This Day in History: Monday, March 23, 2008

By The Morning Blend

This Day in History

This Day in History: Monday, March 23, 2008

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Just days after one Hunt County murder trial ends, anther is set to begin.

By Brad Kellar, Scott Harvey

Greenville, Commerce – Two Greenville residents have already claimed their seats for the May 9 election.

Mayor Tom Oliver and Place 5 City Council member Bryan Herrin have won second terms on the Council, as no one signed on to oppose them. The Council intends Tuesday to cancel those elections and declare Oliver and Herrin the winners by acclamation.

By Scott Harvey

Hunt County – Hunt County Commissioners have officially lifted the county's ban on outdoor burning, after more than three months of being under such restrictions.

Commissioners had originally implemented the ban on Dec. 8, and even extended the ban earlier this month.

Hunt County Fire Marshal Richard Hill recommended commissioners lift the ban during its Monday meeting, citing that the recent wet weather, soil saturation and fuel conditions on the ground, that are now in much better conditions.

By Associated Press

Kaufman – Two teens were flown to Parkland Memorial Hospital with injuries sustained from an explosion just outside Kaufman city limits.

Parkland spokeswoman Lynsey Purl could only confirm to The Associated Press Sunday that the hospital was treating two males who are minors.

Kaufman County Assistant Fire Marshal Randy Richards told The Dallas Morning News that the Saturday night explosion happened as three teens and an adult used a cutting torch to open a 55-gallon barrel inside a structure behind a residence.

By Brad Kellar

Greenville – Nearly three and a half years following the deaths of Dennis and Norma Woodruff; a jury finds their son, Brandon Dale Woodruff, guilty of their murders.

As the prosecution was not seeking the death penalty, Woodruff received an automatic sentence of life in prison without parole. He had pleaded not guilty to the crime.

The jury returned the verdict Friday after some five hours of deliberations in the case, following closing arguments. The trial lasted close to two weeks.

By Paris News

Paris – A two-car accident in Paris over the weekend claimed the life of a former Rivercrest High School student and injured several others.

The Paris News reports Jessica Kay, 18, of Paris died Saturday in a Dallas hospital from injuries received in the Friday night collision involving an SUV driven by James Barnes, 20, of Paris and a car driven by Christina Boren, 28, also of Paris.

By Scott Harvey

Hunt County – Hunt County Commissioners will consider lifting the countywide burn ban Monday, which has been in effect since Dec. 8.

During its last meeting on March 6, Commissioners approved a 30-day extension to the ban.

Hunt County Fire Marshal Richard Hill plans to recommend the county lifts the ban, citing that the recent wet weather, soil saturation and fuel conditions on the ground.

By Brad Kellar

Royse City – A former Royse City pastor pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges he possessed and trafficked in child pornography on his church's computers.

Steve Richardson pleaded guilty to two federal counts; one alleging transporting and shipping child pornography and one alleging the possession of child pornography before Magistrate Judge Irma C Ramirez.

By Brad Kellar

Hunt County – Twelve people suspected of being illegal aliens were arrested along Interstate 30 in Hunt County early Thursday morning.

All 12 of the individuals were still listed in custody at the Hunt County Jail as of Thursday afternoon, awaiting transport by immigration officials, according to Hunt County Sheriff Randy Meeks.

A search of the vehicle revealed none of the dozen men, ranging in age from 18 to 49, inside had valid identification and all were taken into custody.