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CANTON — Authorities in Van Zandt County say they’ve apprehended a suspect in a skid loader theft. On Wednesday at approximately 3:00 p.m. the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a flatbed trailer containing a Caterpillar skid loader was possibly stolen and traveling west on Interstate 20 in Van Zandt County. Deputies located the vehicle traveling west on IH-20 and initiated a stop at mile marker 516 (FM 47).

Upon investigation, it was determined that the Caterpillar skid loader and trailer were confirmed to be stolen out of Orange County, Florida. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Tony Demetro, 34, of Apopka, Florida. Demetro was taken into custody and charged with theft greater than $20,000 and less than $100,000, a third degree felony. The suspect has been released on a $50,000 bond. The estimated value of the skid loader and trailer is in excess of $25,000.

CANTON — A concerned Van Zandt County citizen reported a new scam sweeping across the country coming from the Dominican Republic. The citizen received a telephone call from a person who identified himself as her grandson, which she does not have, so he changed it to her nephew. This so-called relative said he went to South America with a church group and was arrested. He said the American Embassy got him released from the jail, but needed a check for $2,500 to clear up the situation. He said the American Embassy would reimburse her the money. The citizen did not fall for the scam and the subject then hung up.

Authorities say these scammers may be using the Internet to access personal information on the citizens they call. Van Zandt County Sheriff R. P. “Pat” Burnett asks that all the citizens of Van Zandt County be aware of these types of telephone calls and that they do not give out personal information over the telephone and never send money or checks to anyone without verifying who they say they are.

TYLER — The renovation of a local hospital will bring more jobs to the area. Texas Spine and Joint Hospital broke ground on a $2 million renovation project. CEO, Tony Wall, said the expansion will bring in around 70 new jobs to Tyler but overall, the hospital’s ripple effect through the community will bring in close to 300 new jobs. Wall said there’s more of a demand of services in this area and they’re simply meeting the needs of the residents.

AUSTIN – Wildfire survivors in Marion and Henderson counties can meet with state and federal specialists at recovery centers opening soon in area communities. Starting Saturday, specialists from the state of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors. They also have brochures and other written materials on disaster recovery.

The schedule is:

Marion County
Jefferson Visitor Center & Tourism Office
305 East Austin Street
Jefferson, TX 75657
1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24 through Friday, Oct. 28

Henderson County
Emergency Operations Center Training Facility
622 S. Prairieville
Athens, TX 75751
1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26

Any Texan with questions about the recovery process or needing help registering with FEMA is urged to stop by a recovery center. Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for survivors who want disaster assistance, but officials say the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to their questions about disaster aid and help applying for it.

Texas homeowners, renters, and business owners can register online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. They can also register by telephone via FEMA’s toll-free numbers: 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 1-800-621-3362. Assistants are available by phone from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville police are investigating two robberies that occurred across town within a span of 10 minutes Tuesday night. In one of the robberies, two men robbed a clerk at Nu Time Truck Stop at gunpoint and made off with an estimated $5,000 in cash. One robber was allegedly wearing a Halloween mask and another had wrapped a woman’s scarf around his face to hide his identity. It happened around 10:00 at a convenience store on Frankston Street. According to police reports, the store clerk was locking the front door for the night and had a money bag in his hand. As he was locking the door, the two men approached him, one pointing a pistol to the clerk’s head and the other putting a rifle to his back.

The clerk complied, and the men took him back to the cash register where there was more money. They took the money and told the man to give him his cell phone and the money in his pockets. Then they grabbed a package of cigarettes and left the scene on foot.

Minutes prior to the Nu Time robbery, an officer responded to a call from the J N J Food Mart regarding a robbery. A store clerk said a black man wearing a ski mask entered the store and demanded all the cash from the register. When she started emptying the register, she noticed he was holding a pistol. He then demanded that she give him all the money in the store office. She told him there was no money in the office, but the man did not believe her and went to the office and kicked in the door.

The robber then told the clerk to give him all the money in the safe, but she told him she did not know the combination to the safe. Just as the man was threatening to kill her, a customer pulled into the parking lot of the convenience store. The man immediately left the store and approached the customer outside and demanded that he give him all his money. Once the man handed over his wallet, the robber fled the scene on foot. The amount of money stolen from J N J has not yet been determined.

ATHENS — Henderson County Sheriff deputies have apprehended a man accused of assaulting officers with a large knife Wednesday night while they were attempting to serve an arrest warrant. Fred Billy Wray Jr., 46, was captured at a gas station in Tool after a resident reported seeing him.

LUFKIN – A man sought in connection with a Lufkin shooting has surrendered to authorities. Juan Carlos Garcia, 33, of Dallas, turned himself in on Wednesday. He has entered a not guilty plea in the 2002 attempted murder case. He is accused of shooting a man who had been sitting in a car with Garcia’s ex girl friend. Garcia is currently free on a $50,000 bond.

ATHENS – Henderson County authorities are investigating a 10 year old boy in connection with a grass fire in the Lake Palestine area in early August. The case has been referred to the Juvenile Probation Office for prosecution.

They feel the boy set the grass fire in the Wildewood Edition, off Farm-to-Market Road 315, south of Chandler, on August 7. The fire was quickly extinguished. The boy is also a suspect in a couple of fires in the same area in June of 2010.

MANGUM, OKLA. (AP) — The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals has denied a motion to remove the presiding judge in the trial of a former warden’s wife who was convicted of helping an inmate escape from prison. Greer County Assistant District Attorney David Thomas said Thursday the court rejected Bobbi Parker’s appeal that sought to disqualify District Judge Richard Darby because of alleged bias.

A jury found Parker guilty September 21 of helping Randolph Dial break out of the Oklahoma State Reformatory in 1994. The couple were later found living in Texas on a Shelby Countychicknranch. Jurors recommended one year in prison. Parker was to be formally sentenced October 6 but that was delayed because of the dispute over Darby. A judge denied Garvin Isaacs’ request to disqualify Darby, ruling the appeals court was the more appropriate venue.

AUSTIN – Governor Rick Perry has named a Smith County man to the Texas Transportation Commission. Jeff Austin III was named to the post for a term to expire February 1, 2013. The commission oversees the Texas Department of Transportation.

Austin is vice chairman of Austin Bank and Texas NA. He is a board member of First State Bank in Athens and Capital Bank in Houston, and past president of First State Bank Frankston. He is a board member and past chair of the Texas Bankers Association, a member of the American Bankers Association Government Relations Committee and the Bank CEO Network, and an executive committee member and past director of the Texas Lyceum. He is a board member of the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum, past presiding officer of the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority, past board chair of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. He is also a past board member of the Tyler Economic Development Corporation, Better Business Bureau of East Texas, University of Texas Tyler Business School Advisory Board, UT Tyler Health Center Development Board and Trinity Mother Frances Hospital Foundation.

Austin received a bachelor’s degree and Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Tyler, and is a graduate of the Southern Methodist University Southwestern Graduate and Intermediate schools of Banking, and the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.

SHELBYVILLE (AP) — An East Texas man has surrendered after his wife and her adult son were found shot to death. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said Richard Dean, 39, of Shelbyville has been charged with capital murder and was being held without bond. No attorney was listed for Dean, who turned himself in Wednesday night to officers in neighboring San Augustine County. Officials say Dean’s 8-year-old son was with him and wasn’t harmed.

The body of Vicky Dean, 47, was discovered Wednesday in a vehicle on property near Shelbyville, a town of about 600 located near the Texas state line with Louisiana. The body of 20-year-old Christopher Reagan Smith was in a nearby building. Authorities are trying to determine a motive for the killings. The sheriff’s department didn’t immediately release further details Thursday.

LONGVIEW — The Longview City Council soon will consider a proposed redistricting plan. Redistricting is a regular process of adjusting the lines of City Council voting districts in accordance with population shifts. The districts are intended to be roughly equal in population so that each area of the City is equally represented on the City Council. In Longview, redistricting is traditionally considered every ten years following the decennial census. The proposed redistricting plan would affect Council Districts 2, 5, and 6. In order to balance the population of Longview in all districts, the following is needed: the population of District 2 needs to increase, the population of District 5 needs to decrease, and the population of District 6 needs to increase.

Residents are invited to attend an informational meeting about the proposed redistricting plan to be held at 5:30pm, Tuesday, October 25, at City Hall, 300 West Cotton Street. The proposed redistricting plan will be considered during a Longview City Council meeting at 5:30pm, Thursday, October 27, also at City Hall. The proposed redistricting plan affects Longview City Council voting districts only. The proposal does not affect school districts, county districts, state districts, or national districts. You can go to http://LongviewTexas.gov for more information about the proposed redistricting plan.

PITTSBURG — After losing his family in a tractor-trailer collision in Arizona, a Pittsburg resident has filed a lawsuit against the truck driver’s employer for negligent supervision. Sean Reynolds, individually and as representative of the estates of Wendy Reynolds, Shane Reynolds, and Derrick Reynolds filed suit September 26 against Sierra Transportation Inc. in the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division.

Authorities said the crash occurred September 8 near Tucson, Arizona. Rickey Duffey, an employee of Sierra Transportation Inc., was operating an 18- wheeler headed east on Interstate Highway 10 when he lost control, crossed a median and entered the oncoming westbound lane. The tractor-trailer hit the Reynolds’ vehicle head-on, causing fatal injuries. Reynolds is seeking wrongful death and survival damages for mental anguish, loss of consortium, loss of advice and counsel, loss of services, funeral expenses, loss of companionship and society, medical expenses, physical pain, disfigurement, physical impairment, court costs and interest.

TYLER — The Tyler Fire Department responded to two separate fires overnight. The first incident was reported around 9:40 Wednesday evening at 1514 N. Dargan. Firemen say the fire was nearly out when they got there because of the resident’s quick action to evacuate the family and fight the fire. The kitchen was heavily damaged but there were no injuries. Investigators say the fire started in the kitchen due to cooking on the stove left unattended.

Then, around 1:30 Thursday morning at 313 N. Fuller Avenue, another structure fire was reported. Authorities say that structure was completely engulfed in flames upon their arrival. The cause of that fire is still under investigation. Residents say the fire started in the living room. One occupant suffered burns and severe smoke inhalation and was taken to ETMC for treatment. He was later flown to a Dallas hospital. Officials say the structure appears to have been totally destroyed.

LONGVIEW — A 50-year-old Longview man was jailed Tuesday night after authorities said he tried to solicit sex from a minor. Watson Jerome Reed posted $5,000 bond from the Gregg County Jail on a charge of online solicitation of a minor Wednesday. Longview police arrested Reed in the 1500 block of North Eastman Road at 9:45 where Reed made plans to meet and engage in sexual intercourse with a person he believed to be a 14-year-old child but was actually Longview police Det. Kevin Brownlee, according to arrest reports.

“Reed stated in a text message that he was driving a black truck and he was instructed to flash his lights when he arrived at the pre-agreed location,” Brownlee wrote in his report. “I observed a black truck arrive at the location, and I watched as the driver flashed his lights several times.”

ZAVALLA – A one vehicle accident in Angelina County has left one person dead. Killed was Teresa Carson, 51. The accident happened on Farm Road 2109 about four miles from Zavalla. The Department of Public Safety reports the woman’s pickup was south bound at a high speed when she lost control of the vehicle on a curve. She over-corrected and left the road and hit a tree. She was thrown from the vehicle.

LUFKIN – A Lufkin man has been charged with indecency with a child after the 8 year old wrote about the incident in her school journal. Taken into custody was Justin Delane Nash, 33, who was free on probation for injury to a child. The girl he injured last year is the older sister of the girl in the latest incident. Nash remains in the Angelina County Jail.

AUSTIN – Wildfire survivors in Gregg, Harrison, Smith and Rusk counties can meet with state and federal specialists at recovery centers this week in area communities, including a new center opening Thursday in Smith County. Specialists from the state of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors. They also have brochures and other written materials on disaster recovery.

The remaining schedule is:

Gregg & Harrison Counties
Fairgrounds
1123 Jaycee Dr.
Longview, TX 75604
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21

Smith & Rusk Counties
Bethel Baptist Church
13108 Hwy 64 East
Tyler, TX 75707
1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22

Any Texan with questions about the recovery process or needing help registering with FEMA is urged to stop by a recovery center. Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for survivors who want disaster assistance, but officials say the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to their questions about disaster aid and help applying for it

Texas homeowners, renters, and business owners can register online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. They can also register by telephone via FEMA’s toll-free numbers: 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 1-800-621-3362. Assistants are available by phone from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

LONGVIEW – The name of the man killed in a weekend Longview fire has been released. Richard Andrew Hillman, 58, died in the Saturday morning fire at the Pine Meadows RV Park. He was alone when the fire started. An unoccupied trailer next to his was also destroyed by the fire. The fire has been ruled accidental. It appears to have started when a cigarette ignited some combustibles in the trailer.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler debate team is ranked tops in the nation after strong finishes in the tournament at McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill., Dr. Martin Slann, College of Arts and Sciences dean, announced. Senior economics major Alex Warren of Tyler and senior communications major Travis Smith of Palestine placed first in the three-day tournament, which is considered the bellwether meet for potential national champions in collegiate debate, according Dr. Charles Walts, UT Tyler director of forensics. “This is a big series of wins for us. Historically, the winner of the McKendree tournament goes on to good showings at nationals in the spring,” Walts said.

The first place finish also positions Warren and Smith at the top of the national ranking system, trumping teams from schools including Texas Tech University, University of California – Berkeley, University of Oregon and the United States Air Force Academy. “It feels great to be at the top of a ranking system that has more than 200 teams on it,” said Warren, who placed in the top three for overall best speaker. The ranking system determines who qualifies for the national tournament, Walts added.

In the junior varsity division, sophomore English major Addison Gribbin of Ennis and freshman communications major Dallas Flick of Aubrey placed in the top two teams, marking the second consecutive tournament in which the UT Tyler duo reached the finals. UT Tyler will travel to the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash. to compete in an exclusive, invite-only tournament featuring the top ten debate teams in the country.

TYLER — ETMC Tyler announced Wednesday that patients and physicians in the region can now access one of the newest and highest-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scanners available: the Ingenia 1.5T system from Philips Healthcare. Hospital officials say the MRI provides high image quality to aid diagnostic confidence, increase clinical versatility and improve productivity by shortening exam times. In addition, officials say, patients will appreciate its many comfort-related features.

According to a hospital news release, ETMC’s Ingenia 1.5T system facilitates the delivery of crisp image clarity to help clinicians make informed decisions for a wide range of procedures. The elease says Ingenia 1.5T can assist radiologists and physicians in the earlier diagnosis of a variety of medical conditions, including brain and nervous system disorders, cardiovascular disease and organ disease.

Hospital officials say with a simplified pre-exam set-up and a large 70cm bore, the system is more comfortable for patients and operators. “We expect to gain as much as a 30 percent increase in throughput compared to previous generation systems,” said Bill Tobin, director of ETMC radiology. “With both a wide bore and a large field of view, we also expect to do a variety of scanning procedures. For doctors and patients who understand that the latest technology can improve outcomes, the Ingenia 1.5T MR system we have installed represents what they have been looking for: the very latest technology that provides exceptional image quality in the most patient-friendly environment. It is of tremendous diagnostic benefit to the community.” Patient referrals may be made by calling 800-648-8141.

TYLER — The man accused of shooting a Smith County Sheriff’s deputy in March has been indicted on additional charges. According to KETK and Smith County jail records, 27-year-old Christopher Martin Summerville was indicted on October 14 for aggravated robbery, which is a first degree felony. He was also indicted for failure to register as a sex offender.

In March 2011, Smith County Sheriff’s deputies and U.S. Marshals served a warrant on Summerville, then 26, 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. Luckily, 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 in April, 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.

SACRAMENTO, Cal. – Low-interest disaster loans are now available to certain private, nonprofit organizations (PNPs) in six additional Texas counties — mainly in East Texas — following President Obama’s September 21 federal disaster declaration for Public Assistance as a result of wildfires beginning August 30. The announcement comes from Karen G. Mills, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Only PNPs that provide essential government services are eligible for assistance.

The disaster declaration now makes SBA assistance available in the additional counties of Anderson, Henderson, Hill, Marion, Smith and Upshur. Previously SBA announced assistance to private, nonprofit organizations in the counties of Bastrop, Cherokee, Colorado, Gregg, Harrison, Houston, Leon, Rusk and Walker.

All interested PNPs should begin the process by registering with FEMA. At the time of registration, FEMA will initially determine if the PNP qualifies to immediately apply for a grant from FEMA’s PA program. All other eligible PNPs will be referred to the SBA for a low-interest disaster loan to cover property damages. If SBA cannot approve a low-interest disaster loan or meet all of the PNP’s needs, SBA may refer the PNP back to FEMA.

SBA may lend PNPs up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For certain private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA also offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDLs may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the PNP suffered any property damage. Interest rates are as low as 3 percent with terms up to 30 years.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site. Go to https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela to apply. Disaster loan information and applications are also available by calling (800) 659-2955, clicking on http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance or contacting [email protected] via email. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is November 21, 2011. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 21, 2012.

TYLER — Part of East Erwin Street in downtown Tyler will soon be switching from one-way to two-way. The city plans to make the change on the stretch running from Spring Avenue to Center Street. It’s seen as a way to help drivers better navigate the downtown area as downtown becomes more of a destination for residents and visitors. Officials hope to make the switch by early next week, but no firm date has been set. Meantime, you’re urged to watch for the signs that will indicate the change.

PALESTINE — Anderson County sheriff’s authorities arrested four Tyler men early Monday whom they say were in possession of more than $9,000 cash and believed to be involved in the trafficking of illegal narcotics. Michael V. Cordaro, 22, Sam N. Cordaro, 20, Antonio T. Grahm, 20, and John T. Turman, 20, all of Tyler, were charged with engaging in organized criminal activity-money laundering following their arrests early Monday morning just east of the Palestine city limits.

Around 3:45 a.m. Monday, an Anderson County sheriff’s deputy stopped a 1998 Toyota Avalon for speeding on U.S. 79, just east of the Palestine city limits. The deputy reportedly smelled marijuana and was given permission to search the vehicle. Along with the cash, officers found drug paraphernalia items. All four suspects were released from the Anderson County Jail after posting a $75,000 bond.

NACOGDOCHES — A worker for an electric cooperative died while on the job. Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative officials tell KETK Aaron Sullender, 21, of Broaddus, was working between Nacogdoches and Garrison Tuesday when he came in contact with a high voltage line and was electrocuted. DETEC officials are investigating the cause of the accident.

LUFKIN — A wanted Lufkin woman has been taken into custody. It happened around 8:30 this morning. Texas Ranger Steven Rayburn, along with Lufkin Police Department Officers Ray Hightower and Stacy Seymore, arrested Karen Haney Renfro at Executive Inn & Suites, located at 103 Harmony Hill Drive, in Lufkin. Local and State law enforcement agencies in Texas and Arkansas were attempting to locate Karen Renfro for outstanding arrest warrants from Nevada County, Arkansas for Failure to Appear – Possession of Cocaine and from the Dallas County, Texas for Possession of Dangerous Drugs.

Assistance from area media outlets in publicizing the information concerning Karen Renfro’s “wanted” status led to an anonymous tip concerning her location, and a rapid reaction to that tip by the officers led to her arrest. Detective JB Smith, Law Enforcement Coordinator for Crime Stoppers of Lufkin, stated, “Crime Stoppers and all involved law enforcement agencies appreciate the assistance received from area media outlets. Without the quick response in publicizing this, there’s no way to know how long it would have taken to locate Mrs. Renfro.”

LUFKIN – A Lufkin pastor has been indicted for the sexual assault of a child. The indictment was returned by a Shelby County grand jury against Richard Adams. He is charged with three counts of indecency with a child and one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The complaints date back to 2005. Adams, who was arrested on the charges back in February, is currently free on a $35,000 bond.

LONGVIEW – A man accused of murder at a Gregg County club in January of 2010, has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. Jimmy Lee Hall Jr., 31, of Kilgore, yesterday entered a guilty plea to manslaughter in the shooting death of Ilonzo McGregor, 27, of Henderson. The shooting occurred at the Wild Things club on Highway 31 west of Kilgore.

State District Judge David Brabham has ordered a pre-sentence investigation. No date has been set for the punishment hearing.

LONGVIEW – Longview police have arrested a parolee after his wife accused him of choking her and pulling out her hair during an argument. Currently being held in the Gregg County Jail, without bond, is Darrin Dexter Taylor, 45, of Greggton. Arriving officers reported seeing red, swollen marks on the woman’s throat and pieces of the victim’s hair with roots still attached. The officers said there were portions of the victim’s scalp that were reddened and bare. At the time of the incident, Taylor was out on parole following a 20-year prison sentence he incurred in 2001 for aggravated robbery in Gregg County.