Star-Telegram.com: Dallas

Fiery tanker crash Sunday causes Dallas traffic woes today

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 08:22 CDT

BY BILL MILLER

A fiery tanker truck explosion Sunday in southeast Dallas was brought under control in about two hours, but its impact continued to throttle traffic early Monday.

Highway officials were busy inspecting a bridge at the scene of the fire on Texas 310 at its intersection with U.S. 175, according to Traffic.com.

All southbound lanes of Texas 310 were blocked and only one northbound lane was open, Traffic.com reported.

The fire was reported at 4:55 p.m. Sunday when the tanker wrecked at "Dead Man's Curve." The rig was hauling thousands of gallons of unleaded gasoline which fueled flames and thick columns of smoke which were visible for miles, according to reports.

The driver escaped the wreckage with minor injuries, according to a news release from Dallas Fire-Rescue.

Check back for more details.

Money available to encourage projects that cut diesel idling

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:55 CDT

By BRYON OKADA

ARLINGTON — Diesel idling — truck drivers’ idling their engines to keep cab air conditioners running while they are resting or waiting to load or unload cargo — is often a simple fact of trucking in Texas, with its frequently unfriendly temperatures.

But while some cities, such as Arlington, Dallas and Little Elm, have placed restrictions on diesel idling, there is no universal mandate on the issue. In general, states and local agencies view long lines of idling trucks as a significant source of nitrogen oxide emissions, a precursor of low-level ozone and of particular concern if the idling is near homes.

Now a new regional diesel-idling program intends to reduce emissions by reducing the idling — and there’s federal money to be had for those with the best ideas.

To that end, the Regional Transportation Council is looking for the first time at funding area projects specifically designed to cut down on diesel idling. Projects can be either on-board devices or on-site solutions like electrified parking spaces. It can also be other innovative projects — something nobody has thought up yet.

Trucks are an obvious focus for the program, but not the only one.

"In addition, extended idling also sometimes occurs with locomotives, construction equipment and heavy-duty transit vehicles like buses," said Lori Pampell, transportation planner with the North Central Texas Council of Governments, which acts as staff for the council.

The region has $1.2 million in federal air-quality money to dole out on the projects, as well as a possible $750,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency. As this would be the program’s first year, it hasn’t been decided yet whether this is a one-time only allotment of money, said Amanda Brimmer, senior transportation planner with the council of governments.

Projects would be graded on nitrogen oxide reductions, cost-effectiveness, feasibility, regional partnership and the council’s own strategic priorities. Private and public entities that operate within the Dallas-Fort Worth nonattainment area are welcome to apply.

A briefing scheduled for Thursday was postponed. However, because the issue is not considered controversial, the council members were asked to review the program on their own. The Surface Transportation Technical Committee is expected to recommend the program this month.

A formal call for projects would likely come in November and remain open into January, Pampell said.

Diesel-idling reduction is one part of the regional effort to bring the nine-county nonattainment area into compliance with federal ozone standards. The area in question consists of Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwell and Tarrant counties.

Online: www.nctcog.org/trans/committees/rtc/2008/Oct/Ref.Itm_11.rtc100908.pdf

www.nctcog.org/dirp

For Texas and OU fans, Saturday was an old-fashioned slugfest

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:18 CDT

By GORDON DICKSON

DALLAS — The Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners ushered in a new era Saturday in a Cotton Bowl stadium that resembled a shining, restored antique.

A record 92,000 fans escaped their worries for a day, enjoying four hours of football and hours before and after the game mingling at the State Fair. They basked in $57 million worth of recent improvements made to the Cotton Bowl by State Fair organizers and Dallas, in an effort to keep the annual Texas-OU match on a neutral site.

Both schools have agreed to continue playing annually in Dallas, halfway between the two campuses, through 2015. Texas won 45-35 in a high-scoring thriller that featured a handful of key defensive stops in the final minutes.

"I cashed my stock in and had just enough money for a corny dog," joked Devin Phillips, who lives in Norman, Okla. He works at a finance company owned by AIG, a major insurance firm bailed out by the government in September.

The expanded dome — 16,000 seats were added this year — offered more fans a chance to get tickets to the Red River Rivalry.

The setting also offered just the right touches of classic college football — real grass, no luxury boxes and a perfectly blue October sky. As usual, the stadium was equally divided down the middle with raucous fans, half wearing burnt orange, and the rest crimson and cream.

But the biggest difference was modern amenities. Gone are the long lines at restrooms (the number of toilets has nearly tripled) and the crushing lines at concession stands (which have doubled).

"It’s much easier to get around, and almost like new," said John Coburn of Austin, who attended the game with his son James, who hopes to enroll at UT next year. Both men had their faces painted orange and white and wore glitter rock-style wigs.

The big game provided a much-needed boost to the State Fair, which vendors say has suffered a bit of an attendance setback, which many blame on an overall grim economy.

"It’s been fair," said Ricky Callendar of Arlington, the operator of Newport Sausage on a Stick. "Sales have been OK."

Then he smiled at the crowd lining up for beer at his stand and said, "Texas-OU is always a good day."

State Fair officials don’t release formal attendance figures, but Sue Gooding, a spokeswoman, said the biggest attendance days are expected toward the end of this year’s 24-day party.

For example, she said, 22 school districts now designate Columbus Day as their official State Fair visitation day — and massive crowds of young people are expected Monday.

But Saturday’s crowd was mostly obsessed with football.

Outside the stadium before the game, Wes Curbellos of Tulsa carried a sign resembling a Chik-fil-A billboard that read: "Eat Mor Bevo" — a purposefully misspelled jab at Texas’ Longhorn mascot.

Cynthia Henley of San Angelo bought a Longhorns visor from a vendor. It was her first trip to the Red River Rivalry, but she wasn’t as impressed with the trappings surrounding the game as she was eager for gridiron action.

"Honestly, I don’t care where the game is, so long as I get to see it," she said.

Great football weather forecast, then showers

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:21 CDT

By BILL MILLER

With every game there are the victors and the vanquished, but everyone at the Red River Shootout Saturday will enjoy a winning forecast.

The annual matchup between No. 1 Oklahoma and No. 5 Texas kicks off at 11 a.m. at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas beneath mostly cloudy skies with temeratures in the mid-70s and southerly winds ranging from 10 to 15 mph. High temperatures are forecast to reach into the mid-80s.

"It will be just slightly above normal," said Vick Corbelli, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Fort Worth. "Great football weather."

Go team.

That same forecast is expected to hold through Sunday, so what could be better than that?

Rain?

Start looking for it Monday when Hurricane Norbert and Tropical Storm Odile, both off the western coast of Mexico, fling Pacific upper-level cloudiness and moisture into Texas.

On its own, that moisture won't do much, but a new upper-level low pressure system from the central and northern Rockies will edge into Texas Monday, Corbelli said.

"It's going to take that front to lift the moisture," he explained, and the result will be "scattered rain showers and isolated thunderstorms."

Chances for rain start out at 20 percent Monday and then go to 30 percent on Tuesday and 40 percent on Wednesday, Corbelli said.

High temperatures will range from the mid-to-upper 70s, Corbelli said.

Wednesday will be partly sunny with a high around 77, according to the forecast.

Driver of Dodge pickup sought in Grand Prairie fatal

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:00 CDT

GRAND PRAIRIE - Police are looking for the driver of a Dodge pickup in connection with a fatality accident early Friday.

A passer-by saw the body of Nina Lujan, 27, in the 2300 block of Pioneer Parkway about 7:45 a.m., said Detective John Brimmer, police spokesman.

Police identified the suspect vehicle by taking a piece of the vehicle found at the scene to a local dealership, who told investigators it came from a 2002 to 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup.

Brimmer said the pickup should have damage to the right front light assembly and right front fender.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Grand Prairie Police at 972-237-8790 or Crime Stoppers at 972-988-8477.

-- Staff writer Mitch Mitchell

American Airlines flight attendants protest conditions

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:22 CDT

Trebor Banstetter

D/FW AIRPORT - Flight attendants for American Airlines demonstrated, held signs and passed out travel pillows to passengers Friday as they protested what they said were poor working conditions and deteriorating service at the airline.

Attendants marched at four airports nationwide, including Los Angeles, Miami and LaGuardia Airport in New York as well as Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. "We want the customers to know that we feel their pain," said Diana Dunn, a 21-year American flight attendant who is also an official with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, the union that represents American attendants.

The union began contract talks with American earlier this year, and is hoping to win higher wages and improved work rules, after taking steep cuts in 2003.

American spokesman Tami McLallen said the airline "respects the rights of employees to express their opinion." She said American is working with the union to forge a contract that can benefit attendants as well as keep the airline competitive.

"Our goal is simple, we want to strengthen our airline so we can provide security and opportunities to the thousands of men and women who work for us," she said.

Brad Norr, a D/FW-based attendant, said American flight attendants routinely receive the brunt of complaints and frustration from passengers about poor service.

"Who can blame them, they're packed into these seats, we've taken away their pillows, and if you can even find a blanket it's probably dirty," said Norr as he stood outside D/FW's Terminal C. "We want the passengers to know we're not their enemy; we're on their side."

Attendants passed out travel pillows stamped with the address for their Internet site, www.paxforpax.com. The site, which is called "Peace for Passengers," makes a case for improving attendant wages and working conditions, and attempts to enlist passengers to send comments to the airline.

Since the 2003 concessions, which kept American out of bankruptcy, many attendants have complained about longer work days and less rest time between flights, as well as no meals during long shifts. Because of wage cuts ,many work more hours each month to keep from falling behind.

"It's become a much more difficult job," Dunn said.

Dallas police investigating two deaths

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:22 CDT

By BILL MILLER

Police are investigating what appears to be a double homicide overnight in the 9600 block of Forest Lane in Dallas, according to reports.

The victims, who were dating, were identified as Antonio Bradley, 30, and Tinesha Taylor, 20, both of Dallas, police said.

Police were summoned at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday to Bradley's home in the Deerfield Apartments, 9670 Forest Lane in northeast Dallas, after his sister and another family member went there to check on him.

"They just knew his car wasn't where it was supposed to be and they hadn't talked with him for a couple days," said Sgt. Eddie Douglas, a homicide detective. "They were able to look into the back window and see a part of them on the floor."

Police arrived and made a forced entry, said Senior Cpl. Gerry Monreal, police spokesman.

"They found both people shot to death," Monreal said. "Both had gunshot wounds to the body."

The man's vehicle, a 1970s-era muscle car, was found about a block away from his apartment complex, Douglas said. The area is southeast of the intersection of Forest Lane and Interstate 635, also called Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway.

"We have some promising leads," Douglas said, "but we don't have any suspects at this time."

A big-time completion: Revitalized Cotton Bowl ready for moment in spotlight

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 23:54 CDT

By GORDON DICKSONPhotos by MAX FAULKNER

DALLAS — The annual Red River Rivalry is Saturday, and the attention will justifiably be focused on the football field as No. 1 Oklahoma takes on No. 5 Texas. But the stadium itself may turn a few heads, too.

The Cotton Bowl has undergone a $57 million makeover. Newcomers will be impressed, and veteran fans may hardly recognize the place. Essentially, there’s more of everything, including seats, concessions and potties.

"We’ve completed the whole bowl look," State Fair of Texas spokeswoman Sue Gooding said. "The television audience will notice that every seat is filled, and this year they will see 92,000 fans sitting in those seats."

Dallas paid $37 million, and the State Fair chipped in $20 million.

More seats A second deck has been added to the end zones, increasing capacity to 92,194 from 76,000. The Cotton Bowl is the ninth-largest bowl stadium in the U.S. Most of the seating is backless aluminum chairs. The south end zone features covered premium-club seating. More room has been added for handicapped seating.

Even more seats There are now 39 restrooms, with 1,100 new toilets. Before the upgrade, there were 14 restrooms.

Going long The main concourse is much longer and wider, especially in the end zones. It’s possible to walk all around the stadium at both the upper and lower levels.

Hungry? There are now 36 concession stands, up from 19. Fans waiting in line for snacks can watch the action on LCD televisions.

Lavish lockers Locker rooms got new carpet and a fresh coat of paint. Coaches have their own locker rooms.

Getting in and out Double stairwells were added at the corners of each end zone to improve access to the seating area. Gates have been relabeled with letters instead of numbers.

Media center A media center was built in the south end zone — a roomy place for the presentation of the Golden Hat trophy to the winning team.

Laura Bush eyeing Highland Park property in Dallas, source says

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:07 CDT

By MARIA RECIO

WASHINGTON — Relocating from Washington and looking for lot — Highland Park area, close to George W. Bush Presidential Library. Security a must; will build green.

First lady Laura Bush doesn’t have to place a real estate ad, but she has definite ideas about where she wants her home in Dallas to be as she and the president prepare to return to Texas in January.

"It’s her turn," said a Texas member of the House with knowledge of the move who spoke on condition of anonymity. "He wanted the ranch. She wants a home in Dallas."

"I have heard it’s Highland Park," the lawmaker added, referring to a township in the north of the city. "Laura wants to build a house."

Highland Park, a 2.2-square-mile township within Dallas, is one of Texas’ wealthiest areas, with famous residents such as former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman.

The Bushes, who lived in Dallas before Bush won the governorship in 1994, are expected to keep their Crawford ranch. Bush will build his presidential library, museum and public-policy center at Southern Methodist University, which borders Highland Park.

Briefs: Driver accused of road-rage assault, theft

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 23:54 CDT

FORT WORTH — A driver who reported being pulled from her car and beaten on Northeast Loop 820 late Tuesday got a license plate number that led within hours to the arrest of a 32-year-old man, police reported. Merric Demond Taylor was arrested about 4 a.m. Wednesday at an apartment complex in the 5900 block of Meadowbrook Drive, said Lt. Paul Henderson, a police spokesman. Taylor was in the Mansfield Jail late Wednesday with bail set at $20,000. He faces a robbery charge, according to jail records. The woman, 41, told police that she had tapped her brakes at a tailgater and then pulled over in the 2300 block of the loop when something was thrown at her sport utility vehicle, Henderson said. The tailgating car also stopped, she reported, and she was pulled from the driver’s seat, punched, kicked and cursed at, Henderson said. The assailant took the woman’s cellphone. She got the plate number from the suspect’s Saturn which police used to track Taylor.

— Bill Miller

Man sentenced in theft of rental funds

DALLAS — A defendant in the Dallas City Hall corruption case was sentenced Wednesday to a year in federal prison and ordered to pay more than $41,000 in restitution on an unrelated theft-of-public-money conviction, a federal official said. A jury convicted Darren Reagan, 48, in June and he is now in federal custody, authorities said. Reagan was charged with conspiracy to commit extortion, two counts of extortion by a public official, one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and four counts of tax evasion. Jurors found that from Oct. 1, 2002, through Sept. 1, 2007, Reagan stole about $45,000 in rental-housing assistance payments from the Dallas Housing Authority in connection with the rental of property to his mother-in-law, Leatha Kirven.

— Mitch Mitchell