Five stories that have North Texas talking: A really big barbecue pit is for sale; Johnny Manziel has entered treatment; a former SMU law school dean is arrested; and more.
The world’s largest barbecue pit is reportedly in Brenham, Texas – and it’s up for sale on eBay. It’s called the “Undisputable Cuz” and it’s yours for $350,000. KHOU-TV in Houston reports: “[The] barbecue pit so huge law enforcement authorities have required special permits and escorts just to move it down the road. … The "Undisputable Cu"' can cook four tons of meat at a time, roughly the amount of brisket served outside the Texas Capitol to all of the visitors attending the recent inauguration of the state's new governor. It's also equipped with a walk-in cooler that has space for kegs attached to beer taps on the outside.” [KHOU-TV/USA Today]
Check out the eBay listing -- and check out the pit on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW7WpIRrfrA
- Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel has entered treatment for an unspecified condition. An advisor for Manziel said in a statement released by the team Monday that Manziel decided to enter treatment during the offseason. Brad Beckworth says Manziel knows there are areas he needs to improve on to be a better family member, friend and teammate. Browns general manager Ray Farmer says the team fully supports Manziel and respects his initiative in entering treatment. He says the team will respect Manziel's privacy during treatment. Manziel, who won the Heisman as a freshman at Texas A&M where his playmaking skills earned him his "Johnny Football" nickname, has faced questions for several years about his active nightlife. After he was drafted in May by the Browns in the first round, Manziel was repeatedly photographed drinking alcohol during weekend trips to Las Vegas. A photograph of Manziel floating on an inflatable swan raft swigging a bottle of champagne went viral. [Associated Press]
- The end of RadioShack appears to be near. Bloomberg has this news about the Fort Worth-based store: “RadioShack Corp. is preparing to shut down the almost-century-old retail chain in a bankruptcy deal that would sell about half its store leases to Sprint Corp. and close the rest, according to people with knowledge of the discussions. The locations sold to Sprint would operate under the wireless carrier’s name, meaning RadioShack would cease to exist as a stand-alone retailer, said the people, who declined to be identified because the talks aren’t public.” Bloomberg warns that the negotiations could break down or things could change, including another bidder coming in to buy RadioShack. Also, the New York Stock Exchange plans on delisting RadioShack. [Bloomberg]
- Southern Methodist University says a former law school dean will not be teaching this week following his arrest over the weekend. John Attanasio was arrested on a prostitution charge Sunday and booked into the Collin County Jail. Records show the 60-year-old was released after posting $500 bond on the Class B misdemeanor. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers arrested Attanasio, but DPS won’t offer additional details about his arrest. SMU says it does not comment on matters under police investigation, but a university spokeswoman told KERA that Attanasio will not teach his class this week. University officials say they are gathering information to determine any “appropriate action.” [KERA News]
- A Dallas ultra-marathoner set a running record. The Lakewood Advocate reports: “Nicole Studer, who lives near and trains often at White Rock Lake, set an American record over the weekend, clocking the fastest time ever recorded by a female in a 100-mile trail race. … [She] ran 14 hours 22 minutes at last weekend’s 2015 Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile. This is her third year to dominate the women’s race. Only three men finished ahead of her, and all by less than 20 minutes. The closest woman was more than an hour behind. … Studer, who is pretty exhausted at the moment, credits her husband and supportive friends with helping her through the race, and she says the full weight of her accomplishment hasn’t fully sunk in yet, adding, ‘I am just so relieved to be finished.’” KERA’s Stephen Becker profiled Studer in 2013.
