KTBB News, Weather, Talk

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.

TYLER – Tyler police have located a missing person. The search began yesterday for Arabelia Ramirez, 80, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and is also in poor health. She had last been seen leaving Gilbert’s El Charro at East 5th and Loop 323 around noon yesterday. Mrs. Ramirez was found driving in the City of Hudson Oaks, Texas. She was found in good condition and was released to family members.

LONGVIEW — We’ll be getting the final numbers shortly for the 61st annual Gregg County Fair. But from the looks of the crowds, but attendance should be outstanding. Outstanding weather and more attractions were responsible for the big crowds. The annual Gregg County Fair finished its run over the weekend.

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

HENDERSON COUNTY — Work has begun to repair a bridge on State Highway 334 closed since Wednesday evening. The bridge, which spans a northern portion of Cedar Creek Lake, is located between Seven Points and Gun Barrel City in northwest Henderson County. Crews will be repairing a sheared bridge column, the damage to which forced the bridge’s closure on Wednesday evening.

TxDOT inspectors determined that the damage to the column, which is just above the waterline, was likely caused by being struck by a heavy boat or barge. TxDOT officials met with contractors Friday morning to discuss the work after an inspection by the department’s dive team indicated the bridge would have to remain closed until repairs could be made.

“We’re hoping that by Tuesday morning, the bridge is open to traffic,” said TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz. “We don’t like having to close roads or bridges, but we’re not about to gamble with the public’s safety on our system.” A TxDOT incident hotline has been established for this closure to provide the latest information to the public. That number is 1-866-633-8106. Updated information will also be posted on TxDOT’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/TxDOT Videos posted on the site featuring the bridge inspection process and close-ups of the damage registered more than 1,500 hits overnight between Thursday evening and Friday morning.

TxDOT’s posted detour takes traffic north from Seven Points on SH 274 to Kemp, then south and east on US 175 to SH 198, then south on SH 198 to Gun Barrel City.

Also this week in Henderson County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on SH 315 between FM 279 north of Chandler and FM 314 south of Moore Station. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform seal coat operations on State Highway 135 between Jacksonville and Troup. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and traffic will be controlled by flaggers. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue several days of resurfacing operations in various locations along State Highway 43 between Henderson and Tatum. A second crew is scheduled to be at work on U.S. Highway 259 south of Kilgore performing shoulder work. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repair operations on Farm Road 751 in the northwest corner of the county between the Hunt County Line and FM 47 in Wills Point. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on US 80 east of Mineola between Loop 564 and Farm Road 2422, and in various locations on U.S. Highway 80 in and around Hawkins. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

TYLER — Business is booming at Tyler’s downtown Cotton Belt Depot Museum — home to model trains galore, along with various artifacts tracing railroad history in East Texas and beyond. Glenn Wilkins, the director of museum activities, was a guest on KTBB “Staff Meeting.” He says visitors come from far and wide, as shown by a map at the museum on which people place pins to show where they’re from. According to Wilkins, since the map was hung in 2006, guests have come in from all 50 states and 31 foreign countries. Wilkins says there’s lots of fun for the whole family at the museum, where the highly valued Bragg Collection of model trains is a centerpiece. He adds that you’re welcome to add to the museum’s displays, either by making a gift or lending something.

Admission to the museum is free, but you’re urged to call ahead if you’re planning on bringing a large group. You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org and click on the “Visitors” tab for more information. You can also go to http://www.ktbb.com/audio beginning early Monday to hear the “Staff Meeting” show online.

LONGVIEW — A shooting Saturday morning in Longview sends three to the hospital. Authorities say Robert Lynn Buchanan has been arrested and is now in the Gregg County Jail. Buchanan is charged with four counts of aggravated assault. The incident happened around 11:50 at a residence on 2407 Pickett Street. Police received a call of shots fired. Witnesses told officers that one of the victims, a 21-year-old man, had been arguing with his uncle when the uncle fired two shots at the victim. The shots mostly missed the 21-year-old victim, only causing him a minor wound, but struck three other family members at the residence.

A 17-year-old male victim was struck in the groin area, a ten-year-old female victim was struck in the leg and a nine-year-old female victim was struck on her feet. None of the four victims received life-threatening injuries and the three younger ones were transported to a Longview area hospital for treatment.

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to a disturbance call Friday night and arrested one man. It happened around 9:40 at 1337 Cold Water Cove, a subdivision in Hollytree. Authorities say they received a call about a man in the home who “shoot up” the place. The caller told police that the man was possibly intoxicated on prescription drugs, had a weapon and was making threatening remarks towards cops. Officers along with the SWAT team surrounded the home and were able to talk the man out without incident. Police say the man involved in the standoff was John Harvey, 51. He was taken to the hospital for a medical exam, then to the Smith County Jail. After a search of the home, authorities found a significant amount of damage. The estimate of the damage was over $100,000.

TYLER — Six Tyler faith- and community-based agencies were awarded a total of $186,505 in grants to build their capacity to address priorities set by the North Tyler community. That’s the word from A Circle of Ten, Inc. Leaders of A Circle of Ten announced funding to Christian Men’s Job Corps, Project HEAT, Arts & Humanities Council of East TX, Sisters in Christ, New Integrated Beginnings and Spring Creek Baptist Church. The money comes through the Expanding Capacity Opportunities for Nonprofits Initiative grant from the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services.

Each of the awardees will focus on two or more of the previously identified community priorities, determined earlier this year during several priority setting meetings as part of the efforts of the North Tyler Rebuild America Initiative. More information is available at http://www.etvv.org or 903-541-0013.

TYLER — The third suspect in a recent Tyler home invasion has been identified as 19-year-old Traevon Marlon Ray of Tyler. Tyler police say they’ve been unable to locate Ray. A warrant has been issued for his arrest for aggravated robbery. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Tyler-Smith County Crimestoppers, at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833). Tyler-Smith County Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to arrests and charges filed against the suspects in this or any felony case.

Earlier, Tyler Police Investigators arrested Torriunte Jacoby Pollard, 20, of Tyler. Bond was set at $150,000. Previously arrested in the case was Channing Javier House, 17. His bond is also $150,000. Police say the incident happened around 11:30 p.m. Monday at the Dovetree Apartments at 1600 Rice Road. The victims say they thought a friend was at the door when three black males aged about 18 to 21, with bandanas over their faces, forced their way into the apartment. Victims told officers the suspects had a gun and rummaged through the apartment, taking an undisclosed amount of property before fleeing.

DALLAS — Two-year-old Jaden McClean — who accidentally shot himself Wednesday — is in stable condition today. According to KETK, the family says he was up watching Spongebob and moved out of the Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas Friday afternoon. According to Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith, Jaden wandered into an office at the Sportsmans Club in Smith County, found a handgun on a desk, and accidentally shot himself in the head. The boy’s grandmother, one of the club’s owners, was reportedly busy when the toddler wandered off. The case will be referred to the DA for possible charges against the grandmother.

TYLER — Tyler’s PATH agency kicks off its 25th Anniversary “Faith in Our Future” campaign. The fund drive was announced at Thursday night’s PATH 25th Anniversary Dinner, part of PATH Week in Tyler. The goal is go raise $1,000,000 by the end of 2012. PATH officials point out that that more than 26,000 people turn to PATH for help each year — and things have gotten especially challenging since the economy worsened. According to information from the agency, “The funds generated by the 25th Anniversary Campaign will establish a fund to help sustain future, inevitable, economic downturns. This fund will be managed by the Board through special provision policies.” Longtime PATH volunteer C.C. Baker Jr. says $215,300 has been raised so far.

Speakers at the dinner were former PATH Executive Director Nancy Lamar; current agency chief Christina Fulsom; and the Very Rev. M.L. Agnew, who helped organize PATH in 1985. Cecil Ward, who has served PATH in various capacities, won the agency’s Gertrude Windsor Award. PATH officials say that honor, named for PATH’s founder, goes to someone who exemplifies the spirit of PATH by giving selflessly and quietly. The agency’s Stone Soup Award, inspired by the old folk tale “Stone Soup,” went to Emalene Clouse. She crochets baby blankets and donates them to PATH.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview investigate a shooting at a local motel. It happened around 5:55 p.m. Thursday. Officers were dispatched to the Sunset Inn at 1308 West Marshall Avenue after someone reported gunfire. Lucian Alexander of Longview was found with a gunshot wound to the head. Alexander was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Witnesses stated that Alexander and another man had been fighting in the parking lot, when a woman stepped up and shot Alexander. The female suspect and the man fighting with Alexander then fled in a silver Toyota Camry. Officers stopped the vehicle on I- 20, just west of Longview and detained the female driver and male passenger. A 9mm handgun was located inside the car. Janet Embry, 42, Henderson, was charged with aggravated assault . She was booked into the Gregg County Jail.

TYLER — A six year old who was wearing a seat belt, but not in a booster seat, has been killed in a one vehicle accident in Smith County. Dead at the scene was Moises Marino of Tyler. The wreck happened around 4:30 Thursday afternoon north of Tyler on County Road 381. The boy’s mother and two other children in the mini van, were injured, but not seriously. The Department of Public Safety says the van left the roadway and hit a tree.

CANEY CITY — A Henderson County toddler is in serious condition in a Dallas hospital after a pickup backed over him. The accident happened yesterday at the Sunshine Fina station on State Highway 198 in Caney City. The 18-month-old child’s mother works at the station. Investigators say the boy’s mother often brings him to the station when she has to work. Somehow, the youngster got out of her sight and wandered into the station’s parking lot. The pickup’s cab is so high that the driver, said to be the boy’s uncle, didn’t see the child. The youngster is being treated at Children’s Medical Center.

HENDERSON — The State Fire Marshal’s Office has been asked to assist in determining the cause of a mobile home fire. The home on County Road 2125 was destroyed by a Wednesday morning blaze. The mobile home was a crime scene a couple of years ago.

It was in that home that 13-month-old Amora Carson was beaten to death as a couple tried to remove demons from the child during an exorcism in December, 2008. A forensic pathologist, Dr. Keith Pinckard of the Southwest Institute of Forensic Sciences, said the little girl suffered a long list of injuries. He told of numerous broken bones, lacerations of her brain and liver and severe tears to her sexual organs. He said the potentially fatal injuries were so numerous that he couldn’t determine a specific cause of death.

The baby’s mother, Jessica Carson, remains in the Rusk County Jail pending her trail. The woman’s boyfriend, Blaine Milam, 20, was convicted of capital murder four months ago. His trail was moved from Henderson to Conroe on a change of venue.

LONGVIEW — By this time next month, Longview could have a new fire chief. City Manager David Willard will recommend J.P. Steelman as Chief of the Longview Fire Department. Steelman has served as Interim Fire Chief since February. According to Willard, “Throughout the hiring process, J.P. demonstrated that he is the best fit for the job. I have been very pleased with his leadership as Interim Fire Chief, especially during this tough budget cycle.” The request will be presented to the city council at the October 14th meeting.

TYLER – The Tyler school board has approved agreements with Tyler Junior College for Technical Continuing Education Courses and Technical Dual Credit Courses. The agreements, which came at last night’s meeting, allow Tyler ISD students to take TJC college courses which allow them to receive credit in Tyler ISD and TJC. Tyler ISD students may also take TJC Continuing Education (CE) courses for high school credit. The agreement is for specific Automotive Technology Continuing Education Courses; Automotive Technology Dual Credit Courses; Welding Technology Dual Credit Courses; Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology – Dual Credit Courses.

Tyler ISD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) department funds the tuition, books, tools, materials, and bus transportation for each student accessing these courses at TJC. The CTE Allocation funds are budgeted at $125,000.00 for school year 2010-11. Facilities are not impacted by the expenditure of these funds. TJC houses all of these program offerings.

Also at the meeting Tyler ISD Construction Project Manager, Monte Robinett, provided the Board of Trustees an update on the progress of the school construction projects.

*Orr Elementary School
Phase 2 site work is nearing completion. Items of work remaining are: outside play court; site fence; completion of landscaping; resurfacing existing asphalt parking lot; installation of playground equipment; and completion of the exterior punch list. The next month’s progress will be the completion of the project.

*Woods Elementary School
Phase 2 work is nearing completion. Playground equipment is being installed. Landscaping will be complete within 2 weeks. Installation of site fencing is underway. Site punch list is being addressed The next month’s progress will be the completion of the project.

*Jones/Boshears School
This is the final report. The project has been completed on time and under budget. Contractor is in the process of moving off the site.

*Griffin Elementary
Carpet is being installed in the classroom sections of the building. 80% of the parking areas have been poured. Only the upper parking area by the gym remains to be poured. The extension of 28th street to Broadway has been poured and the exterior brickwork on the building is complete. Wall finishes in the gym are nearing completion. Ceiling is being installed in the cafeteria. Quarry tile has been installed in the kitchen. Next month’s progress should be the start of punch lists in the classroom addition, completion of parking areas and continuation of installation of finishes in the gym and cafeteria.

*Birdwell Elementary
Work is continuing in the administration area; ceramic tile is complete; walls are being painted and ceiling grid is being installed. Foundation walls are being formed at the new gym and cafeteria areas. The structural steel has been erected at the new main entry to the building and masonry and plaster work is underway. Toilet partitions are being installed in the remodeled area. Replacement of plumbing lines under existing building is almost complete. Next month’s progress will be completion of work on the new administration area, continuation of foundations for the new addition and completion of the new main entry to the building.

*Owens Elementary
The administration area has been temporarily relocated into some of the renovated classrooms and renovations to the old administration area have started. Reroofing of the existing building has started. Foundation work at the new gym and cafeteria is nearing completion and structural steel erection will be starting. Masonry work at new classroom addition is nearing completion. The next month’s progress will be the completion of foundations at gym and cafeteria, completion of masonry walls at classroom addition starting of structural erection. Work will continue on the remodeling of the administration area.

TYLER — The Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) will hold two public meetings to obtain input from the public that will assist in the development of a Pedestrian Access Study. The first meeting will be held Tuesday, September 21, 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.