News from the Lone Star State

[TexasStooge]

Suspicious fire damages Garland home

GARLAND, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) — Investigators labeled a one-alarm house fire in Garland early Tuesday as suspicous in origin.

The one-alarm fire, at a residence in the 3300 block of Pamela Place, was reported about 6 a.m. The flames burned through part of the roof.

The fire spread fast, but the occupants of the home got out safely.

One neighbor and his grandfather were concerned for their own house, and attacked the flames with garden hoses.

"I opened the window and the flames were right there," said Sergio Diaz. "You could feel the heat and smell everything burning ... it was impressive."

Firefighters contained the damage to the one property.

Officials said the house that burned was in foreclosure.

[TexasStooge]

Arlington boy found dead in motel pool

Mother wonders whether 11-year-old epileptic had seizure

By PAULA LAVIGNE / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS, Texas - An 11-year-old Arlington boy was found dead in a southwest Dallas motel pool early Monday, leaving his mother guessing as to whether an epileptic seizure may have led to his drowning.

Bradley Bradfield had been staying at the Motel 6 in the 4200 block of Independence Drive with his mother and stepfather.

As of Monday afternoon, officials with the Dallas County medical examiner's office had not determined the cause of death.

But Bradley had epilepsy, and his mother, 29-year-old Teri Williams, wonders whether he suffered a seizure before he drowned. She said his head and neck were swollen.

The child's grandmother Barbara Jackson said she, her two daughters and three grandchildren lost their home in Arlington about a month ago and have been living in motels.

Ms. Williams said Bradley was a great swimmer with several years of experience.

Ms. Williams' husband, Jamie Williams, 30, said he had asked the hotel staff to open the pool Sunday. He said a maintenance worker came out about 11 a.m. Monday and cut bolts off both sides of the gate to the pool.

Motel 6 spokeswoman Janice Maragakis said workers had misplaced the key to the locks but decided to cut the bolts so the pool could be open Memorial Day.

Signs around the pool say children cannot use the pool without adult supervision and warn that there is no lifeguard on duty, Ms. Maragakis said.

"Everybody's so heartbroken over this. It's just so upsetting," she said.

Mr. Williams said he headed toward the pool minutes after Bradley but didn't see anyone at first. As he started back to the room to alert his wife, something caught his eye. It was Bradley's body at the bottom of the pool.

Bradley was taken to Methodist Charlton Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Joel Lavender said.

Ms. Williams said she had been home-schooling her son, a sixth-grader.

"He was a little cowboy. He always wanted to ride bulls and play with his cars and dress up like a cowboy," his mother said. "He was a real bright kid."

Services are pending. Ms. Jackson said the family couldn't afford funeral arrangements, and they have been working with Southwest Harvest Church in Duncanville to find assistance.

[TexasStooge]

Fort Worth takes action against gangs

By JIM DOUGLAS / WFAA ABC 8

FORT WORTH, Texas — After recent murders of innocent citizens, the city of Fort Worth has launched a new plan to put gangs under the gun.

It calls for zero-tolerance teams of officers to swarm gang-infested neighborhoods, using code violations to shut down gang hangouts.

Publicity campaigns will also be launched to generate anonymous tips to identify gang members.

Young victims of gang violence in recent days include a 13-year-old in the city's Woodhaven neighborhood and a 16-year-old in south Fort Worth. At least three other residents have been wounded.

Police and city leaders responded Tuesday with a plan to attack gangs on several fronts.

Gang members gunned down 13-year-old Sammie Stevenson last week, but some residents aimed their frustration at police.

"These people are next door to the police substation selling drugs, carrying pistols," one woman said. "You think they do anything? They don't do anything."

That allegation isn't true, but Fort Worth police know they haven't done enough to keep gangs from terrorizing certain parts of the city, like Sammie's neighborhood.

Police, however, say residents haven't done enough, either.

The new plan announced Tuesday adds another 12-member crime response team to put the heat on gangs.

"We're going to go back, rename them 'zero tolerance teams' to reflect the mission we want them to have," said acting police Chief Pat Kneblick.

Chief Kneblick said 'zero tolerance' means a lot of traffic stops, and—whenever possible—making arrests and seizing cars instead of writing tickets. "We know we need to keep the pressure on," she said.

Kneblick added the city will aggressively use nuisance abatement laws to shut down apartments and homes infested by gang violence.

At the same time, the Safe City program will distribute 10,000 door hangers encouraging residents to report gang crime. "They don't have to be intimidated by fear of retaliation," Chief Kneblick said.

Fort Worth residents will also see city buses wrapped in anti-violence messages. "It's not a feel good waste of money," Chief Kneblick said.

The Crime Stoppers hotline is now staffed by off-duty police dispatchers. Operators are standing by and police are already making arrests.

The city will also open two new gang diversion programs, and police will be meeting with community leaders to explain the "zero tolerance" enforcement efforts.

[TexasStooge]

Kidnap suspects refuse to waive extradition

ENNIS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Two women who allegedly kidnapped a Southern California baby and brought him to Midlothian are apparently in no hurry to return to the West Coast.

Annette Bryant, 47, of Midlothian and Sylvia Nunn, 53, of Compton, Calif., appeared in an Ellis County courtroom Tuesday morning and refused to waive extradition.

A new hearing was set for July, giving allowing California prosecutors time to obtain an arrest warrant.

The FBI said Bryant and Nunn took six-week-old Devon Calloway from his teenage mother when she refused to sell the child to them.

Bond for Bryant and Nunn was set at $500,000 each. The suspects filed a motion to reduce the amount; a hearing was set for next Monday.

[TexasStooge]

Retaliation accusations aimed at principal, Dallas ISD

By BRETT SHIPP / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - The principal at Dallas South Oak Cliff High School declined to respond to current and former teachers' accusations of numerous improprieties including sexual harassment, grade changing, fudging attendance records and most recently retaliation.

Retaliation accusations were aimed not only at Principal Donald Moten, who was placed on leave by the district, but possibly also the district itself.

One week ago, Moten was handing out diplomas at graduation after he was back on the job having been removed from campus for three weeks. Moten was investigated internally following numerous allegations of impropriety including sexual harassment.

While Moten was placed back on campus, others who blew the whistle on him were put in exile.

Math teacher Winford Ashmore was placed on a paid leave for one year after he was accused by the principal of insubordination, but Ashmore said he and Moten exchanged words after the math teacher refused to change grades for athletes failing his class.

Last December, a hearing examiner ruled that Dallas Independent School District "did not prove...its allegations" against Ashmore and called him "one of the best teachers in the school."

Yet, Ashmore remains at home on leave and said he doesn't know why.

South Oak Cliff High School Counselor Frank Hammond was also banned from campus for the past two months placed in the lobby at DISD's Human Resources Department.

He was accused by his principal of wrongly changing a student's grades, which was something Moten himself stands accused.

"Basically, they just tell me that they are still investigating and after two months," Hammond said. "I just wonder."

Hammond was also a whistle blower.

Two months ago, he filed a complaint with district administrators that accused Moten of "sexually harassing female co-workers, visitors and parents" who were afraid to come forward.

"Every conversation you had with him dealt with sex," he said.

A few days after DISD administration employee witnessed the News 8 interview with Hammond, he was handed a termination letter that was dated the day of the interview, May 19.

"This whole case is about retaliation," Hammond said.

Another employee News 8 talked with and who called the situation at South Oak Cliff "chaotic" was only willing to talk on camera in disguise.

"You can write a referral to the principal on a student, but that just undermines your credibility because the students just laugh," the teacher said. "They know it's probably not going to be acted on."

As for Ashmore, he said he is speaking out for the children.

"People need to know what's going on, and if that means that I have to sacrifice for things to get better, then I'm willing to do that," he said.

No o one from DISD administration has responded about the investigation.

Last week, DISD officials once again placed Moten on administrative leave.

[TexasStooge]

Man in wheelchair hit by patrol car, dies

By CYNTHIA VEGA / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - A man in a wheelchair died early Wednesday after being struck by a Dallas police cruiser. Police were investigating the circumstances. The accident occurred on the Corinth Street Viaduct that crosses the Trinity River.

Police investigators report the area where the accident occurred was extremely dark and say the man was apparently attempting to cross the roadway in downtown Dallas.

Senior Cpl. Donna Hernandez, a police spokeswoman, said the driver of a vehicle behind the police car told investigators he could not see the man in the wheelchair and likely would have struck him had the officer been able to avoid hitting the victim.

The dead man reportedly had a DART pass and appeared to be in his 30s. The victim was taken to a local hospital after the accident, where he died. Police have not released the man's identity.

[TexasStooge]

Man in wheelchair hit by patrol car, dies (Updated)

By CYNTHIA VEGA / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - A man in a wheelchair died early Wednesday after being struck by a Dallas police cruiser. Police were investigating the circumstances. The accident occurred on the Corinth Street Viaduct that crosses the Trinity River.

Police investigators report the area where the accident occurred was extremely dark and say the man was apparently attempting to cross the roadway in downtown Dallas.

Senior Cpl. Donna Hernandez, a police spokeswoman, said the driver of a vehicle behind the police car told investigators he could not see the man in the wheelchair and likely would have struck him had the officer been able to avoid hitting the victim.

The dead man reportedly had a DART pass and appeared to be in his 30s. The victim was taken to a local hospital after the accident, where he died. Police have not released the man's identity.

The officer driving the patrol car was identified as Senior Cpl. Kenneth Strauss, who works in the Southeast Patrol Division. He has been with the Dallas Police Department since 1991.

There are no wheelchair ramps on the sidewalks in the vicinity of the accident.

[TexasStooge]

Fort Worth accidents leave 2 dead

FORT WORTH, Texas (The Dallas Morning News) - Fort Worth police are investigating separate accidents overnight that left two people dead.

The first accident occurred around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday at East Long Ave and Beach Street in Fort Worth. A man driving westbound collided with a Ford Explorer, causing his Chevrolet Tahoe to flip over and burst into flames. Police are investigating whether the Tahoe ran the red light.

A Haltom City police officer who was on patrol near the accident saw the flames and responded. Officer Brandon St. John tried to extinguish the blaze and pull the unresponsive driver from the Tahoe, but the flames were too intense, Haltom City police Sgt. Terry Stayer said.

Officer St. John was taken to a local hospital for minor burns but was released, Sgt. Stayer said.

The second accident was a pedestrian who died after he was struck at least four times around 3 a.m. Wednesday on a ramp from southbound Interstate 35W to westbound Interstate 20.

Police said 25-year-old Gina Montoya of Granbury was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated at the scene of the accident. Police said Montoya allegedly hit the man, then pulled over and waited for police to arrive.

Names of both victims were not released by police pending notification of family members.

WFAA ABC 8 contributed to this report.

[TexasStooge]

South Dallas residents to discuss regeneration

By DEBBIE DENMON / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - South Dallas residents know change is on the way.

The 2006 Bond Program, Trinity River Project and Dart Expansion are proof the city is taking the southern sector seriously.

Now, a June 3rd meeting is planned for residents to forge an agenda and prepare for a South Dallas transformation.

Anna Hill is proud of her garden, but she is ashamed of what goes on in her neighborhood.

She's lived here for 25 years and witnessed the growth of an ugly trade.

"Mainly its drugs," she said.

Hill is president of her Neighborhood Association and says South Dallas needs more affordable housing to lure responsible homeowners.

"The majority of rental property here is rented by someone selling drugs," she said.

One car wash is a symbol of frustration to resident and developer Hank Lawson.

He calls the car wash a lot for loitering.

"There's a lot of trading of knock-off goods. I'm pretty sure there is drug trafficking, but the most important thing is if you are a business person trying to get your neighborhood ready to seek investment, these are the types of things you have to have under control," he said.

Lawson tried to get the car wash shut down but failed.

He heads the Southfair Community Development Corporation which built $20 million worth of homes and businesses in the area.

He says image is everything when revitalization efforts are underway.

"If something is going to happen, we citizens have to do our part," he said.

Residents of South Dallas say new development like this defeats the purpose when right across the street a vacant lot becomes dumping ground.

"We walked upon the parts of some type of animal and I need for someone to pick 'em up," said Hall.

Some type of animal with horns was dumped down the street from Hill's home.

She takes action whenever she can.

She says it's up to the rest of the community to do the same.

[TexasStooge]

Former officer pleads guilty on child stuff charge

MANSFIELD, Texas (The Dallas Morning News) - A former Mansfield police officer pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of possession of child pornography.

U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper said David Neal Looney, 41, admitted to paying for access to a Web site containing child pornography. Agents who seized and searchd Mr. Looney’s computer found 110 images of child stuff.

Mr. Looney faces a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing has been scheduled for Sept. 11.

[TexasStooge]

I-30 to get guaranteed 50 mph express lanes

By DON WALL / WFAA ABC 8

A traffic jam on I-30, with nobody moving and everybody backed up, is a familiar site.

Accidents or construction work clog highways every day.

But a solution is in the works.

At the moment, we're traveling west bound on I-30 in stop and go traffic. In a few months those lanes next to me will open, with a guarantee that the traffic will never slow below 50 miles an hour.

They are called 'managed express lanes,' and the ones on I-30 are nearly finished.

In the morning, the two to three express lanes will carry traffic eastbound.

In the afternoons, they will reverse and traffic will flow westbound.

There is a catch - you'll have to pay an electronic toll to use these express lanes.

Drivers will have to pay more to get where they are going sooner.

"If it's going to make the traffic go a little faster, then I'm willing to pay for that," said one driver.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments and the Texas Department of Transportation are planning similar express toll lanes on 635, and 183, and other road construction projects.

The toll will go up as overall congestion increases and if the 50 mile per hour guarantee isn't met, drivers will get a rebate.

It will be just another way to help North Texans life in the fast lane.
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ALSO ONLINE:

Dallas/Ft. Worth Traffic Reports from Traffic Pulse

[TexasStooge]

Dallas police search for robbery suspect

DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Police are searching for a bank robbery suspect after they said he robbed the Compass Bank at Preston and Beltline roads and then fled around 3:45 p.m.

Police said the man may be armed and described him as a white male in his 40s wearing a baseball cap, sunglasses and casually dressed.

The suspect left on foot with an undetermined amount of money after he was said to have showed a teller a note. No weapon was seen during the robbery.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 972-559-5000.

[TexasStooge]

Hi-tech armed SUV seeks out unpaid ticket offenders

By CHRIS HEINBAUGH / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - While booting cars with unpaid tickets has dramatically increased as the city of Dallas attempts to collect the $40 million it is owed in unpaid parking tickets, a new hi-tech weapon has joined in the battle.

Autovu, a Chevy Tahoe armed with cameras, has now been placed on the lookout for scofflaws. Cameras are mounted in front and in the back of the car.

While one person drives the SUV and the other enters in potentially matched plates, the computer inside that is filled with the license numbers of cars with multiple unpaid tickets does quite a bit of work itself.

"We got new equipment, new toy," Sgt. Gabriel Aguilar said.

The cameras scan license numbers as the officers drive by and analyze the plates. When the computer finds a potential match an alarm goes off.

Sgt. Aguilar said while sometimes the computer can make a mistake, it more often hits pay dirt.

Police say soon the computer will also search for stolen cars and will time vehicle, to see if they are parked in one place too long.

"So when time is due, we go back and take a picture," Sgt. Aguilar said.

[TexasStooge]

Power line safety questioned near Rowlett daycare

By BRAD WATSON / WFAA ABC 8

ROWLETT, Texas - Sagging utility poles that run along State Highway 66 have one Rowlett daycare center worried for the safety of the children.

Lakeview Learning Center and Childcare said they do all they can on the ground to keep children safe while playing, however they said the risk is overhead in the trees.

"If it rains, those power lines are going to electrify my trees," said Mike Tremblay, the daycare owner. "My trees are going to be electrical all the way to the ground. When children are out there playing, I'm afraid if they touch the trees they're going to get electrocuted."

The reason is that over time, the poles began to slip and tilt farther over the daycare's property.

TXU explained that soil conditions in North Texas makes stabilizing poles difficult, which is something concerned parents have begun to notice.

"From the looks of it, it would eventually fall down into the daycare," said parent Jamie Lutz. "And if it happened during the day, I mean that's a hazardous situation."

TXU Electric Delivery said it doesn't own the poles, but since there's a safety risk said they will take action.

"We will be acting quickly to raise this line up and reset the poles and replace them if necessary," said Carol Peters, TXU.

Officials said the situation should be straightened out within two weeks.

[TexasStooge]

Dallas police search for robbery suspect

DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Police are searching for a bank robbery suspect after they said he robbed the Compass Bank at Preston and Beltline roads and then fled around 3:45 p.m.

Police said the man may be armed and described him as a white male in his 40s wearing a baseball cap, sunglasses and casually dressed.

The suspect left on foot with an undetermined amount of money after he was said to have showed a teller a note. No weapon was seen during the robbery.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 972-559-5000.

[TexasStooge]

Woman trapped under 40 tons of gravel

Bystanders use hubcaps to dig victim out

HOUSTON, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) — A woman has been taken to a Houston hospital, reportedly conscious and alert, after a tractor-trailer rig dumped 40 tons of gravel on her car on a Houston freeway.

The accident happened on Interstate 10 just west of downtown Houston at Washington Boulevard Thursday morning.

Houston Assistant Fire Chief Rick Flanagan said the truck's trailer, filled with gravel, overturned and dumped its contents on the woman's car—trapping her inside.

Flanagan said bystanders stopped and helped fire-rescue crews dig the woman from the gravel pile, using whatever tools came to hand—including hubcaps. Officials said it took about 40 minutes to rescue the woman.

[TexasStooge]

Personal data of 1.3 million student loan borrowers lost

AUSTIN, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) — The personal information of 1.3 million Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corp. borrowers was lost while in possession of a contractor, the company said.

Texas Guaranteed said Wednesday that a piece of equipment containing the borrowers' names and Social Security numbers was lost May 24. The company learned about the loss Friday and spent the weekend identifying the affected borrowers.

The company said there is no evidence that the information has been misused.

"It was not a security breach where someone hacked into our system," said Sue McMillin, Texas Guaranteed's president and chief executive. "At this point, we are not aware of any impact."

Round Rock-based Texas Guaranteed said it will notify the affected borrowers by mail starting this week. The missing equipment contains information on about 10 percent of the company's total number of borrowers.

The piece of equipment, which has not been identified by the company, included only the borrowers' names and Social Security numbers, and not other personal information.

Company officials said it had sent encrypted electronic files containing the data to an office for Toronto-based Hummingbird Ltd., which helps companies manage large amounts of information. A Hummingbird employee downloaded, decrypted and stored the files on a piece of equipment that was later lost.

Hummingbird is still searching for the missing equipment, company president and chief executive Barry Litwin said. The company employs 1,400 people in 40 offices around the world, including U.S. offices in such places as Dallas and Los Angeles.

The companies would not identify where the equipment was lost or which law enforcement authorities were notified other than to say it was city police in the United States.

"I don't want to give out any information that could make it easier for anybody to do anything," Litwin said.

He said it is "extremely unlikely" that someone would use the information inappropriately because it's password-protected "many times over."

Jay Foley, executive director of the Identify Theft Resource Center in San Diego, said the companies appear to be taking the right steps to remedy the problem.

But the information was made more vulnerable when it was decrypted, he said. Encrypted data jumbles the information to make it virtually impossible for most thieves to break the code.

"It comes down to whether the bad guys can break down the password," Foley said. "It's not as good as having two layers of protection (with encrypted data), but it's better than not having any."
_____________________________________________________________

ALSO ONLINE:

Was your information lost, go to the official Texas Guaranteed website or call 1-800-530-0626

[TexasStooge]

Police: Teacher had improper relationship with student

By BRANDON FORMBY / The Dallas Morning News

A first-year Hebron High School teacher and former Miss Texas contestant faces up to 20 years in jail after an 18-year-old student told police he had sex with the 25-year-old woman several times at her apartment in Austin Ranch.

Amy McElhenney, who taught Spanish and was a cross country coach at the Carrollton school, is charged with having an improper relationship with a student, a second-degree felony. She was arrested on May 25, the last day of school, posted a $5,000 bond and was released.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, another student sent an anonymous note last month to Hebron’s resource police officer that indicated Ms. McElhenney’s cellphone contained “intimate” text messages to and from the 18-year-old. When police interviewed Ms. McElhenney at the school she allowed them to view her cellphone.

“Messages that were on there led us to believe there was a little bit more going on between the teacher and this student,” said Carrollton police Sgt. David Sponhour.

Ms. McElhenney could not be reached for comment. The student’s identity was not released.

A Carrollton police officer said in an affidavit he found the messages to “constitute a flirtatious and endearing relationship” between Ms. McElhenney and the student. While Ms. McElhenney denied having a physical or sexual relationship with the teen, she did tell police she felt their relationship was inappropriate.

When interviewed at home, however, the student gave police a written statement in which he said he and Ms. McElhenney had sex on “numerous occasions” at her apartment. He told police their alleged relationship began in February.

The Lewisville school district placed the woman on paid administrative leave May 11. In March she turned in a resignation form that went into effect May 25. Officials said she indicated she was not returning to Hebron because she was taking a teaching position in another district, though they were unclear on what district that is.

School officials said they alerted the state certification board of the investigation and her arrest.

According to the Miss Texas Web site, Ms. McElhenney competed in the scholarship pageant in 2002 as Miss Bexar County when she was a Spanish and education major at The University of Texas at Austin.

[TexasStooge]

Fort Worth philanthropist Perry Bass dies

By JOE SIMNACHER / The Dallas Morning News

FORT WORTH, Texas - Perry Richardson Bass, the Fort Worth businessman, conservationist and philanthropist who was the low-profile bridge between two more visible generations both known for their Midas touch, died Thursday. He was 91.

Mr. Bass rescued the family fortune amassed by his uncle, the legendary oil, land and cattle baron, Sid W. Richardson, after the wildcatter’s death in 1959. He then groomed his four sons to carry on his vision. Collectively known as the Bass brothers, his sons became internationally acclaimed for their business and philanthropic prowess.

Mr. Bass was a successful businessman with a passion for both fishing and the fine arts. He was chairman emeritus of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission and a past member of the National Gallery of Art’s Trustees’ Council.

Collectively, the Bass family revitalized downtown Fort Worth as the crown jewel of a lifetime in business success and inspired philanthropy.

In 1998, the Nancy Lee & Perry R. Bass Performance Hall opened as a visible monument to the family’s efforts.

Mr. Bass directed much of his philanthropy through the Sid Richardson Foundation, which has given $279 million to the arts, education and medicine since it was endowed in 1965.

Separately, Mr. Bass and his wife, Nancy Lee Bass, have given generously from their personal holdings, embracing causes that benefited everything from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., to redfish swimming in the Texas bays of the Gulf of Mexico.

In 1991, the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by giving $1 million each to 50 different institutions. At the time, officials with the National Gallery of Art described the gift as "a staggering gesture in the history of philanthropy.”

Under Mr. Bass’ leadership, his family led the transformation of downtown Fort Worth from a collection of deteriorating storefronts to a sterling example of urban rebirth.

Tarrant County Judge Tom Vandergriff described Mr. Bass as a “great gentleman” and “tremendous citizen.”

"He was for any and everything that tended to give us betterment for the city, for the region,” Judge Vandergriff said. “He was a model citizen if ever there was one. How fortunate we were to have him in our midst for such a long span of time."

Despite his material accomplishments, Mr. Bass said he treasured his family most. Shortly after his 70th birthday, Mr. Bass was asked his proudest accomplishment. He responded, “My four boys.”

Mr. Bass was an outdoorsman who was passionate about the environment, said Andrew Sansom, former executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

“His favorite saying was ‘tight lines and screaming reels,’” Mr. Sansom said. “He would sign letters with it.”

Mr. Bass devoted much of his time to angling and protecting fish populations. He watched over legislation that saved the red drum, also known as redfish, Mr. Sansom said.

“Over the past 20 years, he was a patriarch of the traditional conservationist,” Mr. Sansom said. “He was almost like a father figure to us.”

Mr. Bass maintained a front-row seat at Texas Parks and Wildlife board meetings and was ever present in Austin when the redfish legislation was being discussed by the Texas Legislature. The 1981 law prohibited sale of redfish and spotted sea trout caught in Texas waters, preserving the species for sport fishermen.

“That bill probably would not have passed without that kind of dedication,” Mr. Sansom said.

The state fish hatchery in Palacios, Texas, is named in honor of Mr. Bass’ years of support.

“Every time I stand down in the flats down at Port O’Connor or Port Mansfield catching redfish, I always say thanks to Perry Bass,” Mr. Sansom said.

Mr. Bass also championed Atlantic salmon, working to preserve that species on both sides of the Atlantic. He had been a trustee of the Atlantic Salmon Federation since 1993.

[TexasStooge]

Teens plead not guilty in party attack

HOUSTON, Texas (DallasNews.com/AP) – Two teens accused of severely beating and sodomizing a 17-year-old victim pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of aggravated sexual assault.

David Henry Tuck, 18, and Keith Robert Turner, 17, both of the Houston suburb of Spring, entered their pleas during a court hearing before state District Judge Michael McSpadden, the Houston Chronicle reported in Thursday's online edition.

Both defendants are being held in the Harris County Jail without bond.

A grand jury indicted each of the teens Wednesday on one charge of aggravated sexual assault for the April 22 attack.

Authorities said Tuck and Turner severely beat the victim, sodomizing him with a plastic pipe and burning him with cigarettes during a party in Spring.

The victim's parents attended the arraignment hearing, but did not comment afterward.

Their attorney, Carlos Leon, said this was the first time family members had seen Tuck and Turner in person since their arrest.

The victim remains in the intensive care unit at Memorial Hermann Hospital.

Prosecutors have said the injured teen is awake and his health improving, but he is not yet talking.

The attack on the Hispanic teen has fueled controversy about hate crime laws. At least one of the assailants allegedly used ethnic slurs during the beating.

Some state lawmakers and local leaders of the League of United Latin American Citizens have said they will work to change the state's hate crime law so additional years can be added to the sentences of those convicted of hate crimes.
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Y'all know ya'll are guilty Tuck and Turner, don't lie. How you y'all like it if someone did the same thing to you two? Of course, y'all probably don't care.