KTBB News, Weather, Talk

KILGORE — A Kilgore police officer was injured while trying to detain two men who were allegedly passing counterfeit checks. The Kilgore Police Department responded to claims of two men, later identified as Moyses Aguirre-Banega and Jose Ortez, passing bad checks at the H&L Liquor store. When authorities made contact with the alleged criminals, a struggle ensued and one of the officers used his taser to subdue Aguirre-Banega. According to KETK, a police officer’s finger was broken during the fight. No major injuries were reported. Banega was charged with Robbery, forgery, and assault on a peace officer. Ortez is charged with tampering and failure to ID.

TYLER — While many Smith County residents were focused on alcohol propositions, three incumbent local lawmakers and one newcomer, all Republicans, easily defeated their opponents. Congressman Louie Gohmert (pictured) returns to Capitol Hill after a victory over Democrat Shirley McKellar and Libertarian Clark Patterson. State Senator Kevin Eltife prepares for another term in Austin after beating Democrat Steve Russell. And Matt Schaefer geared up for his first tour of duty as Tyler’s state representative by defeating Libertarian Charles Parkes III.

PALESTINE – Anderson County authorities have released the name of a woman whose body was found north of Palestine last month. The remains were that of Deborah LeAnn Vickery, 35. She is said to be a Tyler area woman. Her body was found in a wooded area of Highway 155. The death was determined to have been caused by a gunshot wound and the case is being treated as a homicide. Anderson County authorities along with the Texas Rangers are continuing the investigation.

JACKSONVILLE – A contingent of law officers tried unsuccessfully last night to find who was responsible for a string of Cherokee County Robberies. A Department of Public Safety helicopter aided in the search. No injuries were reported. KETK reports the man hunt took place in the area of Loop 456 and U.S. Highway 79.

TYLER – Here are the voting totals on the alcohol option issues in Smith County based on early voting and 78 of the 78 precincts:
Tyler Prop 1
Against 8,450….27.07%
For 22,767……..72.93%

Tyler Prop 2
Against 10,670….33.45%
For 21,225……..66.55%

JP 2 Prop 1
Against 6,772…..28.32%
For 17,138………71.68%

JP 2 Prop 2
Against 8,850…..34.64%
For 16,695……..66.55%

In a press release from Buy Local First, supporters of the proposals:
We are very excited about the outcome of tonight’s elections. The people have overwhelmingly stated they want to legally be able to purchase beer and wine in their grocery stores, supermarkets and convenience stores. Restaurants in the newly annexed parts of Tyler and JP 2 will be free from having to comply with private club rules.

We expect those who will apply for licenses will be able to begin selling after the first of the year as it typically takes from 45-60 days for the licenses to go through the proper review process. The process entails requiring the local City Secretary and County Clerk to confirm the retailer is located in a ‘wet’ area and then the license goes to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) for final approval.

As for the opposition, we hope they will see tonight as a sign that the battle is lost and to give up their efforts whose only benefit is to delay the will of the people. However, State law specifically states that even if there is an election challenge, the challenge does not suspend the effect of the local option election. Therefore, the citizens signed the petitions, the city and county thoroughly reviewed the petitions, not once but twice, and ordered the election. The people have spoken, it is time to move forward and come January, start buying locally first.

Opponents of the propositions sought an injunction against the proposals. The filing was based on alleged improper election procedure by the City of Tyler and Smith County. Visiting judge Andrew Kupper rejected the request. The opponents have indicated, if Tyler went wet, a law suit would be filed.

TYLER — Starting today, contractors for Tyler Pounds Regional Airport will be moving fill dirt across the entry road that leads to the commercial airport terminal building. Passengers should not expect any measurable delays as a result of the work but are urged to obey all construction traffic signs and drive slowly in the construction area.

“We have carefully worked with our contractor to be very attentive to airline schedules so that we can coordinate their work to minimize impacts to travelers driving to the terminal,” said Airport Manager Davis Dickson. “We also ask our passengers to allow for a few more minutes in their drive plans to allow for slower speeds through the construction zone.”

The work is expected to last two to three months. Skyway Boulevard will not be closed to traffic.

CANTON (AP) — A traffic collision sent a tractor-trailer rig careening into an East Texas city hall and erupting in flames, killing the driver. Police dispatcher Stacy Hitmer said the crash happened about 1:30 Tuesday afternoon when the 18-wheeler collided with a sport utility vehicle and careened into Canton’s municipal office complex. Fire Chief Bud Sanford said firefighters took about 45 minutes to extinguish the flames. He said no one was in the wing of the building most affected and no one else was injured. Sanford said it was unclear whether the driver died in the crash or the ensuing fire.

TYLER – An East Texas man and woman have pleaded guilty to federal bank fraud violations. Mark Alan McCullars, 44, of Marshall, and Amanda Henderson, 23, of Longview, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud Tuesday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie.

According to authorities, beginning in May 2011, McCullars and Henderson created counterfeit checks which appeared to be payroll checks from businesses in East Texas. They also created fraudulent drivers’ licenses so that they could cash the counterfeit checks at check-cashing businesses. McCullars and Henderson cashed over 100 fraudulent checks resulting in over $55,000 in loss to check cashing businesses in East Texas. They were indicted by a federal grand jury on May 11, 2012. McCullars and Henderson each face up to 30 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set

TYLER – A 27-year-old Hickory, N.C., woman has pleaded guilty in Tyler to federal drug trafficking violations. Chelsea Elizabeth McDowell pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love.

According to prosecutors, up until January 29, 2011, McDowell conspired with others to assist in transporting methamphetamine and money obtained from selling drugs in East Texas. McDowell admitted to being responsible for distributing approximately 15 kilograms of methamphetamine to others in the area. A federal indictment was returned on April 11, 2012, charging McDowell and others with federal drug crimes. McDowell faces at least 10 years and up to life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

TOKYO (AP) – Two U.S. sailors, including one from East Texas, accused of attacking a woman on Okinawa, have been charged with rape. Local prosecutors on Tuesday formally charged the two, Seaman Christopher Browning of Athens, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Skyler Dozierwalker of Muskogee, Oklahoma, in the October 16 incident that has brought an angry outcry on the southern Japan island. Okinawa hosts more than half of the 52,000 U.S. troops in Japan. The alleged rape has heightened longstanding tensions over base-related crime, accidents and noise. Military officials have since put all U.S. troops in Japan under a strict curfew, but police on Okinawa are now investigating an airman for allegedly violating the new restrictions and punching a 13-year-old boy after a late-night drinking binge.

SMITH COUNTY — A one year old baby was found in the middle of a Smith County road. Smith County Sheriff officials tell KETK, they received a call around 8:30 yesterday morning about a child walking in the 11,000 block of Farm Road 14 near Fielder Road. Two people reportedly swerved to miss the baby, then stopped and removed the child from the road. A neighbor told them the baby belonged to a family nearby.

Authorities approached the house that the neighbors reported as the baby’s home. The door was ajar, and officials discovered an elderly woman passed out on the floor inside. After medical care, the woman was discovered to be the baby’s grandmother, and had suffered a seizure just after opening the door. The baby had walked out the open door after the woman collapsed.

The baby’s mother had left the child with the grandmother while she went to work. No charges will be filed, and everyone involved is okay.

LUFKIN — A Nacogdoches man is dead after a Monday night wreck on U.S. Highway 59 North. According to KETK, it happened about a half mile north of Winston 8 Ranch Rd, just before 10:00. According to Angelina County DPS officials, two vehicles were involved in the crash. Jamond Rashad Curl, 36, and Stephanie Dionne Chunn, 37, both of Nacogodoches, were driving northbound on Hwy 59 in separate vehicles. Curl was reportedly speeding in a 2003 Cadillac, and hit Chunn’s 2010 Ford SUV. Curl then crossed into the southbound lanes, ran off the roadway and hit a tree. He was not wearing his seat belt at the time. Curl was pronounced dead at the scene around 10:45. Chunn was uninjured.

EAST TEXAS – Alcohol propositions are in the spotlight as East Texans await results of today’s elections. In Smith County, there are four propositions on local ballots. Residents of the city of Tyler and Justice Precinct 2 have each been deciding on sales of mixed drinks in restaurants where it’s not already permitted, along with sales of beer and wine in local stores. Voters were given until 7:00 this evening to cast their ballots. You will hear election returns starting tonight at 6:00 on KTBB.

KILGORE – A motorcycle accident near the Smith/Gregg county line has killed one person. The wreck happened around 6:00 Monday morning on Farm Road 2767. Killed was Kenneth Lee Pendergraft, 49, of Tyler. The Department of Public Safety reports Pendergraft was west bound when he lost control of his motorcycle on a curve and hit some road paving equipment that was on the side of the road.

LONGVIEW – The Gregg County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying suspects involved in a robbery. Three men held up the Glass Dragon, 4701 Estes Parkway, on Saturday, November 3rd. They robbed the business at gunpoint just after 9:00pm. The photo is from a video surveillance camera at the business. It shows one of the suspects. They are thought to have escaped in a black Pontiac. You are asked to contact Investigator Doug Morgan at 903-236-8438 or Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP with any information.

TYLER (Staff/AP) — Accused murderer and kidnapper James W. Calvert has been booked into the Smith County Jail after being brought back to Tyler Monday afternoon. He’s held on a $25 million bond after being indicted Monday. According to KETK, he had been held at the Ouachita Correction Center in Louisiana since West Monroe officers caught him in a high speed chase on November 1. Officials believe the 41-year-old Calvert murdered his ex-wife at her Tyler home last week and kidnapped their four-year-old son. The boy was found safe when authorities caught up with Calvert.

CANTON — The East Texas Council of Governments, in partnership with Regional Advisory Council Trauma Service Area Regions F and G, the City of Canton, and Van Zandt County Emergency management, will conduct a Full Scale, Regional Safety Exercise today through Thursday. This 72-hour, around the clock event, based in Canton, will begin this morning at 7:00. It will incorporate local and regional emergency responders; local, regional, and state public works agencies; private business partners; and various state/federal agencies and over 60 participating hospitals through the Regional Advisory Council Trauma Service Area Regions F and G and EMTF Region 4. Counties involved are Smith, Van Zandt, Henderson, Wood, Anderson, Trinity, Shelby, Gregg, Panola, Houston, Freestone, Upshur, Franklin, and Camp.

The multi-day exercise, involving 400 to 500 participants, will test many areas of emergency management and medical response. Scenarios during the 3 day exercise will include a structural collapse, a dive rescue recovery, a confined space-low angle/high angle rescue, a dam break, a hazardous material spill a wide area search and rescue, medical special needs sheltering and two active shooter enactments.

Emergency response will be staged in Canton and the surrounding area. The exercise will begin with a scenario of a tornado that touches down in various locations across Van Zandt County. Emergency responders will attend to a structural collapse scenario at Tyler Pipe. A dive rescue recovery and a search and rescue operation will be conducted by area CERT teams at the Canton City Lake “Mill Creek Reservoir” located at 410 Arnold Paul Road in Canton. A mass fatalities/casualties scenario will be conducted at the First Monday Trade Grounds theoretically caused by a tornado during First Monday Trade Days. There will be a active shooter scenarios held at the Van Zandt County Courthouse and also at Canton Trade Days.

EAST TEXAS – Alcohol propositions are in the spotlight as East Texans who haven’t already voted head for the polls Tuesday. In Smith County, there are four propositions. Residents of the city of Tyler and Justice Precinct 2 will each decide on sales of mixed drinks in restaurants where it’s not already permitted, along with sales of beer and wine in local stores.

Early voting ended Friday in Tuesday’s general election. The early voting turnout set a record in Smith County. Smith County Elections Administrator Karen Nelson tells KETK 50,567 persons voted early. That surpassed the previous record of 49,373 set in 2008. In Gregg County, just over 46% of the registered voters voted early. Gregg County Elections Administrator Kathryn Nealy tells KETK 31,602 have voted. That is below the early vote total for the 2008 election. Nealy says the lower vote total this year could be because there were no contested local races on the ballot. Polls open at 7:00 Tuesday morning and will remain open until 7:00 that night. You will hear complete election returns starting at 6:00 p.m. on KTBB.

LONGVIEW — Longview ISD enrolled record-breaking numbers of students this fall, while enrollment declined in the city’s two other school districts. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Longview ISD’s 2012-13 enrollment is a record 8,843 students. That is up by 225 students from 2011-12 in numbers the district provided to the Texas Education Agency on Oct. 26, which is known as Snapshot Day. Snapshot Day provides a first-glimpse overview of public education in Texas with data including student attendance and demographics, along with school staffing and budget information. In Pine Tree ISD, total enrollment declined by 110 students, to 4,619. Spring Hill ISD saw enrollment dip by 14 students, to 1,913.

TYLER — A DPS trooper was involved in a car accident Monday morning on Old Omen Rd. in Tyler. KETK reports it happened near the Arrowhead Golf Course around 7:20 a.m. According to Smith County DPS officials, Trooper Abernathy swerved to miss a deer that ran out in front of him, and ran off the road. The DPS unit was the only vehicle involved, and it is said to have substantial damage. Trooper Abernathy was being checked out out by medical officials.

AUSTIN — Allegations of voter intimidation, including at least one case in East Texas, have motivated minority groups to take their claims to the Capitol. The NAACP and the MALDEF, the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund, are citing instances of voter intimidation. Lanisha Muckelroy from Rusk County claims she faced it from another voter. She says, “As I was walking by, I heard him say, I don’t need to know all that, I just need to know how can he help get this —- out of office.” NAACP counsel Robert Notzon is pursuing the case. He comments, “To make her personally have to weather that affront, repeated affront, there’s just no excuse for that.” The minority groups recommend victims gather as much information as possible and present it immediately to local authorities.

TYLER – Because of a fire, the Salvation Army in Tyler has lost some items that would be sold at their Family Store. The fire was in the back corner of the store at Bow and Spring Streets last Thursday morning. The building suffered only minimal damage.

Store manager Beverly Hilton said, “Due to the fire, we lost donations that had been left after hours outside the fence. We also lost donations inside the fence and several containers that we stored and transported donations. Among the things were several high dollar exercise equipment.” With the exercise equipment goes an unknown amount of money that could have assisted in helping those that are in need.”

Hamilton added, “Without a doubt, the biggest are the items that now have smoke damage. New toys and other items were stored at the Family Store to give a head start with the Angel Tree Program which benefits the children and seniors of the community. Almost everything that was stored is now ruined. Going back and looking, we also lost wheel chairs and walkers.”

Some of the items were being earmarked for children whose name would be on this year’s Angel Tree.

Help is being sought from anyone wanting to make sure Christmas is special for every man, woman, boy, or girl who needs a helping hand. Monetary donations can be made online at
http://www.salvationarmytyler.org or by mail at P.O. Box 2050 Tyler, Texas 75710. You should include the word “Christmas” in the memo section. Christmas toys and other items can be dropped off at The Salvation Army Family Store Monday-Saturday 10:00am to 4:00pm or schedule a pick up by calling 903-266-1635.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

LONGVIEW – Construction crews from Texas Department of Transportation contractor Longview Bridge & Road on Monday are scheduled to begin final resurfacing operations Monday on State Highway 149 (Eastman Road) and State Highway 322 (Estes Parkway) between Interstate Highway 20 and Sysco Foods.

The work is scheduled to take approximately two weeks to complete, with the first week of work taking place on Estes Parkway and the second on Eastman Road. Crews will begin by closing the inside lanes and center turn lane on Estes Parkway for resurfacing work, including overnight lane closures through Wednesday, before swapping traffic into the inside lanes midweek so work can be done on the outside lanes.

Some weekend work may be performed as well to ensure the job is completed before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Once the work on Estes Parkway has been completed, crews will move to close the inside lanes on Eastman Road and begin the same process there. One lane will be open to traffic in each direction while the lane closures are in place. Some turns may be restricted while work is performed directly in front of driveways or in the center turn lane.

Motorists are strongly encouraged to use caution in the work area, and seek an alternate route if possible to avoid delays.

Also this week in Longview, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to complete base and pavement repair work on Spur 502 (Judson Road) between Loop 281 and U.S. Highway 80 (Marshall Avenue), then move to Spur 502 between Loop 281 and U.S. Highway 259 north of Longview. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists are
encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

TYLER – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make pavement repairs on State Highway 64 (Fifth Street) between Robertson and U.S. Highway 69 (Broadway Avenue), then move mid-week to perform the same operations on State Highway 64 (South Glenwood Boulevard) between the water tower and State Highway 31 (Front Street). A second crew is scheduled to perform pavement repairs on Interstate Highway 20 near the US 69 and Lavender Road exits.

Also this week in Smith County, TxDOT contractor R.K. Hall is scheduled to continue approximately two months of pavement repair and resurfacing operations on State Highway 110
south of Tyler between Shiloh Road and Toll Road 49.

Also this week in Smith County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to perform pavement repairs on Interstate Highway 20 near the Willow Branch Road exit (Exit 544) just east of the Van Zandt County Line. Crews will be making repairs in both eastbound and westbound lanes.

Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation this week are scheduled to conduct fog-seal operations on the following roadways in the coming days:
*Farm Road 1803 between State Highway 31 and Farm Road 773;
*Ranch Road 3225 in Tool between State Highway 274 and the end of state maintenance;
*Ranch Road 3273 between Farm Road 59 and the end of state maintenance;
*Farm Road 59 from Farm Road 753 (Shady Oaks) to Anderson County line;
*Farm Road 1615 between SH 19 and the end of state maintenance.
Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid the long delays associated with fog seal operations.

HENDERSON — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on SH 43 between the Henderson Star and Farm Road 1251 in New Prospect. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin resurfacing operations on FM 47 between FM 2475 near Lake Tawakoni State Park and Farm Road 751 in Wills Point. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

WOOD COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 1799 between U.S. Highway 80 and Farm Road 779 in Golden, and edge repairs in various locations on Farm Road 1801 east of Mineola, and on Farm Road 515 and Farm Road 2225 near Lake Fork. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to make base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 1137 between U.S. Highway 84 and the end of state maintenance. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY – Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to resume shoulder work on Farm Road 855 between U.S. Highway 69 in Mount Selman and U.S. Highway 175 near Cuney. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man has been placed under a $20,000 bond after being charged with aggravated assault causing bodily injury to a family member with a deadly weapon. Rayford Earl King Jr., 31, was arrested around 1:45 Friday morning. He was taken into custody in an apartment in the 800 block of West Cheryl, a home he shared with his girlfriend. She told officers the two had gotten onto an argument. King is accused of grabbing her throat and threatening her with a knife. He is said to have later threatened to shot her and shoot up the apartment.

CHAPEL HILL — A Chapel Hill family is left homeless following a fire at its mobile home. KETK reports it happened just after 1:00 Friday afternoon on the 15000 block of Shady Creek Road. Officials with the Smith County Fire Marshal’s office say a person living next door called 9-1-1. Reporters were told the fire started in the water heater. The home is destroyed. No one was home at the time of the fire. The Red Cross is helping the family.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Planning and Zoning Commission will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on November 6. One agenda item under consideration will relate to a local ordinance regulating certain aspects of the sale of beer and wine in the City of Tyler, should the ballot measure scheduled for the Nov. 6 election pass. The Planning and Zoning Commission will ultimately make a recommendation to the City Council regarding the content of the local ordinance. The public will have an opportunity to provide input into the process at the meeting, scheduled for 1:30pm on November 6 at Liberty Hall, 103 East Erwin Street.

“The City has been working for several months to prepare a local ordinance that will be ready for adoption at the Nov. 13 City Council meeting,” said Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass. “We want to ensure that local guidelines are in place, should the measure pass. The Planning and Zoning Commission plays an important role in shaping what the Council may ultimately adopt.” You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org to view the agenda for the meeting, along with a draft ordinance.

On July 25, 2012, the City Council called for the election after confirming the validity of petitions submitted to the City Clerk. At that time, Mayor Bass appointed a subcommittee of the City Council to begin developing a draft ordinance to address the aspects of this issue that are within the jurisdiction of the City to regulate. “I was surprised at how little is actually left up to the discretion of the City to control,” said Councilmember Mark Whatley, who led the subcommittee. “Most of the regulations are mandated by state law. In some situations, we can be more flexible; however, in most cases we were not able to be more restrictive than state law allowed.”

TYLER – Authorities have arrested 17 Smith County parents who allegedly violated court orders requiring them to pay child support. The roundup was conducted Friday by Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith, with assistance from the Tyler Police Department, Smith County Adult Probation, the U.S. Marshals Service, Pct. 2 Constable Andy Dunklin, Pct. 3 Constable Jimmy Blackmon, and Pct. 4 Constable John G. Smith. Friday’s sweep comes on the heels of a similar roundup in Harrison County; both efforts were in conjunction with the Texas Attorney General’s Child Support Division. The sweeps focused on parents who were the subjects of arrest warrants for alleged contempt of court.

After holding a 4:30am briefing at the Smith County Emergency Operations Center, Sheriff Smith dispatched teams of law enforcement officers to locate and arrest the parents before they had a chance to leave their homes for the day. Child Support Division investigators aided the sheriff by providing logistical assistance to locate missing parents. Delinquent parents arrested on civil warrants face up to six months in jail.

According to the AG’s office, parents with child support warrants should contact the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. Parents who have fallen behind on their child support payments – but are not subject to warrants for their arrest, should immediately contact the Attorney General’s Child Support Division at 800-252-8014 to make payment arrangements.

ATHENS — It took less than 30 minutes for a Henderson County jury to sentence Horace “Joe” Barker, 47, of Athens, to life in prison Friday morning after jurors convicted him of aggravated sexual assault late Thursday night. According to KETK and the Henderson County DA’s office, the conviction stems from the 2003 aggravated sexual assault of Barker’s six year old daughter. During sentencing, the jury heard evidence that Barker was previously convicted in 2007 of sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl and had physically abused several women with whom he’d had relationships over twenty years.

TYLER — A setback for a defendant in the so-called Mineola child sex ring case. Tyler’s 12th Court of Appeals has denied an appeal by Dennis Boyd Pittman. Earlier reports said Pittman’s lawyer thought the outcome of the case would have been different if the court had allowed the showing of taped interviews of the children in the case. According to KETK, Pittman was convicted of engaging in organized criminal activity. He was sentenced to life in prison.

TYLER — Today, participants from all over East Texas will join together to Lighten Up and make East Texas a healthier community in which to live. Sponsored in part by Brookshire Grocery Company, Allen Samuels Tyler, and Lighthouse Graphics, this event, the first of its kind in East Texas, will be held at Bergfeld Park in Tyler from 9:00am to noon.

Lighten Up East Texas is a regional weight loss challenge, created by the Fit City Coalition, in which individuals, teams, and communities can compete to lose weight and improve their health over a six-month period. Participants will receive entries into a grand prize drawing for every 5 percent of weight lost, tracked from an official weigh-in at the start and end of the challenge. There is no cost to participate. Participants can weigh in on November 3 at the event, or they can choose from an official weigh in site. Donated by Allen Samuels Tyler, the grand prize drawing will be a new 2013 Dodge Dart. Other prizes will be given away as well.

The event will feature vendor booths with health resources, the first official weigh-in for the competition, Inspiration Award winners, and much more. Organizations interested in participating with a booth or demonstration must register through the website, listed below.

George Roberts, chief executive officer of NET Health and co-chair of Fit City; Dave Berry, editor of the Tyler Morning Telegraph and Fit City co-chair; and Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass are all voicing their support of the effort. You can visit http://www.LightenUpEastTexas.com for more information, including official weigh-in.