Texas Press Messenger: December 2012 by Texas Press Association

MESSENGER Texas Press

TNF selects 2013 class of Hall of Fame inductees Texas Press Association • texaspress.com • DECEMBER 2012 • VOL. 87 NO. 12

Jeremy Halbreich AIM Media Texas LLC Texas Newspaper Foundation is proud to announce Sam Fore Jr., Jeremy Halbreich, Mary Henkel Judson and Willis Webb as the 2013 inductees in the Texas Newspaper Foundation Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place on Jan. 18, 2013, during the Texas Press 2013 Midwinter Conference and Trade Show at The Westin Galleria Houston.

Texas Newspaper Foundation is proud to announce Sam Fore Jr., Jeremy Halbreich, Mary Henkel Judson and Willis Webb as the 2013 inductees in the Texas Newspaper Foundation Hall

Mary Henkel Judson Port Aransas South Jetty

Willis Webb The Jasper Newsboy

of Fame. contributions to the newspaper industry The induction ceremony will take place and to their communities were recognized on Jan. 18, 2013, during the Texas Press by a selection committee that met Nov. 2. Serving as members of the selection 2013 Midwinter Conference and Trade Show at The Westin Galleria Houston. committee were: Phil Major, TPA president 2007-08, chairman; Jerry Tidwell, In 2006, the Austin-based Texas Newspaper Foundation created its own TPA president 1996-97; Alvin Holley, hall of fame to induct up to four exemTPA president 2000-01; Bob Brincefield, plary men and women of the newspaper TPA president 2010-11; and Chad Ferguson, TPA president 2011-12. business each year. The first four, Roy Eaton, Alfred H. Belo, James Roberts and Staley McBrayer, were inducted in Sam Fore Jr. January 2007. Sam Fore Jr. was elected 41st presiLike Eaton, Belo, Roberts and 2012 dent of Texas Press Association in McBrayer, the 2013 Abilene class of inductees’ Reporter-News 1919 at the age of 28. He is believed clearly outstanding achievements and CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 19 RANDY NEUGEUBAUER 85% CHIP PETERSON 15%

ELECTION

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 11 MIKE CONAWAY 79% JIM RILEY 18%

SEE MORE COVERAGE ON REPORTERNEWS.COM.

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 13 MAC THORNBERRY 91% JOHN DEEK 6%

STATE BOARD OF ED DISTRICT 15 MARTY ROWLEY 77% STEVEN SCHAFERSMAN 23%

LOCALS REACT TO OBAMA’S ELECTION VICTORY: 9A

www.reporternews.com

Abilene Reporter-News Abilene Reporter-News SWING STATES SEAL DEAL Abilene Reporter-News 75 CENTS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2012

Sam Fore Jr. Floresville Chronicle Journal to be the youngest person to hold the office. Fore owned and edited the Floresville Chronicle Journal, which he purchased in 1912, and also published the Robstown Record, which he bought from the Robstown Chamber of Commerce in 1926. His oldest daughter, Marion, and her husband, Carroll Keach, published the Record until their deaths in 1981 and 1983. Their son, Sam Fore Keach, and his wife, Vicki, continued to publish the Record, along with their son, Darrell

 CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

36 PAGES

OBAMA AGAIN

AROUND THE BIG COUNTRY

GOP, Novice, alcohol are tops ■ School bonds

not in favor of area voters By Larry Zelisko Special to the Reporter-News

ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama waves as he walks on stage with first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha at his election night party Wednesday in Chicago. Obama defeated Republican challenger Mitt Romney to win a second term.

Election coverage, Texas style PAGE 5

messenGer VoL. 87 no. 12 DecemBer 2012

MESSEN ESSENGER NGER TPA takes on added duties as Texas’ sole press association Texas Press

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE

Texas Press Association 718 West 5th Street Austin, TX 78759 (512) 477-6755 phone (512) 477-6759 fax texaspress.com

2012-13 TPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS

President Russel Skiles, Lamesa Press-Reporter; First Vice President Greg Shrader, Lufkin Daily News; Second Vice President Randy Mankin, Eldorado Success; Treasurer Glenn Rea, Cuero Record; Chairman Chad Ferguson, Banner Press Newspaper

BOARD MEMBERS

Elected: Bill Crist, Snyder Daily News; Sue Brown, Pleasanton Express; Rochelle Stidham, Stephenville Empire-Tribune; Brandi Guy, Thorndale Champion; Brett McCormick, Vernon Daily Record; Chad Engbrock, Wylie News Appointed: Jeff Berger, Hondo Anvil Herald; Mark Henry, Mexia News; Melissa Perner, Ozona Stockman; Ken Esten Cooke, Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post; Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise; Randy Keck, Community News; Hank Hargrave, Normangee Star Regional Presidents: Susan Reeves, Mount Vernon Optic-Herald, NETPA; Amanda Rogers, The Canyon News, PPA; Jason Jarrett, Westlake Picayune, STPA; Murray Judson, Port Aransas South Jetty, TGCPA; Mark Engebretson, Lake Country Sun, WTPA Regional Vice Presidents: Mark Engebretson, Lake Country Sun, NETPA; Wanda Brooks, Moore County News, PPA; Cyndy Slovak-Barton, Hays Free Press, STPA; Danny Reneau, Silsbee Bee, TGCPA; Lisa Davis, Wise County Messenger, WTPA

MESSENGER STAFF Publisher Micheal Hodges Editor Laura King Advertising Consultant Diane Byram Volume 87 — Issue No. 12 DECEMBER 2012 Subscription rate $6 per year Single issue 50 cents © Texas Press Messenger, 2012 (ISSN 1521-7523). Published monthly by Texas Press Service, a business affiliate of Texas Press Association. Periodicals postage paid at Austin, Texas, and additional mailing office, USPS 541-440. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Texas Press Messenger, 718 West 5th Street, Austin, Texas 78701-2783. Printed by Hood County News in Granbury, Texas.

After years — even decades — of off-and-on discussions, the newspaper industry in Texas soon will be represented by only one statewide press association rather than two. As many of you have likely heard, the Texas Daily Newspaper Association is ceasing operation by the end of this year. TDNA Board President Patrick Canty, publisher of the Odessa American, made the official announcement in mid-November through an open letter to all TDNA members. Texas Press Association will now serve as the voice of all newspapers across the state, large and small. It is a move leadership of both TPA and TDNA believe is a positive one that will serve our industry well as we continue to face changes inside our newspapers and challenges from outside the industry. Canty eloquently summed up TDNA’s decision in his November announcement, stating it was made “... with much enthusiasm and a bullish belief in a bright future for Texas newspapers.” He added, “We believe this consolidation of will, shared interest and talent will strengthen our industry as a whole and will enable us as an industry to continue to more effectively serve the best interests of our businesses, as well as the readers and advertisers to whom we are so committed,” Canty wrote. That is a belief shared by TPA leaders who have been working for several months to help ensure a smooth transition from two separate organizations to a single, unified association representing all Texas newspapers.

The change actually will have little effect on TPA’s membership, as all but a few TDNA members also have long been members of TPA. We hope, however, to see the publishers and executives of the state’s daily newspapers taking a more active role in TPA.

Rambling Russel Skiles TPa PresiDenT 2012-2013

With the recent hiring of Donnis Baggett as our executive vice president, TPA already has made a move to ensure continuation of the strong legislative lobbying effort in Austin that has been a major focus of TDNA in recent years. That focus is becoming increasingly important in the face of evergrowing efforts by various organizations seeking to take government legal notices out of newspapers and to limit the public’s right to know about actions that could impact their lives and livelihoods. The joint Legislative Advisory Committee, which in the past has been a cooperative effort of TPA and TDNA, will continue now as a key operation fully within TPA’s organization and structure. The first meeting of that group in preparation for the upcoming legislative session is scheduled for Dec. 14 in Austin. Anyone wanting to take an active

role in that effort should contact TPA’s Ed Sterling for details on how to get involved. With initial financial support from TDNA, TPA also will be hosting a legislative conference in Austin in late February to help focus attention on any proposed legislation that could impact Texas newspapers or the public’s access to information. As TPA takes on additional legislative and lobbying efforts, the organization also will be taking on the full responsibility of financing those efforts. To that end the TPA board has amended the current budget and approved a change in the dues structure for the first time in more than two decades. Other than those necessary adjustments to consolidate the efforts of two organizations into one, our members should see little change in the day-today operations or long-term focus of Texas Press Association. As the sole organization representing Texas newspapers, TPA remains committed to serving all of our members and promoting the entire newspaper industry in our great state. With our annual Midwinter Conference and Trade Show coming up next month, I urge everyone to go ahead and register and make plans to be on hand Jan. 17-19 at The Westin Galleria Houston. As usual, the event offers us all the opportunity to hear some great speakers, learn more about issues affecting our industry, see various products and services offered by vendors, and just enjoy getting to visit with friends and colleagues from across the state. I hope to see you there!

TEXAS PRESS MIDWINTER CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW January 17-19 | The Westin Galleria Houston Hotel Deadline: Jan. 2 at 5 p.m. | Call 713-960-8100 to reserve your room

messenGer VoL. 87 no. 12 DecemBer 2012

Get great ideas sent to your inbox

Q: I’m a TPA member and I’ve been in the newspaper business more than a quarter century. At long last, I feel like I’m ready to start asking questions and sharing thoughts (gasp!) online. I heard there was some way to do this through you guys down in Austin. Tell me more.

A: Great question. Robust dialog among members is why our group email lists exist. Unlike blogs open to the whole world, they are only accessible to TPA member newspaper employees who request to be on them. You can pick from the following lists and subscribe, free of charge: Advertising, Circulation, Editorial, Job Bank, Technology and Publisher. Go to: http://www.texaspress.com/index. php/services/listserver and follow the instructions to subscribe. It’s easy. Q: A school requested a no-parking zone near its door for one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon. Somehow, the city placed on its council meeting agenda a vote on a resolution worded so the no-parking zone would be in effect for eight continuous hours, from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Can the city council change the resolution on the fly, during the meeting? A: Let’s start by agreeing that what matters is that your community is clear on exactly what’s up for a vote and that they have a chance to participate by being present at the meeting. Sometimes looking council members in the eye can affect the vote.

With all that in mind, the proper thing to do would be for the city to postpone the vote — before the meet-

TPA Hotline Ed Sterling TPa memBer serVices DirecTor

ing if possible — or during the meeting if too late to do otherwise. The city could reschedule its vote, posting a revised resolution 72 hours in advance of the next meeting in accordance with notice requirements in the Texas Open Meetings Act. If the city council chooses to press on and vote anyway — recourse for a citizen would be to file a complaint with the district attorney. Beyond that, let’s look at chapter 52 of Local Government Code, titled Adoption of Municipal Ordinances. And more specifically, let’s look at Sec. 52.013, titled Home Rule Municipalities, because as you say, your city is homerule and there’s nothing in the city charter about the method of publishing ordinances. Under paragraph (b) it says “the full text of the ordinance or a caption that summarizes the purpose of the ordinance and the penalty for violating the ordinance may be published at least twice in the munici-

Leader in selling Texas newspapers Call for a Confidential Discussion and References

RICKENBACHER MEDIA Transactions and Consulting Ted Rickenbacher

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pality’s official newspaper.” Note: The word “may” in the previous sentence is archaic legalese for “must” or “shall.” Q: I am a State Capital Highlights subscriber and in your Nov. 12-18 column, you included the website for complete election results. I went to the Secretary of State’s website and stayed long enough to glaze over. I want the election results for the counties I cover. Is it available, and if it is, how do I find it? A: No problem. Go to: www.sos. state.tx.us. Down in the bottom middle area of the page, under the VoteTexas. gov logo, click Election Night Returns. A page will open that gives you options to choose and click: County Race Summary (select a county) and County By County Results (select a race). These tools will allow you cull from the herd the results you want. Q: Our city selected an official newspaper last week and I didn’t get the opportunity to bid. Here’s what happened. The city decided to move its meetings earlier in the morning and the clerk didn’t carry out the city’s long-held practice of notifying us here at the newspaper as soon as the advance agenda comes out. What can I do, if anything? A: Appeal to the city. Ask for an opportunity to bid. Also, find out why the city discontinued its practice of notifying you. The law only requires school districts to provide a newspaper with an advance agenda, but for any other type of governmental body to stop what it has been doing for a long time without warning, well, an explanation seems due. One more thing: there is nothing in the law that would prevent a city from publishing its required public notices in more than one newspaper. It’s not common, but here and there, you see it done.

Have a question for Ed? Go online to texaspress.com to ﬁnd more in this series or contact ed at edsterling@texaspress.com.

Capital Highlights is FREE in January Don’t have an Austin bureau? TPA is here to help. This January, Texas Press Association is offering a valuable source of legislative information, State Capital Highlights, free to member newspapers. Capital Highlights is a weekly aggregation of news about state government, written by TPA Member Services Director Ed Sterling, and available by subscription for member newspapers to publish. Members will receive four free issues of Capital Highlights during the month of January. Each column runs about 700 words and is available to download at texaspress.com and via email. Capital Highlights is the perfect supplement to the outstanding local coverage TPA member newspapers provide. It’s also a great source of inspiration for in-depth articles. Once the trial period has ended, members can subsribe for just $90 a year. Contact mikehodges@texaspress.com to sign up for your complimentary issues.

Recycled Newsprint Survey due Jan. 31

Every year, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality collects data on recycled newsprint. Texas law requires newspaper publishers to submit their 2012 reports to TCEQ by Jan. 31, 2013. More information about the reporting requirement is available in the Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 361.430. Please complete the current survey form (available at texaspress. com) and return it to TCEQ. For more information about the program, visit TCEQ’s recycled newsprint site. If you have questions or need assistance completing the survey, contact Stephanie Cunningham, TCEQ’s newsprint survey coordinator, at 512-239-3143 or recycle@tceq.texas.gov.

Newsmakers

messenGer VoL. 87 no. 12 DecemBer 2012

Thomas Edwards Local Community News

Thomas Edwards was named editor of Local Community News in San Antonio. He previously was editor for all news content at Victory Publishing Co. Ltd. of Marble Falls. The company closed The Tribune and folded its content into Victory’s other newspaper, The Picayune. Edwards served as the editor at Victory for six years after leaving the San Antonio Express-News in September 2006, where he was a senior copy editor and zoned editions editor. In his new position, he will oversee a chain of zoned monthly newspapers in the Alamo City.

Susie Ellwood

Austin American-Statesman Susie Ellwood was named publisher of the Austin American-Statesman and The Statesman Co., owned by Cox Media Group. She succeeds Jane Williams, who was named Cox Media Group’s senior vice president of television. In her new position, Ellwood is responsible for the Statesman and its affiliated publications, including the Statesman’s website, austin360.com and eight weekly community newspapers. Before joining the Statesman, she was executive vice president and general manger for USA TODAY. She also provided direction on the recent redesign.

J.L. Mankin

The Big Lake Wildcat J.L. Mankin was named editor of The Big Lake Wildcat. Mankin grew up working at his parent’s weekly newspaper, The Eldorado Success. Following graduation from Eldorado High School in 2003, he attended Angelo State University where he pursued a degree in journalism. He moved to Big Lake and joined The Wildcat as a reporter/photographer following his graduation from ASU in 2009. Mankin replaces Marla Daugherty who resigned after 18 years at The Wildcat.

Lilia Castillo Jones Valley Morning Star

Lilia Castillo Jones was named publisher of the Valley Morning Star. In her new role, she will be responsible for the Star and the weekly Coastal Current. Jones served as senior vice president for sales and marketing at the San Antonio Express-News/MySA.com from 2006 to 2012. She joined Valley Morning Star in 2003 as display advertising director. A graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, Jones spent 23 years at The Dallas Morning News, where she served as display advertising director and in various positions in the classified advertising department.

Austin Lewter Atlanta Citizens Journal

Austin Lewter was named publisher of the Atlanta Citizens Journal and group manager of Northeast Texas Publishing, owned by Moser Community Media LLC. In addition to his role in Atlanta, Lewter will supervise management of the Pittsburg Gazette, Cass County Sun, Bowie County Citizens Tribune and Daingerfield Bee. Lewter previously served as associate publisher with Muenster Printing and Publishing, where he oversaw the Whitesboro News-Record, Lindsay Letter and Muenster Enterprise.

Stephan T. Wingert The Monitor

Stephan T. Wingert was named publisher of The Monitor in McAllen and regional vice president of the Rio Grande Valley newspapers, owned by AIM Media Texas LLC. Wingert worked in a variety of management roles at The Monitor before joining the Pacific region of Freedom Communications Inc. in 2004 as regional vice president and publisher of the Daily Press/Desert Dispatch in Victorville, Calif. Wingert’s father, Larry, served as publisher of The Monitor from 1977 to 1995.

messenGer VoL. 87 no. 12 DecemBer 2012

Election 2012 Texas Style

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 19 RANDY NEUGEUBAUER 85% CHIP PETERSON 15%

ELECTION

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 11 MIKE CONAWAY 79% JIM RILEY 18%

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 13 MAC THORNBERRY 91% JOHN DEEK 6%

INSIDE, PAGE 5A

STATE BOARD OF ED DISTRICT 15 MARTY ROWLEY 77% STEVEN SCHAFERSMAN 23%

Abilene Reporter-News Abilene Reporter-News Reporter-News Abilene SWING STATES SEAL DEAL Abilene Reporter-News

2012

SEE MORE COVERAGE ON REPORTERNEWS.COM.

www.reporternews.com

75 CENTS

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2012

Veliz defeats UISD incumbent

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2012

$1.00

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Obama wins re-election

AROUND THE BIG COUNTRY

GOP, Novice, alcohol are tops

Overcomes fierce challenge from Romney By DAVID ESPO

ASSOCIATED PRESS

By Larry Zelisko

ASSOCIATED PRESS

PRESIDENT ELECTORAL VOTES OBAMA 303 ROMNEY 206

battleground states works

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama rolled to re-election Tuesday night, vanquishing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and triumphing despite a weak economy that plagued his fi rst term and put a crimp in the middle class dreams of millions. “This happened because of you. Thank you,” Obama tweeted to supporters as he celebrated four more years in the White House. Romney telephoned the president to concede.

After the costliest — and arguably the nastiest — campaign in history, divided government seemed alive and well. Democrats retained control of the Senate with surprising ease. Republicans were on course for the same in the House, making it likely that Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, Obama’s partner in unsuccessful deficit talks, would reclaim his seat at the bargaining table. At Obama headquarters in Chicago, a huge crowd gathered waving small American flags and cheering. Supporters hugged each

INDEX

See PRESIDENT, 8A

79˚/56˚ 79

BUSINESS 14A COMICS 8C LOTTERY 2B OBITUARIES 15A PUZZLES 7C TELEVISION 2C

Sunny

16A

RONALD W. ERDRICH/REPORTER-NEWS

Diners watch election returns on a television perched on a balcony during the Kiwanis Club’s annual Pancake Supper at the Brownwood Coliseum. It was the 60th year for the event, which benefi ts youth organizations in Brownwood, and a possible record turnout with diners .

325-670-5201

rises from obscurity

Local news now.

By Will Weissert

U.S. SENATE 58% 40%

CRUZ SADLER

Associated Press

Download our app with the QR code.

DALLAS — Texas overwhelmingly elected Tea Party-backed Republican Ted Cruz to the U.S. Senate

on Tuesday, completing the former state solicitor general’s once seemingly impossible rise from virtual unknown to the fi rst Hispanic to

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ LAREDO MORNING TIMES

Early Voting

Sheriff Martin Cuellar claimed victory over for-

CUELLAR

See RESULTS PAGE 5A

WEATHER 2B COMICS 4-5B SCORES 6B MERCADITO C

TODAY’S FORECAST

See BIG COUNTRY, 9A

See SHERIFF PAGE 5A

131st Year, No. 136, 44 pages

FLORES

DISTRICT 21

Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | Laredo Morning Times

Photo by Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times

Sen. Judith Zaffirini poses with her son Carlos, to her right and her husband Carlos to her left and a group of campign workers at her headquarters in Laredo.

Henry Cuellar wins Sen. Judith Zaffirini wins ninth term another house term LAREDO MORNING TIMES

LOW 65º

represent the Lone Star State in the Senate. The 41-year-old Houston attorney beat Democrat and former state Rep. Paul Sadler. He replaces retiring Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison of Dallas. Cruz has vowed to limit spending and shrink the size of

Cuellar versus Flores was no Texas showdown unlike four years ago when Cuel-

Congressman Henry Cuellar celebrates with campaign supporters at campaign headquaters at Homewood Suites Tuesday evening during Election Day.

By MIKAELA RODRIGUEZ HIGH 89º

mer ex-Sheriff Rick Flores, according to early voting results released around 8:10 p.m. Tuesday. This time, round two of

HOUSE DISTRICT 28

INSIDE OPINION 4A ELECTION 5,8,9A BUSINESS 10A DEATHS 13A

See OBAMA PAGE 9A

No Texas showdown for top law enforcement position

HOW WEBB VOTED PRESIDENT Barack Obama (DEM) ..........22,531 ..........75.85% Mitt Romney (REP)..............6,869..............23.12% Jill Stein (GRN) .....................85 .....................0.29% Gary E. Johnson (LIB) ..............173 ..............0.58% U.S. SENATE Ted Cruz (REP)..................8,940..................31.22% Paul Sadler (DEM) .............18,433 .............64.37% U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 28 William R. Hayward (REP) .......2,984 .......10.18% Henry Cuellar (DEM) ...........25,688 ...........87.67% Patrick Hisel (LIB) .................358 .................1.22% Michael D. Cary (GRN) .............272 .............0.93% STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 21 Grant Rostig (REP) ..............3,417 ..............11.79% Judith Zaffirini (DEM) ............24,767 ............85.74 Joseph Morse (LIB) ................795 ................2.74% SHERIFF Martin Cuellar (DEM) ..........22,175 ..........76.72% Rick Flores (IND) ................6,728 ................23.28% COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR\COLLECTOR Patricia A. Barrera (DEM).........23,469.........83.63 Emily Marie Sanchez (GRN)......4,593......16.37% LCC TRUSTEE, PLACE 4 Allen Tijerina ..................14,113 ..................59.87% Edward “Ed” Sherwood..........9,459..........40.13% LCC TRUSTEE, PLACE 6 Gilberto “Gil” Martinez Jr. ......13,799 ......58.88% Alberto Torres Jr.................9,636................41.12% COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT 4 Juan Narvaez ...................1,936 ...................69.72% Armando Cisneros................841................30.28% COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT 5 Roque Vela Jr....................2,663...................52.81% Pat Campos ....................2,380 ....................47.19% COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT 7 Sid Holden .......................364 .......................12.60% Yolanda Salinas ..................594 ..................20.56% Hector Lee Patin ˜ o.................630.................21.81% Jorge A. Vera .....................1,301 .....................45.03 COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT 8

Cruz wins vacant Senate seat ■ Tea Party darling

For home delivery, call

Big Country voters favored Republicans and sales of alcoholic beverages Tuesday but were against school bond propositions. And in the embattled Novice school district, residents there and in the Coleman ISD agreed to consolidate. Local option elections were held in Winters, Munday, Eastland and Eastland County justice of the peace Precinct 4, which includes Cisco and Rising Star. Munday approved beer, wine and alcohol sales for off-premise consumption by 62 percent to 38 percent. Winters approved two propositions — one for sales of alcohol for offpremise consumption and one for sales in restaurants. Both passed by 3-to-1 ratios. In Eastland County, all votes were not expected to be counted until early this morning. Partial totals showed the two propositions (beer and wine sales for off-premise consumption, and for restaurant sales) for Eastland County JP Precinct 4 passing. In the city of Eastland, a restaurant alcohol sales proposition was passing, but a proposition for store sales of beer and wine was failing.

Thank you” Obama tweeted to supporters as he secured four more years in the White House. The president sealed his victory

Martin Cuellar claims victory

Partial Results PRESIDENT Barack Obama (DEM)...2,743,555 votes...40.1% Mitt Romney (REP) ...........4,009,630 ...........58.6% Jill Stein (GRN)...................19,226...................0.3% Gary E. Johnson (LIB) ..............68,494 ..............1% U.S. SENATE Ted Cruz (REP) ...............3,868,047 ...............57.8% Paul Sadler (DEM)............2,644,683............39.5% U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 28 William R. Hayward (REP) .......37,869 .......32.1% Henry Cuellar (DEM) ............76,497 ............64.9% Patrick Hisel (LIB).................2,199.................1.9% Michael D. Cary (GRN).............1,366.............1.2% STATE SENATOR DISTRICT 21 Grant Rostig (REP) ..............47,315 ..............31.0% Judith Zaffirini (DEM) ..........100,951 ..........66.1% Joseph Morse (LIB)................4,566................3.0%

Special to the Reporter-News

Republican Mitt Romney, prevailing in the face of a weak economy and high unemployment that encumbered his first term and crimped the middle class dreams of millions. “This happened because of you.

WEBB COUNTY SHERIFF

HOW TEXAS VOTED

not in favor of area voters

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama won re-election Tuesday night despite a fierce challenge from

AP photo

President Barack Obama

■ School bonds

By David Espo

New face on LISD board

36 PAGES

OBAMA AGAIN

■ Focus on

INSIDE, PAGE 8A

Vela has slight lead over Campos

LOCALS REACT TO OBAMA’S ELECTION VICTORY: 9A

U.S. House Representative Henry Cuellar trounced opponent William R. Hayward, a Republican from San Marcos, win-

ning another term in Congress. Early voting totals in Webb County showed Cuellar with an 87 percent lead over Hayward. Cuellar served as secretary of

See CUELLAR PAGE 5A

By MIKAELA RODRIGUEZ LAREDO MORNING TIMES

Senator Judith Zaffirini kept a firm hold on her District 21 seat Tuesday, winning her ninth consecutive victory since she as-

sumed office in 1987, this time against Republican opponent Grant Rostig. She held a landslide lead over Rostig in Webb County. Early vot-

See ZAFFIRINI PAGE 5A

See SENATE, 10A

You deserve the ring of your dreams! ams!

Steve Hall Jewelers

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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

OBAMA

lufkin sets playoff game vs. spring dekaney page 1C the wednesday

lufkin news Obama wins criminal justice

Suspect in custody

U.S. House District 20

| MYSA.COM |

THE VOICE OF SOUTH TEXAS SINCE 1865

Pre-K 4 SA

Cruz

Gallego

Castro

V I D E O S , S L I D E S H OW S , B L O G S A N D M O R E A T A M A R I L L O. C O M

For

39.9% 45.9% 33.5% 46.5% Sadler

Canseco

Rosa

Against

Senate seat stays Republican. AA6

Gallego tops Canseco for Congress. AA5

Mayor’s brother a congressman. AA5

Voters approve tax increase. Below

All results as of 12:30 a.m. today

S P E C I A L 1 2 - PAG E S E C T IO N O F E L E C T IO N COV E R AG E

75¢

l u f k i n d a i ly n e w s. c o m

U.S. House District 23

57.3% 49.9% 63.9% 53.5%

ROMNEY

a man seen in someone’s back yard in the Crown Colony subdivision Tuesday night is being questioned by Lufkin police as a possible suspect in the Door Kick burglaries. page 5a

november 7, 2012

U.S. Senate

303 206

270 electoral votes needed

Campaign 2012

AMARILLO GLOBE-NEWS

500,000 MONTHLY READERS IN PRINT AND ONLINE

OBAMAWINS 4 MORE YEARS

FINAL n 75 CENTS VOLUME 104, NO. 5

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2012

290

BARACK OBAMA Democrat

eLectoraL VoteS

203

MITT ROMNEY rePUBLIcaN

vISIT AmARILLO.COm fOR THE LATEST ELECTION NEwS AND RESULTS

‘A TURNING POINT’ OBAMA CLAIMS RE-ELECTION VICTORY

‘We know in our hearts ... the best is yet to come’ By DAVID ESPO AP Special Correspondent WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama rolled to re-election Tuesday night, vanquishing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney despite a weak economy that plagued his first term and put a crimp in the middle class dreams of millions. In victory, he confidently promised better days ahead. Obama spoke to thousands of cheering supporters in his hometown of Chicago, praising Romney and declaring his optimism for the next four years. “While our road has been hard, though our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America, the best is yet to come,” he said. Romney made his own graceful concession speech before a disappointed crowd in Boston. He summoned all Americans to pray for Obama and urged the night’s political winners to put partisan bickering aside and “reach across the aisle” to tackle the nation’s problems. Still, after the costliest — and one of the nastiest — campaigns in history, divided government was alive and well. Democrats retained control of the Senate with surprising ease. Republicans did the same in the House, ensuring that Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, Obama’s partner in unsuccessful deficit talks, would reclaim his seat at the bargaining table. At Obama headquarters in Chicago, a huge crowd gathered waving small American flags and cheering. Supporters hugged each other, danced and pumped their fists in the air. Excited crowds

nikki kahn / washington post

Supporters of President Barack Obama react Tuesday as they hear he has won Ohio at an election-night rally at McCormick Place convention center in Chicago.

Local voter: Compromise still unlikely

ELECTORAL COLLEGE

Amarillo Globe-News staff

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SEE ELECTION, PAGE 6A President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden wave at his election night party Wednesday in Chicago.

angelina County

Win McNamee / Getty Images

Sanches wins Angelina County sheriff’s race By STEVE KNIGHT The Lufkin News

STEVE KNIGHT/The Lufkin News

Republican Greg Sanches defeated Democratic Thomas A. Stewart in the race for Angelina County sheriff. The former state trooper garnered 21,055 votes for 75.2 percent of the vote to Stewart’s 6,956 votes or 24.8 percent.

how angelina voted u.s. president/vp Mitt Romney/paul Ryan (R) Barack obama/Joe Biden (D) ★★★

votes percent 20,301 71.3% 7,833 27.5%

u.s. senator Ted Cruz (R) paul Sadler (D)

votes percent 19,294 69.1% 8,120 29.1%

★★★ u.s. representative votes Louie gohmert (R) 19,842 Shirley J. McKellar (D) 7,633 ★★★ angelina sheriff votes greg Sanches (R) 21,055 Thomas a. Stewart (D) 6,956 ★★★ angelina tax assessor/collector votes Thelma “Midget” Sherman (R) 19,449 Joe “JD” Douglas iii (D) 8,440 ★★★ angelina pct. 1 commissioner votes Rick Harrison (R) 6,294 gregory “greg” Tucker (D) 1,583 ★★★ angelina pct. 4 constable votes Ray anthony (R) 2,160 Lazaro “Lalo” Robles Jr. (D) 816 ★★★ straight party Republican party Democratic party Libertarian party green party

percent 71.1% 27.4%

In a presidential election year in which state and local races were affected by redistricting, lawsuits, court decipercent sions and late candidate additions, Ange75.2% lina County voters finally had their say 24.8% on Tuesday. In the race for Angelina County sherpercent iff, Republican nominee Greg Sanches 69.7% defeated Democratic nominee Thomas 30.3% A. Stewart. The former state trooper garnered 21,055 votes for 75.2 percent of percent the vote to Stewart’s 6,956 votes or 24.8 79.9% percent. 20.1% “I want to thank the supporters,” Sanches told The Lufkin News outside percent the Angelina County Courthouse An72.6% nex, where votes were being tabulated 27.4% Tuesday. “They’ve been really nice to me. I really want to thank (Constable) votes Tom Selman — he’s been really good to 11,703 me. The public has, also. I’ve listened to 5,479 the citizens for a year. They really have 78 voiced a lot of their concerns, and I’ve 23 listened to them and taken those into account. I thank them for their vote. It really means a lot, and I’m humbled by their be there, listen to them and help them.” support in the primary as well as the Stewart, who entered the race in Augeneral election. It takes me back. I’m gust, was gracious in defeat. really looking forward to getting back “We had a great turnout all the way into the public arena and working with SEE COUNTY, PAGE 3A folks. I want to be the people’s sheriff, to

today’s weather HigH 76 Low 45 | front desk 632-6631 | Volume 106, No. 277, 20 Pages | Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for meritorious public service © the lufkin daily news

06583 02050

Local voters decide to put their money on Pre-K 4 SA By Josh Baugh and Maria Luisa Cesar Mayor Julián Castro’s Pre-K 4 SA initiative to offer highquality pre-kindergarten to thousands of San Antonio children won a clear victory Tuesday night. After a close early vote, the measure won going away during balloting Tuesday, setting the stage for a small sales tax increase starting next year to fund new pre-kindergarten centers. During a victory party at La Fonda on Main Avenue, Castro said voters made a sound decision. “The people spoke tonight, and they decided to make a necessary investment in the education of our young people,” he said. “As mayor, I serve all of San Antonio, and I’m ready

Pre-K continues on AA4

In concession, Romney urges bipartisanship How they swung

WA S HI NGTO N P O ST

Lisa Krantz / San Antonio Express-News

Mayor Julián Castro thanks his supporters and staff as results for the Pre-K 4 SA campaign come in during an election watch party. With him are City Councilman Diego Bernal and the mayor’s wife, Erica Castro, who’s holding daughter Carina.

Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, was elected to a second term Tuesday, defeating Republican Mitt Romney by pledging to safeguard middle-class economic interests and by reassembling the same political coalition that boosted him to victory four years ago. “This happened because of you. Thank you,” Obama tweeted in celebration. Later, he spoke to supporters in Chicago. “Tonight in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back, and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America, the best is yet to come,” he said. Romney phoned the president, then spoke to disappointed supporters in Boston. In a graceful concession, he summoned all Americans to pray for Obama and urged the night’s political winners to put partisan bickering aside and “reach across the aisle” to tackle the nation’s problems. “This is a time of great challenges for Ameri-

President continues on AA3

Swing states, electoral votes. Obama

1 New Hampshire 4 1 Wisconsin 10 1 Iowa

1 Ohio

1 Colorado

1 Nevada

1 Virginia

Romney

View more photos and an Election Day video at amarillo.com or scan the QR code for a direct link to the slide show.

ven voters relatively new to national politics have noticed the atmosphere surrounding this presidential election has been more intense than others this millennium.

As West Texas A&M University students watched election coverage Tuesday night in the newsroom of The Prairie, WT’s student newspaper, many reflected on the seemingly yearslong campaign waged by President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney. By about 10:20 p.m., The Associated Press, NBC, CBS, Fox News and CNN had called the race for Obama, pushing him over the 270-vote thresh-

Undecided at the time of publication

1 Florida

Mayor’s initiative is winning move

A new sheriff in town for Bexar

More election coverage online

In the biggest gamble of his political career, Mayor Castro made the right bet. Brian Chasnoff, AA4

Bexar County elects its first woman sheriff, as Susan Pamerleau beats Amadeo Ortiz. Page AA10

mySA.com: The latest results, interactive maps and photos from Election Day and last night’s parties.

old in the Electoral College. The weight of the night’s outcome wasn’t overlooked by those in WT’s Sybil B. Harrington Fine Arts Complex in Canyon. “I’m not sure why, but this election just seems to be kind of a turning point, and I think people can feel that, and so they’re very anxious to get what they want — to get

See OBAMA, A11

Too close to call cary r. varnado / amarillo globe-news

source: the associated press

HOUSE DISTRICT 87

bOARD Of EDUCATION

POTTER CONSTAbLE

OTHER RACES

Price wins second term

Big victory for Rowley

Thomas-Jackson cruises

ELECTION COVERAGE BEGINS ON A6

With his Election Day victory behind him, State Rep. Four Price shifts his focus to the upcoming legislative session, set to begin in January.

See HOUSE, A7

DailyDeals!

GREAT LOCAL AMARILLO DEALS

1 N. Carolina 15

GOP candidates sweep county’s contested races

President Barack Obama walks on stage with wife Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia to deliver his victory speech at McCormick Place in Chicago.

More coverage

Ruiz Family Dental

$69 for a complete examination and X-rays from Ruiz Family Dental! amarillodailydeals.com

Amarillo Republican Marty Rowley easily defeated Democrat Steven Schafersman Tuesday to claim the District 15 State Board of Education seat.

See BOARD, A7

INsIDE:

Democrat Idella ThomasJackson handily won the Potter County Precinct 4 constable race. She will replace Bubba Smith, who died in January 2011.

See PRECINCT, A7

WATER DISTRICT: Meyer trails in tight race. A11 NEW CHALLENGE: Race behind, Thornberry eyes tax issues. A6 CRUZ CONTROL: Tea party favorite claims Senate seat. A6

Our view: America’s political storm continues to rage. A15

WORD OF THE DAY: derogatory

Definition, see A2

50046 00001

MESSENGER VOL. 87 NO. 12 DECEMBER 2012

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Golden 50 recipient ‘Buddy’ Yoder dies at 90 James R. “Buddy” Yoder, former editor and publisher of The Weimar Mercury, died Nov. 25 of complications from a hip fracture. He was 90. Yoder was born Jan. 10, 1922, to Beuna “James” Yoder and Robert Hill Yoder in Weimar. He was a graduate of Weimar High School and received a journalism degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1943. He was an avid UT fan all his life. Yoder served in the U.S. Marine Corps YODER Forces Reserve from 1939 to 1943 and on active duty with the Marines from 1943 to 1946 in the Pacific theater. He was honorably discharged as a captain. He married Grace Brauner of Schulenburg on April 8, 1944, in Quantico, Va.

After the war, he returned to Weimar in 1946 and became co-owner of the Mercury, which his father had purchased in 1913. When his father became ill in 1961, Buddy and Grace became full owners, and Buddy served as both editor and publisher. He started his career at the Mercury in 1935 at age 13 and retired in 1993 with more than 50 years of newspaper service. Each week he chronicled the lives of Weimar residents and the life of the town. In June 1993, Yoder received the Texas Press Association Golden 50 Award for more than 50 years of selfless contribution to journalism. “Weimar has benefited from Buddy’s energy and community spirit for years,” TPA said in bestowing the award.

Under Yoder’s direction, the Mercury was one of the first weekly newspapers to microfilm newspaper pages for preservation. He researched the process he learned at newspaper conventions and formed a microfilm library of the Mercury starting from the founding of the Mercury in 1888. In addition to his work with the newspaper, Yoder was active in civic affairs. He served on the Weimar City Council for 24 years and held the position of mayor pro tem. He also was a longtime member of the Weimar United Church of Christ and served the church in a number of capacities, including president of the church council. He also taught the men’s Bible class and was active in the UCC Men’s Brotherhood. He was a member of the Weimar Quarterback Club and served as a volunteer fireman. Yoder also was a longtime member of the Weimar Rotary Club, member and past president of the Weimar Chamber

of Commerce and the Weimar Parent Teachers Association. At one time, he was scoutmaster of the Weimar Boy Scout Troop. He was a longtime member of the American Legion and served as post commander. After World War II, he played a major role in the planning and construction of the Weimar Veterans Memorial Hall. Yoder was awarded the Community Builder Award in 1999 by the Weimar Masonic Lodge as a tribute to his years of service to the community. He is survived by his wife, Grace; two children, Karen Williamson and her husband Roger of Harker Heights and Ken Yoder of Freyburg; two grandsons, Stephen Williamson of Harker Heights and Eric Williamson and wife Lynnea of Marblehead, Mass.; and one greatgrandson, Nolen Williamson of Marblehead, Mass. He was preceded in death by his parents and four sisters, Motsy Schlicker, Helen Oder, Betty Jaye and Beuna Marie Chandler.

MESSENGER VOL. 87 NO. 12 DECEMBER 2012

 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Keach, until finally selling the paper in 2006 to American Consolidated Media Inc. and Jeremy Halbreich. For 80 years and five generations, Sam Fore Jr. and his family published the award-winning South Texas newspaper. In the 1920s, Fore helped form South Texas Press Association. He was actively involved in STPA and TPA for the rest of his life. Fore died at home in Floresville on Dec. 24, 1966. Jeremy Halbreich Jeremy Halbreich has been a leading newspaper executive and industry visionary for more than 40 years. Halbreich began his career with The Dallas Morning News following graduation from Harvard University. He was

the first non-family member to complete the executive management training program at the Morning News and rose through the ranks to become president and general manager of the paper. In 1998, after 24 years with the company, Halbreich left the Morning News to form his own newspaper company, America Consolidated Media LP. Halbreich and ACM were instrumental in facilitating the continuation of local focus and leadership for many small daily and weekly newspaper markets. ACM stepped in to help communities, such as Hearne, Franklin, Calvert, Ballinger, Winters, Midlothian, Red Oak and Freer, along with several others. In 2012, Halbreich formed AIM Media Texas LLC to purchase the print and online publishing assets in Texas from Freedom Communications. Halbreich is a past president of TDNA and serves on the board of directors of

the Victoria Publishing Company and Texas Community Media. Mary Henkel Judson Texas Press Association’s 113th president, Mary Henkel Judson, is a trailblazer in the Texas newspaper industry. More than 100 years after the foundation of Texas Press Association, Judson became the first woman to lead the organization. This January, she will become the second woman inducted in the TNF Hall of Fame, following TPA’s 118th president, Sarah L. Greene. Judson is a lifetime achiever in journalism. She grew up in the business. Her parents, “Cap” and “Kitty” Henkel, published the Refugio County Press. She attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos and later transferred to the University of Texas, where

she studied journalism and worked as a summer intern at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. There she met her future husband, Murray Judson, a staff photographer. After marrying, the couple moved to Refugio where they assumed editor and publisher positions from her parents, who were retiring. In January 1981, the Judsons purchased the Port Aransas South Jetty and the following September they bought the Refugio County Press. The couple moved to Port Aransas in May 1983. In spring 1989, the Judsons and George Phenix purchased the Goliad Advance-Guard. Judson served as president of South Texas Press Association (1980-81) and Texas Gulf Coast Press Association (1994-95). Mary and Murray are serving as co-presidents of TGCPA for 2012-13. Willis Webb

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During his 60-plus-year career, Willis Webb, 75, has been a syndicated columnist, a managing editor, advertising director, newspaper consultant and an award-winning editor/publisher. He served as the 126th president of Texas Press Association in 2003-04. Webb began his career in the newspaper industry at age 10 by working as a carrier throwing the Waco TribuneHerald on a bicycle route in his hometown of Teague from 1947-53. In May 1991, after a lifetime of service in the Texas newspaper industry, Webb became editor/publisher of The Jasper Newsboy, a Hearst newspaper, and in 1997, Webb became the first weekly publisher to receive the Hearst Corporation’s Eagle Award for outstanding individual accomplishment in journalism. In 2005, he, along with his wife Julie, who was contributing editor for The Jasper Newsboy, traveled to Long Beach California, where they received the national Youth Service America Harris Wofford Award for “outstanding service to the youth of Jasper, Texas.” And in 2010, he received the Lifetime Achievement in Print Media Award for alumni of the Sam Houston State University’s Communication Department. Webb retired from The Newsboy in 2007, but he didn’t retire from newspapers. Currently, he writes a weekly column, carried by 24 Texas newspapers. And, although he and Julie moved to Louisiana last summer to live closer to their son Weston, Webb remains a Texan at heart.

MESSENGER VOL. 87 NO. 12 DECEMBER 2012

Meet the Exhibitors Give yourself the best gift of all this holiday season: a trip to the Texas Press 2013 Midwinter Conference and Trade Show, Jan. 17-19 at The Westin Galleria Houston. The conference will be the perfect opportunity to meet new people, especially during the trade show, where vendors and industry professionals will converge to discuss new products and ideas. Take a look at some of the exhibitors you’ll meet this January.

• Affinity Brokers & Consultants • Association for Educational Communications and Technology • Athlon Sports • Branson/Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (SPONSOR) • Canon USA • Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP - asbestoslaw.com • CenturyLink Inc. (SPONSOR) • eType Services • Fake Brains Inc. • The Greensheet • Green Shoot Media

• Haynes and Boone LLP (SPONSOR) • Interlink • Jackson Walker LLP (SPONSOR) • MediaSpan Software • MEI - Managing Editor Inc. • Metro Creative Graphics • Mitsubishi Imaging (MPM) Inc. • MultiAd.com • North and East Texas Press Association • ReportingTexas.com • Rowlett Advertising Service Inc. • Shweiki Media (SPONSOR)

• South Texas Press Association • Terry Young • Texas Center for Community Journalism and Hood County News • Texas Crossword • Texas Gulf Coast Press Association • Texas Newspapers Advertising Managers Association • TexSCAN and Texas 2x2 and 2x4 Networks • TownNews.com • University of North Texas Libraries Digital Newspaper Program • ZebraReach