Hood County News from Granbury, Texas • Page 2

2A Hood County News FROM PAGE ONE Wednesday, August 24, 2011 www.hcnews.com CIRCULATION For delivery or billing questions, subscriptions and vacation stops Phone 817-573-7066 or 817-279-9718 Delivery in county: Granbury, Lipan, Tolar, Paluxy, Cresson, Bluff Dale, Glen Rose, Rainbow and Nemo 6 mo 1 Year $45 2 Years 3 Years $118 Delivery to remainder of Texas: 6 mo 1 Year $65 2 Years 3 Years $169 Delivery to out of state: 6 mo 1 Year $89 2 Years 3 Years $239 CLASSIFIED Have a car to sell? Want to rent your house? Planning a garage sale? Phone: Metro Toll Free: Fax: email: Classifi ed billing questions? Call 817-573-7066 and ask for classifi ed billing. CLASSIFIED DEADLINES Wednesday issue ...................1 p.m. Monday Saturday issue ......................1 p.m. Thursday RETAIL ADVERTISING The Hood County News P.O. Box 879 1501 S.

Morgan St. Granbury, Texas 76048 Other questions? Call 817-573-7066 or 817-279-9718 Penny Holloway executive Lisa Riley executive Karen Chandler executive Bonnie Espin assistant www.hcnews.com INFO 125th Year USPS 249-520 P.O. Box 879 1501 S. Morgan St. Granbury, TX 76048 www.hcnews.com Phone: 817-573-7066 Fax: 817-279-8371 The HOOD COUNTY NEWS is published at 1501 S.

Morgan Granbury, TX 76048 twice a week. Periodicals postage paid at Granbury, Tx. 76048. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the HOOD COUNTY NEWS, P.O. Box 879, Granbury, Tx.

76048. Any erroneous refl ection upon character, standing or reputation of any person, fi rm or corporation, which may occur in the HOOD COUNTY NEWS will be gladly corrected once brought to the attention of publisher or editor. The publisher is not responsible for copy omissions or typographical errors that may occur other than to correct them in the nearest issue after it is brought to his attention and in no case does the publisher hold himself liable for damages further than the amount received by him for actual space covering the error. The HOOD COUNTY NEWS is an award-winning member of the Texas Press Association, North East Texas Press, West Texas Press and National Newspaper Association. Publisher, Jerry Tidwell Asst.

publisher, Joe Thompson manager, Rick Craig Editor, Roger Enlow Sports editor, Rick Mauch Press, Dan Martin or Vincent Hernandez Newspaper In Education, Martha Pyron WELCOME TO THE HOOD COUNTY NEWS 2011 Hood County News, All Rights Reserved HOW TO CONTACT US YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OPINION POLL LOOKING BACK 30 years ago, 1981: Texas State Representative Bruce Gibson was the speaker at the Hood-Somervell County Farm annual convention and BBQ dinner. 20 years ago, 1991: Granbury ISD enrollment increased 393 over the previous year to 5,274. 10 years ago, 2001: Thirteen-year-old Dana Vollmer qualifi ed for the Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia. Wed Moresun thanclouds. Highs101to 105Fand lowsinthe low80s.

Thu Moresun thanclouds. Highs102to 106Fand lowsinthe low80s. Fri Plentyofsun. Highs104to 108Fand lowsinthe low80s. Sat Mainly sunny.Highs 105to109F andlowsin theupper 70s.

Sun Abundant sunshine. Highs104to 108Fand lowsinthe upper70s. How will Gov. Rick Perry do running for president? He will win the White House, 97 votes. He will get the nomination but lose, 62 votes.

He get the nomination, 89 votes. The new question is: Do you plan to see Willie Nelson in concert in Granbury Nov. 12? To vote go to the Hood County News website www.hc- news.com and click on Poll near the top of the page. Results and a new question will be in next issue. CORRECTION The date of a headline was incorrect in the Aug.

17 issue. The education class begins Tuesday, Sept. 6. Call 817-408-4083 for information. In the Aug.

20 issue, Stephen Wayne Johnson, 55, of Granbury, was reported as a former paid employee of the Boys Girls Clubs of Hood County. Actually, Johnson had been contracted to do book- work off -site for the Boys Girls Clubs of Hood County, according to board president David Orcutt. BY KATHY CRUZ HOOD COUNTY NEWS The Hood County Commissioners Court, at its regular meeting Tuesday morning, was expected to take action designed to move the planned Cresson bypass forward. County Judge Darrell Cockerham said the agenda item dealt with the contract for the engineering firm as well as a letter to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Precinct 4 Commissioner Steve Berry said the planned letter to TxDOT will be a request that the agency expedite the required environmental study.

Such studies can take as long as 18 months, he said. Both Berry and Precinct 3 Commissioner Leonard Heathington have taken leading roles in seeking solutions to traffic tie-ups that often occur in Cresson at the intersection of Highways 377 and 171. A number of other city and county officials also have been working to solve the problem. Earlier this summer, state transportation officials agreed to give almost $30 million for a bypass in Cresson through pass-through finance program. The program allows local officials to prioritize and accelerate projects that are important to their communities, financing the projects with reimbursement from the state based on other traffic counts.

Those involved in the planning have determined that an overpass or tunnel at the intersection would be cost prohibitive, so they instead are focusing on a bypass around the railroad crossing. Rail cars frequently cause traffic to back up at the intersection. Berry said the Commissioners Court does not want the county to begin paying engineering fees and other expenses until TxDOT is ready to give the construction phase the green light. 817-573-7066, ext 258 County to ask TxDOT to expedite Cresson study MARY VINSON HOOD COUNTY NEWS A FEW POINTERS BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS: Granbury head coach Scotty Pugh gives some instructions to his players during preseason workouts. The Pirates open the regular season Friday at Saginaw at 7:30 p.m., the fi rst of six road games.

Their home opener is against Carrollton Turner on Sept. 9. The Pirates are trying to make back-to-back playoff appearances for the fi rst time since 1976-77, and are picked to do so by Campbell's Texas magazine. and fourth in 7-4A, return strength on the offensive line, anchored by all-state senior Johnny Shepard, his twin brother Jason Shepard and junior Micah Smith. They will be leading the blocking for featured back Brandon Davis, a senior who rushed 982 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2010 despite missing the first two games.

have a lot of confidence in those said head coach Scotty Pugh. can open up some pretty big holes, and Brandon can certainly run through The Pirates will play six road games this season, including opening the season with back- to-back road games at Saginaw and Trophy Club Nelson. Last season at home the Pirates blanked visiting Saginaw 26-0, first shutout since 2004 and first season-opening win since 2006. They lost at home to Nelson, 14-13, the first varsity win. Granbury play a home game until Sept.

9 when the Pirates host Carrollton Turner. season when we announced the schedule, folks were excited about the six home games, but now comes the said Pugh. we played well on the road last season (3-2), so I think be Tolar, which lost 33-22 at Olney last season, was 2-8 in its 2A debut season, and FOOTBALL FROM PAGE ONE CASE: DA going for 40 years in sex case FROM PAGE ONE CITY: Reinstating job performances FROM PAGE ONE LIFE: Cancer victim helping others cope FROM PAGE ONE SCHOOL: School superintendents expect more students to enroll in coming days FROM PAGE ONE BY KATHY CRUZ HOOD COUNTY NEWS The Historic Granbury Merchants Association (HGMA) is inviting all those with a stake or an interest in tourism to attend a seminar next week at the Granbury Resort Conference Center. The featured speaker will be Jim Petrick, a professor at Texas University, whose research on tourism has netted him a number of prestigious awards. A research study done this year named Petrick as the second most prolific tourism researcher in the world, and number one in the U.S., according to HGMA President Scott Young.

The seminar will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31, with dinner from 5 to 6. Cost for the dinner will be $10; the seminar itself is free. HGMA is paying fee.

The Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) and the Convention and Visitors Bureau are providing the space at the Conference Center. Those wishing to attend are asked to reserve a seat and pay in advance. Call HGMA Events Coordinator Brenda Hyde at 817-573-5299. The HGMA offices are located in Suite C101 at Granbury Square Plaza, 201 E. Pearl St.

Tourism seminar set for next week Christian said. was not a plea bargain. There never has been any plea bargain discussed in this All four remaining offenses are second-degree felonies. The penalty range for each of those four counts is 2-20 years, plus a fine of up to $10,000. Johnson, 55, would serve at least half his sentence before he can be released on parole.

Johnson had signed a guilty plea memorandum, Judge Walton noted Monday. He asked Johnson if he wished to change his plea to not guilty, waiving his right to a trial by jury and agreeing to have the case decided by the judge. Johnson replied. defense attorney, Richard Hattox, said he had known of likely decision to plead guilty for some time. is what we believed the outcome would be for an extended period of Hattox said.

decision was motivated by a desire to minimize the impact on the victims and their families, as well as own Walton said he would hear evidence starting yesterday morning, to be followed by the punishment hearing. bond was revoked on order, and he was placed in handcuffs by the bailiff. Johnson had been free on bond. The Count 1 indictment was for an alleged June 1, 2003, sexual assault of a child in which the defendant was accused of performing a sex act on a 16-year-old boy. The other three incidents counts 3, 5 and 6 were charges of indecency with a child stemming from the alleged act of the defendant touching underage boys.

The offense named in Count 3 was against the same 16-year-old on the same date as Count 1. Count 5, from an alleged offense on June 1, 1996, involved a 10-year-old victim. Count 6 was alleged to be a similar act against a 12-year- old on June 1, 1995. Count 2, the one dropped, involved the same 16-year-old victim cited in Count 1 and was a related offense allegedly involving sexual performance of a child, also on June 1, 2003. Count 4, also dropped, involved touching of a 13-year- old victim in an offense alleged to have occurred on Aug.

27, 1997. was a different victim than the other Christian said. victim was reluctant to come forward, and we lost contact with Christian had said he was recommending the maximum prison time, which would have been 40 years. m.wilson@hcnews.com 817-573-7066, ext. 254.

in. Meter reading, which used to be under the Public Works department, will now be under Mauldin, as will trash collection, utility billing, health inspections and code enforcement. Also, all building inspections will now be under Public Works. Before, there were inspectors in two different city departments. McKethan said he intends to hire an executive assistant for his office, as well as a human resources director.

Within the next couple of months, he also hopes to hire an assistant city manager who will oversee police and fire services, information systems and tourism. McKethan said he intends to place heavy emphasis on tourism when interviewing for the new position. He said he is looking for someone with a degree in business administration who has marketing expertise. In other changes, McKethan is reinstating employee performance evaluations, which he said have not been done He said he did not know why the former city manager stopped doing the evaluations. Three city employees besides McKethan receive job reviews from the City Council.

They are the city secretary, the municipal judge and the city attorney. The council was slated to conduct an evaluation of the city secretary during closed session last night. 817-573-7066, ext. 258 the Rattlers are hoping for better things in 2011 with five offensive and six defensive starters back. The greatest returning strength appears to be on the offensive and defensive lines.

The Rattlers were competitive in the majority of their losses last season, and coach Mike Franklin is hoping that experience will translate into turning those close games into victories. Happy Hill moved back to TAPPS Six-Man Division II last season after several seasons in Division I. The Pioneers were only 2-7, but did advance to the playoffs. With four offensive and four defensive starters, second-year coach Saul Tercero said his team is ready to move up higher than fourth in district. At Cornerstone, folks are ready for their varsity debut.

Coach Bobby Johnson said this day has been anticipated a long time by the Crusaders, who had 17 players report for preseason workouts. Cornerstone has been successful at the junior high level, including going 8-2 last season. ext. 256 severe neck injuries. She been able to work since.

In a strange twist, that injury set her up to not be a candidate for surgery when her cancer diagnosis came last summer. In April 2008, when undergoing another surgery on her neck, Hounshell lapsed into a coma because of anesthesia complications. She wake up, she said, until July 14. Now, no anesthesiologist will touch her. But just as well, Houn- shell said.

The colon cancer spread quickly, anyway, and is now in her lungs and liver. Even if had the surgery, her chances for survival were slim. And she would have had to endure chemotherapy and radiation, which would have lessened her quality of life. would just rather enjoy what time got Hounshell said. looked back over my life, and I just decided I was going to take each day at a time and live it as full as I Hounshell said her life is richest when she is helping others, and she feels that being needed is a way to extend her life.

She invites any Hood County resident suffering from adversity to email her at mail.com. Helping others face challenges is how she wants to busy herself in the days she has left. There will be time enough for sleep. 817-573-7066, ext. 258 Now, Mayfield said, some of those students are returning to Granbury.

The superintendent said on opening day, had a very smooth start and things are going enrollment was 294 at Lipan, an increase of 14. anticipate having a few late registration Superintendent Cindy Edwards said. first day is always a little hectic, but it has gone very first-day enrollment Monday was 589, up two from last year. are very pleased with our first-day Superintendent Bruce Gibbs said. have an increase at the high school and the elementary from last first day.

Our numbers are down at the junior high as expected due to the large eighth-grade class that Gibbs expects enrollment to increase. expect these numbers to go he said. the increase in students will help our At charter school, high school enrollment was 133, about the same as last opening day. The school has middle schoolers for the first time. Those students totaled 18.

ext. 245.