Huntsville News

Only 19 of 112 Texas state prisons are air-conditioned, leaving most of the state's 155,000 prisoners and those who guard them to face the summer heat with fans and primitive air-circulating systems.

Huntsville native and model Sherell Baldwin has been making the rounds in town this week, asking for the support of her friends and in her quest to become America's Next Top Model.

With 32 years of firefighting under his belt, Huntsville Fire Department assistant fire chief John Waldo has become one of the most respected and knowledgeable firemen in Walker County.

Seven Huntsville Superstar contestants took the stage of the Old Town Theatre for the last time Saturday, making way for the third round of competition July 4. Twenty-five contestants are still in the contest, with at least seven of those likely to be eliminated this week.

Dr. Karin Olson visited the Huntsville Public Library Wednesday afternoon to give a presentation on the human body and on how doctors care for patients.

Born: Aug. 27, 1929, in Shellman, Ga. Died: June 23, 2009 in San Antonio Military: Air Force 1950-1954 Preceded by: A sister, Elinor Jackson Survived by: His son, Mark Clay Jackson of San Antonio; a sister, Vivian Short, of Tacoma, Wash.; a brother, Edward Jackson, of Shellman, Ga.; and a grandson Services: A memorial service took place Friday.

Why? When I retired after 36 years in the pipeline industry - 32 years with Explorer - I was ready to do something different and had lined up a number of things.

For many, beating the heat means leaving home. Walker County emergency officials say they'll eventually open a heat shelter for residents without air conditioning.

What with the crashing economy, the North Koreans having a nutty and Iran melting down - to name just a few of the crises spinning at the moment - the status of the death penalty would seem to be near the bottom of President Obama's list of priorities.

Firefighters from around Walker County worked late into the night Monday to contain and extinguish a large fire that eventually destroyed 250 acres of forest land on Farm-to-Market Road 1696.

Three firemen with the Texas Forest Service were injured Monday and Tuesday battling wildfires that starting to intensify as the Houston-area copes with a hotter and dryer summer than usual.

The Huntsville Main Street Program has announced the lineup of films for the 2009 Huntsville Summer Film Festival, set to be held July 24 and 25 at the Old Town Theatre.

Due to opinionated truth-telling, I have something of a reputation in Huntsville.

The Huntsville Fire Department may be getting another new fire station. The City Council voted Tuesday night to authorize city manager Bill Baine to apply for and accept, if awarded, a Department of Homeland Security Fire Station grant.

Three weeks after 27-year-old Ellen Marie Buffington of Huntsville was murdered at a local apartment complex, Huntsville detectives are still working to tie up loose ends in the case against Buffington's estranged husband, 38-year-old Samuel Vanparys Jr.

Today's Highlight in History: On June 17, 1775, the Revolutionary War Battle of Bunker Hill took place near Boston.

About 40 of East Texas's most talented with take the stage of the Old Town Theatre on Saturday to vie for the coveted title of 2009 Huntsville Superstar.

One day, several years ago, Jackie Pace set a goal for herself. "I just sat down on my bed one day and said: 'Lord, what is it that you would have me do?' And he said: 'work with children,'" Pace said.

The silent victims of domestic abuse have heavy burdens to bear, but for one day, the Huntsville SAAFE House hopes to use good music, good food and good fun to raise funds to provide the help they need.

In spite of a statewide drop in numbers, Huntsville's tourism industry is continuing to hold its own.