KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LUFKIN � A one vehicle accident in Angelina County has left one person dead. The Department of Public Safety says Sean Christopher Simoneaux, 19, of Lufkin, was not wearing a seat belt when his car left the road and hit a tree. The accident happened shortly after 3:15 Sunday morning on Farm Road 842, about four miles north of Lufkin. He was pronounced dead at a Lufkin hospital about two hours after the accident.

LONGVIEW — A portion of Spring Hill Road will be closed this morning from 9:00 to 11:00 for a vehicle-accident dramatization at Spring Hill High School. The mock accident will take place at 10:00 in front of Spring Hill High School, 2700 Spring Hill Rd. Known as Shattered Dreams, the dramatization is a program designed to demonstrate the devastating effects of drinking and driving. The two-day event will display the work of emergency responders, highlight the effects of the accident on family and friends, and show the consequences of arrest and criminal charges.

Spring Hill School officials coordinated the event as an educational opportunity for their students. Several local organizations are providing assistance, including the Longview Police Department, Longview Fire Department, Joe Boys U-Pull It, Radar Funeral Home, Flight for Life, Mobberly Baptist Church, Alpine Church of Christ, Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission, and Good Shepherd Medical Center.

According to Spring Hill Superintendent Wes Jones, �This demonstration is a good opportunity to showcase to students how dangerous drinking and driving can be. We hope they realize that the choices they make don�t just affect themselves, but impact their family, friends, and classmates.�

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

UNDATED — The Texas Department of Transportation is scheduled to perform traffic counts in 22 locations on state roadways across the eight-county Tyler District this week. The counts, which are the basis for many of the decisions TxDOT makes, from funding to scheduling maintenance and construction projects, will be conducted on a 24-hour basis at each location through April 8.

“Traffic counts are a cornerstone of our decision-making process,” said TxDOT public information officer Larry Krantz. “They give us a snapshot of today’s traffic volumes, but they also help create a much larger and informative picture when compared year-over-year.” The traffic-counting devices consist of a rubber tube stretched across the roadway and count traffic in both directions on a given roadway, and the results are collected in Austin by TxDOT’s Transportation Planning and Programming Division. Results of the counts will not be available until the counts are completed statewide.

LONGVIEW — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repair operations in various locations on Farm Road 1845 (Pine Tree Road), then move to Farm Road 2205 (Jaycee Drive) between Loop 281 and State Highway 31.

Also this week, construction crews this week are scheduled to perform seal coat and resurfacing operations on U.S. Highway 80 (West Marshall Avenue) west of Fisher Road, and striping crews are scheduled to begin striping the final surface on State Highway 135 between Interstate Highway 20 and State Highway 31 in Kilgore beginning mid-week. 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.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to repair and resurface Farm Road 47 west of Canton in various locations between State Highway 243 and State Highway 198.

A second crew will be performing fog seal operations on Interstate Highway 20 frontage roads between the Kaufman County Line and Turner-Hayden Road, and in various locations on Farm Road 1504 between Myrtle Springs and Edgewood, and Farm Road 1395 between Farm Road 859 north of Edgewood and Farm Road 47 near Lake Tawakoni. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation contractor Big Creek Construction, Ltd., of Hewitt, is scheduled to begin work on a pair of Cherokee County projects this week, beginning with work on Farm Road 752. The project calls for adding 3-foot shoulders and resurfacing FM 752 between Farm Road 241 in Rusk to County Road 2405 south of Rusk, followed by the same work on Farm Road 2137 between Farm Road 344 west of Bullard and Farm Road 855. Work on FM 2137 is scheduled to begin once FM 752 is largely completed. The approximate $978,000 project let to contract in December and work on both roadways is scheduled for completion this fall. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress.

SMITH COUNTY — The Texas Department of Transportation announced its plans to temporarily close County Road 1141 (Dean Road) at its intersection with County Road 1130 beginning April 18 for approximately one month to allow for reconstruction of the intersection. The work is being done in conjunction with the Toll 49, Segment 3A project which is scheduled for completion in 2012. Detours will be posted.

TYLER � Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Tyler was evacuated Sunday morning after a small fire. It started in the men�s restroom near the front door of the church. A church member had the fire out when firemen arrived. City fire officials say the cause of the fire is �suspicious� and remains under investigation. No injuries were reported. Ironically fire and rescue officials had already been to the church earlier in the morning for a service recognition ceremony.

AUSTIN — State Representative Chuck Hopson of Jacksonville puts House Bill 1650 before the House Committee on government efficiency and reform. The bill requires state and local governments to give preference to building materials produced in Texas. Hopson says, “It’s my hope that this bill will encourage job growth and business expansion all across this great state.”

TYLER — John Tyler High School, Bank of America, and Parent Services Center have partnered to bring a nationally acclaimed father-involvement program called Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Good Students) to John Tyler High School. The organizational meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 21, at the John Tyler gym. Theodore Timms, Associate Principal and coordinator of the project, explained, �Watch D.O.G.S. is an innovative program developed in 1998 by the National Center for Fathering. It is endorsed by National PTA and PTO. Fathers and father-figures of students are invited to spend at least one day per year volunteering at their child�s school.�

According to Timms, schools that participate have experienced some amazing results. �For example, 79% of participating schools noted a significant increase in safety, 52% reported that the Watch D.O.G.S. Program contributed to a decrease in student behavioral problems, and 50% noted an increase in student achievement,� he stated.

John Tyler PTA President and Top Dog Coordinator James Brooks noted that benefits from the Watch D.O.G.S. Program also have impact on the fathers� relationships with their children. �The Watch D.O.G.S website reports that 90% of students with Watch D.O.G.S. dads have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher, 82% never have behavioral issues during school, and 92% of fathers who participate state that they are more active with their student outside of education. These are pretty amazing improvements.� Mr. Brooks has recruited a �Top Dog Team� of five fathers and father-figures, who will recruit and train participants.

Parent Services Center Executive Director Shelley Judd explained that her organization is a non-profit United Way agency whose mission is to educate and support parents and prevent family breakdown. �When we learned about the Watch D.O.G.S. Program, we approached Mr. Timms at John Tyler. He immediately saw the value of the project, so we approached Bank of America for a grant to help them get started, and the rest is history,� explained Judd.

Coach Christina Whitehead is serving as faculty liaison. �My role is to work with our teachers so that they provide meaningful activities for the Watch D.O.G.S. during their day of service,� she stated. �Our faculty is enthusiastic about this project, which is a win-win for all involved.� For more information, call John Tyler, 903-262-2858. You can go to http://www.fathers.com to check out the Watch D.O.G.S. website.

Pictured, from left to right: James Brooks, PTA President; Coach Christina Whitehead, faculty liaison; and Theodore Timms, John Tyler High School Associate Principal.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has been accredited by the Register of Professional Archaeologists, Dr. Kenneth Wink, College of Arts and Sciences interim dean, announced. From the 100 universities nationwide that have field schools, UT Tyler is one of 12 that carry the certification. University officials say it highly qualifies graduates going into the applied archaeology field of cultural resource management. �This certification demonstrates to companies across the country that our graduates have the level of expertise that the companies need,� said Dr. Thomas Guderjan, UT Tyler assistant professor of anthropology and field school principal.

According to a UTT news release, engineering firms hire archaeologists to conduct environmental impact studies on a designated site before land development and building processes begin, should any archaeological discoveries of significant value be found. The RPA defines a field school is an ongoing research project that also aims to train students in how to conduct the research. According to the UTT release, student training activities are integrated into the planned research and designed to fulfill needed data collection activities as well as expose students to best practices in the planning and implementation of field research.

UT Tyler annually sends five to 10 students to its school in Belize. �Our students interact with other participants from across the world. It�s a cross-cultural experience. It�s work they can really dig and sink their teeth into,� added Guderjan, whose nonprofit work with the Maya Research Program allows the school to coexist with its research station in Belize. �We have students who have had interest in archaeology but don�t know where to go with it, and now more and more of them are getting involved. Many move on to graduate schools, schools in anthropology, and related fields.� Visit http://www.rpanet.org/ for more information about RPA. And you can go to http://www.mayaresearchprogram.org/ for more about the Maya Research Program.

TYLER � Smith County Commissioner Terry Phillips is offering a brief response after his son Lance (pictured) got probation in a visual recording case. According to KETK, the elder Phillips did not want to go on camera, but he says in a statement: “The court handed down the sentence they thought was appropriate. Now, it’s time for my son to abide by the court’s decision. No matter what, we stand by our son and love him.” He also says his son’s actions will not affect the way he serves the county.

Earlier, Lance Phillips of Tyler pleaded guilty to improper visual recording with intent to gratify. Phillips, 27, was sentenced to two years in prison; that sentence was suspended, and he was given 5 years probation. Phillips turned himself in to authorities in March of last year. A woman had found a hidden camera in her bedroom. Other electronic devices were also located. She said the camera had been placed there by Phillips, who was her landlord. Phillips’s mother is County Clerk Karen Phillips.

BULLARD — The Texas Rangers say former Bullard police officer Steven Morris has been indicted on a charge of sexual assault of a child. In September 2010 Morris confessed to having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old. According to KETK, Morris is out on a $100,000 bond.

TYLER — Officials from the Texas Rose Festival Association and the city of Tyler have signed an agreement to join together to launch �Investing in our Legacy of Roses.� Spokespeople say it’s a campaign designed to provide proceeds from the Association back to the city to enhance what’s termed Tyler�s most public destination, the Tyler Rose Garden. The Rose Festival Association has committed to contributing proceeds from each year�s festivities back to support the enrichment of the Rose Garden. In addition, other opportunities will be made available to interested benefactors to contribute to the community project.

�Tyler is already known as the Rose Capital; however, we want to offer a U.S. destination that is like no other — one that will attract visitors to Tyler from near and far,� said Tom Ramey, president of the Texas Rose Festival Association for 2011. �The Rose Festival executive committee wanted to establish a way to give back to the community in a way that benefits all of the citizens of Tyler.�

Partnership spokespeople say a committee is being assembled to develop a strategic plan to support the endeavor with thoughtful planning and tactics. The group will comprise master gardeners and community leaders, along with representatives from the city and the Rose Festival Association. �Our goal is clear � to enhance Tyler�s most public forum, the Tyler Rose Garden,� said Ramey. �The Texas Rose Festival Association, over the next several years will support the facility that benefits every citizen in Tyler. We want this destination to be something that each and every Tylerite is proud to share with visitors to our area.�

TYLER � The city of Tyler is putting in a new water and sewer line along U.S. 69 North up to Interstate 20. According to KETK, Tyler Economic Development Council CEO Tom Mullins says the infrastructure is to make Tyler have a presence on I-20 for the first time. One local developer, Bob Garrett, says, “There’s every reason in the world to grow up there and now that there will be new infrastructure, I think you will see it more and more.” Garrett says his company has been interested in building on U.S. 69 for a long time, and now he’s considering using 800 acres there. “The main reason development hasn’t occurred any more than it has up there is because we just didn’t have the infrastructure,” he says.

The new pipes are part of the Tyler 21 plan to expand the city, and when you pair it with Toll 49, officials say growth around Tyler is bound to happen in every direction. “Growing north becomes more possible and growing west becomes more possible,” says Mullins. City officials expect areas where Toll 49 crosses major highways like Highway 64, Highway 31, and Highway 110 will attract houses, businesses, and retail. “It’ll create more investment by the private sector, it’ll create more jobs, it’ll create a new tax base,” says Mullins. With Tyler still expanding the most south, Garrett says, “I think 10 or 20 years from now, the map of Tyler is going to look significantly different.”

LUFKIN (AP) – The head of an East Texas biomass plant says the unit could begin producing power this spring by converting logging debris into electricity. Aspen Power president Danny Vines says the plant in Lufkin is expected to do its first burning during the final commission phase scheduled for May. The Lufkin Daily News reported Friday that Vines, in a telephone interview, said electrical work at the 50-megawatt plant is nearly finished and the operating platform is “going well.” Aspen Power, touted as the first biomass plant of its kind in the state, faces testing of emissions levels to abide by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality standards.

DAINGERFIELD � One person has been killed in a one vehicle accident north of Daingerfield. Dead at the scene of the Wednesday night crash was Douglas Flowers, 33, of Lone Star. The Department of Public Safety report the Flowers� vehicle hit a guard rail and the driver lost control. The accident occurred on State Highway 49.

TYLER � Tyler police say a citizen helped them round up a suspect who allegedly had some potentially crime-related items in his possession. Around 2:50 Thursday morning, police say, the citizen was on his way to work when he spotted a man between two homes in the area of College and Second Street. The witness stated that the man lay down on the lawn to keep from being spotted. The witness drove up to a patrol vehicle in the area and told the officer what he�d observed. Officers converged on the Bergfeld Park area to search for the suspect and found him near the restrooms in the park.

Police say upon interviewing the suspect, they found several items considered to be instruments that could be used in committing a criminal act such as residential burglary or assault. The items included a folding knife, black gloves, a canister of OC spray, a black ski mask, a screwdriver, a folding mirror, and two small flash lights. The suspect was identified as Bryan Wynn, 25, of Tyler. Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Wynn that was issued by Judge Carole Clark. Wynn was charged with unlawful use of criminal instrument, a third degree felony and released on a $10,000 bond. According to police, �Thanks to the alert and quick response of the citizen, we believe a more serious crime was prevented.�

TYLER — With its heavy health care industry concentration, Tyler stands to be especially affected by possible legislative cuts in funding for hospitals and other components of the health care sector. That’s the word from Texas Hospital Association President Dr. Dan Stultz, who discussed the issue Thursday during a visit to Tyler. Stultz says in the Tyler community, “those ripple-down cuts, those ripple-down effects in state funding for local hospitals will touch everybody.” Stultz points out that health care is one of Tyler’s four largest industries — and he says that sector provides a cutting edge that helps attract employers and families to the area. He also pointed out that the funding cuts would lead to federal match loss for Texas — “so that we’re gonna leave money behind that’ll go to California, Massachusetts, New York, and Florida.” Stultz is urging local residents to be aware of the issue and contact their legislators about it.