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07/04/2009

'Tea Party' held at Southfork Ranch

Patriotism was on parade Saturday, as fireworks lit up the night sky. But many others here in North Texas are using that freedom to rally against Uncle Sam, demanding big changes.

Three suspects arrested for death of cabbie who was stabbed, burned
Denton County Sheriff's Office

Three people in Denton County have been arrested for the murder of a taxi driver.

Soldier who fought in pink boxers home for Fourth
WFAA-TV
Boyd has autographed his Woolley's shirt to hang on the wall.

You may recognize him - or at least his pink boxers - that received worldwide attention. Zachary Boyd is back from Afghanistan and hitting up his favorite ice cream spot.

07/03/2009

Oak Cliff house is free, if you move it
TDMN / File

It's a real estate deal that sounds too good to be true: A house that would sell for half a million dollars if it were in perfect shape, for free.

07/04/2009

Briefs

Politics magazine taps 3 Texans as rising stars
Jessica Colón's family grew up Republican in a Democratic town.

Regional Roundup for 7-4

U.S. attorney's office will review raid at Fort Worth gay bar
Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief called on federal prosecutors Friday to ensure a thorough review of last week's raid at a gay bar that resulted in a serious head injury to one patron.

Lake Highlands Marine veteran's stickers stay, but so does shock over homeowners association scuffle

Consuelo 'Chelo' Murray: Cared for AIDS patients battling cancer and the homeless
Dr. Consuelo "Chelo" Murray served the underserved.

Firefighters suing Irving over salary program
More than half of Irving's firefighters are suing the city over a salary program they say violated state law by creating inequity in how they were paid for longevity and seniority.

2 charged in rape, drug death of teen
Police arrested two men Friday morning in connection with the rape and fatal overdose of a teenage Dallas girl, marking the fourth time that North Texas authorities have accused someone of providing "cheese" heroin that caused a death.

Taxi driver stabbed, dumped, burned in rural Denton County
A taxi driver was found stabbed and burned Thursday night in rural Denton County, and investigators are looking for two suspects in the deadly robbery.

Better times for group of bikers who meet at Keller's Drive-In in Dallas
Things are looking up these days for Keller's Rat Pack, the group of friends – not a motorcycle club, mind you – who ride their bikes and hang out at Keller's Drive-In on Northwest Highway.

Artists, others turn field into American flag
What started as a seed of an idea among artists has grown into an acre-size salute to the country.

07/03/2009

Newspaper serving 5 suburbs folds
WFAA-TV

The newspaper serving Cedar Hill, Desoto, Duncanville, Lancaster and Grand Prairie has, without warning, published its last edition.

Investigators ID suspects in death of cabbie stabbed, burned
Denton County Sheriff's Office

The body believed to be of a cab driver was found burned and with stab wounds in rural Denton County.

Firefighters fighting fire and heat

Firefighters have to do what everyone else does when temperatures top 100 degrees, they drink plenty of liquids and try to stay in shaded areas to keep from getting overheated.

Young entrepreneur puts on fireworks shows

David Rosenbaum, 21, is president of North Texas Pyrotechnic Productions and is producing fireworks shows this weekend.

Fort Worth mayor wants federal review in gay bar raid
WFAA-TV

Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief is asking federal prosecutors to look into last week's bar raid that resulted in a serious head injury to one man.

11 horses die in heat without water

WFAA-TV
A passerby noticed the horses in the field.

Animal cruelty investigators are searching for answers after 11 valuable horses were apparently allowed to die of thirst in a parched North Texas pasture.

SMU hosting Plano video game camp
WFAA-TV

At the SMU Guildhall Game Development Camp, each camper's challenge is to create his or her own video game in two weeks.

Oak Cliff residents not happy trees trimmed by Oncor
WFAA-TV

Oncor's emergency storm pruning team was in Oak Cliff Thursday. It's a group of contractors that are trimming trees to give their power lines some breathing room.

New DWI law forcing law enforcement to scramble
WFAA-TV

A new law in Texas aimed at getting repeat drunk drivers off the roads will require blood evidence. It's already forcing law enforcement to scramble.

Aging in America: Strain care giving places on marriage

Experts say children who care for an aging parent are often under incredible emotional stress. And that pressure can sometimes put a marriage to the test.

Protesters continue efforts after FW gay bar raid
WFAA-TV

The internet is fueling outrage over injuries Chad Gibson sustained in the raid of a Fort Worth gay bar.

Police: Wrong-way bicyclist spits on Denton officer
Denton PD
Andrea Longino

Police say a woman riding a bicycle on the wrong side of the street cursed a Denton officer, called him obscene names, refused to cooperate, fought with him and finally spit on him and his squad car.

Irving woman spreads spirit of 4th with flags
WFAA-TV

On O'Connor Road in Irving hundreds of flags decorate both sides of the street. The woman behind this project hopes it inspires people to remember what's really important on the Fourth of July.

Four families say they bought the same house
WFAA-TV

Confusion has turned to anger along Cranfill Drive in South Oak Cliff.

Denton leaders look to wind energy
WFAA-TV

Denton leaders believe by using wind power, they've taken a giant step toward producing greener and cleaner electricity that will lower their air pollution.

Museum highlighting Texas military history to open in FW
WFAA-TV

While Fort Worth already has a well-known Civil War museum, a new museum dedicated to the Texans who have fought in all wars since is slated to open July 17.

07/02/2009

Why auto industry is key to economic recovery
WFAA-TV
The car business reaches into nearly every corner of the U.S. economy.

Through bailouts and bankruptcy, defenders of the failing U.S. auto industry say it supports one in ten American jobs. There's some debate about that but few experts believe this recession will end, until cars start selling again.

07/03/2009

Dallas-Fort Worth briefs
A Bedford man who possessed at least 2 million images and videos of child pornography was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison.

Law enforcement agencies struggle to communicate despite technological advances
Despite unprecedented advances in technology, law enforcement agencies still struggle to communicate with each other during high-speed chases that streak through several different cities or counties.

Holiday closings: Independence Day
Carrollton: Carrollton City Hall will be closed.

Man sentenced to death a second time for '89 slaying in Dallas
Mark Robertson was sentenced to death Thursday for the second time for killing an 81-year-old Preston Hollow woman.

07/02/2009

Dollar Day at the zoo attracts the crowds
WFAA-TV
Keeping cool is a challenge. Temperatures may top 100 degrees today.

People usually outnumber animals at the Dallas Zoo but today, even more so. Due to the bargain of $1 per person, a record for attendance at the zoo may be set.

Murals planned for new DART stop in Deep Ellum

More than 15 years ago, one of Dallas' oldest neighborhoods was the hottest spot in town, but crime, violence and economic troubles killed the progress in Deep Ellum. But now the neighborhood's comeback might be around the corner.

Work begins on Denton County's A-train commuter line
The Dallas Morning News/David Woo
The Dallas Morning News/David Woo
Daniel Acosta watches as his co-workers unload 1,600-foot lengths of steel Tuesday to build the A-train, a passenger rail line that will connect Carrollton and Denton.
Preparations for the A-train rail line — Denton County’s long-awaited foray into commuter rail — finally began this week.

07/01/2009

Confusion on first day of electronic toll collecting on George Bush Turnpike
WFAA-TV
The NTTA is encouraging everyone to be vigilant, as people get used to the new system.

The NTTA is hoping this new electronic toll-collecting system will speed up your commute.

Heroes on the Water: Using fishing to help injured vets escape
Aaron Chimbel / WFAA.com

On a 40 acre quarry lake west of Terrell injured Iraq War veteran Brandon Blackstone has the serenity, the peace he needs after he was blown up by an anti-tank mine four years ago.

07/03/2009

Oak Cliff house is free, if you move it
The old brick house on Fort Worth Avenue just west of downtown Dallas still needs a new home. The price? Free. All you have to do is take it away.

07/02/2009

Home sales in Tarrant County, Denton County, west Dallas County
This list of selected home sales in area cities is compiled by MasterFiles Inc. from county deed records.

How to keep thieves out while you're away from home
This is the time of year for vacations, but there's one group of folks who are on the job throughout the summer: thieves.

Dallas-Fort Worth area news briefs for July 2
Dallas Area Rapid Transit is promising a round-trip savings of 15 minutes for westside commuters who use nine new miles of HOV lanes opening Monday on Interstate 30.

Dallas-Fort Worth volunteer opportunities

Dallas County jury deliberates fate of convicted killer
Both prosecutors and defense attorneys called Mark Robertson a sociopath Wednesday during closing arguments in front of jurors deciding whether he should face the death penalty or life in prison.

Dallas Good Kid: Rosa Velasquez of Madison High School

Dallas community calendar

Car thefts, burglaries heat up in summer, Dallas-Fort Worth area police warn
Hide your valuables. Lock your car. Take your keys.

Asian culture and community events
Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji comes to Dallas today.

07/01/2009

Collin County judge temporarily blinded after shot with blank
WFAA-TV

A Collin County judge at a training exercise got a very real shot in the face. The shot came from a gun loaded with blanks, but the damage was nearly blinding.

06/30/2009

FW shopkeeper charged with selling bogus Cowboys gear
WFAA-TV

Check your Dallas Cowboys gear. If you bought it a store in a Fort Worth mall, investigators say it could be fake.

07/01/2009

List of 10 fastest-growing U.S. cities includes McKinney, Fort Worth

Reversing a decade-long trend, many of America's largest cities are now growing more quickly than the rest of the nation, yet another sign of an economic crisis that is making it harder for people to move.

Dallas-Fort Worth news briefs for July 1
The Texas Giant roller coaster at Six Flags Over Texas will remain closed as engineers try to determine whether the ride is safe for thrill-seekers.

Cash no longer accepted for Bush Turnpike tolls
Your cash is no longer any good on the Bush Turnpike. Beginning today, toll booths on the road will be closed, and no cash will be accepted.

Computer problems slow down processing of inmates at Dallas County Jail
Computer problems led to a slowdown Tuesday in the processing of Dallas County jail inmates for the second straight day, county officials said.

Symposium at SMU in Dallas aims to encourage Latino students to go to college
The first Hispanic Youth Symposium aimed at increasing the number of Latinos enrolled in Texas colleges and universities opened Tuesday at SMU.

Dallas County crime-solving unit is spared the budget ax
Budget constraints in Dallas County nearly led to the dismantling of the sheriff's 10-person intelligence unit, which helps solve crime.

In Dallas County, sheriff's department and constables have wide latitude for pursuing suspects
All of Dallas County's elected law enforcement agencies appear to have similar police pursuit policies that give officers wide latitude on when they can chase fleeing motorists.

Babysitter cleared in death of 19-month-old
A Dallas County jury Tuesday rejected prosecutors' accusations that a man babysitting his girlfriend's son deliberately or recklessly caused the boy's death.

06/30/2009

Students endure mid-summer nightmare
WFAA-TV

"They are cutting back on our summer vacation," said Mayra Terez, an eighth grader at Lang Middle School who — along with 300 classmates — interrupted her break to re-take a TAKS test.

Summer Survival Guide: Tips for parents
WFAA-TV

Parenting expert Hannah Keeley has some helpful suggestions for moms and dads to keep their kids busy and well-nourished during vacation months.

Report: Home prices higher in Dallas

There is a clear trend that home price declines are moderating — and eight of the 20 metro areas posted price gains from March, with Dallas leading the way.

Police nab woman after high- and low-speed chase
Robert Flagg / WFAA-TV

updated The woman who led authorities on a nearly two-hour chase from Irving to Dallas early Tuesday morning was wanted on an outstanding cocaine-possession charge.

06/29/2009

Winspear Opera House inspires wonder

The Winspear Opera House, currently under heavy construction, is expected to be the centerpiece of the Dallas Center For Performing Arts.

06/30/2009

Truck driver in Oklahoma accident had clean record
OKLAHOMA CITY – Truck driver Donald Creed had a clean record when the state of Missouri renewed his commercial driver's license in April.

Richland Community College will premiere a new Garland satellite campus
Richland Community College will premiere a new environmentally friendly Garland satellite campus today that will help train students for jobs.

Killer known as 'Son of Sam' forms unlikely bond with Houston advocate for crime victims
HOUSTON – The letters are unfailingly polite, the carefully crafted correspondence of a man with too much time on his hands.

Austin College welcomes new president
One of the state's oldest colleges welcomes its newest president Wednesday. Marjorie Hass will be the first female president at Austin College, the 160-year-old private liberal arts school in Sherman.

San Antonio doubles size of its famed River Walk
SAN ANTONIO – A $72 million overhaul has doubled the size of San Antonio's River Walk, transforming the weed-choked eyesore north of the downtown into a 1 ½-mile manicured waterway with whimsical art, benches and fountains that can be passed on foot or by water taxi en route to upriver attractions.

Dallas-Fort Worth area news briefs for June 30
Police are searching for Homer Johns, 72, who was last seen Sunday evening in his garage in the 4700 block of Ardenwood Drive.

Corruption trial off to an intriguing start
After years of fore- shadowing, prosecutors on Monday revealed explosive audio recordings that they say will prove former Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill and others were involved in an extortion and bribery scheme.

Frisco neighbors fear man who police say shot at them in standoff
A Frisco man arrested after police say he shot at officers late Sunday is no stranger to his neighbors.

Candidate for regional EPA post faces opposition
A former Texas official turned industry lobbyist faces opposition in his bid to become President Barack Obama's top environmental appointee in Texas and four adjacent states.

06/29/2009

Aging in America: Active minds and bodies
WFAA-TV

Senior centers once conjured up images of elderly people sitting around a television, watching game shows. But that's not the case anymore, especially here in North Texas.

Police chase ends with crash in Garland
WFAA-TV

A gray Nissan sedan that was the target of a 90-minute pursuit this afternoon ended aburptly when the driver pulled in front of a pickup truck at a Garland intersection.
• VIDEO: Dramatic finale
• VIDEO: Fleeing driver hits sign
• VIDEO: Crashes RR gate
• SLIDESHOW: From the Scene

Cleburne mayor concerned about earthquakes
WFAA-TV

Mayor Ted Reynolds says the city is waiting for a seismological report from SMU about the latest quake that struck Friday night.

Key figure will testify against Hill in corruption trial
WFAA-TV
Brian Potashnik.

Brian Potashnik, a developer accused of giving bribes to Don Hill, will reportedly testify against the former Dallas Mayor Pro-Tem.

Dallas funeral home holds vigil for Michael Jackson
WFAA-TV
The outpouring of grief over Michael Jackson's death has been astounding.

By the hundreds, fans packed a Dallas funeral home to reflect on Michael Jackson. "He's been my escort through life, through my ups and my downs," said one woman.

Summer Survival Guide: Fritz Park Petting Farm
WFAA-TV

If your kids love animals, they can get a taste of farm life without leaving the city at an Irving park.

Suspect dies after fight with Dallas police
Bryan Titsworth / WFAA-TV

updated Police said a preliminary investigation indicates the man died of excited delirium, which is an overdose of adrenaline typically associated with drug use.

Tot drowns in pool at Mesquite apartments

Police said two-year-old Brinte Cyrus was found at the bottom of a pool in eight feet of water.

06/28/2009

DART train, car collide in Oak Cliff

DART spokesman Morgan Lyons said a car turned in front of a Blue Line train at the intersection of Lancaster Road and Saner Avenue this afternoon.

06/29/2009

Burglars target Dallas women's clinic
Security cameras videotaped three men breaking into Routh Street Women's Clinic about 5:30 a.m. Sunday.

06/28/2009

Man gunned down in East Dallas parking lot

The victim was found dead of gunshot wounds early today in front of a shopping center in the 5400 block of East Grand Avenue.

06/29/2009

Texas officials celebrate stimulus money for Cedar Hill intersection upgrade
Federal stimulus money has begun flowing to North Texas, and local and federal officials will gather today in Cedar Hill to celebrate at an intersection that's getting a $2.2 million upgrade.

06/28/2009

Man struck by train near Dallas Fair Park

Police said 53-year-old James Aycock died of his injuries.

06/29/2009

Dallas-Fort Worth area news briefs for June 29
A 38-year-old man was killed after he crashed his motorcycle into a car that turned in front of him in southwest Grand Prairie on Saturday night, police said.

06/28/2009

How did Damon West sink so far?
When the Dallas Cowboys went to training camp in Austin back in the early '90s, Damon West went, too – a high school quarterback from Port Arthur working out after practice under the tutelage of Cowboys assistant coach Norv Turner.

06/29/2009

DMN Problem Solver: Talks yield hotel refund for young musicians
When swine flu hit some Mesquite schools before the school year was over, school officials scrapped several extracurricular events. That included an orchestra competition in Corpus Christi. The student musicians were worried they were going to lose the money they had paid in advance for the trip.

06/28/2009

Reporters' notebook
For daily news and conversation from northwest Dallas and southern Denton counties, visit our community blogs at:

COMMUNITY NEWS IRVING

06/29/2009

The week ahead in Dallas-Fort Worth government news
What's coming up for cities and counties across the region:

06/28/2009

EDUCATION NOTES

06/29/2009

Otis Joseph Lloyd: Dallas high school choir director led groups around the world
Otis Joseph Lloyd – a retired Dallas high school choir director – sang with and directed choirs in Israel and Italy during his more than 50-year career. One year ago, he directed a choir in Colombia.

06/28/2009

Dallas Concilio of Hispanic Service Organizations leader inspires clients with her story
Florencia Velasco Fortner plays shy, if only for seven seconds, at a nutrition and exercise club where she must bust out some salsa moves.

WHAT HE SAID: Bob West's column about his son's sentence
"Readers who turn to this space on Sundays looking to be entertained with a collection of odds and ends from the sports world will have to forgive a devastated dad for deviating from the norm. Sports moves to the back burner after you've spent a week in a courtroom and seen your son sentenced to 65 years in prison."

06/29/2009

Amanda McFarland Hall: Devoted volunteer in Cedar Hill
Amanda McFarland Hall had been devoted to volunteer in Cedar Hill for nearly the past 40 years. Her contributions ranged from official positions to unofficial neighborly deeds.

06/28/2009

Fair Park's Museum of American Railroad gathering steam for journey to Frisco
The Union Pacific Big Boy is the largest steam locomotive ever built, stretching 133 feet and weighing 1.2 million pounds.

Sun works overtime at White Rock Lake solstice festival
Amy Martin, the force behind Saturday's summer solstice celebration at White Rock Lake, had asked her weather wizard friends to try nudging a cool front into Dallas. It didn't work.

School districts deal with uncertainty surrounding federal, state funds
School budgets, typically a complex mess under the best of circumstances, are in chaos this year because of uncertainty and confusion around state and federal funding.

At a Glance: Some approved school budgets
Texas school districts are in budget season amid uncertainties over funding. Here are highlights from districts that already have approved their budgets:

06/29/2009

Q&A: DART Spokesman on rail safety
Dallas' commuter rail system has never experienced a crash like the one last week on Washington's Metro line, where one train crashed into another, killing nine people. We asked DART spokesman Morgan Lyons some questions about safety precautions taken here to avoid a similar incident.

06/28/2009

Police investigate Oak Cliff shooting death
Alicina Phillips had just gotten home from church choir practice Friday night when the shooting started.

EAGLE SCOUTS

Antonin Scalia advises lawyers on effective legal writing in Dallas
Lawyers at the State Bar of Texas' annual meeting at the Hilton Anatole got tips Friday on how to persuade judges to their point of view from one of the highest authorities possible: Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

06/29/2009

Variety of Web sites help you learn about food safety
E. coli in cookie dough. Salmonella in peanut products. Listeria in cheese.

06/28/2009

U.S. Corps of Engineers' caution on Trinity project collides with desire to go forward
Dallas' most complex and aggressive public works project ever is mired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' concerns about something in the Trinity River bottoms as old and common as dirt.

Regional Roundup

Cleburne hit with sixth quake in less than month
Cleburne was shaken Friday night by its sixth mild earthquake in less than a month, as a magnitude-2.2 tremor rattled windows and caused walls to vibrate in the North Texas city.

Frisco father, son among 9 victims of Oklahoma crash
Three members of a Frisco family on their way to a funeral were among those killed Friday in a grisly chain-reaction freeway crash in northeastern Oklahoma that left nine dead.

Editor's note: Putting a premium on legislative news
Across the country, the number of reporters covering state government has been shrinking dramatically in the last 10 years.

People, families find stress relief at annual Homeless Games Day event
For passers-by, the event Saturday morning at Reverchon Park probably looked like a multicultural, multifamily picnic gathering, with four-on-four basketball games, a grill going at peak capacity and kids springing around like giggling human popcorn in the bounce house.

Park Cities musicians ready to entertain new generation of fans
Ed Bernet and the Levee Singers have been playing music and entertaining Park Cities and Dallas audiences since 1961.

Negligence lawsuit builder lost in Philadelphia sheds light on Dallas Cowboys facility collapse
When Cover-All Building Systems named a new engineering director in late 2003, it was just wrapping up construction on the Dallas Cowboys practice facility – and just beginning the long process of losing a lawsuit over the recent collapse, in Philadelphia, of another big tent-like building.

1 company, 2 collapses
Key events related to building failures in Philadelphia and Irving:

Cover-All Building Systems
Business niche: Cover-All designs, manufactures and constructs steel-framed, fabric-wrapped buildings.

Reporters' notebook: Collin County, Frisco, Irving, Richardson

Dallas Good Kid: Sarah Merino of Woodrow Wilson

Dallas-area education notes

Dallas community calendar

There's a Central option - no, not that one - in Dallas' Chávez debate

Dallas mayor details plans for back-to-school fair
The last things students on summer break are thinking about are school supplies. But it's never too early to start planning for the Mayor's Back to School Fair.

Fort Worth-bound Amtrak train stalls, stranding passengers in high heat
An Amtrak train bound for Fort Worth stalled Saturday for more than two hours in Denton County, leaving about 170 passengers baking in 100-degree heat with no air conditioning.

Sunnyvale not sold on Bush Turnpike extension
Tom Palmer, Mesquite's economic development manager, drives Interstate 30 a few miles into Garland at least once a week.

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