TYLER — Leadership Tyler, a non-profit organization established in 1986 to equip leaders to enrich the Tyler community, has selected Colleen Colby as its new executive director. “I feel privileged to be selected for this opportunity to work with people who are so committed to leadership,” said Colby. “I am delighted to be part of this historic organization as we approach Leadership Tyler’s 25th anniversary. My plans are to work with the team to continue to offer insightful programs for leaders in the community.”
Colby said her fondness for Leadership Tyler began when she applied to the program while residing in Maryland. “The first people I met when I moved to Texas were people in my Leadership Tyler class,” says Colby. Joan Andrews, current president of the Leadership Tyler board of directors, said, “We are very excited to have someone with Colleen’s skills and leadership experience to lead our organization.”
Colby has an extensive background in development, training, education and communications with several companies, including her present position with the professional services firm PBS&J. She was a journalist and a second class petty officer in the United States Navy and served on board the USS Puget Sound off the coast of Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. She has an executive MBA from the University of Delaware and a B.A. in mass communications and political science from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, and she attended an international business school in the Netherlands.
Colby has an extensive history of community service including Wilmington, Delaware, Habitat for Humanity; Junior Achievement; Wilmington Food Bank; Delaware Children’s Museum; and in East Texas, CASA, Discovery Science Place Museum, South Tyler Rotary, Tyler Executive Women’s Network, Girl Scouts & Boy Scouts of America, and Leadership Tyler class 21. She replaces Cindy Klein, who has served Leadership Tyler since 2004 and recently accepted a new position with Mentoring Minds.
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.
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.
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.
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. 
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