Jerry Kirby of Pleasanton, Texas recently received U.S. Patent 8,151,934 for “Portable Observation Tower and System for Operation.”

Texas Business Patent of the Day:  An Atascosa County, Texas, man has devised a way to reach the high ground for observation, even if you’re on low ground. Jerry Kirby of Pleasanton, Texas recently received U.S. Patent 8,151,934 for “Portable Observation Tower and System for Operation.”

Texas Business reports:  A San Antonio firm won a $14.1 million contract for Army tech support, the U.S. Department of Defense announced.

Texas Business reports: SAN ANTONIO—The Witte Museum plans to open the Robert J. and Helen C. Kleberg South Texas Heritage Center, Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 26, 2012.

Micam W. Tullous of San Antonio recently received U.S. Patent 8,074,312 for “Mattress Incorporating a Headrest for Preventing and Correcting Non-Synostotic Cranial Deformities in Infants.”

Texas Business Patent of the Day:  A Texan has devised a way to heal infants with skull defects. Micam W. Tullous of San Antonio recently received U.S. Patent 8,074,312 for “Mattress Incorporating a Headrest for Preventing and Correcting Non-Synostotic Cranial Deformities in Infants.”

 Texas Business reports:  A San Antonio firm won a $56.1 million contract to provide food for the U.S. govnerment, the U.S. Department of  Defense announced. 

Rachel Theora Sapyta of San Antonio recently received U.S. Patent 8,157,068 for “Storage Container and Display System for Toys and Other Items.”

Texas Business Patent of the Day:  A Bexar County woman devised a way to show off your toys by putting them up. Rachel Theora Sapyta of San Antonio recently received U.S. Patent 8,157,068 for “Storage Container and Display System for Toys and Other Items.”

Texas Business reports: Regional economic indicators point to stronger job and output growth in the first quarter of the year. Improvement has been pronounced and broad based, although growth slowed in March, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

Texas Business reports: COLLEGE STATION – Though the overall percentage of the state is under moderate to extreme drought has continually dropped since September 2011, producers are beginning to worry that 2012 could be a repeat performance, according to Texas AgriLife Extension Service personnel. 

Jeffery Wayne Henry recently received U.S. Patent 8,162,769 for “Water Amusement Park Conveyor Roller Belts.”

Texas Business Patent of the Day:  When you go tubing on rivers and creeks, at some point you reach the end of your trip and face a long walk back to the start.

A New Braunfels man has solved that problem by creating a conveyer belt that ships sprawled wet bathers on tubes like a factory line back to where the fun starts.  Jeffery Wayne Henry recently received U.S. Patent 8,162,769 for “Water Amusement Park Conveyor Roller Belts.”

Texas Business reports: Texas factory activity increased in April, according to business executives responding to the Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey. The production index, a key measure of state manufacturing conditions, fell from 11.1 to 5.6, suggesting growth continued but at a slower pace than last month. 

Texas Business reports: AUSTIN—In a unanimous decision, the Texas Transportation Commission voted to revise the 2012 Unified Transportation Plan (UTP), formally allocating approximately $1.6 billion to communities across the state using existing funding formulas. 

Stanley Neil Brown and Kenneth Earl Johnson, both of Hallettsville, Texas recently received U.S. Patent 8,162,157 for “Collapsible Bow and Arrow Stand.”

Texas Business Patent of the Day:  Two Texas men have devised to keep your bow ready, steady and undamaged. Stanley Neil Brown and Kenneth Earl Johnson, both of Hallettsville, Texas recently received U.S. Patent 8,162,157 for “Collapsible Bow and Arrow Stand.”

Texas Business reports:  CANTON, Mass.—Dunkin' Donuts signed a multi-unit store development agreement with three franchise groups to develop 25 new restaurants in Texas over the next several years. 

Texas Business reports: SAN ANTONIO—The University of Texas at San Antonio, the UT Health Science Center San Antonio, Southwest Research Institute and Texas Biomed jointly established the San Antonio Vaccine Development Center, a unique partnership that will result in the creation of new vaccines to treat infectious diseases and approaches for quicker and more effective vaccine development.

Texas Business reports:  SAN ANTONIO—Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. will buy, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, a 75.5% equity stake in Retama Partners  Ltd., the owner of the racing license for Retama Park Racetrack.

Texas Business reports:  NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas— Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark, plans to open its largest development in almost 15 years with the addition of a new park area called Tubenbach. 

Texas Business reports:  A Houston firm won a $7.5 million contract to supply electricity to a U.S. air force base near Wichita Falls, Texas, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Texas Business reports:  HOUSTON—Aztec Oil & Gas Inc. announced that Aztec Drilling & Operating LLC, the turnkey operator for all Aztec partnerships, signed a contract for the drilling of more than 100 additional wells with working interest partner and field contract sub-operator, Texas Secondary Oil Company (TSOC).

Texas Business reports:  SAN MARCOS—Leslie's Swimming Pool Supplies (Leslie's), opened a store in San Marcos, Texas.

Ralph Henry Hill Jr. of San Antonio received U.S. Patent 8,134,127 for “Compact Handheld Non-Laser Dectector for Greenhouse Gasses.”

Texas Business Patent of the Day:  A Bexar County man developed a convenient way to detect greenhouse gases. Ralph Henry Hill Jr. of San Antonio received U.S. Patent 8,134,127 for “Compact Handheld Non-Laser Dectector for Greenhouse Gasses.”