Robert Lee News

“In January, Malaysians coming to Miri (from Brunei) through Sungai Tujuh were around 72,853, whilst foreigners around 90,026. So there were more foreigners than Malaysians coming here. I hope they will continue to come”

Foreign nationals who already have visas to enter Singapore or Thailand can be issued visas on arrival at the Sarawak-Brunei border checkpoint , which has been effective since March 1. However, no foreigner has ... via BruDirect

Amber Lakey of Lufkin announces the birth of her son, Mason Bradley Lakey, born April 6 at Memorial Medical Center, weighing 7 lbs. via The Lufkin Daily News

“From the days when it needed about three months to issue a passport, we can now do it within 24 hours. We can still improve, to the extent where our customers need to come only once (to complete their application and collect their passport)”

MIRI, Sat: Sarawak Immigration Department Director Datuk Robert Lian lamented today that a senior immigration officer was unable to tell him where Uruguay is. via New Straits Times

A massive wildfire burned more than 30,000 acres last night, forcing 1,400 residents in Robert Lee to evacuate. via KOSA

Spared the wrath of a fast-moving wildfire that shifting winds turned elsewhere, thankful residents of this small West Texas town worked Tuesday to get back in their routine. via Insurance Journal West

State officials say wildfires this week have burned about 250,000 acres and left at least six firefighters injured. via KWTX

The wife of a man with possible ties to the infamous Juarez drug cartel has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Terry Means to nine years in prison for transporting black-tar heroin from El Paso to the streets of Fort Worth.

Maria Marquez, 50, of El Paso traveled by car, bus and plane as a courier for drug dealers. According to court documents, Marquez is the wife of Jose Jaime Marquez-Marquez, who is being investigated for suspected involvement with the Vicente Carrillo Fuentes drug cartel. Read more

“The risk was just too high to go to trial”

Fire officials were waiting for daylight Tuesday to assess the scope of one massive wildfire stretching across Sterling, Reagan and Irion counties in Central Texas that could be as large as 500,000 acres, said ... via Jacksonville Daily Progress

“We're working on some hot spots and flare ups and we'll probably be doing that until tomorrow”

Wildfires fueled by strong winds and warm temperatures charred about 286 square miles in central and west Texas on Monday, forcing the evacuation of this community of 1,500 people.

About 100 to 150 residents of the small town were settling in at the gymnasium of the Bronte School District, where cots were being set up for the evacuees.

'They basically came with just themselves and their children,' Superintendent Alan Richey said. Some brought their pets.

A fire that had burned about six square miles in Coke County caused the evacuation of Robert Lee, said Anne Jeffery, an information officer for Texas Forest Service. Robert Lee is about 65 miles southwest of Abilene. Read more

Local Crime Blotters Sherman Police Department's Daily Bulletins for 2/1 thru 2/4/2008 Updated: From news release: 080000519 Stanley, Robert Lee VICTIM of Theft Prop>=$50 , at 10XX W Sycamore St, Sherman, TX, ... via KTEN-TV Denison

A large and fast-moving grass fire that consumed about 200 acres broke out in Maryneal on Tuesday morning. via Sweetwater Reporter

“Because a baby born in a barn grew up, tasted fully of life, and was later laid in a tomb; and because he walked out of that tomb alive again, we also can walk away from funerals and cemeteries without leaving our hope in a casket.”

A few months ago, my wife and I and two of our sons stood beneath a giant tree in a Ugandan rain forest. via Clovis News Journal

A tanker carrying liquefied propane crashed and exploded near San Angelo this afternoon, killing the driver and damaging parts of the bridge where it happened. via WOAI

“It's sort of a once in a lifetime opportunity to see her speak”

The New York Senator -- Hillary Clinton -- drew a large crowd of at least a thousand people on her Presidential Campaign stop. via WRDW-TV Augusta

“Most of them come here to shop besides visiting relatives on the Malaysian side. Also, the stronger Brunei dollar against the ringgit has tipped the balance in their favour, in terms of shopping, dining and accommodation expenses”

Brunei nationals top list of Sarawak's visitors BERNAMA KUCHING, SUN: Brunei nationals top the list of foreign visitors to Sarawak in the first seven months of this year. via New Straits Times