KTBB News, Weather, Talk

JACKSONVILLE — The City of Jacksonville, East Texas Medical Center EMS, and Jacksonville’s Central Baptist Church have teamed up to bring a drowning prevention program to Lake Jacksonville. The name of the program, set for Friday at noon, is Kids Don’t Float. Life jackets and vests will be available at the concession stand at Lake Jacksonville for children to use free of charge. People can borrow these items for their children while swimming and return them before they leave so that they can be available for other children.

City officials say every year, children drown at area lakes due to lack of adequate flotation devices. The city is asking cooperation from the community to help preserve the board and the vests so that they are always available to save a life. The board is the sign with “Kids Don’t Float,” plus some more verbiage, and pegs where the vests hang. The city is also asking residents to donate a life jacket or vest that any of their children has outgrown. If you would like to help maintain the project’s mission by donating a life jacket or vest, you can call the City of Jacksonville Parks and Recreation Department at 903-586-5977 or 903-589-3510.

JACKSONVILLE — One East Texas state representative is applauding the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision in McDonald vs. City of Chicago. Jacksonville Republican Chuck Hopson says, “In these times of ever-increasing government intervention in our daily lives, it is crucial to have a Supreme Court that understands the importance of protecting our liberty.” The decision brings an end to a nearly 30-year ban on handguns in the city of Chicago and sets a new legal precedent for handgun legislation across the nation.

LUFKIN (AP) — Residents of the Lufkin area whose homes were damaged or destroyed in a December tornado can apply for part of $1.4 million in housing assistance. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs on Monday announced the grants will be available for low-income residents and private developers. Authorities say the Dec. 23 tornado destroyed as many as six homes and damaged about 238 others. The Lufkin Daily News reported Tuesday that some damaged houses still have tarps on the roofs. A public notice will be issued when the application process is ready.

ATHENS — An autopsy has been ordered on the body of a woman who drowned over the weekend in Cedar Creek Lake. Swimmers came upon the body of Jana Lynn Black, 42, who lived near-by. Witnesses told investigators the woman had been drinking and fishing on a pier with a friend. The friend left, but Black stayed behind. The drowning was reported early Sunday afternoon.

LONGVIEW — Several flights had to be diverted to Longview’s East Texas Regional Airport Monday night. Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Ceriliano said the planes, two American Airlines jetliners and a smaller American Eagle aircraft, were diverted because of the weather. All of the aircraft encountered heavy turbulence. At least six passengers were treated for injuries.

TYLER — On Thursday, the City of Tyler Traffic Engineering Department will be turning off the traffic signal at Front Street and Wildwood Drive. TheTyler Independent School District is relocating Jones Elementary School; therefore, the Traffic Engineering Department anticipates much less traffic at this location.

Although the signal will not be in use after July 1, the signal poles will remain in place in the event the facility is reopened in the future. However, the signal heads will be removed to avoid driver confusion. “This intersection will no longer warrant a signal because of decreased traffic volume,” said Traffic Engineer Peter Eng. “Fewer signals enhances our ability to keep traffic flowing safely and efficiently.”

LUFKIN — A Lufkin couple are facing possible charges after faking a kidnapping. Lufkin police were called to a store on North Timberland Drive by a woman reporting seeing a man forcibly shove a woman into the trunk of a car. The witness said she tried to follow the car when it sped away. That started search by a contingent of law officers.

About an hour later a woman returned to the store to tell officers she and her boyfriend had been watching the movie “Jackass” and thought it would be funny to see the reaction to a faked kidnapping. The boyfriend later told officers a similar story. The couple could be facing a variety of charges.

TYLER — Three Tyler faith and community-based agencies have been awarded a total of $77,070 in grants to build their capacity to address priorities set by the North Tyler community. A Circle of Ten, Inc., leaders announced funding to Michael’s House of Hope ($40,000), ReHabitat of Smith County ($25,000), and Touched by Suicide ($12,070). The funds were made possible through the US Dept of Health & Human Services “Expanding Capacity Opportunities for Nonprofits” (ECON) grant, bringing $230,000 in competitive subgrants in the North Tyler area and $230,000 to the Greater Alto Area.

ECON is an initiative of A Circle of Ten, Inc., based in Jacksonville, TX, who will, along with several cooperating entities, provide much of the training and technical assistance. The subgrant funds will be used for additional capacity building such as attainment of 501c3 status, implementation of records systems, equipment, staff/volunteer development, and hiring of consultants offering specialized 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. Baseline priorities include community and economic development, with Green Jobs Academy opportunities through education and workforce, plus making homes/buildings energy efficient. Other priorities are set by each community. North Tyler Initiative’s top additional priorities include: health services to seniors and families, youth services and opportunities, and business development.

Faith and community-based agencies addressing North Tyler Initiative’s priorities are invited to apply for the second round of competitive subgrants. A Bidders’ Conference providing an overview and Q&A session is set for June 29, 6 pm, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce at 526 E Commerce St., Jacksonville. Grant applications are due July 30. Additional information and the Requests for Proposals are available at http://www.etvv.org, 903-541-0013 or circleof10@circleof10.org.

LAKE QUITMAN — There was a drowning in Lake Quitman over the weekend. According to KETK, Wood County deputies were called to the scene around 3:10 Sunday afternoon. Authorities say upon arrival, two people were administering CPR on 62-year-old Hube Larrimore Harles. EMS had already been summoned to the scene. The people performing CPR told deputies Harles was about 30 yards offshore when he said he could not breathe and they got him out of the water. Harles’s girlfriend said he suffered from high blood pressure. Harles was transported to a Quitman hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His body was sent to Dallas Forensics for an autopsy to determine of the exact cause of death.

TYLER — Tyler Police responded to a report of a robbery early Monday morning. Authorities say, it happened around 1:30 when the victim claims he was on his way home from a club with two men that he met following him back to his residence. The victim claims they were in the area of the 2600 block of Seaton when one suspect exited a Yukon and approached the victim’s truck. The suspect reportedly struck the victim in the nose several times and stole his cell phone. The victim then ran to a residence to call for help. Police say the only description they have of the suspects is a Hispanic male and a white male.

TYLER — The group known as Amputees Across America passed through Tyler Monday morning. The group of amputees making a 3,500-mile transcontinental bike ride arrive at Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital (affiliate of HealthSouth) to visit with and inspire patients. The five cyclists are riding in 150-mile relays across the United States, visiting hospitals and local amputee support groups to increase public awareness of amputees as people with active lifestyles. This is the ninth year Amputee Across America has made a cross-country journey. You can go to http://www.amputeesacrossamerica.com to follow the 2010 journey.

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

TYLER – The Texas Department of Transportation’s annual preventative maintenance program known as “District-Wide Seal Coat” is scheduled to resume this week with a second crew beginning work, meaning that work will be conducted in multiple locations around the district, including Anderson, Cherokee and Rusk counties.

The crews are scheduled to be at work this week in the following locations in the order they appear, weather permitting:
First Crew
* Farm Road 322 in Anderson County, between Loop 256 and State Highway 294;
* West Loop 256 in Palestine between U.S. Highway 79 south and U.S. Highway 79 north; and
* U.S. Highway 79 from the Neches River Bridge north to Farm Road 747 north, just west of Jacksonville.
Second Crew
*State Highway 21 in Cherokee County between Alto and the Houston County Line;
* U.S. Highway 69 in Cherokee County between Farm Road 343 in Rusk and Farm Road 1911 in Alto;
* State Highway 204 in Cherokee and Rusk counties between U.S. Highway 84 and the Nacogdoches County Line;
* Farm Road 1798 in Rusk County between Farm Road 839 in McKnight and Farm Road 225 in Laneville;
* Farm Road 840 in Rusk County between U.S. Highway 259 in Henderson and State Highway 315; and
* State Highway 322 in Rusk County between Farm Road 1249 and U.S. Highway 259 in Henderson.
Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two lane areas. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

TYLER — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement-repair operations on North and East Loop 323 in Tyler between U.S. Highway 69 north and Commerce Street, and on U.S. Highway 271 between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Farm Road 2016 north of Tyler. 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.

Also this week in Tyler, construction crews on Wednesday are scheduled to begin nighttime pavement repairs on State Highway 31 (East Front Street) between Broadway Avenue and East Loop 323. Crews will be at work making pavement repairs and resurfacing the roadway Sundays-Thursdays between 7:00pm and 6:00am. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of August.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs in various locations on Interstate Highway 20 in Gregg County, and on State Highway 149 between Lakeport and the Rusk County Line. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

OVERTON — The Union Pacific Railroad, in conjunction with the Texas Department of Transportation, will be closing the railroad crossing at FM 850 in Overton for repairs between 8:00am and 6:00pm on Thursday, July 1. Traffic will be detoured to the next crossing to the north while the work is in progress.

ATHENS — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement-repair operations on State Highway 31 in various locations between Loop 7 in Athens and Farm Road 314 in Brownsboro. 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 zones.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 1995 between State Highway 110 and Farm Road 773, and on Farm Road 1255 between Interstate Highway20 and Farm Road 773. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base repairs on U.S. Highway 80 between U.S. Highway 69 in Mineola and Farm Road 778 east of Mineola. 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.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on U.S. Highway 287 between Farm Road 59 and the Trinity River. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

TYLER — KTBB hosted former Governor Sarah Palin at Tyler’s Oil Palace Saturday night. In front of a crowd of about 4,000, Ms. Palin spoke almost exclusively on matters related to oil and energy production She leveled sharp criticism at President Obama for his tough public rhetoric regarding the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. She said, “You’d never guess that the last inspection of the rig took place just 10 days before the blowout preventer failed, and that would definitely be on President Obama’s watch, as in stop pointing fingers at everybody else and take responsibility. “She went on to say, “You asked for the job Mr. President, now buck up or stay in the truck.”

Referring to federal policy that severely restricts oil and gas exploration in the United States, Governor Palin was critical. She said that we’re the only country in the world that purposefully refuses to develop it’s own proven reserves and the president must know this. Palin says we do not have a scarcity of resources in America, we have a scarcity of common sense in Washington D.C.

Ms. Palin was sharply critical of President Obama’s moratorium on deep water oil exploration in the wake of the BP oil spill, saying that it unfairly penalizes residents of the Gulf. Pailin said, “They’ve been drilling in the Gulf for decades without any major incidents even during Katrina and Rita and there’s no need to punish Gulf residents just because BP and the government screwed up.”

Governor Rick Perry was on hand at the Oil Palace Saturday night to introduce former Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Before the event, Governor Perry spoke about the looming 18 billion dollar budget shortfall in Texas. He said it will be handled in the way it always has been, by prioritizing and reduction of spending. He said he’s not concerned in the least that Texas will have a balanced budget just like in 2003.

Governor Palin joins commentators Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck in making the Oil Palace one of the premier venues for conservative voices. In less than one year, Hannity, Beck and Palin appeared at the Oil Palace. Sarah Palin’s appearance was co-sponsored by KTBB Radio and CBS 19.

Governor Sarah Palin first made history on December 4, 2006 when she was sworn in as the first female governor of Alaska. In August 2008, Senator John McCain tapped Palin to serve as his Vice-Presidential running mate in his presidential campaign, making her the first woman to run on the Republican Party’s presidential ticket.

TYLER — It only happens once a year, but this event may save lives in the next emergency in our area. It’s the Tyler Amateur Radio Club, and this weekend marked their annual field days. When disaster strikes, like a hurricane, or there is an emergency like the Shuttle explosion, immediate communication is vital. And you cell phone may be missing in action. The one medium that will work rain or shine, with no more power than a care battery is shortwave.

And, according to KETK, once a year the 78-member strong Tyler Amateur Radio Club gets together to keep it’s skills sharp and make sure they are ready. “It’s sponsored by the American Radio Relay League, and once a year we get together to do emergency preparedness,” club member Elaine Jackson said. There’s even a rolling communications center which serves a number of local needs.

TYLER — Community policing remains a priority of the Tyler Police Department. That means heavy involvement from citizens according to Lt. Robert Barrentine, who says, “We need their help, and we need them to be involved for us to make this a safer place to live. We want to get out into communities and do the best we can to help them with all the problems.” Barrentine, commander of the police department’s Community Response Team, appears on this week’s KTBB “Staff Meeting.” He says police want to work with residents to address not just crime, but social problems or any other issues.

Barrentine says citizen involvement can mean anything from reporting crimes to forming neighborhood watch groups. According to Barrentine, Tyler now has 79 active watch groups, up from 55 at this time last year. Programs such as Citizens on Patrol and the Citizens Police Academy are just two other examples of how you can become involved. You can go to http://www.tylerpolice.com for more information. You can also listen to the “Staff Meeting” show online at http://www.ktbb.com/audio beginning early Monday.