KILGOROUND

I HAVE A 12- YEAROLD daughter who mentions getting a car when she's 16 just about every day, so when I read this morning about a device Ford is working on that would let parents control the speed of a car and sets a maximum volume for the stereo system, needless to say, I was interested.

The "MyKey" feature is already developed, according to a story in USA Today this morning, and allows parents or guardians to program the car to set a speed limit of no more than 80 mph

should have been 50).

The MyKey function also allows for setting a volume limit on the audio system and sounds continuous alerts if the driver isn't wearing a seat belt. And they're installing it on the Ford Focus, as well as Ford trucks, beginning with the 2010 models, which will hit the dealership next fall. The compa-

ny plans to have it available for Lincoln and Mercury brands, too.

Now, if we just had a function on the stereo that would allow us to block certain songs...

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CONGRATULATIONS TO the Kilgore College football program, which earned a 21-7 win at Arkansas Baptist College on Saturday afternoon (see our coverage on page 8 today) and allows coach J.J. Eckert to breathe a little easier with a 2-1 record in conference play.

The Rangers — and the Rangerettes — will take on Tyler Junior College on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Rose Stadium in Tyler. This is the second meeting of the year between the two junior college powers, but the first one, won by KC on Sept. 6, didn't count in conference play. This one will.

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ALSO, THE KILGORE High School Bulldogs and the West Rusk High School Raiders, which had open dates last weekend, both jump back into action this week, and it's district schedule time.

Kilgore (4-1) hosts Lindale on Friday night at 7:30, the first game of the District 14- 4A portion of the schedule for the Ragin' Red. Coming up is a trip to Henderson (Oct. 17), a home game against Whitehouse (Oct. 24), a visit to Jacksonville (on Halloween, fittingly enough) and a regular-season home finale against Nacogdoches (Nov. 7).

The West Rusk Raiders (5- 0) host Elkhart on Friday, and in addition to being the District 19-2A opener for the unbeaten Raiders, it's also their homecoming.

Other games have Sabine (2-3) hosting Harleton, Overton (3-3) at Alto, and Leverett's Chapel (4-1) beginning six-man district play for the first time since the school resumed playing football a few years back. LC hosts Avalon. All of those games are also Friday night at 7:30.

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WANTED TO MENTION this again, because I know it's a big event every year, and I wanted to give them a little word of mouth on it.

Highland Park Baptist Church will host its annual bazaar and soup luncheon next Friday, Oct. 17, at the church's family life center.

The bazaar, featuring crafts and lots of other things (including Christmas decorations, ladies), as well as baked goods. That will be held from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. that Friday. The soup luncheon, which will have a big variety of soups, sides of cornbread, dessert and tea, will cost $5 for adults, and $2.50 for kids under 12.

If you need to ask something about either of these items, call (903) 984-6900 during normal business hours.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY to Robert Martin, Bobbie Bryant, James Roberts, John Jones, Mrs. Clara Roberts, Phyllis Waldron, Sandy Sands, Joshua Hosker, David Wayne Griggs, Clyde Ray Frazier, Robert Anderson, Simone Gill, Gaynell Beall, Autumn Kinsey, Bill Baker, Kelly McName, Libby Staples, T.L. Walker, Ferol Hollowell

Celebrating, too, are rock star John Mellencamp (don't call him "Cougar;" he hates that, as I understand. He's 57); gospel singer Michael W. Smith (51); "American Idol" judge and producer Simon Cowell (49); one of his former stars, singer Taylor Hicks (32); singer Toni Braxton (41); and country singer Kieran Kane of the O'Kanes (59).

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TODAY to Morris and Sybil Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Obie Clayton