4A WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas, Wednesday, November 28, 2012OPINIONOUR VIEWSWho says there’s no internationalintrigue in local news?By KRISTEN TRIBEInterviewing peoplecomes naturally to me andmy newsroom coworkers.We may employ differentstrategies at times, but it ismostly the art of conversation— nothing complicatedabout it. But if you don’tspeak the same languagethis simple task, the basisfor all we do, suddenly becomesamazingly difficult.This was our quandarylast month when seekingan interview with two-timePBR WorldC h a m p i o nand BraziliannativeSilvano Alvesof Decatur.He speaksTRIBEPortuguese.We speak English.If you read the Oct. 31<strong>Messenger</strong>, you know thisstory ends with a story — afront-page feature by reporterErika Pedroza. What youdon’t know is that it took 12months of hand-wringing,plotting and a bit of luck tomake it happen.Alves took the U.S. bullriding circuit by storm inhis first season,winning the 2010PBR Rookie of theYear title. In 2011,he won the PBRWorld Title, andhe became the firstrider in history tosnag the title inconsecutive yearsafter winning the 2012 seriesin October.He’s earned more than$3.2 million since his U.S.debut, plus has endorsementsfrom Stanley DeWalt,Wrangler and Brahma. He’sa world-classSilvano Alves wonthe PBR Brahma SuperBull Finals event titleSunday in Brazil. It’sthe equivalent to thePBR Built Ford ToughSeries World Championshipsin the U.S.athlete.After hisfirst world title,we soughtan interviewbut didn’t actfast enough.Alves, hiswife Evelynand small children Hanylieand Eduardo return toBrazil after the Finals everyyear, a fact we didn’t knowuntil it was too late.And it’s not like we couldjust call him on the phone.While they were away, Erikaand I devised a plan toland an interview upon hisreturn. Coincidentally, myfamily had moved next doorto them just before the 2011world championships, so Iwas put on watch.But things didn’t fall intoplace as we hoped. He returnedand immediately begantraveling for the 2012season, and we still didn’thave a translator. The possibilityof an interview seemedto be slipping away, and itwas becoming irrelevant asthe new season progressed.At a certain point we decidedall that was left todo was wait — again. If hemade the finals in 2012, wewould try one more time.In the meantime, whenwe saw Alves and his familyoutside, we exchangedsmiles and waves.As the end of the 2012 seasonapproached, Alves wasContinued on page 5AOTHER VIEWSFootball gamecoverage can bea health hazardBy WILLIS WEBBNo one could reasonablyargue football is not hazardous.Even in junior highpulled muscles, bruises,torn knee cartilages andbroken bones are continuingpossibilities.But would you believethat being a newshoundand/or photographer onthe sidelines at a game carriesan injury threat?As a young newsman,most of the time I was agileenough to get out of theway of running, stumbling,tumbling players comingout of bounds. Necessity— being the only newsperson— sometimes forceseven older editor-publishertypes intoduty on Fridaynights.And, whileI wasyoung, IWEBB was partof the endof-playjumble on the sidelineson more than one occasion.But, let’s face it — asyou get older and slower,“violent” physical contactis more hazardous to yourhealth. And, it just plainhurts more.Even minor contact witha running or falling footballplayer can bring aboutan injury that should beContinued on page 5AYOUR VIEWSPhotographs inpublic placesBob Buckel’s column (<strong>Messenger</strong>,Saturday, Nov. 24) about public photography,especially among youth,is right on with my thinking. Asone who enjoys the “art” of takingphotographs, I have sensed the realattitude of our society about peoplethinking their photograph shouldnot be taken or appear in any publicvenue. It is a sad condition that ourociety has fallen into that generalosition.In my growing-up days and inost of my adult life, just about allhe photograph publicity you couldttract was good! We all cherishedhe rare opportunity to appear innyone’s newspaper or magazine,ven when it wasn’t our best pose.There seems to be another eleentaffecting people being willingo be photographed. If the pictureoes not look like they are a candiateto be a model, their self-esteems reluctant to let any public venueee them as they are (even thoughverybody does see them as they arend usually still likes them).I enjoy the “art” of studies on theaces of people. Many of my amateurhotographs are people studies,nd the characteristics that can bexhibited are just wonderful aspectsf what is in God’s creation amongeople. I like that. It is evident inany of the photographs I take andpost on Facebook. My account hasalmost 11,000 pictures in it, among214 albums, many of them focusedupon particular community andpolitical events that have crossedmy path.It is my hope and expectation thatthe freedom to photograph peoplein public circumstances ultimatelywill not be muted by a well-intendedsociety that may invite legislation tolimit severely what photographerscan do, just because some weirdpeople do bad things to children.The ever-protective governmentdoes what it believes is good at thecost of more and more freedoms.D.A. SharpeAuroraHats off to the VANorth Texas HealthCare SystemIn the past few weeks I have seenrepeated stories on the variouslocal TV stations about problemswith the VA North Texas HealthCare System, slamming the qualityof care and the medical servicesveterans get at their facilities. I wasreally stunned to see these storiesbecause of the great quality of carethat I have personally been givenin the VA North Texas Health CareSystem.I went 12 years or more with asmall mark in the middle of myforehead that would never completelyheal. The civilian doctorstold me repeatedly that it was nobig problem and to “just put a littlesalve on it.” On my first visit to seeRussell Wilson after he had just arrivedat the VA Clinic in Bridgeport,when he saw that sore, he got veryupset. He stated it looked like cancerand could be very dangerous.He immediately scheduled mean appointment with the dermatologydepartment at the Dallas VAHospital, where I was seen within aweek or so. They confirmed througha biopsy that it was not only cancer,but also the most agressive formof melanoma there is. Surgery wasscheduled within a very short time.What was initially supposed to be abasic, two-hour, outpatient procedurebecame a two-day, extensivesurgery because of how big themelanoma turned out to be. It tookfour plastic surgeons to close up onthe second day.During the surgery, everyone atthe hospital, from the volunteers tothe surgeons, treated my wife like aqueen. They couldn’t do enough forher while I was in surgery. Becauseof Dr. Wilson’s correct, initial diagnosisin the Bridgeport VA Clinic,the entire VA Health Care Systemliterally saved my life.Recently, there has been anotherpotentially very serious health issuearise for me that was found by theNorth Texas Health Care System.Again, I have received nothing butthe finest of care, in the quickestpossible time frame, both initiallyby Dr. Wilson in the Bridgeport VAClinic and at the Fort Worth andDallas VA Center and Hospital,respectively.I have talked with many othervets who also credit the North TexasVA Health Care System with savingtheir lives, too.I have had the pleasure of havingDr. Wilson as my primary care physician,and I have been seen at theFort Worth and Dallas VA Hospitalson numerous occasions. Everyone inthe entire VA Heath Care Systemhas always been extremely courteous,and my treatment has alwaysbeen of the highest quality possible.That’s why I say, “Hats off tothe VA North Texas Health CareSystem.”Jim PoppGreenwoodTaking oversomeone’s homenot OKRecently, a man went on trial inTarrant <strong>County</strong> for trying to squata vacant home. The home wasworth approximately $405,000 andhad been previously owned by aTexas Rangers baseball player.He had taken advantage of anobscure law on the books, filed a$16 form; and then simply movedinto the residence.The jury found him guilty andsentenced him to 10 years probationand a $10,000 fine. In addition,the man was believed to havestolen about $250,000 worth ofpersonal belongings from the residence.He could have gotten up tolife in prison.Bad enough you say? Just wait,because the truly appalling part ofthis story is yet to come.A local television network hasa voice mail forum where viewerscan call in and express theiropinions. This past Saturday, twoviewers called in and spoke in hisdefense. One stated that the manwas “cleaning up” the property. Theother simply stated, “after all, theman (owner) had moved out.”Moved out? In reality, the familywas in Houston seeking treatmentfor the wife who has cancer.Regardless, even if the family hadmoved out, the house still didn’tbelong to the guy who was trying tosquat it!You could tell by the tone of voicesused by the callers that they werecompletely serious. Their wordswere thoughtfully formed and slowlyspoken. They honestly felt like theman had done nothing wrong.I fear for our nation.Rose Stuber
WISE COUNTYWISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas, Wednesday, November 28, 20125APippin indicted in courthouse fire, threatA Decatur man accused of tryingto set fire to the <strong>Wise</strong> <strong>County</strong> courthouseand making a death threatto a prosecutor has been indictedon numerous charges by a grandjury.Johnny Roy Pippin Jr., 26, wasndicted Nov. 16 for retaliation, ahird-degree felony, and arson inendedto damage a place of assemly,a first-degree felony.On the morning of Sept. 5, ahick, white, acrid smoke spreadhrough the third floor of the courtouse,causing an evacuation of theuilding. Fire investigators foundbowl containing a burning subtancein the bottom of a trash cann a third-floor bathroom.The day before, a county employehad come across a handwrittenessage on the wall in a men’sathroom in the courthouse baseent.It contained several threats,ncluding a threat to kill <strong>County</strong>Attorney James Stainton.Review of security footage fromhe day the threat was discoveredevealed Pippin carrying a backackinto the courthouse. Investigatorsbelieve he set up the bowland chemicals in the trash can onthe third floor bathroom at about4:30 that afternoon, a day before hewas scheduled to have a court appearancefor a misdemeanor weaponscharge.He was due to be sentenced to 50days in jail. <strong>Wise</strong> <strong>County</strong> SheriffDavid Walker said the threat andattempted arson was a way for Pippinto try to get out of his court appearance.Pippin was charged in the caseOct. 2.The grand jury also indicted Pippinon a charge of theft of propertyvalued between $1,500 and$20,000. According to the indictment,Pippin stole five laptops, amotorcycle helmet and a televisionin August of this year. And he wasindicted for burglary of a buildingstemming from a June incident inwhich Pippin is accused of enteringa building with the intent to committheft.Pippin is currently on probationafter pleading guilty to felonycharges of burglary in 2007.He remains in the <strong>Wise</strong> <strong>County</strong>jail with bonds totalling more than$1 million.The grand jury also returned thefollowing felony indictments: Raymond Dean Walker, assaultfamily/household member byimpeding breathing/circulation Justin Wayne Wilson, possessionof a controlled substance— methamphetamine, less than 1gram Thanh Tuan Wright, sexual assault Thanh Tuan Wright, assaultby intentionally or recklessly impedingthe breathing/circulation ofa family member with a previousconviction (one count); assault family/householdmember with previousconviction Jimmie Dewayne Hudson, assaultfamily/household memberwith previous conviction Colton Skott Walker, aggravatedassault causes serious bodilyinjury Ted Burdell III, theft of material(copper) less than $20,000 (twocounts) Ted Burdell III, theft of material(copper) less than $20,000 (twocounts) Ted Burdell III, theft of property$1,500-$20,000 Ted Burdell III, burglary of ahabitation Ted Burdell III, theft of material(aluminum) less than $20,000 Russell Duane Spain, burglaryof a habitation Russell Duane Spain, theft ofproperty $1,500-$20,000 Russell Duane Spain, theft ofmaterial (copper) less than $20,000 Patti June Basting, theft ofproperty $1,500-$20,000 Mitchell Calvin Brown, possessionof a controlled substance— methamphetamine, less than 1gram Raymond Santivanez Cortez,evading arrest/detention with vehicle(one count); manufacturing/delivering a controlled substance— methamphetamine 4-200 grams(one count); intent to impair physicalevidence (one count) Rance Cupp, theft of material(aluminum) less than $20,000 Randy Allen Gordon, fraudulentuse/possession of identifyinginformation less than five items(one count); credit or debit cardabuse (four counts) Randy Allen Gordon, theft ofmaterial (copper) less than $20,000 Carol Faye Jenkins, possessionof a controlled substance —methamphetamine, less than 1gram (one count); tamper fabricateevidence with intent to impair(one count) Thomas Bradley McCool, aggravatedsexual assault of a child(five counts); indecency with achild sexual contact (two counts) William Farris Sisk Jr., drivingwhile intoxicated third or more John Thomas Spears, drivingwhile intoxicated third or more Holly Leann Stapleton, possessionof a controlled substance— methamphetamine, 4-200grams Murry Joses Vidrine, forgeryfinancial instrument<strong>Messenger</strong> archive stories wereused for this article.Football game ...Continued from page 4Areason for medical treatment.Once, in my advanced years,I was pressed into photographyduty at a Jasper HighSchool home game. An opposingplayer was chased out ofbounds by a pair of Bulldogs.I snapped a photo and wiselyturned and ran toward thefence. Alas, I was in the olderslowermode in those days andthe “enemy” runner dippedhis shoulder and caught mejust under my shoulder blade.Though I remained upright,the runner’s shoulder padsraised a significant bump onmy back. The bruise lingeredpainfully for a week or so.Such aches and bruiseswere not uncommon to thoseof us laboring at a small townnewspaper.However, a couple of yearslater, I had a “physical” scarethat convinced me my footballWho says ...Continued from page 4Aranked No. 1 and preparedto return to Las Vegas anddefend his world title.Just one week before theWorld Finals, we discovereda translator. Randy Warzecha,a Brazilian missionaryassociated with the DecaturChurch of Christ, wasin town for a short time.He and his wife, Angela, anative of Brazil, graciouslyagreed to accompany Erikaand myself to the Alves homefor a cold call.The plan: knock on thedoor, ask for an interview,hope that he would agree.What happened: weknocked on the door, no oneanswered, we left.We did leave a copy of the<strong>Messenger</strong> with a note in Poruguese,explaining who weere, tucked inside a wreathanging on their front door.hoped he would contact us,ut I knew it was a long shot.We didn’t hear from Alvesnd by the end of the week,e had left for Las Vegas.Although it was for a goodause, I was beginning to feelbit like a stalker.WIN $500 CASHDrawing on December 3Buy Raffle Tickets NowFrom <strong>Wise</strong> Regional HospitalAuxiliary VolunteersIn Lobby or Gift Shop$1 EACH OR 6 FOR $5We watched the Finals ontelevision and were excitedto see all the <strong>Wise</strong> <strong>County</strong>riders. We were especiallyexcited that Alves won again.But I didn’t get my hopesup. I knew he would be returningto Brazil and thechances of finding a translatorand getting it done beforehe left was not likely.The day after the Finals,my husband was working inthe garage when he came insideto tell me a group of peoplewith cameras were nextdoor. I marched over thereand learned it was a Braziliantelevision crew awaitingAlves’ return home. Onlytwo of the six spoke English,and they told me Alves andhis family were expectedany minute.Sergio Horovitz, the CEOof the company, was excitedto know that I had watchedthe PBR Finals and wasaware of Alves’ accomplishments.I explained to himthat I worked for the localpaper and told him of our attemptsto interview Alves. Iexplained that the languagebarrier was proving difficultto overcome.coverage days should be over.Jasper, the last stop in mycareer path, was and is anongoing winner in high schoolfootball.In 2004, the Bulldogs madeit to the Class 3A semifinals.This game was played atTexas A&M University’s KyleField.Since I was writing not photographingthis game, I feltsafe and unthreatened in theenormous press box above theKyle Field seats. No playerswould have a shot at obliteratingThe Old Man in an outof-boundspileup.That was the best footballgame I’ve ever seen, but a 49-47 loss for Jasper.As the score indicates, itwas an exciting game fromteeing-up to kick-off to an agonizinglyfast clock near theend.It was in those nerve-shatteringfinal ticks that I becameaware of my physicalchallenge. I felt flushed and Icould see in the glass front ofthe press box my face was redas the proverbial beet.I managed to write downevery play and to capturesomething of the ending ofthat sensational game, but Iwas not altogether there inthat press box.I was mostly oblivious tothe remarks of fellow journalistsas they filed out. I seemedto be in another world and unableto extract myself.I recognized my symptoms,later verified by my familydoctor, and knew I had to becalm and still because therewas no one to help me, savea custodian or two. As thedoctor explained, I was in a“stroke mode” and I probablyheaded it off by sitting absolutelystill until the flushedfeeling was gone.Recalling all the stories I’dI asked if he could perhapsmention the <strong>Messenger</strong>to Alves and our wish to interviewhim.Horovitz said he could,but we’d have to move quick.The family was returning toBrazil the next day.As Alves pulled up, Ithanked them all andwatched his triumphantreturn from a distance. Myheart racing, I excitedlycalled Erika and Joe, puttingthem on standby for thenext morning. Then I begantracking down our latestlead for a translator — afriend of a friend I’d nevermet.It was truly an adrenalinerush. (OK. So I’m a journalismnerd.)By the next morning, Ihad an email from Horovitzsaying Alves was agreeableto an interview, but weshould go early ... and bringan apple pie. It would be ashow of hospitality, he said.read and heard about sportsfans who’d had heart attacksand strokes, I counted myblessings and determinedthat if I had to cover footballagain, I might just take somethingto keep my nerves calm.No more was necessary toconvince me I should retirefrom covering sports. A coupleof years later, I came to thefurther conclusion that, at 69,retiring from editing and publishingaltogether might add afew years to my life.Don’t let anyone tell youthat working as a communityjournalist isn’t exciting ... althoughsometimes hazardousto your health.Willis Webb is a retired communitynewspaper editor-publisherof more than 50 yearsexperience. He can be reachedby email at wwebb1937@att.net.We only had 30 minutesto find fresh apple pie andeventually had to settle forcupcakes and cookies. Erika,Joe and myself piled intoa car and swung by NationalRoper Supply to pick upCorey Jones, our translator.“Hop in!” we called. I’m surehe was convinced he was beingkidnapped by crazies,but he never broke a sweat.Although it took four of usto get it done, we left withan interview and photos inhand. Alves was friendly,humble and gracious withhis time.What usually takes fiveminutes to set up took usabout 12 months. But it wasworth the wait, and I finallygot to meet my neighbor.My Portuguese still has along way to go, however.Kristen Tribe is the <strong>Messenger</strong>’snews editor. Emailher at ktribe@wcmessenger.com.KAREN GARRETTI AM BLESSEDTO SERVE AS YOURSALES CONSULTANTBUICK CHEVY GMCHYUNDAI PRE-OWNEDjameswood.com 940-627-2177Ag facilityupgradesapprovedBy BRIAN KNOXCHICOChico ISD’s agriculturalscience farm facility willsoon see improvements.The school board Mondayapproved a bid of$25,760 from Earp SteelBuilding and Boat Docksto enclose some of the outdoorruns.“This will give us morespace for animals in thewinter,” SuperintendentMike Jones said.Jones added that theboard also looked at otherupgrades to the facilitybut approved this particularproject due to thequickly-approaching wintermonths.In other facility news,Jones reported that roofrepairs at the elementaryshould begin this weekand the re-roofing of thehigh school in the near future.He said the districtis still getting bids forwork on the middle schoolroof. Trustees approvedroof work at the elementaryand high schools lastmonth. The roofs weredamaged by hail in 2011.Students and teachersfrom the different campusesalso gave a demonstrationof how AppleiPads are being used.Last summer, teachersthroughout the districtwere issued iPads, andeach high school studentreceived a device in September.Last month, theboard approved the purchaseof 150 iPads forthe middle school, and acart of 30 iPads for theelementary. The schoolhas received those devicesand will distribute themto students in January.Jones said the school isseeing increased studentengagement and “betteroutcomes” already fromthe use of iPads. One studentgave a presentationon how he used the iPadto take a quiz in the formof a game in order to studyfor a test. Jones said thestudent said he played it“20 times” as he tried toreach the “next level” likea gaming system.When asked how manytimes he might look at aone-page review to preparefor the test, the studentsaid, “maybe onetime.”“This student spentmaybe 40 or 50 minutesor more at home on thisquiz to learn the informationand then apply theinformation,” Jones said.The board also approveda probationary contractfor Carl Meyer as a highschool teacher.Email Brian at bknox@wcmessenger.com.At House of PrayerDecember 2 at 7 pm257 CR 4859 • Newark, TX 76071
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