The Daily Press http://www.sweetwaterreporter.com http://www.sweetwaterreporter.com/apfeed.xml--1 Copyright The Daily Press 2012-02-22T16:48:31-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:46972012-02-22T16:48:31-05:002012-02-22T13:38:40-05:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterOfficials in Sweetwater were reportedly on heightened awareness following the presence of several protesters outside the Nolan County Courthouse yesterday and its close proximity to the post office.The package reportedly contained a cellphone.There were no injuries.Original Story:Sweetwater, TXNo author availableAPD Bomb Squad robot destroys packageSweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4697Change0Usable2012-02-22T13:38:40-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:46962012-02-22T12:06:40-05:002012-02-22T12:06:40-05:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterVilla received eight years of community supervision for the offense, with 35 other counts abandoned by the state. At the time that the offenses began, the victim was eight years old. The counts against him spanned from March 16, 2000 to Dec. 15, 2009. The offenses dropped included nine other counts of indecency with a child by contact, with one classified as a third degree felony and eight classified as second degree felonies; five counts of indecency with a child by exposure, all classified as third degree felonies; nine counts of sexual assault, all classified as second degree felonies; and 12 counts of aggravated sexual assault, all classified as first degree felonies.Sweetwater, TXNo author availableMan receives probation for indecency with a childSweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4696Change0Usable2012-02-22T12:06:40-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:46952012-02-22T11:55:30-05:002012-02-22T11:55:30-05:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterSweetwater, TXNo author availableFFB donates furniture to local churchesSweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4695Change0Usable2012-02-22T11:55:30-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:46942012-02-22T11:54:10-05:002012-02-22T11:54:10-05:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterThe resolution recognizing the contributions of the Ludlum family to the economic life of Sweetwater along with the 50th anniversary of Ludlum Measurements was approved, following the reading of the resolution last Tuesday, Feb. 14 by Commissioner Jerod Peek.To coincide with the half-century accomplishment, the commission also approved an ordinance naming the street which serves as the entrance to the 88-acre Industrial Park as "Ludlum Drive". The street was dedicated to the city by SEED (Sweetwater Enterprise for Economic Development), and a street name is necessary to meet 911 requirements.The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2011 was also approved. The brief review of the audit report was presented by Cathy Wilks, who noted a clean opinion. Ms. Wilks and members of the commission also commended the city staff for their work over the past fiscal year, which resulted in earning the GFOA (Government Finance Officers Association) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 27th year.Reappointments were approved for the Auditorium Board, as Trey Aiken and John Spaulding will continue to serve as city appointees and Kathy Rainey will continue as the joint city-county appointee. Their terms will expire Feb. 28, 2014.Additionally, the commission approved two reappointments to the City/County Airport Zoning Board. Bill Haley and Ms. Jay Neal--as the city and joint city/county appointees, respectively--will begin new terms which will also expire at the end of February 2014.In addition, approval was given for the city to suspend the rate increase requested by Atmos Energy. Sweetwater is one of 154 cities who are part of a steering committee, and the approval will also allow the city to continue with the committee as their attorneys work toward negotiations with Atmos.Approval was also given authorizing staff to go out for bids on AC5 asphalt--or AC10 should the former not be available--and Grade 4 crushed rock to be used in the 2012 street seal coating project. The project is slated to begin this July.Furthermore, the commission also approved an ordinance ordering the election to be held on May 12, 2012 for the purpose of electing two city commissioners for Precincts 2 and 4.Approval was given of the minutes from the Jan. 10, 2012 meeting, and while no action was taken, Sweetwater Police Chief Jim Kelley presented the annual Racial Profiling Statistics report, which will be electronically filed with the state.In the City Manager's report, it was noted that the election calendar is in the commissioners' packets. Also, notification has been received from the U.S. Department of Justice which gives pre-clearance on the city's 2011 redistricting plan.Notification was also received that the speed limit on Interstate 20 has been raised to 75 MPH (miles per hour); however, the new limit is effective when the new signage is in place.The Senior Nutrition Activities Program, or SNAP, has been relocated to the park building which previously used to store the Trail of Lights fixtures. The tear-down of the old building began on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2012 and is still ongoing.Furthermore, a payment for bond interest was made on Feb. 15, 2012 for $307,045. In other financial-related news, it was noted that the January sales tax remittance from the state was up 29% from the prior year. Sales tax revenue is also up 57%, fiscal year to date.Sweetwater, TXBelinda SerranoCity suspends rate increase requested by Atmos EnergySweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4694Change0Usable2012-02-22T11:54:10-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:46932012-02-22T11:53:07-05:002012-02-22T11:53:07-05:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterThe PTC could be labeled as a “Jobs Bill” as without it not only will wind companies not expand and hire new employees, they will also be laying off current employees. "The PTC extension is important all over the US. We currently have some 400 manufacturing sites in 43 states building components for the wind turbines."In 2005 only 25% of the turbines and services were domestically produced and that has grown to over 60% in 2011. Each participant in Wind Power on Capitol Hill was assigned to meet with certain Senate and Congressional offices. "It was our job to inform the elected officials and staff of the importance of the PTC extension passing now instead of after it has expired in December," explained Becker. "I was assigned to meet with the offices of Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn, and the Congressional offices of Mike Conaway, Randy Neugebauer and William (Mac) Thornberry.  As I was waiting outside the office of Senator Hutchison, Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Todd Staples came by as he was visiting the Capitol concerning federal expenditures related to agriculture.""A PTC extension will not only help those all across the nation, it will help those closer to home. We have a strong wind story to tell in West Texas and the Texas Panhandle. The manufacturing side of wind will be negatively affected without the passing of the PTC in counties like Nolan, Taylor, Brown, Coleman, Tom Green and Potter," stated Becker. "The lack of wind development will not only hurt those counties listed with a manufacturing base, it will also hurt those all over West Texas and the Panhandle as the development of wind is stifled due to the lack of a long term US energy policy that includes conventional and renewable energy sources.  The wind industry is making technology headways as they are finding ways to increase the productivity and reduce the cost per MW. "I am sure the industry has entertained conversations as to a PTC extension with a gradual phasing out of the PTC. Due to the infancy of the industry, an extension to the PTC is the right thing to do now which would allow the law makes and the industry officials time to plan for our energy future."Sweetwater, TXNo author availableSEED director educates legislators on importance of PTC extensionSweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4693Change0Usable2012-02-22T11:53:07-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:46922012-02-22T11:51:56-05:002012-02-22T11:51:56-05:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterThe SPD received 14, 911 calls.Calls for service:• Information — 800 block of Hill.• Information — Sweetwater area.The Nolan County Sheriff's Office (NCSO) had 36 calls for service, served one civil paper and made four arrests from Feb. 17-20, 2012. Arrested by NCSO:• Maurice Earl Oler, 42, of Abilene — Warrant/theft by check.• Jimmy Gene Willett, 19, of Snyder — Bench warrant.Arrested by DPS:• Michal Tyler Brennan, 24, of Lubbock — Possession of marijuana.• Galen Lee Daughdrill, 23, of New Hebro, MS — Driving while intoxicated with child under 15 years of age.Calls for service:• Vehicle accident — HWY 153.• Inmate transport/medical — E. Arizona.• Vehicle accident — HWY 153.• Information only — CR 129/CR 124.• Information only — Yucca Lane.• Inmate transport/medical — E. Arizona.• Reckless driver — I-20 MM 242 E/B.• Loud music — Ash St, Roscoe.• Animal control — CR 107.• Suspicious incident — Bradford/Yucca Lanes.• Animal bite — Ash St, Roscoe.• 911 hang up — FM 419.• Terroristic threat — CR 108.• Stranded motorist — I-20 MM 243 E/B.• Traffic hazard — HWY 153.• Information only — McDorman/Railroad, Blackwell.• Theft — E. Broadway St, Roscoe.• Criminal trespass — Quail Run Dr.• Vehicle accident — I-20 MM 255/256.• Stranded motorist — I-20 MM 251.• Stranded motorist — I-20 exit 251.• MHMR transport — Midland.• Suspicious incident — Lake Sweetwater.• Reckless driver — I-20 MM 260.• Medical emergency — Grand St.• Traffic hazard — I-20 MM 255 W/B.• Information only — CR 133.• Suspicious incident — Poplar St.• Stranded motorist — I-20 MM 238 south service road.• Stranded motorist — HWY 70/HWY 153.• Assist Nolan Co hosp district/posting — E. Third St.• Cruelty to animals — E. Bradford Lane.• Suspicious incident — I-20 MM 242 W/B.• Fire — FM 608.• Reckless driver — HWY 70 S.• Suspicious vehicle — I-20 MM 255 W/B.Sweetwater, TXNo author availableBlotters for February 20, 2012Sweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4692Change0Usable2012-02-22T11:51:56-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:46852012-02-21T11:59:27-05:002012-02-21T11:59:27-05:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterOne sign read, "My name is Fonda Balthrop. My daughter was sexually abused. There was no justice. Still to this day I sit and watch her suffer. All I wanted was Justice! It hurts me to see the pain in her eyes when she asked, 'Mommy why don't the POLICE HELP ME?'"Another sign read, "Lucas Turner 17 yrs old from Maryneal molested a 6 yr old little girl! He admitted that he sexually assaulted (her). There was NO JUSTICE. Justice needs to be brought to this young man..."Lucas Anderson Turner, indicted on charges of indecency with a six-year-old girl will not stand trial.Turner was indicted in March 2011, by a Nolan County Grand Jury. He was 17 at the time of the indictment.Last week it was decided that because there was no physical evidence, the case wouldn't go to trial and all charges against Turner were dropped.Nolan County District Attorney Ann Reed told KTXS with such a young victim it's often hard to get what they need in order to prosecute a suspect.A Nolan County Grand Jury thought there was enough evidence and indicted the teen for the indecency that allegedly happened in and around Highland school."We took these allegations to the Nolan County Sheriff's Department and the District Attorney's office; they both confirmed the claims," said family members.Sweetwater, TXNo author availableSeveral protest at courthouseSweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4685Change0Usable2012-02-21T11:59:27-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:46842012-02-21T11:58:10-05:002012-02-21T11:58:10-05:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterSweetwater, TXNo author availableColey visits Roscoe Co-opSweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4684Change0Usable2012-02-21T11:58:10-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:46832012-02-21T11:56:18-05:002012-02-21T11:56:18-05:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterIn order to advance to the State Contest, students must earn a superior (first division) rating on a class one ensemble (Class 1 is the most difficult music list), or on a memorized Class 1 solo. Sweetwater had students advance to state.  Advancing soloists were Crysten Ivy, who memorized the Clarinet Concerto by Stamitz, Chase Scott, who memorized Improvisation and Caprice by Bozza for alto sax and Steven Le, who memorized Mozart’s Concerto #3 for French horn.  Students who also advanced to state on their class 1 ensembles included Clay Kitchens – trumpet, Stephen Shipp – trumpet, Laura DuClos – euphonium, Steven Le – French horn, Corynn Martin – clarinet, Vanessa Perez-Poe – clarinet, Crysten Ivy – clarinet and Kirsten Sparkman – clarinet. Additional first division solo winners were Christen Gutierrez – flute, Jasmine Reddic – flute, Corynn Martin – clarinet, Elvira Gamez – clarinet, Destiny Osteen – bass clarinet, Chance Adams – alto sax, Annie Lansford – tenor sax (class 1), Ethan Spear – tenor sax, Clay Kitchens – trumpet (class 1), Stephen Shipp – trumpet (class 1), Briana Rosas – trombone (class 1), Cody Chapman – trombone, Angelica Collier – euphonium, Laura DuClos – euphonium (Class 1), Jeremey Witt – percussion, Leah Warren – percussion and Colton Scott – percussion.Judge comments on Crysten Ivy’s solo performance included, “Absolutely beautiful sound – awesome! Technique is excellent.” Laura DuClos judge critiques, “Wonderful sound. Your tone and articulation are outstanding.” Comments on Briana Rosas’s performance were, “You should be very proud of playing so well! What a great tone! Awesome job!” Jazmine Reddic’s judge commented, “Nice, warm flute sound! Beautiful job today!” Christen Gutierrez’ judge said, “Your vibrato is already very expressive. You have the potential to be great!”Sweetwater, TXNo author availableMustang Band wins solo awardsSweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4683Change0Usable2012-02-21T11:56:18-05:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:46822012-02-21T11:53:38-05:002012-02-21T11:53:38-05:00Copyright 2010 Sweetwater ReporterSweetwater, TXNo author availableWhere’s the beef?Sweetwater Reporterurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4682Change0Usable2012-02-21T11:53:38-05:00