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JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville school board is deciding in August whether or not to call a nearly $50 million bond election. If the bond goes on the ballot and gets passed, several schools will be restored and rebuilt. School board President James Houser says the district has outgrown their facilities in Jacksonville. He says there is absolutely no more room, and it’s time to expand facilities. According to KETK, if the bond passes, the money will add up in several areas. The school district says they’ll build two new elementary schools, renovate Fred Douglas Elementary with a new cafeteria and classrooms, and give Jacksonville High School a new band room and closed-in corridors.

Houser says, “Right now is an excellent time to sell bonds. The administration did just go out and get applications for some funds.” However, some may come from local pockets. “We’ll calculate how much each homeowner would have to give during the bond period, then give the public some examples of how much their taxes would increase,” Houser says.

LAKE TYLER — The City of Tyler passed a new ordinance to help with the hydrilla problem. According to KETK, city officials say hydrilla keeps reappearing on Lake Tyler. They say it’s not a major problem, but since it grows so fast, they make periodic treatments to keep it under control. The City of Tyler passed an agreement Wednesday with Aquatic Management Services to treat the hydrilla in the lake. City staffers say the product is safe.

JACKSONVILLE — A Jacksonville firefighter got an electric shock Tuesday night while working an apparent structure fire. Fire Marshal Dennis Tate says it happened at a house on Fort Worth Street. He says an electrical meter on the outside of the house had water in it and when the fireman cut through wood, he struck a wire and was shocked. According to KETK, he was taken to a local hospital, treated and released.

TYLER — Tyler’s firefighters are getting prepared for the 2010 Brookshire’s Firefighter Combat Challenge. The Challenge will be held from 4-10pm on Friday, September 24th, and 10am to 2pm on Saturday, September 25th, at Broadway Square Mall. Admission is free, and organizers say the public is encouraged to come and watch. Two local firefighter teams will be competing in the Challenge. Names of the first team are Jeff Hudgens, Jay McClung, Jeremy Driver, Brian Boyd, and Cody Fisher. Names of the second team are Terry Hawkins, Brandon Davis, Jeff Barnett, Brent Hail, and Glynn Ray.

“The Challenge is an opportunity for Tyler’s firefighters to compete against stations across the country in events that demonstrate the nature of firefighting and the incredible level of fitness required to perform the job,” said Tyler Fire Chief Neal Franklin. The Challenge simulates five tasks from the structural firefighter activities. The tasks include:
• the high hose carry
• the hose hoist
• forcible entry
• hose advance
• victim rescue

While competing in the tasks, firefighters must wear full turnout gear, including structural helmet, coat and pants with liners, gloves and boots. In addition, they are hooked up to Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). “Many of the firefighters who compete in the Challenge can perform the five tasks in less than two minutes”, said Chief Franklin. “Some can actually perform the Challenge in less than 90 seconds.” Organizers say sponsors and volunteers for the 2010 Combat Challenge are still needed. For more information, you can contact Jeff Hudgens at the Tyler Fire Department at 903-245-3118.

TYLER — The City of Tyler has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its fiscal year 2009-2010 budget document. Tyler was one of 1,214 entities in North America that received the award.
“This award is a significant achievement reflecting the commitment of the City of Tyler to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting,” said City of Tyler Chief Financial Officer Daniel Crawford. The award was granted by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) and was presented to the City during the Wednesday, July 28, City Council meeting.

Officials say an impartial panel judged the City of Tyler’s current budget document and found that it met the standards of the awards program. The City of Tyler had to meet nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation to be considered for this award. These guidelines are designed to assess how well the City’s budget serves as:
· A policy document;
· A financial plan;
· An operational guide;
· A communication device.

As per the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award guidelines, the City of Tyler’s budget document was rated “proficient” in all four categories. The City has also received this award for its fiscal year 2006-2007, fiscal year 2007-2008 and fiscal year 2008-2009 budget documents. The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving over 17,600 government finance professionals throughout North America. The Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting.

KILGORE — The city of Kilgore is feeling a bit of relief as it prepares for its 2011 budget. According to KETK, early numbers from Gregg County officials projected double digit decreases in property taxes for the city. So the city held workshops over the past few weeks to decide what cuts to make to each department. But new numbers show the decrease in property taxes is not as bad as first thought. City officials say they expect their budget to be about the same as it was for 2010.

TYLER — A portion of downtown Tyler is finally getting a face-lift. Renovation of the three fire gutted buildings on Spring Avenue started Tuesday. According to KETK, crews are installing wall stabilizers to preserve the buildings facades then tearing down the most damaged parts. The buildings have been fenced off since a fire more than a year ago.

SMITH COUNTY — August 24th is the deadline for getting anything on the November ballot in Smith County. On Tuesday, Smith County Commissioners approved a local option election in J.P. Precinct 4, which means come November, voters will decide whether or not areas in Smith County will go wet. If passed it will allow alcohol sales of beer and wine in stores for off-site consumption.

TYLER — Smith County Commissioners met Tuesday to discuss more ways on how to balance the budget. Smith County is expecting to cut at least 5 million dollars from its 2011 budget. Friday Smith County Judge Joel Baker will propose the new budget plan to the court to look over. The commissioners will review current county tax rates August 2nd. Commissioner Warr says the sooner the jail plans to expand get on the ballot the better. According to KETK, Commissioners Phillips and Hampton say there are other options to make cuts along with the possibility of raising taxes.

FRANKSTON – Anderson County authorities continue their search for a suspect involved in a weekend shooting. It happened early Sunday morning on County Road 312, southwest of Frankston. Derek Blake Cole, 45, of Frankston, was shot once in the left hip. He has undergone surgery at Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. The shooting is thought to have occurred following a dispute over the sale of some livestock. Authorities say they are looking for a known suspect in the case.

EDOM – The Executive Chef of the Edom Bakery and Grill, Jackson York, is the recipient of the Texas Chef Association’s 2010 Texas Chef of the Year. York received the gold medal award and trophy at the TCA’s annual convention in Beaumont.

Each of the 15 chapters of the TCA nominates one of their members as a candidate for Chef of the year. Chef Jackson, having served as the East Texas chapter’s president, was its nominee. Of all 2010 nominations, only 3 chefs met the rigorous standards set by the Texas Culinary Federation for the finalists. York was deemed most deserving under the criteria established for finalists, which included not only culinary expertise but extraordinary community involvement.

The owners of “The Bakery,” Bud and Annie Berry, were ecstatic on receiving the news of their long time friend’s recognition. According to Bud, “It shows that nice guys can finish first”. The traveling trophy representing the award is on display at the Bakery in downtown Edom.

TYLER — Thanks to information received from Tyler Smith-County CrimeStoppers, police have arrested a suspect in the July 3 robbery of the CVS Pharmacy at 1702 South Broadway. He’s Jerry Craig Jr., 32, of Tyler. Police say Craig submitted to a voluntary arrest by investigators and was booked into Smith County Jail. Police were called to the drug store shortly after 3:30 a.m. July 3. Employees told officers that an unknown male approached the sales counter and told them he had a gun. He then fled the area on foot with an undisclosed amount of merchandise.

TYLER — Thanks to information received from Tyler Smith-County CrimeStoppers, police have arrested a suspect in the July 3 robbery of the CVS Pharmacy at 1702 South Broadway. He’s named as 33-year-old Jerry Craig Jr. of Tyler. Police say Craig submitted to a voluntary arrest by investigators and was booked into Smith County Jail. Police were called to the drug store shortly after 3:30 a.m. July 3. Employees told officers that an unknown male approached the sales counter and told them he had a gun. He then fled the area on foot with an undisclosed amount of merchandise.

NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the report of a sexual assault that occurred near Etoile late Monday evening. According to KETK, The victim and her husband were traveling along State Hwy. 103 en route to San Augustine County when the vehicle the couple was riding in ran out of gas. The female victim remained with the vehicle while her husband went on foot to get gas.
A short while after the husband left his wife, a white male with long, gray tinted hair worn in a pony tail stopped his vehicle, a silver colored pickup, where the victim was parked. He pretended to offer the victim assistance and then grabbed the victim and forced her into his vehicle where he immediately began a sexual assault on her.

The victim retrieved a beer bottle from the suspect’s vehicle during the attack and struck the suspect on the head hard enough to shatter the bottle. The victim then managed to get away from the suspect and exit his vehicle. She ran to her vehicle and locked herself inside. The suspect then fled the scene in his vehicle. Upon the husband’s return, the victim informed him of the attack, and they drove to San Augustine County and reported the incident. She was later transported to a hospital in Lufkin where she was treated and released. Residents and motorists that may have passed through Nacogdoches County along Hwy. 103 between the hours of approximately 7:00-9:00 p.m. and observed the suspect’s vehicle stopped behind the victim’s vehicle are asked to contact the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office.

LINDALE — The Lindale ISD board of trustees has been named the Region VII 2009-2010 School Board of the Year. The board was nominated by Lindale ISD Superintendent Stan Surratt. To earn the top honor, trustees were judged on a number of criteria: commitment to ethics, support for educational performance and improvement, financial support for the school system and focus on student welfare. The LISD board of trustees is now eligible for selection as a Texas honor school board through the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA). In September, TASA will name the Texas Outstanding School Board.

“This is a great honor for the Lindale school district,” Surratt said. I am proud that the Texas Association of School Administrators has recognized the results and successes of our school district and this school board.” “Their leadership and vision has been tremendous. They have focused on academic excellence, improved facilities, and improved teacher and staff pay, all while increasing the financial strength of the school district.”

After conducting an extensive facilities study in August 2009, the LISD board of trustees called a $42 million, two-proposition school bond election that passed overwhelmingly. In July 2009, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) issued its accountability ratings, giving Lindale ISD a rating of “Recognized” and Lindale High School, E.J. Moss Intermediate School, Velma Penny Elementary School and Lindale Primary School a rating of “Exemplary,” the highest accountability rating. Lindale Junior High School received a rating of “Recognized.” LISD and the five campuses also received 21 Gold Performance Acknowledgements from the TEA. The Region VII Education Service Center serves 106 school districts, in 17 East Texas counties. Region VII is the largest ESC in the state.