October 1, 2013

Michael Brown's divorce trial sidelined by bankruptcy case

Insurance has lapsed on this yacht purchased by former hand surgeon Michael Brown with $715,000 in financing from Iberia Bank, according to court documents.

Michael Brown's divorce from his fourth wife, Rachel Brown, has been delayed by his bankruptcy case.

Scheduled to begin Sept. 30 in Harris County's 309th State District Court, the former hand surgeon's divorce trial is on hold until the stay triggered by the bankruptcy case is lifted, a court official said.

Michael Brown, who now lives in Miami, has not yet returned to Houston, officials said.

Brown filed for bankruptcy in January in Florida but withdrew the request the next month. The case was reinstated Sept. 23 with a transfer from Miami to Houston.

More at http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Michael-Brown-s-divorce-trial-sidelined-by-4860127.php?cmpid=hpts .

October 1, 2013

All Dallas ISD students will now get free breakfast and lunch

Every Dallas ISD student will be able to eat meals at school for free, the district announced Tuesday.

The district got approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which manages the free and reduced school meals program, to let all DISD students no longer have to pay. The change is expected to save the district money by eliminating about 40 temporary positions and reducing paperwork.

“It’s a wonderful benefit,” said Dora Rivas, DISD’s executive director of food and child nutrition services. “It’s about paperwork and efficiencies, but I think the biggest winners in this are going to be students.”

The new program applies to every student, whether they are from a low-income family or not. It only applies to meals and not snacks and other items. It started Tuesday.

More at http://educationblog.dallasnews.com/2013/10/all-dallas-isd-students-will-now-get-free-breakfast-and-lunch.html/ .

October 1, 2013

Fredericksburg students crown a friend with Down syndrome

Libby Klein, left, stands with her escort Lane Williams after being crowned Homecoming Queen of Fredericksburg High School Saturday night.

FREDERICKSBURG — After spending the weekend as royalty, Libby Klein resumed her friendly, upbeat and down-to-earth existence Monday at Fredericksburg High School.

But the euphoria persists from the affectionate gesture of classmates who elected her homecoming queen Friday during halftime of the Billies' 16-13 defeat of the Llano Yellow Jackets.

“The crown makes me feel perfect,” said Klein, a senior with Down syndrome. “I wanted the crown so badly because I didn't have one.”

Klein, 19, was the clear winner over four other would-be queens for the honorary title that this year carries special significance.

More at http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Fredericksburg-students-crown-a-friend-with-Down-4857696.php .

October 1, 2013

Thief claims underwear selection was not to his ‘liking’ in 1 of 7 panty raids

MIDLAND, TEXAS--A Midland thief with an apparent penchant for women’s panties perused a former classmate’s unmentionables, but found that “none were to his liking,” according to his arrest affidavit.

Samuel Castrellon, 22, of Midland, was being held on a $25,000 bond for a first-degree felony charge of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit another felony. He posted bond and was released on Friday.

Castrellon was arrested Aug. 29 on a second-degree felony charge of burglary of a habitation for breaking into a residence. He gave a recorded confession and admitted to burglarizing seven different homes, according to the affidavit.

Castrellon does not burglarize homes for jewelry or electronics, but for women’s underwear, according to the report. In all of the alleged burglaries, Castrellon knew the women, watched their homes and when the opportunity presented itself, he entered the homes to steal their underwear, according to the affidavit.

Castrellon said during one of the burglaries at a residence in the 4300 block of Pasadena Drive, he jumped the fence and broke the back door window and entered the house. But he didn’t take any panties because “none were to his liking,” according to the report.

More at http://www.mywesttexas.com/news/crime/article_c480c9c2-27ef-11e3-bdb5-001a4bcf887a.html .

[font color=green]As an accomplice in the traditional panty raids of college life it is necessary to point out that beggars can't be choosers when pilfering ladies panties. FWIW, all of the panties were willingly provided by the female coeds and none of them were at risk of harm.[/font]

October 1, 2013

Anthony Bourdain attacks NM 'Frito pie' dish

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Insults dished out by food critic Anthony Bourdain on an episode of CNN's "Parts Unknown" have stirred up outrage in New Mexico.

The sharp-tongued chef and writer lashed into the "World Famous" Frito pies sold at Santa Fe's Five & Dime General Store's snack bar - a tourist attraction and a mainstay in the city's historic plaza.

The dish, according to Bourdain, tasted as if it were made with canned Hormel Chili and a "day-glow orange cheese-like substance."

He also charged that the local favorite isn't even a New Mexico meal, but rather a Texas creation. He said New Mexicans should leave the recipe to the Texans.

"New Mexico, you have many wonderful things," Bourdain said. "I think, let Texas have this one."

More at http://www.elpasotimes.com/latestnews/ci_24206132/anthony-bourdain-attacks-nm-frito-pie-dish .

October 1, 2013

Ted Cruz Wants To Replace Obama, Not Obamacare

Ted Cruz doesn't want to replace Obamacare, he wants to replace President Obama.

Ted Cruz made his appearance at this year's Texas Tribune Festival in front of a "Come and Take It" flag, ironically it was via Skype and he was actually in Washington D.C. It was though, the perfect metaphor for a conversation that gave insight into the real reasons behind his grand stand on the Senate floor -- his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.

This act of self-aggrandizement has drawn some parallels to what Wendy Davis did this summer but besides polar opposite motivations (preserving access to care vs. denying it) Ted Cruz defied both his party and the majority of individuals who do not support the Affordable Care Act.

Even though Texas has the highest uninsured population, Cruz will personally benefit greatly with Republican primary voters by appearing as the one individual who made a last stand against the funding of Obamacare.

More at http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/14151/ted-cruz-wants-to-replace-obama-not-obamacare .

October 1, 2013

Former Enron exec indicted in fraud case

A federal grand jury indicted a former Enron executive on fraud charges and concealing assets connected to his 2008 bankruptcy.

The indictment against Jeffrey Adam Shankman was returned on Monday, U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magdison's office said.

Federal officials said Shankman, 46, orchestrated a scheme to conceal assets from his creditors and the trustee appointed to oversee his case, officials said.

On Monday, Shankman could not be reached comment.

More at http://www.chron.com/business/enron/article/Former-Enron-exec-indicted-in-fraud-case-4858122.php?cmpid=hpbn .

[font color=green]Does anybody else notice that Shankman has a penchant for fraud and bankruptcy? I guess it was OTJ training.[/font]

October 1, 2013

Pilot crash lands on Alaska highway near Wasilla

This photo provided by the Alaska State Troopers shows a small plane that landed on a highway in Wasilla, Alaska, Monday, Sept. 30, 2013. The pilot walked away after crash-landing his small airplane on the Seward-Meridian Highway in Wasilla after the plane had trouble after taking off. (AP Photo/Alaska State Troopers)

A pilot walked away after crash-landing his small airplane on the Seward-Meridian Parkway in Alaska.

Matanuska-Susitna Borough spokeswoman Patty Sullivan says in a statement there were no injuries. She identified the pilot as Jeff Burwell, and says his plane clipped a post.

Alaska State Troopers say there is a small airstrip near the highway in Wasilla. It appears the plane had trouble after taking off, and Burwell wound up making the emergency landing on the highway.

Wasilla is about 40 miles north of Anchorage.

Source: http://www.theeagle.com/news/nation/article_480a3a68-ef58-55a2-a8de-0f01a2fac7b6.html

[font color=green]Sarah Palin is on the scene trying to determine a way to blame Obama.[/font]

October 1, 2013

Louisiana Abortion Law Upheld; Disaster for Texas Women?

Texas isn't the only state attempting to restrict women's access to reproductive health. Louisiana did too, and a recent federal court decision shows how the Louisiana law could have implications in Texas.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported earlier this month that the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stopped a challenge by doctors and abortion providers to a 1997 Louisiana law that treats physicians who provide abortions differently from those who do not.

According to the Times-Picayune article, the 1997 law, known as Act 825, created a ten-year statute of limitations for a woman to sue her abortion provider. It also bars abortion providers from a state-run medical malpractice review process and to a state fund designed to defray the costs of satisfying malpractice judgments against them that arise from abortion procedures.

The court ruled that the doctors and other providers did not have standing to challenge the law.

More at http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/14147/louisiana-abortion-law-upheld-disaster-for-texas-women .

October 1, 2013

Sousaphones meet gravity, pileup ensues

Making the rounds on the internet recently is this six-sousaphone pileup during a performance of the Lake Travis High School marching band.

Marching bands start working out these routines during the summer and perfect them throughout the football season.

In an instant, all that work can come crashing down.

Accidents happen. They don't always happen while you have a sousaphone wrapped around your body.

Here's the part where gravity takes over.

More at http://www.statesman.com/weblogs/all-ablog-austin/2013/sep/30/sousaphones-meet-gravity-pileup-ensues/ .

Cross-posted in Texas Group.