08/28/2008

Do you own your backyard's mineral rights?

You buy the house but you may be making a costly mistake by not looking below the surface. Mineral rights that you think you own could already be long gone.

08/26/2008

Seagoville students banned from class over belts

WFAA-TV

Belts with holes are a violation of the dress code.

Dress code violations at Seagoville High School caused serious problems today.

08/20/2008

Ellis County moves to cut ambulance service

WFAA-TV

"We just hope an ambulance can get here quick," said Telico volunteer fireman Charles Walker.

Some Ellis County residents say shrinking their rural ambulance service to just two vehicles is a dangerous decision.

08/19/2008

Children learn to live with arthritis

Southwest of Fort Worth this summer, children with special medical needs gather for weeklong camps.

08/18/2008

N. Texas soldier reunites with mom battling cancer

Many mothers of soldiers serving in Iraq or Afghanistan live with the fear that each day might be their child's last. That is actually the same feeling one North Texas soldier has had about his mother ever since he learned she is battling cancer at home.

08/13/2008

Crypto spreads to private pools

We first heard about cryptosporidium after an outbreak at Fort Worth's Burger's Lake, then spray parks, public pools and water parks across North Texas. Today, we're learning for the first time about crypto's creep into private pools.

08/12/2008

Study: Breast cancer survivors need checks beyond 5 years

For cancer survivors, five years is the magic number, when doctors have long declared them "cured". But a major new study blows that theory out of the water, finding 10 to 15, even more, is not long enough for a breast cancer survivor.

08/07/2008

Girl goes home after half of brain removed

Two months ago, Jessie Hall had half her brain removed in a risky surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

08/06/2008

Growing garbage mound sparks fire hazard concerns

One effort to cut costs in Dallas has resulted in a mountain of trash, which has some concerned about a possible growing fire hazard.

08/02/2008

Are doctors reluctant to test for crypto?

A sweltering day usually brings a trip to the water park for the Rileys. Today, they're stuck inside with memories of what happened after their last Hawaiian Falls adventure.

07/31/2008

Child's death may be linked to cryptosporidium
As cryptosporidium continues to be found in pools across North Texas, it may also be linked to a child's recent death. The parasite will be investigated as a possible contributor in the death of a 6-year-old girl, who died Tuesday.

07/30/2008

Boy seriously hurt by TV that fell off dresser

WFAA-TV

The television had been on top of a 4-foot tall dresser and had somehow fallen and on top of the child.

A little boy has been hospitalized in Fort Worth after a household accident that serves as a reminder to all parents. A television fell from a dresser and landed on the 2-year-old's head, police said. He is at Cook Children's Hospital in a critical condition at present. Police said the head injury is life-threatening.

07/29/2008

Virtual fitness games may not get you in shape

WFAA-TV

In the hot weather, Rylie Mae and Spencer Dittrich take a run in the living room using the Wii.

The Wii Fit video game is marketed to get families exercising together. It's one of the hottest products ever in the video game world. Now, there is growing skepticism about the real value of virtual fitness video games, including the popular Wii Fit system.

Bennigan's staff react to chain's closure

WFAA-TV

Staff fear they won't see their next pay check.

Outside a Fort Worth Bennigan's, former employees gathered in anger and anxiety yesterday. Most work for near minimum wage or tips. Employees say they found themselves jobless by mass text-message.

07/28/2008

Neighbors claim wind turbine makes them ill

WFAA-TV

T. Boone Pickens says they're the wave of the future. But a wind turbine meant to generate electricity for one Saginaw family has sparked a huge headache for their neighbors. "It's driving me crazy," said Debbie Behrens.

How do you know if you're suffering from heat stroke?

The heat can be dangerous, even deadly for some people. Depending on your own health, a few minutes in heat like today, can quickly turn into a medical crisis.

07/25/2008

Golf program helps players overcome injuries

Before you hit the links this weekend, what if you could improve your golf game without buying expensive new clubs? Tiger Woods is doing it - should you? By some estimates, nearly 80 percent of golfers have some sort of injury. 'Back to Golf' promises to get even weekend warriors back in the game or better.

Spray parks closed after suspected crypto cases

WFAA-TV

Two Dallas spray parks have been closed.

Two public water parks in Dallas were shut down Friday after several children got sick with cryptosporidium symptoms.

07/21/2008

Rare disease strikes N. Texas family twice

Courtesy

Thad (far left) and Leah Limer (far right) with their son Andrew, who died from Niemann-Pick Type C at nine.

While there have been less than a dozen known cases in the North Texas area, one Arlington family has been afflicted twice by a disease that was at first misdiagnosed as autism.

07/16/2008

A final wish for dying teen

WFAA-TV

Doctors say Michael Ybarra has only a few weeks to live.

The Texas Child Protective Services agency is taking heat for its handling of the polygamous sect case. Those children spent just a few weeks in foster care. Thousands of children are currently in foster care — some for years. Michael Ybarra, 16, has spent half his life in foster homes. Now, he will die in one.

07/13/2008

Teens learn to rock at Southlake school

WFAA-TV

While school is out for summer, a few who want to rock are attending a Southlake school. Before Jack Black starred in the School of Rock, Mike Mroz opened "For Those About to Rock School" in Southlake after teaching some of his own kids' friends to play AC/DC songs.

07/09/2008

Woman loses 110 lbs to join Army

WFAA-TV

Ashley Barrett-Carter.

Her dream of joining the U.S. Army was the motivation one North Texas woman needed to shed 110 pounds. Ashley Barrett-Carter dropped from a size 22 to a size seven after her dreams were put on hold by a few simple words. Recruiters told Barrett-Carter she didn't meet the physical requirements and advised her to lose some weight and come back.

07/07/2008

Lawmakers to decide on Medicare cuts for seniors

WFAA-TV

A 10-percent cut could make treating people over 65 a bad business decision in many offices.

Lawmakers, back from vacation Monday, will have three days to undo Medicare cuts that could leave countless seniors without a healthcare provider.

07/01/2008

Experts struggle to determine what caused salmonella outbreak
Dallas County Health Department is ground zero for the salmonella investigation. With more than 800 people nationwide confirmed ill, nearly 30 in North Texas, investigators fear whatever is making people sick could still be on the market.

06/28/2008

Highway 26 expansion threatened by $14 million budget cut

WFAA-TV

Funds may be spent on a light rail substation instead.

More than 35,000 motorists drive State Highway 26 every day in northern Tarrant County. It's a well-used shortcut from Grapevine to Hurst. But now a decade-old expansion plan has hit a major roadblock.

06/27/2008

Tarrant County drilling prompts new college course
While the rest of the country struggles with tough economic times, Tarrant County is booming. Barnett Shale natural gas drilling is expected to generate $5 billion to the local economy in the coming years. However, it's also created a new demand.

06/24/2008

Tomatoes may not be only cause of salmonella

WFAA-TV

None of the cases at Presbyterian are tied to the tomatoes in question.

FDA inspectors are currently in Mexico and Florida, trying to trace the source of tainted tomatoes. More than 550 cases of salmonella have been linked to tomatoes. Here in North Texas, there has been a spike in salmonella, that may not be linked to tomatoes at all.

06/23/2008

VA secretary issues Chantix warning

Veterans who were prescribed the non-smoking drug Chantix should be getting an extra warning in their mailbox this week.

06/20/2008

Sports broadcaster Pat Summerall expected to recover

File / WFAA-TV

Pat Summerall appeared on "Good Morning Texas" on May 29.

News 8 has confirmed that legendary NFL star and sports broadcaster Pat Summerall was hospitalized this week. His condition, we're told, is not life-threatening. Summerall, 78, had a liver transplant in 2004 and a hip replacement procedure this past January. He is expected to make a full recovery.

06/19/2008

Two men found dead in Garland street

Courtesy

Steve Swan (left) and Matthew Butler were murdered near their studio.

Garland police detectives raced an oncoming storm to collect evidence linked to the violent deaths of a recording studio owner and an employee early Thursday. A passing bicycle rider found the two well-dressed victims at the corner of State Street and Glenbrook Drive in downtown Garland around 1:20 a.m. "This is very odd for us to find two bodies shot in the street like this," said police spokesman Joe Harn.

06/18/2008

Veteran 'betrayed' by government Chantix trial

A stop smoking drug with potentially psychotic side effects, Chantix has been the subject of an ongoing News 8 investigation for months. There are new reports that the Veterans Administration never warned veterans, used in a clinical trial, of the potential dangers.

Home invader attacks, robs 93-year-old woman

David Cejka / WFAA-TV

Police searched the victim's home for clues.

A 93-year-old woman was severely beaten and left for dead after someone forced their way into her home, attacked her and then likely took off in her car. Authorities said the victim was found barely conscious after concerned family members called authorities when they couldn't reach her over the phone. The suspect remains at large.

06/16/2008

Hospital study tests aromatherapy healing claims

WFAA-TV

Aromatherapy oils are rubbed into Stephanie Dezern's feet.

A week ago, doctors weren't sure if Stephanie Dezern would live or die. After her car was t-boned by a drunk driver, Dezern, 25, suffered internal injuries, a cracked pelvis and other injuries.

06/04/2008

Woman claims attack at cleaners

WFAA-TV

Robin Matthews says that the cleaners kicked, dragged her by her arm, and put their hands on her.

Protesters were pressing a case Wednesday against a dry cleaning business where, they claim, a member of their church was assaulted. They were standing their ground with bullhorns, despite surveillance footage that calls into question whether the customer — or the proprietor — was the victim of a scuffle behind the counter.

05/30/2008

'Sex and the City' party held to help battered women

WFAA-TV

It's the perfect premier for flicks, fashion and philanthropy.

Just about every theater in North Texas is playing to sold out crowds of women. In case you live under a rock, the Sex in the City movie opened on Friday. It's the perfect premier for flicks, fashion and philanthropy.

05/29/2008

New allergy drops tested in Dallas

DMN

Ragweed - the scourge of many allergy sufferers.

A doctor in Dallas is studying an allergy medicine widely used in Europe. The drops are targeted at those allergic to ragweed. The drops - which can be used instead of allergy shots - have received a mixed response, with some people saying they work, and others saying they are ineffective.

05/28/2008

Oncor rescues birds to prevent power outages

Oncor

Severe storms aren't the only reason for power outages in North Texas. Wildlife is the third leading cause for those problems. This time of year, some wildlife is particularly troublesome, so look up and you may find power company workers rescuing birds from high voltage lines.

05/26/2008

Amputee soldier honors comrades by parachuting

WFAA-TV

Bowman became the first double amputee to reenlist in the US Army.

Above the flags, faces, and fanfare of a Memorial Day celebration in Colleyville, flies a soldier who honors his comrades with a leap of faith. "What do I think about before I jump out of a helicopter or an airplane?" asks retired Army Sergeant First class Dana Bowman. "It's about showing the world what you can do."

05/23/2008

Business declines at Colleyville Town Center
What should be a blockbuster weekend of ticket sales -- is a big zero for Metro Cinema. Five months after the Imax theatre shut down suddenly, the sign still reads: "Closed until further notice". "We were promised that would help sales out. We were told it would bring out a lot of customers and help the business grow," said Tracy Gill, Red Brick Pizza. Instead, business has dropped some 15 percent at Red Brick Pizza since the theatre closed. Other nearby businesses complain of the same slump.

05/22/2008

Use of food banks on the rise
It's not the clothes, but the cuisine of potatoes, pears, and peanut butter bars that bring Connie Obinka, and her grand daughter, to a food pantry in east Fort Worth. "It's real hard, to keep food on the table, gas in the car," said Obinka. Those two things, rising fuel and grocery costs, are being blamed for a sharp climb in demand at food banks. It's up 14-percent in Tarrant County. Food stamp participation is also up, 33 percent.

05/20/2008

Examining the odds of survival for brain tumor patients
It took Linda Combs 6 months of agonizing headaches, but just one visit to the emergency room to find her brain tumor. "And I mean within an hour I was checked into the hospital. Two days later, I had it removed," said Combs. Scott Miller woke up in agony one morning. "I don't think even 2 hours that they knew," said Miller. Experts say doctors likely knew Senator Edward Kennedy had a brain tumor right away too. "The most common cause of a seizure of a person over 40 is a brain tumor," said Dr. Gregory Smith, Baylor All-Saints neurosurgeon.

05/19/2008

Boot camp classes discipline weight off

Pills, shakes or some gadget filled with false hope often comes to minds when people think of fast weight loss. But one of the hottest trends right now might actually deliver, if you've got the fortitude to try it.

Economic woes turning young to subsidized housing

It's not the idle poor, but the young, willing and able that are now applying for subsidized housing in Dallas County these days.

05/16/2008

Children make care packages for soldiers in Iraq

WFAA-TV

Lt. Jose Romero says the packages are a big morale booster.

Every soldier carries a heavy load. But it's a lot lighter when it comes covered with miniature handprints, and miniature hands. Children at Frisco Montessori Academy worked together for weeks, writing letters and gathering 15 boxes worth of personal items to send troops in Iraq. One child brought teddy bears when he heard soldiers often sleep in the sand alone.

Bounce house owner says regulation is needed

WFAA-TV

John Newton, owner of Jumping J-Jays Castles & Slides, says he doesn’t allow anyone over 12 to jump in his houses, because of the weight issue.

Bounce houses are flying away, tipping over, and being improperly put up. A News 8 report showed the bounce house industry, unlike traditional amusement park rides –- is almost entirely unregulated in Texas. Now a new danger has emerged, one experienced firsthand by 6-year-old Brenna Cromar, whose left leg is now in a cast.

05/12/2008

Death sheds light on dangers of inflatable jumpers

WFAA-TV

They are big, bright and bring bliss to children at backyard parties everywhere; but pictures and home videos show giant jumpers can also pose very real dangers.

FW OKs more road projects as old ones back up

Fort Worth voters Saturday approved a $150 million bond package for road improvements. That has some residents concerned since the city hasn't even yet completed $230 million worth of projects voters approved back in 2004.

05/08/2008

Shortage of neurosurgeons in Fort Worth
Lillie Biggins sends the same email out about 3 times a week. No neuro trauma coverage today, please use triage protocols. It's means anyone with a traumatic brain or spinal injury is driven straight past Harris Methodist Hospital, to John Peter Smith, the overcrowded public hospital down the street.

05/05/2008

Uncovered: find free medical care in clinical trials

WFAA-TV

Dr. Roy Fleischmann examines Jennifer Spears (pictured).

Turning a magazine page, standing up and opening a door was all a painful effort for 27-year-old Jennifer Spears. So, was finding medical care without insurance. "We just felt strapped," Spears said. "I had to move in with my mom and stay there."

04/30/2008

McKinney college clock tower expense draws criticism

Collin County is home to one of the fastest growing community colleges in Texas. There's little debate the campus needs to be bigger. Four new science labs, 20 additional classrooms and a new library are all part of a $42 million central campus project in McKinney.

04/28/2008

Treatment eases varicose vein removal

WFAA-TV

Doctors say the treatment reaches varicose veins deep in the leg, which solves the problem long term.

With summer just around the corner, many people are considering how to make their legs look more shapely, firmer or tanner. However, for the estimated 25 million Americans with varicose veins, the answer isn't as easy as exercise or tanning lotion.

04/22/2008

Fighting the pain of fibromyalgia

WFAA-TV

Melissa Meszko fights fibromyalgia pain with dietary supplements.

It is often misunderstood, unrecognized — or treated with disbelief. Yet nearly four million people — mostly women — suffer from fibromyalgia. Now there is treatment for the pain, a therapy regimen that may be just as controversial as the condition itself.

04/18/2008

Environmental workers checking mosquitoes for West Nile

WFAA-TV

Tommy Harnett is convinced a stagnant pool in his neighborhood led to his West Nile encephalitis.

Environmental workers are setting traps all over Dallas County, collecting and testing mosquitoes for West Nile.

Richardson group: Polygamists' children are OK

From inside the West Texas ranch of a polygamous religious sect, some mothers say their children were stolen and traumatized.

04/08/2008

Over 500 FW teachers receive termination notices

Unrest has spread throughout the Fort Worth Independent School District after more than 500 teachers received letters telling them they were terminated from their jobs.

04/07/2008

Military sends soldier in Iraq home to sick mom

WFAA-TV

Dusty Stephen watches as his mom, Cindy Stephens, talks about his surprise visit.

While the military may not be known for working fast, it did in the case of one sick North Texas mother. Since her son Dustin Stephens left for Iraq to serve as an Army paratrooper, Cindy Stephens used a web camera to catch up on his daily life.

03/31/2008

Computer overuse can damage eyes

North Texans who use a computer daily are being warned to be on the lookout for a growing health concern. One that affected Alissa Miers in the blink of an eye. "My vision gets blurry sometimes," Miers says, "It's pretty brutal." Miers spends at least eight hours a day working on a computer.

04/02/2008

FAA looking closely at four airlines for missed inspections
Death threats have been sent to the family of a whistle blower here in North Texas who brought the FAA inspection problems to light. Bobby Boutris' wife received an article that talks about how a woman gets by when her husband is gone, and suggested the article would be useful to her. He is the man who blew the whistle on Southwest and jump started investigations into the inspection reports. The FBI is now investigating the threat.

03/31/2008

Two men arrested in road shooting

WFAA-TV

The two shooters drove into this church’s parking lot and then next to Mathis, opening fire.

The last time John Mathis climbed into his pickup, could've easily been the last. Hours ago he was the victim of a violent road rage shooting that could have had a deadly outcome. Mathis was driving home around 2 in the morning near Sycamore School road and I-35, when a car began tailgating.

03/28/2008

Gas drilling helps pump money into D/FW economy

WFAA-TV

A study shows natural gas drilling has pumped more than $8 billion into the local economy.

There are cramped quarters for those working out at the downtown Forth Worth YMCA. But not for long, thanks to a big donation from a natural gas drilling company.

03/25/2008

Rare crocodiles hatched in Dallas aquarium

WFAA-TV

The baby crocodiles were born Tuesday morning.

With the care of an archeologist on excavation, and the pride of an expectant father, Luis Sigler digs up eggs incubating for 89 days exactly. "Like I can't sleep the day before, I have dreams with crocodiles hatching. Yeah, it's really exciting," said Sigler, a crocodile biologist.

03/20/2008

Fort Worth teen found dead at home

WFAA-TV

Noemi Huizar

The victim's father and brother returned to their South Side residence around 10 o'clock last night and found 18-year-old Noemi Huizar had been shot.

03/19/2008

Study: Illnesses from greens on the rise

While eating leafy greens is good for you, there is also a flip side to that as well according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

03/17/2008

Laser treatment resurfaces skin in one session

WFAA-TV

The Deep FX laser smooths skin in a new way.

According to the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, nearly 650,000 Americans tried laser light treatments to turn back the signs of aging. Now, there's a new way to look younger and smooth out sun-damaged, sagging skin — something called a fraxel laser that heats the skin in tiny, individual columns instead of a solid layer.

03/10/2008

Parents looking to adopt frustrated by red tape

WFAA-TV

As thousands of children across North Texas dream of a permanent home, the state is looking for a few good families who want to adopt foster children. But some looking to adopt say the system itself discourages people from taking in unwanted children.

03/07/2008

Cleburne school copes with loss of administrator

Cleburne ISD

Krista Findley

Cleburne High School Assistant Principal Krista Findley was killed in a traffic accident Thursday morning.

03/05/2008

Milkman delivers... a baby!

WFAA-TV

Who says the milkman doesn't deliver, anymore? He does, and he did. Bob Hilton, a milkman, found himself delivering a baby in a Frisco parking lot early Tuesday.

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02/29/2008

Recession makes resale fashionable

WFAA-TV

According to the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops, resales are up 52 percent nationwide.

Not all businesses are suffering from a depressed economy. In fact, one aspect of retail appears to be recession proof - resale.

02/26/2008

In search of affordable health care

WFAA-TV

Maudine and Sam Sherber traveled to India to save money on medical care.

According to some estimates, in 2006, half a million Americans traveled to India, Thialand, Singapore, and other far-off places for treatments they couldn't afford in the U.S. It's part of a trend called medical tourism. Maudine and Sam Sherber said they saved thousands of dollars on surgery and dental work by traveling halfway around the world.

02/25/2008

Surgery can't guarantee weight loss

File / WFAA-TV

Last year, more than 200,000 people lost weight with surgery, and in many cases, the weight loss is dramatic. But what happens when the pounds come back? A recent study found that more than 30 percent of gastric bypass surgeries fail within a decade.

02/12/2008

Users say Crazy Water works

Famous Mineral Water Co.

There are four varieties of Crazy Water.

According to legend, Crazy Water could heal everything from arthritis to acid reflux. After a WFAA-TV report in October put Crazy Water to the test, viewers responded by the hundreds. And users say it works to remedy a variety of ailments.

02/11/2008

Soldier meets boy after life-saving bone marrow transplant

Jim Mahoney / DMN

Richard Garay (right center) embraces Sgt. Christopher Sauceda as Raquel Garay (back to camera) and Erica Sauceda, wife of Sgt. Sauceda, also hug.

In terms of giving, most would think serving a year in Iraq would be enough, but not for one Texas soldier. When Christopher Sauceda returned home from his tour in Baghdad, he decided to fight one more battle.

02/04/2008

Fasting seen as tool for health, spirituality