Texas will celebrate Teaming With Wildlife Week Sep. 4-12 to mark the 10th anniversary of the federal State Wildlife Grants (SWG) program. Since 2000, this funding source has provided more than $30 million for Texas to help fish and wildlife and their habitats, including species that are not hunted or fished.

Nationwide, the program has provided federal funding for conservation projects totaling more than $573 million to state agencies such as Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which has received about $3 million per year for Texas conservation in the past decade. Since TPWD has had to match federal grant dollars by at least 35 percent, total on-the-ground conservation funding for Texas is actually more than $40 million since 2000.

The Brownwood Parks & Recreation Department will be conducting a free “NFL Punt, Pass, and Kick Competition” on Thursday September 2nd 2010 at 6:30pm at Coggin Park – 2001 Austin Ave. The competition is open for boys & girls ages 6 to 15.

There are five age divisions for boys & girls they are: 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, and 14-15 based upon the child’s age as of December 31st of the current year. The top finisher in each of the boys’ and girls’ divisions from the five age brackets will advance to the Sectional round.

District Attorney Micheal Murray reports that several felony cases were recently heard in Brown/Mills County District Court, Judge Stephen Ellis presiding.

• Michael Dean Hathcock pled guilty to the felony offense of Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity and was sentenced to Thirty (30) Years, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division.  Further Hathcock pled guilty to the felony offense of Delivery of a Controlled Substance and was sentenced to Twenty (20) Years, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division.
• Joe Wayne Bastardo pled guilty to the felony offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver and was sentenced to Fifteen (15) Years, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division.

Brownwood school officials are facing what they consider a “good problem to have” with high enrollment numbers and limited space, especially in their elementary schools.

Total enrollment at BISD as of Monday is 3596 students which is up 56 students from just last Monday.  Although many of the students coming into the district are from several grade levels, the elementary schools are shuffling students to help make room.  Some students who had transferred from outside the district to East Elementary have been given the choice to either go to Northwest Elementary or go back to their home districts due to high enrollment. Due to some of the schools being at or near capacity, the school district has even had to turn some transfer requests down altogether..

After the opening week of high school football, area Big Country schools have managed to shake up the Top 25 Harris Ratings.

Leading the way are the Brownwood Lions who are coming off a 56-19 win over Gatesville which vaulted the Lions to the top spot in Class 3A.

Meanwhile the Wylie Bulldogs fell two spots to no. 14 while the Snyder Tigers jumped six spots to no. 24.

In Class 5A Abilene High falls two spots to no. 3 after kicking off the season as the top team in Texas despite beating Belton 37-26 in the Texas Football Classic.

Law Enforcement arrests and reports released Monday, August 30, 2010.

Wednesday, August 25

*A Brownwood Police officer was approached while on duty at Brownwood High School regarding an iPhone that had been stolen last year.  According to the report, information was obtained and the investigation started with a suspect being named and the iPhone being returned.   Investigation is ongoing to determine if there are additional suspect in the theft.

Friday, August 27

*Brownwood Police arrested 22-year-old Keshia Marie Camp Slate for Resisting Arrest and CPF/Failure to Maintain Financial Responsibility.

*At 8:43pm, Brownwood Police were called to the 3300 block of N US 183 regarding an assault.  After an investigation, it was determined a male subject has been assaulted during an altercation on N US 183 the report states.  No arrest had been made at the time of the report.

The Brownwood ISD Board of Trustees approved the school’s budget for the 2010-2011 school year in a special called meeting on Monday night.

The board unanimously approved the new budget of $25,582,771 for the new school year which is a 2.71% increase over last year.  The board also approved a budget of $1,819,000 for food services, and $3,015,433 for debt service.   

The new budget includes a minimum salary increase of $600 per year for professional employees and a 3 percent increase for auxiliary employees.

Over the weekend, a Texas Department of Public Safety patrol unit was vandalized while being stored at a local dealership for repairs.

Employees of Big Country Ford in Brownwood found the patrol car Monday morning with damage that included smashed windows & light bar, slashed tires, and a stolen battery.  At least 11 other vehicles suffered tire damage as well according to initial reports.

“Twenty three tires were slashed and they damaged one navigation unit just for fun,” stated Mauri Peyton, Big Country Ford owner and dealer.

At approximately 9:45 am Monday, DPS Trooper Chris Delgado initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 1000 block of W. Commerce for suspicion of drunk driving.  During the traffic stop, field sobriety tests were administered which indicated the driver was intoxicated.  A search of the vehicle was conducted where the missing battery from the DPS patrol unit was found in the vehicle’s trunk.

Reports released for the week of August 22nd through August 28th, 2010 from Brownwood Fire Department indicate response to 31 medical emergencies, 2 motor vehicle accidents, 1 false alarm, 1 faulty alarm, 3 fire calls, 1 electrical problem and 4 hazardous material calls.

Calls of interest included:

Sunday, August 22

*At 3:30pm BFD responded to a fire on CR 225, Jordan Springs Cemetery, approximately 30 acre wild land fire.

Monday, August 23

*At 8:49am BFD responded to San Benito Dr. regarding a gas meter that was broken and leaking gas.  The leak was controlled, contained and Atmos was notified.

This month there are two opportunities locally to be a hero, donate blood and save a life!

To donate blood at either of these drives, you can also click here to schedule your appointment and save a life.

(Please bring your photo ID and donor card if you have previously donated.  Free cholesterol testing with every donation!).

 

Tuesday,September 7th:

CARE Nursing Center Bloodmobile

12:00pm - 03:00 pm
200 CR 616
Brownwood, TX 76802

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has chosen Brownwood High School as a “Best Practices” model for Whole-School Strategies for Improvement.  BHS was one of only nine high schools selected in the State as a Best Practices school.

“It’s really quite an honor,” said High School Principal, Bill Faircloth.

The Best Practices Clearinghouse identifies schools that are excelling in a particular area and investigates what makes them successful.  An in-depth report is generated on each Best Practices school, so that others can learn from their methods of achievement.