Latest news with #ETCOG
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
ETCOG secures $250k grant for veteran transportation services
TYLER, Texas (KETK) — The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) received a $250,00 grant that will provide GoBus transportation to veterans in over 14 East Texas counties. Gov. Abbott names new leaders to Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission The Texas Veterans Commission awarded 213 grants to many Funds for Veteran' Assistance programs which will aid about 40,000 veterans. ETCOG will put this money toward funding a GoBus system. GoBus is a rural public transit system in East Texas that provides rides to daily destinations such as grocery stores, meetings and health appointments. The GoBus trips are available to veterans as well as veterans' spouses, dependents survivor spouses and active military personnel. For more information about GoBus and their services visit their website: East Texas residents asked to donate fans for summer relief 'It is an honor to receive this funding award from the Texas Veterans Commission and Chair Koerner, which allows us to continue our mission to support all East Texas veterans,' said Vince Huerta, GoBus Director. 'We are dedicated to growing the program and look forward to assisting more veterans this year.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
National Weather Service shares how alerts are sent to East Texans
TYLER, Texas (KETK)– The National Weather Service in Fort Worth and Shreveport issued dozens of alerts on Friday as severe storms ripped through East Texas. A team of trained forecasters work together to identify key ingredients in the atmosphere that would classify a severe thunderstorm watch/warning, flash flooding and tornado watch/warning. 'When the warning is issued, that's when we want you to take action, which usually means seek shelter and then seek additional information,' meteorologist with the National Weather Service Fort Worth office Jennifer Dunn said. City of Lone Star warns citizens of storm recovery scams Dunn said the emergency alert notification through the NWS is sent mostly by email to local TV, radio stations and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 'When the text editor is launched, the system is also smart enough to put an initial guess of where that polygon box or that warning box should be. We hit send and it sends out the warning through multiple dissemination methods at this time,' Dunn said. FEMA then sends their alerts to county emergency management offices. 'The wireless emergency alerts through FEMA are using the weather service's warnings to disseminate and alert all of mobile devices within the warning polygon. They don't necessarily go off for every warning that we issue, but they go off for the higher end,' Dunn said. East Texas counties use the alert system called RAVE or 911 alerts, funded by the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG). ETCOG has funded the program for 12 years from an $80,000 Homeland Security grant with their public safety division. People who live in the county are not required to sign up, but experts highly encourage it. 'Relying on the tornado sirens or the outdoor warning sirens should be essentially your last line of defense when it comes to knowing that there is bad weather moving into the area, especially with the technology that we have today,' Dunn said. Bowie, Cass, Morris counties declare local disaster after severe weather The National Weather Service encourages people to have several alert sources and to have multiple alert sources and have a go-bag ready just in case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
GoBus to host hiring event in Tyler for public transit drivers
TYLER, Texas (KETK)– A rural transit system is hosting a hiring event on Thursday to find a public transit drivers for multiple East Texas counties. Longview to host eldercare workshop, here's how to sign up East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) and GoBus will be hosting a hiring event at Workforce Solutions East Texas in Tyler from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to find drivers for the following counties: Anderson Camp Cherokee Gregg Harrison Henderson Marion Panola Rains Rusk Smith Upshur Van Zandt Wood Positions are available for candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent along with two years of professional driving and customer service experience. GoBus prefers applicants to have a commercial driver's license but it isn't required. 'We're excited to return to Tyler for this event, which continues to be a great success year after year. We truly appreciate our partnership with Workforce Solutions East Texas for hosting and supporting this job fair. It's a perfect opportunity for job seekers to connect with our GoBus team, learn more about our services, ask questions and even be considered for an on-site interview,' ETCOG Assistant Executive Director Brandy Brannon said. GoBus to launch new cross-county transit routes GoBus is ETCOG's on-demand response transit system that runs five days a week throughout at least fourteen counties. GoBus has approximately 75 vehicles and averages about 500 trips a day. 'GoBus is integral to the region and its communities, providing connectivity, fostering economic activity and ensuring safe, reliable and friendly transportation services. GoBus staff are dedicated and caring individuals representing the core of East Texans. In seeking new team members, we hope to present a culture that prioritizes the community and those who work to aid its citizens,' ETCOG Director of Transportation Vince Huerta said. Huerta said that GoBus welcomes new individuals with support through an open door policy, competitive pay and plenty of growth opportunities. The business is very excited to build upon the 'amazing GoBus family.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
Microtransit now available in Palestine
PALESTINE, Texas (KETK) – Anderson County residents will now be able to use GoBus services beginning this month. Known as GoNOW, began on March 1 in Palestine, giving residents flexible on-demand transportation to the community. For $2 per trip, GoNOW will operate Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., however seniors may qualify for sponsored trips. 'The county's self-proclaimed 'microtransit' initiative provides new options for those traveling within Palestine city limits, in addition to round trip routes within adjacent county towns,' ETCOG said. All veterans and active military members can ride for free. Travelers can request rides via GoNOW, an app similar to other ride sharing apps. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
