Crane council approves 8 percent hike in property tax
Crane Texas council members raised the effective property tax rate from 0.5099 to 0.5596 per $100 of valuation, hoping to cover a shortfall caused by energy sector woes reducing water sales by about $90,000 annually. The vote was unanimous despite petitions from over 200 residents opposing the tax increase and a separate petition alleging misuse of city vehicles. The plan may also include salary cuts and unpaid days off for staff. an Aug. 12 meeting will revisit vehicle-use concerns.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Crane
Terry Schul
Jack Atkinson
Ector County
Ray Yancey
Yancey
Shuler
Atkinson
Sesson
Floridian named in Alpine death
Alpine Police say Florida deputies arrested Lawrence Albert Smith II, son of slain Alpine antiques dealer Lawrence Albert Smith III, in Jacksonville. He was charged with the elder Smith’s 1984 murder, held on 100000 dollar bond, after yielding a statement. The elder was found Nov. 24, 1984, shot in a van in front of an Alpine shop. robbery motive was not clear.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Florida
Lawrence Albert Smith
Melgaza
Alpine
Smith
Justice of the Peace
Chester Wilson
Malgoza
Smoking ban clears air for seniors at Midland center
The Midland Senior Citizens Center adopted a no smoking rule effective July 18, moving smokers to a lounge. About 100 of 2500 Delano Ave members approved the policy in a July 8 meeting, amid concerns about lung health and participation in activities. Some members reported quitting or switching to nicotine gum, while only 2 or 3 opposed the ban.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Midland
Senior Citizens Center
Em Carnett
Delano Ave
Carnett
Margaret Ratcliff
W. Storey Ave
Ratcliff
Robberies Target Odessa Midland Pizza Huts Similar Methods
Four Odessa and Midland pizza parlors have been targeted in two months with the latest heist at Odessa on University Boulevard. Police say the methods are similar but no single bandit identified while a shop owner notes ongoing attempts to determine a possible pattern. A lone gunman confronted a female assistant manager late Wednesday and took a money bag containing $160.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Odessa
Midland
Frank Beam
Odessa I Police Department
Herb Blankenship
E. University Blvd
Tammy Marie Upchurch
Mike Jones
Upchurch
Newspaper Gripers and Gratitude in Odessa American
A veteran Odessa American writer defends newsroom choices and standards while acknowledging reader complaints about coverage and layout. He notes the public expects a broad mix of news, features, and local color, and highlights the balance between reporting reality and avoiding sensationalism. Compliments outnumber gripes, though some days feel different.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Geraldine Curfew
Crane City
Margaret Pittard
Junior
Camp Runamucka
Ken Brodnax
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!