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TYLER — Tyler Police say they have located a missing teen. Authorities say they found Devonta Sears, 13, today at Lindsey Park with a friend. He reportedly spent the night with a friend and did not let his mom know. He was reported missing last night around 11:20. Authorities say Sears was dropped off at Moore Middle School last night around 7:20 and never returned home.

HENDERSON — Defendant Michael David Mason Jr. pleads guilty and receives a nine-year prison sentence for evading arrest in a vehicle. A jury had already been seated and trial was set to begin in Henderson when the plea was made. Officials say Mason pulled away as a Rusk County deputy was trying to make a traffic stop last July. According to prosecutors, Mason then led officers on a chase for a number of miles in western Rusk County — exceeding 100 miles per hour at several points and running at least two stop signs at high speed. Mason was finally caught after abandoning his vehicle and fleeing on foot. The judge ruled that Mason’s car was a deadly weapon during the chase, so Mason will have to serve at least half his sentence. He was subject to a maximum ten-year sentence.

JACKSONVILLE — Due to a recent water outage, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the West Jacksonville Water Supply Corporation to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption. The water should be brought to a vigorous boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source. Customers will be notified by water system officials when it is no longer necessary to boil the water. You may call (903) 586-7063 with any questions.

TYLER — No tricks, just treats for Tyler ISD classroom teachers and students for Friday’s “Spooktacular” Grant Day from the Tyler ISD Foundation as more than ten campuses receive twelve grants totaling more than $25,000, according to Larry Goddard, Executive Director of the Tyler ISD Foundation. An additional $40,000 in grant awards will be announced at a later date, making the total grant awards more than $65,000 for the full academic year.

“We honor the teachers, teams of teachers, administrators and staff who wrote innovative, forward-thinking projects to help inspire learning, enrich teaching and enhance opportunities for Tyler ISD’s students,” said Goddard. “We received a record number of grant proposals—close to 70—and we used creative grantor decisions to make as many of the programs come to life as possible,” said Goddard. “Our range is from pre-kindergarten proposals to advanced math and science, state of the art technology, to duct tape and cardboard science events—you name it, the teachers have come up with remarkable ideas to help their students. I love the fact that many of the teachers say the grant program ‘allows them to dream.’ That’s priceless—a teacher’s dream for his or her students—what a wonderful faculty and staff we have at Tyler ISD to spend their time in creating opportunities for their students.”

The recipients for the 2010-2011 academic year are as follows:

1. Dixie Elementary, “Reporters Are Better Readers and Writers” – Diann Darden, Mary Perry, Ashley Henderson, Wheeler Jones, Tracy Schweizer, Mario Moreno, Natasha Balfour, Connie Wood. More than 90 students will be involved in this Reading, Language Arts and Science project. Students will learn to use the program Newsmaker combined with a web cam and microphone to produce well-organized self-written presentations that clearly and concisely convey concepts and information. Emphasis will be made for the fourth graders to improve their delivery on fluency, rhythm, pacing, intonation and expression of their written scripts.

2. Griffin Elementary School, “Read Me a Great Book” – Debra Ketchum, Cynthia Gilbert, Martha Ramirez. Thirty students plus parents from kindergarten to second grade will be involved in this project which supplements the literacy instruction of the school by equipping parents to have what’s termed a fun and engaging read-aloud time at home with their student. Studies show that the single most important activity for building knowledge required for eventual success is reading aloud to children.

3. Bell Elementary Global Communications Academy, “iTouch: Touching Lives in the Classroom and Beyond” – Dr. Keri Hampton, Lisa Brown, Cathy France, Sarah Jane Walker. Impacting 506 students and almost 30 teachers, this campus grant will bring subject areas such as Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Technology together in using iPod Touches to support and enhance classroom instruction by reinforcing foreign language skills, learning sight words, listening to audio books, note taking, and reinforcing math concepts through iPod applications and podcasting. This program will teach students to examine every new technology for its potential to educate.

4. Andy Woods Elementary, “Dancing with the Facts” – Happi Deason, Ashley Phelps. Over 700 students will be impacted by this grant that will provide three sets of Geo-Fitness Mats (75 total student mats); Geo Motion mats help reinforce colors, shapes, math facts and letters.

5. Bonner Elementary, “There’s a Fraction Beat in My Pizza Meat!” – Mrs. Derrell (Debbie) Broughton. With 500 students served, school officials say students will learn a fun and exciting method of exploring and understanding fractions beats in music. By using large and small hand drums, students will learn how to visualize fraction parts in a whole pizza pie.

6. Caldwell Elementary Arts Academy, “All Aboard…for a Journey Through Time” – Laura Lee Field and Sherrill Echols. Kindergarten through fifth graders will be part of a what’s termed fun and educational approach of introducing young students to the classical periods of Art History. The kids will study classical art as well as create drawings, paintings, sculptures and heritage crafts to reinforce the art period and styles of culture.

7. Owens Elementary, “Stop Summer Brain Drain!” – Linda Payne, Jennifer Taylor, Pat Bickley. Over 600 students will be impacted with the goal of lessening summer learning loss — a researched phenomenon. Officials say all young people experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer. Using five grade level workbooks containing eight weeks of lessons over fifteen bonus activities created by ThinkStretch, the sessions will be a fun time for students and encourage students and volunteers throughout the summer, according to school officials.

8. Hubbard Middle School, “The Sky’s the Limit” – Deanna Malloy. Over 300 students in construction technology will build this high-flying rubber band powered model airplane. Entitled, “Shoebox Rises Off the Ground Project” the goal is to get the shoebox to fly for forty seconds in a gym and outdoors. This is the starting point for students to learn about the four forces of flight and aerospace technology using alternative energy.

9. Boulter Engineering Prep, “Guitars Give Guidance”- Patricia McCormick. During school ‘improvement period,’ the students will be involved in a program designed to put guitars in the hands of at-risk youth in order that they may have a creative outlet in lieu of misbehavior temptations.

10. Hubbard Middle School, “History Happens, Anytime!” – Katherine Bozick, Candace Veatch, Roger Webb, Whitney Figueroa, Jack Pool, Mandy Sawyer, Cindy Nick, Cindy Loughmiller, Alec Tatum. Close to 1,000 students will be impacted by learning history with advanced technology. Teachers will create and upload audio and video to expand the learning experiences in bringing History to life for middle school students. “StudyCasts” will be used to multiply the enhancement for students. In essence, say school officials, history could happen at any time.

11. Stewart Middle School, “Creative Curriculum with Cardboard and Duct Tape”- Mary McGough and Holly Youngblood. Math and science students (more than 140) will use measurement and Physics, the two lowest scoring objectives on the TAKS tests results, to help them improve their understanding. Students must build box cars using at least three different geometric figures. To qualify for this project, students must complete 25 hours in tutorials for Math and/or Science.

12. Hubbard Middle School, “Mathletes in Action”- Rebecca Clements, Nick Smith, Angelica Brown. Seventh grade math students (325) will be involved in a competitive mathematical virtual world for prizes and bragging rights to be the best in the world, mathematical confidence, and achievement.

Funding for this grant cycle is provided by an Anonymous Donor, The Junior League of Tyler, Inc., Bank of America, and the Retail Merchants of Tyler Fund at East Texas Communities Foundation.

TYLER — We’re in the home stretch in the campaign for the TISD bond issue. Many local groups have endorsed the school bonds, but opponents have mounted a well-funded campaign as well. “We’re on the way up. I’m very happy with the direction we’re going,” Superintendent Randy Reid opened. According to KETK, the cafetorium at Owens Elementary School was set up for 160 people. Considerably fewer showed up. At the last meeting, Superintendent Randy Reid was hit with questions about plan specifics, even though he outlined comprehensively where the money was going. Unlike the last meeting, this time the questions were aimed at information, not combat. Many are worried about the future of Rice Elementary School. The main issue seems to be timing in a limping economy.

NOONDAY — Another Noonday fireman resigned Friday and the assistant fire chief steps down from his position. All this after the Noonday fire chief quit Wednesday. According to KETK, a police report says a Noonday fireman’s car was repossessed because he didn’t have insurance. The repo man who spoke to us earlier this week on terms of anonimity says when he went to repossess the car at the fire station, the assistant fire chief threatened him. Then, when he took possession of the car and took it to Glaspy Auto, the repo man says firemen blocked him in with their cars so he could not get out. As the repo man called the sheriff’s office, his wife took pictures of the fireman at the parking lot.

Travis Barnett was one of the four firefighters there. He got a call that the fireman’s vehicle had been stolen. Barnett says he saw the firemen at Glaspy Auto, so he stopped. Smith County Sheriffs showed up shortly after he got there, Barnett says.

“My name was put into it because i was there, but i was not involved at any time with the incident,” he says. Barnett resigned today because he says doesn’t want to be connected to something like this. “I feel like there’s not enough discipline in that department to be run effectively.”

The now-former chief Dave Timmins resigned Thursday because he said he couldn’t trust other firemen or their alibies. Barnett says, “It’s kind of like when you put 20 people in a room and whisper something in someone’s ear and none of the stories are the same.”

The repo man tells us assistant fire chief Gary Aarant was the ring-leader in the situation. Today, Aarant tells us that everything that has been put against the fire department is false, and they’re going to take care of it.
Today, Aarant stepped down from his position as assistant fire chief.

Smith County Sheriffs are no longer investigating. We’re also told the Noonday Volunteer Fire Department Board will handle the matter. Aarant says this board is made up of community members and Noonday volunteer firefighters.

TYLER – In federal court in Tyler, a Dallas man has pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine. Guillermo Fernando Rojo, 25, entered the plea Thursday in an appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie. Rojo faces at least 10 years and up to Life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set

According to federal prosecutors, up until July 9 of this year, Rojo conspired with others to distribute more than 15 kilograms of cocaine throughout East Texas. Rojo was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 14.

LONGVIEW — At an animal disposition hearing held Thursday, City of Longview Municipal Court Judge Larry Merriman ordered that two dogs seized by Longview Animal Control officers be turned over immediately into the care and custody of the Humane Society of Northeast Texas. Three dogs were seized on October 25, when Longview Animal Control officers responded to a welfare complaint at a residence located in the 500 block of Idylwood Drive. One of the three dogs died shortly after being picked up by the animal control officers. Officials say all investigation findings from the City of Longview Animal Control Department will be turned over to the Gregg County District Attorney’s office for consideration of possible criminal animal cruelty charges.

TYLER — Texas College honors City Councilman Rev. Ralph Caraway in the first of a series of monthly community breakfasts planned by the college. TC President Dr. Dwight Fennell says the theme is “Building Community Through Partnerships.” Fennell says the event was a celebration of thanks, but also a celebration of giving the college back to the community in a small way. He encourages the public to attend the breakfasts. Caraway was recognized for his support of the college and his service to the Tyler area, which includes a number of local affiliations. Caraway says he’s honored and that he supports the planned get-togethers. The councilman, also the city’s mayor pro tem, says he’s very hopeful that other citizens will be a part of the partnership as the college reaches out to the community “to better the college and also to better the community as a whole.”

TYLER — The Hispanic Business Alliance Advisory Committee has voted to support Tyler ISD’s $89.85 million bond package in the November election. The move came following a presentation by TISD Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid and school trustee Eleno Licea. The alliance’s Price Arredondo says the alliance “recognizes the need to replace the final two elementary schools and build a new middle school relief campus given the current overcrowding and growing student population.” Alliance members also said the TISD board and administration “have proven to be good stewards of the bond funds and have demonstrated a commitment to academic improvement.”

The Hispanic Business Alliance’s mission is to support and enhance the Hispanic business community. Opposition to the bond issue includes the citizen group Grassroots America – We the People, along with a new group concerned about possible relocation of Rice Elementary School.

CHAPEL HILL — Smith County Sheriff’s deputies tell KETK the investigation continues for the murder of Amanda Anderson. Anderson, 19, was shot and killed last month in her parent’s house. Her brother found her inside a bedroom, shot in the back of the head. Police say although it’s been six weeks since the homicide, and no arrests have been made, it isn’t a cold case. A reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case.

TYLER — A Tyler man has pleaded guilty to trafficking methamphetamine. According to information presented in court, up until May 6, Lucio Adan, 34, conspired with others to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine throughout East Texas. Adan was indicted by a federal grand jury in May. He faces at least 10 years and up to life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set. Adan agreed to forfeiture of cash, firearms and a judgment in the amount of $50,000 representing the illegal proceeds of methamphetamine distribution.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department held a Memorial Service in front of the police department Thursday in Honor of Magic. Magic, who died due to kidney failure last week, was one of the department’s two black Labrador K-9 dogs. Magic was with the police department from 2001 to 2010, and police say he did an outstanding job in detecting drugs for the Narcotics Unit. The handler and partner for Magic was Officer Steve Black, who was the second handler in Magic’s prestigious career with the department.

TYLER — One person is in custody after a snatch and grab and a Tyler pursuit. Arrested Wednesday was Decarlton Wilson, 31, of Tyler. He is accused of entering a dentist’s office in the Albertson’s Shopping Center at Troup and the loop, and grabbing some items. He then fled in what witnesses described as gaudy, red, customized car.

KETK-TV reports he was spotted him on Paluxy Drive, but he refused to stop. A sheriff’s deputy chased him down Paluxy past FM 346 where he lost control of the car. He was arrested in a nearby house. Had he not run he would have only been facing a class B theft charge. Now he is in the Smith County Jail on charges of theft, marijuana possession and 3 counts of evading arrest.