Karnes Co. TX - NEWS - April 2007 This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Kimm Antell Copyright. All rights reserved. http://files.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Copyright 2006 Victoria Advocate Online (http://victoriaadvocate.com) unless otherwise notated. ************************************************ From seguingazette.com April 1, 2007 Panthers take 29-2A lead by beating Poth By Jason Chlapek The Gazette-Enterprise POTH — It’s hard to say whether or not Navarro baseball coach Tommy Knox slept well on Friday night. While he was happy with his team’s 7-5 win at Poth on Friday, Knox also was upset about the number of walks and errors his team gave up during the game. “We threw too many balls [Friday],” said Knox. “We walked seven batters and committed five errors. I’m happy with the win, but I wish we could’ve played better. We need to cut down on walks and errors.” Navarro (13-2-1, 6-0-1 in District 29-2A) moved into sole possession of first place with the win. The Panthers host Karnes City at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Poth fell to 10-3-1 overall, 6-1-1 in 29-2A and a half-game back of Navarro in the standings. Despite surrendering seven walks, Navarro pitcher Zach Moya still managed to pitch a one-hitter. Moya went the distance, giving up five runs on one hit and seven walks while striking out nine. Moya also improved his pitching record to 4-0. It also was Moya’s first pitching performance in three weeks because of rain delays and a battle with a brief illness, according to Knox. Navarro broke a scoreless tie in the top of the third inning by scoring five runs to build a 5-0 lead. Paden King had a two-run single and Clayton Warren recorded an RBI single during the inning for the Panthers, who also scored on an error and a wild pitch in the inning. Poth scored a run in the bottom of the third to make it 5-1, and the lead stood until the sixth when Caleb Campbell’s two-run single put Navarro up 7-1. Despite the six-run deficit, Poth didn’t go away quietly as it scored twice in the bottom of the sixth and twice in the bottom of the seventh. ************************************************ From mysanantonio.com April 1, 2007 Obituary: Model A's were more than hobby to Pegues Carmina Danini Express-News In 1965, James "Jim" Pegues bought his first Model A Ford from a farmer in the Karnes County town of Runge. The roadster cost him $30. He fixed it up and sold it, then bought a four-door sedan he restored to perfect condition. One year, he bought 11 Model A's. Pegues was a charter member of the Alamo A's, the Model A Ford Club of San Antonio. Grandson and namesake Jimmy Taylor is the current president. To say Pegues, who died Saturday at age 84 of cancer, was a Model A enthusiast is an understatement. "Jim drove one in high school and he just loved it," his wife, Jeanette Pegues, said. "He'd always wanted one and after he bought the first one, it became a wonderful hobby for all of us." Sometimes called "America's favorite car," the Model A replaced Henry Ford's beloved Model T in 1927. The cars were produced until 1931, when the Model B was introduced. The Model A had a lot going for it: It had a top speed of 60 mph compared with the Model T's 45 mph, larger wheels, four-wheel mechanical brakes, a Triplex shatter-proof windshield, and it came in different colors. Pegues' hobby was taken up by his family. His wife drove the cars; so did his daughters. The family drove the cars all over the United States, totaling more than 100,000 miles. The Model A was far from his mind in 1939 when Pegues joined the Navy. He was asleep at the YMCA when Pearl Harbor was bombed on Dec. 7, 1941. "He said the message 'We're under attack' came over loudspeakers with instructions to return to their ships," Jeanette Pegues said. "Everybody was in their underwear trying to get a cab. He never made it back to his ship because it pulled out." His best friend was killed. Pegues suffered shrapnel wounds on his legs. Later, he served on the staff of Admiral Chester Nimitz, the Fredericksburg native and commander in chief of the Pacific Fleet during the war. A background in photography got Pegues into the New York Institute of Photography after the war. He returned home, worked at a photography studio, then was hired at Southwestern Bell, where he remained for 25 years. Pegues had to travel because of his job and it gave him time to search for cars. "He'd call and say, 'Guess what I found today,'" Jeanette Pegues said. "It was scary but so much fun." JAMES D. PEGUES Born: June 11, 1922, in San Antonio Died: March 31, 2007, in San Antonio Military: U.S. Navy, 1939-1943 Survived by: His wife of 58 years, Jeanette Gittinger Pegues; three daughters, Deborah Taylor, of New Braunfels, and Sherry Westmoreland and Patty Nowak, both of San Antonio; a sister, Jeannette Pegues Dobson of Kerrville; seven grandchildren; and eight great- grandchildren. Services: Visitation from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North at 3401 Cherry Ridge Drive; service at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Shepherd King Lutheran Church at 303 W. Ramsey Road, with interment in Mission Burial Park South. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Vitas Hospice or to Shepherd King Lutheran Church. ************************************************ From ktre.com April 2, 2007 East Texas Jail Fails Inspection by Ramonica R. Jones Each year, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards inspects various jails around the state. Some of those jails end up shutting down, while others lose their certification if safety is an issue. Almost half of the jails visited have failed this year's state inspection, including the Trinity County jail. The Groveton facility was non-compliant in several areas, mostly involving paper work and record keeping. Chief Deputy James Gratz said, "We have our fire extinguishers that were all working fire extinguishers, they just didn't have a 2007 sticker on them. We're getting those inspected this week and then we had an area where we have an emergency power generator that kicks on when the power goes off, and we didn't have a log sheet showing that generator was tested once a month." Chief Gratz said the Trinity County jail's problems are minor and won't take long to fix. "The physical operation of the jail was not found to be at fault in any way, shape or form," said Gratz. "The way we conduct ourselves with the jail [and] with the prisoners was fine. The physical plant was clean and up to date as far as the facilities go." During their recent visit, inspectors found the daily jail roster at the Trinity County jail was not up to date. That problem, and nearly all of the jail's infractions, have already been corrected. The jail can house up to seven inmates, but also contracts with jails in Jasper and Newton counties to prevent overcrowding. The problems inspectors found there will not affect any of those prisoners. Thirty-eight jails have now been inspected by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. The 13 county jails that failed are in Bexar, Cameron, Fannin, Jackson, Karnes, Kleberg, Liberty, Reeves, San Jacinto, Sutton, Trinity, Victoria, and Wichita. ************************************************ April 3, 2007 A bigger, badder hurricane season in store this year (April 8, 2004) BY DAVID TEWES-Victoria Advocate Another busy hurricane season similar to the one that brought Hurricane Claudette to the Middle Texas Coast last year appears to be on tap for 2004, but with an increased threat from the more serious intense storms. William Gray and his research team at Colorado State University are forecasting 14 storms to reach tropical storm status. Eight are expected to become hurricanes and three of those intense hurricanes with winds in excess 110 mph. The average is six hurricanes and two intense hurricanes during a typical hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November. Philip Klotzbach, one of the researchers, said the high number of major hurricanes recorded since 1995 indicates that the United States has entered a new era of enhanced activity. "We expect this active tropical cyclone era to continue this year and to span the next two or three decades," he said. The Colorado State forecast team also warned that there is a considerably higher-than-average probability of one of the intense storms making landfall in the United States. Forecasters put the chance at 40 percent for the Gulf Coast between Brownsville and the Florida Panhandle, which is 30 percent above normal. "I guess the thing that scares me more than anything else is the chance of a major hurricane," said Gene Hafele, the warning coordination meteorologist for the Houston-Galveston National Weather Service office. Hafele also said that Gray sees similarities in the current and forecast weather patterns this year and what actually happened in 1961, when massive Hurricane Carla struck Port O'Connor. He said that doesn't mean the Texas Coast will be hit again, just that there is a chance for another large storm like Carla. Larry Eblen, the warning coordination meteorologist for the San Antonio-Austin weather office, said even people as far inland as Karnes and Gonzales counties need to be concerned about the upcoming season. He said the intense storms can remain at hurricane force for 24 hours after moving inland. But Eblen said inland areas are subject to other threats as well. "Although the storm surge is the biggest killer at the coast, the biggest killer of all is inland flooding," he said. Eblen added that tornadoes pose yet another threat, even far away from where the hurricane makes landfall. "Anybody within 100 miles of the coast has got major concerns," he said. "To be really honest, even 150 miles inland is not even safe." John Metz, the warning coordination meteorologist for the Corpus Christi weather office, said he thinks people in the Victoria area are better prepared this year after having gone through Claudette. Claudette was a strong Category 1 hurricane, with estimated winds near Port O'Connor sustained at 90 mph and gusting to 115 mph. Two people in Texas died as a result of the storm, including one in Victoria County. "We did have Claudette last year and that doesn't exempt us this year," Metz said. "I just hope a storm of greater magnitude doesn't come across the area. As Dr. Gray says, we could be in for a long period of activity. Yes, that bothers me." ************************************************ From seguingazette.com April 4, 2007 No-no Knippa By Jason Chlapek The Gazette-Enterprise GERONIMO — Kandi Knippa has been close to earning a no-hitter several times this season. But on Tuesday, Navarro’s senior pitcher broke through. Knippa struck out 14 batters and walked two without surrendering a hit during the Navarro softball team’s 7-0 victory over Kenedy at Navarro High School. “It feels great to finally get a no-hitter,” said Knippa. “I have been close several times only to give up a hit in the sixth or seventh inning, but I got one this time. I tried to throw curve balls for strikes and then make the batters chase my risers.” Knippa also kept Navarro (13-5, 5-1 in District 29-2A) in the race for the district crown. The Lady Panthers trail Poth (6-0 in 29-2A) by a single game and travel to Karnes City for a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. Thursday. Navarro and Karnes City are playing a doubleheader to make up for a game previously rained out. Both teams struggled at the plate during the first three innings before Navarro got going in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Lady Panthers exploded for four runs to take a 4-0 lead entering the fifth. Knippa continued to stymie Kenedy in the top of the fifth, and her teammates gave her more room to breathe as Navarro scored twice in the bottom of the fifth to make it a 6-0 ball game. The Lady Panthers added a run in the sixth to make it 7-0. Leading the way offensively for Navarro were Jackie Bargsley, who was 2-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored, and Sandra Lopez, who was 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs and two runs scored. ************************************************ From seguingazette.com April 5, 2007 Panthers handle Karnes City, 4-1 By Jason Chlapek The Gazette-Enterprise GERONIMO — If the number of hits determined the winner in the game of baseball, Navarro would've lost on Tuesday. However, the Panthers made their four hits count as they scored four runs during their 4-1 victory over Karnes City at Navarro High School. Navarro (14-2-1, 7-0-1 in District 29-2A) was outhit by Karnes City (6-12, 5-4 in 29-2A) 6-4, but the Badgers committed five errors, which proved costly in the end. "I told the kids to take advantage of what [Karnes City] gives us, and they did that," said Navarro coach Tommy Knox. "We didn't hit the ball as well as we would've liked, but we got hits at the right times." Navarro also had a solid outing from pitcher Cole Allison, who threw a complete game. Allison gave up one run on six hits, while hitting one batter and striking out six. The Panthers also did not commit a single error. "Cole pitched a great game," Knox said. "He stayed ahead of the batters and forced them to swing. Our defense also did a great job backing him up." Allison also didn't give up an earned run. Karnes City's only run came in the top of the fifth on a wild pitch. The first three-and-a-half innings were a scoreless pitcher's duel between Allison and Jose Maldonado of Karnes City. Both teams had runners on third base with one out, but couldn't get a run across the plate. Navarro then broke through in the bottom of the fourth by scoring two runs for a 2-0 lead. Ernesto Hernandez, who ran for catcher Caleb Campbell, moved to second on a sacrifice and third on a wild pitch before scoring on a sacrifice from Clayton Warren. Tyler Jenke reached third on an outfield error before scoring on Wes Ply's single. Eric Mattix scored in the fifth on an RBI from Beaux Henderson and Jenke scored on a sacrifice fly from Mattix in the sixth. ************************************************ From mysa.com April 7, 2007 Karnes City expects to 'Wow' visitors Jeorge Zarazua Express-News KARNES CITY — "Wow," the longhorn famous for his extraordinarily long horns now has something else to boast about. He's now the town's official greeter. Members of the local home and garden club footed the bill to erect a large billboard Friday with Wow's image at the town's entrance, off Texas 123. The billboard welcomes southbound motorists to Karnes City, home of the champion longhorn steer. More than 15 vehicles lined the highway Friday morning as the billboard — 8 feet tall and 16 feet wide — was nailed into place. But not even a billboard can capture the grandness of Wow. In real life he's bigger than his picture on the sign. "Oh, it's just so exciting to see it go up," said Julie Weiss, the club's president. "Wow is something really exciting for Karnes City to have, so don't you think we need to broadcast something that we're most proud of?" The brindle longhorn, owned by the Kimble Cattle Co., is the only one that has won four World Grand Championship titles from the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America, and the only one who has received the championship title three times from the International Texas Longhorn Association. Joyce Kimble, who owns the longhorn along with her son, Scott, and daughter, Janis, beamed with pride as the welcome sign went up. "I just think it's beautiful," she said. The Karnes City Home and Garden Club paid $2,000 for the billboard and signed a 10-year lease from local property owners, Jerry and Yvette Buehring, to have it on display on a corner of their land. The club also included a picture of the county courthouse and one of the veterans' memorial to go on the welcome sign. But it was Wow that took star placement. Kimble said Wow, now 13, is nearing retirement. She said he's getting so old and so large that it's more difficult for him to travel to competitions in Fort Worth, where the longhorn associations hold their events. Exactly how heavy he is, or how long his horns are is unknown. His size makes it difficult for him to be weighed and measured on a routine basis. Kimble said the last time the figures were taken, more than a year ago, Wow's horns extended 117.5 inches, nearly 10 feet. He weighed a whopping, 2,020 pounds — a figure Kimble admits fluctuates during the year. "Right now, I think he's a little bit heavy," she said. "He's got so much good grass to eat." ************************************************ From seguingazette.com April 8, 2007 Ten Panthers in regionals SEGUIN — The Navarro tennis team dominated the District 29-2A Tennis Tournament on Monday and Tuesday at Starcke Park in Seguin. The district included Randolph, Poth, Stockdale, Nixon-Smiley, Yorktown, Karnes City and Kenedy. A combined 10 players on the boys and girls teams earned spots in the Region IV-2A Tournament, which is the most ever in Navarro tennis history. Between the junior varsity and varsity, 15 medals were brought home. “We really competed well and showed a lot of mental and physical toughness in this district tournament,” said Navarro coach Blake Hoffman. “It’s awesome to take six out of the 10 regional qualifier spots for this district. This many entries should make the regional tournament very exciting.” The top two finishers in all five categories — boys singles, girls singles, boys doubles, girls doubles and mixed doubles — qualify for the region tournament. In boys singles, Navarro swept the regional berths as Ryan Burdick beat teammate Barney Cruz in the championship match. The Panthers also swept the regonal berths in girls doubles as the team of Kellen Schuerg and Haley Helweg edged out the team of Amber Mueller and Jordan Ploetz. Eric Oster and Jeff Joslyn took second place in boys doubles, and Morgan Brodbeck and Arthur Borregowere were the district runners-up in mixed doubles. The mixed doubles team of Devon Birdsong and Mara Stephens finished fourth. Other varsity players were Katherine Cruz, Nic Ochoa and Clay Martin. The junior varsity also had success as Kyle Mueller and Evan Ramsey won boys doubles, Anisa Abel and Toni Frazier placed second in girls doubles and Kevin Boyle and Caleb Smith finished third and fourth, respectively, in boys singles. “This is a very special team to me, especially since I taught many of them how to play tennis in middle school” Hoffman said. “This season has been amazing with all of the trophies and medals that we’ve won. Many schools now know that Navarro is a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court.” The regional tournament will be held at Texas State University in San Marcos on April 25-26. ************************************************ From mysa.com April 9, 2007 Truck driver dies in Karnes crash A 34-year-old Alice man was killed in a one-vehicle rollover on FM 2724, just north of Panna Maria, according to the Department of Public Safety. Karnes County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Caroline Korzekwa pronounced Rey Ramirez dead at the scene. The crash occurred shortly before 8 p.m. Friday, said DPS Trooper Paul Wagner. Ramirez was driving a 2007 flatbed truck south when he came upon a curve and overcorrected to the left, causing the vehicle to roll 21/2 times, Wagner said. ************************************************ From westwardsagas.com April 16, 2007 School Visit: Timelines, Genealogy, History, and Autographs by David Bowles Last week I enjoyed speaking to two classes of seventh and eighth graders at Kenedy Middle School in Kenedy, Texas. About 150 students attended the presentations in the school library. As a youngster, I used to amaze my teachers with my ability to remember dates of historical events. (I only wish I’d been able to remember math and English rules half as well!) Historical dates were easy for me because I had been hearing the stories of my ancestors from early childhood. I could always associate historical events with the events in my family’s story. Genealogy and history were intertwined, and I visualized a timeline that blended my family’s place in history with actual events. I talked about how most of us can remember exactly where we were and what we doing when important events happened in the world around us. One of my strongest memories is the assassination of John Kennedy. Although I was only in my late teens at the time, I still remember hearing the news. To help the students place historical events in their own lives, I had them create a timeline from their birth to today. Later they could expand it back through their parents’ and grandparents’ lives. I drew a timeline on the board and asked the youngsters to name the significant events they remember occurring their lifetimes. It saddened me to see that the two events mentioned first by both classes were the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the Columbine shooting. With some coaxing, they could recall happy events - such as the San Antonio Spurs and the Texas Longhorns winning national sports championships. But the terrible tragedies came to their minds immediately, and the positive events had to be coaxed. I gave an “autographed” picture of my dog Lulubelle to each student. After my presentation, I was speaking with a teacher and noticed a young girl standing off to the side. The teacher told me the girl was very shy but wanted to talk to me. When I spoke to her, she held out Lulubelle’s picture and asked me for my autograph. As soon as I signed the card, about twenty other students appeared holding out their cards for my autograph. I’ve had lots of compliments and many great reviews on my book, but those middle school students lining up for my autograph was one of the best moments I’ve had as an author and speaker. ************************************************ From mysa.com April 19, 2007 Cattle poisoning leads to dispute between famili Jeorge Zarazua Express-News KARNES CITY — In a rare indictment in this deep-rooted ranching community, Karnes County authorities recently charged one of the area's most prominent farmers with poisoning the cattle of a neighboring rancher. Michael Janysek, 46, is accused of spreading poison-laced planting corn in a cattle pasture along County Road 355 two years ago, killing at least four head of cattle and numerous other wild animals that inadvertently ate the kernels, according to court documents. The Texas Rangers investigated the deaths and obtained a grand jury indictment against Janysek earlier this month for criminal mischief, a state jail felony. Janysek, who pleaded not guilty last week, is free on a personal recognizance bond. He couldn't be reached for comment. Janysek also faces a civil lawsuit filed by his neighbor in connection with the case. Rancher Harold Shulz and his wife, Mary, are seeking more than $35,000 in damages from Janysek, who, with his brothers, operates one of the largest farming businesses in the state. The partnership, which received nearly $1.2 million in subsidies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2005, was ranked that year among the top 150 agribusinesses in the country receiving federal aid, according to the Environmental Working Group, a national conservation organization based in Washington. The Shulzes also are considered one of the county's most notable families. Harold and Mary Shulz are the parents of former Karnes City Mayor Jonathan Shulz, an insurance agent who has joined in the lawsuit against JanysekJanysek denied the allegations lodged against him in the lawsuit, filing a response in court saying the claims were "unfounded" and "imaginative."Telephone calls to Janysek's attorney, G.E. Wilcox of San Antonio, weren't returned Thursday. The Texas Rangers investigated the cattle deaths after a local veterinarian found traces of the highly toxic pesticide "temik" in corn recovered from the site where the dead cattle were found March 10, 2005. "It's our assumption that he was trying to kill wild hogs," said Texas Ranger Marrie Aldridge. Aldridge said an indictment against Janysek wasn't sought until this year because federal authorities also were investigating the incident after a cardinal was found dead among the wild animals that included skunks and coyotes. She said it's a federal crime to kill native songbirds without permits. Aldridge said after federal prosecutors declined to prosecute the case, state authorities proceeded with filing charges against Janysek. She said the investigation soon focused on Janysek because he is the only one licensed to buy the pesticide, which is regulated by both state and federal officials. "You just can't walk in somewhere and just purchase it," Aldridge said. Both Aldridge and Karnes County Sheriff David Jalufka said it had been several years since someone in the area had been accused of poisoning cattle. While news of Janysek's arrest has made front-page news in the local weekly newspaper, residents in Karnes City aren't publicly talking about the indictment or the legal battle being waged between two of the county's most respectable families. Aldridge said the Janyseks recently had finished planting crops when the cattle and other dead animals were discovered. She said investigators traced the tainted corn back to a game trail that the wild hogs followed along the Shulzes' fenced land. "This stuff is very, very dangerous," Aldridge said. "If its improperly handled, it can even be absorbed through the skin and can kill you." ************************************************ From seguingazette.com April 25, 2007 Navarro doubles up Kenedy By Jason Chlapek The Gazette-Enterprise GERONIMO — Although there were no playoff implications on the line, the Navarro baseball team still had something to play for on Tuesday. An unbeaten district run. Mission accomplished for the Panthers, who scored eight runs on six hits and three errors as they beat Kenedy, 8-4, at Navarro High School. Navarro completed its 29-2A run with a 13-0-1 league record. The only blemish was a tie against Poth in March. The Panthers are now 20-2-1 overall. “These kids have played well all season, and this is one of the many goals we wanted to accomplish [winning district],” said Navarro coach Tommy Knox. “Now it’s time to refocus and get ready for the playoffs.” With the district championship, Navarro receives a bye in the bi- district round of the Class 2A state playoffs, which begin May 3. The Panthers, however, aren’t going to wait more than two weeks to participate in another contest. They face District 25-3A champion Wimberley in a playoff warmup game at 7 p.m. Tuesday at “Smokey” Joe Williams Field at Fairgrounds Park. Both teams struggled at the plate in the first two innings before Kenedy plated a pair of runs on three hits to take a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the third. But Navarro would not allow the two-run deficit to sour its spirit. Cole Allison reached base on an error before scoring on a single from Beaux Henderson to cut the deficit in half, 2-1. Caleb Campbell drew a walk before both runners moved up a base on a sacrifice grounder from Justin Meyer, which set up Paden King for a two-run double to put the Panthers on top 3-2. An error and a pair of hits put Kenedy back on top, 4-3, in the top of the fourth. But just as they did in the third, the Panthers responded in the fourth. Brent Bianchi was hit by a pitch, Wes Ply singled and Allison drew a walk to load the bases for Henderson. Henderson delivered again, this time with a two-run single to put Navarro up 5-4. Allison also moved to third on the play. Campbell drove Allison in on a sacrifice to make it 6-4 before Meyer drove in Henderson on a single to increase the Panthers’ lead to 7-4. Kenedy never advanced a runner past second base in the final three innings. Allison also scored on an error in the sixth for the final run of the game. Allison also threw the third-straight complete game for the Navarro pitching staff. He gave up four runs on seven hits, while striking out four. “Cole pitched a solid game for us,” Knox said. “He proved that we have three guys who can go the distance for us when necessary.” Meyer and Zach Moya are the other two starting pitchers Knox was referring to. They both pitched last weekend in wins over Randolph and Nixon-Smiley. Henderson led the Panthers at the plate with a 2-for-4, three RBIs, two runs scored performance. King also had a multi-hit day at the plate as he was 2-for-3 with two RBIs. “Beaux and Paden both had big games for us,” Knox said. They stepped up when we needed them to.” ************************************************ From brazossports.com April 26, 2007 Franklin's Klores cruises into regional semifinals SAN MARCOS - Two-time defending Class 2A state champion Austin Klores of Franklin did not lose a game in rolling to the semifinals of the Class 2A Region IV tennis tournament at Texas State. Franklin's Ashley Klores also won both girls' singles matches, taking a 6-3, 6-1 win over Salado's Brittany Gilchrest and then beating Brittany Longoria of Kenedy, 6-1, 6-4. George West's Kendra Weber beat Alysha Rogers of Franklin in the opening round of girls singles 6-1, 6-3. Franklin's top-seeded mixed doubles team of Jake Russ and Kendra Casey also made the semis, drawing an opening-round bye then defeating Danbury's Kennon McKinney and Hannah Sheppard, 6-1, 6-0. Bart Williams and Ally Abshire from Lexington battled to the semifinals, defeating Mark Dragon and Brittany Lobaugh from Bishop, 6- 3, 5-7, 6-0 before taking a 6-3, 6-3 win over Clayton Bowen and Mallory Dumont from Rice Consolidated. In boys' doubles, Somerville's T.J. Rector and Brad Siegert defeated Drake Carter and Jeremy Contreras of Bishop in the opening round, 6- 3, 6-3 and downed Tabor Malcik and Ethan Marek from Rosebud-Lott, 6- 3, 4-6, 7-5 to reach the semifinals. Lexington's Julian Bexley and Ben Spencer advance in the other side of the bracket with a 6-2, 6-1 win over J.T. Moorman and Tim Landry of Industrial. The Lexington team then beat Steve and Caleb Gentry of Jourdanton 6-1, 6-1. Somerville's Jana Crook and LeeAnna Gonzalez also won both girls doubles matches, downing Amber Mueller and Jordan Ploetz from Navarro, 6-4, 6-2 and upsetting third-seeded Stacie Castellano and Lyndsay Markert of Refugio, 6-4, 6-4. Franklin's Candace Bourque and Lacey Neyland fell to Ryanne Hafernick and Molly Quinn, the fourth seeds, in the opening round. ************************************************ From mysanantonio.com April 27, 2007 Classic car cruise set next Saturday More than a dozen San Antonio-area car clubs will gather for the annual spring Classic Car Cruise Along the Corridor next Saturday, May 5. Well over 100 vintage, classic and collector cars are expected to participate. The event, sponsored by the tourism department of the Alamo Area Council of Governments, will begin at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens parking lot at 555 Funston. The cars will travel along several routes through the historic Alamo- La Bahia Corridor southwest of San Antonio, though such towns as Elmendorf, Dewees, Floresville, Pleasanton, Jourdanton, Falls City, Karnes City, Cestohowa, Panna Maria, Helena, Goliad, Stockdale and La Vernia. Several of the towns will host hospitality stops for the cruisers. Along the way will be live entertainment, community museum tours, tours of historic sites and shopping opportunities. Anyone is welcome to participate, even if not associated with a car club. Departures from the Botanical Gardens lot will be staggered, from 8-9:30 a.m. For more information, contact the tourism department at (210) 362- 5220 or visit www.aacog.com/tourism. ************************************************ From mysanantonio.com April 30, 2007 San Antonio socked by storm A CPS Energy spokeswoman said about 27,000 customers were without power after a severe thunderstorm passed through the area. Crews were around the city working to restore power. The National Weather Service has extended a severe thunderstorm warning for Guadalupe County until 1 p.m. The flash flood watch continues until midnight for the following counties: Atascosa, Bandera, Bastrop, Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Baldwell, Comal, De Witt, Dimmit, Edwards, Fayette, Frio, Gillespie, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hays, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kinney, Lavaca, Lee, Llano, Maverick, Medina, Real, Travis, Uvalde, Val Verde, Williamson, Wilson and Zavala. The line of thunderstorms from the west, moving east, were expected to drop 1 to 3 inches of rain. Pea sized hail and winds up to 50 mph have also been reported with these storms. Firefighters are responding to several high water rescues calls around San Antonio. A severe thunderstorm warning has also been issued for Guadalupe County until 12:30 p.m. ************************************************