KTBB News, Weather, Talk

PALESTINE � The East Texas Food Bank is distributing boxes of food to area families through the Summer Family Nutrition Program today till 7:00 p.m. at Palestine Civic Center, 1819 West Spring Street. The East Texas Food Bank and their volunteers will screen to determine eligibility and then distribute food to families who qualify. �The Summer Family Nutrition Program targets families with children who are struggling in this recession and are having difficultly providing nutritious food for their family,� said Dennis Cullinane, executive director of the East Texas Food Bank. �In four years, the East Texas Food Bank has grown 90 percent in the number of East Texans seeking emergency food assistance, that�s nearly double the national increase.�

Families will receive nutritional food boxes containing pantry staples such as pasta, spaghetti sauce, canned soups, stews, and fruit, peanut butter, baking mixes and other substantial food items. �Nearly half, 44 percent, of who the East Texas Food Bank serves are children,� said Cullinane. �The Summer Family Nutrition Program will alleviate both child hunger and child obesity for East Texas families
with children at risk of hunger.�

Since June, the East Texas Food Bank and their partner agencies have been distributing the food boxes to eligible families. The Summer Family Nutrition Program is a program of the Texas Food Bank Network. Those families who are eligible to participate are households with legal guardianship over at least one child under 18 years of age and with an annual household income equal to or less than 185 percent of the federal poverty guideline; families whose children received free or reduced-price lunches; or who receive WIC, SNAP (food stamps) and other federal programs.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has awarded a $4.6 million contract to Reynolds & Kay, Ltd., for the construction of water utility lines along Highway 69 to Interstate 20. �I am pleased that we are able to move forward with development of this infrastructure,� commented Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass. �Tyler is taking an important step to ensuring we are prepared for future growth and fulfilling the vision outlined in Tyler 21.�

A total of 17 companies presented proposals as part of the competitive sealed proposal process. According to media materials from the city, Reynolds & Kay was recommended for award of the contract based upon the following criteria:
� Proposal price;
� Experience with projects of this specific type and magnitude;
� Experience and references of key personnel;
� Company profile and general experience;
� Ability/commitment to respond to City needs in a timely fashion; and
� Safety record and financial profile.

City officials say funding for this project was allocated from the 2008 Tyler Water Utilities Revenue Bond Fund and will be paid for from revenues collected from the sale of water and sewer services � not from property taxes. The City paid off all general obligation (tax supported) debt in 2008.

The contract provides for the extension of 24 inch water line north along US 69. This project will include backbone infrastructure that officials say will facilitate future development in this area. The project was first identified during the Tyler 21 planning process, which called for the revitalization of North Tyler as well as balanced growth in all areas of the community. �To spur economic growth, infrastructure must first be established,� commented Tyler Mayor Pro Tem Ralph Caraway. �If we expect to attract new businesses to this area of town, the City must proactively invest in projects that pave the way for development.�

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating the drowning of a two year old in a home swimming pool. The youngster is identified as Ava Faith Ayers, who was celebrating her birthday yesterday. The accident happened around 2:00 Monday afternoon at 3721 Arlington. Investigators say a 16 year old was babysitting the two year old and her 3 year old sister. The teen was talking to someone who had stopped by the house when the 2 year old went out the back door and fell into the pool. The youngster was transported to Trinity Mother Frances Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

KILGORE — Kilgore College Band Director Wayne Smith has announced his retirement effective the end of this month. �I have really enjoyed my 10 years here as band director,� Smith said. �I have just chosen to retire at this time.�

Dr. Richard Harrison, dean of Liberal and Fine Arts, said that Smith has worked tirelessly for the past 10 years as band director, and began the Ranger Band Alumni Association to keep up with former members. �Wayne has done a lot for the band over the years, including building the number of instruments that the college owns,� Harrison said. �We wish Smith the very best in his retirement.� According to Harrison, plans are to open the position in the spring to hire a permanent band director for next year�s academic school year.

Kevin Ogilvie, who currently serves as associate band director and director of percussion studies, will take over as interim band director to finish the current academic year.

TYLER – Tyler police say a toddler drowned in a swimming pool on her second birthday. At around 2:00 p.m. Monday, Officers responded to 3721 Arlington in Tyler. Arriving officers learned that a 16 year old was babysitting for the 2 year old and a 3 year old. Police say the 16 year old was talking to someone when the 2 year old went out the back door and fell into the pool. The 2 year old was transported to Mother Frances Hospital. She was unable to be revived and was pronounced dead. The victim has been identified as Ava Faith Ayers. The investigation is continuing.

LONGVIEW — Funeral services for former Longview Fire Chief Tommy J. McMaster, 75 of Longview will be this afternoon. Services will be at 2:00 at the Rader Funeral Home Chapel. Burial, with full fire department honor guard, will follow at Rosewood Park. McMaster died over the weekend after battling a lengthy illness.

According to the obituary from Rader Funeral Home, McMaster began his career with the City of Longview on March 23, 1960, serving as a Firefighter and a Driver/Operator until being promoted to Lieutenant on November 1, 1971; he was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief on December 28, 1976, assigned by the City Manager to be the Acting Fire Chief on November 16, 1979, and promoted to the position of Fire Chief on February 1, 1980, where he served as �Chief Mac� for over thirteen years, retiring in 1993.

FORT WORTH � Longview is joining six other Texas communities in splitting nearly $10.6 million to support community development and produce more affordable housing. U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan made the announcement Monday. With $829,153 in Community Development Block Grant Funding and $411,693 in HOME funding, Longview gets a total of $1,240,846. Other recipients include the cities of Allen, Denison, Midland, and Plano; and the Counties of Dallas and Montgomery.

�This funding provides the building blocks needed to improve communities,� said Donovan. �Now, more than ever, these grants promote neighborhood development, produce affordable housing, and help extremely low-income persons find their place in their communities.� Since 1974, HUD�s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program has provided approximately $132 billion to state and local governments to target their own community development priorities. HOME (HOME Investment Partnerships Program) is the largest federal block grant to state and local governments designed exclusively to produce affordable housing for low-income families.

TYLER — Tyler-based Southside Bancshares, Inc., is named as one of Fortune Magazine�s 100 Fastest-Growing Companies. According to Fortune, the �Texas community bank won greater deposits and lent more to municipalities amid a tough credit environment.�

In order to be ranked, companies must be trading on a major U.S. stock exchange; report data in U.S. dollars; file quarterly reports with the SEC; have a minimum market capitalization of $250 million and stock price of at least $5 on June 30, 2010; and have been trading continuously since June 30, 2007. Companies must have revenue and net income of at least $50 million and $10 million, respectively, for the four quarters ended on or before April 30, 2010. Southside officials say full information and disclosures can be found in the September 6, 2010, edition of Fortune magazine.

Southside Bancshares, Inc., is a bank holding company with approximately $3 billion in assets that owns 100% of Southside Bank. Southside Bank currently has 48 banking centers in Texas and operates a network of 49 ATMs.

LONGVIEW — Police say they’ve recovered over $31,000 in lawn equipment and arrested a suspect. On September 15 at around 12:30 p.m., Longview Officers responded to a theft call at Bagley Tractor and Equipment at 3709 South Eastman Road. Officers arrived and found that sometime during the previous night, an unknown suspect had cut the fence surrounding the property and stolen three zero turn riding lawnmowers and a twelve foot flatbed utility trailer worth a total of $31,776.80. Through their investigation, Longview Detectives were able to locate the stolen equipment from Longview and surrounding areas and arrest 26-year-old suspect Justin Laroy Fagan of Longview. Fagan has been charged with theft (3rd degree felony) and has been booked into the Gregg County Jail. The stolen property has been returned to Bagley Tractor.

TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) today will hold the first of two public meetings to obtain input from the public that will assist in the development of a Pedestrian Access Study. Today’s meeting will be held from 3 p.m. � 4:30 p.m., in the Tyler Public Library’s Taylor Auditorium, 201 S. College Avenue. The second meeting’s set for Thursday September 23, from 6 p.m. � 7:30 p.m., in the Tyler Development Center’s Large Conference Room, 423 W. Ferguson Street.

At the meetings, the draft Tyler Pedestrian Access Study will be presented for public input. Officials say the purpose of the study is to identify existing pedestrian infrastructure and recommend priority pedestrian routes and projects that can help to connect destinations around the City and promote access. You can also go to http://www.tylerareampo.org for information.

The City of Tyler serves as the administrative agency of the MPO. The MPO, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), is responsible for carrying out the urban transportation process as required by federal legislation. Officials say the MPO is intended to provide a forum for cooperative decision making concerning transportation issues.

BULLARD — A big event at Bullard’s Bushman Celebration Center is set for this evening. Pastor Dan Cummins of the Bridlewood Church of Bullard has been organizing “Come Pray with Me,” which kicks off at 7:00 p.m. Cummins terms it “a non-political event whose purpose is to pray for the direction of our nation.” He says 2,000 people or more are expected for “what is promising to be maybe the largest prayer event of its kind in East Texas.”

According to Cummins, there are over fifty churches involved from many denominations, across Smith and Cherokee Counties. Spiritual and patriotic music will be featured. Cummins says there will also be “words of inspiration and challenge and a time to pray for “My House, God’s House, and the White House.” Admission is one non-perishable food item or one new toy for Bullard’s Mission House. You can log on to http://www.ComePrayWithMe.org or call 903-571-4291 for more information.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler welcomes former Costa Rican President Oscar Arias as part of its distinguished lecture series. The lecture, sponsored by Sherilyn and Patrick Willis, will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the UT Tyler Cowan Center. KTBB is among the media sponsors. Arias�s topic for the lecture will be �Moral Leadership in Today’s World.�

Arias served two terms as president of Costa Rica, 1986 � 90 and 2006 � 2010. A 1987 Nobel Peace Laureate, he holds international status as a spokesperson for the developing world. He earned the Nobel Peace Prize for work that culminated in the signing of the Esquipulas II Accords, or the Procedure to Establish a Firm and Lasting Peace in Central America. He champions such issues as human development, democracy and demilitarization, and he has traveled the globe spreading a message of peace. You can check the ktbb.com Calendar of Events for more information.

HENDERSON — A Rusk County jury awards a $7 million dollar settlement to the family of Justin Clinton to be paid by the George family — the owners of the dogs that attacked and killed ten-year-old Justin last year. Pam Ford was Justin’s aunt. She doesn’t think Justin’s mother, Serenia, will ever see any of the money — but Ford tells KETK that’s not what it’s all about. “That’s not what this family was after,” says Ford. “It was to let people know that if they have these types of dogs, they have to be responsible for them and they have to contain them properly.” Justin was on his way to a friend’s house when the attack happened.

LONGVIEW — A one vehicle accident in Gregg County has left one person dead. Robert McCommon, 61, of Longview, died in the crash shortly after 8:15 Sunday morning on Hamby Road near Stonelake. The Department of public Safety reports the man, whose vehicle was pulling a boat, left the road and hit a fence and then a tree. An autopsy has been ordered by Justice of the Peace Arthur Fort.