KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER – The new director of sponsored research at The University of Texas at Tyler is Dr. Michael Odell. A member of UT Tyler since 2006, Odell holds the Celia and Sam Roosth chair in education and is a professor of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. He replaces Dr. Arlene Horne, who accepted a position at the University of West Georgia.

“In this role, Dr. Odell will work to continue the growth and success of sponsored programs, begun by Dr. Horne, at UT Tyler,” said Dr. Peter Fos, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. The Office of Sponsored Research provides effective leadership through the promotion and support of quality research and sponsored programs both within the university and through collaborative efforts with other universities, industries and businesses. Sponsored research awards topped the $12 million mark in 2009.

Odell holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction and science education from Indiana University and a master of arts in teaching degree from UT Dallas. He was instrumental in creating the UT Tyler East Texas STEM Center, which also is under his directorship. He also has served as a consultant or project evaluator to school districts, industry, professional organizations and universities. Odell currently serves as a reviewer for Pearson Publishing and has been acknowledged in a number of industry-leading science education textbooks.

TYLER — The United Way of Tyler/Smith County has surpassed its $1.7 million campaign goal for 2010 by over $13,000. The final take of $1,713, 829 is also 10% more than what was raised in the 2009 campaign. United Way President Nan Moore says she’s very pleased. She says it’s the first time in about six years the campaign has met or exceeded its goal. Moore attributes that largely to “a stronger and larger group of volunteers in our loaned executive group and in our campaign cabinet.” And she says that’s needed because of a local market shift from larger to smaller businesses. According to Moore, years ago, volunteers often addressed hundreds at a single sitting, but now it’s much more common for them to speak to groups of ten or 15.

LINDALE — The Lindale Independent School District has applied for a waiver from the Texas Education Agency which would exempt the district from holding classes on May 31 as a snow day makeup. The date was originally scheduled on the district’s school calendar to recover instruction time lost after LISD’s closure on February 4 due to winter weather. The district will extend two early release days to full-length instruction days to meet the criteria for the waiver. Students will no longer be released two hours early on March 22 and May 26. Instead, classes will be released at the regularly scheduled end time on each campus. The Lindale ISD school board approved the amendment to the calendar on Monday night. “By substituting two early release days for a full makeup day, we are not requiring students to be back in the classroom after Memorial Day,” LISD Superintendent Stan Surratt said.

LINDALE — A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday for the construction phase of the Lindale Industrial Park Infrastructure Project. John W. Clary, president of the Lindale Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), calls the effort an “important economic development project for Lindale and northern Smith County.” Located south of I-20 on Harvey Road (CR 433), the land for the 120-acre park was purchased in 2007 by the LEDC. The infrastructure project is being completed in partnership with the City of Lindale and the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) through a 50/50 matching grant from the EDA and LEDC Funds. The infrastructure project will include a new cul-de-sac concrete street with storm drainage, water, and wastewater to all sites within the park. Sites are available from two acres to 40 acres.

TYLER — A home has been destroyed by a Smith County fire. It happened at 12412 Farm Road 14, just south of Interstate Highway 20. The home’s owner, Steven Kovac, said it started in a wood burning stove. He says he tried to put the fire out himself, but it got out of control. No injuries were reported, but the homeowner does not have insurance.

LUFKIN — Lufkin Memorial Hospital staff members call police after suspecting a young patient was abused. Lufkin Police say a mother brought her son into the hospital Saturday night after she noticed he was bleeding. An examination showed he had a severe case of a sexually transmitted disease. Police are investigating the case and so far, no arrests have been made.

PITTSBURG – A Camp County man has been arrested and charged with his wife’s death. Johnnie Morse, 75, is charged in the death of Terry Morse, 73, his wife of 56 years.

Last Wednesday night Morse called the Camp County Sheriff’s Department to report his wife missing. He told officers he had returned home and his wife’s car was there but she wasn’t. A search of the area the area turned up no trace of the woman.

Last Friday Morse came to the sheriff’s department to report he had found his wife’s body behind a gun safe in the master bedroom. An autopsy was ordered. The body was so badly decomposed deputies were unable to determine the cause of death.

At last report Morse remained in the Camp County Jail in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

TYLER — Tyler school trustees have continued their discussion on academic initiatives for the school district. Monday’s discussion was a continuation of the February board workshop where four initiatives were shared. They were:
*CTE Expansion and Enhancements
*High School STEM Academy
*Early College High School
*Non-Traditional High School Expansion and Enhancements

Monday’s discussion included a brief review of the first four initiatives as well as a look into the final two initiatives: a Freshman Academy and 5th and 6th Grade Centers.

According to school superintendent Dr. Randy Reid, statistically, the freshman year in high school has proven to be one of the largest stumbling blocks to students’ academic success. As a result, many districts have begun to focus significant attention on freshmen by isolating them either in separate campuses or in areas of their facilities. Additional resources are usually allocated in an attempt to help the students begin their high school careers on the right track.

He explained that currently, this school year, John Tyler High School began a pilot program by creating a Freshman Academy program. They identified the downstairs portion of their main building as the designated area for all freshman core classes. Additional staff and resources were focused on meeting the needs of these freshmen, and initial results are showing great promise.

He said a consideration about this program is the district could continue to support John Tyler’s efforts and begin to look at opportunities to expand the concept to Robert E. Lee High School. He also said the district could consider this concept when planning future facility enhancements with the goal of creating freshman-specific spaces within future high school facilities. Dr. Reid shared with the Board of Trustees how 9th grade academies can address academic and facility challenges.

The final academic program presented to the Board was the concept of 5th/6th grade centers. Dr. Reid explained how fifth and sixth grade students have very similar characteristics. He said this is a critical phase in their educational progress and by this age, they usually have enough data to identify strengths and weaknesses. Coupling these grades would allow strong interventions to help struggling students and bring greater rigor to the classroom. This could help to prevent the usual drop-off in performance for middle school.

He said considerations of this 5th/6th grade proposal are that fifth graders are currently housed at elementary campuses while 6th graders are in middle schools; projected growth at the elementary level will lead to a shortage of space at many of our campuses; and our middle school campuses are already overcrowded and in need of updating/replacing. He also said the district could seek opportunities to build new middle schools and remodel existing facilities to utilize for 5th/6th centers and the district could build new 5th/6th centers. Dr. Reid explained how 5th/6th centers can address academic and facility challenges.

Also at Monday’s meeting, Steve Hulsey with Corgan Associates, Inc. presented the District’s facility assessment to the board. He explained the assessment process and the results. The consultant interviewed all department leaders and looked for efficiencies as well as current and future needs of the facilities in the District. Hulsey explained that the future needs of the District will require more space. He also said that the reorganization of departments will make operations more efficient. Some of the older facilities have served the district beyond their useful life and repurposing these facilities would be cost prohibitive.

Dr. Reid suggested that at the April Board Workshop half of the meeting will be for the purpose to share the demographic report and half the meeting will be dedicated to conversations about these programs and facilities presented today. It was also discussed that it is important to involve the community, parents and students in the discussion process in the future.

TYLER — Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips says the land records portion of the County Clerk’s office is being reorganized and relocated from the third floor to the basement of the Smith County Courthouse Annex. The move is underway and will continue through Wednesday. The land records division and the criminal department of the County Clerk’s office will remain open during this time but will be minimally staffed, and delays in processing are expected. “The changes are being made in an effort to streamline work flow and improve customer service. We know this small inconvenience will result in increased efficiencies and a leaner operation of our services,” Mrs. Phillips said.

Officials say both the land records division and criminal division will return to full operational capacity Friday, the 18th, with four land record work stations downstairs to better serve Smith County customers. “We apologize ahead of time to our customers for the inconvenience but feel the restructuring of our land records department will benefit our office, our customers and the tax payer’s pocket book,” Mrs. Phillips said.

TYLER — The Smith County Red Cross is continuing to brief the public on how to address the Japan earthquake and tsunami. According to Red Cross staffers, the best way to contact or locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Japan is to contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or (202) 647-5225. People in Japan and other countries in the Pacific can register at http://www.icrc.org/familylinks to inform their family and friends that they are safe and provide their current contact details. People in the U.S. looking for loved ones can check the ICRC list for information. They can also register the names of family members and friends, encouraging them to get in touch.

Those who want to help can go to http:// http://www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. Gifts to the American Red Cross will support our disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific. People can make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999. Their donation will go to support relief efforts for the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.

NACOGDOCHES – Nacogdoches police are investigating a motorcycle accident that killed a Nacogdoches County sheriff’s deputy. Morgan Sheppard, 26, a county jailer, died early Sunday morning when a car pulled into his path. The accident happened shortly after 1:15am in the 2800 block of North Street.

GARDEN VALLEY – Mercy Ships, an international charity operating the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship, is debuting promotional spots on the CBS “Super Screen” in Times Square. Smith County-based Mercy Ships will have 30 seconds of air time each hour from March 14 through April 30. The Super Screen is located on 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. It is 26 feet wide and 20 feet tall. During the 6 weeks of airtime, the promotional spots will range from three 10-second spots to two 15-second spots to one 30-second spot.

The airing of the promotional spots coincides with the arrival of the Africa Mercy to Sierra Leone, one of the poorest nations in the world, for the Mercy Ships 2011 Field Service. Mercy Ships officials say this advertising opportunity in Times Square — combined with a complementary marketing campaign in web, print, and local events — will allow Mercy Ships to increase awareness of its organization in the United States.

“We are very pleased to have a presence in such a recognizable and high-traffic area,” says Mercy Ships Founder Don Stephens. “Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to bring state-of-the-art medical services to developing countries—we simply need to expand awareness of the needs in West Africa so more people can be helped. Times Square is a great platform to achieve that!”

According to press materials, Mercy Ships follows the 2000-year-old model of Jesus by bringing hope and healing to the forgotten poor. Mercy Ships officials say their state-of-the-art hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, is equipped with six operating theaters, a 78-bed ward, a lab, a pharmacy and a CAT scanner. The officials say their crew of 450 volunteers transforms lives by delivering world-class health care to developing nations in West Africa. Program offerings for the 2011 Field Service in Sierra Leone include reconstructive surgeries such as cleft lip and palate correction, orthopedics, plastics, and tumor removal. An eye care team offers corrective cataract procedures, and an off-ship dental clinic provides dental care.

Officials say Mercy Ships is also committed to building capacity by training local medical personnel. In this way, medical care is available to the people of Sierra Leone even after the ship leaves port. Mercy Ships provides all services free of charge and without regard to race, gender, or religion. You can visit http://www.mercyships.org to learn more about Mercy Ships.

LAKE PALESTINE — A controlled burn became anything but over the weekend near Lake Palestine. KETK reports the fire became dangerous when winds fueled flames. Dixie and Noonday volunteer firefighters answered the call for help, along with the Texas Forest Service. After a few hours, crews were able to put out the flames. Fortunately, no structures were damaged by flames, and no injuries were reported from the fire.

SMITH COUNTY — Officials release the name of a young Smith County drowning victim. The sheriff’s department is continuing to investigate the death of Seth Gonzales. Authorities say it happened at a home on Seven Hills Road. Officials say the toddler was reportedly playing with some other children outside his home while his parents were installing a sprinkler system when the boy wandered away from the group. His mother noticed he was gone and went looking for him and found him in a pond. His father attempted CPR. The child was taken to the hospital where he died.

TYLER — The suspect in a fatal weekend accident in Tyler is now out of jail. 51-year-old Charles Winn has been released on $5,000 bond. Carlos Edgar Ramirez-Medina, 24, of Tyler was killed around 5:30 Saturday afternoon at the intersection of Palace and Oakwood. Police say Winn 51, failed to yield the right of way and struck Medina, who was riding a motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Winn was arrested for intoxication manslaughter.

TYLER — It’s time for the final week of Tyler’s spring Bulky Item Collection. Bulky items that will be picked up at no charge include furniture, appliances, carpet, fence material, up to four noncommercial vehicle tires, old toys and other large items that would normally require a special fee. No liquid waste, limbs or brush will be picked up. Paint must be dried out with oil dry or kitty litter. Free bulky item collection dates are dependent on your location in the city.

This past week bulky items were collected from home owners whose garbage is normally collected on Monday and Thursday. If your garbage is normally collected on Tuesday and Friday, you are asked to place your bulky items on the curb today. You are asked to leave them there until they are picked up. There is no need to call the Solid Waste Office when you set out your bulky garbage. Items may be collected on a different day from your regular collection.

Residents are encouraged to contact the Habitat for Humanity ReStore or Goodwill Industries before disposing of unwanted items that are in good condition. Televisions, computers and other electronics can be recycled at any Tyler Goodwill Drop Off on weekdays or at the Tyler Recycling Collection Center from Wednesday through Saturday.

UNDATED — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

GREGG COUNTY — Beginning Monday, crews from Texas Department of Transportation contractor R.K. Hall Construction are scheduled to resume resurfacing operations on State Highway 42 between U.S. Highway 80 in White Oak and Interstate Highway 20 north of Kilgore. Daytime lane closures will be in effect, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic. The $4.8 million project, which calls for widening SH 42 to accommodate a center turn lane, is scheduled for completion this summer.

Also this week in Gregg County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to conclude pavement repairs on Farm Road 2275 (George Richey Road), then move to perform the same work on Farm Road 1845 (Pine Tree Road) between Farm Road 2275 and Loop 281.

ATHENS — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repair operations on U.S. Highway 175 east of Athens between Loop 7 and Farm Road 315. A second crew is scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 3204 east of Brownsboro. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge repairs in various locations on State Highway 323 between State Highway 64 in Henderson and State Highway 135 in Overton. A second crew is scheduled to be at work on Farm Road 13 west of State Highway 42 in Price. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on Spur 324 between U.S. Highway 287 and Farm Road 645. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. TxDOT recommends using Farm Road 321 as an alternate route to avoid delays.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to repair and resurface Farm Road 47 west of Canton in various locations between State Highway 243 and State Highway 198. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to be at work on the following roadways in and around Wood County:
*US 80 east of FM 1255;
*FM 778 north of FM 49; and
*FM 857 south of US 80.
Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

TYLER – A large crowd is expected to be on hand in Tyler today to greet former Arkansas Governor, and former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. Starting at 2:00 this afternoon he will be signing copies of his new book “A Simple Government.” Hastings’ employees say they have been receiving lots of calls abut the Huckabee visit. They wouldn’t be surprised to see people start lining up Sunday morning for the event.

TYLER – Former Arkansas governor and former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee draws a crowd estimated at 400 to 500 for a Sunday afternoon book signing, sponsored by KTBB, at Hastings on South Broadway in Tyler. Greeting guests who began gathering as early as 9 a.m., Huckabee signed copies of his new book “A Simple Government.” Chatting with the media afterwards, Huckabee said he was “incredibly impressed” with the turnout. He also addressed topics such as his own prospects for a 2012 presidential run and President Obama’s chances for re-election.

Huckabee said his current book tour could be a precursor to another presidential run — and that he’s looking for reaction to the book. According to Huckabee, “The book is in essence kind of where I stand, what I believe, and I think as people read it, they’ll have an impression on whether or not if I were to run, that they would believe that this is where America needs to go.”

Huckabee says President Obama will still be a formidable foe in 2012. He pointed out that incumbents are hard to defeat, adding, “I think that it is possible to defeat him — and I hope, frankly, that someone does, me or someone else — but it’s not gonna be easy.” Huckabee cited significant differences with the Obama administration on foreign policy. He remarked, “The traditional policy of America was, ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick.’ I think the Obama policy is, ‘Make apologies and throw away the stick.'” Huckabee said America’s losing the respect it once had in the rest of the world. He also came out strongly in support of Israel, saying the U.S has “an organic relationship” with that country.

On another topic, Huckabee said he has a lot of confidence in the new GOP majority in the U.S. House. He commented, “I look at the 87 freshmen, and I just believe that there’s an extraordinary number of them that have gone there to actually cut spending and reduce the deficit.”

Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3HCQzvtx5o to see video from the book signing.

TYLER – Tyler’s firefighter of the year is Travis Milligan. Milligan, seen here with Fire Chief Tim Johnson, received his plaque Saturday night at the 20th annual fire department awards banquet. The award was one of many handed out at the banquet at the Rose Garden Center. Other individual awards included:

*Leadership Award- Captain Kenneth Scheid-Fire Marshal Paul Findley
*Customer Service Award- James Seaton-Josh Spinhirne-Matt Ottaberry
*Lifesaving Award- Captain David Hickey-Firefighter Travis Milligan-Captain Dwayne Parrish-Tyler PD Officer Matt Leigeber
*District Award-District 1 A Shift
*Legends Award-Former Battalion Chief J.W. Love, hired on May 23, 1951 and retired on April 8, 1993 after 42 years of service to the City of Tyler. And Floyd Mosley, hired on February 1, 1964 and retired on January 1, 1996 after 33 years of service to the City of Tyler.
*Friend of the Department Award- Retired ATF Special Agent Larry Alexander for his many years of investigative support of the Tyler Fire Department and Ernie Cantu, EMS Educator with East Texas Medical Center EMS for his continued support and involvement with the Tyler Fire Department EMS education program.
*Recognition and Appreciation-Resident Agent in Charge Clay Alexander and the ATF-Tyler Field Office for their continued support of the Tyler Fire Department and Marjorie Vallejo for her dedication and continuing support of the Tyler Fire Department and the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office.

TYLER – Tyler Police are looking for a man accused of aggravated assault. It was reported around 4:45 Friday afternoon in the 3200 block of Walton Road. The 20 year old victim said the suspect was her 23 year old ex-boyfriend.

She told officers they were in the process of breaking up when an argument started. The woman was sitting on the trunk of the suspect’s vehicle when the suspect got into his car and rapidly drove away, causing her to fall off the car. She received minor injuries when she hit the pavement.

The victim said the suspect then backed his vehicle up over one of her legs after threatening to hurt her to keep her from dating other people. The suspect then fled the scene in his vehicle. The victim was transported to a local hospital where she will be treated for non-life threatening injuries. The investigation into the incident continues.

WACO (AP) — The Oak Farms Dairy plant in Waco is voluntarily recalling 64,000 units of milk distributed in 10 Texas cities, including Lindale and Jacksonville. Routine testing found Alkaline Phosphatase, an enzyme naturally present in raw milk, but not present in milk that has been sufficiently pasteurized. No illnesses have been reported.

The recall includes only half gallon plastic bottles of whole chocolate milk, half-pint paper cartons of whole chocolate milk, and half-pint paper cartons of 1 percent chocolate milk that carry the Oak Farms Dairy name and the plant code 48-3302. Packages are printed with a “BEST BY” or “SELL BY” date of March 22, 2011 (printed as MAR 22 on paper half pints, 03/22/11 on plastic half gallons) and a UPC code of 4127100724, 7002635006 or 7002635007.

Only packages with the plant code 48-3302 are being recalled. No other Oak Farms Dairy products are affected by this recall.

BROWNSBORO – The death of two persons in a fire near Brownsboro Wednesday morning appears to be a murder/suicide. According to Henderson County officials, Robbie Timmerman, 47, shot and killed Cheryl Timmerman, 42. It appears as if he then set the house on fire, went into a closet and shot himself. It took place at a home on Farm Road 317 south of Brownsboro.

TYLER – Tyler police have identified the man killed in a Thursday accident as a student at Tyler Junior College. He is Randy DeShawn Smith, 19, of Groveton Texas. The accident happened shortly after 4:15 Thursday afternoon at the intersection of University Boulevard and Patriot Drive.

Witnesses tell investigators a GMC SUV and a Ford SUV, driven by Smith, were westbound on University with the Ford in the inside lane and the GMC in the outside lane. According to investigators, Smith attempted to turn right onto Patriot and turned into the path of the GMC. The vehicles collided and the Ford overturned and caught fire. Two bystanders tried to rescue the driver of the burning vehicle but were unable to before the vehicle was engulfed with flames.

Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. The occupants of the GMC SUV were treated for minor injuries. The two witnesses that attempted the rescue were burned.

TYLER – Tyler police have taken a kidnapping suspect into custody. Around 6:00 Friday morning a woman told officers she had been grabbed in front of her residence and forced into a vehicle. She identified the suspect as Kelly Jeton key, 43. She said Key took her to a location in north Tyler where he sexually assaulted her and held her against her will for most the night. The woman said she had a past relationship with Key but evidence collected supported that she was held against her will and sexually assaulted.

Officers went to Key’s home on Maplewood Street and found the suspect hiding in a closet. Investigators located crack cocaine on the suspect at the time of arrest. He has been booked into the smith county jail on charges of aggravated kidnapping and possession of a controlled substance.

QUITMAN — An ex school teacher has pleaded guilty in a Quitman courtroom to one count of improper relationship with a student. All other charges against Jo Ann Stephens, 43, have been dropped. Stephens is the former Mineola teacher who faced charges for an alleged sexual relationship with a student who was 15 at the time. Earlier, the judge dismissed lawyer Thad Davidson’s motion to dismiss the prosecuting lawyer from Stephens’s case. The judge also sanctioned Davidson. He has been fined $1,000. The judge says he ruled against Davidson’s motion because he didn’t have “civil standing.”

When asked why he filed the motion, Davidson said: “I can comment about when an attorney approaches a witness who is adverse and hostile, and pays for that witness’s dinner and drinks… and then during that dinner lets it be known that a certain type of proposed testimony would — I don’t think I should say anymore.” Davidson also says he does not regret his decision to file the motion.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say a major operation has brought in five suspects in local gang activity. On Tuesday at approximately 10 a.m., local authorities, along with the Longview Police Department’s Special Investigative Unit, SWAT, County Organized Drug Enforcement Officers, and Agents from the DEA conducted raids at six locations throughout Longview. Police say the raids were a culmination of a long investigation targeting a criminal street gang. During the raids, officers were able to seize approximately 10 pounds of marijuana, 3000 hydrocodone pills, 8 handguns, and an undisclosed amount of currency. Police say the narcotics seized had a combined street value of approximately $35,000.

The suspects were arrested and booked in to the Gregg County Jail. The United States Attorney’s Office has elected to adopt this case for federal prosecution. Police say all arrested individuals claimed to be members of the “Get Money Clique.”

TYLER — Staffers with the Smith County Red Cross chapter are relaying information related to the Japan earthquake and resulting tsunami. They say at this time the Red Cross is unable to accept inquiries to contact or locate family and friends in Japan. However, there are several resources available as follows:

Inquiries concerning U.S. citizens living or traveling in Japan should be referred to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225.

For inquiries about relatives living in Japan who are not U.S. citizens, the Red Cross encourages you to keep calling or to try contacting other family members who live in the region. Even though communication networks are overloaded right now, staffers say the situation may change, and access to mobile networks and the Internet may improve.

The Google Person Finder site is available at http://japan.person-finder.appspot.com/?lang=en

If you have the mobile phone number of your family member in the affected areas, you may utilize the following services to check whether he/she has registered his/her message(s) on this service. Services are available in English and Japanese.

DoCoMo: http://dengon.docomo.ne.jp/Einoticelist.cgi?es=0

SoftBanK: http://dengon.softbank.ne.jp/pc-e1.jsp

Please note that when you enter the mobile phone number for search on the web page, you should remove the country code 0081 and add 0 at the beginning. For example, phone number for example if you dial the number internationally as follows, 0081-90-8877-6655, enter it into the website as 090-8877-6655.

Staffers say the Red Cross is able to assist anyone who is trying to locate a loved one who is located in Quam or Hawaii or any of the affected Pacific Islands. To start the process, go to the American Red Cross web-site at http://www.redcross.org and look on the front page under “How to Help Victims of Disasters,” where there are several links. Click on the Safe and Well, for domestic disasters only, and follow the instructions. For those without computer access, staffers say if you contact the Red Cross office at 903-581-7981, you will be assisted.

The American Red Cross is currently in discussions with the Japanese Red Cross to assess their needs and see how to help. American Red Cross chapters in the Pacific islands of Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands and Guam, as well as those on the west coast of the U.S., are on alert and ready to provide assistance as needed to their communities.

Those who want to help can go to http://www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. Gifts to the American Red Cross will support Red Cross disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific. People can make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999. Their donation will go to support relief efforts for the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is pronounced dead after he was reportedly runover by his tractor. According to Longview Police, Charles Elms, 77, was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Authorities were contacted by hospital staff after Elms was brought in. Officials said it appeared to have been run over by his tractor while he was attempting to repair it. According to one witness the tractor had jumped in to gear and traveled forward pinning Elms under the tires.

PALESTINE –The Anderson County Jail failed an inspection Wednesday based primarily on failing to properly document information on some inmate forms. Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor said Robert Green, an inspector with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, found several deficiencies in his agency’s maintenance of inmate records, with some of those based on failure to record times and other similar information. “Technical difficulties on our paperwork caused us to be in non-compliance until we show we’ve corrected them,” Taylor said late Wednesday afternoon. No deficiencies, however, were noted in the jail’s staffing and “life safety” operations, the sheriff stated.