KTBB News, Weather, Talk

TYLER — In an effort to assist citizens who have been unable to pay past due court fines because of economic conditions, the Tyler Municipal Court is launching a Second Chance Program. The program enables persons who have had warrants issued for non-payment of fines to reestablish a payment plan and bring their accounts current.

“We have seen an increase in the number of people who have warrants issued for their arrest due to the economy,” said Court Administrator Cam McCabe. “This program provides a second chance for violators to become current and take care of their fines.”

A $300 down payment is required to reestablish the payment plan. Warrants will be removed once the $300 is received and a payment plan is signed. To take advantage of this Second Chance Program, defendants must visit the cashier’s window at the Municipal Court to make the down payment and sign the payment agreement no later than Sept. 9.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say they’re investigating the suspicious death of Lloyd Johnson Sr., 67. Around 12:32 p.m. Monday, Longview Officers responded to a check welfare call at 1404 Booker Street. According to a news release, officers arrived to find Johnson dead inside the location, apparently due to foul play. Detectives, crime scene personnel and Gregg County Justice of the Peace Sam Lawson responded to the scene. His body has been sent to the Southeast Texas Forensics Center in Tyler for autopsy.

HALLSVILLE — Two persons have been killed and two injured in a Harrison County accident. It was reported around 8:30 Sunday morning on Interstate Highway 20, near the 607 mile marker, between Longview and Hallsville. Initial reports are two teenagers from Azle, near Fort Worth, were killed. Their names had not been released pending notification of their next of kin. The accident remains under investigation.

GILMER — One person has been killed and two injured in an Upshur County accident. The accident happened around 9:00 Saturday night on State Highway 300. Marcey Robertson, 40, of Mount Pleasant, died after being airlifted to Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. Injured was Oliver Palmer, 74, of Houston and his wife, Delores Palmer, 64. She is listed in serious condition at Longview’s Good Shepherd Medical Center. Her Husband was treated and released. The Department of Public Safety report said Robertson’s car, which was north bound, drifted into the south bound lane of traffic and collided with the Palmer vehicle.

LONGVIEW — Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a Longview fire that extensively damaged a home. KETK-TV reports the Sunday morning fire occurred near the intersection of Idylwood and Clover. No injuries were reported.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at events and work planned in the Tyler District:

TYLER — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform ditch and pavement repairs on Farm Road 756 (Paluxy Drive) between Jeff Davis and Cumberland Road. Once the work is complete, the crew will begin shoulder repairs in various locations on Farm Road 346 and Farm Road 344.

Also in Smith County, crews are scheduled to perform edge and base repairs on Farm Road 2015 between Farm Road 14 and Farm Road 16 northwest of Winona. 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 on Monday are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on eastbound Interstate Highway 20 in various locations between the Joy-Wright Mountain Road and Farm Road 3053 (Liberty City) exits. 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.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on State Highway 64 between State Highway 42 in Turnertown and Loop 571 in Henderson. 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.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform seal coat operations on Farm Road 1255 between Interstate Highway 20 and Farm Road 773. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and a pilot vehicle will control traffic. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.

MINEOLA — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on SE Loop 564 between U.S. Highway 69 south of Mineola and U.S. Highway 80. A second crew will also be at work performing ditch maintenance on Farm Road 1804 south of US 80. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

TYLER — The NAACP remains as relevant today as ever, according to Marlin, Texas, City Manager William McDonald. The Tyler native keynoted his hometown’s NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet over the weekend. One key area, says McDonald: economic empowerment. McDonald said there’s a “new Jim Crow” at work in America, in which too many young African-Americans are told they can’t succeed. McDonald commented that in order for young people to compete in a truly global marketplace, “we have an important role to lay…during these difficult economic times to try to help individuals gain a quality education.” He added, “If we have an opportunity to work together and become entrepreneurs, there’s certainly a benefit to the entire community.” McDonald also says it’s important to look to the future while remembering civil rights gains of the past.

TYLER — Some new programs are getting underway at Tyler’s Parent Services Center as it seeks to increase its educational efforts by forty per cent this year. On KTBB “Staff Meeting,” Executive Director Shelley Judd pointed to “Parent University,” a new partnership with TJC on the college’s West Campus consisting of five two-hour classes. According to Judd, it begins with early child development, continuing through the teenage years and family communication. Judd says another new effort provides affordable counseling. She remarks that there’s a real need for that, observing, “Sometimes it’s hard to solve a problem that your family is facing until you can get your own attitude sort of in the right direction.”

The Parent Services Center seeks to improve the quality of life for families through various programs. You can go to http://www.parentservicescenter.com for more information. And you can log on to http://www.ktbb.com/audio to hear the “Staff Meeting” show online.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating a stabbing at Lake Tyler. It was reported around 2:45 Sunday morning after officers were called to the hospital. The victim was identified as Ronnie Melton, 24, Van. Police say Melton told them he was stabbed multiple times by an unknown black male while talking with some people in the parking lot area of Hillcreek Park. Authorities say Melton was unable to provide any information regarding the suspect’s identity or the reason for the attack. Melton’s injuries were said to be serious, but non life-threatening.

Anyone with information about the suspects involved in this crime is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers, at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833). Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and charges filed against the suspects in this case, or any, felony case.

TYLER — The City of Tyler will hold a public meeting tonight at 6:00 at the UT Tyler Ornelas Activity Center to present the preliminary outcomes of the UT Tyler Area Development Plan. Participants will have the opportunity to hear conclusions on the Area Development Plan including the planning team’s findings and recommendations. The City of Tyler initiated the plan study last October to build upon recommendations set forth in the Tyler 21 Comprehensive Plan. City officials say the purpose of the Area Development Plan is to further develop UT Tyler, neighborhoods and surrounding areas as a vibrant district. Officials say the findings and recommendations cover long term growth, pedestrian friendly corridors, and ideas to enhance the UT Tyler area.

TYLER – The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NETPHD) announces that Harold Higgins, Senior Deputy Director, received the 2010 Janet Emerson Public Health Servant Award at a dinner Wednesday evening in Austin. This award is the Texas Association of Local Health Officials’ (TALHO) highest accolade for demonstrated extraordinary performance with an exemplary commitment to local public health. Health officials say the Emerson award is a means of expressing gratitude, recognition and encouragement of professional accomplishment in public health at the local level. As nominator and NETPHD CEO George Roberts noted, “Harold’s steady ‘can do’ spirit and willingness to work with many people and many different organizations has enabled NETPHD to grow, sustain and be recognized as experts in public health.”

Higgins serves as the Senior Deputy Director of Public Health Preparedness, Immunization and Tuberculosis Control Departments at NETPHD. Local health officials say Higgins has contributed outstanding service and dedication to protect and promote the health of the community for more than 30 years. During his public health career, Higgins has worked at the state, regional and local levels. In 2009, the Immunization Department, in which he serves as Director, had a record year by giving almost 17,000 immunizations in Smith County, as well as leading the vaccination of over 20,000 area citizens with the H1N1 vaccine.

Officials say due to Higgins’s actions, NETPHD received a Model Practice Award from the National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO) for establishing a partnership with UT Tyler for Medical Special Needs Sheltering. He was also deemed instrumental in the sheltering of thousands of special needs evacuees during Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. “Mr. Higgins has been a rock solid, reliable public health worker for over three decades now, and I am sure Mr. Higgins will continue to make great contributions in the field of public health for years to come,” says Dr. Paul McGaha, Regional Director, Texas Department of State Health Services.