Sweetwater Reporter (Sweetwater, Tex.), Vol. 114, No. 061, Ed. 1 Wednesday, March 28, 2012 Page: 1 of 10
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CM K
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Wednesday, March 28, 2012
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Vol. 114, Issue 061 "50 cents
Crack house trial begins
BY BELINDA SERRANO
Staff Writer
The trial against Robert Williams began
on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 in the 32nd
Judicial District Court with presiding judge
Glen Harrison.
Williams is charged with engaging in orga-
nized criminal activity as part of the crack
cocaine distribution house on 1110 Runnels
which w as busted by local and area authorities
on October 6, 2010.
.Jury selection began Tuesday morning,
with the final twelve jurors being selected
shortly after 2 p.m. Opening statements were
heard starting around 3:30 p.m. from District
Attorney Ann Reed for the state and David
Thedford for the defense.
Reed noted that Williams lived in the house
on Runnels; the testimony heard from the
investigator on the case about drug dealing
would show that Williams along with several
others were selling drugs, as a confidential
informant successfully purchased drags on
three different occasions leading up to October
6, 2010.
During this time, 24-hour surveillance had
been set on the house, in which a video sum-
mary would show continuous come and go
traffic and hand to hand transactions.
On October 5 2010, a regular visitor to
the house was followed and contacted by the
investigators, who confessed to buying drugs
and was willing to talk to the local law enforce-
ment. This step allowed the authorities to
apply for a search warrant which was executed
on the following day with a number of law
enforcement entities from around the area.
The state noted that they would also show
that the residents of the house were aware and
helped the house continue with the activity as
the bills were being regularly paid. Everything
presented by the state, Reed noted, would
show the organized criminal activity.
Thedford's opening statement noted that he
disagrees with the state's evidence. The evi-
dence from the investigator, surveillance foot-
age and several confidential informants that
were used—called "snitches" by the defense—
• See TRIAL page 3
Robert larry
Williams
mprovements continue at S' S D
A presentation was heard at the SISD board meeting from David White with
McKinstry, the company who recently replaced 108 pieces of equipment during this
past Spring Break as part of the Cool Schools grant. All but two of the district's air
conditioning units were replaced, but the entire project is expected to be completed
by the first part of April. Crane Services of Sweetwater assisted in the project. A
crane is shown lifting one of the unit onto J.P. Cowen Early Childhood Center.
Photo by Tatiana Rodriguez
BY BELINDA SERRANO
Staff Writer
Sweetwater Intermediate School (SIS)
brought its campus report to the SISD
(Sweetwater Independent School District)
Board of Trustees during their regular
meeting on Monday evening, March 26 at
the Administration Building.
Heather Moore, the principal at SIS, pre-
sented an overview of the school, noting
that more departmentalization has been
utilized this year. Tripods—clusters of three
teachers—in both the fourth and fifth grades
have been established to help prepare stu-
dents for the new standardized test, STAAR
(State of Texas Assessments of Academic
Readiness).
The curriculum used at the school,
C-Scope, has been praised by teachers for
its depth, elevated vocabulary and higher-
level thinking which develops a deeper
comprehension in students. Changes in
instruction have resulted as well in that
textbooks are no longer used.
Several student programs were discussed,
including the Rtl (response to interven-
tion) class Pitt Stop. The program focuses
on reading and math for students while
reviewing skills for students to master. The
class has proven to motivate students while
building self esteem and filling educational
gaps.
The SOI program, attended 90 minutes
a week by students, centralizes on areas of
focus with sensory integration and visual
proceedings. Individual exercises and small
group study is implemented.
In addition, the Spire program is a sup-
plemental and intervention program for
students with dyslexia or other reading hin-
drances. The small-group study meets for
30 minutes on a daily basis and helps with
phonics and vocabulary comprehension.
Preparation for the STAAR test has been
widely implemented at SIS through built
in tutorials set during and after school.
Academies, benchmark testing and tests
administered every six weeks are also being
used, along with Flex Days. Color-coded
progress charts track students' work, all
serving to motivate student growth.
Extra activities at SIS consist of library
incentives like the point club awards, where
every student in the class attains the same
goal. Classes compete to become part of the
25 Point Club; audio books are awarded
for joining the 50 Point Club and the class
will be recognized on the school's marquee
when reaching the 100 Point Club.
The school-wide behavioral program,
TBSI (Texas Behavior Support Initiative),
addresses how to act while in common areas
like bathrooms, hallways and the cafeteria
and while at recess and upon dismissal.
Community rules are also discussed.
The gifted and talented program known
as SEEK has seen success this year
through their participation in Destination
ImageNation. The class teaches students
to develop quick critical thinking skills and
problem solving through teamwork.
In addition, the SIS Jump Rope Team has
served as a positive highlight to the com-
munity through the group's performances
at area colleges and even the San Antonio
Spurs basketball games.
Other programs include a school-wide
music performance and Watch Dogs, which
encourages all around involvement from
fathers of students. Overall, the school
strives to attain all around involvement
from its staff and faculty members.
Another presentation was heard from
David White with McKinstry, the company
who recently replaced 108 pieces of equip-
ment during this past Spring Break as part
of the Cool Schools grant.
All but two of the district's air condi-
tioning units were replaced, but the entire
project is expected to be completed by the
first part of April. The final inspection from
the state is projected to take place near the
middle of the month.
Pictures were shown of the Spring Break
project of the old units that were replaced
and the newly installed units. With this
upgrade, better circulation will be felt,
notably at the new high school gym. Mr.
White stated that the district is already sav-
ing energy and in the long-term service and
maintenance will be simpler.
McKinstry also discussed the Energy
Service Performance Contract in that a
See SISD page 3
look inside for
a chance
to win tickets
to seelason
D. Williams.
Go online for
more chances
to win!
Local band performs at TMA Fan Fair
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LOTTERV
PICK 3 (Day)- 4-8-4
Daily 4 (Day) — 7-7-2-5
PICK 3 - 4-7-3
Daily 4 — 8-5-1-8
MEGA MILLIONS
9-19-34-44-51 MB:24 MP:3
CASH FIVE
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Shown are Anjelique and Sweet City Band of Sweetwater, who performed at the 2012 Tejano Music Awards Fan Fair, a three-day event in
San Antonio from March 16-18 with over 100 bands performing throughout the day on six stages. Anjelique and Sweet City Band performed
9 on Friday night and Sunday afternoon.
CM K
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Sweetwater Reporter (Sweetwater, Tex.), Vol. 114, No. 061, Ed. 1 Wednesday, March 28, 2012, newspaper, March 28, 2012; Sweetwater, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth229725/m1/1/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Sweetwater/Nolan County City-County Library.