Wichita Falls Photo Galleries

Most Recent

Full gallery »Lynda Petty Parade

  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Wichita Falls ISD Superintendent George Kazanas escorts Lynda Petty out of Crockett Elementary Wednesday morning for a parade in her honor. Petty has taught in the WFISD for 40 years.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Crockett Elementary teacher Lynda Petty rides in a convertible Corvette during a parade in her honor Wednesday morning. Petty is retiring after 40 years as an educator.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Lynda Petty, a fourth grade teacher at Crockett Elementary, wears a tiara with a '40' on it for 40 years of teaching in the Wichita Falls ISD. Petty was treated to a parade around the campus with a marching band, fire truck and a ride in a convertible.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Lynda Petty straightens her special tiara as she is escorted by Wichita Falls ISD Assistant Superintendent Tim Powers after a parade in her honor Wednesday at Crockett Elementary. The surprise celebration marked Petty's 40 years of teaching in the WFISD and included a fire truck, marching band and a ride in a convertible Corvette.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Students and fellow teachers at Crockett Elementary lined the edges of campus to wave and cheer for Lynda Petty during her surprise parade Wednesday morning. Petty has taught in the Wichita Falls ISD for 40 years and is retiring.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News The Wichita Falls High School marching band played during a surprise parade for Lynday Petty at Crockett Elementary Wednesday morning. Petty has taught with the WFISD for 40 years and is retiring. Several of her former students were in the high school band.

Linda Petty was honored with a surprise parade and celebration of her 40 years of teaching for the WFISD.



Full gallery »2012 UIL State Track Meet

  • Richard Cleaver / For the Times Record News Monday Mogal s Dee Paul clears a jump of 22 feet 11 inchs during the UIL state track meet Friday morning at Mike Myers Stadium in Austin. This was his first of five events for the two day meet.
  • Richard Cleaver / For the Times Record News Munday's Ryder Cude attempts to clear the bar during the pole vault competition of the Class A state track meet in Austin. He no-heighted in the event.
  • Richard Cleaver / For the Times Record News Prarie Valley's Garrett Combs clears the bar en route to a third-place finish at the UIL Class A state track meet being held in Austin. The meet was being held at the Mike Myers Stadium.
  • Richard Cleaver / For the Times Record News Munday Mogal L.J. Collier releases the discus Friday during the UIL Class A state track meet being held at Mike Myers Stadium in Austin. Collier finished fourth with a 165-3.
  • Richard Cleaver / For the Times Record News Prarie Valley's Garrett Combs clears the bar en route to a third-place finish at the UIL Class A state track meet being held in Austin. The meet was being held at the Mike Myers Stadium.
  • Richard Cleaver / For the Times Record News Holliday's Ryan Todd competes in the shot put friday afternoon during the UIL Class 2A state track meet being held at Mike Myers Stadium in Austin.

STATE TRACK & FIELD MEET



Full gallery »No-kill Shelters


The idea is to euthanize only those animals too ill, too injured or too vicious to put up for adoption -- no more than 10 percent of a shelter’s occupants.



Full gallery »Circus Tickets Winners

  • Shatoya Delvalle Age Group Winner 11-12
  • Laina Ritchie Age Group Winner 9-10
  • Roselyn Hurtado Age Group Winner 7-8
  • Bricidy Pustejovskey Group Winner 5-6
  • Javin Torres Age Group Winner 3-4
  • Kenneth Sult Age Group Winner 1-2

Circus Coloring Contest Winners!



Full gallery »WFISD 2012 Teacher of Year Nominees

  • Baker
  • Biwan
  • Rasmussen
  • Dortch
  • Roy
  • Chancellor

Nominees for the 2012 WFISD Teacher of the Year. The winner will receive a $2,000 check from the Wichita Falls Times Record News.



Full gallery »SAFB 82nd TRW Change of Command

  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Brig. Gen. Michael Fantini salutes Maj. Gen. Leonard Patrick, Commander, Second Air Force, following Brig. Gen Darryl Burke, right, during change of command ceremonies Friday morning at Sheppard Air Force Base. Fantini is replacing Burke as commander of the 82nd Training Wing.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Brig. Gen. Darryl Burke salutes as airmen pass in review during change of command ceremonies Friday morning at Sheppard Air Force Base. Burke relinquished command of the 82nd Training Wing to Brig. Gen. Michael Fantini.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Maj. Gen. Leonard Patrick, Commander, Second Air Force, presents Brig. Gen. Michael Fantini, center, with the 82nd Training Wing guidon during change of command ceremonies Friday morning at Sheppard Air Force Base. Fantini assumed command of the 82nd TRW following Brig. Gen. Darryl Burke, right.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Sheppard Air Force Base 82nd TRW Change of Command Ceremony.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Sheppard Air Force Base 82nd TRW Change of Command Ceremony.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Sheppard Air Force Base 82nd TRW Change of Command Ceremony.

Brig. Gen. Michael Fantini assumed command of the 82nd Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base Friday. Maj. Gen. Leonard Patrick, Commander, Second Air Force, conducted the ceremony and transfer of command from Brig. Gen Darryl Burke.



Full gallery »2012 Regional Spelling Bee

  • Ruth Anwasi 2012 Spelling Bee Winner
  • Ricky King
  • Annie Scales
  • Alexis Anwasi
  • Abby Richter
  • Emily Spicer

Midwestern State University to battle for regional champion of the 2012 Times Record News/Midwestern State University Regional Spelling Bee.



Full gallery »2012 South Central Regional Finals

  • Patrick Johnston/Times Record News Midwestern State and Arkansas Tech prepare to tip off the NCAA Division II South Central Regional finals Tuesday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Fans of the Midwestern State University Mustangs cheer during first half Tuesday night in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Championship at Ligon Coliseum. The Mustangs played the Arkansas Tech University Wonder Boys.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Fans of the Midwestern State University Mustangs cheer during first half Tuesday night in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Championship at Ligon Coliseum. The Mustangs played the Arkansas Tech University Wonder Boys.
  • photos by Torin Halsey/Times Record News Michael Loyd (10) of Midwestern State University goes up for a shot over Johnie Davis of Arkansas Tech during the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Championship at D.L. Ligon Coliseum on Tuesday.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Nick Wayman (13) of Arkansas Tech University tries to block a shot by Midwestern State's JaMichael Rivers (23) Tuesday evening during the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Championship at Ligon Coliseum.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Midwestern State's Michael Loyd (10) shoots the fadeaway jumper over Matt Haney (33) of Arkansas Tech in the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Championship at Ligon Coliseum.


Full gallery »Midwestern State Mustangs

  • Patrick Johnston/Times Record News Midwestern State's David Terrell slips past a Washburn defender under the goal before dunking the ball.
  • Patrick Johnston/Times Record News Midwestern State's Keonte Logan jumps after a ball headed out of bounds and tries to throw it back in bounds to teammate Darrick Thomas.
  • photos by Patrick Johnston/Times Record News Midwestern State's Darrick Thomas dunks an alley-oop over Washburn's Bobby Chipman (20).
  • Midwestern State's Michael Loyd (10) pulls up and shoots a jumper over Washburn's Martin Mitchell (12). Loyd led the Mustangs with 21 points in their 72-63 win.
  • Midwestern State's DeJuan Plummer (32) drives the lane against Washburn's Will McNeill. Patrick Johnston/Times Record News
  • Patrick Johnston/Times Record News Midwestern State's Keonte Logan battles for a rebound with St. Mary's Kevin Kotzur (55) and D.J. Castro (20) Saturday during the NCAA Division II South Central Regional. Midwestern State won 62-54.

Midwestern State Mustangs journey to the South Central Regional Tournament Championship game.



Full gallery »Iwo Jima Survivors Association Veterans Reunion

  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Iwo Jima survivor James Magers is greeted by flag-waving students at Sheppard Elementary Friday morning as he and other WWII veterans were treated to a hero's welcome, lunch and a patriotic play. The Iwo Jima Survivors Association reunion continues through Sunday at the Holiday Inn by the Falls.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Sheppard Elementary students got to meet examples of living history as members of the WWII Iwo Jima Survivors Association like James Krodel visited the school Friday morning. The veterans ate lunch and watched a patriotic play.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News The veterans reunion sponsored by the Iwo Jima Survivors Association included a visit to Sheppard Elementary Friday morning. Men like John Swoboda were treated to a hero's welcome, lunch and a patriotic skit.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Medal of Honor recipient Hershel 'Woody' Williams is greeted by students at Sheppard Elementary Friday morning. Willams is the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient out of 27 from the battle of Iwo Jima. Williams is the guest of honor at the veterans reunion sponsored by the Iwo Jima Survivors Association.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News L.D. Cox, left, Glenn Morgan and Jim Bargsley visit before the opening ceremonies of the veterans reunion sponsored by the Iwo Jima Survivors Association Friday morning at the Holiday Inn at the Falls. Cox and Morgan are survivors of the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis in WWII. Bargsley was a sailor on the U.S.S. Bassett, one of several ships that came to rescue the 152 men who survived 4 days in the ocean.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Glenn Morgan describes his experiences as a survivor of the sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis in World War II. Morgan was in town this weekend with the veterans reunion sponsored by the Iwo Jima Survivors Association.

WWII Veterans get together for their annual reunion sponsored by the Iwo Jima Survivors Association.



Full gallery »20 Under 40

  • Danny Ahern, 34. Owner of The Iron Horse Pub. It is more than 4,000 miles from Ireland to Wichita Falls, but for Danny Ahern, considering the things that matter most, the distance is insignificant. People have always mattered most to Ahern, and he sees a North Texas city with many of the same virtues as his native Ireland. “Folks here love a chat just like the Irish,” he said. “There is willingness here to help friends, neighbors and strangers. When someone is down, there is always someone there to lift him up. If I volunteer to do something, there are others right there beside me.” Ahern came to Wichita Falls through a green card program in 1996. At first he lived with an aunt and uncle, “and a few years later I proudly became an American citizen.” He married his Texas bride, Amanda, and the couple is now expecting their first child. Ahern has been employed at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas for the past 14 years, and during that same period opened The Iron Horse Pub along with friend John Dickinson. The pub has long been a destination point in the historic downtown area where friends gather for a cold beer, good conversation and live entertainment. “Wichita Falls has given me great opportunities,” he said. “I just want to be able to give just a little back by serving our community in any capacity I can.” In 15 years, he has done his share and more. At present, Ahern heads the board for Downtown Wichita Falls Development. He is a member of the Hotter’N Hell steering committee, and devotes time and energy to Habitat for Humanity, the Child Welfare Board, Special Olympics, Children’s Miracle Network and the Caravan and Charitable activities for Blue Cross Blue Shield. The Iron Horse Pub, in many ways is an anchor itself for downtown development, came about by the partnering of exact opposites. Ahern is an Irish-American and Dickinson is a native New Yorker. Ahern is at home in a rugby scrum ankle deep in mud, while Dickinson likes the feel of a hammer, wood and saw. They both love live music and something cold from a tap. The Pub is a home-away-from-home for big-name bands out of Austin, Dallas, New Orleans and beyond. “We designed the Pub to be a safe and friendly gathering place where people could come, talk about their day and experience the power of live music,” he said. “Growing up in Ireland, Danny knows the value of things. “He is an outstanding businessman, and he is dedicated to being involved in our city. “He is involved with many good things he never talks about, but I see them,” Dickinson said. “I view him as a 1960s kind of guy. He cares about his fellow man. He hates to see anyone taken advantage of. He is concerned about his city, and he is concerned about our world. He is always among the first to jump in and help, simply because he wants the world to be a better place for our kids,” Dickinson said. Danny Ahern traveled more than 4,000 miles to get here, and for Wichita Falls, it has been worth every mile and more. Photo by Torin Halsey/Times Record News
  • Matt Anderson, 38. Partner at Gibson Davenport Anderson. Matt Anderson fights for his clients in the courtroom as a partner in his law firm, Gibson Davenport Anderson. “I specialize in commercial litigation, I represent a lot of banks, businesses and small businesses in lawsuits. I really enjoy doing it and like representing my clients in court,” Anderson said. But he’s also helping at-risk teens in the community learn valuable life lessons through a judo program he started this year with fellow lawyer and friend Gant Grimes at Straight Street. “It’s a really neat program because in judo, you don’t punch or kick, there’s a set of rules, and it’s really about controlling yourself and controlling your opponent,” Anderson said. “The students seem to really like it because they get a fairly strenuous physical activity but without the risk of injury associated with practicing other martial arts.” He said he and Grimes are members of the Texoma Judo & Jujitsu Club, and he became familiar with Straight Street because his wife, Anne, served on the board. Anderson has also served on the board at Straight Street and he and Grimes thought introducing the kids to the practice of judo could help them learn conflict resolution skills they would be able to use in real life. He said after putting on a judo demonstration at Straight Street for the kids, they began teaching judo every week, with an average of nine or 10 kids attending the class. “The kids learn the idea that in Judo, you don’t oppose force with force. You turn it around and use leverage or momentum, or whatever you can, to resolve the situation. That applies to a lot of the situations these kids face, not only on the mat, but in real life,” Anderson said. “And what they get out of judo is exactly what they put into it, so they are ultimately responsible for their own actions.” He said his parents, David and Debbie Anderson, taught him the value of giving back to the community as he grew up in Wichita Falls, and after attending college at Texas A&M and law school at the University of Texas. Anderson worked as an assistant district attorney in Harris County for four years before returning to Wichita Falls to practice law in 2001. He and wife Anne have three sons, Henry, 10, Calvin, 7, and Walter, 2. “Getting involved in the community was just never really a question, it was just something you do,” Anderson said. “Part of living in a community is trying to help it and give back — there are lots of folks who have helped me out, so we’re not a community of strangers. And if we do take care of the community, it’s an investment.” He said he hopes a few current students in the judo program at Straight Street will come back and one day become teachers to other kids in need. “I’d love to have one of these students in there 10 years from now doing what I am doing,” Anderson said. Photo by Torin Halsey/Times Record News
  • Emily Arens, 39. Vice president at Merrill Lynch. Emily Arens helps people achieve their financial goals in her work as vice president at Merrill Lynch, and says that was her reason for becoming a financial planner. “Basically, I like working with people and I like how the money that we grow for them helps with their future,” Arens said. She said helping people is a motivation for her in her work as a volunteer as well. Arens said she is a member of the Junior League of Wichita Falls and was co-chairman of Christmas Magic in 2011, and her work helping others started when she was a youngster growing up in Wichita Falls. She also volunteers for several other organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and Camp Fire, just to name a few. “I remember getting involved in a project back in high school (at Rider) where we were helping to open up a gas station, and in doing something as simple as taking out the refreshments and balloons, I found myself staying longer than I was supposed to because I liked seeing the smiles on people’s faces ... with every volunteer activity, my biggest feedback is a smile on someone’s face.” Arens said that like her work at Merrill Lynch, she also enjoys helping nonprofits grow their funding by working on fundraising events. “I would say fundraisers are my favorite thing to work on, probably because I’ve done several in the community,” Arens said. Arens said as she was growing up, her dad, Wichita County Judge Woody Gossom, gave her a blueprint of volunteerism from which to follow in her own life. “I would say that he would be my biggest influence of giving back to the community,” Arens said. “When you look at his resume of volunteer work, it is pretty much ingrained. My other family members are always giving back to people as well.” Arens said her family, including her husband, Tommy, director of sales for U.S. Cellular, and her daughters, Elise, 8, and Kiersten, 5, support her volunteer work and understand how important it is for her to continue to try to improve peoples’ lives in the community through her work at the Junior League and other organizations. “If I didn’t do the volunteer work that I do, I wouldn’t be the person that I am,” Arens said. “When my friends sometimes ask me how I manage to work full time, raise a family and still volunteer as much as I do, I tell them I think about what my community would be like if we didn’t give back to it.” She said she is excited to see a program like 20 Under 40 because it raises awareness of the great volunteer work going on in the Wichita Falls community. “It makes other people aware of what people are doing in the community and I think that’s what excites me the most about it,” Arens said. Photo by Torin Halsey/Times Record News
  • Gwyn Bevel, 30. News anchor at KFDX TV-3. As a news anchor at KFDX TV-3, Gwyn Bevel daily sees an array of needs in the city from community and economic development to adult literacy, child development and countless other areas. Through her career at the city’s NBC affiliate and many volunteer missions, she considers herself blessed to be in a position to serve. Her growth in her professional career, the ability to lift and encourage co-workers and a tireless volunteer spirit have easily made Bevel a member of the 20 Under 40 class. The Illinois native literally hit the ground running when she settled here nearly seven years ago. Ann Arnold, a co-worker at KFDX, said Bevel is easy to get along with, encourages new employees, and is never without an upbeat tempo in anything she does. Following her undergraduate degree at Southern Illinois and a master’s at the University of Illinois at Springfield, Bevel came to Wichita Falls and launched her career at KFDX in 2005. Her actions upon arrival fit more in the mode of native Texan than a displaced citizen with no road map to follow. “Time and again I’ve been blessed in my life, and I feel it is only natural to want to give back to the community and the good people who live here,” she said. “I feel compelled to help whether it be children and adults in need, or important developmental projects like making our downtown a great destination.” Among her peers and friends, Bevel leads by example without broadcasting it. She is involved in countless missions, including adult literacy, the Rainbow House, American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity, ARC of Wichita County, Child Advocates, YMCA, Girls and Boys Clubs, Wichita Falls Public Library reading programs, the Alzheimer’s Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the MLK Breakfast and others. “I don’t consider myself unique in any way,” she said. “This is truly a great city with a proven and dedicated spirit of volunteerism. Our future is in our children. Kids of today will be our community leaders 20 years from now. Helping them to move forward and grow can best be achieved by the examples we set. “However, child mentoring is a win-win kind of thing. Anytime you become involved in helping a young person, you soon realize that you are learning things from them. In a very real sense, you are not just giving but you are receiving learning and growing experiences of your own.” Bevel believes the downtown area is moving in the direction of becoming a destination site in the city. “If you look at River Bend, the beautiful trails leading to the falls and beyond, you can see the potential for a strong and appealing downtown,” she said. “With MPEC, the library, the Holt, the Kemp Arts Center and nice small businesses here and there, major steps have been taken and more are on the way. There are many capable and dedicated people committed to rebuilding our downtown, and it is happening right now.” Photo by Torin Halsey/Times Record News
  • Brandon Brown, 36. President of YMCA Wichita Falls. As far back as his college days at Midwestern State University, Brandon Brown had a mission for his professional life, and it wasn’t to become one of the youngest presidents in YMCA Wichita Falls history. Brown’s focus, which is largely the reason he rose to the top at the YMCA three years ago at age 32, is entrenched in child and youth development. And it is the central reason he was nominated and selected as a member of the 20 Under 40 community leadership contingency for 2012. Brown is a successful grant writer, skilled organizer, membership advocate, and he has worn just about every hat available during his 15 years at the YMCA. Through it all, he still carves out time for Leadership Wichita Falls, the United Way, Humane Society, Wichita Falls Food Bank and the Kiwanis Club. Child development, however, is his calling, and he insists it starts well before the teen or preteen years. “YMCA and Girls and Boys Clubs didn’t approach the educational needs of children 20 years ago like we do today. This isn’t a rap on organizations like ours in the past. It’s just been in the last 15 years or so that social skills, child development and education have become major factors in what we try to achieve today. “We offer great opportunities for youth of all ages, and for their parents. They can come and work out and do things together, and nobody is ever turned away because they can’t afford us. We’ve been blessed by the Priddy Foundation, the United Way, and the generous contributors to our program campaigns. And if and when funds do become tight, we still find ways to help people help themselves,” he said. More than 3,600 kids are now active in YMCA programs throughout the city. It involves after-school programs at Kate Burgess and Washington-Jackson whereby the Y supports certified teachers. The Soap Box Derby has been restored. Sports for boys and girls, like baseball, basketball and soccer, are ongoing. Organized music and reading clubs exist, along with a child-care facility. “Helping a boy or girl at any age is important,” he said, “but studies have proven to show that the greatest window of opportunity for child development is between birth and three years old. You don’t necessarily lose them after that, but the foundation for social skills and strong behavioral patterns begins at birth. “This is where a child starts to learn about values within their circle, building self-esteem and even getting a sense of volunteerism in a community. There are many important areas of child and family development that we are involved in or want to expand.” Right now more than 400 toddlers are actively enrolled at the YMCA Child Care center, and the mission is clearly to work with parents to stimulate physical, mental and emotional development. Photo by Torin Halsey/Times Record News
  • Jeremy Cain, 28. Online director at Times Record News. In his work both as online director at the Times Record News and as an audiovisual and technology consultant for area churches and businesses, Jeremy Cain said he wants to bring friendly service and top-of-the-line possibilities to the clients he serves. “I started my own business about seven years ago, before I came to work at the Times Record News, where I help out churches, businesses or individuals who can’t afford larger consulting companies to come in and do A/V-type work. We want them to have the same quality of service and equipment as larger companies,” he said. Cain said he and his father, James, run the business, called The Sound Guys, when he isn’t busy in his “daytime” job at the Times Record News. “It’s sort of a hobby for me, our first client was a church but we will work for anybody who needs help, and if they need something we can’t provide we will direct them to the right person,” Cain said. At the Times Record News, Cain said he worked his way up to his current position, starting as a webmaster in 2006 and moving up to site manager and then online manager in 2008. He said in order to keep newspapers viable and competitive in today’s fast-paced news environment, the Times Record News is working on several ideas to drive reader traffic to the newspaper’s website. Under his leadership, the paper’s website has seen an increase from under one million page views to a record high of two million page views per month. “We’re working on several mobile applications, and to have a way to get news to people in content groups. We’re trying to figure out what kinds of things our readers and online visitors are interested in. We also want to update the stories on our website more often, to provide people with the most recent information as stories develop during the day,” Cain said. He said his volunteer work with the music groups at his church, Life Tabernacle, has been very rewarding. Cain is a musician, playing both bass guitar and keyboard, and along with his mom, Carmen, and his wife, Rebecca, he helps direct the children’s choir group. He was recently named director of in-service media at Life Tabernacle, which involves running the projection, lighting and stage design team. “My mom and I direct the kids’ choir along with my wife, and we will do anything that needs to be done, including helping with music, but also behind-the-scenes stuff too, like setting up their sound systems,” Cain said. “I’ve been doing that for about 14 years now, and I really enjoy it. I just enjoy doing things and getting to see the end results for myself.” He said he was very thankful to be nominated as a leader in the community. “First, I just want to say ‘thank you’ to the community,” Cain said. “I think awards like these are a good thing because a lot of people do a lot of hard work, and some of them don’t want to be recognized, but I think someone needs to give them a handshake, or recognition, because if not, it’s easy to get discouraged.” Cain said he and Rebecca just welcomed their first child, daughter Alexis Berkley, into the world on Dec. 1. Photo by Torin Halsey/Times Record News

There are a lot of rising stars in the galaxy called Wichita Falls. To shed light on these leaders of tomorrow, the <em>Times Record News</em> is the presenting sponsor of 20 Under 40 — an effort to recognize up-and-coming community leaders.



Full gallery »Letters to Santa 2011

  • Letters to Santa 2011
  • Letters to Santa 2011
  • Letters to Santa 2011
  • Letters to Santa 2011
  • Letters to Santa 2011
  • Letters to Santa 2011


Full gallery »70th Anniversary of WWII

  • James Refsnider, 88, rests with the aid of a grave marker in the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer sitting on the bluffs above Omaha Beach, the bloodiest of the five beach landing sites on the Normandy coast. Refsnider was part of the crew in an LCI, landing craft infantry, directing troop movement in the waters off Omaha beach, were more than 3,000 Americans were left dead, wounded or missing. (SHNS photo by Mike Brown / The Commercial Appeal) (RS) (WWII)
  • A southern Alabama veteran and his guardian walk along the National World War II Memorial, past the Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool on Sept. 23, 2010. (SHNS photo by Danielle Alberti) (RS) (WWII)
  • Wartime photo of Sen. Daniel Inouye. (SHNS photo courtesy Sen. Daniel Inouye) Black and white photo. (WWII)
  • Diane Hight comforts W.T. Hardwick, 87, as he looks towards the dunes that conceal Utah Beach from his sight. Hardwick, a member of the 4th Infantry Division, was among the men who stormed Utah Beach in the early morning hours of June 6, 1944. After surviving the initial invasion, he was captured four days later in the hedgerows while making his way towards Saint-Lo. In the first 30 days of his 10-month ordeal as a POW, Hardwick went from a weight of 200 pounds to roughly 130 pounds. (SHNS photo by Mike Brown / The Commercial Appeal) (RS) (WWII)
  • Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii had to petition the U.S. government to serve in the Army during World War II after he and other Japanese-Americans were declared enemy aliens after Pearl Harbor. He lost his right arm during an attack on a German machine gun in April 1945. This action earned him the Medal of Honor. He went on to college and law school after the war and then to a career in politics that brought him to the Senate in 1962. Now in his ninth term, he is President Pro Tem of the Senate and continues to be an ardent supporter of veterans. (SHNS photo by Danielle Cohen) (RS) (WWII)
  • Richard Elliott, 87, raises his hand to salute as taps is played during a ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer on the bluffs that overlook Omaha Beach. The cemetery is the final resting place of 9,387 American soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice during the war. (SHNS photo by Mike Brown / The Commercial Appeal) (RS) (WWII)

The nation commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the beginning of World War II.



Full gallery »Arrested development:

  • As a 13-year-old inmate in the Stoddard County (Mo.) jail, Owen Welty blamed a guard for the abrasion on his nose. His dad Ronnie Welty took the photo Feb. 18, 2007, through a glass partition, using a cellphone he said he smuggled in. SHNS photo courtesy Ronnie Welty
  • An undated photo shows Owen Welty in the Stoddard County (Mo.) Jail, where he was sent at age 13. His dad Ronnie Welty took the photo through a glass partition, using a cellphone he said he smuggled in. SHNS photo courtesy Ronnie Welty
  • Aug. 27, 2011 - Owen Welty, 18, looks over Facebook pages with sister Veronica, 16 (right), and friend Dakota Williams, 14, while at the family's home in Pollard, Ark. The Welty family moved there after Owen was acquitted of charges that he murdered a neighbor in Bloomfield, Mo. SHNS courtesy of Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal
  • Aug. 27, 2011 - Owen Welty, 18, mows the grass on his family's property in Pollard, Ark., where they moved after he was acquitted of murdering a neighbor when he was 13. SHNS photo courtesy Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal
  • Aug. 27, 2011 - Owen Welty, 18, drives sister Veronica, 16 (back right) and family friend Dakota Williams, 14 (back left) to grab some lunch in Piggott, Ark. At 13, he was charged with murder and spent 2 1/2 years in several different Missouri jails before being acquitted. For most of that time, Owen -- now a senior at Piggott High School -- didnâ’t get formal schooling. SHNS photo courtesy of Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal
  • Aug. 27, 2011 - Owen Welty, 18, chats with his father, Ronnie Welty, on their property in Pollard, Ark. The Welty family moved there from Bloomfield, Mo., after Owen was acquitted of a murder charge. SHNS photo courtesy of Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal

Juveniles in adult jails.



Full gallery »Unmade in America

  • Assembly line workers attach tires to General Motors vehicles during the early 1920s, showing to labor-intensive approach to manufacturing common to the era in Detroit, Mich. (SHNS photo courtesy University of Michigan's Bentley Historical Library.)
  • Chad Moutray, chief economist for the National Association of Manufacturers, concludes a toxic mix of recession, fierce global competition and rising production costs have curtailed U.S. manufacturing. But America still leads the world in manufacturing. 'Twenty-one percent of the value of all manufactured goods come from the United States,' Moutray said. (SHNS photo by Thomas Hargrove)
  • Bob Baugh, executive director of the Industrial Union Council for the AFL-CIO, concludes the decline in U.S. manufacturing has been 'a disaster. We have lost 6 million manufacturing jobs. We have just wasted it away.' (SHNS photo by Thomas Hargrove)
  • A laser welding robot on the body-assembly line at a high tech plant in Bursa, Turkey, operated jointly by Fiat and PSA Peugeot Citroen in 2007. (SHNS photo courtesy of PSA Peugeot Citroen.)
  • A lone assembly line worker labors on an engine block at a General Motors plant in Detroit, Mich., during the 1930s. (SHNS photo courtesy University of Michigan's Bentley Historical Library.)
  • High-tech assembly workers put the finishing touches on this 2010 Chevrolet Camaro at the GM assembly plant in Oshawa, Ontario. (SHNS photo courtesy General Motors)

Millions of manufacturing jobs have disappeared across America since 2000, evaporating in a furnace-like blast of economic upheaval.



Full gallery »TRN Halloween


Kids from Washington-Jackson School in Wichita Falls had a truly scary Halloween experience Monday. They descended in droves on the Times Record News offices where staff greeted them with treats and even a haunted house contained in the block-long plant that houses the newspaper.



Full gallery »High School Football Week 9

  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Munday's Dee Paul (10) picked up good yardage after getting by Windthorst senior Jaron Hilbers (89) in the first quarter of Friday night's game in Munday.
  • Claire Kowalick/Times Record News Holliday's Jacob Cole (2) runs for a touchdown Friday just as the clock runs out in the first quarter of the game. Holliday won 30-0.
  • Claire Kowalick/Times Record News Holliday's Austin Twilligear (29) fights of Cityview players Friday and manages to gain about 20 yards. Holliday won 30-0.
  • Claire Kowalick/Times Record News Holliday's Brennan Whitaker (3) tries to avoid being taken down by Cityview's Tri Hoang (73) Friday. Holliday won 30-0.
  • Claire Kowalick/Times Record News Holliday's Jacob Cole (2) looks to make a pass Friday. Holliday won 30-0.
  • Claire Kowalick/Times Record News Cityview's Bevon Roberson (7) fails to intercept a pass caught by Holliday's Austin Twilligear (29) Friday. Holliday won 30-0.

Highlights from local and area high school football games.



Full gallery »Atwood's Pet Costume Contest

  • Claire Kowalick/Times Record News Puppy, Finnegan, is a party animal Sunday for the Atwoods pet costume contest.
  • Claire Kowalick/Times Record News Arden Nimetz, 5, shows off Zoe, who was rescued from a shelter, dressed as a bee Sunday at the Atwoods pet costume contest.
  • Claire Kowalick/Times Record News Jessica Brower holds her dog, Princess, who is dressed as a princess Sunday for the Atwoods pet costume contest.
  • Claire Kowalick/Times Record News A dog is dressed as Bambi, Sunday at the Atwoods pet costume contest.
  • Claire Kowalick/Times Record News A dog in costume as the skunk, Flower, from 'Bambi' is seen Sunday for the Atwoods pet costume contest.
  • Claire Kowalick/Times Record News Paula Matlock adjusts a butterfly costume on her dog, Pearl, Sunday for the Atwoods pet costume contest. Matlock said she sewed the costume 17 years ago for her daughter and was happy to get another use for it.

Atwood's annual costume contest for pets. More than 40 animals — including a horse and goat — participated in the 16th annual pet costume contest Sunday at Atwoods Ranch & Home of Wichita Falls. More than 15 pet supply sponsors donated $10,000 in supplies for prizes. For more pictures of the pet costume contest, see the photo gallery at www.timesrecordnews.com.



Full gallery »High School Football Week 8

  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Henrietta defender Zach Byers (16) tries to run down City View ball carrier D.J. Brown (5) during second quarter action Friday night in Hnerietta.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Henrietta's Kolten Booher (10) and Jake Sanchez (80) manage to keep City View's Kody McLeran out of the endzone Friday night at Bearcat Stadium. McLeran's effort earned a first down, however, and City View scored on the next play.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Ball carrier Kolten Booher (10) of Henrietta is brought down by several City View players during first half action Friday night in Henrietta.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News City View's D.J. Coursey (24) picks up good yardage as Henrietta's Tanner Himes (72) pursues during Friday night's game in Henrietta.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News C.D. Crumpton (3) of Henrietta tries to get around City View's Jarrett Rangel (12) during first quarter action Friday night in Bearcat Stadium.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News City View runningback D.J. Brown cuts upfield in front of Henrietta's Korben Allen Friday night.

Highlights from local and area high school football games.



Full gallery »High School Football Week 7

  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Holliday's Austin Twilligear (29) is brought down by Henrietta's Zach Byers (16) and Cody McKelvey (25) during the first quarter of Friday night's game in Holliday.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Holliday senior Kelby Carver (12) looks for an open receiver as Henrietta defenseman Cody McKelvey (25) dives for a tackle Friday night in Holliday.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Henrietta quarterback Kolten Booher (10) picks up yardage as Holliday's Tayler Hill (31) and Ryan Todd (61) pursue during first half action Friday night in Holliday.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News' Henrietta ball carrier Zach Byers beaks into the open field Friday night against the Holliday Eagles.
  • Torin Halsey/Times Record News Jacob Cole of Holliday throws from the pocket during Friday night's game against Henrietta.
  • Richard Cleaver / For the Times Record News Burkburnett's defense holds hirschi on a goal line stance during the first quarter Friday night as the Burkburnett Bulldogs hosted the Hirschi Huskies. Hirschi went on to score their second touchdown two plays later to bring the score to Burkburnett 14 hirschi 12.

Highlights from local and area football games.




Features