Karnes Co. TX - NEWS - May 2008 This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Kimm Antell Copyright. All rights reserved. http://files.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************ From victoriaadvocate.com May 01, 2008 Crossroads Calendar Victoria The Victoria Gem and Mineral Society will meet at 7 p.m. at the Victoria Electric Co-op, 102 S. Ben Jordan, Victoria. Ms. Joni Brown, Environmental Programs and Victoria Clean Cities Coordinator, will give a presentation on air quality in Victoria. This presentation will update current air quality problems in Victoria, what the future may hold and what actions citizens can take to improve air quality and respiratory health. For more information about this program please feel free to call Virginia Adian at 361-578-6567 or Harry A. Wagner at 576-2965. BodyTalk of Victoria and Linda Evans are offering a free presentation on Breakthrough, 7 to 9 p.m. Breakthrough is a system of steps designed to show us our built-in-defenses and deep seated, limiting beliefs from childhood that prevent us from living life fully. The presentation will be held at 506B Glascow St. American Legion Steak Night, 5:30 p.m. at American Legion Hall, 1402 E. Santa Rosa St., Victoria. For information, call Roger Walleck, 361- 573-2246, or Gary Moses, 573-2853. "The Women" by Clare Booth Luce at 7:30 p.m., at Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts, 214 N. Main St., Victoria. Tickets are $18. For information, call 361-576-6277 or visit www.theatrevictoria.org. Region 5 p.m.; serving from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The evening will include a live scholarship/benefit auction starting at 8:30 p.m. and a silent auction. Tickets are $25 per person for an all-you-can-eat meal with beverages. Tickets may be purchased at different locations and from any Colorado County Fair Board member. For information, call 979-234- 5981. Karaoke, 8 p.m. to midnight, Eagles Lodge, 2477 State Highway 111 East. Free admission. For information, call 361-782-6767. Shorty Long Band performs from 8 to 10 p.m. at The Bugle Boy, 1051 N. Jefferson St., La Grange. Cost: $15. For information, call 1-800- 838-3006 or visit www.thebugleboy.com. Bluebonnet Days Festival, Friday 6 to 11 p.m. Cajun night, shrimp boil, Cajun music, margarita contest; crafts, vendors, games, rides, entertainment, with events throughout the day in Kenedy. For information, call 830-583-3223 or www.kenedychamber.com. "The Foreigner,"doors open at 6:30 p.m.; meal at 7; play at 8. Tickets are $20 for the meal and play. No children under 4 years of age. Gaslight Theater, 802 N. Avenue E., Shiner. ************************************************ From rgj.com May 2, 2008 Etheleen NORD Etheleen Nord, age 82, passed away April 23, 2008 at her Fallon residence of natural causes. She was born July 17, 1925 in Kenedy, Texas. In 1947, Etheleen moved from Kenedy to Sacramento, CA. She spent the next 57 years there, raising her children and became a successful hair dresser. She was a member of the Southern Baptist Church. Ethel lived in Fallon the last four years where she could be closer to her daughter. She is survived by her children, Billy Paige, Jeanie Giebitz and Jimmy Paige. She is also survived by five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Etheleen was a woman of high moral character and was loved by all of us. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, April 26th at 11 a.m. at the Churchill County Cemetery under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Home in Fallon, 423-2255. ************************************************ From star-telegram.com May. 03, 2008 Pretty but destructive 'flower' turns up in Fort Worth area By SCOTT STREATER ARLINGTON -- Amanda Neill walked into a field along Interstate 20 and glided past the tall daisies, purple vetches and evening primroses before crouching in front of a small, blue-flowered plant that appeared at home with the native wildflowers. "This is it," said Neill, a botanist at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas. "It's pretty." But the branched broomrape she had come to see is no flower. It's a parasitic weed that, like some monster in a horror film, spreads out tentacle-like growths that attach themselves to the root system of an unfortunate plant, literally sucking the water and nutrients out of it. By any definition, this is one mean weed. Botanists use words like "evil" and "devastating" to describe it. Because it is a non-native species transported from Europe, it has no natural enemies in this area. Killing it is difficult. Because it has no roots, herbicides are useless. And it's spreading fast. State officials are concerned that its spread could destroy the crops that are a mainstay of the state's economy, such as soybeans and cotton. Neill discovered the branched broomrape along the highway by chance two weeks ago. She had stopped to pick some wildflowers for a botany class she teaches when she saw it. "I got up and I started looking around," she said. "I saw 10 of them, 20, 100. I said, 'Oh, no.'" Tarrant County is now the farthest northwest the weed has been spotted, said Robert O'Kennon, a biologist and vice chairman of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas' board of trustees. "Personally, I think we're probably never going to get rid of it," said Monique Reed, a herbarium botanist at Texas A&M's Biology Department. "It's something we're going to have to learn to live with." What is it? Branched broomrape (Orobanche ramosa) is a parasitic weed with either white or a blue flowers that look a little like those of snapdragons. It is spread by tiny seeds as fine as dust that can attach to clothes, farm and construction equipment, even animal droppings. Once in the soil, the seeds can lie dormant for decades before sprouting. The seeds -- as many as 50,000 per plant -- produce a rootlike growth that attaches to nearby plants, sucking the water and nutrients from the host. Where did it come from? The weed is native to southern and central Europe. It was transported here inadvertently by ship, first to Australia, then to Cuba and Mexico, and eventually California and Texas. Where is it found in Texas? A white-flowered form, different from that spotted this month in Tarrant County, was found in the state in 1981 in Karnes County in South Texas. In 1997, the blue-flowered form was discovered in Huntsville and has spread rapidly since then to 24 counties. In 2000, it was found in Limestone and Freestone counties, southeast of Dallas- Fort Worth, and eight other Central Texas counties. Two years ago, it turned up in Dallas County. Why is it a concern? The branched broomrape is known to grow on the roots of broadleaf crop plants such as tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, cabbage, bell peppers, celery and beans. A large infestation can be devastating, reducing crop yields by as much as half. What if I see it on my property? Pull it straight up out of the ground and immediately place it in a plastic bag. Do not walk around with the weed in your hand because you'll spread the seeds. Monique Reed, a herbarium botanist at Texas A&M University, recommends spreading a herbicide on the spot to prevent seed growth for several years. Online A group of federal, state and regional agencies formed the Pulling Together Initiative to manage non-native species in Texas. The initiative's Web site is www.texasinvasives.org. Sources: U.S. Agriculture Department; Texas Agricultural Experiment Station; Texas Cooperative Extension ************************************************ From thecountywide.com May 7, 2008 Commissioners Court votes to lift burn ban County jail passes inspection By Cathy Passmore Having to move the end-of-month Karnes County's Commissioners Court meeting from the third floor courtroom due to a heavy court caseload on Friday, April 30, County Judge Alger H. Kendall, Jr., after the opening prayer, called for a short recess until all could gather in the first floor drivers' license office. Once in the lower floor office, the commissioners heard from Work Force Solutions representatives Sarah Valdez and Michelle De Leon on the advantage of using their company to employ trained, qualified workers. Karnes County has a 5.5 percent unemployment rate at this time. The company acts as a liaison for the agencies needing employees and the workers needing to be employed. Michelle De Leon, the local representative for Karnes County, said that their company saves employees time as they recruit, screen, and train those available in the work force. Judge Kendall thanked them for their information and noted that the company had representatives speaking recently at a workshop here for commissioners from various counties in the area. Our representative at the workshop was Commissioner Darrel Blaschke, who said that he learned several industries were moving to South Texas, namely steel and military medical services. Although most would be locating in or near San Antonio, people seeking jobs could be trained to fill the positions. Constable Dennis Fenner then reported to the court that because of the mandated training required, he had doubled training time from 20 to 40 hours during the year 2007. He gave the officials copies of his report that included the gas mileage for the year. As noted by Sherriff David Jalufka, Fenner also acts as a bailiff when needed. Paul Bordovsky, chairman of the Evergreen Board, spoke next on the attempts to seed clouds for much needed rain and the plans to possibly buy a larger plane in order to seed the clouds at night. Commissioner Isidro "Stormy" Rossett asked, "How big a plane will be bought?" "We are looking at a twin engine plane," Bordovsky said. "The salt water issue is being solved in Atascosa County, and the studies going on regarding the recharge zone are doing well," Bordovsky added. "Most attention is being paid to the brackish water issue with some protests from landowners," Bordovsky stated, "while Karnes County, notably Falls City and El Oso, are doing pretty well with their well water." He also added that no Evergreen tax increase is expected at this time. The court decided and voted to lift the Burn Ban with the consideration of reinstating it, if needed, at the next Commissioners Court meeting on April 13. Those landowners intending to burn must still call to let the Sherriff's Office know when they are going to do so. Attention then turned to two bids that had gone out to sell a 1994 Ford tractor with a front end bucket and a 7 x 14 foot cattle guard from Commissioner Rossett's precinct. It was reported that no bids reached the minimum required for the truck, but the cattle guard bid of $244.44 from Laura Burney was accepted. The court voted to approve the renewal and extension of the lease agreement with the Texas Facilities Commission for the building at 191 N. Browne Street, the county nurse's office for another five years, until November 30, 2013. After returning from a 20 minute closed session, the court took no action on the sale of lots 3, 4, and 5, Block 22 in Karnes City, Texas. The item was tabled until the next meeting. They also tabled hiring a construction manager at this time, but approved hiring on an interim, hourly basis, Mark Bordovsky to use as needed concerning matters related to construction for the new county annex building. Before the close of the meeting, Judge Kendall brought the Commissioners some updates on several items. "The Karnes County jail passed the standards inspection with no deficiencies," Kendall said. This was confirmed by Sheriff Jalufka. It was stated that several other county jails did not fare as well as Karnes County. "The Colonial Planning Fund has grants available and all requests need to meet the deadline of August 1," Kendall said. Those interested may contact his office, he added. Anne Franke, county tax assessor, asked to go on record before the Commissioners Court that she would rather the Tax Assessor- Collector's office not be moved from its current location instead of moving to much smaller facilities in any new building. "As a tax-paying citizen as well as a tax collector, it would be more economical to stay where we are now." Franke said. She added that with the cost of things increasing and all having to tighten their budgets, she did not think it would be fair to spend additional money and get less space at the public's expense. Much discussion followed with concerns expressed about having public meetings with the judge and the commissioners in attendance to bring the latest information and to update the public who have been expressing their concerns and questions about the status of the proposed annex construction and preservation cost of the courthouse. It was agreed on by many present that now is the time to speak up and inform the citizens. "Any small groups of citizens who wish to meet with me about the status of the courthouse and the annex building will be able to do so by contacting my office," Kendall said. He added that planning for the annex and the courthouse will continue. ************************************************ From victoriaadvocate.com May 05, 2008 BACK-ROAD CHASES BY SONNY LONG CUERO - DeWitt County Sheriff's Department deputies detained 16 suspected illegal immigrants Monday morning, the third incident in the past nine days that has resulted in more than 30 people detained. "What's going on is that there is so much enforcement along U.S. Highway 59 and U.S. Highway 77 that it's natural for them to come up alternate routes and end up on (state) Highway 72 through Karnes County and eventually into DeWitt County," said Sheriff Jode Zavesky. "It happened last year, too. We ended up with quite a few." Zavesky said all three recent incidents initiated with attempted traffic stops by the county's new chief deputy John Oglesby. "Our new chief deputy is out and about learning the county roads and has come across these vehicles," the sheriff said. Monday's incident began shortly before 10:45 a.m. on state Highway 72 at Farm-to-Market Road 237. Oglesby tried to stop a van for a traffic violation and it sped away, eventually running into a ditch. Five people bailed out the front of the van and fled on foot, the sheriff said. Fifteen men and one woman were found in the back of the van and detained until officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement could arrive to take them. Deputies, officers from the Yorktown Police Department, Department of Public Safety troopers and Precinct 1 constable assisted in a search for those who fled. The search lasted about an hour before being called off. Zavesky said all 16 detainees were believed to be from Mexico. That wasn't the case in two incidents at the end of April. On April 27, Oglesby again at tempted a traffic stop, this time on U.S. Highway 183 South. Twelve to 15 people bailed out of a pickup, and seven were eventually detained. On Wednesday, Oglesby was on Farm to Market Road 2980 when a pickup came toward him in the wrong lane. He only saw one person in the truck, which pulled into a residence when the chief deputy turned around and attempted to stop it. As he approached, five people, including a child, bailed out of the truck. Five more people were discovered in the bed of the truck and were detained. "We called in DPS air support and track dogs from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Stevenson prison near Cuero," Zavesky said. Two women and a 7-year-old boy were eventually found and detained. "The two groups in late April were all from El Salvador and Honduras," the sheriff said. Zavesky said the county has put in claims on three pickup trucks seized in the first two incidents. A rental van was used in Monday's incident. ************************************************ From thecountywide.com May 7, 2008 Voters will choose city, school district officials in Saturday's elections Kenedy mayor and positions on all four local school boards are up for grabs Several local city and school board elections are scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 10. Incumbent Kenedy Mayor Randy Garza is being challenged by candidate Joseph Lang. Incumbent council members Felipe Leal and May Ann Sanchez are running unopposed. Regular Election Day voting will happen on this Saturday, May 10 at Kenedy City Hall from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Incumbent Kenedy ISD Place 2 Trustee Tony Mejia is being challenged by candidate Rosemary Vickery. Incumbent Kenedy ISD Place 3 Trustee Frank Nieto is being challenged by write-in candidate Alma Danmier. Regular Election Day voting for Kenedy ISD elections will happen on this Saturday, May 10 at Kenedy City Hall from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Karnes City officials all are running unopposed in the May 10 election. Incumbent Karnes City ISD Place 2 Trustee Rosendo Martinez has not filed for re-election. Voters will choose between candidates Daphne Bianchi and Darlene Puente to fill the Place 2 position. Incumbent Karnes City ISD Place 6 Trustee Trini Gamez will face challengers candidates Augustine Quintanilla and Daniel Leal. Incumbent Karnes City ISD Place 1 Trustee Dennis Mika is running unopposed as is incumbent Karnes City ISD Place 4 Trustee Terry Johnson. Regular Election Day voting for the Karnes City ISD elections will happen this Saturday, May 10 at Karnes City City Hall from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Falls City ISD trustees are elected at large. The top three candidates who receive the most votes will fill three positions on the school board. Incumbents Stephen Dziuk, Alfie F. Kowalik, Michael Pruski and challenger Jerry Jendrusch are all running for election to the three school board positions. Regular Election Day voting for the Falls City ISD election will happen this Saturday, May 10 at the Hobson Catholic Church Parish Hall, the Cestohowa Education Building and the Falls City ISD Auditorium from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Incumbent Runge ISD Trustee Oscar Caballero is being challenged by candidate James Troy Phillips. Incumbent Runge ISD Trustee Andrea Esparza is running unopposed. Regular Election Day voting for the Runge ISD elections will happen this Saturday, May 10, at the Runge VFW Hall from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ************************************************ From caller.com 05.06.08 Oil and Gas Report There were no new drilling permit applications for Aransas, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces or San Patricio counties. BEE COUNTY Anderson Oil LTD. of Corpus Christi has filed for a permit to drill the No. 10 Eberstadt to a depth of 5,800 feet in the Caeser N. (Pettus) field. The well will be 5.8 miles northwest of Pettus in the CEPI&M Co. Survey A-357. Anderson Oil LTD. of Corpus Christi has filed for a permit to drill a 4,000-foot wildcat well. The No. 1A Grissom will be 9.5 miles southwest of Kenedy in the J. M. Thurston Survey A-315. North Shore Energy LLC of Austin has filed for a permit to drill a 5,100-foot wildcat well. The No. 4 Nse O'Brien will be 18 miles east of Beeville in the M. O'Donnell Survey A-50. Pioneer Natural Res. USA, Inc. of Irving has filed for a permit to drill a 17,500-foot wildcat well. The No. 1 Monteola Gas Unit No. 2 will be 9.4 miles northwest of Pettus in the William C. Gill Survey A- 166. BROOKS COUNTY Coronado Energy E&P Company LLC of Houston has filed for a permit to drill the No. 619 McGill Bros. in the Kelsey (Vkxbg. Consol.) field. The well, which has a proposed depth of 13,035 feet, will be 8.5 miles northeast of San Isidro in the J. A. M. & A. M. Garcia Survey A- 214. DUVAL COUNTY Coronado Energy E&P Company LLC of Houston has filed for a permit to drill the No. 2 Welder Heirs 71 in the Seven Sisters S. (WCX Lo) field. The well, which has a proposed depth of 16,400 feet, will be 5.6 miles northeast of Freer in Section 71 of the SK&K Survey A-752. EOG Resources Inc. of Houston has filed for a permit to drill the No. 2 Atchison Estate to a depth of 12,500 feet in the West Tiger (WCX Cons.) field. The well will be 15.5 miles southwest of Freer in the GB&GNG RR Survey 35 A-714. EOG Resources Inc. of Houston has also filed for a permit to drill the No. 21 Dagmar Gruy in the Lopez S.E. (Consolidated) field. The well, which has a proposed depth of 11,000 feet will be 18.8 miles southwest of Freer in the BS&F Survey 405 A-98. Killam Oil Co. LTD. of San Antonio has filed for a permit to drill the No. 3 Flying Elf 187 to a depth of 13,000 feet in the West Tiger (WCX Cons.) field. The well will be 11 miles west of Freer in Section 187 of the GB&CNG RR Survey A-866. KENEDY COUNTY Headington Oil Company LLC of Dallas has filed for permit to drill a 12,500-foot wildcat well. The No. 15 Tobin Armstrong will be 23.2 miles southwest of Sarita in the J. F. Balli Survey A-3. Zenergy Inc. of Tulsa has filed for a permit to drill a 14,500-foot wildcat well. The No. 1 KMF 164 will be 19.8 miles southeast of Sarita in Section 164 of the L. Salinas Survey A-77. LIVE OAK COUNTY Dewbre Petroleum Corporation of Corpus Christi has filed for a permit to drill the No. 1 Johnson-Rooke-Scott Unit in the Swinney Switch (Hockley Second) field. With a proposed depth of 4,600 feet, the well will be .4 mile west of Dinero in the Jane Curry Survey A- 143. Double Play Oil & Gas Inc. of Portland has filed for a permit two wildcat wells. With a proposed depth of 5,400 feet, the No. 3 McNeill F will be 3 miles southwest of Dinero in Block 17 of the Jane Curry Survey A-143. With a proposed depth of 6 250 feet the No. 4A Hinnant will be 8 miles southwest of Dinero in the Edward Burnett Survey A-88. McMULLEN COUNTY Harper Hefte Inc. of Corpus Christi has filed for a permit to drill a 6,500-foot wildcat well. The No. 1 Hollan will be 7 miles northwest of Tilden in the L. Jacob Survey A-615. Swift Energy Operating LLC of Houston has filed for a permit to drill the No. 28 R. Bracken in the A.W. P. (Olmos) field. With a proposed depth of 12,500 feet, the well will be 11.4 miles southeast of Tilden in the F. Gomez Survey A-205. REFUGIO COUNTY Drillmar Operating Company of Houston has filed for a permit to drill a 7,100-foot wildcat well. The No. 2 Rooke Ranch will be 6.8 miles southwest of Refugio in the J. James Survey A-39. Source: RigMatch Information Services, Inc., Palestine, TX ************************************************ From hillcountrytimes.com 07.MAY.08 Workforce Solutions Alamo to Hold Open House Leanne Davis Workforce Solutions Alamo, formerly Alamo WorkSource, invites you to an Open House for a name change celebration! The event begins at 10:30am on Monday, May 19, with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the New Braunfels Workforce Solutions Alamo Career Center Courtyard Plaza at 183 IH-35 South. Attendees will be able to tour the New Braunfels Workforce Solutions Alamo Career Center and visit with Workforce Solutions Alamo President Chakib Chehadi, County Commissioner Jay Milliken, Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) Spokesperson Gloria Arriaga and New Braunfels Chamber members to find out how Workforce Solutions Alamo is turning sources into solutions for our community. The mission of Workforce Solutions Alamo is to build a premier workforce in America by providing employers and residents with the opportunities, resources and services to develop and gain a competitive edge in the global economy. Workforce Solutions Alamo reaches over 40,000 businesses and more than 2 million residents in the City of San Antonio and the counties of Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Guadalupe, Gillespie, Karnes, Kerr, Kendall, Medina and Wilson counties. For more information about the Open House, call 830-606-2055 or to learn more about the available workforce programs and services, visit our website at www.alamoworksource.org . ************************************************ From wfaa.com May 7, 2008 Exxon to explore for natural gas in South Texas By ELIZABETH SOUDER Irving oil giant Exxon Mobil Corp. signed a deal with Newfield Exploration Co. to explore for natural gas in South Texas, continuing the trend of working with local companies to produce oil and gas close to home. Newfield said in a press release Wednesday the companies will explore and drill on 87,000 acres in the Vicksburg Trend field, in Kenedy, Brooks and Hidalgo counties. Exxon and Newfield will each own half of a joint venture to develop the field. Newfield said it expects to have an active drilling program during the next three years. Newfield, a Houston independent oil and gas production company, has been active in South Texas for eight years. Separately, Exxon is working with Harding Co. in North Texas to produce natural gas in the Barnett Shale field. ************************************************ From tcadp.blogspot.com May 07, 2008 death penalty news----TEXAS TEXAS----new execution date//volunteer Aug. 14 execution for Texas 7 member One of the infamous "Texas 7" convicts who escaped from a state prison more than 7 years ago and killed a Dallas-area police officer while on the lam now has an execution date. Michael Rodriguez has been set for lethal injection Aug. 14, Kim Schaefer, a Dallas County assistant district attorney who handles capital cases, said Wednesday. Rodriguez, 45, ordered his appeals dropped and had been asking the courts for nearly 2 years to give him a death date. A federal judge signed off on Rodriguez's request Sept. 27, 2 days after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to consider a Kentucky challenge to lethal injection as a means of capital punishment. That case stalled executions around the nation. But in a decision last month, the high court ruled lethal injection was not unconstitutionally cruel, clearing the way for capital punishment to resume. An inmate in Georgia on Tuesday became the 1st to die since Texas executed convicted killer Michael Richard on Sept. 25. The 1st Texas inmate set to die now is Derrick Sonnier, scheduled for injection in Huntsville on June 3 for a double slaying in suburban Houston. Rodriguez told a psychologist who interviewed him in preparation for a competency hearing that he "had to accept his death sentence and submit to it as payment in order to be forgiven and obtain salvation." Rodriguez and six other inmates overpowered workers at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Connally Unit near Kenedy in South Texas on Dec. 13, 2000, took the workers' clothes, then grabbed 16 guns from the prison armory and fled in a stolen truck. On Christmas Eve, while robbing a suburban Dallas sporting goods store, they shot Irving police Officer Aubrey Hawkins 11 times, killing him. The gang, subject of a nationwide manhunt, finally was caught a month later in Colorado. Rodriguez's capital murder trial was moved to Franklin County, 100 miles northeast of Dallas, because of publicity. A jury there deliberated less than 90 minutes before sending Rodriguez to death row in May 2002 for his part in Hawkins' slaying. Rodriguez admitted pulling the officer from his patrol car. After they shot Hawkins, 29, the Texas 7 ran over him in their getaway car. 5 of Rodriguez's companions also were given death sentences. The 7th fugitive killed himself before he could be recaptured with his comrades in Colorado. Rodriguez would be the 1st of the group to be executed. At the time of his escape, he was serving a life term for hiring a hit man to kill his wife, Theresa, 29, to collect her $250,000 life insurance. She was gunned down in 1992 getting out of her car outside their San Antonio home. The triggerman, Rolando Ruiz, also is on death row. Rodriguez, who received his date Tuesday, is 1 of 2 condemned murderers from Dallas County to get execution dates this week, Shaefer said. On Wednesday, Carlton Turner, who acknowledged fatally shooting his parents at their suburban Dallas home in 1998, was set to die July 10. On Sept. 27, the same day a federal judge signed off on Rodriguez's execution request, Turner's attorneys raised constitutional claims about Texas lethal injection procedures and won a reprieve from the Supreme Court as Turner waited in a small cell just a few feet from the death chamber. The reprieve came some 4 hours after he was scheduled to die and 2 hours before the death warrant would have expired. The high court's ruling in the Kentucky case lifted his stay of execution. Turner was 19 when authorities said he shot his father, Carlton Turner Sr., 43, and his mother, Tonya Turner, 40, several times in the head. He then bought new clothes and jewelry and continued living in the family's home in Irving. Prosecutors said Turner had dragged the bodies through the house before dumping them in the garage, then cleaned up the blood and had friends over for a party. A foul smell led police to the bodies in the garage 3 days after the killings. The 2 newly scheduled injections bring to at least 8 the number of condemned inmates in Texas with execution dates in the coming weeks. Last year, Texas put 26 prisoners to death, the most in the nation. ************************************************ From mexiadailynews.com May 09, 2008 The bloodiest and longest time in Texas History By Jerry Turner-Special to The News During the great Civil War, Texas was spared the destruction other Southern states had to endure. There were no major battles fought here and with the peace signed at Appomattox, the state should have been on the road for a prosperous future, but unrepentant rebels would not allow it. One of the bloodiest and violent episodes which lasted almost thirty years was the "Taylor - Sutton feud." Occurring in nearly forty-five counties of Texas, this attempt to reestablish life as it was before the defeat of the South was a continuation of the Civil War. This bloody saga is well told in The Feud That Wasn't written by James M. Smallwood published by Texas A&M University Press. At the end of the war, Union troops occupied Texas. Their presence and the freedom of former slaves caused a spark of resentment that soon grew into a fire storm. Creed Taylor and his family roamed the country, killing and stealing at will. Particular targets included Union loyalists and freedmen. Their actions were often enforced by John Wesley Hardin, the notorious gun fighter, a murderer with a reputation of killing a man while he slept because he "snored too loud." Pro-Union law officers, mainly the newly created State Police tried to stop the violence, but with few and often inexperienced officers, the Taylor outlaws roamed at will. Their opposition was mainly a group led by William Sutton, a Karnes County deputy sheriff. Both sides committed crimes in the name of self-protection and law enforcement. Usually, the killings were ambushes or by trickery. One killing resulted in the side killing one or more of their rivals. Finally after the murder of Jim Taylor, the feud ground to a halt. The death of John Wesley Hardin by John Selman in El Paso brought the "feud" to an end. Thousands of dollars in property and cattle had been stolen or destroyed and hundreds of men, often innocent were killed. The Feud That Wasn't is an excellent book. It mentions the postwar activities which occurred after the war in Limestone County. The book will interest anyone interested in Texas history. 6x9, 256 pages, 13 b/w photos, 6 maps, It can be ordered at 800-826-8911. ************************************************ From businesswire.com May 13, 2008 Avalon Reports Increase in Oil and Gas Revenues for Sixth Consecutive Quarter MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Avalon Oil & Gas, Inc., (Avalon) (OTCBB: AOGN) (FWB: A3MA.F) announced an increase in revenues from oil and gas production in the past quarter of 36% over the previous quarter, reflecting record level oil and gas prices and expanded property holdings, according to Kent A. Rodriguez, Avalon’s CEO, in his quarterly update to shareholders. “These returns demonstrate the sixth consecutive period of quarter over quarter revenue growth, due to the company’s continued success in enhancing development and rework opportunities to achieve operational profitability as we expand our portfolio of producing properties. “ For the quarter ended December 31, 2007, the company reported revenues of $78,304, an increase of 278% over the comparable period in 2006. For the nine month period, the company reported revenues of $178,610, an increase of 566% over the comparable period in the previous year. “We will continue to add quality properties which offer significant upside to our portfolio,” said Rodriguez. “Avalon’s team has broad experience developing properties in the Louisiana / East Texas / Southwest Arkansas region,” he added. “Avalon is on track to continue to increase our asset base with high margin properties, and add significant developmental drilling opportunities over the several months,” said Rodriguez. Karnes County, Texas Last month Avalon increased its working interest in the Janssen #1A gas well in Karnes Country, Texas to 7.25%. The Janssen #1 well has maintained a production rate of 215 MCF and 5 barrels of condensate per day since the well was completed in May 2007. The Janssen #1A well is located in an area that is very active in gas and oil production. Total reserves are estimated to be 75,000 to 100,000 barrels of condensate and 3 to 4 billion cubic feet (BCF) of gas. The well was perforated at the 10,300 foot interval in the Roeder Sand (Wilcox Sand Series.) According to Mr. Rodriguez, "The Janssen #1A is has been delivering an internal rate of return exceeding 38%.” He added “The consistent returns we have experienced on the Janssen property reflect the quality of this asset in our growing property portfolio.” He reported that the Janssen property has returned 150% of Avalon’s original investment. Lipscomb County, Texas Avalon recently announced reaching the target drilling depth of nearly 11,000 feet on a gas well in Lipscomb County, Texas. Kent Rodriguez commented “We have set production casing and will be testing the well over the next few weeks, and look forward to adding this well to our portfolio of producing properties. We are very excited about the potential of this gas well” said Rodriguez. Avalon owns a five percent (5%) working interest in this project. Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana The company is pleased to report that oil production last quarter from the Lake Washington Field is averaging 1,100 BOPD, an increase of over 40% from initial production estimates. This increase in production, coupled with much higher commodity prices, has raised the internal rate of return to over 35% for this property. Recent oil sales from this property have exceeded $108.00 per barrel. Avalon acquired a 0.7% working interest in 3 producing units and in surface production facilities and two salt water injection wells, in November 2007. Since its discovery in the 1930’s, the Lake Washington field has produced approximately 350 million barrels of oil, making it one of the largest oil and gas fields in the United States. Swift Energy Company (NYSE:SFY) operates the property and has recently replaced several of the oil storage tanks and returning the field to production. Upshur County, Texas Following several months of workovers and optimization operations, production levels at the New Diana Field have increased to 25 BOPD, recent oil sales from this property have exceeded $104.00 per barrel. Plans have been completed to provide further workovers and resolve surface facility constraints. The JB Winn well was successfully returned to production following a workover to fix a tubing link. “We are excited about the opportunity to leverage our existing investment in our salt water disposal system, and increase our production on this unit”. We are also seeking to increase our leasehold position in the unit”, said CEO Rodriguez. Avalon owns a ten percent (10%) working interest in this leasehold. Camp County, Texas Mr. Rodriguez reported that the Camp County property continues to produce at improved levels of 25% higher than the original output, due to active property management and a decrease in water production. This consistent performance has enabled the property to return approximately 100% of Avalon’s investment since it was purchased two years ago. The Camp County property produces a reliable volume of 6 BOPD. Avalon owns a fifty percent (50%) working interest in the Chance # 1 well, Oil sales from the Chance # 1 have been over $103.00 per barrel. Miller County, Arkansas Avalon and KROG Partners, operators of the wells in the Kiblah Field, report increasing production at two of the three wellbores following successful workovers in the previous quarter. Production from the Dixon # 1, Deltic Farms #1 and Gunn #1 wells has increased to an average of 8 BOPD as a result of optimization operations to enhance production efficiency. Avalon owns a fifty percent (50%) working interest in these three wells. Recent oil sales have exceeded $104.00 per barrel. Lincoln County, Oklahoma We are currently negotiating the purchase of a working interest in two producing wells in Lincoln County, Oklahoma, and expect to close these transactions before the end of May. About Avalon Oil & Gas, Inc. Avalon Oil & Gas, Inc. is an oil and gas company engaged in the acquisition of producing oil and gas properties. In addition, Avalon's technology group acquires and develops oil production enhancing technologies. Through Oiltek, Inc, Avalon’s majority-owned subsidiary, Avalon is building an asset portfolio of innovative technologies in the oil and gas industry to maximize enhancement opportunities. 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.avalonoil.com. ************************************************ From kcbd.com May 14, 2008 Perry Appoints Texas Tech Grad to Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District Governor Rick Perry appointed Darrell Brownlow of Floresville to the Evergreen Underground Water Conservation District for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2009. The board oversees the management and conservation of groundwater in Atascosa, Frio, Wilson and Karnes counties. Brownlow is vice president of mining and resource management for Cemex USA. He has also been a voting member of the South Central Texas Regional Water Planning Group since 1999. Brownlow received his bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees in geology from Texas Tech University. He is being reappointed to the board. ************************************************ From thecountywide.com May 14, 2008 LOCAL ATHLETES BRING HOME GOLD FROM STATE MEET Karnes City’s Brittany Kinney places 1st in Triple Jump By Lindsay Labus In 1988, a young Karnes City High School student sprinted all the way to the state track and field championships, where she medaled in two events, and returned two more years after. Seventeen years later, another track athlete found herself at the state meet, out-jumping her competitors by almost a foot to win the 2A Triple Jump gold medal. Coincidence? Probably not, seeing as how they are mother and daughter. "My experience as a state qualifier was wonderful, and after I had that, I really just wanted my kids to be able to experience it too," said Tonja Kinney, mother of recent triple jump gold medalist Brittany Kinney. Brittany won the 2A triple jump title, beating out her closest competitor by almost a foot. "I was really happy knowing all the hard work paid off," Brittany said. "I did what I said I was going to do, surpassing my goal." Brittany jumped 37 feet, 10 inches, shattering her own school records set during regional and district. At district, she jumped 36 feet, 4 inches, and at regional she leaped 36 feet, 5.75 inches. "I’m very proud of the way Brittany competed at State," Head Track Coach Donnie Dziuk said. "She stayed calm and turned it loose when it counted." Only a freshman, Brittany "turned it loose" after being seeded seventh going into the competition in front of thousands of spectators at the Mike Meyers Stadium at the University of Texas at Austin last weekend. "I was really nervous," Brittany recollects from the May 9 event. "Every time I looked in the stands, my stomach started to hurt." One of these spectators, however, was extremely important to Brittany. Her mother watched her jump her way to victory 18 years after she stood on that same field. "My first experience at state is something I’ll never forget," Brittany’s mom said. "It’s just like how some people say they will never forget the birth of their children. I will never forget sitting on that field, looking at all the spectators in the stands." Tonja Kinney advanced to state her sophomore, junior, and senior years. A sprinter, she competed in the 100 and 200m dashes. "It’s crazy because I could not do field events at all. I was a runner," she said with a laugh. "She seems to have covered the jumping area in the family." Track and field, to the Kinneys, does indeed seem like a family affair. Both mother and daughter hold several school records: Tonja Kinney in the 100 and 200 with a time of 24.8, and Brittany Kinney in the triple jump and as anchor leg in the 800m Relay team that also broke a record this season with a time of 1:48.27. Tonja Kinney also holds the Region IV 100m dash record with a time of 12.05. "It’s cool to know our names are together on that record sheet," Brittany Kinney said. Brittany credits part of her success to her mother’s expectations for her. "She is harder on me," Brittany said. "She doesn’t listen when I whine, but I know it’s because she loves me." Brittany also has a younger brother Paul, who is a Roger E. Sides Elementary School fifth-grader. "I expect more out of her because I’ve been there and want her to stay focused," Tonja. Kinney said. Brittany’s future, having three more years of high school, seems far away. However, both mother and daughter are already considering it. "I really want her to see that there is more out there, out of this small town," she said. "I want her to experience everything she can and know that it can happen if she stays on the right track." Only time will tell if Brittany’s success will continue though she has a very positive outlook for the future. "I want to make it back to state every year," Brittany said. "Hopefully, I will keep improving and get a scholarship somewhere after high school." ************************************************From thecountywide.com May 14, 2008 Voters pick city, school district officials in Saturday’s elections Kenedy voters replace School Board President Frank Nieto with write- in candidate in landslide defeat Several local city and school board elections were decided by early voters and those who cast ballots on May 10. The election results are final but unofficial until canvassed by the local entities. Incumbent Kenedy Mayor Randy Garza easily defeated challenger Joseph Lang 564-64. Incumbent Kenedy ISD Place 2 Trustee Tony Mejia defeated challenger Rosemary Vickery 101-77. Incumbent Kenedy ISD Place 3 Trustee and School Board President Frank Nieto was defeated in a landslide by write-in candidate Alma Danmier 115-26. Nieto won a position on the school board with 59 votes in May 2005 after Trustee Richard McLeon chose not to file for re-election. Nieto beat Tommy Vickery and Estella P. Gonzales who had 19 and 11 votes respectively in the 2005 contest. Karnes City officials all ran unopposed in the May 10 election. In the race for Karnes City ISD Place 2, Darlene Puente defeated Daphne Bianchi 51-22. Incumbent Karnes City ISD Place 2 Trustee Rosendo Martinez chose not to file for re-election. Incumbent Karnes City ISD Place 6 Trustee Trini Gamez defeated challengers Augustine Quintanilla and Daniel Leal. Gamez received 24 votes, Quintanilla received 20 votes and Leal received 2 votes. Incumbent Karnes City ISD Place 1 Trustee Dennis Mika ran unopposed as did incumbent Karnes City ISD Place 4 Trustee Terry Johnson. Falls City ISD trustees are elected at large. The top three candidates who received the most votes will fill three positions on the school board. The three vacant seats will be filled by incumbent Jerry Jendrusch (171 votes), incumbent Alfie F. Kowalik (131 votes) and new board member Stephen Dziuk (125 votes). Incumbent Michael Pruski was voted off the board with 91 votes. Incumbent Runge ISD District 2 Trustee Oscar Caballero defeated Challenger James Troy Phillips 29-8. Incumbent Runge ISD Trustee Andrea Esparza ran unopposed. ************************************************ From thecountywide.com May 14, 2008 Relay for Life starts Friday evening Family and friends of Karnes County use hearts and feet to fight cancer In its ninth year, walkers will go around the clock in the battle against cancer during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Karnes County. Teams of residents from Kenedy, Karnes City, Falls City and Runge will gather at the Kenedy High School Stadium on Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m. for an overnight relay against cancer. Relay For Life, the Society’s signature event, is a life-changing experience that helps us celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and to fight back against a disease that takes too much. This unforgettable event raises awareness and funds to save lives, help those touched by cancer, and empower people to fight back against this disease. This family-oriented team event features participants as they walk relay-style around the track and take part in fun activities off the track. Teams can include coworkers, club members, family and friends who have gathered donations prior to the event. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Kenedy is the Diamond Sponsor. Dr. Joel and Liz Saldana are sponsors for the Survivors Ceremony and Lap, and the Schuenemann Office is sponsor of the Luminaria Ceremony. The stadium will open at 3 p.m. for teams to begin setting up campsites. The concession stand, operated by the Kenedy High School FCCLA and FFA, will open at 6 p.m., and the reception for Cancer Survivors and their caregivers will start at 6:30 p.m. A reception for sponsors and the silent auction will also start at 6:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies will be held at 7 p.m., followed by the Cancer Survivors recognition and lap. The Luminaria Ceremony will be held at 9 p.m. Participants will continue their quest against cancer with the Fight Back Ceremony at 1 a.m. All team members will join in the Final Lap at 6:30 a.m., followed by Closing Ceremonies and presentation of event awards. Members of some 20 teams will relay throughout the night, with at least one team member walking, running or rocking at all times. There will be special activities for team members to participate in, such as the rock ‘n roll lap, the cardboard box lap, and a Mister Relay contest to help motivate them and add some fun to the worthy cause. There will be a Kids Tent from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. with activities for the younger set, and a licensed massage therapist will give massages. Entertainment will include local singing talent and DJ music. There will be a silent auction, and campsites will offer games such as bunco, and other activities for visitors as well as team members. "Relay For Life is a unique opportunity for our community to come together in the fight against cancer," said Gretchen Dupnik, event chair. "Many of the participants are cancer survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer), which serves as a reminder that our community is not immune to this disease and we can actually help our friends, families and neighbors that have been touched by cancer," Dupnik added. The public is also invited to attend the Luminaria Ceremony, which will take place after sundown. To honor the community’s cancer survivors and to remember those lost to the disease, survivors will circle the track rimmed with glowing luminarias while the names of survivors and those lost to the disease are read aloud. Luminarias are available for a donation of $5 each The 2008 Karnes County Relay For Life Committee includes Donna Kelley and Sandy Trevino, Team Recruitment; Donna Sekula, Treasurer; Vi Malone and Cliff Baker, Online; Marie Welkener; Sponsorship. Also Phillis Ender and Deene Janysek, Survivorship; Pumpkin Culpepper and Tina Jones, Luminaria; Sharon Bedorz, Activities; Christina Garza, Advocacy; Mary Kruciak, Silent Auction; Darlene Puente, Publicity; Bruno Mata and Ricky Garza, Logistics; Glenda Cummings and David Garcia, Concession Stand. Our American Cancer Society Staff Partner is Kayla Reese. Funds raised from Relay For Life support the American Cancer Society research program, which spends approximately $100 million each year on cancer research. The American Cancer Society dedicates more money to cancer research than any other private, not-for-profit, non- government funder of cancer research in the United States. Since the program began in 1946, the American Cancer Society has invested $3.1 billion dollars into cancer research; forty-two scientists who received funding from the American Cancer Society during their careers went on to win the Nobel Prize. The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 1.800.ACS.2345 or visit www.cancer.org. ************************************************ From thecountywide.com May 21, 2008 Commissioners Court approves rate increase for Karnes County Correctional Center By Cathy Passmore Wendy Dunigan, with the GEO Group, Inc., was the first to speak before Commissioners Court at the May 13 meeting. Dunigan requested approval for the submission of a change in the intergovernmental agreement to an increase in rates for inmates housed in the GEO Group Inc.’s Karnes City prison facility -- the Karnes County Correctional Center. They would be asking for a $7 increase, raising the rate from $45 to $52 per inmate per day. "There had not been an increase in 10 years and that with all costs to house the inmates going up, the raise in rates is a necessity," Dunigan said. Dunigan added that the Karnes County facility serves several regions as a detention facility housing prisoners of the United States Marshals Service. "Is there a likely increase in those prisoners coming here?" Commissioner Isidro "Stormy" Rossett asked. Dunigan said it was a possibility, but the location in this area is not as convenient as other facilities’ locations. The court voted in favor of the requested rate increase. County officials also voted to approve advertising for proposals as requested to hire a construction manager to represent Karnes County in connection with overseeing the building of the new county annex building. Resumes will be considered for the position in June. Commissioners James Rosales and Darrell Blaschke will meet with Judge Alger Kendall, Jr. to consider the wording of the advertisement to be placed in the newspaper. After a 20-minute closed session, the meeting reopened for all in attendance as the court then approved the purchase for $20,000, lots 3, 4, and 5 of Block 22, that includes a small home, in Karnes City, Texas from David and Sylvia Segura. During the announcements period, discussion focused on future agendas and items others wish to be considered for upcoming agendas. Tax Assessor-Collector Anne Franke expressed her disappointment at the lack of her agenda item, with regard to leaving the tax office where it is, being on this agenda. She again expressed her concerns and felt it should be discussed and voted on at the next meeting. Judge Kendall said that he would like, as stated last time, to meet with Franke first before deciding whether or not to put it on the agenda. Other audience members asked what is the rule regarding getting requested items on the agenda. Kendall said that a written rule will be available before the next meeting. Available grant money through applications was noted. One, in particular, for recycling projects. Budget troubles/shortages will need to be addressed and a workshop may be held. A report about a large amount of comp time due for several employees, especially in the sheriff’s department, could become a problem and may play havoc with the budget. The conclusion was to encourage employees to take their comp time as soon as possible. Following the meeting, it was noted that Commissioner Darrell Blaschke was elected Secretary/Treasurer of the De-Go-La RC&D Association recently at their annual meeting in Beeville. Their mission is "to provide leadership and coordination, to provide a quality life and a quality environment for people living in rural communities." ************************************************ From thecountywide.com May 21, 2008 Karnes County Relay For Life event raises more than $60,000 for the fight against cancer Residents of Karnes County made a giant step toward a cure for cancer on May 16-17 when they walked throughout the night during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life. More than 23 teams and over 351 people came together during this year’s Relay to raise in excess of $60,663. Money raised during Relay For Life helps fund the American Cancer Society’s research, education, advocacy and service programs. The American Cancer Society is the largest nonprofit supporter of new cancer research and the largest voluntary health organization fighting cancer in our country. "We appreciate all the support we received from each of the teams, as well as from our sponsors," said Gretchen Dupnik, event chair. "We are especially grateful to the many volunteers and their families for all of their hard work to make this event happen." Wal-Mart Paradise Lifesavers team was the top fundraising team at the event, raising $8,780, Team Captains Albert Balderamos and Sandy Aguero. The top individual was Dorothy Gross from the Faithful Fighters team who raised $2,000. Team Spirit Award went to CIA – Cancer Intelligence Agency, team members were from Kenedy Family Practice and Kenedy Manor, Team Captains Sandy Trevino and Esmeralda DelaGarza. Best Campsite Award went to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Team Captains Julie Schievelbein and Kathy Oehlke. Team with Most Laps went to CSI – Cancer Stomping in Kenedy with a total of 626 laps, Team Captains Donna Kelley and JoDen Brown. Individual with Most Laps was Stella Hons with 82 laps – Caribbean Angels Our Lady of Peace. Top Online Fundraising went to Diana Backlund $225, team Faithful Fighters. Most Survivors per Team, 1st place – CIA, 2nd place – Paradise Lifesavers, 3rd place – Faithful Fighters Team Captain Shelley Gibbens. Most Creative Basket for Silent Auction went to CIA – Beach Fun. Silent auction brought in $1,104. Mr. Relay went to Fonzie Ramos, Karnes City Junior High Teachers and brought in approximately $500. Relay For Life is a family-oriented event where participants enjoy the camaraderie while also raising funds to support the activities of the American Cancer Society. Participants camp out and, when they are not taking their turn walking or running, they take part in fun activities, games, themed laps, contests and enjoy local entertainment. Relay For Life also raises awareness about cancer by honoring cancer survivors. The Relay began at 7 p.m. at the Kenedy High School stadium, when 87 cancer survivors kicked off they event by walking the first lap. A luminaria ceremony at 9 p.m. illuminated the entire track as participants lit luminaria candles in memory of those who’ve lost the battle to cancer and in support for those still fighting the disease. A total of 550 luminarias were purchased. At the closing ceremony, corporate sponsors received recognition for their contributions. Sponsors for this year’s event included: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church – Diamond Sponsor, Dr. Joel & Liz Saldana - Survivor Ceremony and Lap Sponsor, Schuenemann Office – Luminaria Sponsor. Organizers expressed thanks to Silver, Bronze, Fact Sign & In Kind Sponsors. Special thanks was expressed to The Countywide, Kenedy ISD, Boy Scout Troop 224, Cesar Ponce, Scoutmaster/Presentation of Colors, National Anthem was sung by Megan Schievelbein – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Invocation by Rev. Wally Schievelbein – Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Entertainment – Megan Schievelbein & Wally Schievelbein, Starlight Twirlers – Colleen Phelps, Director, DJ Rock It Juke Box Productions, Leonicio DelaGarza, Jr., Massages by Bonnie Bergara & Anita Bergara. The 2008 Karnes County Relay For Life Committee Members are as follows: Gretchen Dupnik – Event Chair, Donna Kelly & Sandy Trevino – Team Recruitment, Cliff Baker & Vi Malone – Online, Marie Welkener – Sponsorship, Pumpkin Culpepper, Tina Jones-Howard, Suzanne Nunez – Luminaria, Donna Sekula – Treasurer, Phillis Ender, Deene Janysek, Jochelle Gonzales – Survivorship, Sharon Bednorz – Activities, Mary Kruciak – Silent Auction, Ricky Garza & Bruno Mata – Logistics, Darlene Puente – Publicity/Marketing, Gretchen Dupnik – Entertainment, Cristina Garza – Education, Glenda Cummings, David Garcia and the Kenedy High School FFA & FCCLA – Concession Stand. Organizers encourage anyone who sees any of these committee members to please take a minute to thank them for a job well done. For more information about Relay For Life and how to become involved, call the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour help line at 1- 800-ACS-2345 or visit the web site at www.cancer.org. The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. ************************************************ From primenewswire.com May 22, 2008 Lucas Energy Announces Date for Release of Fiscal 2008 Year-End Reserve Report HOUSTON, May 22, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Lucas Energy, Inc. (AMEX:LEI), a U.S. based independent oil and gas company, today announced that results of an independent study of the Company's estimated reserves and future net revenue for its interests in Gonzales, Karnes, Wilson and Atacosa Counties, Texas, will be released on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 before the stock market opens. The independent study was performed by Forrest A. Garb & Associates, Dallas, as of March 31, 2008, the last day of the company's fiscal year. About Lucas Energy, Inc. Lucas Energy, Inc. (AMEX:LEI) is an independent crude oil and gas company building a diversified portfolio of valuable oil and gas assets in the United States. The company is focused on identifying underperforming oil and gas assets, which are revitalized through a meticulous process of evaluation, application of modern well technology, and stringent management controls. This process allows the company to increase its reserve base and cash flow while significantly reducing the risk of traditional exploration projects. The Company's headquarters are located at 3000 Richmond Avenue, Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77098. The Lucas Energy logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4192 Forward-Looking Statements This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement identified by the words "expects," "projects," "plans," "feels," "anticipates" and certain of the other foregoing statements may be deemed "forward-looking statements." Although Lucas Energy believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future activities and results to be materially different from those suggested or described in this press release. These include risks inherent in the drilling of oil and natural gas wells, including risks of fire, explosion, blowout, pipe failure, casing collapse, unusual or unexpected formation pressures, environmental hazards, and other operating and production risks inherent in oil and natural gas drilling and production activities, which may temporarily or permanently reduce production or cause initial production or test results to not be indicative of future well performance or delay the timing of sales or completion of drilling operations; risks with respect to oil and natural gas prices, a material decline in which could cause the Company to delay or suspend planned drilling operations or reduce production levels; and risks relating to the availability of capital to fund drilling operations that can be adversely affected by adverse drilling results, production declines and declines in oil and gas prices and other risk factors. ************************************************ From findmall.com May 24, 2008 I discovered Czestochowa, Texas by accident A few days ago when I rode the motorcycle to Karnes County, Texas to see the small town of Panna Maria and to explore the surrounding area, I accidentally discovered Czestochowa, Texas. As I was traveling south down State Highway 123, I spotted a sign stating Czestochowa. I thought to myself...a small town, lets take a look at it. Well, after driving a mile or two down a well maintained country road, I came to Czestochowa. It was not a small town, but instead was a large Polish Church and School. This is a beautiful church, much larger than the one at Panna Maria, Texas. I had a pleasant surprise when I read the historical marker and discovered that this church was related to the one in Panna Maria. The original church in Panna Maria had burned down and some of the original members built this new church before the church at Panna Maria had been rebuilt. For awhile there was some friction between the two church congregations, but they soon resolved their differences. I was in hog heaven when I received another surprise at this church. There was a marker on the church property that told about an old fort that use to be nearby...it is now on private property. This area is so rich in history that I plan on making another motorcycle ride down here in the near future. I would like to mention that the country side in this area had corn crops on both sides of the road for many miles. The land was rolling hills and flat land, much different different than the Texas Hill Country of some of my prior trips, but in my opinion, just as beautiful. One funny incident took place as I headed back north to San Antonio that I want to share. I was heading north on State Hwy. 80 and spotted a sign that stated a rest stop was one mile ahead. I was getting a little tired and thought to myself "wow," perfect timing for a break. As I approached the rest stop, I noticed that it was not very well maintained. The grass was in need of cutting and there were some small tree branches laying around, one was even laying on top of one of the two picnic tables. No problem, I needed a break and pulled into the rest stop. I parked the bike, grabbed the thermos of coffee, and sat down at the "clean" picnic table. After taking a few sips of coffee, I glanced over at the other picnic table. For some reason, I thought to myself, that is a strange looking tree branch on that table top. Just about this time, it moved and slid off the table...it was a medium size black colored snake, not a tree branch. I spilled coffee down my shirt as I grabbed the thermos and ran for the bike to get away. I did not know where that snake went and I really did not care to stay around to find out...I was out of there in a flash. I just have no desire to be around snakes and they always seem to find me. I have often wished that Noah had not loaded any snakes on the Ark when that big flood occurred...life would have been so much better. I was a little tired when I arrived back home in San Antonio after riding just a tab over two hundred miles, but that was OK because I really had a great time. Please have a great day! ************************************************ From thecountywide.com May 21, 2008 KC school board donates Panna Maria School By Kevin Matula The Karnes City ISD Board of Trustees approved donation of the old Panna Maria school to the Panna Maria Historical Society at the May 12 board meeting. "We have decided that the cost of maintaining the Panna Maria School for storage is a financial drain on the district," Superintendent Frances Penland said. "If we continued to use it for storage, we would be faced with additional repairs … The building also has asbestos and mud issues that would require maintenance if we tried to repair it." Panna Maria Historical Society President Betty Kowalik addressed the board. "Panna Maria, as you all know, is the oldest polish settlement in the nation," Kowalik said. "We have a lot of visitors that come to Panna Maria, and we don’t do a lot of advertising." The St. Joseph’s school was built in 1868. It is known today as the St. Joseph’s Museum. A new donated school was built in 1958, according to information on a plaque on the building. Students attended this school until 1989 when the students were then bused to Karnes City. Kowalik said the museum is the oldest Polish school in the nation. "The Polish settlers were very interested in educating their students and making sure that their children were educated," Kowalik said. "As early as 1855 there’s documentation of education in various buildings in Panna Maria." Kowalik said that the land and school has historical significance to them because the land was settled by the early Polish settlers. "What we would like to do, if the building is donated to Panna Maria Historical Society, is extend the history," Kowalik said. "In phases we would renovate that building. First of all have the restrooms (renovated)… a kitchen and some work on the outside in phases as we get grants and donations." Kowalik said that the society would like to sponsor historical presentations, and she hopes that one day a Polish village could open on the outside of the property donated. The land that was donated includes the Panna Maria School and some surrounding land. Two consultants, Linda Swanson and Bob Wiegand addressed the board on their findings on what improvements can be made to the junior high school and the high school. Their findings and suggestions dealt with scheduling, shifting staff, teacher certifications, and extending the high school guidance counselor center, by having a paraprofessional, assist the counselor. The board also accepted the resignation of the Roger E. Sides Elementary School counselor Susan Nelson. ************************************************ From ahmo2008.blogspot.com May 24, 2008 May 24th AHMO Board Meeting Minutes Rudy's Country Store & Bar BQ 15560 I-35 North Selma, Texas 78154 Agenda Minutes I. Call to Order a. The meeting was called to order at 10:20 AM by President Frank Estrada b.The following were in attendance: Mayor Pro-Tem, Frank Estrada, President – City of Lockhart Mayor David Tejada, Vice President – City of Floresville Councilmember Michael Sanchez, Treasurer – City of Odessa Rudy Rodriguez, Past President Felix Arambula, AHMO Founder c. The following were not in attendance: City Manager Zina Tedford, Secretary - City of Kirby Councilmember Jimmy Loya, AHMO Member – City of Karnes City, called in mention he could not attend Councilmember Ray Aranda, TML Director – City of Dilley Councilmember Michelle Lopez, By-Laws Committee – City of Kyle, called in Johnny Rodriguez and Flora Braly both called in II. Secretary’s Report Zina Tedford No Report III. Treasurer’s Report Michael Sanchez The Treasurer’s report was presented by Michael Sanchez. A budget summary through April 31 was distributed and line items were various discussed relative to budget and current position. Year to Date ending net assets were $2,057.93. A copy was included in the Board Packet. Michael Sanchez led a discussion concerning a check from TML for meals. The check will be return to TML. Thanks to Rudy Rodriguez for paying for our lunch and drinks. IV. Committees Updates Frank Estrada For Information Only A. Membership A copy of the membership roster was presented by Frank. Some of the members were not listed; Frank will contact TML to update. B. Golf Tournament Mayor Tejada and Rudy will be in charge of the 1st Annual AHMO Golf Tournament scheduled for May 12th. C. TML Felix will be in charge of the Wednesday AHM Appreciation Reception Johnny Rodriguez will continue to assist. Frank will be in charge of the program V. TML Directors Report Ray Aranda No report. VII. Old Business Frank Estrada Discussed update revised of AHMO By-laws VIII. New Business Frank Estrada Next meeting IX. Around the Room (share news and events around region) All X. Adjourn Frank Estrada Meeting adjourned at 12:30 ************************************************ From elementalpete.livejournal.com May 25, 2008 I'm back from my extended stay in Texas. Ironically, I was actually staying in an old convent which the church rents out for extra money due to the lack of nuns. It was in a small town called Panna Maria, which is apparently the oldest Polish settlement in America... in 1852, a priest led 800 people from Poland to Central Texas and formed a town and the church I was staying at. The population has since dwindled to 96 (with a 1% nun ratio), which begs the question: (Q: How many Polocks does it take to get a hair dryer out of the bathtub? A: 705.) Haha, just kidding. Got to love the early 90's style outdated insensitivity. Anyhow, according to the free map I got from the Texas DOT, the modest population of 96 actually makes it larger than probably 5 or 6 dozen other towns in Texas. By my count, there are 13 towns in Texas with fewer than 10 residents, including Best, Texas, population 1. Apparently the town name is somewhat subjective. On the drive home, I got closer (in terms of distance) to an accident on the Interstate as I ever have. I was following some idiot in a red Explorer in the center lane on I-10. We were going about 75mph, and nobody was around us. She (I didn't see her, but it had to be a woman) started to merge left for no reason. There was a big chunk of tire tread sitting on the dotted line between lanes, and she was headed right for it. I was afraid she was going to hit it and kick it up into my windshield (I was driving my boss's minivan,) so I dragged the brakes a bit and started to merge right to get as far away as possible to give myself a second to react if the rubber came flying at me. I guess she had been distracted because she suddenly saw the tire tread and swerved left, then realized she was already in the left lane so she slammed on the brakes and pulled the wheel as hard as she could to the right and started skidding sideways across three lanes of traffic. I angled back towards the center lane (didn't want to go to the left lane b/c the tire tread was in the way) and hit my brakes as hard as I could without locking them up for about 3 seconds and wound up missing her by about 10 feet as she slid off the road and rolled into a ditch. I was already prepared for a flying tire tread, so the whole thing seemed pretty slow-mo by comparison, so I handled it pretty calmly, but I had a co-worker asleep in the passenger seat who woke up to the scene of a sideways Explorer 10 feet in front of him and me leaning on the brakes, so of course he freaked the fuck out for a few seconds. If I hadn't already slowed down because I saw the tire I would have had to slam on the brakes and try pumping them to keep control, and probably would have hit her anyway - I've never been all that good at emergency braking, and I don't know if I could have steered my way out of that in a minivan without flipping over myself. I miss driving a coupe. Anyway, a bunch of other people were already stopping to help, and we would have been a quarter mile up the road by the time I could have pulled over, so I just kept going. The car stayed pretty intact though, so she was probably fine if she was buckled up. ************************************************ From legacy.com 5/27/2008 Marion "Janice" Bollin-Solomon Death Notice BOLLIN-SOLOMON, Marion `Janice,' 77, retired assistant educator, of Round Rock, formerly of Kenedy, died May 19. Services 2 p.m. Friday, Merrill Gardens, Round Rock. Burial Kenedy Cemetery, Kenedy. Arrangements by Beck, Round Rock. ************************************************ From thecountywide.com May 28, 2008 Student shares concerns with Falls City school board Kids are missing out on scholarship opportunities due to scheduling conflicts By: Kevin Matula Falls City Senior Michael Lyssy addressed the Falls City ISD board of trustees on scholarship opportunities that students from Falls City, could be missing out on. According to Lyssy, the day before, UIL Coordinator Deborah Wiatrek noted at the FCHS UIL banquet that scholarships from the Texas Interscholastic League Foundation are given to state-qualifying seniors, academic events only. "She (Wiatrek) mentioned that through UIL there is a foundation called the Texas Interscholastic League Foundation (TILF)," Lyssy said. "People qualify for scholarships if they go to the state meet in academics only." According to the UIL (University Interscholastic League) web site, "This school year, the Texas Interscholastic League Foundation will disburse over $1 million in scholarships to more than 500 students." Lyssy himself also noted this, and he said that over the past 22 years $22 million has been given to academic state qualifying students. Lyssy himself qualified for state last school year. "I wish that our school would do more of a job to encourage (student participation in UIL academics)," Lyssy said. "This year there was a conflict with kids competing at the district level…on the day of our district meet…on both of those days (of competition) we had practice track meets scheduled and that took a lot of kids away." Lyssy noted that even though practice track meets aren’t mandatory, there is pressure to attend them, rather than the academic competition. "I believe if we didn’t allow practice track meets on days of district UIL sanctioned events, that would prevent a lot of conflict," Lyssy said. He noted that Falls City had only four students qualified for regional competition in academic UIL events. Some schools sent over ten students to the regional meet. Karnes City High School sent 16 students to regional competition, two from regional competition qualified as state alternates. Two cross examination-debate teams also qualified for the state meet and competed. The Kenedy High School accounting team qualified for regional competition, sending four students. Karnes County has a donor, Walter R. Long Jr. who sponsors two scholarships, the William L. Chapman Memorial Scholarship, and the Carolyn Waller Long Memorial Scholarship for students who qualify for the state meet. In other business, the trustees voted to raise election judges’ and clerks’ wages. The district has $3,000 in the budget for election expenses. They had to pay $1,529 to the county, not including the three judges and three clerks for the different polling places. The last rate for judge and clerk pay was $6.50 per hour. The board voted for the hourly rate to be changed to $10 for clerks, and $12 for judges. The decision will be ‘retroactive’ for this year. Superintendent Linda Bettin said in the future the district might want to look into having one polling place instead of three, which according to her would be more economical. ************************************************ From dallasobserver.com May 29, 2008 Notorious 'Texas Seven' Try to Save One of Their Own By Insulting Him By Spencer Campbell The last time the Texas Seven were together, their crime spree claimed a life. Last week, members of the group came together to try to save one. Randy Halprin was one of the seven escaped convicts who robbed an Irving Oshman's SuperSports store on Christmas Eve 2000. Halprin carried a gun, had a codename and carried stolen rifles to the getaway car. Around 6:30 p.m., toward the end of the heist, Irving police Officer Aubrey Hawkins arrived on the scene after responding to a "suspicious activity" call. He was then shot 11 times before his lifeless body was dragged from his patrol car and run over by the fugitives as they fled in a Ford Explorer. That is what we know for sure. What remains in dispute, at least in the eyes of Dallas criminal defense attorneys Bruce Anton and Gary Udashen, is just how culpable Halprin was in Hawkins' death. The Texas Seven had escaped from Connally Unit near Kenedy, on December 13, 2000. They proceeded to carry out three robberies in Texas, including the Oshman's, before being apprehended near Colorado Springs, Colorado, in late January 2001. The six surviving members (Larry Harper committed suicide just before capture) were found guilty of murdering Hawkins and were sentenced to death by Dallas County juries. Halprin, the fifth to be tried, was convicted of capital murder and sentenced on June 12, 2003. Anton and Udashen recently filed an application for a writ of habeas corpus in the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Halprin's behalf. The writ, filed after Halprin's capital murder conviction was affirmed on direct appeal, states that "no reasonable juror could find that [Halprin] killed, attempted to kill, or intended to kill Officer Hawkins..." They argue that the imposition of the death penalty in Halprin's case violates the 8th Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. On May 22, Judge Rick Magnis of the 283rd District Court of Dallas County began hearing testimony to determine whether, based on new evidence presented by Halprin's attorneys, Magnis should recommend to the appeals court that it grant the writ and spare Halprin's life. "We have strong mitigating evidence about his involvement and about the kind of person he is, compared to the other guys. If a jury heard it, it would be hard for them to give the death penalty," Udashen said. Some of the new evidence is based on the testimony of three ex-Texas Seven members: Michael Rodriguez, Patrick Murphy and the mastermind of the group, George Rivas. None of the three were approached by Halprin's first trial team to testify on his behalf. The first two days of the hearing were conducted on the 14th Floor of the Earle Cabell Federal Courthouse in Dallas, but none of the witnesses were present. Each of the three convicted murderers testified via closed circuit TV from inside the Polunsky Unit in Livingston, where death row inmates string out their final days. Halprin was not present either in person or by monitor. He is being housed in the Polunsky Unit as his death row appeal winds its way through the system. Under direct examination by the defense, his three ex-cohorts described Halprin as the embodiment of uselessness. All three stated that Halprin's contribution to the escape was minimal with him mostly serving as a lookout. During the three robberies, Halprin bungled whatever assignment he was given. Rodriguez referred to Halprin as a "180-pound child." Rivas called him an "unnecessary weight." Murphy described him as the "low man on the totem pole." Each witness testified that he examined Halprin's pistol after the shootout at Oshman's and found it had not been fired. Rivas said he clearly remembers this because, after receiving two gunshot wounds during the altercation, he initially believed that Halprin had shot him. He ordered a weapons check and examined Halprin's .357 pistol. There was no stench of gunpowder, and the smell of the gun-cleaner used on the weapon prior to the robbery was still pungent. Halprin also was shot during the Oshman's robbery and became so uncooperative and lethargic, according to the testimony of the men, that some of the gang thought about killing him. Rodriguez recalled telling Rivas while they were hiding out in Colorado that Halprin's death might be necessary because he was such a "nuisance and he was useless." Rodriguez said if he could have spoken with Donald Newberry (another Texas Seven member) before the group's capture, they would have "distributed [Halprin] in dumpsters all around Colorado Springs." During cross-examination, the Dallas County District Attorney's Office attempted to portray Halprin as an integral cog in the felons' escape. The prosecution brought up prior testimony that Halprin verbally and physically abused Texas Department of Criminal Justice employees whom the group had captured during its break out. Only Rodriguez remembered Halprin physically assaulting any employees, when Halprin tackled a field officer who entered a maintenance shed. Prosecutors also gained admissions from the witnesses that Halprin had, in fact, been active during at least two of the robberies, had carried a gun during the Oshman's theft and had received an equal share of the proceeds from each of the perpetrated crimes . "[Halprin] was convicted as a party," Assistant District Attorney Lisa Smith said. "You can get the death penalty as a party, so he didn't have to shoot the weapons to get the death penalty." The prosecution strengthened its case by undermining the credibility of the three testifying death row inmates. Murphy admitted that he was Halprin's father-in-law. Rodriguez first told the prosecution that he did not want to come to Dallas to testify, that he didn't enjoy the process. But then Smith showed him an entry from Halprin's online diary. The entry described a meeting between Halprin and Rodriguez in which Rodriguez had told the defendant about a prior time he testified in Dallas. He raved about being able to see trees and people on the van ride north. Rodriguez then told the court that Halprin's lawyers had assured him that testifying for Halprin would result in another trip to Dallas. That has not yet proven to be the case. Rivas, responding to questions posed by Judge Magnis, admitted to feeling responsible and guilty for Halprin being condemned to death. "They showed their true colors, who they really are," Smith said. "They're a team; they'll always be a team. Together until the end." Last week's hearing marked the first stage in what is typically a prolonged post-conviction process in capital cases. The court continued the hearing without setting a new date in order to give lawyers an opportunity to further investigate the case and present testimony. ************************************************ From furtherupfurtherin.wordpress.com May 29, 2008 The Sweetness of Home, both old and new. Fellowship Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Kenedy, TX First, on this warm Tuesday morning I want to thank you as a church for some wonderful time off last week. Wednesday and Thursday I camped out at Camp Buckner and had some much needed time of spiritual retreat and sermon preparation for the summer. Friday I took the day off and Kelley and I went home to Kenedy for my cousin Gina’s wedding. She was a beautiful bride and it was a beautiful wedding. I was honored to be a part of it. Thank you for the time off. Thank you Ken Flowers for filling in Wednesday evening and Thank you Don Barber for preaching Sunday morning. Sunday morning I was able to worship with FBC Kenedy. It was the first time I have worshipped there in quite a while, and I always enjoy it. It is always encouraging to see how much has changed and also how much has stayed the same. I sat with a friend of mine who I grew up with and was actually born on the exact same day as me. We commented on how many new faces and families were there that weren’t 10 years ago. So many children, babies, and young families. In a town that is 75% (app) Hispanic, it was good to see diversity in the congregation. It was good to see this fresh infusion of energy and faith into this wonderful longstanding church. At the same time, much of what I love about FBC Kenedy is still the same. My grandparents sitting just to the left of me in their same pew, intently reading their Bibles as the sermon began. Truett Hunt, a life long member of FBC praying in his eloquent ways, “O Lord of our long strewn battle lines, watch over us sinners,” and then ending his prayer with a doxology of praise. One of my best friend’s dad (as a kid we used to time is prayers because they were so long) praying his long, but incredibly heartfelt prayer. Rachel and I, feeling the glares of our fathers, as we whispered and laughed during the children’s sermon. Some things always stay the same! As a kid, Mr. Hunt’s prayers seemed antiquated and contrived. Weldon’s prayers seemed severely long and boring, and my parents’ stares seemed condemning. As a young pastor returning home for just one weekend, both all that has stayed the same and all that has changed were the very words of God filling my soul as I saw this family in new light; I think, in a truer, more revealing light. But, I missed Rick leading music and Kim and Mandi singing and playing the piano (we are SO blessed to have them). I missed hearing my family of faith pray, sing, and worship. I missed preaching and looking out on all of your faces as you respond to God working in you. I missed visiting with you all before Church and hugging you all after Church. I even missed that high school auditorium (and I very much longed for that worship space on the hill!) It was wonderful to worship with the people that used to be my family of faith. This Sunday, it will be even more wonderful to worship with you all who are now my family of faith. With love in my heart, I will see you Sunday. ************************************************ ************************************************