KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Patriot Classic volunteers have presented The University of Texas at Tyler with a check for $96,744.45. The presentation came at the home of Tyler City Councilman Mark Whatley and Dr. Sherri Whatley, UT Tyler vice president of technology and chief information officer. The Patriot Classic fundraiser benefits the UT Tyler scholarship program. Each Classic event is staffed by community volunteers and supported by numerous organizations.

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

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 850 east of Tyler between Farm Road 2607 and Farm Road 3053 in Overton. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform seal-coat operations on State Highway 149 between State Highway 322 in Lakeport and Farm Road 2906 (Easton Road). 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.

Also this week in Longview, the newly-installed traffic signals on State Highway 300 at George Richie Road and Cheryl Street are scheduled to be activated as early as Wednesday. Motorists are encouraged to use caution in and around newly signalized
intersections.

RUSK COUNTY — Beginning as early as Tuesday, Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform seal-coat operations on State Highway 64 between the Henderson Star and State Highway 42. 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.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on Farm Road 3062 between Malakoff and the end of state maintenance near Star Harbor. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on U.S. Highway 175 between Jacksonville and Farm Road 855 in Cuney. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge and ditch maintenance on Farm Road 1804 (Hoard Road) just south of U.S. Highway 80. 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 perform resurfacing operations on Farm Road 1255 northeast of Canton between Interstate Highway 20 and Farm Road 773, followed by base and pavement repairs in various locations on FM 773 between Farm Road 16 and State Highway 64, and on Farm Road 1653 between SH 64 east of Canton and Martins Mill. Crews will also be performing base and edge repairs on Farm Road 857 south of Silver Lake between Farm Road 1255 and Farm Road 1253 in Smith County. 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 U.S. Highway 287 between Farm Road 645 and Bethel. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department, in conjunction with the Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association, will be hosting the 19th annual Citizen Police Academy beginning Thursday, September 9th, and concluding on Thursday, October 21st. Classes will meet on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:30 p.m. until approximately 8:30 p.m. each night at the Longview Police Department’s Roy Stone Training Center.

The purpose of the academy is to familiarize citizens with the operations of the police department. Classes will cover topics such as patrol procedures, criminal law, narcotics, search and seizure, tactical operations, criminal investigation, juvenile law, sex offender registration, identity theft, and a SWAT firearms demonstration. Students also have the option to ride with a patrol officer and witness the street activity that officers encounter on a day-to-day basis. Classes are open to the public, and there is no cost — and no exams to take!

Applications can be obtained at the Longview Police Department Records Division, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., or you can call the Longview Police Department Administration Office at 903-237-1111. You may also go to http:// http://www.longviewpolice.com to obtain an application. Click on the “Programs” bar at the top of the page and then select the “Citizen Police Academy” link to download an application. The deadline to apply for the academy is September 7th, and class size is limited, so you’re urged to apply soon.

TYLER – Baffled by recycling? Is composting a dirty word? Do you want to learn to live “green” but don’t know where to start? The answers to these questions and much more will be available at the second annual “Living Green: A Sustainability Symposium” to be held Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Harvey Convention Center. Cost for the day-long symposium is $5 for adults; admission is free for children under 12 and anyone with a student ID.

The program is presented by the City of Tyler, Keep Tyler Beautiful and the Texas Conservation Alliance and will include:
· Presentations on recycling, conservation and sustainability issues;
· “Green” vendor displays and exhibits; and,
· Demonstrations on how you can learn to sustain our planet.

“This symposium is the perfect opportunity to learn more about ways that each and every one of us can make a contribution toward making our planet healthier,” said Cheryl Roy, Keep Tyler Beautiful board member and Symposium co-chair. “The symposium will cover a variety of subjects from recycling to green building to energy conservation.”

Presentations and speakers include:
· Where Does My Trash Go by Kristi Boyett, City of Tyler
· What is Sustainability? by Jim Bundscho, Ben Wheeler Development
· Recycling Concrete by Hal Williams, Williams Construction
· Does Your Home Make You Sick? by John Vaselli, UT Tyler TxAire Project
· You CAN Afford to Build Green! by Anwar Khalifa, Pyramid Homes
· Getting Kids Outdoors by Alan Byboth, Camp Tyler Foundation
· Trash to Treasure by Jim Wooldridge, Habitat ReStore
· Lower Your Energy Bill Without Spending a Penny! By Joe Stowe, Stonebridge Heating & Air Conditioning
· Earth Kind by Mark Chamblee, Chamblee Roses
· Clean Living with Natural Gas by Claude Figueroa, CenterPoint Energy
· Practical Ideas for Living Green – A Homeowner’s Experience by Rick Labicki

“The unique thing about this symposium is that you will find ideas, products and companies from right here in East Texas,” said Ms. Roy. “We want to provide a one-stop shop for people to find out how to live green.” Symposium sponsors include: Republic Services, Pyramid Homes, Natural Awakenings Magazine, Stonebridge Heating & Air Conditioning, Brookshire’s and CenterPoint Energy. Vendor booths for green businesses and organizations are available by calling (903) 714-2172. Log onto http://www.LivingGreenInTyler.com for more information.

TYLER — As the award-winning Tyler ISD Foundation moves into its 20th anniversary year, there’s a lot to look back on — but it’s really all about preparing kids for the future. On KTBB “Staff Meeting,” Executive Director Larry Goddard points to the foundation’s grants to teachers for innovative projects — and the impact those can have on students. “The students don’t know what careers are out there,” says Goddard. “We have health occupation grants that we’ve given, and it just opened a wide world of activity for those students.” And Goddard says that’s just one example. He adds that the classroom project grants can have a critical impact on kids’ lives — starting in kindergarten. Goddard says the teachers are thinking, “What will these students need to know in the year 2023 (when they’re on track to graduate from high school)?”

The foundation funds projects not typically covered by tax dollars. The fall fundraising campaign begins in October. You can go to http://www.tylerisd.org/tisdfoundation to learn more. You can also go to http://www.ktbb.com/audio to listen to the “Staff Meeting” show online beginning early Monday morning.

TYLER — The Texas Department of Transportation has announced that it plans to break ground on two Tyler District construction projects during the month of August, and that it completed two projects in the district during July. That keeps the number of total projects under construction at 28 across the eight-county district. “We’re seeing a lot of construction activity right now,” said TxDOT public information officer Larry Krantz. “And if the weather keeps cooperating with us throughout the next month to six weeks, we should be able to close the books on several projects during that time.”

In the meantime, TxDOT has plans to begin two projects in the coming week. In Kilgore, TxDOT contractor Knife River Corp., South, is scheduled to begin approximately two months of pavement repairs and resurfacing on SH 31 between SH 42 and Business US 259. The $981,000 project let to contract in May. In Cherokee County, TxDOT contractor Reynolds & Kay is scheduled to begin adding shoulders to FM 855 between US 175 and CCR 3415, and to FM 747 approximately 5 miles south of US 79, west of Jacksonville. The $540,000 project let to contract in June. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

The list of projects completed in July included a $2.3 million repair-and-resurface project on Interstate 20 in western Van Zandt County by Austin Bridge & Road, and a $240,000 project by Simon Traylor and Sons on SH 149 in Gregg County to add a left-turn lane at FM 349. “We’ve done a lot of work on Interstate 20 in the past few years,” Krantz said. “And we’re going to continue to work on it.” In fact, Krantz said TxDOT plans to let four projects to contract worth an estimated $4.3 combined during the second week of August, including a estimated $946,000 project to repair and resurface the westbound lanes of Interstate 20 between SH 110 and the Van Zandt County Line.

The other three projects include an estimated $2.5 million project to add shoulders to and resurface FM 344 in Smith County between US 69 in Bullard and FM 346 in Teaselville; an estimated $800,000 project to add turn lanes on SH 110 on either side of FM 1805 in Van to allow safer access to the Van Sports Complex; and an estimated $75,000 project in to beautify and landscape the traffic islands in the Henderson Star intersection.

TYLER — Patriot Classic volunteers have presented The University of Texas at Tyler with a check for $96,744.45. The presentation came at the home of Tyler City Councilman Mark Whatley and Dr. Sherri Whatley, UT Tyler vice president of technology and chief information officer. The Patriot Classic fundraiser benefits the UT Tyler scholarship program. Each Classic event is staffed by community volunteers and supported by numerous organizations.

LONGVIEW — Officials with the Longview Economic Development Corporation say LEDCO has been busy the last several months. According to press materials, they have 39 prospect projects open and are getting inquiries every week. 25 Longview companies are now using the WorkKeys program. LEDCO is helping the Workforce Solutions Center get new equipment so more job seekers can take the WorkKeys Assessment at the same time. You can log on to http://longviewusa.com/workkeys for more information. Also, the North Business Park is open and ready for business — and LEDCO’s Buy Local program has expanded to include “I Shop Longview” to encourage people to spend locally. Officials say bringing just 5% of out-of-area spending back to Longview can have an impact of $225 million on the local economy.

The LEDCO board of directors voted Wednesday to make Susan Mazarakes, CEcD, the executive director. Mazarakes began work at LEDCO in 2002 and has worked in several areas including workforce development, business retention, business attraction and retail development. She has been serving as interim executive director since December. Go to http://longviewusa.com/ to learn more.

LONGVIEW — Visitors from far and wide spent much of the weekend enjoying the Great Texas Balloon Race at Gregg County’s East Texas Regional Airport. Balloon flights began on Friday morning with a flight over the City of Longview. The various other activities included the popular balloon glows, which entertained crowds Friday and Saturday night. Organizers call the balloon race a world class event attracting the very best competitive pilots from across the United States and the world.

ATHENS – A Henderson County woman’s disappearance is turning into a possible murder investigation according to KETK. Friday, Henderson County authorities arrested 46 year-old Avery Lee Denton in connection with 50-year-old Sandra Gail Anderson’s disappearance. He’s charged with tampering with evidence. Officials say they found what they believe to be Ms. Anderson’s burned remains at Denton’s house. The possible remains are being sent for testing.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say five local retailers have been cited for selling alcohol to minors. On July 24, the Longview Police Department, partnering with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) and Longview Partners in Prevention, conducted off-premise minor stings at area retailers to validate compliance with Texas law prohibiting the sale of alcohol to minors. 33 different alcohol retailers were checked by the undercover team, and five of them allegedly sold alcohol to the undercover minors. The locations cited were:

1. 3607 S. Eastman Road – DC Shamrock
2. 1929 Hwy 80 East – Tiger Mart of Longview
3. 701 S. Eastman Road – Kwick Food Mart
4. 1001 Young Street – Cowboy’s # 13
5. 701 W. Marshall Avenue – Kroger # 959

At these locations, the individuals who allegedly sold alcohol to the undercover minor were listed in offense reports for “making alcohol available to a minor.” This offense is a class A misdemeanor, and the reports will be filed with the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution. In addition, the TABC issued administrative citations to each business.

CANTON — Van Zandt County authorities make two arrests in a recent burglary — in which the stolen items landed in a pawn shop. On the 13th of July, burglary was reported at a residence on VZCR #3104 in Edgewood. The same day, according to authorities, several items belonging to the victim were pawned at a local pawn shop by suspects Thomas Brown and Shelly Izzo. Authorities say the complainant purchased the property back from the pawn shop rather than have a property hearing. Felony warrants were obtained on Brown and Izzo by the Sheriff’s Office.

On the 30th of July, Sheriff’s Office Investigators and Deputies arrested both suspects at the Adult Probation Office in Canton after being contacted by one of the probation officers. Both suspects were interviewed, and the investigation continues. Officials say the cases will be referred to the District Attorney’s Office for filing.

LINDALE — More recognition for the Lindale Independent School District. On Friday, the Texas Education Agency released its 2010 accountability ratings. Lindale ISD was rated Exemplary, the highest accountability rating. Lindale Junior High School, E.J. Moss Intermediate School, Velma Penny Elementary School, and Lindale Primary school were also rated Exemplary. Lindale High School received a rating of Recognized.

Districts and schools are rated based on student performance on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). For the first time, the accountability rating also included student performance results in reading and math for TAKS Accommodated, a standardized test for special education students. A school district’s dropout and completion rates are also factors in the accountability rating. Rates for the 2008-2009 school year are examined and LISD had no dropouts during that school year.

“I am so excited that our district achieved an Exemplary rating,” LISD Superintendent Stan Surratt said. “Our community is buzzing about this great achievement from our students and teachers. The teachers, principals and staff should be commended for their dedication to our students and the leadership they have shown in the classroom. Their hard work and efforts have certainly paid off. I am so proud of the entire district. LISD is certainly an Exemplary district in every way.”

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 Highway 69 South and FM 22 (Craft), going south on Highway 69 – all county roads off 69 South up to Seven Mile Hill, including the last half mile of CR 1514.

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 past several weeks, Tyler PD and several surrounding Police agencies have been working a vehicle theft/fraud ring involving several black and white suspects. The suspects are buying vehicles from individuals with fictitious cashier’s checks. The checks are drawn on different banks, and police say they appear to be legitimate cashier’s checks. The suspects are using multiple names, and after buying the vehicles and receiving the titles, they take the vehicles to other towns/cities in Texas. They then sell the vehicles for cash by assuming the identity of the person they bought the vehicle from. Police say these suspects are creating fictitious paper Texas drivers licenses in whatever names they need.

Tyler Police Investigators warn citizens if they are selling a vehicle and the buyer wants to pay with a cashier’s check, be aware of this scam and verify funds with your bank before releasing the title. Any further questions can be directed to Detective Gary King with the East Texas Auto Theft Task Force at 903-593-6090.

TYLER — Three suspects are now in custody following an attempted robbery and shooting and authorities are searching for a fourth. The incident took place July 19 at a residence at 3312 Garden Valley. Kentrell Jennings, 19, Cortnie Hubbard, 23 and Brandon Caddell, 27 all of Tyler, have been booked into the Smith County Jail and charged with aggravated robbery. Hubbard has also been charged with possession of cocaine and criminal trespass. Tyler Police say information from a Crime-Stoppers tip led to the identity of the suspects. The fourth suspect, who has not been located, was identified as Mandisa Jones, 18, Tyler. Jones is also wanted for Aggravated Robbery. If you have any information on her whereabouts please contact Tyler Police or Crime-Stoppers.

Authorities say on the night of June 19th, the resident answered her front door when one of the suspects showed a gun and attempt to come into the house. A male resident had retrieved his own hand gun and immediately kicked the door into one of the suspects. Shots were exchanged between the suspects and the male resident resulting in a minor gunshot wound to the female resident.

TYLER (AP) — An 83-year-old east Texas woman is recovering after being attacked by a pit bull mix authorities say may have been used in illegal dog fighting. Glynda Hulsey and her two dogs were attacked as she walked to her mailbox in Smith County last week. She made it back to her house, with the dog following, and her husband shot the dog. She said she had more than 50 stitches and is still using a wheelchair. Her dogs have recovered.

Smith County Sheriff’s Lt. Gary Middleton says they’re investigating. He says dog fighting occurs in the county, but the locations move around. He says, “We have to find the location while the fights are going on to catch them.” He says animal control officers are catching pit bull mixes each day.

LUFKIN — Authorities in Lufkin are searching for a man involved in a robbery. Police say it happened at the Rent First Store off of South Timberland Dr. According to KETK, officers say a man with a gun stole some cash from the register, merchandise and a car.

LUFKIN — Lufkin Police say crimestoppers tips helped identify a man and woman caught on tape at an optometrist’s office stealing glasses. According to KETK, security footage from the July 18th theft showed the couple browsing the eyeglasses and walking out with them. Police say they targeted the more expensive brands doing little to conceal their actions from the staff or customers. Authorities say the couple stole at least 11 pairs of frames with no lenses.

TYLER — The lawyer for Byron Truvia, 17, files a brief with the Texas Supreme Court. The brief states a trial court made a mistake in refusing to allow the teen to have a complete health study. Under Texas law, a juvenile is required to have a complete mental evaluation. According to KETK, the Smith County District Attorney’s office says, if Truvia didn’t get the required evaluation, his conviction could be overturned in adult court. Truvia is accused of fatally stabbing John Tyler teacher, Todd Henry, back in September.

TYLER — Tyler Junior College Board of Trustees passed proposals Thursday to vote on raising taxes. President Mike Metke says last year, it was becoming difficult to run the college because of maintenance problems. He says they had to do something. The board then passed maintenance tax notes. Those are to be paid off starting in 2011. With the $26 million tax notes, they rebuilt and repaired infrastructure around the campus. In August, the board will vote on raising taxes to pay this off, along with taxes to help with their sagging budget.

Recenlty, the campus cut $1.5 million in their budget. But Metke says, the maintenance tax and budget tax money has to be kept separate. He says, “‘By law, that money (maintenance tax money) is only to make those emergency repairs needed. If we didn’t use it for that purpose, we’d have to return it–and we’ve actually spent almost all of it already.” The Chief Financial Officer says if the maintenance tax passes, it would be an average of a $3.46 increase per household a month. If the budget tax passes, it’ll be an extra $1.46 a month.

According to KETK, two public hearings will be held August 12th and 19th.

TYLER (Staff/AP) — Smith County officials say Whitehouse police have charged Kimberly Cargill with capital murder. According to KETK, Cargill is charged with the murder of 29-year-old Cherry Dianne Walker, a mentally challenged woman. Walker’s body was found in June off County Road 2191. Officials say Walker was murdered one day after she was issued a subpoena to testify in a custody hearing regarding Cargill’s 4-year-old son. Cargill’s bond is set at $1 million. The 43-year-old is also charged with injury to a child. That charge comes with a $500,000 bond. Cargill’s attorney declined to comment to The Associated Press.

TYLER— Two Tyler homes have been damaged by fire. The first one was reported Thursday morning at 1203 West Second Street. A woman in the house awoke and smelled smoke. She and another woman were able to escape unharmed. However, a pet dog died in the fire. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Just before noon Thursday, a fire was reported at 1213 West 32nd Street. The house suffered smoke damage. No injuries were reported and its cause is also under investigation.

LONGVIEW — A small fire at Longview’s Good Shepherd Medical Center was quickly extinguished yesterday. The fire was reported shortly after 1:30 Thursday morning in a laundry room. Fire department public information officer Johnny Zackary said fire crews connected to the built in fire protection system and supported the sprinkler system. The fire was out within about 4 minutes after arrival. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Damage is estimated at $5,000.

TERRELL (AP) — A rural east Texas man has been reunited with his long-lost gun more than two decades after it was stolen.

Kauffman County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Pat Laney says Bruce Garner received his H&R nine-shot revolver at an upbeat property hearing Thursday morning. According to the Sheriff’s Office, burglars took the gun from Garner’s home in Terrell soon after he moved there in June 1989. Terrell is about 30 miles east of Dallas.

The thieves were never caught. But deputies found the firearm at a pawn shop and traced it to Garner. Garner says he’s astounded that he was able to get his favorite dispatch gun back. The 59-year-old leathersmith says he once used it to hunt and trap to make money.

Former John Tyler Lion Teddy Williams hadn’t played football in five years, but the Dallas Cowboys signed him Thursday and he was on the practice field in uniform by the afternoon workout at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Click here to listen to his interview with KTBB’s Bill Coates and Jamie Lent.

The Cowboys will give the 22-year-old former Texas-San Antonio track star a shot to play defensive back and become a return specialist.

He got plenty of instruction Thursday from Cowboys secondary coach Dave Campo and had the chance to go one-on-one against some of the best Cowboys receivers including Lufkin native Dez Bryant and Pro-Bowler Miles Austin.

The 6-foot-3, 198-pound Williams was a four-time All-America sprinter. He ran a wind-aided 9.90-second 100 meters in 2009 and has reportedly been clocked at 4.31 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

Williams, who worked out for the Cowboys earlier this week, last played football as a wide receiver at John Tyler High School in Tyler, Texas. Williams’ high school football career ended when he broke his ankle in the fourth game of his senior season.

Williams joins fellow East Texans Manny Johnson (Gilmer), Stephen Hodge (Tatum) Dez Bryant (Lufkin) and Montrae Holland (Jefferson) currently on the Cowboys training camp roster.

The Cowboys cut punter/kicker Delbert Alvarado, an undrafted rookie, to make room for Williams.

PALESTINE — The suspect allegedly involved in a shooting that occurred near Frankston on Sunday has surrendered. According to Anderson County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Jay Russell, investigators made arrangements with Chris Horton, 45, to meet at a location between Frankston and Neches. “I arrived at the location, and he surrendered himself to me at that time,” Russell said. The shooting occurred Sunday at a residence on Anderson County Road 312.

According to Russell, Horton had allegedly gone to the location to attempt to collect money from an ex-girlfriend, whom he had partnered with on a cattle sale. He went there to collect the money, which turned into an argument, according to Russell. “He actually walked away from the residence and the victim, Derek Blake Cole, age 49, followed him out to the drive way area of the residence where the altercation took place,” Russell said. Cole sustained a single gunshot wound to the hip. Russell reported that Cole is in stable condition but anticipates that he will have to have other surgeries in the future. He remains hospitalized in Tyler. Horton’s bond was set at $75,000.

TYLER — The City of Tyler hosted a ceremony Thursday at Gallery Main Street to unveil two new Half Mile of History stones in Downtown Tyler. The stones are part of the Half-Mile of History heritage trail and honor Governors James S. Hogg and Oran M. Roberts. The information below is from the Handbook of Texas website.

James Stephen Hogg, the first native governor of Texas, spent a significant part of his career in Tyler. Hogg did much as governor to strengthen public respect for law enforcement, defended the Texas claim to Greer County, and championed five major pieces of legislation. The “Hogg Laws” included (1) the law establishing the Railroad Commission; (2) the railroad stock and bond law cutting down on watered stock; (3) the law forcing land corporations to sell off their holdings in 15 years; (4) the Alien Land Law, which checked further grants to foreign corporations in an effort to get the land into the hands of citizen settlers; and (5) the act restricting the amount of indebtedness by bond issues that county and municipal groups could legally undertake.

Oran M. Roberts, was born in Laurens District, South Carolina, on July 9, 1815. In 1878 he was elected governor of Texas on a platform of post-Reconstruction fiscal reform. His two gubernatorial terms were marked by a reduction in state expenditures. During his life, Roberts practiced law in Tyler and brought note to Tyler and the county by serving as governor. He was also part of the powerful “Tyler Gang” composed of Roberts, along with Tyler’s two other governors and other influential individuals. Roberts also served as president of the Texas Secession Convention and Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court, and became a noted historian. Though much of his work occurred in Austin, his impact was felt in Tyler and Smith County. A local school, Oran Roberts Junior High (now closed) was named after him. You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org for more information on Hogg and Roberts.

The stated goal of the Half Mile of History is “to pay tribute to people, places and events that have contributed to the rich history of Tyler and Smith County.” The Half Mile of History is a permanent, outdoor, half-mile loop that surrounds the square in the heart of downtown Tyler. Stone plaques are placed in the sidewalk along the Half Mile of History to commemorate significant people, places or events.

LONGVIEW — The historic Longview Junction Train Depot will undergo a major restoration effort thanks to federal funds totaling $2,169,461. In addition to the federal funds, the City of Longview is required to provide $450,000 as a local match. The City of Longview acquired the building from Union Pacific in 2009 and has a 20 year lease on the land.

The project includes the restoration and rehabilitation of the depot. The restored depot will be a part of the Longview Transportation Center. Officials say the center will serve as a central multimodal area for Longview that would include access to Amtrak, Longview Transit, Greyhound, and more. A master plan has been prepared that recommends returning the circa 1940 structure to its original condition with attention given to historical accuracy. The depot building is approximately 9,300 square feet, but only a small portion of the building is currently occupied. The depot currently serves Amtrak passenger services and is a communication site for Union Pacific Railroad. According to officials this project would allow for the full utilization of the building with services that enhance transportation convenience and efficiency while securing its place in history.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University has signed an agreement to partner with Network of International Christian Schools (NICS) and NorthStar Academy to offer online dual enrollment courses to high school students attending the online school. LeTourneau University has been offering online courses since 2001 and online full degree programs since 2005. School officials say online enrollments have more than doubled in the past two years. According to officials, by focusing on Christ-centered learning in quality programs with outstanding faculty and flexible delivery methods, LETU has developed an outstanding record in distance learning.

According to press materials, NorthStar Academy is an accredited, Christ-centered, online school serving students in grades 6-12 who are living in as many as 80 countries around the world. It provides online, teacher-led programs that result in an accredited high school diploma. NorthStar is termed a strategic component of the Network of International Christian Schools (NICS). LETU officials call NICS a growing network of schools that educates tomorrow’s leaders, with 4,500 students worldwide. LeTourneau staffers say NICS is staffed by qualified Christian educators and teaches from a biblical worldview with academic excellence. The staffers add that NICS provides an exchange of rich culture, heritage, and diversity, while providing education and leadership training.

The goal of the agreement is for LeTourneau to offer dual enrollment courses, taught by LETU faculty, to NorthStar high school students beginning January 2011. The agreement also will open pathways for NorthStar students to further their education at LETU through online, hybrid or on-campus degree options. You can visit http://www.northstar-academy.org/ for more information on NorthStar.