Fogbow

Our winter storm advisory has been upped to a winter storm warning for Wednesday.

Freezing rain and sleet before 1pm, then freezing rain between 1pm and 2pm, then freezing rain, possibly mixed with sleet after 2pm. High near 29. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New ice accumulation of around a 0.1 of an inch possible. New sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

So far 21 area school districts have announced closures for tomorrow. The air force base will be closed tomorrow for the third day in a row. Expect the university to close also. That means that the 3 largest employers in our city will be closed again.

City has been able to restart Monday trash pickup. Bus service resumed this afternoon.

Forecast getting worse.

Winter Storm and Ice Storm Warnings issued in Texoma

https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/lo ... in-texoma/

The National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma has issued a Winter Storm Warning for most of Texoma and an Ice Storm Warning for parts of Texoma.



There will be areas of light freezing rain and sleet tonight that will transition to mainly freezing rain on Wednesday. Ice accumulations could reach up to a half inch in some areas.

Areas under the warnings could see tree damage and power outages due to increased ice accumulation.

The National Weather Service advises that travel could be nearly impossible through Wednesday night. If you must travel please keep extra food, water, and a flashlight in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

As we move into the 3rd day with meals on wheels, the food banks and the senior centers closed I can't help but think about the most vulnerable amongst us who are going hungry. Not to forget the kids who depend on free or reduced price school breakfasts and lunches.

The university will be closed tomorrow. Also the buses won't run. Since the most recent NWS update cancelations have been pouring into local media outlets.

Precipitation just now starting here. Reports of ice-caused power outages in the Austin area.

Good luck.

The outside temperature is 43F.

The sun is shining.

Mrs. V. is on her way to North Dallas for a recorder meeting tomorrow morning. Tonight she and our younger daughter are going to the Dallas Symphony concert. Beethoven's 5th. I am on cat care duty.

Today is our older daughter's last day of teaching. Her new job starts Monday. In between she has a weekend with no teacher stuff to do.

Today that daughter and SIL take delivery of their new custom made mattress. Yes, Wichita Falls has a local business that makes mattresses to order.

Will the father offer them surprise MyPillows to match

RTH10260 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 03, 2023 2:37 pm Will the father offer them surprise MyPillows to match

Nope.

Anybody want a used gypsum plant? Cheap.

Quanah's population which peaked in 1950 at about 4600 was just over 3000 in the 2000 census and dropped to about 2200 in 2021. This will hurt. A lot. There are no other employers this large anywhere near Quanah so people will have to move away to find work.

The entire Wikipedia entry for Hardeman County's economy (2 counties west of us) of which Quanah is the county seat is-

Economy
Georgia-Pacific operates a gypsum plant in the small community of Acme, located 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Quanah on U.S. Highway 287.

The "small community of Acme" is a ghost town that no longer has any residents. Presume that kept Georgia-Pacific's property taxes very low.

Quanah gypsum plant to close in March

https://www.newschannel6now.com/2023/02 ... KusXVoNx-U

Georgia-Pacific has scheduled the official retirement of its Quanah Acme Gypsum plant for March 1, 2023. In 2020, Georgia-Pacific announced it would be retiring the Acme plant and shifting production to other company facilities. Since then, the plant has been fully operational, producing the company’s variety of gypsum products.

The plant’s 166 employees were notified Wednesday of the official retirement date.

“Georgia-Pacific thanks all the employees who have worked at the Quanah facility throughout its history,” David Neal, President of Georgia-Pacific Gypsum, said. “Their contributions, dedication, and hard work have kept this facility running strong for many years and we sincerely appreciate them all.”

Acme Gypsum has been in operation for 132 years and was purchased by Georgia-Pacific in 1965.

Acme Gypsum for many decades was the largest gypsum plant in the USA.

Our daughter's departure from teaching did not go as smoothly as planned because the long-term sub who will be replacing her became sick this past week. The planned in person transition period didn't happen. Also the school was closed for 2 1/2 days due to icy weather.

As of yesterday the school did not know who will be in that classroom on Monday.

Our daughter didn't tell her students that she was leaving until yesterday. This led to some tears and interventions by counselors. The students had already lost 1 of their four 2nd grade team teachers who left over the Xmas vacation.

Our daughter is looking forward to her new job where she doesn't have to be in the office until 8 AM. (She had to be at her school at 7 AM.)

Volkonski wrote: ↑Fri Feb 03, 2023 6:07 pm Anybody want a used gypsum plant? Cheap.

Economy
Georgia-Pacific operates a gypsum plant in the small community of Acme, located 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Quanah on U.S. Highway 287.

Isn't Georgia-Pacific still owned by and profiting the Koch family? I'll have no truck with that.

We are getting some significant rain just now.

This guy must have been in a hurry for his Big Mac.

McDonald’s rage incident caught on camera, suspect arrested

https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/lo ... -incident/

WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — A man who was recorded on camera punching the side mirror off of a car during a suspected road rage incident in the drive-thru of McDonald’s has been arrested.

Johnny Dale Page, Jr., 37, of Wichita Falls, is charged with the Class A Misdemeanor offense of criminal mischief of $750 or more, but under $2,500. He was booked into the Wichita County Jail on Sunday, February 5, 2023, on a $2,500 bond.

According to the arrest affidavit, officers with the Wichita Falls Police Department were dispatched to McDonald’s on Kemp Boulevard on January 26, 2023, in reference to criminal mischief.

Police said after the incident was over, the victim drove to the Police Department to speak with the front desk before the officer arrived. The victim reported while she was in the drive-thru lane at McDonald’s, a man exited his vehicle, came over to her car, and struck the passenger’s side mirror causing it to break off and cause damage to the passenger’s side door.

5 City View ISD personnel arrested for failure to report

https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/lo ... a9vb5o06wA

Authorities said more arrest warrants have been issued for two more staff members with the City View Independent School District.

According to Sgt. Charlie Eipper, Public Information Officer with the Wichita Falls Police Department, two more warrants are out for two other people connected to City View ISD who have not yet turned themselves in.

This comes just hours after five current and former administrators for the district turned themselves in on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, on charges of failing to report child abuse as they are required to by law:

7 City View admins accused of failing to report sexual misconduct over 8-year span

https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/lo ... ink-block1

The affidavits for five current and former administrators for the City View Independent School District reveal “persistent failures to report sexual misconduct by administrators at City View ISD of multiple incidents over an eight-year span.”

The following City View ISD administrators have been charged with the Class A Misdemeanor offense of failing to make the required report of child abuse:

Anthony Ray Bushong — Current Superintendent of City View ISD
Carrie Lynn Allen — Current Assistant Superintendent of City View ISD
Daryl Alexander Frazier — Former principal of City View Jr/Sr High School
Rudy Glynn Hawkins, Jr. — Current Athletic Director at City View Jr/Sr High School
Cindy Pope Leaverton — Current Counselor at City View Jr/Sr High School

All five were booked into the Wichita County Law Enforcement Center on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. Sgt. Charlie Eipper with the Wichita Falls Police Department said all five turned themselves in on Wednesday morning. According to WFPD, there are still two warrants for City View ISD personnel that have not turned themselves in at the time of publication.

Sgt. Eipper said the charges are in connection to WFPD’s investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by former City View High School basketball coach Bobby Morris, and that at least two more arrests were forthcoming after more warrants were issued by police on Wednesday.

According to the arrest affidavit, former City View ISD students began making claims of sexual misconduct against Morris after he was named Small School Coach Of The Year during the Nexstar Sports Awards on June 23, 2022. Four days after the allegations surfaced, on June 27, 2022, Morris took his own life.

https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/lo ... statement/

The full statement from the City View ISD Board of Trustees can be found below:

“The City View ISD Board of Trustees is aware that four current employees voluntarily submitted to the Sheriff’s Department this morning for arrest and processing, related to an offense that allegedly took place approximately five years ago. These employees should be released by early afternoon today. As is required by Texas law, these arrests will be reported to the Texas Education Agency within seven school business days from today.

After their release, the employees will be taking personal leave for the next few days and will not be at the District. The Board of Trustees has a regularly scheduled meeting set for Monday, February 13, 2023. At that meeting, a discussion regarding these arrests will be added to the agenda, at which time the Board will discuss and determine how best to move forward.

In the meantime, each of the school district campuses and departments are led by capable and qualified leaders who will continue to manage and lead their areas, as they would during any time an administrator might take leave or vacation. Similarly, all our sports teams are coached by great coaches who will continue to lead their teams in practices and competitions.

We want to assure our parents and staff members that we will fully consider and address this situation at our scheduled Board meeting on Monday night. The Board takes these allegations and arrests very seriously. However, we also want our parents and staff members to know that these arrests were based on alleged offenses that occurred at least five years ago. At this point in time, the District is not aware of any facts that would support the allegations against these individuals. Further, we are not aware of any allegations of recent offenses by any of our employees. We look forward to having more information and a full discussion Monday night at our meeting.”

City View ISD is the smaller (~1000 pre-K thru grade 12 students) of the two public school districts that serve Wichita Falls.

More City View ISD admins charged in unreported sexual misconduct case

https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/lo ... duct-case/

According to the Wichita County Jail roster, Raymond Weathersbee, former principal at City View Junior/Senior High School, and Steve Harris, former superintendent of City View ISD and a former principal at City View Jr./Sr. High School, were booked in on Thursday, February 9, 2023.

Both are charged with failing to report sexual misconduct allegations as required by law, the same charge facing five other current and former administrators with the district in connection to the WFPD’s investigation.

In all, seven current or former City View ISD administrators have been charged in what police referred to as “persistent failures to report sexual misconduct by administrators at City View ISD of multiple incidents over an eight-year span.”

Sgt. Eipper said the charges are in connection to WFPD’s investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by former City View High School basketball coach Bobby Morris who is accused of four separate incidents of sexual misconduct between 2014 and 2022.

Officials said the investigation by the WFPD revealed that no reports of any sexual misconduct by Morris were ever made to law enforcement by administrators with City View ISD, and as a result, no investigation had previously been conducted.

Our daughter was a City View ISD elementary teacher until recently. This has been a topic of conversation in our house.

On Monday evening the City View School Board will hold their regularly scheduled meeting. These arrests will be top of the agenda.

The WFPD investigation continues.

Court documents reveal details of latest City View ISD arrests

https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/lo ... ink-block1

Raymond Weathersbee and Stephen Harris were booked into jail Thursday, February 9, 2023, for failing to report sexual misconduct allegations as required by law, the same charge facing five other current and former administrators with the district in connection to the WFPD’s investigation.

According to both affidavits, the former City View ISD Junior/Senior High School Principal Weathersbee and City View ISD Superintendent Harris signed a letter acknowledging the administrative leave of the teacher/coach under investigation for misconduct. This letter was dated January 5, 2015, and stated that the first meeting about the incident happened on December 30, 2014.

The court documents state that Harris was one of the officials who signed the teacher’s leave letter and he told police investigators he remembered the incident. They said Harris told them he did not think he had to contact police until he knew the outcome of his interviews with the student and her parents. Authorities say a school official does not have the legal authority to conduct such an investigation and must report allegations to law enforcement.

Police say Weathersbee said he remembered the incident took place between the 2012-2014 time frame and he was present for the meeting with the victim and that there were messages involved with the incident.

Weathersbee also said that due to the victim denying the allegation and the parents not wanting to proceed, “we just dropped it” and never reported it to police.

Wouldn't a school superintendent know those rules?

Man on Percocet with no pants on damages vehicles, WFPD says

https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/lo ... db0V2APCT4

A Wichita Falls man is out of jail after posting bond for what police said was a series of “extremely erratic” behavior late Thursday night, all while he wasn’t wearing any pants.

Carlos Burney is charged with criminal mischief over $750 but under $2,500 and public intoxication following the incident. He was released on Friday, January 20, 2023, after posting his $2,500 bond.

Police said they were dispatched to the 1800 block of Wilson Avenue on Thursday, January 19, 2023, just after 11:30 p.m. in reference to a subject “running down the street, throwing a large trash can at a vehicle, and jumping on a car.”

When officers arrived, they discovered Burney had no pants or underwear on and was acting erratic, with slurred, rapid speech. They said Burney’s balance was unsteady and when he walked, his body would shake like he was convulsing.

According to the affidavit, Burney admitted to police he’d taken Percocet pills, so they took him into custody for public intoxication. While investigating property damage, witnesses in the neighborhood said they saw Burney throwing objects at vehicles and jumping on them.

TEA gives details on duty to report following City View ISD arrests

https://www.newschannel6now.com/news/

According to the Texas Education Agency, superintendents are required to report certified educators to the state board when they are fired or resign, and when there is evidence of abuse, other unlawful acts, or an improper romantic relationship with a student or minor.

“The TEA is aware of the situation and is currently reviewing the matter to determine the appropriate next steps,” Senior Media Relations Coordinator Melissa Holmes said.

All required reports must be submitted within seven business days after the person has been fired or resigned.

At City View ISD, the teacher was only put on administrative leave, but the TEA said an individual does not have to resign or be fired for a superintendent to report evidence of misconduct since they can do so at any time.



Detailed in multiple arrest affidavits from the City View ISD investigation, most of the school officials charged claimed they didn’t know they were supposed to report the sexual misconduct allegations to law enforcement. However, Wichita Falls Police Department PIO Sgt. Charlie Eipper said school districts are instructed on how to handle incidents like this.

“I know that administrators, teachers and so forth, they’re all trained on the requirements as professionals to make a report to call CPS, to call the police.” Eipper said.

Eipper said this information can not be delegated and if an administrative official is aware of the situation, they must make the report themselves.

“If you do make that report, document who you spoke to, document the day and the time so if the investigation does come up like this and you are interviewed, you have proof of ‘I did talk to somebody’ and you have the time and date,” Eipper said.

Our daughter finished her first week in her new job today. It has changed the rhythm of the household here quite a bit. She leaves for work an hour later and gets home about an hour earlier.

This past Wednesday she had a working lunch activity. So she could leave an hour earlier than usual that day. (Yep, she gets an hour for lunch. )

She no longer brings any work home.

She is much happier.