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EAST TEXAS — It’s a busy ballot as East Texans head to the polls for Election Day. One high-profile item is the $89.85 million Tyler ISD bond issue. The proposal calls for new Rice and Dixie Elementary schools, along with a new middle school. Alcohol propositions are set to be voted on in Bullard, Whitehouse, Smith County JP Precinct 4, and White Oak. According to KETK, Bullard, Whitehouse, and White Oak will each vote on allowing mixed beverages in restaurants as well as beer and wine sales for off-premise consumption. Precinct 4 will vote only on beer and wine sales for off-premise consumption.

There are also some legislative races to be decided. Republican District 1 Congressman Louie Gohmert is challenged by Libertarian Charles F. Parkes and independent Trent E. Gale. Incumbent Republican District 6 State Representative Leo Berman faces Libertarian Jon Fitts, while Republican David Simpson goes up against Libertarian Eric (Ric) Brandt in the race for House District 7. In State Senate District 2, it’s Republican incumbent Bob Deuell against Democrat Kathleen Maria Shaw. Incumbent Republican Robert Nichols squares off against Libertarian David Scott for the State Senate District 3 seat. In a Smith County race, District Attorney Matt Bingham faces a challenge from Democrat Lenis Pierce.

TYLER — A major gift of Mexican folk art — over 650 pieces — makes its way to the Tyler Museum of Art’s permanent collection, thanks to Laura and Dan Boeckman of Dallas. According to museum director Kim Tomio, “A gift of this scope and breadth, and the quality, puts the art museum really on a different level with its colleagues.” She says the donation offers a big boost to the museum’s prestige, making the venue “really a destination for people who want to learn about this kind of material — research it, just enjoy it, study it.” Tomio says part of the collection can already be seen at the museum, with more being installed at Tyler Public Library. The rest will stay in storage until display space is available.

TYLER – The Democratic Club of Smith County will provide a ride to any Tyler resident in need of transportation on Election Day. Polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and transportation will be available anytime during those hours. The Democratic Club will also assist those in need with finding their voting location. You can contact Alicia Peoples at (978) 505 – 7959 or Claretta Allen at (903) 530 – 8668 for more information or for a ride to the polls. Voters will need to bring a valid I.D. or their voter registration card. A Democratic spokesperson notes that service will be offered regardless of how voters intend to cast their ballots.

BEAUMONT –The U.S. Justice Department offers information about its efforts, through the Civil Rights and Criminal Divisions, to ensure that all qualified voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots and have their votes counted, without incidence of discrimination, intimidation or fraud. U.S. Attorney John M. Bales says Assistant U.S. Attorneys/District Election Officers Michelle Englade and M. Andrew Stover will be on duty in the Eastern District of Texas while the polls are open. Bales say that’s in order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 2 and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities. AUSA Englade can be reached by the public at 409-839-2538 and AUSA Stover can be reached by the public at 972-509-1201.

In addition, the FBI will have Special Agents available in each Field Office and Resident Agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The FBI can be reached by East Texans at the following telephone numbers:

Tyler – 903-592-4301
Texarkana – 870-773-3382
Lufkin – 936-637-3834

Ann McGeehan, Director of Elections at the Office of the Secretary of State, has advised that they will also be available to receive calls from the public at their toll free number, 1-800-252-8683 from 6:00 am until 8:00 pm on election day.

BEAUMONT – A Lufkin physician has pleaded guilty to charges of health care fraud violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Dr. Alexander Orlov, D.O., 46, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud Medicare and Medicaid Monday in Beaumont before U.S. District Judge Ron Clark.

According to prosecutors, from Nov. 2008 to Apr. 2010, Orlov, a physician and the owner of a Lufkin medical practice and urgent care clinic, and an employee, Haseeb Rehman, submitted claims for physicians’ services to Medicare and Medicaid for services provided by Rehman — who was not a licensed medical professional. Orlov controlled and operated Lufkin Urgent Care, P.A. He employed Rehman to run Lufkin Urgent Care. Rehman treated patients, prescribed medication, performed minor surgical procedures, and operated within Lufkin Urgent Care as if he were a licensed medical professional.

Claims were submitted to Medicare and Medicaid for Rehman’s services representing that the services were provided by a physician. As a result of these claims, Orlov unlawfully obtained more than $250,000 from Medicare and Medicaid. Orlov was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 3 and charged with conspiracy to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. Orlov faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set. The case against Rehman is pending.

EAST TEXAS – Voting in the mid-term election runs from 7:00 till 7:00 today. There are numerous polling places in Smith County. You can go to http://www.smith-county.com to find where you are scheduled to vote.

LONGVIEW — Gregg County officials remind voters that there are Election Day polling place changes for Voting Precincts 2, 19, 20, 21, and 22. All polling places are listed on the county website — http://www.co.gregg.tx.us — in the Election Department news items. You can also call 903-758-6181 for information.

MARSHALL (AP/Staff) – Democratic gubernatorial nominee Bill White makes one last stop in East Texas on the final day of campaigning. White stopped in Marshall for a breakfast meet-and-greet at the Harrison County airport. White’s schedule also included Dallas, Corpus Christi, Laredo and Brownsville. Republican incumbent Rick Perry was slated to appear in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin Monday.

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting that happened on County Road 429 in Tyler Sunday morning. Officials with the Smith County Sheriff’s Department say investigators responded to the shooting at 4:00 Sunday morning. According to KETK, officials say, in all, three people were sent to the hospital. Two were treated and released, but the third remains hospitalized. According to authorities, the shooting took place at a club called “Dorothy’s Disco.” But investigators are unsure whether the establishment is registered with the TABC.

LONGVIEW — A fire on East Marshall Avenue in Longview has destroyed a wood frame home. The fire was reported around 3:00 Sunday morning. No injuries were reported, but the family’s pet dog was killed by the blaze. It appears as if the fire started in the garage and spread to the house. The cause remains under investigation.

UNDATED — The Texas Department of Transportation’s “Don’t Mess with Texas litter-fighting superheroes, The Litter Force, will be touring schools in East Texas this week. Hawk, Bolt, Ultra, and K-900 will teach students that throwing trash on the playground is just as bad as littering on Texas roads.

New research shows that 88 percent of Texas third-graders who’ve seen the Litter Force know Don’t Mess with Texas means don’t litter (compared with 53 percent when they were in first grade). Kids are now beating out their adult counterparts: The 2009 Litter Attitudes and Behaviors study shows that 82 percent of Texans know what Don’t Mess with Texas means. Students who see one of the 50 shows on the Litter Force’s statewide tour will receive a Litter Force activity book and are encouraged to go to http://www.dontmesswithtexas.org/litterforce to play games and learn more about the superheroes.

TxDOT, responsible for keeping roads clear of hazardous, ugly litter, is using a research-based campaign to work toward creating a litter-free generation. TxDOT wants to work with students to instill the importance of a cleaner Texas, which will lead to future savings.
In 2009 alone, TxDOT spent nearly $46 million on litter pick-up costs.

The remaining schedule for East Texas is as follows:

Tuesday, Nov. 2
• Elkhart Elementary, 8 a.m., 301 East Parker, Elkhart 75839
• Westwood Primary, 1:30 p.m., 1701 W. Point Tap Road, Palestine 75802

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010
• Griffin Elementary, 9 a.m., 3000 N. Border, Tyler 75702
• Orr Elementary, 1:45 p.m., 3350 Pine Haven Road, Tyler 75702

Don’t Mess with Texas has been educating Texans about litter prevention since 1986. TxDOT’s litter prevention program includes Adopt-a-Highway and a grassroots partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful. Don’t Mess with Texas activities also include a spring “Trash-Off,” community outreach, a scholarship, a corporate partner program, and a new photo album where Texans can share their iconic Texas images. You can visit http://www.dontmesswithtexas.org for more information. TxDOT’s goals are to reduce congestion, enhance safety, expand economic opportunity, improve air quality, and increase the value of transportation assets. You can visit http://www.txdot.gov for more information.

UNDATED — Here’s a quick look at events and work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

SMITH COUNTY — Construction crews this week are scheduled to begin several days of resurfacing work on Farm Road 14 between North Loop 323 in Tyler and Interstate 20. Delays caused by the work may be lengthy, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

Also this week, Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews are scheduled to continue resurfacing operations of Farm Road 3271 northwest of Tyler between State Highway 110 and U.S. Highway 69.

Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue edge and pavement repairs on Ranch Road 2588 between LaRue and the end of state maintenance. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge repairs on SH 294 between the Anderson County Line and State Highway 21 in Alto. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue several days of resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 13 between State Highway 42 and Loop 571 before moving to perform the same work in various locations on State Highway 42 north of Farm Road 13. A second crew will be performing pavement repairs in various locations on State Highway 322 south of the airport. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repair operations on Farm Road 1395 between Farm Road 47 and Farm Road 859 north of Edgewood. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 322 (Sycamore Street) inside Loop 256 in Palestine. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

TYLER — Officials with Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics announce the opening of what’s termed the region’s only continuous inpatient monitoring unit, The Trinity Mother Frances Epilepsy Center, located at Mother Frances Hospital-Tyler. Officials said the Center provides comprehensive care for patients with seizure disorders — offering inpatient and outpatient diagnostic testing capabilities, medication management, inpatient monitoring and surgical procedure options to treat epilepsy.

“For patients with epilepsy and seizure disorders, everyday life is anything but ordinary,” said Ashley Lesniewski, Program Coordinator. “Helping you get your life back to normal is the first priority we have at The Epilepsy Center. Continuous monitoring helps the medical team to localize your seizures so that an individualized treatment plan can be formulated. We are excited to be able to offer this new facility to our patients.”

BULLARD — Another “Come Pray With Me” rally happens tonight –election eve — at Bullard’s Panther Stadium. The organizer, Pastor Dan Cummins, says the object is to pray for the country’s political and spiritual direction. On KTBB “Staff Meeting,” Cummins says the first such rally, held in September, drew nearly 1,000 people — and he was excited “to know that people are willing to come together with perfect strangers to pray for America.” Rev. C.L. Bryant of Shreveport will keynote. Cummins says Bryant is a big backer of the rally — and has in fact invited Cummins and his followers “to join with him and start doing these ‘Come Pray With Me’ rallies across America.”

It all begins at 7 p.m. Admission is one new toy or non-perishable food item for Bullard’s Mission House. You can go to http://www.ComePrayWithMe.org or call (903) 894-WORD for more information. You can also go to http://www.ktbb.com/audio to listen to the “Staff Meeting” show online beginning early Monday morning.

NACOGDOCHES — Human remains were found in a wooded area off Highway 21 Friday night near Nacogdoches. Authorities believe those remains belong to Torchie Jolene Boyd, who went missing about two years ago. According to KETK, Boyd was last seen running into the woods near a campground where she lived with her common law husband, Earnest Alton Young. Police believe even if the remains aren’t Ms. Boyd’s, they suspect foul play in the death of the person found. The body was found wrapped in a tarp.

TYLER — Tyler Police are investigating a reported robbery at an apartment complex yesterday morning. It happened around 1:10 at 3301 South Broadway Ave. The victim, a 32-year-old woman, says she was walking to her apartment when she was reportedly approached by a black male wearing a black cap, brown leather-like jacket and dark colored pants. The victim stated the suspect produced a dark color handgun before taking her purse and running westbound on Amherst Street.

The woman described the suspect as about 5’10”, 210 pounds and around 30 years of age. The victim also stated there was a second suspect hiding in the shadows during the incident who fled the scene with the first, but could only describe him as a black male. The area surrounding the apartment complex was searched and no one matching the suspect’s descriptions were located.

Anyone with information about the suspects involved in these crimes are urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers, at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833).