KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White takes up ethics in advance of a midday visit to Tyler today. White told KTBB on Tuesday that one of his concerns is “taking the governor out of the decision-making to grant taxpayer subsidies to private funds.” He adds, “This has been abused in the past. We’ve asked Rick Perry to list all the names of the investors of these companies; we’ve known many were donors. One thing I’ll do as governor is make sure there’s a clear separation between politics and the business of government.”

Perry spokesman Mark Miner responds, “It’s unfortunate that Bill White has failed to offer anything of substance during this campaign. Governor Perry will continue talking about issues that matter to Texans, like job creation, growing our economy, border securities and other issues that matter to the people of Texas. Bill White has failed to offer one new idea that would move Texas forward.”

TYLER — A local citizen group wants some town hall meetings scheduled on next month’s Tyler ISD bond issue. Grassroots America – We the People Executive Director JoAnn Fleming says, “Time is running out with early voting beginning on Monday, October 18. It’s time to give voters a chance to see TISD’s bond plan, hear the pros and cons of the plan, and let the people ask questions!” Fleming added, “We are concerned that no town hall meetings have been planned by Tyler ISD since the board called the bond election a month and a half ago.”

State Senator Kevin Eltife, chair of the pro-bond Vote Yes Committee, says town hall meetings are already being held. He says says TISD Superintendent Dr. Randy has already done about eight and has another ten to 15 lined up. But Fleming claims, “According to news reports, Superintendent Randy Reid’s presentations on campuses are thus far limited to district employees, PTA members, and parents with children at the school (where the presentation is being made). We keep wondering when other voters and taxpayers will get a chance to see the plan and ask questions; therefore, we started the ball rolling today by issuing the following invitation.”

Fleming says the ensuing invitation was issued at 9:15 Tuesday morning to Reid, TISD President Ron Vickery, and Eltife, along with Vote Yes Committee Co-Chair and former Tyler Mayor Joey Seeber:

“The Grassroots America — We the People organization invites Tyler ISD and the Vote Yes Committee Chairs to co-sponsor with us two townhall meetings on the TISD bond issue. These events will give voters an opportunity to hear the facts about TISD’s bond package, hear the opposing points of view about the ballot measure, and ask questions.

“Location: We propose both townhalls be held at the Dr. Jack L. Davidson Conference Center located in the Plyler Instructional Complex due to its central location, ample parking, and available audio/visual equipment.

“Dates/times: We propose one townhall meeting to be held the week of October 18 – the first week of early voting — any date and any time convenient for TISD officials and the Vote Yes Chairs. We propose a second townhall meeting the week of October 25 — the second and final week of early voting — on a date and at a time convenient for TISD officials and the Vote Yes Chairs. Our only request is that the townhalls be scheduled for the evening, commencing at a time which will allow people who work during the day to attend.

“Format: We recommend TISD officials make the presentation on the bond package, followed by a presentation of the points of view of the Vote Yes Committee and GAWTP. Grassroots will yield to the preference of the Vote Yes Committee as to the order of the presentations.

“Question & Answer moderators: We recommend inviting a representative from each local media outlet to form a panel of moderators. They will be given an opportunity to ask questions of the presenters. This should be followed by an ample Q&A period from the public in attendance.

“Timing of townhall segments: GAWTP requests the District and Vote Yes Committee draft a proposed duration plan for the timing of each segment of the townhall meetings. We will be happy to work toward an agreement on the time allotted to each segment.

“Please let us hear from you by 10 AM on Thursday, October 21, so that we can plan accordingly.

“We look forward to working with you on these important townhall meetings as an effort to give voters the opportunity to be fully educated on the bond proposal before they vote.

“Best regards,

“JoAnn Fleming, Executive Director
Grassroots America – We the People.”

Eltife says, “It’s not as if there aren’t gonna be any (town hall meetings) without Ms. Fleming’s involvement.” He adds, “We’re gonna do what we can to get the public informed, and we’ll look at her request.”

TYLER — Two drug suspects are arrested by Tyler police. On Tuesday, the Tyler Narcotics Unit had an apartment under surveillance located at 2601 SSE Loop 323 (Fox Run Apartments) for alleged drug activity. Around 2:15 p.m., a suspect was observed exiting the apartment with two bags and talking to a female in the parking lot of the apartments.

Investigators believe that a marked unit was spotted in the area by the male suspect. The suspect then walked over to a dumpster and placed the two bags into it, allegedly so that he would not be in possession of the contents. The male and female got into a vehicle, left the apartment complex, and were followed by investigators. The bags in the dumpster were searched immediately after the suspects left the area and police say they recovered three handguns, narcotics, and drug paraphernalia.

Officers conducted a felony traffic stop on the suspects in the 3000 block of Santa Elena, where police say narcotics were recovered upon search of the vehicle. The suspects are identified as 28-year-old Christopher Browning of Tyler and 23-year-old Latrice Danelle Whitaker of Jacksonville. Both suspects are charged with possession of narcotics, and other charges are pending.

BEAUMONT — A 53-year-old former youth club leader from Lufkin has been sentenced in Beaumont to federal prison for child pornography violations. Patrick Sanders pleaded guilty on April 22 to possession of child pornography and was sentenced Tuesday to 57 months in federal prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield. According to information presented in court, on May 4, 2009, law enforcement officers received information that Sanders possessed images of child pornography on his computer at the Boys and Girls Club in Lufkin, where he worked as the Director. A forensic examination of the computer confirmed it contained images of child pornography. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse.

TYLER — Police in Tyler say they’re trying to locate a suspect they term dangerous. On Tuesday, Tyler Police responded to a 9-1-1 call around 5:30 a.m. from a female victim who stated her ex-husband came to Tyler and threatened to kill her and her son, who is a college student in another city in Texas. The suspect, identified as 52-year-old Michael Lee Hail, was reportedly driving around Tyler in an attempt to locate his ex-wife. Police say Hail had located her in south Tyler and pursued her in his vehicle. According to authorities, Hail fired a round from a shotgun, striking his ex-wife’s vehicle, but she was not struck from gunfire. Police say Hail was last seen driving a gray 2010 Ford F-150 truck bearing Texas license plate AP70782.

Tyler police say they’ve confirmed that Hail also fired a weapon at a female in Nacogdoches Monday night, but she was also not struck by the gunfire. The Nacogdoches Police Department has an outstanding warrant as a result of the reported crime. The Tyler Police Department is in the process of securing an arrest warrant for Hail on the charge of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. If anyone knows the location of the suspect, you’re asked to contact your local police department and not approach the suspect since he is considered armed and extremely dangerous.

TYLER — The annual Texans Against Crime (T.A.C.) night out event will take place tonight from 6:00 to 10:00. Celebrations will be held throughout East Texas, and in the City of Tyler, 70 block parties have registered for this year’s event. According to police, the Texans Against Crime program is an annual event designed to unite neighbors and communities to encourage neighborhood communication, community involvement and crime prevention to create safer neighborhoods. T.A.C. encourages neighborhoods to host block parties as an opportunity to get to know your neighbor and fight crime.

Police say T.A.C. promotes neighborhood alliances to strengthen communities and preserve the quality of life in East Texas. Police add that the program helps to educate families, friends and neighbors about crime prevention and inform residents that communities are safer when neighbors work together. According to law enforcement authorities, getting to know your neighbors is an important step in keeping your community safe.

GREGG COUNTY — Gregg County Commissioners are extending the county’s burn ban. Last week, the county issued an emergency burn ban after brush and wild fires charred several acres in the county. According to KETK, County Judge Bill Stoudt says they will be monitoring the situation this week and will address the burn ban again at next week’s meeting.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Engineering Department has advised that the installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of WNW Loop 323 and Silver Creek Drive / Charlotte Drive is complete and the signal is in operation. The City will monitor the timing of the signal to maximize traffic flow on Loop 323 while addressing turning movements onto Silver Creek from vehicles traveling to and from Orr Elementary, which is located northwest of this intersection.

As part of the signal installation, new pedestrian features were installed that will improve safety for students traveling to and from Orr Elementary.

LONGVIEW — A Longview woman is jailed after a weekend shooting. Jennifer Rae Cox, 30, is charged with shooting and seriously injuring another person. The incident happened around 2:30 Sunday morning in the 1200 block of W. Marshall Avenue. Authorities could not confirm who was shot, or if there was more than one victim. According to KETK, police also charged Cox with carrying a handgun without a license on premises that sell alcohol and carrying a prohibited weapon. Her bond totaled $25,000.

TYLER — Funeral services will be held on Thursday for Dr. George Hamm, former president of the University of Texas at Tyler. Dr. Hamm, who was 79, died Sunday following a lengthy illness. He served as president of U.T. Tyler from 1981 to 1998. Services are scheduled for Thursday morning at 11:00 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler. Visitation is Wednesday evening from 6:00 till 7:00 at the Stewart Family Funeral Home.

President Rodney Mabry says on the school website, “President Hamm influenced the university and the community in such important ways. Among his major achievements were such things as getting permission for downward expansion and building the wonderful R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center. He was a major force in the development of the university, and students, faculty and staff will be forever in his debt.” Mabry took office following Hamm’s retirement in June 1998.

During Hamm’s tenure as president, legislation was passed to transition UT Tyler from an upper-level university serving juniors, seniors and graduate students to a comprehensive four-year university enrolling its first freshman class in August 1998.

According to the obituary at the Stewart Family Funeral Home web site, when he announced plans for retirement, Hamm described his years at UT Tyler “as the best and happiest years of my professional life,” and stated, “With each succeeding year, Janie and I have accumulated greater numbers of friends and more enduring relations. The university has grown significantly in stature because of its ever increasing numbers of generous benefactors.”

Hamm was responsible for raising private gifts to supplement university funds for construction of the R. Don Cowan Center Fine and Performing Arts Center at UT Tyler. He established the university’s Distinguished Lecture Series, which has featured such speakers as Henry Kissinger, Coretta Scott King and William F. Buckley.

During his presidency, Hamm secured approval for establishment of the college of engineering, the first at a state university in East Texas. He worked to create UT Tyler’s campuses in Longview and Palestine. New degree programs included master’s degrees in nursing, history, mathematics, biology and political science. His commitment to building and retaining faculty excellence brought scholars from leading universities around the nation to UT Tyler.

Hamm’s leadership also led to construction of UT Tyler’s first on-campus student housing, the University Pines complex. The complex was one of the first in Texas to be built entirely with private funds.

In honor of his contributions to the development of UT Tyler, the UT System Board of Regents conferred on him the title of President Emeritus in 2003, stating: “One of Dr. Hamm’s most significant accomplishments was his leadership in working with the legislature and other community leaders in elevating UT Tyler to four-year status in 1997.”

LUFKIN — Lufkin Crimestoppers need your help identifying a man who stole a coin operated air and water machine. Officers say that on September 16th, the man spent about 45 minutes working on his truck outside a convenience store on Atkinson Drive in Lufkin. At one point, the man even went into the store to buy motor oil, then he returned to his truck, hitched it to the coin operated air and water dispenser, and pulled it out of the ground. According to KETK, he then dragged the coin machine behind him as he drove away.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches Police say a 22-year-old man was hit in the ankle with several shotgun pellets this weekend. It happened in a yard in the 1700 block of East Main. Investigators say the man was involved with an argument that concerned an earlier disturbance with 29-year-old Gregory Donnell Porter. According to KETK, witnesses say Porter went to the trunk of his car and pulled out a short shotgun, then fired it toward the ground in the direction of the victim. The victim was taken to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Sheriff’s deputies later found Gregory Porter on Henderson Lane in the county. Porter was arrested and the shotgun was recovered.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police search for a suspect wanted in an assault. Officers responded to a fight in progress call at 1504 Timpson Street around 6:55 Sunday night. Authorities found 48-year-old Darron Thomas lying on the ground unconscious. Witnesses told officers that Thomas and another man had gotten into an argument when the man punched Thomas. After being punched, Thomas fell to the ground and struck his head on the pavement. The Longview Fire Department/EMS transported Thomas to Good Shepherd Medical Center with life-threatening head injuries. The investigation is open and ongoing.

TYLER — The Apache Pow Wow, the award-winning student newspaper of Tyler Junior College, walked away with 12 awards during the annual Texas Community College Journalism Association conference Friday, Oct. 8, in Arlington. The awards included First Place for General Excellence and the Division I Sweepstakes Award.

The students placed in an array of TCCJA categories for previously published work. Awards the Pow Wow staff received for previously published work from TCCJA were:

First Place, General Excellence, Staff
First Place, Advertising Design, Kamren Thompson – Lindale
Second Place, Sports Feature, Erica Smith – Dallas
Second Place, Sports News, Darius Nicholson – Dallas
Second Place, Column Writing, Madison Payne – Tyler
Third Place, Feature Writing, Chantel Martin – Dallas
Third Place, Layout & Design, Kamren Thompson – Lindale
Third Place, News Photo, Jessica Sharp – Tyler
Honorable Mention, In-Depth/Investigative, Kamren Thompson – Lindale
Honorable Mention, Layout & Design, Kamren Thompson and Griffin
Blackburn – Tyler

The students also placed in the on-site contest for TCCJA:
Honorable Mention, Editorial Writing, Jarah Wright

The Apache Pow Wow was also recognized with the Sweepstakes award for Division I newspapers.

LONGVIEW — Longview and 50 other Texas cities or areas, including Tyler and Nacogdoches, are among 1,100 communities nationwide in need of ultra high-speed broadband service. According to KETK, that’s according to a group advocating expanded Internet capabilities. Officials say, Longview is in the top 10 percent nationally. Officials say, the city has not yet heard whether it has been selected, but Google executives say the company plans to announce its target communities by 2010.

TYLER — Funeral services will be held on Thursday for Dr. George Hamm, former president of the University of Texas at Tyler. Dr. Hamm, who was 79, died Sunday following a brief illness. He served as president of U.T. Tyler from 1981 to 1998. Services are scheduled for Thursday morning at 11:00 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Tyler. Visitation is Wednesday evening from 6:00 till 7:00 at the Stewart Family Funeral Home.

President Rodney Mabry says on the school website, “President Hamm influenced the university and the community in such important ways. Among his major achievements were such things as getting permission for downward expansion and building the wonderful R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center. He was a major force in the development of the university, and students, faculty and staff will be forever in his debt.” Mabry took office following Hamm’s retirement in June 1998.

During Hamm’s tenure as president, legislation was passed to transition UT Tyler from an upper-level university serving juniors, seniors and graduate students to a comprehensive four-year university enrolling its first freshman class in August 1998.

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

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation contractor Garey Construction, Ltd. today is scheduled to shift traffic through the construction project on US 175 between Eustace and the Kaufman County Line. Eastbound traffic will be shifted to the permanent lanes, and the interchange at State Highway 334 will be opened to traffic. Meanwhile, final resurfacing work on the westbound lanes is scheduled to continue, causing traffic to remain reduced to one lane until the resurfacing work is completed.

Also this week in Henderson County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on Ranch Road 2588 south of LaRue. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs in several locations throughout Gregg County, including:
* Loop 485 in Gladewater;
* US 80 near White Oak;
* Spur 63 in Longview
* SH 322 south of Longview
Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge repairs on Farm Road 346 in Flint between U.S. Highway 69 and Farm Road 2493. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue several days of resurfacing operations in various locations on U.S. Highway 84 east of U.S. Highway 259 in Mount Enterprise. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 315 between U.S. Highway 175 in Poynor and Farm Road 837 in Brushy Creek. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue base and pavement repair operations on Farm Road 751 in the northwest corner of the county between the Hunt County Line and Ranch Road 47 in Wills Point.

A second crew will be at work performing fog seal operations on Interstate Highway 20 frontage roads near Farm Road 773, State Highway 19 and Farm Road 1255. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

QUITMAN — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin approximately two weeks of resurfacing operations on State Highway 154 east of State Highway 37 near Quitman High School. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

TYLER — The Texas Rose Festival begins Thursday, and a special touch at Friday’s coronations will be stories that make Tyler special — and that you’ve probably never heard. They range from the city’s connection with the classic film “Casablanca” to how Tyler emerged from a failed peach crop to become a leader in the rose industry. On KTBB “Staff Meeting,” Festival Executive Vice President Tom Ramey said the Queen’s Court will provide the details: “Each girl will represent a story that sets this city unique — apart from any other city in America.” Ramey says one of his favorite stories involves the rose being named the national flower in 1986. According to Ramey, “It was a man from Tyler, Texas, who said, ‘We will do whatever it takes to make the rose the national flower of America.'” Ramey says details will come at the coronations.

The number to call for coronation tickets is (903) 566-7424. You can also go to http://www.texasrosefestival.com for more information. The “Staff Meeting” show is available at http://www.ktbb.com/audio beginning early Monday morning.

LONGVIEW — Tomorrow, neighborhoods throughout Longview will join forces during the Texans Against Crime event. Texans Against Crime is sponsored by the City of Longview Partners in Prevention and the Longview Police Department. This is the 20th year that the City of Longview has participated in an awareness campaign against crime. Currently, 79 block parties are planned across Longview.

All citizens are encouraged to participate by hosting or attending one of the many TAC parties designed to promote neighborhood alliances that strengthen our community and preserve the quality of life in East Texas.

To register to host a block party, or to find out about parties in your area, please call Partners in Prevention 903-237-1019.

TYLER — One person has been injured and one is being sought in connection with a Tyler stabbing. Officers received a call shortly after 1:35 Saturday morning that a stabbing victim was being treated at Mother Francis Hospital. The victim told officers the incident happened at a party at 514 West Barrett Avenue. The victim identified the suspect, who was said to have immediately fled the scene following the stabbing.

TYLER — Tyler Police Investigators have arrested three suspects in connection to an aggravated sexual assault of a child case that was reported on September 26. Police say the incident occurred on September 3, when five men in their late teens picked up three female juveniles ages 12, 14 and 15. The females all live in the Chapel Hill school district and were attending a high school football game at Rose Stadium. According to police, the girls went with the men to a private residence in Tyler, where the three suspects allegedly sexually assaulted the 12 year old girl. Police say after the assault took place, the girls were dropped off back at the football stadium.

Arrested were Joshua L. Baker and Glenn Authar Williams, both 18, and 19-year-old Brandon High, all of Tyler. Police add that the suspects have been identified as members of a local criminal street gang. Investigators are pursuing further charges for engaging in organized criminal activity. Judge Jack Skeen set bond at $250,000 for aggravated sexual assault of a child, a 1st degree felony.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department has been awarded a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (S.T.E.P.) grant from the Texas Department of Transportation for 2010 – 2011, awarding the Department of up to $62,109 to be used for providing additional traffic enforcement. Including local match funds, the S.T.E.P. grant has a total program budget of $95,560.63 that will be used to pay off-duty officers to conduct traffic enforcement on overtime. The current grant runs from October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011.

The awarding of the grant represents the fourth consecutive year the Longview Police Department has received a comprehensive S.T.E.P. grant, which focuses enforcement on speeding, seatbelt, and child restraint violations and driving while intoxicated. While seatbelt and DWI enforcement is conducted City-wide, speed enforcement is concentrated on ten sites that have been identified to have a compliance rate of less than fifty percent. Speed surveys conducted show compliance rates as low five percent at one site, to a high of forty-eight percent at a site that has been a S.T.E.P. speed site for several years.

The 500 – 900 block of E. Loop 281 had a compliance rate of only fourteen percent at the beginning of 2008, but has increased to forty-eight percent (48%) due to the increased enforcement provided by the S.T.E.P. grant. Police say the higher compliance rate at this location is an indicator that the program is working to reduce overall speeds at that location, but still has a lot of violators.

The 2009 – 2010 Comprehensive S.T.E.P. grant ended on September 30, 2010. Work under that grant resulted in the following:

Number of Hours of Enforcement: 1,560
Speeding Tickets Issued: 2,876
Adult Seatbelt & Child Restraint Tickets Issued: 1,044
Other Tickets Issued: 1,019
DWI Arrests: 51
Arrests for Other Offenses: 57

According to Sgt. Buddy Molpus, Traffic Section Supervisor and Program Coordinator for S.T.E.P., it is the goal of S.T.E.P. to reduce the severity of traffic crashes that occur in Longview as well as reduce the number of crashes. “We know for a fact that the speed of vehicles involved in a crash plays a major role in how serious that crash will be. We also know that properly wearing seatbelts and using child safety seat systems correctly will reduce the number and severity of injuries received when a traffic crash does occur. If we can increase voluntary compliance with speed limits and convince motorists and their passengers to buckle up, we can make a positive impact on traffic safety in Longview,” Molpus said.

“Crashes are going to happen,” Molpus continued. “It’s inevitable. The number of crashes that happen may rise and fall from year to year because of a variety of factors outside of our control. But if we can reduce the overall severity, that’s huge.”

KILGORE — Smith County Precinct 4 Commissioner JoAnn Hampton has been appointed Chair of the East Texas Council of Governments Board of Directors at the group’s semi-annual meeting. Commissioner Hampton has served on the Board of Directors for eight years and says she’s looking forward to leading the board in the upcoming year. “It is an honor to serve as Board Chair for the East Texas Council of Governments. This organization helps Smith County and all surrounding counties work together for a greater mutual benefit,” Commissioner Hampton said.

The outgoing Chair, Emory Mayor Cay House, also presented Commissioner Hampton with the 2010 Chairman’s Service Award during the meeting. Mayor House said that Commissioner Hampton went above and beyond her duties as a board member and made it her mission to help members of ETCOG work together, bridge differences and reach goals throughout the year.

The East Texas Council of Governments is a voluntary association of counties, cities, school districts and special districts within the fourteen-county East Texas region. ETCOG provides programs and services for East Texas seniors, employers and job seekers; peace officer training and homeland security planning services; rural transportation services; business finance programs; grant writing services; and environmental grant funding for the region.

NACOGDOCHES — Police on Thursday arrested a third person in connection with Monday night’s stabbing death of Thomas Grimes, 49, at a North Street apartment complex where he lived. Melinda Long-Smith, 22, is charged of tampering with evidence and hindering apprehension for allegedly helping homicide suspect Nathan Welsh elude police officers Tuesday. According to KETK, Grimes was found at about 10:50 p.m. Monday outside his apartment suffering from multiple stab wounds, which police say stemmed from a disturbance inside his Austin Place apartment. Milton Brown, 18, was arrested for murder earlier this week in connection with the stabbing.

TYLER – Tyler’s most outstanding citizen is retired oncologist Dr. Gary T. Kimmel. He was presented the T.B. Butler Award Thursday night at the annual meeting of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. Kimmel, who moved to Tyler in the mid 70s, retired in 2001. He is the founder and board president of the Cancer Foundation for Life. Also at the meeting, the W.C. Windsor Award was presented to Sharon Brown Wynne. She’s an active community volunteer and current president of the Junior League of Tyler. This award goes to someone under the age of 40 who has contributed greatly to the community.

Other awards presented Thursday night: Brookshire Grocery Company was named Large Business of the Year, and Janie’s Cakes was honored as the Small Business of the Year. B.J. Hornbostel was a double winner, taking home the Volunteer of the Year and Mary Howes Awards. The Howes Award was given to Hornbostel for her work with the Chamber’s Contact Club. Lynda York was gaveled in as Chamber Board Chairman for the new fiscal year as the meeting came to a close.

TYLER — As dry weather persists, several counties have issued burn bans. On Thursday, a 7-day emergency burn ban was declared for Rusk County, according to KETK. Other area counties forbidding outdoor burning include Angelina, Gregg, Panola, Harrison, and Henderson. East Texas has been hit with a number of brush fires in recent days due to the dry and sometimes windy weather.

TYLER — Grassroots America – We the People Executive Director JoAnn Fleming Thursday announced the organization’s opposition to Tyler ISD’s proposed $89.8 million bond on the upcoming November 2 ballot. Fleming says after a careful review of the bond package details, the Grassroots Board of Directors and Watchdog Committee found the bond package lacking in details necessary to ensure taxpayers the wisest long-term use of tax dollars.

Fleming says” In good faith, we invited TISD officials to make their presentation to us last week. We spent more than two hours viewing their plans and asking questions. Bottom line – the district is not ready for this. There are just too many unanswered questions for taxpayers to take a $90 million risk and hope the district figures out the details later.”

Fleming claims the answers to the following questions are unknown:

1. TISD officials say they are working on preliminary steps regarding the standing desegregation order. How will possible future lifting of this order impact attendance zones and facility needs?

2. The TISD Superintendent plans alternative grade configurations – pairing and housing certain grades together. What is the plan? How will it change grade alignments/facilities/annual operating costs/academics? Will we need more facilities or fewer?

3. Where will the new proposed Rice Elementary School be built? Existing site? New location? If new location, where? Is there a vacant 15-acre parcel of land in the Rice attendance zone? If not, will the district use eminent domain to secure the new site?

4. TISD officials indicate there will be future opportunities to close or re-purpose some of the existing middle schools? Which ones? How soon? At what impact to long-term costs?

5. How much will it cost annually to operate the proposed new middle school (teachers, staff, utilities, supplies, maintenance, etc.)? TISD officials say that “it could cost up to $2 million in additional operating costs” and state “it is difficult to know how much it will cost until boundaries are determined and enrollments and staffing can be calculated.”

6. How will the added cost of operating the proposed new middle school be funded since the District’s maintenance and operating portion of the tax rate is at the cap, and the 2010-2011 budget is currently balanced with $5 million in federal stimulus funds held in the State’s Rainy Day fund?

Fleming added:

· “Tyler ISD has had no real conversation with the community stakeholders (parents, homeowners, business owners) to discuss and reevaluate the district needs and priorities. They still have no public hearings posted, and we are less than 30 days away from the election.”

· “TISD says the bond election won’t increase the tax rate. This is misleading. The truth is, when the old bonds ($221 million – principal only – from 2004 and 2008 bond elections) pay off, taxes are expected to go down. This is like paying off a huge credit card balance one day and running up a new balance the next day. Your payments might not go up, but you are still in debt! We can no longer ignore debt in this country – debt at any level of government. If the district can stuff another $90 million into the debt portion of the tax rate, this means there’s enough room to reduce taxes. Keeping taxes at the higher rate is a tax increase. To say it any other way is just wrong.”

Fleming concluded, “With so much uncertainty in the economy as a whole – and with rising debt piled on taxpayers and future generations by federal and state government – here at the local level, taxpayers need, want, and deserve clearly-defined long-range plans. We need to know what the plans are and how much they will cost us. We need to understand what results we can expect from the plans. We need a chance to discuss it as a community before we vote to add more local debt. Grassroots America – We the People urges voters to reject the Tyler ISD bond package. Bad planning, bad timing, too many unanswered questions = a debt risk we can’t afford!” You can go to http://www.gawtp.com to learn more about Fleming’s group.

Earlier, Senator Kevin Eltife and former Mayor Joey Seeber announced that the VOTE YES Committee will again support the bond issue. Eltife and Seeber say based on the age, capacity for growth and condition of the aging portable buildings on their campuses, it becomes more cost effective to build and maintain replacement schools. Eltife says, “We fully recognize that these are tough economic times and we hope to educate the voters on the need to continue with our phased approach to upgrading our school facilities.”

TYLER — A new twist in the case of a Smith County 2-year-old who survived after accidentally shooting himself in the head in the family’s bar. Family members tell KETK off-camera that Jaden McLean has been temporarily placed in foster care. There’s a gag order on the case, but sources tell the station that Dustin — Jaden’s father, who had main custody — was seen taking the boy back into the same bar where the shooting happened. The sources say that raised a flag with Child Protective Services. Jaden’s grandfather, Charles McLean, is free on bond after being charged with one count of making a firearm accessible to a child. Authorities say the boy wandered into an office at the bar and found the gun on a desk.

TYLER – Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics has earned the Gold Seal of Approval for health care quality. The Joint Commission awarded Mother Frances Hospital Disease-Specific Care Certification for cervical and lumbar spine treatment in the Spine Center and for hip and knee replacement in the Joint Replacement Center. To earn these distinctions, a disease management program undergoes an extensive on-site evaluation by a team of Joint Commission reviewers every two years. The program is evaluated against Joint Commission standards through an assessment of a program’s processes, the program’s ability to evaluate and improve care within its own organization, and interviews with patients and staff.

“This certification means Trinity Mother Frances does the right things and does them well for Spine Center and Joint Replacement Center patients,” says Jean E. Range, M.S., R.N., C.P.H.Q., executive director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission.

“We voluntarily pursued this comprehensive, independent evaluation to enhance the safety and quality of care we provide,” said Chris Glenney, vice president of operations, Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics. “We are proud to achieve this distinction that offers yet another aspect of differentiation for our Spine and Joint Replacement Centers.” According to press materials, The independent, not-for-profit Joint Commission is the nation’s oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care.

HENDERSON — A Henderson man found guilty of bomb threats gets ten years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system, probated for the full period — plus 180 days in jail as a condition of probation. On Thursday, following thirty minutes of jury deliberation, 20-year-old Lorenzo A. Luna had been convicted on three counts of felony terroristic threats for phoning in the threats to Henderson High School. Authorities say Luna phoned in three bomb threats, on Aug. 27 and 28 and on Sept. 1. Henderson High School was on lockdown and evacuated all three times. No bomb was found. The jury didn’t buy the defense contention that the bomb threats were merely pranks and thus only constituted misdemeanor offenses. Each charge carried a sentence of two to ten years in prison or two to ten years’ probation.