QUESTION: There’s a restaurant I frequent on the Loop. They charged me a 3% transaction fee for using a credit card. I’m wondering if that’s legal in the state of Texas. I don’t know of any other restaurant or any other business that charges a transaction fee for using a credit card.

QUESTION: I usually hesitate to answer phone surveys, but several months ago, I received a phone call about a possible grocery store that was considering a location in Longview. I enjoy cooking, so a new grocery store sounded interesting. As the survey progressed, I learned that a company ca…

QUESTION: The flag at Alpine and Cargill Long Park is in really bad shape. It really needs to be replaced. Who is responsible for maintaining the flag?

Happy New Year, readers! I hope you’ve enjoyed some black-eyed peas — my mom always makes sure I’ve had mine, or if you must, some cabbage.

QUESTION: Do you know whether the Eden Apartments complex on Eden Drive has been abandoned? It was damaged during the May storm. Aside from clearing out downed and damaged trees, it appears nothing has been done as far as repairing and refurbishing the place.

QUESTION: Would you please give me an update on the arson in Longview that killed two people? Kimberly Bruton was charged with the crime.

QUESTION: I have a question regarding Texas driver’s licenses and the REAL ID act. My current driver’s license expires in 2021 and must be renewed in person, as it was last renewed in person in 2009. I recently received a letter from the Texas Department of Public Safety telling me that I wa…

QUESTION: Two mattresses have been dumped on an uninhabited lot on the north side of Spring Hill Road, between McCann and Judson roads. The mattresses have been there for several months. Is there any entity that I can call to have them picked up (like maybe the city sanitation bulky item pic…

QUESTION: In the paper recently, you did the list of all the places that were collecting toys for the children. We’ve always supported Toys for Tots and the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission and may continue to do so. Are the families who receive assistance through all of these programs vetted in any …

QUESTION: Dr. Coppedge wrote a column about the potential impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate. He stated that the senate could call Democrat witnesses like Hillary Clinton that would muck up the trial. I remember Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial case was presented by managers from the U.S. …

This story has been corrected.

QUESTION: I have a child who hasn’t had Christmas in several years and I’d like to contact one of the organizations to see if I can get some help. Who do I call?

QUESTION: Are there any groups like the police department or fire department collecting toys for children this year for Christmas?

Hello, dear readers, and happy Thanksgiving. I’m following Answer Line tradition today and taking a break from questions and answers to catalog some of the many things for which Answer Line is thankful.

QUESTION: What is the zone restriction on Blueridge Parkway as to how many families can live in a house? There are houses where four and five cars are at the house all the time overnight, parking on the yard and everywhere. Is there anything that can be done about it if more than one family …

QUESTION: There’s been a lot of controversy about China lately. Their flag has been on television a lot and I noticed that there’s one large star and four smaller ones. What is the significance of these stars?

QUESTION: I just heard LISD is going down to 5A next year. Is this true? Do they count students in just the high school to determine classification or the entire district? How many students has LISD lost since the last time they calculated for classification?

Editor’s note: Answer Line was on assignment this week. More questions and answers will return next week. In the meantime, enjoy this best-of column:

QUESTION: Is Pine Tree ISD planning to build the sidewalks for students who walk to and from the junior high and high school? If so, when will they start?

Editor’s note: Answer Line’s spinning plates fell this week. She’ll be back next week. In the meantime, keep sending in your questions and enjoy this best-of column.

QUESTION: I keep reading stories about federal background checks to purchase guns. How does that work?

QUESTION: I encountered some mattresses in the middle of the interstate recently. Who are you supposed to call if you find those kind of obstructions on a highway?

QUESTION: What are those two buildings under construction on Fourth Street, on the new extension?

QUESTION: I’m reading in the Oct. 3 News-Journal this report on the two officers who shot and killed an 18-year-old who pulled a gun on them. It’s my understanding that when something like this occurs, the officers are placed on paid administrative leave until it’s settled whether they were …

Note from Answer Line: I told y’all on Thursday that Longview ISD’s response to the question about substitutes at each campuses raised other questions (for me, anyway, and I assume for others as well). I wanted to come back to those questions today.

QUESTION: I have students in three different Longview ISD schools. At the high school, one of them has a substitute teacher in his English class because the year began with no teacher. When will the class have an English teacher? I asked but got no answer. Having no teacher is the effect of …

Editor’s note: Answer Line will return with new questions and answers Thursday. In the meantime, here are a selection of “best of” questions:

QUESTION: In November, we’re going to have an election concerning a state income tax. The way my state senator and state representative explained it to me, if we vote no, it will pass for us to be open to a state income tax. A yes vote will defeat it, but a no vote will pass it, but that’s n…

QUESTION: I have students in three different Longview ISD schools. East Texas Advanced Academies gave free backpacks to students, so I asked about ETAA. Who is the person who heads ETAA outside of LISD? When I asked, I was told that ETAA is an “outside provider running the charter schools.” …

QUESTION: Can you check to see why Hurricane Creek at Lake O’ the Pines no longer has restrooms, and why there is no launching fee? Does it have to do with last May’s storms?

QUESTION: I have a lot of VHS tapes, movies that I’m just racking my brain to see if anybody uses those. If there’s a place I can donate them I’d rather do that. I also have a lot of books, but I think the libraries are pretty swamped with them. Do you have any ideas?

QUESTION: Are you aware of a Parkinson’s support group?

QUESTION: Do you know when the next free electronics recycling event will be here in Longview? The last one was rained out.

QUESTION: I’d like to know what happened to Braum’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken. Also, I’d like to know what the new building is at the old car wash at U.S 259 at Highway 80 that they’re putting in.

QUESTION: Do you know when the shredder thing will be coming to town?

QUESTION: I heard that Longview ISD lowered the standards for kindergarten admission to Hudson PEP Elementary School between the fall testing and the spring testing. Is that accurate?

QUESTION: Is there any news about who the potential investor that could replace Kroger’s in the proposed move of Hinsley Park might be or when we might learn if there is still the potential for the move?

Editor’s note: Answer Line is on vacation. Today’s questions and answers are from the greatest hits file.

Editor’s note: Answer Line is on vacation. Today’s questions and answers are from the greatest hits file.

QUESTION: I would like an update on the arson investigation involving Kimberly Bruton.

QUESTION: The city of Longview supposedly has a contract with Wiseman Ministries (House of Disciples) for trash collection on certain roads within the city. Can you verify if this contract is in fact valid as well as the impact to the community as well as helping the residents in this program?

QUESTION: The city of Longview has had public meetings labeled as informational meetings, community meetings and town hall meetings. Please explain the differences.