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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.

TYLER – Smith County Commissioner Terry Phillips is offering a brief response after his son Lance (pictured) got probation in a visual recording case. According to KETK, the elder Phillips did not want to go on camera, but he says in a statement: “The court handed down the sentence they thought was appropriate. Now, it’s time for my son to abide by the court’s decision. No matter what, we stand by our son and love him.” He also says his son’s actions will not affect the way he serves the county.

Earlier, Lance Phillips of Tyler pleaded guilty to improper visual recording with intent to gratify. Phillips, 27, was sentenced to two years in prison; that sentence was suspended, and he was given 5 years probation. Phillips turned himself in to authorities in March of last year. A woman had found a hidden camera in her bedroom. Other electronic devices were also located. She said the camera had been placed there by Phillips, who was her landlord. Phillips’s mother is County Clerk Karen Phillips.

BULLARD — The Texas Rangers say former Bullard police officer Steven Morris has been indicted on a charge of sexual assault of a child. In September 2010 Morris confessed to having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old. According to KETK, Morris is out on a $100,000 bond.

TYLER — Officials from the Texas Rose Festival Association and the city of Tyler have signed an agreement to join together to launch “Investing in our Legacy of Roses.” Spokespeople say it’s a campaign designed to provide proceeds from the Association back to the city to enhance what’s termed Tyler’s most public destination, the Tyler Rose Garden. The Rose Festival Association has committed to contributing proceeds from each year’s festivities back to support the enrichment of the Rose Garden. In addition, other opportunities will be made available to interested benefactors to contribute to the community project.

“Tyler is already known as the Rose Capital; however, we want to offer a U.S. destination that is like no other — one that will attract visitors to Tyler from near and far,” said Tom Ramey, president of the Texas Rose Festival Association for 2011. “The Rose Festival executive committee wanted to establish a way to give back to the community in a way that benefits all of the citizens of Tyler.”

Partnership spokespeople say a committee is being assembled to develop a strategic plan to support the endeavor with thoughtful planning and tactics. The group will comprise master gardeners and community leaders, along with representatives from the city and the Rose Festival Association. “Our goal is clear – to enhance Tyler’s most public forum, the Tyler Rose Garden,” said Ramey. “The Texas Rose Festival Association, over the next several years will support the facility that benefits every citizen in Tyler. We want this destination to be something that each and every Tylerite is proud to share with visitors to our area.”

TYLER — The city of Tyler is putting in a new water and sewer line along U.S. 69 North up to Interstate 20. According to KETK, Tyler Economic Development Council CEO Tom Mullins says the infrastructure is to make Tyler have a presence on I-20 for the first time. One local developer, Bob Garrett, says, “There’s every reason in the world to grow up there and now that there will be new infrastructure, I think you will see it more and more.” Garrett says his company has been interested in building on U.S. 69 for a long time, and now he’s considering using 800 acres there. “The main reason development hasn’t occurred any more than it has up there is because we just didn’t have the infrastructure,” he says.

The new pipes are part of the Tyler 21 plan to expand the city, and when you pair it with Toll 49, officials say growth around Tyler is bound to happen in every direction. “Growing north becomes more possible and growing west becomes more possible,” says Mullins. City officials expect areas where Toll 49 crosses major highways like Highway 64, Highway 31, and Highway 110 will attract houses, businesses, and retail. “It’ll create more investment by the private sector, it’ll create more jobs, it’ll create a new tax base,” says Mullins. With Tyler still expanding the most south, Garrett says, “I think 10 or 20 years from now, the map of Tyler is going to look significantly different.”

LUFKIN (AP) – The head of an East Texas biomass plant says the unit could begin producing power this spring by converting logging debris into electricity. Aspen Power president Danny Vines says the plant in Lufkin is expected to do its first burning during the final commission phase scheduled for May. The Lufkin Daily News reported Friday that Vines, in a telephone interview, said electrical work at the 50-megawatt plant is nearly finished and the operating platform is “going well.” Aspen Power, touted as the first biomass plant of its kind in the state, faces testing of emissions levels to abide by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality standards.

DAINGERFIELD – One person has been killed in a one vehicle accident north of Daingerfield. Dead at the scene of the Wednesday night crash was Douglas Flowers, 33, of Lone Star. The Department of Public Safety report the Flowers’ vehicle hit a guard rail and the driver lost control. The accident occurred on State Highway 49.

TYLER — Tyler police say a citizen helped them round up a suspect who allegedly had some potentially crime-related items in his possession. Around 2:50 Thursday morning, police say, the citizen was on his way to work when he spotted a man between two homes in the area of College and Second Street. The witness stated that the man lay down on the lawn to keep from being spotted. The witness drove up to a patrol vehicle in the area and told the officer what he’d observed. Officers converged on the Bergfeld Park area to search for the suspect and found him near the restrooms in the park.

Police say upon interviewing the suspect, they found several items considered to be instruments that could be used in committing a criminal act such as residential burglary or assault. The items included a folding knife, black gloves, a canister of OC spray, a black ski mask, a screwdriver, a folding mirror, and two small flash lights. The suspect was identified as Bryan Wynn, 25, of Tyler. Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Wynn that was issued by Judge Carole Clark. Wynn was charged with unlawful use of criminal instrument, a third degree felony and released on a $10,000 bond. According to police, “Thanks to the alert and quick response of the citizen, we believe a more serious crime was prevented.”

TYLER — With its heavy health care industry concentration, Tyler stands to be especially affected by possible legislative cuts in funding for hospitals and other components of the health care sector. That’s the word from Texas Hospital Association President Dr. Dan Stultz, who discussed the issue Thursday during a visit to Tyler. Stultz says in the Tyler community, “those ripple-down cuts, those ripple-down effects in state funding for local hospitals will touch everybody.” Stultz points out that health care is one of Tyler’s four largest industries — and he says that sector provides a cutting edge that helps attract employers and families to the area. He also pointed out that the funding cuts would lead to federal match loss for Texas — “so that we’re gonna leave money behind that’ll go to California, Massachusetts, New York, and Florida.” Stultz is urging local residents to be aware of the issue and contact their legislators about it.

AUSTIN (AP) – An East Texan is in the forefront as Republican lawmakers push legislation to oppose federal health care mandates in Texas. One bill, by Representative Leo Berman of Tyler, attempts to outright “nullify” the federal reforms. Asserting national-like sovereignty in some cases, the lawmakers were debating a variety of bills Thursday in a State House Committee aimed at the sweeping federal health care legislation signed by President Barack Obama last year. Many Republican lawmakers say the health care reforms are unconstitutional, particularly the provision requiring people to buy health insurance or face a penalty by 2014. Another bill, by Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, would allow states to form alliances, or “compacts,” to take over certain federal health care responsibilities.

RUSK — A Rusk man is behind bars after he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman. KETK reports that Michael Parker was arrested Monday. He’s being held in the Cherokee County Jail on a $10,000 bond.

TYLER — Smith County Commissioners will consider pledging revenues from the proposed jail addition to pay down the $35 million debt the project would require. It means, the county will promise to use money generated by housing non-Smith County inmates, like federal prisoners. The expansion could increase jail capacity by almost 400 beds. The bond issue for the jail expansion is on the May 14th ballot.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin woman was arrested Monday on a robbery charge, according to a police report. Earline Garcia, 26, allegedly attempted to steal three packages of Orajel and a bottle of BC pain relief from Brookshire Brothers on North Timberland Monday. She managed to walk out of the store with the items in her purse, but after being confronted by a store employee in the parking lot, she gave them back. When the employee told her police had been called she fled the parking lot in her car, attempting to hit him with her vehicle twice, a police report stated. Garcia was later arrested at her home on Hoskins Street and taken to the Angelina County Jail, charged with second-degree robbery.

She also had 13 outstanding warrants through Lufkin Municipal Court for offenses including unrestrained child, speeding, no driver’s license and expired inspection.
Her bond is set at a collective $6,861 on the outstanding warrants, according to jail records. At last report she remained in the Angelina County Jail.

HENDERSON — A motorcyclist was injured in a head-on collision in Henderson. Rusk County DPS officials say the man was traveling on Highway 43, near Farm Road 2658 in Henderson, when he was struck by an SUV. The man was taken to the hospital with head injuries. The driver of the SUV is said to be okay. The Wednesday morning accident is still under investigation. No word yet on whether any charges will be filed.

TYLER – An Ellis County podiatrist has been indicted and arrested for health care and income tax fraud. Shannon Gallentine, 45, of Maypearl, was indicted by a federal grand jury on March 9 and charged with 24 counts of health care fraud and 2 counts of failing to file federal income tax returns. Gallentine was arrested Tuesday and made an initial appearance before Tyler U.S. Magistrate Judge Amos L. Mazzant that afternoon. If convicted, Gallentine faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each count.

According to the indictment, from January 2004 through May 2007, Gallentine, a podiatrist, owned and operated Ambulatory Foot Care in Lancaster, Texas. During this time, Gallentine is alleged to have submitted false and fraudulent claims to Medicare seeking reimbursement for procedures which he did not perform. As a result of these false claims, Gallentine is alleged to have received in excess of $365,000.00 to which he was not entitled. Additionally, it is alleged that Gallentine willfully failed to file federal income tax returns for calendar years 2004 and 2005.

TYLER – Funeral services will be held on Monday for Jerry Kidd, founder of the Kidd Jones convenience stores. He died Tuesday, two weeks after his 77th birthday, following a lengthy illness. Visitation will be Sunday from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Stewart Family Funeral Home. Services will be held Monday morning at 10:00 at the first United Methodist Church of Chandler.

TYLER — A Smith County judge orders 15-year-old Nate Anderson detained for another 2 weeks at the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. Anderson is being held for the murder of his 19-year-old sister, Amanda, who was found shot in the head in their New Chapel Hill home last September. A hearing is set up to determine whether or not he will be tried as an adult.

DIBOLL — Former Diboll Police Chief Kent Havard pleaded guilty to stealing city funds Tuesday, accepting a plea deal for three years probation. Havard will also pay full restitution to the city, totaling about $5,000, in addition to paying a $500 fine and agreeing to permanently surrender his peace officer commission, according to Angelina County District Attorney Clyde Herrington. Havard resigned his 30-year post at the Diboll Police Department on March 2, after being informed he was under investigation by the Texas Rangers.

After the investigation was complete, it was determined there were several incidences of theft, including charges to the city credit card at Wal-Mart and Minute Maid Park, and five stolen cashed checks, Herrington said. Facing grand jury for indictment on March 29, Havard came forward and admitted his guilt Tuesday, Herrington added. According to Herrington, “He said he had gotten into a financial bind and just thought he would borrow that money. He hoped to pay it back but he was not able to do that,” Herrington said. Herrington went on to commend Havard for coming forward. The City of Diboll has appointed retired Texas Ranger Donald Morris interim police chief until a replacement for Havard can be found.

TYLER (AP/Staff) – A judge has ruled that an East Texas teen accused of fatally stabbing his teacher is unfit to stand trial and should get additional evaluation. The review will help determine whether Byron Truvia needs to be committed to a mental health institution. He was a juvenile when special education teacher Todd Henry (pictured) was attacked in a classroom at John Tyler High School in September 2009. Defense attorney Jim Huggler says the ruling Wednesday in Tyler, by Judge Floyd Getz, means the 17-year-old suspect will be returned to Vernon State Hospital for evaluation by two physicians over the next 90 days. Huggler says the physicians will determine whether the youth should be committed to a hospital where he would receive further evaluations every year.

TYLER — Tyler police welcome the newest K-9 member, Paco, to join the Tyler Police Department K-9 program. Police introduced Paco at Food Fast Store #70, located at 1222 WSW Loop 323. Paco is a two-year-old German shepherd male who is imported from the Netherlands. He was trained by U.S. Canine Unlimited in Katlan, Louisiana. Paco has been trained to track people and to detect marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and ecstasy. Police are thanking Food Fast Corporation for its donation to the police department, which allowed the department to purchase a second K-9 and pay for its training. This is the second donation in recent years by Food Fast to the Police Department to provide funding towards the K-9 program.

AUSTIN — Dog owners whose pets kill a child or senior citizen could spend some time in prison. For Jacksonville Republican State Representative Chuck Hopson, the issue is personal. He’s had two kids lost in his district to vicious dog attacks. Hopson says it would be a first-degree felony when a child under the age of fifteen or an adult over the age of 65 is killed by a dog. Hopson says someone would face that charge only if the person had been notified that he or she had a vicious dog, or if it was the dog owner’s negligence that led to the fatal attack. The bill is being considered by a House committee.

KILGORE — Kilgore Fire Department officials are searching for suspected arsonists in connection with three fires that happened within a day of each other. Kilgore Fire Marshal Brandon Bigos said Kilgore firefighters responded to the first two fires about 80 yards from one another on a piece of developmental property off Old Private Road 3500 at about 6 p.m. March 9, and fire crews were dispatched to the third fire on Swanson Street the following evening.

Anyone with information should call (903) 983-1559 or submit an anonymous tip to Gregg County Crime Stoppers at (903) 236-STOP.

TYLER (AP) – The issue of whether a teen accused of stabbing his teacher to death in 2009 can stand trial as an adult will again be considered in court. A hearing was scheduled Wednesday in Tyler for the youth, who’s now 17. He is accused in the deadly attack on special education teacher Todd Henry in a classroom at John Tyler High School. The Texas Supreme Court ruled last October that the question of the teen’s competency for trial can’t be determined until a mental health evaluation is completed. His court-appointed attorney, Jim Huggler, declined comment Tuesday except to say the hearing involves further mental health issues stemming from the case. The teen was returned to juvenile detention in Tyler in February after spending three months at the Vernon State Hospital.

MARSHALL – One boy is dead and another injured after a car hit the go-cart they were riding on Monday, the first day of spring break. Killed was Ethan Moore, 12. A seven-year-old child is in critical condition at LSU Hospital in Shreveport. The youngsters were riding on County Road 4102 near Marshall when they tried to make a right hand turn and were hit by a car driven by a friend of Ethan’s family, Candace Paluk, 29, of Marshall.

ZAVALLA — A three-vehicle accident claimed the lives of two people Tuesday afternoon on U.S. Highway 69 north of Zavalla, according to Angelina County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Bryan Holley. Holley said a car driven by Bruce Gulley, 51, of Zavalla was northbound on U.S. Highway 69, and a car driven by Megan Hollingsworth, 19, of McKinney was southbound. Gulley’s car went into the southbound lane and collided head-on with Hollingsworth’s vehicle.

Both drivers were dead at the scene, Holley said, and both had to be cut out of their vehicles. A third car, driven by David Fields, 53, of Woodville, was also involved. His car was struck by Gulley’s car. Fields had minor injuries and refused transport, according to Holley.

TYLER — Retired Tyler police officer Allan Crosby and his sister, Audrey Crosby Spies, a retired Bowling Green, Ky., and former Tyler police officer, plan to walk across Texas this spring in memory of their sister and to raise money to help East Texas cancer patients. Working with East Texas Medical Center, they plan to start their walk on April 1 on the Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas state line near Atlanta, Texas, and walk 857 miles during April and part of May to El Paso. The walk, called “Cops Crushing Cancer,” is in memory of the Crosbys’ sister, Jacqueline Crosby Mazzola, a retired Dallas police officer, who died in 2010 of colon cancer. Mazzola told her family to look for change on the street as a sign that she was dropping pennies from heaven for them to help cancer patients. Crosby says they are asking walkers to get pledges of one penny per mile.

All money raised from the walk will go to ETMC’s Cancer Institute Remembrance Fund. The fund, which is coordinated through the East Texas Medical Center Foundation, assists cancer patients and the community through patient support programs, such as retreats and support groups, cancer screenings, advancement of cancer programs and services and assistance to patients with special needs. Crosby hopes retired and active law enforcement officers as well as cancer survivors will join them as they pass through their county and walk with them. They plan to use their Facebook page, under Cops Crushing Cancer, to update walkers as to when they will be in their area.

The walk will begin in Cass County on State Highway 155 and turn onto U.S. Highway 80 to travel to Dallas. Walkers will travel through Dallas-Ft. Worth and take routes north of Midland to reach El Paso. They are staying off main interstates so the trip will be safer for the walkers. To make a donation by check, you can send your tax-deductible gift to the ETMC Foundation, Cancer Institute Remembrance Fund, P. O. Box 6400, Tyler, TX 75711. For more information on the walk, you can contact Crosby at 903-245-9004.