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LONGVIEW – The U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship will be coming to Longview beginning in 2012 and continuing through 2014. The announcement was made by the Balloon Federation of America’s Hot Air Competition Division. A news release from the organization said Longview was selected from a field of four that had expressed interest in the host role of this prestigious event. The three-year agreement was ratified by both organizations earlier this week.

“The selection of Longview and the GTBR took a great deal of dedicated work by the staffs of both organizations,” said Paul Petrehn, Chairman of the BFA HACD, “but we knew going in to expect an excellent bid package from Dr. Bill Bussey and the people of Longview. The GTBR enjoys an outstanding reputation as a top-flight competition event. The opportunity to couple these two events was not to be missed,” added Petrehn. “Both pilots and spectators alike will be treated to an unprecedented showing of the very best competition our sport has to offer.”

For spectators in East Texas, the BFA U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship presented by Curves and the Great Texas Balloon Race will mean more balloons flying overhead for longer than ever before. A total of 70 or more balloons will color the summer skies above Longview for an entire week, beginning on Monday morning and continuing through the following Sunday. Those pilots will be competing for a total prize purse of $50,000 and the opportunity to go on to represent the U.S. in World Champion competition. The dates for the 2012 event are July 23 – 29th.

Longview’s first balloonist and founder of the Great Texas Balloon Race, Dr. Bill Bussey says he can’t wait. “We’re thrilled with the decision of the BFA on a number of levels,” said Bussey. “It validates the many years of hard work of the countless volunteers who have strived to build the Great Texas Balloon Race into one of the best events in the country. This opportunity also allows us to bring to the citizens of Longview and East Texas an even bigger and better show than ever before,” he said.

“Of course none of it would be possible without the unparalleled sponsorship of the many fine businesses and service organizations, like our title sponsor Curves International, that support ballooning and the Great Texas Balloon Race year in and year out. It’s like the Mercury astronauts used to say, ‘No bucks. No Buck Rogers,’” added Bussey. “This year marks the 33rd Annual Great Texas Balloon Race and that longevity is testament to the pride of community and quality of life that we enjoy here in Longview and throughout East Texas,” Bussey said.

TYLER — A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) office is opening in Tyler. The announcement was made at a reception yesterday by John Bales, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas and Department of Homeland Security Special Agent in Charge John Chakwin Jr. The Tyler ICE HSI Office is located in the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 110 North College in downtown Tyler. Authorities say ICE HSI is dedicated to protecting homeland security by enforcing the nation’s immigration and customs laws. Until now, the closest ICE HSI special agents were housed in the Dallas area and required to make a 200-mile round trip to work on Tyler-area cases.

The ICE HSI special agents at the Tyler office will be investigating a range of immigration and law enforcement responsibilities. Those include worksite enforcement, intellectual property rights, human smuggling and human trafficking, money laundering, child pornography and sexual exploitation crimes against children, drug trafficking, and many others. To report suspicious activity, the public is encouraged to call the ICE toll-free number — 1-866-347-2423.

TYLER — Tyler police continue their investigation of a home invasion in which one of the victims is a local deputy constable. On Thursday at 6:30 a.m., Tyler Police responded to the Wood Trail Apartments at 1909 Shiloh Rd. apartment # 118, on a report of a home invasion with shots fired. Officers arrived on the scene of the incident, found a suspect shot in the upper chest inside the apartment, and were told that a second suspect had run away on foot. Officers contacted two victims who were inside the apartment who were identified as Amie Hall and her friend Derek Phillips. Phillips is a Smith County Deputy Constable for Pct. 1 and shot the suspect inside the apartment.

The suspect who was shot was transported to East Texas Medical Center and underwent surgery. He was identified as Matthew Dwayne Patton, 22, of Tyler. The suspect who got away was spotted walking down the road at 7:25 a.m. by K-9 Officer Steve Black at Shiloh and Bascom Road. Police say the suspect matched the description and was determined to be involved in the incident. He was identified as 21-year-old Patric Thurston. Thurston was charged with 1st degree Felony Burglary and transported to Smith County Jail. Officers recovered a semi-automatic handgun that was thrown into the woods when Thurston fled the area. Police say initial details of the investigation indicate that the home invasion was a random act of violence by the two suspects.

Phillips is no stranger to scandal. In 2009, he was investigated by Texas Rangers for pulling out a gun at a party. Also, at one time he was in trouble for not having a state law enforcement license. According to state records, Phillips is now a licensed peace officer. Phillips is the son of Smith County Commissioner Terry Phillips. His brother, Lance, was also investigated for secretly taping a woman.

TYLER — Tyler Police say a man got into a fight with a motorcycle cop yesterday morning shortly after 8:00. Motorcycle Officer William Steinmiller conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of West Front Street and South College Street when it was discovered Michael Renard Webb, 36, Tyler, had warrants for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance.

While Officer Steinmiller was waiting on his backup, Webb unexpectedly began to attack him. Smith County District Attorney’s Office Investigator Fabio Martinez observed that Officer Steinmiller needed assistance and came to his aid. Michael Webb was taken into custody and transported to the Smith County jail. Webb had no apparent injuries; however Officer Steinmiller and Investigator Martinez were injured and they were treated and released at East Texas Medical Center. Police say Webb has an extensive violent criminal history and is being charged with two felony offenses of Assault on a Public Servant.

Any witnesses who may have observed this incident are encouraged to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1090.

ANGELINA COUNTY — Diboll police on Tuesday arrested a Hudson debt collector accused of using her position to steal someone’s identity and open an account, charging several thousand dollars at a local business. Lufkin Police had been investigating the case against Leanna Jean Busby, 30, since September, according to a police report. Busby used her position as a debt collector to access the victim’s information, the report stated. She then opened an account at Lowe’s in Lufkin, charging several thousand dollars. A warrant for her arrest was issued Feb. 1.

Diboll police caught up with Busby on Tuesday and arrested her, eventually turning her over to Lufkin police. In addition to the warrant for fraud, Busby had two tickets for speeding and failure to appear, jail records stated. She is out of the Angelina County Jail on a collective $6,000 bond, according to jail records.

TYLER – A Camp County man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Tyler in a bank fraud scheme. Lesley Carroll Beene, 59, of Pittsburg, was indicted Wednesday and charged with bank fraud and false bank entries. If convicted, Beene faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $1 million.

The indictment alleges that on August 4, 2008, Beene represented to Cypress Bank that he had a 2003 Kobleco SK 480 LC Excavator which he used as collateral to secure a loan in the amount of $150,000. However, when the loan became due, he failed to produce the collateral to Cypress Bank for inspection or sale. On August 30, 2008, Beene is alleged to have knowingly made false entries in the books, reports and statements of Cypress Bank. Specifically, that he owned four acres of land in Pittsburg, Texas worth $585,000 and that he had no mortgage on that property, when in fact, Beene had owner financed a 10-year mortgage from 2004 to 2014 on the property in the amount of $195,000.

TYLER — A federal grand jury returned multiple indictments Wednesday charging individuals with separate federal crimes in East Texas. Among those indicted was Kendall Ray Gray, 23, of Texarkana. He has been charged with conspiracy to commit counterfeiting.

According to the indictment, from October 1, 2010 to December 8, 2010, Gray is alleged to have used a scanner/printer/copier at his residence to manufacture counterfeit Federal Reserve notes for the purpose of passing them at businesses and to individuals in the Texarkana, Texas/Texarkana, Arkansas area. If convicted, Gray faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.

Also indicted Wednesday was Jesus Reyes-Sanchez, 41, a Mexican National, illegally living in the Tyler area. He was indicted for being a criminal alien unlawfully present in the United States after having been deported. According to the indictment, on January 20, 2011, Reyes-Sanchez was located at the Smith County Jail. An investigation revealed he had been deported to Mexico in 2009 following a Texas state conviction for possession of a controlled substance. If convicted, Reyes-Sanchez faces up to 20 years in federal prison and deportation.

TEXARKANA — A Texarkana, Texas man has pleaded guilty in connection with a bomb threat. Darryl Love, 49, pleaded guilty to false information and hoaxes Wednesday before U.S. District Judge David J. Folsom. He faces up to 5 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

Federal prosecutors say on last November, Love placed a call to 911 from his room at the Shamrock Motel in Texarkana around 7:15am. He told the 911 operator that a bomb was set to explode at 10:00 am in the United States Post Office Building located at 500 Stateline Avenue on the Texarkana, Texas/Texarkana, AK, state line. Love also told the operator that he had placed the bomb on the second floor of the building the day before. As a result of the call, the building had to be evacuated and there was a disruption of public, governmental, and business functions or services. After a full sweep of the building by the Department of Defense, no explosives were found.

TYLER – A 59-year-old Pittsburg, Texas, man has been indicted in a bank fraud scheme in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Wednesday. Lesley Carroll Beene was indicted Wednesday and charged with bank fraud and false bank entries. If convicted, Beene faces up to 30 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $1 million. This law enforcement action is part of President Barack Obama’s Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force.

The indictment alleges that on Aug. 4, 2008, Beene represented to Cypress Bank that he had a 2003 Kobleco SK 480 LC Excavator which he used as collateral to secure a loan in the amount of $150,000. However, when the loan became due, he allegedly failed to produce the collateral to Cypress Bank for inspection or sale.

On Aug. 30, 2008, Beene is alleged to have knowingly made false entries in the books, reports and statements of Cypress Bank. Specifically, according to the indictment, Beene claimed he owned four acres of land in Pittsburg worth $585,000 and that he had no mortgage on that property, when in fact, Beene had owner financed a 10-year mortgage from 2004 to 2014 on the property in the amount of $195,000.

MARSHALL – The son-in-law of a man killed during a home invasion tried to attack his accused killer in a Marshall courtroom. The incident happened Wednesday during the capital murder trial of Cortne’ Mareese Robinson, 20. He is charged with killing Frank Zabokrtsky, 82, in September of 2009. During the home invasion, the victim’s wife was sexually assaulted and kidnapped. During the trial yesterday, the son-in-law tried to climb over a railing to get to Robinson. He was restrained by court security officers.

There are two other suspects in the case, Bradney Randall Smith, 21, of Marshall, and Travion Dondrell Young, 17, of Karnack. They are to be tried at a later date.

TYLER– A Tyler man accused of attacking man with bolt cutters has drawn a hefty prison sentence. A Tyler jury Wednesday afternoon sentenced Homer Swarn, 52, to 75 years in prison. He had pleaded guilty on Monday. Last May, Swarn had gone to the home of John Johnson to sell him the bolt cutters in order to get drug money. He ended up beating Johnson with the bolt cutters and then robbed him of money he used to buy crack cocaine.

MINEOLA – A former Mineola teacher is indicted on charges related to inappropriate relationship with a child. Jo Ann Stephens, 43, was named in a five count indictment Wednesday. She was charged with two counts of sexual assault of a child, two counts of inappropriate relationship with a child and one count of online solicitation. Each indictment carries a $25,000 bond.

Stephens was arrested last December following a four month long investigation. She was charged at the time with improper relationship with a student. The Mineola High School student has since graduated. Mineola police say they started the investigation after receiving a complaint from Child Protective Services on August 4. The incident with the student, who was said to have been 15 at the time, is said to have taken place in May of 2008. Following her arrest Stephens resigned as physical education teacher at the elementary and middle school.

TYLER – A Tyler home has been extensively damaged by fire. It was reported just before noon Wednesday at 1216 South Francis Street. James Lewis said he has just gone to work before the fire started. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

BALTIMORE (AP/Staff) – A Titus County resident has died in Afghanistan. The Pentagon says 25-year-old Staff Sgt. Chauncy Mays of Cookville was one of two soldiers assigned to the Aberdeen Proving Ground who were killed. Mays and 22-year-old Spc. Christopher Stark of Monett, Mo., died Monday in Wardak province when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device. They were assigned to the 63rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, 20th Support Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground.

TYLER — Several sentences were handed down Tuesday and Wednesday in Tyler in federal cases involving methamphetamine-related cold pill purchases. All the defendants pleaded guilty to possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine.

The defendants include two Kilgore men sentenced Wednesday. Larry Don Howell, 30, pleaded guilty on Sep. 1, 2010, and was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison. Calvin Lee Sickler, 28, pleaded guilty on Aug. 6, 2010, and drew a 51-month prison sentence. According to prosecutors, on Apr. 17, 2009, Howell purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at a Wal-Mart in Kilgore, in addition to making several other purchases up until Nov. 3, 2009. Sickler admitted to purchasing cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at various stores in Longview, Kilgore, Henderson, and Tyler between September 2009 and March 2010. A federal grand jury returned a 273-count indictment on May 6, 2010 charging Howell, Sickler, and four others with federal drug violations.

44-year-old Brett Everett Myers of Tyler pleaded guilty on Sept. 7, 2010, and was sentenced Tuesday to 57 months in federal prison. According to information presented in court, on Dec. 22, 2008, Myers purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at a Drug Emporium in Longview. A federal grand jury returned a 256-count indicted on Feb. 2, 2010 charging Myers and several others with federal drug violations.

26-year-old Brandi Nicole Cochran of Beckville was also sentenced Tuesday, getting 37 months behind bars. She’d pleaded guilty September 7 after purchasing cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at a Drug Emporium store in Longview on April 10, 2009. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on Apr. 8, 2010, charging Cochran and others with federal drug violations.