CITY RECEIVES SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT GRANT
The city received good news yesterday in its efforts to recruit and retain air service at Midland International Airport.
On September 8, 2008, the Department of Airports was notified by the Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary of the United States of America, that Midland was awarded a $600,000 Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) grant. The Airport anticipates utilizing these funds in a combination of risk abatement and marketing incentives to attract new air service.
In February 2008, City Council concurred with a request of the Department of Airports to retain The Boyd Group, a leading aviation forecasting firm, to assist Midland in the retention and recruitment of new airline service. Recently, the City Council passed a resolution approving the implementation of a new Airline Incentive Program. To further the efforts to assist our air carriers, the Department of Airports also applied for a Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) grant. This grant will allow the Airport to leverage local funds, thus adding a tool in attracting new service to the community.
The Department of Transportation received 66 grant applications from communities in 32 states. Collectively, these communities sought $36.3 million in federal assistance to support new and ongoing air service development projects. Out of the applications received, the Department of Transportation selected 16 communities in 12 states to receive financial grants under the SCASD Program to implement the air service initiatives proposed in their grant applications.
DWI WITH CHILD
Midland Police responded to an accident call this morning, September 9, 2008, in the 1700 block of Midkiff, just north of the intersection of Golf Course and Midkiff. A school bus was traveling southbound on Midkiff when it rear ended a Volkswagen Jetta just as the vehicle came to a stop in front of the bus.
It was determined that the driver of the school bus, 50-year-old Susan Spear (9-14-57), was following too closely. An M.P.D. Drug Recognition Expert on scene quickly noticed symptoms of intoxication with Spear as did witnesses to the accident. A number of tests were run on Spear. She was then arrested on three counts of DWI with Child, all felony charges. Officers believe Spear was under the influence of prescription drugs at the time of the accident.
Three 4-year-old children and two adult bus monitors were on board the school bus at the time. No one was injured.
BATTLE OF THE BADGES BLOOD DRIVE
The Midland Fire and Midland Police Departments will host the 1st annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drives on September 10 & 11, 2008. The event is a competition and the department with the fewest donations hosting a cookout for the department with the highest number of donations.
The Police Department’s blood drive will be on Wednesday, September 10th from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Police Department located at 601 N. Loraine.
The Fire Department’s blood drive will be on Thursday, September 11th from 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Central Fire, 1500 W. Wall Street.
Appointments can be made by contacting the Midland Police Department at 685.7191 or the Midland Fire Department at 685.7332. You can also sign up online at www.unitedbloodservices.org.
Donor requirements are simple: you must be at least 16 years of age, meet certain height and weight requirements, and be in good health.
PATRIOT DAY CELEBRATION
The City of Midland Crime Prevention Commission will host the 7th annual Patriot Day Celebration on Thursday, September 11, 2008, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Centennial Plaza in downtown Midland.
The event is a tribute to first responders in remembrance of the events of September 11, 2001. Three local first responders will be awarded the “Gold Badge of Excellence” for their service to our community.
The event is open to the public with the Midland High School Choir, Midland Freshman Choir, Stonegate Fellowship Worship Choir, Midland High ROTC, all participating. The Midland Fire Department, Midland Police Department, and Midland County Sheriff’s Department will participate.
AGGRAVATED ROBBERY
Midland Police responded to an Aggravated Robbery at 11:25 a.m. today, September 9, 2008, at the 7-11 Store located at 3301 W. Illinois.
According to witnesses, a Hispanic male entered the store with only the clerk inside. He went around the counter, displayed a weapon, asked the clerk to open the cash register, and fled on foot with an undetermined amount of cash.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, between 20-30 years of age. He is 5’2” – 5’4” tall and was wearing a blue long sleeved shirt and jeans at the time of the incident. The suspect is described as having a strong Spanish accent. The gun used is believed to be a silver pistol.
Anyone with information about the suspect or the incident should contact the Midland Police Department at 685.7108 or Crimestoppers at 694.TIPS.
