West Texas News

Tornadoes, Hail and Hurricane-Force Winds Tear Through West Texas, Killing 4

A line of severe storms produced what a meteorologist calls a rare combination of multiple tornadoes, hurricane-force winds and softball-sized hail in west Texas, killing at least four people, injuring nine and causing significant damage around the town of Matador, …

West Texas Gets 1,000-Foot Wall of Dust With Cold Front

A wall of dust as tall as 1,000 feet and 200 miles wide that roared across parts of West Texas and New Mexico is yet another sign of how rain-starved the region is. National Weather Service meteorologist Charles Aldrich in …

Extreme Wildfire Threat Seen in Much of West Texas

Much of West Texas faces extreme wildfire danger because of gusty winds and plummeting humidity. The National Weather Service has issued a “red flag warning” for the Permian Basin and much of the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas. Forecasters explain …

Shutdown Stops West Blast Investigations

The partial government shutdown is delaying the federal investigation of the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas, and efforts to improve chemical safety, Sen. Barbara Boxer of California said. Deadlines set by President Barack Obama for Cabinet members and agency …

Weather Wipes Out Half of West Texas’ Cotton Acres

West Texas cotton producer Doug Hlavaty has no plans to ditch his trade despite another tough growing season in the South Plains, replete with drought, hail and blowing sand. Those weather conditions have robbed the world’s largest contiguous cotton-growing patch …

West Texas Mayor Charged With $300K Fraud, Theft

The mayor of a West Texas town of about 100 people has been charged with stealing nearly $300,000 in a forged signature scheme. Toyah Mayor Bartolo Sanchez faces federal charges of bank fraud, wire fraud and four counts of aggravated …

West Texas Rail Crossing Had 10 Previous Accidents

There were 10 previous collisions at the West Texas railroad crossing where a train slammed into a parade float carrying wounded veterans and their families, according to Federal Railroad Administration records reviewed by The Associated Press. Five cars and five …

West Texas Jury Awards $11M in Oilfield Accident

A West Texas jury has awarded $11 million to a man who was injured by a pipe casing that fell from an oilfield elevator. The verdict in favor of Eliazar Trevino Jr. was announced Monday after a week-long civil trial …

Stolen Ambulance Containing Frozen Foods Leads to Arrest in Texas

A West Texas man accused of swiping an ambulance, driving to a grocery store and stealing frozen foods has landed in a different kind of cooler. El Paso police on Tuesday announced the arrest and jailing of John Valdivia of …

West Texas Has 3rd Earthquake Since Late November

The U.S. Geological Survey website says a 3.2 magnitude earthquake happened at 8:46 a.m. Saturday, centered 5 miles north-northeast of Snyder, in Scurry County. The area is 78 miles southeast of Lubbock. Authorities had had no immediate reports of injury …