The Eldorado Success newspaper

An estimated 1.7 billion pages of evidence, stored as electronic data on a pair of one-terabyte hard drives, was enough to convince 51st District Judge Barbara Walther on Friday, April 8, 2011, to delay the trial of Frederick Merril Jessop who stands accused on charges that violated Texas law by performing prohibited wedding ceremonies.

Jessop’s attorneys, Amy Hennington of San Angelo and Gerald Goldstein of San Antonio, explained that the prosecution had recently provided them with a pair of hard drives containing evidence seized by federal law enforcement authorities during the 2008 raid on the YFZ Ranch.

It was noted that the evidence was taken under the authority of federal search warrants. The affidavits that led to those warrants is said to still be under seal by a federal court.

Hennington and Goldstein noted in a motion titled, “Unnapposed (sic) Motion for Continuance of Pretrial Hearing, Jury Selection and Trial,” that the federal evidence represents 440 million pages of evidence. They said the federal evidence brings the total amount of evidence provided to the defense by the prosecution to more than 1.7 billion pages.

Judge Walther agreed to delay Jessop’s trial and slated a status conference for 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 12, 2011 in her San Angelo courtroom. A pretrial hearing was then slated for 9 a.m. on Monday, June 27, 2011 in Eldorado.

Illegal dumping was the main topic at Monday’s Schleicher County Commissioners Court.
Sheriff David Doran told the court he has been monitoring illegal dumping at the end of Orient Street near the old railroad right-of-way in the east part of town. Doran distributed several photos of items, ranging from old couches to construction debris. He added that the dumping is occurring inside the Eldorado city limits.

Doran said he was  contacted by a concerned property owner who was concerned about the dumping, some of which he said is happening in the city’s right-of-way.  Doran said the dumping is against state law and qualifies as a Class C Misdemeanor.

The sheriff asked if signs could be placed notifying the public of the penalties associated with illegal dumping and putting the public on notice that the area will be closely monitored.
Commissioner Lynn Meador noted another dump site on Depot Road. That piece site is outside the city limits, Meador said.

Doran explained that he has contacted the owner of the railroad right-of-way about putting up barriers as a way of discouraging dumping.

In other business, the commissioners heard from government trapper Stanley Spinks who updated them on attempts made in recent weeks to eradicate feral hogs by hunting from a helicopter. Spinks added that he is looking for welder to build traps for capturing the hogs.

Fire Chief Jerry Jones then met with the court about the county’s policy for tire disposal. He said that the recent rash of wildfires have led to several tires being ruined in rough terrain. Jones said the old tires need to be disposed of.

Road Superintendent Mark Graves volunteered to haul the old tires away the next time he sends someone to San Angelo.

Rules for the rodeo arena were briefly discussed and use of rodeo concession stand.  It was noted that Shawn Edwards had inquired about using the facility for a series of ropings, but he was not on hand for the meeting and the court took no action.

County Judge Charlie Bradley advised that he had received inquiries about use of the courthouse lawn for a festival. He said it was his understanding that the lawn is off limits to booths, but not the parking lot. The commissioners confirmed this.

In other business, the commissioners approved the purchase of a refrigerator for the Little League Field concession stand. A limit of $500 was placed on the purchase.

Judge Bradley then informed the court that engineer Tom Brown, who filed the application for  the Texas Wildlife Grant at the park and swimming pool, took pictures of the concession stand building at the pool. Brown advised that the  Texas Historical Commission monitors buildings over 50 years of age. He said there is a concern that the building could be a historical landmark.

Mark Graves reported next that his road crews have prepared the area around the Civic Center for paving. He said that the two main gates have been closed to prevent vehicles from driving across the area until the job is complete. He added that the north gate to the  Rodeo Arena will be open for access to the arena.

Graves also advised  that road work in Precinct #3 is completed and crews have moved to CR 238.
In other business, the commissioners approved the minutes of their previous meeting and authorized the payment of bills as presented by County Treasurer Karen Henderson.

Judge Bradley presided over Monday’s meeting with Commissioners Matt Brown, Lynn Meador and Johnny Mayo in attendance. Commissioner Kirk Griffin was absent.

The next meeting of the Schleicher County Commissioners Court is slated for 9 a.m. on Monday April 25 in the first floor meeting room of the county courthouse.

Flat Stanley, created in  1994 by Dale Hubert a third grade teacher in London, Ontario, Canada, made it all the way to Eldorado this week. The world traveler was sent to Emma Hettlinger, a second grader at Sauganash Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois, who sent him to her grandparents, Scooter and Kathy Faull, in Eldorado.

While in Eldorado, the nearly two-dimensional visitor learned how to feed baby goats and lambs with a baby bottle and how to gather eggs from a chicken coop. Stanley intends to decorate the eggs he gathered before returning to Chicago, so that Emma’s grandparents can have them for Easter. He also met a llama, a miniature pony and a donkey.

Stanley then visited the Eldorado Woolen Mill where he learned how the mill’s machinery turn wool into beautiful rugs, blankets and pillows. He even had his photo taken with a pillow made at the mill.
Stanley also got to spend time with some Eldorado children when he visited Mrs. Sessom’s second grade class. He had his picture taken with the class and enjoyed learning the different things the children do.
No visit to Texas would be complete without a ride with a Texas State trooper and a visit to the volunteer fire department. Stanley even got to drive a John Deere tractor.

Stanley was welcomed to the Eldorado Success newspaper office where Kathy and Randy Mankin took a picture of him for the paper. Just look to the right and you will see Stanley posing with Randy. There’s even a picture of Emma for everyone to enjoy.

]Flat Stanley will soon be heading back to Chicago with stories and photos for Emma to share with her classmates.

Jeff Brown authored the Flat Stanley Book and began collaboration with Dale Hubert as his original book had renewed interest 40 years after it was written.  Dale and Jeff remained friends until Jeff’s death in 2010.  Flat Stanley has now entered the digital universe as well, by travelling through Facebook, Twitter, iPhone and beyond.