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LONGVIEW – An Arkansas teenager is arrested in Longview after allegedly attacking a pharmacist. Taken into custody Wednesday was Johnny Cooper, 18, of Spiro, Arkansas. Longview police say the teen entered the Walgreen’s Pharmacy in the 500 block of Marshall Avenue around 3:00am. He is said to have had a long, narrow object wrapped in clothing, which he claimed was a gun. He is said to have demanded pain medication, and then leaped over the counter. He is said to have placed the object against the employee’s neck. The clerk was able to subdue him and held him on the floor until officers arrived.

MARSHALL — A Gregg County man has been sentenced to federal prison for firearms violations. Michael Shane Donald, 42, of Kilgore, pleaded guilty on last November to being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced yesterday to 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge T. John Ward.

According to federal prosecutors, on May 24, 2010, Donald was found to be in possession of a sawed-off shotgun with an obliterated serial number in Upshur County, Texas. Further investigation revealed Donald was a convicted felon, having been found guilty of assault, family violence in 2004 in Upshur County. Convicted felons are prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Donald was indicted by a federal grand jury last July and charged with federal firearms violations.

LINDALE — A fire just north of Lindale has destroyed two abandoned houses. It was reported around 9:30 Wednesday night on County Road 432. Firemen from 5 separate departments were able to extinguish the flames and to keep it from spreading to the nearby Mea Nursery. No injuries were reported and the cause remains under investigation.

LONGVIEW — Lane closures are scheduled to begin Friday for the Reel Road widening project between Gilmer Road and Knobcrest Drive. The purpose of the project is to widen the section of road from two lanes to four lanes. Traffic will be limited to eastbound only from Knobcrest to Gilmer Road. Westbound traffic will be detoured through Regal Oak Drive. The closure will be effective through the summer.

This project was approved by voters as part of the Capital Improvements Bond Election in May 2007. It is being constructed by East Texas Bridge of Longview.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler will begin testing its outdoor emergency warning system at 11:05 a.m. on the first Tuesday of every month, Peyton Low, emergency management coordinator, announced. The change was made at the request of the City of Tyler in an effort to avoid confusion for residents who live near UT Tyler. The monthly test will still consist of a voice announcement, followed by a series of tones and conclude with another voice announcement. UT Tyler formerly tested its outdoor warning system at 4 p.m. on the first Friday of every month.

The outdoor warning system is activated for any threat that directly impacts the safety of the campus community, and is separate from the City of Tyler’s system. Potential reasons for activation include weather emergencies and other emergencies (law enforcement threat, hazardous materials release, or other dangerous situations). The only other time the system will be activated is for the monthly test or other announced tests. You can visit http://www.uttyler.edu/emergency/ for more information about UT Tyler’s emergency management efforts.

TYLER — The local homeless coalition known as Gateway to Hope joins the Texas Homeless Network, along with other local agencies and interested parties, in conducting a Homeless Survey Thursday in a continuing effort to address the homelessness issues facing community members in Smith County and throughout the state.

“We will be carrying out this survey and count on the same day as other agencies all over Texas,” said Christina Fulsom, Gateway to Hope Steering Committee member. “The survey will result in a comprehensive report on the number of homeless persons – sheltered and unsheltered – in our community; demographics, reasons for becoming and remaining homeless, educational attainment, employment status, health care needs, and other factors will be collected. We have to truly understand the scope of the problem in order to improve our ability to plan and implement effective housing and service programs. The same survey was conducted in January of 2010 – 306 homeless individuals, 68 of them children, were identified in Tyler, there were many others we did not find that night.”

Fulsom says the coalition needs at least 50 volunteers to make this a successful study. “Anyone who shares our commitment to helping the homeless of Smith County is encouraged to volunteer. We will provide you with training on the night of the survey. Every team will be led by an experienced team leader.” Volunteers will meet at 3 p.m. on Thursday. After a brief training and a light meal, volunteer teams will disperse throughout the County and count and survey individuals living on the street and in shelters from 5-7:30 pm.” To register to volunteer, you can visit the PATH website at http://www.pathhelps.org or call Chanta Willis at 903.597.4044 x112.

Fulsom added, “It is also very important that homeless individuals know we are coming out to visit them that night. Those meeting HUD’s definition of homeless are encouraged to come to the following Soup Kitchens: Good Samaritan, Loaves and Fishes, and The Salvation Army. Those staying in shelters will be surveyed in the shelter. Shelters participating include the Salvation Army and the East Texas Crisis Center.”

MARSHALL — A 43-year-old Karnack, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for distributing cocaine. Rodney Kirk Jenkins pleaded guilty last November to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. He was sentenced yesterday to 60 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge T. John Ward.

According to information presented in court, from 2007 through April of 2010, Jenkins and other co-defendants are responsible for the distribution of 500 grams or more of crack cocaine in the Eastern District of Texas, and maintaining a place in Harrison County in order to produce large quantities of crack cocaine for distribution. Jenkins was indicted by a federal grand jury last August.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — East Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert says there were a few issues he found problematic in the State of the Union Address — mainly President Obama’s long-range push for clean energy initiatives. Gohmert says the world is desperate for gasoline and that oil companies will take advantage — selling the fuel in other places, such as Asia, Africa, and South America. According to KETK, Gohmert says that would drive the price of gasoline up to 5, 6, even 7 dollars a gallon — and that the working poor would be among those most affected. Two-thirds of the nation’s refined gasoline is produced in Texas.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council heard a presentation Wednesday on the creation of the Medical District and Tyler Junior College Area Development Plan. City officials say the plan is an outgrowth of the Tyler 21 Comprehensive Plan and the Industry Growth Initiative (IGI). According to officials, the plan will help guide the future development of the area. The planning area encompasses approximately 1,062 acres surrounding the medical district and the Tyler Junior College campus contained in the boundaries of Front Street and Broadway Avenue to Fifth Street and Old Omen Road.

City officials say, “The objective of the IGI is to pinpoint the industries that make the most sense to focus resources on given Tyler’s unique characteristics so we may foster an Innovation Economy and take the Tyler region into the next 20 years of economic prosperity and growth.” According to city press materials, the healthcare sector supports more than 25,000 jobs in the Tyler region, making it Tyler’s largest industry in terms of employment and economic impact. Officials say launching an area development plan for the medical district is one of the first steps the City of Tyler is taking to help foster growth in this industry.

“The IGI identified the medical industry as a key opportunity for Tyler’s economic future,” said Mayor Barbara Bass. “Developing a plan for how the district should look, how people will find their way around, how traffic will move and how land will be used are all important to continuing to grow this industry that is Tyler’s largest employment sector.”

City staff has created a project schedule and met with Tyler Junior College, East Texas Medical Center and Trinity Mother Frances to share preliminary data. Officials say city staff will soon begin seeking the input of stakeholders, students and area residents. The stated goal of the Plan is to consider the impact on future land use, infrastructure and pedestrian connections within the areas. The scope of the area development plan will include the following elements:

* Public/stakeholder involvement;
* Land use/zoning;
* Transportation/pedestrian connections; and,
* Environmental/aesthetic design issues.

The plan is scheduled to take approximately 11 months to complete, with a final draft scheduled to be presented to the City Council in December 2011.

GILMER — A district court judge will be fulfilling some of the duties left behind by Upshur County Judge Dean Fowler after he was suspended. Fowler was suspended after he was indicted on an official oppression charge, causing a backlog of cases to pile up and forcing the county to take action. Precinct One Commissioner James Crittenden has taken over Fowler’s responsibilities during commissioners’ court meetings while Fowler is suspended.

TYLER — At the City Council meeting Wednesday morning, City Manager Mark McDaniel announced the appointment of Tyler’s new fire chief, Tim Johnson. Johnson has served the Tyler Fire Department for nearly 30 years.

He began his firefighting career in 1981 and progressed through the ranks of firefighter, driver, captain, senior captain, and district chief. He has also served as chairman of the firefighter’s pension fund for the last 17 years.

Johnson was promoted to Fire District Chief in 2008, holds a Master Certification through the Texas Fire Commission, and has earned ten certifications in firefighting, including: Instructor Certificate, Hazardous Materials, Technical Rope Rescue, Extrication, High Angle Rescue, Confined Space, Incident Command, Incident Management, and Hurex/Hurricane Training. In addition to Johnson’s experience as a firefighter, he has served as the Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Mabank for six years, been on the Mabank City Council, serves on the Mabank Economic Development Corporation, and served on the Mabank School Board.

TYLER — There was a lot to celebrate as Heart of Tyler held its annual meeting. The Downtown Revitalization Group looked ahead to several projects in the works, from the new sheriff’s office and Spring Street Plaza — that’s the project planned for the site of a devastating fire — to a new downtown Brookshire’s and a renovation of the old Elks’ Lodge building. The organization’s Brick Street Award went to AT&T for it’s long time support — most recently, a generous grant to support downtown arts.

TYLER — Smith County Commissioners are again looking to expand the Smith County Jail. The expansion plan carries a $33 million price tag and would increase the county’s inmate occupancy level from 755 to more than 1,100. According to officials, the goal is to reduce numbers at the jail. Officials are hosting a town-hall style meeting February 10th at the Smith County Courthouse.

TYLER — A Tyler man found guilty of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend and sexually assaulting her is sentenced to life in prison. Elasko Thomas, 37, was sentenced Thursday morning in a Smith County courtroom. The victim reportedly came home to tell Thomas to leave her and her parents alone. That’s when Thomas reportedly kidnapped her, beat her and sexually assaulted her twice. In testimony Tuesday, the victim’s parents said Thomas told them “something bad” was going to happen when he found their daughter.

TYLER – A suspect in the Sunday night robbery of the Exxon Corner Market on Lake Placid Road has been arrested. Taken into custody Tuesday, without incident, was Clance Nelson, 31, of Tyler.

He was identified as the suspect after the robbery video was aired Monday night. Several tips were called in to police identifying Nelson as the suspect. He was currently wanted for a parole violation and Tyler police have added the robbery charge against him. Nelson’s bond was set at $100,000.

SULPHUR SPRINGS – A prisoner in the Hopkins County jail is in a Tyler hospital, possibly suffering from a brain aneurysm. The 38 year old unidentified man complained numbness in his feet and hands. After being checked out by EMS, and it was determined he was gravely ill, the man was flown to Mother Francis Hospital. At last report he was on life support.

NACOGDOCHES — An East Texas company preparing to employ more than 200 refugees. But there are still a lot of unanswered questions about how it’s going to work. Pilgrim’s Pride in Nacogdoches has 4,000 employees, but it still needs about 400 more. According to Pilgrim’s, after advertising for two years, the company still couldn’t fill the empty slots. The refugees being hired are from Burma, also known as Myanmar, the second poorest country in the world. Currently workers and their families are living in Houston, getting ready for the Nacogdoches transition.

Work at Pilgrim’s Pride means a paycheck, plus benefits. Company officials say the workers will have the same responsibilities as others in the U.S., including taxes and rent. City officials say the children will go to public schools and families will live in a closed nursing home. There are no Burmese translators right now for the company, But Pilgrim’s is confident it will find one. As for the children, most don’t have birth certificates, making it difficult to determine in exactly which grade in school they’ll be enrolled.

TYLER – Officials with Carter BloodCare say they’re experiencing a severe shortage of two blood types. According to officials, the current inventory of blood types O negative and B negative is significantly less than the preferred supply for the area. Carter is strongly urging all able and eligible donors with these two blood types to make an appointment to give blood within the next couple of days. Persons with O negative blood make up only seven percent of the general population, while those with B negative are a mere two percent.

Carter BloodCare supplies the majority of trauma centers in the East Texas area. Type O negative blood is commonly used for emergencies because any patient can receive it until his or her own type is known. Carter BloodCare says it wants to ensure that blood types O negative and B negative are available for area patients, should the need arise.

Potential blood donors must be at least 16 years old with a parent’s consent, and 17-year-olds may donate independently. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health. Photo ID is required. There is no upper age limit for donors, and most medications do not interfere with donor eligibility. For more information or to make an appointment to give blood, visit http://www.carterbloodcare.org or call 1-800-DONATE-4.

TYLER – A suspect in the Sunday night robbery of the Exxon Corner Market on Lake Placid Road has been arrested. Taken into custody Tuesday, without incident, was Clance Nelson, 31, of Tyler.

He was identified as the suspect after the robbery video was aired Monday night. Several tips were called in to police identifying Nelson as the suspect. He was currently wanted for a parole violation and Tyler police have added the robbery charge against him. Nelson’s bond was set at $100,000.

LONGVIEW – A man accused of shooting his wife, who was a Longview police officer, remains free on bond — but there are some conditions to his release. Harry Goodan was released from jail Tuesday on a $75,000 bond. His bond had been $500,000, but was lowered to $75,000 earlier this month.

Among the release conditions: Goodan must be at his home between 7:00pm and 6:00am. He could leave during that time if the pre-trial services gives him permission. There will also be an electronic monitoring device installed at his home. Once a week, he will have to report to pre-trial services.

Last month, Longview officers were dispatched to the 2100 block of Tryon Road. They found Longview Police Officer Jamie “Ellyn” Goodan, 38, dead from a gunshot wound. Her husband, Harry was later charged with murder. Mr. Goodan was also employed by the Police Department as the 911 Communications Administrator.

GILMER — A state district judge has approved a $5.5 million out-of-court settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the mother and stepfather of a 6-year-old Union Grove boy killed in a two-vehicle crash nearly a year ago. Melody Croley and her husband, Jerry D. Croley, received the settlement in connection with the death of Nathan Connor Croley, who was a first-grader at Union Grove Elementary School. Authorities say he died instantly. Defendants had been Talley Rents L.L.C., and the driver of its commercial van, Judson William Maurer of Longview. Part of the settlement compensates Clinton Richey, Melody Croley’s 17-year-old son from a prior marriage, and her husband for injuries suffered in the January 29, 2010, wreck.

QUITMAN — A retrial is ordered in the case of Ty Jordan Evans, 19, charged with murder in the death of Anna Marie Moore, 24, of Winnsboro. Evans’ first trial ended with a hung jury Friday. Jurors had deliberated about six hours. Evans was accused of killing Moore in a drive-by shooting May 9. He is the first of two people to face charges in Moore’s death, which took place at her home near Winnsboro Middle School. Evans’ brother, Demarcus Hearn, also faces charges in Moore’s death as the driver of the car from which shots were fired. Moore was shot in the head as she sat on her couch. No date has been set for the retrial.

QUITMAN — Accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound has been ruled as the cause of death in the case of Loren Wayne Saunders, 16, of Alba. Officials said at approximately 1:33 a.m. January 18th, a dispatcher received a 911 call from Loren Wayne Saunders’ father, reporting his son had been shot and he was doing CPR on him. When officers arrived at Chaney Point RV Park east of Alba they found the teenager was already dead. He was lying on the floor of the two-room cabin and had a gunshot wound to his chest from a .22 caliber revolver.

Sheriff’s Department Investigator William Burge said the accidental ruling was “based on interviews we conducted with his father, his friends, the community and on evidence from SWIFTS.” SWIFTS is the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, which called the investigator with information from the autopsy.

Burge said Saunders lived at the home with his father and that Saunders had had the gun for a while and his father had told him that Loren was never to take it without his permission, “but we know he did on more than one occasion.” As far as why Saunders would have been handling a gun at 1:30 a.m., Burge said the investigation had revealed his fascination with firearms, and unsafe handling of the gun was described by his father.

Saunders was a sophomore at Alba-Golden High School.

TYLER — A continuance has been granted in the case against Tyler dentist Charles Edward Robinson. The 53 year old Robinson is accused of secretly videotaping a 40-year-old woman and her 15-year-old daughter for the past 3 years. Robinson was in court yesterday when both the defense and the prosecution requested a continuance. A tentative court date was set for February 14th.

Following Robinson’s arrest last month, Sheriff J.B. Smith said cameras were found inside the woman’s home after she called deputies. They say they were focused in both the bedrooms and bathrooms of the woman and her daughter, who rented from Robinson. Robinson has been charged with possession of child pornography, a third-degree felony, and improper visual recording, which is a state jail felony.

NACOGDOCHES — A car-motorcycle near Nacogdoches has left one person dead. Killed was the motorcyclist, Jesus Lopez, 44, of Nacogdoches. He died when a car turned in front of him and he hit the car head-on. The car’s driver, Emory Fields III, of Shreveport, was cited for failure to yield the right of way. Information on the wreck will be presented to a Nacogdoches County grand jury for possible additional charges.

The accident happened Monday morning on State Highway 7 east. Before the wreckage could be cleared, an empty logging truck driven by Matthew Calloway, 29, of Center crashed into the wreckage.

TYLER – A continuance has been granted in the case against a Tyler dentist accused of illegally taping a mother and daughter. 53-year-old Charles Edward Robinson was arrested in December. KETK reports he was in court Monday, and both the defense and prosecution asked for a continuance. A tentative court date of February 14 has been set.

TYLER – The Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) unveils a transformation of its identity with a new brand. Officials say that the brand supports the recent improved appearance of the health district’s facilities at 815 North Broadway in Tyler, as well as the WIC clinics located in Canton and Jacksonville. Officials add that the logo “was designed to better emphasize the protection that NET Health provides for the health of our community.” According to press materials, NET Health underwent renovations in 2009 – 2010 to allow for an expansion of its services, allow for more security and privacy for clients, and provide a much needed cosmetic improvement for the building. Officials say the renovation initiated the apparent need for a “new look” for the District.

“We have worked diligently to transform NET Health into an organization that the community can rely on for credible public health information and services. With our improved facility, new logo and new name, it is our hope that this image reflects who we are and that we serve the Northeast Texas community to the highest standard,” says George Roberts, NET Health Chief Executive Officer.

According to Roberts, the new NET Health logo star represents Texas, and the shield relates to the protection function that Public Health serves daily. In addition to the new logo, NET Health’s identity now includes an abbreviated version of the name Northeast Texas Public Health District. The redesign is a departure from the previous logo, which was a blue State of Texas with the name Northeast Texas Public Health District circled around. “The NET Health Board and Leadership team are excited about the change and what this means for the future of our organization.” says Jim Hartung, NET Health, Board Chair.

The organization’s new website — http://www.healthyeasttx.org — has already gone live with the new logo. NET Health will now start changing the logo on facilities, vehicles, and educational materials in a transition that is expected to take about 6 months.

TYLER — The Heart of Tyler will celebrate downtown revitalization advances that occurred in the past year at the organization’s annual meeting tonight from 6:00 to 8:00 at Gallery Main Street, 110 West Erwin. The non-profit organization, which also serves as an advisory board to the City of Tyler, will hold a special program at 7 p.m. to elect new board members and detail accomplishments of 2010 and plans for 2011.

Current board members who have been nominated for second terms are Casey Brownlow of Brownlow and Sons and Patrice Stine, Pillsbury GMAC / Venue Properties. Those nominated for first terms as board members are Russell Cooper, Brookshire Grocery Company; Scott Frazier, cue:creative; Bill Newburn, Regions Bank; and Shane Rohrbach, CPA, Gollob Morgan Peddy. A highlight of the evening will be presentation of the Brick Award for outstanding support of downtown revitalization. Last year’s recipient was Ron Mabry.

Board President Ingrid Young said that numerous information boards about upcoming downtown revitalization projects will be on display throughout the gallery. The public is invited to the event; RSVPs are recommended. RSVPs can be made by sending an email to [email protected] or calling 903-593-6905.

TYLER — The South Tyler Rotary Monday presented six $1,000 checks to the Salvation Army, Azleway, CASA, Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, and the East Texas Crisis Center. The Annual Spaghetti supper is the event that raised the funds for these and several other organizations. The event has been in existence for approximately two decades. The majority of the funds from the event are donated back to the local community, and a small portion of the funds were donated towards a water well filter program abroad. “This is one of several events that the South Tyler Rotary participates in which upholds our motto, ‘Service Above Self’; the entire South Tyler Rotary is involved in this event,” said Tom DeWitt, President of the South Tyler Rotary. “We are proud to be able to donate these funds back to so many local organizations.”

WHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse Head Football Coach Randy McFarlin is out of the hospital, and back home with his family. Coach McFarlin has been recovering from a serious car accident that happened November 28th. McFarlin, who was driving back from Daingerfield to Whitehouse when the accident occurred, was airlifted to East Texas Medical Center in Tyler for emergency surgery and then to the Intensive Care Unit. He suffered multiple internal injuries, fractured ribs, and a fractured pelvis. Coach McFarlin, his wife, their son Craig and his fiancee’ were involved in the head-on collision.