http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jjWR04VNsT9kS2J_zkjq-Rl1pN_gD9A6CMB00

Texas officer abducted by ex-boyfriend freed

BROOKSHIRE, Texas — Authorities say a school district police officer in Texas who abducted his ex-girlfriend let her go her moments before committing suicide.

Investigators say 38-year-old Julio Reyes had abducted 24-year-old Rachel Hillsman on Tuesday morning in Brookshire, about 35 miles west of Houston. Hillsman is also an officer with the district and the mother of Reyes’ 13-month-old child.

Authorities say Reyes barricaded himself and Hillsman in a vacant house. Police searching the area found them Wednesday afternoon and a standoff ensued.

Authorities had been negotiating with Reyes for several hours when Hillsman was freed Wednesday night.

The Texas Department of Public Safety said Reyes shot himself as officers were taking Hillsman from the house.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Just reported by Chron.com :

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6578928.html

Police surround house seeking abducted officer

BROOKSHIRE, Texas — Authorities have surrounded a home in a small town outside of Houston as they search for a 38-year-old man suspected of abducting his ex-girlfriend.

Both Julio (HOO’-lee-yoh) Reyes and 24-year-old Rachel Hillsman are police officers with the Katy school district, just west of Houston.

Officials say it’s not yet known if Reyes was with Hillsman in the house in Brookshire, about eight miles east of Katy.

Investigators say Reyes abducted Hillsman in front of her two young children Tuesday morning in Brookshire, about 37 miles west of Houston.

Shortly after Hillsman’s abduction, officials launched a statewide manhunt and established roadblocks in the Brookshire area.

There is an ongoing hunt for Julio Trey Reyes. Please read the article for further details.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6577938.html

Search on for abducted Katy ISD officer

BROOKSHIRE — Police from several different agencies were searching into the night for a Katy Independent School District officer suspected of abducting his estranged girlfriend early Tuesday on an isolated road in Waller County.

The manhunt stretched as far as Louisiana for signs of Julio Trey Reyes, 38, or Rachel Hillsman, 24, also a Katy ISD police officer.

“We’re just trying to saturate the area. We don’t have any ‘hot leads’ right now,” said Waller County Sheriff Glenn Smith.

Authorities said Reyes grabbed Hillsman about 6 a.m. while she was approaching her mother’s home on FM 1458 near Foots Wilson Road.

“When she got out to open the gate, he approached her. That’s when a scuffle ensued,” said Smith.

Reyes dragged Hillsman into his Ford pickup truck then drove away. Left behind in Hillsman’s vehicle were her daughter, 7, and the couple’s 13-month-old child, Smith said.

Smith said she was leaving the children with her mother before going to work that morning. She was in uniform at the time.

Soon after, Reyes called Hillsman’s mother to tell her the children were still in the woman’s pickup truck by the gate about a half-mile from the home. The children are now being cared for by their grandmother, Smith said.

Although Reyes spoke on the telephone with people that Smith characterized as “acquaintances” soon after the abduction, investigators said they have no reports of any other contact since then.

“But we are following up on those,” Smith said.

Smith said they have questioned Hillsman’s 7-year-old daughter — the sole witness to her mother’s kidnapping. They can’t confirm reports that she may have been taken at gunpoint or in handcuffs.

“It’s hard, sometimes, when you interview young children,” he said.

Investigators said they believe Reyes is probably armed. As a licensed police officer, he would have been carrying his own sidearm. Also, he likely has control of Hillsman’s weapon as well, Smith said.

An AR-15 rifle that he was issued by the Katy ISD police was later found in his patrol car, still at the department headquarters. Investigators also recovered another AR-15 at Reyes’ home in the Katy area, Smith said.
May be in the area

Police have set up roadblocks in a 7- to 8-mile radius around Brookshire.

“We do believe he’s still in the area. We’re going to do everything we can to get them back,” Smith said.

Police from several area agencies, along with the Texas Department of Public Safety, are stopping at local motels, restaurants and rest areas. Because Reyes was known to be fond of gambling, Louisiana law enforcement agencies are also checking casino parking lots for his Ford pickup truck, Smith said.

“We’re even checking camping sites. He’s gone camping before,” Smith said.

Katy ISD officials said Reyes had been with their police department since May 1999. Hillsman joined in January 2006.

As a police officer, Reyes is likely familiar with the kind of techniques law enforcement officers use to search for a criminal, Smith said.

“It’s a concern, obviously. If they don’t want to be found, it makes it harder,” Smith said. “He’s going to know what we’re doing.”

Hillsman has received training in crisis negotiation. Smith said investigators are hoping she might tap into that experience to talk her way out of danger.

Katy ISD officials said Reyes and Hillsman were “good officers” who had an on-again, off-again relationship.

Reyes and Hillsman had not been together as a couple since November. Smith didn’t know what might have triggered the abduction and said they haven’t uncovered any reports of domestic disturbances or protective orders.

It may be, Smith said, that Hillsman had simply moved on with her life.

“We’re humans, too. We get our emotional distress,” Smith said of police officers. “He is in a hard time of his life .”

Dirty Secret No. 1 — Health Care

Dirty secret No. 1 in Obamacare is about the government’s coming into homes and usurping parental rights over child care and development.

It’s outlined in sections 440 and 1904 of the House bill (Page 838), under the heading “home visitation programs for families with young children and families expecting children.” The programs (provided via grants to states) would educate parents on child behavior and parenting skills.

The bill says that the government agents, “well-trained and competent staff,” would “provide parents with knowledge of age-appropriate child development in cognitive, language, social, emotional, and motor domains … modeling, consulting, and coaching on parenting practices,” and “skills to interact with their child to enhance age-appropriate development.”

Are you kidding me?! With whose parental principles and values? Their own? Certain experts’? From what field and theory of childhood development? As if there are one-size-fits-all parenting techniques! Do we really believe they would contextualize and personalize every form of parenting in their education, or would they merely universally indoctrinate with their own?

Are we to assume the state’s mediators would understand every parent’s social or religious core values on parenting? Or would they teach some secular-progressive and religiously neutered version of parental values and wisdom? And if they were to consult and coach those who expect babies, would they ever decide circumstances to be not beneficial for the children and encourage abortions?

One government rebuttal is that this program would be “voluntary.” Is that right? Does that imply that this agency would just sit back passively until some parent needing parenting skills said, “I don’t think I’ll call my parents, priest or friends or read a plethora of books, but I’ll go down to the local government offices”? To the contrary, the bill points to specific targeted groups and problems, on Page 840: The state “shall identify and prioritize serving communities that are in high need of such services, especially communities with a high proportion of low-income families.”

Are we further to conclude by those words that low-income families know less about parenting? Are middle- and upper-class parents really better parents? Less neglectful of their children? Less needful of parental help and training? Is this “prioritized” training not a biased, discriminatory and even prejudicial stereotype and generalization that has no place in federal government, law or practice?

Bottom line: Is all this what you want or expect in a universal health care bill being rushed through Congress? Do you want government agents coming into your home and telling you how to parent your children? When did government health care turn into government child care?

Source:

http://townhall.com/

Here are the latest articles regarding the ongoing investigation of three Morton Ranch High School football coaches.

Via ESPN.com

Mitchell’s transcripts under review

An Oklahoma State spokesman confirmed Monday that the NCAA is investigating the academic transcripts of a freshman player who is involved in allegations that have left three football coaches, including the head coach at Katy Morton Ranch High School, on administrative leave.

True freshman safety Joe Mitchell will continue to be allowed to practice with the Cowboys until he is cleared or not cleared academically by the NCAA Clearinghouse, or until 14 days have passed from the start of fall practice.

Oklahoma State spokeman Gavin Lang said the school received a tip with allegations that it forwarded to the NCAA, which stated it had received the same information.

Two sources familiar with the allegations involving Katy Morton Ranch stated that academic transcripts may have been changed in order to allow for Mitchell to be eligible. Head coach Scott Svendsen is among those on administrative leave.

Mitchell was a quarterback and a safety at Katy Morton Ranch High in Texas. He had 63 tackles and four interceptions as a senior.

via The Houston Chronicle (Chron.com)

Morton Ranch waits it out

UIL official hints at extended investigation

The investigation of the Morton Ranch High School football program continued Monday, as players prepared to take the field for their first practice of the season.

Morton Ranch interim coach Todd McVey met with team members Monday, including former Sharpstown quarterback Sam Carter, who transferred to the school this spring and was supposed to start for Morton Ranch this season.

When asked if Carter would be playing for the Mavericks, McVey said, “I don’t know.”

Carter was removed from the Touchdown Club of Houston’s high school pre-season team Monday. The team will be honored during a banquet at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the J.W. Marriott.

“There are questions concerning his eligibility that won’t be resolved in time for the banquet,” said Neal Farmer, executive director of the Touchdown Club of Houston.

McVey and Katy ISD athletic director Rusty Dowling did not comment on Carter’s eligibility.

The investigation into the Morton Ranch football program that started Friday has left three football coaches, including head coach Scott Svendsen, on administrative leave. McVey, a Katy ISD assistant athletic director, is serving as interim head coach.

The other two coaches on leave are offensive coordinator Jeremy Orsagh and defensive coordinator Cody Haug, who declined to comment on Monday. Calls to Svendsen were not returned.

The investigation began when Katy administrators were made aware of allegations that three Morton Ranch High School coaches were violating district policies regarding student records, possible misuse of funds and athletic eligibility.

University Interscholastic League compliance officer Ed Stidham said Monday the UIL was sent documents that prompted the league to look into the allegations. The UIL contacted Katy ISD, which immediately put the coaches on leave and started the investigation.

Stidham said Morton Ranch’s football practices and games would go on as scheduled while the investigation continues. He also said there are students with questions surrounding their eligibility and that could impact the team’s roster.

Typically, the UIL gives school districts 10 school days to complete an investigation, but Stidham said Katy ISD would probably be given more time due to the seriousness of the allegations. He said depending on the outcome of the investigation, Morton Ranch could face repercussions.

For now, Dowling and McVey said they were just working to get the team on the field and prepare for its first game Aug. 28 at Tomball.

“I am just here to try to make this a positive experience for these kids right now,” McVey said.

via NewsOK.com

OSU freshman Joe Mitchell’s eligibility in question

ESPN.com reported Monday that incoming Oklahoma State freshman Joe Mitchell’s eligibility is under investigation by the NCAA. The report said OSU received a tip with allegations that Mitchell’s academic transcripts at Katy Morton Ranch High School might have been changed so he would remain eligible. The allegations were forwarded to the NCAA, according to OSU spokesman Gavin Lang.

Mitchell was a quarterback-defensive back for Morton Ranch. Listed as a safety by OSU, Mitchell can practice with the Cowboys until Aug. 17 unless OSU receives other news from the NCAA Clearinghouse.

“I found out today,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said after Monday’s practice. “It’s a personal issue, I don’t know the details. Hopefully, he can get it worked out. I hate that for Joe, but I don’t know exactly what’s going on.”

Gundy said Mitchell “would have been redshirted anyway. At his position, he wouldn’t have been ready to play.”

Monday, the Houston Chronicle reported that Morton Ranch head coach Scott Svendsen, offensive coordinator Jeremy Orsagh and defensive coordinator Cody Haug were placed on administrative leave.

The newspaper’s Web site said an investigation began when Katy administrators were told by Texas’ University Interscholastic League that three Morton Ranch coaches might have violated district policies, including student records, possible misuse of funds and eligibility.

Katy administrators are also investigating the eligibility of Sam Carter, a quarterback who transferred from Sharpstown High School and was supposed to replace Mitchell.

via KHOU.com

Source: Katy ISD football coaches being falsely accused

HOUSTON—The investigation into three Morton Ranch High School coaches has taken a new twist.

Katy ISD says the allegations center on policy violations involving student records, possible misuse of funds and athletic eligibility.

The district says the coaches may have changed grades and transcripts and taken money from the district.

Those coaches are on administrative leave while the Katy ISD investigates charges of serious district policy violations.

The Katy ISD is still not talking, but someone who works at Morton Ranch spoke to 11 News.

He asked that we alter his voice and not show his face.

“Visiting with these guys, knowing their backgrounds, you know, coaching is everything to these guys,” said the employee.

11 News has confirmed that the targets of the investigation are Morton Ranch head coach Scott Svendsen and two assistants, Jeremy Orsagh and Cody Haug.

“You’re not going to hear one person say anything negative about any of those coaches. They help the kids tremendously.  A lot of them are father figures,” said the employee who doesn’t want his name used. “They do whatever they can. They go out of their way to do whatever it takes to make sure their kids are taken care of.”

Copies of documents sent to the NCAA and the UIL were given to 11 News.

As for the check which was made out to cash, signed and cashed by Jeremy Orsagh, the unidentified individual said that the non-district account was set up to help support an after-hours football camp.

“Those checks could not be deposited through Katy ISD or any of their entities because it was an outside fundraiser. So, misuse of funds?  I know for a fact there was no misuse of funds,” said the individual.

The employee also commented about a letter addressed to the NCAA. It discussed a player’s grades and transcripts. It also showed incomplete grades had been updated — grades that otherwise would have impacted the player’s eligibility to play football.

“They’re always signed.  They’re always stamped.  They’re always sealed.  They’re always delivered officially. Anything wrong with the transcript would get flagged by the NCAA Clearinghouse,” said the employee.

That letter, the individual claims, was doctored. He says the allegations are being driven by a coach’s nasty divorce and a district desperately trying to preserve its image.

“The coaches are very upset because they have not been asked any questions.  They have not been able to give their side of the story on anything,” said the unidentified individual.

The coaches said they plan to hire attorneys.

Katy ISD remains silent. Meanwhile, football practice at Morton Ranch begins Monday.

KISD reaches settlement with 2 former MRHS coaches

Svendsen, Haug come to terms

By Luciano Battistini
Special to The Times

International Swine Flu Conference

http://www.new-fields.com/ (PDF Brochure)

Top leaders and key decision-makers of major companies representing a broad range of industries will meet with distinguished scientists, public health officials, law enforcers, first responders, and other experts to discuss pandemic prevention, preparedness, response and recovery at the 1st International Swine Flu Summit. Read the full story

Stunner at Morton Ranch

Svendsen, two others, put on administrative leave on eve of fall practice beginning

By Scott Kaiser
Times Sports Writer

In a stunning move first reported by The Katy Times on Friday, Morton Ranch head football coach and athletic coordinator Scott Svendsen and two assistants have been put on administrative leave.

In a press release on Saturday, the district announced that “Katy ISD administrators were made aware this week of allegations that three Morton Ranch High School coaches were violating district policies regarding student records, possible misuse of funds, and athletic eligibility. Because of the allegations, the district has launched an investigation, during which time the three coaches will be on administrative leave.”

Because of privacy issues, Katy ISD cannot release names, but the Times has confirmed that Mavericks’ offensive coordinator Jeremy Orsagh and defense coordinator Cody Haug are being investigated along with Svendsen.

“I don’t know how you prepare for something like this,” Katy ISD executive director of athletics Rusty Dowling said. “We just have to work through it because so many people and kids depend on it.”

Todd McVey, who came to Katy in February to serve as assistant athletic director, was named  interim coach. McVey previously was a head coach at Harker Heights and McKinney, and was on Dowling’s staff at Texas City when the Stingarees won two state titles.

“Interim may mean a week, two weeks, a month or the whole season,” Dowling said. “I’m just not sure right now, but I have every faith that Todd will go in there and do a great job.

“He obviously came here to take a position in administration, but when this whole thing transpired, I called him and asked if he was willing to step in, and he immediately said yes.”

Ex-Knights coach McVey back on the sideline in Katy

By Alex Byington
Killeen Daily Herald

Todd McVey is a head football coach again, albeit not under the most ideal of situations.

According to a statement released by the Katy Independent School District, the former Harker Heights coach has been named the interim head coach and athletic coordinator at Morton Ranch High School following the suspensions of three members of the Mavericks’ coaching staff Friday.

“Really right now, I’m trying to gather my thoughts,” McVey said. “My concern is making sure those kids have a plan and are organized just like I would if I had been trying to get them ready all along. Making sure the staff and I are on the same page when we’re out there and it’s a positive for those kids. That’s the most important thing, then work from there.”

McVey, who coached the Knights for two seasons and compiled a 2-17 record overall, resigned in January to take an assistant athletic director position within the Katy ISD.

Click the link for the full article from Chron.com

Three Morton Ranch football coaches under investigation

Three Morton Ranch football coaches have been placed on administrative leave effective immediately, including head football coach and athletic director Scott Svendsen.

In a statement released Saturday, the Katy Independent School District said it was investigating allegations that three Morton Ranch High School coaches were violating district policies regarding student records, possible misuse of funds, and athletic eligibility. The release did not name the three coaches.

Morton Ranch girls basketball coach Pam Bowers confirmed one of those coaches is Svendsen, who is in his second season.

Bowers said the coaching staff would be briefed on the situation Wednesday when they report to school.

“I was told that he’d been put on administrative leave,” Bowers said. “That’s all.”

Svendsen did not return calls seeking comment. Parents and student-athletes at Morton Ranch were made aware of the situation and briefed on Friday night

Svendsen is the most successful coach in Morton Ranch’s short history. He took over a team last season that had won one game in its first two varsity seasons. Morton Ranch went 6-4, which included a five-game winning streak.

A Houston woman who sought an autograph from rapper Method Man is suing him, claiming he instead shot her with a pellet gun.

Mary Anderson, of Houston, last month sued the rapper, whose given name is Clifford Smith, in Harris County District Court. Read the full story

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — One swimmer died and two lifeguards suffered cuts from jetty rocks trying to save him during strong currents off Galveston.

Galveston Beach Patrol Chief Peter Davis says the man who died Sunday afternoon had been boogie boarding when he went under. The name of the victim was not immediately released. Read the full story

Plans are in progess to create Houston a ‘Dome City’. Reasons being hurricanes and other natural distasters taking a toll on the city. A very inventive idea.

More on the Dome:

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/

Video:

http://dsc.discovery.com/

http://www.chron.com/

Like beauty, “shovel ready” is in the eye of the beholder.

Despite President Barack Obama calling for stimulus funds to go to “shovel ready” projects, the term has no legal or technical definition. Read the full story

http://www.chron.com/

Tolls are rising by a nickel in September, but you won’t be able to pay for the increase with an actual nickel coin (which is really 75 percent copper, but I digress). Read the full story