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PALESTINE — Members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans have decided to set up their own booth nearby after being denied participation in the Palestine Dogwood Trails Festival later this month. A member of the group tells KETK the booth will be separate from those participating in the festival, a couple of blocks down from the actual event. The booth will be in a new plaza, which the group plans to dedicate in April.

The Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce informed the SCV’s John H. Reagan Camp #2156 of its decision on Monday. According to a statement from the Chamber, “The Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce is FOR building a stronger community. Our volunteers spend countless hours doing so. It is not in the community’s best interest to allow politically divisive groups to participate in the Dogwood Trails parade or to be a vendor at the Festival. We are charged with the responsibility to operate on behalf of the city of Palestine.”

Members of the SCV group said they were confused by the Chamber’s decision. They say they’re not meant to be “politically divisive.” According to one member, “We are a historical group. We’ve participated in past events without any problem.” One person speaking on behalf of the group says, “There is a lot of misconception out there. We just want to promote historical accuracy and act as educators in the community.” But members add that they’re not looking for a fight. The decision on where to set up the booth was made at a meeting Tuesday evening.

TYLER — The City of Tyler will be receiving approximately $870,476 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and approximately $313,627 in HOME Program funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2013. That’s according to information released by the city on Wednesday.

Officials say as allowed by federal regulations, the City will consider allocating a portion of its annual CDBG funds to assist non-profit organizations that provide health and human services. CDBG Public Service Funds may be used for operating costs for a wide variety of public services that benefit low-income citizens or special need populations, including, but not limited to, child care, health care, job training, recreation programs, education programs, public safety services, fair housing activities, services for elderly, homeless, or disabled persons, and drug abuse counseling and treatment. HOME Program funds are available to address affordable housing needs.

Information regarding the eligible uses of the funds and technical assistance to complete the grant applications will be provided. The workshops/public hearings will be held on the following dates:
For CDBG Funds Only
Date: March 14, 2013
Time: 10:30am
Where: City University, 212 N. Bonner Ave.
For HOME Funds Only
Date: March 15, 2013
Time: 2:00pm
Where: City University, 212 N. Bonner Ave.
Officials say the public is encouraged to attend and offer comment regarding the use of these funds.

Non-profit organizations that wish to apply for these funds must attend the appropriate mandatory workshop in order to receive an application and apply for this funding. It is highly encouraged that the person(s) writing the grant and a board member attend this workshop. Applications submitted by organizations that do not attend this workshop will not be accepted by the City of Tyler. Written comments regarding the use of these funds should be sent to Brenda Johnson, Neighborhood Services Department, City of Tyler, 900 W. Gentry Pkwy., Tyler, Texas 75702. Written responses will be provided if a name and return address are included.

All public hearings are held in facilities that are wheelchair accessible and provide handicapped parking. Interpretive services for deaf or non-English speaking citizens will be available with an advance notice of 48 hours. Arrangements for such services can be made by calling the City of Tyler at (903) 531-1303 or TDD at 1-800-735-2989.

TYLER — Dr. Andrea D. Ellinger of the University of Texas at Tyler has received the Academy of Human Resource Development’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Ellinger is a professor of HRD within the UT Tyler Department Human Resource Development and Technology. The award was presented to Ellinger at the 2013 AHRD Conference in Arlington, Va. and recognizes outstanding scholars who have demonstrated a continuing record of scholarly productivity and influence in the profession.

“Dr. Ellinger is an excellent example of the high quality faculty in our HRD program. She is continuously involved with research, publishing, teaching and educating others about the human resource development field,” said Dr. Harold Doty, The University of Texas at Tyler College of Business and Technology dean. She holds a Ph.D. in adult education with a functional concentration in human resource and organization development from the University of Georgia.

Before coming to UT Tyler, Ellinger served on the faculty at Pennsylvania State University – Harrisburg and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has published in more than 30 refereed journal articles and written numerous book chapters. She has also presented her research at conferences around the world. Among other awards and honors for her research, teaching and service, Ellinger has received the 1998 Malcolm S. Knowles Dissertation of the Year, the 2009 Emerald Literati Award and the 2003 and 2005 Richard A. Swanson Excellence Award, presented by the AHRD.

Currently, she is editor of the journal, “Human Resource Development Quarterly,” the co-editor of a book series that addresses innovations in adult learning and a member of several editorial boards in the HRD field.

TYLER — Tyler ISD officials said Tuesday that if the May bond issue passes, they will work toward creating a new high school on the current Stewart Middle School campus. The school would be called A.T. Stewart Academy of Excellence. The academy would offer several different programs in college readiness, job readiness, math, technology, fine arts, language arts, mentoring, and science. The facility would be designed for what TISD calls “21st century learning” to help students thrive in college and the workforce, “carrying forward the legacy of excellence of Rev. A.T. Stewart,” for whom the school is named. Students would have to apply to be accepted to the school, and any student who graduates will get a diploma. School officials tell KETK that everyone will be encouraged to apply.

If the bond passes, the board would take two years to plan, design, and get community input on the project. During that time, students would stay at Stewart Middle School. If and when the new academy is built, students from Stewart would split and attend two different middle schools. “Stewart students who live south of Highway 31 will have option to attend a new middle school in the southwest quadrant of Tyler,” said TISD Superintendent Gary Mooring. “Students living north of Highway 31 would attend new Boulter Middle School.” Board members say a rumor about the Plyler Alternative School moving to the old Stewart Middle School is not true.

The new academy would be in addition to the Career and Technology Center, which is based more toward gaining skills to enter the workforce. The board says it would envision about 400 to 500 students at the new high school eventually. They are also considering adding extra curricular activities for those students if in fact this bond goes through.

A number of people in the neighborhood surrounding Stewart have expressed concern about plans to repurpose the school. Officials noted that the whole proposal would be subject to court approval. The also said the renovation and repurposing of Stewart would not require any additional funding on top of the bond proposal.

TYLER — Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics eliminated approximately 80 positions on Tuesday. The story was reported late Tuesday afternoon by KETK. “Trinity Mother Frances has a distinguished 75 year history. As we plan for our future service to the greater East Texas community, we will continue to place our emphasis on ensuring the highest standard of patient safety and providing the best and most compassionate patient care,” said Lindsey Bradley, President & CEO. “As the health care sector changes, so must we change to address the needs of today and tomorrow.”

“Our strategy is not just about cost-reduction; it is about positioning Trinity Mother Frances to grow in the ever changing health care market,” Bradley said. “I believe this is the best way for us to continue our commitment to serving the health care needs of people of East Texas.” Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Darin Szilagyi added, “It is not lost on anyone inside Trinity Mother Frances that we are impacting the lives of our staff.”

EAST TEXAS — An execution date has been set for an East Texas man convicted of sexual assault, kidnapping and murder. According to KETK, Richard Cobb will be put to death April 25th. Cobb was convicted of killing Kenneth Vandever, 37, and kidnapping two women from a store in Rusk. One of the women was raped and all three were shot. Cobb’s accomplice, Beunka Adams, was executed last April.

RUSK COUNTY — Rusk County authorities are searching for a man wanted for indecency with a child. Linden Hughes, 48, is wanted on several charges of indecency with a child, as well as burglary of a building. According to KETK, Hughes is 5’7 and weighs about 175. A $2,000 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest.

TYLER — Beginning with the Fall 2013 semester, students at Tyler Junior College will have the opportunity to live on campus in a residence hall operated by the United Methodist Church. The partnership between TJC and the Methodist campus ministry, TJC Wesley Foundation, was announced Tuesday. The Wesley Foundation sold its Baxter Avenue building to the college and signed a 30-year lease for a residence hall on Lake Street. The hall, currently known as West Hall, will become Wesley House and will accommodate about 40 students and be managed by the Wesley Foundation. The name Wesley House was selected in honor of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Movement.

“This is an exciting day for campus ministry at TJC,” said Rev. Sunny Farley, director of the Wesley Foundation. “We look forward to building a vibrant student community in the heart of campus.” The Wesley Foundation feeds students a free lunch every Tuesday and offers a variety of programs which will be open to all students, whether they live in Wesley House or not. Housing will be open to all students regardless of religious affiliation. “We will run Wesley House as Christians with a love for all people and a desire to serve God by serving others,” Farley said.

The Wesley Foundation has had a presence on campus at TJC since the college opened in 1926. The campus ministry and student organization has been in the Baxter Avenue building for more than 50 years. TJC President Dr. Mike Metke said the lease agreement will add to the college’s vibrant campus life and attract students who desire a nurturing living environment. Metke remarked, “The Wesley Foundation has done a great job serving students of TJC for many years. This new partnership will attract more students from East Texas and beyond, to live in a safe and caring educational environment.”

Dr. Metke said the College’s campus civility task force has worked with Campus Police to improve campus safety, civility and hospitality, and the addition of Wesley House is another step toward ensuring a pleasant learning and living atmosphere. The Wesley Foundation plans on making renovations to the facility, to include improvements to the resident rooms and the addition of offices and a large gathering space. For more information about Wesley House, visit http://www.tylerwesleyhouse.com or look for “Wesley House” on Facebook.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline continues. The State Department raised no major objections to the oil pipeline and said other options to get the oil from Canada to Gulf Coast refineries are worse for climate change. The latest environmental review stops short of recommending whether the project should be approved. The report makes it clear that other methods to transport the oil, including rail, trucks and barges, also pose a risk to the environment. The pipeline’s route carries it through eastern Smith County.

AUSTIN (AP) – Craft beer brewers are asking Texas lawmakers to expand the market for their products, and State Sen. Kevin Eltife of Tyler is part of the picture. Owners of brewpubs and small breweries made their case Tuesday to the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce. In a recent report, an industry trade group counted 37 breweries and 41 brewpubs in the state. They say the state’s current alcoholic beverage laws give an unfair advantage to big national distributors. Eltife has filed bills that would let small breweries sell beer during tours and let brewpubs sell their beer in retail stores. A lobbyist for the trade group Wholesale Beer Distributors of Texas spoke in favor of a rival bill. Republican John Carona of Dallas, the committee chairman, told the parties to work out a deal by next Monday.

SMITH COUNTY — An outdoor burning advisory has been issued in Smith County today due to high winds. Windy weather increases the risk of fires to become out of control. Though outdoor burning is not prohibited today, it is not recommended — and officials say if you do decide to burn outdoors, use extreme caution. You may call the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office at 903-590-2652 for more information.

ANGEL FIRE, N.M. (AP) — Authorities say four people from Texas were killed when their single-engine airplane crashed during takeoff at an airport in northern New Mexico. It happened Sunday 150 miles northeast of Albuquerque in the community of Angel Fire. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

New Mexico State Police identify the pilot as John Phillip Verhalen III, 33. Also killed were his sister, Sara Verhalen, 41, and her daughter, Chloe Marie Jameson, 13. The fourth victim is identified as the pilot’s girlfriend, Jennifer Woodward, 26. John and Sara Verhalen were formerly of Marshall. John was living in San Antonio and Sara resided in Dallas. The FAA says the plane was owned by a company in Scottsville, Texas, which is in Harrison County.

KILGORE — A Kilgore minister has been arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. Arrested around 3:30 Monday afternoon in the 100 block of Woodlawn Street was Glenn Douglas Barton, 62. He is Senior Pastor at Calvary Way Church at 106 Woodlawn Street in Kilgore. KETK reports the investigation began a couple of weeks ago after Kilgore police received a report alleging Barton had sexually assaulted a child between the years 2009 and 2013. The investigation has so far turned up no other alleged victims, but the investigation is continuing.

KILGORE — Two Ranger alerts were issued Monday night at Kilgore College when shots were reported north of the campus. The report came in just before 8:30. The first alert asked students to go to their dorms. The second alert was an “all clear,”but suggested that students stay inside. There have been no reports of any injuries or arrests and the investigation is ongoing.

SMITH COUNTY — It took firefighters about an hour and a half to control a blaze that destroyed a Winona-area home and vehicle Monday afternoon. The fire broke out on Devonne Drive near the dead end of Landry Lane. There were no injuries, and luckily, nobody was in the house at the time. However, authorities tell KETK that at least one pet may have been killed in the fire. The cause of the fire is not clear at this time, though authorities say that it began on the right side of the house. Firefighters say that the high winds made it difficult to extinguish the fire.

LONGVIEW — A homeowner was able to catch vandals throwing eggs at vehicles in Longview over the weekend. Longview police say they have received multiple reports of vehicles being “egged” around the Pine Tree High School neighborhood. The latest incident, which was captured on surveillance video early Sunday morning, shows several people get out of a car and throw eggs at what looks like a van.

A homeowner who shared the video tells KETK this is the third time he has been vandalized. The man claims his car and a few others parked on the street were targeted by the vandals. The miscreants were reportedly on the street for about three and a half minutes. If you have any information on the reported vandalism, you’re asked to contact the Longview Police Department at 903-237-1170.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County is seeking public input from citizens on county related services and issues. A short questionnaire is available on the Smith County Website. Commissioners will also hold a series of community meetings to encourage public input, information and ideas concerning county services. County officials said they plan to use the information gathered during the Public Input Project for the upcoming budget year and in long-term comprehensive planning.

All Smith County citizens are encouraged to fill out a short “Public Input Form” online at http://www.smith-county.com or at any of the community meetings scheduled in March and April. Citizens can also give input by calling their designated Precinct Commissioner directly at 903-590-4605.

TYLER — Smith County Road and Bridge crews Monday began culvert renovations on Sunset Drive in the Lake Tyler subdivision of East Shore Estates. Delays are expected as traffic will be reduced to one lane. Motorists should plan on an alternative route if possible.

Crews are working across the county to patch roads and clear trees from the right-of-way this week. County officials ask you to please report potholes and downed trees to the Smith County Road and Bridge Department at 903-590-4801 or use SeeClickFix – a free phone app that allows you to upload pictures and reports directly to the County from your phone or home computer. Click here for a link to the Smith County SeeClickFix Website: http://www.smith-county.com/Residents/SeeClickFix/CountyIssues.aspx

ATHENS – Funeral services are scheduled Wednesday for former Henderson County Sheriff Charlie Fields, 89. He died Saturday in Athens. Fields was sheriff of Henderson County from 1978 to 1986, when he retired. Funeral services are scheduled Wednesday afternoon at 1:00 at Oaklawn Memorial Park. That follows a visitation Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30pm at Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.

ANGEL FIRE, N.M. (AP/Staff) — A plane owned by a company in Scottsville, Texas, in Harrison County, has crashed in the northern New Mexico community of Angel Fire. Four persons died after the single-engine plane crashed as it was taking off.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Lynn Lunsford says the cause of the crash was unknown, but noted that the area was experiencing heavy winds at the time of the crash Sunday afternoon. The plane’s destination wasn’t immediately known.

No information was available about the two adults and two children aboard the single-engine Mooney plane, except that they were members of a San Antonio family. State police say there were no survivors in the crash. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA headed to the site.

Angel Fire is located 150 miles northeast of Albuquerque.

TYLER — Two persons have been injured and one person is in custody following a fight on Tyler’s southwest side. It happened Sunday morning just before 11:45 at Super Monterey grocery store, 510 South Southwest Loop 323. Arrested was Gerardo Tavira Bastida 46 of Tyler.

Witnesses say Bastida began assaulting an elderly male with a crutch inside the store. He suffered a head injury. A store employee attempted to stop the assault and was stabbed by the suspect. Employees of the store detained Bastida until police arrived. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on two aggravated assault charges.

GREGG COUNTY — Gregg County authorities are investigating an aggravated assault. It happened Early Saturday morning at Club Enigma on Hwy 31. According to the Gregg County Sheriff, a deputy was flagged down near the intersection of Highway 31 and 3053 by a woman who was transporting two stabbing victims to the hospital. The woman, an employee of the club, said her two passengers, Hispanic males, had been stabbed at the club by an unknown man. EMS and DPS Officers responded to the location to assist.

While the stabbing victims were being cared for, a vehicle traveling east bound on Highway 31 struck the back of a DPS patrol unit. The driver, an intoxicated female, was arrested for DWI and transported to the Gregg County Jail. No one was injured in the crash.

One of the stabbing victims was life-flighted to Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler. The other was transported by EMS to Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview. Both received stab wounds to the upper body and they are in stable condition. The suspect in the case has not been identified at this time.

Anyone with information are asked to contact the Investigator Floyd Wingo at 903-237-2532 or Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP.

LONGVIEW — Two space heaters plugged into the same extension cord, which overloaded the breaker box, is said to be the cause of a fire that destroyed a Longview home. The fire, just after 10:30 Sunday morning, was reported in the 1100 block of East Level Street. One of the three persons in the home was injured. Jamar Smith, 22, was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center for treatment of minor burns on his feet and hands.

LAKEPORT — It is believed an electrical problem cause a fire that damaged a Lakeport restaurant. The Sunday afternoon fire started in a rear storage area of Adams Rib Pit Bar-B-Que at the intersection of Estes parkway and Jet Drive. Employees and customers were able to flee the building and were not injured. The cause remains under investigation.

FORT WORTH (AP) — Former President George W. Bush says the late pianist Van Cliburn spread peace and love through his music. Bush spoke to about 1,400 people attending Cliburn’s memorial service Sunday in Texas. Cliburn, who grew up in Kilgore, died Wednesday at 78 after fighting bone cancer. Bush spoke of Cliburn’s winning the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1958. At the height of the Cold War, the win helped thaw the icy rivalry between the United States and Soviet Union. Bush said Cliburn charmed friends and foes alike and essentially was a diplomat. Cliburn played for every U.S. president since Harry Truman, plus royalty and heads of state worldwide. In 2003, Bush presented Cliburn with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man is arrested for burglary. Barry K. Smith, 48, of Longview was arrested after police said he broke into an air conditioning unit to steal the copper wiring. According to KETK, officers said they found Smith vandalizing the air conditioning unit of an abandoned building in the 1500 block of Marshall Avenue where he was living. Smith was charged with burglary of a building and public intoxication. He was booked in the Gregg County Jail under a $10,000 bond.

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man has been sentenced to prison after being convicted on a two-count indictment charging him with assault family violence with prior conviction and aggravated assault. According to the Longview News-Journal, after being found guilty, Michael Dean Perry, 53, was sentenced to 60 years in prison and a $10,000 fine on each count. He has numerous prior convictions dating back to 1984. The latest convictions stem from his October arrest at his Longview residence. Perry’s niece told Longview police that he broke down the door to her bedroom where she and her friends were visiting and “came at her with a knife.” He was drunk at the time.

In 2007, Perry sued members of the Gregg County Jail staff on civil charges of harassment and retaliation. At a 2011 trial in federal district court in Tyler, jurors deliberated 15 minutes before finding the jailers not guilty.

TYLER — One suspect has been arrested for intoxication assault after a hit and run accident. It happened just before 8:15 Friday night at Highway 110 and Loop 323. According to Tyler Police, a red Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Antonio Sanchez, was stopped for a red light at Hwy 110 when he was rear-ended by a 1997 blue GMC Sierra. The Sierra fled the scene north bound on Hwy 110. Sanchez’s passenger, Estella Alonzo was transported from the scene by EMS for claimed neck and back pain.

Several minutes later, the Sierra was located abandoned on Hwy 110 several miles outside loop 323. The driver flee the vehicle on foot, according to witnesses. A short time later, police were called to CR 45 where Michale Miyienda, 22, was trying to report the truck stolen. After further investigation, Miyienda was arrested for four outstanding traffic warrants as well as Intoxication Assault and Felony Hit and Run. He was booked into the Smith County Jail.

TYLER — Tyler’s Junior Achievement hands its 2013 Laureate of the Year award to Brookshire’s Grocery Company. That means Brookshire’s has been inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame, the highest honor given by JA. It all happened at a Thursday reception at Tyler’s Rose Garden Center.

“We could not be more pleased or excited about this year’s nominee for the 2013 Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame award,” said JA board member and Regions Bank president Chad Cargile. “Brookshire’s Grocery Company is well known for their outstanding contributions to the Tyler community and for being a role model for all aspiring business leaders and entrepreneurs. Their actions and support embody the spirit of what JA represents as an organization, which is to inspire and prepare young people for our global economy.”

According to press materials, “The core purpose of Junior Achievement is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. The JA programs provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship.”

SMITH COUNTY — Various dignitaries highlighted a Saturday ceremony honoring the transfer of Toll 49 from TxDOT to the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA). Jeff Austin III of Tyler is a former chair of the NET RMA and a current member of the Texas Transportation Commission. Austin says credit for making the project happen goes to the cities, Tyler, Noonday, Whitehouse, and Lindale, along with the county, elected officials, and the Tyler Metropolitan Planning Organization. The transfer became official last Thursday. The next big happening is the opening of Toll 49′s Segment 3B, connecting the toll road to Interstate Highway 20 for the first time. That’s expected around March 29.