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Bush visits childhood Texas home Oct 4 05:48 PM US/Eastern With approval ratings at a record low, President George W. Bush on Saturday stopped for a morale-boosting visit to his childhood home in the west Texas oil town of Midland. After a closed-door political fundraiser in Midland, Bush made an unscheduled stop at the home on 1412 West Ohio Avenue, now a museum, with his wife Laura, a native of Midland. "I learned a lot of values that I hold dear here," said Bush after touring the three-bedroom house. Bush said he told his Midland friends that he was the...

MIDLAND, Texas - The 18-month old girl pulled from a backyard well two decades ago is now a young wife and mother — one waiting to collect donations given to her during her ordeal that are expected to total $1 million or more. The anniversary of Jessica McClure's rescue passed Tuesday like almost every other day in the 21-year-old's life, with no public comment from her about the event that once captivated viewers around the world. The young wife and mother is living quietly in this West Texas oil patch city, the same one where she fell into the backyard...

Austin, Tex. – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced it will form a working group to develop a financial master plan a Ports-to-Plains Corridor, which would create new jobs and economic opportunity for West Texas. Ports-to-Plains is a proposed divided highway corridor stretching from Laredo on the Mexican border, through Midland/Odessa, Lubbock, and Amarillo in West Texas north to Denver, Colorado. Designated as a High Priority Corridor by Congress in 1998, the Ports-to-Plains corridor is intended to expand economic opportunity and serve international trade from Mexico to Canada. Despite the congressional designation, adequate federal funding has not been provided...

It's happening at 41st Street between Third and Lexington Avenues. We are told the fire department is requesting that 41st through 47th streets to be closed off between Lexington and Third. Officials say that buildings in the area are being evacuated, though subway service is not affected.

A bulk purchase of disposable cell phones across The South Plains is turning into a federal investigation. Muleshoe authorities have questioned a man, who according to police reports, confesses to buying 60 pre-paid cell phones that might later be used to detonate bombs in the Middle East. The man reportedly bought the phones from stores like Dollar General, Family Dollar and even Wal-mart's across the region. Lubbock is included in the towns he confessed to buying the phones in. Again, in police reports he admits to a store manager the cell phones would eventually be used as bomb detonators in...

As the proposed implementation of a pilot cross-border trucking program draws near, another international trade corridor project is drawing heat from local residents in Texas. The March 18 New York Times reported on the reactions of residents of the West Texas towns of Marfa and Alpine to a hearing held by the Texas Department of Transportation on the development of an official trade corridor, La Entrada al Pacifico, or “Gateway to the Pacific.” It would link the port of Topolobampo in Mexico’s Sinaloa state through Chihuahua to the U.S. market, via the border crossing at Presidio, Texas, and the oil...

OBITUARY 'Pavarotti of the Plains' Don Walser dead at 72 Late-blooming musician sang and yodeled his way to country heights in early 1990s. There's never been a more special relationship between a musician and his fans in Austin than when rotund National Guardsman Don Walser started over in the music business in 1990 at the now-defunct Henry's Bar on Burnet Road. His improbable rise and signing to Sire Records, the label of Madonna and the Ramones, at age 64 was the feelgood story of the Austin music scene. Dubbed "the Pavarotti of the Plains" for his clear, powerful tenor, Walser...

MIDLAND, Texas- Directors of the Midland Independent School District discussed the possibility Tuesday of dropping Confederate references at two schools named for Robert E. Lee in response to a parent's complaint. The board directed school officials to consider changing Robert E. Lee Freshman High School's yearbook to something other than "The Confederate." It also asked officials to consider changing the "Dixie" fight song at Lee Freshman and at Robert E. Lee High School. Parent Shay Templeton, who is black, complained after noticing the name of her son's yearbook. She said she wants all references to the Confederacy eliminated from school...

Barcelona is a circuit that every Formula One team knows well as they complete thousands of kilometres there in testing throughout the season. The mix of high-speed corners, a very long straight and an abrasive track surface, makes the Circuit de Catalunya a uniquely ‘complete’ circuit. Finding the right set-up compromise is always a tricky business at the Spanish Grand Prix. World champion Fernando Alonso was the fastest race driver in Friday afternoon’s second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya. In front of a huge home crowd, the Spaniard finished third in his Renault, behind Honda’s and Red Bull’s...

First lady Laura Bush joined her in-laws Tuesday as the couple returned to the small Midland home where President Bush spent part of his youth. A $1.8 million restoration has brought the one-story, three-bedroom house back to the way it looked in the early 1950s, when George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, lived there. The Bushes began the dedication of the George W. Bush Childhood Home by walking out the front door and addressing about 700 people, including childhood friends of the president, other people who have lived in the house and politicians. Barbara Bush recalled thinking the...

THE modest house in Midland, Texas, where the Bush family lived in the 1950s has been reopened as a museum commemorating the childhood of US President George W. Bush. First lady Laura Bush and Mr Bush's parents, former President George Bush and his wife, Barbara, attended the ceremony on the front porch of the woodframe, three-bedroom home. "When we moved into this house (in 1951) ... it seemed like a mansion, and when we come back here today we were both commenting quietly to each other it still seems like a mansion - maybe not the biggest, but a lot...

About 25 volunteers from the Permian Basin met on a ranch southeast of Midland Tuesday for an orientation in monitoring the southern Texas border for those attempting illegal entry to the United States. The volunteers sat under a storage eve on the ranch while Chris Simcox, founder and national president of the Tombstone, Ariz.-based Minutemen Civil Defense Corp, outlined methods and technology the group will use when they converge on the Texas-Mexico border in October. Simcox said several hundred volunteers will monitor the southern state border then, acting as extra eyes and ears for the Border Patrol in an effort...

Leaders of the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps, the Tombstone, Ariz.-based outfit that has gained national attention for organizing citizen patrols of the U.S.-Mexico border, are in Midland today to recruit and train volunteers for an October patrol of Texas' southern border. U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Midland also will appear on the Fox News "Hannity & Colmes" show, broadcast live from a ranch southeast of Midland where the Minutemen will meet and train. The Minutemen formed several years ago in response to what group members say is an insufficiently protected national border with Mexico. "We have a thirty minute training DVD...

U.S. Campaign to Push for N. Korean Rights By BO-MI LIM, Associated Press Writer Sun Jun 26, 3:14 PM ET SEOUL, South Korea - Christian supporters from President Bush's Texas hometown, believed to have been instrumental in pressuring the White House to raise concerns over war-ravaged Sudan, are launching another international human rights campaign — this time against North Korea's hard-line regime. Members of the Midland Ministerial Alliance, a network of more than 200 churches in the city, are in Seoul this week seeking support for their latest push for improved human rights in the communist North. "North Korean human...

/begin my translation S. Korea: Catholics and Protestants Join Hands for N. Korean Democracy A mass gathering of 2,500 people, Myong-dong Cathedral rebornas the holy site for N. Korean human right [2005-06-23 19:56] The Special Prayer Gathering for N. Korean Religious Freedom and Exaltation of Martyrs during the Korean War, at Myong-dong Cathedral on June 23 Catholics and Protestants joined together to achieve N. Korean democracy and promote N. Korean human right. At 2 pm on June 23rd, 2,500 worshippers gathered at Myong-dong Cathedral in Seoul to hold 'The Special Prayer Gathering for N. Korean Religious Freedom and Exaltation of Martyrs during the Korean...

Though the sanctuary of Christ Church Midland may have been void Sunday of plush pews, elaborate paintings and other features, what was present were the sounds and spirit of worship. The estimated 324-member congregation gathered for its first worship service at Midland Classical Academy after the church split over dissention of Biblical teachings, including -- but not limited to -- same-sex marriage blessings and the denomination's appointing an openly gay bishop.

Members of St. Nicholas' Episcopal Church and supporters from churches around the city, state and nation began to fill the pews nearly an hour before Sunday's service. By 7 p.m., chairs spilled out into the sanctuary's foyer until there was standing room only. It was the final Sunday many of St. Nicholas' parishioners would gather together in the building they built only four years ago. Nearly 90 percent of the congregation is leaving St. Nicholas' to begin Christ Church Midland (Anglican Communion) after Bishop Wallis Ohl of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas told those who were dissatisfied with the...

MIDLAND, TX- After a final worship service at St. Nicholas' Episcopal Church on Sunday, May 29 at 7:00 pm, almost the entire congregation will leave their prominent church building and start a new church called Christ Church Midland. "At this last gathering of our congregational family, there will be grief, but also hope and confidence as we move forward to share Christ's love as a new church, Christ Church Midland," Rev. Jon Stasney, rector (senior pastor) of St. Nicholas', said. Earlier this month, the Episcopal Bishop of Northwest Texas, Wallis Ohl, told the vast majority of the St. Nicholas' congregation...

Hi... I'm sure there are a lot of outdoorsmen and women on FR... I'm looking to get some of those 2 way radios that are all over the place these days. However its hard to get decent reviews on shopping websites etc... I dont expect any of these radios to have the range they claim, even over open land or water. Beyond that, has anyone used some of these and have opinions on what is good or bad? thanks

The Robert E. Lee high School Junior ROTC - (LHS AFJROTC) was asked and is providing an all female Color Guard. The rally is Friday, October 1, 2004, the Chapparal Center at 2:00.

Farm Bureau political arm backs Neugebauer BY CORY CHANDLER AVALANCHE-JOURNAL The Texas Farm Bureau's political action arm endorsed U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock, on Thursday in a move that may be indicative of the tough situation facing local producers due to congressional redistricting. This is the first time the TFB's Friends of Agriculture Fund has not endorsed Neugebauer's opponent, U.S. Rep. Charlie Stenholm, D-Abilene, in a congressional race, said TFB and AGFUND President Kenneth Dierschke. Dierschke described the decision as "very difficult." "These are two friendly incumbents for us. We didn't want to be put in that situation, but we...

Bush works to woo conservative Democrats, independents in Saginaw By KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN The Associated Press 8/5/2004, 9:45 p.m. ET SAGINAW, Mich. (AP) — President Bush brought his message on the economy, education and health care on his latest visit to Michigan, but saved the bulk of his time for talking about keeping the country safe and protecting institutions such as marriage. "If America shows uncertainty and weakness in this decade, the world will drift toward tragedy. This will not happen on my watch," Bush said Thursday evening, bringing a cheering crowd of more than 6,000 to their feet at...

61 arrested in ‘Healing Touch’ case Warrants out for 13 others in prostitution roundup By David J. Lee Odessa American Sixty-one area residents — including prominent attorneys, business owners and a senior editor for the Odessa American — slogged into rain-soaked Salinas Park throughout the morning Tuesday to surrender as suspects in a yearlong prostitution investigation. Warrants remained outstanding Tuesday night for another 13 suspects who didn’t show up at the Odessa Police Department’s makeshift booking station in the park — including one for a former ECISD board member. In all, the 74 people — seven women and 67 men...

Week after week we read the wonderful exploits and chances for freeping that the D.C. freepers do. Now is your chance for Midland, TX freepers. The SBC HQ in Midland TX is being protested. How about a freep to liven up Midland? The protesters have been showing up 7am-about 10am and then quitting and coming back at the end of the day like 5-7pm. From what I hear the offer SBC put on the table until Monday midnight is a good offer. It has better benefits than the management is getting. How about someone who stands for capitalism, fair deals...

Over the years, Texans have been the butt of many cruel jokes. Opponents of President George W. Bush, who grew up in Midland, Texas, love to lampoon his folksy cowboy language. But no one has been quite as insulting as Dr Larry Sechrest, a university professor in the Texan town of Alpine. Last month, he published a 7,000-word essay entitled "A strange little town in Texas", in a small-circulation magazine based in Washington state. Unfortunately, a couple of subscribers who live in Alpine read his indictment of his 5,000 neighbours, two of whom have responded with death threats. "The secret...

New state senator will be back up at bat again soon Thursday, February 19, 2004 Democrat Paul Sadler made up a lot of distance in Tuesday's runoff election in Senate District 1 in Northeast Texas, but he couldn't overcome former Tyler Mayor Kevin Eltife's huge lead in Tyler and Longview. With about 51.9 percent of the votes, Eltife won the remaining three years of the four-year term of former Sen. Bill Ratliff, R-Mount Pleasant. He quit in January. In the West Texas runoff, former Amarillo Mayor Kel Seliger's lead in the northern end of Senate District 31 more than offset...

Thursday, January 15, 2004 Millionaire Teel Bivins' replacement in the Texas Senate most likely will be another man capable of putting a lot of his own money into the contest. The Panhandle-to-Midland/Odessa district Bivins represented for 15 years, including stints chairing the Nominations, Education, and Finance committees, came vacant when he resigned Monday to become President Bush's nominee for United States ambassador to Sweden. The probable front-runner to be his replacement in Tuesday's special election is the former Amarillo mayor, Kel Seliger, 50, who left that office in 2001. Of the six other candidates, the three chief competitors, based on...

Abilene expects Cheney at rally for Neugebauer BY BRIAN WILLIAMS AVALANCHE-JOURNAL Vice President Dick Cheney will join U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer next week in Abilene for a rally and reception, according to an Abilene Republican. The $25-per-person fund-raiser for Neugebauer, R-Lubbock, is scheduled for Dec. 5 at the Abilene Civic Center, said Paul Washburn, Taylor County Republican Party chairman. AP Photo Vice-President Dick Cheney addresses an audience during a fund-raising appearance Monday, Nov. 24, 2003 in Cleveland. Ohio Gov. Bob Taft was the host of a $2,000-a-plate dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel and Conference Center near downtown. Washburn said Neugebauer’s...

Redistricting one step closer BY APRIL CASTRO Associated Press Writer AUSTIN - The family feud appears over and Texas Republicans are a step closer to having a majority in the state's congressional delegation. "The majority of the voters in the state of Texas support President George W. Bush and his policies. The majority of our congressional delegation does not, and that's just not fair," Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said Thursday as Republican leaders unveiled a redistricting map that would put more Republicans in the Texas congressional delegation. It likely would put more Republicans in the Texas congressional delegation, where Democrats...

Raymond lashes out on final plan Times Staff Reports AUSTIN - State Rep. Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) delivered scathing comments over the latest congressional redistricting map produced by the Republican leadership in Texas early Thursday morning. "Make no mistake. This final plan was cobbled together with backroom deals and brute pressure from Washington power brokers," Raymond said. "The architects of this plan will be remembered for their willingness to ignore Texas Senate tradition, for violating Texas House rules of procedure, as well as their complete disregard for historic communities of interest and for consigning the interest of Hispanics and other minorities...

DeLay continues effort to end Texas redistricting squabble Associated Press AUSTIN (AP) — U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay was in the Texas Capitol for a second consecutive day Tuesday, attempting to broker an agreement between state lawmakers squabbling over a congressional redistricting map. With Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, House Speaker Tom Craddick and Gov. Rick Perry out of town, DeLay and other lawmakers indicated that negotiators were making progress on a map that would put more Republicans in the Texas congressional delegation. "We are very, very close," De Lay said, leaving a morning meeting in Dewhurst's office. "The lieutenant...

Presidential primary at risk in feud AUSTIN (AP) — The state's role in presidential politics could be a casualty of Republican infighting over West Texas boundaries in the effort to redraw congressional districts. Weary and sometimes angry lawmakers seemed to give up Sunday on reaching an agreement on new congressional districts in time to make the changes and still hold the Texas primary March 2. And tension continued to build among legislators Sunday. At one point, an abbreviated House session erupted in a shouting match between House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, and a dozen Democrats trying to force a vote...

House, Senate negotiators bicker as deadline looms BY APRIL CASTRO Associated Press Writer AUSTIN - Adopting new Texas congressional district lines without delaying next year's primary election seemed increasingly unlikely Saturday as a key House negotiator called the Senate's latest proposal impossible. House and Senate negotiators are working around the clock to agree on a map that would increase the number of Republicans from Texas in Congress. Republican Gov. Rick Perry has called Monday the "drop dead date" to approve a map without affecting the state's March 2 primary. But there is a constitutionally required 24-hour waiting period between when...

Stalemate in redistricting dispute BY APRIL CASTRO Associated Press Writer AUSTIN (AP) - House and Senate Republicans remained at odds on congressional redistricting Tuesday and one of the lead negotiators said he hopes a fourth special session won't be necessary for both chambers to agree on a new map. It appeared Tuesday that Gov. Rick Perry's preferred Wednesday deadline would be missed. "Obviously we want to get it done before the end of session so the governor doesn't have to call a fourth one," said Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, the House point man for negotiations. "But, I've done it three...

Following the leader? What leader? Thursday, September 25, 2003 The Democratic senators are back in the Capitol. But congressional redistricting isn't a done deal — this time because of the Republicans. They might have a tougher time agreeing on a map than they did getting the Democrats to return. Perry, who declined to call a special session after the Legislature couldn't agree on a map in 2001, could have escaped involvement had redistricting happened in the regular session last spring. But once House Democrats shut that down by heading to Oklahoma, Perry's job forced his involvement — if he considered...

'Lightning bolt' map gets dim reception Perry's plan draws little local support By SEBASTIAN KITCHEN AVALANCHE-JOURNAL AUSTIN — A congressional redistricting map created by the Governor's Office was released Monday as a compromise, but it was quickly rejected by some of the West Texas lawmakers it was drawn to appease. The map drastically alters all three West Texas districts and adds the potential for a fourth. The map addresses only the western portion of the state, which has been a bone of contention between House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, and state Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock. The new map does not...

Midland woman files ‘peep show’ lawsuit against Abercrombie and Fitch By David J. Lee Odessa American MIDLAND — A 20-year-old Midland woman has filed a civil lawsuit against Abercrombie and Fitch, saying a manager and employee of the store took pictures of her while she changed in a dressing room. Nicole Riggan filed the suit Friday. Her attorney, Brian Carney, said he expects others to come forward. “A lot of people don’t know if their picture was taken or not,” Carney said. “A lot of people think theirs was.” Carney said that sometime between May and July, he believes Will...

By Jessica Lowell Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle Two die in fiery plane crash CHEYENNE – Two people were killed Thursday when a Commemorative Air Force World War II German bomber crashed into an unfinished school bus wash bay in southeast Cheyenne. Both people, pilot and co-pilot, were passengers in the twin-engine Heinkel He 111. Neither their names nor hometowns were released pending notification of family members. The incident occurred about 1 p.m. at the Laramie County School District 1 bus facility between North Industrial and Campstool roads. The wash bay was under construction. No one on the ground was...

Redistricting foes bash move GOP-fueled bid sparks outcry at Lubbock hearing By JOHN FUQUAY AVALANCHE-JOURNAL Some of the harshest remarks at a congressional redistricting hearing Thursday in Lubbock were an attack on the process rather than the boundaries. Speakers at the daylong hearing, one of six across the state, accused Republicans of gerrymandering and wasting tax dollars. Gov. Rick Perry has called a special session on redistricting that will convene Monday. The issue has been hotly contested and led 51 Democratic House members to walk out of the regular session in May, busting a quorum and blocking a vote on...

Early voting turnout low for runoff BY HEIDI TOTH AVALANCHE-JOURNAL If early voter turnout is any indication, the next U.S. representative of District 19 will be chosen by a small percentage of the district. The June 3 runoff election between Republicans Randy Neugebauer of Lubbock and Mike Conaway of Midland is the final step of a six-month campaign to replace U.S. Rep. Larry Combest, R-Lubbock, who is resigning May 31 after 18 years representing District 19. Lubbock County, which includes the largest metropolitan area in the district, counted 4,594 early voters of more than 140,000 registered voters, according to the...

Legislative plan seeks shake-up of District 19 Texas House proposal aims to boost GOP in Congress By SEBASTIAN KITCHEN AVALANCHE-JOURNAL With the influence of political gerrymandering in Washington, state legislators are considering drastically altering districts throughout Texas, including District 19, to create more Republicans in Congress. But legislators from Lubbock vow to fight for West Texas representation and keep three U.S. congressmen. Congressional District 19, which now includes Lubbock and 18 other counties, would be drastically altered and would stretch from the border with New Mexico to Jack County — just north of Mineral Wells — almost 300 miles away....

Conaway, Neugebauer in runoff By JOHN FUQUAY AVALANCHE-JOURNAL Republicans Randy Neuge bauer of Lubbock and Mike Conaway of Midland finished first and second, respectively, in Saturday's race for Congress and will meet in a runoff for the District 19 seat. With all precincts reporting, state Rep. Carl Isett finished third. Neugebauer, 53, is a land developer and took 22.3 percent of the vote. Conaway, 54, is a certified public accountant and received 21.2 percent. Isett, R-Lubbock, won 18.9 percent of the vote, and former Lubbock Mayor David Langston, who switched from the Democratic Party before the campaign to run as...

Crowded field assures hectic campaign for District 19 seat By JOHN FUQUAY AVALANCHE-JOURNAL In what promises to be an unusual campaign, 17 names will appear on a ballot May 3 for a special election to choose the next U.S. representative from District 19. "Public forums are going to be mayhem," Lubbock political analyst Morris Wilkes said. "And there's only 30 days to campaign." As Wednesday's filing deadline passed, the field of candidates ballooned to 17 men and women representing six political parties. Each candidate is hoping to replace U.S. Rep. Larry Combest, the Lubbock Republican who is retiring May 31...

Craddick ready for challenges in state House By JOHN FUQUAY AVALANCHE-JOURNAL MIDLAND — Mayor Mike Canon recalls a conversation in 1968 with his longtime friend Tom Craddick. "Why are you running as a Republican?" Canon asked. "Because those are my beliefs, and I believe it's the party of the future," Craddick replied. It's been 35 years, and Craddick's party has won control of the House for the first time in 130 years. And Craddick — who recently has been questioned over personal business dealings — apparently has ascended to the House's top position. The Midland Republican appears to have sufficient...

NASA links students to Mars Kids study data from spacecraft after school, draw conclusions 01/08/2003 By DEBBIE L. JENSEN / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News MIDLAND - Jesus Triana and Corey Jones, both 11, were traveling across Mars. "I would definitely go there if there was oxygen," said Jesus, scrolling across an image of the planet on his computer screen. "It's got the largest volcano in the solar system." "And dust devils as big as tornadoes and canyons like the Grand Canyon," Corey added. When it comes to the Red Planet, these two boys and their classmates...