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LONGVIEW — The City of Longview has begun the process to search for and hire a new fire chief. As the head of the Longview Fire Department, the Fire Chief is responsible for 167 staff members, 8 fire stations, and a $15.9 million budget. Officials say the City is utilizing Strategic Government Resources, Inc. (SGR) to help broaden the scope of the search and to assist with initial evaluation. During the search process, according to officials, SGR will identify and evaluate a variety of highly qualified prospects; provide a recommended list of five qualified candidates for interview; and design an assessment process for top candidates.

The City of Longview will conduct the interviews of the top candidates. As with all of the City’s director-level positions, the City Manager is responsible for selecting the final candidate, which is subject to approval by City Council. You can go to http://www.LongviewTexas.gov to view the fire chief job announcement. City officials add that you’re encouraged to contact SGR at http://www.GovernmentResource.com if you’re an interested, qualified candidate. Resumes should be submitted to SGR by Friday, August 20. It is anticipated that the hiring process will be completed within two to three months.

TYLER — The date has been set for the annual Texans Against Crime (T.A.C.) night out. The event will take place on Tuesday, October 12th , 2010 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. T.A.C. celebrations are held throughout East Texas on the second Tuesday in October. Last year the City of Tyler had approximately 90 block parties throughout the City to promote the program. Tyler police say it’s time to register your block party by registering online at http://www.tylerpolice.com or calling the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1096.

Police say the Texans Against Crime program is an annual event designed to unite neighbors and communities to encourage neighborhood communication, community involvement and crime prevention to create safer neighborhoods. According to police, the T.A.C. program encourages neighborhoods to host block parties as an opportunity to get to know your neighbor and fight crime. Police say the program promotes neighborhood alliances to strengthen local communities and preserve the quality of life in East Texas. Police add that the program helps to educate families, friends and neighbors about crime prevention and inform residents that communities are safer when neighbors work together. According to police, getting to know your neighbors is an important step in keeping your community safe.

WHITE OAK — Another East Texas city will soon decide whether or not they’ll allow alcohol sales in their town come November. A petition by some White Oak citizens was approved and confirmed during Monday’s Gregg County County Commissioner’s meeting, meaning that it will go on the upcoming November ballot. According to KETK, more than 400 residents of White Oak signed the petition.

TYLER (AP) – A Tyler campus where a teacher was fatally stabbed in 2009 will be more secure when classes begin Aug. 23. A teen accused in the attack on special education teacher Todd Henry, at John Tyler High School, remained in juvenile custody Tuesday. The boy was 16 last September when authorities say he stabbed Henry. A wrought iron fence, surrounding nearly 90 acres, is nearly finished. The fencing is part of $247,000 in security improvements for John Tyler and for Robert E. Lee High School. Tyler Independent School District spokeswoman Angela Jenkins says the goal is to provide a perimeter for the school and prevent students who are unauthorized pedestrians to enter or exit the grounds. Portable metal detectors will be used for random checks at both high schools.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Commissioners battled out their thoughts on job cuts and raised taxes last week. This week, however, they are just going to listen. As the county tries to scrape up $7 million in budget cuts, County Judge Joel Baker proposes a tax increase. Now, taxpayers get a chance to voice their thoughts on the matter. A public hearing was held today. According to KETK, the increase would bring in an extra $4 million for the county.

Commissioner Terry Phillips says they have to build a reserve back up that they spent last year. He says there will probably be some kind of tax, because it’s the only way to get the county budget where it needs to be. Since sales tax is down, the county is not taking in as much money as last year. Phillips says, “To balance the budget, we either have to raise taxes or reduce the budget.” Another public hearing will be held on August 17th.

TYLER — Tyler Police investigate an early morning robbery. It happened around 3:25 a.m. Tuesday near the area of North Tenneha and M.L. King Blvd. Authorities say two black male victims advised they had given a ride to a black male, to an unknown address on Tenneha. The suspect exited the vehicle and went to the front porch of a residence. The suspect returned, displayed a handgun at the victims and told them to get out of the car. The suspect took some money from one of the victims, got in the victim’s car and left the area. No injuries were reported.

LONGVIEW — Mayors from throughout the East Texas region are meeting at Longview’s Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center today to discuss regional issues in light of the upcoming Texas legislative session. According to Longview Mayor Jay Dean, “These types of discussions are absolutely critical for the East Texas region. Even though we each work in different cities and counties, we often have similar goals to help move our communities forward. We know that what is helpful for one city is usually beneficial for the entire region.” The group has been coordinated through the efforts of Marshall Mayor William “Buddy” Power.

EAST TEXAS — Federal school ratings are released — and for some East Texas school districts, the news isn’t good. According to KETK, Longview ISD is one of many East Texas school districts that did not meet the requirements. Longview High school and Forest Park Middle School missed the standards in math and reading performance along with graduation rates. But district officials say it’s because of a federal rule. that puts a cap on the number of special education students that can take a modified TAKS test. Still, they say, they believe the cap is a good thing. The Tyler Independent School District also has a list of schools that failed to meet the federal standards for education this year. There are four: Bell Elementary School, Boulter Middle School, John Tyler High school, and Robert E. Lee High School.

SMITH COUNTY — Just six months ago, Clear Springs Missionary Baptist Church was the 11th church to burn down during a string of church arsons. On Sunday, according to KETK, the church reopened its doors. The devastating arson fire in February engulfed what the congregation knew to be home. But now, the structure’s rebuilt, and the doors are once again open for services. Pastor Brandon Owens says it was faith that got them through. Clear Springs was the last church to fall victim to the rash of arsons.

TYLER — The investigation involving an 18-year-old female victim who reported getting sick after purchasing a drink from Sonic is now complete. According to authorities, on Sunday, July 18, the victim reportedly went to Sonic, located at 5611 S. Broadway and purchased a Cranberry Lime Slush drink. She said the drink had a strange taste to it and told officers that she began to vomit about an hour after drinking the drink and went to Mother Frances Hospital ER for medical treatment.

The Northeast Texas Public Health District was notified of the incident and conducted their own investigation. The Tyler Police Department investigation found no evidence that any criminal intent by the restaurant or victim occurred involving this incident.

LONGVIEW — Authorities in Longview say a stand-off is resolved. Officers responded to a call of an armed subject in the 1100 block of Rosedale Drive around 11:55 Sunday night. The caller told dispatchers that a man was in his yard in the 400 block of Sycamore and was firing a gun. When the caller went outside and told the man to stop, he pointed the gun at the caller and threatened to kill her. Officers attempted to make contact with the suspect at 404 West Sycamore Street, but he refused to answer the door. While officers were on-scene, the suspect pointed a laser at an officer’s vehicle and later fired additional shots.

The Longview Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team and the Crisis Negotiation Team responded to the scene and attempted to establish communications with the suspect, but he did not respond. Around 6:10 Monday morning, the SWAT team made entry into the residence and took Brandon Biddle, 28, into custody. No one was shot or injured during the incident. Biddle has been booked into the Gregg County Jail for aggravated assault.

KEATCHIE, LA. (AP/STAFF) — A Kilgore woman and her sister have been stabbed to death and a suspect was arrested in eastern Panola County. Virginia Lee Knight, 24, of Kilgore was stabbed to death following the death of her sister, Diana Knight Rivers, 22. The stabbing occurred at Diana’s home in Keatchie, Louisiana, about 15 miles south of Shreveport.

Diana’s estranged husband, Stephen Rivers, 35, is in custody in connection with the deaths. He was transported to LSU Hospital in Shreveport for non-life threatening injuries. Cpl. Dusty Herring of the DeSoto Parish sheriff’s office says Rivers apparently stabbed himself three times in the torso with a pocketknife. After he’s released, Herring says he’ll be booked into the DeSoto Parish Detention Center. A judge has signed an arrest warrant charging Rivers with first degree murder.

The Longview News Journal quotes Herring, who is leading the investigation for the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Department as saying the couple had a scheduled court appearance tomorrow. It involved a custody hearing over their only child.

NACOGDOCHES – Nacogdoches fire investigators are trying to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a home on the Old Tyler Road Sunday afternoon. The only person at home at the time of the fire was Jeronenoford Scott Sr., despite being blind, he was able to escape the burning home unharmed. While they are still trying to find out what caused the fire, it appears to have been an accidental electrical fire.

TYLER — Breckenridge Village of Tyler wins the heart of one young woman who wanted to be a physical therapist, and found her true calling working with Breckenridge VIllage’s mentally challenged residents. On KTBB “Staff Meeting,” Morgan Glenn said she ended up with the agency on a mission trip. “And I remember the first week I was here, I was almost in tears every day because my heart was touched by these residents,” Morgan remarked. “I couldn’t ask for a better job or a better place to be. It’s not a job for me, it’s somewhere I get to go to be enriched daily.” Now Morgan’s been hired to a full time position at Breckenridge Village. The agency’s been in business since 1998. You can go to http://www.bcfs.net/bvt to learn more. You can also go to http://www.ktbb.com/audio to hear the “Staff Meeting” show online.

TYLER – The Northeast Texas Public Health District is spotlighting the month of August for a couple of reasons. NETPHD is joining a worldwide campaign during August to increase public awareness of the many benefits of immunization. NETPHD is celebrating National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) by encouraging residents of Smith County of all ages to make sure they are fully vaccinated.

As families prepare for the new school year, officials say, they need to take a moment to ensure their vaccinations are all up to date to avoid any delays in getting their children enrolled. “We have the power to prevent many diseases with a simple vaccine,” said Sylvia Warren, RN, Director of Immunization for NETPHD. “Vaccines aren’t just for babies. From a child getting vaccinated against measles and whooping cough, to an adolescent being protected from meningitis, to an older adult avoiding the pain of shingles, there are good reasons for all of us to discuss vaccines with our health care providers.”

Health officials say vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. According to NETPHD press materials, they not only help protect vaccinated individuals, but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. Immunization services are available at the Northeast Texas Public Health District’s newly renovated facility at 815 N. Broadway, Tyler. For more information about National Immunization Awareness Month, contact the Northeast Texas Public Health District Immunizations Department at 903-535-0030 or visit http://www.healthyeasttx.org for vaccinations.

NETPHD is also joining a worldwide campaign this month to increase public awareness of the many benefits of breastfeeding. Health officials say when it comes to breastfeeding, every single ounce counts towards the health of mom and baby. That is why this year’s Texas WIC Program World Breastfeeding Month theme is Every Ounce Counts: Supporting Moms beyond the First Weeks. NETPHD officials say Texas is exceeding the Healthy People 2010 objective for a 75% breastfeeding initiation rate.

But the officials note the state is not on target to reach the objectives of 40% exclusively breastfeeding at 3 months, 17% exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months, 50% any breastfeeding at 6 months, or 25% any breastfeeding at 12 months. The Health District says this indicates a great need to support breastfeeding women beyond the first few weeks to help them reach their personal breastfeeding goals.

According to NETHPHD staffers, moms are faced with new challenges as their breastfed infants grow older. The staffers say helping breastfeeding moms overcome different challenges will help improve breastfeeding duration rates in Texas. Often, say health officials, it is the compassion provided by family, friends, health care providers, and communities that supports a lasting duration of the breastfeeding relationship. Tecora Smith, NETPHD WIC Director, stated that “health professionals will agree: breastfeeding is the healthiest choice for babies. Breast milk costs absolutely nothing, decreases the chance of breast cancer, fights against obesity, and creates an amazing bond between mother and baby.”

You can Join the Northeast Texas Public Health District in the celebration of World Breastfeeding Month on August 21, 2010 at the Salvation Army, 633 N. Broadway Tyler, Texas 75702. The event will be from 8:30am to 1:00pm. For more information about the celebration of World Breastfeeding Month or breastfeeding, visit http://www.healthyeasttx.org or call the Northeast Texas Public Health District WIC Department at 903-535-0030.