Storm spotters were out in force, and warnings were sent to area residents as numerous funnel clouds were spotted, especially near Evant.

For more information on this story and others, please see the May 18, 2013 edition of The Gatesville Messenger.

Persons in the Evant area Wednesday night may have spotted this intimidating cloud that threatened to become a tornado. Numerous funnel clouds were spotted on both sides of Highway 281 north of Evant, but it was believed that none touched the ground. Storm spotters from local volunteer fire departments and the Coryell County Sheriff’s Office kept a careful watch on the storm. (Photo by Janet Dobbins)

The ensuing investigation led to the arrest of Michael Alan Penno, 29, on four counts of endangering a child.

For more information on this story and others, please see the May 18, 2013 edition of The Gatesville Messenger.

SARAH POLLARD

Sarah Regina Pollard, 45, remained in the Coryell County Jail at press time, following her arrest for aggravated robbery.

Bond was set at $150,000 in the case in which Pollard allegedly tried to extort a former coworker whose husband is a retired trooper from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

For more information on this story and others, please see the May 18, 2013 edition of The Gatesville Messenger.

A 65-year-old Gatesville man drowned Tuesday in Lake Waco after his boat apparently got away from him at a boat ramp.

On Wednesday, Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton identified the man as Clyde Ives.

For more information on this story and others, please see the May 18, 2013 edition of The Gatesville Messenger.

City Manager Roger Mumby reported at Tuesday’s city council meeting that he had just received word that the city will not be funded for the Brownfield Grant.

For more information on this story and others, please see the May 15, 2013 edition of The Gatesville Messenger.

Pictured (left to right): Gatesville senior Danny Byrd, junior De’Quan Cross, senior Tobias Moore and senior Hunter Dean stand with their plaques from the boys’ basketball banquet on Tuesday. Byrd was named the Offensive MVP, Cross the Defensive MVP, Moore the team MVP and Dean was given the Ryan Powell Hornet Fight award.

Gatesville depended on Tobias Moore for big plays in tournament title games early in the season and again in the playoffs.

After leading the team in several categories and raking in postseason honors, the Gatesville senior was named the boys’ basketball Most Valuable Player Tuesday during the team banquet at a local restaurant.

For more information on this story and others, please see the May 18, 2013 edition of The Gatesville Messenger.

Complete with a $300 prize for the winning team, as well as prizes for closest to the pin and longest drive winners, the four-person scramble will tentatively start at 1 p.m.

For more information on this story and others, please see the May 18, 2013 edition of The Gatesville Messenger.

Name added to trophy
Oglesby High School senior Brandon Burchell, right, was presented the Sammy Leos Memorial Award during the OHS athletic banquet. Willie Leos, left, made the presentation.

Oglesby High School student-athletes were honored Tuesday at the annual athletic banquet in the school cafeteria.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Sammy Leos Memorial Award, given annually to an Oglesby athlete who demonstrates character and leadership.

For more information on this story and others, please see the May 18, 2013 edition of The Gatesville Messenger.

What is the difference between a funnel cloud and a tornado?

A:

It’s all in the timing, says Brent McRoberts of Texas A&M University. A funnel cloud is a powerful twisting mass of air stretching down from a thunderstorm, but it has not yet touched the ground. “Once it makes contact with the ground, it’s then officially called a tornado,” McRoberts explains. “That means that a funnel cloud has become a tornado. A funnel cloud doesn’t do much damage up in the air, but once it makes contact with the ground, that’s when trouble starts. If a funnel cloud is spotted, it should be treated like it is a tornado because the situation can change quickly and become a life-threatening event.”