KTBB News, Weather, Talk

FLINT – A one vehicle accident in southern Smith County has killed one person. The accident happened around shortly before 11:15 Saturday night on Farm Road 2493 1½ miles north of Flint. Killed was Evan Blake Alexander, 31, of Lindale. The Department of Public Safety report indicates his SUV veered off the road and overturned.

TYLER – Monday was the first day of school in the Tyler school district. Many private schools had already started. Tyler motorists are reminded that the reduced speed in school safety zones will be enforced.

Effective Monday, School flashers will be in operation in marked school speed zones 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 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8:45 a.m.; and 4 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.
• South Donnybrook near Robert E. Lee High School – This school speed zone will be in effect between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8:45 a.m.; and 4 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.
• Copeland Road at Hubbard Drive – This school speed zone will be in effect between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.; and 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Old Jacksonville Highway at Silverwood Drive – This school speed zone will be in effect between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.; and 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• University Boulevard at Patriot Drive – This school speed zone will be in effect between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.; and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

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 of 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 must wait until the crossing guard returns to the curb before moving through the crossing.

“The first three weeks of a new school year are always very hectic as everyone adjusts to their new routines,” said 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 than anything else.”

According to Tyler police public information office Don Martin, last school year officers issued 2,216 citations for speeding in a school zone and 853 citations for cell phone usage in a school zone.
•Be alert for the school zone signs posted near schools.
•Keep alert for the children and the crossing guards as they make their way across the street.
•Slow down and prepare to stop if the crossing guard so indicates.
•Tyler motorcycle officers will be monitoring school zones throughout the city.
•It is illegal to use a wireless communication device in a school zone unless the vehicle is stopped or a hands-free device is used.

For school bus riders:
•Have a safe place to wait for your bus, away from traffic and the street.
•Stay away from the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver signals you to enter.
•When being dropped off, exit the bus and walk ten giant steps away from the bus. Keep a safe distance between you and the bus. Also, remember that the bus driver can see you best when you are back away from the bus.
•Use the handrail to enter and exit the bus.
•Stay away from the bus until the driver gives his/her signal that it’s okay to approach.
•Be aware of the street traffic around you. Drivers are required to follow certain rules of the road concerning school buses, however, not all do. Protect yourself and watch out!
•Drivers must stop for all red flashing lights on bus in both directions unless on a divided highway.

Walking and Biking to School
Even if you don’t ride in a motor vehicle, you still have to protect yourself. Because of minimal supervision, young pedestrians face a wide variety of decisions making situations and dangers while walking to and from school. Here are a few basic safety tips to follow:
•Mind all traffic signals and/or the crossing guard — never cross the street against a light, even if you don’t see any traffic coming.
•Always walk on sidewalks (where provided), otherwise walk facing traffic.
•Walk your bike through intersections.
•Walk with a buddy.
•Wear reflective material…it makes you more visible to street traffic.
•Never run out from between cars

Riding in a Car
•You might have heard before that most traffic crashes occur close to home … they do.

•Safety belts are the best form of protection passengers have in the event of a crash. They can lower your risk of injury by 45%.
•You are four times more likely to be seriously injured or killed if ejected from the vehicle in a crash.
•Everyone needs to be buckled up properly. That means older kids in seat belts, younger kids in booster seats and little kids in child safety seats. All passengers front and back in a passenger vehicle, must wear a seat belt.
•Always let your child out at the curb. Don’t double park when dropping off or picking up.
•No persons under the age of 18 are allowed to ride in the bed of a pick-up.

Stranger Danger
•Teach your children not to talk with strangers.
•Don’t approach a motor vehicle for someone asking directions or attempting to give you candy.
•Remember as much of the license plate as possible and color of vehicle.
•Scream, kick, bite, do what ever is necessary to get away from the stranger.

TYLER – The Tyler Independent School District has announced its plan to help ensure students remain hydrated and healthy while riding the bus to and from school. “With temperatures topping 100 degrees almost every day, we want to do everything possible to keep our riders safe and healthy,” said TISD Transportation Director John Bagert.

To help make sure bus riders stay hydrated, TISD will provide bottled water to students boarding the buses in the afternoon. In addition to the bottled water, bus riders will be allowed to carry personal water bottles on the bus as long as they have re-sealable tops and are not frozen. Every school bus will have a cooler on board with chilled water in case a rider suffers a heat-related illness, and all maintenance trucks will be stocked with chilled water in the event a bus breaks down during a route.

“Our drivers will be closely monitoring students for signs of heat-related illness,” Bagert stated. “Drivers have been trained in first aid procedures, so they know what signs to look for and how to respond,” he continued.

The transportation department has prioritized its bus fleet to ensure air-conditioned buses are utilized on the longest routes and the routes with the most riders. All buses transporting students with special needs are air conditioned, and transportation department officials are working closely with each campus to make sure they are aware of any students who have health issues that may be complicated by the extreme heat.
Approximately 5,000 TISD students ride the bus. Tyler ISD will provide water to students every day the temperature reaches 98 degrees.

TYLER – Testimony resumes today in state district court in Tyler as the owners of the proposed Double D Grill and Bar appear in answer to a temporary restraining order against the business. Toys R Us, which owns the land where the restaurant is located, alleged breach of a commercial real estate lease. Judge Christi Kennedy said a few weeks ago it had been hoped that the parties would settle the matter behind closed doors. But, when that did not happen, the judge extended the temporary restraining order and increased the bond to $200,000. The current hearing in 114th State district court, which began last Thursday and heard testimony both Thursday and Friday. Court then recessed until this afternoon. The hearing to determine if the restraining order is tossed out or if a permanent injunction is issued.

TYLER — Family and youth minister William Lamont Ross talks about “Working Together to Make a Better World” at Tyler’s NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet Saturday evening. Ross, of Marsalis Avenue Church of Christ in Dallas, says there’s hope even in today’s sharply divided political climate. Ross says people are tired of seeing their leaders fighting with each other. But he says that when people get tired of things as they are, positive change can result. According to Ross, it’s a matter of people using their talents, resources, and skills to improve things in their own back yards, and create a “ripple effect” to improve the world. The banquet was held at St. Louis Baptist Church.

TYLER — A report of a fight in progress sent Tyler policemen to the Kuresh’s Mart at 1118 West Gentry Parkway Sunday morning around 2:30. Officers were told that about 15 people were involved in the fight and at least one person was unconscious inside the store. When they arrived they saw numerous people fleeing the area but did not find any injured or unconscious person. As a result of the fight the business suffered extensive property damage. The scene was processed and the case remains open pending further investigation.

NACOGDOCHES — The adult cabaret Baby Dolls, south of Nacogdoches on U.S. Highway 59, was closed by sheriff’s deputies Saturday night. Following a long investigation the sheriff’s department determined the business was in violation of the county’s adult business statutes. Deputies arrested employees and dancers at the club when they raided the business.

TYLER — For the second year in a row, the Tyler Fire Department won first place in the soccer competition at the Texas Firefighter Olympics. This year’s games were held in Round Rock, Texas. Team Tyler played six games in two days, and with five wins were named the champions of Division Five. Other Division Five winners were Cleburne/Gainsville winning silver and Dallas with bronze.

Tyler’s soccer team members include Greg T. Crenshaw, Jason S. Beasley, Christopher C. Mahler, Mason R. Edney, Stephen Houston, Shawn Wilson, Brian Phillips, Bruce Hill, Logan Luttrell, Eric M. Rozell, Jay McClung, Daniel T. Smith, Brian J. Arnold, Matthew G. Hazel and Coach Tony Gumber.

The soccer portion of the Texas Firefighter Olympics is a two-day, seven-on-seven outdoor tournament played on a small field using full size goals. There are different divisions based on ability and conditioning. Game length consists of two 20-minute halves.

LONGVIEW – A two vehicle accident in Gregg County has killed two persons. The wreck happened shortly after 3:30 Saturday morning on Interstate Highway 20 at the 596 mile marker. Dead at the scene was Pedro Vasquez Rodriguez, 62, of Marshall and Kevin Earl Jones, 42, of Hallsville. According to State Trooper Brandon Smith, Rodriguez was traveling west in the east bound lane when the two vehicle collided.

LINDALE – A thunderstorm that moved through Smith County late Friday afternoon was responsible for a house fire in northern Smith County. A tree was knocked into a power line off Farm Road 2015. The power surge started a fire in a home. The house was heavily damaged. The residents were not at home when the fire started. Two pet dogs died in the blaze.

EAST TEXAS – Fires around the area have been taxing manpower and equipment. There have been several around Smith County. The largest was on the Smith/Rusk County Line. It burned some 415 acres. Roads in the area have been reopened and residents have been allowed to return to their homes.

In northeastern Anderson county early this week, over 430 acres burned between Frankston and Neches. The only building destroyed was an unoccupied deer camp trailer house. Officials say the fire started when a limb fell across power line which sparked when it hit the ground.

Also earlier this week 450 acres burned in Harrison County. The fire, which started about ten miles north of Marshall, damaged no buildings. No injuries were reported. They’re still trying to find out how it started.

DALLAS – A Tyler woman has placed in a state-wide pageant. Jo Anne McMeans, seen on the left in this photo, was named 1st runner up in the Ms. Texas Senior America Pageant in Dallas. She is employed by Tyler’s Prestige Estates where she is the community relations liaison. Jo Anne is pictured with the lady selected as queen, Debbie Carroll-Boyce of Frisco.

The philosophy behind the Texas chapter and the national organization Senior America is the belief that seniors are the foundation of America and one of our most valuable treasures. Seniors help the younger generation build self-esteem, knowledge, experience, and resources to continue building a better society for the future. “These are not simply beauty pageants for women that are 60+, these pageants re-define senior women in the 21st Century”, according to Mary Frances Hansen, the pageant’s director. “The Pageants are about inner beauty; these women are dynamic and talented in every way. Our goal is to encourage seniors to embrace life and foster a positive attitude about aging. We strive to enrich and empower senior women as our pageant contestants represent the positive image of aging.”

Hansen went on to say, “1st runner up, JoAnne McMeans of Tyler certainly deserves a lot of recognition for her hard work, along with all the competitors, not only for their dedication, but for their belief in the Ms. Texas Senior America principals.” The four components of the Ms. Texas Senior America Pageant judging were: philosophy of life, personal interviews with the judges, evening gown competition, and talent.

Boyce will now represent Texas in the national competition Ms. Senior America, which takes place October 2-7 at Harrah’s Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

LONGVIEW – Two undercover string operations have found 13 businesses selling tobacco to minors. One sting was on Thursday and the other was last week. The undercover stings utilized 14-16 year old minors, accompanied by Longview Police Officers, who entered stores and attempted to purchase tobacco products. The stings are funded through a grant issued by the Texas Comptroller’s Office.

The undercover officer/minor teams went to 149 Longview area tobacco retailers over the two-day period and of those, 13 retailers sold tobacco to the undercover minors. The locations that sold tobacco products to minors include:
Food Fast #85 1901 Gilmer Rd
Food Fast #7 100 S Access Rd
Timpex 559 Mobberly Ave
Zippy J’s #4 1516 Fairmont
Road Runner 1917 Judson Rd
Kroger Fuel (2 citations) 701 W Marshall Ave
EZ Mart 2901 Estes Pkwy
Day & Night Texaco 3122 Estes Pkwy
Wal-Mart 4006 Estes Pkwy
Murphey USA 4004 Estes Pkwy
Tejas Food Mart 1822 Pine Tree Rd
Tobacco Station 3541 Gilmer Rd
Marshall Quick Stop 2710 E Marshall Ave

The Texas Health and Safety Code states that it is unlawful for a person to sell, give or cause to be sold or given a cigarette or tobacco product to someone who is younger than 18 years of age. A violation of this statute is punishable as a class C misdemeanor and the fine is over $500.00.

According to Longview police, undercover tobacco and alcohol stings have proven to be an effective means of protecting Longview youth by encouraging compliance with Texas laws, They say the undercover stings will continue on a random basis in the future.

MARSHALL — An ex-rodeo champion known as the “Texas Kid” has been sentenced to five years of probation for sexual misconduct with a girl in his specialty act, according to KETK and the Texarkana Gazette. A federal judge in Marshall on Thursday sentenced 44-year-old Rodney Ray Hayes of Linden. Hayes in April pleaded guilty to transportation of minors with intent to engage in illicit sexual activity.

Hayes, as part of his traveling rodeo act, had children on the road with him. He was accused of wrongful sexual contact with a minor between March 2005 and June 2008. The Gazette reports the incident happened in a horse trailer used as sleeping quarters. Hayes must register as a sex offender and is barred from having contact with anyone younger than age 18 without another adult present.

RED SPRINGS (AP) — Over the years East Texas firefighters have performed a wide variety of rescues. But, yesterday’s had to be a first. Firefighters used their rescue skills to save a llama stuck in a muddy pond for at least a day. Red Springs volunteer firefighters freed the llama at midday Friday.

Lt. Charles Wilson says a passer-by reported seeing the animal in water up to its neck. Wilson says the 250-pound llama apparently got stuck Thursday, a day when temperatures topped 100 degrees. Employees of the Caldwell Zoo in Tyler helped ease the llama’s feet from the bog, then the creature was pulled out. The owner took the weakened llama to a veterinarian. Wilson, who’s been a firefighter for 42 years, told The Associated Press that he’s saved horses and cattle, but this was his first llama rescue, and he feels good about it.