JACKSONVILLE — A one vehicle accident in Cherokee County has left one person dead and one injured. Both were not wearing their seat belts. Killed was Amber Bird, 24, of Jacksonville. The driver, James Dillard III, 25, Jacksonville, is being treated at Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. The Department of Public Safety reports Dillard’s pickup was southbound when it left the road, hit a dirt embankment, and overturned. The accident happened just before 6:45 Sunday afternoon on Farm Road 2138 South of Jacksonville.
United Way Kickoff
TYLER — The United Way of Tyler/Smith County kicks off its 70th anniversary campaign with a public celebration on the Square in downtown Tyler today from 11:30-1:00. Guest speaker is Mayor Barbara Bass. There will also be check presentations by companies that have “set the pace” for this year’s campaign. A free hot dog lunch is being provided by Brookshire’s and Super 1 Foods, as long as supplies last. Frito Lay is providing chips; drinks are being provided by Coca-Cola, Community Coffee, Tyler Beverages, and Pepsi. The 2010 campaign will continue to remind everyone to “Live United.” You can go to http://www.unitedwaytyler.org to learn more.
Teacher of the Year – April 2010
Tyler ISD….Jose Graciano, Peete Elementary School
Winona ISD….Clarice Bledsoe, Winona Middle School
Lindale ISD….Jennifer Davis, Early Education Center
Troup ISD….Amy Neel, Troup High School
Chapel Hill ISD….Denise Schmidt, Chapel Hill Middle School
Arp ISD…..Brian Keith, Arp High School
Teacher of the Month – March 2010
LaShunda Wright, Tyler’s Ramey Elementary
Daniel Veisscher, Lindale High School
Jennifer Taylor, Winona Elementary
Cathy DeCloux, Troup Middle School
Karen Kizer, Arp Junior High
Teacher of the Year – February 2010
Tyler ISD…..Jamie Womack, Rice Elementary School
Winona ISD…..David Brown, Winona High School
Chapel Hill ISD….Mary Williams, STEPS Alternative School
Troup ISD….Mary New, Troup Elementary School
Arp ISD….Debbie Taliaferro, Arp Elementary School
Teacher of the Month – January 2010
Troup ISD…..Bobby Dyess, Troup High School
Chapel Hill ISD…Kacy Walsh, Wise Elementary School
Winona ISD….Jerome Ptak, Winona Middle School
Lindale ISD….Sandy Devisscher, E.J. Moss Intermediate
Arp ISD…..Jennifer Anderson, Arp High School
Tyler ISD…..Karen Brashear, Bonner Elementary School
White Oak Marine Injured
WHITE OAK — A marine from White Oak is injured in an explosion in Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Eric Richardson and several marines were injured after a roadside bomb exploded Saturday. Richardson’s recovering from a leg injury at a hospital in Maryland. According to KETK, he’s undergone three surgeries and will undergo another one soon. He will be awarded a purple heart.
East Texas Man Dies Trying to Save Girl
FORT WORTH (AP) — A passing bicyclist saved a woman and a 7-year-old girl from the Trinity River but was unable to rescue a man, whose body was later recovered from the water. Fort Worth Fire Department spokesman Tim Hardeman says the family apparently had been on a rocky crossing when the girl fell into the water, and the husband and wife tried to save her. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the man who died Monday afternoon as 47-year-old Richard Walker of Winnsboro. Jeff Harrison says he was cycling through Trinity Park when he saw three people in the river and jumped in the water. Harrison says the girl seemed fine, but he had to do CPR to revive the woman. Hardeman says the woman and the girl are expected to recover.
Brief Filed in Teacher Stabbing Case
TYLER — A local attorney claims two East Texas courts ignored the law in the case involving teen murder suspect Byron Truvia. Truvia allegedly stabbed teacher Todd Henry (pictured) to death last September at John Tyler High School. Truvia’s defense attorney Jim Huggler filed the brief last week. According to KETK, Huggler says the lower courts ignored a required mental evaluation before trying Truvia as an adult. The brief was filed at the request of the Supreme Court.
Investigation Continues in Possible Murder
TYLER — A suspected homicide at Winters Park in Tyler is still under investigation. Officers say they found the body of Ronnie Kemp, 48, Tyler, Monday night in the park on Peach Street. According to KETK, family members say Kemp called them and told them he was in trouble. Neighbors to the park say they are concerned for their safety. Police say they believe Kemp knew his attacker and that he had a criminal history in Smith County.
Toddler Drank Paint Thinner
TYLER — Investigators say a toddler who died Monday afternoon accidently drank paint thinner. According to authorities, 18-month old Nathaly Velazquez was riding in a vehicle containing paint supplies. The paint thinner was in a water bottle and investigators believe the youngster drank it, thinking it was water. The youngster’s father drove her to the Mother Frances Hospital emergency room where she died. The Tyler Police Department and Smith County Child Protective Services continue to investigate the death.
Tyler Burglary Suspect Arrested
TYLER — Tyler police say they’ve apprehended a burglar. Just after 1:00 Monday afternoon, officers responded to a report of a house being burglarized in the 800 block of West Dobbs. According to a police report, officers arrived on the scene and caught a suspect, identified as Terry Desmond Vaughn, 34, of Tyler, inside the house. Police say Vaughn surrendered to officers without incident. Vaughn was booked into the Smith County Jail for burglary.
Tyler Toddler’s Death Probed
TYLER — Investigators are looking into the death of a Tyler toddler. The 18 month old was brought in to the Mother Francis Hospital emergency room Monday afternoon for the accidental ingestion of unknown poisonous substance. The girl quit breathing and could not be revived and died at the hospital. Investigators from Tyler Police Department and Smith County Child Protective Services were called and the incident is under investigation.
Burglary Suspect Apprehended
TYLER — Tyler police say they’ve apprehended a burglar. On Monday at 1:01 p.m., officers responded to a report of a house being burglarized in the 800 block of W. Dobbs. According to a police report, officers arrived on the scene and caught a suspect, identified as Terry Vaughn, 34, of Tyler, inside the house. Police say Vaughn surrendered to officers without incident. Vaughn was booked into the Smith County Jail for burglary.
National Recognition for TISD Foundation
TYLER — The Tyler ISD Foundation has experienced a great number of successful achievements in the past few years, but it has now been singled out as the best public relations foundation in the nation, according to the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA). The national organization is composed primarily of school districts across America and awards 43 Golden Achievement honors. This year, 42 of the awards went to major school districts for their achievement in image building through good public relations. But for the first time, the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) awarded one of its Golden Achievement Awards to the Tyler ISD Foundation — the charter award for an education foundation in the United States. The award will be given at the association’s national conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, July 10th through 15th.
“This is the highest honor we have ever received,” said Larry Goddard, Executive Director of the Foundation. Goddard will be making the trip to Charlotte to pick up the award, which honors the overall public relations campaign. “Positive community awareness is essential in fundraising,” said Goddard. According to Goddard, the foundation needs to tell prospective donors that it does things well, and awards such as the national Golden Achievement honor do that for the foundation. Goddard thanked the local media of Tyler, from radio, to newspapers, to weeklies, to magazines, and cable companies with helping the nonprofit’s community awareness of serving donors and supporting the District.