A former resident of Martha´s Kitchen, who describes himself as a bad guy turned good, credits the shelter and its director with turning his life around - but not for the reasons you would expect. “If he didn´t make life so pitiful in that shelter I wouldn´t have moved on,” said Peter Kabbage of the shelter´s director Ray Severn. “If he had given me a nice bed and soft blanket I may have not decided to turn my life around.”

For their second workshop meeting in a row Temple City Council members sat through four hours of presentations from local public service agencies Thursday afternoon regarding their activities and funding requests for the upcoming fiscal year. City manager David Blackburn said the agencies have made their 2009-10 requests through the city´s general fund and its hotel/motel tax fund. He also said that it´s too early to tell if the city will spend more or less money on the agencies for the upcoming year - saying the city is in the middle of the budget process right now and that decisions would be made over the course of the summer.

It all looked so tasty with nary a doughnut in sight. Thursday morning at Temple´s Farmer´s Market the vendors´ tables were loaded down with the freshest vegetables and fruit. Those in the know arrived early to grab up what had just come into season.

BELTON - A sea of crimson filled the Bell County Expo Center at 8 p.m. Thursday when Belton High School graduated 498 students in its 2009 senior class. Close to 8,000 people filled the seats in the coliseum, leaving standing room only.

NEW YORK - When scientists set out to trace the roots of human laughter, some chimps and gorillas were just tickled to help. Literally. That´s how researchers made a variety of apes and some human babies laugh. After analyzing the sounds, they concluded that people and great apes inherited laughter from a shared ancestor that lived more than 10 million years ago.

Cater Elementary School students celebrate their last day of school during recess on Thursday. (Mitch Green/Telegram)

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the president has nominated Army Maj. Gen. Robert W. Cone for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and assignment as commanding general, III Corps and Fort Hood. Cone is currently serving as special assistant to the commanding general, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, Va. Look for full story in Saturday's edition of the Telegram.

AUSTIN - During their surreal playoff journey, the Gatesville Lady Hornets kept finding the winning magic as the fortuitous bounces kept going their way. But a little misfortune Thursday night finally put an end to Gatesville´s dream season.

BELTON - Whoever said that getting there is half the fun wasn´t along for the ride during Morgan Toone´s senior season at Belton. Racked by illness for more than two months and banned by doctors from competing or practicing for a three-week stretch, Toone´s journey was definitely something less than half of fun.

LOS ANGELES - One step toward redemption, one step toward a ring. Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers began the NBA Finals with power and purpose.

WASHINGTON - The emotions finally flowed for Randy Johnson when the final out was made. A hug for his son, who was serving as batboy. Hugs for every teammate, plus a really big one for his manager. The game ball presented to his wife as his three daughters beamed with pride. A news conference that lasted a half-hour from a player who usually doesn´t have much to say. Someone even spotted a smile.

WINNIPEG, Manitoba - After playing just one game with the Rio Grande Dorados of the arenafootball2 league, former Belton and University of Texas star Ramonce Taylor is heading north for the summer. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League announced Thursday that they signed Taylor. Terms of the contract were not released.

Holland´s Blair Severson has a chance to walk away with a gold medal when he competes in his first state meet in the Class A boys pole vault. Severson, a sophomore, cleared 14 feet, 7 inches to win the Region IV title and is one of only three 14-foot vaulters in the field.