KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Tyler Development Authority has unanimously approved a proposal from Walker Parking Associates to perform a parking study in downtown Tyler. The parking study is being conducted as a preliminary step in improving downtown parking and will be made up of three components: a parking supply and demand study, a parking alternative analysis, and a preliminary financial analysis. The $34,200 required to complete this study will be paid for from funds collected from the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Number Two (Downtown) and funds that were donated specifically for this study.

Mayor Barbara Bass says, “It’s all about trying to see how we can best get people into downtown and have adequate parking when they get there.” She adds, “It is exciting to see the first collections from the Downtown TIRZ put to use. This is exactly the type of project we envisioned when we it was conceptualized – a project that will help spur private reinvestment in the zone.”

The Tyler Development Authority was created by the Tyler City Council to provide services to the TIRZ Number Two Board on an as-needed basis. Board members include the Tyler Mayor, City Council, and representatives from other governmental entities participating in the Downtown TIRZ (Commissioner JoAnn Hampton from Smith County and Trustee Mike Coker from Tyler Junior College). Such services include hiring consultants to plan projects, hiring contractors to implement improvements and paying for such services from available TIRZ Number Two funds. Bass notes, “There are some other groups working on initiatives downtown, and we want to make sure everything’s coordinated for the betterment of Tyler.”

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County taxpayers say no to funding new schools through property taxes, many citing a tight budget. Tuesday night though, county leaders discussed a new plan that could raise property taxes — building a jail in Smith County. According to KETK, commissioners confirmed they have agreed on a $33 million project to add almost 400 beds to the existing jail. Overcrowding has been a big problem in the county for years and they say sending inmates to other counties is costing millions. Smith County leaders have put at least 3 jail proposals before voters; all of them have been rejected. No official word on when taxpayers will hear more about this plan or be able to vote on it.

NOONDAY — The Noonday fire department has a new Fire Chief. Earlier this month, a repo man said that Noonday firefighters bullied him regarding him towing a firefighters vehicle. Due to conflicting stories, the Fire Chief resigned and the department soon lost its assistant chief and one firefighter. Tuesday night, 20-year veteran Howard Harris, became the new Noonday chief. Harris said the issues the department has faced is just a bump in the road that the department is going to have to get over. Chief Harris will investigate the reported bullying and report his findings to the board.

TYLER — A job fair is on today at Workforce Solutions East Texas in Tyler. According to KETK, this job fair is a little bit different, because it will have a focus on Veterans. Workforce Solutions tells us that there will be a flag presentation and number of Veterans speakers. An award will also be given out to the winner of an essay contest held by local students. The winning essay on “what being a veteran means” will be read aloud at the event. The writers of the three best essays will receive $300. The event isn’t just for Veterans. Anyone looking for a job can come and meet representatives for over 65 businesses. The participating businesses range from those in the oil and gas industry to local hospitals. The event continues till noon at 4100 Troup Hwy in Tyler.

TYLER — All the votes have now been counted in the November 2 Smith County elections, including provisional and overseas military ballots, and the results are the same. That’s the word from Elections Administrator Karen Nelson. As most figured, it all means a Tyler school bond and a JP Precinct 4 alcohol proposition fail by narrow margins. The next step is to make it official through the canvassing process, which runs November 10 through 15.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University welcomed two returning and three new trustees to its Board of Trustees at the semiannual meeting. The new board members are:
*Joe Bickley of Montgomery, Texas, is a certified public accountant and co-owns an accounting firm.
* Timothy Morscheck of Portage, Mich., retired as a vice president of technology for Eaton Corporation: Truck Group. He is a former LeTourneau student.
* James Schreder of Yorba Linda, Calif., is the president and owner of Danjon Engineering. He is continuing the family tradition, since his father was on the LeTourneau University board during the 1990s.

Returning as a board member are two former board members. Returning to the board:
* John Solheim of Phoenix, Ariz., is chairman and president/CEO of Karsten Manufacturing Company and President/CEO of PING, Inc. which designs and manufactures golf clubs and equipment. He has served on the LETU board since 1992, previously chairing the facilities committee. The Solheim Center on campus is named for his family.
* Patrick A. Bertsche of St. Charles, Ill., is superintendent of the Westminster Christian School where he formerly served as president of its board. He has served on the LETU board since 1996. He is a 1989 graduate of LETU His wife, Melanie, is also a 1989 graduate. He was recently elected vice chair of the LETU board of trustees.
* The new chair for 2010-2011 is Nancy Mendez, assistant city manager of Whittier, California. She has served as a board member at LETU since 1990, most recently as vice chair. She follows in the footsteps of her father, Justin Longenecker, Ph.D., Chavanne Professor of Christian Ethics in Business at Baylor University, who was a trustee and officer on the LeTourneau College board for more than a decade in the 1970s-1980s.
* Kenneth Moore of Longview was elected secretary. Moore is an airline
pilot and captain, having prior experience as a naval carrier pilot and
petroleum engineer for an oil field service company. He earned his
bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (aerospace option) from
LeTourneau and his master’s degree in aeronautical systems from the
University of West Florida. He has served on the LETU board since 2006.
* Merle Stoltzfus of Elverson, Penn., was elected treasurer. He is a general partner for Stoltzfus Enterprises, Ltd., a custom home builder and real estate developer. He graduated from LETU in 1971 with a degree in electrical engineering technology and has served on the LETU board since 1997, serving previously as chair and as treasurer. One of his daughters is a 2008 graduate and another is currently enrolled at LETU.

SULPHUR SPRINGS — Testimony continues in the intoxication manslaughter trial of James Blake Spinks, 25, of Yantis in Sulphur Springs. He is charged with hitting Nathan Spataro, 21, who was found dead along side Interstate Highway 30 Service Road in June of last year. Spinks, who had spent the prior afternoon and evening drinking, thought he had hit a deer. Authorities were not called until several hours after the incident, and then by a man at a business who Spinks told he thought he had hit something and needed a place to hide out.

NACOGDOCHES – A Nacogdoches man, initially charged with DWI, is now being charged with intoxication assault. Free on bond today is Mitchael Shane Starling, 44. His blood/alcohol level was said to have been twice the legal limit when involved in a wreck on October 29th. The Department of Public Safety report says he rolled his truck on U.S. Highway 59 in Angelina County. A passenger, Melanie Leatherman, 38, was flown to Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. Since Leatherman has not regained consciousness the intoxication assault charge has been filed against Starling.

TYLER — All the votes have now been counted in the Nov. 2 Smith County elections — including provisional and overseas military ballots — and the results are the same. That’s the word from Elections Administrator Karen Nelson. As most figured, it all means a Tyler school bond and a JP Precinct 4 alcohol proposition fail by narrow margins. The next step is to make it official through the canvassing process, which runs November 10 through 15.

AUSTIN (Staff/AP) – District 7 State Representative-Elect David Simpson is urging a Republican Caucus meeting to choose the next speaker of the House. According to Simpson, “Voters in the election on Nov. 2 clearly showed they are not interested in politics as usual in the Texas House. With the election of a near super majority of Republicans to the Texas House, the candidate for Speaker of the House is an issue that the Republican Caucus should meet to consider.”

Simpson goes on to say that Speaker Joe Straus “came into office through the political power of the Democrat Caucus due to his commitment to a leadership style of ‘umpiring’ in the Texas House. The House does not need an umpire — they need a team captain. Such a captain should have experience dealing with budget shortfalls, re-districting, and contentious politics, with the ability to work across the aisle without sacrificing principles to do so.” Simpson adds, “I will choose a Speaker based on moral integrity, commitment to returning civil government to its proper limited role of protecting life, liberty and property, and defending state sovereignty. He or she must be someone who is fiscally conservative, and able to navigate the process of re-districting, and who is trusted and respected by members from both sides of the aisle.”

Straus, a moderate Republican from San Antonio, says he has enough support from legislators to secure another term as the chamber’s presiding officer. On Nov. 3, Straus released the names of 122 lawmakers who he says have pledged him their vote for speaker. Straus says he is “proud that Republicans have gained a record number of seats in the Texas House, reversing the losing trend for the past three election cycles.” Straus said his pledges of support include 76 Republicans and 46 Democrats.

Meanwhile, State Rep. Leo Berman, of Tyler, released an open letter Monday claiming Straus made promises to Democrats, who ensured his election as speaker.

LONGVIEW — Dr. Bill Taylor, radiation oncologist at Texas Oncology–Longview Cancer Center, and his wife, Mrs. Sandi Taylor, will be presented with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) East Texas Area Council’s Distinguished Citizen Good Turn Award this month. Considered the highest honor presented by the BSA, the Distinguished Citizen Good Turn Award is given to individuals who exemplify exceptional leadership and service within the community, according to Scouting officials. Dr. Taylor, an Eagle Scout himself and son of a scoutmaster, has served as a member of the board of directors for Longview Regional Hospital, the American Cancer Society, Heart’sWay Hospice, Margaret’s House, and Because I Care, in addition to several hospital committees. Dr. Taylor, who has been practicing at Texas Oncology–Longview Cancer Center for more than 15 years, is currently chairman of the public policy committee for US Oncology.

Mrs. Taylor spent most of her childhood in Houston but moved to Longview in 1993 with her husband and two children and has since become a devoted member of the community, according to Scouting officials. She created a volunteer program at Texas Oncology–Longview Cancer Center that became nationally recognized and is currently a prototype for volunteer programs across the country at various US Oncology locations. Mrs. Taylor has also served on many non-profit boards of directors and has been greatly involved with Junior League Longview, where she has performed in numerous children’s productions. The Distinguished Citizen Good Turn Award Luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 18, at Longview’s Pinecrest Country Club.

LUFKIN — A suspected drunk driver believed to be an illegal immigrant led authorities on a vehicle chase Friday night, damaging three squad cars and injuring a deputy, according to authorities. The man authorities believe to be Mario Lopez, 36, aka Miguel Angel Jaime, 46, was caught speeding along U.S. Highway 59 around 10:23 Friday night, DPS officials said. When the trooper initiated a traffic stop, Lopez sped away in his Dodge truck toward Lufkin. Sheriff’s office deputies and Lufkin Police joined the pursuit minutes later as Lopez got onto Loop 287. An Angelina County Sheriff’s Deputy was laying down road spikes when Lopez nearly ran over the deputy.

Lopez later wrecked into several police cars. Lopez, charged with DWI, evading arrest and assaulting a public servant, is being held in the Angelina County Jail on a collective $27,000 bond, including a $500 bond forfeiture out of Polk County for DWI, according to jail records. He also has a hold from immigration, jail records stated.

The deputy was was treated and released at Memorial Medical Center-Lufkin for an injured leg.

TYLER — Tyler Police respond to a burglary alarm and make an arrest. It happened Tuesday morning around 2:45 at Pitt-Stop Exxon, 900 W. Front. Authorities say as they arrived on scene, they noticed a suspect leaving the area carrying electronic equipment. He reportedly fled the scene when he saw the police. Officers located him and the stolen equipment a short time later at a residence near Herndon and Glenwood. Cedric Stewart, 51, Tyler, was arrested for burglary of a building and evading arrest.

TYLER — Assistant Smith County District Attorney Joe Murphy has stepped down. Sources close to the Smith County DA’s office tell KETK-TV that Murphy has left on his own accord. They report that Murphy was asked to either resign from his position or be fired by head Smith County District Attorney, Matt Bingham last week. Bingham says he’s not commenting on personnel issues at this time.

Murphy has been with the office nearly ten years. He was the lead prosecutor in the Mineola Swingers Club cases. Two of those cases were reversed last Summer by the 14th Court of Appeals in Houston.

AUSTIN – With the start of pre-legislation filing for the upcoming legislative session in Austin, Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville has file bills to protect homeowners from escalating property taxes and abuses of eminent domain.

The first bill Nichols filed is to slow rapidly rising taxable values on Texas homes. “Escalating tax appraisals make homeownership less and less affordable,” Nichols said. “We need to keep citizens from being taxed out their homes and significantly limit increasing tax appraisals, which result in larger tax bills.”

Currently, an appraisal district may raise the taxable value of a home by 10% a year, or up to 30 percent if there was no increase in the previous two years. This results in homeowners paying 10 to 30 percent more in property taxes from one year to the next, even if the tax rate stays the same.

Senate Bill 175 cuts the maximum rate of increase in half, from 10% to 5%. Nichols pointed out how important it is to limit the resulting increase in people’s property taxes, even when the value of their home increases.

Nichols’ other bill, Senate Bill 174, would prohibit state or local government from taking private land for the purpose of recreational projects such as city parks and trails. “No homeowner should lose the roof over their heads so others can have a place to play,” said Nichols. “Eminent domain should never be used for recreation projects, period.”

Ending eminent domain abuse continues to be a priority for Nichols. In his first session as senator he co-authored legislation creating a Landowners’ Bill of Rights and he has consistently voted for landowner protections.