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Dallas Proposes Changes After Lake Rescue

The city of Dallas says it will find ways to make boat ramps more visible at Elgin Robertson Park as soon as possible. Early Saturday morning, two women, lost and looking for an I-30 access road, turned onto a boat ramp, drove into Lake Ray Hubbard, and were rescued moments before their car sank.

Lt. Dave Davis is with the Rockwall County Sheriff’s Department.

Davis: The lighting out there is worse than poor. It’s almost non-existent, particularly in the area of the boat ramps. Ah, it’s very easy to look at that ramp and think oh, there’s the entrance ramp to the freeway. And you start down it and before you know it the front of your car is under water.

Dallas owns the park, but Rockwall Sheriff’s deputies do routine patrols. Deputy Keven Rowan spotted the car, swam to it, broke a window and brought the women to shore seconds before the car sank. Lt. Davis says the women, ages 20 and 21, did not know how to swim.

BJ Austin, KERA News

From City Of Dallas: "The Park and Recreation Department is evaluating the existing conditions at the boat ramp at Elgin B. Robertson Park and developing a plan to enhance visibility. Such actions to enhance visibility may include several options such as 1) replacement of existing signage; 2) addition of new reflective signage; 3) installation of pavement markings; 4) installation of road humps or rumble buttons; and 5) installation of barricades as where necessary.  The enhancements that are determined to be most appropriate will be implemented as soon as possible. "

 

Top FBI Special Agent In Dallas To Retire In April

The head of the FBI's Dallas office is planning to retire. Robert E. Casey will leave the bureau April 30 after five years as the Dallas FBI's special agent in charge. An FBI spokeswoman said Monday that Casey is taking a job in the private sector, but declined to say where.

Casey was appointed to head the Dallas field office in May 2006. He joined the FBI in September 1986 and worked in field offices in Phoenix, Chicago and Miami.

During Casey's tenure, agents investigated and arrested a Jordanian man who thought he was plotting to blow up a 60-story office tower in downtown Dallas. Hosam Smadi was eventually sentenced to 24 years in prison.

Casey declined to comment on his departure.

AP

Union to announce plan to keep jobs in Tulsa

The local Transport Workers Union is expected to announce a new plan to keep American Airlines jobs in Tulsa as the air carrier continues through bankruptcy proceedings.

Monday's expected announcement comes nearly two months after American Airlines filed for bankruptcy protection. The airline employs about 7,000 workers in Tulsa.

Local union leaders have said the salaries and benefits of the Tulsa workers could be in jeopardy during the bankruptcy process, and city leaders are considering what incentives could keep the maintenance base open.

AMR sought bankruptcy protection in November after posting $11 billion in losses since 2001.

Union members say pilots and flight attendants have already given back $1 billion a year in salaries and benefits to help the company deal with its debt.

AP

3 Democrats vying for US Senate nomination

Democrats have three top candidates to choose from in the primary race for the U.S. Senate, but their ultimate choice will probably say more about the party's future in Texas than who goes to Washington next year.

Every candidate says they are running to win the general election, but the odds are long. Former state Rep. Paul Sadler, party activist Sean Hubbard and trial lawyer Jason Gibson all insist they have a fighting chance to replace Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison this November.

But Democrats currently hold no statewide office. Democrats know they have a long way to go to regaining relevance in statewide races. Each candidate recognizes they are also running to be the party's statewide leader and could have a role in charting the course forward.

AP

High-tech parking system in Fort Worth

Fort Worth has joined a number of Texas cities offering high-tech ways to pay for parking.

Officials say the last of about 80 solar-powered pay stations, to accept credit cards and print receipts, are being installed this week in downtown Fort Worth.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Sunday that the devices are meant to handle about 600 high-volume parking spaces.

The Fort Worth City Council last month approved an $882,000 contract with Parkeon, wit h an option for 30 more units.

Fort Worth joins cities such as San Antonio and Austin in using solar-powered parking-related devices.

AP

Fan pleads not guilty in Jets game stun gun case

A South Carolina man accused of using a stun gun on other fans during a fight at a New York Jets-Dallas Cowboys game last year has pleaded not guilty.

A lawyer for Leroy McKelvey of Moncks Corner, S.C., entered the plea in state court in Hackensack, N.J., on Monday.

McKelvey is charged with aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a weapon.

The arraignment was held on McKelvey's 60th birthday. He didn't speak during the court appearance or after.

He was arrested at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 11. Stadium CEO Mark Lamping has said no one was seriously hurt in the incident during the Jets' 27-24 victory.

Security had been beefed up for the game because it was the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

AP