March 6,
2009
|
DRYDEN
– The first state “Historical Marker” in Terrell County was dedicated Monday
at the entrance to the Terrell County Airport. Terrell
County Judge Leo Smith noted the airport, the third in the county, was built
by American Airlines during World War II and completed in 1943. It
also served as a training base for US Army Air Corps and later US Air Force
flight crews. Smith
noted former Airport Board Chairman Lee Brandon and Ann Kerr were
instrumental in researching the history and getting the marker through the
state bureaucracy. Terrell
County Historical Commission President Henry Beth Hogg said the marker was a
“dream” she has had for long time. The
county has placed an historical plaque at the first Terrell County Airport
near the location of the present Sanderson Wool Commission building west of
Sanderson. It
served as an early Army Signal Corps base in World War I. Another airport was
built later near the Indio Calzada property just west of Dryden. Hogg
said she hopes to have other state historical markers created for other
attractions in the county. Terrell County aviation history actually goes
back almost to the very beginning when Cal Rodgers flew his Wright Flyer
dubbed “Vin Fizz” on the first coast-to-coast flight. SANDERSON
– You are being kidnapped and don’t dare be heard calling for help but you quietly
use your cell phone and send a text message to 911. Terrell
County was the first of the 14 rural counties in the Permian Basin Regional
Planning Commission area to get a “911” upgrade that will accommodate text
messages. Laura
Torres, the commission’s 911 program manager, said the text messaging capability
is just one of the features of the “Positron Viper Solution” upgrade. “We
are just beginning to install these upgrades,” Torres said. “Sanderson was
the first one to receive the capability in the Permian Basin.” She
said Midland and Ector Counties have been upgraded and Howard is next but
Terrell County was the “first of the 14 [rural] counties we take care of.” The
upgrade also will tie Terrell County into a new backup dispatch center in Midland. If
for any reason the Terrell County 911 system is out of commission, calls will
automatically be forwarded to one of six new dispatch positions in new
dispatchers in “host“ center. “The
host in Midland will be able to take care of Fort Stockton when it gets this
equipment,” she said. “The six-dispatch center is in the Planning Commission
building. Torres
said the Terrell County upgrades should be operational by today, March 6. “We
wanted to start somewhere and we picked Sanderson as the first,” she said. SANDERSON
– Two new businesses will open soon here, a new barber shop and a combination
dry cleaning and movie rental shop. Video
Zone and C & F Laundry planned on opening today, March 6, both in the
same building on east Oak Street in the old “Somewhere in Time” location. Luis
Caballero of C & F Steam Laundry and Dry Cleaners plans to expand and
bring the service to town. The
Video Zone will rent videos as well as selling them. There will be no
membership fees. Patrons
must be 18 years old to have their own account, though once mom or dad signs
up, they can then use the account. Caballero
has plans to bring in dry cleaning equipment in the future but for now, the
clothes dropped off for service will be taken to Fort Stockton and returned
for pick-up. The
other new business, “Haircuts by Janis” will be right across the street
located in the old Prickly Pear liquor store. Janis Wiggins will open a barber
shop today. Wiggins
moved to Sanderson in January to join new Terrell County Deputy Bill Adams,
who moved here in October. Wiggins
said she has 25 years experience and was proud to serve on the State Board of
Barber Examiners for 10 years until ’05 when her term expired and the
organization was changed to the “Texas Department of Licensing.” When
she’s not cutting and styling hair, Wiggins will have a few gift items for
sale as well as hair supplies. By LYN ROSAS News Leader Business
Manager SANDERSON
– National Concrete Construction of Midland is moving a concrete batching
plant here to handle the increase in demand for cement work. The
move was precipitated by school construction under the Terrell County ISD $14
million bond program. “I
plan to open a branch of the business here,” Jorge Villalobos, owner and president
of the company, told the News Leader. “We currently have locations in Midland,
Odessa and Big Spring. “The
company will have three positions open for hire once the business is up and
running,” he said. The
business will be ready to hire in approximately one month, he said. Positions
available will require a valid driver’s license with a CDL endorsement. Positions
available will also be salary-based and come with benefits. “We are currently pouring cement for the
projects that the school has going,” Villalobos said. Villalobos
was asked about the possible dust
flying around from the plant at 601 E. Oak Street just east of the Sanderson
Canyon bridge and across from Canyons RV Park. “We
use what’s called Fabric Filtration that will prevent dust from flying, along
with water spraying stockpiles that also keep particles from filling the
air,” he said. Villalobos
has been in contact with County Judge Leo Smith about other possible projects
that require the use of cement. Villalobos
asks that anyone with questions or concerns to call his cell phone at 432/894-1397 or 432/557-8466. By KIM RAPP News Leader
Production Manager PECOS
– Danielle Fisher placed first in the 400-meter run and second in the
200-meter dash for the Sanderson Junior High Eagles here Friday. Sister
Danae Fisher came in fourth place in the 400-meter run and fourth in the shot
put competition. Kayla
Fuéntez finished the 2,400-meter race in sixth place and came in fourth place
in the 1,600-meter run. In
junior high boy’s action, Daniel Luevano placed second in the 400-meter run,
fourth placed in the 200-meter dash and the long jump competition. Jalen Chriesman came in fourth place in the
110-meter hurdles, fifth in the Discus throw and sixth in the 300-meter
hurdles. A
few miles down the road in Fort Stockton, the high school track team attended
the Comanche Relays. The
guys competed well, coming in second place overall. Travis
Roberts won first place in the 800-meter run and the 1,600-meter run as well
as a fourth place victory running the 4 X 100-meter relay race with J.D.
Brotherton, Chris Marquez and Jacob Benavidez. J.D.
also won first place in the 100-meter dash as well as the 200-meter dash. William
Roberts placed first in the 3,200-meter run and second in the 1,600-meter
run. Jacob
Benavidez also came in first in the 400-meter dash in addition to his fourth
place victory in the 4 X 100-m relay. Chris
Marquez tied for third place with Jimmy Rapp in the high jump competition,
fifth in the 800-meter run and sixth in the 400-meter run. Jimmy
placed sixth in the 110-hurdles and tied for third in the high jump event. Jimmy,
Phillip Lascano, Andrew Woosley and Darren Seidel placed fifth in the 4 X 200
relay. David
Shoemaker placed third in the shot put event. Phillip
Lascano also came in sixth in the shot put competition. The
Lady Eagles placed fifth overall. Noemi
Nuñez won first place victories in the 3,200-meter run and the 1,600-meter.
She also placed fifth in the 4 X 400 relay with Blakeney Chriesman, Roxanna
Rodriguez and Juliana Castro. Blakeney
also won first place in the 100-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles. Juliana
Castro also won first place in the 400-meter dash and third place in the
800-meter run. Jessica
Garza placed second in the 3,200-meter run. Alexa
Davis won a third place victory in the shot put event. Angelina
Hopkins ran in the 3,200-m race, placing fifth. Clarissa
Brotherton placed sixth in the 400-meter run. ALPINE –
As part of the final concert, Sul Ross State University
has announced the formation of a community choir to hold weekly rehearsals
beginning Tuesday, March 17. Rehearsals
will be from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays in Room 200 of the Francois Fine Arts
Building and will continue through the first week in May. The
Community Choir will join the Sul Ross Concert Choir, Wind Ensemble and
the Alpine Community Band on the final concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 7,
in Marshall Auditorium. The
tentative program will be “A Festival of American Music.” The
Community Choir is open to the public with previous experience with choral
music helpful. For
more information, contact Dr. Donald Callen Freed at 432/837-8216 or by
e-mail at dfreed@sulross.edu. By JASON HENNINGTON Sul Ross News Writer ALPINE
– As Sul Ross State University continues to mourn the recent death of
student-athlete Jermaine Swearington, students from a rival institution in
the American Southwest Conference extended their condolences. More
than 35 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor students signed and sent sympathy
cards to Sul Ross. Swearington,
an all-confer-ence running back for the Lobo football team, was shot to death
in Midland in late January. A
package was delivered to Dr. David Cockrum, provost and vice president for
Academic and Student Affairs. Cockrum,
in turn, delivered it to Dean of Students Liz Garcia. “It
came to Dr. Cockrum’s office and he didn’t know what it was so he brought it
to me,” Garcia said. “I opened it and this is what I found.” Once
it was opened, Garcia found five cards signed by more than 35 UMHB students
offering their condolences to the Sul Ross campus. “The
basic thought is condolences to our campus, a grieving campus,” she
said. “I wasn’t really expecting it but I thought it was kind of neat.” Kristy
Brischke, UMHB director of Student Organizations, said the idea came from the
UMHB student body president. “Our
president of the student body, Tatenda Tavaziva, heard about the tragedy on
the D3 football website,” Brischke said. “He felt compelled to do
something as a student government [representative] and presented the idea to
our executive cabinet. “From
there, Tommy Wilson, the Director of Spiritual Life in UMHB’s SGA [Student
Government Association], purchased cards and told the SGA body about the
event,” she said. “The students felt they are the voice of the student body
and wanted to let Sul Ross know that we are all thinking and praying for both
Jermaine and the student body.” Garcia
said she regards the cards as a gesture of good faith among students. “It’s
good to know somebody else is out there thinking about you,” she said, adding
that the UMHB students’ response “reassures that students care about
other students.” Garcia
referred to the Virginia Tech shootings of 2007. She said she believes that
students mourning with other students, regardless of distance between
campuses, helps comfort those who are dealing with a loss. “We
[as a student body and campus] can put some of that grief on the side for a
little bit, but his [Swearington’s] family can’t. His mom, his children and
his close friends have to deal with it every day,” she said. “I want to
share these cards in a way that not only lets his immediate family and his
close friends know that when we experience a tragedy like this, it causes a
ripple effect beyond to other universities.” During
the time funeral arrangements were being made, a number of students came
together and helped raise money for Swearington’s family. There
was a basketball tournament and a number of students, faculty, staff and
community members donated money to help the family with expenses. “With
everything that I have to deal with in my position, it’s good to see that
level of respect,” Garcia said. “I know a few of the things the
football team plans to do next season to honor him. From a negative
tragedy, it had a positive effect on our campus.” Before
receiving the sympathy cards, Garcia had written a grant proposal using
Swearington’s story of changing his life before his tragic situation. As
a member of the Sul Ross Alcohol and Other Drug Education Coalition
Committee, she incorporated his situation into a positive incentive for students. “There
is a domino effect of choices,” she said. “What choices we make today
affect our opportunities tomorrow. “We
believe the whole premise of choices today open opportunities tomorrow,”
Garcia said. “We are focusing on giving the students the skills to make
good choices so they can have doors open for them.” |
He
landed in Sanderson in September, 1911, less than seven years after the
Wright Brothers made the first controlled flight in a heavier-than-air
machine at Kitty Hawk, NC, on Dec. 17, 1903. The
“Vin Fizz” was so named because the flight was sponsored by a popular soft
drink of that time. The
new marker complements other improvements to the airport entrance. An 18-foot stone donated by Harrison Stone has
been erected at the entrance to the airport and Jon Tom Lowrance’s Sanderson
High School shop class created the words “Terrell County Airport.” They were
installed late last week. ODESSA
– The federal “stimulus” package has freed up funding for a complete rebuild
of US Highway 385 between Marathon and Fort Stockton, a road that has been
heavily damaged by oilfield traffic. Texas
Department of Transportation spokesman Glen Larum told the News Leader the
project has been completed and some $2.4 million in stimulus maintenance
money will allow the work to be done. “Everything
is ready to go,” he said. “It is just sitting on the shelf waiting for the
money.” The
Road Runner Open Road Race between Fort Stockton and Marathon in October, a
spinoff of the popular Big Bend Open Road Race to Sanderson, was canceled
partly because of the condition of the highway. Larum
said with money available, the project now is ready to go to bid. Money
for another area project was freed up by a state Safety Bond program first approved
in 2003. The
TxDOT will build a “grade separation” at US 285 and Ranch Road 1776 about 15
miles north of Fort Stockton, the scene of several fatal accidents. The
state put up a four-way stop at the intersection in 2007 after a rash of
fatalities but Larum said the four-way stop is only a “stopgap” measure. He
said the final design of the interchange is not set but he said it will
likely be a “diamond” interchange with one road passing over the other and
ramps leading to an intersection between the two roads. Larum
said the interchange will cost some $5.5 million plus right of way which
Pecos County is responsible for providing. “We’re
lucky it’s a big, wide intersection,” County Judge Joe Shuster said. “There’s
not that much right of way we have to purchase. It won’t be very much.” A
hearing was scheduled for last night, March 5, in Fort Stockton to discuss
the project. “We
thought we would never get funding,” Larum said. “The Safety Bond, known as
Prop 14, was created by the state in 2003. “It
called for 20 percent to be for safety projects,” he said. “This is the
second group of projects under the Hazard Elimination Program.”
The Pecos County Commissioners went on record last month as supporting
the interchange construction. district
engineer ODESSA
– A veteran Odessa highway department employee completed a 26-year climb from
teenage summer-hire to district engineer last week. Mike
C. McAnally, 49, was named to succeed Lauren Garduño as the head engineer for
the 12-county Odessa District, which includes Terrell, Andrews, Crane, Ector,
Loving, Martin, Midland, Pecos, Reeves, Upton, Ward and Winker counties. McAnally
will oversee the construction and maintenance activities of more than 300
employees for the nearly 3,400 miles of highways across an 18,000-square mile
area of West Texas. The
new District Engineer started his TxDOT career as a summer employee in the
Fort Stockton Area Office while he was attending Texas A&M University. He
was hired full-time in the Midland Area office after graduating from A&M
in civil engineering in 1982. McAnally’s
climb up the TxDOT career ladder included stops in the Odessa area office as
area engineer and in the district office as district director of operations. He
also managed design teams for various projects in Dallas and Fort Worth. In
his most recent role as director of operations, he managed all the
maintenance, construction and traffic operations for the Odessa District. For
the past year, McAnally has also served as the interim director of
transportation plan-ning and development, managing district design, advance
planning, right of way, environmental, public transportation, consultant and
contract management, and coordination with the Metropolitan Planning Organization. Garduño
was named district engineer for the neighboring Abilene District. McAnally
and his wife, Janee’, live in Midland. FORT
STOCKTON – Transfer times to hospitals here and elsewhere from throughout
West Texas can be cut in half with a new Care Star air ambulance service. There
was a public Grand Opening of the Care Star Personnel and Operations facility
here Friday. “We
started talking about this a year ago and we got SandRidge [Energy] to cut a
big check to make it happen,” said Russ Tippin, administrator of Pecos County
Memorial Hospital. “The
county and the [Fort Stockton] Economic Development [Corp.] made the whole
thing possible,” Tippin said. The
facility, built by Energreen Products LLC, an Energy Star Partner, is
designed to house flight crews, maintenance personnel and health care professionals. The
goal is to ensure medical care for patients
that must be flown to a medical facility. Care
Star provides helicopter ambulance service for Pecos County and the
surrounding area, including Terrell County. The
new facility has six bedrooms, three bathrooms with laundry facilities, a
covered patio, a kitchenette and living area. Tippin
said the flight time from Sanderson to the hospital here is 28 minutes,
compared to an hour by highway. If
patients need more intensive care than available at Pecos County Memorial,
they can be flown on to Odessa or another larger hospital. Meanwhile,
early voting begins March 23 for an April 4 election to create a county
hospital district. Tippin
said the Trans-Pecos Regional Medical Center Hospital District would be one
of only five or six districts in the state. “What
this means is that we would be our own taxing entity with our own board members,”
he said. “That way the liability [for patient care] would fall on the
district instead of on the county. Tippin
said it would not change the mission of the hospital to provide care for
indigent, a requirement in an area with a “high rate of uninsured people in
this area.” He
said the hospital currently provides some $19 million in “free” care to the
indigent. Eagle
girls second, boys third at
tennis VAN
HORN – The Sanderson High School Eagle girls placed second overall and the
boys team placed third at the Van Horn Invitational Tournament here last
week. Vicky
Busch placed second and Miriam Nuñez came in fourth place in singles. Raquel
Hinkley won consolation in the final round of the singles competition. In
girl’s doubles, Jessica Garza and Noemi Nuñez teamed up for second place
while Blakeney Chriesman and Roxanna Rodriguez came in third. Alan
Marquez placed third in boy’s singles In
the boy’s doubles competition L.A. Galvan and Cordell Lawson won consolation
and in mixed doubles Kelly Lomas and Brianna Johnson won fourth place. The
next match will be March 20 and 21 in Monahans. ‘Follow
the money’ in stimulus By US
Rep. Ciro D. Rodriguez Special
to the News Leader WASHINGTON,
DC – In the movie “All the President’s Men,” two newspaper reporters are told
by a source that they should “follow the money” in order to get to the bottom
of their story. With
a flurry of bills passed in recent weeks, I have been working to follow our
government’s money and I want to encourage you to do the same. In
February, Congress passed two spending bills and the President has proposed
an outline of his 2010 budget. I
wasn’t happy with all of the things in either the American Recovery Act,
better known as the stimulus, or in the Omnibus Appropriations bill that is expected
to pass the Senate this week. All
of these bills and all of the money we’ll spend can be mind-boggling but it
is my job as your member of Congress to “follow the money” and work to make
sure it gets spent in the best way possible. Our
district will save or create 8,500 jobs, 95 percent of all Americans will
receive a tax break and our schools will receive much-needed funding in the
American Recovery Act. In
the Appropriations omnibus, I secured at least $28.55 million for our
district alone for law enforcement, health care, education and border
security, among other projects. The
new administration has made it their business to help Americans follow the
money in the recovery act by posting it at www.recovery.gov. We
are all supposed to be able to see every dollar the administration spends on
the recovery. I
will be following this money and hope that you will too. I also hope
that you’ll let me know when you see things that are troubling so that I may
continue to fight for our district by telling the administration what I see
as problems in their transparency or what may be wasteful spending. Last
year I voted against both bailout bills passed by Congress in part because I
felt that there was little to no accountability or oversight for the money
being spent. But
the bills we just passed have what may be the most transparency in our
history and allow for spending that I hope puts us on the path to the
economic recovery our nation desperately needs. Over
the last month I visited with constituents in all 20 counties of our vast
district that stretches from San Antonio to El Paso County. In
meetings throughout the district, I heard a number of comments and concerns,
many of which focused on local economic issues. I
hope you’ll join me in my quest to follow the money so that we can do
everything possible to help all of our local economies be the best they can
be with the money Congress has provided. DALLAS
– Davis Stumberg, a 2008 graduate of Sanderson High School, won his fifth National
Champion jacket here Sunday. Stumberg,
the son of Forrest and Lindy Stumberg, won in cheer and dance as member of
the International Hip Hop Team for Alpha Cheer and Dance Company of Midland. Alpha
brought home the top award at the National Dance Alliance All Star National
Competition. The
team score of 10.85 was more than 1.1 points higher than the second place
team in their division and was the second overall highest score of the
competition, short by half a point of winning the Grand Championship of the
event. This
is the second national championship the Alpha dance team has won this season. The
team won the Grand National Championship at the America’s Best Competition in
Fort Worth in December. At
the NDA competition, all three
Alpha dance teams earned a spot at the US Finals Competition for dance at the
Alamo Dome in San Antonio on May 2 and 3. Both
wins have qualified the Alpha hip hop team to compete at the Dance Worlds Competition
at Epcot’s World Showplace at Disney World Florida on April 25 and 26. This
will be the third year that Alpha has competed, placing third and fourth in
previous competitions. The
Worlds Competition hosts the top all-star dance teams from the US and many
foreign countries. Alpha’s
winning performance can be viewed on-line by going to nda.varsity.com.
On the right hand side of the site, click on link All Star Nationals coverage, then click on Alpha Cheer and
Dance Co. International Hip Hop routine. Stumbert
joined the Alpha dance team last fall and this is his second year competing
for Alpha in All-Star cheer. His
cheer team won two national championships and two regional first place
trophies in 2008. This
year, the cheer team is competing at Level 5, where they have placed third in
their first competition. The
cheer team will compete tomorrow, March 7, at the Cheerleaders of America
Lone Star National Championship in Grand Prairie. Stumberg
also cheers for University of Texas-Permian Basin where he attends college
and is a coach at Alpha Cheer and Dance Co. He
also teaches tumbling and cheer techniques and trains high school cheer quads
from the Midland area. And he teaches private lessons. Stumberg
plans to work for the National Cheerleaders Association this summer teaching
summer cheer camps. FORT
STOCKTON – The Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service will conduct a water
conservation conference for Terrell, Brewster, Pecos, Crockett, Ward and Jeff
Davis Counties here next week. The
meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at the AgriLIFE
Research and Extension Center at 1618 Airport Drive. Lunch
will be provided and the theme asks if utilities are “eating your lunch.” “It
is going to be a fun-filled day with door prizes and plenty of water
conservation education,” said Family and Consumer Services Agent Evans Kott. She
said those planning to attend should contact her at 432/837-6207 or by e-mail
at edkott@ag.tamu.edu. There
is a $10 charge. |
Workers
for the Texas Department of Transportation and the Terrell County Road and
Bridge Department cleared out brush from within 100 yards of the entrance. Time
again to give back that hour you gained last fall. That
wonderful creation called “Daylight Saving Time” resumes at 2 a.m. Sunday,
March 8. Set your clocks ahead one hour before bedtime Saturday or when you
get up Sunday. Or, be late for church. ALPINE
– Wildland fires have affected much of the state lately, including a serious
one at Bastrop near Austin, but until this week, none had affected far west
Texas. That
ended this week with what was being called the Loma Del Norte Fire about six
miles south of here. Smoke
from the fire was visible from Alpine as more than 800 acres were burning
Wednesday. Sheriff
Ronny Dodson said the fire started Tuesday and spread to a “couple” of
ranches. “They
seem to be getting it pretty well under control,” he said. “They’ve got some
helicopters out there.” Officials
said they hoped to have the fires under control by the end of the day Wednesday. The
fire reportedly started from an individual using a propane burner on private
property. It burned around and through the yards of four residences and
outbuildings. The
Texas Forest Service said firemen protected more than 30 homes in the area. “The
local volunteer departments stayed on this fire all night,” TFS said. “There
is a direct threat to the Del Norte and Black Diamond Subdivisions.” The
service said “resources being deployed” included bulldozers, heavy
helicopters, Lockheed C-130 air tankers, single-engine air tankers, an air
attack aircraft and an “eyes in the sky” vehicle for the ground resources. TFS
said a 20-person hand crew from North Carolina and another from Big Bend were
being diverted to this fire from the Wilderness Ridge Fire in Bastrop County. for
area SANDERSON
– Terrell County is seeking an underground water district to protect county
water from upstream diversion. State
Rep. Pete Gallego ran a classified ad in the News Leader last month giving
notice of his intent “to introduce in the 81st
Texas Legislature, Regular Session, a bill entitled ‘An Act relating to the creation of the Terrell County
Underground Water Conservation District.’” “It
is to save our water here,” County Commissioner Charles Stegall said. “It is
just so someone doesn’t come in here and take water out. Some places have
good water and some don’t.” Stegall
said someone could tap into the underground water upstream from the county,
depriving ranchers of water under their property. The
district would have taxing authority but Stegall said any tax would be
minimal, only enough to provide basic staffing for the district. “Someone
could tap into water above town and pipe it to somewhere else and right now,
there is nothing we can do about it,” he said. Before
the district is created, legislation would have to be passed and then there
would be an election in the county, Stegall said. If
approved, the district would be similar to others in Brewster, Pecos and
other nearby counties. “Fort
Stockton has [an underground water district] and their taxes are something
like 28 cents a month,” he said. “This has nothing to do with the [Terrell
County Water Control and Improvement District] in town. “We’re
just trying to protect people in Terrell County,” he said. ”If they’re having
problems, this should help.” He
said places like Odessa, Midland, Andrews and others are all buying water
from elsewhere. “The
water deal is going to be worse than the oil deal,” he said. for
now SANDERSON
– The annual chili super for the band has been postponed, possibly indefinitely. The
Band Booster Club tried but could not come up with a date that did not
conflict with the spring school activity schedule. With
track, tennis, golf and UIL all going at the same time, the kids are very
busy, Booster Vice President Kim Rapp said. In
place of the chili super, the boosters have decided on a concert in the park. The
Eagle band will perform at the pavilion in Bicentennial Park at 6 p.m. April
17, after the district tennis meet on the brand new Sanderson High School
courts. A
hot dog super will take the place of chili and desserts will be available for
a price. A
raffle is also in the works with one major prize and several smaller prizes,
donated by local businesses, to be raffled off at the end of May. The
lack of help and participation also played a major part in the cancellation
of the chili super. “We’re
lucky to get four people to attend our meetings,” Booster Vice President Kim
Rapp said. “Our band is looking up and sounding great but the booster club
will not flourish if interest does not increase.” Those
interested in donating an item to be raffled off or who want to bake
something sweet, call Kim Rapp at 432/290-4053. MIDLAND – Dozens of Web sites claim that consumers can easily
get government grants to pay bills or get out of debt and many of the
“services” charge a fee. Contrary to such claims, the federal government does not award
grants to help consumers pay general debt. Complaints to the Better Business Bureau show people who sought
free advice were ultimately charged as much as $69.95 every month on their
credit or debit card. Ads for grant schemes use enticing testimonials such as, “I got
my stimulus check in the mail in less than 30 days” or “Let me show you how
to get $12,000 free from the US Government in 30 days.” In February, ads on Facebook directed the public to Web sites
such as www.davidgetsgreen.com
and www.jakecutler.com
which were set up to look like blogs written by people who are sharing the
secret of how they received $12,000 in grants from the government to pay off
their debt. These “blogs” lead to Web sites like the official-sounding www.federalgovernmentgrantsolutions.com.
The Web site is for a company called Government Grant
Solutions. They sell a Grant Program Kit which provides advice on how
to apply for grants as well as access to a directory of Federal and private
grants. The Web site includes “testimonials” from people who claim that
they were able to obtain money which went toward staving off foreclosure,
buying Christmas presents, fixing their car or paying bills. The BBB has received hundreds of complaints from consumers who
went to Web sites such that sold information on how to get grant money from
the government. Two Las Vegas based companies, Grant Instructor and Raven Media,
have set up dozens of Web sites and received 409 and 295 complaints respectively
from consumers across the US. Both have earned an F grade from the BBB.
Another company based in Utah, Grant University, has received
more than 300 complaints from across the country in the past year and has an
F rating from the BBB. According to the BBB Serving Utah and the BBB serving Las Vegas,
complainants state that they ordered a “free” CD and were promptly charged as
much as $69.95 on their credit or debit card. Some complainants stated that their credit card was charged by
other companies as well. When complainants contacted the businesses about why they were
being charged for a “free” item, they were told that they had actually signed
up for a “free trial”—as explained in the terms and conditions on the Web
site—and they needed to cancel within seven days of requesting the CD or they
would be charged monthly. Complainants also stated that they never received the “free” CD,
received the CD after the free-trial had expired or were unable to log into
the Web site to access grant information as promised. These companies fail to provide refunds and some complainants
tried to contact the company to cancel the service but ultimately had to
cancel their credit card to stop being billed as much as $69.95 every month. ODESSA
– Odessa College will have its annual Job Fair from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday,
March 12, at the OC Sports Center. The
event will provide opportunities for job seekers to meet with representatives
from more than 30 area employers in the area. They
include Bobby Cox Companies, Buena Vida of Odessa, City of Midland, City of
Odessa, Customs and Border Patrol, Midland Memorial Hospital, NewsWest 9, Telemundo
and KTXC-FM La Ley. Others
are Office Team, Permian Basin Community Centers, Regency Hospital, Security
State Bank, Telvista, Texas Attorney General’s Office, Texas Department of
Criminal Justice, Texas Department of Public Safety, US Army, Western
National Bank and more. Guests
should bring copies of their resume and dress professionally as company
representatives will take applications, conduct interviews and discuss
available job opportunities. Odessa
College representatives also will be available to discuss workforce training
and educational opportunities offered at Odessa College. Employers
interested in participating should contact Chip Carlson, OC career and
outreach advisor, at 432/335-6835. ALPINE
– A 15-member search committee has been appointed by the Board of Regents of
the Texas State University System to choose the next Sul Ross State
University President. Dr.
R. Vic Morgan, who has served as president since 1990, announced his plans to
retire Aug. 31. The
committee, announced by Board of Regents chairman Bernard “Bernie” Francis of
Carrollton, will be chaired by Regent Trisha Pollard of Bellaire, who will be
joined by Regent Ron Blatchley of Bryan and a third regent to be named. Twelve
at-large members representing faculty, staff, students and alumni/community
from the Alpine and Rio Grande College campuses were chosen from a total of
126 nominations and 93 individuals. At-large
committee members are faculty members Louis Harveson, Jim Hector, Sharon
Hileman, Sarah Moreman and Miriam Muniz-Quiz, staff members Claudia Wright,
Tramaine Rausaw, Margie Urquidez and Jose Aguayo, students Jaime Rios and
Bryan Hernandez (one will serve as an alternate) and representing alumni and
community members are Baldemar Garza and Dora Alcala. “When
President Morgan announced his plans to retire, the faculty, staff and
students of Sul Ross State University and Sul Ross State University-Rio
Grande College were asked to nominate individuals to serve on the
presidential search committee,” Francis said. “We
strived for committee balance in this decision-making process to ensure the
community and constituency be properly represented,” he said. “We are pleased
to report that the invitations to serve were accepted.” The
first task of the search committee will be to develop a position announcement.
“Throughout
the entire search process, there will be many opportunities for your input,”
Francis said. “I encourage each of you to remain engaged and to provide
feedback as the opportunities arise.” Angelo
Dean’s List SAN
ANGELO – Lasaro Luis “Larry” Picasso, grandson of Serapio and Rosa Picasso
and Joe and Lupe Ponce of Sanderson, was named to the Dean’s List for the
fall semester at Angelo State University here. Picasso,
son of Poe and Monica Picasso of San Angelo, posted a grade point average of
3.7. He
is a 2008 graduate of Central High School, a member of the National Honor
Society and Who’s Who. He was ranked 18 in a senior class of 658. Picasso
was a two-year varsity letterman in soccer, winning 3-5A first team all
district and was voted team captain in his senior year. He
has won several scholarships including the Carr Academic Scholarship, F.M.
Connelly Scholarship, M. Daniel Academic/Athletic Scholarship, United Soccer
Club, Raymond Meza and Pan American Golf Association. |
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