KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Texas Tea Partiers, including here in East Texas, are not happy with the National Republican Senatorial Committee — or its chairman, Sen. John Cornyn. According to KETK, Tea Partiers are gathering across Texas outside all of Cornyn’s offices; dozens protested outside his office in Tyler. Cornyn is accused of trying to help incumbent Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski get elected. Murkowski has conceded the election to Tea Party candidate Joe Miller. One area Tea Partier says, “This is about the fourth time our Sen. Cornyn has gotten involved in trying to assist a ‘rhino’ (‘Republican in Name Only’) Republican to get elected.” Cornyn and the NRSC say they’re weren’t trying to pick their own primary candidate — that it’s all a misunderstanding. They claim the only people who decided this election were the voters of Alaska — “as it should be.”

LONGVIEW — The search for the next City of Longview Fire Chief has been narrowed to three candidates. The finalists are James Craft of Plano; Frank Edwards of Pensacola, Florida; and J.P. Steelman of Longview. The finalists are scheduled to receive a tour of Longview on Wednesday, September 8. Interviews with City Manager David Willard will take place on Thursday, September 9. Also on Thursday afternoon, a reception will be held to allow the finalists to meet Longview Fire Department employees, directors of other City departments, and members of City Council.

The City of Longview utilized Strategic Government Resources, Inc. (SGR) to help with the initial search process. 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. No date has been set for when a final decision will be made.

LONGVIEW — Longview fire officials are concerned about a blaze that flared up around 11:24 a.m. on Thursday. That’s when the Longview Fire Department responded to 1830 Timpson St. Fortunately for the occupant, authorities say, the fire damage was limited to the area of the cause of ignition. The fire was contained before spreading to other areas or structural components within the residence. The cause of the fire was the use of two orange extension cords plugged into a power strip providing AC power to a window air conditioning unit.

Officials are specifically concerned that this is the same cause determined in the fire at 1707 Timpson St. on August 18, which resulted in a civilian injury and total loss of structure and contents. Firefighters note, “These types of fires are preventable by not using unapproved lightweight extension cords as a substitution to permanent wiring. The appropriate installation of the correct breaker, wiring and receptacle can prevent this type of fire.”

BULLARD – After a water main break earlier this week, a boil water notice has been lifted for the City of Bullard. KETK reports that according to David Hortman, Director of Public Works for the city, the water is now safe to drink without boiling.

TYLER – A two vehicle accident in Tyler shortly after 1:15 Thursday afternoon killed one person and one injured. The accident happened in the 7600 block of S. Broadway at the intersection of Heritage.

According to police spokesman Don Martin, a Tyler officer clocked a Dark Green, Nissan Sentra, traveling north bound on South Broadway at a high rate of speed. The officer pulled out and attempted to catch up with the speeding vehicle. The officer observed the Nissan passing other vehicles on the right shoulder near the intersection of South Broadway and Cumberland. The Nissan continued to travel northbound and the officer determined that he would not be able to catch it and halted the pursuit.

The Nissan continued North to the intersection of Heritage and South Broadway where it crashed into the rear of a white, Toyota Camry that was sitting in the outside traffic lane, waiting for the light to change at Heritage. The driver of the Toyota was dead in the over turned vehicle when emergency personnel arrived on the scene. The driver was a Robert Dane Bass, 55, from Plano.

The driver of the Nissan was identified as Jerdene Boyd, 50, of Tyler. Officers observed signs of alcohol in connection with the driver. She was taken to East Texas Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Boyd was arrested for possession of marijuana and an out-standing warrant out of Smith County. She also is facing charges in the accident after completion of the investigation. Boyd is currently free on bond.

LONGVIEW — Investigators located and arrested a wanted parolee early Friday morning who attempted to run over a Longview Police Officer on a traffic stop late yesterday. Billye Jack Baldwin, 43, was located at a hotel in Kilgore around 1:00 a.m. and taken into custody without incident. Baldwin was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center after he claimed he had a medical condition unrelated to the earlier traffic stop. Once Baldwin was released from the hospital, he was booked into the Gregg County Jail on charges of aggravated assault on a public servant, evading arrest with a vehicle and an outstanding warrant for parole violations.

During the traffic stop around 7:53 p.m. on Thursday evening, a Longview Officer fired several shots at Baldwin in defense of his life after Baldwin attempted to run over him in a Ford F150 pickup truck. Baldwin fled the scene and it was later discovered he abandoned the truck on Lake Lamond Road. The incident is still under investigation.

KILGORE – No injuries were reported in a fire at a Kilgore restaurant. The fire at the Jalepeno Tree on Highway 259 came in around 7:00 Thursday night. Fire officials tell KETK-TV they believe a PVC pipe on the outside caught on fire and traveled up to the attic. The fire was quickly extinguished and minor smoke damage was reported. Fire investigators are still determining what caused the pipe to catch on fire.

TEXARKANA (AP) — The Sierra Club has filed a federal lawsuit against the owner of an east Texas coal-fired power plant. The suit filed Thursday in Texarkana alleges the Martin Lake plant in Rusk County exposes the public to harmful air pollution in violation of the federal Clean Air Act. The club seeks to reduce air pollution from the plant where three electric generating units operate.

Neil Carman of the Sierra Club’s Lone Star Chapter says the Martin Lake coal plant is “among the dirtiest in the entire nation and one of the worst polluting coal plants in Texas every year.” The suit lists as defendants the plant’s owner, Luminant Generation Co., and Energy Future Holdings Corp. Both are based in Dallas.

Luminant spokeswoman Ashley Monts says the Sierra Club’s allegations are without merit and unsupported by the law

TYLER – A two vehicle accident in Tyler shortly after 1:15 Thursday afternoon killed one person and one injured. The accident happened in the 7600 block of S. Broadway at the intersection of Heritage.

According to police spokesman Don Martin, a Tyler officer clocked a Dark Green, Nissan Sentra, traveling north bound on S. Broadway at a high rate of speed. The officer pulled out and attempted to catch up with the speeding vehicle. The officer observed the Nissan passing other vehicles on the right shoulder near the intersection of South Broadway and Cumberland. The Nissan continued to travel northbound and the officer determined that he would not be able to catch it and halted the pursuit.

The Nissan continued North to the intersection of Heritage and South Broadway where it crashed into the rear of a white, Toyota Camry that was sitting in the outside traffic lane, waiting for the light to change at Heritage. The driver of the Toyota was dead in the over turned vehicle when emergency personnel arrived on the scene. The driver was a 55 year old white male from Plano. His name has not been released pending notification of relative.

The driver of the Nissan was identified as Jerlene Boyd, 50, of Tyler. Officers observed signs of alcohol in connection with the driver. She was taken to East Texas Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Boyd was arrested for possession of marijuana and an out-standing warrant out of Smith County.

TYLER — Mayor Barbara Bass announced Thursday that the City of Tyler has received a $25,000 grant from AT&T in support of downtown arts programming for youth. The announcement was made at a press conference and reception held to celebrate the first anniversary of Gallery Main Street and the 20th anniversary of Tyler’s designation as a Texas Main Street Program community. “The City of Tyler is overwhelmed by AT&T’s generosity, and we pledge to make excellent use of the funding they have provided,” said Mayor Bass. The grant will be used to purchase a stage and provide programming with a focus on introducing children to the arts.

“We are proud to support the Downtown Tyler Arts Coalition in its work toward stimulating children’s interest in the arts,” said Candice Gast, director of external affairs for AT&T. “We are happy to follow the lead of State Senator Kevin Eltife in supporting Mayor Bass and the City’s efforts to revitalize downtown Tyler.” Eltife said, “It was my honor to work with AT&T in securing this funding to continue the excellent downtown arts programming begun by the City of Tyler.”

In late August 2009, the City of Tyler opened the new Gallery Main Street and the Tyler Main Street Department / Heart of Tyler offices at 110 W. Erwin. The gallery is host to new juried art exhibits every six weeks in addition to special events such as ArtWalk and arts workshops. Bass said the arts programming will expand with the grant for arts instruction for children. “Now we can introduce children and families to dance, folklore storytelling, music and so many other genres thanks to AT&T’s generosity,” Bass said.

The mayor added, “This beautiful gallery is a perfect example of public-private partnerships and how they can benefit an entire community. From the construction phase that involved donated materials and time to the programming and events that are generated by volunteers, many people have worked together to create this resounding success story.”

Two decades ago, Tyler became one of the state’s first “urban” Main Street program communities. Main Street designation by the Texas Historical Commission is achieved through a competitive application process. A community’s historic preservation ethic, the presence of historical structures and a supportive business community are all part of the evaluation criteria.

Since Tyler became a Main Street community, more than $100 million has been invested in downtown. That figure includes property sales and property renovation costs. Recent downtown renovation projects have included Gallery Main Street, Balance Pilates and Dance, Subway, the Downtown Coffee Lounge, the Moore Grocery Lofts housing development, and development of numerous downtown loft-style residential units. Those who want more information should go to http://www.downtowntylerarts.com or call Gallery Main Street at (903) 593-6905.

CHANDLER — A pony is found in serious condition near an oil and gas lease in Chandler. Now the animal’s owner will appear before a judge. KETK reports the pony’s hooves are excessively long, and it’s so thin its bones are showing. The SPCA is pursuing cruelty and neglect charges. A hearing is set for next Wednesday. At that time, the alleged owner will be given an opportunity to explain why the animal has been neglected.

TYLER — The list of guilty pleas grows in a series of federal cases related to methamphetamine manufacturing. Two Rusk County men have now pleaded guilty in Tyler to possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. They’re Larry Don Howell, 29, of Kilgore, and Russell Eugene Shepherd, 28, of Overton.

According to prosecutors, on Apr. 17, 2009, Howell purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at a Wal-Mart in Kilgore, in addition to making several other purchases up until Nov. 3, 2009. On Mar. 10, 2009, Shepherd purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at a Wal-Mart in Henderson, in addition to making several other purchases up until Jan. 25, 2010. The purchases were all made in furtherance of their methamphetamine manufacturing activities.

A federal grand jury returned a 273-count indictment on May 6, 2010 charging Howell and Shepherd with federal drug violations. Howell pleaded guilty on Sept. 1, and Shepherd pleaded guilty on Sept. 2. They each face up to 20 years in federal prison at sentencing. Sentencing dates have not been set.

TYLER — A Tyler meat packer gives dozens of unexpected furloughs to its employees. According to KETK, while Loggins is not confirming it’s closing its doors, concerns are beginning about what’s next for workers — and for business in the area. One employee says there’s been “no explanation,” and “nobody knows anything.” A manager at a nearby restaurant says if the company shuts down, that could be bad for his business — though he hopes Loggins workers will “still come in to see us” even if the packing firm closes.

TYLER — A Tyler woman reportedly sends her boyfriend to the hospital Tuesday night after accusing him of infidelity. According to KETK, it happened at a house in the 2800 block of Premera Road just outside of Tyler. Smith County Deputies say she hit the man with her car and fled the scene. Authorities are still searching for the woman. When she’s caught, authorities say she could be charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University has recently been awarded three National Science Foundation grants totaling nearly $1.6 million for engineering projects. “In the last 10 years, LeTourneau faculty members have been awarded nearly $6.5 million in grant funding by organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health,” said LETU President Dale A. Lunsford. “Our faculty members are doing exceptional work here in Longview, Texas, where we have one of the premier engineering programs in the country. Our faculty are among the most highly qualified educators in all of Christian higher education.”

The first and largest of the three recent grants is $798,823 for upgrading LETU’s materials joining engineering lab for research and education, under the direction of Dr. Yoni Adonyi. The upgrades include a complete overhaul of the electrical wiring to the laboratory, increasing the capacity needed to operate complex equipment used in the lab for joining advanced engineering materials. Other upgrades will include improved lighting, roofing, plumbing, ventilation, air conditioning and interior insulation to bring the MJE lab up to date with the 21st century standards of a modern engineering research environment. Following a design phase, bids will be sought, probably sometime around Christmas. Completion of the project is expected to be done by Fall 2011.

The second NSF grant recently awarded was for about $500,000 over the next five years to support retention of first-year students majoring in engineering and engineering technology. The “First-Year Initiatives for Retention Enhancement” or FIRE grant develops a coordinated mentoring program for first-year students and a new, two-course freshman sequence that exposes students to real-world engineering practices. Industry mentors will provide a broad perspective of job opportunities in the engineering and engineering technology fields, as they work alongside faculty and peer mentors. This grant is under the direction of Alan Niemi and Robert Warke. The initial amount for the first three years is $321,965, with an additional $87,576 in year 2013 and $90,457 in year 2014.

“These fields of study are in high demand, not only nationally, but globally,” said Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Robert W. Hudson. “This grant will enable us to retain students in these high-demand fields of study which are areas of strength for LeTourneau University.”

The third NSF grant totals $300,000 over the next three years for research to further develop a computer model that may change how knee stability is currently assessed. It could also allow for potentially transformative changes in the current preventive, treatment and rehabilitation practices prescribed for injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This grant is under the direction of Dr. Roger V. Gonzalez. This grant is initiated in the first year with $119,084 and with an additional $71,412 for year 2011 and $109,504 for year 2012.