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REDLAND — The DeSoto-based American Indian Cultural Society remembered the Battle of the Neches during a weekend ceremony in Van Zandt County’s Redland community. The pivotal battle spurred the wholesale exodus of Native Americans from Texas in 1839. Key event organizer Eagle Douglas says there’s 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 society’s 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 NDN1839@gmail.com or 214-914-1516.

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.”

The festival theme is “Tapestry of Blessings.” Tickets to various festival events will be available to the general public September 1, and a donation lets you place an advance ticket order starting in August. For more ticket information, call (903) 597-3130, ext. 11. You can also go to http://www.texasrosefestival.com to learn more.

TYLER — One suspect is in custody after a residential break-in. It happened just before 6:00 Sunday morning. Authorities say the homeowner notified authorities that he had a burglary suspect held at gunpoint. Eric Gossett Jr., 22, Tyler, was arrested at the scene.

TYLER — A Tyler man was arrested after several businesses were broken into. It happened around 5:00 yesterday morning on the 1000 block of Baxter. Police say they were called after a suspicious vehicle was reported. Upon investigation, officer found that Living Alternative at 1009 S. Baxter, and Crisis Pregnancy at 1003 S. Baxter had been broken into and items removed. Authorities also discovered the car use in the burglaries was stolen. Jason Thomas, 32, was arrested and charged with theft of a vehicle, and two offenses of commercial burglary.

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 1½ hours before convicting Pittman, who was the fourth of six defendants to be tried in the so-called Mineola child sex ring. Pittman’s 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.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — Facts of a case, brought up at a bond reduction hearing last month, have led to a “no bill” for one Hemphill man. Gerald Thomas, 49, will no longer face a murder charge after allegedly shooting and killing Tore Ratcliff in May. According to KETK, facts of the case, brought up at a bond reduction hearing last month, led to a “no bill” finding by a grand jury. Testimony appeared to have pointed at self-defense.

TYLER — A judge in Tyler has sequestered the jury in the trial of a man accused of being part of an alleged swinger’s club using children. Defense testimony was expected to wrap up today in the aggravated sexual assault trial of 47-year-old Dennis Boyd Pittman.

Judge Jack Skeen Jr. on Wednesday granted a prosecution motion to sequester the jury, over concerns about media coverage and testimony outside the presence of jurors. Defense attorney Jason Cassel questioned the foster parents of three siblings who were alleged to be the victims in the so-called Mineola child sex ring. An appeals court in June overturned the convictions of two other men. New trials were ordered for Patrick “Booger Red” Kelly and Jamie Pittman.

HENDERSON — It’s now against the law to drink alcohol on any Rusk County property. Among the areas affected, according to KETK: the county’s airport and youth expo center. Officials say the move’s specifically designed to keep people from bringing alcoholic beverages in coolers.

KILGORE — A powered wheelchair is reportedly stolen from a Vietnam Veteran at Brookshires in Kilgore. According to KETK, Fred Niles says he went into the store for about an hour and when he came back, his handicap walker was gone. Security tapes show a man in his 50’s swapped the stores power chair with Niles’, then loading it into an SUV.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP/Staff) – Cast iron pipe manufacturer McWane Inc. has agreed to pay $4 million in civil penalties and spend $9.1 million to protect communities near its plants in 14 states in a settlement with federal environmental regulators. McWane is the parent company of Tyler Pipe. The Environmental Protection Agency said the settlement with Alabama’s McWane resolves more than 400 violations of air and water quality standards at 28 plants. The EPA statement Wednesday said McWane already has spent more than $7.6 million on corrective measures. The company previously paid more than $25 million in criminal fines and penalties for environmental violations. In Birmingham, McWane President Ruffner Page Jr. said the settlement marks the beginning of the final chapter in its effort to be in full compliance with environmental standards.

TYLER – The Smith County Commissioners Court will hold a meeting Tuesday at 3:00 to talk about new plans to renovate and expand the Smith County Jail. There is a chance the court will vote on a new design plan for the jail without needing to put it on the ballot. This is called certification of obligation. According to KETK, the latest design plans come from Smith County Commissioner Jeff Warr, with a $33 million dollar price tag at a time when the court is trying to balance the budget. For the past few years, inmates have been shipped to nearby county jails to alleviate the Smith County Jail’s overcrowding problems. But transportation and housing has cost tax payers millions since 2004 and the court is trying to decide if the new plan saves more money.

AUSTIN — Lt. Governor David Dewhurst has announced changes to Senate Committee assignments for the 81st Legislature, including eight committee chairmanships, in order to allow the members to prepare for the upcoming 82nd Legislative Session. Among the changes announced Wednesday, State Senator Kevin Eltife of Tyler was named chairman of the Administration Committee, and Senator Bob Deuell of Greenville was named chairman of the Nominations Committee.

“With some changes in Senate membership, we saw an opportunity to re-align senators’ individual expertise and priorities with the several committees,” said Lt. Governor Dewhurst. “I appreciate the hard work and dedication of all the 31 fine members of the Texas Senate. Each is deeply committed to ensuring a bright future for the people they represent in their respective districts and all 25 million Texans.”

TYLER — Rusk County District Attorney Micheal Jimerson is recovering at Tyler’s Mother Francis Hospital following emergency brain surgery. Jimerson had been complaining of headaches for about a week. After the emergency room staff at Henderson’s East Texas Medical Center found swelling in his brain, Jimerson was rushed to Tyler for Wednesday’s surgery. According to a news release, he is expected to make a full recovery.

TEXARKANA (AP) — Texas prosecutors aren’t seeking the death penalty for a woman accused of starving and beating her 13-year-old adopted son to death last year. Cass County District Attorney Clint Allen said Tuesday there was a great deal of deliberation before the decision was made to take the punishment off the table in the case of Cynthia Hudson, of Queen City.

Cynthia Hudson is charged with capital murder in the December 2008 death of Samuel Hudson and now faces life without parole if convicted. Law enforcement and child welfare officials say Samuel Hudson was beaten with a broom handle, a rake and other items, and that his hands and feet were bound with large plastic zip ties.

Hudson’s attorney couldn’t be reached for comment on Wednesday.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Partnership received five First Place Awards in a statewide Festival and Events competition held by the Texas Festival and Events Association (TFEA). The Longview Partnership received 1st Place for the Best Event Program, Best TV Promotion, and Best Event Invitation for the East TX Boat, RV, & Camping Expo in the $75,000 and under budget category. AlleyFest also brought home two 1st Place Awards for Best TV Promotion and Best Outdoor Billboard in the $75,000 – $250,000 budget category.

“We’d like to share this award with our collaboration partners Media Quest, who developed the East Texas Boat, RV & Camping Expo marketing materials, as well as Longview Cable TV for the AlleyFest TV commercial and Forbes & Butler/Lamar Advertising for the AlleyFest billboards. The Longview Partnership is honored that the Texas Festival and Events Association has recognized two of our major events,” said Longview Partnership Chairperson Jim Kendrick. Kendrick also singled out “two of our staff members who coordinate these events: Mitzi Barnes for the East Texas Boat, RV & Camping Expo which is held in January of each year — and Elaine Reynolds for AlleyFest, which is held in the first full weekend in June of each year.”

Every year, the Texas Festival & Events Association (TFEA), presents awards for excellence to festivals and events across the state at their Annual Conference. The awards are intended to create a benchmark for other festival and event organizers with similar budgets; the contest spotlights outstanding marketing programs statewide. All entries were critiqued by a professional panel of marketing experts with the International Festival & Events Association based out of Boise, Idaho.