KTBB News, Weather, Talk

SMITH COUNTY — A crash along Highway 271 Thursday night sent two people to the hospital. It happened near the UT Tyler Health Science Center around 9:30 Thursday night and involved two vehicles. Winona Firefighters say a man was driving south along FM 2908 and crashed into another car driving north.

MINEOLA — Two people were hospitalized Thursday afternoon after a fiery wreck that closed U.S. 69 north of Mineola. Investigators said a car hit the fuel tanks of a tanker truck, causing them to explode and forcing the truck driver to jump through flames to escape. Injured were Jean Lemonds, 65, Ben Wheeler, who was taken to Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, and Lamont Abernathy, 28, of Wills Point, who was taken to East Texas Medical Center Hospital in Quitman. U.S. 69 was shut down early Thursday evening.

KILGORE – There has been a slight drop in the fall enrollment at Kilgore College. Staci Martin, registrar and director of admissions, said the enrollment is 6,415 students, down 299 students or 4.5% from 2010’s 6,714. She added, “We will now start our financial aid attendance verification process, so we will lose additional students through that process, about 40 were dropped through this process last spring. Additional clean-up for state reports will occur up until reports are submitted in mid-October.”

TYLER — In light of the fires ravaging the area, the Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas is advising residents across Texas to have a plan, prepare their homes for a possible wildfire and properly vet any charities before giving money and items to help fire victims. To help guide consumers preparing for future fires and looking to help those who have lost their homes, BBB offers the following advice:

• Have a plan. Know what you will do and where you will go should you have to evacuate. The Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency offer tips and materials to help residents plan for wildfires. Central Texas residents can sign up to have emergency alerts sent to their mobile phones using this link: http://wireless.capcog.org/ENS/PhoneMap.aspx?NewUser

• Pack an emergency bag. Have a list of items you will take should you have to evacuate and have as many of them packed and ready to go as is feasible. FEMA compiled a list of important items to help people decide what they need to save in an emergency.

• Prepare your home. The Texas Forest Service recommends following the Ready, Set, Go! plan to help residents prepare their homes for wildfire.

• Protect important documents. BBB recommends consumers purchase a fire safe for important documents — such as passports, birth certificates, insurance contracts and photos — and precious items. Fire safes have ratings that indicate the level of protection they offer, and a higher rating generally means a higher price. Pick the model that is right for your needs.

• Catalogue valuables. Take pictures of your valuables and store them off-site or in a fire safe. This can help the insurance company assess the dollar amount for your losses. Even photos or video taken with a cell phone as you evacuate can be useful.

• Give wisely. Many families will not be able to recover without the assistance of others. However, when donating money or items, be sure you are working with a trustworthy organization.
– Find out where exactly your money and items will go. Does the charity add donations to a general fund or does it have a specific fund set up for fire victims?
– Make sure the charity has experience in relief efforts, especially wildfire damage. Not all disasters are the same and need to be handled differently.
– Visit http://www.irs.gov to verify that the charity exists and is registered as a 501(c)(3). Visit http://www.bbb.org to check the reliability of a company and find trustworthy businesses. To report a fraud or scam, call the BBB Hotline: (903) 581-8373.

HENDERSON — Firefighters in Rusk County have had very little rest during the last week. Most of these men and women are volunteering their time to help protect Rusk County, with many of them taking vacation days to be able to stay and fight the fires the county is having. According to information from KETK and Rusk County, fire departments are depleting the budgets and are in need of monetary donations for their departments at this time. This will help with fuel, fire equipment, and truck repairs cost incurred during the extreme wildfires. Officials ask you to designate the fire department you wish your donation to go. If no designation is given, the Rusk County Firefighters Association distribute the funds as needed.

Send Checks to:
Rusk County Firefighters Association
P.O. Box 1911
Henderson, TX 75653
Attn: Rick Wittner

Cash donations may be taken to the Central Fire Station in Henderson at 401 W. Main.

TYLER – A Smith County man has pleaded guilty in Tyler federal court to firearms violations. Ernesto Camacho, 35, of Tyler, pleaded guilty yesterday to being a felon in possession of a firearm. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. Federal prosecutors say, on March 1, Camacho was arrested following a traffic stop during which a firearm was discovered in his vehicle. Further investigation revealed Camacho was a convicted felon, having been previously found guilty of aggravated assault, arson and theft. As a convicted felon, Camacho is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Camacho was indicted by a federal grand jury several months ago and charged with federal firearms violations. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department is renewing and clarifying an earlier advisory. Police encourage residents to refrain from calling 9-1-1 about general smoke in the air unless the resident sees a column of smoke or sees the fire is the source of the smoke. Law officers say they have been overwhelmed with 9-1-1 calls since the wildfires began.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has recorded a 29% increase in first-time undergraduate students and a 37% increase in graduate enrollment compared to last fall, President Rodney H. Mabry announced. Total headcount for this fall is 6,703, which surpasses the fall 2010 figure of 6,446. The overall enrollment increase is 4%. “We are very pleased with these figures. Students statewide and across the nation increasingly realize that UT Tyler is a top-flight institution that produces some of the best graduates anywhere. I believe this increase, especially during these challenging economic times, attests to the fact that our academic programs are among the best and are very worthwhile investments for students,” said President Mabry.

SMITH COUNTY — Officials say due to the number of fires experienced in the area, combined with the diminishing winds, smoke is expected to remain in the City of Tyler for the next few days. According to KETK, more than 30,000 acres have burned across the region. Smoke will tend to settle into lower elevations and remain throughout parts of East Texas. The City of Tyler Division of Emergency Management stands ready to assist in any way possible. The Tyler Fire Department has temporarily increased staffing levels due to the increased number of fires that the county has experienced. The situation may continue for several days due to the continuing dry conditions.

Smith County officials note, “A large portion of East Texas is currently experiencing smoke coverage. This is due to high humidity and a lack of wind surrounding several East Texas forest fires, according to information from the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office. Please DO NOT call 9-1-1 to report smoke in the air; emergency services are aware of the condition. It is imperative that 9-1-1 lines stay clear to report active emergencies.”

State Highway 31 and county roads in the Jackson Heights area are now reopened following Monday night’s evacuation on Highway 31 East. The fire will continue to burn in the Jackson Heights area for several days, but officials say no structures are currently in danger. According to a county press statement, volunteer fire departments from around the county will continue to monitor hot spots in the area until the fire is fully contained.

The American Red Cross has opened a shelter site for people who have been displaced from their homes in Smith County due to the fires. The shelter site is located at the First Christian Church at South Broadway and Loop 323 in Tyler. Citizens are urged to remain cautious during these dry conditions.

For a map of fires: http://ticc.tamu.edu/Response/FireActivity/default.aspx

RUSK COUNTY — People in Rusk County are being asked to avoid certain stretches of road while firefighters try and get a handle on flames there. There’s still no word on just how large this one is, but firefighters say they’re actively battling flames. Drivers are being urged to avoid South Highway 42 from South Highway 64 to Highway 79 South. Some Rusk Countians are being told to stay away from their homes. Rusk County authorities tell KETK County Roads 4110 and 4113 in Price are still closed. The fire there is only 40 percent contained. People living on and around County road 476 are being allowed back home. FM 850 about one and a half miles west of Highway 42 in New London is now reopened to traffic. The Carlisle ISD called off classes for Wednesday, but classes in Carlisle resume Thursday.

CASS COUNTY — As wildfires continue to rage through Cass County, having already claimed about 30,000 acres of land, the county judge has declared the area a disaster area. County Judge Charles L. McMichael on Tuesday issued a declaration of disaster for Cass County saying the county is “under imminent threat of severe damage, injury of loss of life or property” due to the wildfires. Cass County has the largest single wildfire in Northeast Texas, and it has now spread to Marion County. According to KETK, investigators are looking into the possibility arsonists may be responsible for those flames.

SMITH COUNTY — Officials in Smith County continue to monitor wildfire activity, with a dense smoke advisory now expired for the county — but extended until 4 p.m. for Camp, Cass, Upshur, Marion, Gregg, and Harrison Counties. Smith County officials note, “Please DO NOT call 9-1-1 to report smoke in the air; emergency services are aware of the condition. It is imperative that 9-1-1 lines stay clear to report active emergencies.” The fire in the Jackson Heights area will continue to burn for several days, but officials say no structures are currently in danger. The American Red Cross has opened a shelter site for people who have been displaced from their homes in Smith County due to the fires. The shelter site is located at the First Christian Church at South Broadway and Loop 323 in Tyler. Citizens are urged to remain cautious during these dry conditions.

For a map of fires: http://ticc.tamu.edu/Response/FireActivity/default.aspx

HENDERSON — Some residents in Rusk County are now allowed to return home after wildfire prompted their evacuation. People forced from their homes along County Roads 4110D, 4113, and 487 can go home. KETK reports the fire in that area is now 100% contained. Residents on 316D are not allowed back home. CR 314 is open for traffic but CR 4114 is still closed. One firefighter was slightly injured fighting that blaze.

MARSHALL — For the third day in a row, three East Texas school districts cancelled their classes due to wildfires. The Avinger, Jefferson, and Linden-Kildare all announced cancellations for Thursday. Football games scheduled for Thursday night were also cancelled. Today the Marion and Jefferson school districts have cancelled classes. Fires continued to rage across Marion and Cass Counties, with over 30,000 acres burned so far.

EAST TEXAS — As fires blaze across East Texas, many families have been forced from their homes. But people with no other place to go are finding refuge at local locations. Our news partner KETK has compiled a list of shelters and other assistance centers.

SHELTERS:

An evacuation shelter has been set up at Maude Cobb Convention Center in Longview. The City of Longview is also in a position to assist those with the sheltering of animals if the need arises. Anyone needing shelter as a result of the recent wildfires can go to Maude Cobb.

Smith County: First Christian Church at Broadway & Loop 323

Anderson County: Dogwood Hill Baptist Church for shelter.

New London: New London Community Center is open for evacuees from the fires in New London and Carlisle.

Palestine: Dogwood Hill Baptist Church on Hwy 79 E. FM 294 to 322

Gladewater: Antique Capital RV Park on 500 Loop 485, First Baptist Church on 300 West Upshur, Calvary Baptist Shurch on 3601 West Upshur

Diana: New Diana High School Gym on 11826 Texas 154, The Rock House

DONATIONS AND SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Gregg County:

Gladewater Fire Department is asking for water donations. Donations can be dropped off at 511 South Tyler Street in Gladewater.

Kilgore Fire Department is asking for fuel or monetary donations for fuel. Donations can be made at 1100 Powder Horn in Kilgore.

Sabine Volunteer Fire Department is asking for gloves, face masks and bandanas. Donations of these items can de dropped off at their station on 1252, in Liberty City (across the street from the Baptist Church). They are also asking for monetary donations which can be dropped off at the First National Hughes Bank in Liberty City.

Smith County:

The First Assembly of God has started a donation site at the Brookshire’s in Whitehouse. They are collecting water and snacks for the fire departments in surrounding areas.

Whitehouse Fire Department is asking that any donations the public can make be dropped off at their main location at 305 E. Main in Whitehouse.

Winona Volunteer Fire Department is asking for anything the public can spare, especially bottled water and snacks. Donations can be dropped off at the station which is located at 1111 Dallas Street in Winona.

Smith County officials are asking only for monetary donations at this time for the following departments:

Arp Fire Department — Donations can be dropped off at 107 West Longview Street in Arp.

Bullard Fire Department — Donations can be dropped off at 2281 Old FM Road 344 in Bullard.

Chapel Hill Volunteer Fire Department — Donations can be dropped off at 13801 County Road 220 in Chapel Hill.

Dixie Volunteer Fire Department — Donations can be dropped off at 584 County Road 1143 west of Tyler.

Flint- Gresham Fire Department — Donations can be made at the station which is located at 18823 FM 2493 in Flint.

Jackson Heights Fire Department — Donations can be made at 2874 County Road 24 in Tyler.

Lindale Volunteer Fire Department — Donations can be made at 208 East Hubbard Street in Lindale.

Noonday Volunteer Fire Department — Donations can be dropped off at the station which is located at 16619 HWY 155 S in Noonday.

Red Springs Volunteer Fire Department — Donations can be dropped off at the station which is located at 16696 FM 14 north of Tyler.

Troup Fire Department — Donations can be dropped off at 101 West Bradford Street in Troup.

Cherokee County:

The Jacksonville Fire Department is asking that the public drop off any donations that have at 301 S Main Street in Jacksonville.

Upshur County

The Gilmer Fire Department is asking for monetary donations to be made at your neighboring volunteer fire departments.

Rusk County

The New London Volunteer Fire Department is asking for monetary donations. Donations can be dropped off at City Hall, which is located at 180 East Philips (behind the high school) in New London.

The Overton Volunteer Department is asking the public for water and Gatorade donations. Donations can be dropped off at City Hall which is located at 1200 South Commerce in Overton.

Henderson County

Chandler and Westside Volunteer Fire Departments are giving mutual aid into Smith County and are also in need of donations, water & Gatorade. Donations can be dropped of at both stations.