News from the Lone Star State

[TexasStooge]

Teachers sickened at Dallas high school

DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A dozen teachers at Lake Highlands High School were treated for symptoms of food poisoning Tuesday afternoon.

Six of the teachers were transported to area hospitals. Six others were being monitored at the school, in the 9400 block of Church Road in Northeast Dallas.

All of those who were sickened were said to have been eating the same food in the teachers' lounge.

Dallas County Health and Human Services spokeswoman Jacqueline Bell said authorities were looking into several possibilities for the incident. She said criminal activity had not been ruled out.

[TexasStooge]

Carjacked Mustang found near Laredo

LAREDO, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - The vehicle stolen in a fatal carjacking in Dallas Monday evening has been found on Interstate 35 near Laredo, not far from the Mexico border.

It was not immediately clear whether any suspects were apprehended.

The crime left one woman dead and another critically wounded by gunfire.

Police said Maricela Rodriguez, 18, flagged down help around 7:25 p.m. in the 8900 block of Military Parkway in Pleasant Grove. The woman had been shot several times and was covered in blood, police said.

Rodriguez underwent surgery and is in critical condition at Baylor University Medical Center, Lt. Rick Watson said. Her mother, Bertha Hernandez, 36, was found shot to death in a wooded area near the road.

Rodriguez told officers that she and her mother had been shot by two men who took their white 1996 Ford Mustang.

“Because of her condition she couldn’t provide the officers much information,” Watson said. “Today our detectives are going back to Baylor to interview her.”

Police said the Mustang had Texas licence plates with either Z30-SXT or 883-JTR.

Schepps Dairy will pay $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and grand jury indictment of the suspect or suspects.

Anyone with information should call 214-671-3661 or 214-671-3682.

Evelyn Rangel said she has known the victims for two years. "We were friends, we were buddies. I don't like what happened to them, i don't like this. This ain't smart," she said. "That's why I never ever stop to help anybody. Never."

Rangel said she was sickened at the thought of Rodriguez struggling to get help for her mortally-wounded mother.

"I think they ought to get the death penalty when they find them," she said. "And I hope I'm one of the jurors."

WFAA-TV reporter Cynthia Vega and DallasNews.com contributed to this report.

[TexasStooge]

Firefighters fight two alarm church fire

DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Firefighters are battling a two alarm blaze at the Harmony Christian Church in the 8000 block of Hawn Freeway in Pleasant Grove.

The fire was reported around a 5:30 p.m. and no injuries were reported.

[TexasStooge]

Police: Serial rapist, robber attacks again

By REBECCA RODRIGUEZ / WFAA ABC 8

Police said a man who robbed and raped a woman at 3:30 a.m. Monday in Dallas was also behind nearly a dozen other crimes throughout North Texas.

November was reported to be the last time the man struck, until once again police said he donned a bandana, dressed in black and attacked.

The man kidnapped the woman, forced her to go to two ATMs to withdraw money and then raped her, police said.

The man is suspected in crimes that range from robbery to murder; and he was linked to attacks in Plano, Grand Prairie, Coppell, Richardson and Garland.

Residents who lived near the most recent crime called the incident "too close for comfort."

"It scares me a lot," said Kim Tran. "I was scared yesterday when I heard the news...I just feel the chills."

Police said they stepped up patrols and created a task force in reaction to the serial criminal.

In November, police said the same man kidnapped, raped and beat up a woman at Camden Farmers Market in downtown Dallas after breaking into her apartment window.

In half of the attacks, it was reported he broke into victims' homes or forced them to drive to an ATM.

Two women were also said to have been shot in one of the attacks, and he is also suspected in a June murder.

In some instances, police said he stalks his victims. They also called the man an opportunistic criminal who looks for easy ways into homes such as open doors or windows.

The suspect has left little forensic evidence at the crime scenes, which police said has made their job of finding him that much more difficult.

[TexasStooge]

$94 million lottery ticket sold in El Paso

ATLANTA, Ga./EL PASO, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) — A single ticket has won the grand prize from the latest Mega Millions lotto drawing.

Lottery officials said the winning ticket from Tuesday night's drawing—worth $94 million—was sold in El Paso, Texas.

In addition to the grand prize winner, 10 players matched all five numbers but not the Mega Ball number. They will receive second prizes of $250,000 each.

Another 28 players matched four numbers, plus the Mega Ball number—good for third prizes of $10,000 each.

The winning numbers from Tuesday night's drawing were: 7, 24, 40, 48 and 50. The Mega Ball number was 15.

[TexasStooge]

Fort Worth man stable after shooting

FORT WORTH, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) – A 19-year-old man was shot four times after he and an accomplice forced their way into an apartment early Tuesday.

Jonathan Kirby was taken to Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital, where he was in stable condition Tuesday afternoon with gunshot wounds to his foot, thigh, arm and back, Fort Worth police Lt. Gene Jones said.

Police said Eric Johnson, 24, answered a knock on the door of his unit at the Coffee Creek Apartments at 6365 Hulen Bend Court around 12:30 a.m. He was faced with two men, one wielding a gun. Mr. Johnson told police that Mr. Kirby pointed a gun at him and said, "You know what this is."

Mr. Johnson struggled with Mr. Kirby before he pulled his own gun from his waistband and shot Mr. Kirby, Lt. Jones said.

The second intruder entered the apartment and jumped from the balcony and got away, Lt. Jones said. Police said it was not known if the two men knew each other.

Mr. Kirby was expected to be charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, the lieutenant said.

[TexasStooge]

Three hurt in Dallas apartment fire

By CYNTHIA VEGA / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - A woman was critically injured early Wednesday after fire broke out at her apartment complex in Northeast Dallas.

Firefighters and police went door-to-door at six o'clock to rouse sleeping tenants at the Soho/Bar Harbor Apartments in the 7600 block of Skillman Street.

A woman who was trapped in her third-floor apartment was rescued by two police officers. The tenant suffered smoke inhalation and some significant burns.

She was hospitalized in critical condition. Her name was not available.

The two officers suffered some minor injuries and smoke inhalation and were treated at the scene.

A total of three apartment units were damaged in the fire.

County tax records indicate the apartment complex was built 23 years ago.

[TexasStooge]

LHHS cancels classes after power outage

By KRISTINE HUGHES / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS, Texas - Activities at Lake Highlands High School were interrupted for a second day when a blown transformer left the school in the dark Wednesday morning.

District spokeswoman Jeanne Guerra said classes would be dismissed at 10 a.m. and buses would run their normal routes. Students who weren’t able to get home would be accommodated at the school until they could be picked up, she said.

“TXU said the power would be restored in four to five hours, so school should resume Thursday as usual,” Ms. Guerra said.

The electrical issue occurred a day after 18 teachers and staff members were sent to the hospital after eating tainted muffins. All but two had returned to work Wednesday, Ms. Guerra said.

Results from local tests on the muffins by the Dallas Health and Human Services Department will be available Wednesday afternoon, spokeswoman Jacqueline M. Bell said.

The department is conducting “quick tests” for natural and manmade toxins, such as food borne pathogens and ricin, a poison that can be made from castor beans.

“We can do the preliminary tests in a pretty fast fashion and we always do a confirmation test later,” Ms. Bell said.

The school’s annual teacher appreciation breakfast, featuring homemade foods supplied by band boosters, took place as planned Wednesday morning after an e-mail was sent to parents Tuesday night.
_____________________________________________________________

Is Lake Highlands High School cursed?

[TexasStooge]

Police: Pregnant Fort Worth woman's death was homicide

FORT WORTH, Texas (The Dallas Morning News) - Investigators are looking into the death of a pregnant Fort Worth woman, police said Wednesday.

Lt. Gene Jones said officers responded around 5 p.m. Tuesday to a 911 call from a woman who said she found her sister dead inside a unit at the Pilgrim Valley Manor Apartments.

When officers arrived at the apartment in the 1700 block of East Robert Street, they found the body of Deon Miles, 29. She had multiple gunshot wounds, Lt. Jones said.

Miles’ death is being investigated as a homicide, he said.

[TexasStooge]

Officer performs CPR on fire victim

By BRANDON FORMBY / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS, Texas - A Dallas police officer resuscitated a woman who was not breathing after she was pulled from a burning Lake Highlands condominium early Wednesday morning.

Police Cpl. John McGuire said he performed CPR on the woman after he and other officers responded to the one-alarm fire in the 7600 block of Skillman Street about 6:30 a.m.

The woman, whose name was not released, was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation and third-degree burns to her hands and feet, police said. Another officer suffered from smoke inhalation and was treated at the scene.

The cause of the fire had not been determined Wednesday morning, Dallas Fire-Rescue Capt. Robert Baker said, but damages were estimated to be about $15,000.

The blaze was confined to the single unit, although adjacent units may have suffered some smoke and water damage, he said.

As crews cleaned up the scene, all northbound lanes of Skillman remained closed at Church Road.

[TexasStooge]

Former councilman says he won't run for mayor

By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS, Texas - Banker and former Dallas City Council member Max Wells, who for months has been exploring a 2007 mayoral bid, says he will not run.

“It wasn’t right at this time for my family and I,” said Mr. Wells, whose public service also includes a stint as chairman of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Board. “It has been very rewarding to have so many people encourage me to run.”

Candidates may not officially file for a mayoral run until February. Asked if he would reconsider his decision at a later date, Mr. Wells replied, “No, I don’t think so. I’ve never said never, but no, you can say this is a final decision."

He said he recently conducted a poll regarding the mayor's office. He declined to discuss its results, but said it indicated Mayor Laura Miller "is vulnerable." He did not immediately endorse any of the more than dozen other Dallasites, including four sitting council members, who are considering running next year.

"Hopefully, I can continue contributing to Dallas in other ways," Mr. Wells said. "I’ve had a long romance with this city."

Ms. Miller, who says she will seek her second full term and third overall next year, has been Dallas' mayor since 2002.

[TexasStooge]

Austin-area students go to court over walkouts

ROUND ROCK, Texas (DallasNews.com/AP) - Some suburban Austin students are going to court to challenge citations they received for violating a daytime curfew while participating in March immigration rallies.

Nearly 100 students pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Round Rock municipal court. Many said they will argue that the curfew ordinance includes exemptions for free speech and free assembly.

Police cited the students on March 31 when they walked out of class to join in protests against national immigration policies.

Round Rock's youth curfew ordinance requires students younger than 17 to be in school between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Another 83 students pleaded guilty or no contest to their curfew violations. They accepted either $200 fines or up to 32 hours of community service.

The non-profit Texas Civil Rights Project will provide free representation to at least 80 of the students who pleaded not guilty. However, project lawyer Ernest Saadiq Morris said he warned the students that they could face stiffer fines and court costs if they lose their cases.

[TexasStooge]

County rejects resolution apologizing for Waco lynchings

WACO, Texas (DallasNews.com/AP) – McLennan County commissioners on Tuesday declined to adopt a resolution apologizing for lynchings in the area in the 1800s and early 1900s.

But after rejecting the Community Race Relations Coalition's document by a 4-to-1 vote, commissioners said they would work on a resolution they all could accept.

County Judge Jim Lewis made the motion to reject it "as it stands," saying it includes the city and the Waco City Council in its wording. Lewis said county commissioners cannot vote on a matter that obligates the city without its approval, the Waco Tribune-Herald reported Tuesday in its online edition.

At least two commissioners have said they oppose an apology because the lynchings happened before current leaders and residents were born. They also have said the murder or rape victims of the black men who were lynched should not be forgotten.

Lester Gibson, the only black county commissioner, vowed to keep placing the matter on the agenda until the group reaches a consensus. He was the only commissioner who voted against the motion rejecting the resolution.

Coalition member Jo Welter said her group will remove the reference to the city and present the resolution to county commissioners again. Members of the racially diverse group, which so far have more than 800 signatures from residents supporting the document, have said a public apology is necessary for the community to move forward.

The City Council was to discuss the resolution at its meeting later Tuesday. Mayor Virginia DuPuy has said the city will address the issue but council members may change some words.

The current 800-word resolution says the city and county "apologize for the failure of past leadership to uphold and defend lynching victims' most basic rights to life, liberty, and due process under the laws of our cherished democracy."

It also mentions the 1916 lynching of 17-year-old Jesse Washington, who was dragged from the courthouse, cut with knives and dangled over a fire as half the town's population – some 15,000 people – cheered. Washington's trial and sentencing for killing a white woman were conducted in less than 90 minutes, and his lynching was one of the few photographed in progress.

[TexasStooge]

What is the work ethic of today's teenager?

By JEFF BRADY / WFAA ABC 8

This summer is shaping up to be a good one for seasonal jobs, especially at Southlake Town Square, where new stores mean new opportunities.

But how prepared are teenagers to get summer jobs?

Gerrell Harvey isn't a teenager. He's 24. But he's the general manager of a store that hires them.

He says "Gen Y" is generally lazy. "A lot of youth don't feel that they have to work for anything anymore, that a lot of things in life should just be granted," he said.

Kayla Hughes is 17. She has two jobs, including one as a sales associate at Ruby.

"I did it on my own, and I have a car payment, so I needed a job," she says.

Granted, Southlake is a more affluent community, and many adolescents may not need to work. But even here, we found a variety of opinions about the work ethic of Generation Y.

The National Retail Federation projects that this summer could be the best in several years for seasonal jobs. The best opportunities include specialty retail and the travel industry.

Southlake Town Square is booming, with new shops, restaurants, and a movie theater opening soon.

Matt Foss at the Harkins Theater is taking applications. He needs dozens of teenagers this summer to sell tickets and popcorn.

"You have your ups and downs, but for the most part, they're pretty good employees in that age range, and I don't really have any problems with it," he said.

Across the street, Mandy Johnson, 18, works at the Cheesecake Factory. "You have to earn your money; you can't just expect to have it handed to you," she said.

Nothing's handed to Johnson. She has two other jobs to keep her busy, and to build up an adolescent budget.

[TexasStooge]

Two women wanted in Dallas home invasion

DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Two women forcibly entered a Northwest Dallas duplex Tuesday night and bound a woman who was housesitting for her mother, police said.

Dallas police Sgt. Gil Cerda said the suspects knocked on the door of the duplex in the 4200 block of Harvest Hill Road around 7:30 p.m. When the victim opened the door slightly, the women pushed their way inside and displayed a gun.

Sgt. Cerda said the suspects then duct-taped the victim’s arms in front of her eyes and tied her to a chair with rope. After asking where jewelry was kept, they took an undetermined amount of jewelry and fled.

The victim was able to wriggle free after nearly two hours and called 911. She was not injured during the robbery, he said.

Investigators said the suspects are two women in their mid-30s. Both are about 5 feet, 6 inches tall. One has black hair and the other has blond hair.

Anyone with information should call 214-671-3584.

[TexasStooge]

Outside food, drink banned at Hurricane Harbor

ARLINGTON, Texas (The Dallas Morning News) - Families planning to frolic in the cool spray at Arlington’s Hurricane Harbor water park this summer can still bring their own lunch or dinner – as long as they keep it outside the gates.

Six Flags, the parent company of Hurricane Harbor, is implementing a ban on coolers and other outside food and drink within the park, company officials said this week.

Park spokeswoman Sandra Daniels said Wednesday the policy was instituted primarily for security reasons. It was already in place at Six Flags Over Texas and other Six Flags-owned amusement parks before this year, and will be implemented at Hurricane Harbor when the park opens for the season May 26.

“We wanted to bring this water park in line with company policy,” Ms. Daniels said.

Some other water parks in Texas still permit outside food. New Braunfels-based Schlitterbahn allows guests to bring in coolers but has banned all glass containers and alcohol.

Ms. Daniels said Hurricane Harbor will still offer a variety of food and drink for sale within the park. And to accommodate guests who still want to bring their own food, she said the park has constructed a picnic pavilion adjacent to the parking lot, featuring 19 picnic tables, trees and umbrellas to provide shade.

Though the new picnic area is outside the park gates, guests will be able to exit and re-enter the park during their stay, she said.

[TexasStooge]

Pregnant woman foresaw her killing

By KARIN KELLY / WFAA ABC 8

FORT WORTH, Texas - Fort Worth police are investigating the brutal murder of a pregnant mother of two.

The shooting happened at the victim's apartment Tuesday afternoon in southeast Fort Worth.

The victim's sister Ellaner Maxie told WFAA that Deon Miles had been threatened for weeks by the father of her unborn child.

"She's been telling me this for two weeks: 'If something happens to me, it's going to be him 'cause he keeps saying he's going to kill me girl,'" said Maxie.

Maxie found her 30-year-old sister face down in her apartment, apparently shot multiple times Tuesday at the Pilgrim Valley Apartments. She was just a month away from delivering a third son by a man believed to be married.

"She said: 'He's too smart. He's not going to do it himself 'cause he's going to be with his wife. But he probably put somebody else up to do it.' She kept telling me for like two weeks," said Maxie.

Neighbors have given police several descriptions of men seen near the murder scene.

"We have not focused on one particular person. It's a very broad investigation at this point," said Lt Gene Jones from Fort Worth Police.

"It was time for her to deliver the baby. And he kept saying if you have the baby, it's going to ruin me," said Maxie.

Maxie said her sister intended to make a police report on the threats. For now, she takes comfort that at least her nephews didn't witness their mother's murder.

[TexasStooge]

Court lifts O'Brien stay, won't block Herron execution

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) - The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has refused to block tonight's scheduled execution of death row inmate Jermaine Herron.

But the US Supreme Court was considering a last minute appeal.

The earlier appeal for the 27-year-old inmate questioned the drugs used by Texas to carry out capital punishment - saying they cause "excessive pain."

Herron was condemned over the 1997 shooting deaths of 41-year-old Betsy Nutt and her 15-year-old son, Cody, at their home in Refugio County.

Meanwhile, the appeals court - in a separate order today - lifted the stay it had granted to block last night's scheduled execution of Derrick Sean O'Brien.

O'Brien also had objected to the drugs used by Texas to carry out executions.

A judge will need to set a new execution date for O'Brien, who was condemned for the 1993 torture slayings of two Houston girls.

The victims were 14-year-old Jennifer Ertman and 16-year-old Elizabeth Pena.

[TexasStooge]

Man arrested in carjacking and death of Dallas woman

By HOLLY YAN / The Dallas Morning News

LAREDO, Texas - Authorities have arrested a man in connection with the carjacking and homicide of Bertha Hernandez on Monday night.

Luis Jose Bahena-Evagelista, 26, was arrested Wednesday near Interstate 35 and the Mexico border.

Police believe Mr. Evagelista and another man carjacked Ms. Hernandez and her 18-year-old daughter, Maricela Rodriguez, from their 1996 white Ford Mustang.

Both of the women were shot and left near the 8900 block of Military Parkway in Pleasant Grove. Ms. Hernandez was found dead in the woods; Ms. Rodriguez was in stable condition at Baylor University Medical Center on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Department of Public Safety troopers found the white Mustang abandoned off southbound Interstate 35 about 20 miles from Laredo. Footprints were found from the car to nearby brush land.

Authorities found Mr. Bahena-Evagelista more than 15 miles from the car, Dallas police Senior Cpl. Donna Hernandez said.

He was being held in the Webb County Jail in lieu of $2 million bail. Authorities have not found the second suspect, but believe he is still in the United States, Cpl. Hernandez said.

[TexasStooge]

Arlington to launch youth programs

Mayor also wants to meet with high school students

By JEFF MOSIER / The Dallas Morning News

ARLINGTON, Texas - Mayor Robert Cluck announced several youth initiatives Wednesday in response to the crackdown on street fighting DVDs shot mostly in Arlington.

City parks and recreation officials are scheduled to meet this week and brainstorm ideas for more youth sports programs and activities. Dr. Cluck said he would meet next month with local civic and church leaders to discuss what youth activities are available to teens and try to coordinate those programs.

Also, the mayor said he would schedule several meetings with high school students during the 2006-07 school year. Those gatherings would be a chance for Dr. Cluck to explain what programs are available to teens and for the students to talk about their needs.

“Many of us read the book It Takes a Village …,” Dr. Cluck said. “I’ll tell you, this village is ready to get with it.”

The mayor announced the programs while surrounded by other city and police officials, representatives of local civic and business groups and church leaders.

The issue of youth violence has emerged in the past week as Arlington police have arrested six people for the March assault of a teenager. The beating was filmed for an upcoming release in the Agg Townz Fights DVD series.

The 16-year-old victim was seriously injured and placed in intensive care after the attack.

Police officials said most of the other fighters were willing participants and haven’t cooperated with a police investigation.

In addition to the mayor’s plans, Cornerstone Baptist Church will host a town hall meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at 5415 Matlock Road in Arlington. Pastor Dwight McKissic Sr. said this would be a chance for children to express their concerns about violence and other youth issues.