The Front Page
Santa Claus is Coming to Town!
I heard that Santa will be coming to 205 North 8th on Saturday, December 16, from 6:30 til 8:30, and on Friday, December 22, and Saturday December 23, from 6:00 til 8:00.
That is the home of Ray and Jean Findley which can't be missed on North Eighth... just look for Santa's sleigh in the front yard!
Friday Night Lights
Well most of the lights turned on this Friday will be in the gym. With the Wimberley Texans, the Coleman Bluecats, and the Brownwood Lions all knocked out what will a football fan do all weekend?
Well the best bet for Friday night might be to catch the Class A Division II Semi-Final between Nazareth and Windthorst at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene at 7:30.
Saturday afternoon you could catch the Class A Division I State Championship between McCamey and Alto at Gordon Wood Stadium in Brownwood starting at 3:00.
Better yet go back to Abilene and catch the Six Man double header with the Division II State Championship at Shotwell between Jayton and Northside starting at 3:00 followed by the Division I State Championship between Richland Springs and Rule.
I watched Rule and Richland Springs play last year in Brownwood and the Bobcats gave the Coyotes some tough competition. Rule stunned defending State Champion team from Meadow 45-0 last week in Lubbock. Rule is 12-0 and they are picked to win by 15 over the 13-0 Richland Springs Coyotes.
Cindy and I watched the Coyotes beat the Blum Bobcats last week in Comanche and they are good so it should be a great game to watch.
Cindy works with a bunch of Coyotes and I work with a few. They better work on their howls this week!
Richland Springs Coyotes come on the field last week to face the Blum Bobcats in Comanche
One of those Coyotes got hurt too...
Coyote Express may not be allowed at Shotwell...
Local Artist Donates Painting
Local Artist, Jim Mize, of Santa Anna, donated this painting to the Santa Anna School Library recently. The caption on the painting says, "Charles Siringo and pony encounter the very deadly and rare coral rattler... as might have been imagined by Will Rogers." School Librarian Dalia Deleon accepts the gift on behalf of the school.
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus Is Not Normal
Submitted by Debbie Hailey, CEAFCS
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (hy dro CEPH a lus) is a brain disorder that occurs when the flow of cerebrospinal (ce re bro SPIN al) fluid is blocked, according to Andrew B. Crocker, Extension Program Specialist - Gerontology Health. The fluid fills up in the skull and pushes on brain tissue. The person may lose any or all brain functions controlled by the area of the brain affected. Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) can occur in people of any age but it is most common in the elderly population.
Crocker further explained that Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus is often a reversible or treatable disorder. It is thought to account for about 5% of all dementias. NPH is a form of hydrocephalus, also known as "water on the brain", which means there is too much fluid compressing the brain. It can occur without identifiable cause or it may be caused by any condition where the flow of cerebrospinal fluid is blocked. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced in normal amounts in this condition but it is prevented from being normally re-absorbed.
The ventricles, normally four open spaces within the brain, enlarge to accommodate the increased volume of CSF. Brain tissue is damaged or destroyed because of compression by the fluid-filled ventricles. If there is an identifiable cause and the cause can be corrected, the symptoms may reverse or at least stop getting worse. If there is no identifiable cause, the disorder is often progressive.
Risk factors include disorders that may cause obstruction of the flow of CSF, such as a head injury, surgery on the brain, meningitis or similar brain and spine infections, and hemorrhage, bleeding from a blood vessel or aneurysm in the brain. The symptoms often begin gradually.
Early symptoms may include:
* Changes in gait, including inability to begin walking
* Unsteady walking
* Weakness of the legs
* Sudden fall without loss of consciousness or other symptoms
Symptoms of progression of the disorder may include:
* Dementia, loss of any or all brain functions, including movement, sensation, perception and thought processes
* No observable mood
* Apathy
* Withdrawn behavior
* Impaired memory
* Difficulty maintaining attention
* Decreased spontaneity
* Urinary or bowel incontinence
* Speech impairment
On an encouraging note, Crocker explains that Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus may be diagnosed fairly easily. A physical examination shows walking changes related to the damage within the brain. Laboratory and imaging tests may include:
* A lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, may show the pressure of CSF in the spine
* A Computerized Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan of the head may show changes that indicate NPH
Treating disorders associated with NPH may prevent its development in some cases. It may not be preventable in other cases, but early treatment may prevent severe symptoms.
The goal of treatment is to improve symptoms, according to Crocker. Treatment through surgery may include the insertion of a shunt that routes the CSF around the obstruction and back into the circulation. Symptomatic treatment may vary depending on the symptoms presented and the extent that symptoms are relieved by treatment. Prognosis is poor without medical intervention - symptoms will continue to progress and the disorder results in death. Surgical treatment improves symptoms in about 50% of cases, with the best prognosis for those with minimal symptoms.
For more information on Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, contact your County Extension Agent, Debbie Hailey at 325-625-4519. You may also access additional information from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: http://www.ninds.nih.gov .
ATTORNEY GENERAL GREG ABBOTT ANNOUNCES NEW LIST OF TEN MOST WANTED CHILD SUPPORT EVADERS
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| AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today asks for the public's help in finding fathers who appear on the Child Support Division's new Top Ten List of Texas' Most Wanted Child Support Evaders. The Evaders on the newly announced list owe a combined $681,518 in overdue child support and have gone underground to elude officials and avoid arrest for failing to pay child support. On Monday, Attorney General Abbott met with mothers in Austin, Houston and Beaumont to seek the public's help in locating the Evaders who have avoided paying them child support. Within 24 hours after the new list was issued in those areas, Jesus Silva, who owes more than $94,000 in unpaid child support, was picked up by authorities in Pasadena. Ricardo Gonzalez, who owes more than $109,000 in unpaid child support, was arrested yesterday by the McAllen Police Department.
Today, Attorney General Abbott will be in McAllen and Bryan to unveil the new Evader list in those communities and meet with the mothers who are owed support. "Parents who ignore their responsibility to support their children must be held accountable for violating the law," said Attorney General Abbott. "Please do your part to see that justice is served by providing information that will lead to their arrest." The Attorney General provides a toll free number, 1-866-EVADERS (382-3377), for reporting information on the whereabouts of missing Evaders. Photos of the Evaders are available on the Attorney General's Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us. Many Evader arrests are made with the help of tips from the public. The Attorney General works with local law enforcement to arrest and incarcerate parents who are delinquent in their child support payments. All of the parents on the new Evader list are wanted on civil or criminal warrants. They face jail time and monetary penalties for failing to pay child support. The Child Support Evaders on the Top Ten List are being singled out because they have the ability to take responsibility for their children but refuse to do so. Incarceration is the only option for parents who flagrantly ignore a court's order to pay child support. The Office of the Attorney General helps parents who lack the ability to pay child support by referring them to job training and employment services. The Attorney General's Child Support Division is directed by state and federal law to help Texas families collect child support. The division handled nearly one million cases and collected $2 billion for the fiscal year that ended Aug. 31. More than $7 billion has been collected during the Abbott administration. For a parent to be named a Most Wanted Child Support Evader, court-ordered delinquent support must be in excess of $5,000 and an arrest warrant must have been issued. The location of the parent must be unknown, and no child support payments made in the last six months. The parent must not be involved in bankruptcy proceedings or receiving welfare benefits. The parent with custody of the children must sign a confidentiality waiver before the Evader can be added to the list. The Top Ten Evaders, with last known address and estimated arrears: John Vines owes $130,796 for one child in Austin. Last known address: Ward, Arkansas Ricardo Gonzalez owes $109,747 for two children in Elsa. Last known address: Edinburg ARRESTED 12/12/06 Jesus Silva owes $94,880 for three children in Houston. Last known address: Houston ARRESTED 12/12/06 Kenneth Bone owes $94,107 for one child in College Station. Last known address: Leland, North Carolina Andres Gomez owes $61,691 for two children in San Antonio. Last known address: San Antonio Anthony Hooper owes $57,857 for two children in Orange. Last known address: Orange Stanley Estala owes $40,745 for two children in El Paso. Last known address: El Paso James Dickens owes $37,028 for one child in Azle. Last known address: Fort Worth Adam Cardenas owes $28,933 for one child in San Angelo. Last known address: San Angelo Jason Bass owes $25,734 for one child in Overton. Last known address: Tyler Four evaders that appeared on the December 2005 Top Ten List have been arrested. A total of 74 Evaders have been arrested or located since Attorney General Abbott took office in December 2002. Anyone with information about a Child Support Evader should contact the Attorney General through the Web site or by calling the hotline at 1-866-EVADERS (382-3377). |
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ATTORNEY GENERAL ABBOTT RESOLVES LAWSUIT AGAINST VONAGE OVER EMERGENCY DIALING SERVICE
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| AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today filed an agreed final judgment that protects the safety of an increasing number of Texans who rely upon Internet-based phone service. In 2005, the Attorney General took legal action against Vonage for its failure to inform consumers that it did not provide traditional 9-1-1 emergency service.
Documents filed in court today establish strict standards requiring Vonage to properly inform its subscribers about critical differences between traditional land-line networks and 9-1-1 service that it provides to those who use its Internet-based phone service, also known as VoIP technology. "During a moment of crisis, Texans expect to call 9-1-1 and receive emergency service," said Attorney General Abbott. "Today's unprecedented agreement with Vonage ensures that millions of Vonage customers in Texas and across the country are adequately informed about their Internet-based phone service. The Office of the Attorney General remains committed to the health and safety of all Texans." The Office of the Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Vonage in March 2005 amidst reports that it was misrepresenting to consumers their potential inability to reach emergency dispatchers. At the time, Vonage failed to disclose clearly that customers would not automatically have the ability to dial 9-1-1, but rather had to go through a separate process to activate the 9-1-1 feature.
In one incident, members of a Houston family stated that it was only after intruders entered their home and held them at gunpoint, injuring one, that they realized that dialing 9-1-1 through Vonage would not connect them with a dispatcher who could send police and an ambulance to their home. Prior to the Attorney General's legal action, Vonage also failed to disclose, or buried in its Web site, important information about the limitations its 9-1-1 service had compared to 9-1-1 service offered by wireline companies. For example, at the time of the lawsuit, 9-1-1 calls made using Vonage's Internet-based telephone service were not directly routed to emergency response personnel through the local 9-1-1 network, but were instead routed to an administrative line.
In some places, these administrative lines were only answered during regular business hours or were answered by an Interactive Voice Response System. Moreover, at the time, Vonage's 9-1-1 service was not able to transmit to the emergency operators the caller's telephone number and location information. Despite these limitations, some of Vonage's promotions touted its "911 dialing" and advertised the service as a "replacement" for wireline phone service.
Immediately following the lawsuit Vonage began to implement clear disclosures of these limitations and improve its 9-1-1 dialing service. The documents filed in court today formalize the way in which the company must conspicuously disclose the limitations of its 9-1-1 service.
Generally, consumers who sign up for Vonage will have to register a physical address which will inform 9-1-1 where the call is originating from. Unlike wireline service, where responders immediately receive address information from where the call is being made, current VoIP technology does not automatically provide that data, which is critical if the person making the call does not know the exact address or is unable to speak.
Vonage must also inform consumers that, since its service is portable, each time they change location users should actively update the address that should be transmitted to dispatchers when 9-1-1 is dialed. Vonage must also disclose that there could be circumstances preventing access to 9-1-1, such as during a power outage or if broadband connection is lost.
Under the terms of the settlement, consumers who sign up online for Vonage service will see a disclosure of the full 9-1-1 limitations that is separate and distinct from other contract terms. They will have to actively check a box indicating that they have understood and accept the differences between Vonage and wireline access to 9-1-1 services.
Texas was the first state to take legal action against Vonage regarding its failure to adequately inform users about 9-1-1 access. Attorney General Abbott's office provided assistance to five other states (Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan and North Carolina) who also investigated Vonage and today are filing settlements with the company similar to the one reached by Texas. |
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ATTORNEY GENERAL ABBOTT REACHES AGREEMENT TO PROTECT SMALL BUSINESSES
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| EL PASO - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today announced that some Texas business owners may be eligible for a refund of fees they unwittingly paid to an Arizona company for advertising in its online "yellow pages" directory. Texas and 33 other states reached an agreement today with YP Corp. and its online services, YP.net and Yellow-Page.net, over allegations that the company used "live" activation checks to trick business owners into initiating contracts and paying monthly fees for advertising services.
"Small and locally-owned businesses are critical to the future of the Texas economy," said Attorney General Abbott. "The Office of the Attorney General is committed to keeping small businesses safe from deceptive or misleading marketing practices. We are committed to a Texas that fosters a burgeoning business community and protects small businesses." The "live" activation checks YP Corp. mailed to thousands of businesses in Texas and around the country gave the appearance that the company had a pre-existing business relationship with the customers. The checks were made payable to the businesses, usually in small amounts of approximately $3.25. When business managers deposited or cashed the checks, they unknowingly entered into a contract with YP Corp. for an enhanced "Internet Advertising Package." Activating the check also triggered YP Corp., through its billing company, Telco Billing, to begin collecting monthly fees that were tacked on to their telephone bills or automatically withdrawn from the bank accounts into which the businesses deposited the checks. Many businesses that cashed checks from YP Corp. assumed the small amounts were merely refunds or rebates. They were not aware of fine print on the reverse of the check explaining that depositing the check construed a contractual advertising agreement with YP Corp. Because businesses were unknowingly purchasing these services, the Texas Office of the Attorney General contended that YP Corp. had committed numerous violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division has determined that over 60,000 Texas business customers deposited checks. Customers who were unknowingly signed up with YP Corp., but who did not intend to purchase Internet advertising services may be eligible for restitution under the multi-state settlement. Any Texas business or organization that deposited an activation check from YP Corp. since January 1, 2003, was billed for an online yellow page listing, and did not intend to enter into such a contract should contact the Texas Attorney General's Office no later than March 15, 2007, to request a refund. Existing YP Corp. customers who believe they entered an advertising contract by depositing an activation check will be contacted directly by the company within the next few weeks with instructions on how to cancel their relationship with YP Corp. and request a refund. Consumers who believe they may have been defrauded in this or a similar manner may contact the Office of Attorney General at (800) 252-8011 or file online at the agency's Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us. |
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SAVFD Honors Freddie Dodson
Contributed by Jason Dane:
The Santa Anna Volunteer Fire Deptartment held it's annual family Christmas meal on Monday, December 11, 2006. During the celebration, the fire department surprised Freddie Dodson with a plaque to commemorate his term as Secretary Treasurer from which he retired on December 1, 2006 after 35 years of loyal service.
Freddie credited his success to his wife, Edith, and the other veteran members of the fire department. Freddie stated he has no plans to retire from the department and hopes to continue fighting fire until he earns a "60 Years of Service" plaque. The Santa Anna Volunteer Fire Department would like to express their gratitude for the hard work and dedication Freddie has put into the department over the years and look forward to many years to come.
Attention - All 4-H Exhibitors
Time is closing in on the deadline to make your entry for the 2007
COUNTY STOCK SHOW. If you have not entered, please come by the Coleman
County Extension Office on the 2nd floor of the County Courthouse.
Deadline for entries is Friday, December 15th! If you are an FFA
Exhibitor, please contact your advisor.
Loadcraft
What is that "Loadcraft"?, the Walmart checker asked my wife Cindy as she read the logo on Cindy's uniform shirt from work.
We were buying some shrimp and snow crab legs for Cindy's Dad, Jack's last trip from South Texas to Raton New Mexico.
I try not to talk too much about family but what the heck, it's my nickle... and we are just as much a part of Santa Anna as Santa Anna is of us.
Cindy's Dad Jack, "Jackie", Pierce has been doing some drilling consulting in the South Texas area during the last year. I must say we have enjoyed it very much getting to see him every two weeks during this time especially after twenty something years of him working in the oil field overseas. We sure tried to make it worthwhile too. Troy and Mindy had him another granddaughter and Jessica threw in another great grandson and Jennifer a great granddaughter during that time.
He has worked just about everywhere there is oil I guess except for the North Sea. He has worked in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Venezuela, and most recently, Chad Africa. All dangerous places too, as he worked in Saudi during the Gulf War, was given two days to leave Venzuela during their revolution, and Chad surrounded by revolution in Africa. We were sure glad he was closer to home.
This was to be his last trip through as he has found some work much closer to his home in New Mexico and will no longer have to make that drive from Raton to Houston... and I thought I had a long commute to Goldthwaite!
He usually takes us out to eat when he comes through with favorites being Double H, Hidalgos, and Big O's BBQ if we can't get Cindy to cook. So we felt like we should treat him to something special for his last trip home especailly after fighting the San Antonio traffic! So shrimp and crab legs it was. I feel like Forrest Gump when I think about it. Boiled shrimp, barbeque shrimp, scampi shrimp, crab legs, and you gots to have some Zatarain's Dirty Rice! The Pelton girls can smell crab legs cooking from a block away. Of course I cook it outside in my dented King Kooker I bought a few years ago at K-mart marked down... it fills the neighborhood with a Cajun aroma. We buy the gallon of Tony Chacheres powdered crab boil at Academy. They have the best selection of outdoor cooking stuff I have ever seen. About a tablespoon for each set of legs. The secret ingredient is honey... about one bear to a three gallons of water...
My grandson Dawson says, "I eat dat crab. I like dat crab."
As Cindy was writing out the check I answered for her. "Loadcraft, they build drilling rigs and oil field trailers in Brady." I said as Cindy looked down at the Loadcraft emblem on her shirt.
"Loadcraft is an internationally known manufacturing facility located in Brady, Texas.
Specializing in mobile drilling rig and trailer manufacturing, the company is committed to the uncompromising engineering and production of oilfield equipment and excellent customer service."
"The Loadcraft facility includes everything from a state-of-the-art machine shop, three weld production lines, and onsite testing areas to a vast warehouse, indoor assembly area, and local administrative offices. With the given infrastructure, the company has the ability to meet each customer’s specific needs to ensure them the ability to compete in the increasingly efficient oilfield industry."
"Loadcraft Industries is establishing itself with pride in both domestic and international oilfields. From the San Juan Basin in New Mexico to the deserts of Oman. The company is supplying the global market with production rigs up to 1500 horsepower, work-over rigs to manage any size well, customized substructures, and an assortment of welded structural trailers to meet all transporting needs."
Santa Anna 4-H Coat Drive
Contributed by Sherry McMillan:
The Santa Anna 4-H club wants to thank everyone for their donations to the coat drive. We also want to thank the Santa Anna Elementary and Santa Anna High School for letting us keep our coat boxes hanging around. We had a good turnout on this project as well with the food drive we had during football season. The Santa Anna 4-H club is growing and we are all excited about this and hope it keeps getting bigger.
Thank you again for everyone's help.
Santa Anna 4-H
Flu Shots Still Available
Flu shots are still available in Coleman County. It's not too late. For this week only our last supplies of influenza vaccine will be provided at the Family Health Clinic in Santa Anna on N. Second St. Mon-Thurs 1-4pm. No appointment required. Cost $20 or we will accept Medicare insurance. If your business is interested in vaccinating your employees and can reserve at least 5 doses, we will come to you. Call 325-348-3566 if you have questions.
Football Season Over for Wimberley Texans
Santa Anna's Dick Smith, Defensive Coordinator of the Defending Class 3A State Champion Wimberly Texans, and the famous Code Red Defense were headed to another State Championship but fell to the Hondo Owls in San Antonio's Alamadome. The Texans were ahead 20-0 at the end of the first quarter but the Owls came back in the second quarter and pulled ahead 21-20 halftime lead. The Owls came out in the second half and played to a 42-35 win.
In other playoff action, the 7-6 Brownwood Lions fell to the Waco Lions Saturday at Baylor University's Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco by a score of 44-13.
In six man action of interest, the Richland Springs Coyotes ran over the Blum Bobcats by a score of 64-26 in Comanche Friday. The Coyotes will take on some more Bobcats as they face Rule this Saturday in Abilene at Shotwell Stadium for the Six Man Division I State Chamionship. Rule beat the defending State Champion team from Meadow by a score of 45-0 in Lubbock.
Did you notice the banner ads for That Santa Anna Store, Cool Creek Outfitters, and Santa Anna Grocery that appeared on Thursday?
I have been a little hesitant about selling advertising on SantaAnnaNews.com but I am going to bring the spirit of giving and Christmas to the News in December. The ads will link to the business's web site if they have one or possibly to a page that I have created, or to more information about the business.
For those with ads that appear over the next few weeks I want to say Merry Christmas! I hope that the advertisements on the News will send you some business. In checking referrals and page counts I hope that you notice increased traffic to your website if you have one and increased business that say they came from the News. I will be implementing a banner advertising program for 2007 that I hope that you will find affordable and profitable to your business and you will choose SantaAnnaNews.com for your online advertising. SantaAnnaNews.com will soon reach 75,000 Front Page hits and I can provide you with supporting traffic documentation if you would like.
So watch for the ads over the next couple of weeks and be sure and tell them that SantaAnnaNews.com sent you!
Santa Anna Yearbook Staff Selling Poinsettias
The Santa Anna Yearbook Staff will be selling poinsettias again this year starting around the middle of October. They will be the same price as last year ($12.50) with foiled covers and a bow. This money is used to help fund our yearbook and purchase photography equipment when needed. Yearbook staff members will be coming around to check and see if you would like to order or you may send an e-mail to becky.martin@netxv to order. They appreciate your support in the activities that they do.
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