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TYLER (AP/STAFF) — Governor Rick Perry says the Legislature should keep its hands off the state’s Rainy Day Fund. Perry repeated his position against tapping the fund Tuesday at an appearance at the Brookshire’s distribution facility on the Tyler loop. Perry said using the fund now would simply “kick the can down the road” and make Texas vulnerable to financial pressures in 2013.

Perry said the Rainy Day Fund is a valuable insurance policy against “a future that continues to be uncertain on a national and global scale, and must be used as an absolute last resort, not a quick fix.” According to Perry, “Here in Texas, we know you can’t tax and spend your way to prosperity, and as long as we remain committed to our job friendly principles, such as low taxes and a fair legal system, we will continue along a successful path for Texas families and employers.”

The Governor declined to say whether he’d veto any bill that taps the fund. He said his policy remains to avoid discussing legislation before it reaches his desk.

Texas is facing its worst budget crisis in generations. Some Republican lawmakers have proposed tapping the state’s Rainy Day Fund to make up for a $27 billion shortfall. But Perry continues to oppose any effort to raise more state revenue, or to tap the fund.

Strengthening the principles that have helped Texas lead the national economic recovery and add more jobs than any other state in 2010, including keeping taxes low, and maintaining a predictable regulatory climate and fair legal system, remains a priority for the governor. The governor said he is committed to keeping taxes low in order to help small businesses continue to succeed and create jobs, and reiterated the need to make permanent the small business tax cut that was passed last session. This measure cut taxes for 40,000 small businesses, and allowed them to focus on job creation and growing their businesses.

The governor also emphasized his commitment to further strengthening Texas’ legal system by creating a “loser pays” system to provide stronger protections against frivolous lawsuits, establishing an early dismissal option for frivolous lawsuits, ensuring new laws cannot create causes of action unless expressly established by the Legislature, and setting up expedited trials and limited discovery for lawsuits with claims between $10,000 and $100,000.

VAN – A one vehicle accident in Van Zandt County has left one person dead. It occurred just before 7:00 Monday night on State Highway 110, two miles north of Van. Killed was Donald Garrett, 24, of Van. According to state trooper Josh Sneed, Garrett was northbound when his car hit a horse and then a tree. The victim was not wearing a seat belt.

PALESTINE – A two vehicle accident has killed one person and sent another to a Tyler hospital. The wreck occurred around 5:15 Sunday evening on U.S. Highway 287, about a mile south of Palestine. Killed was Pamela Crowson, 47, of Crockett. She was on the back of a motorcycle driven by her husband James Marcus Crowson, 49. He was flown to Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center where he is listed in fair condition. The Department of Public Safety report says it appears as if the motorcycle was attempting to make a U-turn when it was hit by a pickup pulling a trailer. The report said both persons on the motorcycle were not wearing helmets.

NACOGDOCHES – A parent’s complaint has the American Civil Liberties Union upset with the Nacogdoches school system. The problem stems from bible’s that were handed out last year at a Nacogdoches middle school. The A.C.L.U. claims members of the Gideons handed out the bibles during a lunch hour last year and that the school principal was encouraging the students to take the books.

A statement released by the school system Tuesday said, “We take the concerns of our students, teachers and community very seriously and were shocked to learn of the A.C.L.U.’s concerns.” Nacogdoches school officials say they have yet to receive any written correspondence on the matter but have contacted legal counsel and are researching the situation.

AFTON GROVE — There is a boil water notice in effect for Afton Grove Water Supply in the Jacksonville area. The notice includes all of CR 4215 between Highway 79 East and Myrtle Drive (CR 4205). According to KETK, the boil water alert will continue until further notice. If you have any questions, you can contact Loretta Sorenson with the Afton Grove Water Supply Corporation at 903-586-2969.

TYLER — Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a suspect in a recent robbery. On Saturday, March 5, a black male suspect entered the Valero Gas Station located at 1736 E. Gentry around 5:00 p.m. Police say the suspect observed the cashier counting the money in her cash drawer and saw an opportunity to steal a large amount of cash sitting next to the cash register. According to police, the suspect distracted the cashier so that he could reach over the counter and take the bundle of cash. The suspect ran out the store, got into a dark green Cadillac, and got away.

Anyone with information about the suspect 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 an arrest and charges filed against the suspect or suspects in this or any felony case.

DIBOLL — Less than a week after the resignation of Diboll’s longtime police chief Kent Havard, a new interim chief is announced. Donald R. Morris, retired Texas Ranger and career lawman, will serve as interim chief until a permanent replacement can be found, according to Diboll City Manager Dennis McDuffie. “I will be appointing Donald R. Morris as interim chief March 14,” McDuffie said in a city council meeting Monday night. “We intend to take our time finding a permanent chief.” Havard resigned March 2, following an ongoing investigation, according to Diboll City Attorney Jimmy Cassels. Because the investigation is active, the details could not be released as of Monday. In the meantime, Sgt. Steve Baker is acting as interim chief.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say they’ve brought in a Gladewater man in an aggravated kidnapping case. On Monday, officers responded to a domestic dispute in the 100 Block of Evergreen Street. Upon arrival officers were told that there were no problems. Upon further investigation they spoke with relatives of the victim. They told police they had located the victim’s vehicle in a ditch near the intersection of Brentwood and Clinton Streets with what appeared to be new damage to it.

Police say through further investigation by the officers, and with the assistance of the Gladewater Police Department, police were able to locate the involved parties and bring the case to a peaceful conclusion. The victim told police the suspect, 24-year-old Kransten Turner, had struck her vehicle with his SUV, causing her to veer off the roadway. He then allegedly forced her out of her car and into his SUV. Turner then reportedly drove to his home in the 300 Block of Allison Drive in Gladewater, where officers located him and the victim a short time later. Turner was taken in to custody for an outstanding warrant for assault family violence and was also charged with aggravated kidnapping.

GLADEWATER — Officials now say an early morning fire destroyed a Gladewater business on Monday. The fire at Southwest Plastics was called in shortly before 1:30 a.m. Due to safety concerns, firefighters had to battle the fire from the outside. Officials say the fire could have been a lot worse: a full 3,000-gallon oil tank was less than 20 feet from the building. The cause of the fire is still unknown at this time and remains under investigation. No one was hurt in the fire.

DALLAS (AP) – Gov. Rick Perry is visiting Dallas and Tyler to tout his tough stand on budget cuts and what he calls a pro-business climate in Texas. Perry will first stop in Tyler before heading to Dallas on Tuesday afternoon, where he will attend a fundraiser for American for Tax Reform. That group opposes all attempts to raise taxes. Texas is facing its worst budget crisis in generations. Some Republican lawmakers have proposed tapping the state’s Rainy Day Fund to make up for a $27 billion shortfall. But Perry continues to oppose any effort to raise more state revenue, or to tap the fund. Perry is expected to use his public appearances to drive home that message.

QUITMAN – A preliminary autopsy ruled an 81-year-old Winnsboro man’s cause of death to be homicide, Wood County Justice of the Peace Cindy Weems said. Weems said the report attributed the man’s death to “multiple sharp force injuries.” According to Wood County Sheriffs’ Lt. Jerry Blaylock, deputies were called to the residence located at 2460 FM Road 852 near Winnsboro on Feb. 25 where they found the body of Don Randoll Askew. Blaylock said investigators believe someone placed the emergency 911 call, after evidence was found near Askew’s home, which indicated there may have been problems. No arrests have been made, but police said they are searching for a person they believe to be responsible for the death.

TYLER — Smith County prosecutors have filed papers to have a teen murder suspect tried as an adult. Nathaniel “Nate” Anderson, 15, is accused of shooting his sister, Amanda Anderson, in the head last September. The motion, which was filed last Friday, was signed by a judge yesterday. The teen remains in custody at the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. His next court appearance will be next Monday.

SIERRA LEONE — One person has been killed and nearly a dozen injured when violence broke out during a routine medical screening that Mercy Ships was providing in Sierra Leone. Problems began when a crowd stormed the Freetown National Stadium when the screening was taking place.

A news release issued by the Smith County Organization said Mercy Ships is deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred today during medical screening at the Freetown National Stadium when a crowd stormed the gate resulting in several injuries and one life lost. Mercy Ships personnel working at the site attended the injured and accompanied them to local hospitals.

According to Don Stephens, Mercy Ships’ founder, “Our hearts and prayers are with the individuals and families of those affected by today’s events. The occurrence of this incident in the course of activities intended to restore lives is tragic. We move forward with tremendous sadness, but great determination, to assist as many people as possible in the next ten months.”

The news release went on to say that Mercy Ships has served Sierra Leone five times over the past two decades, also helping establish two land-based health care facilities. For the next ten months, Mercy Ships will be providing surgeries for qualified patients while working alongside the Sierra Leonean Government to support its five-year healthcare plan and strengthen the functions of the national health system.

LONGVIEW — Authorities in Longview say they’re pleased with the results of a recent warrant roundup. Local citizens have been taking care of their warrants since February 21, according to Sergeant Jack Lanier, Supervisor over the Warrant Section for the Police Department. The State Wide Round-Up began on February 21, when Court clerks sent out notices to all those with outstanding warrants. Over the next few weeks the amount of fees collected from those with warrants in Longview totaled $242,056.24. Police say the total accounts for 733 outstanding municipal warrants that were cleared up.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say a man arrested for a hit-and-run was also driving while intoxicated. Sunday evening just before 7:45, officers responded to the hit-and-run in the 700 Block of West Marshall Avenue. Officers learned the driver of a white Ford truck had struck a vehicle in the Jack in the Box parking lot and left the scene. Police say the victim followed the driver of the vehicle to an address in the 1700 Block of Lorin Lane. Authorities identified the driver of the truck as Johnny Quentin Miller Jr., 37, of Longview. Miller was arrested for failure to stop at an accident over $200 damage and driving while intoxicated. No one was injured in this accident.

TYLER — A man who has been a fugitive from the law for five years has been arrested in Gladewater. Taken into custody was Keith Earl Robertson, 46. He was arrested by members of the Joint East Texas Federal Fugitive Task Force at 303 Tenery, Gladewater, after a lengthy investigation. Robertson had been named in an arrest warrant that was issued on March 20, 2006 by Smith County Judge Randal Rogers for Theft, a first degree felony. Robertson was implicated in the theft of over $200,000 from Mid-South Health Care Companies in Tyler, Texas. Robertson was booked in at the Smith County Jail today and Judge Rogers set bond at $15,000.

NACOGDOCHES — Around 4:00 Monday morning, Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a warrant roundup, focusing on individual outstanding child support warrants. Of the initial list, 29 people were targeted, and at least 13 were arrested. According to KETK, three others contacted officials and made bond arrangements, or turned themselves in. Officials say child support is a civil matter, so sentencing time varies and is up to the judge. Those arrested will go before the judge on Tuesday.

TYLER — The Robert E. Lee student who brought a gun to school in February has been sentenced to 18 months in intensive supervision at home. He will go to school at the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center. Officials say that the gun was reported stolen, but they do not know whether the student was the one who took it. According to earlier reports, the student had been accused of theft; when he was approached by authorities, he ran off, leaving behind a backpack with the gun inside. The incident prompted a campus lockdown that lasted about thirty minutes. The teen was taken into custody shortly after the incident.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are investigating what they term a possible homicide. Yesterday morning just after 10:00, officers were dispatched to a shooting in the 100 block of East Melton Street. Upon arrival they located Danielo E. Nelson 25, of Longview, dead inside the house. If you have any information regarding this crime or any other crime, you are encouraged to contact the Longview Police Department at http://www.Longviewpolice.com or (903)237-1199. Information may also be reported anonymously by contacting Gregg County Crime Stoppers at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.com or 903-236-STOP.

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man surrenders to police after reportedly robbing his friend for cash. Police reports say, Scott Alexander Stewart, Lufkin, was high on crack when he pulled a knife on his friend in order to try and steal rent money. When police arrived, they say Stewart refused to come out of his house and they had to shoot pepper balls into the residence. Stewart is charged with aggravated robbery and resisting arrest.

DIBOLL — Diboll Police Chief Kent Havard has resigned after a 30-year career with the department, the result of an ongoing investigation, according to City Attorney Jimmy Cassels.

Diboll Mayor Bill Brown said he could not give specifics on Havard’s resignation, but that it was effective at noon Wednesday. Havard declined comment Thursday. The resignation does not concern an incident in July, in which a Diboll police officer stopped two men on their way to the hospital and allegedly postponed them for more than an hour, Cassels said. Patrol Sgt. Steve Baker will fill in as a temporary interim chief. Baker has been a member of the Diboll police force for more than 17 years. Another interim chief will be assigned until a permanent chief is chosen, Baker said.

An emergency meeting of Diboll City Council was not declared, according to Brown. Council members will hold their regular meeting at 5:15 p.m. Monday at Diboll City Hall.

GLADEWATER — The Gladewater Fire Department contained a fire at a plastics plant on the south loop. Fire officials say the blaze started just before 1:30 Monday morning at Southwest Plastics on Commerce at Loop 485. By late morning, there were only spot fires remaining, and the fire was under control. Investigators have not determined the cause of the fire.

TYLER — A pedestrian is hit by a car Sunday. The incident happened at the intersection of Broadway and South Town around 4:15 Sunday afternoon. The victim was reportedly crossing the road away from the designated crosswalk when the car hit him. Injuries were reported to be minor.

ANGELINA COUNTY — A man is convicted and sentenced for a 2009 murder. Thomas Hugh Fielder was sentenced to life in prison for the December 2009 murder of Gary Lynn DeFratus, Huntington. After hearing four days of testimony and closing arguments Friday morning, the jury deliberated for two hours, convicting Fielder of murder. The verdict was read around 2 p.m. and the sentence was announced about three and a half hours later.

On the night of Dec. 18, 2009, Fielder returned to DeFratus’ home to confront him about hitting on his wife earlier that evening, according to testimony. Fielder, who had been friends with DeFratus, said what happened next escalated into the fight that left DeFratus dead, according to testimony. He maintains he doesn’t remember stabbing DeFratus 24 times or slashing his throat, severing his carotid artery and jugular vein, according to testimony. They were both high on methamphetamine, according to testimony.

TYLER — Nationwide, many airports have reported reductions in enplanements and airport activities. Although Tyler Pounds Regional Airport saw a decline in enplanements over the last few years due to economic conditions, it held up better than many regional airports in Texas and Tyler Pounds officials say they are now seeing signs of a rebound in activity. Between 2008 and 2009, Tyler realized a 3.06% decrease in activity compared to a 7.42% decrease at Abilene Regional Airport, an 8.61% decrease at Dallas’ Love Field, and a 9.46% decrease at College Station’s Easterwood Field.

“While Tyler did feel the effects of the recession and noticed a decrease in activity at the airport, Tyler Pounds Regional Airport fared well compared to other regional airports across the state,” said Davis Dickson, airport manager. “In 2010 Tyler Pounds saw an increase in activity, and monthly numbers for January 2011 are the highest they have been in the past three years.”

Officials say Tyler Pounds is beginning to see signs of improvement with a .40 percent increase in activities between 2009 and 2010 and an increase of nearly one percent between January 2009 and January 2011. Tyler Pounds also saw an increase of .99% in the number of rental cars leased and an increase of .95% fuel flowage between 2009 and 2010.

TYLER — It’s time for Tyler’s spring Bulky Item Collection. Bulky items that will be picked up at no charge include furniture, appliances, carpet, fence material, up to four noncommercial vehicle tires, old toys and other large items that would normally require a special fee. No liquid waste, limbs or brush will be picked up. Paint must be dried out with oil dry or kitty litter. Free bulky item collection dates are dependent on your location in the city. If your garbage is normally collected on Monday and Thursday, please place your bulky items on the curb Monday, March 7. If your garbage is normally collected on Tuesday and Friday, you are asked to place your bulky items on the curb on Monday, March 14th. You are asked to leave them there until they are picked up. There is no need to call the Solid Waste Office when you set out your bulky garbage. Items may be collected on a different day from your regular collection.

Bulky items will also be accepted from 7:00am to noon on Saturday, March 12 and Saturday, March 19 at the City of Tyler employee parking lot in the 300 block of North Bois D’Arc Avenue in downtown Tyler.

Residents are encouraged to contact the Habitat for Humanity ReStore or Goodwill Industries before disposing of unwanted items that are in good condition. Televisions, computers and other electronics can be recycled at any Tyler Goodwill Drop Off on weekdays or at the Tyler Recycling Collection Center from Wednesday through Saturday.

AUSTIN – Five songwriters, including Bruce Channel from Jacksonville, have been presented the “Texas Heritage Songwriter” award from the Texas Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. The awards show was held Sunday night at the brand new Austin City Limits Live at Moody Theater. Joining Channel in receiving the award were Delbert McClinton, Gary Nicholson, Lee Roy Parnell and the late Cindy Walker.

Channel first began singing and entertaining at local dances in his early teens in Texas, where he entered a recording studio to make a simple demonstration recording of a couple of songs he had written. At the last minute he substituted a brand new song he had just completed called “Hey! Baby.” Six months later he watched in awe as this recording soared to number one in the pop charts and stayed there for three weeks. Thus began a long and fascinating touring and recording career in the U.S. and England. At the height of his popularity in England, he headlined a show featuring a relatively unknown recording group known as The Beatles. After more than a decade of touring and recording, Bruce grew tired of the road and the music business. He returned to Grapevine, Texas, to settle down with his wife Christine, whom he had met in England, and left the music scene for a while.

In 1978, Bruce moved to Nashville and began writing songs for Nashville recording artists. Since then his successes as a writer include number one records for T. G. Shepherd on Party Time, Janie Fricke with “Don’t Worry About Me Baby,” John Conlee, “As Long As I’m Rockin’ With You,” Anne Murray’s re-make of “Hey! Baby,” and Mel McDaniels’s smash – “Stand Up.” Bruce has also had cuts by Alabama, the Oak Ridge Boys, Jerry Lee Lewis and Tom Jones. He co-wrote the country hit “You’re The Best,” with Kieran Kane who recorded it, and “Gonna Have a Party,” recorded by Alabama. Bruce was pleased to see “Hey! Baby” become a hit again in Germany, England and Ireland, and was a triple platinum seller by Austrian artist, D.J. Otzi. Bruce’s original recording of “Hey! Baby” is featured in the movie, Dirty Dancing and is enjoying renewed success in the hit stage musical of Dirty Dancing playing in London’s West End. Bruce and Christine live in Nashville and are actively involved in songwriting and music publishing.

UNDATED — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge repairs on the southern end of Farm Road 756 (Paluxy Drive), between Farm Road 346 and Farm Road 344. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ATHENS — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repair operations on State Highway 31 Business and State Highway 19 Business in downtown Athens, followed by the same work on SH 19 south of Athens. A second crew is scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 3204 east of Brownsboro. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

LONGVIEW — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 2275 (George Richey Road) between Farm Road 3272 (White Oak Road) and State Highway 300 (Gilmer Road). 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.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 3135 between U.S. Highway 79 east of Henderson, and on Farm Road 2658 between State Highway 43 near Tatum and Farm Road 1251. A second crew is scheduled to be at work on Farm Road 13 west of State Highway 42 in Price. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue fog seal operations on Farm Road 1817 between U.S. Highway 287 and Farm Road 323, and on Farm Road 2330 between State Highway 19 and Farm Road 860. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Fog seal operations require lengthy lane closures and can cause moderate delays to traffic. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to repair and resurface Farm Road 47 west of Canton in various locations between State Highway 243 and State Highway 198. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to be at work on the following roadways in and around Wood County:
*U.S. Highway 80 west of Farm Road 1255;
*Farm Road 778 north of Farm Road 49; and
*FM 857 south of U.S. Highway 80.

Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches Sheriff’s Office is looking into a possible child abduction that occurred in the 100 block of Ridgeview Drive in Nacogdoches on Wednesday evening. According to the police report, a woman said her 3-year-old son was taken from her yard by people driving a black car. The woman reportedly followed the vehicle, which stopped near CR 727 on FM 2782. The woman said the passenger exited the vehicle with her son and ran into the woods. She followed the person and found her son in the woods, according to the report.