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NACOGDOCHES – A two vehicle accident near Nacogdoches has left one person dead. The head-on collision Sunday night occurred on State Highway 7. Dead at the scene was Clarence Braddock III, 28, of Center. The Department of Public Safety reports his pickup, which was east bound, veered across the center stripe and hit a one ton pickup towing a 2009 Big Tex utility trailer. That driver was not injured.

TOPEKA, KAN. (AP) — Environmentalists are lining up in Kansas to tell State Department representatives they oppose the $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline, which would move oil to the Texas coast from Canada. The pipeline would go through eastern Smith County.

Rabbi Moti Rieber, coordinator of Kansas Interfaith Power & Light, joined the orderly procession of speakers Monday. The religious and environmental group leader called the 1,700-pipeline “a direct threat” to Kansas’ natural resources because of possible spills.

Gov. Sam Brownback says he supports the pipeline because it would boost national security by giving the U.S. a steady source of oil from a “friendly nation that’s next door.”

Labor union members support the pipeline because of the jobs it would create.

The State Department also is holding hearings in Texas, Montana, and elsewhere this week before deciding whether to approve the pipeline.

JACKSONVILLE — A recent attack near a Jacksonville elementary school, in a normally quiet neighborhood, has some on edge. And the biggest concern is that a small child could be next. According to KETK, Brady Street in Jacksonville was the scene of a horrific attack last Tuesday. One man says he came home from vacation to find several of his goats dead, and a few that were beyond saving, after a pack of wild dogs went after the animals. Neighbors say wild dogs in the area are nothing new, but an attack like this so close to a school is concerning. It’s reported that a few of the dogs have already been captured, and the city has allowed traps to be set up in the area near the incident in case the dogs return.

LONGVIEW — A traffic stop leads to weekend drug arrests in Longview. Sunday afternoon just before 4:15, Officer Kerry Higginbotham reportedly observed a silver Toyota Corolla fail to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Page Street and West Marshall Avenue. Officer Higginbotham stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Joshua Laubenstein 20, of Longview. Officer Paul Montoya arrived on scene as well. There were four other passengers in the Corolla with Laubenstein. During the traffic stop, one of the back seat passengers, identified as Danquail Dequann Carter, 20, of Longview, allegedly attempted to conceal what police say was later determined to be illegal narcotics.

According to reports, Carter and Officer Montoya struggled over the narcotics and Carter was taken into custody. Following a search of the other occupants of the vehicle, two more suspects were taken into custody on drug charges. Laubenstein was found to be in possession of suspected illegal narcotics and was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Carter was arrested for Resisting Arrest, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and two outstanding warrants for No Insurance and No Driver’s License.

Also arrested during the traffic stop was Demarquinez Sterling, 19, of Longview, for Possession of Marijuana more than 4 ounces but less than 5 pounds, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Gernarrow Montrell Patton, 21, of Longview, was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana under 2 ounces. Officers from the CODE (County Organized Drug Enforcement) Unit also responded to the scene.

LONGVIEW — A pedestrian goes to the hospital following a weekend accident in Longview. On Sunday at 7:33 p.m., officers were dispatched to an accident with injuries in the 1700 Block of East Marshall Avenue. When officers arrived, they found the victim, 59-year-old Lewis Castillo of Longview, still lying in the roadway. According to witnesses, the victim was attempting to cross the roadway where there was not a crosswalk. A 2010 red Ford Focus, driven by Delia Rivera Vega of Longview, was traveling east on East Marshal Avenue. Castillo apparently walked into the roadway in front of Vega’s car. Castillo was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

HOUSTON (AP) – A former Texas inmate who once cooked the final meals for condemned prisoners is offering to continue the practice at no cost to the state now that prison officials have announced they’ve stopped the special meals. Brian Price now runs a restaurant on Houston County Lake in East Texas. He says he’s extending his offer to any condemned inmate in the state and taxpayers will be out nothing. Price is author of a book called “Meals to Die For,” a cookbook that references his previous duties. Officials who oversee the country’s busiest death chamber stopped the practice last week after a prominent state senator complained about a hefty request from a man executed for his role in the notorious Jasper dragging death. Inmates now are to get only what other inmates eat that day.

HENDERSON COUNTY – After weeks of rehabilitation at Lindale-area rehabilitator Wild and Free Again, an American bald eagle took back to the skies of East Texas recently. That’s according to Dr. Steve Wilson, a veterinarian who helped nurse the eagle back to health at Tyler’s Glenwood Animal Hospital. Wilson, who also works at Caldwell Zoo, tells us the 5-year-old-plus bird was originally found stuck in a mud pit in Henderson County. It was taken to the bird rehabilitator by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens to regain strength before being released.

Wilson’s granddaughter, 10-year-old Ainsley Cotton, saw the bird when it was originally taken to Glenwood Animal Hospital after being recovered. Ainsley was also invited to watch the release. “I recalled my mom (Stephanie) assisting Beverly (Grage, Wild and Free Again owner) that Sunday afternoon to clean the bird that the game warden had brought to her. They worked to scrub the mud from the feathers of the eagle for quite a long time,” she said.

This is the youngster’s account of the release: “As we drove over to the other side of the lake where she would be released, I was hoping she was ready to fly. It was amazing that today, September 17, 2011, was the 224th anniversary of the signing of The Constitution of America, and here we were about to release the symbol of our freedom. Quietly, we stepped out of the car and waited patiently for Beverly to take the magnificent bird out of the carrier. Beverly carefully covered her with a towel and took hold of the massive talons. The eyes of the eagle were constantly on Beverly as if to say, ‘Thank you for this beautiful land I see before me and the care you have given to me.’

“The sun was shining. The sky was blue with a few clouds floating above. A red tail hawk flew over us sailing in the wind. As Beverly held the bird, its eyes looked at the treetops and the beautiful lake below. Quietly, the eagle turned once more, gazing into Beverly’s eyes. As Beverly released the eagle, it opened her wings and effortlessly flew away. It landed in a nearby oak tree where she was able to see land for miles. Beautiful trees and a lake full of water with tons of fish seemed the perfect place for the bald eagle.”

The eagle was one of two taken to Wild and Free Again this summer. A second bird that was recovered in Nacogdoches County at the facility being nursed for injuries, and was then taken to a rehabilitation facility near San Antonio to be further strengthened for flight.

NORTHEAST TEXAS — Crews are winding down their work on the massive Northeast Texas Fire Complex, made up of numerous wildfires that sparked earlier this month. According to the Texas Forest Service, a Type I Incident Management Team – the Southern Area Blue Team – will assume command of the entire complex on Thursday at 6 a.m. A transition with Pacific Northwest Team 2-Northeast Texas Fire Complex will occur on Wednesday. Authorities say unless significant changes occur, this will be the last information update provided by the Forest Service.

CANTON — To better handle anonymous tip calls, and to relieve the burden on emergency 911 dispatchers, Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers has contracted with a call center that specializes in such tips. Calls to Crime Stoppers at 903-567-STOP (567-7867) are now answered at the Crime Scene Information call center in La Porte, Texas, near Houston. Previously, dispatchers at the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office had to juggle Crime Stoppers calls along with emergency calls and their many other duties. Now, trained operators at the call center receive the crime tip information from anonymous callers and forward it to sheriff’s investigators in Van Zandt County for follow-up.

“Callers probably won’t notice any difference, and they can be assured that this whole process is designed to make sure they remain anonymous at every step of the way,” said Andy Flowers, president of Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers. “Their phone number is never identified, for example, and the trained operators never get any information that could identify the callers.” Flowers said the change was made as part of an overall effort by Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers to improve its call handling processes and increase its outreach to the community, to make sure everyone knows about Crime Stoppers and its benefits.

Crime Stoppers will have booths at the Ben Wheeler Feral Hog Festival in October and the Edgewood Heritage Festival in November, offering information about the group and accepting donations to continue its crime-fighting work. Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers always offers cash rewards for anonymous tips that lead to the arrest of a criminal offender, someone who has either just committed a crime or is wanted on a warrant. Rewards of up to $1,000 are financed by criminal court fines and donations. More information about Crime Stoppers is available online at http://www.vanzandtcrimestoppers.org or on Facebook.

EAST TEXAS — East Texas wildfires destroyed $97 million worth of timber in the past 10 months, according to the Texas Forest Service. Firefighters continue to monitor carryover fires in the area through Sunday.

Since November, East Texas firefighters have responded to 2,151 wildfires that charred 207,763 acres and destroyed 175 million cubic feet of timber, according to Texas Forest Service economists and analysts. The value of all those trees as they stood in the forest, referred to as stumpage value, was $97 million.

The Bear Creek fire in Cass and Marion counties, which is still being monitored, has been tabbed as the largest fire in East Texas history, said Holly Huffman with the Texas Forest Service. The fire destroyed 40,979 acres, 66 homes and 17.3 million cubic feet of timber with a stumpage value of $8.8 million, Huffman said.

The timber in Cass and Marion counties could have produced $159 million worth of forest products, spurring $349 million into the East Texas economy, Huffman said. In 2007, forest industries funneled $427 million into the economy in Cass and Marion counties, employing 1,330 people with a payroll of $72 million, she said.

A fire in Nacogdoches and Cherokee counties burned 6,554 acres of land and 2.9 million cubic feet of timber with a stumpage value of $1.5 million, Huffman said. Another fire in Grimes, Waller and Montgomery counties burned 18,960 acres of land and 20.8 million cubic feet of timber with the stumpage value of $12.8 million, she said.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches police officer is in serious condition at a Tyler hospital after police say he was hit by a drunk driver early Monday morning. Sgt. Keith Hawkins was on his way to a non-emergency call when his car was hit by a truck around 12:20 at the intersection of South and Seale streets.

Tarcisio Chan-Ramirez, 31, is charged with intoxicated assault with a vehicle and remained in the Nacogdoches County Jail on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold. Bond on the third-degree felony charge had not been set. Hawkins was taken to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital and then taken by ambulance to a Tyler hospital. He’s said to have serious injuries to his jaw and pelvis.

JACKSONVILLE – Several acres have been burned by a wildfire in the valley east of Love’s Lookout near U.S. Highway 69. A barn was also destroyed by the Sunday fire. No injuries were reported. The fire, which is contained, is said to have started from sparks from a downed power line.

KILGORE – A Kilgore wildfire, which burned around five acres, is now fully contained. The fire was reported near the intersection of Fritz Swanson Road and Rabbit Creek Drive. No word on how the fire started.

HALLSVILLE – Several fire units, along with the Texas Forest Service, have contained a fire near Hallsville. The Harrison County fire was reported around noon Sunday. The fire, said to have started when a tree limb came in contact with a power line, burned about ten acres.

TYLER – The City of Tyler wraps up its Bulky Items Week activities this week. Last week it was for home owners who have their garbage collected on Monday and Thursdays. This week it is for homeowners whose garbage is collected on Tuesday and Fridays.

The City of Tyler Solid Waste Department and Keep Tyler Beautiful sponsors the free bulky item collection for City of Tyler residential customers as a part of Fall Cleanup Weeks. Bulky items that will be picked up at no charge include: furniture, appliances, carpet, fence material, up to four noncommercial vehicle tires, old toys and other large items that would normally require a special fee. No liquid waste, limbs or brush will be picked up. Paint must be dried out with oil dry or kitty litter.

If your garbage is normally collected Tuesday and Friday, you’re asked to place your bulky items on the curb on Monday, September 26 and leave them there until they are picked up. There is no need to call the Solid Waste Office when you set out your bulky garbage. Items may be collected on a different day from your regular collection

Residents are encouraged to contact the Habitat for Humanity ReStore or Goodwill Industries before disposing of unwanted items that are in good condition. Computers and other electronics can be recycled at any Tyler Goodwill Drop Off on weekdays or at the Tyler Recycling Collection Center from Wednesday through Saturday. You can go to
http://www.tylersolidwaste.com and get more information on the bulky item collections.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 1844 north of Longview between State Highway 300 and U.S. Highway 259. Once that work is complete, the crew is scheduled to move to Farm Road 918 south of Kilgore between US 259 and State Highway 42 in Sexton City. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 839 between U.S. Highway 79 and Farm Road 1798. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform shoulder work on Ranch Road 2790 between Farm Road 753 and the end of state maintenance, an don FM 2709 between State Highway 19 and Farm Road 316. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on Farm Road 320 between West Loop 256 in Palestine and Farm Road 645. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on Farm Road 2088 between Farm Road 14 in Oak Grove and the Upshur County Line. Crews will also be at work on U.S. Highway 80 near Farm Road 1799 west of Mineola, and east of Mineola between Farm Road 2422 and Farm Road 3056. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to resume resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 13 between Troup and Price, and on Farm Road 1911 south of Alto. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

LONGVIEW — Saturday marked two years since local firefighters battling a Longview house fire discovered the body of Kelvin Muckleroy, who was shot to death. This week, defendant Toronto Eldermek Lockridge again faces a Gregg County jury.

Jury selection began at 9:00 this morning in 124th District Court for Lockridge, who faces a possible life sentence. He is charged with killing Muckleroy on September 24, 2009, then setting fire to Muckleroy’s home in the 1200 block of Chappell Street. Almost seven months ago, Judge Alfonso Charles was forced to declare a mistrial because of a jury deadlock.

Horne remains in the Gregg County Jail awaiting sentencing. Neither his attorney, Kevin Settle, nor prosecutors have said whether they are awaiting a verdict from Lockridge’s trial before sentencing Horne. Neither prosecutor nor attorney Hayward Rigano have announced any new evidence in the Lockridge case. Rigano was appointed Lockridge’s attorney in May because the defendant could no longer afford to pay for counsel. Lockridge remains in the Gregg County Jail on $285,000 bond, charged with murder, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, after authorities said he threatened a witness in the Muckleroy case. Opening statements are expected to begin at 9:00 tomorrow morning.

TYLER — East Texans supported their local veterans at the Country For Our Country benefit concert. The annual event supports the East Texas non-profit, which gives wounded warriors the tools they need to rebuild their lives. It’s the third annual fundraising event for the local nonprofit, which was held at Villa di Felicita in Tyler, sponsored by Tyler Ford. Performances included Chase and The New South, Derek Sholl and Sara Evans. The event raised an estimated $100,000.

KETK spoke with native East Texan, Andy Burnett, 25, who serves on the Country For Our Country committee. Burnett is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. He was shot by a stray bullet at the end of his deployment last year. The hit paralyzed him from the chest down. Burnett is thankful for what this organization has done for him since returning home. “It accomplishes a valuable mission,” Burnett said. “And a lot of people see me, and so it kind of puts a face on what they’re trying to do. If that’s my role to play, I’m happy to play it. And I’ve enjoyed it.”

For more on how you can give back to Country For Our Country, visit http://www.countryforourcountry.org/.

TYLER — UT Tyler hosted a fundraiser Saturday to assist those affected by the tornado in Joplin, Missouri. The event had east Texans dancing for three hours straight in the school’s rec center gym. Mission Tyler partnered with area Zumba instructors for a marathon of the Latin-dance inspired fitness class. About 60 east Texans came out to work up a sweat for a good cause. Cori Moore of Mission Tyler tells KETK the event raised about $500 on entry fees alone. Moore says the idea started after visiting Joplin on a recent mission trip. She says Saturday’s proceeds will go specifically to a single mother in Joplin who lost everything she had in the devastating tornado that struck the town in May.

“There are so many natural disasters that are occurring, it’s kind of hard to keep up with it and remember,” Moore said. “And by now, so much news has passed by, people are kind of forgetting about it. But it’s going to take years for them to restore.”

EAST TEXAS — Disaster assistance has been made available in Harrison, Smith and Upshur counties to help survivors of the historic wildfires begin the process of recovery. The three Texas counties were added Friday to the major disaster declaration, said officials with the Texas Division of Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Counties previously designated for Individual Assistance are Bastrop, Cass, Colorado, Gregg, Grimes, Houston, Leon, Marion, Montgomery, Travis, Walker, Waller and Williamson.

TSA now allows eligible Texas wildfire evacuees from Bastrop, Cass, Colorado, Gregg, Grimes, Houston, Leon, Marion, Montgomery, Travis, Walker, Waller and Williamson counties who cannot return to their homes to stay in hotels or motels until more suitable housing accommodations are available.

Homeowners, renters and businesses in the affected counties are encouraged to register with FEMA. The application process is simple, but crucial, as FEMA may provide assistance that can address specific needs. Disaster assistance may include grants that help pay for temporary housing, emergency home repairs or other serious disaster-related expenses, such as medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs that are not covered by insurance. Low-interest disaster loans may also be available from the U.S. Small Business Administration that compensate for losses incurred during the disaster that are not fully covered by insurance or other grants.

Survivors can register for assistance online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov, via smart phone at m.fema.gov or by also calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 1-800-621-3362. Operators are available by phone from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.seven days a week.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police have arrested four people in connection with an Arkansas homicide. Fantasia Williams, 25, of Longview and Jeremy M. Walker, 24, Courtney McClain, 24,(pictured) and Kimo McClain, 21, all residents of Lonoke, Arkansas, are in Gregg County Sheriff’s custody awaiting extradition. Lonoke Police Chief, Mike Wilson, said Walker was arrested for second degree murder and terrorist acts, while the McClain brothers and Williams, Kimo McClain’s girlfriend, were arrested for hiding Walker in Longview, where Williams lives. A tip led to the arrests on Friday. Walter Jones, 28, was shot in the head and killed in Lonoke September 18th. A witness reported Courtney McClain walking with a gunshot wound to the arm.

HARRISON COUNTY — Hallsville ISD and a Hallsville police officer are investigating a junior high school coach and teacher whom a parent says pushed her son to the ground, busted his lip and choked him. “Safety and security of all Hallsville students, at all times, is a primary concern in this district,” Hallsville ISD spokeswoman Carol Greer said. “We’re aware of this situation and are currently in the process of conducting an internal investigation.”

Though Hallsville ISD officials have said they do not believe there was “malicious intent” involved in the incident and the coach was apologetic, mother Diana Adkins said Friday she won’t stop fighting for justice for what happened to her son. Adkins said Hallsville Junior High School U.S. history teacher and coach Ken Wall pushed her son, 13-year-old Blake Adkins, backward to the ground during a practice Sept. 16 in which the coach and team were “horseplaying.” Wall then injured Blake’s mouth, placed his forearm on Blake’s neck causing him to choke and yelled at him, according to Diana Adkins.

LONGVIEW — A Gladewater man is free on bond after being charged with stealing DVDs from a Longview store. Rickey Bernard Gunter, 47, was charged with theft of property less than $1,500 with two or more convictions. Bond was set at $2,500. Police said Gunter was arrested at Dollar General Store in the 2300 block of Judson Road shortly before 10:00 Thursday morning after stealing two DVDs, valued at $16. Gunter had five prior convictions for theft, police said.

JACKSONVILLE — District 11 State Representative Chuck Hopson announces his bid for re-election. Hopson is based in Jacksonville. According to current redistricting maps, Hopson will represent Cherokee, Nacogdoches, and Rusk Counties; he will no longer represent Houston and Panola Counties. Hopson, a Republican, says, “My top three priorities have always been our children, our community, and our conservative values.”

GILMER — A visiting judge on Friday denied a motion to dismiss and quash an indictment against Upshur County Judge Dean Fowler. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Judge Richard Davis ruled that Fowler’s charge of official oppression will go to trial in Wood County on Oct. 11. A prosecutorial misconduct charge filed by Fowler’s lawyers against District Attorney Billy Byrd remains on the table, as well as a motion to dismiss a charge of abuse of official capacity against Fowler.

LONGVIEW — Some Upshur County Republicans believe already-indicted party Chairman Ken Ambrose could face official misconduct charges related to the upcoming primary election. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report that Republican Madaline Barber has been accepting candidate applications, acting as the party’s secretary. Barber said she is the duly-elected Republican Party Upshur County secretary. Ambrose said she is not, and that any applications accepted by her might not be valid. Ambrose has filed a complaint against Barber with the Texas Ethics Commission saying Barber is misrepresenting herself.

“Be advised that your failure to post my notice to accept candidate applications on the Upshur County Commissioner’s Court bulletin board opens you up to potential official misconduct charge(s),” Barber wrote in a letter to Ambrose, which she also provided to the News-Journal. “Furthermore, your failure to accept any applications I have received will prompt an immediate district court action against you under the new ‘Loser Pays’ law adopted by the 82nd Texas Legislature.”

Ambrose already faces charges of theft of more than $1,500 and less than $20,000 and misappropriation of fiduciary property related to using the Republican Party’s primary funds to pay for an attorney. His trial is slated to start Oct. 3 in Upshur County’s 115th District Court.

NORTHEAST TEXAS — As resources continue to demobilize, a smaller contingent of firefighters will remain in northeast Texas to monitor and mop up a number of fires as needed. The Texas Forest Service says these include the Magnolia Complex, Bear Creek, Rhonesboro, Dodson, Bowles, Johnson, Gethsemane, Angelina River Bottom, Marietta, Diana and Marshall fires — and numerous smaller fires scattered across a wide expanse. Mop up activities are expected to take several days to complete. Resources remaining include 23 engines, four 20-person hand crews, one dozer and two water tenders and three helicopters.

Officials point to cooler, breezy conditions that moved into the picture Friday. “With the fuels still extremely dry, if we get a new start, it could grow quickly. We are encouraging firefighters to be alert for rapidly changing situations and the ongoing potential for very active fire behavior,” said Incident Commander Mike Morcom. Dead and live vegetation remains dangerously dry; the public is asked to continue to use extreme caution and remember county burn bans remain in effect.

The Texas Forest Service and the local Volunteer Fire Departments are asking the public to continue to work on defensible space around their homes and property to lower risk in their community from wildfire. They suggest you take responsibility for the safety of your family and animals, and develop your evacuation plan. You can go to http://www.wildlandFireRSG.org and http://www.firewise.org for additional information on defensible space and evacuation preparedness.

Disaster Assistance and Donations

The Red Cross has arranged for local charities to access the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN) system for those needing disaster assistance. Through CAN, caseworkers have access to secure client information providing collaboration and ease of referral between agencies. Call 800-RED-CROSS for additional information.
Officials ask that you contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross for a list of agencies that are currently accepting donations.

Recovery for Displaced Livestock Winding Down

Texas Animal Health Service, AgriLIFE Marion and Cass County Extension Service offices and the Texas Department of Agriculture is phasing out of recovery operations for livestock. Contact Eddie Hayes at 903-277-3979 for additional information. For small animal recovery, contact Caroline Weddings 903-790-9012 at the Marion County Humane Society.

LONGVIEW — Permitted alcohol use at Heritage Plaza was approved Thursday. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, City Council members voted 5-1 to allow alcohol sales and consumption at the downtown park. In another move, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members will begin a months-long process Monday to set criteria for all Longview parks, after one resident suggested expanding alcohol use to Teague Park.

Don’t take a six-pack to the Heritage Plaza brown bag lunch series just yet. Organizers of the series and any event wishing to serve alcoholic beverages must obtain permits from the city and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The Longview Chamber of Commerce and the Main Street Advisory Board recommended the idea of Heritage Plaza alcohol sales to parks advisory board members two months ago. On Aug. 22, the parks board unanimously recommended the ordinance change to the City Council.

TYLER — A heated meeting Thursday night in Tyler. KETK reports the debate comes during the worst wildfire season East Texas has ever seen. Awhile back, the Smith County Emergency Services District no. 2 board decided to cut property taxes. Since then, firefighters have been fighting for cash. The meeting featured testy exchanges between firefighters and the ESD Board. One involved the Flint-Gresham Fire Department, which claims it doesn’t even have the proper wild-land gear to fight wildfires.

Another heated moment came when the board tabled a fuel reimbursement request by Jackson Heights. The reason? Members from Jackson Heights couldn’t come to the meeting because they were fighting a fire. The board questioned why the fuel bill was 5 times more expensive than in previous months. Firefighters protested that Jackson Heights has seen the worst of the East Texas fires. Soon before the meeting ended, Jackson Heights firefighters returned from the blaze they’d been battling. The board tried to adjourn, but the firefighters objected. Jackson heights explained its fuel request and finally got its reimbursement.

KETK did speak with board member Sharon Guthrie, who said the board is there to make sure taxpayers’ money is spent wisely. In press materials issued earlier, Guthrie said the board has over $1.3 million in reserve for necessary or emergency expenditures. She claimed there is absolutely no danger of running out of tax funds to fight fires. Guthrie added that the board appreciates and values the work the firefighters are doing.

DALLAS — An investigation into a fatal stabbing of a former Jacksonville resident is underway. Jacksonville native Shearl Bennett was fatally stabbed after attending a church service at Pilgrim’s West Baptist Church in Dallas on Wednesday night. Bennett, 50, had driven home from the service and was walking toward her condominium from her vehicle when the attacker struck. A neighbor said Bennett crawled to an area near her door before she died. Officers responded to calls before 10:30 p.m. Investigators said they did not believe Bennett knew the attackers. Bennett’s purse was not located near the body.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Zavalla man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly showing a homemade sex tape to a 6-year-old girl. Matthew Fuller, 31 was taken into custody Wednesday on state jail felony endangering a child, according to an arrest affidavit. The child’s mother contacted the Angelina County Sheriff’s Office to report Fuller on Aug. 29. The same day, the child told her mother Fuller asked her sit in his lap and then showed her a video on the computer of a sexual act. After he made her watch it, the girl said Fuller then told her to go play and closed out of the video, according to the affidavit. In a forensic interview with Harold’s House, the girl told the same story of what happened and described a homemade sex video featuring people she knows.

According the affidavit, he put the girl in imminent danger of mental impairment by showing her the video. He was booked into the Angelina County Jail Wednesday and released the same day on a $5,000 bond. If convicted, he faces up to two years in state jail, served day for day.

LUFKIN – An Angelina County man has been arrested after he allegedly showed a six year old girl a homemade sex tape. Currently free on a $5,000 bond is Matthew Fuller, 31,of Zavalla. He has been charged with endangering a child, a state jail felony. The girl told authorities Fuller asked her sit in his lap and then showed her a video on the computer of a sexual act, which featured people she knew.