Ashley

I recently spent a few afternoons with ten-year-old Ashley Taylor. She is a sweet little girl who was diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome five years ago. Her adoptive family and school are a great support for her. I put together a short video to accompany Sarah Nightingale's article.

Living in the Dust Bowl - for the USA Today

April marks the 75th anniversary of the peak of the Dust Bowl, the unprecedented drought that ravaged the Depression-era economy and forced one of the biggest migrations in American history. I recently went to Muleshoe, Texas, with Brian Winter of the USA Today to help document their story. Here is a link to the article: On Plains, concern about another Dust Bowl. In the story you will also find a video piece I shot - they found some great depression-era photos to include in the piece. Here is a link to their photo gallery (Dust Bowl then and now). And below are some of the stills that I particularly liked.

Wildlife refuge manager Jude Smith explains how a fence post has been buried by tumbleweeds and soil over time at the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, near Muleshoe, Texas. Smith believes a couple of fences are buried beneath this mound.

Jude Smith, wildlife refuge manager, describes how the levee built by the Works Projects Administration in the 1930s was designed to corral the water at the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge outside Muleshoe, Texas.

"The wind started blowing, and you could hardly see in front of your face," recounts James Wedel, 90, of the Dust Bowl storms in Muleshoe, Texas. "Static electricity was flying around. It was hard to breathe. I tell you, it was awful scary."

"It was rough old times," J.K. Adams, 93, says of the Dust Bowl. His family was able to survive by persuading the bank to suspend interest payments on their farm, and by using irrigation from a nearby well. "Daddy did a lot to keep the farm from blowing away." Adams and his wife, Margaret, live in Muleshoe, Texas.

"There's nothing quite like adversity to focus the mind," says Glen Williams, 93. He remembers how tough times during the Dust Bowl "brought out the best in people" and "trained them" to take better care of the land.

tech spring practice

Texas Tech senior wide receiver Lyle Leong, right, reaches for a pass while being defended by sophomore defensive back Will Ford during practice Monday at Jones AT&T Stadium. Monday was the first day of Spring practice.

Monday, March 22, 2010. (Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)


Texas Tech quarterbacks (from left) Steven Sheffield, Jacob Karam, and Taylor Potts look to throw during drills Monday at Jones AT&T Stadium. Monday was the first day of Spring practice.

Read Don Williams' related article: Changes evident as Red Raiders open spring football
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recalling service in Haiti

Reporter Kellie Bramlet and I recently did a story about a local Lubbock couple and their memories from serving over 35 years as missionaries in Haiti and other parts of the Caribbean. Read the article HERE.

Happy Who Endure

On July 1st of this year I was assigned to photograph Maria Gil and her daughter for a preview story about a donation drive at Family Promise, a homeless shelter where they were staying. Being relatively new to Lubbock, I had never heard of Family Promise, so I was interested to learn what it was: an interfaith volunteer organization that supports a few homeless families at a time and helps them get back on their feet by providing shelter, food, daycare, and transportation as they work to save money. Right away I knew there was a deeper story to be told. I chatted with Maria for a bit and was impressed with her positive attitude and hope. I told her I wanted to tell her story and asked if she would let me be a fly on the wall as she lived at Family Promise and went through the process of finding a place to live. That night I began shadowing her. On Sunday, the 5th of July, she was in tears as she called to tell me she was moving out. It was then that her story really began. For six weeks Elliott and I shadowed her as she struggled with homelessness. Below is the multimedia that went along with Elliott Blackburn's story - Happy Who Endure (it's a great story!).

I've been in touch with Maria many times since working on the story. Her and Angelina seem to be doing well. Angelina enjoys her mornings at preschool and Maria has been attending Bible study. There spirits are up. I know she was glad to have the story (finally) run because she kept saying how she hopes it gives strength to others who may be in a similar situation.

1 of 10 left in Overton Park

Overton Park used to be known as the Tech Ghetto. Now there are only 10 original houses in the community as it continues to go through a major face lift. I spent an afternoon with the Johnson Family from Guyana.



In a white house on Mac Davis Lane, Winston Edward Johnson has made his best memories.

He raised his granddaughter here. He can easily conjure images of her racing back and forth from door to door, her spinning to Caribbean music in the living room with the table pushed aside to yield a makeshift dance floor.

It brings a smile to the 59-year-old's face. So much time has passed; she's now 13.

He and others in this once-blighted neighborhood also have plenty of memories they never wished to make.

"It was like a war zone," said Dennis Vasquez, 47. "One night, I saw something glowing," he said, pointing down the block.

A man had set his ex's clothes ablaze.

"Across there," he said, pointing straight ahead, "a guy beat up his wife. He was beating her to a bloody mess."

Today, the discord consists of construction equipment rumbles and hammer strikes... (read more of Marlena Hartz' story: Last Houses Standing)

A-J Outdoors: Caprock Canyon

We've recently begun an A-J Outdoors series. Check out the first video above. The article will be in tomorrow's Avalanche-Journal.


A-J Outdoors reporter Logan Carver hikes along the Haynes Ridge Overlook Trail on his way to Fern Cave at Caprock Canyon State Park earlier last month.

Wednesday, April 02, 2009 (Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

HS playoff football video: Muleshoe 42, Clyde 7

Click ABOVE to watch video game highlights of Muleshoe and Clyde.
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WOLFFORTH - Muleshoe decided to have a second Thanksgiving dinner on Friday night.

A host of Muleshoe defenders tackle Clyde's Colby Smith (21) during the Mules' 42-7 playoff victory on Friday in Wolfforth.

The Muleshoe defense provided the meat, and quarterback Wes Wood did the carving as the No. 4 Mules beat Clyde, 42-7, at Tiger Stadium to advance to the Class 2A state semifinals for the first time since 2000.

“It means everything to these kids,” Muleshoe head coach David Wood said. “They all made the trip and watched that game eight years ago and said, We want to be that team.’ And now they have the same chance to try and get to the state finals.

Muleshoe (13-0) forced seven turnovers against Clyde - four in the first half - to knock the Bulldogs off their rushing attack... (Continue reading the related article: Mules kick aside Clyde to reach state semis)

Tailgating in Norman

Click ABOVE to watch a 1 minute clip of Tech tailgators in Norman the night before.
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When Matt Shelton picked up his tickets earlier this year to watch Texas Tech play Oklahoma, he was hoping for something special.

A 2002 Red Raider graduate, Shelton said he knew if Tech did well before facing off against the Sooners that it could be the biggest game of the year. That's why it was the only game he planned to attend.

As he grilled burgers and hot dogs with friends outside their RV Friday in Norman, Okla., he said his team didn't disappoint.

"That's what ended up happening," he said. "I'm pretty excited about it." Like many Raider fans who headed to Oklahoma this weekend, Shelton is hoping his excitement will continue to grow today as Tech faces off against the Sooners in a game that will largely determine the Red Raiders' shot at a national title... (Continue reading the related article: Tech fans firing up grills, team spirit for Big 12 clash)

Texas Spirit Seekers investigate Motley County Jail

Texas Spirit Seekers co-founder Teresa Allen documents a jail cell during an investigation in the Motley County Jail in Matador Saturday, October 18th. A variety of sensory equipment recorded any paranormal activities in the jail.

Saturday, October 18, 2008. (Geoffrey McAllister, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

Texas Spirit Seekers technical manager Chris Travis investigates a staircase in the Motley County Jail in Matador during a paranormal investigation Saturday, October 18th. A variety of sensory equipment recorded any paranormal activities in the jail.

Saturday, October 18, 2008. (Geoffrey McAllister, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
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When it comes to hauntings, some places just seem to fit the bill.

Graveyards, churches and abandoned hospitals are common themes for spooky tales. But what about a derelict frontier jail?

It was that curiosity that brought the Texas Spirit Seekers, a group of paranormal investigators, to the 117-year-old Motley County jail in Matador... (Continue reading related article: Spirit Seekers spend eerie evenings in old Motley County jail)

Goat industry growing in west Texas

Terry Taylor of west Lubbock feeds his goats Friday morning. Taylor and his wife Sue own about 120 head of goat specialize in breeding show-quality goats which are sold to buyers throughout the country. (Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

Don Handley of Get-Ya-Goat Ranch in Crosbyton feeds his goats day-old-bread early in the morning. Handley and his wife Sharon raise goats because "it's pressure relief, it's [their] hobby, and [they] enjoy it." (Geoffrey McAllister/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)

Watch two short videos detailing the lives of goat farmers Don Handley and Terry Taylor by clicking HERE or on the photos above.
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As the cost of feed and land escalates, a growing number of people looking to raise livestock on the South Plains are focusing on the other red meat - goat.

Just in Lubbock, there are about 2,000 head of breeding-age meat goat does, and that number is increasing according to Robert Scott, a Texas AgriLife Extension agent in Lubbock.

Many of the people raising goats in the Lubbock area are small-time operations with anywhere between 10 to 50 heads, according to Scott... (Continue reading the related article: Goat industry growing in region, says expert)

Hub City BBQ Cookoff

Watch this 2 minute video about the Hub City BBQ Cookoff in Lubbock, Texas by clicking HERE or on the photo above.

Days of '47 Pioneer Day parade

Click HERE to view video.
Read related article: Days of '47 Parade — Thousands flock to celebration

'Miracle' in works for 7 Taiwanese Children

Click above to view video.

"Bruce Bunderson's mind was racing.
Would the little Taiwanese boy who would be spending the next five weeks in his Highland home even like him? Would they be able to communicate? Did he even want to be in America?

"I can't decide if I'm more scared or more excited," said Bunderson, as he waited in the Salt Lake City International Airport to meet Yu Chen, a Taiwanese orphan. "I'm just hoping he will smile.""
(Excerpt from related article: 'Miracle' in works for 7 Taiwanese)

Kaysville's 4th Parade

Click above to view the video.
Related article: Big salute — Utahns display patriotism, optimism for Fourth of July

New Skate Park in Midvale

From left: Beau Davis of Midvale, Cale Zima of Salt Lake, Alec Pitkin of Midvale and Evan Drage of Midvale watch skaters attempt different tricks down a set of nine stairs at the new skate park in midvale, Wednesday, June 25, 2008. Geoffrey McAllister/Deseret News


Click above to view video.

Come Sail Away @ the Founder's Cup

Watch the related video HERE.


Watch the related video HERE.
(I apologize in advance for the sub-par audio. But the images are pretty nice.)

Western Kentucky in Phoenix

Western Kentucky has made it to the sweet 16 in this years NCAA national tournament and will play UCLA at US Airways arena in Phoenix Thursday.


It's not very often I have a video assignment that has to be shot and edited in the same day - this one was shot in the mid afternoon and had to be ready for tomorrow's front page - it will refer to the video. The most challenging part was that I did not have a media credential for the games - so they wouldn't let me in with all the gear (the reporter had to shoulder the large camera bag and my two cameras) and I wasn't allowed onto the floor. And unfortunately, now that I watch it from home I notice a few glitches that i wish weren't there... but i guess i'm learning. good luck WKU - I had UCLA out of my bracket last round.

Higher Learning at Trapeze U

Trapeze University recently opened in Gilbert, Arizona and Melissa Covarrubias shows us what its like.

Ostrich Races

The Chandler Ostrich Festival was a lot of fun this weekend. My wife, Rachel, was my assistant on Friday as I was shooting both video and stills and I only have 2 hands. We had a good time, though we didn't get to ride any of the rides or enjoy much of the festivities. While I was filming I saw the opportunity for 2 stories instead of just 1 and even though I knew that would mean more work, I thought it would make for better stories since we try to keep our stories pretty short and concise - 90 seconds to 2 minutes.

i had the most fun when i was in the stall next to the Ostrich Handler as he harnessed the ostriches before the races. To be honest, I was kinda nervous the ostriches were going to peck my eye out - they are very intimidating birds that like to hiss and approach you with their looong necks. The races were pretty crazy too.


After Friday nights video shooting I ended up getting assigned to go back on Saturday to capture the festival with stills for Sunday's paper - fun times.

Here are some of the stills: