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TYLER — The East Texas Food Bank is the 2011 recipient of the Technology and Fundraising Model Program Awards from Feeding America for its Comprehensive Technology Infrastructure Enhancement (CTIE) Project and Tyler Independent School District BackPack Program. The awards were recently presented to Dennis Cullinane, executive director of the East Texas Food Bank, at the Feeding America Network Summit in Las Vegas.

“We are deeply honored to be recognized by Feeding America with these prestigious national awards. We could not have won either award without the generous support of our donors who made the success of these programs possible,” said Cullinane. “There are over 200 food banks in the Feeding America network across the country and I am so proud of the East Texas Food Bank and our generous community of which this is a reflection.”

Each year, Feeding America honors a member food bank with the Model Technology Program of the Year award. It’s presented to a food bank for an innovative technology solution that significantly increases the member’s capability to serve its community and enhance its existing hunger-relief services. Additionally, the Fundraising Program of the Year award is handed out for an innovative fundraising activity or strategy that increased the revenue for the network member and demonstrated growth potential in the coming year. The winning program or campaign in each category also contains elements that can be replicated by other member food banks.

East Texas Food Bank officials say the Comprehensive Technology Infrastructure Enhancement (CTIE) Project is a holistic, fully integrated approach to technology, data and online management systems. Serving more than 183,000 people every year – a 90 percent increase over 2006 – the food bank implemented the project to build capacity by more efficiently managing food, funds, partner agencies, volunteers and operations. The results, according to food bank officials: reduced fuel costs, increased food donations from national donors, constituent relationship management systems, faster and more efficient acknowledgment of financial donors. and larger gifts. Officials say the implementation of this comprehensive, cross-departmental plan improved technological capacity and the overall service to the hungry.

According to food bank press materials, the objective of the BackPack Project objective was to raise enough funds to support the BackPack Program at every elementary school in the district, while engaging the public in the goal of eliminating hunger in the district. Food bank officials say the project model is designed to build hunger advocates within each school and the school circle-of-influence, and project donors, in alignment with the food bank’s and Feeding America’s strategic plans.

“The East Texas Food Bank’s technology strategy has positioned itself as a leader among nonprofits to increase service, grow donations and reduce costs,” said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America. “Our network strives for enhanced technology solutions that streamline our work and enable us to help more people in the most efficient way possible. Their successful BackPack Initiative also engaged individuals and companies throughout their service area and stands as model for food banks across the country looking to further develop hunger-relief efforts at a local level.”

TYLER — Former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, now running for a U.S. Senate seat, makes a stop at KTBB. Leppert, a Republican, seeks the post that will soon be vacated by Kay Bailey Hutchison. Leppert says he thinks he can make a difference. He says not only did he have successes as mayor in setting priorities and cutting expenses — “but for 25 years I’ve led businesses. I’m the one that has signed both sides of the paycheck; I’ve created thousands of jobs. And that’s where the perspective needs to be. We need to reduce the role of Washington, not increase it.”

Leppert also commented on the huge debt currently faced by the United States. “Everybody in this nation understands that you have to live within your means, be it a family or a business,” said Leppert. “The disconnect is in Washington. Washington just needs to have the message.” On the future of the dollar in world commerce, Leppert said Washington must decide whether to make the hard choices and cut spending. He said national leaders must also reduce taxes and regulation to grow the economy.

Along those lines, Leppert addressed the topic of “entitlements” such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid — considered untouchable by many politicians. Leppert said, “We’ve gotta be realistic enough to understand that the three big entitlement programs — Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid — have to be reformed…I believe the deal is the deal that we made; I wouldn’t touch that. But we do have to reform those longer-term and understand that if we don’t, they’re simply not gonna be around — they’ll be bankrupt.” Leppert says such reform must happen “between the middle and the end of this decade.”

NACOGDOCHES — A student at Nettie Marshall Elementary in Nacogdoches is suspended this week for bringing a toy gun that shoots foam pellets to school in his backpack on Wednesday. Other students saw the toy on the bus in the morning before school and reported it, said Marty Prince, NISD’s public relations and community outreach coordinator. District administrators and NISD’s police department began an immediate investigation to find the student.

TYLER — Tyler Police investigate an assault and robbery Thursday night. It happened around 10:15 in the 500 block of south Bois D’ Arc Ave. The victim claims he heard a knock on his front door and claims two black males dressed in dark colored clothing asked to speak with him. The victim stated he opened the door and was immediately attacked and knocked to the floor by the suspects. The suspects reportedly took an undetermined amount of cash and fled the scene. One suspect is described as 6’0″, 250 lbs., in his mid-twenties and bald. The victim was taken to Trinity Mother Frances hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tyler Police.

TYLER — ETMC Tyler was recognized May 5 by UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Transplant Services Center as a member of the “Leadership Circle” of top eye donor hospitals in North Texas with 20 cornea donations in 2010. Transplant Services Center, one of the nation’s longest continually accredited tissue and eye banks, provides corneas, sclera, bone grafts, heart valves, and skin to the communities served by ETMC as well as areas all over the United States. Since 2001, ETMC has provided 203 corneas for transplant. There are an estimated 43,000 cornea transplants and more than 800,000 tissue transplants annually in the United States. Tissue donation/transplant includes skin, bone, heart valves, veins and tendons. Cornea transplants can relieve patients with glared or blurred vision, painful swelling and effectively avoid corneal blindness.

TYLER — Research by a team of scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler indicates that a natural chemical produced by the body boosts the immune system and protects against lethal flu infections. Lead investigator Amir Shams, Ph.D., said the chemical enables immune system cells to signal each other, helping to regulate the system. Scientists call it GM-CSF, which stands for granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor.

According to a UTHSCT news release, if their results are confirmed in future clinical trials, research by Shams and the UTHSCT team could change the way people are protected against the flu. UTHSCT officials say rather than getting an annual flu shot, individuals might be able to use a nasal spray that boosts their lungs’ immune system, enabling them to fight off the flu.

“If we had a flu pandemic, we could use this chemical to increase the innate immunity of the population,” said Dr. Shams, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at UTHSCT. That would provide a head start in protecting people, because creating a vaccine against a new and deadly flu strain takes time, and flu viruses mutate very quickly, he said. “In addition,” he added, “the flu vaccine doesn’t work as well in older people, and it takes two weeks after you get a flu shot to build up your immunity.” Adults 65 years of age and older have an increased risk of developing serious complications from the flu, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The research done by Dr. Shams and the UTHSCT team recently was published in the online edition of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, a prestigious journal published by the American Thoracic Society. UTHSCT President Dr. Kirk A. Calhoun expressed his pride in the achievements made by Dr. Shams and the UTHSCT team. “Our researchers and physicians have identified a potential treatment that may save the lives of up to half a million people worldwide annually who die from the flu,” Dr. Calhoun said.

LONGVIEW — Two men are in custody after reportedly stealing a vehicle. Abel Garcia, 20, and Eric Pena, 21, both of Longview were arrested last night. Longview Police were called to the 1000 block of McCann Road around 11:55 after someone called and reported a possible car burglary. Officers found the stolen silver Cadillac with the two men inside along with some stolen property. They were both arrested for burglary of a vehicle. Pena was also charged with driving with an invalid license.

TYLER — Tyler’s observance of the National Day of Prayer kicked off Thursday with the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. Various prayers, musical performances, and more were offered during the Harvey Convention Center event. Mayor Barbara Bass remarked, “Freedom of religion and freedom of speech are God-given rights. They are not man-made.” She asked the hundreds in attendance to remember “all of the different ways that we need to be praying, all of the different groups we need to be recognizing.” She added, “I ask that you continue to keep prayer in your life throughout the year.” Various churches joined other agencies and community members in sponsoring and organizing the free event.

Also on the schedule: two new events sponsored by Bridlewood Church of Bullard, Lane’s Chapel United Methodist Church, and Mission Tyler. “Prayer on the Square” was held at noon in downtown Tyler. Clergy participants included Rev. David Dykes of Green Acres Baptist Church, Rev. John Robbins of Marvin United Methodist Church, and Bro. Lou Thomas of Lane’s Chapel United Methodist. Along with that event, organizers scheduled an Evening Community Prayer Service at Lane’s Chapel with Pastor Stephen Broden of Fair Park Bible Fellowship of Dallas as guest speaker.

Bridlewood Church pastor Dan Cummins says the noon and evening events are to become annual activities for Tyler’s National Day of Prayer. Cummins says next year’s Evening Community Prayer Service will be hosted by another church in the community.

LONGVIEW — Longview Firefighters stay busy working several structure fires. Around 7:45 Wednesday night, the fire department responded to 2308 Kim Street for a reported structure fire. On arrival fire crews found a resident just inside the front door in a wheel chair that was unable to make over the threshold. Fire crews helped him through the door way. The fire started near the outside eave traveled into the attic of the home. Portions of the home sustained smoke and water damage with a loss of approximately $15,000. The cause of the fire was faulty wiring. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters responded to a second fire around 2:29 Thursday morning at 812 Spring Street. The house was engulfed about 50 percent upon arrival of the first units. No one was home at the time of the fire which originated in the back bedroom area. The cause of the fire which resulted in a loss of about $50,000 is still under investigation. No injuries were reported.

NACOGDOCHES — Two men are arrested after a traffic stops turns up illegal drugs. Travis Anderson, 32, and Tevorius McGee, 30, were booked on a number of charges including possession of controlled substances and marijuana. A Nacogdoches County Constable stopped their vehicle for a seatbelt violation Saturday on Hwy 59. The constable used a drug sniffing dog after he said the two men acted strangely and he noticed the odor of marijuana.

TYLER — A Tyler teen accused of killing Todd Henry, his John Tyler High School teacher, is indicted for murder. Byron Truvia was arrested for the crime March 22nd, on his 18th birthday. The indictment was handed down on April 21. Prior to that time, Truvia had been held for psychiatric evaluation. A motion is still pending regarding his mental competency to proceed in the legal system. He remains in the Smith County Jail on a $1 million bond.

SULPHUR SPRINGS – Bonds now top $1 million on a man charged with capital murder in Hopkins County. Brian Allen Tucker, 43, of Mesquite was arrested in Yantis Monday night. He has reportedly confessed to the slaying of Bobby Riley, 62. He was found dead in the Mahoney Community on Friday. Investigators say he had been dead four days. An autopsy indicated he had been strangled. Tucker was arrested after pawning some items taken from Riley’s home. The items, including guns and musical instruments were found in a Texarkana pawn shop.

Tucker has been charged with capital murder, theft of property and parole violation. Also arrested in the case was Sarilu Mettlen, 40, of Ephrata, Pennsylvania. She has been charged with theft after she confessed to pawning some of the items stolen from Riley’s home. Investigators are trying to determine if she is linked to the murder.

LUFKIN – A man is being held in the Angelina County Jail after being accused of raping his teenage daughter. His bonds total $100,000. The incident is said to have happened in January, 2004. The man’s name was not released in a effort to protect the victim’s identity.

The arrest affidavit says the first week of January 2004, around 4:00am, the father went into his daughter’s room and forced her to have sex with him. A couple of hours later, he allegedly came back into her bedroom, carried her into the living room and raped her again.

LONGVIEW – We had a report earlier this week about cocaine found in the underwear of a prisoner at the Gregg County Jail. Well, it has happened again. It happened Tuesday morning when Charles Desmond King, 38, of Longview, was booked into the jail.

After being stopped for running a red light, officers discovered he didn’t have a valid driver’s license. Searching his vehicle, officers found two white pills believed to be Vicodin, $700 cash and a small amount of marijuana. When King was booked into the jail officers found 12.4 grams of crack cocaine in King’s underwear. He has been charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana, possession of a dangerous drug and no drivers license.

AUSTIN — Governor Rick Perry has reappointed Kirk Aquilla Calhoun of Tyler and David Woolweaver of Harlingen to the State Health Services Council for terms to expire February 1, 2017. The council makes recommendations to the Department of State Health Services regarding the management, operation, policies and rules for public health, mental health and substance abuse.

Calhoun is president of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. He is a member of the National Public Health and Hospital Institute, National Association of Public Hospitals Executive Committee, Texas Emerging Technology Advisory Committee, and American and Texas Medical associations. He is a member of the American College of Physicians, American College of Physician Executives and Smith County Medical Society, and a board member of the Tyler Economic Development Council. He is also a past board member of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, East Texas Leadership Council, and Vision 2010 Task Force. Calhoun received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a medical degree from the University of Kansas.