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Officials meet to fix I-35 congestion

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:17:44 -0600

WACO - State officials say relieving traffic on I-35 is a top priority.

The Texas Department of Transportation officials held a meeting in Waco to discuss the situation with local officials.

Some ideas included extending state Highway 130 and building a high speed rail system that would connect Dallas, Houston and San Antonio using the Killeen-Temple area as a central hub.

Officials say they want public input. They will present ideas next month to four advisory committees to develop a plan.

Defeated candidate Wilson supporting opponent, candidate Flores

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:20:52 -0600

WACO - Defeated U.S. House hopeful Chuck Wilson says he will support his former opponent Bill Flores in a run off.

Flores is facing Republican Rob Curnock for the seat.

Wilson says Flores shares a common rural experience with local residents.

Candidates vie to replace Hutchison

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:10:47 -0600

It is not exactly clear if or when Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison will resign her senate seat as she promised.

However, it isn't stopping those who have their eyes set on her chair.

Former Secretary of State Roger Williams is among those getting ready for the possible opening.

Others who have expressed interest include fellow Republicans Michael Williams and Elizabeth Ames Jones, both railroad commissioners.

So far one Democrat, former State Comptroller John Sharp has said he too will run.

State senator stepping down after a week

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:22:32 -0600

UNDATED - State Senator Kip Averitt will be stepping down later this month.

The Republican's announcement on Monday, comes just a week after he won his primary race.

Averitt cited health concerns.

A special election will be held in may to fill his vacancy.

Shooting at Dallas bank

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:22:44 -0600

DALLAS - Shots were reported around 11 a.m. at the United Texas Bank.

The bank is located on the first floor of a multi-story building off Merit Drive.

Reports indicate three people suffered injuries including the gunman.

According to police the two victims were a father and son.

The investigation is ongoing.

Waco ISD teacher allegedly slaps student

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:41:04 -0600

WACO - A Waco ISD teacher is suspended for allegedly slapping a student on Tuesday.

It happened at Meadowbrook Elementary School.

Officials say the child became unruly and spit on the teacher, after which she hit him several times in the face.

Unemployment rises in McLennan County

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:36:54 -0600

WACO - Unemployment increased in McLennan County between December and January.

The McLennan County rate went to 7.4 percent in January from last December's 6.8 percent, according to numbers released Thursday.

The number of unemployed rose from 7,900 to 8,600.

The Texas Workforce Commission says the increase is a result of more people looking to work rather than job loss.

Lady Bears star player suspended 2 games

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:36:38 -0600

WACO - Baylor freshman Brittney Griner will miss two games after punching a Texas Tech player.

NCAA rules required at least a one-game suspension.

Griner is Baylor's top scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker.

43rd annual Caritas fundraiser

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:30:45 -0600

Caritas of Waco is hosting their 43rd annual 'Feast of Caring' event tonight at McLennan Community College.

The 'feast' is an evening that features a simple meal of bread and soup to help attendees empathize with the struggles of those who have serious needs in their lives.

This year's guest speaker will be Grant Teaf, former university of Baylor head football coach.

The event also is the key fundraising event.

Caritas aids approximately 1,500 families a month with emergency food and services.

Baylor receives largest donation in history

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:15:44 -0600

WACO - Baylor University received an estimated $200 dollar estate gift.

It is the largest donation in the school's history.

The donor asked to remain anonymous and will give the money when they die.

Postal service could decrease by 1 day

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:27:51 -0600

The United States Postal Service is considering cutting back mail delivery from six days to five, eliminating Saturday mail.

The postmaster general says more people are paying bills and sending messages online, leading to a major drop in first class mail.

The amount of mail delivered fell from 213 billion items to 170 billion in the past four years.

Congress will have to approve the service cutbacks.

The postal service is threatening increased prices and longer delivery times if a day is not cut.

Senator Hutchison concedes to Governor Perry

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:58:43 -0600

UNDATED - Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison conceded the Republican nomination for Texas governor to Governor Rick Perry last night.

The GOP nominee will face democratic nominee and former Houston Mayor Bill White.

The 2010 Texas gubernatorial election will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2010.

Wintry weather hurting nursuries

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:40:47 -0600

Recent wintry weather is affecting plant nurseries in Central Texas.

Greenhouse and nursery owners say the storms have caused excess damage to their buildings.

They say they have struggled to grow, nurture and even sell plants during late 2009 and into this year.

Cold temperatures have also caused a spike in heating bills.

McLennan coach named Coach of the Year

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:37:42 -0600

WACO - McLennan County Community College basketball coach Kevin Gill has been named coach of the year.

The award was given by the North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference.

Uninsured drivers will receive warning from state

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:46:52 -0600

WACO - More than 40,000 McLennan County residents are on the list of uninsured drivers who will soon receive warning letters from the state.

The Texas Department of Insurance will begin sending out letters sometime this spring to drivers informing them they are in violation of the law.

McLennan County's percentage of uninsured drivers is 22 percent, the same for the state.

Primary elections vote tomorrow

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:07:45 -0600

WACO - Texas primary elections will be held tomorrow.

Republican gubernatorial candidates include incumbent Rick Perry, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Debra Medina.

Democratic candidates include Bill White and Faruk Shami.

Theatre suspends shows indefinitely

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:47:12 -0600

WACO - The Waco Hippodrome Theatre has canceled its last show and closed indefinitely.

Thursdays performance was canceled due to budget shortfalls, as well as the firing of the theatres staff and ending plans for the 2010-2011 season.

The group also had to cancel several shows, refund money and that combined with the bad economy, meant they could not afford to do shows anymore.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison to visit Waco

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:43:36 -0600

WACO - Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison is headed to Waco today.

The senator will be speaking at the Texas Farm Bureau Office on Fish Pond Road today at 4:00 p.m..

Hutchison is running for Governor of Texas.

Primaries will be held on March 2nd.

Poll shows Perry pulling away

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 18:13:43 -0600

The race for the March 2 primaries continues with current Governor Rick Perry seperating from the pack.

In September, Senator Hutchison had a 40-38 lead over Perry.

According to a current Rasmussen poll, Perry is enjoying a 21 percent lead over Hutchison.

Debra Medina holds 16 percent of the primary vote, dropping at least 4 percent in the polls.

Experts say it is due to her response to a question of the U.S. government being involved in the 9/11 attacks.

Man indicted after throwing baby

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:29:05 -0600

WACO - A Waco man who allegedly threw his girlfriend's child against a wall has been indicted on capital murder charges.

Officials say Derrick Nicholes reportedly got frustrated when the child would not stop crying.

Man arrested on capital murder charges

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:04:46 -0600

WACO - 2 people were murdered last night in Waco.

Police say Stacy Coleman and Gerald Eaton were both killed around 8:30 p.m..

The suspected killer is now behind bars.

The shooting took place off the 3400 block of North 19th Street.

Police say John Ford has been charged with capital murder in the incident.

Ford and Eaton reportedly got into an argument when Ford pulled out a gun and started shooting.

Investigators convinced Ford to turn himself in for the crime.

Officials warn drivers to be safe

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:58:48 -0600

WACO - After 3 inches of snow in Waco yesterday sunny skies are expected through the day today.

Officials say road conditions could still be slick as temperatures fell late Tuesday.

They urge drivers to be careful on the roads.

Longtime principal stepping down

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:14:06 -0600

WACO - After 12 years A.J. Moore Academy principal Debra Bishop will be stepping down.

Bishop is leaving to become an independent council for the National Academy Foundation.

Bishop's last day at the academy is this Friday.

Officials prepared for wintry weather

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:13:56 -0600

WACO - In anticipation of the winter weather, local officials made sure they were prepared.

Officials with the Texas Department of Transportation spent Monday filling trucks with sand and gravel, plus de-icing mixtures.

At Oncor, officials say they were ready for the wintry blast.

One worker we spoke with said all crew members were on hand to monitor power outages.

Outages can be reported at 888-313-4747.

Please report downed power lines to 911.

Police arrest two alleged church arsonists

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:00:48 -0600

A pair of arrests are made in a string of church fires in East Texas.

Authorities have taken 19-year-old Jason Robert Bourque and 21-year-old Daniel George McAllister into custody.

Officials suspect the two are responsible for ten church fires since January first.

Police have charged the suspects, both from the Tyler area, with only one count of felony arson.

More charges are expected later this week.

Property damage at the churches is estimated to be in the millions.

Sierra Club suing Luminant

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:46:00 -0600

WACO - The Sierra Club has filed its intention to sue power company Luminant.

They claim the company violated the Clean Air Act with Big Brown, a coal-burning power plant in Fairfield.

The plant is located 60 miles east of Waco.

Kinky rallies in Waco

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:53:51 -0600

WACO - Democrat Kinky Friedman was in Waco Friday rallying support for his Texas Agriculture Commission campaign.

Friedman met with voters at Common Grounds in Waco.

Some of his ideas to improve agriculture in the state include promoting fund development of renewable crops and accelerating grant funds for biomass and bio-energy products.

Friedman ran as an independent in the 2006 Texas gubernatorial race.

Fire displaces family of three

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:21:02 -0600

WACO - A family of three is displaced after a fire in their garage burned through their house.

It happened in the Parkdale Viking Hills neighborhood.

No one was reported injured and the cause is still being investigated.

Plane crashes into Austin building

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:20:49 -0600

AUSTIN - A small plane crashed into a building in north Austin around 10 a.m..

Officials believe it could have been intentional.

The pilot, Joseph Andrew Stack, reportedly set his own home on fire before flying the plane into the building.

His daughter and wife were rescued from their burning home.

Reports say IRS and CIA offices are housed in that building.

Immediately after the crash 2 people were rushed to the hospital with injuries.

Reports say pilot Joseph Stack has been confirmed dead.

Man oversleeps court date, gets 20 years

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:11:14 -0600

WACO - A man hoping for felony probation was sentenced 20 years in prison after oversleeping his court appearance.

Alton Young pleaded guilty to burglary of a habitation back in November.