Fort Worth water and sewer bills will be higher in the New Year. Mary Gugliuzza. with the Fort Worth Water Department says the increase kicked-in January first. Most customers will see it on their February bills. The average bill will go up $1.58.
Gugliuzza: On the water side, the big driver is the raw water cost. The cost we buy the water from Tarrant Regional is going up dramatically.
Gugliuzza says the increase is not drought related. It’s part of the longtime project with the city of Dallas to build a huge pipeline from Lake Palestine.
Gugliuzza says a rate increase will help pay for a high-tech assessment of large sewer pipes. She says sewer gases can eat away at the pipes over time.
BJ Austin, KERA News
NC soldier's account to investigators indicates he may have flown to Texas with explosives
Investigators say a soldier accused of bringing explosives into an airport in his carry-on bag may have flown halfway across the country with them the week before.
A U.S. attorney's spokesman says Trey Scott Atwater of Hope Mills, N.C., waived his initial appearance in federal court in Midland, Texas. Court documents say Atwater was arrested Saturday after being stopped at a security checkpoint at Midland International Airport with the powerful explosive C-4.
The Fort Bragg-based soldier has been charged with trying to bring explosives onto an airplane, which carries a maximum 10-year federal prison sentence.
Court records say Atwater was detained at the Fayetteville, N.C., airport on Christmas Eve when security agents found a military smoke grenade in his carry-on bag. The documents say officials "admonished" Atwater after confiscating the grenade, then allowed him to continue on to Texas.
AP
Perry voices support for Dewhurst's US Senate bid
Gov. Rick Perry has voiced support for Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's campaign for the U.S. Senate.
GOP presidential hopeful Perry was campaigning Monday in Iowa when he said of the Senate, "which David will be a member of, Lord willing."
Perry also mentioned would-be legislation repealing federal health care reform, saying Dewhurst "can be the cosponsor in the Senate."
Dewhurst is the frontrunner in the Republican primary for retiring Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's seat.
He is among a group of Texas political operatives who have gathered in Iowa to campaign for Perry.
Dewhurst's campaign on Tuesday launched an online video with footage of Perry's support.
Also Tuesday, a political action committee tied to the conservative Club for Growth unveiled two 15-second television ads attacking Dewhurst as overly moderate.
AP
Mesquite Man Pleads Guilty In Child Porn Case
A 29 year old man from Mesquite faces up to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to advertising child pornography.
Federal prosecutors say Jonathan Vittitow admitted in court to advertising child porn files available for sharing online.
Officials say Vittitow also illegally possessed 120 gigabytes of child porn on his home computer. Court documents also show Vittitow had online conversations about child pornography, sexual assault and how to drug children.
Sentencing for Vittitow is April 2nd.
BJ Austin, KERA News
Wrong House Factor In Fort Worth Shooting
A 29 year old Fort Worth man shot and killed by a homeowner last week apparently went to the wrong house.
The homeowner says she was awakened by the doorbell about 3:30 in the morning. She said a man entered the house after ringing the bell, and she shot him.
The Medical Examiner ruled the death of James Green a homicide. He says Green died of a gunshot would to the arm and abdomen. Police say Green apparently thought he was at a friend’s house in the neighborhood. Tests for drugs or alcohol in Green’s system are pending.
No charges have been filed against the homeowner.
BJ Austin, KERA News
Dallas County To “Co Star” in TV Series Dallas
Dallas County Commissioners are a little more enthusiastic about the television “remake” of the series “Dallas” now that some scenes will be filmed on county property.
Commissioners voted Tuesday to allow the series to film at various county locations, including the jail, courts and office buildings.
The agenda item called for a 25 thousand dollar deposit and a thousand-dollar-a-day filming fee.
County Judge Clay Jenkins called for the vote wearing a Stetson.
The new series, featuring key members of the original cast, is already filming in Dallas.
The series is to air next summer on TNT.
BJ Austin, KERA News