[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6371207,"mediaKeyId","2150189-8cf450f8bd7dc388460b07f10979b199","parentId",2150189,"title","Longview resident describes December sewage flood, says city cleanup left home uninhabitable and requests additional aid","audioSeconds",205,"startMs",868000,"endMs",1073000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150189-8cf450f8bd7dc388460b07f10979b199&start=868&end=1073","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150189-8cf450f8bd7dc388460b07f10979b199/thumbnail_868000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6371207/Longview/Gregg-County/Texas/Longview-resident-describes-December-sewage-flood-says-city-cleanup-left-home-uninhabitable-and-requests-additional-aid","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371207-3b7a971c321bf8fd938c293e83b51c59/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200045&Signature=WUPcdtbl7iWwGmap4jb5Mxl3JlITLxz3rG5o28z81U4ORW94IwndZ6YYVJ67faHM7azHhtfsVnFDhBBDjSS1sXBZ5UFkU7n4FTRGYSyKiChsO2lcptW2fwyMF0ALvcP20Q9NLC6Du~Jzb0gxb9lc6o1Jfm61Ot94TPD06aoq36PWmqKV8owWPoyaqePZQpYlc4tjT1I0y2AYN7fjpmhsNVix~UNqALbTRf5Mst9xh~rRr31C7N5KpDktUIK1DnCzBmd-hoB9dlzEvMMvv~588lK1-kLyaZ0bQYR3hmOVNVa-VLo93RDuqgrN8~y--MsvrQaYWE-dlzgLxJJ5B9l8Mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Longview, TX","date","2025-01-24T12:26:56Z","article","Judy Doria, a Longview resident, told the council during the public-comment period that her house at 1502 Walter Street flooded with city sewage after returning from a December vacation.

Doria said the home was contaminated with sewage and other material “wall to wall,” that a flood-restoration contractor responded twice, and that contaminated materials to a depth of about two feet were removed. She described the house as uninhabitable: “I have no walls. I have no bathtub. I have no shower,” she said.

Doria said the city provided cleanup assistance and that the city agreed to cover roughly a third of rebuilding costs; she said she has received estimates of $130,000 to restore the home. She also said she expects about $3,000 in environmental expenses related to health and sanitation. During public comment she said, “They've offered us 50. We need 130 to restore our lives and our house.”

Doria asked the council for additional help to restore the home and said many personal items, including clothing and a wedding dress, were lost or ruined. The transcript records no immediate council response to Doria’s request other than the mayor thanking her for speaking; the council did not take an action during that meeting to provide additional funds.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 23, 2025 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At the Jan. 23 meeting resident Judy Doria described a December sewage backup that she said flooded her entire house and left it uninhabitable; she said the city provided cleanup assistance but that she needs about $130,000 to rebuild and is asking council for help.","taxTitle","Longview, Gregg County, Texas","taxId",2796,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6371211,"Longview staff propose lower youth fees, new family pass and scholarship to expand rec-center access",647,2038000,2685000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150189-8cf450f8bd7dc388460b07f10979b199&start=2038&end=2685","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150189-8cf450f8bd7dc388460b07f10979b199/thumbnail_2038000.jpg","/articles/6371211/Longview/Gregg-County/Texas/Longview-staff-propose-lower-youth-fees-new-family-pass-and-scholarship-to-expand-rec-center-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371211-a27595abce1cc1cecbee617aa472df40/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200045&Signature=fcADh3rUzbhlN8u-ID4QFDtLPm6XVhRO88xULGn3sGOvqchoec-T96dTGAfua5eAxQOZj2WjnodZ6wY9Tknzig0JWoRV0H5qA~oLEyUr808hZLU836Lb2VX72zKG9pG-2vv6~30uf45ZQRAqXbSxAAkz6PLYgNyl01nfxz01j4iKe5WAZ-MVWjmW-CjWNbc8wt~BhCvE5a2gSWtuNPbxRK~eXX3tB5ep~WleusS4qmzY52a7SQASjnxYd4rwLjDO7E~dLC8UOEi5TM2M6laFmNDcQQOqXXZcRl8ppCm66kblDjGURauiBS8qOdNDhLfmY1m5aCjfPQwupi5Hw-~TVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks staff presented proposed changes to Longview’s recreation center fee structure at the Jan. 23 council meeting that would lower barriers to entry for youth and families, seed a scholarship fund, and change several annual and monthly rates.

John Albertson (presenting staff) described the proposal: an annual family pass for $90, annual adult and senior passes at $50, free annual youth passes for ages 17 and under, and monthly adult and senior passes at $5. Green Street’s current $15 annual rate would remain, and a universal pass that covers all centers would include Green Street for residents over 55. Staff said any child age 7 and under must be accompanied by a guardian age 18 or older.

To address access for very young children, staff proposed a scholarship program run with the PALS Foundation and said seed funds are already available to start it. Albertson estimated the first-year budgetary impact of the fee changes at about $38,000 and said staff will return within 12 months to review program outcomes. He said there are 40 existing annual memberships and staff will establish a refund policy to address those purchases.

Council members raised safety and supervision concerns for making youth admission free up to age 17. Councilwoman Gemba and others noted past incidents elsewhere involving unsupervised teens and asked how the city would mitigate behavior and staffing impacts. Albertson said existing requirements for children under 7 (guardian present) would remain and that staff would monitor participation and bring recommended changes back to council if necessary. Councilmembers suggested monitoring senior participation and considering whether additional staffing might be required if utilization increases.

Councilmembers praised staff for incorporating feedback from a previous meeting and indicated they expect a follow-up vote at a subsequent meeting after any last refinements and implementation planning.","Parks staff proposed lowering some annual rates, making youth access free up to age 17, and creating a scholarship seeded by the PALS Foundation; council discussed safety, staffing, and an estimated $38,000 first-year revenue impact and set monitoring and review plans.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6371216,"Council approves interlocal agreement for Longview Police to partner with Kilgore College on basic police academy",853,1174000,2027000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150189-8cf450f8bd7dc388460b07f10979b199&start=1174&end=2027","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150189-8cf450f8bd7dc388460b07f10979b199/thumbnail_1174000.jpg","/articles/6371216/Longview/Gregg-County/Texas/Council-approves-interlocal-agreement-for-Longview-Police-to-partner-with-Kilgore-College-on-basic-police-academy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371216-4adff7afc963f09a5f0d154cc3f740a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200045&Signature=kH9GVJn84aC437XFkCZ30tLzbRTy72cgl-6LV4i9~ctL7cgwaqMC2dtItCZpouSeuaG0KRMMB1KL2-UnAMog85RI44EOw5ltsJDAKb0teqG5u02cz-~ByHxVoy2KIqEPYXLrwcbqb2XLAr7GkFHf-WPo30fMBAIK91qEhAjFNYQIN0cDf~jPscSGkuiSekqVZT-mmRMQ0P~gS6VsLbl8ogx8g7jFdqVUZ9BqPsx6q1Fbj-BaRmVpEzXGiUIPrlzli0uS3Hvr2hf26xlVT6TCZ8sirFcVHIUw47b7CCahYjqaxxzIf0wvFgWBmZFAokl5mOSNRg78PDVWzRR0di75HQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Longview City Council voted on Jan. 23 to authorize the city manager to execute an interlocal agreement allowing the Longview Police Department to collaborate with Kilgore College to train peace officers in East Texas.

Chief Anthony Boone described the department’s academy history and the limits of current space and administrative capacity. Boone said Longview began running a basic police academy in May 2020, has trained more than 100 officers in the region and is currently conducting its eighth academy. He said the department uses sworn officers as subject-matter experts for instruction but lacks multiple classrooms, a classroom at the firearms range and a driving course.

Under the partnership described to council, Kilgore College would provide a full-time classroom on a Longview site, access to a secondary firearms range with a full-size classroom and access to a driving course/skid pad south of the Kilgore campus. Kilgore College administrative staff would also assist with required academy paperwork. Boone said tuition would be split roughly 50/50 and that Kilgore College would process applications and maintain academic records if council approved the agreement.

Boone said the academy is limited to full-time employees sponsored by agencies (police or sheriff’s offices) and that the state allows certain recruits to enter at age 20, though most recruits are 21 or older; graduates enter the sponsoring agency’s field training program. Kilgore College officials in the chamber — identified by Boone as Kilgore College President Dr. Kaye, Dean Shaw and Assistant Dean Zachary — spoke in support of the agreement.

Gregg County Sheriff Maxi Sirliano, who said he also chairs the East Texas Police Academy advisory board, endorsed the partnership and noted previous county-city equipment and training collaborations. Council members praised the regional collaboration and the potential to save money while expanding training capacity.

A council member moved to approve the interlocal agreement; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The meeting record does not list individual roll-call tallies. The resolution authorizes the city manager (or designee) to execute the agreement and to proceed with the application process through Kilgore College.","Council approved an interlocal agreement to formalize a partnership allowing the Longview Police Department to use Kilgore College facilities and administrative support for its basic peace officer academy; council approved the resolution by voice vote.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6371221,"Longview launches bilingual campaign to deter celebratory gunfire after New Year’s outreach shows early engagement",300,419000,719000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150189-8cf450f8bd7dc388460b07f10979b199&start=419&end=719","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150189-8cf450f8bd7dc388460b07f10979b199/thumbnail_419000.jpg","/articles/6371221/Longview/Gregg-County/Texas/Longview-launches-bilingual-campaign-to-deter-celebratory-gunfire-after-New-Years-outreach-shows-early-engagement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371221-7a41db98767f2bfcf89c99af4de0435a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200045&Signature=Ovaf5g4EZtoupMBNSLZjFMYNDyIu6YD~rx6lwTA4FVwK2Xb5lcOYJnQmSPatXy4aKGMyK-u2qEpZiVxe--MTgefbWoD5bNk0lOTC8MS1oczAhRqGQoIrEcNDCS72K5CcJj8SlJNAICfiabRzXp~ZsiLk--gl6nECk20pUYl8pPET2DKeTDXNduFGYWKXb8rmZBoCoIZK-sumGUtPgUiQ~QJD0ARLw~nXOKIhg8arD3V5OqI5LccgxusXAOmrCMO7vcb50s7k-lo2K6jjyD4ycjsVkwdaE9nYYyThoMEj9zZPzpe-vqkaZLpsCm5e041065sTZT0LxU~AZGk~jTyvHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richard Yakely, Longview’s public information officer, told the City Council on Jan. 23 that the city and Longview Police Department ran a bilingual public-education campaign aimed at reducing celebratory gunfire around New Year’s and other holidays.

Yakely said the campaign emphasized three points: that celebratory gunfire is illegal, that it is dangerous to people and property, and that messaging should be available in both English and Spanish. He credited Councilman Wade, Mayor Shehara, City Manager Roland McPhee and Police Chief Anthony Boone for raising the issue and helping develop the strategy.

Yakely showed samples of the city and LPD messaging and reported early engagement numbers: the Longview Police Department video and posts drew what he described as “nearly 33,000 combined views,” with more than 200 shares and nearly 600 interactions, while the city’s Facebook post was shared nearly 300 times with about 900 reactions and more than 200 comments. Yakely said these figures were not a comprehensive audit but indicate the messages were “received, shared, and discussed” by the community.

Yakely and Chief Boone also reported a reduction in 911 calls for shots fired in 2024 compared with 2023; Yakely described the decrease as a preliminary outcome of the outreach but said changing community behavior will require years of consistent effort.

Yakely said the communications push included sharing official posts into active community groups to amplify the message and credited Lily Duenas in the city secretary’s office for translating materials. He invited council members to help identify residents who have been impacted by celebratory gunfire so the city can highlight personal stories in future messaging.

Council members praised the campaign. Councilman Wade thanked the police department and staff for the effort and cautioned that cultural change may take years. Mayor Shehara and others thanked staff for the bilingual approach and for involving community partners.

Yakely said the city will continue targeted communications leading up to holidays where celebratory gunfire is most common and will seek to make materials accessible to all residents. He said the city plans to sustain the outreach and to use personal stories to show “the real cost” of the practice.","City and police officials described a bilingual public-information push ahead of New Year’s that officials say reduced 911 calls for shots fired and drew thousands of online views and shares; staff said the effort will continue ahead of future holidays.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Longview resident describes December sewage flood, says city cleanup left home uninhabitable and requests additional aid

Longview staff propose lower youth fees, new family pass and scholarship to expand rec-center access

Council approves interlocal agreement for Longview Police to partner with Kilgore College on basic police academy

Longview launches bilingual campaign to deter celebratory gunfire after New Year’s outreach shows early engagement