News from the Lone Star State

[TexasStooge]

Daycare reopens after crash (UPDATED)

By CYNTHIA VEGA / WFAA ABC 8

PLEASANT GROVE, Texas - Children returned to the Dream House Learning Center in Pleasant Grove Friday morning.

A car slammed into the storefront last week, plowing into a room full of children taking afternoon naps.

Eight children were injured. Rosemary Solis, 10, remains hospitalized with third degree burns to both of her legs.

Workers were making repairs to the facility in the 10000 block of Lake June Road until just hours before the scheduled reopening at 6 a.m.

The doors remained closed, however, to allow for the required safety inspections.

Dream House owner Blynitha McGilbra was able to open shortly before 9 a.m. and started the session with a prayer.

McGilbra said she was excited about being back in business and expressed confidence that things would go smoothly.

"It was a tragedy, but I'm happy that they're reopening now," said Renay Harston, who was bringing her daughter Alexis to the center.

The 14-year-old girl who was at the wheel of the car that crashed into the building on May 24 remains in a juvenile detention facility. She faces eight counts of causing injury to a child.

[TexasStooge]

Home invasions target Bachman area

By GARY REAVES / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - Dallas police are issuing an alert for women at home during the day: beware of possible home invaders.

A band of violent robbers has struck seven times in recent days, mostly in the Bachman Lake area of Northwest Dallas.

Police said the home invaders' brazen methods are remarkably consistent. They strike usually on Tuesdays and Fridays, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. - and their victims are always female.

Almost all the attacks started the same way: with a knock on the door. At that point, the robbers would check to be sure no men were home before they attacked the women.

"In the case I'm investigating, there were three Latin males," said Dallas Police Det. Leopoldo Gonzalez. "One went up to the door and knocked, and asked if somebody was inside."

None of the victims wanted to be interviewed, and a look at the police reports explains why. In one attack at an apartment on Community Drive, a victim was pistol-whipped. On Brockbank Drive, two victims were told "if one of you runs, we're going to kill the other one."

Most victims were bound with duct tape before their homes were looted. And in each case, it started with a lie.

"They would tell the victims that their spouse had loaned them some tools and they were returning them, or that the spouse had been injured at work and they needed to notify a relative," said Dallas Police Sr. Cpl. Jamie Kimbrough.

Detectives are extra concerned because the robbers, who started with pistols, have added an assault rifle to their arsenal.

"We don't know what these guys are up to, and what they are going to do when they are desperate and can't find anything inside the house," said Gonzalez.

"I think it's very, very scary for anyone," said neighborhood crime watch chairman Diana Cardona, who manages apartments in the area. She plans to send out notices to residents advising them how to handle a stranger at the door.

"We will let them know that they need to not open their door," Cardona said. "They need to call the office; they need to call 911. They need to be aware of what's going on, and that is how we educate them."

Police say the suspects are three Latin males in their early 30s. They only have a full description of one of them; he is between 5' 6" and 5' 10" with a heavy build, a beard or goatee and tattoos on his right forearm.

Authorities hope someone will come forward with information so they can catch the robbers before someone gets seriously injured.

[TexasStooge]

Gas surge leads to fires in Downtown Fort Worth

FORT WORTH, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A natural gas surge resulted in several small fires and evacuation of multiple buildings Thursday afternoon in the Sundance Square area of downtown Fort Worth.

Fort Worth fire officials said a contractor mistakenly connected a high-pressure line to a low-pressure line around 4 p.m., which caused gas pressure to surge. The line was carrying 26 pounds of pressure when it began having problems, leading to a "chain reaction" that caused small fires to erupt at three downtown businesses.

Fire department spokesman Capt. David Coble said the fires were extinguished quickly, but resulted in damage at the Morning Chapel Church on Third Street, Riscky's Barbeque and Billy Miner's Saloon.

Two people at the church were taken to Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital after they had difficulty breathing. No other injuries were reported.

The block of buildings bordered by Houston, Main, Second and Third streets was evacuated as a precaution. Multiple fire engines could be seen across the area downtown, assisting in the evacuation and checking for the presence of gas in surrounding buildings.

[TexasStooge]

Funeral escorts arrested by Allen police

By MARY ANN RAZZUK / WFAA ABC 8

ALLEN, Texas - After years of providing funeral procession security, Clarence Griffen never dreamed he would be arrested for doing a job he loves.

"I have not impersonated a police officer," said Griffen, who rides a motorcycle for DFW Motorcade Safety. "I don't have 'police officer' written anywhere on me."

But Allen police accuse Griffen and another funeral escorts of breaking the law, with the help of convincing uniforms and cars.

"They had a road shut down, and we had an officer witness them," said Allen Police Cpl. Jon Felty. "When they are using these vehicles to stop or impede the flow of traffic, that's when it becomes an unlawful act."

Griffen argues he's protected by the state occupation code governing security guards.

"The only thing I was doing was giving a warning to traffic to get over one lane to allow the procession to enter the highway," he said.

But police said that's only true on private property - not a public highway.

Owners of DFW Motorcade Safety said they've had no problems until the two arrests in Allen, and another in Plano six months ago for a similar situation.

"No problems, nowhere whatsoever," said co-owner Tonya Tanksley. "Actually, we used to do it in Allen, and they never had a problem with it (until) right now."

Company owners and employees plan to fight the charges in court while they continue providing funeral procession security, including two in Allen on Friday.

[TexasStooge]

Dallas officers face unemployment after infractions

By BRETT SHIPP / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - Police officers are carefully trained on when and when not to pull their service revolvers.

While fighting for a parking spot is not one of those times, as Dallas Police Senior Corporal Brian Payne found out the hard way.

Payne was indicted Thursday by a Tarrant County grand jury in connection with an incident in a Wal-Mart parking lot in east Fort Worth last April. He faces a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Police said Payne was allegedly arguing with another man over a parking space when he decided to settle the issue by pulling his service revolver, a .357 Magnum. The police report indicates Payne left the scene, but was arrested by Fort Worth police a few days later.

What happens to the officer now is a matter of Dallas Police policy. Payne is an eight-year verteran with an otherwise spotless record, but h e is now about to be out of a job pending his termination hearing next week.

If found guilty, he could serve up to 20 years in prison.

Two other Dallas officers were fired Thursday. Officer James Quaite is accused of accepting bribes to keep suspects out of jail, and officer Jose Escamilla is accused of burglary.

[TexasStooge]

38 arrested in drug ring crackdown

North Texas: Task force also seizes 30 properties in 2-year investigation

By JASON TRAHAN / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS, Texas - Authorities swept through North Texas on Thursday, arresting more than three dozen people and seizing a sizable amount of property, cash and drugs as part of a two-year investigation of a wide-ranging narcotics trafficking ring.

A federal grand jury in Sherman handed down an indictment charging 55 people – mostly from Dallas but including suspects from as far away as Eagle Pass, Corpus Christi, Tennessee and Georgia – with distribution and possession of drugs and money laundering.

By about midday Thursday, a task force of 225 law enforcement officers from a dozen local, state and federal agencies had arrested 38 of those indicted and expected to find more suspects in the coming days.

"This task force has dismantled an organization responsible for bringing literally tons of illegal drugs into the southern United States," said Matthew Orwig, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Texas. "This disruption and dismantling of conspiracies like these will continue to be a top priority."

The drugs – including cocaine, "ecstasy," methamphetamine and marijuana – came mostly from Mexico, but authorities declined to say which cartels were involved.

The 32-page indictment is peppered with colorful nicknames – including The Dwarf, Old School, Dre, Primo, Homito and Pedro Infante. Authorities said the network was led by two men: Fred Flores III, 50, and Abel Saenz Lopez Jr., 33, both of Dallas. Both men are in custody.

Court documents describe how the network transported drugs secreted away in vehicles, talked in code about shipments and funneled the proceeds into front businesses – including the former Shadow Lounge in Dallas – and personal checking accounts.

Police said it is likely that not all the members of the network knew one another.

Authorities seized more than 30 properties in Dallas, Corpus Christi, Waxahachie, Grand Prairie, Forney, Irving, Lancaster and Plano, and emptied as many bank accounts. They also took possession of nearly 20 vehicles, including a Mack truck, a Porsche 911 Turbo, a Plymouth Prowler and a Mercedes E320.

The operation made a significant dent in the local drug trade, said Guadalupe Gonzalez, special agent in charge of the Dallas FBI field office.

"I wouldn't call this the biggest, but it is substantial," said Mr. Gonzalez, who added that his agency and its federal drug enforcement counterparts are targeting more high-ranking traffickers of late, which makes an impact on ground-level dealers. "We do cases like this more often than not."

[TexasStooge]

White Rock rapist sentenced

By CYNTHIA VEGA / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - A man linked to at least five sexual assaults in East Dallas last year pleaded guilty Thursday to his role in three incidents last year.

Jose Elias, 20, received two life sentences and a 10-year sentence to be served concurrently.

The Mexican citizen was already serving a minimum sentence related to another rape charge, and faces additional counts for alleged offenses in Kansas.

Elias sat motionless in the courtroom as he publicly faced one of his accusers for the first time.

One assault victim said she was recovering from cancer treatment when Elias attacked her last year along Lower Greenville Avenue. She suffered two blows to the head and is now unable to taste or smell anything.

The victim said she felt a sense of justice after the sentencing.

"This man stole so much from me, and I'll be dealing with this for the rest of my life – but so will he, and he'll be suffering," she said.

Elias was convicted last December of brutally raping a woman at White Rock Lake. He left the victim for dead after hitting her on the head with a lead pipe and then dragging her body 75 feet.

As part of the guilty plea, Elias gave up any right to appeal his sentence.

[TexasStooge]

Plano man found dead

Police investigating homicide at apartment

By JENNIFER EMILY / The Dallas Morning News

PLANO, Texas – Plano police are investigating the death of a man whose body was discovered Thursday by a neighbor.

The neighbor saw the man's apartment door open and told police he thought it was unusual, said Plano police Detective Jerry Minton.The man went inside and found his neighbor dead. He called 911.

Police arrived around 6:45 a.m. and although there was no obvious signs of trauma, signs of a struggle led them to investigate the death as a homicide, Detective Minton said.

An official cause of death had not been determined.

The man, who was in his late 40s or early 50s, lived in the 6800 block of Preston Road.

The man's name was not released because his family had not been notified.

[TexasStooge]

Private crime lab's closing tough on local police

By MARY ANN RAZZUK / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - Many smaller police departments around North Texas are scrambling to find a new crime lab for evidence after they learned a forensic scientist they've relied on for more than two decades is closing up shop.

Max Courtney's private crime laboratory has examined evidence for police departments for more than 20 years, including 4,600 investigations just last year.

But now, a state law requires crime labs to be accredited by the Department of Public Safety by this September.

"It was designed by bureacrats, for bureacrats," Courtney said.

He said complying with all the new mandates would also be a financial drain, so he's closing his business. Now, those smaller police departments that rely on Courtney's expertise wonder where they'll go.

"It's all gonna be much more expensive," said Mansfield police chief Steve Noonkaster. "We're also afraid there's going to be a backlog, and a delay of getting evidence processed and returned back to us."

Some city officials are also concerned about possible ripple effects.

"Once Max is gone, the agencies that do provide that type of service are gonna alter or change their fee schedules because they're gonna be the only game in town," said Forest Hill city attorney Bill Lane.

In the fall, Courtney will move on to a new chapter in his career, teaching future crime scene investigators at Baylor University. He will permanently close the doors to his crime lab on September 1.

[TexasStooge]

North Texan second in spelling bee

By JANELLE STECKLEIN / WFAA.com

COLLEYVILLE, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - An 11-year-old Colleyville boy, competing for the third straight year, took second place Thursday at the 78th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Samir Sudhir Patel, a sixth-grader who is home schooled, earned $6,000 for his second-place finish. He placed third overall in 2003. The next year, he finished 27th.

The top speller was Anurag Kashyap, a 13-year-old from a San Diego suburb, who takes home $28,000 in cash, scholarships and bonds as well as a set of encyclopedias. To win, he correctly spelled appoggiatura, a musical term referring to an embellishing note.

Samir, who was sponsored by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, missed Roscian in the 18th round, after spelling other tricky words like farraginous and cholecyst.

Nikhil Koganti of Plano, representing The Dallas Morning News, also bid farewell to his dream of becoming champion. Nikhil made it to the ninth round before being tripped up by perissad.

An eighth-grader at Rice Middle School, Nikhil was competing at the national level for the first time. He correctly spelled words like geistlich, mephitis and Valkyrian before being eliminated.

Nikhil and Samir were among the 273 children ranging in age from 9 to 14 who spelled their way into the competition in Washington, D.C. While most competitors are from around the country or U.S. territories, some hail from as far away as New Zealand and Europe.

The national spelling bee comprises at least six rounds. In the first round, contestants must pass a written spelling test. In the other rounds, contestants spell orally for the judges. They must be able to visualize the word with only a few hints, including the origin, pronunciation, definition and use in a sentence. Rounds continue until one speller is left.

To qualify for the national spelling bee, each contestant must be under 16 and must not have passed beyond eighth grade.

[TexasStooge]

Fantroy, Lipscomb spar before bitter runoff

By CHRIS HEINBAUGH / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - This Saturday, two old friends turned bitter enemies go head-to-head for a Dallas City Council seat.

Incumbent James Fantroy has held the District 8 seat since 2000; former council member Al Lipscomb held the seat off and on for years until he resigned. Neither had a majority last month, and so they now face a run-off.

Earlier this year, Lipscomb told his protege Fantroy, he would not try to reclaim his old seat. Then, Lipscomb did just that, then in May got enough of the vote to set the stage for Saturday's runoff.

The candidates faced off on a Dallas radio show Thursday. Fantroy touted the new homes, jobs and industry he's brought to District 8.

"I brought in Wal-Mart, (and a) completely redone Executive Airport," he said.

But Lipscomb said those projects started on his watch, and his opponent just caters to the rich.

"This man here, his whole concern is about making rich developers more richer," Lipscomb said.

Fantroy replied that Lipscomb's brand of economic development only brought crime.

"When you haven't done (anything) but truck stops and pawn shops, you take credit for the good stuff," Fantroy said, to which Lipscomb called him a "pathological liar."

Both men are fighting for their integrity. During his corruption trial, Lipscomb admitted accepting money from people with city business. He noted again Thursday that his conviction was overturned.

"I have been cleared," Lipscomb said. "This is America, you go though the process even if it was a kangaroo court. I have been cleared; he's the one you should be talking to."

Fantroy's accused of mishandling money belonging to Paul Quinn College, which he denies.

Lipscomb faced charges from some callers that to regain his old seat, he stabbed his friend in the back.

"You've proven no one can trust you," the caller said. "How do you feel about that?"

Replied Lipscomb, "We're all entitled to our opinions."

Both candidates have a long history in District 8, so the choice could be tough. There is no big issue driving voters to dump Fantroy, but many may find it hard to vote against Lipscomb.

And without the strong-mayor measure getting people to the polls, many voters may simply stay home.

[TexasStooge]

Missing man mystery solved after 42 years

By REBECCA RODRIGUEZ / WFAA ABC 8

FORT WORTH, Texas - The mystery of a Fort Worth man who disappeared nearly 42 years ago has finally been solved.

His remains were identified Wednesday, thanks to the efforts of the Tarrant County medical examiner's office and new technology.

In December 1963, skeletal remains were found near the Benbrook Lake dam, but a mistake in the original forensic investigation of the case made it almost impossible to solve. The remains were originally determined to be those of a woman, so when Fort Worth police appealed to the public for help, the investigation went nowhere.

The remains were kept in storage until last year, when the investigation was reopened. It was then discovered to be a man, and police released a model to the public.

Soon, the department got calls that the missing person might be Kenneth B. Glaze, a Hillsboro native living in Fort Worth who disappeared in August 1963. A DNA test revealed it was indeed Glaze.

It brought some answers to a family who never forgot.

"Just in talking with the cousin who provided the DNA sample for us, she described years and years of heartache on behalf of Mr. Glaze's parents, from not knowing where he was or what happened to him," said Fort Worth Police Det. Bryan Jamison.

Police said Glaze died of two gunshot wounds. They are now beginning the second phase of the investigation, in which they hope to find anyone who was an acquaintance of Glaze - a friend or co-worker, for example - who might be able to lead them to his killer.

[TexasStooge]

More gas problems in Downtown Fort Worth (UPDATED)

By REBECCA RODRIGUEZ / WFAA ABC 8

FORT WORTH, Texas — Utility company workers were struggling to control a natural gas leak in downtown Fort Worth Friday morning.

The leak, in the 700 block of Commerce Street, followed Thursday's natural gas surge that resulted in a series of small fires in the Sundance Square entertainment district.

Atmos Energy workers using a backhoe dug into the pavement to get at the source of the leak. A geyser of the volatile gas shot from the street when the workers found the spot.

The gas company said today's problems are the result of an attempt to bleed some gas lines with excess pressure from Thursday's incident. The company accepted full responsibility for the problem, which it said was caused by human error.

The gas was still turned off in parts of downtown at noon Friday.

Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief assured workers, residents and visitors that there is no danger in the downtown area, and he said he was confident the problems could be rectified in time for weekend activities.

[TexasStooge]

Police video shows tanker crash

IRVING, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A video released Friday shows what Irving police officers witnessed when they arrived at a fiery tanker truck accident on Saturday morning.

The dramatic videotape was taken by the dashboard camera in an Irving police squad car.

The gasoline tanker had just collided with a pickup truck, sending the big rig careening over a guardrail and crashing down on MacArthur Blvd. below.

The tanker exploded in flames and its driver died in the fire.

Ricky Coronado, the driver of the pickup truck, was is charged with intoxication manslaughter.

Cleanup and repairs to the highway snarled traffic at the busy intersection for several days after the incident.


Courtesy of Irving Police Dept.
The driver of a gasoline tanker was killed in the fiery crash.

[rainstorm]

Home invasions target Bachman area

By GARY REAVES / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - Dallas police are issuing an alert for women at home during the day: beware of possible home invaders.

A band of violent robbers has struck seven times in recent days, mostly in the Bachman Lake area of Northwest Dallas.

Police said the home invaders' brazen methods are remarkably consistent. They strike usually on Tuesdays and Fridays, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. - and their victims are always female.

Almost all the attacks started the same way: with a knock on the door. At that point, the robbers would check to be sure no men were home before they attacked the women.

"In the case I'm investigating, there were three Latin males," said Dallas Police Det. Leopoldo Gonzalez. "One went up to the door and knocked, and asked if somebody was inside."

None of the victims wanted to be interviewed, and a look at the police reports explains why. In one attack at an apartment on Community Drive, a victim was pistol-whipped. On Brockbank Drive, two victims were told "if one of you runs, we're going to kill the other one."

Most victims were bound with duct tape before their homes were looted. And in each case, it started with a lie.

"They would tell the victims that their spouse had loaned them some tools and they were returning them, or that the spouse had been injured at work and they needed to notify a relative," said Dallas Police Sr. Cpl. Jamie Kimbrough.

Detectives are extra concerned because the robbers, who started with pistols, have added an assault rifle to their arsenal.

"We don't know what these guys are up to, and what they are going to do when they are desperate and can't find anything inside the house," said Gonzalez.

"I think it's very, very scary for anyone," said neighborhood crime watch chairman Diana Cardona, who manages apartments in the area. She plans to send out notices to residents advising them how to handle a stranger at the door.

"We will let them know that they need to not open their door," Cardona said. "They need to call the office; they need to call 911. They need to be aware of what's going on, and that is how we educate them."

Police say the suspects are three Latin males in their early 30s. They only have a full description of one of them; he is between 5' 6" and 5' 10" with a heavy build, a beard or goatee and tattoos on his right forearm.

Authorities hope someone will come forward with information so they can catch the robbers before someone gets seriously injured.

every law abiding citizen should have a gun

[TexasStooge]

Man injured during day care rescue

By BERT LOZANO / WFAA ABC 8

NEWS 8 EXCLUSIVE

DALLAS, Texas - Parents dropped their children off at the Dream House Learning Center Friday for the first time since a car rammed the building last week.

Most were anxious to get inside, where they were treated to a welcome-back party complete with toys and cake.

Eight children were injured when a car driven by a 14-year-old girl ran through a wall and came to rest on top of two of them. One man who helped lift the car off the children was seriously injured himself - though he didn't realize it until the next day.

49-year-old Lonnell Henderson was one of many who ran to the rescue of the children after the car drove through Dream House's window. Henderson and his wife Virginia own the beauty academy next door.

Henderson remembers hearing one child in particular, Rosemary Solis, who was pinned underneath a tire crying for her life.

"I was asking for divine help - I couldn't have done it without divine help," he said. "We just decided, 'we've got to pick it up.'"

But the split-second decision forever changed his life. The former weight trainer said as he used all his strength to lift the car, he felt what he thought was an adrenaline rush.

"A sensation went through my head, and a numbness to my arms."

[TexasStooge]

Wait a minute, I thought they said "No sex offenders in all Six Flags amusement and water parks".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hurricane Harbor incident leads to indecency charges

By BRAD HAWKINS / WFAA ABC 8

ARLINGTON, Texas - A North Texas man was arrested Friday on two felony counts of indecency with a child, after alleged incidents at a popular water park in Arlington.

Investigators have two charges against 49-year-old Dwayne Allen Hoover of North Richland Hills, but they think there may be other victims who police now hope will come forward. Witnesses saw a man thought to be Hoover grab a 10- to 12-year-old African-American male on May 14 at Hurricane Harbor, and police hope the victim and his parents will come forward.

"He would walk up near them, bump into them and grab them in inappropriate places," said Arlington Police Lt. Blake Miller.

Police said Hoover does not have a record of similar charges. Still, parents told News 8 they're watching even closer now.

"It didn't shock me - it's everywhere," said Stephenville resident Jeleta Boyle. "You just have to be prepared everywhere you go, Wal-Mart, wherever ... you just have to keep an eye on children."

"If any of my younger kids come up here, I come here with them or else their bigger brother is with them," Arlington resident Kevin Kelsey said.

Hurricane Harbor spokeswoman Sandra Daniels told News 8 the behavior is simply not tolerated, and that staff security is as vigilant and tireless in keeping the parks safe for families and kids as are police.

Six Flags Corporation, with its original theme park across Interstate 30, added wording to the small print on season passes this year spelling out just how unwelcome convicted and registered sex offenders are.

[TexasStooge]

Law helps cities fight 'bath houses'

By BRETT SHIPP / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - Dallas police have complained for years about so-called "bath houses" around town.

But lawmakers in Austin recently passed a new measure designed to make it easier for local officials around the state to clean up such establishments.

Asian bath houses have popped up like weeds in Dallas' Stemmons business corridor over the past few years, and it seemed the city was helpless to fight back.

"It destroys good business, it destroys our ability to promote and have economic development, and our tax base for the City of Dallas," said David Neumann of the Stemmons Corridor Business Association.

The only weapon of police up to this point was tough-to-prove prostitution cases, because city codes had no teeth - until now. The solution, many hope, comes in the form of the overwhelmingly passed House Bill 2696.

While it's officially referred to as the Massage Parlor Bill, city officials and police know these places are now cleverly disguised as bath houses and tanning salons and spas - and the ever popular Institute for Physical Health.

The new law requires that therapists be legal U.S. residents at least 18 years old. It prohibits sexual contact, grants the city attorney injunction powers and covers the so-called "bath houses" and "tanning salons".

"It will give the municipalities the ability to say, 'Hey, you can't play this game anymore ... what you are doing is fronting as prostitution services,'" said State Rep. Raphael Anchia, D-Dallas.

With more than 70 such businesses operating in Dallas, Acting City Attorney Tom Perkins said he has his work cut out for him.

"It does enable us to more easily confront the problem (and) go to court to stop it," Perkins said.

The difference now? The city has a weapon to fight back.

[TexasStooge]

Crumbling dam makes neighbors nervous

By STEVE STOLER / WFAA ABC 8

CELINA, Texas - Collin County homeowners fear an earthen dam could suddenly collapse, causing millions of dollars in damage and even loss of life.

The dam, located near Preston Road outside the town of Celina, is eroding. In several places the soil has collapsed, making the dam weak and unstable.

"Every time I walk out here, I'm nervous," said homeowner Renetta Wilson. "Every time I think about it, I'm nervous."

Wilson's anxiety started when the federal government labeled the dam next to her house a "high hazard." She worries days of heavy rains could cause a catastrophe by filling the lake, crumbling the dam.

"We could have loss of life here if this dam were to breach," Wilson said.

The federal government built the dam, known as Little Elm 18-A, in 1970 as one of hundreds constructed across the U.S. to prevent rural flooding. It was designed to last 50 years but started falling apart in the mid-nineties.

"If the dam were to breach, all of this earth that you would see here would be pushed downstream," said homeowner Bill Stearns. "Preston Road would become history."

That could create big problems for commuters in several Grayson County towns who drive on Preston Road to and from Frisco.

"The sides are sloughing off on both sides of the dam, and have weakened the dam," Stearns said.

Federal officials now want Collin County to pay a third of the $916,000 to fix the dam and maintain it. But county commissioners call the 100-year agreement proposed by the feds too long.

Commissioners are concerned once the dam is repaired, the county could be responsibile for repairing it if it breaches again in the future. C ounty judge Ron Harris said with 99 similar dams in the county, it's a costly precedent the commission does not want to set.

Renetta Wilson said the wait only increases the chances the dam will collapse - along with her property value.

"If I were a property purchaser, I would definitely look in another direction," she said.

[TexasStooge]

Businesses object to homeless center

Dallas: Letter says city's new shelter will hamper revitalization

By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS, Texas - Two dozen businesses with Dallas interests say the City Council must reconsider building a downtown homeless-assistance center to preserve a wave of recent investments sweeping into the city's center.

Representatives of the businesses wrote in a letter – which they plan to deliver to the council – that downtown is on the brink of becoming a revitalized center of residential, commercial and recreational activity.

But "the presence of numerous vagrants panhandling, loitering, sleeping or laying on sidewalks, gaining entry to corridors and stairwells for the night, the debris left in their wake ... have a regrettable effect on this livability," the business representatives wrote.

After a months-long study and months more of debate, the council voted in April to build a homeless facility on downtown's southeastern edge.

The facility would sit several blocks from a nine-building redevelopment project city officials negotiated this week with Cleveland-based Forest City Enterprises. The city is proposing to offer at least $65 million in tax incentives to the development company. Forest City executive David Levey was among those who signed the letter.

"You don't want to do anything that's detrimental to that," said Larry Hamilton, a Dallas-based developer whose company has converted several vacant downtown office buildings into apartment towers.

"We should be putting the facility in our back yard, not our front yard, which is downtown."

Mr. Hamilton suggested a site just outside of downtown, such as one near the Lew Sterrett Justice Center, as a more appropriate location.

"If they have other sites in mind, I'm happy to listen," Mayor Laura Miller said. "But the site we have is in the southernmost part of downtown and up against a freeway. I don't think it's a problem location."