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TYLER (AP) — A Tyler man must serve 45 years in prison over a fatal stabbing during a party at a Smith County deputy sheriff’s home. Prosecutors say Joshua Dwain Barnes on Wednesday pleaded guilty to murder in a plea agreement. Barnes also apologized over the Dec. 27, death of James Brandon Lee.

Barnes, who served in the U.S. Army in Iraq, originally claimed self defense, but prosecutors said his recorded confession to police would be used at trial. Barnes and Lee had argued at a party of then-Deputy Terry Helms Lindsey of Tyler.

Lindsey in June was sentenced to 10 years of probation and six months in jail after pleading guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Investigators say Lindsey, who was off duty, beat Barnes after Barnes stabbed Lee. Lindsey was fired after his arrest.

TYLER — Tyler federal judge Michael Schneider sets a December 9 trial date for a case filed against the federal government by Texas Spine and Joint Hospital and Physician Hospitals of America. Plaintiffs’ attorney Scott Oostdyk says it will be a “provisional,” or bench, trial, with no jury. The plaintiffs are fighting the health care reform law provision limiting expansion rights for physician-owned, and partially physician-owned, hospitals. Along with claiming that it’s arbitrary and vague, they say the provision violates their due process and equal protection under the law. There’s at least one proceeding before the trial. Oostdyk says on October 8, briefs will be filed, and the judge will hear more briefing from the parties about the legal issues.

AUSTIN — As part of an ongoing effort by the Texas Secretary of State’s Office to inform Texans about their rights as voters, the 2010 VOTEXAS Road Tour will be visiting the East Texas State Fair this Thursday. Visitors can learn more about the voter registration and elections processes and will have an opportunity to explore the newly-designed VOTEXAS.org website. Along with representatives from the Texas Secretary of State’s office, local election officials will be on hand to answer questions.

According to state officials, the 22-stop VOTEXAS Road Tour is partnering with local election officials throughout the state to inform Texans about the “when, where and how” of voting to make sure that lack of information is never a reason that one does not register to vote or cast a ballot. The VOTEXAS booth will be at the fair from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday. It will be located outdoors, and officials say some tall VOTEXAS.org banners should make it easy to spot.

TYLER — One person is killed, one injured in a northeastern Tyler accident. Tyler Police, Fire and EMS responded to the two vehicle crash in the intersection of Hwy. 271 and NNE Loop 323 around 11:00 a.m. Wednesday. Accident Investigators determined that a 2007 Chevy Trail Blazer driven by an elderly couple from Twelve Mile, Indiana, was southbound on 271, turning left onto Loop 323 on a yellow flashing arrow. A 2008 Ford F-350 pick-up was northbound on 271 on a green light and entered the intersection, striking the Trail Blazer in the passenger side doors.

The occupants of the Trail Blazer were identified as driver Clarence Bechdol, age 79, and his wife Margarett Bechdol, age 80, who was the front seat passenger. Mrs. Bechdol was transported to East Texas Medical Center, where she died from injuries sustained in the crash. Mr. Bechdol was also transported to ETMC for non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Ford pickup was identified as John Ainsworth of Longview and was not injured. The Bechdols were traveling from Indiana to Tyler to visit a granddaughter who attends a local college. Mr. Bechdol was determined to be at fault in the crash for failure to yield right of way/left turn.

TYLER — Police have made an arrest in a July homicide at a Tyler park. On Wednesday, Tyler Police Investigators arrested 60-year-old Sharieff Hussein Dean pursuant to an arrest warrant for capital murder for retaliation. The warrant was issued Wednesday by State District Judge Jack Skeen, Jr., who set bond at $1,000,000. The arrest is in connection with the murder of Ronnie “Goldie” Kemp that occurred at W.E. Winters Park on July 5. Investigators say they anticipate additional arrests in the case. On the night of July 5, officers were dispatched to park at 910 S. Peach Street in reference to a welfare concern. Upon arrival at the scene, officers located the body of the 48-year-old Kemp, a Tyler resident.

Anyone with information about the suspects involved in this crime is asked 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 suspects in this, or any, felony case.

TYLER — The East Texas Communities Foundation announces the recipients of a $100,000 grant from the Retail Merchants Association of Tyler Charitable Fund. A foundation news release says the merchants’ fund provides annual grants to support designated charities benefiting Smith County. Here’s a list of this year’s grant recipients and where the money will go:

Boys & Girls Clubs of East Texas – After-school program scholarship assistance
City of Tyler Communications Department – Community branding and marketing campaign
Discovery Science Place – Arts and Science Integration Program
East Texas Area Boy Scout Council – Leadership EASTEXAS Program
East Texas Regional Food Bank – BackPack Program
Goodwill Industries – Purchase equipment for recycling program
Salvation Army – H.E.L.P. Program
Tyler ISD Foundation – Teacher and Campus Grants Program
Living Programs Foundation – School of Tyrannus programs
United Way of Tyler/Smith County – Professional training and consulting to area nonprofits

The East Texas Communities Foundation is a nonprofit corporation serving 16 counties in East Texas. In 2009, the Foundation distributed over $3.4 million and manages over $40 million in 167 unique charitable funds which support non-profit organizations and student scholarships. The mission of the Foundation is to support philanthropy by offering simple ways for donors to achieve their long-term charitable goals. For more information about the Foundation, you can contact Kyle Penney at 903-533-0208.

TYLER — The 23rd Annual Festival on the Square is headed back to the brick streets of Downtown Tyler, and organizers are issuing the call for volunteers to help operate the event. Festival on the Square is set for Saturday, Oct. 9, 5:30 p.m. to midnight, in the area surrounding the T.B. Butler Plaza in downtown Tyler. The event will feature some of the hottest names in Texas Music like Casey Donahew, Sean McConnell, J.B. and the Moonshine Band and Ryan Beaver.

“We depend on literally hundreds of volunteer hours to make this event happen,” said Beverly Abell, director of the City of Tyler’s Main Street Department. “Without the volunteers, there is no way possible we could produce events such as this,” she added. Volunteers are needed in a variety of areas, including front and back gate, soft drink sales and souvenir sales. Those interested in volunteering should go to
http://www.FestivalOnTheSquare.com and follow instructions to go to the volunteer sign-up link. All volunteers will receive a free Festival T-shirt and a ticket to the concert, Abell said, adding that online advance ticket sales information is also available on the site. You can go to http://www.cityoftyler.org to read more.

GREGG COUNTY — A wreck involving a motorcycle in Gregg County injures one person. According to KETK, it happened at the intersection of Hwy 149 and FM RD 2906. Officials say the motorcyclist was taken to a local hospital.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man is now in jail after police say he had a tube of lip balm that stored crack. Police say Jacob Alexander Woodard, 17, ran from officers and when the did arrest him, they we unable to find the lip balm. Officials originally thought he had swallowed it. According to KETK, police say they later found the tube of crack while making a separate arrest.

TYLER — Tyler Police say they have located a missing person. Officers were called to Melrose Nursing Center, 1501 W. 29th Street, after the staff reported resident, Frankie Hademenos, missing around 10:00 last night. They say she suffers from Schizophrenia and Delusion.

JACKSONVILLE — A horseback riding charity event goes terribly wrong when a participant gets severely injured. Sharon Slayden of Jacksonville was injured in a traffic accident near El Paso on Monday, a few days after reaching the city as part of the Cowboys Against Cancer Cross Texas Trail Ride, benefitting the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life of Cherokee County. According to KETK, the Slaydens had reportedly stopped to render aid to a stranded motorist when a pickup traveling at a high rate of speed struck Slayden and her horse. She suffered several broken bones and underwent surgery Tuesday morning. Her horse was killed in the accident.

TYLER — A challenge to part of the much-debated health care reform law goes before a federal judge in Tyler at 2:00 Wednesday afternoon. In June, Tyler-based Texas Spine and Joint Hospital joined up with Physician Hospitals of America. The two are fighting the provision limiting expansion rights for physician-owned, and partially physician-owned, hospitals. Texas Spine and Joint’s Dr. Mike Russell calls the provision arbitrary and vague. He also says it violates the plaintiffs’ due process and equal protection under the law. Russell’s not sure how soon the judge might rule on sending the case to trial.

JACKSONVILLE – An arrest is made in connection with recent shots fired on Lon Morris College property. According to KETK, the shooting took place about two weeks ago at an inn that is being used as student housing. According to Jacksonville police, Overton police arrested 19-year-old Brandon Dekerith Carey Monday morning. He has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and deadly conduct in a gang-free zone. That’s because the inn where the shots were fired is considered college property. Plus, the inn is near a park.

Detectives say they think the shooting was gang-related, and some of the people involved have identified themselves with the Bloods and Crips gangs. Investigators say at this point, they think Carey was the only shooter. Carey could face up to 20 years behind bars per charge and a fine of up to $20,000. Carey is currently being held in the Rusk County Jail on $40,000 bond.