Saturday, March 13, 2010
Census Bureau in Desperate Need of Area Workers
ABILENE-- Two Thousand jobs are up for grabs but not even two hundred showed up today for a chance to find work from the Census Bureau.
the 2010 census bureau is recruiting hundreds of workers to help them with the upcoming census. There was a mass testing Saturday, but not nearly enough people showed up. Watch our story...
For more information about a temporary job call 866-861-2010
Dyess Airmen Learn Lessons While Building Habitat Home
ABILENE -- The Dyess Airman's Advisory Council teamed up for the first time with Habitat for Humanity Saturday.
The Advisory Council was designed to help build character and morale in airman. Council leaders say working with Habitat on this project is a great opportunity to do just that. Volunteers from Dyess worked to build the Mendoza family a home. Watch our story...
To Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity call (325) 670-0489
Motorcycle Crash Victim Improving
ABILENE -- Two Abilene residents are still hospitalized after an accident on Abilene's north side Friday afternoon.
Police say a truck pulled out in front of a motorcycle on Highway 351, near the north side Wal-Mart.
Two people were riding on the motorcycle. As of Saturday afternoon, 31-year-old Ann Simmons is still in critical condition following surgery at Hendrick Medical Center. 34-year-old Kenneth Simmons was flown to Parkland Hospital in Dallas and is in stable condition. The driver of the truck, 28-year-old Thomas Henson, wasn't injured.
Friday, March 12, 2010
 Anderson Draws Prison Time
ABILENE -- Friday, an Abilene jury sentenced 22-year-old Jason Anderson to seven years in prison for his role in Michael Myrick's murder.
It took the jury less than two hours to reach that sentence. Thursday, Anderson was convicted of murder by entering into a conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and murder was committed.
Abilene Police say Anderson was one of six people who killed the 36-year-old Myrick in November of 2007.
KTXS Crime and Courts Reporter Melissa Garcia has more. Watch our story...
 Councilman Has Definite Ideas For City Cost Cutting
ABILENE -- Abilene City Councilman Anthony Williams has some ideas to save the city money during these tough financial times.
He thinks a smaller local government will work. Williams says the other options, raising taxes and cutting services, are not his favorite. Watch our story...
Abilene Zoo will be Open on First City Furlough Day
ABILENE -- The Abilene Zoo will be open next Friday, March 19th. Nearly all City offices, except for those providing life safety services like fire and police protection, will be  closed for a furlough day.
Zoo staff members will have their schedules adjusted so their furlough day may take place on a different day.
It's Rattlesnake Roundup Time
SWEETWATER -- The 52 Annual Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup is this weekend.
Thousands of people from all over the county head to Sweetwater to take in the snakes, enjoy the carnival, arts and crafts, cook-offs, and a knife, gun and coin show.
Watch our story...
Records link cell phone use to accidents
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Cell phone use has contributed to thousands of Texas automobile accidents since 2005, according to records obtained by a San Antonio television station through an open-records request.
WOAI examined the Texas Department of Transportation database and found that investigating officers cited cell phone use as a contributing factor in more than 17,00 accidents with more than 7,500 injuries and 167 deaths.
The Texas Bucket List
ABILENE -- Texas Monthly magazine has a list of 63 things all Texans should do before they die.
They call it their bucket list. It includes some things you can find right here in the Big Country.
Watch our story...
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Anderson Guilty
ABILENE -- The jury in the trial of an Abilene man accused of murder has come back with a guilty verdict.
22-year old Jason Anderson was found guilty about 9 PM Thursday of murder by entering into a conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and murder was committed.
Anderson, is one of six accused of killing 36-year-old Michael Myrick in November 2007. In closing arguments, defense attorney Daniel Barnes pointed out that there's no DNA evidence connecting Anderson to Myrick's murder.
Prosecutor Joel Wilks said that's because Anderson was standing behind Myrick, hitting him over the head with a shovel, when Thelma Maldonado was stabbing him from the front.
Ruff Riders Player Shot
ABILENE -- A member of the Abilene Ruff Riders football team was injured in a shooting Wednesday night.
 According to police, defensive lineman Rico Brooks was shot in both legs outside an Abilene apartment
complex. The shooting happened sometime after midnight. Ruff Riders Coach Gerald Dockery tells KTXS he was informed of the shooting about 1 AM Thursday. Dockery says Brooks was approached by a masked man wielding a shotgun. The man fired one shot that struck Brooks in both legs.
Dockery says the player had emergency surgery early Thursday morning and is looking at a long recovery.
Police tell us they have no suspect information at this time.
Furlough Days Still A Hot Topic
ABILENE -- Several groups continue to discuss alternatives to planned cuts and furlough days that the City of Abilene has scheduled to make up for a budget deficit.
The Abilene Firefighters Association says the furlough days will undoubtedly affect the quality of emergency services in Abilene. Watch our story...
Abilene Police Association Speaks About Furlough Days
ABILENE -- In a press conference Thursday, members of the Abilene Police Officers Association said they understand why city furloughs need to be made, but wanted to clear up some issues.
Police officers association President Mike Hobbs said rumors had surfaced that they had hired an attorney to stop the furlough situation. Hobbs says that's not the case, the association was just working to make sure the required furlough days agreed with their existing contract in accordance with the civil service code.
Hobbs also said he didn't believe safety in the community would be compromised by the police furlough days.
Petition Started to Protest Cuts
Dozens of senior citizens are also angry at the city's discussion of possibly discontinuing their bus service.
One woman came up with a list of alternative suggestions for the city. She has also started a petition and collected over 300 signatures. Watch our story...
Stamford Bank Robbery Suspect In Custody
STAMFORD -- Authorities have arrested a Fort Worth man who may be responsible for robbing a Stamford bank.
Friday, Vernon Parrish, Louisiana deputies tracked down 55-year-old Eddie Joe Sutton about 45 minutes after a bank there was robbed. They say he confessed to the February 5th robbery of the First National Bank of Stamford and three other bank robberies. Official charges have not yet been filed.
City Wins Energy Award
ABILENE -- The City of Abilene got an incentive check at this morning's City Council meeting from AEP.
The $44,610 check rewards the City for several energy-efficiency projects as part a multi-year plan to reduce energy costs. The City of Abilene upgraded traffic signals and HVAC equipment, installed energy management systems and replaced outdated lighting in a variety of city buildings.
The CitySmart program provides technical and financial assistance to help city governments reduce operating costs by increasing energy efficiency.
Firefighters Battle Early Morning Fire
ABILENE - Another blaze broke out around 3 a.m. in the 1300 block of Lake Side Drive.
According to officials, most of the damage was contained to the attic and exterior of the house.
The one person who was home at the time managed to escape.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
KTXS Severe Weather Special
ABILENE -- If you missed our KTXS Severe Weather Special Thursday night, you can watch it on-line.
CLICK HERE
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Santiago Garza, Jr. to Spend Life in Prison
 ABILENE -- Santiago Garza, Jr. has reached a plea deal and will spend life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Garza admitted to the capital murder charges in the deaths of 18-year-old Nathaniel Moss and 24-year-old Tina Moreno last July. If he had gone to trial and been convicted, Garza could have faced the death penalty. Watch our story...
The other man accused of the murders, Yrineo "Neal" Flores, will face trial in June.
Fire Destroys Merkel Family's Home
MERKEL -- The house fire that broke out around 9:45 Wednesday morning destroyed a large 2-story home.
The fire, in the 300 block of South 8th, was fanned by winds more than 40 miles an hour.
The wind also spread the fire to nearby structures. Watch our story...
The family who lived in the home lost everything. Watch our story...
If you'd like to donate to help the victims of the fire, call the Abilene Red Cross at 677-2622 and specify that the money go to the Merkel fire victims or click here.
WASPS Get Congressional Gold Medal
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Members of the Women's Airforce Service Pilots were honored with the Congressional Gold Medal today. Many were on hand to receive the award.
The women trained at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, supporting male pilots who flew combat missions in World War II. Watch our story...
Abilene Sales Tax Numbers Increase
ABILENE -- Abilene's Sales Tax Revenue numbers were up in January, for the first time since April 2009.
January 2010 sales tax revenue increased $65,586.60. The City of Abilene is watching these numbers very closely because they could have to make more cuts in city services. Watch our story...
Help with Filing your Taxes is Now Available
ABILENE --Taxes are due April 15, but already help will be available if you want to get your taxes filed early.
The help is free of charge. You can find people set up at the Mall of Abilene and the Downtown Public Library.
Mall of Abilene Tax Help: Downtown Library:
Monday --10 a.m. -- 2 p.m. Wednesday 1 p.m. -- 5 p.m.
Tuesday -- 4 p.m. -- 8 p.m. Thursday 1 p.m. -- 5 p.m.
Friday -- 10 a.m. -- 2 p.m.
Saturday -- 10 a.m. -- 2 p.m.
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