Tales from the West Texas Dust

Here's some more stories that we bring you ripped right from selected newspapers throughout the state:

[Plainview Daily Herald:] ( http://www.plainviewonthe.net)

(1.) Plainview City Council members were slated to hear and review an informal survey today of Westgate Park residents on whether or not they want a new park on school property in their neighborhood. Andrea Ingram, a Plainview ISD secretary who spearheaded the survey in hopes of stopping the park, has expressed her concerns for the safety of the children in the neighborhood plus potential rises in city property taxes. City Manager Jim Jeffers told Council members at the last regular meeting that the residents will not have to pay for the park since $25,000 in start-up money and that any other monies for additional equipment would be donated--similar to arrangements that the Council already has with the Plainview ISD. Since the park would be on PISD land, both the Council and the PISD would have to both formally approve construction on the project before it proceeds...

(2.) Next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (August 6-8) would be a perfect time for back-to-school clothes shopping here in Texas thanks to what will be this state's first annual "sales tax holiday" when the usual 8.25% rate charged by retailers in various cities and municipalities is lifted during that time to certain clothing items individually priced under $100. The Legislature has made this occasion effective for both this year and the next and could be extended the next time the Legislature meets two years hence. Those who wish to take advantage should check with each retailer on what specific items might be or not be tax-exempt during the holiday...

[Lubbock Avalanche-Journal:] ( http://www.lubbockonline.com )

(1.) LISD Superintendent Curtis Culwell decided that there's no place like home--no place like Garland, TX, that is--by deciding to accept a similar position with the Garland ISD Monday. Garland ISD board member Randall Clark told the A-J that Culwell had agreed to a five-year contract with GISD, but that specific salary terms had not been set at the present time. Culwell replaces the retiring 35-year veteran superintendant Jill Shugart. The Lubbock ISD board may set a special session before their regular meeting on Aug. 12th to discuss the appointment of an interim superintendant...

(2.) Lubbock County Jail officials fired longtime chaplain Gilbert Herrera due to charges of insubordination Monday due to his failure to cooperate with the Sheriff's Internal Affairs Investigator and also to allegations that Herrera may have violated department policies. The investigation stems from a third-party complaint filed in June alleging that a former jailer had had a sexual relationship with a female inmate. A spokesman for Criminal District Attorney Bill Sowder says that the internal charges against Herrera are similar in nature to the June complaint and that he has received the criminal case and will decide how to proceed in a few days. Jail Captain Clint galloway told the A-J that the criminal charges are separate from the internal investigation. Galloway also hopes to soon find a replacement for Herrera to handle duties such as jail tours, religious programs, and death notifications...

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