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ANGELINA COUNTY — The Angelina County Commissioners Court voted Monday to adopt a plan that would abolish justice of the peace and constable precinct 4. The plan, which will placed on the agenda for formal resolution on Aug. 23, would combine precinct 4, which includes Zavalla, with precinct 3, which includes Huntington. Upon approval of a formal resolution order by the court, the proposed changes would not immediately come into effect, as Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Claude Marshall is in the first year of a four-year term.

LONGVIEW — Former Harrison County Judge Richard Anderson is in discussions with supporters about trying to return Northeast Texas to Democratic representation in Congress. It would be a long shot for a Democrat to unseat incumbent Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Tyler, in a congressional district that leans heavily Republican.

“Certainly, no decision has been made,” Anderson said of a Democratic run at Gohmert’s congressional seat. “Several individuals have inquired as to whether I would consider seeking the congressional seat now held by him. I have no present plans to make such a race.” He wouldn’t rule it out, either, and the state Democratic Party appears to be holding a place for him.

TYLER – On land off Gentry Parkway, on land with a house donated by the Caldwell Foundation, you find the Tyler Day Nursery. The oldest non-profit day nursery in Texas celebrated its 75th anniversary Sunday afternoon. It was started by the Tyler Council of Church Women with a goal of providing child-care for low-income families. And with today’s economy, the need appears to be even greater. According to Tyler Day Nursery President Mary Meyers, they are currently working on expanding the facility.

TYLER — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

LINDALE — A new traffic signal at the intersection of U.S. Highway 69 and County Road 474 in Lindale is scheduled to be turned on Wednesday morning. The signal is located just north of Centennial Drive in southern Lindale. Leading up to the signal’s activation, TxDOT crews will complete their work to add shoulders and turn lanes at the intersection and a striping crew is scheduled to be at work in and around the intersection on Tuesday.

SEVEN POINTS — Texas Department of Transportation contractor Nixon Construction is scheduled to begin work today to repair a damaged portion of bridge rail on the State Highway 334 causeway bridge, which is nearest to the Seven Points end. Lane closures will be in effect during daytime hours only, and flaggers will work one-lane traffic. Motorists should expect some delays while the work is in progress. The work is expected to last through Friday.

“We’re going to try to make this as painless as possible,” said TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz. “We were all reminded around this time last year just how important this bridge is to the communities it serves, and we’ve instructed our contractor to act accordingly.” This work is not related to work done on the SH 334 bridge last year to repair a damaged column.

ATHENS — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform seal coat operations in various locations on Farm Road 2709, Ranch Road 2970, Ranch Road 2588 and Farm Road 2752. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.

HENDERSON — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue street-sweeping operations in the curb-and-gutter sections of U.S. Highway 79 in Henderson. While lane closures are not a part of street-sweeping operations, motorists are encouraged to drive in the inside lanes to avoid having to merge around street-sweeping operations.

Crews are also scheduled to perform shoulder work in various locations on Loop 571 and U.S. Highway 259, and resurfacing work on U.S. Highway 84 between Reklaw and Farm Road 2753. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations on State Highway 37 between Quitman and Winnsboro. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic in two-lane areas.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 1990, followed by the same work later in the week on Farm Road 320 between Farm Road 645 and Loop 256. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location, and traffic will be controlled by flaggers.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Fire Department deployed all but one of its engines as it tried to stop a fire that destroyed a home and several classic automobiles late Friday in South Longview. A woman who was asleep when the fire broke out in another part of the house was treated for smoke inhalation, Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary said Saturday. Two firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion. No one was hospitalized. The three-bedroom home and six automobiles were a total loss, Zackary said.

As Longview equipment was being used at the fire in the 400 block of Ridgecrest Drive, equipment from fire departments in Gilmer, Elderville and White Oak was moved to Longview in case it was needed elsewhere in the city. Zackary said the fire was reported about 8:40 p.m., and crews were on the scene well past midnight.

EAST TEXAS — Smoke could continue to rise for days or even weeks from a Friday fire in Overton. More than 40 area firefighters, 14 vehicles and a helicopter were used to battle the grass fire near FM 1639, according to Michael Stanley, spokesman for the Kilgore Fire Department, which was in command operations. Stanley said initial estimates of a fire that covered as much as 300 acres were reduced to about 100 acres after talking with firefighters on the scene. “With that large of a geographical area, it’s difficult to say,” he said.

The blaze reportedly started when a hay baler being used by a crew on his land on CR 1115 caught fire. Volunteer fire departments from Overton, Crims Chapel, Sabine and New London also responded to the fire. The Texas Forestry Service brought two plows and a helicopter to assist. Stanley said Kilgore firefighters cleared the scene about 10:30 p.m. Friday, but the Texas Forestry Service was watching hot spots Saturday. The fire is secure, but Stanley said officials will be watching the area an smoke could continue to rise from the area for days or even weeks.

Kilgore firefighters also responded Friday to a grass fire on FM 2276 east of Kilgore. Stanley said Elderville/Lakeport volunteer firefighters and the Texas Forestry Service assisted in battling the blaze the covered about 40 acres. No structures were damaged in either fire.

LONGVIEW — The victim of a hit-and-run driver just over a week ago has died. Charles Edward Leatch, 37, died last Thursday in a local hospital, Longview Police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said Friday. Leatch was struck by a passing vehicle while walking in the 200 block of Magnolia Lane before 6:00 Sunday morning, August 7. Later that day, police arrested Jonathan Soto Estrada, 21, (pictured) and charged him with accident involving serious bodily injury or death. Estrada was released from jail Monday on $50,000 bond.

EAST TEXAS — Firefighters across East Texas continued battling several grass fires. Firefighters spent several hours Friday afternoon and evening battling a large grass fire near Overton, another east of Kilgore, and one along Interstate 20 near Hallsville, officials reported.

At the same time, Longview firefighters were battling a blaze that consumed four automobiles and a home on the city’s south side late Friday, even as several grass fires that ravaged hundreds of acres across the area continue to burn. A house at 402 Ridgecrest Drive was fully engulfed shortly before 10 p.m., said Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary. Earlier blazes in the same area burned four cars.

Several fire departments and the Texas Forestry Service were battling a large fire near Rusk County CR 1115 between Texas 31 and 42 near Overton. James Copeland, who lives on CR 1115, said the fire started on his property when fire shot out of a hay baler being used by a baling crew.

Elderville/Lakeport volunteer firefighters and Kilgore Fire Department firefighters were battling a blaze on about five acres on fire near FM 2204 and FM 2276. One constable said 200 to 300 acres had been burned. Officials were still on the scene of both fires late Friday and did not have complete information on the extent of the damage. Officials said the fire had spread deep into the woods and was climbing trees while firefighters were working to protect structures.

In Harrison County along Interstate 20, officials reported another grass fire was being fought late Friday afternoon.

Franklin County Officials are on the scene of a fire burning near Winnsboro and Lake Cypress Springs. Numerous departments and a helicopter are responding.

JACKSONVILLE – One person has been arrested in Jacksonville as officers executed a search warrant at Fred’s Body Shop off Highway 69. Jacksonville Police called in the SWAT team after several tips had been called in and weeks of surveillance. Officers seized a large quantity of cocaine and marijuana and around $10,000 in cash. There were also reports that weapons and four cars were seized. Fredrick Horn was arrested. Investigators say he is one of Jacksonville’s largest drug providers. They report, Horn stashed marijuana and cocaine in a trunk of a car.Officers say Horn was armed, but surrendered peacefully. Investigators say this case is still under review and more arrests are possible.

PLANO – Two people with partial East Texas residency are named as a federal grand jury in Plano returns multiple indictments this week. They’re named as Franciscus Maria Berdina Gerrits, 47, also known as Francisous Gerrits, and Mari E. Hendrina Gerrits, 44 — also known as Maria Gerrits, Maryke “Maria” Arends, and Marijke Arends. The two, who list their homes as Hopkins County, Texas, and the Netherlands, were indicted for violations of fraud against farm credit agencies and conspiracy to commit fraud against farm credit agencies. If convicted, they each face up to 5 years in federal prison.

MARSHALL – A 45-year-old Gladewater man has pleaded guilty to federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Friday. Edward Charles Lee pleaded guilty in Marshall to being a felon in possession of a firearm on Aug. 11, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Everingham, IV. According to information presented in court, on Apr. 7, 2011, Lee was found in possession of numerous firearms. Further investigation revealed Lee was a convicted felon, having been previously found guilty of battery in 1993. As a convicted felon, Lee is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Lee was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 11, 2011, and charged with federal firearms violations. Lee faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01) is applauding the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that part of the federal health care plan is unconstitutional. Gohmert released the following statement Friday:

“Today’s ruling is a triumph for the Constitution and a great victory for the American people. Not only is it unconstitutional to force Americans to purchase health care insurance against their will, this bill misrepresents the rule of law in the United States. It not only destroys jobs; but, it robs the taxpayers of 2.6 trillion of their hard-earned money. This is not the first time that a federal court has ruled that the individual mandate in ObamaCare is unconstitutional. I applaud this court decision and look forward to replacing Obamacare with healthcare that does not just bring change but offers hope.”

LONGVIEW — A vehicle fire causes serious problems in Longview. Longview Fire Officials tell KETK the blaze occurred just after 1:30 p.m. Friday on Interstate 20, when an 18-wheeler carrying several cars caught fire. The driver of the truck noticed the fire and managed to pull over near the Estes Parkway exit and detach his cab before the fire spread. There were multiple cars destroyed in the fire, and a small patch of grass was also burned. Explosions were reported by nearby businesses, which officials say may have been caused by the tires and hydraulic lines on the cars. No word on what might have sparked the fire, but officials say there were no injuries involved. Traffic was reduced to one lane as authorities got busy clearing the scene.

LONGVIEW — Danny Lynn Busher accepted a maximum two-year state jail sentence Friday morning for theft. Busher, 58, of Longview, has been arrested and convicted by multiple agencies during the past two decades. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Smith County authorities took him into custody Wednesday on theft charges there. He was later transported to the Gregg County Jail.

Prosecutors said Busher conned at least six Gregg County residents out of more than $23,500 in cash for which he must pay restitution as part of his plea agreement Friday. In exchange, the Gregg County District Attorney’s Office charged him with theft between $1,500 and $20,000 – a state jail felony punishable by up to two years – rather than third-degree felony theft that carries up to 10 years in prison. Still, Assistant District Attorney Stacee Brownlee said Busher tried to negotiate a lesser sentence because of his health issues.

Busher’s plea resolves all of his Gregg County theft cases, though Brownlee said other victims have come forward since media have published Busher’s Tyler arrest. District Judge David Brabham said Busher’s plea does not exonerate him from charges in other counties, including Smith and Upshur.

HUGHES SPRINGS — A Hughes Springs teacher was arrested Friday morning, accused of having an improper relationship with a student. According to KETK, police issued a warrant and arrested Karrie McKinney, 41, after a lengthy investigation. The elementary teacher was allegedly involved with a 16-year old boy who attends Hughes Springs High School. McKinney is charged with improper relationship between an educator and a student, a second degree felony. The teacher was released on a $25,000 bond Friday.

LINDALE — The Lindale ISD board of trustees voted unanimously to move forward with a tax cut for Lindale home and property owners. The tax cut would reduce the Interest and Sinking (I&S) rate from 41.5 cents to 39.5 cents. The I&S rate is used to pay off school construction bonds. Bond sales only affect the I&S rate. The Maintenance and Operation (M&O) tax rate of $1.06 per one hundred dollars of appraised value will remain the same.

In November 2009, the voters of LISD approved at $42 million bond that included the construction of a new junior high school, the addition of classrooms at the high school, a 1,200 seat auditorium and improvements to athletic facilities. “Due to the conservative nature of our spending in the Lindale Independent School District, proper planning and continued student growth, the board of trustees will be able to lower the tax rate,” Superintendent Stan Surratt said. The rate must be advertised locally to LISD voters before it is voted on for approval at a special school board meeting on August 29. The 2011-2012 LISD operating budget will also be considered for adoption at the meeting.

A reduction in the I&S tax rate and no change in the current M&O rate are possible despite a massive budget shortfall in the state of Texas that led to more than $4 billion in cuts to public schools. Lindale ISD’s share of the state cuts is approximately six percent of the district’s operating budget. “We need to cut about $1.5 million out of last year’s budget to balance the budget for this year,” Surratt said. “We had to reduce more because of the added expenses of maintaining our new junior high campus, classroom additions and the auditorium. We were able to make the cuts to the budget without laying off any full-time LISD employees.”

Surratt continued, “Lindale ISD Director of Finance Liz Stewart calculated the expenses related to the new facilities at just over $500,000. “We were very fortunate to recommend a tax cut to the board of trustees despite the reduction in state funds.” Surratt noted that every department and campus was asked to reduce their budgets. Travel and supply budgets in LISD received significant cuts. “We reduced and tightened our belts in every area but hopefully in a way that will have little effect on the instruction to our students,” Surratt said.

LONGVIEW — The tax increase Longview voters asked for is on the horizon. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, the city has proposed a 50.09-cent property tax rate for the 2012 budget year. The rate includes an unchanged maintenance and operations rate of 38.62 cents per $100 taxable value, plus 13.47 cents for debt service. The debt rate increased from 11.78 cents after voters approved a $52.6 million street bond proposal in May. City Manager David Willard addressed the rate as part of his nearly $150 million spending plan for 2012 at Thursday’s City Council meeting. Council members also rezoned Magnolia Lane property to make way for apartment homes and named a new mayor pro tem.

Last year’s property tax rate of 48.4 cents and the 2012 proposed rate are higher than the effective rate of 48.13 cents — the rate needed to generate the same amount of revenue as in the current budget. For taxpayers, the average taxable home value increased from $132,325 this past year to $135,465 in 2012. That means the average tax bill, with the proposed 50.09-cent rate, would be $678.54, representing an increase of $38.09, or a nearly 6 percent jump.

FORT HOOD — Fort Hood officials have released the name of a Soldier who died Aug. 7. He was found unresponsive in a home in Gilmer. According to KETK and information from Fort Hood, 21-year-old SPC Justin Wade Powell’s home of record is listed as Gilmer. He entered active-duty service in November 2008 as an air traffic control operator. He had been assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, since June 2009. Powell deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from July 2010 to June 2011.

Powell’s awards and decorations include an Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with combat service star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO International Security Assistance Medal, Aviation Badge, and Sharpshooter Badge. The incident remains under investigation.

LUFKIN – Lufkin Police are investigating what they are calling an “abnormal” death of a woman found Thursday afternoon under the Chestnut Village bridge behind Firestone Tire off Timberland Drive. Lufkin Police detectives have identified the body as that of Joy Yvonne Bybee, 48.

According to Lufkin Police Lt. David Young, the body of a white female was discovered by someone she knew, who then notified authorities around 5 p.m. Thursday. To get to her body, detectives and crime scene technicians had to navigate a sloping wooded trail before ducking under the bridge that connects businesses lining Timberland Drive to Chestnut Village shopping center. As of Thursday night, her cause of death was unknown, but will be handled as a homicide until an autopsy is performed.

NACOGDOCHES – Nacogdoches Police continue their investigation into a shooting incident on South Ritchie Street Thursday afternoon. The investigation has indicated that two men went to the Ritchie Street residence and purchased a quantity of marijuana. The two men returned to the residence a short time later, and claimed a discrepancy in the amount of marijuana. Once inside the residence, one of the men produced a .22 caliber pistol and threatened the resident,tied him up and the men then began to ransack the house, gathering valuables in a robbery.

The resident of the home, Davarick Chatman, 32, was able to free himself and retrieve a 16ga shotgun. Chatman then shot one of the men, identified as Michael Obrien Johnson, age 27 of Lufkin. Johnson was shot several times at close range. Johnson died at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital. The other man, identified as Courtny Randale Allen, 24 also of Lufkin, fled the scene on foot. He turned himself in to the Nacogdoches Police Department last night on a warrant for Aggravated Robbery.

TYLER – The temporary restraining order against the Double D Restaurant has been extended for two weeks. Toys R Us, which owns the land where the restaurant is located, alleged breach of a commercial real estate lease. Judge Christi Kennedy said yesterday it had been hoped that the parties would settle the matter behind closed doors. But, when that did not happen, the judge extended the temporary restraining order and increased the bond to $200,000. Another hearing will be held in a couple of weeks.

LONGVIEW – The Tarrant County Medical Examiner has ruled the manner of death of a Gregg County Jail inmate is undetermined. But he said he found no signs of notable trauma or foul play in the death of Micah Aaron Garner, 30. He ruled the cause of death “nocturnal adult death with evidence of recent ingestion of methamphetamine.” Garner was found unresponsive in his cell on June 6th. The toxicology report from Medical Examiner Marc Krouse showed a “low level” of methamphetamine in Garner’s blood, but noted that it could not be “directly attributed to the death at such a low level.” Garner had been in the jail for three days after being charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and forgery of a financial instrument when he was found unresponsive in a medical holding cell.

Garner’s death was the second in Gregg County Jail in less than six months. On December 29th, Amy Lynn Cowling, 33, was pronounced dead at a Longview Hospital after being found unresponsive in her jail cell. Her family has filed a federal lawsuit against the county, claiming she was denied proper medical attention.

ATHENS — We may find out tonight who the next Athens School Superintendent will be. School trustees have scheduled a meeting this afternoon to possibly name the lone finalist for the position. Over 60 applications were received for the post. Nine of those candidates were interviewed. That list was narrowed to three. The person selected will succeed Dr. Fred Hayes. He served as Athens school superintended from 2006 until this past June when he became school superintendent in Nacogdoches.

WICHITA, KAN. (AP) — Federal prosecutors in Wichita have charged 12 people in the ongoing investigation of a Kansas camp run by two Texas men from Nacogdoches County. At the camp, hunters paid thousands of dollars to kill deer illegally. Camp Lone Star owner James Butler Junior and his brother, Marlin Butler, both of Martinsdale, Texas, were sentenced to prison in June in the case.

LONGVIEW – One person is hospitalized with burns following a Longview mobile home fire. It was reported around 2:00 Thursday afternoon in the 3400 block of Graves Court. It destroyed the home as well as a car on the property. Investigators say it appears as if the fire started in the back of the house. The cause has not been determined. The heat from the fire caused minor damage to a near by mobile home.

TYLER — Tyler police need the public’s help identifying a suspect. On July 23, a suspect entered the Dillard’s Store located in the Broadway Square Mall at 4601 S. Broadway. The suspect grabbed an undetermined amount of merchandise and left the store without paying. Investigators have received an in-store surveillance video of the incident and are asking for your assistance in identifying the suspect. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers, at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833). Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and charges filed against the suspects in this case or any felony case.

LONGVIEW –Next Monday, Good Shepherd will begin renovations to the first floor of the Medical Center. Staffers say the changes will enhance the environment visitors experience when they come to be with their loved ones and expand the healthy eating options available to all staff. The new changes will include renovation of the surgery and SICU waiting room, relocation of the gift shop, and the addition of a new healthy options café.

The surgery waiting room will be remodeled to include new carpeting and furniture and will feature a combination of soft seating and tables and chairs. The Gift Shop will be moved into a new storefront that will be constructed in what is currently the waiting area just behind the fountain in the main lobby. Staffers say the new store will offer a brighter, fresh atmosphere to highlight the selections of flowers, gifts, jewelry, magazines, books and more.

Across from the surgery waiting area, a new café will be added that hospital officials say will focus on fresh, delicious and healthy food prepared while you watch. What’s termed the innovative design will include both fresh entrees to order and food to go. Customers will have the opportunity to choose from several food stations including a Wild Greens station which will offer freshly made soups and salads; the Artisan Deli, which will offer chef-inspired deli sandwiches served on rustic breads; the Chef’s Case, which will offer entrees that will change daily; and a Starbuck’s Station that officials say will offer a full range of coffee, espresso, smoothies and pastries.

“We are looking forward to enhancing the environment visitors experience when they visit family and friends in the hospital,” said Ron Short, vice president of operations. Construction and remodeling are scheduled for completion late this fall.

TYLER — A 44-year-old Tyler man has been sentenced to federal prison for child pornography violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Thursday. Thomas Alvin Boyd pleaded guilty on Mar. 8, 2011, to distributing child pornography and was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison Thursday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.

According to information presented in court, on Mar. 29, 2010, law enforcement agents executed a federal search warrant at Boyd’s residence and seized several computers, USB drives, CDs, DVDs, and other forms of digital media. A forensic examination of the seized items was conducted and found to contain several thousand images of child pornography and, at a minimum, 250 videos of child pornography.

Boyd was aware that the settings on the peer-to-peer software allowed certain other users to download child pornography from him and acknowledges that the illegal images were distributed in that they were accessed and downloaded by others. Some of the images depicted prepubescent minors under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and some of the images are considered sadistic or masochistic. Boyd was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 6, 2010, and charged with child pornography violations.

WHITE OAK — Mandatory water conservation crept this week into Gregg County, with one city placing controls on irrigation and recreational water use. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. White Oak’s City Council has moved the town to Stage II drought contingency, with strict instructions on outdoor watering, motor vehicle washing and new hours for its splash pad at City Park. City Coordinator Charlie Smith said customers are using between 2 million and 2.7 million gallons of water a day, and the city wants to avoid reaching its daily capacity of about 3.3 million gallons. White Oak treats raw water from Big Sandy Creek and purchases treated water from the city of Longview.

Water department customers with account numbers ending in an even number can water their lawns from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Sundays and Thursdays. Customers with accounts ending in odd numbers can water during those hours Saturdays and Wednesdays, Smith said. Hand-held irrigation is allowed, but car and boat washing is prohibited. Local car washes are exempted from the order, Smith said. Meanwhile, White Oak’s splash pad will close beginning Monday for four days a week. It will open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at normal operating hours — 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. — until conservation measures are lifted, Smith said. All scheduled parties booked at the splash pad will be honored, he said.

LUFKIN — An electronic problem at Lufkin’s water supply was corrected Thursday morning after the entire city went without water overnight Wednesday. That’s the word from KETK and the Lufkin Daily News. According to City Manager Paul Parker, a large circuit breaker at the water plant on Martin Luther King Drive went out Wednesday evening. Due to a glitch with an alarm system that monitors city equipment, the issue was not discovered until about 4 a.m. Thursday. City workers and contractors labored through the early morning hours to correct the issue and had everything restored around 7 a.m., Parker said.

“Everything is working again,” Parker said. “We had been down six hours before we realized the issue because of the alarm failure. Even the backup generator didn’t kick on. We will do everything we can to rectify that glitch. We didn’t know until now it could occur.”

While water service has been restored, Parker said Lufkinites may have noticed decreased water pressure throughout the day Thursday. Parker asked that residents limit outdoor watering until this is no longer an issue. “The water in the overhead storage is low. That keeps our water pressure,” he explained. “People probably won’t notice this except for outdoor usage like sprinkler systems. It’s probably better just to turn them off for now.” Parker said he expected water pressure to return to normal by Thursday evening.