Missing CPS worker found dead in S. Texas
VICTORIA, Texas (DallasNews.com/AP) – The body of a Child Protective Services program director was found Wednesday in rural Victoria County, and police say she had received threats related to her work.
Family members reported Sally Blackwell, 53, missing after she didn't show up for work Tuesday morning.
Victoria police Lt. Mike Hernandez said the case was being investigated as a homicide. He acknowledged that Blackwell had received work-related threats but would not elaborate, the Victoria Advocate reported in its Wednesday editions.
"We are hoping to wake up from a nightmare," said Holly Tachovsky, Blackwell's niece.
The family is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the killer's conviction, she said.
"This is now about finding justice for Sally Blackwell," Tachovsky said. "We need to find that person so we do right by Sally."
CPS investigates reports of abuse and neglect of children, and, if necessary, places them in foster care.
Blackwell was hired at CPS as a caseworker in the department's Cuero office in 1990, and became a supervisor in 1998, agency spokesman Patrick Crimmins said.
In 2001, she was promoted to program director in Victoria, where she oversaw 46 caseworkers, their supervisors and support staff in nine counties.
Crimmins said in a news release that employees are trained to handle workplace violence, to deal with hostile clients and how to handle their own personal security when visiting homes.
The agency is "shocked and saddened," he said.
"Everyone who was aware of her disappearance had been hoping there would be a happier outcome," he said. "Word has been spreading across the state."
Tachovsky said Blackwell loved helping children. Her aunt was a calm woman who could "talk you through your sorrow and grief."
"She knew her job had risks but she was dedicated to it," Tachovsky said. "Not that we know it had anything to do with it."
Blackwell's last known communication was with a co-worker about 9 p.m. Monday. An overnight search Tuesday came up empty, Hernandez said. County employees discovered the body late Wednesday afternoon, he said.
Police continued to hunt Wednesday night for evidence under floodlights along the country roads where Blackwell's body was found. Hernandez said he didn't know whether Blackwell was killed at the scene or her body dumped there.
News from the Lone Star State
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Plano soccer coach held in molestations
He faces charges of indecency with 2 elementary-age girls
By JENNIFER EMILY / The Dallas Morning News
PLANO, Texas – Plano police are investigating a 64-year-old youth soccer coach they believe molested at least two elementary school-age girls, police said Wednesday. Investigators are also looking into other allegations.
Police arrested Dennis Drummond and charged him with two counts of indecency with a child by contact. Two girls – one in kindergarten and another in fourth grade – made separate allegations against Mr. Drummond, said Officer Carl Duke, a Plano police spokesman.
Police are worried there could be other victims.
"[Mr.] Drummond has been in a position of contact with juveniles for a long period of time; we encourage parents who have had children on any of his teams take the time to talk to their children about any inappropriate contact," Officer Duke said.
Mr. Drummond declined to be interviewed from the Collin County Jail, where he is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail. No other criminal record was found.
During the three years Mr. Drummond coached in the Plano Youth Soccer Association, a few parents anonymously called the group to say the coach was "too friendly with the girls," said George Ostrander, who founded the group in 1976. "But nothing like this," he added.
Mr. Ostrander said callers were urged to come forward, but they never did.
He said several parents have recently told him that girls on Mr. Drummond's team have spent the night at his Plano house. Mr. Ostrander said he suggests that parents never leave their children anywhere alone with a coach.
The girls were interviewed separately at the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center.
The younger girl said that Mr. Drummond made her touch him inappropriately over his clothes after soccer practice at his house, according to a probable cause affidavit. The incident happened Jan. 28 while she was sitting on Mr. Drummond's couch waiting for her mother to pick her up. The other teammates had left.
The older girl said Mr. Drummond touched her inappropriately over her bathing suit while she was swimming at his house last summer, another probable cause affidavit said. At least one other girl, age 10, was also swimming at the house.
"It breaks my heart," Mr. Ostrander said, his eyes watery and red as he stood outside the Plano Police Department. "It almost brings me to tears."
Mr. Ostrander said he gave police the rosters of the five teams Mr. Drummond has coached after police called about the investigation a couple of weeks ago.
Mr. Ostrander said that looking back, he believes it was odd that Mr. Drummond only coached girls' teams. Mr. Ostrander said coaching applicants are subject to a criminal background check conducted by a private agency. Mr. Drummond passed, he said.
Mr. Drummond left the Plano Youth Soccer Association in November because of a spat over scheduling. He applied to coach with Plano Sports Authority but resigned before he ever coached a game, said Mike Kramer, director of the sports authority.
Mr. Kramer said he did not know why Mr. Drummond left. Officer Duke said Mr. Drummond resigned when he found out police were investigating him.
Mr. Ostrander said he did not know whether Mr. Drummond had a relative who played on one of the soccer teams. Many coaches, like Mr. Ostrander, coach their children. Others do not have kids on a team.
The charges came as a surprise to those who know him.
Kim Werden, another youth soccer coach, said Wednesday that she enjoyed working with Mr. Drummond when their teams faced off on the soccer field in recent years and was surprised to hear about the charges.
She said Mr. Drummond took charge of organizing some of the soccer teams before he decided to take his teams to a new league this year.
"I was sorry to see him go," Ms. Werden said. "He was very involved with the soccer and a really nice guy."
Rick Hodges, 50, who has lived across the street from Mr. Drummond for eight years, said there were always children at Mr. Drummond's house. He said Mr. Drummond would hug the children whenever he saw them. He called Mr. Drummond the kind of person the community needs more of.
Mr. Drummond's wife, Barbara, died of cancer in 2000, Mr. Hodges said.
"If you meet the man, he is guileless, without pretense. He just hugs them out of a very honest place in his heart," he said.
Indecency with a child by contact is a second-degree felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison.
Police ask that anyone with information about Mr. Drummond that may assist the investigation call the Plano Police Department tip line at 972-941-2148.
Staff writers Karen Ayres and Lee Powell contributed to this report.
He faces charges of indecency with 2 elementary-age girls
By JENNIFER EMILY / The Dallas Morning News
PLANO, Texas – Plano police are investigating a 64-year-old youth soccer coach they believe molested at least two elementary school-age girls, police said Wednesday. Investigators are also looking into other allegations.
Police arrested Dennis Drummond and charged him with two counts of indecency with a child by contact. Two girls – one in kindergarten and another in fourth grade – made separate allegations against Mr. Drummond, said Officer Carl Duke, a Plano police spokesman.
Police are worried there could be other victims.
"[Mr.] Drummond has been in a position of contact with juveniles for a long period of time; we encourage parents who have had children on any of his teams take the time to talk to their children about any inappropriate contact," Officer Duke said.
Mr. Drummond declined to be interviewed from the Collin County Jail, where he is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail. No other criminal record was found.
During the three years Mr. Drummond coached in the Plano Youth Soccer Association, a few parents anonymously called the group to say the coach was "too friendly with the girls," said George Ostrander, who founded the group in 1976. "But nothing like this," he added.
Mr. Ostrander said callers were urged to come forward, but they never did.
He said several parents have recently told him that girls on Mr. Drummond's team have spent the night at his Plano house. Mr. Ostrander said he suggests that parents never leave their children anywhere alone with a coach.
The girls were interviewed separately at the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center.
The younger girl said that Mr. Drummond made her touch him inappropriately over his clothes after soccer practice at his house, according to a probable cause affidavit. The incident happened Jan. 28 while she was sitting on Mr. Drummond's couch waiting for her mother to pick her up. The other teammates had left.
The older girl said Mr. Drummond touched her inappropriately over her bathing suit while she was swimming at his house last summer, another probable cause affidavit said. At least one other girl, age 10, was also swimming at the house.
"It breaks my heart," Mr. Ostrander said, his eyes watery and red as he stood outside the Plano Police Department. "It almost brings me to tears."
Mr. Ostrander said he gave police the rosters of the five teams Mr. Drummond has coached after police called about the investigation a couple of weeks ago.
Mr. Ostrander said that looking back, he believes it was odd that Mr. Drummond only coached girls' teams. Mr. Ostrander said coaching applicants are subject to a criminal background check conducted by a private agency. Mr. Drummond passed, he said.
Mr. Drummond left the Plano Youth Soccer Association in November because of a spat over scheduling. He applied to coach with Plano Sports Authority but resigned before he ever coached a game, said Mike Kramer, director of the sports authority.
Mr. Kramer said he did not know why Mr. Drummond left. Officer Duke said Mr. Drummond resigned when he found out police were investigating him.
Mr. Ostrander said he did not know whether Mr. Drummond had a relative who played on one of the soccer teams. Many coaches, like Mr. Ostrander, coach their children. Others do not have kids on a team.
The charges came as a surprise to those who know him.
Kim Werden, another youth soccer coach, said Wednesday that she enjoyed working with Mr. Drummond when their teams faced off on the soccer field in recent years and was surprised to hear about the charges.
She said Mr. Drummond took charge of organizing some of the soccer teams before he decided to take his teams to a new league this year.
"I was sorry to see him go," Ms. Werden said. "He was very involved with the soccer and a really nice guy."
Rick Hodges, 50, who has lived across the street from Mr. Drummond for eight years, said there were always children at Mr. Drummond's house. He said Mr. Drummond would hug the children whenever he saw them. He called Mr. Drummond the kind of person the community needs more of.
Mr. Drummond's wife, Barbara, died of cancer in 2000, Mr. Hodges said.
"If you meet the man, he is guileless, without pretense. He just hugs them out of a very honest place in his heart," he said.
Indecency with a child by contact is a second-degree felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison.
Police ask that anyone with information about Mr. Drummond that may assist the investigation call the Plano Police Department tip line at 972-941-2148.
Staff writers Karen Ayres and Lee Powell contributed to this report.
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Fire destoys landmark general store in Comfort
COMFORT, Texas (DallasNews.com/AP) – An early morning fire Wednesday destroyed one of the state's oldest continuously operating general stores.
Ingenhuett's was left a shell after about 30 firefighters from several communities responded to the blaze. Comfort Fire Chief Danny Morales said crews had to fight the fire from the perimeter because of exploding ammunition from the store's inventory.
"We had to let it burn," he said.
The store was opened in 1867 by Peter Joseph Ingenhuett and moved in 1880 to its present location in a limestone building.
"It's the landmark of Comfort in my opinion," Kerr County Commissioner Jonathan Letz, a great-great grandson of the store's second owner, Paul Ingenhuett, said in a story in Thursday's Kerrville Daily Times. "In addition to being the store, a huge amount of Comfort history, pictures and papers were in there."
Morales said that investigators have not determined what caused the fire.
Comfort is about 50 miles northwest of San Antonio.
COMFORT, Texas (DallasNews.com/AP) – An early morning fire Wednesday destroyed one of the state's oldest continuously operating general stores.
Ingenhuett's was left a shell after about 30 firefighters from several communities responded to the blaze. Comfort Fire Chief Danny Morales said crews had to fight the fire from the perimeter because of exploding ammunition from the store's inventory.
"We had to let it burn," he said.
The store was opened in 1867 by Peter Joseph Ingenhuett and moved in 1880 to its present location in a limestone building.
"It's the landmark of Comfort in my opinion," Kerr County Commissioner Jonathan Letz, a great-great grandson of the store's second owner, Paul Ingenhuett, said in a story in Thursday's Kerrville Daily Times. "In addition to being the store, a huge amount of Comfort history, pictures and papers were in there."
Morales said that investigators have not determined what caused the fire.
Comfort is about 50 miles northwest of San Antonio.
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Rockwall growth booming
County's 7.7% increase in population leads state, is 4th in nation
By IAN McCANN / The Dallas Morning News
ROCKWALL, Texas - Rockwall County is back on top in Texas.
According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released today, the state's smallest county was again the big winner in percentage population growth from 2004 to 2005, growing 7.7 percent to 62,944 people.
That percentage gain ranked Rockwall County fourth in the nation, which was led by the 10.7 percent growth in Flagler County, Fla.
And Lampasas County in Central Texas, which took the title as the state's growth leader from 2003 to 2004, led the state in population decline from 2004 to 2005, according to the Census Bureau.
Rockwall County Judge Bill Bell said he's not surprised, and not necessarily pleased, by the numbers.
"I think we're dealing with it," he said. "It doesn't hurt the county as much as it hurts the schools."
His counterpart in Lampasas County, Virgil Lilley, said that he wasn't aware of the drop in the census estimate but that it sounded strange.
"The only plausible explanation I can think of is a bad number somewhere or some kind of troop movement," he said, referring to nearby Fort Hood.
State demographer Steve Murdock said year-to-year changes – especially in smaller counties such as Rockwall and Lampasas (with an estimated population of 19,669 on July 1, 2005) – mean less than longer-term trends.
From the 2000 census to the 2005 estimate, Rockwall's 46.1 percent growth leads the state and is No. 3 in the country.
Other area counties showed continuing growth from 2004 to 2005.
Collin County, with the second-fastest growth in Texas, edged closer to the 700,000 mark with an estimated 659,457 people.
It added 31,031 people, the ninth-largest numerical increase in the country.
Also among the top 10 in the nation with the largest increase in number of people were Harris and Tarrant counties.
Dallas County's population grew by about 0.6 percent, to just over 2.3 million.
Mr. Bell said Rockwall County was continuing to prepare for more growth.
"Our build-out is 250,000," he said. "It's going to happen. It's just a matter of when. We know it's coming."
County's 7.7% increase in population leads state, is 4th in nation
By IAN McCANN / The Dallas Morning News
ROCKWALL, Texas - Rockwall County is back on top in Texas.
According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released today, the state's smallest county was again the big winner in percentage population growth from 2004 to 2005, growing 7.7 percent to 62,944 people.
That percentage gain ranked Rockwall County fourth in the nation, which was led by the 10.7 percent growth in Flagler County, Fla.
And Lampasas County in Central Texas, which took the title as the state's growth leader from 2003 to 2004, led the state in population decline from 2004 to 2005, according to the Census Bureau.
Rockwall County Judge Bill Bell said he's not surprised, and not necessarily pleased, by the numbers.
"I think we're dealing with it," he said. "It doesn't hurt the county as much as it hurts the schools."
His counterpart in Lampasas County, Virgil Lilley, said that he wasn't aware of the drop in the census estimate but that it sounded strange.
"The only plausible explanation I can think of is a bad number somewhere or some kind of troop movement," he said, referring to nearby Fort Hood.
State demographer Steve Murdock said year-to-year changes – especially in smaller counties such as Rockwall and Lampasas (with an estimated population of 19,669 on July 1, 2005) – mean less than longer-term trends.
From the 2000 census to the 2005 estimate, Rockwall's 46.1 percent growth leads the state and is No. 3 in the country.
Other area counties showed continuing growth from 2004 to 2005.
Collin County, with the second-fastest growth in Texas, edged closer to the 700,000 mark with an estimated 659,457 people.
It added 31,031 people, the ninth-largest numerical increase in the country.
Also among the top 10 in the nation with the largest increase in number of people were Harris and Tarrant counties.
Dallas County's population grew by about 0.6 percent, to just over 2.3 million.
Mr. Bell said Rockwall County was continuing to prepare for more growth.
"Our build-out is 250,000," he said. "It's going to happen. It's just a matter of when. We know it's coming."
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2 indicted for organized crime, murder-for-hire
By BRETT SHIPP / News 8 Investigates (WFAA ABC 8)
HUNT COUNTY, Texas — Two men allegedly involved in illegal gambling activities in East Texas have also been indicted in connection with organized crime and a murder-for-hire scheme.
The new information came in the wake of a News 8 investigation into the growing illegal gambling industry in nearby Hunt County.
The undercover investigation broadcast two weeks ago exposed a lucrative and thriving illegal gambling industry in southern Hunt County, which is just east of Dallas.
The response from the investigation had some local residents saying they were embarrassed and disgusted.
In gaming room after gaming room in southern Hunt County, there were a dozen smal casinos in a 20 square mile area.
But two weeks after the News 8 exposé, the businesses remained open and the Hunt County Attorney Joel Littlefield claimed his hands were tied due to a loophole in state law.
"We have no help from the state with regard to closing this loophole down," he said.
The sheriff blamed Hunt County commissioners for a lack of resources; Hunt County commissioners blamed state laws governing gaming machines.
Commissioner Phillip Martin said he was not even sure a problem exists.
"I'm saying that there's a situation where they have these games that possibly, in a certain situation, could be made illegal at that point," Martin said. "I'm sure there's basketball games [and] illegal gambling. I'm sure that any time you have sports TV on TV that there's illegal gambling."
Across Lake Tawokani in neighboring Rains County, County Attorney Robert Vititow has zero tolerance for illegal gambling. He says most of the video slot machines he sees are illegal.
"You just don't have a lot of people go play if you can't win cash," he said. "So, when they are doing it illegally, we will continue to prosecute each one of those cases, no matter how long it takes."
Vititow's agents shut down a casino operating in a warehouse in October, 2004, and charged eight individuals with multiple crimes.
Two of them—Charlie McAnally and Hayward Rigano—are now under indictment in a murder-for-hire scheme for allegedly trying to have a Rains County investigator killed for investigating illegal gambling.
"I guess it's just something they thought needed to be done," Vititow said.
Back in Greenville, Hunt County Commissioners see casino operators in a less sinister light.
"They've got some good honest people, I'm talking about, in this county," Commissioner Martin said. "I can't help if you found somebody that was without integrity or honesty and was trying to evidently get self gain."
And while Hunt County officials downplay potential gambling violations as petty misdemeanor crimes, the Rains County attorney has charged all eight defendants with felonies including money laundering and engaging in organized crime.
By BRETT SHIPP / News 8 Investigates (WFAA ABC 8)
HUNT COUNTY, Texas — Two men allegedly involved in illegal gambling activities in East Texas have also been indicted in connection with organized crime and a murder-for-hire scheme.
The new information came in the wake of a News 8 investigation into the growing illegal gambling industry in nearby Hunt County.
The undercover investigation broadcast two weeks ago exposed a lucrative and thriving illegal gambling industry in southern Hunt County, which is just east of Dallas.
The response from the investigation had some local residents saying they were embarrassed and disgusted.
In gaming room after gaming room in southern Hunt County, there were a dozen smal casinos in a 20 square mile area.
But two weeks after the News 8 exposé, the businesses remained open and the Hunt County Attorney Joel Littlefield claimed his hands were tied due to a loophole in state law.
"We have no help from the state with regard to closing this loophole down," he said.
The sheriff blamed Hunt County commissioners for a lack of resources; Hunt County commissioners blamed state laws governing gaming machines.
Commissioner Phillip Martin said he was not even sure a problem exists.
"I'm saying that there's a situation where they have these games that possibly, in a certain situation, could be made illegal at that point," Martin said. "I'm sure there's basketball games [and] illegal gambling. I'm sure that any time you have sports TV on TV that there's illegal gambling."
Across Lake Tawokani in neighboring Rains County, County Attorney Robert Vititow has zero tolerance for illegal gambling. He says most of the video slot machines he sees are illegal.
"You just don't have a lot of people go play if you can't win cash," he said. "So, when they are doing it illegally, we will continue to prosecute each one of those cases, no matter how long it takes."
Vititow's agents shut down a casino operating in a warehouse in October, 2004, and charged eight individuals with multiple crimes.
Two of them—Charlie McAnally and Hayward Rigano—are now under indictment in a murder-for-hire scheme for allegedly trying to have a Rains County investigator killed for investigating illegal gambling.
"I guess it's just something they thought needed to be done," Vititow said.
Back in Greenville, Hunt County Commissioners see casino operators in a less sinister light.
"They've got some good honest people, I'm talking about, in this county," Commissioner Martin said. "I can't help if you found somebody that was without integrity or honesty and was trying to evidently get self gain."
And while Hunt County officials downplay potential gambling violations as petty misdemeanor crimes, the Rains County attorney has charged all eight defendants with felonies including money laundering and engaging in organized crime.
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Father-son tandem charged with robbery
DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A father and son were behind bars Thursday, charged with robbing two Dallas sandwich shops in March.
Steve Madden, 46, and Kenneth Madden, 22, were being held at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center. Both were charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, first-degree felonies that carry a punishment of five years to life in prison upon conviction. Information about bond was not immediately available.
Dallas police Senior Cpl. Max Geron said the men are suspected of armed robberies on March 4 at the Great American Hero sandwich shop in the 4000 block of Lemon Avenue and on Tuesday at the Subway in the 4300 block of West Northwest Highway.
"They would come into the stores, approach the employees, produce a handgun and demand the money," Geron said.
No one was injured, but the robberies netted them about $500 total, he said.
Police managed to piece together information about the suspects based on descriptions of them and their vehicle. The Maddens were arrested Wednesday in the parking lot of a Carrollton motel, where they were sleeping in their car.
"They had stayed at the motel, but they had checked out the night before," Geron said. "They stayed there long enough for officers to catch them."
The Maddens were being investigated as possible suspects in several other robberies in Dallas and the surrounding suburbs, police said.
DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A father and son were behind bars Thursday, charged with robbing two Dallas sandwich shops in March.
Steve Madden, 46, and Kenneth Madden, 22, were being held at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center. Both were charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, first-degree felonies that carry a punishment of five years to life in prison upon conviction. Information about bond was not immediately available.
Dallas police Senior Cpl. Max Geron said the men are suspected of armed robberies on March 4 at the Great American Hero sandwich shop in the 4000 block of Lemon Avenue and on Tuesday at the Subway in the 4300 block of West Northwest Highway.
"They would come into the stores, approach the employees, produce a handgun and demand the money," Geron said.
No one was injured, but the robberies netted them about $500 total, he said.
Police managed to piece together information about the suspects based on descriptions of them and their vehicle. The Maddens were arrested Wednesday in the parking lot of a Carrollton motel, where they were sleeping in their car.
"They had stayed at the motel, but they had checked out the night before," Geron said. "They stayed there long enough for officers to catch them."
The Maddens were being investigated as possible suspects in several other robberies in Dallas and the surrounding suburbs, police said.
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Mesquite police hit South Padre beach to find recruits
By BERT LOZANO / WFAA ABC 8
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas - Spring break on South Padre island is a chance for students to let off some steam.
"Oh yeah, the girls out here are beautiful, it's just a good time," said one tourist.
But it's the last place some would think about finding a job.
Despite the obvious distractions, Mesquite police have set up a tent on the beach.
Sgt Doug Yates is one of two officers who traveled to South Padre with their wives to sign up potential police candidates. There are thousands here.
"Most of these kids are in college, or out of college that's whey they are here. They're looking for careers. That's what they want," he says.
These students are prime targets at a time when Mesquite police find it a challenge to attract candidates who have at least 30 hours of college credit.
The military has recruited spring breakers for years here.
They've even set up elaborate games to grab the attention of students.
It pales in comparison to a lonely tent, but Mesquite police may have an advantage - especially during war.
Starting pay is around $50,000 a year - after five years, you are making $60,000.
By BERT LOZANO / WFAA ABC 8
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas - Spring break on South Padre island is a chance for students to let off some steam.
"Oh yeah, the girls out here are beautiful, it's just a good time," said one tourist.
But it's the last place some would think about finding a job.
Despite the obvious distractions, Mesquite police have set up a tent on the beach.
Sgt Doug Yates is one of two officers who traveled to South Padre with their wives to sign up potential police candidates. There are thousands here.
"Most of these kids are in college, or out of college that's whey they are here. They're looking for careers. That's what they want," he says.
These students are prime targets at a time when Mesquite police find it a challenge to attract candidates who have at least 30 hours of college credit.
The military has recruited spring breakers for years here.
They've even set up elaborate games to grab the attention of students.
It pales in comparison to a lonely tent, but Mesquite police may have an advantage - especially during war.
Starting pay is around $50,000 a year - after five years, you are making $60,000.
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Coach's behavior recalled
Parents report concerns, including Plano man's work as school sub
By JENNIFER EMILY / The Dallas Morning News
Parents from Sachse and Plano inundated Plano police with phone calls Thursday after a soccer coach was arrested and accused of inappropriately touching at least two girls who played for his teams.
Some had questions, others made allegations that Dennis Drummond, 64, might have touched their children inappropriately.
No additional charges were filed against Mr. Drummond after his initial arrest Tuesday on two charges of indecency with a child by contact.
"Parents from Sachse have been calling. We are aware of some of the allegations," said Plano police spokesman Carl Duke. " Right now our focus is on the investigation and whether there are any more children out there."
Officer Duke said allegations of wrongdoing in another jurisdiction need to be investigated by that department.
A Sachse mother said Thursday that Mr. Drummond inappropriately touched her daughter while he was a substitute teacher for the Garland school district in April.
The woman said he touched her daughter's behind last year when she bent over to get a pencil at Sewell Elementary in Sachse.
"She said 'Don't touch me again,' " the woman said her daughter told Mr. Drummond.
The mother said Mr. Drummond apologized and said he meant to touch her back.
She said she was surprised to hear of Mr. Drummond's arrest.
"We're all just amazed," the mother said. "I'm shocked that man's still out there."
The mother said there was not enough evidence for a criminal case against Mr. Drummond.
The Sachse Police Department declined to comment on the case. Phone messages left for Garland school district spokesmen were not returned Thursday.
Officer Duke said police are looking into whether Mr. Drummond substituted with the Plano school district.
He urged parents to talk to their children about inappropriate touching.
"They don't specifically have to talk to their child about this incident or this man. Just talk in a nonthreatening manner about inappropriate touching," said Officer Duke. "Often kids will know some touching is not right, but they don't know it's OK to tell."
Warning signs that the soccer coach may have had inappropriate contact with elementary-school age children on his teams were obvious in retrospect, a father of one of the teammates said Thursday.
David Stolk, whose daughter played on Mr. Drummond's team for two years, said the coach was constantly touching the girls, sitting them on his lap and buying them cheap trinkets like soccer-themed necklaces and bracelets. Mr. Stolk said although he never acted on his suspicions, he never left his daughter alone with the coach.
Mr. Drummond is accused of touching one girl inappropriately over her bathing suit and having another girl touch him inappropriately, according to probable cause affidavits.
He coached five teams over three years for the Plano Youth Soccer Association before taking his teams to the Plano Sports Authority. Mr. Drummond resigned from PSA when he learned of the investigation and before he coached a game, Plano police said.
Out of jail
Mr. Drummond declined to be interviewed at the Collin County Jail before he posted a $30,000 bond Thursday afternoon. Mr. Drummond refused a court-appointed attorney, but it was unclear whether he hired someone to represent him, records show.
Plano detectives continued investigating other allegations against Mr. Drummond Thursday, Officer Duke said.
Mr. Drummond did not have any children in the leagues. Some involved with the organization said he might have had grandchildren playing soccer. Others said they weren't certain.
Shawn Lung, the PYSA recreation director, said a majority of coaches have children playing in the league.
"Ninety-nine percent of the coaches we have are parents," she said. "We rely on parents to coach their kids."
Ms. Lung said she was not certain why Mr. Drummond became a PYSA coach. She said she believes parents or other coaches asked him to head a team.
George Ostrander, who founded PYSA, said the group had gotten anonymous phone calls complaining about Mr. Drummond but none mentioned anything similar to the allegations. He also said there was not an unusual number of girls who asked to not play on Mr. Drummond's teams again after the season ended.
Mr. Drummond passed a background check when he became a coach. Background checks are common for anyone working with children, said Mary Margaret Taylor, executive director of the Plano Sports Authority.
"You never know from day to day. You might think your next-door neighbor is as clean as the day is long. But then you find out differently," Ms. Taylor said.
PSA, a nonprofit organization, has Volunteer Select Plus in Georgia do nationwide background checks, but Ms. Taylor makes the final decision on who is granted volunteer or coaching status.
Mr. Stolk said Mr. Drummond frequently stood behind a girl on the sidelines and crossed his hands around her chest. This usually meant her head bumped against Mr. Drummond's body.
"Honestly, my wife and I both suspected he had a problem. All of the clues were right in front of everyone, Mr. Stolk said. "Because his symptoms were so blatant and in everyone's face, my wife automatically dismissed his actions as harmless."
Pool parties
Mr. Drummond hosted pool parties for the girls at his Plano house in the early spring, Mr. Stolk said, and Mr. Drummond got in the pool with the girls, playing and splashing with them.
Glenn Henry, who coaches a PYSA girl's team, said he had a hard time explaining the allegations to his daughter. She heard about what happened and didn't really understand. Mr. Henry said he did not know Mr. Drummond very well.
"His picture popped up on TV, and she recognized him and heard the word indecency," Mr. Henry said. "We had to explain the best we knew what was going on. Explaining that to an 8-year-old girl, that's something I wasn't ready for. I was forced into it."
Staff writers Karen Ayres and Tiara M. Ellis contributed to this report.
Parents report concerns, including Plano man's work as school sub
By JENNIFER EMILY / The Dallas Morning News
Parents from Sachse and Plano inundated Plano police with phone calls Thursday after a soccer coach was arrested and accused of inappropriately touching at least two girls who played for his teams.
Some had questions, others made allegations that Dennis Drummond, 64, might have touched their children inappropriately.
No additional charges were filed against Mr. Drummond after his initial arrest Tuesday on two charges of indecency with a child by contact.
"Parents from Sachse have been calling. We are aware of some of the allegations," said Plano police spokesman Carl Duke. " Right now our focus is on the investigation and whether there are any more children out there."
Officer Duke said allegations of wrongdoing in another jurisdiction need to be investigated by that department.
A Sachse mother said Thursday that Mr. Drummond inappropriately touched her daughter while he was a substitute teacher for the Garland school district in April.
The woman said he touched her daughter's behind last year when she bent over to get a pencil at Sewell Elementary in Sachse.
"She said 'Don't touch me again,' " the woman said her daughter told Mr. Drummond.
The mother said Mr. Drummond apologized and said he meant to touch her back.
She said she was surprised to hear of Mr. Drummond's arrest.
"We're all just amazed," the mother said. "I'm shocked that man's still out there."
The mother said there was not enough evidence for a criminal case against Mr. Drummond.
The Sachse Police Department declined to comment on the case. Phone messages left for Garland school district spokesmen were not returned Thursday.
Officer Duke said police are looking into whether Mr. Drummond substituted with the Plano school district.
He urged parents to talk to their children about inappropriate touching.
"They don't specifically have to talk to their child about this incident or this man. Just talk in a nonthreatening manner about inappropriate touching," said Officer Duke. "Often kids will know some touching is not right, but they don't know it's OK to tell."
Warning signs that the soccer coach may have had inappropriate contact with elementary-school age children on his teams were obvious in retrospect, a father of one of the teammates said Thursday.
David Stolk, whose daughter played on Mr. Drummond's team for two years, said the coach was constantly touching the girls, sitting them on his lap and buying them cheap trinkets like soccer-themed necklaces and bracelets. Mr. Stolk said although he never acted on his suspicions, he never left his daughter alone with the coach.
Mr. Drummond is accused of touching one girl inappropriately over her bathing suit and having another girl touch him inappropriately, according to probable cause affidavits.
He coached five teams over three years for the Plano Youth Soccer Association before taking his teams to the Plano Sports Authority. Mr. Drummond resigned from PSA when he learned of the investigation and before he coached a game, Plano police said.
Out of jail
Mr. Drummond declined to be interviewed at the Collin County Jail before he posted a $30,000 bond Thursday afternoon. Mr. Drummond refused a court-appointed attorney, but it was unclear whether he hired someone to represent him, records show.
Plano detectives continued investigating other allegations against Mr. Drummond Thursday, Officer Duke said.
Mr. Drummond did not have any children in the leagues. Some involved with the organization said he might have had grandchildren playing soccer. Others said they weren't certain.
Shawn Lung, the PYSA recreation director, said a majority of coaches have children playing in the league.
"Ninety-nine percent of the coaches we have are parents," she said. "We rely on parents to coach their kids."
Ms. Lung said she was not certain why Mr. Drummond became a PYSA coach. She said she believes parents or other coaches asked him to head a team.
George Ostrander, who founded PYSA, said the group had gotten anonymous phone calls complaining about Mr. Drummond but none mentioned anything similar to the allegations. He also said there was not an unusual number of girls who asked to not play on Mr. Drummond's teams again after the season ended.
Mr. Drummond passed a background check when he became a coach. Background checks are common for anyone working with children, said Mary Margaret Taylor, executive director of the Plano Sports Authority.
"You never know from day to day. You might think your next-door neighbor is as clean as the day is long. But then you find out differently," Ms. Taylor said.
PSA, a nonprofit organization, has Volunteer Select Plus in Georgia do nationwide background checks, but Ms. Taylor makes the final decision on who is granted volunteer or coaching status.
Mr. Stolk said Mr. Drummond frequently stood behind a girl on the sidelines and crossed his hands around her chest. This usually meant her head bumped against Mr. Drummond's body.
"Honestly, my wife and I both suspected he had a problem. All of the clues were right in front of everyone, Mr. Stolk said. "Because his symptoms were so blatant and in everyone's face, my wife automatically dismissed his actions as harmless."
Pool parties
Mr. Drummond hosted pool parties for the girls at his Plano house in the early spring, Mr. Stolk said, and Mr. Drummond got in the pool with the girls, playing and splashing with them.
Glenn Henry, who coaches a PYSA girl's team, said he had a hard time explaining the allegations to his daughter. She heard about what happened and didn't really understand. Mr. Henry said he did not know Mr. Drummond very well.
"His picture popped up on TV, and she recognized him and heard the word indecency," Mr. Henry said. "We had to explain the best we knew what was going on. Explaining that to an 8-year-old girl, that's something I wasn't ready for. I was forced into it."
Staff writers Karen Ayres and Tiara M. Ellis contributed to this report.
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Panel crosses Lubbock off list for Bush library
No reason given; SMU seen as front-runner among 3 remaining contenders
By G. ROBERT HILLMAN and DIANE JENNINGS / The Dallas Morning News
LUBBOCK, Texas - Shunning the first family's deep roots in West Texas, the committee searching for a home for the George W. Bush Presidential Library said Thursday it had eliminated the proposal spearheaded by Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
Three finalists remained: Southern Methodist University in Dallas, the University of Dallas in Irving and Baylor University in Waco – all in a high-stakes contest for a project that will bring the winner publicity, prestige and economic benefits.
The panel did not say when a final decision would be made, but SMU is widely viewed as the front-runner, partly because of its many connections to the White House, including first lady Laura Bush, who is an alum and a trustee.
It did not specify why Texas Tech was cut, but it praised the school for its "many good ideas" and "creative thinking." Tech backers recently had questioned SMU's bid, saying its urban setting was too cramped and that it was embroiled in a legal dispute with a condo owner over property being considered for the library.
SMU has said it has plenty of space for the library, tentatively plotted in the southeastern quadrant of the campus, and that the condo owner's efforts are frivolous. There was no immediate indication that the skirmish between the schools played any role in the committee's decision.
Brad Cheves, SMU vice president for development and external affairs, said the university has had no recent contact with the library site selection committee other than routine follow-up questions on the plans presented last year.
"SMU is honored to be one of the three finalists," he said. "And we look forward to the next steps in the selection process."
Administrators at the University of Dallas and Baylor, which is near the president's ranch outside Crawford, offered similar statements of cautious optimism.
Larry Brumley, Baylor's interim vice president for university relations, said the "spirited competition ... made all of us stronger." And Robert Galecke, UD's senior vice president for finance and administration, said: "We're hopeful that we'll continue to be in the game until the end."
Tech had offered to place the library and companion buildings on 100 acres in Lubbock, where "space is ample and vehicle-friendly." Mrs. Bush was born down the road in Midland, where Mr. Bush also grew up and lost a run for Congress.
Three proposals were eliminated last October – the city of Arlington, Texas A&M University and the University of Texas System.
In a written statement, the president's longtime friend Don Evans, a former commerce secretary who met the Bushes in Midland, did not offer any reasons for dropping the West Texas coalition bid that also included Midland College as the site for a literacy center in honor of Mrs. Bush.
"This was a difficult decision for the committee," Mr. Evans said in a letter to David Miller, a coalition leader. "Your team has brought to light many important ideas, and it is our hope that the final selection and site will make you and the institutions you represent proud."
West Texans had pledged to raise more than $300 million for the library. They said Thursday they were disappointed but not particularly surprised that their bid had foundered.
"We regret it. But it's a big decision, and I respect it," said Mike Weiss, longtime friend of the first couple who served as co-chair of the West Texas coalition. "I always thought we were kind of a long shot.
"Most people knew we kind of had a geographical disadvantage and it was going to be hard to overcome."
In Lubbock, Texas Tech Interim Chancellor Donald Haragan said the coalition had "put our best foot forward" and there was "nothing else we could have done."
David Daniel, president of Midland College, said "the president and first lady have every right to make their own decision, and we honor and respect that."
Still, he said he would like to see a literacy center at his college but didn't know of any such plans.
Russ Murphy, a songwriter who contributed music to a coalition video touting its site, said he was surprised but not shocked.
"I just knew that Laura had strong ties to SMU and Dallas," he said.
Even though the coalition didn't get the library, Mr. Murphy said the effort was a "win-win" for West Texans from Amarillo to Odessa who banded together in the effort.
"Everybody just did a great job," he said. "I'm sure everybody's disappointed, but it just brought West Texas together."
Mr. Murphy, who hails from the Waco area, said he had no idea where the library would end up, but "wherever it's going, it's going to be great. I'm just glad it's going to be in Texas."
Staff writer G. Robert Hillman reported from Washington and Diane Jennings from Dallas.
No reason given; SMU seen as front-runner among 3 remaining contenders
By G. ROBERT HILLMAN and DIANE JENNINGS / The Dallas Morning News
LUBBOCK, Texas - Shunning the first family's deep roots in West Texas, the committee searching for a home for the George W. Bush Presidential Library said Thursday it had eliminated the proposal spearheaded by Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
Three finalists remained: Southern Methodist University in Dallas, the University of Dallas in Irving and Baylor University in Waco – all in a high-stakes contest for a project that will bring the winner publicity, prestige and economic benefits.
The panel did not say when a final decision would be made, but SMU is widely viewed as the front-runner, partly because of its many connections to the White House, including first lady Laura Bush, who is an alum and a trustee.
It did not specify why Texas Tech was cut, but it praised the school for its "many good ideas" and "creative thinking." Tech backers recently had questioned SMU's bid, saying its urban setting was too cramped and that it was embroiled in a legal dispute with a condo owner over property being considered for the library.
SMU has said it has plenty of space for the library, tentatively plotted in the southeastern quadrant of the campus, and that the condo owner's efforts are frivolous. There was no immediate indication that the skirmish between the schools played any role in the committee's decision.
Brad Cheves, SMU vice president for development and external affairs, said the university has had no recent contact with the library site selection committee other than routine follow-up questions on the plans presented last year.
"SMU is honored to be one of the three finalists," he said. "And we look forward to the next steps in the selection process."
Administrators at the University of Dallas and Baylor, which is near the president's ranch outside Crawford, offered similar statements of cautious optimism.
Larry Brumley, Baylor's interim vice president for university relations, said the "spirited competition ... made all of us stronger." And Robert Galecke, UD's senior vice president for finance and administration, said: "We're hopeful that we'll continue to be in the game until the end."
Tech had offered to place the library and companion buildings on 100 acres in Lubbock, where "space is ample and vehicle-friendly." Mrs. Bush was born down the road in Midland, where Mr. Bush also grew up and lost a run for Congress.
Three proposals were eliminated last October – the city of Arlington, Texas A&M University and the University of Texas System.
In a written statement, the president's longtime friend Don Evans, a former commerce secretary who met the Bushes in Midland, did not offer any reasons for dropping the West Texas coalition bid that also included Midland College as the site for a literacy center in honor of Mrs. Bush.
"This was a difficult decision for the committee," Mr. Evans said in a letter to David Miller, a coalition leader. "Your team has brought to light many important ideas, and it is our hope that the final selection and site will make you and the institutions you represent proud."
West Texans had pledged to raise more than $300 million for the library. They said Thursday they were disappointed but not particularly surprised that their bid had foundered.
"We regret it. But it's a big decision, and I respect it," said Mike Weiss, longtime friend of the first couple who served as co-chair of the West Texas coalition. "I always thought we were kind of a long shot.
"Most people knew we kind of had a geographical disadvantage and it was going to be hard to overcome."
In Lubbock, Texas Tech Interim Chancellor Donald Haragan said the coalition had "put our best foot forward" and there was "nothing else we could have done."
David Daniel, president of Midland College, said "the president and first lady have every right to make their own decision, and we honor and respect that."
Still, he said he would like to see a literacy center at his college but didn't know of any such plans.
Russ Murphy, a songwriter who contributed music to a coalition video touting its site, said he was surprised but not shocked.
"I just knew that Laura had strong ties to SMU and Dallas," he said.
Even though the coalition didn't get the library, Mr. Murphy said the effort was a "win-win" for West Texans from Amarillo to Odessa who banded together in the effort.
"Everybody just did a great job," he said. "I'm sure everybody's disappointed, but it just brought West Texas together."
Mr. Murphy, who hails from the Waco area, said he had no idea where the library would end up, but "wherever it's going, it's going to be great. I'm just glad it's going to be in Texas."
Staff writer G. Robert Hillman reported from Washington and Diane Jennings from Dallas.
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TexasStooge
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Skater indicted on assault charge
By ROBERT THARP / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - A Dallas Roller Derby skater was indicted Thursday on a felony charge of assaulting a Dallas police officer stemming from a January 2006 incident in which she and several witnesses say the officer was the aggressor and used excessive force.
Reports related to the indictment charge that Michelle Metzinger, 25, was belligerent and fought with Dallas officer Ceaphus Gordon after the officer asked to see her identification because he said she had been roller skating recklessly through traffic on Elm Street in Deep Ellum.
According to Officer Gordon’s report of the incident, Ms. Metzinger attempted to gouge his eye with her fingers when he tried to handcuff and arrest her for public intoxication.
The officer then tried to force Ms. Metzinger to the sidewalk using a “straight arm bar take down,” but instead she “rolled from the police car to the ground.” Ms Metzinger continued scratching and kicking the officer on the ground, he said in his report.
Officer Gordon described his injuries as three, 1/8th inch scratches near his right eye and scratches and bruises on his chin.
He described Ms. Metzinger’s injury as a “small laceration that required a stitch” although his report indicates that she spent five hours at Parkland Hospital before she was taken to jail.
Kevin Clancy, Ms. Metzinger’s attorney, said he was disappointed that he was not allowed to present evidence to the grand jury that would have offered a different account of what happened.
Eight witnesses to the arrest have filed sworn affidavits saying that Ms. Metzinger was not intoxicated and that she did not resist the officer.
The witnesses state that after Ms. Metzinger was forced to the ground, Officer Gordon put his knee on her back or neck while he was handcuffing her, which is not described in the officer’s reports.
“I think it’s a travesty that this poor girl was charged with this,” he said. “I really do think that the grand jury did not look at the evidence.”
A separate investigation into the incident by Dallas police internal affairs is ongoing.
Mr. Clancy said Dallas police have so far not interviewed any of the witnesses.
Officer Gordon has had 27 complaints filed against him in his 14-year career, most of which were ruled “unfounded” or “inconclusive.” Of those inconclusive complaints, at least two involved allegations of excessive force.
By ROBERT THARP / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - A Dallas Roller Derby skater was indicted Thursday on a felony charge of assaulting a Dallas police officer stemming from a January 2006 incident in which she and several witnesses say the officer was the aggressor and used excessive force.
Reports related to the indictment charge that Michelle Metzinger, 25, was belligerent and fought with Dallas officer Ceaphus Gordon after the officer asked to see her identification because he said she had been roller skating recklessly through traffic on Elm Street in Deep Ellum.
According to Officer Gordon’s report of the incident, Ms. Metzinger attempted to gouge his eye with her fingers when he tried to handcuff and arrest her for public intoxication.
The officer then tried to force Ms. Metzinger to the sidewalk using a “straight arm bar take down,” but instead she “rolled from the police car to the ground.” Ms Metzinger continued scratching and kicking the officer on the ground, he said in his report.
Officer Gordon described his injuries as three, 1/8th inch scratches near his right eye and scratches and bruises on his chin.
He described Ms. Metzinger’s injury as a “small laceration that required a stitch” although his report indicates that she spent five hours at Parkland Hospital before she was taken to jail.
Kevin Clancy, Ms. Metzinger’s attorney, said he was disappointed that he was not allowed to present evidence to the grand jury that would have offered a different account of what happened.
Eight witnesses to the arrest have filed sworn affidavits saying that Ms. Metzinger was not intoxicated and that she did not resist the officer.
The witnesses state that after Ms. Metzinger was forced to the ground, Officer Gordon put his knee on her back or neck while he was handcuffing her, which is not described in the officer’s reports.
“I think it’s a travesty that this poor girl was charged with this,” he said. “I really do think that the grand jury did not look at the evidence.”
A separate investigation into the incident by Dallas police internal affairs is ongoing.
Mr. Clancy said Dallas police have so far not interviewed any of the witnesses.
Officer Gordon has had 27 complaints filed against him in his 14-year career, most of which were ruled “unfounded” or “inconclusive.” Of those inconclusive complaints, at least two involved allegations of excessive force.
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TexasStooge
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BREAKING NEWS: Traffic
DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Serious accident shuts down eastbound Interstate 30 at I-45 in the downtown mixmaster.
Live Dallas/Ft. Worth Traffic Reports from Traffic Pulse
DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Serious accident shuts down eastbound Interstate 30 at I-45 in the downtown mixmaster.
Live Dallas/Ft. Worth Traffic Reports from Traffic Pulse
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TexasStooge
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Irving infant critical after being shaken
By DAN RONAN / WFAA ABC 8
IRVING, Texas - An Irving man was under arrest Thursday night, charged with causing injury to a child. Police are calling it the the fourth case of Shaken Baby Syndrome in North Texas in the past month; the three previous incidents ended in death.
Police said Kelvis Rainwater violently shook the one-year-old so hard he was in critical condition at Children's Medical Center Dallas.
The unidentifed baby was in critical condition late Thursday in the hospital's intensive care unit.
Rainwater, the boyfriend of the baby's mother, told police the child had fallen in an Irving apartment. Medical professionals determined the injuries were not caused by a fall, but that he had instead been violently shaken.
Rainwater was being held on $50,000 bond.
Yvonne Arnold, a neighbor of the injured boy and mother of five children, said shaken baby cases are becoming all too frequent.
"It can be a little overwhelming," she said. "I wouldn't dare shake them or anything. If I felt it got to that point, I'd call my husband, a relative, or even a neighbor."
In the three fatal shaken baby cases in the past few weeks, the victims were all being cared for by someone other than their parents—a babysitter or a boyfriend.
Dr. Nishendu Vasavada of Lakeside Life Center said the assailants were apparently taking out their frustrations on an infant.
"People get this visceral response where they get very angry," Dr. Vasavada said. "They don't know how to express it; they don't recognize a little child is not an adult. Shake them hard—their brain will be damaged."
Dr. Vasavada said parents and child care providers should seek help if they feel overwhelmed. "If you have a counselor, by all means, certainly get help with it so you don't wind up being in a more difficult situation where you have now hurt a child."
Child Protective Services says its studies show children in unlicensed facilities or with sitters face a higher risk than those in daycare.
By DAN RONAN / WFAA ABC 8
IRVING, Texas - An Irving man was under arrest Thursday night, charged with causing injury to a child. Police are calling it the the fourth case of Shaken Baby Syndrome in North Texas in the past month; the three previous incidents ended in death.
Police said Kelvis Rainwater violently shook the one-year-old so hard he was in critical condition at Children's Medical Center Dallas.
The unidentifed baby was in critical condition late Thursday in the hospital's intensive care unit.
Rainwater, the boyfriend of the baby's mother, told police the child had fallen in an Irving apartment. Medical professionals determined the injuries were not caused by a fall, but that he had instead been violently shaken.
Rainwater was being held on $50,000 bond.
Yvonne Arnold, a neighbor of the injured boy and mother of five children, said shaken baby cases are becoming all too frequent.
"It can be a little overwhelming," she said. "I wouldn't dare shake them or anything. If I felt it got to that point, I'd call my husband, a relative, or even a neighbor."
In the three fatal shaken baby cases in the past few weeks, the victims were all being cared for by someone other than their parents—a babysitter or a boyfriend.
Dr. Nishendu Vasavada of Lakeside Life Center said the assailants were apparently taking out their frustrations on an infant.
"People get this visceral response where they get very angry," Dr. Vasavada said. "They don't know how to express it; they don't recognize a little child is not an adult. Shake them hard—their brain will be damaged."
Dr. Vasavada said parents and child care providers should seek help if they feel overwhelmed. "If you have a counselor, by all means, certainly get help with it so you don't wind up being in a more difficult situation where you have now hurt a child."
Child Protective Services says its studies show children in unlicensed facilities or with sitters face a higher risk than those in daycare.
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TexasStooge
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Source: Perry to call special session
AUSTIN, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) — Republican Gov. Rick Perry will call the Legislature into special session April 17 to deal with a court mandate to find a new funding formula for public schools by summer, a state government source told The Associated Press Thursday.
The source spoke on condition of anonymity because Perry is expected to make the special session announcement Friday.
The Texas Supreme Court ruled last year that the state's system of funding schools primarily through property taxes is unconstitutional and must be changed by June 1. Otherwise, the courts will prevent the state from sending money to Texas' 1,037 public school systems until lawmakers devise a new funding plan.
Richard Kouri, a lobbyist for the Texas State Teachers Association, said starting the session in late April would give three House incumbents in runoff elections April 11 time to wrap up their campaigns.
"April 17th seems to be the date du jour," Kouri said. "It makes sense that you're going to wait until after the primary runoff. That weekend is Easter, so it also makes sense that you're waiting until right after the Easter break."
The Texas Legislature meets every two years. Along with last year's regular session, Perry has called three special sessions since 2003 to discuss school finance, but all ended with lawmakers failing to adopt a new tax structure to support the state's $33 billion public education system. Attempts to give homeowners relief from high property taxes compound the problem, since lawmakers need to create or expand other taxes to make up the difference lost from property tax revenues.
Perry has appointed a special tax reform commission to examine tax alternatives. The group, led by former comptroller John Sharp, could make its recommendations as early as next week. The plan will likely include revisions to the state business tax, an increased cigarette tax and use of $1 billion from the state's $4.3 billion surplus.
AUSTIN, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) — Republican Gov. Rick Perry will call the Legislature into special session April 17 to deal with a court mandate to find a new funding formula for public schools by summer, a state government source told The Associated Press Thursday.
The source spoke on condition of anonymity because Perry is expected to make the special session announcement Friday.
The Texas Supreme Court ruled last year that the state's system of funding schools primarily through property taxes is unconstitutional and must be changed by June 1. Otherwise, the courts will prevent the state from sending money to Texas' 1,037 public school systems until lawmakers devise a new funding plan.
Richard Kouri, a lobbyist for the Texas State Teachers Association, said starting the session in late April would give three House incumbents in runoff elections April 11 time to wrap up their campaigns.
"April 17th seems to be the date du jour," Kouri said. "It makes sense that you're going to wait until after the primary runoff. That weekend is Easter, so it also makes sense that you're waiting until right after the Easter break."
The Texas Legislature meets every two years. Along with last year's regular session, Perry has called three special sessions since 2003 to discuss school finance, but all ended with lawmakers failing to adopt a new tax structure to support the state's $33 billion public education system. Attempts to give homeowners relief from high property taxes compound the problem, since lawmakers need to create or expand other taxes to make up the difference lost from property tax revenues.
Perry has appointed a special tax reform commission to examine tax alternatives. The group, led by former comptroller John Sharp, could make its recommendations as early as next week. The plan will likely include revisions to the state business tax, an increased cigarette tax and use of $1 billion from the state's $4.3 billion surplus.
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TexasStooge
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'No money down' mortgages: What's the catch?
By KARIN KELLY / WFAA ABC 8
Mortgages once reserved for the well-heeled now tempt many first-time buyers. And so do other kinds of "specialty" mortgages.
But are the "no money down" offers simply too good to be true? There could be pitfalls with the perks.
In the Kessler Park neighborhood of Dallas, Amy Strickland and Michael Arreaga represent the new generation of homebuyers. For the second time, they've purchased a home by financing 100 percent of its price.
This time, they're buying a $150,000 house.
"All we really ended up having to put down was $2,500 for closing costs," Strickland said.
In Fort Worth's Tanglewood section, Anna Othic moved into her $340,000 home without spending a penny of her nest egg. To her, new furniture was worth the bigger monthly payment of $3,400.
"If you were to put down your entire savings, you wouldn't be able to go out and buy a new living room set or bedroom set," Othic explained.
Forty-three percent of first-time homebuyers last year set up house with no money down, according to the National Association of Realtors. The 100 percent financed loans are hot in Texas, too.
"Probably 85 to 90 percent of my loans right now are wanting 100 percent financing," said mortgage broker Linda Lane.
The no money down loans are popular because many who are just entering the market don't have the cash required for a traditional down payment, Lane said.
But that's not the only reason.
Beyond the first-time buyer are those like Strickland and Arreaga, who own a home, yet need to move to another—and their equity is tied up.
"The market's very hot right now, so we had to get this house as soon as we could get it," Strickland said.
Some homeowners like 100 percent financing because they can write off all of their mortage interest.
"I've had people do this because they want to take their cash and pay off their automobile, because they can't write off that interest," Lane said.
Lenders say more young people are taking on big house debt with "specialty mortgages," but David Motley of Colonial Mortgage warns it can be risky.
"I think that folks have been lulled into a sense of security that a house is a non-depreciating asset," Motley said. "Well, it can depreciate."
"If they're going to live there two years, three yearsm they may not have any equity when they sell that," Lane added.
But for Strickland and Arreaga, the risk has been worth it.
"There are some things that can go wrong, but overall, it's been great for us and we'd do it again," Strickland said.
By KARIN KELLY / WFAA ABC 8
Mortgages once reserved for the well-heeled now tempt many first-time buyers. And so do other kinds of "specialty" mortgages.
But are the "no money down" offers simply too good to be true? There could be pitfalls with the perks.
In the Kessler Park neighborhood of Dallas, Amy Strickland and Michael Arreaga represent the new generation of homebuyers. For the second time, they've purchased a home by financing 100 percent of its price.
This time, they're buying a $150,000 house.
"All we really ended up having to put down was $2,500 for closing costs," Strickland said.
In Fort Worth's Tanglewood section, Anna Othic moved into her $340,000 home without spending a penny of her nest egg. To her, new furniture was worth the bigger monthly payment of $3,400.
"If you were to put down your entire savings, you wouldn't be able to go out and buy a new living room set or bedroom set," Othic explained.
Forty-three percent of first-time homebuyers last year set up house with no money down, according to the National Association of Realtors. The 100 percent financed loans are hot in Texas, too.
"Probably 85 to 90 percent of my loans right now are wanting 100 percent financing," said mortgage broker Linda Lane.
The no money down loans are popular because many who are just entering the market don't have the cash required for a traditional down payment, Lane said.
But that's not the only reason.
Beyond the first-time buyer are those like Strickland and Arreaga, who own a home, yet need to move to another—and their equity is tied up.
"The market's very hot right now, so we had to get this house as soon as we could get it," Strickland said.
Some homeowners like 100 percent financing because they can write off all of their mortage interest.
"I've had people do this because they want to take their cash and pay off their automobile, because they can't write off that interest," Lane said.
Lenders say more young people are taking on big house debt with "specialty mortgages," but David Motley of Colonial Mortgage warns it can be risky.
"I think that folks have been lulled into a sense of security that a house is a non-depreciating asset," Motley said. "Well, it can depreciate."
"If they're going to live there two years, three yearsm they may not have any equity when they sell that," Lane added.
But for Strickland and Arreaga, the risk has been worth it.
"There are some things that can go wrong, but overall, it's been great for us and we'd do it again," Strickland said.
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TexasStooge
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Coach was investigated in '05 case
Plano man accused of indecency was barred as Garland ISD sub
By JENNIFER EMILY and KAREN AYRES / The Dallas Morning News
A soccer coach accused this week of inappropriately touching two elementary school-age girls in Plano was barred from substituting in the Garland school district after parents of fourth-graders made similar complaints there, school officials said.
Last spring, several Sachse parents told the school district, Sachse police and City Council members that Dennis Drummond touched their daughters in ways that made the children uncomfortable, Police Chief Richard Benedict said. But Mr. Drummond was never arrested and a grand jury did not indict him, officials said.
Mr. Drummond, 64, of Plano, was arrested Tuesday by Plano police on two charges of indecency with a child by contact. He declined to be interviewed at the Collin County Jail before he posted a $30,000 bond Thursday afternoon.
Mr. Drummond refused a court-appointed attorney, but it was unclear whether he hired someone to represent him, records show.
Chief Benedict said Thursday that his department did its best to pursue Mr. Drummond's case last year.
"No one likes to see this happen to any kid ever," the chief said. "We did all we could do."
After meeting with parents and students about their complaints, Sachse police took four or five girls to be interviewed at the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center, Chief Benedict said. Afterward, the agency decided to pursue two cases of indecency with a child.
"We didn't have scratches or bruises," Chief Benedict said. "Other than witness testimony, there wasn't any physical evidence."
Chief Benedict said his department contacted Plano police on Thursday to offer help in the current investigation, noting that they will open their records for Plano detectives.
Pat McMillan, a Sachse council member, said Thursday night that several parents complained to her last year about Mr. Drummond's behavior.
"There were a lot of parents calling a lot of folks," said Ms. McMillan, a retired assistant chief deputy with the Dallas County Sheriff's Department.
Substitute work
Parents from Sachse and Plano inundated Plano police with phone calls Thursday after allegations by two girls whom Mr. Drummond coached led to his arrest.
No additional charges have been filed against Mr. Drummond.
"We are aware of some of the allegations," said Plano police spokesman Carl Duke. "Right now our focus is on the investigation and whether there are any more children out there."
Two Sachse mothers said Thursday that Mr. Drummond inappropriately touched their daughters last spring while he was a substitute teacher for Sewell Elementary in the Garland district.
One woman said he touched her daughter's behind last year when she bent over to get a pencil.
"She said, 'Don't touch me again,' " the woman said her daughter told Mr. Drummond.
The mother said Mr. Drummond apologized and said he meant to touch her back.
She said she was surprised to hear of Mr. Drummond's arrest.
"We're all just amazed," the mother said. "I'm shocked that man's still out there."
Another mother said the teacher known by students as "Mr. D" touched her daughter low on her abdomen in computer class last March when she was in the fourth grade.
She said she asked her daughter about Mr. Drummond on April 1, 2005, after she heard about allegations from other parents. She asked the secretary at the school to get her daughter out of class. They talked in the girls bathroom at the elementary school. She said her daughter started crying and said she was afraid to tell her mother what had happened.
"I'm upset that he's hurt other people, but I'm so glad he's been caught," the mother said.
Removed from list
Reavis Wortham, a Garland school district spokesman, said Thursday night that the district immediately removed Mr. Drummond from the schools after receiving complaints about his behavior.
"As soon as we got that complaint, we took that individual off of our substitute calling list," Mr. Wortham said.
Mr. Drummond worked as a substitute from August 2003 until March 31, 2005, Mr. Wortham said.
The district turned over the complaints to Sachse police.
Officer Duke said police are looking into whether Mr. Drummond substituted with the Plano school district. Plano school officials could not be reached Thursday night.
Officer Duke urged parents to talk to their children about inappropriate touching.
"They don't specifically have to talk to their child about this incident or this man. Just talk in a nonthreatening manner about inappropriate touching," he said. "Often kids will know some touching is not right, but they don't know it's OK to tell."
Ms. McMillan said she hopes this week's allegations will prompt an investigation into any complaints outside of Plano, as well.
"Based on the current circumstances, I would hope they would also thoroughly investigate any prior complaints," she said.
Mr. Drummond coached five teams over three years for the Plano Youth Soccer Association before taking his teams to the Plano Sports Authority. He resigned from PSA when he learned of the investigation and before he coached a game, Plano police said.
Mr. Drummond did not have any children in the leagues. Some involved with the organization said he might have had grandchildren playing soccer. Others said they weren't certain.
Shawn Lung, the PYSA recreation director, said a majority of coaches have children playing in the league.
"Ninety-nine percent of the coaches we have are parents," she said. "We rely on parents to coach their kids."
Ms. Lung said she was not certain why Mr. Drummond became a PYSA coach. She said she believes parents or other coaches asked him to head a team.
George Ostrander, the PYSA president, said the group had gotten anonymous phone calls complaining about Mr. Drummond but none mentioned anything similar to the allegations. He also said there was not an unusual number of girls who asked to not play on Mr. Drummond's teams again after the season ended.
Background check
Mr. Drummond passed a background check when he became a coach. Background checks are common for anyone working with children, said Mary Margaret Taylor, executive director of the Plano Sports Authority.
"You never know from day to day. You might think your next-door neighbor is as clean as the day is long. But then you find out differently," Ms. Taylor said.
PSA, a nonprofit organization, has Volunteer Select Plus in Georgia do nationwide background checks, but Ms. Taylor makes the final decision on who is granted volunteer or coaching status.
Glenn Henry, who coaches a PYSA girl's team, said he had a hard time explaining the allegations to his daughter. She heard about what happened and didn't really understand. Mr. Henry said he did not know Mr. Drummond very well.
"His picture popped up on TV, and she recognized him and heard the word indecency," Mr. Henry said. "We had to explain the best we knew what was going on. Explaining that to an 8-year-old girl, that's something I wasn't ready for. I was forced into it."
Staff writer Tiara M. Ellis contributed to this report.
Plano man accused of indecency was barred as Garland ISD sub
By JENNIFER EMILY and KAREN AYRES / The Dallas Morning News
A soccer coach accused this week of inappropriately touching two elementary school-age girls in Plano was barred from substituting in the Garland school district after parents of fourth-graders made similar complaints there, school officials said.
Last spring, several Sachse parents told the school district, Sachse police and City Council members that Dennis Drummond touched their daughters in ways that made the children uncomfortable, Police Chief Richard Benedict said. But Mr. Drummond was never arrested and a grand jury did not indict him, officials said.
Mr. Drummond, 64, of Plano, was arrested Tuesday by Plano police on two charges of indecency with a child by contact. He declined to be interviewed at the Collin County Jail before he posted a $30,000 bond Thursday afternoon.
Mr. Drummond refused a court-appointed attorney, but it was unclear whether he hired someone to represent him, records show.
Chief Benedict said Thursday that his department did its best to pursue Mr. Drummond's case last year.
"No one likes to see this happen to any kid ever," the chief said. "We did all we could do."
After meeting with parents and students about their complaints, Sachse police took four or five girls to be interviewed at the Dallas Children's Advocacy Center, Chief Benedict said. Afterward, the agency decided to pursue two cases of indecency with a child.
"We didn't have scratches or bruises," Chief Benedict said. "Other than witness testimony, there wasn't any physical evidence."
Chief Benedict said his department contacted Plano police on Thursday to offer help in the current investigation, noting that they will open their records for Plano detectives.
Pat McMillan, a Sachse council member, said Thursday night that several parents complained to her last year about Mr. Drummond's behavior.
"There were a lot of parents calling a lot of folks," said Ms. McMillan, a retired assistant chief deputy with the Dallas County Sheriff's Department.
Substitute work
Parents from Sachse and Plano inundated Plano police with phone calls Thursday after allegations by two girls whom Mr. Drummond coached led to his arrest.
No additional charges have been filed against Mr. Drummond.
"We are aware of some of the allegations," said Plano police spokesman Carl Duke. "Right now our focus is on the investigation and whether there are any more children out there."
Two Sachse mothers said Thursday that Mr. Drummond inappropriately touched their daughters last spring while he was a substitute teacher for Sewell Elementary in the Garland district.
One woman said he touched her daughter's behind last year when she bent over to get a pencil.
"She said, 'Don't touch me again,' " the woman said her daughter told Mr. Drummond.
The mother said Mr. Drummond apologized and said he meant to touch her back.
She said she was surprised to hear of Mr. Drummond's arrest.
"We're all just amazed," the mother said. "I'm shocked that man's still out there."
Another mother said the teacher known by students as "Mr. D" touched her daughter low on her abdomen in computer class last March when she was in the fourth grade.
She said she asked her daughter about Mr. Drummond on April 1, 2005, after she heard about allegations from other parents. She asked the secretary at the school to get her daughter out of class. They talked in the girls bathroom at the elementary school. She said her daughter started crying and said she was afraid to tell her mother what had happened.
"I'm upset that he's hurt other people, but I'm so glad he's been caught," the mother said.
Removed from list
Reavis Wortham, a Garland school district spokesman, said Thursday night that the district immediately removed Mr. Drummond from the schools after receiving complaints about his behavior.
"As soon as we got that complaint, we took that individual off of our substitute calling list," Mr. Wortham said.
Mr. Drummond worked as a substitute from August 2003 until March 31, 2005, Mr. Wortham said.
The district turned over the complaints to Sachse police.
Officer Duke said police are looking into whether Mr. Drummond substituted with the Plano school district. Plano school officials could not be reached Thursday night.
Officer Duke urged parents to talk to their children about inappropriate touching.
"They don't specifically have to talk to their child about this incident or this man. Just talk in a nonthreatening manner about inappropriate touching," he said. "Often kids will know some touching is not right, but they don't know it's OK to tell."
Ms. McMillan said she hopes this week's allegations will prompt an investigation into any complaints outside of Plano, as well.
"Based on the current circumstances, I would hope they would also thoroughly investigate any prior complaints," she said.
Mr. Drummond coached five teams over three years for the Plano Youth Soccer Association before taking his teams to the Plano Sports Authority. He resigned from PSA when he learned of the investigation and before he coached a game, Plano police said.
Mr. Drummond did not have any children in the leagues. Some involved with the organization said he might have had grandchildren playing soccer. Others said they weren't certain.
Shawn Lung, the PYSA recreation director, said a majority of coaches have children playing in the league.
"Ninety-nine percent of the coaches we have are parents," she said. "We rely on parents to coach their kids."
Ms. Lung said she was not certain why Mr. Drummond became a PYSA coach. She said she believes parents or other coaches asked him to head a team.
George Ostrander, the PYSA president, said the group had gotten anonymous phone calls complaining about Mr. Drummond but none mentioned anything similar to the allegations. He also said there was not an unusual number of girls who asked to not play on Mr. Drummond's teams again after the season ended.
Background check
Mr. Drummond passed a background check when he became a coach. Background checks are common for anyone working with children, said Mary Margaret Taylor, executive director of the Plano Sports Authority.
"You never know from day to day. You might think your next-door neighbor is as clean as the day is long. But then you find out differently," Ms. Taylor said.
PSA, a nonprofit organization, has Volunteer Select Plus in Georgia do nationwide background checks, but Ms. Taylor makes the final decision on who is granted volunteer or coaching status.
Glenn Henry, who coaches a PYSA girl's team, said he had a hard time explaining the allegations to his daughter. She heard about what happened and didn't really understand. Mr. Henry said he did not know Mr. Drummond very well.
"His picture popped up on TV, and she recognized him and heard the word indecency," Mr. Henry said. "We had to explain the best we knew what was going on. Explaining that to an 8-year-old girl, that's something I wasn't ready for. I was forced into it."
Staff writer Tiara M. Ellis contributed to this report.
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TexasStooge
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TexasStooge
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- Posts: 38127
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2003 1:22 pm
- Location: Irving (Dallas County), TX
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Lancaster airport poised for boom
By CHRIS HEINBAUGH / WFAA ABC 8
LANCASTER, Texas — Lancaster Municipal Airport is getting ready for boom times. The facility is so busy, the city is launching a $9 million extension of the runway—and that may be just the start.
The 306-acre airport is located in the far southeast corner of the city in southern Dallas County, not far from Interstate 45.
Lancaster Airport's succcess can be summed up in three words: location, location location.
It is surrounded by lots of open land; it's close to major freeways in the North American Free Trade Agreement corridor, and a giant inland port is being created nearby.
This now-sleepy airport—situated on a country road and fringed with big farms—is poised to take off.
Airport chief Clinton Pye is also a pilot. "We always said we're going to sneak up on the map one day," he said.
Lancaster Municipal is home to $2 million business jets that can whisk executives to the West Coast in two-and-a-half hours.
It's also near warehouse and business operations for big companies like KMart, Target, Love's Truck Stop and Great Dane Trucking.
That traffic is fueling a $9 million runway extension—from 5,000 to 6,500 feet—so the airport can handle even bigger corporate jets starting this summer.
"When it's hot you need longer runways," Pye explained.
Planning for all this started back when growth in Dallas County's southern sector was just taking hold.
Then, magic struck.
Union Pacific built a giant intermodal cargo facility one exit up the freeway. Even more trade-related development is coming.
Many feel a regional cargo airport is the next logical step. "I think we're perfectly positioned for that," said Lancaster Assistant City Manger Jan Belcher.
One reason: Lancaster Municipal has lots of land around the airport property, with room for another runway.
There are very few homes nearby, and the city is moving to make sure the area stays airport-friendly.
"We want any growth and development anywhere close to this airport to be compatible with the future needs of the airport," Belcher said.
And that's how a once-tiny city airfield is rapidly becoming a regional economic engine.
By CHRIS HEINBAUGH / WFAA ABC 8
LANCASTER, Texas — Lancaster Municipal Airport is getting ready for boom times. The facility is so busy, the city is launching a $9 million extension of the runway—and that may be just the start.
The 306-acre airport is located in the far southeast corner of the city in southern Dallas County, not far from Interstate 45.
Lancaster Airport's succcess can be summed up in three words: location, location location.
It is surrounded by lots of open land; it's close to major freeways in the North American Free Trade Agreement corridor, and a giant inland port is being created nearby.
This now-sleepy airport—situated on a country road and fringed with big farms—is poised to take off.
Airport chief Clinton Pye is also a pilot. "We always said we're going to sneak up on the map one day," he said.
Lancaster Municipal is home to $2 million business jets that can whisk executives to the West Coast in two-and-a-half hours.
It's also near warehouse and business operations for big companies like KMart, Target, Love's Truck Stop and Great Dane Trucking.
That traffic is fueling a $9 million runway extension—from 5,000 to 6,500 feet—so the airport can handle even bigger corporate jets starting this summer.
"When it's hot you need longer runways," Pye explained.
Planning for all this started back when growth in Dallas County's southern sector was just taking hold.
Then, magic struck.
Union Pacific built a giant intermodal cargo facility one exit up the freeway. Even more trade-related development is coming.
Many feel a regional cargo airport is the next logical step. "I think we're perfectly positioned for that," said Lancaster Assistant City Manger Jan Belcher.
One reason: Lancaster Municipal has lots of land around the airport property, with room for another runway.
There are very few homes nearby, and the city is moving to make sure the area stays airport-friendly.
"We want any growth and development anywhere close to this airport to be compatible with the future needs of the airport," Belcher said.
And that's how a once-tiny city airfield is rapidly becoming a regional economic engine.
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TexasStooge
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Officer critically hurt in DWI pursuit
By CYNTHIA VEGA / WFAA ABC 8
WEATHERFORD, Texas - A Weatherford police officer was critically injured Thursday night when his patrol car was hit by a fleeing suspect's pickup truck.
The officer, identified as Greg Stewart, 34, was airlifted to Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth and was being treated for a broken left hip and other injuries.
Stewart was pinned in his squad car after the accident at U.S. Highway 180 and Bankhead Drive at 9 p.m. Thursday.
Officer Stewart was assisting Hudson Oaks officers who were in pursuit of a suspected drunk driver.
The pickup truck that was the target of the chase crashed into Officer Stewart's squad car on the east side of Weatherford.
The driver of the pickup, identified as Jonathan Larson, 25, suffered minor injuries and was taken into custody.
Weatherford police said Officer Stewart had been on the force for about a year and has been working in law enforcement for a decade.
By CYNTHIA VEGA / WFAA ABC 8
WEATHERFORD, Texas - A Weatherford police officer was critically injured Thursday night when his patrol car was hit by a fleeing suspect's pickup truck.
The officer, identified as Greg Stewart, 34, was airlifted to Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth and was being treated for a broken left hip and other injuries.
Stewart was pinned in his squad car after the accident at U.S. Highway 180 and Bankhead Drive at 9 p.m. Thursday.
Officer Stewart was assisting Hudson Oaks officers who were in pursuit of a suspected drunk driver.
The pickup truck that was the target of the chase crashed into Officer Stewart's squad car on the east side of Weatherford.
The driver of the pickup, identified as Jonathan Larson, 25, suffered minor injuries and was taken into custody.
Weatherford police said Officer Stewart had been on the force for about a year and has been working in law enforcement for a decade.
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TexasStooge
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Irving man charged with shaking baby
IRVING, Texas (The Dallas Morning News) - An Irving man believed to have shaken an infant was jailed Friday on a charge of causing injury to a child.
The 1-year-old, who was at Children’s Medical Center Dallas, was being observed in the intensive care unit on Thursday. His condition was not immediately available Friday, Irving police Officer David Tull said.
Kelvis Rainwater, the 28-year-old boyfriend of the baby's mother, told police early Thursday that the child had fallen in an Irving apartment. Medical professionals determined that the injuries were not consistent with a fall, and police arrested Rainwater later in the day, Officer Tull said.
“There was no one else in the apartment that we’re aware of besides him,” Officer Tull said. “Rainwater was the one who was taking care of the child at the time of the injuries.”
Rainwater was being held on $50,000 bond at Irving City Jail.
In three unrelated but fatal cases in the past month in which babies were shaken, the victims were all being cared for by someone other than their parents — a baby sitter or a boyfriend.
Dr. Nishendu Vasavada of Lakeside Life Center said the assailants apparently were taking out their frustrations on an infant.
"People get this visceral response where they get very angry," Dr. Vasavada said. "They don't know how to express it; they don't recognize a little child is not an adult. Shake them hard — their brain will be damaged."
Dr. Vasavada said parents and child care providers should seek help if they feel overwhelmed.
"If you have a counselor, by all means, certainly get help with it so you don't wind up being in a more difficult situation where you have now hurt a child."
Child Protective Services said its studies show that children cared for in unlicensed facilities or by sitters face a higher risk of injury than those in licensed day care centers.
Yvonne Arnold, a neighbor of the injured 1-year-old boy and mother of five children, said shaken baby cases are becoming all too frequent.
"It can be a little overwhelming," she said. "I wouldn't dare shake them or anything. If I felt it got to that point, I'd call my husband, a relative, or even a neighbor."
WFAA-TV reporter Dan Ronan and Dallas Morning News staff writer Linda Leavell contributed to this report.
IRVING, Texas (The Dallas Morning News) - An Irving man believed to have shaken an infant was jailed Friday on a charge of causing injury to a child.
The 1-year-old, who was at Children’s Medical Center Dallas, was being observed in the intensive care unit on Thursday. His condition was not immediately available Friday, Irving police Officer David Tull said.
Kelvis Rainwater, the 28-year-old boyfriend of the baby's mother, told police early Thursday that the child had fallen in an Irving apartment. Medical professionals determined that the injuries were not consistent with a fall, and police arrested Rainwater later in the day, Officer Tull said.
“There was no one else in the apartment that we’re aware of besides him,” Officer Tull said. “Rainwater was the one who was taking care of the child at the time of the injuries.”
Rainwater was being held on $50,000 bond at Irving City Jail.
In three unrelated but fatal cases in the past month in which babies were shaken, the victims were all being cared for by someone other than their parents — a baby sitter or a boyfriend.
Dr. Nishendu Vasavada of Lakeside Life Center said the assailants apparently were taking out their frustrations on an infant.
"People get this visceral response where they get very angry," Dr. Vasavada said. "They don't know how to express it; they don't recognize a little child is not an adult. Shake them hard — their brain will be damaged."
Dr. Vasavada said parents and child care providers should seek help if they feel overwhelmed.
"If you have a counselor, by all means, certainly get help with it so you don't wind up being in a more difficult situation where you have now hurt a child."
Child Protective Services said its studies show that children cared for in unlicensed facilities or by sitters face a higher risk of injury than those in licensed day care centers.
Yvonne Arnold, a neighbor of the injured 1-year-old boy and mother of five children, said shaken baby cases are becoming all too frequent.
"It can be a little overwhelming," she said. "I wouldn't dare shake them or anything. If I felt it got to that point, I'd call my husband, a relative, or even a neighbor."
WFAA-TV reporter Dan Ronan and Dallas Morning News staff writer Linda Leavell contributed to this report.
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TexasStooge
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Bono's speaking tour will bring him to Dallas
Rocker scheduled to discuss global AIDS, poverty at May 5 event
By COLLEEN McCAIN NELSON / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Bono is making a surprise return to Dallas. But the U2 frontman is bringing a message – not his music – to town.
The World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth today will unveil plans for "Bono Speaks Live." The Irish rocker is scheduled to appear May 5 at Dallas' Fair Park Music Hall to discuss the fight against global AIDS and poverty in Africa.
Bono, one of rock's most celebrated superstars, has increasingly turned his attention to humanitarian efforts. Now, the Grammy winner divides his time between meetings with world leaders and world tours with his band.
He co-founded DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) to raise awareness of the crises in Africa and to pressure wealthy governments to help. And while plenty of celebrities have taken on causes, Bono has proved to be an informed and effective lobbyist.
He has impressed politicians with his knowledge of arcane congressional procedures and has reached out to leaders across the political spectrum. He has won praise from President Bush and has traveled to Africa with then-Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill.
"He's obviously someone who is not just doing this on a whim. It's a deep, deep commitment," said Jim Falk, president of the World Affairs Council. "Leaders recognize that this is a man who has done his homework and truly is committed."
Bono, a Nobel Prize nominee and former Time magazine Person of the Year, has been credited with helping to persuade Mr. Bush to increase funding to fight AIDS in Africa.
Mr. Falk said he made it his goal to bring Bono to North Texas after reading his writing on poverty. But initially, the World Affairs Council's invitation was rejected.
"He gets thousands of requests," Mr. Falk said. "The first few tries, they said no. We kept persevering."
Several months later, Bono agreed to speak in Dallas.
"Texas is important politically," Mr. Falk said. "He wants to reach a diverse and strong audience."
On Sunday, tickets will be made available to members of the World Affairs Council, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that educates citizens on international affairs and foreign policy. Tickets will go on sale to the public March 26.
Mr. Falk said that while his organization has brought many compelling speakers to the area, Bono's speech would be special.
"He is a singular celebrity," Mr. Falk said. "There is nobody like him."
Rocker scheduled to discuss global AIDS, poverty at May 5 event
By COLLEEN McCAIN NELSON / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Bono is making a surprise return to Dallas. But the U2 frontman is bringing a message – not his music – to town.
The World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth today will unveil plans for "Bono Speaks Live." The Irish rocker is scheduled to appear May 5 at Dallas' Fair Park Music Hall to discuss the fight against global AIDS and poverty in Africa.
Bono, one of rock's most celebrated superstars, has increasingly turned his attention to humanitarian efforts. Now, the Grammy winner divides his time between meetings with world leaders and world tours with his band.
He co-founded DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) to raise awareness of the crises in Africa and to pressure wealthy governments to help. And while plenty of celebrities have taken on causes, Bono has proved to be an informed and effective lobbyist.
He has impressed politicians with his knowledge of arcane congressional procedures and has reached out to leaders across the political spectrum. He has won praise from President Bush and has traveled to Africa with then-Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill.
"He's obviously someone who is not just doing this on a whim. It's a deep, deep commitment," said Jim Falk, president of the World Affairs Council. "Leaders recognize that this is a man who has done his homework and truly is committed."
Bono, a Nobel Prize nominee and former Time magazine Person of the Year, has been credited with helping to persuade Mr. Bush to increase funding to fight AIDS in Africa.
Mr. Falk said he made it his goal to bring Bono to North Texas after reading his writing on poverty. But initially, the World Affairs Council's invitation was rejected.
"He gets thousands of requests," Mr. Falk said. "The first few tries, they said no. We kept persevering."
Several months later, Bono agreed to speak in Dallas.
"Texas is important politically," Mr. Falk said. "He wants to reach a diverse and strong audience."
On Sunday, tickets will be made available to members of the World Affairs Council, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that educates citizens on international affairs and foreign policy. Tickets will go on sale to the public March 26.
Mr. Falk said that while his organization has brought many compelling speakers to the area, Bono's speech would be special.
"He is a singular celebrity," Mr. Falk said. "There is nobody like him."
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