A1-12 Sun 10-11-09 News.indd - The Unger Memorial Library ...

Page 2A - Sunday, October 11, 2009 - Plainview Daily Herald http://www.MyPlainview.com
Plainview Daily Herald
(USPS 143-040)
820 Broadway St., P.O. Box 1240 Jury convicts man
Plainview, Texas 79072
Switchboard: 806-296-1300
Web: www.myplainview.com
The Plainview Daily Herald
is published daily Monday
through Friday (except Christmas
Day) and is published
every Sunday by The Hearst
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Herald Unit, 820 Broadway,
P.O. Box 1240, Plainview,
Texas 79073-1240. Periodicals
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Texas Lottery
See Page 11B
Weather
WEATHER SERVICE READINGS:
Saturday’s High . . . . . . . 45 degrees
Friday’s High . . . . . . . . . 57 degrees
Friday’s Overnight Low . 39 degrees
Precipitation:
Past 36 hours . . . . . . . . . . . . Trace
2009 to date . . . . . . . .16.40 inches
2008 to date . . . . . . . .16.31 inches
FORECAST: Today...Mostly
cloudy. Areas of fog in the morning.
Slight chance of drizzle and light
freezing drizzle in the morning, then
a slight chance of showers in the
afternoon. Highs in the lower 50s.
East winds around 10 mph shifting
to the southeast in the afternoon.
Chance of precipitation 20 percent.
Tonight...Mostly cloudy. Not as
cool. Lows in the mid 40s. South
winds 10 to 15 mph.
Columbus Day...Partly sunny.
Warmer. Highs in the upper 70s.
Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph.
Monday night...Partly cloudy in the
evening...Then mostly cloudy with a
20 percent chance of thunderstorms
after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s.
South winds around 10 mph.
Tuesday...Partly sunny with a 20
percent chance of thunderstorms.
Highs in the lower 70s.
Tuesday night...Partly cloudy with
a 20 percent chance of showers.
Lows in the mid 50s.
Wednesday...Mostly sunny. Highs
in the lower 80s.
Wednesday night...Mostly clear.
Lows in the lower 50s.
Thursday...Mostly sunny. Cooler.
Highs in the lower 70s.
Thursday night...Partly cloudy.
Colder. Lows in the lower 40s.
Friday...Mostly sunny. Highs
around 70.
Friday night...Partly cloudy. Lows
in the lower 40s.
Saturday...Sunny. Highs in the
mid 70s.
MONDAY: Sunrise 7:50; Sunset
7:18.
Saturday’s high of 45 was 50
degrees below the record local high
of 95 set for that date in 1921. Friday’s
high of 57 was 36 degrees
below the record local high of 93 set
for that date in 1920. Friday’s overnight
low of 39 was 4 degrees above
the record low of 35 set for that date
in 1952, ’70 and ’90.
Astro-Graph
MONDAY, OCT. 12, 2009
You’ll be far more adventurous
than usual in the year ahead, being
both progressive in your work
and more daring in your social activities.
It’s likely to make life a lot
more exciting and fun for you.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) —
Much self-discipline and assertiveness
are needed to put you in front
of the pack, but you can do it, as
long as you don’t let indifference
get in the way.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
— Something you’ve been mulling
over again and again may be
put to rest when you finally reach
a conclusion that makes sense to
you. You’ll be right in your determinations.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec.
21) — Have the courage to face
things head-on, and you won’t
have to dodge people or avoid
handling a troubling responsibility.
Once you act on your convictions,
everything will work out wonderfully.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
— Make plans now about how you
propose to execute a critical project
with a future deadline. Your
mind is sharper than usual, and
you’re likely to come up with some
clever ideas.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19)
— Instead of letting events dictate
the day, get moving on things that
are important to you, especially if
you want to make some constructive
changes. Once you get a jump
on things, nothing will interfere.
PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) —
In order to gratify your restlessness
or feelings of self-worth, you need
to do something constructive. Better
yet, make it a project that will
attract others to your cause.
ARIES (March 21-April 19) —
This is likely to be a productive
day, because both your mental
and physical attributes are apt to
be sharper than usual and begging
to be used. You can’t help but utilize
them well.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) —
If your plans need the participation
of one friend in particular, get in
touch with this person early on before
he or she has a chance to do
something else. He who hesitates
is lost.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) —
Rely on traditional methods or
means to generate financial gains,
and you should do well for yourself.
Hard work and stick-to-itiveness
will make for a successful day.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) —
If you plan to engage in something
new, mull things over first to work
out any potential bugs that could
arise. Careful planning and execution
will eliminate unexpected
trouble.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — When
it comes to performing a delicate or
demanding task, try to find a quiet
corner where you can work uninterrupted.
The less disruptions you
have, the more productive you will
be. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) —
You’ll get that opportunity to clear
up any misunderstanding or misinformation
that has been causing
you needless trouble lately. Progress
can be made once the air is
purified and emancipated.
Words of Life
For we wrestle not
against fl esh and blood,
but against principalities,
against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of
this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places.
— Ephesians 6:12
of robbing banks in
Plainview, Amarillo
AMARILLO — A California
man accused of robbing
HCSB-West and another
bank in Amarillo was
convicted here Friday.
According to the Amarillo
Globe-News, Tyrone
Luvoid Hutcherson, 41, was
convicted on bank robbery
charges in connection with
the robbery of Hale County
State Bank West on April 3,
2008.
Hutcherson also was convicted
on charges of robbing
the Happy State Bank at
3401 S. Bell Street in Amarillo
on April 29, 2008.
Hutcherson will be sentenced
after a presentence
investigation is completed
later this year.
In the local robbery,
Hutcherson approached a
female teller and demanded
money. He alluded to having
a weapon, although one was
never seen.
Nazarenes
From Page 1A
Their fi rst building was a
white frame structure that
faced east on North Austin
Street, according to Yates.
In 1928 the congregation
built a red brick building at
Seventh and Denver streets,
then lost the property when
the Great Depression hit.
“They were able to buy
the property back in about
1943,” Yates explained.
“Then in 1965 ground was
broken for the present facility
at 2610 W. 20th.”
As the congregation grew,
so did the facility. In 1984,
a 10,200-square-foot addition
was added that included
educational space, a kitchen,
fellowship hall and gymnasium.
Yates said a number of
godly pastors have served
the congregation through the
Serenity wall
He made away with an
undisclosed amount of cash
and was last seen running
southeast from the bank in
the area around Plainview
Country Club.
Bloodhounds from the
Wheeler/Formby Prison
were called to track the suspect.
Hutcherson was an escapee
from a federal halfway
house in Kansas. He
has a lengthy criminal record,
and it was believed
he had been living and hiding
in Tulia.
A Crime Stopper tip from
Tulia helped authorities locate
Hutcherson after a picture
of him during the Amarillo
robbery was shown on
the news.
Hutcherson has been in
custody since May 3, 2008.
(Contact Kevin Lewis at
806-296-1353 or kwlewis@
hearstnp.com)
years.
“Our statement of purpose
is simple,” he said. “We are
striving to be a missional
community of transformed
people . . . seeking with intention
to help people be restored
to the image of God.
Richard Porter/Plainview Daily Herald
SPECIAL RECOGNITION: Walter Wright (right), Plainview High School choir
director and longtime voice of the Powerhouse of the Plains marching band,
receives a plaque at halftime of Friday night’s football game at Greg Sherwood
Memorial Bulldog Stadium from former PHS Band Director O.T. Ryan as PISD
Superintendent Dr. Ron Miller applauds in the background. Wright was recognized
for his 25 years of service to the band program as the announcer for its
halftime and contest shows. It also was pointed out that he was the one who
first coined the phrase “Powerhouse of the Plains.” Also on the field to congratulate
Wright were current PHS band director Anthony Gonzales and former
band director Barry Hurt.
Our desire is to be able to
share the age-old good news
of Jesus with this present
age.
“We’re thankful for the
past 100 years and long to
be effective into the future
100 years.”
Kevin Lewis/Plainview Daily Herald
As Plainview Serenity Center Executive Director Paul Walker (left) and board
member Phil Cox (right) look on, safety officer Felix Salinas points to a mural
painted by a former client at the new Recovery Solutions, the new name for the
Serenity Center. The public is invited to an open house from 3-5 p.m. today.
Recovery Solutions is housed in the former Asgrow Seed facility on the west
access road across I-27 from Cargill Meat Solutions north of the city.
Recovery Solutions
longer invest in remodeling.”
Before 806 El Paso, the Center — which
was established in 1970 — was located in
the 800 block of Galveston and later at 11th
and Baltimore.
Serenity Center offi cials — with the prospect
of a grant with the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice — fi rst looked at building
a 50-bed, $750,000 facility near Plainview-
Hale County Airport, but that proposal drew
multiple protests from residents in the Hillcrest
area and eventually was dropped.
Walker said they then “stumbled onto”
the Asgrow building, which they bought for
$180,000. They’ve worked for the past year
getting it ready — expanding the upstairs,
building walls, installing sprinkler and sewer
systems, adding bathrooms and kitchen,
and upgrading the water system to comply
with state regulations.
“Staff, board members and probationers
did all of the remodeling,” Walker said.
Serenity Center’s current facility on El
Paso is 2,100 square feet, compared with
about 15,000 square feet at the new place.
That will allow them to double their capacity
to 24 beds.
“We won’t have a problem fi lling it up,”
said Walker, who noted that a similar facility
in Tulia known as Driskill Halfway House
recent closed its doors.
Also with the extra room, within six months
Walker plans to add programs and housing
for women and children in one of two
separate buildings on the premises. They’ll
begin working toward that once they sell the
El Paso property as well as move their outpatient
counseling program from its current
location in the 800 block of Broadway to the
Courtesy Photo
100 YEARS: Plainview’s First Church of the Nazarene,
2610 W. 20th, will celebrate its 100th anniversary
next Sunday with a service at 10:40 a.m. followed
by a luncheon. Those planning to attend are
asked to RSVP at 296-5760 or plvnazarene.org.
From Page 1A
Video available at
www.MyPlainview.com
new facility.
“Once we do that we’ll have the seed
money to start other renovations,” Walker
said, who previously pointed out that sex offenders
will not be accepted there because
Serenity Center also will have women and
children on the premises.
Another phase of the renovation will feature
remodeling a warehouse into an indoor
recreation area and remodeling another
building for use as a homeless or single-resident
facility.
Walker also wants to start a community
garden on part of the four acres.
“We’ll donate food to FISH and other local
non-profi ts,” he said.
Walker hopes to actually open the new facility
in a couple of weeks, after gaining approval
from the Texas Department of State
Health Services.
“We’re very proud of it,” he said. “I really
enjoy being out here. It’s very peaceful.”
Because of the new facility’s distance
from town, the Serenity Center bought a second
van to help in transporting clients to and
from jobs and for picking up supplies.
“That part is going to be new for us, but
we’ll learn as the days go by,” Walker said.
As diffi cult and drawn-out as the process
to relocate has been, Walker said it’s all been
worth it.
“This is the goal I’ve had since 1993. This
will benefi t our community for a long time.
We’ll probably never outgrow this facility.”
— — —
Walker, who also oversees TDCJ outpatient
programs in Lubbock and Amarillo that
are licensed for 50 clients each, said plans
have been approved for a 54-bed co-ed transitional
therapeutic community for TDCJ
offenders in Amarillo. That facility, he said,
likely will open within the year.
(Contact Kevin Lewis at 806-296-1353 or
kwlewis@hearstnp.com)
Mentors From Page 1A
out Reduction Program.
Funds for the program were
received through the Texas
Education Agency Collaborative
Dropout Reduction
Grant. The grant period began
April 1 and will continue
through Feb. 28, 2011.
The Kids for Academic
Performance & Skills
(KAPS) Mentoring Program
plans to forge partnerships
between community and
business volunteers, students
and families. The school
is encouraging community
members to be involved and
hopes to see every business,
church and organization represented
by at least one volunteer
mentor.
One hour, one day a week
is all it that is required to become
a mentor.
Any adult of good character
who is willing to give
support, guidance and encouragement
to help make
life better for a young person
can volunteer.
According to Donette Sabins,
high school instructional
coordinator, mentors will
receive one hour of training
during November with the
program scheduled to kick
Changes
From Page 1A
As a result, TxDOT offi
cials decided to focus on
the Olton Road and Dimmitt
Highway intersections,
something they estimate will
cost between $2-$3 million,
Eichorst said.
The work will involve adding
signs, adjusting traffi c
signals, resealing pavement
to remove two-way striping
and adding turnarounds.
Eichorst said the turnarounds
are “integral” to the
success of the project, especially
on the west frontage
road at Olton Road in front
of McDonald’s Restaurant
where traffi c congestion already
is a problem.
That part of the project
likely will take a couple of
years to get off the ground as
TxDOT applies for “hazard
elimination funding” from
the state.
“It will take a year to get it
into that program, and possibly
another year to get all the
plans done,” Eichorst said.
“So we’re talking about two
years in order to get that program
going.”
He said putting in additional
ramps along the interstate
— including an exit
ramp ahead of Wal-Mart
Supercenter to alleviate traffi
c congestion at Olton Road
— is not part of the hazard
elimination program.
“We have to clear that
through the Federal Highway
Administration,” Eichorst
explained.
That could be a project
for down the road, like the
changes at Southwest Third.
“Since we’re talking about
a separate structure, that’s
pretty expensive to do,”
Eichorst said, adding that
offi cials will look into it further
“as traffi c on Southwest
Third warrants it.”
off in December.
The role of the mentors is
to be a positive role model
while helping students build
self-esteem, make better life
choices, improve academics
and choose appropriate and
productive behaviors.
Mentors will meet with
their assigned student once a
week for about 30-45 minutes
at either the Plainview High
School campus or the Houston
High School campus.
The meeting will take place
in a one-on-one relaxed,
comfortable environment.
During this time, the mentor
and student will spend time
getting to know each other,
discuss a character-building
topic and play a board game
or other fun activity.
Community members
interested in joining the
mentoring program should
contact PHS counselor Valinda
Parker at 296-4051 or
at PHS, 1501 Quincy, for
further information and an
application.
“Students need everyone
willing to step up and make
a difference,” Sabins said.
“Just by giving one hour, one
day a week you can change
the life of a young person in
our community.”
(Contact Jan Seago at
jan.seago@plainview.k12.
tx.us)
The action comes after two
recent head-on accidents on
the east access road.
The fi rst occurred Sept. 27
when Michelle Meyer, 44,
of Owatonna, Minn., was
killed after failing to yield to
a semitruck that was entering
an on-ramp.
The second occurred
Wednesday afternoon when
85-year-old Clyde Dorsett
of Plainview died after failing
to yield to a pickup that
was exiting the interstate.
The driver of the pickup, 18year-old
Christopher Grant
of Lubbock, was on his way
to work at Wal-Mart Distribution
Center. Grant was
listed in serious condition
Saturday afternoon at University
Medical Center.
The accidents prompted
an e-mail and phone call
campaign to state offi cials
by local residents — spearheaded
by Kathleen Ditmore
— and helped prompt Tx-
DOT offi cials to re-evaluate
the situation after they visited
with city offi cials earlier
this summer.
“We came out with a game
plan on what we were going
to do, but these last two accidents
caused us to re-think
that,” Eichorst said.
He said most prior accidents
have been at the intersection
at Olton Road.
“We were putting most of
our emphasis there, but now
we’ve decided that maybe
we need to refocus our efforts
back on the frontage
road projects.
“It’s really unfortunate
when you have one accident.
You think, OK, potentially
this could have been driver
error,” he added. “But when
you have two accidents . . .
“We want to make sure we
provide as safe an environment
as possible.”
(Contact Kevin Lewis at
806-296-1353 or kwlewis@
hearstnp.com)
Man in his 70s robs bank
SAN DIEGO (AP) — A
man in his 70s has robbed a
bank branch inside a San Diego
supermarket.
Police say the man handed
a teller a note demanding
cash. The man said he had
a gun, but no weapon was
seen. He escaped with an undisclosed
amount of cash.
Investigators say the suspect
may be responsible for
two other similar robberies.
In one, a suspect with a similar
description was carrying
an oxygen tank.