On Monday, members of the Dallas City Council's public safety committee will be briefed on lingering problems with the Police Department's squad car fleet.

Police Department officials are under orders from City Hall to provide a daily count documenting the state of the department's squad car fleet. One a recent day, about 210 of the department's 700 patrol cars were in the shop or otherwise out of service. Similar problems have been reported by The Dallas Morning News as far back as 2004.

Tanya Eiserer

A 27-year-old driver accused of killing a 79-year-old pedestrian on a street in central Oak Cliff has been charged with intoxication manslaughter.

Marquise Montrell Nash remained hospitalized Thursday in serious condition at Parkland Memorial Hospital and no bond was set, said the Dallas County Sheriff's Department.

Police said a man was speeding and spinning around in circles in his car on Kiest Boulevard about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday when he drove east on Kiest, made a U-turn at Garapan Drive and made another U-turn at an intersection median, where he struck a car, Dallas police said. The driver then made another U-turn and struck the pedestrian.

The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The Dallas County medical examiner's office identified the man as Victor Pineda of Dallas.

Mr. Nash and his 8-year-old passenger were taken to Parkland. The child's condition was unknown. No one in the car that was hit was injured.

From staff reports

The North Texas State Fair and Rodeo opens at 6 tonight and continues through Aug. 23. Glen Carlton, executive director for the fair, said the average attendance has grown steadily in recent years, from 90,000 people in 2000 to 120,000 people in 2007. Mr. Carlton expects even more this year.

The fair is at 2217 N. Carroll Blvd. in Denton. Admission is $12 for adults, $5 for children and free for children 6 and younger. For details, go to www.ntfair.com.

From staff reports

The robberies of Ben Bridge Jewelers at Frisco's Stonebriar mall Tuesday and at NorthPark Center in June appear to be related, police said Thursday.

Frisco police released the surveillance video and the 911 call of the Stonebriar robbery Thursday and announced a $12,000 reward.

Five men walked into the Ben Bridge Jewelers at the mall at about 10:20 a.m. Tuesday, Frisco police said. One robber held the unarmed security guard while the four other robbers used mallets to smash the display cases. They took property, including Rolex watches; the total value was unknown.

Frisco police said the incident appeared to be related to another robbery at NorthPark Center earlier this year.

In June, a group of robbers entered a Ben Bridge Jewelers at NorthPark Center in the morning and stole more than $260,000 worth of watches. In that incident, some sort of hammer was used to smash the cases, Dallas police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Frisco police at 972-292-6010.

From staff reports

Grand Prairie is reporting its first human case of West Nile virus.

To reduce the risk to others bitten by mosquitoes carrying the virus, the city's Environmental Services staff will spray from 10 tonight until 5 a.m. Saturday in the area bounded by Matthew Road on the north, Vespesian Lane and Malvern Hills Road on the east, Santa Fe Trail on the south, and Barned Owl Trail on the west.

Residents in this area should stay indoors, keep pets inside and cover fish ponds during those times.

Mosquito breeding grounds can be eliminated by emptying, removing or covering receptacles that hold water. To prevent bites, people should use an insect repellent containing at least 30 percent DEET and stay indoors at dawn and dusk.

Jon Nielsen

A local church youth minister is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old member of his congregation, police said.

Joshua Neal Ponder, 32, was arrested last week and faces a sexual assault of a child charge, police said. He was being held Thursday at the Kaufman County Jail in lieu of $200,000 bail.

Mabank Police Chief Kyle McAfee said the investigation is ongoing.

Scott Goldstein

The Plano City Council plans to hold a public meeting on the city's proposed $400 million budget beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday. While the endeavor hardly sounds like weekend fun, Plano residents may want to pay attention.

The city plans to significantly raise recreation center, utility and other fees to help make ends meet. Plano also faces projected future shortfalls. Department heads will outline the proposed budget in detail, while the council will discuss possible spending cuts, as well as the city's outlook. The council will take a final budget vote Sept. 8. It takes effect Oct. 1.

Saturday's meeting will be in the council chamber of the Plano Municipal Center, 1520 Avenue K.

Theodore Kim

A Wylie professional drag racer whose out-of-control car killed six spectators at a parade pleaded guilty Thursday to reduced charges, avoiding jail time and fines.

Troy Critchley, 38, an Australian now living in Wylie, was sentenced to 18 months' probation after pleading guilty to 28 misdemeanor charges of reckless assault in the accident that also injured 22 people.

He originally was charged with vehicular homicide and aggravated assault, felony charges that could have sent him to prison and brought thousands of dollars in fines.

Mr. Critchley apologized in court to crash victims and their families, saying he took part in the car show to raise money for sick children, not to hurt anyone.

The Associated Press