BELTON - Bell County taxpayers queued up Wednesday - some grudgingly - inside the Tax Appraisal District of Bell County to dole out money for what would be a $20 million increase for taxing entities. Wednesday was the last day for Bell County property owners to pay their taxes without incurring a penalty. Taxpayers could either make their payment at the counter or send it by mail, as long as it was postmarked by Jan. 31.

The concept and early success of the Texas Bioscience Institute caused jaws to drop all over the room at the Community College Futures Assembly at the University of Florida last week. It was announced Tuesday that Temple College had won a Bellwether Award for innovation in workforce development - the Heisman Trophy of community college awards.

AUSTIN (AP) - Best-selling author and columnist Molly Ivins, the sharp-witted liberal who skewered the political establishment and referred to President Bush as

The price of regular gasoline in Temple rose 2 cents from last week to an average of $2.01 per gallon in a survey of 24 stations Wednesday. The BP off Interstate 35 near Nugent Avenue had the lowest price of $1.94 per gallon. The 7-Eleven at Scott Boulevard and 57th Street had regular for $1.95 per gallon. The Pay-Less at Avenue R and 1st Street had regular for $1.96, followed by the Seven-Eleven at Adams Avenue and 16th Street, with regular for $1.97 per gallon.

The Temple City Council will consider awarding a $1.6 million contract to a Gatesville company for utilities relocation along a stretch of FM 2305 during its regular meeting beginning at 5 p.m. today in the Municipal Building. During a workshop at 3:30 p.m. the council will discuss the possible creation of a citizen

WASHINGTON (AP) - Thousands of the nation

LUBBOCK (AP) - Freshman Kevin Durant scored 37 points and grabbed a season-high 23 rebounds to lead No. 22 Texas over Texas Tech 76-64 on Wednesday night. Texas steadily pulled away from the Red Raiders, in part by pounding the ball inside for 30 points. The Longhorns went up 72-58 with 3:37 remaining and Tech couldn

HILLSBORO - Struggling to make shots and get stops, the Temple College Leopards on Wednesday night played what coach Kirby Johnson called

Gatesville, Holland and Moody are nearing the end of their searches for head football coaches. However, Class 4A Lampasas is just beginning its quest for a new football coach after electing to split the coaching responsibilities from those of the athletics director.

HILLSBORO - Forward Rosy Ofoegbu, a 5-11 sophomore, scored 19 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Temple College women to a 78-54 victory over Hill College in Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference action Wednesday night. The victory - TC

IRVING (AP) - The Dallas Cowboys won

MIAMI (AP) - In the prehistoric days of the NFL, rookies weren