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TYLER – Two Gilmer women have been sentenced to federal prison for drug violations. It’s part of a sweeping case involving alleged methamphetamine trafficking. Sarina Cherea Danner, 22, pleaded guilty on July 14 to possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. She was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael Schneider. Sharon Kay Marsh, 47, pleaded guilty on July 15 to the same charge. She was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison by Judge Schneider.

According to information presented in court, the defendants were involved in a methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution criminal enterprise in the East Texas area and traveled to multiple pharmacies to purchase numerous boxes of cold pills containing pseudoephedrine in order to manufacture large quantities of methamphetamine for personal use and distribution to others. Danner and Marsh were indicted with 16 co-defendants on May 5 and charged with federal drug trafficking crimes.

LONGVIEW — Two wanted Longview men have been arrested by the United States Marshal’s Service. 27-year-old Keilan Doshea Tate was arrested September 15 in Carrollton. His cousin, 39-year-old Willis Earl “Toby” Tate, was arrested September 20, 2010 in Houston. Both Tates were wanted in connection with an assault of a Gregg County Deputy and the subsequent assault of a Longview Police Officer, who was struck by a vehicle allegedly driven by one of the two. Once Longview Investigators determined the Tates were no longer in Longview, the Marshal’s Service was contacted. Through the Marshal’s investigative efforts, both men were located and arrested.

TYLER — Oscar Arias brings his message of peace to UT Tyler at a Tuesday Distinguished Lecture. The former Costa Rican president and Nobel Peace laureate said the choice to value human life over destruction is the key to moral leadership in today’s world. For Arias, that largely means reducing military spending — and putting more money into such resources as food, education, and health care. Arias added that each of us can do our part. He noted that his country voluntarily abolished its army — though he said he’s not naive enough to believe that can happen everywhere.

LONGVIEW — Two suspects are apprehended after a home invasion. 28-year-old Byron Houston was booked into the Gregg County Jail and charged with burglary of a habitation. The second suspect was taken to a local hospital for a claimed medical condition. He has not been arrested, although charges have been filed on the second suspect.

It happened Tuesday around 3:20 at 1408 South 12th Street. Longview Police say the victim told officers she left her home for a few minutes to go to the store, but upon returning, found someone had entered her home and had stolen her laptop computer. While officers were taking a report from the victim, an observant citizen called police and reported that two men were running with a laptop computer in the 1800 block of Eubanks Street. Officers were able to recover the stolen laptop computer.

LONGVIEW — The owner of a bait shop who was robbed on July 31 has died. John Morris, 80, was seriously injured and hospitalized after being assaulted during the robbery of his bait shop located next door to his home in the 400 block of West Pliler Precise Road. Mr. Morris was pronounced dead at Good Shepherd Medical Center around 2:30 Tuesday afternoon. An autopsy has been ordered.

The robbery investigation is open and ongoing, but no arrests have been made at this time. Detectives are asking for anyone with information about the robbery to contact Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP or online at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.com. A reward of up to $1000.00 may be paid for information leading to the arrest of the suspect in this case. Any information given will remain confidential.

SMITH COUNTY — A Constable’s idea of diverting money from the state into Smith County can help fix up the roads. Right now, the state will sell an overweight vehicle permit for $400. Smith County Commissioners are taking steps to charge a $100 fee for overweight vehicle permits for those vehicles that operate within the county. County roads have a weight limit of 30,000 pounds. Any vehicle over that weight needs a permit. They will use that money to go into the weight and license program, which helps the county know who is operating legally. According to KETK, some big truck owners say it’s just another tax.

TYLER — For the second time in just over a month the Metro PCS store at 1700 SSE Loop 323 has been robbed. Shortly before 5:15 Tuesday afternoon, two men entered the business and one of the suspects produced a handgun and demanded money. There was one employee inside the business. The suspects ordered the employee to the rear of the business. They then took an undetermined amount of money from the register and fled. No injuries were reported in the robbery.

Both suspects were described as 18-19 years of age. One suspect was approximately 5’10” and the other 6’ – 6’2”. The suspects fled the scene south on foot.

On August 18th, around 6:00pm, two men, one with a handgun, robbed the store. The suspects in that robbery were described as black males between 16 and 21. One suspect was between 5’5” – 5’7” wearing a red shirt and khaki shorts. The second suspect was described as being between 5’10” – 6’ wearing a light color plaid shirt and blue jean shorts.

BULLARD — Hundreds gathered in Bullard Tuesday night to pray for our country, its leaders and its people. The event was called Come Pray With Me and was held at the Bushman Celebration Center. Pastor Dan Cummins of Bridlewood Church came up with the event. He tells KETK-TV He wanted an event that would transcend politics and the heat and rhetoric that dominate our public dialogue these days. Instead, he said he wanted something we could all agree on…the power of prayer. Cummins said he would like to see it held several times a year. He would like to see the next one on November 1st, the day before the national elections.

WHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse becomes the latest community in the area to ban the sale of K2. It’s a synthetic compound whose effects are similar to marijuana. The ban of its sale in Whitehouse takes effect immediately. Fines range up to $2,000 for each offense.

SAN MARCOS — The city manager if Kilgore, Jeff Howell, is in the running to be city manager in San Marcos. The San Marcos city council meets with the three finalists for the post from 5:00 till 6:30pm today. Besides Howell, also in the running is Round Rock, Texas City Manager Jim Nuse, and Peoria, Illinois City Manager Scott Moore. Howell is on vacation this week and is scheduled to return on Monday. He has been Kilgore City Manager since 2005.

According to the San Marcos web site, Howell is a Certified Public Manager and ICMA Credentialed Manager. He has over 20 years municipal management experience, 25 years total municipal experience. Howell also has extensive knowledge of governmental financing, including certificates of obligation, revenue bonds, general obligation bonds and working with bond rating agencies. He also has extensive knowledge and ability working interactively with other governmental agencies including TxDOT, TECQ, TWDB, TP&W and county.

AUSTIN — Governor Rick Perry has appointed H.J. “Jay” Shands III of Lufkin to the Finance Commission of Texas for a term to expire February 1, 2012. The commission ensures banks, savings institutions, consumer credit grantors and other state-regulated financial entities operate responsibly to enhance the financial well-being of Texans.

Shands is president and CEO of First Bank & Trust East Texas. He is chairman of the First Bank of Conroe and Balcones Recycling Inc. Board of Directors, and a member of the Independent Community Bankers of America, Independent Bankers Association of Texas. He is also a past member of the American Bankers Association’s Community Bankers Council and the Texas Banker Association’s Government Relations Council, past board member of the Texas Bankers Association, chairman of the Memorial Health Center of East Texas Board of Directors, and a trustee of the TLL Temple Foundation and the Fairchild Foundation. Shands received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and is a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking.

TYLER — With their latest release, “Moving On,” the Casey Donahew Band is quickly becoming one of the hottest names in Texas Music. The City of Tyler Main Street Department has announced that the band will be performing at the 23rd Annual Festival on the Square, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 9, in downtown Tyler. A native of Burleson, Donahew will be the headliner of the Festival concert, which is touted as a celebration of Texas Music. Gates will open at 5 p.m.; music will start at 5:30 p.m. and continue until midnight. Other performers for Festival include Sean McConnell, J.B. and the Moonshine Band and Ryan Beaver.

Unlike years past, the evening concert will be the focus for the 23rd annual event. The Festival will feature six hours of music performed by four bands in the Heart of Downtown Tyler. The event is now part of a plethora of activities taking place in Tyler throughout the month of October in celebration of the Rose Season, including a marathon that will begin and end in downtown Tyler on Sunday, Oct. 10.

“Texas music has become the focus of Festival on the Square,” explained Beverly Abell, director of the City of Tyler’s Main Street department. “We are so pleased to be bringing it back to support Tyler’s downtown revitalization efforts.” Abell went on to explain that five years ago, Festival’s organizers switched to an all-Texas music format. The format was so successful that it was decided Texas Music needed its own “stage.” Tickets for the concert will be $15 in advance and $20 the day of the concert.

Proceeds of Festival on the Square – A Celebration of Texas Music – benefit Tyler Main Street, which is dedicated to the revitalization of Downtown Tyler, Texas. You can call (903) 593-6905 or go to http://www.FestivalOnTheSquare.com for more information.

SMACKOVER, Ark. (AP/Staff) – A Smackover, Arkansas, oil refinery owned by an East Texas company has been cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for lapses in safety measures at the plant, with proposed fines totaling $165,600. A news release from OSHA on Tuesday said the Martin Operating Partnership LP plant, owned by Martin Midstream Partners LP based at Kilgore, Texas, employs about 65 workers in producing naphthenic crude oil.

According to the release, the Martin plant at Smackover is accused of one willful and 21 serious violations of health and safety regulations. The release said the alleged willful violation was failure to maintain safety information on various pressure vessels used at the plant. The other violations cite alleged failures to keep and maintain certain documents relating to safety, develop an emergency rescue process, and provide personal protective equipment, including respiratory gear. A message left at Martin Midstream’s headquarters seeking comment was not immediately returned.