KTBB News, Weather, Talk

NACOGDOCHES — For months Stephen F. Austin State University Police have been investigating reports of drugs on the campus. So far, 19 persons have been arrested, and not all are students. According to police chief Marc Cossich there are 23 suspects in the case. Along with the arrests they have recovered Marijuana, Xanax and ecstasy.

TYLER — A couple of area organizations team up to draw attention to human trafficking. The East Texas Crisis Center and 21AM are joining hands for a community awareness seminar tonight from 6:30 till 8:30 at Tyler’s Green Acres Baptist Church. According to press materials, Texas has been identified as a major hub for the growing crime of human trafficking within the United States. According to Crisis Center spokespeople, over 100,000 American minors are trafficked within the U.S. every year.

Tonight’s event is free, but registration is required; you can go to http://www.etcc.org to register. An all-day professional training conference & awareness seminar on the topic is underway at Green Acres. The Crisis Center works to address family violence, sexual assault, and other violent crime. Spokespeople say 21AM is a community partnership in East Texas committed to abolishing human trafficking at the local level.

LUFKIN — Authorities say an East Texas woman made a mistake when she allegedly flagged down an off-duty Lufkin cop. Cheryl Annette Brown was arrested for solicitation at the Sun-N-Pines Motel. An officer made the arrest in Brown’s hotel room and during the arrest discovered the presence of two other people with outstanding warrants. All three were taken to the Angelina County Jail.

TYLER — For the first time ever, the City of Tyler has published its Annual Report as an E-Book, with linked video, and as a printed document with QR Codes. “Transparency is of the utmost importance to the City,” explained Mayor Barbara Bass. “We continually strive to find innovative and engaging tools to enhance communication with our citizens. I am excited to roll out this newest report that uses YouTube, the City web page, and QR technology to share information with our citizens.”

To view the report:

· Go to http://www.CityofTyler.org and click on the annual report link on the right side of the homepage;
· Pick up a printed copy at City Hall at 212 N. Bonner;
· Access a print version at the Tyler Library;
· Go to http://www.cityoftyler.org/Home/tabid/36/ctl/NewsArticle/mid/865/CategoryID/11/NewsID/1297/Default.aspx to scan a QR Code with a smart phone; or
· Go to the link immediately above and click on the 2010 Annual Report link.

QR codes are placed throughout the document and link readers to web pages and videos related to the report’s articles.

“A QR Reader comes standard on many smartphones or can be downloaded from the app store,” explained Mayor Bass. “If you are looking at a printed version of the report, simply scan the code and your phone will automatically take you to the web site or video on You Tube. In the electronic version of the report, simply click on the code and it will serve as a link.” You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org/Home/tabid/36/ctl/NewsArticle/mid/865/CategoryID/11/NewsID/1297/Default.aspx for more on this story.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has voted unanimously to create a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone (NEZ) that will overlay a portion of a 395-acre master planned community conceptualized by North Chase Development in North Tyler. On October 28, 2008, the City Council originally authorized the creation of a pilot NEZ for a portion of the North Chase Development that was designed to increase public health, safety and welfare. The development has since changed locations, and this newly approved NEZ will now incorporate the new location.

“The synergy of the North Case Development and the programs the City is rolling out is exactly what the Tyler 21 Plan calls for to revitalize this area of our community, ‘’ said Mayor Barbara Bass. “The convergence of public programs and private investment is the perfect recipe for mobilizing further development.” Mayor Pro Tem Ralph Caraway added, “The NEZ is a tool that has been used in many other communities to successfully spark private investment. “We are hoping to see the same level of success here in Tyler.”

In the Tyler 21 plan to revitalize North Tyler, a critical goal was to “add 3,000 more households to North Tyler and downtown in the next 20 years to create mixed-income neighborhoods.” A program that can help bring that goal to fruition is a NEZ. The goal of the NEZ is to:
· Create affordable housing;
· Increase economic development;
· Improve the quality of social services, education or public safety in the neighborhood; and/or,
· Rehabilitate affordable housing.

In addition to meeting at least one of the objectives listed above, an area must meet the following criteria before it can be designated a NEZ by the City Council:
· Have clearly defined boundaries;
· Constitute a new neighborhood in the form of new improvements on at least 20 contiguous lots;
· Properties within the proposed zone must have a residential zoning; and,
· Properties within the proposed zone must be owner occupied.

The NEZ provides incentives to builders who develop projects that address these goals. The prospective incentives include:
· Waiving or rebating zoning fees and platting fees;
· Waiving building permit fees, testing fees and tap fees;
· Providing direct access to the City’s First Time Homebuyers Program; and,
· Providing an infrastructure incentive in the amount of $2000 per unit for single family attached homes or $1,000 per unit for single family detached units – up to a maximum of 50 units.

RUSK COUNTY — A Tatum man has been indicted for a Christmas week murder. A Rusk County grand jury indicted Harris Gene Hale, 55, for allegedly shooting his brother and setting his home on fire. Larry Glen Hale, 54, was found dead in the remains of his burned mobile home in Tatum. Harris Hale was arrested December 27th after an autopsy showed that his brother died from a gunshot wound and not from the fire.

GILMER — Two former Upshur County assistant juvenile probation officers who were indicted on felony charges last September have been placed on probation after pleading guilty to reduced charges of misdemeanor tampering with government record, District Attorney Billy Byrd said Friday night.

Lorie Ann Davidson and Sandra Diane Edwards were each placed on one year’s “deferred adjudication” probation and fined $500 by visiting Judge Joe Clayton after separately pleading guilty to multiple counts of the misdemeanor offense under a plea bargain, Byrd said. They were sentenced in 115th District Court. Deferred adjudication means no final conviction appears on a defendant’s record if he/she completes probation.

The women and then-chief juvenile probation officer Milton Wylie were indicted Sept. 1 on felony charges of forgery of government document. The charges involved documents that the Upshur juvenile probation office gave the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, Byrd said.

Wylie pleaded guilty to one count of the same reduced misdemeanor charge Dec. 13. He also was placed on one-year deferred adjudication probation, and resigned his post of 11 years.

The two Gilmer women, who worked under Wylie, left the probation department before their indictments. Davidson, 43, pleaded guilty to nine counts while Edwards, 49, pleaded guilty to four, Byrd’s office reported.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating a reported burglary. It happened just before 5:00 Wednesday morning at 1920 College. The residents told dispatchers they were barricaded in their bedroom and could hear noises coming from the kitchen and living room. Officers arrived to find the back door wide open, but no suspects. The residents say a lap top and purse were stolen. Anyone with information is asked to contact Tyler Police or Crime Stoppers.

RED SPRINGS – Gusty winds and dry conditions help fuel some fires around the area Tuesday. One was off Hitts Road in the Red Springs area where a fire destroyed a building belonging to Valance Oil Company. No injuries were reported and the cause remains under investigation.

KILGORE – A candidate for Kilgore College school trustee is out of the race because his application was ruled invalid. That leaves school trustee Larry Woodfin unopposed. John Kossa’s application was ruled invalid due to an incorrect portion on his affidavit.

Karol Pruett, election authority for the college, consulted with the Elections Division of the Secretary of State. They advised her that the application should be rejected due to a significant error on the face of Kossa’s application. “This is unfortunate,” Pruett said. “It was a simple mistake that could have been corrected, but there just wasn’t enough time before the deadline.”

Pruett said Kossa, who lives in Liberty City, filed just hours before the deadline. Pruett said she phoned Kossa to let him know about the errors and asked him to submit a corrected application right away so he could be included on the ballot. However, Kossa was out of town and not able to resubmit the application in time.

Since no write-in candidates filed to run against Woodfin, he is now considered uncontested in the KC Board of Trustees election on May 14. Woodfin has served on the KC Board of Trustees since 1999, and has been board president for the past two years.

TYLER – A 24-year-old Lawrenceville, Georgia man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Dannis Ivan Villarreal pleaded guilty on Sep. 30, 2010, to being involved in a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison Tuesday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.

According to information presented in court, on Jan. 25, 2010, Villarreal was stopped for a traffic violation on Interstate 20 near Longview. A search of the vehicle revealed 13 lbs. of methamphetamine hidden in a secret compartment built into the vehicle. Villarreal was transporting the drugs from Dallas to Georgia. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 6, 2010, and charged with drug trafficking violations.

SULPHUR SPRINGS – Bond has been set at $220,000 for a man accused of on-line solicitation of a minor and assault on a peace officer. He is identified as Brian Chad Martin, 36, of Sulphur Springs. The 16 year old girl’s parents tipped off authorities after noticing text messages she had received. Instead of the girl, officers were waiting for the suspect in a church parking lot around midnight Sunday. Authorities say when he noticed the officers he jumped in his car and tried to flee, trying to run over the officers. They had to shoot out his cars’ tires to get the vehicle to stop and to take Martin into custody.

At his arraignment yesterday, bond was set at $200,000 on two counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer. His bond was set at $20,000 for one count of on-line solicitation of a minor. But that is just part of his problem. At the time of his arrest, Martin was out on bond after being indicted for sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault and manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance. The bonds on those charges could be revoked at a hearing scheduled for Thursday.

EAST TEXAS — U.S. Senator John Cornyn makes a pair of East Texas stops Tuesday. In Tyler, Cornyn visited the FRESH by Brookshire’s grocery store, termed an innovative concept in grocery stores that utilizes many local growers and vendors. Cornyn toured the new store; met with Brad Brookshire, Chairman of the Board, and Rick Rayford, President and CEO, along with several employees; and discussed the impact of the new store on the local economy — including the creation of 350 new jobs. Cornyn also drew attention to the store’s supply of fresh, health foods, saying, “Taking care of ourselves in terms of how we eat and exercising can have a big impact on our health, particularly with regard to chronic diseases like diabetes.”

Sen. Cornyn additionally heard from Brookshire’s executives on their concerns about new federal health care legislation, which turns a year old on Wednesday. They discussed their concerns with the paperwork burden and costs they will be expected to shoulder as the law takes effect and how the new mandates could hinder their growth. Cornyn remarked, “The price of health insurance is going through the roof, and employers are having to pay a lot more…making it harder for them to hire new people.”

In Nacogdoches, Cornyn visited a drilling site in the Haynesville Shale. According to the senator, the rig represents the latest in horizontal drilling technology. He says it’s being used to tap into a natural gas play that has the potential to increase energy self-sufficiency and serve as a significant source of clean energy for the nation, while also providing revenue and jobs for the local economy. Cornyn says that means “paying taxes to help support our school kids when we’re seeing a lot of serious budget cuts across the board.” Cornyn was joined by Nacogdoches Mayor Roger Van Horn and County Judge Joe English as he toured the rig site and met with representatives from local small business, Sonerra Resources, and international oil and gas company EOG Resources, who have partnered to develop the Haynesville Shale site.

TYLER — The Tyler Parks and Recreation Department celebrates the completion of the exterior renovations at the 1859 Goodman-LeGrand House and Museum with a midday ribbon cutting event and reception. Renovations on the museum started in October 2010 and are now complete thanks to the efforts of the City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department, Project Manager Billy Bartush with Ron Mabry and Associates, and project supervisor Michael Burke with Mikasa Construction, Inc. “The results achieved are a substantial improvement in the preservation of this historic Tyler landmark,” said Museum Curator Patricia Heaton. “This maintenance helps us ensure that the Goodman Home will stand as a showplace for many years to come.”

Refreshments will be served on the grand front porch of the Goodman, while music will be played for the enjoyment of those attending. The ceremony includes Mayor Barbara Bass and City Manager Mark McDaniel. The event is free and the public is invited to attend. Officials say the renovation project was necessary to preserve and maintain the integrity of the original structure. According to press materials, all specifications of the project were in compliance with national, state and local historical guidelines.

TYLER — Smith County Commissioners Tuesday signed a resolution pledging future revenue resulting from jail improvements to the early retirement of jail debt. Last month the Commissioners Court unanimously voted to place a $35 million bond proposal on the May ballot which would alleviate jail overcrowding issues in Smith County. The proposed bond would cost taxpayers one cent per $100 of assessed property value for 15 years, an average household cost of $13 per year. The resolution pledges that any surplus revenue above actual costs incurred from housing inmates from outside counties will be applied toward paying off the jail debt faster than originally planned.

Officials say the 2011 plan to alleviate jail overcrowding features the addition of 384 beds to the current downtown site, addresses public and employee safety issues, and includes an infirmary to cut inmate hospital expenses by an estimated $600,000 to $800,000 per year. According to press materials, Smith County currently spends $2.3 million annually on out-of-county inmate transport and housing.

NACOGDOCHES — Nacogdoches Public School employees thinking about an early retirement have a little incentive now. At a special meeting Monday, NISD’s board unanimously approved a $5,000 early notice resignation incentive. The board hopes the move will help the district deal with any red ink in their pending budgeting process. Before spring break began, NISD Superintendent Dr. Rodney Hutto sent out a letter and budget strategies, which included the incentive, to all district employees so they could think about their options.

SULPHUR SPRINGS – The city swimming pool in Buford Park in Sulphur Springs will not open this summer. The pool has been in operation for over 50 years. In a prepared statement issued Monday, the city said current use patterns have rendered continued operation of the pool increasingly economically non-viable.

According to the prepared statement, “During the past few years, pool use has continued to decline while operating expenses, like expenses in other areas, have increased. In this era of budget cuts and tighter governmental operating budgets, the perpetuation of progressively larger operating shortfalls at the city pool would be imprudent. In our continuing efforts to maintain low municipal taxes while providing quality services, we will continue to evaluate all municipal services to ensure that City of Sulphur Springs taxpayers receive the best value possible for each tax dollar.”

City officials declined to comment on the announcement, citing pending litigation. They also did not indicate what would be done with the pool site.

AUSTIN — An East Texan is one of three persons appointed by the governor to the Commission on Jail Standards for terms to expire January 31, 2017. The commission establishes standards for the care and treatment of county prisoners, construction, maintenance and operation of county jails.

Among those named to the panel was Allan Cain of Carthage, an independent business property owner and former police officer for the City of Longview. He is a member of the Texas Self Storage Association, Marine Corps League, Marine Corps Association, Carthage Chapter of the American Legion, and Lions Club of Carthage. He is also a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and National Rifle Association, an ambassador and past board member of the Panola County Chamber of Commerce, volunteer coordinator with Mike Barber Prison Ministries, and a past member of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education. Cain served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He received a bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University.

The governor also named to the panel Taylor County commissioner Stanley Egger of Tuscola and Michael Seale of Houston.

NACOGDOCHES — About 500 bales of hay were destroyed, and a litter of puppies died, during a fire on Sunday. It happened on County Road 233 east of Nacogdoches. Fire officials say a barn filled with hay caught fire and they were unable to put it out. Besides the puppies, which were living in the hay, there were no injuries. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

TYLER — Police in Tyler are issuing some auto burglary prevention tips. In 2010, the Tyler Police Department investigated 1,200 auto burglaries. That total is almost cut in half from the previous year of 2,104 auto-burglaries in 2009. With summer fast approaching and more people getting out shopping and enjoying outdoor activities, police say it’s an especially good time to remind you to secure your belongings inside your vehicle. Police say most auto burglaries involve smashed windows or other forcible means to gain entry to locked vehicles in order to get access to valuables.

Thefts from vehicles occur at all hours, day and night. Police say all auto burglaries generally have one thing in common: something to steal — something valuable left in the car. And many auto burglaries are “crimes of opportunity”; they could have been avoided had simple preventative steps been taken. According to police, auto burglary prevention, like all crime prevention, involves limiting the criminal’s ability and/or opportunity to commit the crime. With very little time and effort, police say, you can make a huge difference in your vulnerability to auto-burglary. It generally takes a mere few seconds to secure your valuables, but it will take only a few seconds more for a thief to break in and steal valuables left in plain sight.

The first thing you can do to help, according to officers: don’t leave valuables in your car – particularly in plain sight. They say the last thing you need is to find your vehicle’s window broken or items missing. Police suggest taking these simple but important steps to maintain your car’s safety:

* Don’t leave valuables in your car.
* If you must leave valuable items in your car while out and about, place items in your trunk or out of sight.
* Leave no trace of connector cables.
* Try to park in busy, well lighted areas.
* Lock ALL your vehicle’s doors.
* Set any alarm or anti-theft device.

Police add that if you see suspicious activity, report it immediately. “Suspicious Activity” would include:

* Persons walking up and down aisles of parking lots looking into cars or trying door handles, vehicles cruising parking lots at very slow speeds for extended periods while observing parked cars.
* Persons sitting in running parked cars for protracted periods, and vehicles dropping one person off while continuing to cruise the same area.

LUFKIN – A Lufkin man pleads guilty to dumping waste. David Overdorf, 48, pleaded guilty last Friday in Lufkin to disposing of hazardous wastes without a permit. According to information presented in court, Overdorf was the former owner and president of H.O.T. Transport, Inc. (HOT), a Lufkin-based chemical transportation business which offered commercial transportation of industrial liquids such as caustics, ethanol, methanol, hot wax, cresol, and formaldehyde. During the normal course of business, Overdorf directed HOT employees to wash out the interiors of trailer mounted tanks at HOT’s place of business knowing that the tanks contained hazardous wastes. Overdorf also directed HOT employees to pump the wash wastewater containing hazardous wastes from a catch basin into a trailer mounted tank labeled “wastewater” at the business.

On Mar. 10, 2006, Overdorf directed a HOT employee to transport approximately 45,000 tons of tank wash wastewater containing hazardous wastes in a trailer mounted tank from the business to Quala Wash in Houston for disposal and authorized payment of $450 to Clinton Promise for the disposal. These wastes possessed the hazardous characteristic of Ignitability.

As part of his plea agreement with the government, Overdorf has agreed to pay a $50,000 fine. He must also hire an independent environmental engineering firm within four weeks to determine the full extent of soil contamination at HOT’s former business site. Overdorf must also spend up to $250,000 towards the costs of cleaning up any contamination left at the site. HOT is no longer in business. Overdorf faces up to five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

EDOM — Authorities in Van Zandt County are asking for the public’s help in solving a vandalism case. According to the Edom Mayor, Barbara Crow, “Someone spray-painted graffiti, consisting of words and offensive drawings in blue paint, at the children’s playground area of the Edom Community Park.” The vandalism reportedly took place around March 1, and Crow is hoping that volunteers can help clean the playground within the next week.

Crime Stoppers did not specify an amount for this reward and will determine that following the arrest of the persons responsible. The organization does offer rewards of up to $1,000 to anonymous callers who provide information that leads to an arrest. Call 903-567-STOP.

LONGVIEW – A weekend accident on Interstate Highway 20 in Gregg County has killed two persons. The wreck was reported shortly before 1:45 Saturday morning about 4½ miles south of Longview. Killed were Jerry Maurice Johnson, 43, and Justin Keith Blanchie, 38, both of Longview. The Department of Public Safety report says Johnson’s car was east bound in the west bound lane when it collided head on with a truck driven by Zachery Scott Collins, 20, of Kilgore. He is listed in stable condition at Longview’s Good Shepherd Medical Center. The DPS report said none of the persons involved in the wreck were wearing their seat belts.

LUFKIN – A one vehicle accident in Angelina County has left one person dead. The Department of Public Safety says Sean Christopher Simoneaux, 19, of Lufkin, was not wearing a seat belt when his car left the road and hit a tree. The accident happened shortly after 3:15 Sunday morning on Farm Road 842, about four miles north of Lufkin. He was pronounced dead at a Lufkin hospital about two hours after the accident.

LONGVIEW — A portion of Spring Hill Road will be closed this morning from 9:00 to 11:00 for a vehicle-accident dramatization at Spring Hill High School. The mock accident will take place at 10:00 in front of Spring Hill High School, 2700 Spring Hill Rd. Known as Shattered Dreams, the dramatization is a program designed to demonstrate the devastating effects of drinking and driving. The two-day event will display the work of emergency responders, highlight the effects of the accident on family and friends, and show the consequences of arrest and criminal charges.

Spring Hill School officials coordinated the event as an educational opportunity for their students. Several local organizations are providing assistance, including the Longview Police Department, Longview Fire Department, Joe Boys U-Pull It, Radar Funeral Home, Flight for Life, Mobberly Baptist Church, Alpine Church of Christ, Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission, and Good Shepherd Medical Center.

According to Spring Hill Superintendent Wes Jones, “This demonstration is a good opportunity to showcase to students how dangerous drinking and driving can be. We hope they realize that the choices they make don’t just affect themselves, but impact their family, friends, and classmates.”

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

UNDATED — The Texas Department of Transportation is scheduled to perform traffic counts in 22 locations on state roadways across the eight-county Tyler District this week. The counts, which are the basis for many of the decisions TxDOT makes, from funding to scheduling maintenance and construction projects, will be conducted on a 24-hour basis at each location through April 8.

“Traffic counts are a cornerstone of our decision-making process,” said TxDOT public information officer Larry Krantz. “They give us a snapshot of today’s traffic volumes, but they also help create a much larger and informative picture when compared year-over-year.” The traffic-counting devices consist of a rubber tube stretched across the roadway and count traffic in both directions on a given roadway, and the results are collected in Austin by TxDOT’s Transportation Planning and Programming Division. Results of the counts will not be available until the counts are completed statewide.

LONGVIEW — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repair operations in various locations on Farm Road 1845 (Pine Tree Road), then move to Farm Road 2205 (Jaycee Drive) between Loop 281 and State Highway 31.

Also this week, construction crews this week are scheduled to perform seal coat and resurfacing operations on U.S. Highway 80 (West Marshall Avenue) west of Fisher Road, and striping crews are scheduled to begin striping the final surface on State Highway 135 between Interstate Highway 20 and State Highway 31 in Kilgore beginning mid-week. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to repair and resurface Farm Road 47 west of Canton in various locations between State Highway 243 and State Highway 198.

A second crew will be performing fog seal operations on Interstate Highway 20 frontage roads between the Kaufman County Line and Turner-Hayden Road, and in various locations on Farm Road 1504 between Myrtle Springs and Edgewood, and Farm Road 1395 between Farm Road 859 north of Edgewood and Farm Road 47 near Lake Tawakoni. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation contractor Big Creek Construction, Ltd., of Hewitt, is scheduled to begin work on a pair of Cherokee County projects this week, beginning with work on Farm Road 752. The project calls for adding 3-foot shoulders and resurfacing FM 752 between Farm Road 241 in Rusk to County Road 2405 south of Rusk, followed by the same work on Farm Road 2137 between Farm Road 344 west of Bullard and Farm Road 855. Work on FM 2137 is scheduled to begin once FM 752 is largely completed. The approximate $978,000 project let to contract in December and work on both roadways is scheduled for completion this fall. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress.

SMITH COUNTY — The Texas Department of Transportation announced its plans to temporarily close County Road 1141 (Dean Road) at its intersection with County Road 1130 beginning April 18 for approximately one month to allow for reconstruction of the intersection. The work is being done in conjunction with the Toll 49, Segment 3A project which is scheduled for completion in 2012. Detours will be posted.

TYLER — Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Tyler was evacuated Sunday morning after a small fire. It started in the men’s restroom near the front door of the church. A church member had the fire out when firemen arrived. City fire officials say the cause of the fire is “suspicious” and remains under investigation. No injuries were reported. Ironically fire and rescue officials had already been to the church earlier in the morning for a service recognition ceremony.

AUSTIN — State Representative Chuck Hopson of Jacksonville puts House Bill 1650 before the House Committee on government efficiency and reform. The bill requires state and local governments to give preference to building materials produced in Texas. Hopson says, “It’s my hope that this bill will encourage job growth and business expansion all across this great state.”

TYLER — John Tyler High School, Bank of America, and Parent Services Center have partnered to bring a nationally acclaimed father-involvement program called Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Good Students) to John Tyler High School. The organizational meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 21, at the John Tyler gym. Theodore Timms, Associate Principal and coordinator of the project, explained, “Watch D.O.G.S. is an innovative program developed in 1998 by the National Center for Fathering. It is endorsed by National PTA and PTO. Fathers and father-figures of students are invited to spend at least one day per year volunteering at their child’s school.”

According to Timms, schools that participate have experienced some amazing results. “For example, 79% of participating schools noted a significant increase in safety, 52% reported that the Watch D.O.G.S. Program contributed to a decrease in student behavioral problems, and 50% noted an increase in student achievement,” he stated.

John Tyler PTA President and Top Dog Coordinator James Brooks noted that benefits from the Watch D.O.G.S. Program also have impact on the fathers’ relationships with their children. “The Watch D.O.G.S website reports that 90% of students with Watch D.O.G.S. dads have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher, 82% never have behavioral issues during school, and 92% of fathers who participate state that they are more active with their student outside of education. These are pretty amazing improvements.” Mr. Brooks has recruited a “Top Dog Team” of five fathers and father-figures, who will recruit and train participants.

Parent Services Center Executive Director Shelley Judd explained that her organization is a non-profit United Way agency whose mission is to educate and support parents and prevent family breakdown. “When we learned about the Watch D.O.G.S. Program, we approached Mr. Timms at John Tyler. He immediately saw the value of the project, so we approached Bank of America for a grant to help them get started, and the rest is history,” explained Judd.

Coach Christina Whitehead is serving as faculty liaison. “My role is to work with our teachers so that they provide meaningful activities for the Watch D.O.G.S. during their day of service,” she stated. “Our faculty is enthusiastic about this project, which is a win-win for all involved.” For more information, call John Tyler, 903-262-2858. You can go to http://www.fathers.com to check out the Watch D.O.G.S. website.

Pictured, from left to right: James Brooks, PTA President; Coach Christina Whitehead, faculty liaison; and Theodore Timms, John Tyler High School Associate Principal.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler has been accredited by the Register of Professional Archaeologists, Dr. Kenneth Wink, College of Arts and Sciences interim dean, announced. From the 100 universities nationwide that have field schools, UT Tyler is one of 12 that carry the certification. University officials say it highly qualifies graduates going into the applied archaeology field of cultural resource management. “This certification demonstrates to companies across the country that our graduates have the level of expertise that the companies need,” said Dr. Thomas Guderjan, UT Tyler assistant professor of anthropology and field school principal.

According to a UTT news release, engineering firms hire archaeologists to conduct environmental impact studies on a designated site before land development and building processes begin, should any archaeological discoveries of significant value be found. The RPA defines a field school is an ongoing research project that also aims to train students in how to conduct the research. According to the UTT release, student training activities are integrated into the planned research and designed to fulfill needed data collection activities as well as expose students to best practices in the planning and implementation of field research.

UT Tyler annually sends five to 10 students to its school in Belize. “Our students interact with other participants from across the world. It’s a cross-cultural experience. It’s work they can really dig and sink their teeth into,” added Guderjan, whose nonprofit work with the Maya Research Program allows the school to coexist with its research station in Belize. “We have students who have had interest in archaeology but don’t know where to go with it, and now more and more of them are getting involved. Many move on to graduate schools, schools in anthropology, and related fields.” Visit http://www.rpanet.org/ for more information about RPA. And you can go to http://www.mayaresearchprogram.org/ for more about the Maya Research Program.