Have an account?

TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY SPORTS

PRESENTED BY THE LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

LOGAN G. CARVER

12 - 12:17am

A supplier of crack cocaine involuntarily traded his drug scales for the scales of justice on Friday when a Lubbock County jury sentenced him to 25 years in prison for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. That same jury convicted Craig Collins, 37, on Thursday following a two-day trial. Prosecutor Rickie Cayton said she was pleased with the jury’s careful consideration of the evidence and their sentence. “They sent a message that ‘we’re not going to put up with people who are selling crack cocaine in Lubbock County,’” Cayton said.

Comments: (1) | Login to post a comment

State official: Bid to cut food stamps far from done 05/06/12 - 2:51pm

The cuts are mostly familiar, though a plan to cut food stamps goes well beyond a bipartisan proposal drafted last year.

The U.S. House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday approved a measure to slash food stamp funding by $8 billion over the next year, potentially affecting nearly 40,000 people in Lubbock County and overburdening food banks already struggling to meet demand. However, a spokeswoman for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which manages the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, in Texas, said the proposal was still far from implementation.

Comments: (1) | Login to post a comment

Terror suspect Aldawsari's trial moved to Amarillo, set for June 04/18/12 - 12:37am

U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter late last week ordered the venue change and continued the trial of Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari, originally set for April 30 in Lubbock, until June 21.

The trial of a man accused of plotting to use a bomb against U.S. targets has been moved to Amarillo. U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter late last week ordered the venue change and continued the trial of Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari, originally set for April 30 in Lubbock, until June 21. The setting was not entered into the federal online records system until Monday. Walter was appointed to preside over the matter after U.S. District Judge Sam Cummings recused himself earlier this month.

Aunt testifies in appeal hearing Rodriguez aloof after 2004 murder 04/14/12 - 12:42am

Rosendo Rodriguez III's aunt noticed he seemed aloof at a family wedding roughly three months after he murdered Joanna Rogers.

Rosendo Rodriguez III’s aunt noticed he seemed aloof at a family wedding roughly three months after he murdered Joanna Rogers. Testimony from Rebecca Rodriguez Palacios came during the second day of an appeal hearing for the convicted capital murderer. The hearing is the second of three appeal avenues. The U.S. Supreme Court in December declined to hear his direct appeal. In addition to the state writ of habeas corpus that brought him to court Thursday, he also has a federal writ.

Judge Jerry Smith, who called out Obama, admired at home and on bench 04/13/12 - 12:24am

While the rest of the country may know him as the appellate judge who last week called out President Barack Obama for a statement he made apparently questioning judicial review, people who have been around the Hub City a while know Judge Jerry Smith as a thoughtful, studious and professional native son. “He’s a real credit to his hometown,” said Lubbock attorney and longtime friend Byrnie Bass. “We’re real fortunate to be able to claim him.”

Comments: (7) | Login to post a comment

Nude maid service not sexual, owner says 04/11/12 - 9:50am

Fantasy Maid Service of Lubbock, a fledgling business specializing in risque housecleaning, offers maids who work topless or fully nude.

Feeling dirty? Perhaps a naked woman will do the trick. Fantasy Maid Service of Lubbock, a fledgling business specializing in risque housecleaning, offers maids who work topless or fully nude. “We don’t allow any touching. We’re not strippers; we’re maids,” said owner Melissa Borrett. “We clean; we just happen to be comfortable with doing it without clothes on.” Borrett got the idea in February when she was trying to find a job. She had heard of similar services in other towns and, after some research, decided to launch Fantasy Maid Service in Lubbock.

Comments: (17) | Login to post a comment

Perez pleads guilty to 2010 murder of homeless man (UPDATE) 04/10/12 - 12:21am

A confessed killer on Monday pleaded guilty to brutally stabbing to death a homeless man he told police he picked at random to murder.

A confessed killer on Monday pleaded guilty to brutally stabbing to death a homeless man he told police he picked at random to murder. Eric Perez, 23, agreed to serve a 50-year prison sentence in return for the guilty plea. Perez murdered 40-year-old Danny Brazeal in August 2010 after shopping, drinking whiskey and praying with the homeless man, according to a statement he gave police. Brazeal, who suffered from bipolar disorder, was found near the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Aug. 7, 2010.

Comments: (1) | Login to post a comment

Commissioners renew burn ban 04/10/12 - 12:17am

County commissioners on Monday voted to keep the lid on fires in Lubbock County. Although officially commissioners approved a new burn ban, they essentially renewed the ban that has been in effect for months, with only a brief hiatus after some moisture. “If we feel like we’ve had enough rain that we can lift it, obviously we’ll make that recommendation to the judge,” said Clinton Thetford, the county’s emergency management coordinator.

Comments: (1) | Login to post a comment

Salinas pleads guilty to Ennen murder, gets life sentence 04/06/12 - 12:21am

Prosecutors dropped the aggravated kidnapping charge against Salinas as a result of the plea.

The killer of 15-year-old Elizabeth Ennen, whose 2011 disappearance drew national attention, pleaded guilty to capital murder Thursday in exchange for a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole. Humberto Salinas Jr., 46, admitted to killing Elizabeth after or while kidnapping her in January 2011. Prosecutors dropped the aggravated kidnapping charge against Salinas as a result of the plea. Elizabeth’s family members packed the courtroom Thursday morning; and after Salinas was sentenced, several read prepared statements to their loved one’s killer.

Comments: (1) | Login to post a comment

Aldawsari judge recuses himself 04/06/12 - 12:27am

A Louisiana federal judge will now hear the case of a Saudi student accused of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction against the United States.

A Louisiana federal judge will now hear the case of a Saudi student accused of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction against the United States. Judge Donald E. Walter, senior U.S. district judge for the Western District of Louisiana, was assigned to the case Thursday after U.S. District Judge Sam Cummings, who has presided over the case against Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari since February of last year, on Wednesday recused himself without stating a reason. Chief Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater, of the Northern District of Texas, ordered the assignment Thursday afternoon.