By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX –
One of an incumbent's advantages was on full display in south Texas today in stops by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White and GOP Gov. Rick Perry.
White -- who's a former mayor of Houston -- traveled the Rio Grande Valley making promises about what he would do to help the area if elected - a veteran's hospital, an interstate.
Meanwhile, Perry was scheduled to announce millions of dollars in state funding to attract technology jobs at the University of Texas-Pan American.
Perry campaign spokesman Mark Miner says the governor's event is an official appearance -- not a campaign event. Perry's first hurdle is a bruising battle with U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in the March 2 Republican primary.
White also has opponents for the Democratic nomination, including wealthy Houston businessman Farouk Shami.
Dallas man gets 10 years for Texas bank robberies
A Dallas man who robbed or tried to hold up seven banks in north Texas during 2009 has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
A federal judge in Dallas sentenced 36-year-old Larry Dewayne Pritchett over the January through April crime spree. Prosecutors say Pritchett acknowledged robbing banks in Sachse, Dallas and Rowlett. He attempted to rob a bank in Dallas, plus admitted to conspiring to rob one bank in Plano and two in Carrollton.
Pritchett on Monday also was ordered to pay more than $18,000 in restitution.
Renovation of Texas Governor's Mansion challenged
Heritage Society of Austin members are objecting to renovation proposals for the Texas Governor's Mansion. Society president Mandy Dealey and others told the State Preservation Board on Tuesday they are troubled by plans to build an addition to the mansion. The historic home across from the Capitol is being redone following a June 2008 fire.
Gov. Rick Perry leads the preservation board but says he's staying out of the argument.
The Austin American-Statesman reported that 10 former members of the Texas Historical Commission are objecting to the proposed addition to the mansion. The commission must issue a permit for any addition.
Supporters of the renovation plan say the mansion needs more space and safety upgrades.
House next to Bush home in Dallas demolished
A house next to the Dallas home of former President George W. Bush has been demolished.
Bush spokesman David Sherzer on Tuesday declined comment on reports that the ex-president and his wife, Laura, own the adjacent property, calling it "a personal matter."
An aerial view Monday by WFAA-TV showed the neighboring residence is gone. Parts of the lot are smoothed over with soil. Some trees still stand. George Gomez with Billy L. Nabors Wrecking, which did work at the site, said he understands that the property is going to stay vacant and the Bushes quote: "just wanted to expand their yard"
The Bushes last February moved into their 8,500 square foot Dallas home. They also have a ranch in Crawford, 110 miles southwest of Dallas.