October 16, 2015

Police Report: Johnny Manziel pulled over during domestic argument, admits to drinking

AVON, Ohio - Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel, was pulled over by Avon police after police said a domestic argument got out of hand on Interstate 90 westbound earlier in the week.

Police said alcohol was involved. The argument took place between Manziel and his Texas Christian University girlfriend Colleen Elizabeth Crowley.

According to a four-page police report obtained exclusively by newsnet5.com, both were drinking but were not charged.

-snip-

According to the report, a witness called police after seeing Manziel's white Nissan use the shoulder of the road to pass her at a high speed.

Read more and watch video: http://www.newsnet5.com/sports/police-report-johnny-manziel-pulled-over-during-domestic-argument-admits-to-drinking

October 15, 2015

Hidden Pines fire has destroyed 34 homes, but only 25% contained 5:34 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015 |

Bastrop County officials have confirmed that 34 homes and structures have been lost in the Hidden Pines fire.

The amount of homes lost has multiplied since Wednesday, but firefighters appeared to be making progress with the fire’s containment, which is now estimated at 25 percent. It has burned 4,383 acres.

Weather conditions have been more favorable for battling the fire, with relative humidity rising to 23 percent. The stronger winds expected this afternoon did not materialize, Bastrop County officials said.

Some homeowners on Keller and Powell roads will be allowed to return to their homes Thursday night.

Read more: http://www.statesman.com/news/news/state-regional/bastrop-county-fire-spreads-to-4200-acres-only-15-/nn3m7/

October 15, 2015

Seminole ISD superintendent arrested on suspicion of drunken driving, was in district-owned vehicle

SEAGRAVES — Seminole’s school superintendent was arrested Wednesday night in Seagraves on suspicion of drunken driving.

Gary Laramore, 42, is charged with driving while intoxicated, according to the Seagraves Police Department’s Facebook page.

Officers stopped Laramore in a white Chevrolet Suburban at Second Street and Railroad Avenue after they received a complaint of him driving recklessly. They noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage, then gave him field sobriety tests, which police said he failed.

The vehicle belonged to Seminole ISD, Seagraves Police Chief Scott McAuley said, leaving no mystery about the suspect’s employer.

Read more: http://lubbockonline.com/crime-and-courts/crime/2015-10-15/update-seminole-isd-superintendent-arrested-suspicion-drunken#.ViAHnyvziBY

October 15, 2015

Texas students can soon bring guns to dorm room. Here’s what they can’t bring

Texas public colleges will allow firearms on campus next year, but as long as nothing changes in student handbooks, water and Nerf guns will remain banned.

Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill permitting concealed carry at public universities this summer. The controversial law will go into effect Aug. 1, the 50th anniversary of the Charles Whitman shooting at the University of Texas at Austin that killed 16 people. It also passed during a year where more than 20 shootings have taken place on college campuses, including one in Oregon last month that killed nine.

Students will need a concealed carry permit and to be 21 years or older. Across the U.S., eight states have laws that allow firearms on campus. Only 19 states have outright bans, while the rest let colleges devise their own policies.

Student handbooks at Texas public schools show an interesting juxtaposition between the items that will stay banned from dorm rooms while guns will be legal. See the items that colleges specifically an in the gallery. The majority of the prohibited objects are considered fire hazards.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/education/article/Texas-students-can-soon-bring-guns-to-dorm-room-6572147.php

October 15, 2015

Debate Wrap Up: Let’s Give Fox the Last Word

And now for something completely different.

My nomination for best post-debate commentary goes to Megyn Kelly and Charles Krauthammer on Fox “News.”

Megan Kelly:

It’s different to see the candidates up there not going after each other anywhere near (sic) as much as we saw in the Republican debate, so is this a better process for Democrats than it is for Republicans who emerged, you know, with more damage after their debate?

Before you quote tweet this with “What she said” as your cute addendum, check out how Charles answered Megyn.

Read more: http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/31178/debate-wrap-up-lets-give-fox-the-last-word

October 15, 2015

Murder charge expected in fatal shooting outside AT&T stadium after Cowboys game

FORT WORTH -- A 43-year-old man shot in the neck after a football game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Sunday died Wednesday night.

Richard Sells, 43, of Royce City, was pronounced dead at 8:44 p.m. at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office reported.

He was taken off life support earlier in the day, his family said in a statement on Facebook.

Sells was shot during a fight in Lot 10 of the stadium parking lot about 8:20 p.m., nearly two hours after the Dallas Cowboys lost to the New England Patriots.

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/arlington/article39250488.html#storylink=cpy

Earlier thread:
Suspect in custody, victim taken to hospital after parking lot shooting following Cowboys game (Texas Group) October 11, 2015
Suspect in custody, victim taken to hospital after parking lot shooting following Cowboys game (Sports Group) October 11, 2015

October 15, 2015

High-speed rail would spur billions in economic benefits

An impact study commissioned by the developers of a high-speed train between Dallas and Houston says the project will spur $36 billion in economic benefits over 25 years – and will pour hundreds of millions of dollars into government coffers each year.

Texas Central Partners today released the major findings of the study, which for the first time attached estimated figures to the bullet train’s potential economic effects.

Company CEO Tim Keith said in an interview that he pleasantly surprised about “how substantial and long-lasting the project will be on the state’s economy.”

Because Texas Central is a private company, its property and infrastructure is taxable, unlike tax-funded rail lines or highways. That means the company will have to pay property taxes to cities, school districts and counties for the entire length of its track between the two metropolitan areas. Those rural counties between the two cities is home to several people who oppose the project.

Read more: http://transportationblog.dallasnews.com/2015/10/study-high-speed-rail-would-spur-billions-in-economic-benefits.html/

October 15, 2015

Follow-up: Texas assistant coach gets leniency after hit on referee

ROUND ROCK, Texas — Texas high school sports officials showed leniency Thursday after a former assistant football coach denied ordering two players to blindside a referee but acknowledged making comments that may have unintentionally instigated the hit.

In doling out final penalties for the Sept. 4 incident, the University Interscholastic League suspended former San Antonio John Jay assistant Mack Breed for the rest of the school year and placed him on two years' probation. Breed could have been suspended for up to three years, but UIL officials said his willingness to testify helped reduce the sanctions.

Breed said he wanted to "clear my name" and got choked up when defending himself.

Head coach Gary Guttierez was given a public reprimand and two years' probation and the two players involved were suspended from all sports or extracurricular activities for the rest of the academic year.

Read more: http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/sports/texas-board-to-consider-sanctions-in-hit-on-refere/nn3fx/

Earlier threads:
Roughing the referee--San Antonio Jay High School under investigation by the UIL September 6, 2015
John Jay High School football players suspended for referee attack September 23, 2015
San Antonio John Jay HS assistant coach resigns amid UIL ban after football players assault referee September 24, 2015

October 15, 2015

Texas education commissioner will resign Jan. 1

Texas Commissioner of Education Michael Williams will resign effective Jan. 1, according to a letter he sent to Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday.

Williams, who has been the head of the state’s public education system since 2012, said he will be returning to Arlington. Before becoming the education commissioner, he was a member of the Railroad Commission of Texas.

“While carrying out my responsibilities, I have kept my house in Arlington and managed to maintain a long-distance partnership with my wife. But after more than 16 years of weekend commuting, I feel it is finally time to simply head home,” he said.

This is the second public education leadership shakeup this month. On Oct. 2, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced that he would be resigning in December.

Read more: http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local-education/texas-education-commissioner-will-resign-jan-1/nn3xb/

October 15, 2015

Battle looming over Colorado immigrant driver’s licenses

DENVER — Colorado immigrant advocates frustrated over long waiting periods for people who want driver’s licenses regardless of their immigration status vowed to pressure lawmakers in the coming months to free up money so the program can meet demand.

A coalition of immigrant rights groups said this week that they would be lobbying lawmakers to allow more offices to issue the special licenses, but they will have a difficult time convincing Republicans who dislike the program and have gained control over half of Colorado’s Legislature.

The GOP has fought back in other states that give licenses to those in the U.S. illegally or with temporary legal status. In New Mexico, Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, the nation’s only Latina governor, has tried to repeal the law a number of times, but her efforts have stalled in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

Ten states and the District of Columbia have such programs, which supporters say help keep immigrants insured and informed about the rules of the road. Opponents argue that the licenses condone illegal behavior.

Read more: http://www.abqjournal.com/659876/news/nm-news/battle-looming-over-colorado-immigrant-drivers-licenses.html