East Texas Business

A fire at Tyler Pipe on Friday will "have no impact on production," said Richard Tatman, general manager.

Emergency responders from several departments converged at the plant when the fire broke out shortly after 5 p.m. Friday. Smoke was seen pouring from inside the manufacturing facility on U.S. Highway 69 north of Tyler.

Tatman said the fire was in the Moldmaster building, which is no longer in use.

"We had a crew in there cutting up the old equipment to reclaim the scrap metal," he said. "That crew finished for the day around 3 p.m. and the fire was reported after 5 p.m. so we're not sure of the exact cause."

The fire was contained to the building.

"There wasn't much of a fire, but the heavy smoke was coming from an old conveyor belt that was down in a pit under the Moldmaster machine," Tatman said.

Dr. Marilyn Young, a professor in the College of Business and Technology at The University of Texas at Tyler is set to present findings of a Tyler area labor market survey today.

Results were gathered from 600 interviews with employers in a nine-county region.

The presentation is set for 10 a.m. in Genecov Room of the Blackstone Building 315 N. Broadway Ave.

JACKSONVILLE -- A ceremony at 11 a.m. on Friday will dedicate a nursing training program based in ETMC Jacksonville, 501 S. Ragsdale St.

TJC-Jacksonville was created from a partnership between Tyler Junior College, Jacksonville Economic Development Corp., East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System and Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics. It allows TJC to provide instruction for students seeking nursing and other health careers.

After opening remarks in the hospital lobby, tours and refreshments will be available at TJC-Jacksonville, housed on the fourth floor.

(Spotted Photo By Erin King)