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TYLER – The East Texas Food Bank will be distributing boxes of food to families in Tyler and Longview this month through the Summer Family Nutrition Program. The Food Bank and its volunteers will screen to determine eligibility and then distribute food to families who qualify. The screening and distribution in Tyler is underway and continues till 6:00 p.m. today at the East Texas Food Bank, 3201 Robertson Road. In Longview it’s Wednesday, August 25, noon – 7:00 p.m. at Maude Cobb Convention Center, 100 Grand Boulevard.

“The Summer Family Nutrition Program targets families with children who are struggling in this recession and are having difficultly providing nutritious food for their family,” said Dennis Cullinane, executive director of the East Texas Food Bank. “In four years, the East Texas Food Bank has grown 90 percent in the number of East Texans seeking emergency food assistance, that’s nearly double the national increase.”

Cullinane says families will receive nutritional food boxes containing pantry staples such as pasta, spaghetti sauce, canned soups, stews, and fruit, peanut butter, baking mixes and other substantial food items. “Nearly half, 44 percent, of who the East Texas Food Bank serves are children,” said Cullinane. “The Summer Family Nutrition Program will alleviate both child hunger and child obesity for East Texas families with children at risk of hunger.”

Since June, the East Texas Food Bank and its partner agencies have been distributing the 46-pound boxes of food to eligible families. The Summer Family Nutrition Program is a program of the Texas Food Bank Network. Those families who are eligible to participate are: households with legal guardianship over at least one child under 18 years of age and with an annual household income equal to or less than 185 percent of the federal poverty guideline; and families whose children received free or reduced-price lunch, or who receive WIC, SNAP (food stamps) and other federal programs.

TYLER – Tyler police are looking for the two suspects who robbed Metro PCS at 1700 SSE Loop 323. Around 6:00 Wednesday night, two men entered the business, and one pulled a handgun and demanded money. There were no customers in the store at the time, so the suspects took the two employees to the rear of the business. The men then took an undetermined amount of money from the cash register and fled the scene. No injuries were reported.

Police Sgt. Robert Phillips describes the two suspects as black males between 16 and 21. One suspect was between 5’5” – 5’7” wearing a red shirt and khaki shorts. The second suspect was described as being between 5’10” – 6’ wearing a light color plaid shirt and blue jean shorts.

TYLER — A two alarm fire has damaged some units at the Woodlands Apartment Complex, 400 Old Grande Boulevard The call came in shortly before 1:30 Wednesday afternoon. It was termed under control about two hours later. The fire damage was confined to one apartment with water and smoke damage to the apartment below and adjacent apartments. Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental and started in the stove area and extended into the attic. There were no injuries and the extent of monetary damage is unknown at this time.

LONGVIEW — A Longview home has been destroyed by fire. It was reported around 2:45 Wednesday afternoon in the 1700 block of Timpson Street. One woman suffered minor injuries after going into the house to save a pet. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

TYLER — Tyler ISD will welcome back employees from summer vacation and set the theme for the new school year today. The convocation will run from 8:30 till 11:30a, at Green Acres Baptist Church. This year’s theme “Success Is Not An Illusion” recognizes the wonderful accomplishments that have taken place throughout the district and encourages staff to keep moving forward in this positive direction.

Dr. Randy Reid, Superintendent of Schools, will speak to the district as a whole. Tyler ISD Board President, Ron Vickery will also address the crowd of more than 2700.

In addition to the message of this year’s theme, each campus teacher of the year will be recognized. A guest speaker is scheduled to speak at 10:00 a.m. The identity of the speaker will be revealed as he makes his way to the stage.

The offices of the Tyler ISD Administration Building will be closed from 8:00am to 12:30pm so employees are able to attend the district event.

WASHINGTON– Smith County will receive a grant of $104,313 from the Department of Justice to help prevent crime based on local needs and conditions. The announcement was made by U.S. Senator John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The funding comes through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG).

“These funds will equip local law enforcement with the necessary resources to crack down on crime in the area,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Having the proper tools to fight crime is critical to keeping our communities safe, and I applaud the local leaders for working to secure this funding.”

The Smith County Sheriff’s office and the City of Tyler will use the funds to acquire various law enforcement equipment including new communications and training devices.

TYLER — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White talks ethics during a visit to Tyler. White told KTBB, “We ought to have a new standard of ethics in the State House so we don’t have the revolving door in the Governor’s Mansion between lobbyists and members of the governor’s staff. And also as governor, I would discontinue Rick Perry’s practice of appointing people to regulatory boards who then would go and solicit campaign contributions for the governor from the very people they’re supposed to regulate. That’s just wrong.”

Governor Perry’s campaign responds, “Bill White is being a hypocrite, considering he received more than $2 million from his appointees to boards and commissions while he was Mayor of Houston. Bill White should come clean and release his tax returns for his years in public service. What is he hiding? Governor Perry will continue working to create jobs, improve education and secure our border.” White also stopped in Gilmer and Sulphur Springs Wednesday.

JACKSONVILLE — A two vehicle accident in Cherokee County has killed two persons and left one injured. The wreck just before 6:45 Wednesday morning occurred on U.S. Highway 69 near Love’s Lookout. Dead at the scene were Kerri Jenkins, 33, of Jacksonville and Tom Culwell, 67, of Fairfield. A passenger in Jenkins’s vehicle, Kern Jermaine Green, 33, is in fair condition at Mother Frances Hospital. According to a Department of Public Safety report, Culwell was heading south when his vehicle drifted into the north bound lane and collided head on with Jenkins’ vehicle.

TYLER — Jobs are on the list of things Smith County is considering to cut as part of its $8 million budget gap. But tuesday night, as KETK reports, county employees had their shot at defending themselves. Commissioners are looking at 34 full-time county positions to cut. One county employee told the packed house she fears for her job. District clerk’s office worker Terry Morrow says, “If I was to get cut from work today, I do not have a job to fall onto like the Commissioner’s Court does.” Morrow also notes, “What’s gonna happen when you call 911? Who’s gonna be there?” But some county citizens say the court should be loyal to the taxpayers, not just employees. According to one, “I don’t know what you’re gonna do about the budget. I just care about the taxes.”

At a different meeting Tuesday morning, it was hard to convince the crowd that a tax increase is the answer to the budget gap. Commissioners say there’s no other choice. But taxpayers argue raising taxes is not the answer. One Tea Party activist says she is watching, and any commissioner who votes for raised taxes will not be re-elected. One attendee, James Blair, says the county should be aware of what a tax increase will do to small businesses. Says Blair, “If you live in a lower-tax county and you’re a competitor of our, they’re gonna beat us out. They will have lower costs.” Smith County is two weeks away from a vote that could increase property taxes.

TYLER — Meghan Searer, 20, a patient with cystic fibrosis at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, is recognized for being awarded a $2,500 SolvayCARES college scholarship. She’s one of just 40 people in the United States to receive this scholarship, which was created 18 years ago to honor young adults with CF as they pursue their education past high school. The scholarships are awarded based on creativity, academic excellence, community involvement, and ability to serve as a positive role model for the CF community.

As part of the application process, Searer submitted an original drawing. During a Wednesday event, UTHSCT President Dr. Kirk A. Calhoun presented her with the framed drawing and a book published by SolvayCARES with the names and profiles of the 2009 winners. Searer also received a Rotary Club Scholarship and a Patriot Scholarship, as well as a scholarship for being valedictorian of Hawkins High School in 2008.

CF is a chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States. A defective gene causes the body to make thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and causes serious lung infections. CF also hinders how the body breaks down and absorbs food. Solvay Pharmaceuticals, which is now part of Abbott Laboratories, funds the annual scholarships. For more than 20 years, Solvay has manufactured drugs to help people with CF manage their disease.

TYLER — Beginning Thursday, the Northeast Texas Public Health District is extending its immunization hours as the first day of school draws nearer. Immunization requirements change for students as they move from pre-school into kindergarten and from 6th grade into 7th grade. In an effort to assist parents in meeting these requirements, the Northeast Texas Public Health District will extend their hours on the dates and at the times listed below.

8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on each date below:
Thursday, August 19
Friday, August 20
Thursday, August 26
Friday, August 27

In addition to the dates/times above, the Northeast Texas Public Health District is open each Monday and Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and each Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for immunizations. No appointment is required. A parent or guardian must accompany the student at the clinic. On August 23, 2010 students not having provided the school nurse with proof that these requirements have been met will not be allowed to attend school.

TYLER — The Tyler Junior College Board of Trustees Thursday will hold the second of two public hearings on a proposal to increase total tax revenues from properties on the tax roll in the preceding tax year by 33.57%. College officials point out that your individual taxes may increase at a greater or lesser
rate, or even decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value of all other property and the tax rate that is adopted. The second public hearing will be held Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in the Board Room of the White Administrative Services Center on the TJC main campus.

The average taxable value of a residence homestead in the Tyler Junior College District last year was $129,446. Based on last year’s tax rate of .136950 per $100 of taxable value, the amount of taxes imposed last year on the average home was $177.28. The average taxable value of a residence homestead in the Tyler Junior College District this year is $125,771. If the governing body adopts the effective tax rate for this year of .138983 per $100 of taxable value, the amount of taxes imposed this year on the average home would be $174.80. If the governing body adopts the proposed tax rate of .182926 per $100 of taxable value, the amount of taxes imposed this year on the average home would be $230.07. College officials say members of the public are encouraged to attend the hearing and express their views.