KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — The Texas Downtown Association announces the finalists for the 2010 Presidents Awards Program, and Tyler is named in two categories. Gallery Main Street is among three finalists in the Best Adaptive Reuse category. The Downtown Tyler Artwalk is being considered for Best Promotional Event. Elsewhere in East Texas, the City of Winnsboro is among the finalists for Best Marketing Program.

Finalists will make a presentation at the Texas Downtown Revitalization Conference in El Paso on Nov. 11. Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala to be held that evening. The Texas Downtown Association, currently celebrating its 25th anniversary, is a statewide nonprofit organization comprising more than 400 members involved in downtown revitalization projects. Visit http://www.texasdowntown.org for more information.

LAKE TYLER — A man who claimed he was stabbed at Lake Tyler by an unknown suspect says he lied. According to KETK, Ronnie Melton, 23, Van, says a girlfriend of his friend reportedly stabbed him in a dispute over car keys. Melton says he was trying to keep the girl out of trouble. He had said the incident reportedly took place at Hillcreek Park Sunday morning. Investigators say the incident actually happened at an undetermined address in Smith County over a dispute over some car keys. After the stabbing, he and his friends made up the story about him being stabbed by an unknown black male. Individuals involved in the incident will likely face criminal charges including aggravated assault, false report to a peace officer and fail to report a felony.

LONGVIEW — It’s now illegal to sell or possess K-2 in another East Texas community. The ban on the synthetic marijuana started Monday in Longview. According to KETK, the city passed an ordinance banning K-2 during last week’s city council meeting after citizens voiced concerns about the substance. Officials say they passed the ordinance for the safety of the residents. Authorities say they spent the weekend notifying gas stations and smoke shops that sell K-2. Police say if you’re caught selling or possessing K-2, you could be fined up to $2,000.

ARP — More developments on the case of a man who allegedly killed his father. KETK has learned the man reportedly stabbed to death by his autistic son was in jail at least twice before. David Wayne Wilson was at his home near Arp when witnesses say his son, David Adam Wilson, charged at him with a knife, stabbing him several times in the chest. The Wilson family tells police the 21-year-old had behavioral problems in recent weeks. They say he started a fight with his dad Monday night, after threatening several family members that day.

When deputies got to the house off FM 2089 near Arp, David Adam Wilson was hiding in a storage area. His father was already dead. The younger Wilson was taken into custody without incident. Investigators aren’t sure if David Adam Wilson was on his medication when it happened. He’s being held on a $500,000 bond. Authorities expect an autopsy report Wednesday.

TYLER — Thanks to the military, Tyler’s economy will be getting a boost. The reserve center on State Highway 110 is expanding. KETK-TV reports the over $24 million expansion is about 40% complete. The new installation is estimated to bring more than $150,000 to the local economy and about 300 armed forces every week starting in Next June. Officials say the reservists who will be flocking to Tyler to drill and take classes, will boost businesses such as hotels restaurants and dry cleaners. Tyler was selected for the facility because of its location, midway between Dallas and Shreveport. The project is said to be coming in ahead of schedule and under budget.

TYLER — Smith County commissioners offer you another chance to voice your views on the county’s proposed financial package for the coming fiscal year. At 5:30 p.m., there’s a public hearing on the proposed budget. Earlier today, commissioners held a public hearing on the tax rate. KETK reports there’s an increase in that figure currently on the table. Like the morning session, the afternoon gathering will be in the Commissioners’ Courtroom in the Courthouse Annex.

TYLER — The new school year is just around the corner and that may mean a change in your drive time routine. The City of Tyler notes that the Tyler Independent School District has adopted a new bell schedule for middle and high schools. Middle schools now will start at 8:25 a.m. and release at 3:40 p.m.; high schools begin at 8:40 a.m. and end at 4:10 p.m. All elementary schools will still begin at 8 a.m. and release at 3 p.m. You’re asked to please keep this information in mind when planning local trips.

School flashers will be in operation in marked school speed zones beginning Monday, August 23, 2010, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., with the following exceptions:
* West Loop 323 near John Tyler High School – This school speed zone will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
* South Donnybrook near Robert E. Lee High School – This school speed zone will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
* Copeland Road at Hubbard Drive – This school speed zone will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Additionally, a new school speed zone with a speed limit of 35 mph has been added on West Front Street just east of West Loop 323 for the new Jones Boshears Elementary School.

School crossing guards will be on duty in designated locations during the hours of the school flasher operations. Crossing guards will raise a hand-held stop paddle and enter the crosswalk in preparation for allowing pedestrians to cross safely. Motorists are required to stop at pedestrian crossing locations while the school crossing guard is in the street; all vehicles should wait until the crossing guard returns to the curb before continuing through the crossing. Citizens are asked to review their commute route to avoid unnecessary delays.

“The first three weeks of a new school year are always very hectic as everyone adjusts to their new routines, especially when we have new schools opening,” commented City of Tyler Traffic Engineer Peter Eng. “Give yourself extra time to get where you need to go and be patient with other drivers. Safety is more important that anything else. Each school has developed a traffic flow plan available to all parents to provide for the safe loading and unloading of students and also to get cars in and out of the school property as efficiently possible.” Drivers are also asked to please remember that the use of hand-held communication devices like cell phones is prohibited in school speed zones.

You can go to http://www.tylerisd.org for more information about Tyler ISD schools and school schedules. A list of designated school speed zones is located at http://www.cityoftyler.org in the City of Tyler’s code of ordinances.

TYLER — In an effort to assist citizens who have been unable to pay past due court fines because of economic conditions, the Tyler Municipal Court is launching a Second Chance Program. The program enables persons who have had warrants issued for non-payment of fines to reestablish a payment plan and bring their accounts current.

“We have seen an increase in the number of people who have warrants issued for their arrest due to the economy,” said Court Administrator Cam McCabe. “This program provides a second chance for violators to become current and take care of their fines.”

A $300 down payment is required to reestablish the payment plan. Warrants will be removed once the $300 is received and a payment plan is signed. To take advantage of this Second Chance Program, defendants must visit the cashier’s window at the Municipal Court to make the down payment and sign the payment agreement no later than Sept. 9.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say they’re investigating the suspicious death of Lloyd Johnson Sr., 67. Around 12:32 p.m. Monday, Longview Officers responded to a check welfare call at 1404 Booker Street. According to a news release, officers arrived to find Johnson dead inside the location, apparently due to foul play. Detectives, crime scene personnel and Gregg County Justice of the Peace Sam Lawson responded to the scene. His body has been sent to the Southeast Texas Forensics Center in Tyler for autopsy.

HALLSVILLE — Two persons have been killed and two injured in a Harrison County accident. It was reported around 8:30 Sunday morning on Interstate Highway 20, near the 607 mile marker, between Longview and Hallsville. Initial reports are two teenagers from Azle, near Fort Worth, were killed. Their names had not been released pending notification of their next of kin. The accident remains under investigation.

GILMER — One person has been killed and two injured in an Upshur County accident. The accident happened around 9:00 Saturday night on State Highway 300. Marcey Robertson, 40, of Mount Pleasant, died after being airlifted to Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. Injured was Oliver Palmer, 74, of Houston and his wife, Delores Palmer, 64. She is listed in serious condition at Longview’s Good Shepherd Medical Center. Her Husband was treated and released. The Department of Public Safety report said Robertson’s car, which was north bound, drifted into the south bound lane of traffic and collided with the Palmer vehicle.

LONGVIEW — Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a Longview fire that extensively damaged a home. KETK-TV reports the Sunday morning fire occurred near the intersection of Idylwood and Clover. No injuries were reported.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at events and work planned in the Tyler District:

TYLER — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform ditch and pavement repairs on Farm Road 756 (Paluxy Drive) between Jeff Davis and Cumberland Road. Once the work is complete, the crew will begin shoulder repairs in various locations on Farm Road 346 and Farm Road 344.

Also in Smith County, crews are scheduled to perform edge and base repairs on Farm Road 2015 between Farm Road 14 and Farm Road 16 northwest of Winona. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews on Monday are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on eastbound Interstate Highway 20 in various locations between the Joy-Wright Mountain Road and Farm Road 3053 (Liberty City) exits. Daytime lane closures will be in effect 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 continue resurfacing operations on State Highway 64 between State Highway 42 in Turnertown and Loop 571 in Henderson. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform seal coat operations on Farm Road 1255 between Interstate Highway 20 and Farm Road 773. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and a pilot vehicle will control traffic. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.

MINEOLA — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on SE Loop 564 between U.S. Highway 69 south of Mineola and U.S. Highway 80. A second crew will also be at work performing ditch maintenance on Farm Road 1804 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.

TYLER — The NAACP remains as relevant today as ever, according to Marlin, Texas, City Manager William McDonald. The Tyler native keynoted his hometown’s NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet over the weekend. One key area, says McDonald: economic empowerment. McDonald said there’s a “new Jim Crow” at work in America, in which too many young African-Americans are told they can’t succeed. McDonald commented that in order for young people to compete in a truly global marketplace, “we have an important role to lay…during these difficult economic times to try to help individuals gain a quality education.” He added, “If we have an opportunity to work together and become entrepreneurs, there’s certainly a benefit to the entire community.” McDonald also says it’s important to look to the future while remembering civil rights gains of the past.

TYLER — Some new programs are getting underway at Tyler’s Parent Services Center as it seeks to increase its educational efforts by forty per cent this year. On KTBB “Staff Meeting,” Executive Director Shelley Judd pointed to “Parent University,” a new partnership with TJC on the college’s West Campus consisting of five two-hour classes. According to Judd, it begins with early child development, continuing through the teenage years and family communication. Judd says another new effort provides affordable counseling. She remarks that there’s a real need for that, observing, “Sometimes it’s hard to solve a problem that your family is facing until you can get your own attitude sort of in the right direction.”

The Parent Services Center seeks to improve the quality of life for families through various programs. You can go to http://www.parentservicescenter.com for more information. And you can log on to http://www.ktbb.com/audio to hear the “Staff Meeting” show online.