News
BB gun taken from Middle School student
(Posted Mon 02:41 pm)
Levelland Middle School authorities confiscated a BB gun pistol after a student brought it to school Monday.
(Posted Mon 02:41 pm)
Levelland Middle School authorities confiscated a BB gun pistol after a student brought it to school Monday.
School officials learned late Monday morning that a student had brought the BB gun to school and showed it to other students.
The gun was confiscated and the student was questioned about the incident, according to a news release.
There were no BBs in it at the time.
It is against policy for a student to have a BB gun on campus.
The student will be disciplined according to the Student Code of Conduct and Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code.
Levelland youth minister jailed for enticement of a minor
(Posted Mon 11:45 am)
A Lubbock man who is a youth minister at a Levelland church was arrested by authorities last week for allegedly trying to sexually entice a minor.
(Posted Mon 11:45 am)
A Lubbock man who is a youth minister at a Levelland church was arrested by authorities last week for allegedly trying to sexually entice a minor.
Trevor Jacob Fortner, 25, was arrested by FBI agents on May 8 after he sent sexually explicit messages to a 15-year-old girl named "Katy."
It turned out that "Katy" was a Lubbock police detective.
A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court last week contained an affidavit by Keith Quigley, a special agent with the FBI.
Quigley, who investigates child exploitation and child pornography, stated that Fortner used means to knowingly attempt to persuade, induce, entice and coerce a person not yet 18 to engage in prostitution and "any sexual activity."
The affidavit stated that Lubbock police Detective Chris Jenkins began communicating by email and text messages with a person purporting to be a 26-year-old married male, who was identified as Fortner.
In communications with Forter, Jenkins posed as a 15-year-old female "Katy." Fortner used the screen name "Tyler" in his communications.
During their initial email conversation, Jenkins informed Fortner that he was a 15-year-old female. Fortner replied that he understood her to be 15.
In subsequent emails, Fornter asked "Katy" if she had "any pics?"
Jenkins gave Fortner a telephone number and a new email address. Fortner then began sending text messages to "Katy" from his cell phone.
On May 7, he sent "Katy" a sexually explicit picture. He asked her if she had "any kinky pics" and "send me a dirty pic," according to the affidavit.
During the investigation, officers learned that Fortner was working at First Baptist Church in Lubbock in the publications and tgraphics department. He was also employed as the youth minister at Fifth Street Baptist Church in Levelland.
Investigators believe it is likely that Fornter was in contact with minors on regular basis.
On May 8, Quigley interviewed Fortner, who admitted sending messages to "Katy," including a sexually explicit photograph.
Fortner made his first appearence in federal court May 10 before U.S. Magistrate Nancy Koenig.
He was ordered held with no bond and will appear before Koenig for a detention hearing Wednesday, May 15.
The charge against him is attempted enticement of a minor.
Fortner is a former Levelland resident.
School bond issues pass in Ropesville & Whiteface
(Posted Mon 11:44 am)
Two local school bond issues, including one for the Ropes Independent School District, were approved Saturday by voters.
(Posted Mon 11:44 am)
Two local school bond issues, including one for the Ropes Independent School District, were approved Saturday by voters.
The $5 million issue for Ropes ISD passed on a margin of 143 for and 74 against.
Voters in the Whiteface Consolidated Independent School District endorsed a $15 million bond issue.
The outcome of that election was 95 ballots for and 45 ballots against.
Relay for Life declared a success
(Posted 5/11/2013 11:17 pm)
This year's Relay for Life has nearly met the goal of raising $71,000, said chairwoman Jacque Fowler.
The annual fund-raiser had generated $65,000 as of Monday, but more money will be turned in, including $4,000 from one team, Mrs. Fowler said.
"The website is getting updated as money is coming in," she said. "We haven't quite gotten it caught up with the money we have. We will hit our goal, definitely."
This year's fund-raiser featured 26 teams and about 350 participants. Approximately 80 survivors attended the event.
Team Whitharral raised the most money with $10,933.
The group, which had 67 members, also won kudos for having the Most Participants.
The BG's was the team that raised the second most amount of money.
(Posted 5/11/2013 11:17 pm)
This year's Relay for Life has nearly met the goal of raising $71,000, said chairwoman Jacque Fowler.
The annual fund-raiser had generated $65,000 as of Monday, but more money will be turned in, including $4,000 from one team, Mrs. Fowler said.
"The website is getting updated as money is coming in," she said. "We haven't quite gotten it caught up with the money we have. We will hit our goal, definitely."
This year's fund-raiser featured 26 teams and about 350 participants. Approximately 80 survivors attended the event.
Team Whitharral raised the most money with $10,933.
The group, which had 67 members, also won kudos for having the Most Participants.
The BG's was the team that raised the second most amount of money.
Fallen law officers honored
(Posted 5/11/2013 11:16 pm)
Police officer Edrees Mukhtar...Corporal Jimmie Deveril Norman...Patrolman Angel David Garcia.
The names disappeared across a wind-blown field as onlookers strained to hear them Thursday.
The occasion was the annual South Plains College Law Enforcement Memorial service that was held on the Levelland campus.
An SPC alumnus, Shawn Lawler, was the guest speaker who drew attention to the men and women who lost their lives while in the line of duty in 2012.
Lawler, the assistant Federal Security director with the Federal Air Marshal Service, said he was drawn to law enforcement as a boy.
"As a young kid I can remember the excitement of seeing a police officer. His uniform - pressed and clean, his shiny badge, his gun belt and of course that police car with all those fancy lights," he said. "It was like being a moth to a flame."
The speaker, who began his path in law enforcement 20 years ago at SPC, said he knew little at the time that he would be entering a "family and brotherhood."
(Posted 5/11/2013 11:16 pm)
Police officer Edrees Mukhtar...Corporal Jimmie Deveril Norman...Patrolman Angel David Garcia.
The names disappeared across a wind-blown field as onlookers strained to hear them Thursday.
The occasion was the annual South Plains College Law Enforcement Memorial service that was held on the Levelland campus.
An SPC alumnus, Shawn Lawler, was the guest speaker who drew attention to the men and women who lost their lives while in the line of duty in 2012.
Lawler, the assistant Federal Security director with the Federal Air Marshal Service, said he was drawn to law enforcement as a boy.
"As a young kid I can remember the excitement of seeing a police officer. His uniform - pressed and clean, his shiny badge, his gun belt and of course that police car with all those fancy lights," he said. "It was like being a moth to a flame."
The speaker, who began his path in law enforcement 20 years ago at SPC, said he knew little at the time that he would be entering a "family and brotherhood."
