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TYLER — For the first time this year, Tyler is among 23 Texas cities on the March National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI). The index identifies metropolitan areas that have shown improvement from their respective troughs in housing permits, employment and house prices for at least six consecutive months. Texas was second only to California in the largest number of improving markets on the list. “The point is that economic conditions have been consistently strengthening in a diverse array of individual markets nationwide,” said NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg.

“As the economy is improving, our builders are seeing more and more clients who may have been watching and waiting for the last few years,” said Libby Simmons, executive vice-president of TABA. “These numbers are a continuing sign that things are improving.”

According to a news release from the Tyler Area Builders Association (TABA), the IMI is designed to track housing markets throughout the country that are showing signs of improving economic health. The index measures three sets of independent monthly data. Go to http://www.nahb.org/imi for a complete list of all 274 metropolitan areas currently on the IMI, and separate breakouts of metros newly added to or dropped from the list in March.

NACOGDOCHES — Two Stephen F Austin University students have been arrested for prescription fraud. The two Nacogdoches residents are identified as Tyler Lee Lokey, 20, and Morgan Whitney Reeves, 19. They were arrested in the 1400 block of North Street and charged with fraudulent delivery of a controlled substance or prescription.

KILGORE — Before a student is accepted into on-campus housing in Texas, he or she could be required to undergo a criminal background check, thanks to a bill now headed to the full Senate for a vote. It’s something that has the support of Edward Williams, student life director with Kilgore College. “If a person were to live in Section 8 housing, or any government housing project, whether a small or a large project, they would have to undergo a background check, using the DPS secure site,” says Williams. “The only way that folks have access to that is if Texas Legislature grants permission for them to do so.” Williams says if KC had had access to the DPS secure site, it would have prevented $40,000 in damage caused by a student who had disorderly conduct and assault charges pending.

TYLER — The Women in Tyler Planning Committee honored the 2013 honorees, “Women Who Do Amazing Things,” Thursday at a luncheon held at the Rose Garden Center. Women in Tyler was founded in 1999 as a way to celebrate Women’s History Month and to honor women who have contributed to the quality of life in the community. Each year, a planning committee has gathered to select women who are then honored at a celebratory luncheon held each March.

“This year we are recognizing women, from all walks of life, who do amazing things,” said Jackie DeNoyelles, event co-chair. “Tyler is blessed to have such a diverse community of talented, giving, and hard working women worthy of this special honor.” Past honorees have included women who have made their mark in the arts, in business, through volunteerism, in historic preservation, health care, education and many other areas.

The 2013 honorees are:
Martha Berry – A nationally acclaimed Indian bead artist. She is a registered tribal citizen of the Cherokee Nation and taught herself the lost art of beadwork. She is exhibited in galleries and museums around the country and divides her time between research and creating beadwork that is inspired by the styles of the Southeastern Woodland Native American Indians.

Dr. Jeanette Deas Calhoun – An extraordinary community volunteer, according to Women in Tyler, as well as Executive Director for Tyler AIDS Services. She has a master’s degree in counseling and a doctorate in administrative services which the committee says made her the ideal candidate for leading the AIDS Services in Tyler. Among her many accomplishments since moving to Tyler with her husband, Dr. Kirk Calhoun, is her role as the founding chair of Jack and Jill of East Texas.

Betty Edwards – Leads the North Tyler Day Nursery, which committee members say has been serving Tyler for 74 years to provide a safe, clean, and educational day care for working parents and parents attending Texas College.

Dawn Franks – President and CEO of Fourth Partner Foundation, where she works primarily with individuals, couples, and families interested in philanthropic giving in Tyler. She also serves as the executive director of the Ben and Maytee Fisch Foundation. Dawn was co-founder of the East Texas Crisis Center, served as its executive director for 15 years, and also served five years as the president of the United Way of Tyler/Smith County.

Mary Ann Girard – During her leadership, committee members say, she has made Champions for Children a premier early childhood center that is recognized across the state for its quality pre-school curriculum. Ms. Girard was the primary author and developer of therapeutic techniques that are used throughout Texas.

Christy Roach – Grew up two blocks from Douglas Elementary School and dreamed of going to college and becoming a teacher at Douglas. She did earn a bachelor’s and got the opportunity to teach third grade at Douglas. After completing her Masters of Education at UT Tyler, she was promoted to assistant principal. She has now been the principal for five years, and committee members say she’s making a difference in the lives of her students.

Ella Tucker – Dazzles her fellow church members with her extensive hat collection, according to Women in Tyler. Ms. Tucker’s hat collecting began when she was 12 – wearing her first hat to an Easter service. By the time she was 18, she was a serious collector. Now she owns more than 200 hats which fill up most of her closets and some of her rooms.

Dr. Syntha West – An alumna of Baylor University, Dr. West was a head majorette for its band. Today, she hasn’t let go of that ability and continues to perform at Baylor homecomings, even at age 73. Dr. West is also a counselor and helps children caught between divorcing parents. She taught for 36 years in the public schools before going into private practice. In 2008, Dr. West was crowned Ms. Texas Senior America as well as Ms. Congeniality. She continues to travel the state giving motivational speeches and entertaining groups with her music and twirling.

TYLER — A Tyler man who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing young children at a mobile home park received a life sentence on Wednesday morning in a Smith County courtroom. KETK reports Thomas Harold-George Brookbank was arrested in July of 2012 at the Shiloh Pines mobile home park on the 2500 block of Shiloh Road in Tyler. At the time, the mother of a 9-year-old female victim said that Brookbank had sexually assaulted the girl and her friends at a clubhouse in a nearby wooded area. There were multiple young victims reported.

Following the incident, even Brookbank’s half-sister, Jeanne Morrison, told KETK that she was wary of him. “I hope he does get a conviction. And I hope he does a long time serving, because if he gets out, I know he’ll do it again,” Morrison had said. Jason Parrish, the prosecuting attorney in the case, says, “Several years ago state legislation adjusted the parole statute in the law, as it pertains to the sexual assault of younger kids.” If a victim is 6 years old or younger, a conviction will automatically shift from 25 years to life.” Brookbank will have no opportunity for parole

MARSHALL — A Marshall jury has sentenced a Longview man to prison for murder stemming from a fatal auto accident in November, 2010. The jury on Tuesday found Charles Ray Owens Jr., 37, guilty. On Wednesday, Owens was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

Owens was involved in a traffic accident in which Robert Smith, 62, of Longview was killed. The Department of Public Safety reports Owens was fleeing from a state trooper when his car ran through a stop sign and crashed into Smith’s vehicle. The officer had been trying to stop Owens for speeding. The accident occurred at the Intersection of Loop 281 and Paige Road, on the Harrison County side of Longview.

TYLER — An early Wednesday morning duplex fire has left two families homeless. It happened just before 1:45 at 318 Saunders Avenue. Tyler Fire Investigators believe the blaze started in the front of the home in an area being used as a bedroom. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office. One firefighter suffered second degree burns while battling the blaze. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment and was released a short time later. The Red Cross was notified for assistance for the residents.

TYLER — An apartment at the Hollyview Apartments at 7101 Waljim Street, has been damaged by fire. The two alarm blaze was reported just after 2:00 yesterday afternoon. Five engines and one Ladder Company, along with a district chief and an investigator, responded to the scene. The fire was quickly brought under control.

The fire was contained to one apartment unit with actual flame damage contained to the bathroom. The occupants of the apartment unit were displaced. Investigators believe the fire originated in a bathroom as a result of a candle being left unattended. One person suffered possible smoke inhalation and EMS treated them at the scene.

LONGVIEW — The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has closed their investigation into Longview’s Lodge Sports Bar and Billiards stemming from the July beating death of a man outside the bar and will seek to cancel the bar’s permit to sell liquor. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. Sgt. Marcus Stokke, supervisor for the Longview office of the TABC, said the commission is in talks with Daniel Haislip, the owner of the restaurant, due to the investigation’s findings. Stokke and Haislip said they believe the Lodge’s case will go before a hearing in Austin at the State Office of Administrative Hearings. “I feel confident that we will retain our liquor license, but I feel there will be some kind of penalty involved,” Haislip said.

The investigation stemmed from the beating death of Sean Drake, 39, in the bar’s parking lot after closing in the early morning hours of July 12. Drake was punched in the head and later died. Drake’s autopsy ruled the death a homicide, but a Gregg County grand jury declined to issue an indictment in connection with the death.

Haislip said one of the major questions to determine the bar’s responsibility is whether the establishment is responsible for what happened in their parking lot after closing. “The responsibility of the parking lot is at question, and that’s where I’ve got some heartburn with it. I was told I should send employees out there to break this up. My first responsibility is to the safety of my employees,” Haislip said. Haislip added that the bar only served Drake three beers the night of his death and that the bar has been in good standing with TABC for its five years of existence.

Stokke said the TABC spoke with Drake’s family to see if they wanted a heavy fine or the cancelation of the permit as they made their decision. Additional information was expected to be released soon by the TABC.

WASHINGTON D.C. — Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert challenged at a judiciary hearing decisions made by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director John Morton. As reported by the Associated Press, a few weeks ago, the federal organization released around 2,000 immigrants awaiting deportation from detention facilities across the country in preparation for sequestration. Another 3,000 are expected to be set free sometime in March. According to KETK, Gohmert referred to Texas officials being left in the dark on what could be considered a dangerous decision. “They would really like to know that you are about to release those people in their state so they can give their law enforcement a heads up.”

The congressman then proceeded to question Morton on whether there are requirements to notify state and local authorities when criminals and suspected criminals are let go free. Morton replied, “There are no blanket notification requirements. Generally speaking, the notification that we will give is through the victim notification system.” He went on to confirm local law enforcement is not made aware of ICE detainment releases.

During his allotted time to speak, Gohmert slammed the Obama administration for its handling of illegal immigrants. “The number one biggest problem in this administration, of a federal felony nature, is the re-entry by deported illegal immigrants after they’ve been deported.” Representative Gohmert also referred back to his time as a district judge explaining the hurdles the state must jump when dealing with immigration. “It was an ongoing problem. I had a guy with nine DWIs, never would be deported, was constantly deported to the federal authorities. This was when Bill Clinton was president , and finally, he hit somebody again.”

He also went on to point out what he terms the egregious amount of money spent in the court system handling these cases and pleaded with Morton to use our nation’s capital more wisely, stating, “This administration should do everything they can to secure the border.” Gohmert closed with, “Secure the border and we’ll have all the saving we’ll ever need.”

WASHINGTON – Tyler Congressman. Louie Gohmert has been awarded with Freedom Works’ second annual “Freedom Fighter Award.” According to a news release from Gohmert’s office, the award is given to members of the House and Senate who consistently vote in defense of economic freedom.

“Freedom Works is a powerful voice in America for principles of liberty giving rise to innovation and opportunity. They emphasize the critical need for individual freedom and adherence to the constitutional limitations on our ‘big brother’ government in Washington. It is an honor to be awarded the ‘Freedom Fighter Award’ again this year since it represents a finding by a valued and well respected organization that analyzes the issues that I represent the core beliefs held by most east Texans. Voting with the mindset of hardworking American taxpayers is essential if we are going to leave our children and their children at least as good of a gift as our parents and grandparents left us,” said Rep. Gohmert.

Each “Freedom Fighter” recipient earned a minimum score of 90 percent on the Freedom Works Congressional Scorecard during the 2012 legislative session. According to a news release, that score exhibits a strong stance to defend liberty and strengthen the economy across the country. “Congressman Louie Gohmert took a stand against the Washington special interest machine and proved himself a true defender of economic freedom with a 94 out of 100 percent on the Freedom Works Congressional Scorecard. Freedom Works encourages Congressman Gohmert to keep fighting the good fight to protect Texas taxpayers, and bring back fiscal sanity and accountability to the federal government,” said Freedom Works President Matt Kibbe.

ELKHART — The Texas Rangers and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the death of a man in custody of the sheriff’s department. KETK reports authorities in Elkhart got a suspicious call from a local store just before 3:00 Saturday morning. When officers arrived, they found Jeffery Mallachi Eastman, 50, who they say appeared to be intoxicated. An officer took Eastman to jail for public intoxication after he refused treatment from an ambulance, according to the sheriff’s department. A few hours later, Eastman was taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead at around 7:00.

Authorities are waiting for the autopsy and toxicology results, stating that Eastman did have a history of drug abuse, but they cannot be certain that was the cause of his death.

HENDERSON — Two people were arrested on Tuesday in an ongoing investigation into copper wire thefts in Rusk County. Rusk County Sheriff’s officials tell KETK they executed an evidentiary search warrant at a house on the 11000 block of Farm Road 2151 near Henderson just before 5:00 Tuesday afternoon. In the house, authorities say they found transformer tanks, cores, ground wires, meters, clamps, fuse doors, copper and aluminum lines. After further investigation, officials reportedly discovered a stolen gun and 2005 Dodge pickup truck, along with drug paraphernalia and some marijuana.

Jason Bartley, 36, and Ashley Story, 26, were both arrested at the scene for charges including unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of marijuana, and theft. Bartley is being held on a $16,000 bond, while Story is held on a $1,000 bond. Both remain in the Rusk County jail.

JACKSONVILLE — During a recent city council meeting, control of the rodeo arena, once part of the Lon Morris campus, was officially handed over to the city of Jacksonville. City Manager Mo Raissi tells KETK getting control of the rodeo property turned out to be a big job. He added the city is working on plans for the next two months to present to the board, a name change, and to build a recreation center. “On the arena side, talking with the rodeo association, they decided they wanted to go ahead, do whatever possible to keep it up and keep it going,” said Raissi. “The rodeo’s been going on for the last fifty years, so they would like to have it for another 50 years.”

TYLER — The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) and Smith County received some encouraging news about residents’ health in a national report Wednesday, though it also shows that much more needs to be done in some vital areas. That’s according to NET Health CEO George Roberts. In a news release, Roberts says, “The release of the County Health Rankings Report, by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin, shows us what may be keeping people from being healthy and living their best life and doing things they enjoy like spending time with family and friends.”

In the study, Smith County ranked 83 out of 232 counties for Health Outcomes – Today’s Health, and a rank of 50 out of 232 in Health Factors – Tomorrow’s Health. The County Health Rankings allow counties to see how they compare on a range of factors that influence health including high school graduation rates, obesity, smoking, and family and social support. “Change begins by bringing people from all walks of life together – from education, transportation, public health, business, and other sectors – so we can develop and implement strategies that improve health,” says Roberts.

According to Roberts, “The County Health Rankings continue to reinforce that where we live matters to our health; Lighten Up East Texas, 5210 Goes to School, and the East Texas Food Coalition are examples of how our community is taking action to improve health. While we have taken important steps to improve the health of our community, there is more we can do to help our residents lead healthier lives.

“NET Health encourages residents, community leaders and officials to respond positively to the report by carrying out their individual roles to help everyone live healthier, longer and more satisfying lives, as the data suggest. Where we live, learn, work, and play influences how healthy we are and how long we live.” You can visit http://www.countyhealthrankings.org or http://www.healthyeasttx.org for more information.

TYLER — Tyler’s Mentoring Minds is one of the Best Companies to Work for in Texas for the second consecutive year on the 2013 list of 100 companies. The annual competition was created in 2006 as a project of Texas Monthly, the Texas Association of Business, Texas State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management, and Best Companies Group. The effort identifies, recognizes, and honors what are deemed the best places of employment in Texas, benefiting the state’s economy, its workforce and business.

“At Mentoring Minds, we are committed to partnering with educators in Texas and around the country to ensure that their students develop critical thinking skills that are requisite for success in school, careers and life,” said company founder Michael Lujan. “We are able to achieve this important goal because of the talented, focused, dedicated educators and other professionals that work with us here in Tyler. It is a tribute to our entire team to be named one of the Best Companies to Work for in Texas for the second year in a row.”

TYLER — Keeping his campaign promise to hold regular news conferences, Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith Tuesday held his first press event and Q&A session since taking office January 1. Smith discussed putting more deputies on the street, cost-saving efforts, his stated commitment to transparency, arrests, and his plans for the future. “When I was campaigning, I outlined many changes that I felt needed to take place to improve the way the Sheriff’s Office operates. One of those changes was providing more transparency and scheduling meetings with the news media to give them the opportunity to ask me questions directly,” said Sheriff Smith. “Since January 1 when I took office, changes have been implemented that have significantly improved how we serve the citizens of Smith County.”

Smith discussed the new 12-hour patrol shifts that put more deputies on the streets. He said that many deputies were now being trained in crime scene investigation techniques, including crime scene photography, fingerprinting, processing tire and shoe print impressions and collecting DNA evidence. ​Another of Smith’s campaign promises was to find more efficient ways to spend tax dollars while improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Sheriff’s Office. One of the first cost-saving measures he implemented happened immediately after he took office. Smith changed vendors and modified the design for striping and applying Sheriff’s Office markings to new vehicles. ​The new vendor and design change, coordinated through Wagner Cadillac in Tyler, dropped the cost per vehicle from $2,700 to $500. The previous design will be phased out as older vehicles are retired.

Smith also discussed the addition of a public information officer (PIO), a position that he says is necessary to get information out to the public. John Moore, who for 13 years served as PIO for Trinity Mother Frances, was hired for the new position in February. Smith says Moore now proactively provides the media with information and updates, and is available to answer questions as events happen.

Numerous high-profile arrests have been made since Smith took office, including individuals who were charged with murder, sexual assault of a child, a Smith County Sheriff’s Office Jail Corporal who was charged with aggravated assault and the arrest of a Smith County adult probation officer who is accused of injury to a child.

​Smith reiterated his stated commitment to transparency and asked the news media to provide input on how his office could better serve their needs in disseminating information to the public. He said he plans to have media updates monthly, either in person or via a news release. The Sheriff’s Office also provides information through its Facebook page and its new Twitter account, @SmithCSO.

TYLER — Tyler police are looking for the man who robbed a Tyler store. The robbery occurred just before 10:00 Tuesday night at the Dollar General at 2724 West Gentry Parkway. The clerk told officers at black man in his 50’s wearing a mesh type material over his face entered the store with a handgun and demanded money. The suspect was wearing a black colored hoodie, blue jeans, and white shoes. He left the store with an undisclosed amount of money. No injuries were reported.

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville police have arrested a second suspect in a November 2012 robbery at a local bank. Monday afternoon just before 12:45, detectives arrested Michael Deangelo Johnson, 25, of Jacksonville. KETK reports Johnson was charged with aggravated robbery in the November 2012 robbery and shooting of Louise Barnett at the Austin Bank drive thru. Another suspect is being held at the Cherokee County jail on another robbery charge. His name has not been released.

Police Chief Reece Daniel said, “I am grateful for the long hours these detectives have worked to begin making these arrests and ultimately clear this case. Any time a person is shot during the course of a robbery, it becomes our number one priority. They are not finished yet and I fully expect them to arrest the remainder of the people involved, soon.”

TYLER — A man has been wounded and his father jailed following a disturbance in the 15000 block of County Road 2223. It happened shortly after 7:00 Monday night. The disturbance was said to have been over the son’s alleged refusal to leave the father’s property. The father allegedly fired warning shots to scare the son off the property, with one of the shots reportedly ricocheting and hitting the son in the foot. The son drove himself to the East Texas Medical Center clinic on South Broadway in Tyler to seek medical attention. The father, Steve Ray Swindle, 52, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and booked in to the Smith County Jail.

TYLER — A string of electronic store burglaries has Tyler Police looking for answers. Cruisers Audio, Cole Cellular, Spring Cellular, and Jack’s Stereo on South Broadway were all burglarized Monday morning. KETK reports several electronic items were stolen from Cole Cellular and Jack’s Stereo.

TYLER — Beer and wine sales for Smith County Justice Precinct 1 will be on the ballot in the November elections. According to KETK, county commissioners approved the proposal for the ballot Tuesday. The petition for the alcohol sales needed at least 1,835 signatures. Smith County Elections Administrator Karen Nelson says that the petition received 2,206. Precinct 1 includes part of the city of Tyler and some territory outside the city limits.

TYLER — Gateway to Hope is a homeless center in Tyler whose founders say it’s been helping people since last September. But KETK reports some neighbors are not impressed by the center’s good works. And recently, the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission extended the facility’s permit for just a year, not the five years requested by the center.

Gateway to Hope is a labor of love for its overseer, Pat Mallory: a facility designed around not just helping the homeless for a day, but striving to help them for the rest of their lives. Mallory says since September, more than 100 people have found jobs, which is why she says the ruling came as a shock. She continues, “We were totally surprised, we have heard nothing but praise from everyone who’s come in from the city, from the policemen that come here.”

But according to the restaurant across the street and neighbors who live next door, the center has only brought unwanted homeless traffic. They say once the center closes at 4 p.m., many of the homeless people stay around and bother residences and businesses. But Mallory says as long as the doors stay open, the center will continue to apply for the permit every year — and, she says, keep turning Tyler homeless into Tyler taxpayers. “We’re just hoping we can just continue to do what we do, not just for the homeless, but for the city of Tyler,” says Mallory.

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – Statewide officeholders would be limited to two consecutive terms under a constitutional amendment proposed by Tyler State Senator Kevin Eltife that’s now advancing in the Capitol. In a 27-4 vote on Tuesday, the Texas Senate approved the amendment that would apply to future governors, attorneys general, and state agency commissioners. It would not apply to judges or the legislators themselves. It also would not apply to current officeholders such as Governor Rick Perry, who has been elected to three consecutive terms since 2000. Eltife said his proposal would bring “new ideas” to government. He ran for the legislature after local term limits prevented him for running for re-election as mayor of Tyler. Republican Sen. Craig Estes of Wichita Falls put up a fight against the proposal, saying it would take power away from voters.

HARRISON COUNTY — Two people were killed Monday night when their cars collided on Loop 281 in Harrison County three miles north of Farm Road 968, according to Texas Department of Public Safety officials. Tysheliamie Jordan, 45, of Marshall and Ricardo Gonzales, 23, of Longview were pronounced dead at the scene, a DPS spokeswoman said. The two-vehicle wreck happened shortly before 8:30 p.m. when the vehicle driven by Jordan entered the northbound lane traveling south, DPS said. Jordan’s 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis hit Gonzales’ 2007 Lincoln MKZ head on, DPS said. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, DPS officials said they do not yet know why Jordan was traveling in the wrong direction.

HENDERSON — A pit bull has been put to sleep after attacking a nine-year-old child in Henderson last week. KETK reports that Rusk County deputies were sent to a local hospital March 12 on reports of a dog bite. The mother victim, Juana Rodriguez, 33, stated the attack happened in front of their house in the 190 block of Deer Trail. Luciano Becerril, 27, said he also lives at the home and saw the attack. Becerril claimed several children were playing with a ball in the front yard of the house when the ball was kicked into the road. When the child went to get the ball, a male pit bull mix came from across the road and bit the child on the left side of his head and face. Becerril stated the dog then ran off and the child was taken into the house where the authorities were then contacted. The child was taken to the hospital in the family vehicle.

According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, the child had severe cuts to the left side of his face and head. The injury was deep enough to expose the child’s skull and the surrounding tissue. All witnesses of the attack did not know who the dog belonged to and had never seen the animal before. Becerril told authorities a man showed up after the incident and claimed the dog belonged to him, and he was going to take it home and kill it.

Sergeant Russell Smith went to the scene of the attack to find the dog. Sergeant Smith was able to locate the dog on the next street over on the 140 block of Buck Run. The dog’s owner, Beth Young, 33, of Henderson, could not provide proof of vaccinations. The pit bull mix was taken to the Henderson Animal Shelter for quarantine. A deputy was later told the child’s injuries were unable to be treated at the local hospital and he was moved to a hospital in Dallas to undergo surgery. His current condition is unknown.

On March 13, authorities went to the animal shelter and photographed the dog. The pictures were then presented to Becerril and the victim, who were able to identify the dog as the one behind the attack. On Monday Justice of the Peace Precinct 5 Judge Joe Sorrells made the decision to euthanize the dog.

GREGG COUNTY — Federal Aviation Administration regulations require all FAR Part 139 Certificated Commercial Service Airports to conduct a full scale emergency exercise every three years. East Texas Regional Airport will conduct its Tri Annual Emergency Exercise today, from 10:00am until around 3:00pm. Airport Director Roy Miller says, “The site is away from the highway and the terminal area so there is no conflict or inconvenience to the public. They may see emergency response vehicles proceeding to the airport and some smoke. TxDot is providing an electronic sign near the airport entrance stating that an emergency drill is in progress and not to be alarmed.”

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — Two men a jailed following a major drug bust. 94 grams of cocaine were seized by the Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s office during a traffic stop. According to KETK, Sheriff Jason Bridges said deputies stopped an SUV near Appleby on Highway 59N that was occupied by two Guatemalan men. The deputies were suspicious of Joselito Sical, 22, and Oscar Xitumul, 31, due to their nervousness and conflicting stories about their trip. Authorities then searched the vehicle and discovered 94 grams of powder cocaine underneath the passenger seat. Both men were arrested for possession of a controlled substance and taken to the Nacogdoches County Jail. Sheriff Bridges stated the street value of the cocaine is $4,200.

TYLER — Citizens in need of a copy of their birth certificate, no matter where they were born in Texas, can now purchase those copies at the Smith County Clerk’s office — and officials say the move is paying off. According to a county news release, the County Clerk’s office is making it more convenient than ever for citizens to have access to their personal records with the addition of a Remote Birth Access program that has the capability of tapping into state-wide electronic records.

Before the addition of the Remote Birth Access program, the County Clerk’s Office could only provide a copy of a birth certificate for those who were born outside the city limits of Tyler but within boundaries of Smith County or for delayed births that occurred in Smith County. Having remote access to the State’s records now gives the County Clerk’s Office the ability to print a record for anyone born in the state of Texas from 1926 to the present.

“We saw the frustration of our customers leaving with nothing in hand. People thought if they needed a copy of their Birth Certificate they could go to the County Clerk to receive it yet our records were limited,” Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips said. “Smith County is now able to print a birth certificate for anyone born in the state of Texas using Remote Birth Access.” Mrs. Phillips says the program was an added expense in the beginning but paid for itself in less than 2 months. “On January 2, 2013, we began providing birth certificates for our customers and to date have sold over 153 Certified Remote Birth certificates,” she said.

TYLER — The SPCA of East Texas has received a $98,000 targeted grant from PetSmart Charities to spay or neuter dogs living in the 75702 zip code for a discounted rate of $25 which includes rabies. The program is called SNIPPET, or “spay neuter initiative partnership project of East Texas.”

“The 75702 zip code of Tyler has the highest percentage of strays according to City of Tyler Animal Control. The major reason being pets not spayed or neutered and having multiple litters of puppies or kittens each year,” said Deborah Tittle-Dobbs, SPCA of East Texas Board President. “For many families the joy of pet ownership is also a burden when it comes to the cost of spay/neuter, vaccinations and other needed medical care. We hope this grant will help families keep their pet but also prevent the hundreds unwanted litters born each year in our community.”

In other news, the SPCA of East Texas is seeking loving and safe homes to take care of the dozens of homeless and abandoned animals that are waiting to be adopted. Dobbs hopes the adoptions will alleviate the challenges the SPCA faces until it can build a community animal shelter. The SPCA continues to seek private donations to build the shelter in the Tyler area. Contact the SPCA of East Texas at 903-596-SPCA or 596-7722 or visit our website at http://www.spcaeasttx.com for more information.