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GILMER – The Upshur County grand jury has upgraded the charge against a teen involved in a fatal accident. Originally, Benjamin Lee Powers, 19, of Gilmer, was charged with criminally negligent homicide. This week, the grand jury indicted him for manslaughter.

Authorities say on December 30th, Powers was driving his pickup on Farm Road 49 when he tried to pass a vehicle in a no passing zone. The Department of Public Safety says Powers lost control of the truck and crashed. A passenger, Caderrius Green, 19, of Gilmer, was killed. Powers, and another passenger, Cody Garcia, 17, received minor injuries.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Police Department commissioned two new officers Friday. The ceremony was at 10:30am in the Roy Stone Training Center, located inside the Longview Police Department. The new officers are Aulderson Franklin and Kendric Montgomery.

LONGVIEW — After two months of lower sales tax revenue, the city of Longview posted an increase for February. According to KETK, the city got about a one per cent increase from the same time last year. Longview had a streak of 16 straight months with an increase before sales tax revenue dropped in December and January. For the fiscal year, the city is up by $200,000, or 2.4%, from last year. City officials say it’s good to be back in the positive.

TYLER – Tyler’s sales tax revenues deposited for the month of February have decreased 1.01% as compared to February 2011. This has resulted in a .95% cumulative year-to-date increase.

The State Comptroller’s office reports revenue of $3,887,421.02 is comprised of $2,591,614.01 general sales tax revenue and $1,295,807.01 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures represent receipts from December 2011 collections as there is a two-month lag before taxes are reported and remitted back to the City from the State.

“We are certainly disappointed in the sales tax figures we are seeing this month, particularly given the grown seen statewide as reported by the Comptroller,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “We are taking a close look at the situation to determine the factors that may be causing the decline. However, we have implemented a soft hiring freeze as a precautionary measure to ensure we are keeping our expenses in balance with current revenues and are scrutinizing spending closely. In addition, we will continue the postponement of any employee pay adjustments until such time that the revenues reach the three percent level we had committed to in our annual budget.”

SMITH COUNTY — A tractor accident sends one man to the hospital Wednesday morning. It happened on Farm Road 2661 between Highways 31 and 64 around 11. That’s when Smith County authorities say a 25-year-old man drove a mowing tractor on a hill that was a bit too steep. The tractor rolled over on top of him. Officials with the Dixie Volunteer Fire Department tell KETK the man was taken to a local hospital. He’s expected to make a full recovery.

LONGVIEW — Longview is one of 29 cities to be added to the list for improved housing markets for the month of February. The national index list identifies areas that have seen an improvement in housing permits, prices, and employment over the last six months. Low interest rates have helped with the market, but home builders are also seeing an improvement. Several new subdivisions are being built in the area. Local housing officials tell KETK it’s a good sign for the area. There are several other Texas cities already on the list, including Tyler.

LONGVIEW — Longview took its first step toward establishing a local agency to coordinate disaster assistance during an organizational meeting Tuesday. The purpose of VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) will be to coordinate the resources of various agencies during a disaster, so that people get streamlined service and there is no unnecessary duplication of efforts by various agencies. That’s according to Lee Lester, who was elected president of the group at the meeting.

“If we can get to know who does what in our community, we can make referrals to other agencies and work together to help people get their lives back on track after disasters,” Lester said. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, agencies represented at the initial meeting were the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, the Greater Longview United Way, East Texas Baptist Men and Global Operations Division-International Services.

LUFKIN — Lufkin detectives are continuing to investigate a fatal shooting that happened on California Boulevard Tuesday night, and the victim’s name has been released. Lufkin Police Det. J.B. Smith said the call came in just after 10:00. The victim, identified as Robert Darnell Bennett, 26, was shot twice in the chest. He was not breathing when paramedics arrived on scene and was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Investigators say they have identified possible suspects, but no arrests have been made.

TYLER — The trial of a man accused of shooting a Smith County Sheriff’s deputy begins today. Christopher Summerville, 28, has been charged with 6 counts of aggravated assault on a public servant along with 3 other charges.

In March 2011, Smith County Sheriff’s deputies and U.S. Marshals served a warrant on Summerville at The Arbors apartments on Chimney Rock in Tyler for failing to register as a sex offender. When officials attempted to enter the apartment, Summerville allegedly shot Smith County Deputy Josh Caulkins in the chest. Caulkins was saved by his bulletproof vest. After the shooting, Summerville was taken to a local hospital for a meth overdose. Officials believed at the time that Summerville injected himself with the drug just before they arrived at his apartment complex.

At the time of the shooting, Summerville was not charged with the assault, but about a month later, Tyler Police investigators secured the evidence to arrest him for aggravated assault of a peace officer, which is a first degree felony. Summerville was also charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance and engaging in organized criminal activity, both first degree felonies. Two other people, Kara Hanley and Jeffery Andrysiak, who were in the apartment at the time of the shooting, were also charged for engaging in organized criminal activity.

TYLER – A Tyler apartment has been damaged by fire. It was reported just before 4:30 Wednesday afternoon at The Woodland Apartments, 400 Grande Boulevard. The two alarm fire was termed under control within 20 minutes. Investigators say the fire appears to have started in the upper portion of a coat closet. The fire was contained to the closet but smoke damage was reported throughout the apartment. It did not spread to the attic or neighboring apartments. The residents of the apartment were at home when the fire started, but no injuries were reported.

TEXARKANA – A Titus County man has been sentenced to federal prison for arson. Justin Rodney Glenn pleaded guilty last December to conspiracy to commit arson. He was sentenced in Texarkana Wednesday to 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge David Folsom. Glenn was also ordered to pay restitution of $169,517.12. He remained in custody following the sentencing hearing.

According to federal prosecutors, from about April 1, 2008 to June 5, 2008, Glenn conspired with others to burn down commercial buildings in order to submit fraudulent insurance claims and collect insurance proceeds. One such business was the Washtub Laundry, also known as Gary’s 24 Hour Wash and Dry, in Mount Pleasant. Glenn recruited and agreed to pay individuals to set fire to the Washtub Laundry, which burned on June 5, 2008. As a result of the fire, Glenn caused a fraudulent insurance claim to be submitted to Certain Underwriters of Lloyds of London resulting in a loss to the company.

TYLER – Tyler ISD parents being introduced to the STAAR End of Course (EOC) Exams still have a lot of questions. That’s why school district officials are holding another STAAR EOC information meeting tonight from 6:00 to 7:00 at Robert E. Lee High School. The information will be presented in Spanish in the library and in English in the Little Theatre. This meeting is for parents of current freshmen from both high schools, and parents of middle school students enrolled in core high school courses. STAAR testing begins in March.

STAAR is the new statewide testing program for Texas high school students, which begins with this year’s 9th graders. TISD officials say parents of John Tyler High School freshmen listened carefully as Tyler ISD administrators explained various aspects of the new tests at a parent meeting last week.

The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, or TAKS, starting in the 2011-2012 school year. Students in grades 3-8 will be tested under STAAR, and first-time high school freshmen and middle school students taking core high school courses will take STAAR EOC exams. Students in grades 10-12 will continue testing under the TAKS program.

STAAR will include more difficult testing and require a higher level of student performance. STAAR is designed to measure a student’s college and career readiness, starting in elementary school. “With the testing dates quickly approaching, we are working diligently to prepare our students,” Marty Barbieri, Tyler ISD Director of Guidance and Counseling, explained to a group of parents. “There are many new aspects of this testing program that both students and parents need to understand,” she continued.

Tyler ISD began to modify its curriculum to prepare students for the STAAR assessments four years ago. In all grade levels and subjects, students are required to use critical thinking, a skill they will need to apply on the STAAR assessments. Tyler ISD teachers are using higher level questioning to give students the opportunity to analyze and solve real life problems. Teachers are also regularly checking each student’s progress and offering numerous tutoring and focused learning opportunities for students struggling with a specific lesson or concept.

To further inform parents about STAAR, Tyler ISD has provided additional resources on its website. Parents are encouraged to go to http://www.tylerisd.org to download or print the guides that contain information relevant to the STAAR tests at the elementary, middle or high school level.

TYLER — The Tyler Junior College Criminal Justice Student Association will host a debate among candidates for Sheriff of Smith County. It will be tonight in the Apache Rooms of Rogers Student Center. The doors open at 6:00 and the debate will begin at 7:00. The public is invited to attend the debate. Parking will be provided for guests on lot S-4, located at the corner of Lake Street and Baxter Avenue.

HENDERSON — Rusk County authorities say they’ve made an arrest and seized seven pounds of K2 from a convenience store. On Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division executed a search warrant at Bunny’s Convenience Store, located at 10118 Highway 64 in Turnertown. According to KETK and Sheriff’s Office press materials, narcotic officers discovered and seized the K2, officially known as synthetic cannabinoids, in a private room in the back of the store. The street value of the substance is approximately $13,000.

During the search officers say they discovered K2 in the purse of an employee of the business, Candis Nicole Battise, 32, of Henderson, who was arrested on scene for possession of controlled substance. She was jailed and charged with a class B misdemeanor for possession of a controlled substance, with bond set at $3,000. The names of the owners of the business have not been released at this time.

Narcotic officers stated this investigation is ongoing and other arrests are expected upon the completion of the investigation. One of the officers stated the effects of K2 are more severe than marijuana and include hallucinations. The substance contains a list of chemicals that have been outlawed by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). If anyone has knowledge of K2 being sold in other places surrounding Rusk County, you’re asked to call Rusk County Crime Stoppers at (903) 655-TIPS (8477).

TYLER – Two Panola County women have been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Penni Sue Mooney, 48, of Carthage, pleaded guilty on August 15, 2011, to conspiracy to possess pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. She was sentenced to 57 months in prison. Connie Denise Parker, 48, of Deberry, pleaded guilty on October 11, 2011, to possession of pseudoephedrine knowing that it will be used to manufacture methamphetamine. She drew a term of 70 months. Both sentences were handed down Wednesday in Tyler by Judge Michael Schneider.

According to federal authorities, on March 21, 2010, Mooney purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at a Rite-Aid store in Shreveport, La., and also attempted to make an additional purchase that same day in the area. Officials say both actions were taken with intentions of bringing the cold pills to Panola County, where they would be used to manufacture methamphetamine. On January 24, 2010, Parker purchased cold pills at a Walgreens store in Marshall and made numerous other purchases on other occasions, all in furtherance of her methamphetamine manufacturing activities. The two were both named in a federal indictment returned by the grand jury on May 11, 2011, and charged with drug trafficking violations.

TYLER — Tyler ISD board members voted this week for a long-range plan. According to KETK, the approval means the district will be looking at a potential new bond election this November. Superintendent Randy Reid says the school board has been working on the long-range plan for over a year now. He says the unanimous approval was the first step in improving facilities and programs at the secondary level. The plan includes new high schools and a new advanced technology and career center, along with shifting grade configuration. According to Reid, “We have not made any decisions as to whether or not we’re going to go forward in November. We know that the economy is favorable, as far as the bond rates are concerned right now, even though these are challenging times for everyone.” Click on http://district-planning.tylerisd.org/modules/groups/integrated_home.phtml?gid=3086091 to learn more about the long-range plan.

TYLER — Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass has announced the formation of a new Council of Cities. Bass says the purpose for forming this group is to create an active forum for discussion of regional issues of mutual interest. “Although we are members of various city councils, it is time that a group that represents our specific region gathers to work on issues that are unique to all of us,” explained Mayor Bass. “I am looking forward to discussing how we can work collaboratively to serve our community needs, enhance our regional economy, manage our natural resources and address concerns we all share.”

The first meeting of the Council of Cities will be held March 19 from 6:00 to 7:30pm at Harvey Convention Center in Tyler. Mayors, city council members, and administrators/city managers from the following cities have been invited to attend along with Smith County Commissioners: Bullard, Chandler, New Chapel Hill, Lindale, Noonday, Troup, Whitehouse, and Winona. The group will meet on a quarterly basis and develop an initial list of discussion items at its first meeting in March.

TYLER – A 50-year-old Marshall man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations. James Dennis Jefcoat pleaded guilty on November 10, 2011, to possession of child pornography. He was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison Wednesday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. According to information presented in court, on December 22, 2010, a federal search warrant was executed at Jefcoat’s residence leading to the discovery of a laptop computer that was found to contain 17 videos and 343 images of child pornography. Authorities say some of the material depicted children less than 12 years of age engaged in sadistic or masochistic conduct.

TYLER — Plans pick up speed for a homeless resource in Tyler. The Planning and Zoning Committee heard requests Tuesday to approve the location on Valentine Street. According to KETK, the Day Resource Center is designed to help Tyler’s homeless population with various needs like access to a mailing address and laundry facilities. Nearly 250 people are homeless in the Tyler/Smith County area.

NACOGDOCHES (AP) – A tip from an 8-year-old boy has helped deputies recover a plane reported stolen from an East Texas airport. The Cessna turned up missing January 28 from a hangar at Athens Municipal Airport. Nacogdoches County Sheriff Thomas Kerss says online news stories about the theft included the plane’s U.S. registration, known as the N-number.

Kerss said the boy Monday afternoon noticed a plane had just landed on a private airstrip. The child went to a computer, verified the tail’s N-number was the same as the stolen aircraft, and then told his father. Deputies were notified and arrested Terry Lynn Boozer, 55, near the airstrip. He remained in custody Wednesday on a felony theft charge. Jail officials did not immediately provide more information on Boozer.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County residents in the low income bracket needing home repairs may soon be eligible for some federal dollars. Smith County Commissioners approved an application of up to $500,000 in grants designed to help people living below the area median family income. Commissioners will learn if the county qualified for the grant in the next 2-3 months.

HALLSVILLE — The Hallsville City Council has yet to settle severance packages for Hallsville officers who were let go after the council voted to reinstate the officers who were terminated in late December. Council members met Monday night in a special meeting to discuss personnel matters. According to KETK, Hallsville Mayor Jerri Medrano said the only action taken Monday was for the city’s attorney and the former officers’ attorney to continue discussing severance packages.

Police Chief Greg Scott, Sgt. Mack Fuller and officer T.C. Livingston were terminated for policy violations Dec. 28, but the council voted 3-2 to reinstate them a few weeks later. After the December firings, the city hired Lukas Reynolds as chief and also hired Sgt. Shane Guthrie, Paul Montoya and Robert Perkins as officers. The city chose to keep Montoya, and Longview attorney Jose Sanchez, who was hired to represent Reynolds, Guthrie and Perkins, said he was working with the city to come up with a resolution that would be fair for everyone involved.

LUFKIN — A man was killed early Wednesday morning after his car was struck by a train on Southwood Drive outside Loop 287 in Lufkin. The man, identified as Kaleb Drew Rye, 27, of Huntington, reportedly pulled out in front of an oncoming train near the Lufkin Police shooting range around 4:00. The man’s maroon Pontiac Grand Am was carried two-tenths of a mile down the track by the impact. Lufkin Police closed the highway while Union Pacific workers and Due’s Wrecker Service pulled the car off the tracks around 8:00. The incident is under investigation.

TYLER – A Tyler disturbance remains under investigation. It was reported around 8:30 Tuesday night in the 800 block of Pinkerton. Officers were notified of shots being fired in the area. Officers were told that persons living on Pinkerton had been in a disturbance with several subjects at the gas station at 5th and Golden prior to the incident.

The suspects followed them home where one subject pulled a gun and pointing it at them and then firing several shots in the air, before leaving the area. They were described as white males driving a light blue Ford Taurus and a blue convertible Camaro. Officers searched the area, but failed to locate the vehicles.

LONGVIEW – A fire has destroyed the inventory of a Longview store. The fire was reported shortly before 9:15 Tuesday night at the Food Fast at 611 East Marshall Avenue. Firemen had the blaze under control within 15 minutes. No injuries were reported. Investigators say the cause remains under investigation. An employee tells KETK-TV that the fire started at an ICEE machine. This is the second fire at the store in the past seven months. Last July an employee extinguished a fire started by a cooler.

TYLER – A Longview duplex has been damaged by fire. It was reported around 4:30 Tuesday afternoon in the 1200 block of North Tenth Street. Investigators say the fire, which started in the attic on the left side of the duplex, was under control within 15 minutes. The cause remains under investigation. No injuries were reported.

TYLER – Smoke forced an evacuation from the Tyler Morning Telegraph building. It was reported around 8:45 last night. No fire was noted and it appears as if the smoke seen coming from the air conditioning vents was caused by a faulty air conditioning unit on the building’s roof.

LONGVIEW – A man Longview police says is a gang member has been arrested after a loaded gun was found in his car. Currently free on a $1,000 bond is Luis Carlos Retana, 18, of Longview.

His car was stopped in the 1800 block of Jane Street after a reported disturbance. After getting permission to search the vehicle, officers found a fully loaded .22 caliber revolver under the driver’s seat. Since he didn’t have a concealed handgun license and was a known gang member in possession of a gun, Retana was arrested. He was charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon.

LONGVIEW – A Louisiana man has been released from the Gregg County Jail after he was arrested by state troopers who said he fled from them several times. Robert Davis, 54, of Shreveport was stopped for speeding near mile marker 584 on Interstate Highway 20.

The arrest report said Davis stopped, but when the officer went back to his car to run Davis’ license plate. He sped away. He was stopped a few miles away. When the officer got of his car, Davis fled again. The third time he stopped, officers say he had to be pulled from the SUV. Inside, they found what appeared to be marijuana.

Davis is currently free on $15,000 bond after being charged with possession of marijuana and evading arrest.

LAKE TYLER — Recent rains are giving area lakes a much-needed boost. KETK reports that according to experts, Lake Tyler was down by 7 1/2 feet last September. But now, while the lake is still low, just the small rains we’ve had lately are making a visible difference, and that has fishermen in the area looking forward to even more rain. One fisherman says if the rain just keeps on coming, the lake might get back up to the regular level before summer hits.