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TYLER (AP/STAFF) A Smith County jury has convicted and delivered a life sentence against a man accused of being part of an alleged swinger’s club that used children as performers. The panel decided within a half hour Thursday that Dennis Pittman, 47, will serve at least 15 years of his prison sentence before he becomes eligible for parole. Pittman had been found guilty earlier in the day of engaging in organized criminal activity. The jury deliberated about 1½ hours before convicting Pittman, who was the fourth of six defendants to be tried in the so-called Mineola child sex ring. Pittman’s defense will file a motion for a new trial. In June, an appeals court overturned convictions of two other men. New trials were ordered for Patrick “Booger Red” Kelly and Jamie Pittman.

NACOGDOCHES COUNTY — Facts of a case, brought up at a bond reduction hearing last month, have led to a “no bill” for one Hemphill man. Gerald Thomas, 49, will no longer face a murder charge after allegedly shooting and killing Tore Ratcliff in May. According to KETK, facts of the case, brought up at a bond reduction hearing last month, led to a “no bill” finding by a grand jury. Testimony appeared to have pointed at self-defense.

TYLER — A judge in Tyler has sequestered the jury in the trial of a man accused of being part of an alleged swinger’s club using children. Defense testimony was expected to wrap up today in the aggravated sexual assault trial of 47-year-old Dennis Boyd Pittman.

Judge Jack Skeen Jr. on Wednesday granted a prosecution motion to sequester the jury, over concerns about media coverage and testimony outside the presence of jurors. Defense attorney Jason Cassel questioned the foster parents of three siblings who were alleged to be the victims in the so-called Mineola child sex ring. An appeals court in June overturned the convictions of two other men. New trials were ordered for Patrick “Booger Red” Kelly and Jamie Pittman.

HENDERSON — It’s now against the law to drink alcohol on any Rusk County property. Among the areas affected, according to KETK: the county’s airport and youth expo center. Officials say the move’s specifically designed to keep people from bringing alcoholic beverages in coolers.

KILGORE — A powered wheelchair is reportedly stolen from a Vietnam Veteran at Brookshires in Kilgore. According to KETK, Fred Niles says he went into the store for about an hour and when he came back, his handicap walker was gone. Security tapes show a man in his 50’s swapped the stores power chair with Niles’, then loading it into an SUV.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP/Staff) – Cast iron pipe manufacturer McWane Inc. has agreed to pay $4 million in civil penalties and spend $9.1 million to protect communities near its plants in 14 states in a settlement with federal environmental regulators. McWane is the parent company of Tyler Pipe. The Environmental Protection Agency said the settlement with Alabama’s McWane resolves more than 400 violations of air and water quality standards at 28 plants. The EPA statement Wednesday said McWane already has spent more than $7.6 million on corrective measures. The company previously paid more than $25 million in criminal fines and penalties for environmental violations. In Birmingham, McWane President Ruffner Page Jr. said the settlement marks the beginning of the final chapter in its effort to be in full compliance with environmental standards.

TYLER – The Smith County Commissioners Court will hold a meeting Tuesday at 3:00 to talk about new plans to renovate and expand the Smith County Jail. There is a chance the court will vote on a new design plan for the jail without needing to put it on the ballot. This is called certification of obligation. According to KETK, the latest design plans come from Smith County Commissioner Jeff Warr, with a $33 million dollar price tag at a time when the court is trying to balance the budget. For the past few years, inmates have been shipped to nearby county jails to alleviate the Smith County Jail’s overcrowding problems. But transportation and housing has cost tax payers millions since 2004 and the court is trying to decide if the new plan saves more money.

AUSTIN — Lt. Governor David Dewhurst has announced changes to Senate Committee assignments for the 81st Legislature, including eight committee chairmanships, in order to allow the members to prepare for the upcoming 82nd Legislative Session. Among the changes announced Wednesday, State Senator Kevin Eltife of Tyler was named chairman of the Administration Committee, and Senator Bob Deuell of Greenville was named chairman of the Nominations Committee.

“With some changes in Senate membership, we saw an opportunity to re-align senators’ individual expertise and priorities with the several committees,” said Lt. Governor Dewhurst. “I appreciate the hard work and dedication of all the 31 fine members of the Texas Senate. Each is deeply committed to ensuring a bright future for the people they represent in their respective districts and all 25 million Texans.”

TYLER — Rusk County District Attorney Micheal Jimerson is recovering at Tyler’s Mother Francis Hospital following emergency brain surgery. Jimerson had been complaining of headaches for about a week. After the emergency room staff at Henderson’s East Texas Medical Center found swelling in his brain, Jimerson was rushed to Tyler for Wednesday’s surgery. According to a news release, he is expected to make a full recovery.

TEXARKANA (AP) — Texas prosecutors aren’t seeking the death penalty for a woman accused of starving and beating her 13-year-old adopted son to death last year. Cass County District Attorney Clint Allen said Tuesday there was a great deal of deliberation before the decision was made to take the punishment off the table in the case of Cynthia Hudson, of Queen City.

Cynthia Hudson is charged with capital murder in the December 2008 death of Samuel Hudson and now faces life without parole if convicted. Law enforcement and child welfare officials say Samuel Hudson was beaten with a broom handle, a rake and other items, and that his hands and feet were bound with large plastic zip ties.

Hudson’s attorney couldn’t be reached for comment on Wednesday.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Partnership received five First Place Awards in a statewide Festival and Events competition held by the Texas Festival and Events Association (TFEA). The Longview Partnership received 1st Place for the Best Event Program, Best TV Promotion, and Best Event Invitation for the East TX Boat, RV, & Camping Expo in the $75,000 and under budget category. AlleyFest also brought home two 1st Place Awards for Best TV Promotion and Best Outdoor Billboard in the $75,000 – $250,000 budget category.

“We’d like to share this award with our collaboration partners Media Quest, who developed the East Texas Boat, RV & Camping Expo marketing materials, as well as Longview Cable TV for the AlleyFest TV commercial and Forbes & Butler/Lamar Advertising for the AlleyFest billboards. The Longview Partnership is honored that the Texas Festival and Events Association has recognized two of our major events,” said Longview Partnership Chairperson Jim Kendrick. Kendrick also singled out “two of our staff members who coordinate these events: Mitzi Barnes for the East Texas Boat, RV & Camping Expo which is held in January of each year — and Elaine Reynolds for AlleyFest, which is held in the first full weekend in June of each year.”

Every year, the Texas Festival & Events Association (TFEA), presents awards for excellence to festivals and events across the state at their Annual Conference. The awards are intended to create a benchmark for other festival and event organizers with similar budgets; the contest spotlights outstanding marketing programs statewide. All entries were critiqued by a professional panel of marketing experts with the International Festival & Events Association based out of Boise, Idaho.

TYLER — Tyler Police and FBI investigators are investigating a robbery at the BBVA Compass Bank located at 6910 South Broadway. It happened just before 12:45 yesterday afternoon. Bank employees stated that a white male in his sixties to early seventies walked up to a teller inside the bank and handed the employee a note. The note advised the teller that it was a bank robbery, that the teller should give him the cash, and that he had a gun inside his bag. The suspect did not display a weapon during the course of the robbery. The teller complied with his demand and gave him an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect then walked out of the bank and left in an unknown direction.

Tyler Police arrived on the scene moments after the bank alarm and searched the area; they were unable to locate the suspect. There were no injuries reported during the course of the incident. Tyler Police obtained bank photographs of the suspect to assist with identifying the suspect. Anyone with information about the suspects involved in this crime 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 arrests and charges filed against the suspect in this, or any, felony case.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police Detectives are seeking assistance from the public to help solve a rash of criminal mischief cases that are plaguing south Longview. In the past week, unknown persons have used a BB or pellet gun to shoot the windows out of unoccupied cars parked during the overnight hours. The damage has occurred particularly on El Paso Street, Booker Street, and South Green Street. Eight criminal mischief reports were made on Monday, and five more reports were made Wednesday.

Police are asking residents in the area to immediately report any suspicious activity to police and to contact Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP if they know who is responsible for the crimes. Gregg County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1000.00 for information leading to the arrest of the suspect(s) in this case. Go to http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.com to make online tips.

TYLER — In efforts to continue distance education enhancement at The University of Texas at Tyler, the College of Engineering and Computer Science will offer two engineering master’s degree programs online, UT Tyler President Rodney Mabry announced. Courses for the master of science in electrical engineering and master of science in mechanical engineering will be offered from the Longview University Center beginning fall 2011.

“We are expanding our offerings to meet the needs of students and bring more prospective students to UT Tyler,” said Dr. Peter Fos, UT Tyler provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “The programs will be housed at the Longview campus, and with the vast industry in the Longview region, we believe this will be a good niche for both the East Texas area and the Longview University Center.” According to UTT officials, this effort comes after the university aggressively searched for additional ways to reach students and increase university revenue, while cutting costs.

A working engineer will be able to complete his or her master’s degree within two to three years as a part-time student, according to Dr. James Nelson, UT Tyler College of Engineering and Computer Science dean. By 2012, the college also hopes to offer additional master’s degrees online as well as online and on-site professional development courses to help licensed engineers meet the continuing education requirements for license renewals, he added. “With both of these offerings, we hope to better serve practicing engineers and particularly those in Tyler and Longview,” Nelson said. Established in 1997, both programs prepare students for various careers in their field as well as graduate study and research.

LUFKIN — Lufkin police are looking for four men who they say broke into a tire store last week. According to KETK, police say two men used a concrete block to smash their way into the lobby of Dupree Tire and take two sets of wheels. They think two other men were in a getaway car.