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AUSTIN (Staff/AP) � District 7 State Representative-Elect David Simpson is urging a Republican Caucus meeting to choose the next speaker of the House. According to Simpson, “Voters in the election on Nov. 2 clearly showed they are not interested in politics as usual in the Texas House. With the election of a near super majority of Republicans to the Texas House, the candidate for Speaker of the House is an issue that the Republican Caucus should meet to consider.”

Simpson goes on to say that Speaker Joe Straus “came into office through the political power of the Democrat Caucus due to his commitment to a leadership style of ‘umpiring’ in the Texas House. The House does not need an umpire � they need a team captain. Such a captain should have experience dealing with budget shortfalls, re-districting, and contentious politics, with the ability to work across the aisle without sacrificing principles to do so.” Simpson adds, “I will choose a Speaker based on moral integrity, commitment to returning civil government to its proper limited role of protecting life, liberty and property, and defending state sovereignty. He or she must be someone who is fiscally conservative, and able to navigate the process of re-districting, and who is trusted and respected by members from both sides of the aisle.”

Straus, a moderate Republican from San Antonio, says he has enough support from legislators to secure another term as the chamber’s presiding officer. On Nov. 3, Straus released the names of 122 lawmakers who he says have pledged him their vote for speaker. Straus says he is “proud that Republicans have gained a record number of seats in the Texas House, reversing the losing trend for the past three election cycles.” Straus said his pledges of support include 76 Republicans and 46 Democrats.

Meanwhile, State Rep. Leo Berman, of Tyler, released an open letter Monday claiming Straus made promises to Democrats, who ensured his election as speaker.

LONGVIEW � Dr. Bill Taylor, radiation oncologist at Texas Oncology�Longview Cancer Center, and his wife, Mrs. Sandi Taylor, will be presented with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) East Texas Area Council�s Distinguished Citizen Good Turn Award this month. Considered the highest honor presented by the BSA, the Distinguished Citizen Good Turn Award is given to individuals who exemplify exceptional leadership and service within the community, according to Scouting officials. Dr. Taylor, an Eagle Scout himself and son of a scoutmaster, has served as a member of the board of directors for Longview Regional Hospital, the American Cancer Society, Heart�sWay Hospice, Margaret�s House, and Because I Care, in addition to several hospital committees. Dr. Taylor, who has been practicing at Texas Oncology�Longview Cancer Center for more than 15 years, is currently chairman of the public policy committee for US Oncology.

Mrs. Taylor spent most of her childhood in Houston but moved to Longview in 1993 with her husband and two children and has since become a devoted member of the community, according to Scouting officials. She created a volunteer program at Texas Oncology�Longview Cancer Center that became nationally recognized and is currently a prototype for volunteer programs across the country at various US Oncology locations. Mrs. Taylor has also served on many non-profit boards of directors and has been greatly involved with Junior League Longview, where she has performed in numerous children�s productions. The Distinguished Citizen Good Turn Award Luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 18, at Longview’s Pinecrest Country Club.

LUFKIN — A suspected drunk driver believed to be an illegal immigrant led authorities on a vehicle chase Friday night, damaging three squad cars and injuring a deputy, according to authorities. The man authorities believe to be Mario Lopez, 36, aka Miguel Angel Jaime, 46, was caught speeding along U.S. Highway 59 around 10:23 Friday night, DPS officials said. When the trooper initiated a traffic stop, Lopez sped away in his Dodge truck toward Lufkin. Sheriff�s office deputies and Lufkin Police joined the pursuit minutes later as Lopez got onto Loop 287. An Angelina County Sheriff�s Deputy was laying down road spikes when Lopez nearly ran over the deputy.

Lopez later wrecked into several police cars. Lopez, charged with DWI, evading arrest and assaulting a public servant, is being held in the Angelina County Jail on a collective $27,000 bond, including a $500 bond forfeiture out of Polk County for DWI, according to jail records. He also has a hold from immigration, jail records stated.

The deputy was was treated and released at Memorial Medical Center-Lufkin for an injured leg.

TYLER — Tyler Police respond to a burglary alarm and make an arrest. It happened Tuesday morning around 2:45 at Pitt-Stop Exxon, 900 W. Front. Authorities say as they arrived on scene, they noticed a suspect leaving the area carrying electronic equipment. He reportedly fled the scene when he saw the police. Officers located him and the stolen equipment a short time later at a residence near Herndon and Glenwood. Cedric Stewart, 51, Tyler, was arrested for burglary of a building and evading arrest.

TYLER — Assistant Smith County District Attorney Joe Murphy has stepped down. Sources close to the Smith County DA’s office tell KETK-TV that Murphy has left on his own accord. They report that Murphy was asked to either resign from his position or be fired by head Smith County District Attorney, Matt Bingham last week. Bingham says he’s not commenting on personnel issues at this time.

Murphy has been with the office nearly ten years. He was the lead prosecutor in the Mineola Swingers Club cases. Two of those cases were reversed last Summer by the 14th Court of Appeals in Houston.

AUSTIN � With the start of pre-legislation filing for the upcoming legislative session in Austin, Senator Robert Nichols of Jacksonville has file bills to protect homeowners from escalating property taxes and abuses of eminent domain.

The first bill Nichols filed is to slow rapidly rising taxable values on Texas homes. “Escalating tax appraisals make homeownership less and less affordable,” Nichols said. “We need to keep citizens from being taxed out their homes and significantly limit increasing tax appraisals, which result in larger tax bills.”

Currently, an appraisal district may raise the taxable value of a home by 10% a year, or up to 30 percent if there was no increase in the previous two years. This results in homeowners paying 10 to 30 percent more in property taxes from one year to the next, even if the tax rate stays the same.

Senate Bill 175 cuts the maximum rate of increase in half, from 10% to 5%. Nichols pointed out how important it is to limit the resulting increase in people’s property taxes, even when the value of their home increases.

Nichols’ other bill, Senate Bill 174, would prohibit state or local government from taking private land for the purpose of recreational projects such as city parks and trails. “No homeowner should lose the roof over their heads so others can have a place to play,” said Nichols. “Eminent domain should never be used for recreation projects, period.”

Ending eminent domain abuse continues to be a priority for Nichols. In his first session as senator he co-authored legislation creating a Landowners’ Bill of Rights and he has consistently voted for landowner protections.

TYLER — With deer hunting season underway, “Hunters for the Hungry” is working with Lynch’s Food Store on East 5th Street and the Salvation Army to provide venison for the hungry. Hunters donate their deer to participating meat processors and pay a reduced processing fee, the processors distribute the meat to area food assistance providers, and those agencies serve it to people in need.

The Salvation Army says the extra meat is a God-send. They serve over 900 meals a day at The Salvation Army Center of Hope, so donations like those from “Hunters for the Hungry” are indispensable. Last year in Smith County alone, hunters donated 1,200 pounds of venison through the program. That equals 4,800 servings for people in need.

Hunters who would like to learn more about the program can go to http://www.tacaa.org/hunters.htom or contact Lynch�s Food Store or the Salvation Army.

LINDEN — Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has reached an agreement with a Cass County horse seller that misrepresented the nature and health of its animals. Under the agreed final judgment, the defendant must pay restitution to customers who purchased sick or unhealthy animals. The agreement also prohibits the defendant from continuing to engage in the horse business.

Monday�s resolution stems from the State�s 2009 investigation and enforcement action against E-Tex Equine Co. and its owner, Patricia Wilson. State investigators found the defendant unlawfully sold horses that were blind, injured, sick and lacked up-to-date documentation proving that individual animals had been tested for infectious disease. Wilson conducted business with customers in several states without disclosing the animals true health conditions.

The agreed final judgment and permanent injunction requires Wilson to restore $65,300 to customers who were misled about the animals and her services. Wilson must also pay $10,000 in civil penalties and $15,000 in state attorney�s fees under the judgment.

TYLER — The City of Tyler Neighborhood Services Department and representatives from several other City departments will hold a neighborhood meeting tonight with residents of the Fall 2010 Neighborhood Empowerment Works (NEW) focus area. Departments that will be represented include Police, Fire, Code Enforcement, Engineering, Traffic, Animal Control, Water Utilities, Streets and Parks. Officials say the meeting is an opportunity for neighbors to share their concerns and help identify projects that the City can address during the focus period. The gathering is scheduled for 6:00 at North Tenneha Church of Christ, 1701 N. Tenneha Ave. Refreshments will be provided.

The NEW neighborhood�s boundaries are from West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between Moore and Border Avenues to Franklin Street between Moore and Palace Avenues to West Vance Avenue between Palace and Border Avenue. �Resident input is critical to this program,� said Neighborhood Services Director Brenda Johnson. �The residents know their neighborhood better than anyone and are in the best position to identify opportunities for improvement.�

According to press materials, the NEW program enhances the quality of life for Tyler residents � one neighborhood at a time � by intensely concentrating City services in a specific area for three weeks. Various City departments use information gathered from the neighborhood meeting as well as an examination of the area to identify services that could make an immediate impact on the neighborhood. This will be the 10th NEW neighborhood since the City started the program in 2006.

NACOGDOCHES — One woman is dead and a mother and daughter are in the hospital after a two-vehicle head-on collision on Highway 7 near Nacogdoches County Road 641 Sunday afternoon. The accident happened at about 2:50 p.m. when an eastbound 2007 Ford Expedition driven by Teodora Ocon-Barraza, a 25-year-old day care teacher from Nacogdoches, crossed the center stripe and hit a westbound gray 2008 BMW, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety report. Barraza was pronounced dead at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital at 4:15 p.m. Sunday. She had been wearing her seatbelt, a DPS spokeswoman said.

According to KETK, the driver of the BMW, 16-year-old Montgomery student Morgan Taylor McLeod, was listed in critical condition at the hospital with numerous broken bones and a ruptured spleen. She had also been wearing a seatbelt. Kerri Ann McLeod, 42, also of Montgomery, was listed in stable condition with a fractured ankle.

TROUP — A one vehicle accident in northern Cherokee County has left one person dead. The accident occurred shortly after 7:20 Saturday night on Cherokee County Road 4625, just east of Troup. Dead at the scene was Caleb Benjamin Turner, 19, of Troup. The Department of Public Safety report says he was not wearing a seat belt. Investigators say his pickup was heading south southwest when it left the road to the east. The driver over corrected and came back across and off on the west side of the road when he hit a tree.

TYLER — A fish fry helped kick off a week of activities honoring veterans called Hometown Heroes Week. Hundreds turned out Sunday for the 3rd Annual Veterans Appreciation Fish Fry honoring East Texas veterans.

Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass was on hand with a proclamation declaring this week Hometown Heroes week. Also on hand with special presentations to the veterans were Congressman Louie Gohmert and State Representative Leo Berman.

The organizer of the fish fry was Karl Little. When KETK-TV asked him what people could do to help veterans these days, his answer was simple, “Show them respect, that’s the most important thing.”

TYLER — A couple of noteworthy events are on tap as the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Smith County observes National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. The “Light a Candle of Care” service is set for November 14 from 2:00 till 3:00pm at Marvin United Methodist Church. Alliance spokeswoman Jamie Huff says that’s a time for reflection “on loved ones that have passed away with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, as well as just praying for those and remembering those who have the disease currently, and remembering their caregivers.” Huff appears on this week’s KTBB “Staff Meeting.” She also says National Memory Screening Day is set for November 16 at sites throughout the county. Who should come? Huff says “anyone in the general public who has memory loss issues or concerns of any type.”

You can go to http://www.alzalliance.org or call (903) 509-8323 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.

TYLER — Gateway to Hope (formerly the Smith County Coalition for the Homeless) will be sponsoring the third annual One Night Without A Home as part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week Friday, November 12, beginning at 5:00pm National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (November 14 – 20) is a national endeavor to promote education, action, and awareness about hunger and homelessness. The 13-hour event will include a Face of Homelessness Forum. This forum provides an opportunity to hear the stories of homeless or formerly homeless persons, and information from service providers on how participants can get involved.

Anyone interested in learning more about this issue and how to address it is invited to participate. Registration fee is $15 which includes a t-shirt, meals and will help with event expenses. You can go to http://www.PATHhelps.org to obtain a registration forms are online. Click on the “One Night Without a Home” link on the homepage. Follow to the registration form link on the ONWH page. Submit the registration form online and a secure “Donate Now” page will follow. Choose the “One Night Without A Home” option. Or print the forms and mail to PATH, ONWH, 402 W. Front St., Tyler, TX, 75702.

The evening schedule begins at 5:00pm with registration and dinner at the Salvation Army, followed by a march to Bergfeld Park, “Music for Hope,” The Face of Homelessness” forum, a candlelight vigil and sleeping at the park. The following morning, the day begins at 5:00am with breakfast by the Salvation Army Canteen followed by “Lessons Learned,” and then a march to the Salvation Army. Participants should dress in comfortable warm clothing and bring only what can be carried. Organizers say do not bring money, cell phones or electronics. You may bring a sleeping bag. Security will be provided.

Anyone having trouble paying the $15 fee should call Christina at 903-617-2807. If the temperature reaches 42 or below, participants will march back to the Salvation Army and sleep in the Emergency Shelter. Call 903-597-4044, ext. 107, or email christina_fulsom@tylerpath.org for more information.

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

GREGG COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs on eastbound Interstate Highway 20 between the Smith County line and State Highway 42. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

SMITH COUNTY — Construction crews this week are scheduled to continue resurfacing work on Farm Road 14 between North Loop 323 in Tyler and Interstate Highway 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 US Highway 69, and perform pavement-repair operations on State Highway 135 south of Overton. 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 continue edge repairs on US Highway 84 east of Rusk. 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 SH 42 north of Farm Road 13. Daytime lane closures will be in effect 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 continue 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.