The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome their newest member, Principally Coins & Metal Detectors, on Tuesday, May 7th.

They offer several models of metal detectors including selections from White's and Garrett along with accessories, and they help with factory service.  They also buy, sell, and trade coins and host the Central Texas Treasure Hunters meetings on the first Tuesday of the month as well as the Brown County Coin Club meetings on the second Tuesday of the month.

Molly (Nickols) Purl, a 2000 Howard Payne University graduate and eighth-grade teacher in Mesquite ISD, was awarded for excellence in teaching during the spring 2013 semester.

The district’s highest honor, the Mesquite ISD Apple Corps program honors outstanding teachers who have been nominated by their peers. Apple Corps teachers demonstrate leadership, innovation and dedication to students. The program was established in 1990, and two teachers are inducted during the district’s Board of Trustees meeting each month.

Purl holds a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in political science from HPU, as well as a master’s degree in educational administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce. She has taught eighth-grade American history at Agnew Middle School in Mesquite for 13 years.

In honor of National Police Week, May 13-19, area law enforcement officials held a memorial service on Tuesday morning for those who have fallen in the line of duty.

Brownwood Chief of Police Mike Corley gave opening remarks that noted less officer fatalities in 2013 than in 2012 nationwide.  He gave statistics that 166 officers died nationally, 13 of which were from Texas in 2012 and in 2013 there were 127 officer deaths nationwide, with 11 in Texas.  These deaths also included two canine officers who died in the line of duty, both were from Bexar County.

A group of 16 Brownwood High School students who took part in the PLAN (Pre-ACT) testing were honored at the Brownwood ISD Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, May 13th, for meeting the College Readiness score in all four targeted areas.

Pictured at top, BHS Principal Bill Faircloth hands out certificates recognizing the students’ accomplishments.

The following items need to be turned into scented candles: coffee, bacon, and Crock Pot Barbecue Sandwiches. Oh my soul – a pot full of tender pork simmering in smoky, sweet sauce just fills the whole house with the best smells!

Crock Pot Barbecue Pork Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 3-4 pounds boneless pork
• Large bottle BBQ sauce
• Liquid Smoke
• To serve – buns, pickles, onion, a little extra sauce… whatever you want!

In the morning, throw a few pounds of boneless pork in the Crock Pot. I used a large pork loin for this particular batch because I got it on sale and I didn’t feel obligated to dress it up. If I pay full price for a pork loin, then I’m going to pan sear it and slow roast that bad boy. But this was a buy one, get one for a penny deal at Brookshire’s – so I felt okay with shredding it into delicious BBQ pork sandwiches. You can use any piece of boneless pork. Heck, if you have a piece with bones, use it and take the bones out later. Life (and BBQ) doesn’t need to be complicated.

Coinciding with National Employee Health and Fitness Day, the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS) is hosting a VA2K Walk and Roll event on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event encourages employees, Veterans and the public to join in a fun, short walk to promote health but also support homeless Veterans.  The event will include music, food and giveaways (while supplies last).  Those wishing to participate may select one of the locations listed below.

“Worksite wellness activities enhance employee engagement and contribute to a more productive and healthy workforce,” said Thomas Smith, Director.  “Last year, VA’s 2K events across our Central Texas Veterans Health Care System were extremely successful, and this year, we intend to collect even more in-kind donations and involve more participants in support of wellness and homeless Veterans.”

Brownwood ISD announced Monday night at their school board meeting that Charlie Musgrove, BISD Community Relations Coordinator, won two awards this year from the Texas School Public Relations Association.

“This is the first year that we actually have applied for awards at the Texas School Public Relations Association, and we are fortunate enough to win two awards,” said BISD Superintendent Reece Blincoe.

The awards included the Silver Star Award for Brownwood ISD’s mobile app and the Bronze Star Award for the district’s “Inside the Pride” newsletter that is emailed out regarding the latest school related news.

Law enforcement arrests and reports released Monday, May 13, 2013.

Friday, May 10

*9:52 AM – Brownwood Police met with a complainant at the law enforcement center regarding fraud.   According to the report, the complainant stated that some unknown suspect has compromised his bank account and has been stealing money from it.

*10:33 AM – Brownwood Police were called to the 1500 block of Calvert.  According to the report, during a joint investigation with the Department of Homeland Security and Brownwood Police, contact was made with a student at Brownwood Middle School regarding the online solicitation of a minor.

*5:00 PM – Brownwood Police responded to the burglary of a habitation in the 2300 block of Austin Avenue.  According to the report, an unknown subject burglarized the complainant’s residence and medication was stolen.

*Brown County Sheriff’s Office arrested 40-year-old Tommy Lee Kinsey on a warrant for his arrest related to burglary of a habitation.

*Brown County Sheriff’s Office arrested 33-year-old Bobby Wayne Michalski, Jr. of Early on two warrants related to theft and possession of a controlled substance penalty group 1 less than 1 gram.

Paw Pride Award winners from East Elementary for the 5th six weeks were announced at awards assemblies on Friday, April 19th.  East Elementary teachers present two students from each class with the award every six weeks.  These students exemplify respect for friends, teachers and themselves by making good choices and setting a good example for others to follow.

Reports released for the week of May 5-11, 2013 from the Brownwood Fire Department include 18 medical emergencies, 5 fire calls, 4 motor vehicle accidents, 1 hazardous materials call, 1 public assistance call and 1 lock-in call.

Reports of interest include:

Tuesday, May 6

*10:52 AM – BFD responded to a single vehicle accident involving a vehicle striking a tree in the 3000 block of FM 1176. Firefighters extricated the occupant from the vehicle.

Wednesday, May 7

*12:04 AM – BFD was dispatched to a fire call in the 400 block of W. Commerce regarding an unauthorized fire.  Upon fire crews’arrival, no fire was found.

*12:06 AM – BFD responded to a two-vehicle accident with no injuries in the 300 block of E. Commerce.

*12:21 PM – BFD was called to a fire in the 2500 block of Brady regarding a shop fire. Fire crews arrived on scene to find flames coming from the shop.  Firefighters extinguished the fire and overhaul was performed. The Brownwood Fire Marshal was on scene to investigate the cause of the fire.

*1:23 PM – BFD was dispatched to a fire call in the 2600 Crockett Drive, Brownwood Regional Medical Center parking lot, regarding a vehicle fire.  Fire crews arrived on scene to find a car with the engine compartment on fire.  Firefighters extinguished the fire.

Brownwood High School’s Cherita George has committed to play softball for Howard Payne University and was celebrated by her coaches, teammates, family and friends on Monday afternoon in a mock signing ceremony.

According to her coaches, George has exemplified leadership, dedication and skill throughout her time as a Brownwood Lady Lion.

The Brownwood Police Department, Early Police Department and TxDOT held their official kick off for the 12th annual Click it or Ticket seat belt safety campaign Monday morning at the Brown County Law Enforcement Center.

Texas Department of Transportation Safety Specialist Jeanni Luckey gave a bit of history related to vehicle safety.

Emergency responders were called to the scene of a vehicle versus pedestrian accident near the intersection of Vine and Bonita Monday afternoon.

At approximately 12:00 noon, a male subject on a Yamaha scooter was struck by a Volkswagen passenger car, occupied by two male subjects.

The Brownwood Chamber’s Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon will be held on Friday, May 17 at Brownwood Country Club from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.  This event is intended to honor the men and women in all aspects of law enforcement—who work together to keep the community safe.

Representatives from the Brownwood and Early Police Departments, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Brown County Justices of the Peace and other agencies will be on hand to announce special honors earned by their department and/or officers.  Each of those agencies or departments has been offered the opportunity to announce their Officer of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Investigator of the Year, or whatever awards may be appropriate for their agency.  Other invited Law Enforcement officials will be recognized, such as District Judge and Attorney, County Judge and Attorney, Constables and other agencies that serve and protect the citizens in Brown County.