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Soccer fans ready to get kicking in Frisco
Public-private project opens next weekend
By BILL LODGE and ED HOUSEWRIGHT / The Dallas Morning News
FRISCO, Texas – An $80 million soccer complex built from a partnership between local governments and a private operator is poised to open Friday.
But as fans and athletes descend on Pizza Hut Park, they will see an incomplete coliseum and a construction schedule headed for overtime.
Hard hats and heavy equipment still ruled the 144-acre soccer site in the northeast corner of Dallas Parkway and Main Street last week.
Heavy rains and additions to the original complex plan pushed construction to the brink of the approaching national adult soccer championships. And some of the parking lots and a few amenities will not be completed until later this year.
Scores of amateur teams and leagues have events scheduled at the site, which includes 17 soccer and football fields.
"At this point, we're anticipating that we'll be able to host all the tournaments and leagues we had planned," said Shawn McGee, senior director of soccer business development for FC Dallas, the park's pro team.
"Between tournament games and league games, that will probably be thousands of events before the end of the year."
Despite work yet to be done, city officials are hoping for a big turnout starting Friday, when people are expected to begin rolling into Frisco's restaurants and hotels as the park hosts the three-day National Cup competition of the United States Adult Soccer Association.
And more are expected Saturday, when FC Dallas plays the first Major League Soccer game in its new home.
The complex cost $55 million in public money and as much as $25 million from Hunt Sports Group, an affiliate of the Lamar Hunt family's Hunt Capital Group.
The city of Frisco, Collin County and the Frisco school district all pledged taxpayer dollars for the facility.
Frisco poured in $20 million and retained ownership of the 21,000-seat stadium and soccer complex. Therefore, Hunt Sports Group, as park operator, will not owe any property taxes.
The city expects to recover its investment from increased sales taxes.
The school district will have use of the pro stadium and some of the adjacent fields.
Collin County hopes to benefit from increased property taxes from businesses and residents attracted to the area.
Hunt Sports Group agreed to put $10 million into the original funding formula and later added an additional $15 million.
It also promised to perform all maintenance at Pizza Hut Park for 20 years and pay annual rent of $100,000 to Frisco.
Pizza Hut pays $25 million over 20 years to Hunt Sports Group and FC Dallas for naming rights, Pizza Hut spokeswoman Julie Hildebrand said.
City officials said they did not obtain revenue projections before they signed their project agreement in April 2003.
"We just don't have the numbers on what those sales taxes will be," Mayor Mike Simpson said. "I don't know how we could calculate that."
Because of the city's continuing growth and soccer's increasing popularity, Mr. Simpson said, the complex is certain to become profitable for taxpayers.
"We definitely feel we're going to get our money back," Mr. Simpson said.
People shouldn't worry about the lack of a revenue projection, said Assistant City Manager Scott Young.
"We're very confident everybody's going to get their money's worth," he said.
The Hunt group's agreement to shoulder all cost overruns has already paid dividends for Frisco taxpayers, Mr. Young said.
"The job now is over $80 million," he said. "That [extra $15 million] is their cost."
He explained that many of those costs are tied to improvements the Hunt group made along the way, including a permanent stage.
That stage will attract performers for concerts and other entertainment, the assistant city manager said.
"We expect over a million visitors a year," Mr. Young said.
'A quality facility'
Collin County and Frisco school district officials are as optimistic about the soccer center as Mr. Simpson and Mr. Young.
Rusty Craig, the school district's finance director, said the district's $15 million debt on the project would be retired within 20 years.
Superintendent Rick Reedy said construction of Pizza Hut Park eliminated the district's need for a new football stadium, which would have cost taxpayers about $23.5 million.
Locker rooms aren't finished at the soccer stadium, so only one football game will be played there this fall – Frisco High vs. Centennial High on Oct. 1.
"We're a little disappointed, but we know it will be a quality facility when it's done," the superintendent said.
"I would rather make sure it's constructed properly than rush into it and find out flaws later on."
Starting in 2006, all varsity football games will be played at the new facility, Dr. Reedy said.
He said the Hunt group's agreement to maintain all facilities at the complex will save the school district $500,000 a year.
'Economic engine'
Collin County put $20 million into Pizza Hut Park.
Unlike Frisco, the county won't receive any sales tax from the park or the area surrounding it.
Unlike the school district, the county won't have special use of the stadium or the 17 other fields.
Instead, county officials are banking on millions in additional property-tax revenue from development spurred by the athletic complex.
"It will be an incredible economic engine once it gets up and running," County Commissioner Jerry Hoagland said.
"Hotels will be built that would not have been built as a result of that stadium. Restaurants will be built that would not have been built."
All that development will easily cover the public's portion of the construction costs, said Commissioner Phyllis Cole.
"To me, it's a fantastic joint venture between the city, schools and the county," she said.
Bob Black, executive director of North Texas Soccer, is equally optimistic about the park's prospects for revenue production.
"There's no place else that has this many fields of this caliber and a stadium of this caliber – all in a location that is in the heart of everything, as far as access to major airports, hotels, shopping and restaurants," Mr. Black said.
But he is even more excited about Pizza Hut Park's chance to increase soccer's nationwide visibility.
"This has been the dream of the sport, to be able to build a soccer-specific stadium with surrounding fields to hold major events," Mr. Black said.
"It doesn't get any better than this. Undoubtedly, this will be the finest soccer complex in the country and, arguably, the best in the world."
Public-private project opens next weekend
By BILL LODGE and ED HOUSEWRIGHT / The Dallas Morning News
FRISCO, Texas – An $80 million soccer complex built from a partnership between local governments and a private operator is poised to open Friday.
But as fans and athletes descend on Pizza Hut Park, they will see an incomplete coliseum and a construction schedule headed for overtime.
Hard hats and heavy equipment still ruled the 144-acre soccer site in the northeast corner of Dallas Parkway and Main Street last week.
Heavy rains and additions to the original complex plan pushed construction to the brink of the approaching national adult soccer championships. And some of the parking lots and a few amenities will not be completed until later this year.
Scores of amateur teams and leagues have events scheduled at the site, which includes 17 soccer and football fields.
"At this point, we're anticipating that we'll be able to host all the tournaments and leagues we had planned," said Shawn McGee, senior director of soccer business development for FC Dallas, the park's pro team.
"Between tournament games and league games, that will probably be thousands of events before the end of the year."
Despite work yet to be done, city officials are hoping for a big turnout starting Friday, when people are expected to begin rolling into Frisco's restaurants and hotels as the park hosts the three-day National Cup competition of the United States Adult Soccer Association.
And more are expected Saturday, when FC Dallas plays the first Major League Soccer game in its new home.
The complex cost $55 million in public money and as much as $25 million from Hunt Sports Group, an affiliate of the Lamar Hunt family's Hunt Capital Group.
The city of Frisco, Collin County and the Frisco school district all pledged taxpayer dollars for the facility.
Frisco poured in $20 million and retained ownership of the 21,000-seat stadium and soccer complex. Therefore, Hunt Sports Group, as park operator, will not owe any property taxes.
The city expects to recover its investment from increased sales taxes.
The school district will have use of the pro stadium and some of the adjacent fields.
Collin County hopes to benefit from increased property taxes from businesses and residents attracted to the area.
Hunt Sports Group agreed to put $10 million into the original funding formula and later added an additional $15 million.
It also promised to perform all maintenance at Pizza Hut Park for 20 years and pay annual rent of $100,000 to Frisco.
Pizza Hut pays $25 million over 20 years to Hunt Sports Group and FC Dallas for naming rights, Pizza Hut spokeswoman Julie Hildebrand said.
City officials said they did not obtain revenue projections before they signed their project agreement in April 2003.
"We just don't have the numbers on what those sales taxes will be," Mayor Mike Simpson said. "I don't know how we could calculate that."
Because of the city's continuing growth and soccer's increasing popularity, Mr. Simpson said, the complex is certain to become profitable for taxpayers.
"We definitely feel we're going to get our money back," Mr. Simpson said.
People shouldn't worry about the lack of a revenue projection, said Assistant City Manager Scott Young.
"We're very confident everybody's going to get their money's worth," he said.
The Hunt group's agreement to shoulder all cost overruns has already paid dividends for Frisco taxpayers, Mr. Young said.
"The job now is over $80 million," he said. "That [extra $15 million] is their cost."
He explained that many of those costs are tied to improvements the Hunt group made along the way, including a permanent stage.
That stage will attract performers for concerts and other entertainment, the assistant city manager said.
"We expect over a million visitors a year," Mr. Young said.
'A quality facility'
Collin County and Frisco school district officials are as optimistic about the soccer center as Mr. Simpson and Mr. Young.
Rusty Craig, the school district's finance director, said the district's $15 million debt on the project would be retired within 20 years.
Superintendent Rick Reedy said construction of Pizza Hut Park eliminated the district's need for a new football stadium, which would have cost taxpayers about $23.5 million.
Locker rooms aren't finished at the soccer stadium, so only one football game will be played there this fall – Frisco High vs. Centennial High on Oct. 1.
"We're a little disappointed, but we know it will be a quality facility when it's done," the superintendent said.
"I would rather make sure it's constructed properly than rush into it and find out flaws later on."
Starting in 2006, all varsity football games will be played at the new facility, Dr. Reedy said.
He said the Hunt group's agreement to maintain all facilities at the complex will save the school district $500,000 a year.
'Economic engine'
Collin County put $20 million into Pizza Hut Park.
Unlike Frisco, the county won't receive any sales tax from the park or the area surrounding it.
Unlike the school district, the county won't have special use of the stadium or the 17 other fields.
Instead, county officials are banking on millions in additional property-tax revenue from development spurred by the athletic complex.
"It will be an incredible economic engine once it gets up and running," County Commissioner Jerry Hoagland said.
"Hotels will be built that would not have been built as a result of that stadium. Restaurants will be built that would not have been built."
All that development will easily cover the public's portion of the construction costs, said Commissioner Phyllis Cole.
"To me, it's a fantastic joint venture between the city, schools and the county," she said.
Bob Black, executive director of North Texas Soccer, is equally optimistic about the park's prospects for revenue production.
"There's no place else that has this many fields of this caliber and a stadium of this caliber – all in a location that is in the heart of everything, as far as access to major airports, hotels, shopping and restaurants," Mr. Black said.
But he is even more excited about Pizza Hut Park's chance to increase soccer's nationwide visibility.
"This has been the dream of the sport, to be able to build a soccer-specific stadium with surrounding fields to hold major events," Mr. Black said.
"It doesn't get any better than this. Undoubtedly, this will be the finest soccer complex in the country and, arguably, the best in the world."
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Picnicker drowns in Burger's Lake
By JASON TRAHAN / The Dallas Morning News
FORT WORTH, Texas - A 39-year-old man picnicking with family members drowned Saturday in Burger's Lake in far northwest Fort Worth, authorities said.
Phillip Flores of Willow Park died at 3:30 p.m. at Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital.
About an hour earlier, Fort Worth police received a 911 call from the 1200 block of Meandering Road.
Authorities said that Mr. Flores went under in about 10 feet of water and his brother pulled him out.
By JASON TRAHAN / The Dallas Morning News
FORT WORTH, Texas - A 39-year-old man picnicking with family members drowned Saturday in Burger's Lake in far northwest Fort Worth, authorities said.
Phillip Flores of Willow Park died at 3:30 p.m. at Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital.
About an hour earlier, Fort Worth police received a 911 call from the 1200 block of Meandering Road.
Authorities said that Mr. Flores went under in about 10 feet of water and his brother pulled him out.
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Police: Bike theft led to teen's death
GARLAND, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) – Stealing a bicycle may have proved fatal for a Garland teenager.
Officers responding to a shooting call just after 2:30 a.m. Saturday found 16-year-old Dequorius Allen in Toyah Creek Lane in Garland. He had been shot in the torso and died later at Baylor Medical Center of Garland, police said.
Police said the teen and some friends stole a bicycle from Kevin Patrick Gordon of Garland, who then got his car, along with a gun and some friends of his own, and went looking for his bike.
"If he did indeed take the bicycle like they're saying, what justifies them killing him?" asked Deborah Allen, mother of the dead teen. "Why kill? You come with the gun, your intentions are to kill."
Ms. Allen said her son was an innocent victim, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Garland police said Mr. Gordon is 19 years old. Texas driver's license records put his age at 18.
Mr. Gordon has been charged with murder, and bail has been set at $500,000, according to Garland police, who say Mr. Gordon is cooperating with investigators.
Relatives at Mr. Gordon's home in Garland declined to comment Saturday.
The Dallas Morning News and WFAA-TV reporter Bert Lozano in Garland contributed to this report.
GARLAND, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) – Stealing a bicycle may have proved fatal for a Garland teenager.
Officers responding to a shooting call just after 2:30 a.m. Saturday found 16-year-old Dequorius Allen in Toyah Creek Lane in Garland. He had been shot in the torso and died later at Baylor Medical Center of Garland, police said.
Police said the teen and some friends stole a bicycle from Kevin Patrick Gordon of Garland, who then got his car, along with a gun and some friends of his own, and went looking for his bike.
"If he did indeed take the bicycle like they're saying, what justifies them killing him?" asked Deborah Allen, mother of the dead teen. "Why kill? You come with the gun, your intentions are to kill."
Ms. Allen said her son was an innocent victim, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Garland police said Mr. Gordon is 19 years old. Texas driver's license records put his age at 18.
Mr. Gordon has been charged with murder, and bail has been set at $500,000, according to Garland police, who say Mr. Gordon is cooperating with investigators.
Relatives at Mr. Gordon's home in Garland declined to comment Saturday.
The Dallas Morning News and WFAA-TV reporter Bert Lozano in Garland contributed to this report.
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'Secret shoppers' to rate Dallas' service
Program to test how public is treated
By JASON TRAHAN / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - City employees may want to think twice before bungling that next 311 service request or blowing off a Dallasite trying to get what they paid for out of municipal government.
That voice on the telephone or person standing at the counter could be a spy.
City leaders fed up with perennial complaints about their employees and their often dismal customer service skills are to announce this week a new "mystery shopper" program. Borrowing a technique that private businesses have successfully used for years, the city will work with neighborhood associations to recruit and register people with legitimate needs to call 311 or go to city facilities and rate how they are treated.
"We did a little research to find out what other cities are doing, but there is precious little out there on this," said Celso Martinez, a city spokesman. "I'm not saying we're breaking ground, but this is not top of mind for every city. We think it's important, and it's one of ... [City Manager Mary Suhm's] personal missions to upgrade that customer service."
Assistant City Manager Jill Jordan's staff will brief City Council members Wednesday on the program – including four dry runs using city employees posing as customers.
"We didn't fare well," Mr. Martinez said, adding that the city employees were found to be overly critical of their colleagues' efforts.
A recent resident survey gave code enforcement, crime prevention and street repair the poorest scores. Some 47 percent rated Dallas' quality of life as good or excellent. Dallas Fire-Rescue and the library system garnered among the highest ratings.
The city reported that few were participating in the survey. Of 8,400 mailed out in both English and Spanish, 1,919 responded.
Program to test how public is treated
By JASON TRAHAN / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - City employees may want to think twice before bungling that next 311 service request or blowing off a Dallasite trying to get what they paid for out of municipal government.
That voice on the telephone or person standing at the counter could be a spy.
City leaders fed up with perennial complaints about their employees and their often dismal customer service skills are to announce this week a new "mystery shopper" program. Borrowing a technique that private businesses have successfully used for years, the city will work with neighborhood associations to recruit and register people with legitimate needs to call 311 or go to city facilities and rate how they are treated.
"We did a little research to find out what other cities are doing, but there is precious little out there on this," said Celso Martinez, a city spokesman. "I'm not saying we're breaking ground, but this is not top of mind for every city. We think it's important, and it's one of ... [City Manager Mary Suhm's] personal missions to upgrade that customer service."
Assistant City Manager Jill Jordan's staff will brief City Council members Wednesday on the program – including four dry runs using city employees posing as customers.
"We didn't fare well," Mr. Martinez said, adding that the city employees were found to be overly critical of their colleagues' efforts.
A recent resident survey gave code enforcement, crime prevention and street repair the poorest scores. Some 47 percent rated Dallas' quality of life as good or excellent. Dallas Fire-Rescue and the library system garnered among the highest ratings.
The city reported that few were participating in the survey. Of 8,400 mailed out in both English and Spanish, 1,919 responded.
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Texas tops list in prison and abuse report
By BERT LOZANO / WFAA ABC 8
The U.S. Department of Justice released the first ever statistical report on prison rape and abuse Sunday.
There were more than 8,000 cases in the country's prisons last year. And Texas prisons topped the list with 550 cases of alleged rape.
In 42 percent of the cases the victims said they were abused by the very people charged with protecting them. However, the department also admitted that much of the sexual violence in prisons was probably never reported.
"You just finally go limp and I just couldn't do anything," said Marilyn Shirley.
Shirley said she has the same questions she did the night a senior guard pulled her from her prison cell and violently raped her in his office.
"Why is this man that's supposed to be protecting me - the only guard on duty - coming over here and violating me?" she asked.
Shirley served four years at the Federal Medical Center Carswell in Fort Worth on a drug charge. At first she said she feared reporting the guard.
"He said 'Who do you think they are going to believe? A fine upstanding officer like me or a convict like you?'" she said.
The day Shirley was released from prison she turned in a pair of sweatpants she had hid in her cell and reported the rape.
A DNA sample on the sweatpants helped lead to the guard's conviction and he is now serving 12 years in prison.
Through an organization called stop prisoner rape Shirley has begun to speak out. She has testified in front of Congress on new legislation targeted to eliminate prison rape. She is also suing the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
"It's got nothing to do with money," she said. "It's so people will realize what's going on every day."
By BERT LOZANO / WFAA ABC 8
The U.S. Department of Justice released the first ever statistical report on prison rape and abuse Sunday.
There were more than 8,000 cases in the country's prisons last year. And Texas prisons topped the list with 550 cases of alleged rape.
In 42 percent of the cases the victims said they were abused by the very people charged with protecting them. However, the department also admitted that much of the sexual violence in prisons was probably never reported.
"You just finally go limp and I just couldn't do anything," said Marilyn Shirley.
Shirley said she has the same questions she did the night a senior guard pulled her from her prison cell and violently raped her in his office.
"Why is this man that's supposed to be protecting me - the only guard on duty - coming over here and violating me?" she asked.
Shirley served four years at the Federal Medical Center Carswell in Fort Worth on a drug charge. At first she said she feared reporting the guard.
"He said 'Who do you think they are going to believe? A fine upstanding officer like me or a convict like you?'" she said.
The day Shirley was released from prison she turned in a pair of sweatpants she had hid in her cell and reported the rape.
A DNA sample on the sweatpants helped lead to the guard's conviction and he is now serving 12 years in prison.
Through an organization called stop prisoner rape Shirley has begun to speak out. She has testified in front of Congress on new legislation targeted to eliminate prison rape. She is also suing the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
"It's got nothing to do with money," she said. "It's so people will realize what's going on every day."
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Former officer accused of rape
DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Former Dallas police officer Leslie Reese resigned in early July, but is now facing allegations of rape.
Reese left his job with the department citing personal reasons. However, News 8 reported last year that Reese topped Dallas Police Department's list of officers with the most internal affairs complaints. A lawsuit filed last week claimed Reese sexually assaulted a woman in his patrol car three days before resigning.
A spokesman for the Dallas Police Department said Reese was not on duty at the time of the alleged assault.
DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Former Dallas police officer Leslie Reese resigned in early July, but is now facing allegations of rape.
Reese left his job with the department citing personal reasons. However, News 8 reported last year that Reese topped Dallas Police Department's list of officers with the most internal affairs complaints. A lawsuit filed last week claimed Reese sexually assaulted a woman in his patrol car three days before resigning.
A spokesman for the Dallas Police Department said Reese was not on duty at the time of the alleged assault.
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School tackles race, police
Dallas: UT Southwestern panel makes suggestions
By DAVID TARRANT / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - The challenge facing the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas was clear: how to balance the security requirements of an open, urban and increasingly diverse campus without compromising the need for a welcoming and collegial atmosphere.
To find answers, a 28-member task force began meeting in March, not long after a graduate student raised charges of racial profiling against the campus police department.
Composed of everyone from police officers, medical school professors and students to Nobel Prize-winning research scientists, the panel quickly found out just how complex a task it faced.
"We were talking about how the police need to be more visible. They need to integrate better into the campus, and we need to spend more time to get to know them," said Dr. Charles Ginsburg, who chaired the task force. But others noted that many foreign nationals who work on campus wouldn't want to have anything to do with police, he said. In their societies or countries, police are feared and avoided at all costs.
"This is a complicated eco-system," said Dr. Ginsburg. "Because of the diverse nature of the committee, there were totally different perspectives."
After numerous meetings over the last four months, the task force recently completed its work, issuing 27 recommendations.
These ranged from specific changes in police training to broad-gauge proposals addressing the overall mission of campus police.
Along with calls for raising standards in employing security guards and for increasing cultural awareness training for officers, the task force also recognized the need to find ways for police officers and the medical community to better understand each other.
UT Southwestern President Kern Wildenthal, who appointed the committee, said he plans to act quickly on the recommendations.
"UT Southwestern is committed to following the guidance of this broad-based committee, and we will immediately begin implementing its recommendations," Dr. Wildenthal said in a prepared statement recently released to the UT Southwestern campus community. The statement said the task force unanimously approved all the recommendations.
Dr. Wildenthal, who was traveling overseas, was not available for further comment, said Roy Bode, UT Southwestern's vice president for public affairs.
The panel began meeting on the heels of the Feb. 2 arrest of Dr. Donald Arnette at UT Southwestern. Dr. Arnette, 31, was arrested for failing to identify himself to a campus officer.
A doctoral student at the time, Dr. Arnette and a friend, were in a student parking garage when Dr. Arnette was stopped by a campus police officer. In the process, Dr. Arnette said, the officer brandished a Taser and allegedly used a racial epithet.
The officer, who is white, denied making any racial comments to Dr. Arnette, who is black. News of the arrest prompted complaints from at least a half-dozen minority students and staff, who claimed that campus police have harassed them because of their race.
UT Southwestern Police Chief Larry Coutorie, 58, took early retirement shortly after the incident. School officials would not comment on the chief's decision, and the former chief also declined to comment.
UT Southwestern officials also have declined to comment on a federal lawsuit filed by Dr. Arnette. The suit charges the university and its police department with racial profiling based on the Feb. 2 parking garage incident and another that took place two years earlier.
But Dr. Ginsburg said that he saw the main purpose of the task force was not to respond to any specific incidents but to provide guidance for a new police chief, once one was named.
Dr. Arnette said he had seen the recommendations and felt that many were either too ambiguous or would be unnecessary if "common sense" were used by police and university officials. "Do we really need a task force to tell the police that they need to respect people of all races and different cultures? You would assume that people would be already doing that in 2005 in the United States of America."
In recognition of the many foreign nationals on campus, the panel recommended developing specific orientation programs about the role of the campus police. Another recommendation called for creating a means to make anonymous complaints about the police as an alternative to using official channels, such as the Office of Equal Opportunity and Minority Affairs or the personnel department.
The panel directed 10 recommendations specifically at the police department. One calls for increased training for officers for negotiating potentially hostile situations. Another would require police to use an alternative means to confirm someone's identity if a school ID badge was not available. The police could ask for the individual's date of birth or the last four digits of the person's Social Security number.
The panel also recommended the development of a community policing approach aimed at bringing about more positive interaction between members of the campus community and the police department. Another recommendation would create a standing committee that would continue to meet and discuss the issues and concerns that the task force addressed.
Acting Police Chief Thomas Bickers, who was a task force member, supports the creation of a permanent committee on police and campus relations. One of the highlights of the task force was that it "opened up lines of communication" that hadn't existed before between the police and the campus community, Chief Bickers said.
"When that happens, nothing but good can come out of it."
Dallas: UT Southwestern panel makes suggestions
By DAVID TARRANT / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - The challenge facing the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas was clear: how to balance the security requirements of an open, urban and increasingly diverse campus without compromising the need for a welcoming and collegial atmosphere.
To find answers, a 28-member task force began meeting in March, not long after a graduate student raised charges of racial profiling against the campus police department.
Composed of everyone from police officers, medical school professors and students to Nobel Prize-winning research scientists, the panel quickly found out just how complex a task it faced.
"We were talking about how the police need to be more visible. They need to integrate better into the campus, and we need to spend more time to get to know them," said Dr. Charles Ginsburg, who chaired the task force. But others noted that many foreign nationals who work on campus wouldn't want to have anything to do with police, he said. In their societies or countries, police are feared and avoided at all costs.
"This is a complicated eco-system," said Dr. Ginsburg. "Because of the diverse nature of the committee, there were totally different perspectives."
After numerous meetings over the last four months, the task force recently completed its work, issuing 27 recommendations.
These ranged from specific changes in police training to broad-gauge proposals addressing the overall mission of campus police.
Along with calls for raising standards in employing security guards and for increasing cultural awareness training for officers, the task force also recognized the need to find ways for police officers and the medical community to better understand each other.
UT Southwestern President Kern Wildenthal, who appointed the committee, said he plans to act quickly on the recommendations.
"UT Southwestern is committed to following the guidance of this broad-based committee, and we will immediately begin implementing its recommendations," Dr. Wildenthal said in a prepared statement recently released to the UT Southwestern campus community. The statement said the task force unanimously approved all the recommendations.
Dr. Wildenthal, who was traveling overseas, was not available for further comment, said Roy Bode, UT Southwestern's vice president for public affairs.
The panel began meeting on the heels of the Feb. 2 arrest of Dr. Donald Arnette at UT Southwestern. Dr. Arnette, 31, was arrested for failing to identify himself to a campus officer.
A doctoral student at the time, Dr. Arnette and a friend, were in a student parking garage when Dr. Arnette was stopped by a campus police officer. In the process, Dr. Arnette said, the officer brandished a Taser and allegedly used a racial epithet.
The officer, who is white, denied making any racial comments to Dr. Arnette, who is black. News of the arrest prompted complaints from at least a half-dozen minority students and staff, who claimed that campus police have harassed them because of their race.
UT Southwestern Police Chief Larry Coutorie, 58, took early retirement shortly after the incident. School officials would not comment on the chief's decision, and the former chief also declined to comment.
UT Southwestern officials also have declined to comment on a federal lawsuit filed by Dr. Arnette. The suit charges the university and its police department with racial profiling based on the Feb. 2 parking garage incident and another that took place two years earlier.
But Dr. Ginsburg said that he saw the main purpose of the task force was not to respond to any specific incidents but to provide guidance for a new police chief, once one was named.
Dr. Arnette said he had seen the recommendations and felt that many were either too ambiguous or would be unnecessary if "common sense" were used by police and university officials. "Do we really need a task force to tell the police that they need to respect people of all races and different cultures? You would assume that people would be already doing that in 2005 in the United States of America."
In recognition of the many foreign nationals on campus, the panel recommended developing specific orientation programs about the role of the campus police. Another recommendation called for creating a means to make anonymous complaints about the police as an alternative to using official channels, such as the Office of Equal Opportunity and Minority Affairs or the personnel department.
The panel directed 10 recommendations specifically at the police department. One calls for increased training for officers for negotiating potentially hostile situations. Another would require police to use an alternative means to confirm someone's identity if a school ID badge was not available. The police could ask for the individual's date of birth or the last four digits of the person's Social Security number.
The panel also recommended the development of a community policing approach aimed at bringing about more positive interaction between members of the campus community and the police department. Another recommendation would create a standing committee that would continue to meet and discuss the issues and concerns that the task force addressed.
Acting Police Chief Thomas Bickers, who was a task force member, supports the creation of a permanent committee on police and campus relations. One of the highlights of the task force was that it "opened up lines of communication" that hadn't existed before between the police and the campus community, Chief Bickers said.
"When that happens, nothing but good can come out of it."
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UT Dallas tops in wired degrees
DALLAS, Texas (The Dallas Morning News) - When it comes to computer science, students at the University of Texas at Dallas can hack it.
UTD ranked first in the country in the number of computer-science degrees awarded, according to a survey from the American Society for Engineering Education.
And the Richardson campus gave more computer-science degrees to women than any other university in the country.
UTD's Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science awarded 575 computer-science degrees – 179 of them to women – in the 2003-04 school year.
UTD ranked second in the country in the number of female professors in computer science.
Holly K. Hacker contributed to this report.
DALLAS, Texas (The Dallas Morning News) - When it comes to computer science, students at the University of Texas at Dallas can hack it.
UTD ranked first in the country in the number of computer-science degrees awarded, according to a survey from the American Society for Engineering Education.
And the Richardson campus gave more computer-science degrees to women than any other university in the country.
UTD's Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science awarded 575 computer-science degrees – 179 of them to women – in the 2003-04 school year.
UTD ranked second in the country in the number of female professors in computer science.
Holly K. Hacker contributed to this report.
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Car hits tree in Garland; teen killed
By CYNTHIA VEGA / WFAA ABC 8
GARLAND, Texas — Police said a 16-year-old boy who received his driver's license just one week ago was behind the wheel Sunday night when the car he was driving hit a tree in a residential section of Garland.
The driver and another young passenger were injured; a 15-year-old passenger was killed.
Witnesses told police the car was speeding in the 700 block of West Muirfield Road when the driver apparently lost control and hit a curb before impact about 10:30 p.m.
"There was a gentleman who was trying to help the passenger," said Debby Rush, one of the neighbors who raced to the aid of the injured teens. "We did our best to give him CPR and mouth-to-mouth once we were able to get him out of the car."
Those desperate attempts weren't enough to save 15-year-old John Hancock, who died a short time later at Baylor Medical Center at Garland.
The car's 16-year-old driver was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, where he was reported in stable condition.
A 14-year old back seat passenger was taken by helicopter ambulance to Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas for treatment.
Frustrated neighbors said this is the fourth time a car has crashed in the same spot on West Muirfield Road. They said they hoped their previous appeals for the city to install speed bumps would now be reconsidered.
Mike Zukerman / WFAA ABC 8
By CYNTHIA VEGA / WFAA ABC 8
GARLAND, Texas — Police said a 16-year-old boy who received his driver's license just one week ago was behind the wheel Sunday night when the car he was driving hit a tree in a residential section of Garland.
The driver and another young passenger were injured; a 15-year-old passenger was killed.
Witnesses told police the car was speeding in the 700 block of West Muirfield Road when the driver apparently lost control and hit a curb before impact about 10:30 p.m.
"There was a gentleman who was trying to help the passenger," said Debby Rush, one of the neighbors who raced to the aid of the injured teens. "We did our best to give him CPR and mouth-to-mouth once we were able to get him out of the car."
Those desperate attempts weren't enough to save 15-year-old John Hancock, who died a short time later at Baylor Medical Center at Garland.
The car's 16-year-old driver was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, where he was reported in stable condition.
A 14-year old back seat passenger was taken by helicopter ambulance to Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas for treatment.
Frustrated neighbors said this is the fourth time a car has crashed in the same spot on West Muirfield Road. They said they hoped their previous appeals for the city to install speed bumps would now be reconsidered.

Mike Zukerman / WFAA ABC 8
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For neighbors, a sweet reward
Irving: Woman's essay on cozy community wins ice cream for all
By DEBORAH FLECK / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING, Texas - Glenda Williams loves her Irving neighborhood.
So when she spotted a contest in a magazine, she jumped at the chance to praise it.
Her glowing words won the small neighborhood an ice cream party from Dreyer's.
"I'm so excited we won," said Ms. Williams, a retired Carrollton-Farmers Branch school district teacher. "I feel so blessed to live in such a wonderful neighborhood."
About 60 of her neighbors joined her and her husband, Mike Love, for the frosty treat Sunday evening. Dreyer's provided ice cream along with scoops, tablecloths, napkins, spoons and nametags. Ms. Williams set up a white tent and lined her driveway with chairs. She even provided a misting fan to keep people comfortable.
Everyone looks out for each other on the five streets that make up the cozy Hospital District South.
"We know all our neighbors and wouldn't live anywhere else," Ms. Williams said. "We are really fun and just a great pocket of people."
At the helm is Clyde DeLoach, the district's neighborhood association president. He makes sure everyone stays in touch.
"We have a good e-mail system and let everyone know about new babies, surgeries or other news," said Mr. DeLoach, who moved with his family into the neighborhood in 1979.
The DeLoaches are among the many older families in the neighborhood, built in the 1960s.
Several younger families have fallen in love with the area, too. Kris and Jamie Stone bought a home there about four years ago. They have among the youngest children on the block, Lydia, 2, and Audrey, 1.
"We love it, the uniqueness of it, and we are close to our families," Mr. Stone said.
Tim and Viki Norman are the parents of four daughters ranging up to age 10.
Darwin Slaughter has teenage triplets – Christine, Suzanne and Kathryn.
Debbie Farah moved in about five years ago.
"My house never went on the market," she said, adding that it's not unusual for homes to sell without being listed. "I knew someone in the neighborhood who told me about it."
The area is not only centrally located but also scenic, with tall trees towering over the mostly brick homes with spacious yards.
Even the street names evoke a peaceful community. Three of the streets are named after The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, a story written by Washington Irving, for whom many believe the city is named.
Sleepy Hollow was described as a "lap of land ... one of the quietest places in the whole world."
The quiet in Ms. Williams' neighborhood is often punctuated with children playing in the street and neighbors chatting. Plus, they have a block party in October, a Christmas party and other events almost monthly that draw neighbors together.
The ice cream party gave residents yet another chance to socialize.
Two-year-old Lydia's pleasure was evident. She left the party with a smile and a chocolate mustache.
Irving: Woman's essay on cozy community wins ice cream for all
By DEBORAH FLECK / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING, Texas - Glenda Williams loves her Irving neighborhood.
So when she spotted a contest in a magazine, she jumped at the chance to praise it.
Her glowing words won the small neighborhood an ice cream party from Dreyer's.
"I'm so excited we won," said Ms. Williams, a retired Carrollton-Farmers Branch school district teacher. "I feel so blessed to live in such a wonderful neighborhood."
About 60 of her neighbors joined her and her husband, Mike Love, for the frosty treat Sunday evening. Dreyer's provided ice cream along with scoops, tablecloths, napkins, spoons and nametags. Ms. Williams set up a white tent and lined her driveway with chairs. She even provided a misting fan to keep people comfortable.
Everyone looks out for each other on the five streets that make up the cozy Hospital District South.
"We know all our neighbors and wouldn't live anywhere else," Ms. Williams said. "We are really fun and just a great pocket of people."
At the helm is Clyde DeLoach, the district's neighborhood association president. He makes sure everyone stays in touch.
"We have a good e-mail system and let everyone know about new babies, surgeries or other news," said Mr. DeLoach, who moved with his family into the neighborhood in 1979.
The DeLoaches are among the many older families in the neighborhood, built in the 1960s.
Several younger families have fallen in love with the area, too. Kris and Jamie Stone bought a home there about four years ago. They have among the youngest children on the block, Lydia, 2, and Audrey, 1.
"We love it, the uniqueness of it, and we are close to our families," Mr. Stone said.
Tim and Viki Norman are the parents of four daughters ranging up to age 10.
Darwin Slaughter has teenage triplets – Christine, Suzanne and Kathryn.
Debbie Farah moved in about five years ago.
"My house never went on the market," she said, adding that it's not unusual for homes to sell without being listed. "I knew someone in the neighborhood who told me about it."
The area is not only centrally located but also scenic, with tall trees towering over the mostly brick homes with spacious yards.
Even the street names evoke a peaceful community. Three of the streets are named after The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, a story written by Washington Irving, for whom many believe the city is named.
Sleepy Hollow was described as a "lap of land ... one of the quietest places in the whole world."
The quiet in Ms. Williams' neighborhood is often punctuated with children playing in the street and neighbors chatting. Plus, they have a block party in October, a Christmas party and other events almost monthly that draw neighbors together.
The ice cream party gave residents yet another chance to socialize.
Two-year-old Lydia's pleasure was evident. She left the party with a smile and a chocolate mustache.
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City still dry after loosening liquor laws
By PAUL MEYER / The Dallas Morning News
ANNA, Texas – Local prophets predicted winds of change would sweep this small town after voters allowed Collin County's first liquor stores to move in.
There were forecasts of cash streaming in for parks and streets.
And there were more macabre warnings of social decay, drunken driving and unsavory characters passing through.
But almost six months into the social and economic experiment, the reality may be still more surprising: Very little has happened.
You still can't buy a six-pack of beer in Anna, much less a flask of Jim Beam.
Not a single permit to sell packaged hard liquor has been issued. In fact, only one complete application has been turned in, said Sgt. Jeff Gladden, who heads the McKinney office of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
It's enough to have some scratching their heads.
"If I knew why, I'd be a lot happier camper," said Anna City Manager Lee Lawrence. "It seems to me very strange."
In February, Anna residents narrowly approved the sale of packaged beer, wine and hard liquor. The soft stuff was already widely available across the county.
Anna became the only Collin city allowed to sell bottles of Kentucky whiskeys, Russian vodkas and other assorted spirits.
Multiple theories abound about why a rush has yet to materialize.
Some say Anna is still seen as too far north, with too stringent regulations and not enough existing commercial space.
Others blame state regulations that limit hours when hard liquor can be sold – regulations that can effectively force existing stores to open new space.
"A lot of places would have to erect a separate building to sell out of. We don't have a lot of existing commercial space," Anna Mayor Kenneth Pelham said.
Whoever gains the first foothold here, however, still stands to reap a bounty. And not just from individual sales to the county's 600,000-plus residents.
A little known state regulation requires all restaurants and bars with mixed-beverage permits to buy their bottles of hard liquor from the same county they operate in. Those with private club permits have slightly more flexibility, but Anna is well positioned to cash in.
"Obviously it can't be a monopoly. If you're the only store in the county, that won't be enforced because you could charge anything you want," Sgt. Gladden said. "You could charge a million dollars for a bottle of whiskey, and that doesn't make any sense."
Waiting for a permit
Still, the prospects could be very good news for A. Asad, owner of the Coyote Den convenience store. That store became the first in Anna to turn in a permit application to sell hard liquor two weeks ago. Mr. Asad said he plans to open a new store next to a doughnut shop.
"I think we could have gotten it by the end of March or April, but due to the city's mixed feelings ... it was delayed," he said from behind the counter.
The store owner and others are required to get a special-use permit to sell alcohol, depending on their location, under city regulations intended to control the growth of stores, Mr. Pelham said. Mr. Asad said the regulations are too burdensome.
"He's always critical of the city," the mayor said of the complaint. "My philosophy is that everybody lives by the same rules and the same standards."
Profitable opportunity
Despite his frustration, Mr. Asad knows he could be entering a lucrative enterprise. Asked if he expects a rush of business, the answer is simple: "Definitely."
Down the road at Anna Thrif-Tee, owner Ali Dhanani said ownership changes slowed down that store's quest to sell beer, wine and liquor. However, he said, plans are now in the works to get the necessary permits and eventually expand for a hard liquor operation.
There also continue to be rumblings about a larger chain liquor store coming to town near a cluster of truck stops along U.S. Highway 75.
That store, however, has yet to submit a site plan, city officials said.
"We haven't heard anything from them in 60 days or so," Mr. Lawrence said.
By PAUL MEYER / The Dallas Morning News
ANNA, Texas – Local prophets predicted winds of change would sweep this small town after voters allowed Collin County's first liquor stores to move in.
There were forecasts of cash streaming in for parks and streets.
And there were more macabre warnings of social decay, drunken driving and unsavory characters passing through.
But almost six months into the social and economic experiment, the reality may be still more surprising: Very little has happened.
You still can't buy a six-pack of beer in Anna, much less a flask of Jim Beam.
Not a single permit to sell packaged hard liquor has been issued. In fact, only one complete application has been turned in, said Sgt. Jeff Gladden, who heads the McKinney office of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
It's enough to have some scratching their heads.
"If I knew why, I'd be a lot happier camper," said Anna City Manager Lee Lawrence. "It seems to me very strange."
In February, Anna residents narrowly approved the sale of packaged beer, wine and hard liquor. The soft stuff was already widely available across the county.
Anna became the only Collin city allowed to sell bottles of Kentucky whiskeys, Russian vodkas and other assorted spirits.
Multiple theories abound about why a rush has yet to materialize.
Some say Anna is still seen as too far north, with too stringent regulations and not enough existing commercial space.
Others blame state regulations that limit hours when hard liquor can be sold – regulations that can effectively force existing stores to open new space.
"A lot of places would have to erect a separate building to sell out of. We don't have a lot of existing commercial space," Anna Mayor Kenneth Pelham said.
Whoever gains the first foothold here, however, still stands to reap a bounty. And not just from individual sales to the county's 600,000-plus residents.
A little known state regulation requires all restaurants and bars with mixed-beverage permits to buy their bottles of hard liquor from the same county they operate in. Those with private club permits have slightly more flexibility, but Anna is well positioned to cash in.
"Obviously it can't be a monopoly. If you're the only store in the county, that won't be enforced because you could charge anything you want," Sgt. Gladden said. "You could charge a million dollars for a bottle of whiskey, and that doesn't make any sense."
Waiting for a permit
Still, the prospects could be very good news for A. Asad, owner of the Coyote Den convenience store. That store became the first in Anna to turn in a permit application to sell hard liquor two weeks ago. Mr. Asad said he plans to open a new store next to a doughnut shop.
"I think we could have gotten it by the end of March or April, but due to the city's mixed feelings ... it was delayed," he said from behind the counter.
The store owner and others are required to get a special-use permit to sell alcohol, depending on their location, under city regulations intended to control the growth of stores, Mr. Pelham said. Mr. Asad said the regulations are too burdensome.
"He's always critical of the city," the mayor said of the complaint. "My philosophy is that everybody lives by the same rules and the same standards."
Profitable opportunity
Despite his frustration, Mr. Asad knows he could be entering a lucrative enterprise. Asked if he expects a rush of business, the answer is simple: "Definitely."
Down the road at Anna Thrif-Tee, owner Ali Dhanani said ownership changes slowed down that store's quest to sell beer, wine and liquor. However, he said, plans are now in the works to get the necessary permits and eventually expand for a hard liquor operation.
There also continue to be rumblings about a larger chain liquor store coming to town near a cluster of truck stops along U.S. Highway 75.
That store, however, has yet to submit a site plan, city officials said.
"We haven't heard anything from them in 60 days or so," Mr. Lawrence said.
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Fort Worth chemical fire ruled accidental
By JEFF MOSIER / The Dallas Morning News
FORT WORTH, Texas - Fort Worth Fire Department investigators said the fire last week at the Valley Solvents & Chemicals plant was accidental.
Lt. Kent Worley, a fire department spokesman, said the finding was based on interviews with witnesses. The department is dropping plans for further investigation.
"Our primary goal in the investigation is the determination of accidental or intentional," Lt. Worley said. "Intentional means that there would be criminal charges."
Since the fire wasn’t intentionally set, investigators have no plans to examine the site after a cleanup by a hazardous materials company. Fire department investigators interviewed witnesses who said the initial explosion and fire Thursday started when a tractor-trailer was unloading highly flammable methanol into one of the storage tanks at Valley Solvents.
"Everyone relayed somewhat the same story in that the initial explosion appears to start there at the transport vehicle," Lt. Worley said.
The fire department will likely keep tabs on the expected investigations by the insurance companies that cover the north Fort Worth plant and Mission Transport Co., which was delivering the methanol to the facility. The names of those insurance companies were not immediately available.
If additional evidence is found by the insurance companies or by the U.S. Occupation Health and Safety Administration, which is also expected to investigate, that would be added to the fire department’s report.
By JEFF MOSIER / The Dallas Morning News
FORT WORTH, Texas - Fort Worth Fire Department investigators said the fire last week at the Valley Solvents & Chemicals plant was accidental.
Lt. Kent Worley, a fire department spokesman, said the finding was based on interviews with witnesses. The department is dropping plans for further investigation.
"Our primary goal in the investigation is the determination of accidental or intentional," Lt. Worley said. "Intentional means that there would be criminal charges."
Since the fire wasn’t intentionally set, investigators have no plans to examine the site after a cleanup by a hazardous materials company. Fire department investigators interviewed witnesses who said the initial explosion and fire Thursday started when a tractor-trailer was unloading highly flammable methanol into one of the storage tanks at Valley Solvents.
"Everyone relayed somewhat the same story in that the initial explosion appears to start there at the transport vehicle," Lt. Worley said.
The fire department will likely keep tabs on the expected investigations by the insurance companies that cover the north Fort Worth plant and Mission Transport Co., which was delivering the methanol to the facility. The names of those insurance companies were not immediately available.
If additional evidence is found by the insurance companies or by the U.S. Occupation Health and Safety Administration, which is also expected to investigate, that would be added to the fire department’s report.
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'Smoking' package found at Houston airport
From KHOU CBS 11 of Houston
HOUSTON, Texas - There were some anxious moments at Bush Intercontinental Airport on Sunday night after workers found a bag that looked like it had smoke coming out of it.
Airport security officials immediately sprang into action. A hazardous materials team and other agencies were called to the scene as a precaution, and part of a baggage claim area was blocked off to travelers.
A district fire chief said it was a can of hair spray made with olive oil that was discharging inside the luggage.
It was determined that there was no danger from the discharged can.
From KHOU CBS 11 of Houston
HOUSTON, Texas - There were some anxious moments at Bush Intercontinental Airport on Sunday night after workers found a bag that looked like it had smoke coming out of it.
Airport security officials immediately sprang into action. A hazardous materials team and other agencies were called to the scene as a precaution, and part of a baggage claim area was blocked off to travelers.
A district fire chief said it was a can of hair spray made with olive oil that was discharging inside the luggage.
It was determined that there was no danger from the discharged can.
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Coach who was shot returns to work
CANTON, Texas (The Dallas Morning News) -- The Canton football coach who was shot in an on-campus incident in April returned to the field today for his team’s first day of practice.
Gary Joe Kinne arrived at 7:15 this morning at the fieldhouse, prayed with his pastor and came out for practice around 9:45 a.m.
Players applauded and gave him hugs, as many of them had not seen him since the incident.
Kinne said he was feeling well, but definitely not 100 percent. Even though he was walking around the field during practice, he said he aches all over -- “like I’m an old man,” he said -- and tires easily. Doctors told him he can stay out as long as he feels well.
It was Kinne’s goal all along to return for the team’s first practice, but he said as recently as two weeks ago, he remained in bed.
“I always thought I was going to be here for the first day, but I was beginning to have my doubts,” Kinne said.
Jeffrey Doyle Robertson, a father of a freshman football player, allegedly shot Kinne in the chest at the fieldhouse April 7. Kinne underwent two surgeries and lost 80 percent of his liver after spending 52 days in the hospital.
“Now that it’s happened, it’s something I’ll always think about,” Kinne said. “I’m sure the first time I’m alone in the fieldhouse, it’ll cross my mind.”
Canton’s first game is Aug. 26.
CANTON, Texas (The Dallas Morning News) -- The Canton football coach who was shot in an on-campus incident in April returned to the field today for his team’s first day of practice.
Gary Joe Kinne arrived at 7:15 this morning at the fieldhouse, prayed with his pastor and came out for practice around 9:45 a.m.
Players applauded and gave him hugs, as many of them had not seen him since the incident.
Kinne said he was feeling well, but definitely not 100 percent. Even though he was walking around the field during practice, he said he aches all over -- “like I’m an old man,” he said -- and tires easily. Doctors told him he can stay out as long as he feels well.
It was Kinne’s goal all along to return for the team’s first practice, but he said as recently as two weeks ago, he remained in bed.
“I always thought I was going to be here for the first day, but I was beginning to have my doubts,” Kinne said.
Jeffrey Doyle Robertson, a father of a freshman football player, allegedly shot Kinne in the chest at the fieldhouse April 7. Kinne underwent two surgeries and lost 80 percent of his liver after spending 52 days in the hospital.
“Now that it’s happened, it’s something I’ll always think about,” Kinne said. “I’m sure the first time I’m alone in the fieldhouse, it’ll cross my mind.”
Canton’s first game is Aug. 26.
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Infant found in abandoned stolen car
GARLAND, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A car stolen in Garland with an infant inside was recovered about an hour later with the child still in the back seat.
The child's condition was not immediately known.
Police said two men jumped into the 1999 silver Honda Civic as it was parked in the 500 block of North 5th Street. The child's mother said she had been visiting her husband at that location.
The husband gave chase, but lost the car near the DART park and ride lot in Garland.
The car was found abandoned in a residential neighborhood about five blocks away, at Sylvan and Woodland Drive.
Police converged on the scene and found the 7-month-old child in the back seat. There was no sign of the suspects.
GARLAND, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A car stolen in Garland with an infant inside was recovered about an hour later with the child still in the back seat.
The child's condition was not immediately known.
Police said two men jumped into the 1999 silver Honda Civic as it was parked in the 500 block of North 5th Street. The child's mother said she had been visiting her husband at that location.
The husband gave chase, but lost the car near the DART park and ride lot in Garland.
The car was found abandoned in a residential neighborhood about five blocks away, at Sylvan and Woodland Drive.
Police converged on the scene and found the 7-month-old child in the back seat. There was no sign of the suspects.
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State releases annual school ratings
61 districts named academically unacceptable
AUSTIN, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) – More schools and school districts received the state's lowest rating this year, and student performances on math and science tests were major reasons, Texas Education Commissioner Shirley Neeley said Monday.
Sixty-one districts, including 19 regular districts and 42 charter school operators, were labeled academically unacceptable, the lowest of the state's school accountability ratings. That compares with 24 districts that got the lowest rating last year.
In the Wilmer-Hutchins Independent School District, only two elementary schools were rated academically acceptable. The rest were unacceptable. The 2,700 students from the collapsing school district will be absorbed into the Dallas Independent School District when school begins Aug. 15.
The number of individual schools with the bottom ranking also increased, from 95 last year to 364 this year.
By far, most Texas districts and campuses were rated academically acceptable, including Dallas, Plano, Richardson, Arlington, Irving, Fort Worth, DeSoto and Duncanville. Nine school districts and one charter operator received the highest rating, exemplary.
A year after losing its prized exemplary status, Highland Park is back on top. The district and all seven of its schools received the top rating.
"This honor can be directly attributed to the partnership the district has with parents, students, and teachers,” Superintendent Cathy Bryce said. “Our teaching staff is of the highest quality, which is reflected in our students’ continued outstanding performance."
Since the last year’s recognized rating was released, Highland Park has created individual plans for all students who might need extra help and has offered tutoring and mentoring before, during and after school and some Saturdays. Teachers and curriculum specialists have also rewritten the curriculum for many of the district’s core classes to align with state mandates.
Though Highland Park and the Carroll school district in northeast Tarrant County often butt heads for top honors, Dr. Bryce had nothing but praise for Carroll officials.
“My hats off to anybody who’s acceptable, recognized or exemplary because I promise you they’re doing all they know to do,” she said. “And let’s face it. It’s one test on one day, and it doesn’t recognize the work that happens day in and day out.”
The school ratings are based mostly on standardized tests students take called the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, or TAKS. High school completion and middle school dropout figures also are factored into the equation.
Ms. Neeley called the ratings report "mixed but not unexpected." She said more rigorous passing standards for the TAKS test were fully phased in this past year. Also, she said, a new TAKS-aligned exam for special education students was used for the first time.
Math and science test performances in fifth, eighth and 10th grades also played a role, she said.
The Grapevine-Colleyville district's rating dropped from recognized to acceptable. While Superintendent Dr. Kay Waggoner was disappointed, she said she “can’t call this a slip” because there have been improvements.
“The passing standards for this year are much higher,” she said. “We made improvements in raw scores, but we didn’t make enough improvements to meet the new standards for passing.”
Dr. Waggoner pointed out that the scale scores improved in almost every grade level and subject area on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills.
Dallas Morning News staff writers Marissa Alanis and Kristen Holland and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
2005 Accountability Rating System
61 districts named academically unacceptable
AUSTIN, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) – More schools and school districts received the state's lowest rating this year, and student performances on math and science tests were major reasons, Texas Education Commissioner Shirley Neeley said Monday.
Sixty-one districts, including 19 regular districts and 42 charter school operators, were labeled academically unacceptable, the lowest of the state's school accountability ratings. That compares with 24 districts that got the lowest rating last year.
In the Wilmer-Hutchins Independent School District, only two elementary schools were rated academically acceptable. The rest were unacceptable. The 2,700 students from the collapsing school district will be absorbed into the Dallas Independent School District when school begins Aug. 15.
The number of individual schools with the bottom ranking also increased, from 95 last year to 364 this year.
By far, most Texas districts and campuses were rated academically acceptable, including Dallas, Plano, Richardson, Arlington, Irving, Fort Worth, DeSoto and Duncanville. Nine school districts and one charter operator received the highest rating, exemplary.
A year after losing its prized exemplary status, Highland Park is back on top. The district and all seven of its schools received the top rating.
"This honor can be directly attributed to the partnership the district has with parents, students, and teachers,” Superintendent Cathy Bryce said. “Our teaching staff is of the highest quality, which is reflected in our students’ continued outstanding performance."
Since the last year’s recognized rating was released, Highland Park has created individual plans for all students who might need extra help and has offered tutoring and mentoring before, during and after school and some Saturdays. Teachers and curriculum specialists have also rewritten the curriculum for many of the district’s core classes to align with state mandates.
Though Highland Park and the Carroll school district in northeast Tarrant County often butt heads for top honors, Dr. Bryce had nothing but praise for Carroll officials.
“My hats off to anybody who’s acceptable, recognized or exemplary because I promise you they’re doing all they know to do,” she said. “And let’s face it. It’s one test on one day, and it doesn’t recognize the work that happens day in and day out.”
The school ratings are based mostly on standardized tests students take called the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, or TAKS. High school completion and middle school dropout figures also are factored into the equation.
Ms. Neeley called the ratings report "mixed but not unexpected." She said more rigorous passing standards for the TAKS test were fully phased in this past year. Also, she said, a new TAKS-aligned exam for special education students was used for the first time.
Math and science test performances in fifth, eighth and 10th grades also played a role, she said.
The Grapevine-Colleyville district's rating dropped from recognized to acceptable. While Superintendent Dr. Kay Waggoner was disappointed, she said she “can’t call this a slip” because there have been improvements.
“The passing standards for this year are much higher,” she said. “We made improvements in raw scores, but we didn’t make enough improvements to meet the new standards for passing.”
Dr. Waggoner pointed out that the scale scores improved in almost every grade level and subject area on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills.
Dallas Morning News staff writers Marissa Alanis and Kristen Holland and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
2005 Accountability Rating System
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Multiple fires burning along I-20
ARLINGTON, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/WFAA.com) - At least 10 grass fires burned along Interstate 20 in south Arlington Monday afternoon, slowing traffic but staying clear of nearby buildings.
The fires broke out in patches, primarily along the south side of the highway, from Bowen Road west to Loop 820 at the Fort Worth/Arlington border.
Traffic moved haltingly as emergency vehicles and several civilians moved in to put out the flames.
Officials said none of the fires jeopardized any property; they were mainly contained to the freeway embankments. Winds in the area blew most of the smoke away from the main lanes of I-20.
It is not yet known what may have started the fires.
WFAA ABC 8
A carpet-cleaning crew did their best to help contain the grass fires.
ARLINGTON, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/WFAA.com) - At least 10 grass fires burned along Interstate 20 in south Arlington Monday afternoon, slowing traffic but staying clear of nearby buildings.
The fires broke out in patches, primarily along the south side of the highway, from Bowen Road west to Loop 820 at the Fort Worth/Arlington border.
Traffic moved haltingly as emergency vehicles and several civilians moved in to put out the flames.
Officials said none of the fires jeopardized any property; they were mainly contained to the freeway embankments. Winds in the area blew most of the smoke away from the main lanes of I-20.
It is not yet known what may have started the fires.

WFAA ABC 8
A carpet-cleaning crew did their best to help contain the grass fires.
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- TexasStooge
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Police search for 2 who stole car with infant inside
GARLAND, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/WFAA.com) - A North Texas mother watched as thieves stole her car with her infant son sitting inside Monday afternoon.
However, about 30 minutes later police found the car with the child still in the back seat. Officials said the child was unharmed.
Police said two men jumped into the 1999 silver Honda Civic as it was parked in the 500 block of North 5th Street & Walnut Street. Heather Sykes, the child's mother, said she had been visiting her husband at Garland Air Compressor Repair. She had left the infant in the car while the car was running for 20 seconds when the thieves jumped inside.
The husband gave chase, but lost the car near the DART park and ride lot in Garland.
The car was found abandoned in a residential neighborhood about five blocks away, at Sylvan and Woodland Drive. Baby Michael Sykes was found concsious and safe within.
"He was crying, doing a lot of sweating," said Don Capers, the Garland police officer who found the child.
Police converged on the scene and discovered the 7-month-old child in the back seat. There was no sign of the suspects. "But he was conscious and seemed to be doing okay fortunately."
"It still could have been a real tragic situation," said Lt. Scott Bunch. "It doesn't take long in 100 degree heat for a child to die."
Garland police are looking for two suspects. One male was about 6 feet and 3 inches, weighing around 190 lbs and with blonde hair. The other suspect was around5 feet and 9 inches, weighing around 150 lbs and with dark hair.
Byron Harris contributed to this report
GARLAND, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/WFAA.com) - A North Texas mother watched as thieves stole her car with her infant son sitting inside Monday afternoon.
However, about 30 minutes later police found the car with the child still in the back seat. Officials said the child was unharmed.
Police said two men jumped into the 1999 silver Honda Civic as it was parked in the 500 block of North 5th Street & Walnut Street. Heather Sykes, the child's mother, said she had been visiting her husband at Garland Air Compressor Repair. She had left the infant in the car while the car was running for 20 seconds when the thieves jumped inside.
The husband gave chase, but lost the car near the DART park and ride lot in Garland.
The car was found abandoned in a residential neighborhood about five blocks away, at Sylvan and Woodland Drive. Baby Michael Sykes was found concsious and safe within.
"He was crying, doing a lot of sweating," said Don Capers, the Garland police officer who found the child.
Police converged on the scene and discovered the 7-month-old child in the back seat. There was no sign of the suspects. "But he was conscious and seemed to be doing okay fortunately."
"It still could have been a real tragic situation," said Lt. Scott Bunch. "It doesn't take long in 100 degree heat for a child to die."
Garland police are looking for two suspects. One male was about 6 feet and 3 inches, weighing around 190 lbs and with blonde hair. The other suspect was around5 feet and 9 inches, weighing around 150 lbs and with dark hair.
Byron Harris contributed to this report
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Fewer schools earn high marks
By TERRENCE STUTZ / The Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN, Texas – The number of "academically unacceptable" Texas schools nearly quadrupled this year and the percentage of high-rated campuses dropped sharply as many students were unable to grasp basic concepts of math and science.
State Education Commissioner Shirley Neeley delivered the somber news Monday, attributing the general decline in ratings to tougher passing standards on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills – students had to get more answers right this year.
This year also saw the first inclusion of test scores from special education students.
As a result, most school districts and campuses moved into the category of "academically acceptable" – equivalent to a grade of C on the state's annual report card for public schools. Nearly 60 percent of all campuses and more than 82 percent of all districts were rated acceptable.
"The ratings are mixed, but not unexpected," Dr. Neeley said at a news conference in Austin.
"Texas educators are working long hours and doing everything possible to ensure all 4.4 million students we serve receive a world-class education, but the 2004-05 school year was a year of challenges that resulted in an increase in low ratings for our schools."
Typical of the trend this year was the Plano school district, which saw its rating slip from recognized to acceptable.
James Ashby, the district's director of assessment and accountability, said the change was due to science scores among black, Hispanic and economically disadvantaged students.
Mr. Ashby said test scores among those students actually increased, but not at a fast enough clip for state standards. "Our students actually learned more science than they did last year," he said. "The scores increased, but the standard also increased.
"We're not panicking. We saw movement in the direction we want to see them move in. We realize the reality of facing the state standard, so we'll push forward."
Critical measure
State ratings are anxiously awaited by superintendents, school boards, teachers and parents each year. They represent the chief measure of how well schools are doing in educating students. Parents and real estate agents typically use the evaluations to locate neighborhoods with the most effective schools.
Ratings are based on student test scores, dropouts and high school completion rates.
Last year, a large number of schools – particularly in suburban areas – were slapped when they fell out of the top two rating categories in the system. This year, even more fell out of favor.
Earning exemplary status – equivalent to an A – were 290 campuses, including 287 regular schools and three independent charter schools. Getting recognizedstatus – equal to a B – were 1,866 campuses.
Both numbers were down sharply from last year. For example, the percentage of all schools rated exemplary dropped from 6.6 percent to 3.7 percent.
Dr. Neeley was quick to point out that districts remaining at the top succeeded "despite a significant toughening" of the accountability system. "We are very proud of these schools," she added. "They are doing an excellent job of serving their students day in and day out."
At the bottom of the state evaluations were 364 campuses deemed academically unacceptable. Most had a high percentage of lower income students. They were joined by 19 regular school districts and 42 charter school that also got the equivalent of an F.
As in past years, charter schools trailed regular public schools in the ratings, with 51 charter campuses classified as unacceptable. That figure represented more than 17 percent of all charters, as compared with 4 percent of regular schools that were unacceptable.
Reasons for decline
State education officials said the most common reasons for districts and campuses failing to make the minimum grade were:
•Poor performance on the TAKS science test, even though only 25 percent of each student group taking the science exam was required to pass for the school to get an acceptable rating.
•Subpar performance on the TAKS math test, which had to be passed by 35 percent of each student group – including all students, blacks, Hispanics, whites and economically disadvantaged.
•Low passing rates on alternative exams taken by special education students. At least 50 percent of all students taking the State Developed Alternative Assessment had to pass for the school to earn an acceptable rating.
In other subject areas measured by the TAKS – reading, writing and social studies – 50 percent of each student group had to pass for the district or campus to receive an acceptable rating.
Moving up
A year after losing its prized exemplary status, Highland Park was back on top Monday. The district and all seven of its schools received the top rating.
"This honor can be directly attributed to the partnership the district has with parents, students and teachers," Superintendent Cathy Bryce said. "Our teaching staff is of the highest quality, which is reflected in our students' continued outstanding performance."
After last year's recognized rating was released, Highland Park created individual plans for all students who might need extra help and has offered tutoring and mentoring before, during and after school and some Saturdays. Teachers and curriculum specialists have also rewritten the curriculum for many of the district's core classes to align with state mandates.
Moving down
But in Grapevine-Colleyville, the district's rating dropped from recognized to acceptable. While Superintendent Kay Waggoner is disappointed, she said she doesn't view the rating as a decrease because there have been improvements.
"I can't call this a slip," Dr. Waggoner said. "The passing standards for this year are much higher. We made improvements in raw scores, but we didn't make enough improvements to meet the new standards for passing."
Dr. Waggoner pointed out that the scale scores – essentially, the number of questions students got right on tests – improved in almost every grade level and subject area on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills.
Similarly, the Carroll school district in Southlake, which last year had been the state's largest district to hold the exemplary rating, became a recognized district this year.
Diane Frost, Carroll's interim superintendent, said district leaders already have identified areas for improvement, including science testing at all levels, based on the district's TAKS scores.
"We're going to do the same thing we've done in the past and break down our scores to the individual students," she said. "Our overall scores are outstanding. We're not complaining about the level to which our students are expected to perform."
Staff writers Kim Breen, Kristen Holland, Marissa Alanis and Laurie Fox contributed to this report from the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
How other districts fared
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Irving ISD dropped from "Recognized" to "Acceptable" as well.
By TERRENCE STUTZ / The Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN, Texas – The number of "academically unacceptable" Texas schools nearly quadrupled this year and the percentage of high-rated campuses dropped sharply as many students were unable to grasp basic concepts of math and science.
State Education Commissioner Shirley Neeley delivered the somber news Monday, attributing the general decline in ratings to tougher passing standards on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills – students had to get more answers right this year.
This year also saw the first inclusion of test scores from special education students.
As a result, most school districts and campuses moved into the category of "academically acceptable" – equivalent to a grade of C on the state's annual report card for public schools. Nearly 60 percent of all campuses and more than 82 percent of all districts were rated acceptable.
"The ratings are mixed, but not unexpected," Dr. Neeley said at a news conference in Austin.
"Texas educators are working long hours and doing everything possible to ensure all 4.4 million students we serve receive a world-class education, but the 2004-05 school year was a year of challenges that resulted in an increase in low ratings for our schools."
Typical of the trend this year was the Plano school district, which saw its rating slip from recognized to acceptable.
James Ashby, the district's director of assessment and accountability, said the change was due to science scores among black, Hispanic and economically disadvantaged students.
Mr. Ashby said test scores among those students actually increased, but not at a fast enough clip for state standards. "Our students actually learned more science than they did last year," he said. "The scores increased, but the standard also increased.
"We're not panicking. We saw movement in the direction we want to see them move in. We realize the reality of facing the state standard, so we'll push forward."
Critical measure
State ratings are anxiously awaited by superintendents, school boards, teachers and parents each year. They represent the chief measure of how well schools are doing in educating students. Parents and real estate agents typically use the evaluations to locate neighborhoods with the most effective schools.
Ratings are based on student test scores, dropouts and high school completion rates.
Last year, a large number of schools – particularly in suburban areas – were slapped when they fell out of the top two rating categories in the system. This year, even more fell out of favor.
Earning exemplary status – equivalent to an A – were 290 campuses, including 287 regular schools and three independent charter schools. Getting recognizedstatus – equal to a B – were 1,866 campuses.
Both numbers were down sharply from last year. For example, the percentage of all schools rated exemplary dropped from 6.6 percent to 3.7 percent.
Dr. Neeley was quick to point out that districts remaining at the top succeeded "despite a significant toughening" of the accountability system. "We are very proud of these schools," she added. "They are doing an excellent job of serving their students day in and day out."
At the bottom of the state evaluations were 364 campuses deemed academically unacceptable. Most had a high percentage of lower income students. They were joined by 19 regular school districts and 42 charter school that also got the equivalent of an F.
As in past years, charter schools trailed regular public schools in the ratings, with 51 charter campuses classified as unacceptable. That figure represented more than 17 percent of all charters, as compared with 4 percent of regular schools that were unacceptable.
Reasons for decline
State education officials said the most common reasons for districts and campuses failing to make the minimum grade were:
•Poor performance on the TAKS science test, even though only 25 percent of each student group taking the science exam was required to pass for the school to get an acceptable rating.
•Subpar performance on the TAKS math test, which had to be passed by 35 percent of each student group – including all students, blacks, Hispanics, whites and economically disadvantaged.
•Low passing rates on alternative exams taken by special education students. At least 50 percent of all students taking the State Developed Alternative Assessment had to pass for the school to earn an acceptable rating.
In other subject areas measured by the TAKS – reading, writing and social studies – 50 percent of each student group had to pass for the district or campus to receive an acceptable rating.
Moving up
A year after losing its prized exemplary status, Highland Park was back on top Monday. The district and all seven of its schools received the top rating.
"This honor can be directly attributed to the partnership the district has with parents, students and teachers," Superintendent Cathy Bryce said. "Our teaching staff is of the highest quality, which is reflected in our students' continued outstanding performance."
After last year's recognized rating was released, Highland Park created individual plans for all students who might need extra help and has offered tutoring and mentoring before, during and after school and some Saturdays. Teachers and curriculum specialists have also rewritten the curriculum for many of the district's core classes to align with state mandates.
Moving down
But in Grapevine-Colleyville, the district's rating dropped from recognized to acceptable. While Superintendent Kay Waggoner is disappointed, she said she doesn't view the rating as a decrease because there have been improvements.
"I can't call this a slip," Dr. Waggoner said. "The passing standards for this year are much higher. We made improvements in raw scores, but we didn't make enough improvements to meet the new standards for passing."
Dr. Waggoner pointed out that the scale scores – essentially, the number of questions students got right on tests – improved in almost every grade level and subject area on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills.
Similarly, the Carroll school district in Southlake, which last year had been the state's largest district to hold the exemplary rating, became a recognized district this year.
Diane Frost, Carroll's interim superintendent, said district leaders already have identified areas for improvement, including science testing at all levels, based on the district's TAKS scores.
"We're going to do the same thing we've done in the past and break down our scores to the individual students," she said. "Our overall scores are outstanding. We're not complaining about the level to which our students are expected to perform."
Staff writers Kim Breen, Kristen Holland, Marissa Alanis and Laurie Fox contributed to this report from the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
How other districts fared
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Irving ISD dropped from "Recognized" to "Acceptable" as well.
Last edited by TexasStooge on Tue Aug 02, 2005 9:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
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