KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Tyler police need the public’s help identifying a suspect. On July 23, a suspect entered the Dillard’s Store located in the Broadway Square Mall at 4601 S. Broadway. The suspect grabbed an undetermined amount of merchandise and left the store without paying. Investigators have received an in-store surveillance video of the incident and are asking for your assistance in identifying the suspect. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers, at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833). Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and charges filed against the suspects in this case or any felony case.

LONGVIEW –Next Monday, Good Shepherd will begin renovations to the first floor of the Medical Center. Staffers say the changes will enhance the environment visitors experience when they come to be with their loved ones and expand the healthy eating options available to all staff. The new changes will include renovation of the surgery and SICU waiting room, relocation of the gift shop, and the addition of a new healthy options café.

The surgery waiting room will be remodeled to include new carpeting and furniture and will feature a combination of soft seating and tables and chairs. The Gift Shop will be moved into a new storefront that will be constructed in what is currently the waiting area just behind the fountain in the main lobby. Staffers say the new store will offer a brighter, fresh atmosphere to highlight the selections of flowers, gifts, jewelry, magazines, books and more.

Across from the surgery waiting area, a new café will be added that hospital officials say will focus on fresh, delicious and healthy food prepared while you watch. What’s termed the innovative design will include both fresh entrees to order and food to go. Customers will have the opportunity to choose from several food stations including a Wild Greens station which will offer freshly made soups and salads; the Artisan Deli, which will offer chef-inspired deli sandwiches served on rustic breads; the Chef’s Case, which will offer entrees that will change daily; and a Starbuck’s Station that officials say will offer a full range of coffee, espresso, smoothies and pastries.

“We are looking forward to enhancing the environment visitors experience when they visit family and friends in the hospital,” said Ron Short, vice president of operations. Construction and remodeling are scheduled for completion late this fall.

TYLER — A 44-year-old Tyler man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Thursday. Thomas Alvin Boyd pleaded guilty on Mar. 8, 2011, to distributing child pornography and was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison Thursday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.

According to information presented in court, on Mar. 29, 2010, law enforcement agents executed a federal search warrant at Boyd’s residence and seized several computers, USB drives, CDs, DVDs, and other forms of digital media. A forensic examination of the seized items was conducted and found to contain several thousand images of child pornography and, at a minimum, 250 videos of child pornography.

Boyd was aware that the settings on the peer-to-peer software allowed certain other users to download child pornography from him and acknowledges that the illegal images were distributed in that they were accessed and downloaded by others. Some of the images depicted prepubescent minors under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and some of the images are considered sadistic or masochistic. Boyd was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 6, 2010, and charged with child pornography violations.

WHITE OAK — Mandatory water conservation crept this week into Gregg County, with one city placing controls on irrigation and recreational water use. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. White Oak’s City Council has moved the town to Stage II drought contingency, with strict instructions on outdoor watering, motor vehicle washing and new hours for its splash pad at City Park. City Coordinator Charlie Smith said customers are using between 2 million and 2.7 million gallons of water a day, and the city wants to avoid reaching its daily capacity of about 3.3 million gallons. White Oak treats raw water from Big Sandy Creek and purchases treated water from the city of Longview.

Water department customers with account numbers ending in an even number can water their lawns from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Sundays and Thursdays. Customers with accounts ending in odd numbers can water during those hours Saturdays and Wednesdays, Smith said. Hand-held irrigation is allowed, but car and boat washing is prohibited. Local car washes are exempted from the order, Smith said. Meanwhile, White Oak’s splash pad will close beginning Monday for four days a week. It will open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at normal operating hours — 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. — until conservation measures are lifted, Smith said. All scheduled parties booked at the splash pad will be honored, he said.

LUFKIN — An electronic problem at Lufkin’s water supply was corrected Thursday morning after the entire city went without water overnight Wednesday. That’s the word from KETK and the Lufkin Daily News. According to City Manager Paul Parker, a large circuit breaker at the water plant on Martin Luther King Drive went out Wednesday evening. Due to a glitch with an alarm system that monitors city equipment, the issue was not discovered until about 4 a.m. Thursday. City workers and contractors labored through the early morning hours to correct the issue and had everything restored around 7 a.m., Parker said.

“Everything is working again,” Parker said. “We had been down six hours before we realized the issue because of the alarm failure. Even the backup generator didn’t kick on. We will do everything we can to rectify that glitch. We didn’t know until now it could occur.”

While water service has been restored, Parker said Lufkinites may have noticed decreased water pressure throughout the day Thursday. Parker asked that residents limit outdoor watering until this is no longer an issue. “The water in the overhead storage is low. That keeps our water pressure,” he explained. “People probably won’t notice this except for outdoor usage like sprinkler systems. It’s probably better just to turn them off for now.” Parker said he expected water pressure to return to normal by Thursday evening.

RUSK — A Rusk man was killed Tuesday night in a one vehicle accident on County Road 1301. Cody Daniel, 21, was pronounced dead at the scene around 11:30, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. According to the DPS report, Daniel was driving west on 1301 in his 1998 Dodge Ram 2500, when he drove off the right side of a curve, over-corrected and struck a dirt embankment.

QUITMAN – A dangerous Wood County fire is contained. It started around 2:00 Wednesday afternoon off FM 2225. Officials say six department responded to the 40 acre blaze, as well as the Game Warden and Texas Forest Service. Emergency crews were concerned about the danger of explosion due to oil wells in that area. Plows were brought in along with air assistance. The fire was eventually contained by about 4:20 with only one minor injury reported.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department installs new signage along the Rose Rudman and South Tyler Trail system. It will instruct bikers and walkers on how best to share the trail. The signs ask bike riders to yield to pedestrians, as well as to verbally signal “rider up” when approaching pedestrians.

“We want all citizens to enjoy the use of the trails whether they are on a bicycle or walking and running,” said Stephanie Rollings, director of parks and recreation. “Trail usage has been increasing over the years with the new trail extension added to Grande Boulevard; because usage has increased, the need to address safety on the trails has become more prevalent.”

In addition to safety instructions, the new signs also display the Parks and Recreation’s web address, http://www.tylerparksandrec.com to remind users they can visit the website to get information on anything related to recreation: park locations, pavilion rental, trail maps, and programming.

DALLAS – Dr. I. L. Balkcom IV has been sworn in as president of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians. It came during the group’s Annual Session and Scientific Assembly in Dallas. Dr. Balkcom is a physician with the Medical-Surgical Clinic in Sulphur Springs.

In Balkcom’s presidential address, he listed some of the terms used for family physicians and described his frustrations with being called “just a general practitioner.” Instead of being called a GP or a gatekeeper, he told the audience he wants to be a “shepherd” of the people. “I want to lead them, I want to love them, and I want to take care of them from the time they’re born, and even before they’re born, to the time they leave us. That’s what we should strive for, to be a good shepherd.”

He spoke directly to TAFP members when he asked for their help to reinvigorate the specialty, to achieve the recognition and appreciation deserved for family physicians’ full breadth of practice. “I cannot do it alone, nor do I intend to. I’m going to ask you if you can donate five minutes for family medicine. That’s going to be my battle cry: Give five minutes for family medicine. Take the message to your colleagues and friends. It’s time for us to do that.”

TYLER — Tyler sales tax revenues deposited for the month of August have increased 6.80% as compared to August 2010. This has resulted in a 3.73% cumulative year-to-date increase. The reported revenue of $3,206,450 is comprised of $2,137,633 general sales tax revenue and $1,068,816 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures represent receipts from June 2011 collections as there is a two-month lag before taxes are reported and remitted back to the City from the State.

The City manager presented the 2011-2012 proposed budget to City Council Wednesday. The plan estimates a three percent increase in sales tax revenue during the fiscal year. “We are being very conservative in our budgeting process,” explained City Manager Mark McDaniel. “The budget assumes a three percent increase in revenue from sales tax over the course of the next year. However, we monitor expenses and revenues on a monthly basis. If the revenues are not trending as we predicted, we will curtail spending to ensure we stay within budget.”

WOOD COUNTY — No arrests had been made at last report in connection with several acres of marijuana that were found in Wood County Tuesday afternoon. Wood County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to CR 3824 in connection with a criminal trespass complaint around 4:00, Lt. Jerry Blaylock said. When deputies arrived to investigate, two people fled through the woods. The deputy chased the suspects and found a marijuana patch while in pursuit.

Blaylock said Sheriff Bill Wansley and deputies found two more large fields of marijuana after they were given permission to search the property. “Each field had an elaborate watering system setup where each plant was receiving water. At this time, we are unable to give a count of how many plants have been located, but they spread over several acres of land. The plants range from one foot to 12 feet tall,” Blaylock said.

Officials have now told KETK crews on the scene that up to three men were camping in the marijuana fields. Officers found hammocks amid the pot plants near a house, along with a well being used to irrigate the fields. It is unclear at this time whether the men were living in the home. The identity of these men is still unknown. Officials say they have recovered more than 3,000 marijuana plants and are in the process of collecting the marijuana from the fields.

SMITH COUNTY — The continuing drought creates ideal conditions for grass fires. One of at least five fires from Monday rekindled Tuesday. Firefighters confirm several more acres charred along Smith County Road 246 a couple of miles south of Highway 31 East. According to KETK, it’s the third time flames have blackened the land in that area.

TYLER — The City of Tyler is planning to retain its current property tax rate of 20.8 cents per $100 valuation and focus on maintaining quality services as part of the 2011-2012 proposed budget that was presented by City Manager Mark McDaniel to the Tyler City Council at its meeting on Aug. 10. That’s the word in a statement released by the City Wednesday.

“I believe that Tyler’s tax rate is the lowest in the state among cities with at least 15,000 residents,” said McDaniel (pictured). “Through implementation of strategies to enhance efficiency, like Lean Sigma and City University, we believe that we can continue our delivery of quality services without raising the tax rate. This is in spite of the fact that our effective tax rate is higher than the proposed rate due to a decline in existing property values.”

Tyler’s property values dipped a half of one percent last year but are expected to increase nearly one percent for 2011-2012 due to new construction added to the tax rolls. Sales tax revenues were down nearly eight percent at the end of the last fiscal year. However, they have slowly improved in the current year and are expected to be up at least 3.4 percent by the end of the fiscal year. Since the decline began in 2008, the City has lost $9.1 million in sales tax revenue.

“In 1994 Tyler’s tax rate was 53 cents. In the last 16 years, we have decreased the tax rate by 60 percent, reduced the number of full-time employees, paid off all of our tax supported debt and earned a AAA bond rating,” added McDaniel. “Our focus this year will be to sustain these successes while focusing on the maintenance of the quality services we provide the citizens of Tyler.” In this fiscal year, officials say, the City will focus on addressing maintenance projects that were deferred to meet budget constraints in the last two years and also continuing to collaborate with community partners on industry growth. “We will continue our planning efforts to make sure we are poised for the future and prioritizing needs given limited resources,” explained McDaniel. “We will also be exploring additional use of technology in meeting citizen needs.”

To continue to balance expenses versus revenues, 20.5 positions will be eliminated from the budget. These are positions that are currently vacant and frozen from last fiscal year. In addition to maintaining the current tax rate, the City is not planning for any fee adjustments in the General Fund, which is primarily funded by sales and property tax revenue. “Most people do not realize that property taxes collected from citizens do not even cover Fire services, and that 66 percent of General Fund expenses are related to public safety,” explained Mayor Barbara Bass.

No increase in water or sewer rates is proposed, in spite of additional costs for improvements to the water plants required by state regulatory agencies. However, the City is proposing a $1.50 per month increase in Solid Waste fees for residential service. “The Solid Waste Department has traditionally helped offset the cost of the residential service through revenue generated in their commercial roll-off services,” explained McDaniel. “Because construction in the community is down – so is commercial revenue. The result is that the residential trash collection program needs to begin to cover more of its directly related costs.”

Officials say Tyler will still have one of the lowest residential collection rates in the state at $14.07 per month, as compared to cites like Dallas with a rate of $22.86 or Garland at $16.58, and will continue its twice weekly collection schedule that many cities do not offer. A 25 cent increase in fixed route bus fares to $1 is also proposed. This will be the first fare increase in at least 25 years.

“I am very pleased that we were able to hold to our current property tax rate,” commented Bass. “Most people know that our tax rate is one of the lowest in the State; however, many of our citizens don’t realize how much lower it is. In some cases it is as much as three times lower than cities of comparable size.”
For example, currently the City of Waco has a tax rate of 78.6 cents per $100 valuation; Killeen is 69.5 cents, Abilene is 69.3 cents and Beaumont is at 64 cents.

Efforts to retain the City’s trained workforce include the potential for a productivity increase from zero to three percent for civilians, three percent for sworn personnel, and implementation of the third, and final phase of pay plan study adjustments initiated over three years. These recommendations would be implemented beginning in January 2012 only if sales tax revenues increase by a projected three percent over sales tax collected in the City’s current fiscal year. However, employees may see up to a $110 per month increase in health insurance premiums in January for the “buy-up” option.

Opportunities for public input on the budget are available by attending one of two meetings at Tyler City Hall, 212 N. Bonner Ave. on the following dates:
· Wednesday, Aug. 24 at 9 a.m.
· Wednesday, Sept. 14 at 9 a.m.
Final adoption of the budget is scheduled for the Sept. 14 meeting, to be held at 9 a.m. at Tyler City Hall.

TYLER – Forty-day 100-plus-degree weather is severely affecting Carter BloodCare’s ability to maintain a sufficient blood supply in the 57-county area it serves. According to Carter staff, the current blood supply is well below preferred levels to support patient needs in the community, due in part to the nearly record-breaking stint of consecutive sweltering days.

“The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations speak to temperature levels that must be maintained in the environments where we collect blood, including buses, indoor facilities, and also in Carter BloodCare’s 26 donor centers. Individual supplies we use also come with manufacturers’ requirements on what temperature must be maintained while using it,” said Carla Beck, director of operations for Carter BloodCare East Texas.

The heat negatively affects the temperature inside Carter BloodCare’s fleet of buses that sit in the sun for hours during a blood drive, while generators work to maintain a comfortable environment for both donors and equipment. Additionally, at indoor blood drives, companies struggle to maintain a temperature that’s compatible with blood drive regulations as their cooling systems work against triple-digit temperatures. The drives held before noon are more successful than those in the afternoon hours, but seven East Texas blood drives have been stopped early, while others were canceled because the relentless heat made it impossible to maintain regulatory control.

“We’re accustomed to seeing fewer donors during the summer, due to vacations and general ‘busy-ness.’ However, this summer presents additional challenges with record-setting temperatures affecting our operations,” said Bobby Baker, manager of recruitment for Carter BloodCare East Texas. Carter staffers say without additional volunteer blood donors, the blood supply will not be sustainable if the current weather pattern continues.

If you are eligible to give blood, you’re asked to visit http://www.carterbloodcare.org or call 1-800-DONATE-4 to locate the nearest donor center and make an appointment to give blood. You can also use that contact information to determine your own eligibility. All blood types are needed. If you are not eligible to give blood, officials say you can invite someone you know to do so. Carter staffers are additionally asking area businesses that can host blood drives inside to do so.

KILGORE — Authorities in Kilgore are searching for the suspects involved in an early Monday morning robbery. It happened around 3:00 at the Nestle Frozen Pizza Distribution Center, 1103 Energy Drive. Kilgore Police say a Digiorno Pizza Delivery truck was broken into and 16 cases of frozen pizzas were taken. Officials say the suspects entered the truck by breaking the lock off the door, then used the aluminum hand truck to haul the frozen pizza away. The total value of the theft and damage was over $3400. Anyone with information is asked to contact Gregg County Crime Stoppers.