Karnes Co. TX - NEWS - July 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 July 11, 2007 County hires firm for drainage plan By Michael Cary GUADALUPE COUNTY - As housing development increases in the western part of the county, the need for planning how to avoid flooding in those areas has become critical. Guadalupe County Commissioners on Tuesday hired the San Antonio- based engineering firm Klotz Associates Inc. to develop a master drainage plan for the Santa Clara and Town Creek watersheds, with a goal of preventing the loss of lives and property to floodwaters. Both creeks eventually flow into Cibolo Creek, which then flows into the San Antonio River to the south in Karnes County. "There is no doubt that the county is in need of a master drainage plan," County Judge Mike Wiggins said Tuesday. "The drainage problems are not going to get easier, they're going to get worse. We are all aware that we need to do something. Yes, it will cost money, but it will be well spent," Wiggins said. He identified the 64-square-mile Santa Clara Watershed, which includes a portion of Schertz and the cities of Cibolo, Marion and Santa Clara, as a high-profile growth area that will experience drainage and flooding problems as density increases. Alan Thompson, engineer for Klotz Associates, said his firm's goal as it develops the first phase of a master drainage plan for the county is to "save lives and protect property." He said the master plan would help identify flood plains and the infrastructure needed to prevent the flood plains from getting larger as development increases. The cost of the Santa Clara Watershed phase of the master drainage plan will be $131,500. Thompson pointed out that the Federal Emergency Management Agency bases its flood plain maps on currently existing developments, but they would not be accurate in 2010 or 2012 because of the fast-paced growth of subdivisions. Thompson said the master plan will address growth and flooding issues in the Santa Clara Watershed as the first phase of a rolling 10-year capital improvements plan to eventually cover the entire, 711- square-mile Guadalupe County. The project scope will include a study of current stormwater management practices, inventory of and assessment of stream crossings, ultimate development conditions and flood plain delineation, and a master drainage plan/capital improvement plan. Interviews with residents to identify a public perception of problems and needs will be included in the development of the master plan. Thompson said Klotz Associates will identify flooding issues, develop strategies to mitigate flooding and propose infrastructure improvements. The project will take 270 working days to complete. County Road and Bridge Superintendent Larry Timmermann said once the county has a master plan, it could apply for drainage improvement grants from entities such as the Texas Water Development Board. He also said FEMA awards grants to local governments that have identified solutions to drainage problems - without or without a master drainage plan. "We can't stop the water from coming into the county, but if we focus on local watersheds, we can mitigate flooding on smaller streams," Thompson said. County Commissioners also approved a contract with Indigent Healthcare Solutions of Conroe to provide a computer software system that would allow the county to save nearly $15,000 out of the $18,000 it recently spent on health care for jail inmates. The software will allow the county auditor or the sheriff's office to access Medicaid and prescription codes to save money for jail inmate health care. The idea is to use the proper forms and codes for Medicaid reimbursement rather than having to pay retail prices for medical care for jail inmates. IHS President Robert Baird said 85 Texas counties currently are saving money by using his program. "A good rule of thumb is a 75 percent savings. With jail prisoners you're only one emergency room visit from breaking the bank. I've seen prisoners released from jail because they are sick," Baird said. ************************************************ From home.businesswire.com July 11, 2007 Avalon Reports Janssen #1A June 2007 Production Numbers MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Avalon Oil & Gas, Inc., (OTCBB:AOGN) is pleased to announced that the Janssen #1A, Karnes County, Texas produced 8,062 MCF of gas and 163 Barrels of condensate in June 2007. Avalon owns a 15% working interest in the well. The well is operated by Tradestar Resources (TSRR.PK) Hot Springs, Arkansas. The well was perforated at approximately the 10,300 foot interval in the Roeder Sand (Wilcox Sand Series). The well was perforated with 6,000 feet of water fluid in the tubing to help prevent any extreme gas pressure blowing the perforation tools up the hole. The well has been flowing at an average rate of 250 MCF per day, along with 10 barrels of high grade condensate. "We are very pleased with the initial production from this well", stated Avalon CEO, Kent Rodriguez. At present the well is flowing into the sales line without the need of a gas compressor. It is anticipated that a small gas compressor will be required to maintain a consistent daily flow rate. This is to prevent the possibility of not being able to overcome the pipeline pressure being too high for the wells' natural flowing pressure to enter into the sales line. The Janssen # 1A has a gas sales contract that fluctuates monthly with the Houston Ship Channel price index. The liquid condensate will be sold at the monthly spot price for product in the regional Texas area. Avalon will receive its first revenue distribution in July for the hydrocarbon products sold from the Janssen #1A well. Total reserves are estimated to be 75,000 to 100,000 barrels of condensate and 3 to 4 BCF of gas (billion cubic feet of gas). The well is located in an area that is very active in gas and oil production. There are several nearby wells that produce natural gas in excess of over 1 million cubic feet per day. This well should produce revenues for many years to come. About Avalon Oil & Gas, Inc. Avalon Oil & Gas, Inc. is an oil and gas company engaged in the acquisition of oil and gas producing properties. In addition, Avalon's technology group acquires and develops oil production enhancing technologies. Through its strategic partnership with UTEK, Inc, (ASE:UTK) a transfer technology company, Avalon is building an asset portfolio of innovative technologies in the oil and gas industry to maximize enhancement opportunities at its various oil and gas properties. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements, which may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Avalon Oil & Gas, Inc., and members of its management as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, please visit the company's website at www.avalonoilinc.com. Avalon Oil & Gas, Inc., Minneapolis Kent Rodriguez, 952-746-9655 Fax 952-746-5216 ************************************************ July 17, 2007 Always point gun away from others BY SONNY LONG - VICTORIA ADVOCATE CUERO - The tragic accident in Karnes County on Friday that took the life of a 2-year-old is a solemn reminder of rules that should be followed when handling firearms. Law enforcement investigators said the toddler's father was "disassembling" a handgun he was not familiar with when it fired and struck the child. Cuero Police Chief Glenn Mutchler said his first rule in firearm safety is, "always handle it like it's loaded. Then double check to make sure it's not loaded. Then check it again. It's also a good idea if there is no one else in the area if you are going to clean a weapon." Mutchler said a person should also become familiar with the weapon, including reading any literature that came with it if purchased new. National Rife Association guidelines are adamant about safety when cleaning a firearm. According to the NRA, "Before cleaning your gun, make absolutely sure that it is unloaded. The gun's action should be open during the cleaning process. Also, be sure that no ammunition is present in the cleaning area." The NRA also lists three basic rules for gun safety: Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. This is the primary rule of gun safety. A safe direction means that the gun is pointed so that even if it were to go off it would not cause injury or damage. The key to this rule is to control where the muzzle or front end of the barrel is pointed at all times. Common sense dictates the safest direction, depending on different circumstances. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. When holding a gun, rest your finger on the trigger guard or along the side of the gun. Until you are actually ready to fire, do not touch the trigger. Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. Whenever you pick up a gun, immediately engage the safety device if possible, and, if the gun has a magazine, remove it before opening the action and looking into the chamber(s) which should be clear of ammunition. If you do not know how to open the action or inspect the chamber, leave the gun alone and get help from someone who does. ************************************************ July 17, 2007 Child buried after shooting accident Father was cleaning gun when he accidentally shot 2-year-old daughter BY SONNY LONG - VICTORIA ADVOCATE PANNA MARIA - A 2-year-old Karnes County girl was buried Monday afternoon after an accidental shooting took her life on Friday. Karnes County Sheriff's Office investigator Stephen Monsivais said the investigation is ongoing into the death of Neveah Ann Jansky, but "right now it looks like an accidental shooting. The father (Jason Clay Jansky) was disassembling a handgun when it discharged and hit the little girl in the neck. The baby was sitting in front of the television." Monsivais said the incident occurred about 6 p.m. Friday at the Jansky home on Farm-to-Market Road 81 in Panna Maria. "He had just gotten the gun and was breaking it down to learn how to clean it. He wasn't real familiar with it," said the investigator. "They called 9-1-1, but rushed the child to the hospital themselves. I believe she was dead on arrival." Karnes County Justice of the Peace Gilbert Garza ordered an autopsy. "I asked the Texas Rangers in, just as a second set of eyes," Monsivais said. Joe Baker, editor of the Countywide newspaper where Jason works as a reporter, said he thought that "considering the circumstances the family is doing pretty well. The whole community is grieving for the family." Both Jason and Neveah's mother, Jennifer Hons Jansky, spoke at the service Monday, and "hearing about Neveah and about their faith make me believe that with God's help they will come through this," said Baker. "They have a strong family support system around them, too, and that helps." Baker, who knew the toddler from visits to the newspaper office and seeing her with the Janskys around town, said Neveah was "a sweet little girl, a happy little girl that was always smiling." Neveah turned 2 in April. "It's been hard for everyone here, too. We all know each other so well. We are doing what we can to support the family," said Baker, who oversees a staff of five. "We are used to being on the other side of these type of stories. This time it has hit home. This will be one of the hardest stories I've ever had to write." Monday's funeral service was held at the First Baptist Church in Karnes City with burial in the Pilgersruh, also known as Mueller, Cemetery near Hobson under the direction of Rhodes Funeral Home. Neveah is also survived by older sister Larissa Mae, grandparents and great grandparents, among other relatives. ************************************************ From realestate.yahoo.com Kenedy Neighborhood Profile Location: Kenedy, TX 78119 Demographics Kenedy, TX 78119 National Average Population of Kenedy 7647 11535 Median Age 36.1 years 37.47 years Median Household Income $26188 $42350.95 % of Single Households 56.7% 41.53% % of Married Households 43.3% 58.46% % Families (homes w/ kids) 23.2% 24.32% Avg. Household Size 2.59 people 2.57 people % College or Better 6.7% 20.14% % White Collar 40.5% 47.14% Cost of Living Kenedy, TX 78119 National Average Cost of Living Index 67.1 99.52 Average Yearly Utility Cost 2267 3196.27 Average Household Total Consumer Expenditures $27290 per year $41075.28 per year Average Household Education Expenditures $260 per year $450.93 per year Average Household Entertainment Expenditures $1305 per year $2207.08 per year Average Household Transportation Expenditures $923 per year $1563.85 per year Average Household Retail Expenditures $12202 per year $18600.46 per year Average Household Non-RetailExpenditures $15088 per year $22474.81 per year Quality of Life Kenedy, TX 78119 National Average Average Winter High Temperature 56.9 degrees 41.29 degrees Average Winter Low Temperature 41.9 degrees 22.88 degrees Average Summer High Temperature 95.7 degrees 86.56 degrees Average Summer Low Temperature 72.6 degrees 62.35 degrees Average Annual Precipitation 33.9 inches 38.69 inches Air Quality Index 76 44.59 Total Crime Index 1 3.60 Personal Crime Index 1 3.43 Culture Index 54 93.65 ************************************************ From statesman.com July 20, 2007 Much of Central Texas under flash flood warnings, watches With heavy rain slowly sliding into the area, the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for much of Central Texas, and the entire area is under a flash flood watch until Saturday morning. Travis County is under a flash flood warning for the second time today. Heavy rain is moving north up the Interstate 35 corridor, causing numerous road closings. The flash flood warning is in effect until 7:15 p.m., and includes Travis, Hays, and several counties to the south and west of Austin. A warning means that flash flooding is happening. A watch means it could happen soon. The weather service said up to 3 inches of rain could still fall by 7 p.m. Travis and Williamson counties were under a flash flood warning earlier today, but at 12:45 those warnings expired. The second push of storms caused the re-issuance of the warning for Travis. ************************************************ From kltv.com July 26, 2007 State prepares emergency teams for more rain Rain and flooding have led to some road closures today in Nueces, Jim Wells, Live Oak, Refugio, Karnes and San Patricio counties. The water-over-the-road list includes a stretch of Interstate 37 near Corpus Christi. Meanwhile, the threat of more heavy rain in parts of Texas has prompted Governor Rick Perry to get emergency resources ready. Search and rescue teams have been pre-positioned to deal with storms that are expected across the state through the weekend. Two state swift water rescue teams, plus a Coast Guard helicopter and swift water rescue team, are ready in San Antonio. Six Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens with three boats and a Texas Forest Service Incident Management Team are also positioned in San Antonio. About 60 military personnel and 20 high-profile vehicles are on standby. Information from Corpus Christi Caller-Times: http://www.callertimes.com Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. ************************************************ From mysa.com 07/27/2007 Farmers fear 'total disaster' if rain doesn't stop William Pack Express-News Business Writer The nourishing rains in March and April were a godsend to South Texas farmers and ranchers after a searing two-year drought drained their hopes and pocketbooks. But the pounding rains of late June and July have covered lush fields of grain sorghum and hay with impenetrable muck, and crop quality dwindles. In the process, farmers have scaled back their dreams of a banner year, and some fear they could come out losing again. "It's pretty devastating," said David Dreibrodt as he checked his muddy fields north of Seguin. "It's just a total disaster the way it looks now." Farther south along the coast, San Patricio County farmer Bobby Nedbalek worked until about 3 a.m. Tuesday after a dry spell allowed a combine with four-wheel-drive traction to slog through his sorghum fields. It's leaving his land badly rutted, but it's his only option to salvage what once looked like the area's best sorghum crop in decades. "There are a lot of worried farmers and bankers," said Nedbalek, vice president of the Texas Farm Bureau. "You absolutely are sick to see the best grain crop you've ever had, and there's too much water in the field to harvest it." Farmers across South Texas into the Rio Grande Valley share that feeling after watching rain fall for days just as they were preparing to harvest grain and cut hay. The National Weather Service has said San Antonio is experiencing its second-wettest July on record with more than 11 inches fallen so far. New Braunfels has recorded more than 16 inches of rain this month and Corpus Christi more than 17 inches, the weather service said. The economic loss is impossible to calculate until the crops are gathered, their quality assessed and the yield measured. But for a nearly $2 billion industry in South Texas that was hoping to take advantage of rising corn and grain prices, this harvest is likely to instead yield frustration and pain. "It almost looked too good to be true," Nedbalek said. "It's not turning out to be as good as we hoped." People were hoping for a "home run kind of year" when the season began, said Harvey Buehring, Texas A&M University's agricultural extension agent in Nueces County. "As it is, we're struggling to get around the bases," he said. The crops most at risk currently are hay, which had to be imported from other states during last year's drought, and grain sorghum. Most of the sorghum already would be harvested in South Texas during normal conditions. The quality of mature hay falls the more it's rained on, and it can't be baled if conditions are too soggy, officials said. In addition, some fields of watermelon and cantaloupe in the Winter Garden area won't be harvested because of flooding, said Marcel Valdez, an A&M extension agent in Zavala County southwest of San Antonio. While much of the sorghum crop remains to be harvested, particularly in counties east of San Antonio, it also is developing quality problems the longer rains fall on fields. Mold and mildew problems arise, and mature kernels sprout when they are too wet, which significantly reduces their value. If it has too much sprouting, the sorghum can't be sold in export markets, said Horace Luensmann, longtime manager of the Producer's Co- op in New Braunfels. Much of the area's sorghum crop goes to that market, he said. "If it would quit (raining) now, we would probably be OK," Luensmann said. "But who knows? We're not in control of that." Jeff Nunley, executive director of the South Texas Cotton & Grain Association, said even though sorghum is drawing a good price, crop damage of more than 25 percent would leave farmers struggling to cover their costs. And in wetter areas, the damage is "pretty extensive," Nunley said. Corn, which boomed in popularity this year because of price increases, is the next crop ready for harvest, and cotton will come out after that. Excessive rainfall and standing water deprive crops of the nitrogen and oxygen they need, said Dennis Hale, Karnes County's agricultural extension agent. If the torrent does not subside soon, an excellent year for sorghum and corn production could quickly become average at best. ************************************************ From heralddemocrat.com 07/29/07 Texas getting ready for more flood assistance Associated Press Heavy rain was expected to continue in Texas through the weekend, prompting the governor’s office to preposition state assistance, including search and rescue teams. Central and South Texas have been deluged. Flooding led to road closures Thursday in Nueces, Jim Wells, Live Oak, Refugio, Karnes and San Patricio counties. The forecast storm line stretches from Laredo north to the Dallas area. Gov. Rick Perry said the state will provide assistance to those areas as local officials indicate they need help. In saturated Austin, more rain and thunderstorms were likely on Friday. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. The high should reach 85 degrees with the low falling to around 71. The chance of precipitation was 70 percent. In Laredo, scattered showers and thunderstorms were predicted, and some of the storms could produce heavy rain. The high should climb to near 92 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. Heat index values should climb as high as 102. The low temperature should fall to around 77. The chance of precipitation was 50 percent. A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 7 a.m. was forecast in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The high should climb to near 88 under mostly cloudy skies. The low should fall to around 74. “Because storms have saturated much of our state this summer, many of our communities are at risk of dangerous flash flooding. Places where 1 or 2 inches of rain normally wouldn’t cause concern could quickly turn into a life-threatening situation,” Perry said in a statement. “We will continue to work with local officials to provide the state resources necessary to ensure the safety of all Texas residents.” Two Texas Task Force 1 swift water rescue teams and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter and swift water rescue team have been prepositioned in San Antonio.