Karnes Co. TX - NEWS - February 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. ************************************************ February 07, 2007 Most area lawmakers support Perry's plans BY PATRICK BRENDEL - VICTORIA ADVOCATE Local lawmakers gave positive feedback, for the most part, regarding Gov. Rick Perry's biennial State of the State address on Tuesday. But Republican Rep. Mike O'Day wants to know where the money will come from to finance the governor's plans, while Republican Sen. Glenn Hegar said he would reserve judgment until seeing the specifics of the proposals. Rep. John Zerwas, also a Republican, is the only practicing physician in the Texas House. He declared that he could not support Perry's mandate to vaccinate Texas middle-school girls against the human papillomavirus (HPV). Sen. Judith Zaffirini, a Democrat from Laredo, expressed concerns about proposed cuts to existing university programs, but Rep. Geanie Morrison, a Republican from Victoria, disagreed with this characterization, saying instead that Perry is the first governor in decades to make higher education one of his top priorities. O'Day, who is from Pearland, represents Matagorda County. Hegar of Katy represents District 18, which includes Victoria, Calhoun, Colorado, DeWitt, Fayette, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Lavaca, Matagorda, Refugio and Wharton counties. Zerwas's district includes Wharton County. Zaffirini represents Bee and Karnes counties. Morrison represents Victoria, Refugio, Lavaca, Jackson and DeWitt counties.In his speech to both chambers of the Legislature, Perry broached topics on the reform of health care, education, border security, property taxes and the criminal justice system. He proposed raising funds in part by selling the Texas Lottery for an estimated $14 billion, then using the proceeds to set up endowments for uninsured people, for cancer research and for public education. Perry also spoke about developing new sources of energy, securing water rights and protecting parks and the environment. O'Day said these plans sounded good - especially concerning parks, health care and increased border security - but he expressed doubt that their implementation could be consistent with the notion of a conservative government. "He had some great ideas," O'Day said. "But I'm not sure we have the money to do all of them" He continued, "I'm for smaller government rather than larger. We're not supposed to tax and spend. I'm not sure where we're going to get the money for all the programs he talked about today." Hegar said he is looking forward to seeing specific, in-depth breakdowns of the budget from the Governor's Office. "He talked about a lot of different issues that I think are extremely important for people in the state of Texas for 2007, 2008 and in the coming years," he said. Hegar supported Perry's words on property taxes and home appraisals but maintained his position against mandatory HPV vaccinations for Texas middle-school girls. Hegar noted that the HPV vaccine, Gardasil (made by Merck), only protects against 70 percent of the kinds of HPV and that, so far, clinical trials have not shown the vaccine to be effective beyond five years. Rep. Zerwas, an anesthesiologist who represents Hegar's city of Katy, said in a news release Tuesday, "I cannot support extending the mandated childhood immunization program as preferred by the governor." He cited the Hippocratic Oath, which says "first do no harm." "While I respect the intentions behind the governor's actions, I also oppose the mandated social and moral ramifications this ill- advised order administers," Zerwas said. Sen. Zaffirini said in a news release that she applauds Perry's emphasis on education, and health care and human services. She supports Perry's proposals to expand the "Texas Early Start" program for preschoolers and also to increase funding for zero- interest "B-on-Time" student loans, which require that a student graduate on time and maintain a 3.0 grade-point average. Zaffirini said she is concerned about cuts to programs like the South Texas Border Initiative, a program approved in 1989 that brings millions of dollars to four-year public universities in south Texas. However, she added, "I remain optimistic that our state government will produce well-measured policies that will assist all Texas institutions." Rep. Morrison said she believes the governor "does not have any intentions to cut funding to South Texas schools at all." She noted that Perry included in his proposed budget full funding for the Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy on the Texas A&M- Kingsville campus, as well as for a four-year medical school in El Paso. She compared Perry's speech to a "roadmap" or a "first draft": "a layout of his plans, of what his priorities are." "I think it's so important that he's made higher education one of his highest priorities," Morrison said. Democratic Rep. Juan Garcia, whose district includes Calhoun County, said, "I hope Gov. Perry will deliver on the promises he made in today's speech." ********************************* From mysa.com February 9, 2007 Jeorge Zarazua Express-News Staff Writer A Karnes County manhunt ended this afternoon when authorities surrounded a house and found a county jail escapee hiding inside, officials said. No shots were fired and no one was injured in the hunt or recovery of Jason Daniel Cruz. Cruz, 22, of Karnes City , escaped from the jail at about 7:45 a.m. after placing a mattress over a razor-wire fence and then climbing on top of it, said Jail Administrator Amanda Fuentes. She said authorities are investigating how Cruz escaped from his holding cell and ran 15 to 20 feet to the fence before fleeing. Cruz was in the holding cell awaiting a magistrate hearing this morning on the drug charge. He was booked into the jail early this morning after a Kenedy police officer stopped his vehicle last night and found cocaine inside of it, Cruz said. Schools in Karnes City have been placed under lockdown as authorities combed a wooded area in search for Cruz. Schools were released at their regular time with no additional security measures taken. Texas Department of Public Safety helicopters had been called in to join in the search. ********************************* From mysa.com February 10, 2007 Karnes suspect exits jail for 1 day Jeorge Zarazua Express-News KARNES CITY — A 22-year-old local man who escaped from the Karnes County jail early Friday was captured after a daylong search when authorities found him hiding in the attic of a friend's house. He had been arrested on a cocaine possession charge when he made his escape across a mattress placed over a razor wire fence. Family members wailed as Jason Daniel Cruz was escorted out of the wood-frame home about 4:50 p.m. The house is about seven blocks from the jail. "Jason, Jason," they screamed, extending their arms toward him as he was led away in handcuffs. Cruz, wearing a red Nets basketball jersey and shorts, didn't respond. Sheriff David Jalufka said an anonymous caller told authorities Cruz had been dropped off at the house and had gone inside. Officers surrounded it and obtained the owner's permission to enter, Jalufka said. "You don't know how happy I am right now," Jalufka said of the capture. "This is a big weight off my mind." Cruz escaped from the county's 12-bed jail sometime between 6:45 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. Friday, using a green mattress from his cell to climb the fence, said Jail Administrator Amanda Fuentes. She said an investigation is under way on how Cruz was able to get from his cell to an adjacent back courtyard. He had been awaiting arraignment after his arrest about 12:30 a.m. Friday in Kenedy. A police officer stopped his vehicle and allegedly found 7 grams of cocaine inside, Fuentes said. Crestino Soto Guerra, 76, a custodian, was drinking coffee on the courthouse's top floor and saw Cruz walking "like he wasn't worried about anything" through the parking lot and across the street. Guerra said he didn't realize a jailbreak was occurring because Cruz was still wearing the clothes he was arrested in, not a prisoner uniform. Jalufka said Cruz headed to his uncle's house, where he was turned away, then headed north toward other relatives' houses seeking help. State and local law enforcement agencies participated in the search. Public schools were placed on lockdown but did not close early. Nathan Moore, 17, a high school senior, said students seemed unafraid during the lockdown. "They covered up the windows with paper and basically restricted where you went," he said. Moore said many students knew Cruz. He described him as harmless and "a nice guy." Jalufka agreed, saying he was perplexed that Cruz would attempt escape, since this was his first felony charge and he was a candidate for probation. Cruz had been arrested on several misdemeanor charges, most recently last month, on a driving while license suspended charge. "Now this young man's life will be turned around immensely" because a conviction on an escape charge carries a mandatory 15-year prison term, Jalufka said. ********************************* From mysanantonio.com February 9, 2007 UPDATE: Karnes County escapee caught at friend's house Jeorge Zarazua Express-News Staff Writer A Karnes County manhunt ended this afternoon when authorities surrounded a house and found a county jail escapee hiding inside, officials said. No shots were fired and no one was injured in the hunt or recovery of Jason Daniel Cruz. Cruz, 22, of Karnes City , escaped from the jail at about 7:45 a.m. after placing a mattress over a razor-wire fence and then climbing on top of it, said Jail Administrator Amanda Fuentes. She said authorities are investigating how Cruz escaped from his holding cell and ran 15 to 20 feet to the fence before fleeing. Cruz was in the holding cell awaiting a magistrate hearing this morning on the drug charge. He was booked into the jail early this morning after a Kenedy police officer stopped his vehicle last night and found cocaine inside of it, Cruz said. Schools in Karnes City have been placed under lockdown as authorities combed a wooded area in search for Cruz. Schools were released at their regular time with no additional security measures taken. Texas Department of Public Safety helicopters had been called in to join in the search. ********************************* From ecanned.com February 10, 2007 Karnes County Five-Year Industry Employment Change From the 12 industries (4-digit NAICS) with sufficient data reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in each quarter, 5 reported job growth in the duration of the last five years and 7 industries reported a drop in employment. In Karnes County, Texas, the aggregate employment for all industry sectors has decreased by 121 total jobs between the 2nd Quarter of 2001 and 2nd Quarter of 2006. Total Five-Year Employment Growth in Karnes County Of the industries (4-digit NAICS) in the area, the Support activities for mining industry has grown the most with 62 total jobs brought in during the period. The growth in the Support activities for mining industry makes up 59.0 percent of the growth in Karnes County. Top 5 Industries 1. Support activities for mining (62 new jobs) 2. Gasoline stations (17 new jobs) 3. Child day care services (16 new jobs) 4. Private households (6 new jobs) 5. Accounting and bookkeeping services (2 new jobs) Total Five-Year Employment Decline in Karnes County Given the industries in the area, the Farm product raw material merch. whls. industry has lost the most employment with a total loss of 36 jobs during the period. The employment lost in the Farm product raw material merch. whls. industry make up 57.5 percent of the total employment decline in Karnes County, Texas. Top 5 Industries 1. Farm product raw material merch. whls. (36 jobs lost) 2. Full-service restaurants (16 jobs lost) 3. Legal services (6 jobs lost) 4. Health and personal care stores (3 jobs lost) 5. Building equipment contractors (4 jobs lost) Total industry employment has decreased by 5 percent since the 2nd Quarter figures of 2001. This change is greater than growth in the State of Texas, experiencing a gain of 4.8 percent from the 2nd Quarter of 2001. The losses the area experienced were greater than than the gain felt at the national level of 2.6 percent. Karnes County Five-Year Percentage Growth in Employment The Support activities for mining industry has experienced the largest percentage growth, expanding by 143.1 percent from 2001 (2nd quarter) to 2006 (2nd quarter). This industry sector in Karnes County has grow faster than the overall industry growth seen in the State of Texas, where it saw a gain of 32.1 percent. The Support activities for mining industry in Karnes County outpaced the US in terms of percent growth of industry employment. During this period, the US gained 33.7 percent of the industry employment. Top 5 Industries 1. Support activities for mining (143.1 percent gain) 2. Private households (57.6 percent gain) 3. Child day care services (47.5 percent gain) 4. Gasoline stations (25.9 percent gain) 5. Building foundation and exterior contractors (16.7 percent gain) Karnes County Five-Year Percentage Decline in Employment The Legal services industry has lost the biggest percent of jobs, losing 44.2 percent of the jobs from the 2nd quarter of 2001 to 2nd quarter of 2006. The losses of the area have declined faster than the industry sector has gone through in the Texas, where the industry reported a gain of 7.7 percent. The losses in the Legal services industry in Karnes County outpaced the losses of nation as a whole in the industry. In this time period, the nation gained 8.3 percent in terms of employment in the Legal services industry. Top 5 Industries 1. Legal services (44.2 percent decline) 2. Farm product raw material merch. whls. (43.3 percent decline) 3. Health and personal care stores (17.4 percent decline) 4. Full-service restaurants (14 percent decline) 5. Offices of physicians (6.7 percent decline) ********************************* From kwtx.com February 11, 2007 Texas Seven Escapee Wants To Speed Up Execution A prison escapee who helped kill an Irving police officer on Christmas Eve 2000 notified court officials he wants to drop all appeals to speed up his execution. Michael Anthony Rodriguez would become the first member of the notorious Texas Seven escapees to face execution. Rodriguez was convicted of capital murder in May 2002 in the death of the police officer. Last month a judge ordered the 44-year-old Rodriguez to undergo psychological evaluation to determine whether he is competent to waive his appeals. Rodriguez wrote a letter dated Feb. 2 declaring his intention to seek dismissals of his appeals after the psychological evaluation. The inmates who became known as the "Texas Seven" overpowered some prison workers at the Connally Unit, near Kenedy in South Texas. They took the workers' clothes and fled in a pickup truck after taking 16 guns from the prison armory. They committed a string of robberies, ending with the Christmas Eve holdup at an Irving sporting goods store where officer Aubrey Hawkins. They were found a month later in Colorado. One committed suicide before he was captured. The other six were arrested and later convicted and sentenced to death. ********************************* From foxnews.com February 11, 2007 Man Seeks to Hasten His Execution in Texas DALLAS — One of the notorious Texas Seven, who escaped from prison and killed a police officer during more than a month on the run, has told court officials he wants to drop all appeals to speed up his execution. Michael Anthony Rodriguez, 44, would be the first of the escapees to face execution for the 2000 Christmas Eve killing. One of the escaped inmates killed himself before he could be captured. The five others are all on death row but are still appealing their sentences. At the time of their escape on Dec. 13, 2000, Rodriguez was serving a life sentence for hiring a hit man to kill his wife. The seven inmates overpowered workers at the prison system's Connally Unit, near Kenedy in South Texas. They took the workers' clothes, grabbed 16 guns from the prison armory and fled in a stolen truck. The escapees committed a string of robberies, ending with a Christmas Eve holdup at an Irving sporting goods store where officer Aubrey Hawkins, 29, was shot 11 times. Police caught up with the gang a month later in Colorado. In January, a judge ordered a psychological evaluation of Rodriguez to determine whether he was competent to waive his appeals. Once that evaluation is over, Rodriguez plans to seek dismissal of his appeals, he wrote in a letter dated Feb. 2. "I certainly appreciate the court respecting my wishes and protecting my constitutional rights," he wrote. "I am still going to move forward in this process." ********************************* From ksat.com February 12, 2007 Authorities: Inmate Says He Wants Death SAN ANTONIO -- A man convicted of murder in 1995 said he is ready to die. Michael Rodriguez, an inmate on death row, asked for no appeal to his death sentence through a request he filed, authorities said. Rodriguez was convicted of capital murder in the winter of 1995 for the 1992 murder-for-hire of his wife Theresa Rodriguez. He was sentenced to life in prison. However, in December of 2000, Rodriguez and six other inmates escaped from Connally prison in Kenedy, Texas. While on the run, the gang, known as the "Texas Seven," shot a police officer to death in Irving, Texas. After police recaptured Rodriguez, he was given the death penalty. Rodriguez has been on death row since the spring of 2002 and now wants the automatic appeals halted. District Attorney Susan Reed said that means bypassing any chance for sparing his life. "Once that is completed then it is a matter of the state Supreme Court or coming back or trying to go through the 5th Circuit here or federal habeaus proceedings," Reed said. "They can withdraw that." Death row records show an inmate can be executed in less than one year once the appeals process is abandoned. However, prison officials said that a realistic date would probably be between 18 months and two years from the time his request is made. ********************************* From mysa.com February 18, 2007 Track & Field: Area scouting report TOP INDIVIDUAL RETURNEES Boys Shot put: Todd Chapman, Uvalde (51-23/4) Discus: Chris Lee, Judson (174-111/2) Pole vault: Logan Cunningham, Smithson Valley (15-0) High jump: Isiah Clements, Judson (6-8) Long jump: Marcus Wright, Reagan (22-103/4) Triple jump: Melvin Echard, Smithson Valley (46-21/2) 100-meter dash: Randez James, Judson (10.28) 200-meter dash: Randez James, Judson (21.53) 400-meter dash: Trey Malone, Falls City (48-7) 800-meter run: Robert Worley, New Braunfels Canyon (1:54.53) 1,600-meter run: Lorin Wilson, Boerne (4:25.14) 3,200-meter run: Lorin Wilson, Boerne (9:41.26) 110-meter hurdles: Melvin Echard, Smithson Valley (14.17) 300-meter hurdles: Eric Cray, Madison (37.91) Girls Shot put: IJ Ubabuike, Warren (42-101/2) Discus: Caitlyn Gaston, Holmes (132-3) Pole vault: Ariana Ince, Gonzales (12-1) High jump: Miara Cave, Roosevelt, and Jade Randle, Navarro (5-8) Long jump: Aimee Jonas, La Vernia (18-01/2) Triple jump: Kia Wansley, Warren (38-21/2) 100-meter dash: Mecha Santos, Taft (11.68) 200-meter dash: Mecha Santos, Taft (24.61) 400-meter dash: Rachel Delgado, Churchill (57.23) 800-meter run: Julie Amthor, Smithson Valley (2:14.89) 1,600-meter run: Cara Patterson, Devine (5:05.06) 3,200-meter run: Alma Salinas, Luling (11:13.43) 100-meter hurdles: Aimee Jonas, La Vernia (14.17) 300-meter hurdles: Christina Holland, Judson (43.94) UIL STATE MEDAL RETURNEES Gold Class 4A boys 800-meter run: Robert Worley, New Braunfels Canyon (1:54.53) Class 3A girls pole vault: Ariana Ince, Gonzales (12-1) Silver Class 3A girls: Katie Miller, Bandera, 100-meter hurdles (14.84) and 300-meter hurdles (44.42) Class 2A girls 200-meter dash: Jayla McArthur, Randolph (24.79) Class A boys 200-meter dash: Trey Malone, Falls City (22.21) Class A boys 400-meter dash: Trey Malone, Falls City (49.68) Bronze Class 5A girls 800-meter run: Julie Amthor, Smithson Valley (2:14.89) Class 3A girls 3,200-meter run: Alma Salinas, Luling (11:13.43) GREATER SAN ANTONIO RECORDS Boys Shot put: 65-5, Millard Neely, Brackenridge, 1970 Discus: 195-8, Mark Koalenz, Judson, 2003 Pole vault: 16-3, Brad Settles, Churchill, 2002 High jump: 7-3, Ivan Wagner, Roosevelt, 1994 Long jump: 24-71/2, Herb Stevens, Highlands, 1962 Triple jump: 49-71/2, Michael Starks, Roosevelt, 1992 100-meter dash: 10.0, Mark McNeil, Sam Houston, 1980 200-meter dash: 20.58, Jerod Douglas, Judson, 1993 400-meter dash: 46.12, Darold Williamson, Holmes, 2001 800-meter run: 1:51.85, Will Schroeder, Reagan, 2005 1,600-meter run: 4:06.22, Ruben Reina, Jay, 1986 3,200-meter run: 8:56.02, Ruben Reina, Jay, 1986 110-meter hurdles: 13.38, Donnie Pinkerton, Clemens, 1999 300-meter hurdles: 36.48, Eric Jones, Judson, 1986 400-meter relay: 40.6, Judson, 1993 800-meter relay: 1:26.02, Judson, 2006 1,600-meter relay: 3:12.58, Madison, 2005 Girls Shot put: 48-5, Abby Ruston, Antonian, 2002 Discus: 151-8, Christina Mueller, Antonian, 2004 Pole vault: 12-0, Rebekah Tibbetts, Clemens, 2003 High jump: 6-01/2, Destinee Hooker, Southwest, 2005 Long jump: 21-4, Marshevet Hooker, Southwest, 2001 Triple jump: 41-93/4 Chaytan Hill, Judson, 2000 100-meter dash: 11.1, Marshevet Hooker, Southwest, 2002 200-meter dash: 23.48, Marshevet Hooker, Southwest, 2002 400-meter dash: 54.20, Liz Grow, New Braunfels, 1997 800-meter run: 2:10.80, Natalie Young, O'Connor, 2001 1,600-meter run: 4:52.87, Eva Duran, Jefferson, 1983 3,200-meter run: 10:26.92, Kathy Smith, Churchill, 1983 100-meter hurdles: 13.31, Angel Boyd, Judson, 2002 300-meter hurdles: 42.04, Anjanette Kirkland, Holmes, 1992 400-meter relay: 46.25, Judson, 2006 800-meter relay: 1:37.75, Judson, 2006 1,600-meter relay: 3:45.11, New Braunfels, 1998 KEY DATES Friday: First meets March 16-17: UTSA Relays April 2-14: UIL district meets April 4-7: Texas Relays April 27-28: UIL regional meets April 28: Last day for TAPPS district meets May 4-5: TAPPS state meet May 11-12: UIL state meet CONTACT US Meet results: Immediately after meets, please call (210) 250-3383, 3372, 3361, 3353 or 3391; or (800) 555-1551, ext. 3383, 3372, 3361, 3353 or 3391; e-mail to sports@express-news.net; or fax to (210) 250- 3351. Leaders: To report leaders for the Express-News weekly package, contact Burt Henry between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sundays at (210) 250- 3383 or (800) 555-1551, ext. 3383; e-mail to bhenry@express-news.net; or fax to (210) 250-3351. —Top returnees are compiled from research and from schools that responded to Express-News questionnaires. Not all schools responded. —Top returnees are compiled from schools in Greater San Antonio and 20 others outside that geographical area — Blanco, Center Point, Cotulla, Dilley, Falls City, Fredericksburg, Gonzales, Ingram Moore, Karnes City, Kenedy, Kerrville Tivy, Knippa, Luling, McMullen County, Nixon-Smiley, Pearsall, Sabinal, San Marcos, Uvalde and Utopia. ********************************* From dailytimes.com February 23, 2007 Warriors roll into tourney title game KENEDY — Need a cure for a young infield? Bubba Walters recommends solid pitching. That’s what the Ingram Tom Moore baseball team got Thursday, when the Warriors rolled into the championship game of the Kenedy Tournament. Charles Collier used an efficient 31 pitches to record six strike outs in just three innings of ITM’s 18-1 rout of Louise in the first game of the day, and JoJo Martinez negated some defensive slips in the second, rolling up 11 strikeouts in the Warriors’ 7-4 win over Three Rivers. “We’ve got five sophomores in the infield,” said ITM coach Walters, who lost nine seniors to graduation after last season. “We’re just going to have to learn to be patient and not get rattled when they make mistakes. Hopefully, when district rolls around, those problems will be gone.” The Warriors faced few problems in the first game, as Collier and Kyle Pieper combined to throw a five-inning one-hitter. ITM pounded out 16 hits and led 12-0 before giving up a run. Sam Bell had three hits, including a double, and Aaron Lewis had two hits, including a double. Andrew Bell and Caleb Dworsky each added two hits. In the second game, Martinez handcuffed Three Rivers on five hits, and had a 7-0 lead before four ITM errors let the Bulldogs pull close with four unearned runs. “JoJo took care of things,” Walters said. “He should have been out of it without any runs. He had a great curveball and a great changeup going.” Derek Holbrook led ITM, going 4-for-4 with a pair of doubles. The Warriors, now 2-0, will play in the championship game at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Game 1 ITM 426 15 — 18 16 0 Louise 001 00 — 1 1 3 Collier, Pieper (4) and Dworsky. Akuna, Blaha (3) and Sless. WP — Collier. LP — Akuna. 2B — S. Bell (ITM), Lewis (ITM). Records: Ingram Tom Moore 1-0, Louise 0-1. Game 2 ITM 320 002 0 — 7 10 3 Three Rivers 000 012 1 — 4 5 4 Martinez and Dworsky. Webber and Barker. WP — Martinez. LP — Webber. 2B — Holbrook (ITM) 2. 3B — Webber (TR). Records: Ingram Tom Moore 2- 0, Three Rivers 1-1. Tivy falls at Boeck tourney ********************************* From hopestar.com February 23, 2007 Without a home, but not without hope By GRACE LEONHART, Hope Star Community Editor On January 30, 2007, a group of dedicated people from all walks of life took it upon themselves to count the homeless population of Hope and Hempstead County. The effort was to improve their chances to enhance facilities which are already in place for the homeless population. Paul Henley, Hope City Parks director, had help from six students from the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope, who rode with city police to count the homeless population in the area. “Hope and Hempstead County are part of the Southwest Arkansas Homeless Coalition,” Henley said. “Little River, Sevier, Miller, and Lafayette counties are also part of the coalition, but Hempstead and Sevier counties are the leaders.” The Homeless Coalition will send the results of the count to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D. C. “We are trying to get a grant from HUD to help with transitional housing in Hope and Hempstead County,” Henley said. “Transitional housing would help people get established.” According to HUD, a person is considered homeless only when he/she resides in one of the places described below at the time of the count: Unsheltered homeless -- A person living in a place not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, and on the street. Sheltered homeless -- A person living in an emergency shelter or who is in transitional housing or supportive housing for homeless persons who originally came from the streets or emergency shelters. “There were 18 people at the shelter at the time of the count and four people at Hope in Action One,” Henley said. “We counted between 75 and 100 people who were homeless in the area, but didn't count the 130 students in the Hope Public School District who are considered homeless by the district's standards.” The district's standards are set up through the National Law Center and students are defined as homeless if the student lacks a fixed place to live or a regular place to live, which means a student going from place to place; an inadequate place to live, which means the habitation has no utilities hooked up; living in a hotel; or, living in a car. “The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was passed in Congress in 1987 to help homeless children and youth,” Linda Clark, social worker and homeless liaison for the Hope Public Schools, said. “This law gives these children the right to stay in school even if they move; enroll in a new school without proof of residency; get transportation to school; get all the school services they need, and challenge decisions made by schools and districts.” Although children are a part of the homeless population, the majority that Henley found are adults. “Some of the folks we found were living in abandoned houses, without utilities and one was living in the woods,” he said. “Some of the homeless want to be homeless, and some have some kind of illness, whether it be mental, such as drug or alcohol abuse, or physical.” A small segment of homeless people are people who have had a run of bad luck and just need a hand up. Such is the case of a couple now living at Fulton Square Apartments, but who had lived at the local homless shelter for a long time before fate and the Hope Housing Authority stepped in, and they were able to step up and out of being homeless. Rynda Clark grew up in Hope and Hempstead County. “My mom, Nelta Roberts, owned the old Hope Floral, when it was downtown, and my dad owned Paul Roberts Electric,” Clark said. “I graduated from Blevins High School in 1976. I moved away and last year, I decided to come home.” She and her husband, Arthur, made the decision to come back to Hope and called a friend to see if they had anything for rent. “We called her and she said she had a trailer for rent,” Clark continued, “so, we packed up, left Kenedy, Texas, and got here the next day. “When we arrived, the trailer was not in the best shape, but we tried to live in it for three weeks,” she said. “Conditions did not get any better, so, after three weeks, we left. We stayed in our vehicle for two or three days, and then we found out about Hope in Action No. 2.” The couple has gotten established in town, with Arthur working at the Sheltered Workshop and Rynda looking for work. They are grateful that the shelter is in Hope, and the help they received. “The food is good and the rooms are warm at the shelter,” Arthur said. “It beats staying in the van and we appreciate the help that has been given to us. We have made some real good friends there and Carroll and Helen Byers are really good people.” The couple is attending church at Unity Baptist Church and said that they “really liked Brother Tropp and the people of the church are nice.” In addition to enjoying church, the couple has several hobbies that they enjoy. Rynda enjoys drawing, reading and writing poetry. “I also love to crochet and have been helping some of the ladies at the senior center make hats for the children's hospital,” she said. “I also love to read, and am so glad there is a good library here. I have to get my Hope Star fix regularly, because I really enjoy the paper.” “I enjoy reading, too, but I like all kinds of technical stuff,” Arthur said. “I used to be a television repairman for 30 years in South Texas and still enjoy that.” The couple has said that they really appreciated the shelter, but are glad to get on their own once again. The Hope in Action Homeless Shelter, located on U.S. Highway 67, West in Hope, was originally established as a migrant center, but was converted to a shelter in the early 1990's. “Hope in Action was established by the Ministerial Alliance on January 1, 1986,” Henley said. “We have several programs under the Hope in Action umbrella, including the homeless shelter, on 67 West, transitional housing at 606 W. Third St., and services offered to the community through our office at the West Third location.” Henley said that each year, there are approximately 3,000 instances where people are helped by Hope in Action. The agency helps with food, utility bills, gas vouchers, and other services, when funds are available. Those funds come from churches, the minsterial alliance, United Way, some Federal Emergency Management Agency money for food, food drives throughout the community, and from citizens. “We run a really good operation here,” Henley said. “Police know where we're at, and both the sheriff and police departments work closely with us. Hope in Action and the community has a good working relationship, and hopefully, with this count, we can expand that relationship.” ********************************* From mysa.com February 23, 2007 Connally escapee's dad begins 10-year term Jeorge Zarazua Express-News FLORESVILLE — The frail and emotional father of one of the notorious Texas Seven prison escapees surrendered to authorities Friday morning to begin serving a 10-year jail sentence for providing the fugitives a getaway vehicle. Raul Rodriguez, 68, wept as he was taken into state custody at the Wilson County Courthouse. "He appeared to be beaten to death, both emotionally and physically," said Herbert Hancock, the special prosecutor assigned to the case. Rodriguez had been free on bond while his attorneys appealed the sentence, which a jury handed down nearly four years ago after the San Antonio businessman pleaded guilty to charges of escape and providing an instrument for escape. The 4th Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the sentence late last year, rebuking a claim, among others, that Rodriguez shouldn't be held liable for the crimes his son, Michael, and six others committed following their escape from the Connally Unit near Kenedy. The most serious was the Christmas Eve 2000 shooting death of an Irving police officer. Michael Anthony Rodriguez, who was among the fugitives convicted in the capital murder, recently notified the court he wants to drop all appeals to speed up his execution. When he escaped, he was serving a life sentence, along with his other brother, Mark, for hiring a hit man to kill his wife, Theresa. Friday morning, the father walked into the Wilson County courtroom with only an attorney accompanying him. "He wanted to spare his family the pain of separation," his attorney, Mark Stevens of San Antonio, said. Stevens said he asked state District Judge Ron Carr to consider giving Rodriguez "shock" probation (where an inmate is briefly incarcerated before he is freed) because of his client's age and poor health. Carr agreed to review the request after Rodriguez served at least six months in prison. His attorneys claim the father was blinded by love for his eldest son when he arranged for a 1989 GMC Suburban to be left at a Wal-Mart in Kenedy for the fugitives to use. Patsy Gomez, a friend and former employee at Rodriguez's West Side convenience store, testified Rodriguez gave her $3,700 to buy the used vehicle and another $300 with instructions to place the cash under the mat on the front seat and the key in the muffler. Gomez was sentenced to 10 years' probation for her part in the crime. Stevens said although Rodriguez's family wasn't with him in court Friday, they continue to love and support him. "They've been realizing for years now that this is one day that might have to come." Stevens declined to comment about Rodriguez's son's request to speed up his execution. ********************************* From dailytimes.com February 26, 2007 Warriors roll to tournament title KENEDY — Bubba Walters is generally a pretty easy guy to get along with. But, even after Ingram Tom Moore whacked host Kenedy 12-2 on Saturday to take the Lions’ tournament, the Warriors’ coach said he expects more. “We played well enough to win,” Walters said after ITM improved to 3- 0 on the season. “I feel we are a long way from reaching our potential. This is a very young team that needs to continue to grow and get better on a daily basis.” Phew ... tough boss. Especially when you consider the fact that Charles Collier earned his second win in as many starts, holding Kenedy to seven hits and striking out six in the five-inning game. And, the fact that Jo Jo Martinez, Sam Bell and Derek Holbrook earned all-tournament honors, with Holbrook landing the nod for MVP. “Charles did an outstanding job this weekend and really deserved to be all-tournament also,” Walters said. Caleb Dworsky, as well, made a bid for tournament honors, catching his third straight game and getting two hits and driving in three runs Saturday. The Warriors play at Lanier on Tuesday, then host the Hill Country Classic tournament beginning Thursday. ITM 12, KENEDY 2 ITM 202 26 — 12 8 2 Kenedy 002 00 — 2 7 3 Collier and Dworsky. Alejeo, Aloniz (4), Garcia (6) and Garcia. WP — Collier. LP — Alejeo. Records: ITM 3-0. Tivy tops Fredericksburg FREDERICKSBURG — Tivy improved to 2-3 on the season with a 13-3 win over Fredericksburg in the Ererle Boeck Tournament on Saturday. Details from the game were not made available. The Antlers play at Marble falls on Tuesday. ********************************* From mysa.com February 26, 2007 Can Karnes save its courthouse? Jeorge Zarazua Express-News KARNES CITY — Karnes County Clerk Alva Jonas grew tired of the dirt and dust falling from an exposed brick wall near her desk, so she had courthouse maintenance workers put up plywood to cover it. That was the easy part. How to keep the entire courthouse from literally falling apart has proven more difficult, especially since the area's farm and ranch economy generates little cash for county officials to correct the problem. Architects discovered two additions to the courthouse are pulling the building in two directions. County Judge Alger Kendall Jr. knows something needs to be done, as signs of the courthouse's crumbling condition multiply with each passing month. Recently, the floor inside the district courtroom buckled, leaving half the room slanted to one side. Cracks can be found throughout the building's interior and exterior, and several large pieces of plaster have fallen off the walls. Kendall said the county's only hope in salvaging the courthouse, which was built in 1894, is for the state to renew its Historic Courthouse Preservation Program and grant the county most of the estimated $6 million needed to restore it. “If not, then we're out of the ballpark,” the judge said, “because we don't have that kind of funding, nor do we have the ability to borrow it.” For almost two years, the state hasn't issued any grants to restore or renovate county courthouses because of questions raised over whether the projects qualify for federal transportation enhancement funds. The federal money normally pays for such things as tourist or visitor centers, highway landscaping projects and hike and bike trails. The Texas Historical Commission has sought a clarification from the Federal Highway Administration to allow it to use at least a portion of the $80 million in transportation enhancement funds the 79th Texas Legislature allocated to the program in 2005. The commission singled out five courthouses last summer that had the strongest links to transportation history, including those in La Salle and Comal counties. “We have not received any response to that,” said Debbi Head, an agency spokeswoman. For the next biennium, the commission decided to appropriate $80 million within its own budget to continue the program, Head said. She said the agency is optimistic the current Legislature will approve its budget, with funding for courthouse preservation intact. Annie Sauser, an associate with FisherHeck Architects of San Antonio, said Karnes County has a shot at getting some of that money. FisherHeck helped restore the Atascosa County Courthouse, which was rededicated in 2003. Karnes County needs to submit its new restoration goals to the Texas Historical Commission before September to ensure eligibility for potential state grants, Sauser said. To help complete the application, the firm is seeking pictures of the Karnes County Courthouse showing how it looked before its center tower and four corner peaks were removed, she said. Sauser said restoration plans include tearing down two 1920s-era additions to the main courthouse, including portions of Jonas' county clerk office and the county commissioners' chamber. Jones said the additions were built without any expansion joints. “If we want to stop the stress that's being applied to this building, we have to remove and destroy these two additions,” Sauser said. Despite the courthouse's dilapidated appearance, its employees and visitors shouldn't be afraid of it falling on top of them, said Lawrence Calvetti, a structural engineer for WSC Inc. of San Antonio, which is working with the architect on restoration efforts. “It's a perception thing,” Calvetti said. ********************************* From dailytexanonline.com February 27, 2007 South Texans have second thoughts on nuclear power By Ana Wolfowicz In their quest to tout the advantages of nuclear power, its proponents have neglected to examine the dangerous shortcomings of uranium mining and its negative impacts on South Texas. Ask residents of Goliad and Kleberg counties about uranium mining, and you may learn that citizens of both have publicly opposed continued mining operations in their communities. Goliad County passed a resolution to oppose the start of uranium mining operations in October 2006 after Uranium Energy Corp. began drilling exploratory test wells. The community fears that uranium mining operations will contaminate their water with dangerous levels of radioactive waste. The company has every intention to continue their drilling and plans on commencing mining in 2009, despite the pleas of local residents and officials. In nearby Kleberg County, county officials have recently acquired council to aid them in seeking an injunction against Uranium Resources Inc. A 2004 agreement with Kleberg County and URI stipulated that the company could continue mining as long as they repaired the damage done by their original operations. The Environmental Protection Agency warned Kleberg residents in 2005 that their groundwater contained unsafe levels of uranium and strongly advised against drinking it - an indicator that URI has not made good on its word. Texas already has a long history of uranium mining operations endangering public health through their release of radioactive waste. The town of Panna Maria, the oldest Polish settlement in the United States, became a ghost town after Chevron opened a nuclear waste dump and began mining there in 1977. Shortly after, the town's soil and groundwater supply experienced high elevations of radioactivity. Citizens led massive opposition against Chevron in the 1980s, citing severe health impacts related to radioactive contamination. According to the EPA, uranium mining releases harmful radioactive waste, such as radionuclides, which include radon, radium and uranium, into surrounding bodies of water, putting people and ecosystems at risk. Exposure to radon has been shown to cause kidney failure, chronic lung disease, and tumors in the brain, bones, lungs and nasal passages. Clearly, uranium mining hurts Texans. Supporters of uranium mining claim that their form of mining, known as in-situ leaching, is environmentally safe, but evidence shows the contrary. In the last 10 years, the Texas Department of Health Services has cited several instances of radioactive waste spills by uranium mining companies, including Cogema Inc.'s 1998 spill of more than 20,000 gallons of radioactive solution in Bruni, Texas. These spills put entire communities at risk, and it's no wonder that Goliad and Kleberg counties don't want the burden of satisfying the nation's appetite for nuclear power. So before you preach the benefits of nuclear power, please listen to the cries of South Texas and look deeper into the hidden cost uranium mining has on our state. *************************************** From ecanned.com February 27, 2007 Karnes County Industry Wages Lag Behind Texas, and Wages Lag Behind the United States The average total wages in all industries in Karnes County, Texas can be described as relatively low when compared to other Counties throughout the state in the 2nd quarter of 2006. The industry wages are 45 percent lower than the with an state average of $41,186. The overall industry wage was less than the overall average in the United States of $40,259. About: These facts are part of the eCanned.com Industry Analysis Series. Datasource: U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Private Sector Employment Only.