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PASTOR ADMITS TO
MOLESTATION A
former central Texas pastor faces
jail time, after admitting to molesting a ten year old boy. John
William Hayden was pastor of a
church near Waco. Yesterday, he struck a deal, pleading guilty to
two counts of indecency with a child. The 42 year old Minister now
faces up to five years in prison for this act.
CATHOLIC POLICY VOTE Roman Catholic
Bishops around the country will vote on a proposed national policy
on sex abuse next weekend in Dallas. Since hundreds of allegedly
abused children have stepped forward, more than 225 clergy have
either resigned, or been taken off duty.
OKLA.
H.S. BASEBALL PLAYER KILLED One of Oklahoma's top high
school baseball players has been killed in a freak accident. The
Oklahoma Highway Patrol says two wheels broke loose from a
tractor-trailer rig, flew across Interstate 44, and through the
windshield of Justin Sullivan's car. The 18 year old was named to
the Daily Oklahoman's All-State Baseball Team just yesterday.
NAPSTER FILES FOR CHAPTER 11 In
preparation for a takeover of its assets, former online
music-swapping giant Napster has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
protection. According to papers filed in a Delaware court, Napster
has agreed to sell its assets to German media company Bertelsmann
for eight-million dollars, and the assumption of certain
liabilities. Three years ago, Napster set off the controversy of
online song-swapping. At one time, the company handled nearly 60
million users a day.
SLEEPING LAWYER A Texas death row inmate
whose attorney slept during his murder trial will have to be
released or re-tried. Calvin Burdine was sentenced to death in 1984
for the fatal stabbing of his gay lover. Until yesterday's ruling,
Burdine had lost several appeals, even though the judge and jury
testified they was his lawyer sleeping. Burdine is expected to plead
innocent in his retrial.
INTELLIGENCE INVESTIGATION On Capitol
Hill today, a House and Senate joint intelligence committee begins
its look at intelligence failures prior to the September 11th
attacks. The investigation beginning this afternoon is said to be
largely organizational, how to arrange what will likely be months of
hearings and ensure the process is less a blame-game than a search
for ways to bolster U.S. security. The intelligence hearing is
taking place behind closed, soundproof doors on the Capitol's top
floor. The goal? To find out what intelligence agencies knew before
9-11 and what they did or didn't do with the information. The
latest allegation is of a missed signal from Egypt's President Hosni
Mubarak. He says Egyptian intelligence warned U.S. officials
about a week before September 11th that Osama bin Laden's network
was far along in plotting an attack against the U.S., a claim the
CIA today flatly denied. The joint intelligence committee will
also look into the role of the National Security Agency, the group
with worldwide eavesdropping capability designed to warn of a
surprise attack at home. As President Bush visits the NSA today,
lawmakers want to know why the largest and most expensive U.S.
intelligence agency failed. One top Republican says the
investigation doesn't conflict with ongoing U.S. military
operations. The hearing involves no witnesses today, only
lawmakers and tens of thousands of documents, 30,000 documents in
fact. So much material one lawmaker on the panel predicts the
investigation will take all summer.
AIRLINE DELAYS There's good news and
bad news about the nation's airports. The good news is flight delays
are way down. In fact in the first four months of this year about 80
percent of flights arrived on time. That's the highest percent in at
least eight years. One expert says the bad news is the reason for
that. He says the reason is air traffic still hasn't returned to its
pre-September Eleventh levels. There were 1.7 million flights during
the first third of 2002. That's compared to 2.1 million flights last
year. He says once air traffic returns to normal, "It will be just
as bad as it used to be." Government officials disagree with
expert assessments. They say its the new air routes, and more
frequent weather updates that are helping to keep planes on
time.
USER
FEES ON THE RISE More and more, banks, credit card
companies and other businesses are tacking on 'User Fees' for
various services. To many people, they're just another cost of
living. To others, they're frustrating and unfair. Does it seem
like you're paying a lot more fees at the bank these days? Or what
about additional charges to use your cell phone? Well, if you sense
that you're shelling out more money than ever for everyday things,
your hunch is correct. Call them "Because they can" fees. They're
a slew of charges, and surcharges, that critics say companies charge
simply because they can. Take so-called Corking Fees, for
example. That's where a restaurant without a liquor license allows
you to bring in an alcoholic beverage. But you have a pay a corking
fee to do so. Then there are credit cards. Some of them include
an annual fee, over the limit fees, late fees, and other
charges. That worries consumer advocates like Ken McEldowney. He
says credit card companies are turning using a variety of fees as a
way to drum up revenues. "Late fees and going over the limit fees
now represent the third largest revenue stream for credit card
companies after interest rates and merchant fees." Banks are also
making money with fees. If you go to an ATM that's not your own
bank, you could pay $1 to $2 fee for that. And ATM's are busy.
There are 324,000 ATM machines in the U.S., 13.6 billion ATM
transactions took place in 2001. That works out to nearly 3,500
transactions per ATM each month. Paying ATM fees is definitely a
big pet peeve among consumers. Many people feel like why should I
have to pay for the privilege of getting my own money? But the
American Bankers Association says the issue is overblown. In fact,
the Association says 57% of all consumers pay nothing at all in
monthly ATM fees. Still, a host of other bank charges, such as a
fee to use a live teller, have some customers complaining that
they're being nickled and dimed to death. Banks say the fees are
necessary because they cover the cost of providing additional
services. But consumer groups disagree. They say many banks are
simply price gouging. According to the Consumer Federation of
America, it costs a bank anywhere from 50 cents to $1.50 to handle a
bounced check. But banks charge anywhere from $15 to $30 to process
returned checks. Experts say you could have some recourse though.
"If in fact, you are a good customer of that bank and you get hit
with these fees, always call and complain. They don't want to lose
you as a customer. So at least once or twice they're going to write
those fees off." That should take away at least some of the
sting.
SEYMOUR DOCTOR Just two weeks after
his contract wasn't renewed, the only doctor at the Seymour hospital
has already move out of the office, leaving the board of directors
looking for a replacement. Right now a former doctor who once worked
with Dr. Joe Mendoza has come back to help out and could soon be the
permanent replacement. Dr. Chris Opella is filling in this week,
but has obligations next week. So another doctor will come fill in.
And Thursday, the board of directors will be meeting to discuss
whether or not Opella will be hired to fill the vacant position
permanently. "We will just have to wait and see about contracts and
that type of thing." Supporters of Mendoza are circulating a
petition to have him reinstated. But Ondricek says the decision is
definite. Right now Mendoza is only working at the Crowell clinic,
where he has been splitting his time for several years. Opella has
been working in Olney since he left Seymour.
NEAR DROWNINGS UPDATE There's good
news for two of the three children who nearly drowned in their
grandparent's swimming pool on Sunday. A spokesperson from Shepherd
Air Force Base says one 2 year old boy was released from the base
hospital this morning, and another 2 year old at Cook Children's
Hospital in Fort Worth has been upgraded from critical to good
condition. Her three year old brother remains critical. Wichita
Falls police sergeant Joe Snyder says the incident has been ruled an
accident, and no charges will be filed.
POOL DRAINS In an effort to make
swimming pools at apartments and hotels safer, the city is taking a
page from the state. Several cases of children getting trapped at
the bottom of pools prompted Texas to pass a law requiring
businesses with pools to install two drains. This to lessen the
pulling effect that some single drains have. Ben Coker spoke with
apartment and hotel managers today to see what problems the new law
is causing. In new pools, they say there's just a few added
costs, but in existing pools like the one at the Hampton Inn. They
say adding a second drain costs a lot of time and a LOT of
money. Hampton Inn general manager, Donna Ritchie says they
planned on opening their pool for Memorial Day weekend, but instead,
they're still busy getting in compliance with state and city code by
installing a double drain system. "I understand the philosophy
behind it, but the pool's been here for seventeen years and we've
never had a problem." Ritchie says it's already cost over $2,000
to install the additional drain. And it's costing her customers
every day. "We've had to give out several 100 percent satisfactions
because the guests weren't 100 percent satisfied." And at the
Traveler's Inn, where the pool currently has only one drain,
management isn't looking forward to the added expense. "It's kind of
a hassle with all the work that we have to put into it and all the
cost, but we have to compete with other hotels and we're definitely
going to do what satisfies the customer." And what satisfies the
city, pools 5 feet or deeper must comply by October 2004. And those
less than five feet deep must have the double drains installed by
October 2003. "We want to make sure that the citizens of Wichita
county are are safe and it is gonna be a lot of cost
initially." Fernando Tezaquic with the Wichita County Health
Department says the law came after entrapment fears with single
drains. This pool going in at the Harrison apartments is already
equipped with the double drain. And Sue Gentry with the Summit
Apartments says while she doesn't like the added cost. "We certainly
don't want any children to drown or anything." And Tezaquic says
the cost of prevention is worth it if it can save lives. Texaquic
says those pool owners not in compliance by the deadlines will not
be issued a permit. And they'll face substantial fines if they
continue to operate the pool without one.
CATHOLIC VOTE Roman Catholic church
Bishops will vote next week on a proposal to defrock any priest who
sexually abuses a child in the future, or has abused more than one
child in the past. But a church panel recommends the church tolerate
one past assault under certain conditions. The reverend Thomas
Doyle, who's been active in helping victims, calls the report a new
beginning. And he says the apologies it makes to victims are
extraordinary. But he cautions promises have been made in the past
and that any continuing hostility toward victims could shake the
church's credibility.
DALLAS CAR CHASE A high-speed pursuit
through the Metroplex ends in a fiery crash this afternoon. A man in
a large Ford pickup truck led police on a chase through Fort Worth
and Dallas freeways after apparently stealing the truck in Garland.
It ended with the man crashing the pickup head-on into the concrete
column of a Dallas overpass. Police immediately ran to the truck and
arrested the man. There's no word on the man's condition.
ISRAELI RAID Israeli forces moved into
the West Bank town of Hebron today. This, as CIA chief George Tenet
held talks with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Israeli troops
threw stun grenades in several markets to clear the streets and
impose a curfew. The raids have followed a resurgence of Palestinian
suicide bombings in a 20 month old uprising against Israeli
occupation. Israel says it has carried out the raids to seek out
militants blamed for the suicide bombings. Meanwhile, Jewish
soldiers shot and killed a young Palestinian in a small West Bank
village. He was part of a group of Palestinians throwing stones at
Israeli forces.
INDIA
& PAKISTAN SHELLING Pakistani military officials
say at least six civilians have been killed and 11 more wounded in
the Indian shelling along Kashmir's disputed line of control. The
Pakistanis accused Indian soldiers of lobbing mortars and artillery
with no regard to people living near the front lines. Cross-border
fire between the Indian and Pakistani troops has increased
dramatically in recent weeks, causing many residents to flee their
homes. The fighting has also sparked fears that the two nuclear
armed countries may soon fight another war over the disputed Kashmir
territory.
SCHLIEPER TRIAL UPDATE Several
applicants to the Wichita Falls police academy who were rejected
during the screening process were later admitted to the academy
under the direction of former chief Jack Schlieper. That's according
to testimony in Dallas in Schlieper's wrongful dismissal suit
against the city. More Wichita Falls police officers were called to
the stand today in the city's defense. According to training
officer Steve Beggs, once he completed background checks for
applicants to the academy some of them were disqualified. He said
under Schliepper's orders background checks were redone and they
came out the same way as the first time. Despite this, he says some
of the rejected applicants were still admitted the 1998
academy. About Schliepper, Beggs said: He hadn't been involved in
it up until now and I don't know why he would want to get involved
in this one." Lt Laura Arnold testified she once had an officer
under her command fly in a Department of Public Safety helicopter in
an investigation of an auto theft ring. She said Schleiper became
angry with her for not notifying here superior, Captain Glen Smith
in advance. Arnold said she did notify Captain Smith and through
tears said Schlieper told me if it came between a Lt. and a Captain
he would always believe a Captain'. "Personally this crushed me
and I knew my future with the department was gone." Under cross
exam, Arnold said she requested a transfer not because of Schlieper
but because Captain Smith did not support her. There was also more
testimony about conflicts with the district attorney and police at a
double murder scene in 1998. Testimony resumes at 9am tomorrow
and former chief Schlieper is expected to be recalled to the stand
later this week.
SKAKEL TRIAL GOES TO
JURY Deliberations are underway at a Connecticut
courthouse where Kennedy cousin Michael Skakel faces murder charges.
Skakel is accused of beating Martha Moxley to death with a golf club
in 1975. Skakel and Moxley were both 15 years old at the
time. Prosecutors told jurors Skakel made up stories about what
happened in an attempt to use Skakel's own words to pin the crime on
him. Defense attorneys say Skakel was a troubled teen, not a killer.
Skakel was also scolded by the judge today because Skakel wasn't
there while deliberations were taking place.
SCHOOL TRANSFERS Transferring your
child from one elementary school to another may be little more
difficult this time around. Yesterday was the first day parents
could apply for the transfer. There were about 80 more applications
this year than last year. More than 270 requests filed yesterday
alone. But unlike the previous year, the district won't grant
transfers if it means adding extra staff to accommodate the extra
number of students, due to budget cuts. Denise Williams, the
district's student assignment coordinator says the process in
determining who's approved for the transfer is a bit more rigorous
this year. "The district as a whole is looking carefully at
staffing, making sure if we approve transfer we're not allowing
building to accumulate additional staff for transfers." Williams
says parents will receive a letter, hopefully by the end of the
week, whether or not their child's transfer was approved or
denied.
WESTERFIELD TRIAL UNDERWAY The trial
is underway in California for the man accused of killing
seven-year-old Danielle Van Dam. David Westerfield sat in a San
Diego courtroom today as judge William Midd began the trial.
Westerfield is charged with kidnapping and murdering Danielle Van
Dam who disappeared from her home in early February. Van Dam's badly
decomposed body was found dumped by a roadside almost four weeks
after she disappeared from her bedroom in the middle of the night.
Westerfield was a neighbor to the Van Dam family. The 50 year-old
Westerfield has pleaded not guilty and could face the death penalty
if convicted.
ENDEAVOR LAUNCH DELAYS The weather
forecast still isn't looking good for tomorrow's scheduled liftoff
of space shuttle Endeavor. NASA has been trying to launch Endeavor
since last Thursday, but has postponed it because of weather and
equipment problems. NASA says there's only a 40 percent chance that
nature will cooperate for the liftoff, which is scheduled sometime
between 4 and 8 this evening from Florida's Kennedy Space
Center.
EVIL
KNEIVEL COMEBACK The most famous dare-devil in the
world is talking about making a comeback. Evil Kneivel says he wants
to make one more motorcycle jump. The event would mark the grand
opening of his "Evil Kneivel Xperience Cafe," a sports bar and
museum about a half-hour outside of Las Vegas. Kneivel will turn 64
this fall. So far, there's no details as to what he'll jump over but
if he pulls it off, a 200 foot jump would be the longest of his
life, and his first since 1980.
LAMP
RECALL Portable lamps by Luxo Corporation are being
recalled. There's been 10 reports of the lamps overheating and
shorting out. No injuries were reported, but consumers should know
the lamp could break apart and cause burns. About 18,000 lamps are
under recall. The lamps were also sold under the names "Big Dipper"
and "Little Dipper." Consumers with recalled lamps can call the
company at 1-800-222-5896 for a replacement.
