Posted 12:11 pm Friday, January 18, 2013
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MIDDAY UPDATE: New lake construction in Chandler; School bus in swimming pool; More flu deaths reported
NEW LAKE IN CHANDLER
A new lake is under construction at Winchester Park in Chandler city.
The lake will cover about two and a half to three acres.
Texas Parks and Wildlife has agreed to help stock the pond with cat fish.
It will be a catch and release pond initially.
The lake is part of a park plan developed a few years ago that called for horseshoe pits,
the lake, walking trails, a spray park, a new pavilion and a baseball field.
The lake will cover about two and a half to three acres.
Texas Parks and Wildlife has agreed to help stock the pond with cat fish.
It will be a catch and release pond initially.
The lake is part of a park plan developed a few years ago that called for horseshoe pits,
the lake, walking trails, a spray park, a new pavilion and a baseball field.
SAHARA HOSTAGE STANDOFF TAKES TURN
The bloody three-day hostage standoff at a Sahara natural gas plant took a dramatic turn Friday as Algeria's state news service reported that nearly one hundred of the one hundred thirty-two foreign workers kidnapped by Islamic militants had been freed.
That number of hostages at the remote desert facility was significantly higher than any previous report,
and still meant that the fate of over thirty foreign energy workers was unclear.
It was not clear whether the remaining foreigners were still captive or had died during the Algerian military offensive to free them that began Thursday.
On Friday, trapped in the main refinery area, the militants offered to trade two American hostages for two prominent terror figures jailed in the United States.
Those the militants sought to have released included the blind sheikh who was convicted of plotting to blow up New York City landmarks and considered the spiritual leader of the nineteen ninety-three World Trade Center bombing, and a Pakistani scientist convicted of shooting at two U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.
That number of hostages at the remote desert facility was significantly higher than any previous report,
and still meant that the fate of over thirty foreign energy workers was unclear.
It was not clear whether the remaining foreigners were still captive or had died during the Algerian military offensive to free them that began Thursday.
On Friday, trapped in the main refinery area, the militants offered to trade two American hostages for two prominent terror figures jailed in the United States.
Those the militants sought to have released included the blind sheikh who was convicted of plotting to blow up New York City landmarks and considered the spiritual leader of the nineteen ninety-three World Trade Center bombing, and a Pakistani scientist convicted of shooting at two U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.
MORE FLU DEATHS REPORTED
Health officials say nine more deaths of children from the flu have been reported, bringing the total this flu season to 29.
In a typical season, about 100 children die of the flu, so it is not known whether this year will be better or worse than usual.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says half of confirmed flu cases so far are in people 65 and older.
This year's season is earlier than normal and the dominant flu strain is one that tends to make people sicker.
Fortunately, health officials say it's not too late to get a flu shot to help protect against the flu.
In a typical season, about 100 children die of the flu, so it is not known whether this year will be better or worse than usual.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says half of confirmed flu cases so far are in people 65 and older.
This year's season is earlier than normal and the dominant flu strain is one that tends to make people sicker.
Fortunately, health officials say it's not too late to get a flu shot to help protect against the flu.
TEXAS JOBLESS RATE SLIPS
The Texas jobless rate for December has slipped to six point one percent in the fourth straight month of declines.
The Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Andres Alcantar says 2012 was a strong year for the Texas economy with overall annual growth of 2.5 percent.
Officials in Austin say Texas employers added forty-one hundred total non-farm jobs last month,
and six out of eleven major industries in Texas added jobs in December.
The Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Andres Alcantar says 2012 was a strong year for the Texas economy with overall annual growth of 2.5 percent.
Officials in Austin say Texas employers added forty-one hundred total non-farm jobs last month,
and six out of eleven major industries in Texas added jobs in December.
PUBLIC SNAKE HUNTS IN FLORIDA
Florida wildlife officials say 21 Burmese pythons have been killed so far in a public hunt for the invasive species in the Everglades.
It's unknown how many pythons live in the Everglades.
Even experienced hunters have a hard time spotting the snakes in the swamplands.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says more than 1,000 people registered for the state's month-long "Python Challenge."
The dead snakes will be processed by the University of Florida.
The state hopes to apply the data gleaned from the carcasses to management plans for the Everglades.
Officials say the large snakes are devouring native wildlife at an alarming rate.
The contest ends February tenth.
It's unknown how many pythons live in the Everglades.
Even experienced hunters have a hard time spotting the snakes in the swamplands.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says more than 1,000 people registered for the state's month-long "Python Challenge."
The dead snakes will be processed by the University of Florida.
The state hopes to apply the data gleaned from the carcasses to management plans for the Everglades.
Officials say the large snakes are devouring native wildlife at an alarming rate.
The contest ends February tenth.
SAN ANTONIO SCHOOL BUS CRASHES IN POOL
A San Antonio school bus driver has been slightly hurt after the vehicle went out of control and crashed into a motel swimming pool.
Officials with the North East Independent School District in San Antonio say the driver was alone on board yesterday afternoon.
He was about to start his route picking up students after classes ended for the day.
Authorities are trying to determine what caused the driver to lose control of the bus, which hit a utility pole before ending up in the pool.
The driver was treated at the scene for cuts and bruises.
A crane was used to lift the heavily damaged bus from the pool.
Officials with the North East Independent School District in San Antonio say the driver was alone on board yesterday afternoon.
He was about to start his route picking up students after classes ended for the day.
Authorities are trying to determine what caused the driver to lose control of the bus, which hit a utility pole before ending up in the pool.
The driver was treated at the scene for cuts and bruises.
A crane was used to lift the heavily damaged bus from the pool.
