Local News
AG warns parents about video chat web site Chatroulette.com
An increasingly popular Web site poses a threat to Texas children by giving users – including dangerous sex offenders – an opportunity to conduct live video chats with randomly selected participants.
Armed with only a Web camera and Internet access, www.chatroulette.com users are paired with a random stranger for a video chat. Neither a login nor registration is required before young users can be face-to-face with a total stranger. Worse, users who simply click “next” are shuffled to a new video chat partner.
An undercover investigation by the Cyber Crimes Unit revealed startling results. Nearly half of the randomly selected users encountered by Cyber Crimes investigators immediately exposed themselves and conducted sexually explicit acts on camera.
In light of the serious threat that children will be exposed to graphic sexual conduct, Texas parents should prohibit their children from accessing www.chatroulette.com. Although site users are supposed to be at least 16 years old, the rule is not clearly enforced – which means parents’ preventative role is particularly important.
Attorney General Abbott reminds parents to closely monitor their children’s Internet activities by using the following safety tips:
• Place the computer in a public room at home so that parents can monitor their children’s Internet use. Do not allow computers in a child’s bedroom or permit the use of Web cameras.
• Make sure children know never to agree to a face-to-face meeting with someone they meet online and never to divulge personal information to an Internet stranger.
• Stay informed. Surf the Internet with children or at least talk to them about the Web sites they are visiting.
• Establish ground rules for children’s Internet usage, including the hours they may surf and the kinds of Web sites they may visit. Post the rules near the computer.
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GISD gets "Recognized' rating
After being consistently ranked as an academically acceptable district by the Texas Education Agency, Gainesville Independent School District is celebrating improved rankings based on TAKS scores.
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Pool stays open despite need for improvements
The Leonard Park swimming pool is scheduled to open next year, but capital improvements at the facility — around $70,000 worth — are not in next year’s budget, City Manager Barry Sullivan said Thursday.
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Era's Wallace reaps rewards from 4-H experience
When he was 9 years old and in the third grade, recent Era High School graduate Stephen Wallace began a venture that would take him through the next 10 years — Cooke County 4-H.
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Police Reports 7/30/2010
Reports from the Gainesville Police Department for July 22-27
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Sheriff's Reports 7/30/2010
Reports from the Cooke County Sheriff's Office for July 20-24
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County officials discuss proposed budget
While a new fiscal year begins each October, budget officials will likely tell you preparations for the next financial cycle never really stop.
The same rings true for Cooke County Commissioners who have the task of allocating more than $30 million worth of ad valorem taxes between essentially five budgets. -
Deputy shoots pit bull during disturbance call in Pioneer Valley
A Pioneer Valley woman said she’s heartbroken about her dog’s injuries after a Cooke County Deputy shot the dog last week.
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Rodeo returns to town this weekend
The 2010 Rodeo Gainesville is set for Friday and Saturday night at the Gainesville Riding Club Arena at 3152 North Grand Ave. in Gainesville.
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Queen and Princess to be crowned Friday at Rodeo
It was a hot day, but the young women vying for the title of 2010 Rodeo Gainesville Queen and Princess were practicing keeping their cool Saturday afternoon at the Gainesville Riding Club arena.
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Help is on the way
The FM 678 and Highway 82 Interchange between Callisburg and Woodbine, which will be funded and built through the Texas Department of Transportation, is on schedule to be let (put out to bid) in August, according to Texas Department of Transportation officials.
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