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LONGVIEW — The Longview Economic Development Corporation (LEDCO) held the official Grand Opening of the 700-acre North Business Park Thursday. Longview Mayor Jay Dean and Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt were on hand, along with LEDCO Board members, City Council members and other business and community leaders. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held by the Longview Partnership Chamber of Commerce, and lunch followed for guests attending the event. The 700-acre site was outside the Longview city limits when it was purchased by LEDCO in 2007, but has since been annexed. Officials say the Park’s strategic location provides easy access to US Highway 259 and I-20. The main entrance of the Park is on Judson Road, approximately 2.5 miles north of Loop 281.

LEDCO Board President Bob Metzler reported that in 2009 the board evaluated the economic situation and opted to begin construction taking advantage of lower construction costs. The entire project was completed early and under budget. The Groundbreaking ceremony was held in April of 2009 and the dirt work, construction of roads, water and sewer infrastructure and general site grading began immediately. “The contractors on this project are local so there has been a significant economic benefit to our community,” said Metzler. “During a slow economy, our project provided jobs to around 300 people over the course of the construction, in addition to the dollars spent with local suppliers of materials and services.”

The LEDCO board made the decision to promote the property earnestly while the infrastructure construction was underway. Interim Executive Director Susan Mazarakes said, “We’ve been marketing the acreage to prospects with actual photographs of the construction progress and a digital, 3-D animation of the Park. We now have the completed Park itself to show.”

Mazarakes anticipates the site will attract businesses that will complement and support existing industry in the area. “We worked with the City of Longview staff to have the Park acreage zoned properly. There are so many factors that go into the decision making process,” said Mazarakes. “We looked at the residential neighborhoods in the area and spoke with area business owners. We considered the city’s growth plan and projected roadway expansions and evaluated traffic studies. We also met with consultants who helped us determine the best future use for the property,” she concluded.

Mazarakes said that the Park site will continue to be marketed to real estate professionals and site selection consultants throughout the United States and abroad. If you are interested in more information about the available sites in the North Business Park or any other economic development initiatives in Longview, you’re asked to or visit http://www.LongviewUSA.com or contact the Longview Economic Development Corporation at 903-753-7878.

SMITH COUNTY — Residents of Smith County whose property was damaged or destroyed in a January tornado can apply for low-interest emergency disaster loans, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture announced. To qualify for the loan, residents must have sustained “severe physical loss” to their property due to the tornado that struck Van Zandt and surrounding counties on January 20, 2010. The loans are being made available through the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Contact their office for more information on the program at 903-561-2050.

TYLER — The westbound lanes on Rice Road between Plantation Drive and Old Jacksonville Highway have been closed. Tyler police say the action was needed because of a possible underground water leak. If conditions worsen, the eastbound lanes may also be closed. In an effort to avoid difficulties and delays, the Tyler Police Department is requesting that motorists avoid this area.

KILGORE — Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed Maness Furniture Store in downtown Kilgore. The fire on East Main Street was reported around 7:00 Wednesday night. The fire damaged two connected businesses. No injuries were reported.

EDOM — Van Zandt County authorities have a burglary suspect in custody. It began just before 1:45 Wednesday afternoon when the sheriff’s office received a call of a burglary in progress at a residence on Highway 279 outside of Edom. A contingent of law officers converged on the area, resulting in the arrest of one person. Charges are pending in the case.

LONGVIEW — Longview police seek suspects in a gas station burglary. Wednesday at around 12:34 a.m., Longview Officers were dispatched to the Scotties Shell station at 401 West Hawkins Parkway for a business alarm activation. When officers arrived, they found the rear door to the store had been forced open. Officers checked the inside of the store and found that it had been burglarized, and that the suspects had left before officers arrived. A review of the surveillance video showed three suspects entering the store, with a crowbar. The suspects ransacked the office area; stole cigarettes, lottery tickets, and a large amount of rolled coins; and then fled. It is possible the suspects were driving a silver Nissan passenger car. The suspects are described as:

1) Black male, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt zipper jacket with a light logo on the hood, a white tank top, dark colored blue jean shorts, black shoes and wearing light colored gloves.
2) Black male, wearing a dark baseball cap, black T-shirt, dark jeans and white shoes. This suspect also appears to be wearing gloves and appears older than the other two subjects.
3) Black male, wearing a dark sweatshirt with a white T-shirt underneath, long jean shorts, white shoes, and a black covering over his head.

Go to http://www.longviewpolice.com/scotties-burglary.html to view video footage of the burglary. Anyone with information about this crime should contact Gregg County Crime Stoppers at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.com or 903-236-STOP. A reward of up to $1000.00 may be paid for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.

BEAUMONT – Two former Houston County Sheriff’s deputies have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in the assault of a Crockett man. Henry Doyce Gresham, Jr., 50, and Charles James Clark, 63, both residents of the Crockett area, pleaded guilty on Oct. 5, 2009, to misdemeanor assault. They were sentenced on Tuesday in Beaumont by U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Giblin. Gresham received 4 months in federal prison and was ordered to forfeit his service weapon. Clark was sentenced to 3 months in federal prison.

According to information presented in court, on July 11, 2008, Gresham and Clark confronted an individual at Gresham’s residence before transporting him to the Davy Crockett National Forest, where he was assaulted and abandoned. Gresham’s service weapon and a county-issued Taser were used in the assault. Gresham and Clark were indicted by a federal grand jury on Mar. 4, 2009.

ARP (AP) – An East Texas police dog that failed as a bomb sniffer for the U.S. military but shined in the war on drugs has died. A service was held Tuesday afternoon in Arp for the German shepherd called Captain Cezar. A veterinarian had diagnosed the police dog with congestive heart failure. The decade-old canine had to be euthanized. Arp Mayor Linda Jenkins described Cezar as serious and aggressive when working, but “the kindest, sweetest thing when he wasn’t.” About 30 people attended the burial service at a park in Arp. Police Chief Scott McAuley had cared for Cezar since adopting him from Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. McAuley says, as a drug-sniffing dog, Cezar “was really good at what he did.”

TYLER — East Texans are preparing to lend assistance in south Texas, depending on the impact of Hurricane Alex. The Tyler Salvation Army mobile feeding unit (canteen) deployed at 6:00am Wednesday and headed to The Salvation Army San Antonio Area Command where other Texas Salvation Army canteens are ready to deploy where needed. The Tyler Emergency Disaster team is prepared to deploy from San Antonio as part of the first response effort to Alex. This four person team is ready to serve and the canteen is stocked with enough food to provide 3,600 meals.

REKLAW — A two vehicle accident in Cherokee County has left a mother dead and her two children injured. The wreck happened shortly before 12:45 Tuesday afternoon on State Highway 204 southeast of Reklaw. Dead at the scene was Shalee Dinese Green, 29, of Jacksonville. Her 9-month old son and 5 year old daughter were taken to East Texas Medical Center-Jacksonville, for treatment. All three were said to have been using safety restraints. The Department of Public Safety says her minivan veered off the edge of the road on a curve and Green overcorrected. The vehicle traveled back across the road and hit several trees.

TYLER — Smith County Commissioners have started the budget process. Their second budget workshop was held Tuesday. According to KETK-TV, they discussed the current budget shortfall of over $5 million dollars. According to Smith County Judge Joel Baker, they’re looking for new ideas on how to cut spending before they adopt the 2011 budget in August. Judge Baker says the county has already trimmed thousands of dollars before this workshop. The objective, cut spending without laying people off.

OVERTON — Water customers in Overton are under a boil water notice. The order stems from a break in a ten inch water main near Farm Road 850 late Monday night. The break, which occurred about seven feet underground, drained the city’s water tower. What caused the break is not known. City officials say they have been building back the water pressure and will end the boil water notice as soon as they get a good sampling of water.

PALESTINE — 22 Texas Department of Transportation maintenance employees from the Tyler Disrtict are scheduled to depart at 10 a.m. Wednesday for South Texas and prepare to be deployed in any cleanup efforts made necessary by Tropical Storm Alex. The storm is on track to make landfall Wednesday evening in either Northern Mexico or extreme South Texas. The Tyler District is sending two five-man general cleanup crews along with two sign crews, signal crew, four pieces of heavy equipment and a mechanic. The group of volunteers is scheduled to spend Wednesday night near Yoakum, Texas, then proceed Thursday into the affected areas once conditions permit.

“The fact that they’re volunteers says a lot about our employees’ dedication,” said TxDOT public information officer Larry Krantz. “And there were several more who volunteered to go and were turned down. Disaster responses like this bring out the best in this department and our employees, and we’ll be there to help as long as we’re needed.” Krantz says the department’s goal before, during, and after a tropical storm or hurricane is to get people to safety, get them back home safely, and assist with the cleanup and recovery. Krants adds that the agency is working with state emergency management and local officials to provide necessary resources and expertise to ensure the safety of all Texas residents.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Tyler man who took the podium as guest chaplain of the U.S. House Tuesday morning is a towering figure in the Texas Baptist community. Congressman Louie Gohmert of Tyler offered his personal thanks to Dr. Paul W. Powell, saying, “He brings wisdom, accountability, growth, life, and light wherever he serves and truly has a heart after God’s own.”

Powell, currently interim pastor of First Baptist Church of Tyler, was the longtime spiritual leader of Green Acres Baptist Church. That’s the house of worship Gohmert attends, and the one where he and Powell first became friends in the early 1980s. Powell’s also Dean Emeritus of Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary and has served in numerous other capacities. “But of most importance to me,” adds Gohmert, “he has been a friend, mentor, confidant, encourager, and inspiration. May God bless Paul Powell and his family.”

JACKSONVILLE — The City of Jacksonville, East Texas Medical Center EMS, and Jacksonville’s Central Baptist Church have teamed up to bring a drowning prevention program to Lake Jacksonville. The name of the program, set for Friday at noon, is Kids Don’t Float. Life jackets and vests will be available at the concession stand at Lake Jacksonville for children to use free of charge. People can borrow these items for their children while swimming and return them before they leave so that they can be available for other children.

City officials say every year, children drown at area lakes due to lack of adequate flotation devices. The city is asking cooperation from the community to help preserve the board and the vests so that they are always available to save a life. The board is the sign with “Kids Don’t Float,” plus some more verbiage, and pegs where the vests hang. The city is also asking residents to donate a life jacket or vest that any of their children has outgrown. If you would like to help maintain the project’s mission by donating a life jacket or vest, you can call the City of Jacksonville Parks and Recreation Department at 903-586-5977 or 903-589-3510.