AUSTIN - The state has recognized outstanding volunteers at state hospitals and state supported living centers. Two of those awards came to East Texas groups. The Spirit of Youth Award went to Rusk High School. The students were recognized for their work individually and through several student groups in service to the patients of Rusk State Hospital. The Volunteer/Advocate of the Year Award went to the Volunteer Council for Rusk State Hospital. The group is a 15 member nonprofit service ...
AUSTIN (AP) - Energy officials say Austin has bought a wood chip-fueled biomass power plant in East Texas for $460 million to break away from a punitive contract. Southern Company accepted Austin Energy's bid for the Nacogdoches Generating Facility, a wood chip-fueled biomass power plant. The 115-megawatt plant, one of the largest biomass power plants in the United States, rarely operates because it is too expensive to run. Austin Energy is also acquiring the plant's holding company. The Austin American-Statesmen ...
ALTO - A Houston firm will arrive in Alto next Tuesday to begin the process of certifying trucks and removing debris left behind by last weekend's tornadoes. Crews expect to work seven days a week until the project is complete. TxDOT expects to remove about 45,000 cubic yards of tree debris during the cleanup effort that is anticipated to span six weeks. The contractor is scheduled to start on State Highway 21, moving eastward, removing debris from the highway right ...
LONGVIEW - It is a long prison sentence for a Longview man. A Longview jury on Thursday found Michael Fred Houston, 38, guilty of aggravated robbery. Due to two prior felony convictions, and other acts against elderly persons, the jury sentenced him to life in prison. In early May of last year, police were called to the Dollar General on Judson Road for a robbery in the parking lot. An elderly woman told officers a man opened the passenger door ...
TYLER – Starting Monday, there will be a partial closure of Tyler's Old Bullard Road. This is to improve drainage structures on the road near Rice Road. It should be closed through late August. The project will include the installation of three additional 5’ x 3’ concrete box culverts under Old Bullard Road, as well as new curb inlets and channel improvements just upstream. Motorists can expect delays throughout the construction period. Southbound traffic will remain open to one lane, ...
AUSTIN - Unemployment in Tyler and Longview continues to run low. The Texas Workforce commission reports Tyler's unemployment figure in March was 3.4%. That is down from the 3.7% figure in February. In March of last year, it was also 3.7% Longview's March unemployment was 3.4%. It was 4.1% in February and 4.3% in March of last year. The Texas unemployment figure for March was unchanged, a 3.8%.
ALTO -- Cleanup is still going on across East Texas after two rounds of storms. According to our news partner KETK, East Texas Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville paid the city of Alto a visit Thursday. He surveyed the damaged schools, gym, and grounds. According to the district superintendent, preliminary estimates show the cost to rebuild damaged structures to be more than $12 million. Nichols says he and state Representatives Travis Clardy and Trent Ashby signed a letter asking ...
PALESTINE – Palestine is coping with severe damage around the city following Wednesday night’s storms. The Palestine water treatment plant is back online as of Friday morning after being knocked out during this week’s storms, but the boil water notice continues. Officials said residents must boil water at least three minutes before drinking it. City staff members arranged to provide drinking water at the Palestine Mall on a limited basis till 6 p.m. Friday. Officials still strongly encourage you to ...
