News from the Lone Star State

[TexasStooge]

Search On For Man Who Hit Blue Mound Police Officer

Man Last Seen Driving Silver Nissan Extended Cab Pickup

BLUE MOUND, Texas (KXAS NBC 5) -- A Blue Mound police officer was treated and released from Harris Methodist Hospital after he was run down by a man he was trying to arrest. Police are now searching for the man.

The hit and run happened around 2:30 a.m. Thursday at a convenience store in the 1100 block of Cantrell Sansom Road.

The officers' name has not yet been released.

Apparently a domestic fight broke out between the man and a woman. The officer arrived on a call, ran the man's information and found he had outstanding warrants.

When the officer tried to arrest him, the man jumped into a pickup, striking the officer with his truck as he sped off.

Police are searching for the man, last seen driving a silver Nissan extended cab pickup.

He was last seen headed west on Loop 820 from Blue Mound Road.

[TexasStooge]

Frisco Police Charge Teens For Defacing City Landmark

Damage To Artwork Estimated At $6,500

DALLAS, Texas (KXAS NBC 5) -- Police have arrested two suspects in a case of vandalism at Frisco's Central Park.

Aaron Vela, 18, and Josh Maupin, 19, face felony criminal mischief charges, after a park worker found several of the cow statues covered in graffiti and paint.

The damage to the artwork is estimated at $6,500.

Police said Maupin became a suspect after an arrest on an unrelated charge.

Police said some of the vandalism can be cleaned easily but some of the artwork may be damaged beyond repair.

Both teens face 2 years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted.

[TexasStooge]

Man Fights City Hall With Polka Dot Protest

Purple Home Trimmed With Neon Paint

EULESS, Texas (KXAS NBC 5) -- A Euless resident is protesting city code enforcement in a bold way.

Doyle Brown's house is light purple with hot pink polka dots and neon yellow porch trim.

Brown is protesting three warnings in the past four years from Euless code enforcement officials for minor code violations.

Brown hasn't been fined for the violations, but he and his wife say it's their home and the city doesn't have a right to tell them how it should look.

[TexasStooge]

Gas Leak Forces Students Out Of Dallas School

DALLAS, Texas (KXAS NBC 5) -- The Dallas Independent School District moved 500 students from Burleson Elementary to Buckner Elementary due to a gas leak Thursday morning.

The students walked, since the schools are close to one another.

DISD spokesperson Donny Claxton said a construction crew working on an addition to Burleson Elementary School ruptured a gas line at about 8:30 a.m.

The gas company was headed to the scene.

[TexasStooge]

School's Investment In Portable Defibrillator Helps To Save Student's Life

Coaches, Trainers Say Machines Should Be Mandatory In All Schools

DALLAS, Texas (KXAS NBC 5) -- A North Texas high school athlete is alive after his school invested in some life saving technology.

W.R. Olds-Benton, a McKinney junior, collapsed on a soccer field last week after his heart stopped. Coaches were able to use a portable defibrillator to save his life.

The McKinney Independent School District bought the portable device before the school year thanks to the donation made from the McKinney Lion's Club.

Coaches and trainers said the machines should be mandatory in all schools.

"This situation really reiterates the need for deliberates where a parent might be," McKinney ISD's Diana Gulotta said.

Several North Texas school districts bought the AED machine after two Texas high school football players died after sudden cardiac arrest.

[TexasStooge]

Armed Thieves Robbing Dallas Residents

DALLAS, Texas (KXAS NBC 5) -- Armed thieves are robbing people in Dallas where they are most vulnerable, police say.

There have been seven reported robberies in less than a week in neighborhoods including Oak Lawn, Love Field and parts of South Dallas.

Police said the armed men usually blocked a car in a driveway, hopped out with guns and took cash, wallets and, in some cases, cars.

It happened to Michael Sabatini Monday night.

"After being through something like this, much more aware of the environment who is around you," Sabatini said.

"We've got this car in the pound and [we're] assessing it. Hopefully we will find evidence that will lead us to the suspects," Sgt. Gil Cerda said.

That car police impounded is a stolen red Mustang, possibly the one victims have described in several of the driveway robberies.

[TexasStooge]

DALLAS: POLICE SEARCH FOR DRIVEWAY ROBBERS

DALLAS, Texas (KDFW Fox 4) -- The search is on for two armed robbers who attack people in their own driveways, anytime of day.

Police say, since saturday six people have been targeted on neighborhood streets, in west and central Dallas. The bandits have gotten away with thousands of dollars in cash and valuables.

[TexasStooge]

CUTBACKS COULD AFFECT LOCKHEED MARTIN

FORT WORTH, Texas (KDFW Fox 4) -- Pentagon cutbacks could mean cuts at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth. As part of its budget proposal, the Defense Department is looking at trimming several programs to the tune of 30-billion dollars over six years.

If that happens, it could mean 12,000 people would lose their jobs nationwide, 3,000 coming from Lockeed Martin. Part of the cuts will help cover the rising costs of the war in Iraq

If they do happen, the cuts won't take effect for several years. The Fort Worth plant produces parts for the FA 22 Raptor fighter jet and the C-130J Hercules transport plane. It is the third largest employer in north Texas.

[TexasStooge]

SMU LAW STUDENT QUESTIONED ABOUT THREATS

UNIVERSITY PARK, Texas (KDFW Fox 4) -- An SMU law student accused of threatening to kill classmates is now being held and questioned by police. Security has been tightened at the law school since the threat was made public Monday evening.

Friends of the first-year law student told police he claimed to have recently purchased six guns in Mexico, and planned to kill his classmates, staff, and faculty members, then disappeared. The student who reported his friend's threats is recovering at a local hospital after taking an unknown amount of alcohol and pills. Police want to question him before deciding their next move.

[TexasStooge]

Audit reportedly blasts CPS procedures

HOUSTON, Texas (KTVT CBS 11/AP) -- A state audit has found that the state's troubled Child Protective Services agency puts children at risk by lax investigations and record-keeping.

Results of an audit were obtained by the Houston Chronicle through the Texas Public Information Act. The Chronicle reports it found problems in collecting and keeping information on cases that could impede investigations and allow children to remain in abusive homes.

The audit by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission reviewed more than 22-hundred cases. The audit found that in 12 percent of cases reviewed, caseworkers determined abuse or neglect didn't occur when, in fact, it had.

The agency has come under scrutiny after a number of high-profile child abuse deaths, and reform is a top issue as the Texas Legislature convenes on Tuesday.

[TexasStooge]

Police seek ID of hit-and-run victim

By BERT LOZANO / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - Inside the intensive care unit at Methodist Dallas Medical Center, doctors are treating a man known only as trauma patient number 1086.

The number identifies him, because he is unable to tell doctors or police his name.

"He has not been conscious," said Dallas Police Lt. John Branton. "He is in critical condition; we have not yet identified him."

What Dallas Police do know is that the man was the victim of a hit-and-run accident at the intersection of Davis and Polk streets in Oak Cliff. Just after 1 a.m. last Friday morning, police suspect a vehicle ran over the man as he attempted to cross the street. Police received a tip that led them to the vehicle, but the driver, who had borrowed the vehicle from a friend, is still at large.

Police have not yet been able to obtain a viable photograph of the victim to show the public.

"Because his face injuries are so bad, a picture would not help at this time," Branton said.

Another challenge for the hospital is releasing information on the man because of new privacy laws.

"We just want to make sure we are taking care of the patient, and at the same time make sure we are not violating their rights," said Kathleen Beathard of the Methodist Health System.

They are releasing a general description, however. He is an African-American male in his early 30s. He is six feet tall and weighs 190 pounds, with short brown hair and brown eyes. He has a slim build with a muscular chest, and wore a red and gray football jacket.

He also has numerous tattoos on both arms, one with the Greek fraternity letters Omega Rho Psi, and the number 87.

Doctors said the victim has also had a jaw replacement surgery that can help identify him.

"On the jaw replacement surgery, there was a serial number in his jaw replacement that was used," said Beathard.

The patient's condition is too critical to risk surgery, so doctors right now are unable to get the serial number from the jaw replacement to trace it to the patient.

Also, police said no one has filed a missing persons report that matches the patient. Detectives hope someone who sees this story will recognize the description and come forward; if you have any information please call Dallas Police at 214-670-5817.

[TexasStooge]

Opinions vary on school finance plan

By BRAD WATSON / WFAA-TV

AUSTIN, Texas - Educators and homeowners are reacting to the school finance reform plan offered Wednesday by the Texas Senate - and the response is not all positive.

Most people like the fact all 31 senators took the lead as they did in 2003 and signed on to the plan just two days into the legislative session, but beyond that, plenty is up for debate.

"This is a starting point," said Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. "We look forward to working with our colleagues in the House."

Property-rich school districts said they like the Senate plan for ending "Robin Hood." Parents at a PTA meeting held Thursday at Beverly Elementary in the Plano ISD said it's about time.

"We need more of our focus back on the kids, and the education of our children, and less on the struggle to see how we're going to make it through the next year ... what kind of cuts we're going to have to make," said Plano parent Caroline Pekarek.

Homeowners like the Senate plan because it cuts school property taxes by one-third. If voters approve, the state would then collect school property taxes to try and equalize funding between property-rich and property-poor districts.

However, school boards oppose a statewide property tax, fearing it would take away too much local control. The state property tax plan doesn't have much support in the House so far, either.

"I don't like the idea of just renaming an existing local tax, or taking it," said Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas. "Some people call it 'the mother of all Robin Hoods' because you're taking it forever."

Teachers like that their average pay would go up from $41,000 to almost $46,000 a year. But Dallas' largest teachers union doesn't believe a raise should be tied to student performance.

"We do not want to start evaluating teachers based on student test scores," said Alliance-AFT's Aimee Bolender. "What we do want to do is get a higher-quality teacher in the classroom, and if you put more money in, you can buy better."

The Senate wants a restructured business tax with a lower rate that all businesses would pay. But, speaker Tom Craddick said he doesn't see much agreement yet in the House on how to tax businesses.

[TexasStooge]

4 fatally shot at Red Bird complex

No witnesses found, but police cite 'disturbance that got out of hand'

By HOLLY YAN and JASON TRAHAN / The Dallas Morning News

RED BIRD, Texas - Dallas police were investigating Thursday night after four men were found fatally shot at an apartment complex in the Red Bird area.

Police found one body on a second-story landing when they were called to the complex after a disturbance was reported about 5 p.m., but they said they did not discover the others until they traced shell casings to a second-floor apartment.

The four victims, who had not been identified, were thought to be in their late 20s or early 30s, Dallas police homicide Lt. Mike Scoggins said. Police had not determined how many of the men lived at the Providence on the Park complex in the 8500 block of Old Hickory Trail.

Officials said they had not found anyone who witnessed the shootings and had not determined a motive. But Lt. Scoggins said the slayings resulted from "a disturbance that got out of hand."

Police were investigating whether drugs played a role and whether the men, who were all shot multiple times, may have been involved in a gunfight with one another. Lt. Scoggins said three weapons were found at the scene.

Police were searching for a blue or green Ford Taurus seen leaving the area after the shootings, police Sgt. Shelia Zimmerman said. Police also towed a car from the apartment complex's parking lot Thursday night.

Tina Jemerson, who lives nearby with her 10-year-old daughter, said she was watching television when her daughter told her, "Mama, mama, I heard gunshots."

Ms. Jemerson said that the apartment complex is nice but that trouble is never far away.

When "you hear shots, you fall to the floor. That's why you didn't hear anyone running," she said.

Kiesha Anderson said she had lived in the apartment complex since it opened in July.

She said the apartment managers discouraged residents from loitering after 9 p.m. in stairwells and hallways. She said teenagers often gathered in the apartments' breezeway.

Ms. Anderson said the crime had unnerved her.

"It's frightening to know they found four bodies down there in the building," she said. "You don't know if the murderer is living here with you; you don't know what is going on. I know I can't stay here with all this."

The crime scene is near the Greens of Hickory Trail Apartments, where Fred Taylor, 33, attempted suicide after a shooting spree at a nearby apartment complex in October. Eight-month-old Jamieon Fletcher was killed and three others were injured, including Mr. Taylor's former girlfriend and their infant daughter.

Staff writer Katie Menzer and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[TexasStooge]

Health study sizes up Dallas County

Screening of random residents to help frame national snapshot

By LAURA BEIL / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS COUNTY, Texas - The nation's largest comprehensive health study will begin screening local volunteers Saturday, gathering data for an ongoing snapshot of America's health.

More than 450 randomly chosen residents of Dallas County will get the benefit of a deluxe physical. Each participant will get a full body scan, eye exam, cholesterol check, hearing screening, dental checkup and a host of other health barometers. For their time, participants will be paid and receive the results of their tests.

When all the national data are gathered, "we [will] have an excellent picture of the health of people in the United States," said Linda Dapper, the study's Dallas manager. The study, called National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, has been conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention since the early 1960s.

NHANES, as the project is called, produces some of the most frequently cited statistics in health and medicine. Through NHANES, for example, researchers know whether the weight or cholesterol levels of Americans goes up or down, the normal growth curve for infants, and the iron and lead levels in people's blood.

Last month, news outlets nationwide announced that more than 40 percent of Americans take some kind of prescription drug. The figure came from NHANES.

The mobile exam clinic will consist of four 18-wheelers parked at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. But don't rush down. To protect the scientific integrity of the data, participants have been selected: randomly chosen residents of randomly chosen houses in randomly chosen census blocks.

The CDC researchers have mailed letters to more than 1,200 households, inviting participation. So far, Ms. Dapper said, about half of the potential volunteers have shown interest. The other half may be skeptical because they've never heard of NHANES, she said.

"We understand there are a lot of scams people try to run," she said.

The study takes place in only 15 counties each year. By a fluke, Tarrant County was also selected by the government computers this year. Selected Tarrant residents will begin screenings Feb. 5.

[TexasStooge]

Families disappointed with plea offer

Families blast plea deal; driver in crash that killed 10 hasn't accepted it yet

By TIARA M. ELLIS / The Dallas Morning News

GRAYSON COUNTY, Texas - A truck driver charged in the deaths of 10 people killed in a crossover accident in Sherman last year has been offered 10 years in prison as part of a plea agreement, victims' families and attorneys said Thursday.

Miroslaw Janusz Jozwiak, who remains in jail, has not made a decision on the offer, his attorney Cornel Walker said Thursday.

Two survivors of the crash and families of the victims said the plea offer is disappointing.

"I don't feel like justice was given a chance," said Mike Martin, who lost his wife, three sons and mother-in-law in the crash. "I could be content with 10 years if a trial took place and a judge and jury came to that decision. But for one guy [Grayson County Attorney Joe Brown] to arbitrarily say, 'I'm going to give you 10 years,' that's not just."

Mr. Brown said the county has a policy against talking about plea discussions.

"I understand this family's frustration," he said. "If I lost my family in an accident, there's no resolution to the case that would make me happy."

Mr. Walker said he respects the families' pain, but giving Mr. Jozwiak, a native of Poland and resident of Daytona Beach, Fla., more prison time isn't the answer.

"I understand and am sympathetic toward the families. But to seek vengeance in my opinion is sad. It's just as sad as this accident," he said. "If it were my family, I would be seeking vengeance, too. But that is not what this case is about."

Mr. Jozwiak, 45, was traveling north on U.S. Highway 75 in his tractor-trailer on Sept. 20 when he crossed the median and hit a truck and a sport utility vehicle. Five people in each vehicle died.

New Hope residents Lisa Martin, 32; her mother, Betsy Wood, 70; and Ms. Martin's three children – Chance, 4; Brock, 2; and Reid, 2 months – were on their way home from a shopping trip in Sherman.

The truck was carrying workers back from a roofing job, including J. Marcos Esparza, 41; Manuel Esparza, 39; German Esparza, 19; Hector Zapata, 33; and Joel Mendoza Ruiz, 36. Many of the men were related.

Two men survived the accident – Javier Esparza and Candelario Esparza.

Police have been investigating whether Mr. Jozwiak fell asleep at the wheel. Mr. Brown said that the component of an anti-psychotic drug that causes drowsiness was found in his urine during drug testing.

Mr. Walker said the drug had already passed through his system. He said his client will not decide on the plea agreement before his own toxicologist tests the blood and urine samples.

Domingo Garcia, the attorney representing the two survivors and the wife of Manuel Esparza – Maria Carmen Esparza – in a lawsuit, said he had not been told that a plea agreement had been offered, but he knew the state was considering a 10-year proposal.

The families and attorneys met with Mr. Brown in Sherman before Christmas to talk about a possible plea.

"The wife of Manuel Esparza is strongly opposed to that plea bargain. She lost her husband, her life was destroyed and she wants justice done. Ten years doesn't seem like justice," Mr. Garcia said.

Javier Esparza lost his leg and Candelario Esparza may never walk again as a result of injuries received in the accident. They also opposed the deal, Mr. Garcia said.

The plea was offered before an arraignment last week at which Mr. Jozwiak pleaded not guilty to the nine counts of manslaughter, Mr. Walker said. If he were convicted, each second-degree felony charge would be punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

"This is not about the families that are gone. You could give him 200 years or probation. Our families aren't coming back," said Mr. Martin, who has also filed a civil suit against the trucker.

"It's a precedent-setting case. If someone runs off the road in the future and kills someone, they can look to this case and say, 'You gave the guy 10 years that killed 10 people.' "

[TexasStooge]

Warehouse fire goes to 4 alarms

By GARY REAVES / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - Dallas Fire-Rescue battled a four-alarm fire at a commercial bakery near Dallas Executive Airport Thursday.

Arriving companies reported seeing lots of smoke and fire as they arrived at the Epi Breads facility in the 4700 block of West Ledbetter Drive.

Investigators said there were workers inside the West Oak Cliff facility using acetylene torches when the fire broke out. "We don't know if that started the fire, but we can definitely start our investigation there," said Dallas-Fire Rescue spokesman Lt. Joel Lavender.

Lavender said the fire quickly escalated to four alarms after the workers called for help because officials were taking no chances.

"There are acetylene bottles inside, there's gas inside, so this could have turned out to be a real hazardous condition," Lavender said, adding there were no reports of injuries to firefighters or civilians.

According to public records, Atlanta-based Epi Breads, Inc. produces pre-baked goods for restaurants and other food service companies. Attempts to contact the company for more information about its Dallas facility were unsuccessful.

Dallas Web staff writer Walt Zwirko contributed to this report.

[TexasStooge]

Authorities Search Property For Missing Woman's Remains
Woman Disappeared Dec. 28

FORT WORTH, Texas (KXAS NBC 5) -- The Denton County Sheriff's office, the Texas Rangers and the FBI began searching Charles Stobaugh's property early Friday morning.

According to the search warrant, they authorities are looking for the body of his estranged wife, Kathy Stobaugh.

Denton County deputies have been looking for Stobaugh, 43, since December.

Stobaugh's family members said she hasn't been seen since she left her home Dec. 28. Investigators told NBC 5 that Stobaugh's daughter notified police of her disappearance. She told police that her brother said Stobaugh had gone to their father's house and that she had seen her mother's car there.

Stobaugh's daughter said she talked to her father, who told her he had seen her mother pull out of the drive but when he woke up, the car was in the driveway.

Stobaugh is white, 5 foot 7 inches tall and weighs about 180 pounds. She has sandy hair, green eyes and wears glasses. Stobaugh was last seen wearing a gold necklace and earrings.

Search crews, including the Sanger Police Department and the Texas Rangers, spent Tuesday looking near Sanger.

[TexasStooge]

Students: Teacher Let Kids Run Wild, Pick Own Grades

No Homework, No Tests Given; Teacher Let Students Learn On Their Own, Students Say

FORT WORTH, Texas (KXAS NBC 5) -- A Fort Worth teacher is under investigation after students say she let students run wild in class and pick their own grades.

"We had radios on ... radios, cell phones," Sisters Tonita and Brittiney Johnson said. They said there was no homework, and there were no tests.

"A few people would dance," Tonita said.

They said the teacher didn't teach them, since it was an advanced algebra class and she would let the students learn on their own.

An entire semester went by and for the final six weeks of the class, the teacher gave many students F's.

"It doesn't hurt anybody but the kids. They're supposed to be there to learn and they can't learn if nobody is teaching them," parent Charles Johnson said.

"I'm still upset because the grade is still going to be on my report card, and my GPA is going to drop real low," student Tonita Johnson said.

The F's were a big surprise, they say, considering the grades they got in the first six weeks.

"She was like, 'Write on a piece of paper what grade you think you deserve, what grade you want.' I picked a 92 ... I got a 92 on my report card," Tonita Johnson said.

"I didn't think she'd actually give it to us, so I picked an 80, and I got an 80," Brittiney Johnson said.

The district suspended the teacher while it investigates and said it is taking the matter very seriously.

"It's plain and simple. She shouldn't be a teacher," Charles Johnson said.

[TexasStooge]

Scratch Off Game Suspended By Texas Lottery

FORT WORTH, Texas (KXAS NBC 5) -- The payoff numbers don't add up for the "Set For Life" Texas Lottery scratch off game, prompting the lottery commission to suspend the game.

The state said the prize amounts for some tickets don't match the amounts in the lottery computer system.

The Texas Lottery Commission recalled all tickets on Thursday.

Current ticket holders will still be able to claim prizes until September for those tickets.

[TexasStooge]

Police Check Self Defense Claim For Teen Who Killed Father

Father Had History Of Violence

FORT WORTH, Texas (KXAS NBC 5) -- A Fort Worth teenager accused of shooting and killing his father is out of jail as investigators decide if the shooting was in self-defense.

Witnesses said 17-year-old Casey Morgan fired the shotgun Tuesday after his father, Arch Morgan, threatened to kill another family member.

But police said there was no evidence the family was in imminent danger.

However, the family said the father has a long history of violence including several convictions.