Maria "Conchis" Silva has been on leave since last July. She is (was) the Manager of DISD's Adult Basic Education Department ("ABE").

Dallas.Org has obtained (posted below) OPR's investigative report into the department and Silva.

Among other things, according to OPR's report, Silva:

• used vulgar and inappropriate language in the workplace; and
• created a hostile work environment in the ABE department; and
• misappropriated ABE staff, equipment and supplies for personal purposes; and
• violated the Americans with Disabilities Act; and
• disclosed confidential medical information to unauthorized personnel; and
• spent over $30,000 in federal grant funds for the writing of "Lesson Plans" when the state provided approved curriculum and lesson plans; and
  

The US Department of Education seems to have a message: Learn or else! From the bid solicitation:

Synopsis: Added: Mar 08, 2010 10:39 am

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) intends to purchase twenty-seven (27) REMINGTON BRAND MODEL 870 POLICE 12/14P MOD GRWC XS4 KXCS SF. RAMAC #24587 GAUGE: 12 BARREL: 14" - PARKERIZED CHOKE: MODIFIED SIGHTS: GHOST RING REAR WILSON COMBAT; FRONT - XS CONTOUR BEAD SIGHT STOCK: KNOXX REDUCE RECOIL ADJUSTABLE STOCK FORE-END: SPEEDFEED SPORT-SOLID - 14" LOP are designated as the only shotguns authorized for ED based on compatibility with ED existing shotgun inventory, certified armor and combat training and protocol, maintenance, and parts.
The required date of delivery is March 22, 2010.

See the bid solicitation here

By DAVID BAUDER, AP News Service

NEW YORK (AP) - For the want of a better two-second picture of a tachometer, ABC News has called into question its reporting on acceleration problems with Toyota vehicles.

The network's handling of a Feb. 22 "World News" story about potential problems with computer systems in Toyotas has created ethical questions and intensified bitter feelings the besieged automaker already had toward ABC.

ABC has admitted to a misjudgment and swapped out the brief dashboard video in its report, which continues to be available online. Its story illustrated a report by David Gilbert, a Southern Illinois University professor who suggested that a design flaw in Toyotas might leave a short-circuit that could cause sudden acceleration undetected by the car's computer system.

Read more about this here

There is an interesting story brewing out of the Lake Highlands area regarding the mysterious closure of Red Cat Consignment and the disappearance of its clients' property.

According to The Advocate magazine and a Fox 4 News investigation, some of Red Cat's former customers have accused owners Stephen Randall "Steve" Hall and Marukh Feroze Hall of taking their property and selling it in private sales around the area. Steve Hall has said his business is in bankruptcy--though there was no record of the filing as of last week.

The Halls apparently contracted with customers to sell merchandise on consignment for a 50/50 split. Earlier this year, Red Cat abruptly ceased operations and the merchandise, along with the Halls, disappeared from the store.

A letter posted on the door of the former Red Cat store indicated that the Halls had abandoned their lease.

The Dallas Police Department has said the Halls committed no crimes.

Dallas.Org investigated Red Cat's owners and found that Marukh Feroze Hall is a convicted felon (court documents appear below).

Marukh Hall was convicted, in 2007, of DUI for the third time--a 3rd degree felony. She is serving 10 years probation after a short stay in the Dallas County Jail.

by Michael Millican, President, Dan D. Rogers Elementary PTA

I am known as "El Presidente De Dan D. Rogers PTA."

There is something special going on at "Big D" (as I like to call Dan D. Rogers Elementary)

The Mouse That Roars!

We have along our Texas border an emerging insurgency of thugs crossing into our country with the soul purpose of creating a permanent drug mob within our Texas. It is of my own opinion that our best hope in stopping such a mob from becoming more established lay within the plight of our elementary children.

No parent I know would wish for their child's best financial future to be one of a drug pushing culture. But that threat is a real one and it's war now lay at our Texas State door steps.

The people of Dan D. Rogers, as an emerging community as they are, are our best line of defense in hopes of our continued area's prosperity and celebrated culture of class.

Update: Attendance zone changes PULLED from Thursday's agenda--won't be discussed at Board meeting!

Dan D. Rogers Elementary School is 81% Hispanic and 13% African American. DISD records show that 90% of them are on the "free/reduced" lunch program.

According to a concerned former Rogers parent, a group of Rogers-area neighborhood parents don't want their kids to go there.

"They want their kids in a little bit whiter school," the mother of 3 former students at the school told us. "My kids did just fine at [Dan D. Rogers] and I don't see what the fuss is all about."

Dan D. Rogers is rated Academically Acceptable.

Lakewood Elementary, by contrast, is 72% white with an Exemplary rating.

Pushing to alter the attendance lines for the parents group is newly-elected DISD board member Bruce Parrott. Parrott is sponsoring a proposal by the Ridgewood Park Homeowners Assocation. The proposal would put houses right across the street from Dan D. Rogers (shown above in yellow) in Lakewood Elementary's zone.

Edward Daley, general manager of The Galleria sent a letter around warning about a criminal incident last week at his mall.

The letter also notes that two similar incidents have recently occurred "at another area shopping center at Park Lane and Central Expressway."

Northpark Center is located at Park Lane and Central Expressway.

The letter follows:

Update: A security guard has been suspended and staff may be retrained at Atlanta bus terminal.

Passengers leaving from Dallas, bound for St. Louis and other places on Greyhound have been stranded for days at the Memphis bus terminal. A Greyhound security guard refused to allow a grandmother back into the station from the cold after she gave a news interview. Dallas-based Greyhound has, so far, refused interviews.

Greyhound is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstGroup America.

Action News 5 in Memphis has the story

Dallas School Board Trustee Bruce Parrott on Wednesday told the Dallas Morning News that the Texas Ethics Commission had dropped an ethics complaint against him concerning his campaign finance report.

According to Commission General Counsel Natalia Ashley, this is not the case.

Citing confidentiality laws surrounding ethics complaints, Ashley could not confirm details and could only say that the complaint was still in process.

Because of the structure of the Texas Ethics Commission, a complaint can only be settled or dismissed after the Commission has heard it. According to the Ethics Commission's calendar, the Commission isn't scheduled to meet until February 11, 2010. Ashley, again citing confidentiality laws, couldn't confirm if the Commission was due to hear Parrott's case at their February meeting.

WHO: The Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas

WHAT: The Make-A-Wish Foundation of North Texas is hosting its annual Race for Wishes in Irving, Texas. The North Texas Chapter is combining its Southwest and Central regions and encouraging both communities to put one foot forward to grant the wishes of children fighting life-threatening medical conditions. Participants of the 5K run/walk and 1-mile fun run/walk will enjoy a day of exercise, breakfast, friendly competition and the opportunity to raise money for children in their communities.

WHEN: Saturday, March 27, 2010
7:00 a.m. – Registration begins
8:15 a.m. – Pre Race Ceremonies
9:00 a.m. – 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk and 5K Run/Walk Begins