KTBB News, Weather, Talk

KILGORE — Kilgore public school administrators say all departments are being considered for cuts as the district faces budget trimming in light of the state’s deficit. The district is expecting a state funding cut ranging between 3.2 to 6 million dollars. The state legislature has until July to make decisions, Kilgore Schools have only until April to renew those teacher contracts.

LUFKIN — A 19-year-old Lufkin man died early Wednesday morning, and three other people were injured, during a head-on collision on U.S. Highway 69 north. The accident happened at 12:35 a.m. Wednesday one mile south of FM 843, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety report. The driver of a 1995 Lexus, Isaac Tucker, 19, of Pollok, crossed the center line heading southbound and collided with a Kenworth truck towing a trailer, the report stated. Nicholas Zayne Anthony, a passenger in the Lexus, died at the scene.

Tucker was transported to Memorial Medical Center-Lufkin and is listed in serious condition. Another passenger, Ryan Walton, 19, also of Pollok, was taken to Memorial and is listed in poor condition. The driver of the truck, Michael Sutton, 40, of Louisiana, was also taken to Memorial and was listed in good condition. The report stated that everyone was wearing a seat belt.

EAST TEXAS – East Texas is getting back to normal after winter weather plagued the area. It turned out, at least for the Tyler and Longview area, to be not nearly as bad as predicted. Still, there are some scattered problems and some schools will have a delayed start today. Here’s the list:
Slocum opens at 9:30
Azleway Charter School opens at 9:30
Frankston starts at10:00am
Laneville starts at 10:00am
Van starts at 10:00
Quitman starts at 10:00
Yantis starts at 10:00
Rusk opens at 10:00
LaPoyner starts at 10:00
Wells starts at 10:00
Union Hill opens at 10:00
Malakoff has a two hour delay
Jacksonville has a two hour delay
Alto has a two hour delay
Nacogdoches has a two hour delay
Sulphur Springs has a two hour delay
Quitman has a two hour delay

TYLER — The public is encouraged to attend a community input meeting on the newest Smith County Proposal for jail expansion. Officials say you can get information, ask questions, and submit comments this afternoon starting at 4:00 in the County Courthouse’s Central Jury Room. According to officials, proposal highlights include a 384-bed expansion of the existing facility, improved employee and community safety, improved efficiencies and cost savings, and elimination of out-of-county inmate housing. You can also go to http://www.Smith-County.com for more information or to email questions and comments.

TYLER — City of Tyler sales tax revenues deposited for the month of February have increased .58% as compared to February 2010, resulting in a 3.78% cumulative year-to-date increase. City officials explain that the current month increase was 1.51%; however, an out-of-period audit adjustment resulted in the .58% increase.

The reported revenue of $3,927,247.40 comprises of $2,618,164.93 general sales tax revenue and $1,309,082.47 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures represent receipts from December 2010 collections as there is a two-month lag before taxes are reported and remitted back to the City from the State.

“The City budgeted for a two percent increase in sales tax revenue for 2010-2011, so we are staying on track to meet our budget projections,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “We will continue to watch expenditures closely heading into the next budget cycle as another difficult fiscal year is anticipated due to deflated property values and a slow economic recovery. One of our biggest concerns at this point is potential ramifications from budget cuts at the State level.”

The City received more than $1.1 million in State funding this fiscal year, of which $722,000 came from Federal grants passed through the State. “The Federal funding passed through the State is primarily special law enforcement grants, as well as transit and transportation funding,” explained McDaniel. “Some of this funding may no longer be available on the Federal level. Additionally, the State may choose to eliminate some of its funding to help balance the State budget or pass along unfunded mandates to the local level.”

The law enforcement grants account for more than $200,000 of the total State funding and allow for special enforcement programs such as the Auto Theft Task Force and Click It or Tickit programs. “If the State chooses to reallocate these funds in the future, most likely we will cease these special enforcement programs,” explained Police Chief Gary Swindle. “However, it would not cause us to lose officers as most of this State funding is used for overtime pay.”

State funding only represents 1.2% of the City’s operating budget. Although the cessation of the grants would not result in staffing decreases, there is concern that the State could choose to require cities to continue the programs without providing the funding. “The potential of unfunded mandates or fees emerging from the State budget process is something we are watching closely,” added McDaniel. “Over the last two years we have worked diligently to balance our budget and make the cuts needed to stay within our means. Mandates to continue former State programs with local resources could be devastating to city budgets.”

In 2010, the City of Tyler froze more than 125 positions mid-year, delayed capital expenditures, renegotiated contracts, launched a Lean Sigma efficiency program, limited salary adjustments and took many other actions to ensure the City ended the year in a positive financial position. “Tyler is in a much better position that many other cities across the country,” shared McDaniel. “Because we have no general obligation debt and pay cash for most capital improvement projects, we are able to respond to changing financial conditions. And thanks to our Blueprint, Called to SERVE and Lean Sigma programs, Tyler has maintained its culture of continuous improvement for greater efficiencies.”

MARSHALL — The Marshall Police Department follows up on a big robbery. More than $50,000 worth of equipment was discovered missing from a city-owned building early Tuesday. The equipment includes stage monitors, speakers, a 50-foot projection screen, mixing boards, amplifiers, and other audio and video equipment. Marshall’s Main Street director, Bo Ellis, says the loss of equipment is devastating for his department, charged with organizing most of Marshall’s community events. The Marshall Police Department is not commenting, but is investigating the case.

TYLER — Tyler Police Chief Gary Swindle made a presentation Wednesday to City Council to explain the amendments to the Community Response Crime Prevention Program and introduce each of the Community Response Officers, along with a description of the geographical beats for which they are responsible.

On October 13, 2010, the Council approved the acceptance of a grant for four additional police officers from the United States Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Police Services (COPS). This grant will be for a three year period and save the City of Tyler $853,000. The additional officers allow the expansion of the department’s Community Response Officers (CROs) program from six officers to ten. This will reduce the geographical regions or beats for which each CRO is accountable. Police say the CROs will be able to respond faster to problems and work to develop more partnerships within the community to prevent crime.

Police say the CRO serves as liaison for the community; other local entities, private and public; and the police department, giving the citizen direct access for problem resolution. According to police, the patrol officers are deployed to the same geographical areas and work to resolve the community problems along with the CRO. Police say the CRO meets regularly with community groups and other entities to develop partnerships and coordinate problem resolution. Police add that when a problem is identified, the CRO, the community, the officers, and other resources are brought to bear to resolve the problem. According to officials, at the conclusion of the grant period the Police Department will retain these positions and will fully fund the positions within the Department’s budget.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council received a presentation Wednesday on the outcomes of the Fall 2010 Neighborhood Empowerment Works (NEW) Program. Officials say during the 10th NEW Program, City of Tyler Departments came together and made many improvements to a neighborhood in City Council District Three. The boundaries of the neighborhood selected as the 10th NEW were West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between Border and Palace Avenues to West Vance Avenue between Moore and Palace Avenues to Franklin Street.

Officials say the NEW program enhances the quality of life for Tyler residents – one neighborhood at a time – by intensely concentrating City services in a specific area for four weeks. Working in partnership with the neighborhoods, the City’s goal is to raise awareness of code and zoning ordinances, provide information on accessing City services and promote clean and safe neighborhoods. Various City departments use information gathered from a neighborhood meeting as well as an examination of the area to identify services that could make an immediate impact on the neighborhood.

Outcomes from the 10th NEW program include:
· 33 junk vehicles were tagged for removal;
· 109 lots with high vegetation were mowed;
· 24 trashed lots were cleaned;
· 2.6 miles of curb and gutter were edged and 8 miles of curb and gutter were repaired;
· 1.238 square feet of street base repairs were performed;
· 2.6 miles of right-of-way were mowed;
· 15 stop signs were replaced;
· 12 street lights were repaired;
· The Tyler Police Department issued 23 police citations and made two arrests. They supplied a total of 80 man hours;
· The Solid Waste Department removed 425 yards of solid waste;
· Trees were trimmed and 40 cubic yards of waste removed; and,
· Keep Tyler Beautiful planted daffodil bulbs on the T.J. Austin Elementary School campus.

“The NEW program is an important tool that the City uses to stop neighborhood decline in its tracks,” said Mayor Pro Tem Ralph Caraway. “The program has made great progress throughout the City since its inception and the 10th program has certainly continue the success of NEW.” The next NEW program will begin this spring and will be held in City Council District Two.

LONGVIEW — A Longview family escaped without injuries but is displaced from their home after an early morning blaze. Firefighters were dispatched to the 100 block of West Birdsong Street about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday for a fire that started in the home’s attic. Longview Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary said residents told investigators their breaker tripped repeatedly, but they kept resetting it. He said the fire, which caused about $25,000 worth of damage, was caused by faulty wiring in the home. Zackary said the fire could have been prevented if the residents had heeded the electrical breaker warning. He said if a breaker trips in your home multiple times it is important to leave it off until an electrician can diagnose the issue.

ATHENS — Two men who pleaded guilty to a series of church fires in Smith County have now pleaded guilty to similar charges in Henderson County. Jason Bourque and Daniel McAllister pleaded guilty in a court appearance Tuesday afternoon. Bourque was assessed three life sentences and McAllister was assessed two life sentences. They will be served concurrently with the life sentences they received for the Smith County church arson cases. The pair still faces charges in Van Zandt County.

TYLER – A two-alarm fire at Tyler’s Transit Mix Concrete Company caused an estimated $20,000 in damage. The fire in the 4200 block of the Old Troup Highway was reported around 3:30 Wednesday afternoon. Six engines and two ladder companies along with a district chief and an investigator responded to the blaze. Flames were visible on the roof when firemen arrived. Investigators say workers constructing a new roof on the structure were using a propane torch and accidentally ignited wooden material beneath the roofing. The employees were quickly evacuated from the building and no injuries were reported.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert is concerned after three Texas teens were shot to death Saturday in violent Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, while visiting an auto dealership. Gohmert says the U.S. has to put pressure on the Mexican authorities — “and if they do not seem able to address these murders adequately, then it’s time to take what action we need to.” Gohmert says he’s discussed the situation with FBI personnel, and that they’re willing to assist in whatever way the Mexican government will allow. Gohmert serves as vice chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. He says when there are drug cartels killing people on either side of the border, obviously it’s going to spill over into America.

TYLER – A teen responsible for a 30 minute lockdown at Tyler’s Robert E Lee High School is in custody. Tyler I.S.D. officials say the lockdown was instituted because “the safety of our students is our foremost concern.”

They say that the incident began when a student reported some stolen items to the school’s Crime Stoppers organization. Officials say when the accused thief was approached by authorities; he dropped his bag and ran out of the school and into a nearby park. A handgun was found in the student’s bag, and the school was placed on lockdown. School district officials say Tyler ISD Police assisted by the Tyler Police Department in securing the suspect’s location. There were no injuries.

Around 9:00 Tuesday night, the student turned himself into authorities with the Tyler ISD Police Department. He was taken into custody by officers for the offense of “Places Weapons Prohibited” and transported to the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center.

According to a statement from the school district, “Although we hope we never have these types of instances, this is a great example of how to use the Crime Stoppers program successfully and how students can help keep each other safe. We applaud the efforts of our students in communicating this information to school officials. Campus administrators acted immediately to secure the campus. We appreciate the efforts of the students, staff, and both law enforcement agencies in acting efficiently and effectively to secure the campus in a timely manner.”

TYLER – A 32-year-old Mexican National has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in Eastern Texas. Gabriel Hernandez Rodriguez, who’s said to be illegally living in Tyler, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of more than 50 grams of actual methamphetamine yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie.

According to information presented in court, from an unknown date to January of last year, Rodriguez conspired with Jose Zavala of Whitehouse to distribute methamphetamine in the Eastern District. Rodriguez also possessed a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities. Rodriguez was arrested on September 28, 2010, and charged with federal drug trafficking crimes. Zavala pleaded guilty on July 6, 2010 and will be sentenced today. Both men face a minimum of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date for Rodriguez has not been set.

EAST TEXAS — A hard freeze warning and a wind chill advisory are in effect for the Tyler-Longview area overnight. Travel could remain treacherous through Friday morning due to minimal melting on Thursday. Because of the winter weather, some schools and other agencies have announced some schedule changes for Wednesday evening and Thursday.

WEDNESDAY:

Closed:
Texas College
A & M Commerce
Bethel Christian (Pittsburg)
Jarvis Christian College
Star College
Kilgore College
UT Tyler
All Tyler ISD after-school programs and tutorials
LeTourneau University – Longview campus, Abbott Aviation Center and Tyler location. Food service will continue all day for students living on the LETU Longview campus.

The Tyler Municipal Court is canceling Partners for Youth Classes held at the Court between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday. Persons involved may call the Court at (903)531-1266 to get a reset appointment date.

The Tyler Public Library is canceling all events scheduled to take place on Wednesday.

PATH’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program has been cancelled for Wednesday night.

Services Cancelled Wednesday:
Colonial Hills Church
1st Baptist – Gresham
South Oaks Baptist Church
Cross Brand Cowboy Church
West Erwin Church of Christ
Central Baptist Church, Tyler
Friendly Baptist Church, Tyler

Wednesday night’s TJC Men’s & Women’s Basketball games at Panola College in Carthage have been postponed until Thursday. Game times will be 3pm and 5pm.

Wednesday night’s Kilgore College men’s basketball game against Navarro College has been postponed until Thursday at 6 p.m.

Trinity Clinic facilities closed Wednesday:
Sulphur Springs
Hawkins/HollyLake
Chandler
Canton and Canton DirectCARE
Mineola
Quitman
Winnsboro
Whitehouse
Manhatton
Trinity Children’s Clinic
Trinity Pediatric Clinic

All Carter BloodCare donor centers in North, Central and East Texas are closed Wednesday.

THURSDAY:

Van ISD will delay opening 2 hours.
Jacksonville will open with a two hour delay.
Rusk ISD will open at 10:00 a.m.
LaPoynor ISD will open at 10 a.m. Buses will run two hours late.
Slocum ISD will open at 9:30 a.m.

This list will be updated when additional information is received. Be sure to keep it on KTBB and check ktbb.com for the latest information.