds abuse claims handled properly
By BROOKS EGERTON / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Dallas County District Attorney Bill Hill announced Monday that he will not bring charges against local Catholic leaders over their handling of sexual misconduct allegations.
A special grand jury impaneled in February "has found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing on the part of the diocese or its officials," the district attorney said in a news release.
Mr. Hill would say little about the five-month investigation, citing state laws on grand jury secrecy.
"We conducted a very thorough and intensive investigation," he said through spokeswoman Rachel Horton.
Dallas Bishop Charles Grahmann, who recently testified before the grand jury, said the announcement vindicates church leadership.
"I am pleased that the investigation has been concluded and the findings confirm our position that there has been no wrongdoing by the Diocese of Dallas or its officials in reporting cases of child abuse," he said, according to a bulletin posted Monday evening on the diocesan newspaper's Web site.
Diocese officials did not respond to interview requests. They previously have said that they learned their lesson from a series of lawsuits in the 1990s that accused them of concealing abuse and that cost the diocese more than $30 million in payments to victims.
Diocesan leaders have stressed that all church staff members and volunteers who work with children now undergo background checks and "safe environment" training designed to prevent abuse.
"The Dallas Catholic Diocese and Bishop Charles Grahmann have been unjustly maligned by critics," church attorney Jim Burnham told the diocesan newspaper in March.
The district attorney's office is continuing its prosecution of the Rev. Matthew Bagert, a Grand Prairie priest whose February arrest on child pornography charges helped trigger the broader investigation.
Father Bagert was not asked to testify before the special grand jury, said his attorney, Patrick McLain.
"I think there's still the possibility that this thing could rear its head again," the lawyer said, referring to prosecutors' broader investigation. "I know they haven't gotten to the bottom of things.
"I don't know whether they're interested in looking into the conduct of others, whether they're related to Father Matt or not."
Mr. McLain, who is Catholic and a former federal prosecutor, expressed dismay at the management of his denomination.
"There's just a lot of rot," he said. "I don't know if there's anyone interested, outside the Catholic faithful, in cleaning it up."
Father Bagert, 36, is free on bail and has been suspended from ministry. He was arrested in February after the associate pastor he supervised saw images of naked boys – described by authorities as being as young as 4 – on Father Bagert's church computer.
The associate pastor notified diocesan leaders, who alerted Grand Prairie police. A supervisor of that investigation has described the diocese as cooperative.
Shortly after the arrest, a Rockwall priest resigned from his church after some parishioners accused him of protecting a lay aide who was serving probation for indecent exposure.
The priest, the Rev. William "Bill" Richard, had previously worked at a Catholic high school in Dallas, where he was accused in a lawsuit of sexually harassing boys. He denied wrongdoing, and the accusations weren't reported until this year.
The harassment allegations, combined with Father Bagert's arrest, led the district attorney to say he was suspicious of the diocese's 2002 claim that it had no one in ministry with "any indication of violations of state laws relating to minors."
Father Bagert and the Rev. Ramon Alvarez, head priest at Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, helped lead a petition drive supporting Bishop Grahmann in 2003 after lay people criticized the bishop's management of abuse cases and urged him to quit.
Bishop pleased after grand jury finds abuse claims handled properly
By BROOKS EGERTON / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Dallas County District Attorney Bill Hill announced Monday that he will not bring charges against local Catholic leaders over their handling of sexual misconduct allegations.
A special grand jury impaneled in February "has found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing on the part of the diocese or its officials," the district attorney said in a news release.
Mr. Hill would say little about the five-month investigation, citing state laws on grand jury secrecy.
"We conducted a very thorough and intensive investigation," he said through spokeswoman Rachel Horton.
Dallas Bishop Charles Grahmann, who recently testified before the grand jury, said the announcement vindicates church leadership.
"I am pleased that the investigation has been concluded and the findings confirm our position that there has been no wrongdoing by the Diocese of Dallas or its officials in reporting cases of child abuse," he said, according to a bulletin posted Monday evening on the diocesan newspaper's Web site.
Diocese officials did not respond to interview requests. They previously have said that they learned their lesson from a series of lawsuits in the 1990s that accused them of concealing abuse and that cost the diocese more than $30 million in payments to victims.
Diocesan leaders have stressed that all church staff members and volunteers who work with children now undergo background checks and "safe environment" training designed to prevent abuse.
"The Dallas Catholic Diocese and Bishop Charles Grahmann have been unjustly maligned by critics," church attorney Jim Burnham told the diocesan newspaper in March.
The district attorney's office is continuing its prosecution of the Rev. Matthew Bagert, a Grand Prairie priest whose February arrest on child pornography charges helped trigger the broader investigation.
Father Bagert was not asked to testify before the special grand jury, said his attorney, Patrick McLain.
"I think there's still the possibility that this thing could rear its head again," the lawyer said, referring to prosecutors' broader investigation. "I know they haven't gotten to the bottom of things.
"I don't know whether they're interested in looking into the conduct of others, whether they're related to Father Matt or not."
Mr. McLain, who is Catholic and a former federal prosecutor, expressed dismay at the management of his denomination.
"There's just a lot of rot," he said. "I don't know if there's anyone interested, outside the Catholic faithful, in cleaning it up."
Father Bagert, 36, is free on bail and has been suspended from ministry. He was arrested in February after the associate pastor he supervised saw images of naked boys – described by authorities as being as young as 4 – on Father Bagert's church computer.
The associate pastor notified diocesan leaders, who alerted Grand Prairie police. A supervisor of that investigation has described the diocese as cooperative.
Shortly after the arrest, a Rockwall priest resigned from his church after some parishioners accused him of protecting a lay aide who was serving probation for indecent exposure.
The priest, the Rev. William "Bill" Richard, had previously worked at a Catholic high school in Dallas, where he was accused in a lawsuit of sexually harassing boys. He denied wrongdoing, and the accusations weren't reported until this year.
The harassment allegations, combined with Father Bagert's arrest, led the district attorney to say he was suspicious of the diocese's 2002 claim that it had no one in ministry with "any indication of violations of state laws relating to minors."
Father Bagert and the Rev. Ramon Alvarez, head priest at Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, helped lead a petition drive supporting Bishop Grahmann in 2003 after lay people criticized the bishop's management of abuse cases and urged him to quit.
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Plans to fix jail's health care offered
Dallas County: Provider suggests adding staff, improving screening
By JAMES M. O'NEILL / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - The contractor that oversees health care in the Dallas County Jail has proposed sweeping changes in the way inmates get medical care.
The changes would require a 60-person increase in the jail's medical staff, which would mean a significant cost for a service that, in the past, commissioners have been reluctant to spend more money on.
The proposals by the University of Texas Medical Branch are part of an effort by the county to improve medical care at the jail, an issue that has dogged commissioners and posed legal liabilities for the county. Several federal lawsuits have been filed in recent months over the issue.
After a February report said jail medical care is so bad that it's life-threatening for some inmates, commissioners created a committee to fix the problem and hired correctional health experts as consultants.
But the jail health committee met only once, more than two months ago, and does not expect to get proposals from its consultants until late July or August.
The commissioners, who are scheduled to meet today, also asked UTMB to suggest changes in several areas – testing inmates for tuberculosis, identifying inmates with illnesses at book-in, and speeding up medical care for inmates, who often wait weeks to receive medicine or see medical staff. Experts have said a staff shortage is causing the delays.
UTMB has given the county its proposed changes for tuberculosis testing and book-in procedures, said Dr. Owen Murray, the branch's chief physician executive. Medical care proposals are coming.
"We're dedicated to continue helping the county make improvements," Dr. Murray said.
He said many of UTMB's proposals would require more medical staff and jail guards, who provide security when inmates move between cells and medical facilities. Sheriff Lupe Valdez has noted a shortage of jail staff, and her predecessor, Jim Bowles, complained to commissioners for years about staff shortages.
Adding staff
Under its plan, UTMB would increase medical staff, from 147 to about 210. But Dr. Murray said the number is fluid because the branch's proposals might not always mesh with what the committee's medical experts recommend.The February study said tuberculosis screening at the jail is "basically nonexistent," posing a major public health risk.
Commissioners vowed swift action to improve screening, but five months after the report's release, no changes have been made. They debated whether the county should abandon its skin-test screening in favor of the faster but more expensive chest X-ray used by other large jails in the U.S.
The skin test involves pricking an inmate with tuberculin. Medical staff must wait 72 hours to examine the skin for signs of a dime-sized welt that indicates an inmate has at some point been infected with TB, but not that he has an active case.
The chest X-ray can show whether someone has an active case, and the results are almost immediately available. But the equipment is expensive.
Because of the wait for skin-test results and because many inmates stay in jail for a day or two, the county tests only those who have been in jail at least 72 hours.
Public health officials, including Dr. Ron Anderson, president and CEO of Parkland Memorial Hospital, have argued that aggressive TB testing in the jail can help the county treat many people who, when out of jail, might not otherwise be treated and could spread the disease to the community.
First steps
Dr. Murray said UTMB is proposing to do the tuberculosis skin test on all inmates as they are booked in. He said it may be best to do both a skin test and an X-ray because each has weaknesses.
He said inmates who leave before the skin test's 72-hour waiting period is up can be directed to follow up at a health clinic. Those who test positive but don't have active tuberculosis can be treated to reduce the risk of a full-blown case later.
UTMB has also given the county proposals to change the way inmates are screened for physical or mental illness at book-in. The February study faulted the county for having regular jail staff – who lack any medical training – conduct screenings. Medical experts say those without training can easily miss symptoms.
Dr. Murray said UTMB proposes having medical staff handle screening at book-in, and having nurses and doctors available then for immediate examinations and treatment.
"We'd also like to redo the screening questions to be a lot more intensive," he said. "We'd want to collect a more detailed medical history and vital signs."
Mental health experts would also be in the book-in area, he said.
Dallas County: Provider suggests adding staff, improving screening
By JAMES M. O'NEILL / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - The contractor that oversees health care in the Dallas County Jail has proposed sweeping changes in the way inmates get medical care.
The changes would require a 60-person increase in the jail's medical staff, which would mean a significant cost for a service that, in the past, commissioners have been reluctant to spend more money on.
The proposals by the University of Texas Medical Branch are part of an effort by the county to improve medical care at the jail, an issue that has dogged commissioners and posed legal liabilities for the county. Several federal lawsuits have been filed in recent months over the issue.
After a February report said jail medical care is so bad that it's life-threatening for some inmates, commissioners created a committee to fix the problem and hired correctional health experts as consultants.
But the jail health committee met only once, more than two months ago, and does not expect to get proposals from its consultants until late July or August.
The commissioners, who are scheduled to meet today, also asked UTMB to suggest changes in several areas – testing inmates for tuberculosis, identifying inmates with illnesses at book-in, and speeding up medical care for inmates, who often wait weeks to receive medicine or see medical staff. Experts have said a staff shortage is causing the delays.
UTMB has given the county its proposed changes for tuberculosis testing and book-in procedures, said Dr. Owen Murray, the branch's chief physician executive. Medical care proposals are coming.
"We're dedicated to continue helping the county make improvements," Dr. Murray said.
He said many of UTMB's proposals would require more medical staff and jail guards, who provide security when inmates move between cells and medical facilities. Sheriff Lupe Valdez has noted a shortage of jail staff, and her predecessor, Jim Bowles, complained to commissioners for years about staff shortages.
Adding staff
Under its plan, UTMB would increase medical staff, from 147 to about 210. But Dr. Murray said the number is fluid because the branch's proposals might not always mesh with what the committee's medical experts recommend.The February study said tuberculosis screening at the jail is "basically nonexistent," posing a major public health risk.
Commissioners vowed swift action to improve screening, but five months after the report's release, no changes have been made. They debated whether the county should abandon its skin-test screening in favor of the faster but more expensive chest X-ray used by other large jails in the U.S.
The skin test involves pricking an inmate with tuberculin. Medical staff must wait 72 hours to examine the skin for signs of a dime-sized welt that indicates an inmate has at some point been infected with TB, but not that he has an active case.
The chest X-ray can show whether someone has an active case, and the results are almost immediately available. But the equipment is expensive.
Because of the wait for skin-test results and because many inmates stay in jail for a day or two, the county tests only those who have been in jail at least 72 hours.
Public health officials, including Dr. Ron Anderson, president and CEO of Parkland Memorial Hospital, have argued that aggressive TB testing in the jail can help the county treat many people who, when out of jail, might not otherwise be treated and could spread the disease to the community.
First steps
Dr. Murray said UTMB is proposing to do the tuberculosis skin test on all inmates as they are booked in. He said it may be best to do both a skin test and an X-ray because each has weaknesses.
He said inmates who leave before the skin test's 72-hour waiting period is up can be directed to follow up at a health clinic. Those who test positive but don't have active tuberculosis can be treated to reduce the risk of a full-blown case later.
UTMB has also given the county proposals to change the way inmates are screened for physical or mental illness at book-in. The February study faulted the county for having regular jail staff – who lack any medical training – conduct screenings. Medical experts say those without training can easily miss symptoms.
Dr. Murray said UTMB proposes having medical staff handle screening at book-in, and having nurses and doctors available then for immediate examinations and treatment.
"We'd also like to redo the screening questions to be a lot more intensive," he said. "We'd want to collect a more detailed medical history and vital signs."
Mental health experts would also be in the book-in area, he said.
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TexasStooge
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Judge to send for jury duty no-shows
By ROBERT THARP / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Skipping jury duty in Dallas County is about to get a lot harder.
A felony judge dismissed a pool of potential jurors Monday after attorneys protested that the five dozen people who showed up did not include enough Hispanics. Courthouse authorities later promised a crackdown on those who disregard their jury summonses.
On Wednesday, those who don't report for jury duty will get a visit from a sheriff's deputy and an order to appear before District Judge Karen Greene.
"We're going to have them come down and explain why they didn't show up," Judge Greene said, adding that those who don't could face contempt-of-court charges and a fine of up to $1,000.
Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez said she's prepared to send out deputies to find those who disregard jury duty.
"We prefer to not come knocking on your door, but if it's necessary, we'll do it," she said.
The no-show phenomenon is an enormous problem, court administrators say. Only one in five of those who are summoned appear. Monday was typical – 489 of 3,400 people summoned appeared for duty.
"It's very difficult because I'm always guessing how many people are going to show up," said jury services manager Lori Ann Bodino.
Court officials believe the dismal appearance rate will improve when a law takes effect in January raising daily juror pay from $6 to $40 after the first day of service.
Anthony Miller, a lawyer with Vinson & Elkins, said his firm's research found that many Hispanics, in particular, can't afford to take time away from their jobs to serve on a jury.
Jesse Diaz, Dallas chapter president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, agreed.
"It's economics," he said. "Most of them are hard-working people – they don't have time to sit on the jury."
Courts have ruled that juries must be selected from a pool of residents that is a racial cross-section of the general population. According to the motion filed Monday, none of the jury pools since March 2000 has included a sufficient number of Hispanic potential jurors.
In Javier Villareal's case, Judge Greene said, she plans to seat a jury from those who show up Wednesday, and if attorneys still have concerns about the makeup of the pool, it will have to be decided by an appeals court.
Prosecutors opposed Monday's motion to quash the jury pool in Mr. Villareal's murder trial. Prosecutor John Rolater said the county's jury summonses are derived from a master list – known as The Wheel – that is "race neutral." He said he does not believe that Mr. Villareal's attorneys proved that the system is "inherently discriminatory."
"The system is colorblind," he said. "It doesn't choose who's on the list or who shows. , They don't have a valid claim that our system is unconstitutional."
By ROBERT THARP / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Skipping jury duty in Dallas County is about to get a lot harder.
A felony judge dismissed a pool of potential jurors Monday after attorneys protested that the five dozen people who showed up did not include enough Hispanics. Courthouse authorities later promised a crackdown on those who disregard their jury summonses.
On Wednesday, those who don't report for jury duty will get a visit from a sheriff's deputy and an order to appear before District Judge Karen Greene.
"We're going to have them come down and explain why they didn't show up," Judge Greene said, adding that those who don't could face contempt-of-court charges and a fine of up to $1,000.
Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez said she's prepared to send out deputies to find those who disregard jury duty.
"We prefer to not come knocking on your door, but if it's necessary, we'll do it," she said.
The no-show phenomenon is an enormous problem, court administrators say. Only one in five of those who are summoned appear. Monday was typical – 489 of 3,400 people summoned appeared for duty.
"It's very difficult because I'm always guessing how many people are going to show up," said jury services manager Lori Ann Bodino.
Court officials believe the dismal appearance rate will improve when a law takes effect in January raising daily juror pay from $6 to $40 after the first day of service.
Anthony Miller, a lawyer with Vinson & Elkins, said his firm's research found that many Hispanics, in particular, can't afford to take time away from their jobs to serve on a jury.
Jesse Diaz, Dallas chapter president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, agreed.
"It's economics," he said. "Most of them are hard-working people – they don't have time to sit on the jury."
Courts have ruled that juries must be selected from a pool of residents that is a racial cross-section of the general population. According to the motion filed Monday, none of the jury pools since March 2000 has included a sufficient number of Hispanic potential jurors.
In Javier Villareal's case, Judge Greene said, she plans to seat a jury from those who show up Wednesday, and if attorneys still have concerns about the makeup of the pool, it will have to be decided by an appeals court.
Prosecutors opposed Monday's motion to quash the jury pool in Mr. Villareal's murder trial. Prosecutor John Rolater said the county's jury summonses are derived from a master list – known as The Wheel – that is "race neutral." He said he does not believe that Mr. Villareal's attorneys proved that the system is "inherently discriminatory."
"The system is colorblind," he said. "It doesn't choose who's on the list or who shows. , They don't have a valid claim that our system is unconstitutional."
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'Neon Deion' aims to brighten S. Dallas
Ex-Cowboy's firm part of development plans including homes, retail
By KRYSTLE FERNANDEZ / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Former Dallas Cowboy Deion Sanders is putting his "Prime Time" nickname on some much-needed development in South Dallas.
Dallas City Council member Leo Chaney said Monday that Mr. Sanders will participate in a construction project to build homes and retail shops at Malcolm X Boulevard and Grand Avenue.
The city will work with Mr. Sanders' Prime Time Development Corp. and the Dallas-based SouthFair Community Development and Higher Level Development corporations, Mr. Chaney announced at City Hall.
"We've been working very diligently to revitalize the southern sector," Mr. Chaney said. "I'm just so delighted that Mr. Deion Sanders has a vision."
Mr. Sanders said he knows the northern and southern sectors of Dallas remain very different.
"We understand there are resources that need to be found to bridge that gap," he said. "I'm not just lending my name and my resources. What we're trying to do is really bless the community and give them opportunities."
The project, scheduled to begin about a year from now, will put about 200 single-family homes in the Jefferies Meyers neighborhood, said Henry Lawson, SouthFair executive director. The plan also includes two retail and business plazas.
"This should not be a neighborhood retail center. It must have some kind of regional appeal," Mr. Lawson said.
Millions of people are drawn to the Fair Park area but leave, Mr. Chaney said.
"We need something to make them stay," he said.
The home prices will start between $108,000 and $115,000, Mr. Lawson said. Developers hope to draw more professionals to the area – teachers, police officers and firefighters.
They see the project as a way to build a gateway to surrounding areas, Mr. Lawson said.
"We want to do it in such a way that connects the area to Deep Ellum, to Fair Park and to the Cedars," he said. "You have to think big."
Mr. Sanders is happy to be part of the project, from a business and a personal standpoint.
"We need to educate African-Americans about really owning a home, not renting for the rest of their lives," he said. "I'm doing this because there is a need."
Staff writer Emily Ramshaw contributed to this report.
NATHAN HUNSINGER/Dallas Morning News
'What we're trying to do is really bless the community and give them opportunities,' Deion Sanders says of the development planned for Malcolm X Boulevard and Grand Avenue.
Ex-Cowboy's firm part of development plans including homes, retail
By KRYSTLE FERNANDEZ / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Former Dallas Cowboy Deion Sanders is putting his "Prime Time" nickname on some much-needed development in South Dallas.
Dallas City Council member Leo Chaney said Monday that Mr. Sanders will participate in a construction project to build homes and retail shops at Malcolm X Boulevard and Grand Avenue.
The city will work with Mr. Sanders' Prime Time Development Corp. and the Dallas-based SouthFair Community Development and Higher Level Development corporations, Mr. Chaney announced at City Hall.
"We've been working very diligently to revitalize the southern sector," Mr. Chaney said. "I'm just so delighted that Mr. Deion Sanders has a vision."
Mr. Sanders said he knows the northern and southern sectors of Dallas remain very different.
"We understand there are resources that need to be found to bridge that gap," he said. "I'm not just lending my name and my resources. What we're trying to do is really bless the community and give them opportunities."
The project, scheduled to begin about a year from now, will put about 200 single-family homes in the Jefferies Meyers neighborhood, said Henry Lawson, SouthFair executive director. The plan also includes two retail and business plazas.
"This should not be a neighborhood retail center. It must have some kind of regional appeal," Mr. Lawson said.
Millions of people are drawn to the Fair Park area but leave, Mr. Chaney said.
"We need something to make them stay," he said.
The home prices will start between $108,000 and $115,000, Mr. Lawson said. Developers hope to draw more professionals to the area – teachers, police officers and firefighters.
They see the project as a way to build a gateway to surrounding areas, Mr. Lawson said.
"We want to do it in such a way that connects the area to Deep Ellum, to Fair Park and to the Cedars," he said. "You have to think big."
Mr. Sanders is happy to be part of the project, from a business and a personal standpoint.
"We need to educate African-Americans about really owning a home, not renting for the rest of their lives," he said. "I'm doing this because there is a need."
Staff writer Emily Ramshaw contributed to this report.
NATHAN HUNSINGER/Dallas Morning News
'What we're trying to do is really bless the community and give them opportunities,' Deion Sanders says of the development planned for Malcolm X Boulevard and Grand Avenue.
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TexasStooge
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Pane draws crowds, controversy
Accusations fly over glass that some say reflects Christ's image
By ISABEL ROJAS / Al Día
FORT WORTH, Texas – A window that drew Catholic faithful to a Fort Worth apartment last month has become a source of controversy.
Some saw the outlined face of Jesus Christ in the glass, and it attracted crowds to the Fossil Ridge Apartments on Northwest 18th Street, where Clara Martínez lives.
Ms. Martínez says her landlords tired of the crowds that the window brought and gave her the glass, which was removed and taken to the San Agustin church on Byron Street a few blocks away.
"The priest offered to take it to his church until we raised money to build a small shrine for it," she said.
But that priest, the Rev. John Parnell, said Ms. Martínez donated the glass to his church, which is affiliated with the California-based National Catholic Church of Mexico.
Now both say the other is trying to cash in on the image.
Father Parnell says Ms. Martínez can't account for some of the money that has been donated for the shrine.
"We never saw that money," he said.
Ms. Martínez said she did use a "small amount" of the donations to buy lamps so people could see the image on the glass at night and a carpet for people to stand on.
She countered that the priest officiated Mass outside her apartment on several occasions and never accounted for any donations he might have received.
"We're Catholic, and we believe in our priests, we think they speak the truth," she said, adding that she felt intimidated by the priest when she complained. "He's taking advantage of people's faith."
For now, Ms. Martínez has a signed receipt for the window, and the church has the glass.
It still attracts a few believers, even though when it was removed from the apartment, it broke.
Accusations fly over glass that some say reflects Christ's image
By ISABEL ROJAS / Al Día
FORT WORTH, Texas – A window that drew Catholic faithful to a Fort Worth apartment last month has become a source of controversy.
Some saw the outlined face of Jesus Christ in the glass, and it attracted crowds to the Fossil Ridge Apartments on Northwest 18th Street, where Clara Martínez lives.
Ms. Martínez says her landlords tired of the crowds that the window brought and gave her the glass, which was removed and taken to the San Agustin church on Byron Street a few blocks away.
"The priest offered to take it to his church until we raised money to build a small shrine for it," she said.
But that priest, the Rev. John Parnell, said Ms. Martínez donated the glass to his church, which is affiliated with the California-based National Catholic Church of Mexico.
Now both say the other is trying to cash in on the image.
Father Parnell says Ms. Martínez can't account for some of the money that has been donated for the shrine.
"We never saw that money," he said.
Ms. Martínez said she did use a "small amount" of the donations to buy lamps so people could see the image on the glass at night and a carpet for people to stand on.
She countered that the priest officiated Mass outside her apartment on several occasions and never accounted for any donations he might have received.
"We're Catholic, and we believe in our priests, we think they speak the truth," she said, adding that she felt intimidated by the priest when she complained. "He's taking advantage of people's faith."
For now, Ms. Martínez has a signed receipt for the window, and the church has the glass.
It still attracts a few believers, even though when it was removed from the apartment, it broke.
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TexasStooge
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Ex-Dallas student gets 6 years in English jail
By PAUL MEYER / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas/LONDON, England - A former Dallas prep school student was sentenced Monday to six years in an English prison for his involvement in an international identity theft ring.
Douglas Cade Havard, 22, pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy to defraud and launder money after an investigation by the English National Hi-Tech Crime Unit. The charges relate to Mr. Havard's role in a conspiracy with Russian crime syndicates to steal and trade bank and credit card information.
The former student at the Winston School and Southern Methodist University fled the United States in 2002 while facing a series of felony counts in Dallas and Collin counties.
Those U.S. charges, including drug dealing, counterfeiting and aggravated robbery, could mean life in prison.
Local authorities have completed extradition paperwork, but a date for Mr. Havard's return to the U.S. remains unknown.
"I think they'll start the process now after he has been sentenced," said Kevin Clancy, Mr. Havard's local attorney.
Mr. Clancy met with his client a week ago in England. He said Mr. Havard remains surprised by the amount of media attention that his story has received.
"He's kind of amazed he has gotten as much attention as he's gotten," Mr. Clancy said.
By PAUL MEYER / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas/LONDON, England - A former Dallas prep school student was sentenced Monday to six years in an English prison for his involvement in an international identity theft ring.
Douglas Cade Havard, 22, pleaded guilty last month to conspiracy to defraud and launder money after an investigation by the English National Hi-Tech Crime Unit. The charges relate to Mr. Havard's role in a conspiracy with Russian crime syndicates to steal and trade bank and credit card information.
The former student at the Winston School and Southern Methodist University fled the United States in 2002 while facing a series of felony counts in Dallas and Collin counties.
Those U.S. charges, including drug dealing, counterfeiting and aggravated robbery, could mean life in prison.
Local authorities have completed extradition paperwork, but a date for Mr. Havard's return to the U.S. remains unknown.
"I think they'll start the process now after he has been sentenced," said Kevin Clancy, Mr. Havard's local attorney.
Mr. Clancy met with his client a week ago in England. He said Mr. Havard remains surprised by the amount of media attention that his story has received.
"He's kind of amazed he has gotten as much attention as he's gotten," Mr. Clancy said.
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TexasStooge
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BREAKING NEWS: North Dallas museum on fire
DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel are currently battling a five-alarm fire at the Biblical Arts Center museum and theater near NorthPark Mall in North Dallas.
The fire was first reported shortly after 11 a.m. at the center, located in the 7500 block of Park Lane at Boedeker Drive just west of Central Expressway.
Smoke could be seen billowing from the roof, and scanner reports indicated heavy fire on the building's interior. Multiple fire personnel could be seen entering and exiting the building, and both Park Lane and Boedeker Drive are closed in the vicinity.
There is no word on whether there are any injuries from the fire.
The Biblical Arts Center is a non-denominational, non-profit organization with a mission to help people "more clearly envision the places, events and people of the Bible." The building contains various exhibits and works of art, including an enormous oil painting 124 feet long by 20 feet high, depicting the Miracle at Pentecost.
Those in North Texas, Watch WFAA.com and News 8 for more on this developing story.
WFAA ABC 8
Firefighters worked to open up more vents as smoke billowed from the roof.
DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel are currently battling a five-alarm fire at the Biblical Arts Center museum and theater near NorthPark Mall in North Dallas.
The fire was first reported shortly after 11 a.m. at the center, located in the 7500 block of Park Lane at Boedeker Drive just west of Central Expressway.
Smoke could be seen billowing from the roof, and scanner reports indicated heavy fire on the building's interior. Multiple fire personnel could be seen entering and exiting the building, and both Park Lane and Boedeker Drive are closed in the vicinity.
There is no word on whether there are any injuries from the fire.
The Biblical Arts Center is a non-denominational, non-profit organization with a mission to help people "more clearly envision the places, events and people of the Bible." The building contains various exhibits and works of art, including an enormous oil painting 124 feet long by 20 feet high, depicting the Miracle at Pentecost.
Those in North Texas, Watch WFAA.com and News 8 for more on this developing story.
WFAA ABC 8
Firefighters worked to open up more vents as smoke billowed from the roof.
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TexasStooge
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North Dallas museum on fire (Updated)
DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel battled a five-alarm fire at the Biblical Arts Center museum and theater near NorthPark Mall in North Dallas.
The fire was first reported shortly after 11 a.m. at the center, located in the 7500 block of Park Lane at Boedeker Drive just west of Central Expressway.
"There was actually a group inside taking a tour, and that group smelled smoke inside, so they notified the staff," said Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Lt. Joel Lavender. "The staff made sure that everybody was evacuated without hurt, harm or danger."
Smoke could be seen billowing from the roof, and scanner reports indicated heavy fire on the building's interior. Some 120 fire personnel and 20 pieces of heavy firefighting equipment surrounded the building. Park Lane and Boedeker Drive were closed in the vicinity of the fire.
There was no word on whether there were any injuries from the fire.
The Biblical Arts Center is a non-denominational, non-profit organization with a mission to help people "more clearly envision the places, events and people of the Bible." The building contains various exhibits and works of art, including an enormous oil painting 124 feet long by 20 feet high, depicting the Miracle at Pentecost.
"We have unique and additional challenges with this fire," Lavender said. "Not only do we have sensitive material inside, we also have a building that's not sprinklered. The building was built before the code required sprinklers."
Lavender added that the challenges were multiplied by the temperature, which was approaching 100 degrees.
"We want to make sure our firefighters are safe, our firefighters are well; we want to make sure that they're able to handle the task at hand," he said.
Those in North Texas, Watch WFAA.com and News 8 for more on this developing story.
DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Dallas Fire-Rescue personnel battled a five-alarm fire at the Biblical Arts Center museum and theater near NorthPark Mall in North Dallas.
The fire was first reported shortly after 11 a.m. at the center, located in the 7500 block of Park Lane at Boedeker Drive just west of Central Expressway.
"There was actually a group inside taking a tour, and that group smelled smoke inside, so they notified the staff," said Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Lt. Joel Lavender. "The staff made sure that everybody was evacuated without hurt, harm or danger."
Smoke could be seen billowing from the roof, and scanner reports indicated heavy fire on the building's interior. Some 120 fire personnel and 20 pieces of heavy firefighting equipment surrounded the building. Park Lane and Boedeker Drive were closed in the vicinity of the fire.
There was no word on whether there were any injuries from the fire.
The Biblical Arts Center is a non-denominational, non-profit organization with a mission to help people "more clearly envision the places, events and people of the Bible." The building contains various exhibits and works of art, including an enormous oil painting 124 feet long by 20 feet high, depicting the Miracle at Pentecost.
"We have unique and additional challenges with this fire," Lavender said. "Not only do we have sensitive material inside, we also have a building that's not sprinklered. The building was built before the code required sprinklers."
Lavender added that the challenges were multiplied by the temperature, which was approaching 100 degrees.
"We want to make sure our firefighters are safe, our firefighters are well; we want to make sure that they're able to handle the task at hand," he said.
Those in North Texas, Watch WFAA.com and News 8 for more on this developing story.
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TexasStooge
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Police: Teacher convinced students to torch her car
HOUSTON, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) -- Two high school students were failing chemistry when investigators say their teacher gave them a combustion assignment outside the lab—torch the teacher’s car for a passing grade.
An Aldine Senior High School teacher has been charged with giving the students a passing grade in return for dumping and burning her car.
Tramesha Lashon Fox, 32, of Kingwood, is charged with insurance fraud and arson, authorities said. Officers obtained warrants for Fox Tuesday and were searching for her.
The two students, Roger Luna, 18, and Darwin Arias, 17, were also charged with arson. Luna was arrested Tuesday night, and Arias was arranging to surrender.
In an interview with Harris County fire marshal’s investigators last week, Fox said she gave the students passing grades for destroying her 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. She told investigators she wanted to collect the insurance proceeds.
Fox first approached the students on campus in May about the plan, said senior fire investigator Dustin Deutsch of the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office. They students thought she was joking, but she continued to pursue them.
Investigators said the plan involved Fox leaving her car unlocked with the keys inside at a mall. On the last day of school, May 27, the students drove the car to a wooded area, doused it with charcoal lighter fluid and let it burn, Deutsch said.
Fox reported the theft that day.
At the time Fox was at least three months behind on her car payments and facing repossession, Deutsch said.
The car was found 12 days later in a wooded area near Arias’ home.
Meanwhile Fox had bought a 2005 Toyota Corolla before she reported the other car was stolen, investigators said. She owed about $20,000 on the Chevrolet, Deutsch said.
Luna and Arias had been failing Fox’s class until their final exam. Arias received a 90; Luna an 80, Deutsch said. The grades were high enough to pass the semester.
After investigators called her in for questioning last week, Fox admitted to the plan.
Aldine Independent School District officials said Tuesday they were waiting to see the fire marshal’s report.
“Our folks will then do a thorough investigation and then make a decision as far as employment status,” said Leticia Fehling, Aldine ISD spokeswoman.
HOUSTON, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) -- Two high school students were failing chemistry when investigators say their teacher gave them a combustion assignment outside the lab—torch the teacher’s car for a passing grade.
An Aldine Senior High School teacher has been charged with giving the students a passing grade in return for dumping and burning her car.
Tramesha Lashon Fox, 32, of Kingwood, is charged with insurance fraud and arson, authorities said. Officers obtained warrants for Fox Tuesday and were searching for her.
The two students, Roger Luna, 18, and Darwin Arias, 17, were also charged with arson. Luna was arrested Tuesday night, and Arias was arranging to surrender.
In an interview with Harris County fire marshal’s investigators last week, Fox said she gave the students passing grades for destroying her 2003 Chevrolet Malibu. She told investigators she wanted to collect the insurance proceeds.
Fox first approached the students on campus in May about the plan, said senior fire investigator Dustin Deutsch of the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office. They students thought she was joking, but she continued to pursue them.
Investigators said the plan involved Fox leaving her car unlocked with the keys inside at a mall. On the last day of school, May 27, the students drove the car to a wooded area, doused it with charcoal lighter fluid and let it burn, Deutsch said.
Fox reported the theft that day.
At the time Fox was at least three months behind on her car payments and facing repossession, Deutsch said.
The car was found 12 days later in a wooded area near Arias’ home.
Meanwhile Fox had bought a 2005 Toyota Corolla before she reported the other car was stolen, investigators said. She owed about $20,000 on the Chevrolet, Deutsch said.
Luna and Arias had been failing Fox’s class until their final exam. Arias received a 90; Luna an 80, Deutsch said. The grades were high enough to pass the semester.
After investigators called her in for questioning last week, Fox admitted to the plan.
Aldine Independent School District officials said Tuesday they were waiting to see the fire marshal’s report.
“Our folks will then do a thorough investigation and then make a decision as far as employment status,” said Leticia Fehling, Aldine ISD spokeswoman.
Last edited by TexasStooge on Thu Jun 30, 2005 10:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
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TexasStooge
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Fort Worth among top in population growth
San Antonio also among top 5 nationally in population growth
FORT WORTH, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Fort Worth and San Antonio rank among the nation's top cities in population growth, according to estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2004 estimates include incorporated cities and towns across the nation.
Fort Worth added about 18,000 people; San Antonio increased by about 22,000. San Antonio, which passed Dallas last year to become the nation's eighth-largest city, grew four times as fast as Big D from 2003 to 2004.
Dallas' suburbs posted strong gains, however, and in some cases increased by more than 20 percent.
Other highlights:
•Detroit, whose population has declined annually since 2000, fell out of the nation's top 10 largest cities. San Jose, Calif., took its place.
•In Texas, the village of Bee Cave, about 20 miles west of Austin near Lake Travis, grew by 66 percent, the largest percentage growth of any city statewide from 2003 to 2004.
•Wylie's population surpassed 25,000 in 2004, and it was the fastest-growing city with a population of 25,000 or more in North Texas.
•Eight of North Texas' larger cities, including Irving and Garland, lost population from 2003 to 2004.
San Antonio also among top 5 nationally in population growth
FORT WORTH, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Fort Worth and San Antonio rank among the nation's top cities in population growth, according to estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2004 estimates include incorporated cities and towns across the nation.
Fort Worth added about 18,000 people; San Antonio increased by about 22,000. San Antonio, which passed Dallas last year to become the nation's eighth-largest city, grew four times as fast as Big D from 2003 to 2004.
Dallas' suburbs posted strong gains, however, and in some cases increased by more than 20 percent.
Other highlights:
•Detroit, whose population has declined annually since 2000, fell out of the nation's top 10 largest cities. San Jose, Calif., took its place.
•In Texas, the village of Bee Cave, about 20 miles west of Austin near Lake Travis, grew by 66 percent, the largest percentage growth of any city statewide from 2003 to 2004.
•Wylie's population surpassed 25,000 in 2004, and it was the fastest-growing city with a population of 25,000 or more in North Texas.
•Eight of North Texas' larger cities, including Irving and Garland, lost population from 2003 to 2004.
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TexasStooge
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Police arrest Arlington pastor for third time
By JIM DOUGLAS / WFAA ABC 8
ARLINGTON, Texas - Reverend Terry Hornbuckle returned to the Tarrant County Jail for the third time this year, but bonded out in time for a scheduled back surgery Wednesday. A grand jury indicted him on two new sexual assault allegations from 2003 and 2004 and trying to intimidate a potential witness.
Hornbuckle was already out on bond for sexual assault and drug charges when he surrendered on four new charges. It took him less than one hour to be released on the quarter million dollar bond.
In both cases, jurors heard evidence that the Arlington pastor allegedly impaired the women by giving them a substance to knock them out.
The indictment said he caused one woman to submit by "exploiting [her] emotional dependency on the defendant as a clergyman."
Hornbuckle was charged earlier this year with sexually assaulting three members of his Agape Christian Fellowship in Arlington. Police said they found methamphetamines in his SUV when they arrested him. A few weeks later they arrested him again for failing a drug test.
His attorney accused the state of persecuting the preacher with high bond, tight restrictions and publicity.
"This unprecedented attempt to harm Mr. Hornbuckle emotionally, physically and financially reveals a conspiratorial attempt to deprive him of due process and convict him in the public eye" he wrote the judge.
By JIM DOUGLAS / WFAA ABC 8
ARLINGTON, Texas - Reverend Terry Hornbuckle returned to the Tarrant County Jail for the third time this year, but bonded out in time for a scheduled back surgery Wednesday. A grand jury indicted him on two new sexual assault allegations from 2003 and 2004 and trying to intimidate a potential witness.
Hornbuckle was already out on bond for sexual assault and drug charges when he surrendered on four new charges. It took him less than one hour to be released on the quarter million dollar bond.
In both cases, jurors heard evidence that the Arlington pastor allegedly impaired the women by giving them a substance to knock them out.
The indictment said he caused one woman to submit by "exploiting [her] emotional dependency on the defendant as a clergyman."
Hornbuckle was charged earlier this year with sexually assaulting three members of his Agape Christian Fellowship in Arlington. Police said they found methamphetamines in his SUV when they arrested him. A few weeks later they arrested him again for failing a drug test.
His attorney accused the state of persecuting the preacher with high bond, tight restrictions and publicity.
"This unprecedented attempt to harm Mr. Hornbuckle emotionally, physically and financially reveals a conspiratorial attempt to deprive him of due process and convict him in the public eye" he wrote the judge.
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TexasStooge
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Judge threatens possible fines for absentee jurors
By BRAD WATSON / WFAA ABC 8
DALLAS, Texas - Hundreds of Dallas County residents called for jury duty didn't show up Wednesday morning despite a warning issued Monday to appear or action would be taken. As a result, District State Judge Karen Greene issued orders for truant jurors to appear before her August 5.
"And then I'll listen to those excuses or whatever explanations they have," she said. "I could in my judgment or discretion fine them up to $1,000.
Greene said she took action because of the chronic disregard of jury summons that can cause courts to postpone cases and leave attorneys without a good cross section of people.
Judges and lawyers aren't the only ones aggravated by those who play hooky. Other jurors said they are frustrated as well.
"I figure if I have to show up, they need to show up," said juror Ervin Walker.
County Judge Margaret Keliher got a jury summons herself. For those fellow jurors who don't show up, she suggested taking away drivers licenses for motivation.
"I think something that really gets your attention, over the fact that you've got to have your duty done, would be a much better idea than to be able to arrest people for it," Keliher said.
The county wastes thousands of dollars in postage when jury summons are ignored, she said.
Meanwhile, Judge Greene said the enforcement will continue by picking days randomly to check jury pools and find out who decides not to show up.
By BRAD WATSON / WFAA ABC 8
DALLAS, Texas - Hundreds of Dallas County residents called for jury duty didn't show up Wednesday morning despite a warning issued Monday to appear or action would be taken. As a result, District State Judge Karen Greene issued orders for truant jurors to appear before her August 5.
"And then I'll listen to those excuses or whatever explanations they have," she said. "I could in my judgment or discretion fine them up to $1,000.
Greene said she took action because of the chronic disregard of jury summons that can cause courts to postpone cases and leave attorneys without a good cross section of people.
Judges and lawyers aren't the only ones aggravated by those who play hooky. Other jurors said they are frustrated as well.
"I figure if I have to show up, they need to show up," said juror Ervin Walker.
County Judge Margaret Keliher got a jury summons herself. For those fellow jurors who don't show up, she suggested taking away drivers licenses for motivation.
"I think something that really gets your attention, over the fact that you've got to have your duty done, would be a much better idea than to be able to arrest people for it," Keliher said.
The county wastes thousands of dollars in postage when jury summons are ignored, she said.
Meanwhile, Judge Greene said the enforcement will continue by picking days randomly to check jury pools and find out who decides not to show up.
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TexasStooge
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Tarrant moving towards burn ban
By REBECCA RODRIGUEZ / WFAA ABC 8
FORT WORTH, Texas - Tarrant County is set to join the growing list of North Texas counties to issue a burn ban.
Ten counties have already issued burn bans, and that number is growing every day.
Some worry it may not happen soon enough, however. The move would require approval by county commissioners before it can go into effect, but that won't happen until next Tuesday, after the Fourth of July weekend.
With dry conditions getting worse by the day, firefighters are worried.
"We're right on the verge of being in ... a major drought condition," said Tarrant County Fire Marshal Randy Renois.
It's been nearly a decade since wildfires tore through Parker County. Already, Renois said the fire threat this summer is the worst it's been since 2001. Conditions deteriorated so quickly that there wasn't time to get the burn ban on the county commissioner's agenda until next week. It'll come too late for the holiday weekend, and the threat posed by fireworks.
Fireworks vendor Sylvia Valderas is looking forward to hot sales as the weekend draws near, but she's also worried about all the dry grass near her stand - and with good reason.
"We've had people drive by and actually throw firecrackers at us as they're driving by," Valderas said. "They just light them up and throw them out."
The burn ban won't go into effect until July 5. Renois said until then, he's hoping residents will exercise good judgment.
"If you're going to burn between now and Tuesday, burn small piles and watch the wind," he said. "If it's an orange or red ozone day, just be careful.
By REBECCA RODRIGUEZ / WFAA ABC 8
FORT WORTH, Texas - Tarrant County is set to join the growing list of North Texas counties to issue a burn ban.
Ten counties have already issued burn bans, and that number is growing every day.
Some worry it may not happen soon enough, however. The move would require approval by county commissioners before it can go into effect, but that won't happen until next Tuesday, after the Fourth of July weekend.
With dry conditions getting worse by the day, firefighters are worried.
"We're right on the verge of being in ... a major drought condition," said Tarrant County Fire Marshal Randy Renois.
It's been nearly a decade since wildfires tore through Parker County. Already, Renois said the fire threat this summer is the worst it's been since 2001. Conditions deteriorated so quickly that there wasn't time to get the burn ban on the county commissioner's agenda until next week. It'll come too late for the holiday weekend, and the threat posed by fireworks.
Fireworks vendor Sylvia Valderas is looking forward to hot sales as the weekend draws near, but she's also worried about all the dry grass near her stand - and with good reason.
"We've had people drive by and actually throw firecrackers at us as they're driving by," Valderas said. "They just light them up and throw them out."
The burn ban won't go into effect until July 5. Renois said until then, he's hoping residents will exercise good judgment.
"If you're going to burn between now and Tuesday, burn small piles and watch the wind," he said. "If it's an orange or red ozone day, just be careful.
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TexasStooge
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Fort Worth sees third Taser death in 8 months
FORT WORTH, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Fort Worth police are investigating another death that may be related to a Taser gun.
Convicted prostitute Carolyn Daniels, 25, died Friday night shortly after an encounter with police.
According to reports, Daniels approached an officer in the 1100 block of Allen Avenue, saying someone was after her. The officer, who suspected Daniels was high on drugs, shot her with the Taser and placed her under arrest.
Daniels died 90 minutes later at a local hospital.
This is the third fatal incident involving a Taser in Fort Worth over the last eight months.
FORT WORTH, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Fort Worth police are investigating another death that may be related to a Taser gun.
Convicted prostitute Carolyn Daniels, 25, died Friday night shortly after an encounter with police.
According to reports, Daniels approached an officer in the 1100 block of Allen Avenue, saying someone was after her. The officer, who suspected Daniels was high on drugs, shot her with the Taser and placed her under arrest.
Daniels died 90 minutes later at a local hospital.
This is the third fatal incident involving a Taser in Fort Worth over the last eight months.
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