KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler City Councilman Donald Sanders was honored at the Winners’ Circle Peer Support Network (WCPSN) at their Second Annual Unsung Heroes Awards Banquet Saturday, Oct. 23 at the Wyndham Hotel in Dallas. WCPSN is a therapeutic peer support network with 15 registered chapters in Texas. Councilman Sanders was one of 11 people honored at the event that the WCPSN established. The event recognizes individuals who advocate, support, implement, change or help destroy barriers and myths that have been deterrents to formerly incarcerated individuals and members of the community that desire to live drug and crime free.

Sanders was nominated for the honor by the Live and Kicking Winners’ Circle Peer Support Network of Tyler (Tyler Winners’ Circle) because he is “not one to back down” from doing the right thing. After the Winners’ Circle lost its meeting place on Bellwood Road due to a zoning issue, Councilman Sanders became a supporting partner in the Winners’ Supporting Winners’ Capital Campaign. This campaign was initiated to build and support a new facility for the Tyler Winners’ Circle to meet and provide outreach for those who avail themselves of the services provided.

“Councilman Donald Sanders is the epitome of a hero, but he does not boast his achievements; he is a man of noble qualities, a courageous and tireless fighter and a friend for those seeking a positive change in their lives,” said Eric Broughton, executive director of the Tyler Winners’ Circle. “ He has stood with us in our efforts to raise community awareness of the Tyler Winners’ Circle’s vision to support, encourage and guide toward a better life for formerly incarcerated individuals, graduates of the therapeutic community and all who desire to live a life free from drugs additions and crime. He strongly supports our efforts to help young people through education, prevention and intervention to make sound choices and decisions not to use drugs or become involved in criminal activities.”

(In photo – City Councilman Donald Sanders (left) and Tyler Winners’ Circle Assistant Executive Director Tony Meeks)

CRAFT — Due to conditions which have occurred recently in the water system, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required Craft-Turney Water Supply to notify all the customers involved in the repair area to boil their water prior to consumption. According to KETK, the area included in this boil water notice is from the Intersection of FM 347 South and CR 3105, all of the areas on FM 347 South and all county roads Going South off FM 347 up to County Road 1713.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source. When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, water system officials will notify you. If you have questions regarding this matter you may contact Rhonda Briggs, Office Manager at 903-586-9301.

TYLER — For the second night in a row severe weather moved through Smith County. Tornado warnings were issued for various locations around the county Sunday night. No injures and no major damage was reported. Some windows were reported damaged as the result of hail up to 1 ¾ inches. As the storms moved out of Smith County late Sunday night, dime size hail was reported around 10:30 in Troup.

TYLER — This is the final week for early voting in the November 2nd General Election. There are five locations scattered around Smith County where one can vote early. The main location is the Smith County Annex Building, 200 E Ferguson, Ste. 500. Other locations are the Noonday Community Center, the Whitehouse Municipal Court, the Lindale Masonic Lodge and the Heritage Building at 1900 Bellwood Road in Tyler. Hours are from 7:00am till 7:00pm each day through Friday.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at events and work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

LONGVIEW — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs in various locations on Spur 63 in Longview between H.G. Mosley and North Loop 281. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

QUITMAN — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on State Highway 154 east of State Highway 37 near Quitman High School, and continue base-repair operations on Farm Road 2966 north of Quitman. 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.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge and pavement repairs on Ranch Road 2588 between LaRue and the end of state maintenance. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge repairs on Farm Road 346 between Farm Road 2868 in Flint and U.S. Highway 69. A second crew is scheduled to perform edge repairs on Farm Road 724 west of Tyler between State Highway 64 and State Highway 110. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue several days of resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 13 between State Highway 42 and Loop 571. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to conclude base and pavement repair operations on Farm Road 751 in the northwest corner of the county between the Hunt County Line and Farm Road 47 in Wills Point, and resume the same work in various locations on FM 47. 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 continue resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 315 between U.S. Highway 175 in Poynor and Farm Road 837 in Brushy Creek, and on Farm Road 837 between State Highway 19 and US 175.

A second crew is scheduled to make pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 287 between the Trinity River Bridge and Cayuga, and on Farm Road 2054 between Farm Road 321 and the Coffield Prison Unit. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

TYLER — Tyler Rescue Ministries held a 13th anniversary banquet Saturday in its continuing effort to help the area’s homeless. The current focus is TRM’s “Catch the Vision – Save a Family” capital campaign. That involves purchasing an additional 40 acres to provide care for eight intact families at one time. Congressman Louie Gohmert was guest speaker. Among other things, Gohmert voiced his support for the project by saying, “For a Christian, it’s really just carrying through on the command we were given — love God, love each other. How do you love each other if you don’t do these kinds of things?” A love offering was taken at the close of the event.

Founder/CEO Maurice Barnes says TRM’s last several fundraisers have gone very well. That includes a concert last Thursday by Casey Rivers and Beyond the Ashes, which Barnes says raised nearly $1,000. Barnes says once the campaign’s work is done, “We will be the only Christian ministry shelter in nine counties that will allow the entire family to learn, to grow, and to serve together as a family.” Tyler Rescue Ministries currently consists of Kathryn’s House, a facility for single women and women with small children. You can go to http://www.tylerrescueministries.org for more information — and to learn how you can help.

TYLER — The SPCA of East Texas is off and running in its bid to take care of stray, neglected, and abused animals — a real problem in the area, according to agency President Deborah Tittle-Dobbs. On KTBB “Staff Meeting,” Tittle-Dobbs said dozens of volunteers have signed on, but the agency can always use more. She says responsibilities include “fundraising, education, and just explaining who we are and why we need to further our goals.”

The group’s focus right now is a capital campaign for what Tittle-Dobbs calls a modern, first-class, family-friendly animal services center. The facility would house stray and neglected animals for extended periods — something Tittle-Dobbs says is sorely lacking in Smith County. In her words, “Right now we need assistance with purchasing a site and designing and building a shelter that would service the needs of the community.” Tittle-Dobbs used the show to detail the agency’s concerns, goals, and ongoing work. Go to http://www.spcaeasttx.com to learn more, including how you can help. You can also go to http://www.ktbb.com/audio to listen to the “Staff Meeting” show online beginning early Monday.

BULLARD – According to Jacksonville fire authorities, an ambulance caught fire on its way from Jacksonville to Tyler Saturday afternoon around 4 o’clock. KETK reports it happened on Highway 69 near Bullard. We’re told there was a passenger on board at the time, but no one was injured. One person on scene says a problem with the engine apparently sparked the blaze. The ambulance is a total loss.

LONGVIEW – Five Gregg County jail workers and supervisors either were fired or resigned Friday. According to KETK and its news partner, the Longview News Journal, the moves come after a week-long investigation revealed misuse of Taser devices at the jail. The employees reportedly used the Tasers on each other in acts of horseplay, which officials term a direct violation of Sheriff’s office policies and procedures.

TYLER — Tyler police officers make an arrest in a vehicle burglary. Police responded to a burglary of vehicle in progress call Saturday at around 4:40 p.m. in the 800 block of East Front. A man identified as Willard Loggins had allegedly entered a vehicle without the owner’s consent in a parking lot in the 500 block of Mulberry St. Police say the suspect then left on foot. According to authorities, an alert citizen observed the incident and called TPD Dispatch. The citizen followed Loggins to the 800 block of E. Front St., where Loggins was apprehended by officers. A backpack that was taken from the vehicle was recovered with the assistance of the witness. The property was returned to the rightful owner.

ELKHART (AP/Staff) – The state agency that oversees foster care in Texas continually dismissed allegations of abuse at an Elkhart home that took in dozens of children before the same charges led to a successful criminal prosecution. Court records show how the Department of Family and Protective Services ruled out allegations of sex abuse against foster parent James Vick on three occasions before he pleaded guilty to 18 counts of indecency with a child and was sentenced to 20 years in prison last year. Foster care experts say the mounting allegations, even if unproven, should have been a red flag. The district attorney who prosecuted the case says it shows how agency investigations are flawed. An agency spokesman says mistakes were made, but they aren’t indicative of a larger problem.

ATHENS (AP/Staff) — A memorial service is planned Wednesday in Dallas for the slain son of former Governor Bill Clements. Henderson County Sheriff Ray Nutt says the body unearthed on Howard Granger’s property on County Road 4609 was positively identified Sunday as Ben Gill Clements. He had been reported missing on October 21. Authorities had been trying to determine whether the body found over the weekend was that of Clements. Nutt says a wallet belonging to Clements, who was 69, was recovered as authorities worked to identify the body. Clements, a neighbor of Granger’s, was first reported missing on Thursday. When authorities on Friday went to search Granger’s ranch, officials say he began shooting at them and Granger was killed. Officials later found Clements’s body in a shallow grave on Granger’s property.

TYLER — The Tyler Red Cross is helping observe October as National Fire Prevention Month. Red Cross staffers say the biggest disaster threat to families across our nation every day isn’t floods, hurricanes or tornadoes; it’s fire. On average, nationally, the American Red Cross responds to more than 63,000 fires each year. That’s about 170 responses a day or one every eight minutes. Locally the Smith County Chapter responds to approximately 150 of those fires each year.

Red Cross officials say home fires can strike quickly and without warning, devastating lives and property. But unlike other disasters, officials say, most home fires can be prevented. The Red Cross says it’s committed to giving people the information they need to reduce their risk of home fires, and to helping people recover after a fire happens. At any time of day or night, trained Red Cross volunteers respond to the scene of fires and provide food, shelter, and emotional support to those affected.

The Red Cross encourages people to remember two key fire safety steps to protect their home and loved ones from fires: Get a smoke alarm, and have a fire escape plan. Red Cross staffers say smoke alarms save lives. Statistics show 65 percent of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or with smoke alarms that don’t work. Staffers advise:

– Make sure you have a smoke alarm on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
– Test your smoke alarm once a month by pushing the test button, and replace the batteries at least once a year.

According to Red Cross officials, fires can spread throughout your home in minutes, so when every second counts, having a plan can help you escape. Officials say home fire escape plans should include at least two ways to escape from every room of your home. Also, you’re advised to select a meeting spot at a safe distance from your home where family members can go after escaping. After discussing your plan with all members of your household, officials say, you should practice the plan twice a year. You can visit http://www.redcross.org/homefires for more information on how to reduce your risk of home fires or to help your neighbors recover after a fire.

Red Cross staffers also say that while big, visible earthquakes and hurricanes often bring donations into the Red Cross, they often struggle to pay for smaller disasters like home fires. You can help people affected by disasters like fires as well as other local crises in our area by making a donation to support your local American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Staffers add that your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. You can visit http://www.smithcounty.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS to make a donation. You can also text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation from your mobile phone. Contributions may also be sent to the American Red Cross Smith County Chapter at P. O. Box 8588, Tyler, TX 75711.

TYLER — PATH’s annual Coats for Kids coat drive is coming up short and needs more community support, according to PATH staffers. The drive began October 1 and continues through the end of the month. PATH holds this special drive each fall to collect warm, winter coats for children ages infant-18 years. Right now, donations are down — and with the end of the month approaching, PATH officials project the need of 1,500 additional coat donations before the November distribution. The agency reported Thursday that only 80 coats had been donated. PATH community outreach coordinator Becky Duncan says, “In order to accommodate 1,000 children – which is how many we gave coats to last year, so we could easily have more this year – we are going to need about 1,500 coats.”

New coat donations can be taken to the PATH office, 402 W. Front St., Tyler. Gently-used winter coats may be taken to any participating dry cleaners displaying the “Coats for Kids” collection site poster including Dry Clean Super Center, Eagle Cleaners, Hart’s Cleaners, VIP Cleaners, Lucky’s Cleaners, Regency Cleaners, Shannon’s Cleaners, West Gentry Dry Cleaners and Lindale Cleaners. The coats will be distributed Saturday, November 20, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., and on Sunday, November 21 from 1-5 p.m., across the street from PATH at 411 W. Front St., Tyler. For more information or if you would like to volunteer to help with Coats for Kids, contact Becky Duncan at becky@tylerpath.org or call 903.597-4044, ext. 120.

AUSTIN — September unemployment in the two major East Texas markets follows a statewide improvement trend. Tyler’s rate dipped to 7.3 percent from 7.8 in August — and 8.1 percent in September of last year. In Longview, unemployment fell to 7.1 percent; it was at 7.6 in August and, like Tyler, 8.1 percent in September of 2009.