CADDO MILLS (AP) It was raining marijuana in a rural area of east Texas. Hunt County Under-sheriff Joe Knight says rural homeowners near Greenville reported hearing duffel bags filled with what appeared to be marijuana thud onto their roofs early Monday.
Knight said his department was advised about 5:30 Monday morning to watch for a low-flying aircraft. A single-engine plane was found abandoned in a field beside a runway at Caddo Mills Municipal Airport about two hours later.
No injuries or damage was reported. Knight said the public has turned in four black nylon duffel bags filled with what appeared to be high-grade, hydroponic marijuana. Deputies found two other bags of pot in the plane.
A man is in custody for questioning, but no charges have been filed in the case.
CANTON In an effort to help authorities fight nuisance crimes such as the theft or destruction of road signs, Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers is offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of people involved in these crimes. The group is offering a $100 reward per tip, plus $50 for each sign that is recovered from the thief or thieves. To qualify for the reward, anyone with information about sign-related crimes can call Van Zandt County Crime Stoppers at 903-567-STOP (567-7867) and give that information without identifying themselves. Once an arrest is made, the caller will be able to collect their Crime Stoppers reward.
TYLER Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Whites wife, Andrea, is talking up her husbands trip to East Texas this week. Mrs. White says the campaign is going well, but her husband is still trying to introduce himself to Texans. She says, A lot of people still havent heard of him, so thats one reason hes working so hard but then, he works hard all the time. Mrs. White is also promoting Expectation Graduation a program Bill White started in his hometown of Houston, where he once served as mayor. The object is to get kids to re-enroll in school. Mrs. White explains that in September, project workers go door-to-door and ask kids who have dropped out to consider returning. So far, she says, the program has gotten over 8,000 Houston-area kids back in school and has now spread to other towns. 
REDLAND The DeSoto-based American Indian Cultural Society remembered the Battle of the Neches during a weekend ceremony in Van Zandt Countys Redland community. The pivotal battle spurred the wholesale exodus of Native Americans from Texas in 1839. Key event organizer Eagle Douglas says theres a renewed emphasis on maintaining the land where the battle ended which the society now owns, and where the ceremony is held each July. The land needs to be self-sufficient so the history that is here can go on to future generations, says Douglas. The societys also working to add some new touches, possibly a library, a visiting center, and a wellness center, according to Douglas. For more information or to learn how you can help, you can contact Douglas at 
TYLER — The countdown begins to the 77th Texas Rose Festival, October 14-16. At a celebration over the weekend, festival organizers thanked the corporate sponsors and 800-plus volunteers. It’s been a summer of dress rehearsals and other preparations, and Rose Queen Mary-Lawson Bracken Walden told what she’s liked the most about it all. She cited “getting to learn more about my heritage in Tyler and just learning more about the community and being able to help out.” That said, all the work has kept Mary-Lawson plenty busy. She remarks, “When I got asked and I accepted, I was very excited, and I knew it was gonna be a lot, but it’s a lot more than a lot — but it’s fun.”
TYLER (AP/STAFF) A Smith County jury has convicted and delivered a life sentence against a man accused of being part of an alleged swinger’s club that used children as performers. The panel decided within a half hour Thursday that Dennis Pittman, 47, will serve at least 15 years of his prison sentence before he becomes eligible for parole. Pittman had been found guilty earlier in the day of engaging in organized criminal activity. The jury deliberated about 1 hours before convicting Pittman, who was the fourth of six defendants to be tried in the so-called Mineola child sex ring. Pittmans defense will file a motion for a new trial. In June, an appeals court overturned convictions of two other men. New trials were ordered for Patrick Booger Red Kelly and Jamie Pittman.