The Daily Press http://www.bigspringherald.com http://www.bigspringherald.com/apfeed.xml--1 Copyright The Daily Press 2012-02-22T12:20:13-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:49992012-02-22T12:20:13-05:002012-02-22T12:20:13-05:00Copyright 2010 Big Spring HeraldThursday afternoon, Congressman Randy Neugebauer will be visiting the BSEDC, taking a tour of Desert Tanks — a recent venture supported by the BSEDC — and meeting with a couple of representatives with Transport Handling Specialists. “Congressman Neugebauer wants to see what’s going on out there (at Desert Tanks),” Executive Director Terry Wegman said. “He is also interested in finding out more about the Big Spring Rail System and will be here for an hour to speak with two representatives from THS.”The project between the EDC and Big Dog Rig Movers has finally come to a close, according to Wegman.“The deal has been closed and they seem to be very optimistic about this project and the oilfield industry as well,” Wegman said. Big Spring, TXAMANDA MORENONeugebauer to visit local businessesBig Spring Heraldurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4999Change0Usable2012-02-22T12:20:13-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:49982012-02-22T12:17:16-05:002012-02-22T12:17:16-05:00Copyright 2010 Big Spring Herald Shermila Kher and the team of Caleb Gonzales and Seth Trevino qualified for the National Forensic League National Tournament at the Tall Cotton District National Qualifying Tournament held this past weekend on the campuses of Howard College and Big Spring High School. “This is my third time to qualify for Nationals,” Kher said, “and each time, I have qualified in a different event. I really want to do well with this year being my last.” Kher, a past qualifier in Public Forum Debate and Lincoln Douglas Debate, qualified in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking. According to Speech and Debate Coach Jennifer Adams; Kher was also named the Tall Cotton District Student of the Year. This is an honor voted on by an outside source and is based on the merit and quality of the students who are nominated. This is the second year in a row a student from Big Spring High School has earned the honor.Joining Kher at the National Speech Tournament are fellow seniors Gonzales and Trevino, who qualified in cross-examination debate. “I feel like I have learned a lot. I never dreamed when I was a freshman that I would have an opportunity to go to Indy and represent Big Spring High School.” Gonzales said.“And, to be able to do it with my best friend is a plus,” Trevino added.This first-time team also qualified for the University Interscholastic League Cross-Examination State Meet in March.The Tall Cotton District of the National Forensic League is one of the largest size wise in the nation; Ranging from Rising Star in the east to Monahans in the west and from San Angelo in the south to Dumas in the north. Also, the district has member schools that range in size from the smallest of 1A schools to giant 5A schools, private and public.Big Spring, TXSpecial to the HeraldBSHS trio bound for national meetBig Spring Heraldurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4998Change0Usable2012-02-22T12:17:16-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:49962012-02-22T12:11:13-05:002012-02-22T12:11:13-05:00Copyright 2010 Big Spring Herald• JUSTIN CHARLES MELTON, 23, of 1617 E. 17th St., was arrested Tuesday on warrants for failure to display driver's license and failure to appear (three counts).• HENRY CLAY HERNANDEZ, 31, of 3222 Auburn, was arrested Tuesday on warrants for no driver's license – when unlicensed, failure to appear, speeding and driving when license invalid.• CHRISTOPHER AARON SALAZAR, 24, of 1602 Sunset, was arrested Tuesday on a warrant for failure to appear.• JOSHUA DAVID MITCHELL, 18, of 4812 Ratliff Rd., was arrested Tuesday on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal mischief – more than $1,500 and less than $20,000.• ANTHONY HEATH WRIGHT, 24, of 1106 Stanford, was arrested Tuesday on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal mischief – more than $1,500 and less than $20,000.• CRIMINAL MISCHIEF was reported:In the 6900 block of S. Highway 87.In the 5200 block of Longshore Road.In the 100 block of Rainer.• ASSAULT was reported in the 3600 block of W. Highway 80.• BURGLARY OF A HABITATION was reported in the 1300 block of Runnels.The Howard County Sheriff’s Office reported the following activity:Note — Officials with the Howard County Jail reported having 66 inmates at the time of this report.• JOSHUA MITCHELL, 18, was arrested Tuesday by the HCSO on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal mischief – more than $1,500 and less than $20,000.• ANTHONY HEATH WRIGHT, 24, was arrested Tuesday by the HCSO on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and criminal mischief – more than $1,500 and less than $20,000.• JUSTIN CHARLES MELTON, 23, was booked into the county jail Tuesday by the BSPD on municipal warrants for failure to display driver's license and violation of a promise to appear (three counts).• HENRY CLAY HERNANDEZ, 31, was arrested Tuesday by the HCSO on municipal warrants for no driver's license, failure to appear, capias warrant – speeding and capias warrant – driving while license invalid.• CHRISTOPHER SALAZAR, 24, was booked into the county jail Tuesday by the BSPD on a municipal capias warrant for failure to appear.• ANDY LOPEZ, 36, was booked into the county jail Wednesday by the BSPD on a charge of public intoxication.• JACKIE DOYLE RICHEY, 49, was booked into the county jail Wednesday by the BSPD on municipal warrants for no driver's license, failure to appear and charges of immediate report of an accident and driving while license invalid with a previous conviction or suspension.Big Spring, TXNo author availablePolice/Sheriff/EMSBig Spring Heraldurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4996Change0Usable2012-02-22T12:11:13-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:49912012-02-21T12:16:01-05:002012-02-21T12:16:01-05:00Copyright 2010 Big Spring HeraldThe primaries — which are currently slated for April 3, but, according to state officials, are likely to be postponed as late as May 29 — are quickly approaching, as is the deadline to register to vote or report a change of address, which is currently set as March 5 by the Texas Secretary of State's office.“As the election dates continue to change and get shuffled around due to the redistricting case currently being heard in court, many voters may find the whole affair confusing,” Saundra Bloom, Howard County elections administrator, said. “However, the one thing that doesn't change is the deadline to register to vote, which is always 30 days prior to the election.“If the April 3 date holds up, area residents will have until March 5 to register to vote in the political party primaries. There's still quite a bit of uncertainty involved in the scheduling, but that really shouldn't serve as a reason for area voters to wait. It's better to go ahead and check on your voter status now, and, if need be, go ahead and get your registration in as soon as possible.”The redistricting case, which is being held in a federal court in San Antonio, got a bit of good news last week, with the Texas attorney general's office and a coalition of minority groups announcing a deal Wednesday on one of three disputed electoral maps.While the compromise represents a step forward in the ongoing redistricting battle, the Texas House and congressional districts remain in dispute for the 2012 elections.And while the Texas Secretary of State's office continues to embrace the April 3 date for the primaries, U.S. Appeals Court Judge Jerry Smith said last week Texans should plan for the primaries to be held in late May.Smith hasn't yet set May 29 as the primary date, but he told party leaders last week to instruct candidates and their campaigns to plan as if that is when Texas voters will finally be able to cast their ballots in the party primaries.The possibility of a late-May political party primary has many Republican officials expressing their disappointment, as Texas is currently slated to be part of the April 3 Super Tuesday. A May 29 primary could seriously diminish the Lone Star State's influence in the Republican presidential race, according to GOP officials.A May 29 primary would also bump the deadline to register to vote up considerably, possibly as late as April 30, according to state officials. However, until a new date beside the April 3 scheduling is issued, nothing is written in stone, state officials said Monday.While the federal case regarding redistricting has thrown much of the election's schedule into chaos, Bloom said it is also preventing her office from mailing out voter registration cards.“We haven't mailed out the new certificates due to the uncertainty of our legislative and congressional districts,” Bloom said. “We've been instructed by the secretary of state to wait. We hope to have them mailed out in plenty of time for the May 12 municipal and school board elections. However, should you not receive your certificate in time, you may still vote with proper identification as long as you are a registered voter.”Seats up for election in the 2012 November election include 118th Judicial District attorney, currently held by Hardy Wilkerson; Howard County sheriff, held by Stan Parker; county attorney, held by Joshua Hamby; tax assessor collector, held by Kathy Sayles; Precinct 3 county commissioner, held by Jimmie Long; and Precinct 1 county commissioner, held by Emma Brown.Parker has filed to run for re-election on the Republican ticket, as have Long, Green and Wilkerson. Parker has drawn an opponent in local resident M.O. Horton, who will also be running on the GOP ballot.Brown, who is once again running as a Democratic candidate, has drawn a trio of challengers, as Howard County Jailer Larry Torres, former Big Spring Council member Oscar Garcia and Ed Ware, who has attempted to unseat the longtime commissioner previously, will face off for the Precinct 1 seat on the court.Torres will face off against Brown in the Democratic primary, while Garcia and Ware will be running on the Republican ticket. The winners of both races will run against one another in November to claim the seat.Longtime Tax Collector and Assessor Kathy Sayles announced she will not be running for re-election. Diane Carter, an employee of tax collection office, will be running — currently unopposed — for the office on the Republican ticket.Also running unopposed at this time are Long, Green and Wilkerson.Big Spring, TXTHOMAS JENKINSOfficials: Primary date still mystery, but register nowBig Spring Heraldurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4991Change0Usable2012-02-21T12:16:01-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:49892012-02-21T12:12:47-05:002012-02-21T12:12:47-05:00Copyright 2010 Big Spring HeraldHoward County Elections Administrator Saundra Bloom said the deadline to register to vote in the municipal and school board races is April 12.“The deadline to register in any election is always 30 days prior to the election,” Bloom said. “The uncertainty surrounding the current primaries has no direct impact on the May 12 elections for cities, school boards and college trustee elections.”Bloom urges area residents to go ahead and check their voter readiness now if they plan to take part in any of the upcoming elections.“When we talk about an April 12 deadline, it sounds like we have plenty of time, so there's no hurry or worry,” Bloom said. “However, life can sometimes hand us a little more than we can handle, and that April deadline can sneak up on you. Regardless of which election — city, county, school board, even state offices — you plan to cast your ballot in, now is the time to go ahead and check on your voter status and take care of anything that needs to be handled before the April 12 deadline.”Bloom said early voting in municipal and school board elections is set to run from April 30 until May 8.“On May 1 and May 3, we'll have extended hours at the early voting polls, which will be located at the elections administration office on the third floor of the Howard County Courthouse,” Bloom said. “The polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. — the same hours the polls are open on election day — on both dates. As always, our hope is the extended hours will give people who normally work during regular poll hours a chance to cast their ballots early.”According to the Texas Secretary of State's website, March 13 is the first day residents can ask for a mail-in ballot, with May 4 the deadline to make the request.“Voters who are 65 and older, disabled or will be out of the county and unavailable to vote during early voting or election day can apply for a ballot by mail,” Bloom said. “If you want to apply, you need to contact the elections office so we can mail out the form. Voters must request this application, it won't automatically be sent out.”Big Spring voters will have plenty to weigh in on in this year's election, as the District 2, 4 and 6 seats are up for grabs. Also on the ballot will be a proposed 4B project to overhaul the municipality's water and wastewater facilities, as well as replace a portion of the city's main water lines.The proposed project — if approved by voters — would have the Big Spring Economic Development Corporation provide the majority of the funding, which amounts to $750,000 a year for the first two years, and then 40 percent of its sales tax revenue, with a floor of $500,000 and a ceiling of $750,000, for the following 18 years. Overall, the EDC has agreed to fund a maximum of $13 million for the project.The Big Spring EDC is designated a 4A corporation by the state of Texas, making it necessary for the city to get voter approval before diverting its funding — which comes through sales tax revenues — before moving forward with a 4B project.Big Spring, TXTHOMAS JENKINSNo doubts on muni, ISD electionsBig Spring Heraldurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4989Change0Usable2012-02-21T12:12:47-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:49882012-02-21T12:09:56-05:002012-02-21T12:09:56-05:00Copyright 2010 Big Spring Herald• GILBERT RECIO, 38, of 1007 Wood, was arrested Monday on charges of driving while intoxicated – second offense, open container in a motor vehicle – driver and driving while license invalid.• GABRIEL JESSIE HERNANDEZ, 25, of 1102 Lloyd, was arrested Monday on warrants for child passenger without safety seat system and driving while license invalid.• DEVIN ALLEN BUCK, 18, of 1425 E. Sixth St. Apt. 28, was arrested Monday on a warrant from another agency.• FLAVIO SERRANO GARCIA, 26, of 3609 Hamilton, was arrested Monday on charges of public intoxication, open container in motor vehicle – driver and assault causing bodily injury – family violence.• MOLLY ELIZABETH TURNER, 37, of 1905 Wasson Rd. Apt. 57, was arrested Monday on warrants for theft by check and issuance of a bad check.• BURGLARY OF A BUILDING was reported in the area of Echols.• BURGLARY OF A HABITATION was reported in the 1400 block of Nolan.The Howard County Sheriff’s Office reported the following activity:Note — Officials with the Howard County Jail reported having 63 inmates at the time of this report.• ROXANNA COX, 36, was booked into the county jail Friday by the BSPD on a charge of driving while license invalid.• ROBERT ALLEN THORP, 23, was arrested Friday by the HCSO on a motion to adjudicate for indecency with a child – sexual contact (two counts).• MARTIN GARCIA LEIJA, 46, was arrested Friday by the HCSO on charges of violation of a promise to appear and no valid inspection certificate.• CURTIS NATHANIEL JONES, 38, was booked into the county jail Friday on Nueces County warrants for failure to appear – assault causing bodily injury (family violence) and assault causing bodily injury – family violence.• STORMIE RHEANNE NOGGLER, 19, was booked into the county jail Friday by the BSPD on a charge of disorderly conduct – language.• AVEL ABREO RAMIREZ, 65, was booked into the county jail Friday by the BSPD on a parole violation.• JOE ERNEST VALENCIA JR., 28, was arrested Friday by the HCSO on municipal warrants for running a red light, violation of a promise to appear, no driver's license and failure to appear.• BETSY MENDOZA TARIN, 27, was booked into the county jail Saturday by the BSPD on a charge of public intoxication.• ADRIAN PATRICK VALENCIA, 23, was arrested Saturday by the HCSO on a charge of driving while license invalid with a previous conviction or suspension.• ROBERT RUBIN SANCHEZ, 47, was booked into the county jail Saturday by the BSPD on a charge of public intoxication.• SAUL EMMANUEL CANTU JR., 18, was arrested Saturday by the HCSO on a charge of evading arrest or detention.• BEVERLY DENISE WARD, 38, was arrested Saturday by the HCSO on a municipal warrant for weedy lot.• DENISE NANETTE EASLEY, 48, was booked into the county jail Saturday by the BSPD on a charge of public intoxication.• RICHARD DARRELL HUNT, 41, was booked into the county jail Saturday by the BSPD on a charge of public intoxication.• SHAWN JERMAIN CALDWELL, 50, was booked into the county jail Saturday by the BSPD on a charge of discharge of a firearm within the city limits.• HAROLD RAY GREEN, 57, was booked into the county jail Saturday by the BSPD on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.• MARCUS ERVIN CANADY, 23, was booked into the county jail Saturday by DPS on a Glasscock County warrant for driving while intoxicated.• SALENA MARIE TAYLOR, 32, was booked into the county jail Saturday by the BSPD on a charge of driving while license invalid with a previous conviction or suspension.• GAYLON RAY LEMINGS, 29, was booked into the county jail Saturday by the BSPD on a charge of public intoxication.• NATHAN HENRY BAKER, 57, was arrested Saturday by the HCSO on a Howard County warrant for driving while license invalid with a previous conviction or suspension.• JOHNNY LEE RHODES, 25, was arrested Sunday by the HCSO on a charge of public intoxication.• TRENTON PATRICK MULLIN, 24, was booked into the county jail Sunday by the BSPD on a charge of driving while intoxicated.• PATRICK ALEXANDER LEAHY, 22, was booked into the county jail Sunday by the BSPD on a charge of public intoxication.• JASON EDWARD FRENCH, 30, was booked into the county jail Sunday by the BSPD on a charge of driving while intoxicated.• FLAVIO SERRANO GARCIA, 26, was arrested Monday by the HCSO on a motion to revoke probation for assault causing bodily injury – family violence, public intoxication and open container in a motor vehicle – driver.• GILBERT SANCHEZ, 38, was booked into the county jail Monday by the BSPD on a charge of driving while intoxicated – second offense and municipal capias warrants for driving while license invalid and open container.• GABRIEL JESSIE HERNANDEZ, 25, was booked into the county jail Monday by the BSPD on municipal warrants for passenger not secured by safety belt and driving while license invalid.• MOLLY E. TURNER, 37, was arrested Monday by the HCSO on charges of theft by check and issuance of a bad check.• DEVIN ALLEN BUCK, 18, was booked into the county jail Tuesday by the BSPD on a charge of harassment.The Big Spring Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services reported the following activity:• MEDICAL was reported in the 2400 block of S. Main Street. One person was transported to SMMC.• MEDICAL was reported in the 600 block of W. 17th Street. One person was transported to SMMC.• MEDICAL was reported in the 1600 block of Sycamore. One person was transported to SMMC.• MEDICAL was reported in the 1800 block of S. Gregg Street. One person was transported to SMMC.• MEDICAL was reported in the 1700 block of S. Lancaster. One person was transported to SMMC.• MEDICAL was reported in the 800 block of Abrams. One person was transported to SMMC.• MEDICAL was reported in the 4000 block of S. Highway 87. One person was transported to SMMC.• MEDICAL was reported in the 900 block of N. Runnels. One person was transported to SMMC.• MEDICAL was reported in the area of Canterbury North. One person was transported to SMMC.• MEDICAL was reported in the 9800 block of Kay. One person was transported to SMMC.• MEDICAL was reported in the 700 block of Craigmont. One person was transported to SMMC.• TRAUMA was reported in the 800 block of Lancaster. Service refused.• MEDICAL was reported in the 3300 block of Bryant. One person was transported to SMMC.• MEDICAL was reported in the 2900 block of Navajo. One person was transported to SMMC.Big Spring, TXNo author availablePolice/Sheriff/EMSBig Spring Heraldurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4988Change0Usable2012-02-21T12:09:56-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:49822012-02-20T15:23:51-05:002012-02-20T15:23:51-05:00Copyright 2010 Big Spring HeraldPart of a statewide effort to help municipalities and other government agencies tackle the growing number of arrest warrants being issued, Big Spring Municipal Judge Tim Green said every effort has been made to contact those with warrants and get the matters cleared up before the handcuffs get slapped on.“We had letters sent out last week to those people who have warrants, so this shouldn't come as some big surprise,” Green said. “The simple truth of the matter is this: They can either take care of their fines and warrants in the time leading up to the warrants, or they can risk it and possibly end up with a pair of handcuffs snapped on them when Saturday rolls around.”Having already wrapped up their first week of dealing with the warning letters, Green said it's been hectic around the municipal court.“You basically don't see any of the employees without a phone to their ear, and that's from the time we come in until the time we leave,” Green said. “ It's really amazing how many warrants and fines we've been able to take care of since the letters went out earlier this week.“Monday alone we took in $10,000 in fines. Throughout the week, we've been able to collect approximately $40,000. Last year, from beginning to end, we collected about $70,000, so I'd say we're doing really well with this roundup.”Green said those with warrants can come in and pay their fines without fear of being arrested on site. However, those who aren't willing to pay their fines may find themselves in a much stickier situation.“If you come in and have the money to pay your fines, you don't have to worry about being arrested here in the office,” said Green. “However, if you're unable to clear up your fines, it's pretty likely you're going to end up behind bars. My advice is to get these matters taken care of as soon as humanly possible.”Green said the roundup is a collaborative effort between the Big Spring Police Department and the Howard County Sheriff's Office.Big Spring, TXThomas JenkinsWarrant roundup coming SaturdayBig Spring Heraldurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4982Change0Usable2012-02-20T15:23:51-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:49772012-02-20T15:17:44-05:002012-02-20T15:17:44-05:00Copyright 2010 Big Spring HeraldLate last year, Press Ganey Associates Inc. named SMMC a 2011 Top Improver® Award winner. To recognize the achievement, CEO Larry Rodgers wants residents to join with SMMC staff in celebrating the award by attending a “Quality Open House” from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday. The festivities, scheduled for the main SMMC Lobby, will feature light refreshments, door prizes and drawings. Big Spring, TXHerald Staff ReportSMMC to celebrate award; public invitedBig Spring Heraldurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4977Change0Usable2012-02-20T15:17:44-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:49762012-02-20T15:12:23-05:002012-02-20T15:12:23-05:00Copyright 2010 Big Spring Herald• JASON EDWARD FRENCH, 30, of 1705 Purdue, was arrested Sunday on a charge of driving while intoxicated.• PATRICK ALEXANDER LEAHY, 22, of 1313 Robin, was arrested Sunday on a charge of public intoxication.• TRENTON PATRICK MULLIN, 13103 Priet Lane in Cypress, was arrested Sunday on a charge of driving while intoxicated.• GILBERT RECIO, 38, of 1007 Wood, was arrested Monday on charges of driving while intoxicated – second offense, open container in a motor vehicle – driver and driving while license invalid.• JOHNNY LEE RHODES, 25, of 807 Carolina in Graham, was arrested Sunday on a charge of public intoxication.• FLAVIO SERRANO GARCIA, 26, of 3609 Hamilton St., was arrested Monday on charges of public intoxication, open container in a motor vehicle – driver and assault causing bodily injury – family violence.• BURGLARY OF A BUILDING was reported in the 1100 block of E. Third Street.• CRIMINAL MISCHIEF was reported in the 4200 block of W. Highway 80.• ASSAULT was reported in the 3600 block of W. Highway 80.Big Spring, TXNo author availablePolice beatBig Spring Heraldurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4976Change0Usable2012-02-20T15:12:23-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:49652012-02-18T13:24:52-05:002012-02-18T13:24:52-05:00Copyright 2010 Big Spring HeraldMidkiff said the newspaper has had at least two of the racks — located throughout the city for area residents to purchase newspapers from on a daily basis — stolen in the last week, the most recent taken from the entryway of the Big Spring Mall.“The rack was situated near the mall entrance, just outside the door,” Midkiff said. “Security cameras captured the theft on video, and the information has been turned over to the Big Spring Police Department, who have informed us they are investigating the thefts.”According to Midkiff, the rack was later recovered at a property near Scenic Mountain Medical Center on Martin Luther King Blvd., after the property owner discovered the piece of equipment.However, after reviewing the number of newspapers still in the rack after it was recovered, Herald Circulation Manager Robert Smith said the thieves’ ill-gotten spoils were most likely disappointing, at best.“They had used some sort of device — possibly a crowbar or a torch — to pry open the change box that sits on the top of the rack,” Smith said. “It basically destroyed that entire portion of the rack, which will cost approximately $150 to repair.“We had a second rack — it was located at Hilltop Cafe in the 1400 block of E. Fourth Street — stolen this week, as well. That one hasn’t been recovered yet and will cost around $400 to replace. The most ironic part of all of this is neither of these racks could have had more then $4 or $5 when they were taken. These people went through all of this for less than $10.”Midkiff said the Herald is willing to line local residents pockets with considerably more cash than that — $100, to be exact — for information leading to the arrest of the thieves and vandals responsible for the damage.“This needs to stop, and the Herald is ready to step up and offer this reward as a way to make that happen,” Midkiff said. “Our hope is the $100 reward will inspire someone who knows these people and knows what they are doing. Here’s a way you can make $100 legally and help the community at the same time.“We know this isn’t just a problem with the newspaper’s property. There are people all over the Crossroads area who are being victimized by these thieves, and it’s time we fight back. The police department is doing all they can do, but they have more pressing criminal activity to deal with on a daily basis. It’s time for us, as citizens, to step up.”To report information regarding the stolen news racks, contact the Herald at 432-263-7331 or the Big Spring Police Department at 264-2550.Big Spring, TXThomas JenkinsPerps get 10 bucks as Herald racks are stolen, damagedBig Spring Heraldurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4965Change0Usable2012-02-18T13:24:52-05:00