The remains of Tropical Store Hermine swept across the area Tuesday and Wednesday bringing some much needed rain to Brown County.  Rain totals between 3” to 5” were reported across the county.

Wind from the storm got up to 40 mph causing downing of some tree branches.  Official also received reports of several downed power lines around the county causing some minor power outages, but no major damage was reported as a result of the storm.  As usual, residents could see city workers scurrying around keeping an eye on intersections and putting out barriers to warn drivers of rising waters on Brownwood city streets Tuesday night.

The Howard Payne men’s and women’s cross country teams started their 2010 season at the Hardin-Simmons University Cross Country Short Course this weekend and both teams had strong showings.  The HSU short Course was a 2 mile run for the women and 3 mile run for the men. 

HPU Carissa Zarate was able to medal finishing 7th overall.  The women’s team finished 2nd with all HPU runners finishing in the top 20 (13th, 17th, 19th, and 20th).

Military and overseas voters are now able to request blank balloting materials for the November 2 election to be sent to them by email, following new rules put in place by the Texas Secretary of State.

“A large number of our United States Military Forces call Texas home,” said Secretary Andrade. “It is of upmost importance to me and my office that these brave men and women have the opportunity to participate in our nation’s democratic process. I am pleased that these new rules modernize the process to ensure the secure and expedited transmission of ballots and I encourage our military and overseas voters to take advantage of these new simple voting procedures.”

The American Southwest Conference today announced it volleyball players of the week and Howard Payne's Tamika Heline was honored as the West Division Offensive Player of the Week.

The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February. Post your Brown County reports with this story on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/brownwoodnews

North Zone Dove: Plowed corn fields along the Red River in Lamar County held limits of mourning doves throughout the weekend around Paris. Soybeans were good as well. Grain fields north of Fort Worth enjoyed good hunts around tanks in the afternoon. Best hunts in the High Plains have been in harvested corn and milo fields in the morning. Playa lakes adjacent to agriculture fields have been best in the afternoon, though an abundance of water is not concentrating birds. Sunflowers and plowed ground have held most of the doves in the Abilene and Lubbock areas. Late-week rains from Hermine should put a damper on the flight. The season runs through Oct. 24. Prospects are fair to good.

The winners of the Brownwood Parks & Recreation NFL Punt, Pass, & Kick held on Thursday September 2, 2010 at Coggin Park have been announced and are now qualified for the NFL Punt, Pass, & Kick Sectional Competition which will be held October 23rd at McMurry Football Stadium at 10am.  If they are in the top 4 scorers of all the Sectional Competitions they will advance to Team Championship where they would compete at halftime of a Dallas Cowboy Game.

Wide eyed with big hopes and dreams…that’s how I would describe the three students from Amy’s Dance Academy that traveled to New York for an intense training workshop for dance, voice and acting.  Beautiful girls that have always felt they had something more burning in their hearts, waiting to be discovered, got the chance to learn from some of the biggest names in show business.  They learned not only how to be better at their particular art, but also how to improve their health, mental well being and self esteem.

In a tie-breaker vote, the Brownwood city council opted not to pursue another protest regarding the recently renewed alcohol sales permit at the Food Plaza convenience store located on Southside Drive.   Appointed Judge and County Commissioner Larry Traweek signed a judgment on August 31st granting renewal of the alcohol sales permit of the store.  The decision to grant the renewal was a result of a special hearing held on August 19th where the City of Brownwood and Brownwood ISD had previously issued protests of the permit’s renewal.

Mayor Stephen Haynes issued the tie breaking vote in Tuesday’s city council meeting to not seek another protest hearing and allow the alcohol sales permit to stand.  Haynes said that the chances of winning another protest were unlikely and not worth the expense.   (CLICK HERE for more information about the recent protest ruling.)

Law Enforcement arrests and reports released Tuesday, September 7, 2010.

Thursday, September 2

*6:07pm-Brownwood Police were dispatched to the 400 block of W. Commerce in reference to a hit and run accident investigation in a local store parking lot.  According to the report, the complainant came out of the store and found his vehicle had been damaged.  No suspect or suspect vehicle information was known at the time of the report.

Friday, September 3

*Bangs Police arrested 39-year-old Michael Boatright of Carlsbad, TX for Public Intoxication.

* Texas Department of Public Safety arrested 29-year-old Graciela Castaneda Castillo for Driving While Intoxicated with Child Under 15 years of age.

*Brownwood Police arrested 17-year-old Joe Jay Gaines for Disorderly Conduct-Fighting.

The center of tropical storm Hermine was near San Antonio midday Tuesday. The latest track from the National Hurricane Center brings the center of the storm near Abilene around daybreak Wednesday morning. This is east of the previous track.

Tropical systems have a tendency to redevelop very heavy rainfall near their centers during the early morning hours. Rainfall amounts of 3 to 4 inches are likely along its path, with locally heavy amounts to 6 inches. Brady, San Saba, Brownwood, Coleman, Abilene, Baird, Albany, Throckmorton and Anson should be especially alert to the potential for heavy early morning rainfall.

The Howard Payne University volleyball team had a strong opening of their season this weekend at the Virginia Wesleyan College Tournament.

Howard Payne went 3-1 in the tournament with their only loss to host Virginia Wesleyan 0-3 (25-21, 25-8, 25-16). The Lady Jackets picked up wins over Gwnedd-Mercy College 3-0 (25-9, 25-21, 25-22), Hollins University 3-0 (25-9, 25-21, 25-22), and Mount Aloysius College 3-0 (25-8, 25-14, 25-16).

Tamika Heline was named to the All-Tournament team recording 41 kills, 10 service aces, and a .259 attack pct in the four games. Kristin Hammond had a solid tournament as well with 40 digs.

Heline was honored as the ASC West Division Offensive Player of the Week.