TexasTowelie
TexasTowelie's JournalFormer Phi Slama Jama member suing University of Houston
Michael Young, a member of Phi Slama Jama and former director of basketball operations at the University of Houston, has filed a lawsuit to have his employment contract with the school rescinded.
In the lawsuit, filed this week in Harris County district court, Young alleges that UH asked him to "engage in fraud and to engage in the illegal act of accepting money without performing a service and to violate NCAA rules."
UH strongly refuted the accusations in a prepared statement released Friday afternoon.
"University practice is to not comment on pending litigation, however, the University is looking forward to vigorously defending its actions."
Young left UH on May 31, ending a more than two-decade relationship with the university, after refusing reassignment in a community service role within the athletic department. He had been employed by UH for 16 years, including the last seven as director of basketball operations.
More at http://www.chron.com/sports/cougars/article/Michael-Young-files-lawsuit-against-UH-4649117.php?cmpid=hpbn
Cross-posted in Texas Group.
Congressman Joe Barton wants Cowboys Stadium and Rangers ballpark back in his district
Rep. Joe Barton longs for the days when he had Cowboys Stadium and Rangers Ballpark in his congressional district.
But the redistricting process, controlled by Attorney General Greg Abbott and fellow Republicans in the Texas Legislature, resulted in the stadiums being placed in the newly created Congressional District 33. That area is represented by Fort Worth Democrat Marc Veasey.
Barton, R-Arlington, told me today that he was set to cut a deal with Veasey to get the stadiums. He would have given Veasey more Democratic areas in exchange for the land housing the stadiums.
“I live right down the street,” Barton said.
To Barton’s dismay, Republicans didn’t want any changes to the congressional boundaries used for the 2012 elections. The so-called interim maps were approved by the Legislature during the June special session and signed by the governor. So barring changes made by a federal court, Barton will have to wait at least eight years to represent his beloved stadiums.
More at http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/07/texas-congressman-joe-barton-wants-cowboys-stadium-and-rangers-ballpark-back-in-his-district.html/ .
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Arlington former police officer facing federal count for steroids ring
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — A fired North Texas police officer accused of protecting an alleged drug dealer and helping sell anabolic steroids to department personnel has been indicted by a federal grand jury.
Ex-Arlington police officer Thomas Kantzos is facing one count of exceeding authorized access to a protected computer. Authorities allege Kantzos improperly used a police computer to help tip off his steroids dealer.
Kantzos, who had been with the force since 1995, was fired after his arrest last month.
Investigators say Kantzos, who's free on bond, used police databases to slip information to an alleged dealer and helped arrange steroids sales to other officers.
More at http://www.chron.com/news/texas/article/Ex-officer-facing-federal-count-for-steroids-ring-4647094.php?cmpid=hpts .
Related Threads:
Arlington officer accused of tipping off steroid dealer, supplying other officers
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10789363
State reduces meningitis vaccine requirement
Gov. Rick Perry has agreed to lower the age ceiling for the state's new meningitis vaccine requirement from 29 to 21, reducing the number of students who need the shot, which can cost up to $200, to enroll in Texas colleges and universities.
The meningococcal vaccination or an exemption became a necessity for most post-secondary students younger than 30 about 18 months ago.
Tightening the age range targets those 16 to 21 — the group most at risk for the deadly infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The amended law takes effect Oct. 1, which means older students entering this fall still must meet the requirement. The law will be in full force on Jan. 1 for the 2014 spring semester.
More at http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/article/State-reduces-meningitis-vaccine-requirement-4647349.php .
A new law narrows age range for Texas college students required to have the meningococcal vaccine, but those 29 and younger headed to school before Oct. 1 still must have the shot. An immunization usually costs at least $100 at retail pharmacies. Here are some cheaper options:
Texas Vaccines for Children:
If you qualify, get the shot before you turn 19. The program offers free or low-cost immunizations for uninsured or Medicaid-eligible children and for families that can't afford insurance deductibles or copayments. Visit immunizetexas.org for more information.
Your parents' insurance: Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, children up to 26 can receive covered vaccinations under mom's or dad's plan.
Café College: The resource center at 131 El Paso St. has a limited number of vouchers for a no-cost initial vaccine or booster dose for those referred to the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. They apply to those between 19 and 29 who don't have health insurance, Medicaid or CHIP. Information is at cafecollege.org.
[font color=green]Something to mention when a Tea Partier comes forth spewing RW talking points about Obamacare making health care less available.[/font]
Fort Worth Representative Lon Burnam Files Texas' First Post-DOMA Marriage Equality Bill
Back in February, when the Texas legislature was in session the first time, Representative Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, authored a bill aimed to authorize "a marriage between two persons of the same sex in this state and repealing the statutory prohibition against the recognition of a civil union or similar relationship entered into in another state between two persons of the same sex."
It's not surprising that Burnam's bill never got any traction. This was almost five months ago, before the Supreme Court reached a decision in United States v. Windsor and struck down substantial chunks of the Defense of Marriage Act. This is a new, week-old epoch, and on Monday Burnam filed another bill with the same aim as the last one.
This bill's chances of getting any farther than the last one range from insignificant to nonexistent, but Burnam told us he thought it was important to file the legislation anyway.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," he said. "And this is the second step. It's a vehicle to keep talking about what's going on at the national level."
More at http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2013/07/fort_worth_representative_file.php .
Cross-posted in Texas Group.
Fort Worth Representative Lon Burnam Files Texas' First Post-DOMA Marriage Equality Bill
Back in February, when the Texas legislature was in session the first time, Representative Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, authored a bill aimed to authorize "a marriage between two persons of the same sex in this state and repealing the statutory prohibition against the recognition of a civil union or similar relationship entered into in another state between two persons of the same sex."
It's not surprising that Burnam's bill never got any traction. This was almost five months ago, before the Supreme Court reached a decision in United States v. Windsor and struck down substantial chunks of the Defense of Marriage Act. This is a new, week-old epoch, and on Monday Burnam filed another bill with the same aim as the last one.
This bill's chances of getting any farther than the last one range from insignificant to nonexistent, but Burnam told us he thought it was important to file the legislation anyway.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," he said. "And this is the second step. It's a vehicle to keep talking about what's going on at the national level."
More at http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2013/07/fort_worth_representative_file.php .
Cross-posted in LGBT Civil Rights and Activism (Group).
Playboy told to remove sign from West Texas road
MARFA (AP) — A Texas agency says Playboy has 45 days to remove a neon-lit 40-foot high sculpture of the magazine’s iconic bunny logo from a West Texas road.
The Texas Department of Transportation ordered the removal of the sign, called “Playboy Marfa,” because Playboy does not have a license for outdoor advertisement in Texas.
The El Paso Times reports officials representing Playboy said the company has not violated any laws and will try to resolve the agency’s concerns.
Officials were alerted about the sign after Marfa resident Lineaus Lorette filed a complaint. Lorette says some Marfa residents are upset the company has used their town, known as a hub for artists, for marketing purposes.
More at http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2013-07-04/playboy-told-remove-sign-west-texas-road .
[font color=green]Not much happening in the state news category so enjoy the brew and the barbecue. A 40-foot neon bunny is intimidating though.[/font]
Sen. Zaffirini among co-executors facing Webb County civil suit
A civil lawsuit filed Wednesday afternoon in Webb County alleges the three co-executors of a family estate — among them state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo — mismanaged the trusts' assets and ended up wrongfully taking control of “millions of dollars of real property.”
Attorney Carlos Zaffirini, who's married to Judith and is representing all the defendants in the case, called the claims groundless.
“They've been trying to break the trust ... for years,” he said. “Their ultimate purpose is to get the money away from the trustees to squander it and do what they please.”
Rocio Guerra, whose deceased aunt and 98-year-old mother are the namesakes of the Delfina and Josefina Alexander Family Trust, is suing co-executors Zaffirini, Clarissa Chapa and David Arredondo, alleging they didn't “fulfill their duties to Delfina and the beneficiaries of her estate,” among other things.
More at http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Sen-Zaffirini-among-co-executors-facing-Webb-4646074.php .
Houston motorist sue DPS over search of 'womanly parts' (Brazoria County)
A state trooper has been fired and another suspended for their roles in a full cavity search last year of two motorists on the side of the road on Texas 288.
Brandy Hamilton, 27, and Alexandria Randle, 26, were headed home to Houston from Surfside on Memorial Day 2012 when Trooper Nathaniel Turner pulled them over for speeding, according to a lawsuit filed Friday in the case.
The women spent the day at the beach with family and friends.
Turner radioed for a female officer, Trooper Jennie Bui, to check out the women. The search went beyond checking pockets, and no standard pat-down of the women was conducted, the lawsuit alleges.
More at http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Houston-motorists-sue-DPS-over-search-of-womanly-4645303.php?cmpid=hpts .
[font color=green]Note: The emphasis of names in the article was determined by me. Apparently the DPS officers heard about a similar story in Irving so they wanted to join in on the YouTube video competition? 
The women in the Irving incident received a $185,000 settlement if it helps somebody to gauge the damages.
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Poll: Ted Cruz the top choice of Texas Republicans for president; Rick Perry runs a weak sixth
As Rick Perry mulls his political future, Texas Republicans have a loud, clear message for the 14-year governor: Don’t run for president again.
A new Public Policy Polling survey finds that just 18 percent of Republican primary voters in the Lone Star State want Perry to run for president, something the governor has said he is mulling. The overwhelming majority — 69 percent — does not want him to run again.
How bad is it for Perry? He’s the only potential Republican candidate for president who trails Democrat Hillary Clinton in a general election match-up among likely Texas voters.
While Texas Republicans are skeptical of Perry’s potential candidacy, they are much more favorably inclined toward the state’s freshman GOP senator, Ted Cruz.
More at http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2013/07/poll-ted-cruz-the-heavy-favorite-of-texas-republicans-for-president-rick-perry-runs-a-weak-sixth/?cmpid=hpts .
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Gender: MaleHometown: South Texas. most of my life I lived in Austin and Dallas
Home country: United States
Current location: Bryan, Texas
Member since: Sun Aug 14, 2011, 03:57 AM
Number of posts: 112,102
