KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Mayor Barbara Bass and other officials will rally Wednesday at noon on the downtown square for support of keeping the Downtown Tyler Post Office open. According to city press materials, the post office is being evaluated for possible closure. The City of Tyler and Heart of Tyler, Inc., will host the rally. Mayor Bass and other public officials will urge the public to take action to help save the downtown post office. There will be petitions to sign and to take for the public to be able to gather additional signatures.

A web page has been created to give the public information on what actions one can take to support keeping the Downtown Post Office open. At http://www.heartoftyler.com visitors can click on the Save the Downtown Tyler Post Office icon and go to a page with tips on what to do. The web page contains an online petition and the addresses of public and Post Office officials.

TYLER — The Literacy Council of Tyler’s Annual Corporate Spelling Bee is set for today at Harvey Convention Center. The public is invited to attend the Bee and celebrate the council’s 20th anniversary. Admission is $20 to the Bee, a major fundraiser for the agency. Staffers say the council’s work targets the one in every four adults in Smith County who are undereducated and functionally illiterate. Tickets to the Bee may be purchased in advance by calling 903-533-0330. Lunch will be catered by Traditions, and coffee will be served compliments of Starbucks. Silent Auction bidding and lunch began at 11:00am with opening ceremonies beginning at 11:45.

TYLER — The Tyler Area Builders Association (TABA) has been recognized by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) for its “New Home Bonanaza – an Open House Extravaganza” public relations campaign. Tyler-based Krantz PR’s promotion of TABA’s “Bonanza” event in October 2009 received the NAHB Association Excellence Award for Best Public Relations Campaign Conducted. The awards were handed out at the national NAHB conference on Aug. 6 in Santa Fe, NM.

The Bonanza was a five-day open house event that featured new houses and lots in a variety of sizes and price ranges. To further entice buyers, the homebuilders and TABA members offered additional incentives. Krantz PR made use of TABA President Ricky Casey, casting him as a wandering cowboy looking for a good home. Casey donned his cowboy hat, duster and boots for commercials and billboards advertising the event. “We are thrilled to add a national award to our resume’,” said Krantz PR President
Laura Krantz. “It is gratifying to have something that was a fun project turn into such high praise for our creativity. I’m proud of my team.”

TYLER — Leadership Tyler, a non-profit organization established in 1986 to equip leaders to enrich the Tyler community, has selected Colleen Colby as its new executive director. “I feel privileged to be selected for this opportunity to work with people who are so committed to leadership,” said Colby. “I am delighted to be part of this historic organization as we approach Leadership Tyler’s 25th anniversary. My plans are to work with the team to continue to offer insightful programs for leaders in the community.”

Colby said her fondness for Leadership Tyler began when she applied to the program while residing in Maryland. “The first people I met when I moved to Texas were people in my Leadership Tyler class,” says Colby. Joan Andrews, current president of the Leadership Tyler board of directors, said, “We are very excited to have someone with Colleen’s skills and leadership experience to lead our organization.”

Colby has an extensive background in development, training, education and communications with several companies, including her present position with the professional services firm PBS&J. She was a journalist and a second class petty officer in the United States Navy and served on board the USS Puget Sound off the coast of Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. She has an executive MBA from the University of Delaware and a B.A. in mass communications and political science from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, and she attended an international business school in the Netherlands.

Colby has an extensive history of community service including Wilmington, Delaware, Habitat for Humanity; Junior Achievement; Wilmington Food Bank; Delaware Children’s Museum; and in East Texas, CASA, Discovery Science Place Museum, South Tyler Rotary, Tyler Executive Women’s Network, Girl Scouts & Boy Scouts of America, and Leadership Tyler class 21. She replaces Cindy Klein, who has served Leadership Tyler since 2004 and recently accepted a new position with Mentoring Minds.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview has begun the process to search for and hire a new fire chief. As the head of the Longview Fire Department, the Fire Chief is responsible for 167 staff members, 8 fire stations, and a $15.9 million budget. Officials say the City is utilizing Strategic Government Resources, Inc. (SGR) to help broaden the scope of the search and to assist with initial evaluation. During the search process, according to officials, SGR will identify and evaluate a variety of highly qualified prospects; provide a recommended list of five qualified candidates for interview; and design an assessment process for top candidates.

The City of Longview will conduct the interviews of the top candidates. As with all of the City’s director-level positions, the City Manager is responsible for selecting the final candidate, which is subject to approval by City Council. You can go to http://www.LongviewTexas.gov to view the fire chief job announcement. City officials add that you’re encouraged to contact SGR at http://www.GovernmentResource.com if you’re an interested, qualified candidate. Resumes should be submitted to SGR by Friday, August 20. It is anticipated that the hiring process will be completed within two to three months.

TYLER — The date has been set for the annual Texans Against Crime (T.A.C.) night out. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 12th , 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. T.A.C. celebrations are held throughout East Texas on the second Tuesday in October. Last year the City of Tyler had approximately 90 block parties throughout the City to promote the program. Tyler police say it’s time to register your block party by registering online at http://www.tylerpolice.com or calling the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1096.

Police say the Texans Against Crime program is an annual event designed to unite neighbors and communities to encourage neighborhood communication, community involvement and crime prevention to create safer neighborhoods. According to police, the T.A.C. program encourages neighborhoods to host block parties as an opportunity to get to know your neighbor and fight crime. Police say the program promotes neighborhood alliances to strengthen local communities and preserve the quality of life in East Texas. Police add that the program helps to educate families, friends and neighbors about crime prevention and inform residents that communities are safer when neighbors work together. According to police, getting to know your neighbors is an important step in keeping your community safe.

WHITE OAK — Another East Texas city will soon decide whether or not they’ll allow alcohol sales in their town come November. A petition by some White Oak citizens was approved and confirmed during Monday’s Gregg County County Commissioner’s meeting, meaning that it will go on the upcoming November ballot. According to KETK, more than 400 residents of White Oak signed the petition.

TYLER (AP) – A Tyler campus where a teacher was fatally stabbed in 2009 will be more secure when classes begin Aug. 23. A teen accused in the attack on special education teacher Todd Henry, at John Tyler High School, remained in juvenile custody Tuesday. The boy was 16 last September when authorities say he stabbed Henry. A wrought iron fence, surrounding nearly 90 acres, is nearly finished. The fencing is part of $247,000 in security improvements for John Tyler and for Robert E. Lee High School. Tyler Independent School District spokeswoman Angela Jenkins says the goal is to provide a perimeter for the school and prevent students who are unauthorized pedestrians to enter or exit the grounds. Portable metal detectors will be used for random checks at both high schools.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Commissioners battled out their thoughts on job cuts and raised taxes last week. This week, however, they are just going to listen. As the county tries to scrape up $7 million in budget cuts, County Judge Joel Baker proposes a tax increase. Now, taxpayers get a chance to voice their thoughts on the matter. A public hearing was held today. According to KETK, the increase would bring in an extra $4 million for the county.

Commissioner Terry Phillips says they have to build a reserve back up that they spent last year. He says there will probably be some kind of tax, because it’s the only way to get the county budget where it needs to be. Since sales tax is down, the county is not taking in as much money as last year. Phillips says, “To balance the budget, we either have to raise taxes or reduce the budget.” Another public hearing will be held on August 17th.

TYLER — Tyler Police investigate an early morning robbery. It happened around 3:25 a.m. Tuesday near the area of North Tenneha and M.L. King Blvd. Authorities say two black male victims advised they had given a ride to a black male, to an unknown address on Tenneha. The suspect exited the vehicle and went to the front porch of a residence. The suspect returned, displayed a handgun at the victims and told them to get out of the car. The suspect took some money from one of the victims, got in the victim’s car and left the area. No injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW — Mayors from throughout the East Texas region are meeting at Longview’s Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center today to discuss regional issues in light of the upcoming Texas legislative session. According to Longview Mayor Jay Dean, “These types of discussions are absolutely critical for the East Texas region. Even though we each work in different cities and counties, we often have similar goals to help move our communities forward. We know that what is helpful for one city is usually beneficial for the entire region.” The group has been coordinated through the efforts of Marshall Mayor William “Buddy” Power.

EAST TEXAS — Federal school ratings are released — and for some East Texas school districts, the news isn’t good. According to KETK, Longview ISD is one of many East Texas school districts that did not meet the requirements. Longview High school and Forest Park Middle School missed the standards in math and reading performance along with graduation rates. But district officials say it’s because of a federal rule. that puts a cap on the number of special education students that can take a modified TAKS test. Still, they say, they believe the cap is a good thing. The Tyler Independent School District also has a list of schools that failed to meet the federal standards for education this year. There are four: Bell Elementary School, Boulter Middle School, John Tyler High school, and Robert E. Lee High School.

SMITH COUNTY — Just six months ago, Clear Springs Missionary Baptist Church was the 11th church to burn down during a string of church arsons. On Sunday, according to KETK, the church reopened its doors. The devastating arson fire in February engulfed what the congregation knew to be home. But now, the structure’s rebuilt, and the doors are once again open for services. Pastor Brandon Owens says it was faith that got them through. Clear Springs was the last church to fall victim to the rash of arsons.

TYLER — The investigation involving an 18-year-old female victim who reported getting sick after purchasing a drink from Sonic is now complete. According to authorities, on Sunday, July 18, the victim reportedly went to Sonic, located at 5611 S. Broadway and purchased a Cranberry Lime Slush drink. She said the drink had a strange taste to it and told officers that she began to vomit about an hour after drinking the drink and went to Mother Frances Hospital ER for medical treatment.

The Northeast Texas Public Health District was notified of the incident and conducted their own investigation. The Tyler Police Department investigation found no evidence that any criminal intent by the restaurant or victim occurred involving this incident.

LONGVIEW — Authorities in Longview say a stand-off is resolved. Officers responded to a call of an armed subject in the 1100 block of Rosedale Drive around 11:55 Sunday night. The caller told dispatchers that a man was in his yard in the 400 block of Sycamore and was firing a gun. When the caller went outside and told the man to stop, he pointed the gun at the caller and threatened to kill her. Officers attempted to make contact with the suspect at 404 West Sycamore Street, but he refused to answer the door. While officers were on-scene, the suspect pointed a laser at an officer’s vehicle and later fired additional shots.

The Longview Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team and the Crisis Negotiation Team responded to the scene and attempted to establish communications with the suspect, but he did not respond. Around 6:10 Monday morning, the SWAT team made entry into the residence and took Brandon Biddle, 28, into custody. No one was shot or injured during the incident. Biddle has been booked into the Gregg County Jail for aggravated assault.