Latest news with #KilgoreCollege
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
IN FOCUS: The Longview Police Department's work to address homelessness
LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) – In this edition of East Texas In Focus, KETK's Nolan Hoffman continued his conversation with the Chief of the Longview Police Department Anthony Boone about addressing homelessness in the city, along with training and hiring staff. IN FOCUS: The future of Longview Police Department Boone started the second part of his conversation with Nolan by discussing the department's training and hiring procedures. When Boone started as chief in the summer of 2022, the department had 25 vacancies but now they have only one open position. 'I think over the last couple of years, we have really attracted people that are tied to service and want to help and want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. That has really helped our staffing levels. I am very proud to have just one vacancy,' Boone said. For Boone, the Longview Police Department's hiring standards are different than other departments. That means their tests are more personal so they can make sure they get the right person for the job. 'Our standards are a little bit different than the rest of the world. So, right off the bat, after somebody comes in and does their initial testing and there's a physical test and a written test, we give them a packet that's probably about 40 pages thick of basically their whole life story. So it gets very personal, very quick,' Boone said. 'We also have psychological exams that are required through the state but we also go beyond that. We do polygraph examinations, a very in-depth background investigation, which goes much deeper than just a reference check for most other jobs. And so just the the length of the process, that alone eliminates some people from even wanting to go through it.' Boone said if around ten people show for one test only around one of those ten people will be hired. He also credited their training success to their new police academy which they started during the COVID-19 pandemic as a collaboration with Kilgore College. IN FOCUS: Preparing for the East Texas storm season Then Nolan and Boone's conversation turned to the subject of the unhoused population in Longview and the work Longview PD does with them every day. 'Dealing with unhoused individuals, that's something that probably we deal with every day,' Boone said. 'Sometimes we have people that end up either sleeping somewhere or they're they're at a location where that business owner may not want them. So that will create a what we call a criminal trespass call, where they want us to come out there and then remove that that person from the location.' According to Boone, some of these calls will be dealt with by patrol officers but they also have a Police Outreach Services Team (POST) that started in 2018. Boone said that in 2024 alone the two person team was able to place 95 unhoused people into housing or rehabilitation. Along with getting people into housing, they've also been able to help people get back home after getting stuck in Longview. 'Sometimes folks, they've come to Longview for, maybe initially it was for a job, maybe it was along the way they followed somebody else and they've just gotten stuck here, and we've had 41 individuals that we're able to send back to wherever home was,' Boone said. 'Now on that we don't just put somebody on a bus and send them to wherever, but we actually contact family on the other side and make sure that there's a family member, a friend, somebody that's willing and ready to receive them when they get get back to home.' IN FOCUS: Following the legacy of Pope Francis Boone also discussed their ID program where they can help people who've lost their identification get new state ID documents. 'Sometimes we've learned that these individuals, they're eligible to receive benefits, but they've lost their ID along the way,' Boone said. 'If we can prove who they are and we can help them get a state ID, that's the first step to then let them get their Social Security card again.' While Boone hopes their work is helping to decrease the homeless population in the area he also stressed that this is an issue all across the country. 'I hope that helps decrease it in our area, but I do think that it will continue to be an issue. I think, until we figure out how to tackle mental health as a society and solve our drug abuse issues, I think we will continue to see some of these trends,' Boone said. 'I do definitely believe it's a much larger problem than just law enforcement. I just think law enforcement's received the bulk of 'hey y'all, y'all take care of this.' But this is definitely a community problem, this is as a society problem. And we're all gonna have to put our heads together and may have to spend some money together to figure out how to to really make this work and truly help people.' In the full second half of their conversation in the video above, Nolan and Boone spoke about the department's community outreach efforts and Boone's hopes for the city. To view the first half of their conversation, click here for last week's episode of East Texas In Focus. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kilgore College graduates prepare for tough job market
KILGORE, Texas (KETK) – As college students end their time in the classroom and prepare to take their final walk, students said they are also preparing to take on a tough job market. LeTourneau University graduate focuses on achieving education, faith 'I was really nervous about how all that was going to work,' Kilgore College graduating student, Karlie Smith said. 'But with our clinicals they tell us that those are working interviews.' Thankfully, Smith's set to start working after graduating with her degree in radiologic science. In fact, several graduates at Kilgore reported they already had a job lined up and credited Kilgore College staff's work to prepare them. 'The staff is amazing,' Kilgore College graduating student April Bagley said. 'They don't give you the runaround. They're just good people.' Kilgore College not only provided them with lessons inside the classroom, they also prepared these students to be professionals. Kilgore College hosting annual Industrial Technologies Career Fair 'They taught us how to fill out resumes and when to send them out,' Kilgore College student Leighann Moore said. 'Just got us prepared for the field.' The college also creates opportunities to meet future employers while students are still in school. 'Being here at Kilgore really did set me up for success and set me up for the real world,' Kilgore College student Ester Delgado said. Even if a student didn't have a job lined up just yet they were still ecstatic to be finishing their programs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kilgore College renames dance studio to honor Rangerettes' first choreographer
KILGORE, Texas (KETK) — Kilgore College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sunday evening to celebrate the dance studio newly named after the first choreographer of the world-famous Kilgore Rangerettes. The Kilgore College dance studio now named the Denard Haden Dance Studio, honors the legacy of the uncle of Priscilla 'Prissy' Abshier Sliva and the first choreographer for the Rangerettes. 'Opportunity of a lifetime': Kilgore Rangerettes perform at Cotton Bowl for 75th year with former dancers 'A visionary in dance, Haden played a pivotal role in shaping the distinctive Rangerette style that is recognized worldwide,' Kilgore College said. Haden taught thousands of students through his dance studios across East Texas as a choreographer and instructor helping dance become a vital part of academic and performance settings. Former Rangerette and lifelong supporter of Kilgore College, Sliva dedicated her generous donation to the newly renovated and renamed studio to honor her 'uncle's extraordinary contributions to the world of dance.' New Kilgore College Rangerettes of the 85th line announced The Denard Haden Dance Studio is located at 701 Laird Avenue inside the James M. Parks Fitness Center. According to Kilgore College, Haden was born in 1908 in Timpson and discovered his passion for dance while he attended Rice University. He quickly became an assistant dance instructor and later expanded his expertise to Stephen F. Austin State University where he majored in English. 'Haden's love for dance led him to establish studios in Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Henderson, Kilgore and Marshall, where he trained thousands of students,' Kilgore College said. 'In 1940, he became the first choreographer of the Kilgore College Rangerettes, collaborating with Gussie Nell Davis to develop the team's precise, high-energy style. His choreography, terminology, and teaching methods set the foundation for modern drill teams nationwide.' 'Once a Rangerette always a Rangerette': Kilgore Rangerettes surprise former member with visit Beyond Kilgore, Haden also helped form the dance department at SFA, choregraphed musicals and served as a nationally recognized instructor for Dance Masters of America. 'Haden's influence remains woven into the legacy of the Rangerettes and dance education,' the college said. 'His meticulous approach to choreography and performance continues to inspire generations of dancers.' Sliva was born in Kilgore in 1937 but was raised in Nacogdoches where 'she developed a strong entrepreneurial spirit from an early age, selling pecans and bookmarks in her community.' 'Sliva's lifelong love for the Rangerettes began in childhood, as she eagerly listened to her uncle's stories about the team,' Kilgore College said. 'Her dream came true when she became a Rangerette, even performing with the team at Soldier Field in Chicago before officially joining.' Kilgore Rangerettes hold Valentine's Day paint party at Arabella of Kilgore She continues to be a dedicated advocate for Kilgore Rangerettes and the lasting impact it has on dance and leadership. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chipola advances to NJCAA Tournament Quarterfinal
CASPER, WY. (WMBB) – The No. 1 seed Chipola Women's Basketball team defeated No. 17 Kilgore College 73-63 Thursday morning, advancing to the NJCAA Quarterfinals. The Indians improved to 31-3 and will face either Shelton State or South Plains on Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. MT. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kilgore College hosting annual Industrial Technologies Career Fair
KILGORE, Texas (KETK) – Kilgore College's Industrial Technologies division is connecting local students and businesses for their annual Technical Career Fair Technical Career Fair on Thursday. The fair will focus on helping students learn about industrial and manufacturing careers. City seeks public's help in locating missing 'Kilgore' letters 'The job fair is intended to help students who are unsure of a career choice,' Kilgore College said. It's all taking place between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Devall Student Center Ballroom on Thursday. Students are expected to bring their resumes and dress appropriately for possible interviews. Programs featuring select Kilgore College students will participate: Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology Automotive Technology Corrosion Technology Diesel Technology HVAC & Refrigeration Technology Industrial Maintenance Technology Instrumentation & Electrical Technology Manufacturing Technology Process Technology Welding Technology The career fair is free to attend, however space is limited. The deadline for companies to register has passed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
