Fatality Accident

We have a fatality accident shortly after 1:30 p.m today at 380 and Rose Avenue in Decatur. (Between 287 and the sheriff's office). Developing.

This Beats "Don't Mess With Texas"

Wise County Messenger Declares War On Wal-Mart

Not really. But I bet they feel like it. Story: Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has decided against buying more advertisements in local newspapers after a test in two states showed the expense is not justified, the world's largest retailer said Wednesday.

Baseball Team Payrolls

Top 3: 1. Yankees $198 million 2. Red Sox $120 million 3. Angels $103 million Bottom 3. 28. Rockies $41 million 29. Devil Rays $35 million 30. Marlins $14.9 million Your Rangers: 18th with $65 million

Cowboys Schedule Just Released

Sun., Sept. 10 at Jacksonville Sun., Sept. 17 vs. Washington Sun., Sept. 24 Bye week Sun., Oct. 1 at Tennessee Sun., Oct. 8 at Philadelphia Sun., Oct. 15 vs. Houston Mon., Oct. 23 vs. NY Giants Sun., Oct. 29 at Carolina Sun., Nov. 5 at Washington Sun., Nov. 12 at Arizona Sun., Nov. 19 vs. Indianapolis Thu., Nov. 23 vs. Tampa Bay Sun., Dec. 3 at NY Giants Sun., Dec. 10 vs. New Orleans Sat., Dec. 16 at Atlanta Mon., Dec. 25 vs. Philadelphia Sun., Dec. 31 vs. Detroit Edit: Times and network (and an easier to read schedule is here)

Just Because

That Was Quick

NEW YORK – A day after Katie Couric announced she was leaving for CBS, NBC has chosen Meredith Vieira as Matt Lauer's new partner on the "Today" show.

Courthouse News

A guy just got an 8 year prison sentence from a Wise County jury for Felony DWI. Kinda odd: He had been riding a motorcycle. It looks like he had two prior DWI convictions out of Wise County and three prior DWI arrests (out of other counties) that were reduced to something else. He also had a prior prison sentence for Burglary of a Habitation back in the 1980s when he was a teen. The range of punishment was 2 to 20 years. [No comments for now. You guys go crazy on criminal justice]

Fast Food Confusion

So I go through the McDonald's drive through at lunch to get a salad. (Yep, a salad). When I finally make it to the speaker I hear, "I'm sorry for the inconvience, but my manager has informed me that I can no longer take any orders. A bus has just arrived and we have to clear up all those orders first. I'm sorry." What the . . . ? I ain't lovin' it!

People Are Crazy

Get on a bike. Accelerate to high rate of speed by being pulled by a vehicle. Hit a huge ramp and launch yourself. Try to land on top of a two story house with a flat roof. The result? youtube.com video

Girl From "Will and Grace" Trying To Get Out Of Speeding Ticket

This Sounds Suspicious

From the Update: FINALIST PULLS OUT — The lone finalist for the Bridgeport school superintendent post has withdrawn his name for the job. Steve Williams, assistant superintendent for human resources/student services at Eagle Mountain-Saginaw school district, withdrew his name Monday because he did not think he had the full backing of the board. He wanted the job. The board voted unanimously to give him the job (with one board member absent). And now he's gone?

Sheesh

I just saw a promo from Fox 4's Dan Henry for the news tonight: "Find out what happens if a tornado were to hit the Texas Motor Speedway. Tonight at 10:00". Come on. We all know 160,000 white people would be killed by 1,000,000 flying beer cans.

I Think This Is On The News Every Day

Is half the male population trying to hook up with underage girls by the Internet? Link. (My homeland feels so much more secure now).

Minor Giggle

At the movies this weekend (which not many people go to anymore), the movie trailer for The Simpsons Movie made its debut. Youtube.com has it here.

Justice

I hated Dharma & Greg starring Jenna Elfman. Her new series, Courting Alex, has been cancelled. Serves her right for the damage she caused prime time TV.

$13 Million A Year

Katie Couric will announce tomorrow that she is leaving the Today Show to become anchor of the CBS Evening News. Random Thoughts: (1) The only person that watches any of the network evening news shows anymore is me because I, in my own nerd sort of way, TIVO one of them. (2) That's a lot of cash. (3) Whenever she does a "hard news" interview on the Today Show, she reads the questions like she has no idea what she is asking. (4) She is still hot. (5) I still feel sorry for her due to her husband dying several years ago. (6) I will switch to Good Morning America if Ann Curry takes her spot.

1995

An aerial shot of 287 and 51 in Decatur as it appeared in 1995. The Super Walmart is under construction. Grandy's had not burned down yet. No Chili's. No Lowe's. (Click to enlarge)