KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — KTBB hosted former Governor Sarah Palin at Tyler’s Oil Palace Saturday night. In front of a crowd of about 4,000, Ms. Palin spoke almost exclusively on matters related to oil and energy production She leveled sharp criticism at President Obama for his tough public rhetoric regarding the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. She said, “You’d never guess that the last inspection of the rig took place just 10 days before the blowout preventer failed, and that would definitely be on President Obama’s watch, as in stop pointing fingers at everybody else and take responsibility. “She went on to say, “You asked for the job Mr. President, now buck up or stay in the truck.”

Referring to federal policy that severely restricts oil and gas exploration in the United States, Governor Palin was critical. She said that we’re the only country in the world that purposefully refuses to develop it’s own proven reserves and the president must know this. Palin says we do not have a scarcity of resources in America, we have a scarcity of common sense in Washington D.C.

Ms. Palin was sharply critical of President Obama’s moratorium on deep water oil exploration in the wake of the BP oil spill, saying that it unfairly penalizes residents of the Gulf. Pailin said, “They’ve been drilling in the Gulf for decades without any major incidents even during Katrina and Rita and there’s no need to punish Gulf residents just because BP and the government screwed up.”

Governor Rick Perry was on hand at the Oil Palace Saturday night to introduce former Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Before the event, Governor Perry spoke about the looming 18 billion dollar budget shortfall in Texas. He said it will be handled in the way it always has been, by prioritizing and reduction of spending. He said he’s not concerned in the least that Texas will have a balanced budget just like in 2003.

Governor Palin joins commentators Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck in making the Oil Palace one of the premier venues for conservative voices. In less than one year, Hannity, Beck and Palin appeared at the Oil Palace. Sarah Palin�s appearance was co-sponsored by KTBB Radio and CBS 19.

Governor Sarah Palin first made history on December 4, 2006 when she was sworn in as the first female governor of Alaska. In August 2008, Senator John McCain tapped Palin to serve as his Vice-Presidential running mate in his presidential campaign, making her the first woman to run on the Republican Party’s presidential ticket.

TYLER — It only happens once a year, but this event may save lives in the next emergency in our area. It�s the Tyler Amateur Radio Club, and this weekend marked their annual field days. When disaster strikes, like a hurricane, or there is an emergency like the Shuttle explosion, immediate communication is vital. And you cell phone may be missing in action. The one medium that will work rain or shine, with no more power than a care battery is shortwave.

And, according to KETK, once a year the 78-member strong Tyler Amateur Radio Club gets together to keep it�s skills sharp and make sure they are ready. �It�s sponsored by the American Radio Relay League, and once a year we get together to do emergency preparedness,� club member Elaine Jackson said. There�s even a rolling communications center which serves a number of local needs.

TYLER — Community policing remains a priority of the Tyler Police Department. That means heavy involvement from citizens according to Lt. Robert Barrentine, who says, “We need their help, and we need them to be involved for us to make this a safer place to live. We want to get out into communities and do the best we can to help them with all the problems.” Barrentine, commander of the police department’s Community Response Team, appears on this week’s KTBB “Staff Meeting.” He says police want to work with residents to address not just crime, but social problems or any other issues.

Barrentine says citizen involvement can mean anything from reporting crimes to forming neighborhood watch groups. According to Barrentine, Tyler now has 79 active watch groups, up from 55 at this time last year. Programs such as Citizens on Patrol and the Citizens Police Academy are just two other examples of how you can become involved. You can go to http://www.tylerpolice.com for more information. You can also listen to the “Staff Meeting” show online at http://www.ktbb.com/audio beginning early Monday.

GILMER � Funeral services were held Monday morning for former State Representative Bob Glaze from Gilmer. He passed away on Friday. Dr. Glaze stood for top quality medical care and top quality education. He was a 12-year veteran of the House of Representatives and was a man of great integrity and dignity. He had a well-respected chiropractic practice and cared about the people he represented just as much as he cared about the cattle on his ranch. His friends and colleagues say they�re sad. They�ve all said what an influence Dr. Glaze had on the community and that he was involved in pretty much everything, from Rotary Club and the East Texas Food Bank to the school board and Yamboree Association.

Funeral services for Glaze, 82, were held at First Baptist Church in Gilmer with burial services following at Sunset Memorial Park.

JEFFERSON — Beaches at Lake O’ The Pines remained closed over the weekend. The seven areas have been shut down to swimmers since June 18 after tests showed unhealthy levels of e-coli bacteria. Reservoir manager Bobby Hamrick says such testing is required from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Hamrick says it’s not clear what caused the outbreak, since his office doesn’t monitor areas outside the swimming beaches. No illnesses have been reported as a result of the pollution, and more tests are on tap for today. Local convenience stores, restaurants, and marinas say the closure could ruin their summer.