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LONGVIEW – LeTourneau University’s “Sting” Precision Flight Team won first place overall, first place in ground events and second place in the flying events at the recentNational Intercollegiate Flying Association’s 2011 Region IV SAFECON competition. It was hosted by Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi. The team’s first place overall win at regionals qualifies the students to compete in May in Salina, Kansas at Kansas State University.

“This is the fourth consecutive year we have won first place in this competition,” said Brad Wooden, assistant chief flight instructor, faculty advisor and team coach. “Our team performed excellently this year. Our students competing in the landing competition did extremely well in very difficult wind conditions. Trent Wiens, who was a late substitution, was our top performer in the landings placing 4th and 10th in his landing events. We also continued our domination of the ground events. In both the Manual Flight Computer (E6B) and Aircraft Recognition written tests, our students took the top four spots. Two of our ladies, Jessie Robinson and Whitney Brouwer were also the top scoring females.”

OTTAWA, ONTARIO (AP) — Canada’s ambassador to Washington says he’s confident a pipeline from western Canada to the Texas Gulf Coast will win approval from the Obama administration if the decision is based on merit and not the “noise” opposing it. Ambassador Gary Doer said Wednesday the proposed pipeline meets U.S. energy security needs, and that it passes all U.S. State Department environmental criteria.

Calgary-based TransCanada’s proposed Keystone XL pipeline faces widespread opposition from environmentalists who fear it will leak and contaminate the Ogallala aquifer, which supplies drinking and irrigation water to eight states. The proposed route takes the pipeline through eastern Smith County.

President Obama has said the decision will be based on what is best for the economy and the American people, including their health.

GLADEWATER — Authorities are seeking suspects in an aggravated robbery that occurred around 9:15 Tuesday night at Lambert’s liquor store on Highway 271 south of Gladewater. According to KETK, two men accosted the store owner as he locked up the store for the night. At least one of them showed a handgun and took the owner to the north side of the store, then tried to get him to open the store and get money. After the store owner didn’t comply, they took his wallet and other items. The men then ran from the scene to the north and east of the store into a wooded area.

A perimeter was quickly formed using officers from Gladewater, Gregg County, and Texas DPS. The Texas DPS helicopter arrived to look for the suspects using FLIR thermal imaging. A Kilgore Police K-9 officer arrived, and the K-9 was used to track the suspects. Officers searched the area for some time and finally lost the track. The store clerk suffered injuries, but was not taken to a hospital.

TYLER – Federal drug violations are sending a Gregg County man to prison. Larry Dale Smith, 48, of Kilgore, pleaded guilty last December to possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine. He was sentenced yesterday to 105 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.

According to information presented in court, on October 8, 2009, Smith purchased 2.40 grams of pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. From October 8, 2009 through January 21, 2010, Smith purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine on 34 separate occasions which amounted to a total of 84 grams of pseudoephedrine which he planned to use to manufacture methamphetamine. Co-defendant Joy Smith has been sentenced to 121 months in federal prison and Jack Ramsey has been sentenced to 58 months in federal prison. They were indicted by a federal grand jury in May of last year.

TYLER – A Henderson County woman has been sentenced to federal prison for a credit card scam. Elizabeth Pickrell, 25, of Chandler, pleaded guilty in April to access device fraud and was sentenced yesterday to 24 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis. Pickrell was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $95,407.55.

According to federal prosecutors, on August 18, 2010, a federal search warrant was executed at a co-defendant’s residence, during which law enforcement officers recovered counterfeit charge card making equipment, hundreds of counterfeit charge cards, and cash value cards. Further investigation revealed that Pickrell conspired with Christopher Michael, his brother, Nathan Michael, and Corey Davis to commit access device fraud in Henderson and Smith counties. The four defendants obtained goods and services by using fraudulent credit card account numbers obtained through the internet and at Chicken Express in Tyler, Texas, where Pickrell was employed at the time of the fraud.

According to evidence, over 500 accounts were compromised in Tyler alone. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on November 3, 2010, charging the four individuals with federal crimes. Christopher Michael pleaded guilty on May 10, 2011, to access device fraud and was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison on August 15, 2011. Nathan Michael and Corey Davis have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

JACKSONVILLE — Our ongoing drought is certainly doing more harm than good. But one East Texas lake community is taking advantage of dropping water lines. Both Lake Jacksonville residents as well as the city are doing their part to tidy up the lake. The city is enhancing boat ramps by removing silt that’s washed up and collected over the years. Officials say it’s also a good time to remove exposed stumps. If the lake’s full, they say, you don’t really know whether a stump needs to be cleaned out or not — but now you can see exactly what needs to be removed, and it’s easier to remove a stump while it’s exposed. City staffers tell KETK two of the lake’s boat ramps are closed, and one is barely accessible.

TYLER – A Smith County man will be going to federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms violations. Jerry Gilstrap, 43, of Flint, pleaded guilty on July 5, 2011, to possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of pure methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He was sentenced yesterday to 180 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.

According to information presented in court, on February 16, 2011, Gilstrap was found in possession of a Ruger LCP .380 semi-automatic pistol while in possession of 50 grams of pure methamphetamine which he intended to distribute in East Texas. Gilstrap was indicted by a federal grand jury back in April and charged with federal drug and gun violations.

TYLER – A Mt. Enterprise woman will be going to federal prison for drug trafficking in East Texas. Ivana Robinson Adkins, 35, pleaded guilty back in January to possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine. She was sentenced to 2 years in federal prison yesterday by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.

Federal prosecutors say Adkins traveled to multiple pharmacies in t East Texas to purchase cold pills containing pseudoephedrine, all in furtherance of her methamphetamine manufacturing activities. Adkins was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of last year.

GILMER — “In God We Trust” will soon be seen in another East Texas county. Upshur County commissioners approved adding the motto to the county seal during Monday’s Commissioners Court meeting. In recent months, Rusk, Smith, and Wood Counties have all added the saying to their courtrooms. Upshur County Judge Dean Fowler tells KETK the decision was based on the principles the country was founded on. He says, “I believe that they made that decision based on the principles that this country was founded on and the principle in our belief in God — and the necessity to remember that in our lives, in our courtrooms and in our country.” The county will raise private funds to pay for adding the motto to the courtroom.

SMITH COUNTY — An SUV pulling another vehicle catches fire and sends the driver to the hospital. It happened along FM 848 in Smith County just after 7:30 Tuesday evening. Investigators tell KETK they’re unsure of the cause but believe it might have been a broken fuel line. They say the driver suffered severe burns to his hands.

WICHITA, KAN. (AP) – Charges have been dropped against two East Texas hunters in the investigation of a Kansas camp where hunters paid thousands of dollars to kill deer illegally. At the government’s request, U.S. District Judges Eric Melgren and Monti Belot dismissed the misdemeanor charges in separate cases against James Donnan and Michael Scarber, both of Center, Texas. The U.S. Attorney’s Office says the dismissal relates to “technical issues” with the type of equipment allegedly used to hunt. Twelve hunters from Texas and Louisiana were charged in August with poaching-related misdemeanors connected to Camp Lone Star near Coldwater. Five pleaded guilty and seven pleaded not guilty. Two other Texas hunters were indicted in July on felony charges. The camp’s owner and his brother were sentenced in June to 41 and 27 months in prison, respectively.

EAST TEXAS — Upshur County Commissioners on Monday rejected lifting a burn ban temporarily or permanently. Gregg and Rusk counties also remain under burn bans. Rusk County commissioners are set to consider lifting the ban Thursday. Upshur County resident Dan Miles on Monday asked commissioners to consider lifting the burn ban for a week or two to allow residents who have been abiding by the ban to get rid of trash. However, Fire Marshal Paul Steelman said the time is not right. Commissioner Mike Spencer said he’d been informed by firefighters that while the ground might be a bit wet, there is not enough moisture up in the air to justify lifting the ban.

In Longview, Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt said his office had had no requests the ban end, temporarily or otherwise. Stoudt noted the recent wildfire outbreak that tested area resources. “I know it’s a hardship for some folks,” he said, “We’re going to be very cautious before we’re going to lift that ban.”

Rusk County Judge Joel Hale said he’s had requests to lift the ban, at least temporarily. Hale said he is leaning toward lifting at least parts of the ban, and making it provisional rather than unconditional, but that it’s an issue the court will have to discuss and reach an agreement on Thursday. Rusk County remains under an unconditional burn ban.

For now, the burn ban remains in effect in Cherokee County. County commissioners met Monday to consider lifting the ban because of the recent rains. The commissioners delayed voting on lifting the ban, saying they’ll take a look at it next week. In the meantime they are hoping a system Wednesday night and over the weekend will bring some badly needed rain.

LONGVIEW — A 17-year-old Longview teenager was charged with indecency with a child Tuesday morning after police said he was found in his boxers with a nude 14-year-old girl in a Longview park. Longview police were dispatched to Louis Jackson Park in the 200 block of Bill Owens Parkway about midnight Tuesday in connection with a suspicious vehicle. According to arrest reports, Joshua Oshay Hale and the minor were observed in the back seat. Police said when Hale opened the door to the vehicle, he was in his boxers, and the 14-year-old’s genitals were exposed. Police said both teens told police that they were just “hanging out.” Hale remained jailed Tuesday on $5,000 bond.

LONGVIEW – A man has died after apparently suffering a heart attack and crashing into a Longview business. Police have identified the man as Wayne Bennett, 77, Beckville, The accident happened shortly after 5:15 Tuesday afternoon in the 300 block of South High Street. The man’s pickup hit the Ark-La-Tex Color Lab. He was taken to a Longview hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time after the wreck. Investigators say there was no indication that the death was caused by injuries from the crash.

PALESTINE – Funeral arrangements are pending for a Palestine school girl hit by a car over the weekend. Killed was Tyrona Whitt, 9. She apparently was trying to cross Farm Road 322 South of Palestine late Saturday morning when the accident occurred. She was first taken to Palestine Regional Medical Center before being flown to Children’s Medical Center in Dallas where she died Sunday. Extra counselors have been on duty at Southside Elementary to help the students. At last report no citations had been issued in the accident and the investigation was continuing.

AUSTIN — District Judge Gisela D. Triana of Austin has ruled in favor of landowners who would have their land condemned and taken if the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir were built and a timber company whose business depends on logging in the Sulphur River Basin. The landowners and timber company had filed suit against the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), challenging TWDB ’s finding that no interregional conflict exists between the Region C Water Plan and the Region D Water Plan.

The state develops its plan for the use of surface and groundwater through a regional water planning process, with the state divided into 16 regions. The Region D area is comprised of all or part of 19 counties in Northeast Texas. Region C includes all or part of the 16 counties surrounding Dallas and Ft. Worth.

The Region C Plan, which proposes ways to meet water needs for that region through the year 2060, recommends construction of the 72,000-acre Marvin Nichols Reservoir project, to be located in the Region D area. The Region D Plan strongly recommends against building Marvin Nichols Reservoir and states that it would be an interregional conflict for any region to propose the Marvin Nichols Reservoir because of the adverse impacts on crucial farming and timber resources in the region.

Under Texas law, it is the responsibility of the Texas Water Development Board to resolve such conflicts. TWDB, however, had stated that no conflict exists. Judge Triana disagreed. Judge Triana ruled that TWDB approval of the Region C Plan must be reversed and remanded back to TWDB “for further consideration not inconsistent” with her ruling.

RUSK – For now, the burn ban remains in effect in Cherokee County. County commissioners met Monday to consider lifting the ban because of the recent rains. The commissioners delayed voting on lifting the ban, saying they’ll take a look at it next week. In the meantime they are hoping a system Wednesday night and over the weekend will bring some badly needed rain.

SMITH COUNTY — A man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after reportedly leading officers on a foot chase. Smith County Precinct 4 Constable John Smith tells KETK officials were patrolling the area near the Cross Brand Cowboy Church on Farm Road 2015 when they were informed by a church employee that a man was behaving suspiciously down the road. The church employee told officials the man, Paul Alexander, 48, was looking for a gun. Officers say when they found Alexander, he took off running into the woods. They say he only got a few hundred yards before being captured by an officer and handcuffed to a tree until backup arrived. Alexander was booked into the Smith County Jail for evading officers. Additional charges are pending.

TYLER — East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System has expanded its presence in the growing mobile market through a partnership with iTriage — a consumer healthcare application that gives users on-the-go access to medical information and providers. ETMC officials say mobile users have quick and easy access to symptoms, diseases and hospital information. They say iTriage is available as a free download through the app stores for iPhone and Android mobile devices, and any Internet-enabled device. You can go to http://www.iTriageHealth.com for the download.

According to the most recent Nielsen statistics, 40 percent of mobile consumers in the U.S. now own a smartphone, with 50 percent adoption predicted by the end of 2011. ETMC officials say this growing trend has led ETMC to reach out to mobile users in the community by providing convenient access to information about its facilities and services. Schumacher Group, the nation’s third largest emergency and hospital medicine management firm, is partnering with ETMC to bring iTriage to ETMC hospitals throughout the region. Hospital system officials say the technology gives East Texas residents the resources to learn more about a specific medical condition and make the most informed decision about where to seek treatment. They say iTriage lets users:

• Research medical symptoms
• Learn about possible causes and treatment options
• Obtain medication information for treatment of a specific condition
• Find detailed ETMC information like services, specialties, hours of operation and turn-by-turn directions

TYLER – A 41-year-old Garland man has pleaded guilty in Tyler federal court to access device fraud. According to information presented in court, between December 2009 and December 2010, Ricky Dale Cox used fraudulent credit card numbers in an attempt to purchase gift cards and other merchandise from various retailers. Cox was indicted by a federal grand jury back in March. He faces up to five years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER — A Tyler man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the April 10 Tyler crash that killed Geneva Townsend, 88, and Jane Bohanon, 81. The two women were on their way home from church at the time. Joe Preston Rogers, 62, pleaded guilty to two counts of intoxication manslaughter with a deadly weapon on September 26. He will be eligible for parole once half his sentence has been served.

The Tyler Transit Department has implemented adjustments to fixed-route schedules based upon customer feedback. These changes include the following:
Blue line:
*The first run has been modified by five minutes to ensure first run passengers can make a timely connection to Red Line 1A.
*A final run has been added to Blue Line headed southwest at 7:45 p.m. Green line:
*An additional run has been added from the main transfer point towards Texas College at 7:45 p.m. It is timed to connect customers from the Blue Line and Red Line 1A back to north Tyler. Red Line 1A:
*An additional run has been added starting at Heritage at 6 a.m.

Additionally, 20 stops have been added or moved to enhance service. Nine of the 20 stops are on the Yellow Line; these stops are highly requested stops and filled service gaps.

“These changes address feedback that we’ve received from our customers and provide additional connections,” said Heather Nick, transit manager. “These route enhancements will ensure that our customers are provided the best possible service.”

Tyler Transit will continue to observe the new routes and make changes as necessary to provide the best service possible to its riders. Currently, alternative routes are being explored to better connect the Yellow Line to the Red Line and a new transfer location is being explored to create a smoother transfer between these lines.

Additionally, Tyler Transit is looking at the timing of the Yellow Line to Green Line transfer at the University of Texas at Tyler and exploring the possibility of adding service to Green Acres Shopping Center and the new VA Clinic.

You can go to http://www.tylerbus.org where the new route maps and schedules are available. Brochures are also made available on all Tyler Transit buses.

TYLER – A Henderson County woman has pleaded guilty to federal firearms violations. Lehua Deann Mauala, 25, of Athens, pleaded guilty yesterday in an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. According to federal prosecutors, last December, Mauala burglarized a residence in Athens stealing a rifle and several pistols. She was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of this year and charged with federal firearms violations. Mauala faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

GREGG COUNTY — Two people were arrested early Tuesday morning in connection with a chemical bomb that detonated in the backyard of a Longview residence. Celeste Marie Tebow, 20, Longview and Benjamin Enloe Hilton, 30, Gladewater (pictured) were arrested at about 2:00 in the 100 block of East Hawkins Parkway.

Police were dispatched to the 1900 block of Wimberly Street at about 11:45 Monday night after the victim reported that a chemical bomb went off in the backyard of her home. Police found the remnants of two homemade bombs in the backyard. The devices “appeared to be constructed of a plastic bottle, tin foil and an unknown liquid.” The victim told police she suspected that it was Hilton who detonated the bomb because of an “ongoing feud.” Police made contact with Tebow and Hilton at Summer Green Apartments in the 100 block of East Hawkins Parkway.

During a search of Tebow’s vehicle, police found tin foil, toilet bowl cleaner and latex gloves. Police say Tebow admitted that the items were used to construct a bomb. Tebow told police that Hilton drove her to the victim’s home and helped plant the device with another person in the yard. Hilton admitted to police that he assisted in constructing and planting the bomb, according to arrest reports.

Tebow remained jailed on $7,500 bond, charged with possessing the components of explosives. Hilton remained jailed on $7,500 bond, charged with having a prohibited weapon.

PITTSBURG — It was no Halloween prank when two men wearing masks approached a man near Pittsburg after bumping his vehicle early Monday morning. The man was struck several times in the head, and his money was taken. It happened around 2:00 on U.S. Highway 271. Authorities say a black SUV, possibly a Chevy Tahoe, got behind him and followed him. When the motorist got to the stop sign on County Road 4220, at the intersection of Farm Road 557, the vehicle bumped the rear of his vehicle.

He attempted to get out when two subjects attacked him, striking him in the head with possibly a baseball bat and robbed him. The men were wearing Halloween masks. One was about 6 feet tall; the other was approximately 5 feet, 4 inches. An undetermined amount of cash was taken. The victim was taken to East Texas Medical Center Pittsburg where he received several stitches in the back of his head.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers, 903-855-STOP, or the Camp County Sheriff’s Office, 903-856-6651.

TATUM — A Tatum man was arrested on drug charges Monday night after officials say they found methamphetamine and prescription pain pills. According to Rusk County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Viki Penny, Mark Russell Stewart, 37, was arrested at about 9:30 Monday night near the intersection of County Road 2132 and Farm Road 1716 near Tatum. Penny said the sheriff’s deputy noticed a pickup truck in the parking lot of an oil lease on CR 2132, which he thought was suspicious for the area. After stopping the vehicle, the deputy smelled an alcoholic beverage on Stewart’s breath and requested that he exit the vehicle because there was a rifle in the vehicle with him. During a search of Stewart, deputies found 10 pain pills and 3.3 grams of suspected methamphetamine. A small amount of marijuana was found as well. Stewart remained jailed Tuesday on bonds totaling $12,500, charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A Lufkin woman was arrested Saturday evening on a driving while intoxicated charge after crashing her car into the back of a hayride full of children in the Central community.

Rita Maxie, 47, was southbound on Farm Road 2251 around 8:00pm when she rear-ended the hayride stopped at a stop sign at Farm Road 2021, according to a Texas Department of Public Safety report. The hayride, carrying 22 adults and kids, was part of a baseball team party. The kids on the hayride ranged in age from 2 to 14, according to the DPS report.

Maxie was taken to the Angelina County Jail, where she posted a $1,500 bond hours later. Her Ford Mustang was towed from the scene.

KILGORE – The Department of Public Safety has released the names of the victims of a Friday afternoon accident in Gregg County. The accident happened just before 5:45 Friday afternoon on Goforth Road, just east of Farm Road 3053.

The DPS reports a pickup driven by Latrisha Harrod, 30, of Kilgore was east bound when it left the road and overturned. Harrod and a passenger, Jaina Kitchens, 13, of Kilgore, were killed in the crash. Three children were injured in the crash. Two were taken to LSU Medical Center in Shreveport where one was listed in serious condition and the other in good condition. The third youngster injured in the wreck is in good condition at Longview’s Good Shepherd Medical Center. The DPS report said the two youngsters listed in good condition were the only ones wearing their seat belt.

RUSK — With recent rains bringing some extra moisture to the area, many residents want to see burn bans lifted. And Tuesday, the Cherokee County Commissioners Court will decide whether to cancel its burn ban. County Judge Chris Davis tells KETK if the ban is lifted, good sense will be the most important factor. According to Davis, “You can’t fix stupid,” and if people don’t use their heads, there’ll be fires whether there’s a burn ban or not.

TYLER – Funeral services are scheduled Wednesday for the pastor of Tyler’s Lanes Chapel United Methodist Church, Lou Gary Thomas. Thomas, who was 64, passed away Friday at Tyler’s Mother Francis Hospital. A memorial service for Thomas will be held on Wednesday, November 2, at 3:00pm at the church. A private burial will follow.

According to the obituary from the Stewart Family Funeral Home, Thomas taught and coached in many different elementary, Jr. High and Sr. High Schools throughout East Texas. He was dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ in ministry for over 40 years. On 3 different occasions his church received the Kenneth Copeland Award for Evangelism which is given for church growth through new believers. Thomas served in many churches including, Spurger UMC, Fairview UMC of Nacogdoches, Bonita UMC of Central Heights, Laird Hill UMC of Kilgore, First United Methodist Church of Harlingen, St. Marks UMC of Center, St. Andres UMC of Carthage, First Untied Methodist Church of Mt. Enterprise, Concord United Methodist Church, Bethlehem UMC of Hudson and the final 22 years at Lanes Chapel UMC of Tyler.