Meanwhile in Texoma........

[MN-Skeptic]

Off Topic

I think I have been quiet on the issue, but I have always wondered how the US got fixated on property taxes and gives the federal government the exclusive bite from income. Here in my corner of the world all levels of government, from federal to state to municipality get a slice of the income tax. No property tax per se, but a very low assets tax that includes anything valuable from stock, bullion, to real estate with a large free allowance. Eg no need for a property owner to roll over tax hikes to tenants.

Almost all states have income taxes. The rates differ by states along with what they may include in income - not all states, for example, tax social security income - and what they allow for deductions. Some cities also have income taxes.

[Volkonski]

Authorities investigating McNiel Middle School altercation between students, teachers

https://www.newschannel6now.com/2022/04 ... -teachers/

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - An incident at McNiel Middle School is being investigated by law enforcement and Wichita Falls ISD officials.

The following statement was sent to McNiel parents Wednesday night:

“There is a video circulating on social media of an altercation between students and two staff members,” Summer Bynum, McNiel principal said. “Please know that these actions are not tolerated at our school or in WFISD. This matter is being investigated and dealt with by local law enforcement. All students are being disciplined in accordance with the student code of conduct and by local authorities. The safety of our staff and students is our top priority. If you have any concerns or questions, do not hesitate to contact me.”

[Volkonski]

I've seen reports of fights at McNiel before but this is the worst. OMFSM these are middle schoolers.

https://www.newschannel6now.com/2022/04 ... way-brawl/

[Volkonski]

McNiel principal: No evidence for rumor about threat to school

https://www.newschannel6now.com/2022/04 ... ntent=kauz

Bynum said the report was investigated and no evidence was found to support the rumor. If your child has any proof of the threat, Bynum is encouraging you to contact the WFISD Chief of Police at 940-235-1007.

Bynum’s full statement can be found below:

“Good evening, parents. This is McNiel principal, Summer Bynum. I am contacting you regarding a rumor that is circulating on social media. There are reports that a student has threatened to “shoot up the school” tomorrow. That report has been investigated and we have not found any evidence to substantiate that threat. However, if your child has any proof of the threat, you are encouraged to save any proof you have and contact the WFISD Chief of Police at 940-235-1007. As a reminder, making a threat against a school is a felony. While we have no proof of the threat at this time, we will have additional security and administrators at the school tomorrow. There have also been rumors surrounding the disciplinary actions that took place after yesterday’s fight. Due to the age of the students involved, we cannot disclose the details surrounding the discipline of individual students. However, we want to assure you that we are taking this matter seriously, and it is being handled by law enforcement. Discipline issues tend to increase as we approach the end of the school year. Parents, please work with us by stressing the importance of appropriate behavior at school with your children. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.”

[Volkonski]

Prevalence of WF school violence troubles parents, educators

https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/lo ... ource=t.co

City View ISD Superintendent Tony Bushong said when he saw that fight that involved teachers this time, he felt for them.

“They’re fellow educators with us and we know they just want to go to work,” Bushong said. “They wanna go educate kids and then they get thrown into this mix, and it’s because, you know, there are kids out there that are out of control.”

“We’re talking about maybe 5 percent of students that ruin it for all the other students and I do believe that they need to be held more accountable and I believe our legislature needs to get behind us,” Bushong added.

Bushong said it all comes down to the parents, and in the past, parents had more motivation to care.

City View ISD is just to the west of WFISD.

[Volkonski]

Seriously blustery day ahead.

[Volkonski]

Will make for an interesting day.

[Volkonski]

Already getting 36 mph gusts. This has not stopped Mrs. V. from getting on with her gardening.

[Volkonski]

Did I mention it was a bit windy here?

[Volkonski]

In the panhandle-



What is in the panhandle more often than not finds its way here.

[Volkonski]

Forecast here is for an 80% chance of heavy rain on Sunday. We really need it as we have for weeks.

Of course we have been disappointed before.

[Volkonski]

[Volkonski]

About 45 minutes due north of us.

[Volkonski]

Missing us so far.

[Volkonski]

The storms last night went north of us into Oklahoma. So far the second line of storms looks like it will stay to our SE.

We are under a Flood Watch but have yet to get one drop of rain.

Recently I have begun to think that there is an invisible force field that pushes rain away from our city.

[Volkonski]

It is quiet this Sunday morning. Mrs. V has a 2 hour Zoom Recorder Society Meeting.

Our Daughter and her husband have headed off into Oklahoma. Just now they are passing thru Indian Territory. Indian Territory is not what it was. Once you cross the Red River on I 44 you pass the Comanche War Party Casino then the Kiowa Casino and Resort then the Comanche Red River Hotel Casino.

[Volkonski]

Two counties due south of us and heading NE so it will miss us.

[Volkonski]

Our daughter and her husband have gone to the Unitarian Universalist Church in Lawton OK this morning. It is the closest one to Wichita Falls. UU's are generally very liberal so it has always surprised me that Lawton has a UU Church and WF does not.



https://www.uulawton.org/

[Volkonski]

Some cells have formed on the NW side of the main flow of storms which might get give us some rain.

[Volkonski]

The temperature has dropped to 58F and I just heard some thunder.

Now getting some light drizzle. Can't see it in the air but the patio is a little wet. Not time yet to build and ark.

[Volkonski]

Lots of thunder. A little bit of rain. The land is flat here and outside the older developments there are few trees so the sound of thunder carries a long way. Beginning to doubt we will get anywhere near the 1 to 2 inches of rain in the forecast.

[Volkonski]

For a few minutes got a moderate rate of rainfall but it is already tapering off.

Now the rain has stopped. Just some drops from the leaves and the edges of the pergola. Can't seem to get more than 3 minutes of real rain at a time.

[Volkonski]

Still getting very light rain. Patches of yellow on the NWS Radar Map head toward us but fade to green before they get here. Areas south and east of us getting more rain. Do we have a jealousy emoji?

Oklahoma getting the severe weather as usual.

[Volkonski]

About 5 PM our rain became more steady though still far from torrential.

To our east it was pretty heavy.

[Volkonski]