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LONGVIEW — The Longview Partnership received five First Place Awards in a statewide Festival and Events competition held by the Texas Festival and Events Association (TFEA). The Longview Partnership received 1st Place for the Best Event Program, Best TV Promotion, and Best Event Invitation for the East TX Boat, RV, & Camping Expo in the $75,000 and under budget category. AlleyFest also brought home two 1st Place Awards for Best TV Promotion and Best Outdoor Billboard in the $75,000 – $250,000 budget category.

“We’d like to share this award with our collaboration partners Media Quest, who developed the East Texas Boat, RV & Camping Expo marketing materials, as well as Longview Cable TV for the AlleyFest TV commercial and Forbes & Butler/Lamar Advertising for the AlleyFest billboards. The Longview Partnership is honored that the Texas Festival and Events Association has recognized two of our major events,” said Longview Partnership Chairperson Jim Kendrick. Kendrick also singled out “two of our staff members who coordinate these events: Mitzi Barnes for the East Texas Boat, RV & Camping Expo which is held in January of each year — and Elaine Reynolds for AlleyFest, which is held in the first full weekend in June of each year.”

Every year, the Texas Festival & Events Association (TFEA), presents awards for excellence to festivals and events across the state at their Annual Conference. The awards are intended to create a benchmark for other festival and event organizers with similar budgets; the contest spotlights outstanding marketing programs statewide. All entries were critiqued by a professional panel of marketing experts with the International Festival & Events Association based out of Boise, Idaho.

TYLER — Tyler Police and FBI investigators are investigating a robbery at the BBVA Compass Bank located at 6910 South Broadway. It happened just before 12:45 yesterday afternoon. Bank employees stated that a white male in his sixties to early seventies walked up to a teller inside the bank and handed the employee a note. The note advised the teller that it was a bank robbery, that the teller should give him the cash, and that he had a gun inside his bag. The suspect did not display a weapon during the course of the robbery. The teller complied with his demand and gave him an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect then walked out of the bank and left in an unknown direction.

Tyler Police arrived on the scene moments after the bank alarm and searched the area; they were unable to locate the suspect. There were no injuries reported during the course of the incident. Tyler Police obtained bank photographs of the suspect to assist with identifying the suspect. Anyone with information about the suspects 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 arrests and charges filed against the suspect in this, or any, felony case.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police Detectives are seeking assistance from the public to help solve a rash of criminal mischief cases that are plaguing south Longview. In the past week, unknown persons have used a BB or pellet gun to shoot the windows out of unoccupied cars parked during the overnight hours. The damage has occurred particularly on El Paso Street, Booker Street, and South Green Street. Eight criminal mischief reports were made on Monday, and five more reports were made Wednesday.

Police are asking residents in the area to immediately report any suspicious activity to police and to contact Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP if they know who is responsible for the crimes. Gregg County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1000.00 for information leading to the arrest of the suspect(s) in this case. Go to http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.com to make online tips.

TYLER — In efforts to continue distance education enhancement at The University of Texas at Tyler, the College of Engineering and Computer Science will offer two engineering master’s degree programs online, UT Tyler President Rodney Mabry announced. Courses for the master of science in electrical engineering and master of science in mechanical engineering will be offered from the Longview University Center beginning fall 2011.

“We are expanding our offerings to meet the needs of students and bring more prospective students to UT Tyler,” said Dr. Peter Fos, UT Tyler provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “The programs will be housed at the Longview campus, and with the vast industry in the Longview region, we believe this will be a good niche for both the East Texas area and the Longview University Center.” According to UTT officials, this effort comes after the university aggressively searched for additional ways to reach students and increase university revenue, while cutting costs.

A working engineer will be able to complete his or her master’s degree within two to three years as a part-time student, according to Dr. James Nelson, UT Tyler College of Engineering and Computer Science dean. By 2012, the college also hopes to offer additional master’s degrees online as well as online and on-site professional development courses to help licensed engineers meet the continuing education requirements for license renewals, he added. “With both of these offerings, we hope to better serve practicing engineers and particularly those in Tyler and Longview,” Nelson said. Established in 1997, both programs prepare students for various careers in their field as well as graduate study and research.

LUFKIN — Lufkin police are looking for four men who they say broke into a tire store last week. According to KETK, police say two men used a concrete block to smash their way into the lobby of Dupree Tire and take two sets of wheels. They think two other men were in a getaway car.

TYLER — Tyler Transit is seeking input from other area transportation providers about their available resources and future plans. City officials say it’s part of the development of the City of Tyler Transit Department’s 2010 Paratransit Plan update — and part of an effort to create a regional disaster preparedness plan. Surveys will be mailed to known transit providers in the area. Additionally, those interested can go to http://www.MyTylerSurvey.com to download surveys.

The City of Tyler has held several public meetings to gather input on the future of Tyler Transit fixed routes and to update the City’s plan for serving citizens with ADA-accessible transportation needs (paratransit service). Two more public meetings will be held to collect additional information from groups including other transportation providers, paratransit users, regulatory agencies and advocacy groups. The meetings are intended to get comments from the general public about how the Tyler Transit paratransit service will be operated in the future. “It is important to update Tyler Transit’s paratransit plan,” said Director of Airport and Transit Services Davis Dickson. “The paratransit plan is a guide for our customers to understand the paratransit services provided by Tyler Transit. It is critical that user input be gathered as we move forward.”

Currently Tyler Transit operates five fixed bus routes and provides paratransit service within the city limits of Tyler. Service hours are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tyler Transit office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Transit passes can be purchased Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Transit office located at 210 E. Oakwood.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview have arrested three suspects and recovered a truck stolen from miles away, as well as some stolen property. On July 12 at around 5:55 p.m., Longview Officers were dispatched to 113 Thelma Court for a report of a theft that had just occurred. When officers arrived, the victim and several witnesses reported that three men in a blue Chevrolet truck had stolen several items from underneath the carport at the victim’s duplex. Witnesses reported the license plate number to officers, who found that the vehicle had been reported stolen in Wills Point.

Officers searching the area located the stolen Chevrolet truck parked in front of a residence at 121 Queens Court. There was no one in the truck, so the officers contacted the people inside the residence. Officers located two of the three suspects and were told the third suspect was still inside. Police say the third suspect, 19-year-old Jordon Riqui Turner of Longview, was located hiding in the garage. Stolen property from 113 Thelma Street was recovered in the bed of the stolen truck, and witnesses identified the three suspects as the men who had allegedly stolen the items.

All three suspects were arrested, and it was learned that Turner had an outstanding warrant from Terrell for aggravated robbery and an outstanding warrant for theft from Gregg County. Turner is charged with theft (Class B misdemeanor), unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (State Jail Felony), and two outstanding warrants. The other two suspects were identified as juveniles and were booked into the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center for Theft (Class B misdemeanor). The stolen property was released to the victim.

The other two suspects were identified as juveniles and were booked into the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center for Theft (Class B misdemeanor). The stolen property was released to the victim.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say they’ve recovered a stolen vehicle after a brief pursuit. On July 12 at around 11:16 p.m., Longview Officers responded to 403 Rockdale for a report of a vehicle burglary and a theft of a vehicle. Officers met with the victim, who stated that someone had burglarized his 1998 Pontiac Grand Am while it was parked in his driveway — and in the process of doing so, took the keys to his 2002 Jaguar. The victim told officers that his Jaguar was now missing, and reporting officers broadcast a description of the vehicle to other on-duty personnel.

Police say immediately after hearing the description of the stolen vehicle, Officer Trevor Yates located it in the 4000 block of West Marshall Avenue. Officer Yates waited for back-up to arrive before initiating a traffic stop on the vehicle. Authorities say the suspect pulled over at first, but then fled from officers, traveling southbound on West Loop 281 from West Marshall Avenue.

Officials say Longview Officers and DPS troopers pursued the suspect until he struck a curb at West Loop 281 and Hubbard Drive and lost control of the vehicle. Police report that once the vehicle came to a stop, the suspect exited and fled on foot into the Townhouse South Apartments. Trooper Brant Smith captured the suspect, 18-year-old Michael Christopher Ferris of White Oak, and he was taken into custody without further incident. There were no injuries reported due to the pursuit. Ferris was booked into the Gregg County Jail for evading arrest with a vehicle (State jail felony), burglary of a motor vehicle (Class A misdemeanor) and theft (State jail felony). You can go to http://www.longviewpolice.com/stolen-vehicle-recovered-after-brief-pursuit.html to view a video of the pursuit.

TYLER — Tickets to this year’s East Texas State Fair go on sale today at area Brookshire’s and Super 1 Foods stores. Advance discounts are $2 off adult gate tickets and $5 off unlimited ride armbands. Armbands are valid any weekday. The fair runs September 23 through October 2. The Bellamy Brothers are the concert headliners. Go to http://www.etstatefair.com for more information.

TYLER — PATH’s Kid Reach mentoring program is recruiting mentors for at-risk children in Smith County. 27 children and teens are currently on a waiting list. PATH is offering training throughout the summer for those interested in becoming mentors. Kid Reach matches school-based and community-based mentors to children at risk. PATH officials say mentoring has been proven to help at-risk children overcome the many challenges they face, including breaking the cycle of poverty. Visit http://www.PATHhelps.org for more information or call 903.597.4044, ext. 121.

HENDERSON — The Henderson Fire Department is looking into three fires that occurred within a two-mile radius of each other Friday night in Henderson. The first blaze occurred about 4:30 p.m. Friday at a storage facility near the intersection of U.S. Highway 259 North and Texas Highway 322. Local fire departments were called to another structure fire about 6 p.m. near Lakewood Memorial Cemetery just off Texas Highway 64. A third fire occurred about a mile north of Loop 571 on Farm-to-Market Road 2276 just before 10 p.m. Authorities say the first two fires were contained rather quickly and parts of those structures were able to be saved, but the structure on FM 2276 was a total loss. The Henderson Daily News reports, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office will be taking charge of the two fires outside the city limits, while the other will be investigated by Henderson Police Department detectives.

NACOGDOCHES — A man has pleaded guilty to murdering a former SFA football player, accepting a 50-year prison sentence Monday. A grand jury had previously charged Nickevette Carey, 20, with capital murder in the death of Michael Motte, 24. Carey pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of murder. He will be eligible for parole in 25 years. According to the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel online, Carey was accused of shooting Motte during a robbery in June of 2009. Jury selection was scheduled to begin for Carey’s capital murder trial Monday before Carey took the plea deal. As a condition of the plea agreement, Carey cannot appeal the case.

AUSTIN — Governor Rick Perry has appointed a Nacogdoches woman and four others to the OneStar National Service Commission for terms to expire March 15, 2013. The commission works with the OneStar Foundation to further national service initiatives in Texas and administer the AmeriCorps Texas program.

Appointed to the panel is Aranda Cooper of Nacogdoches. She is a graduate assistant for the Stephen F. Austin State University (SFASU) Office of Student Affairs. She is coordinator of Nacogdoches Service Saturday and co-coordinator of the Martin Luther King Day of Service and Big Event Service Project. She is also a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Fraternity, a volunteer with Nacogdoches Habitat for Humanity, and a past member of the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps and VISTA. Cooper received a bachelor’s degree and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in secondary education from SFASU.

TYLER — Tyler Police search for three aggravated robbery suspects. Officers responded to the 900 block of East Locust around 6:30 Monday morning after a 25-year-old Hispanic man claimed he was robbed at gunpoint. The victim says he walking when three suspects pulled up in a truck and asked if they could use his phone. Two of the suspects reportedly got out of the vehicle and started assaulting him in attempt to take his phone. The third suspect, who was driving the vehicle, pointed a handgun at the victim and told him to give them the phone and all his money. The victim received minor injuries from the assault.

The suspect’s vehicle is described as a white, 1990 to 1994, GMC, extended cab pick-up, with a partial license plate of Z90, possibly no front bumper and a chrome toolbox in the back. The suspects were approximately 19 to early 20’s of age. One suspect was said to be about 6′ with a very thin build. Another was describes as five f5’10 and is very stocky. And the 3rd was said to be husky. All three were wearing purple shirts and garden type gloves. Anyone with information about the suspects involved in this crime are urged to contact the Tyler Police Department.

LONGVIEW — A 30-year-old man is arrested, again, after Longview Police are called to the Hampton Inn on North Eastman on a report of suspicious activity. It happened Monday morning around 2:00. Hotel employees told officers that a man had used several different types of fake identification to rent a room and then paid for the room with a credit card that was possibly stolen. Officers located the man outside of the hotel and he initially tried to flee from officers. He was apprehended and identified as Raymond Bradley Roach, who is known to officers from previous forgery cases.

Inside the room rented by Roach, officers discovered a handgun, six grams of methamphetamine, a credit card believed to be stolen and a small amount of marijuana. Roach’s vehicle yielded a passport, various identification cards and equipment used to manufacture fraudulent identification cards. None of the identification cards located were in Roach’s name. He was booked into the Gregg County Jail for credit card abuse, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana and an outstanding warrant for forgery.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police conducted an undercover tobacco sting to test the compliance of Longview area tobacco retailers in regards to Texas tobacco laws. The undercover stings use 14-16 year old minors, accompanied by police officers, who entered stores and attempted to purchase tobacco products. The undercover officer/minor teams went to 112 Longview area tobacco retailers and of those, 12 retailers sold tobacco to the undercover minors. The locations that sold the tobacco products were:

Food Fast #22, 1101 McCann Road, OXXO, 301 S. Mobberly Avenue, Food Fast #24, 2851 N. Eastman Road, Zippy J’s No. 5, 2001 N. Eastman Road, La Michoacana Meat Market #20, 1419 S. Green Street, Cowboys Quick Stop #10, 3601 Gilmer Road, Brookshire Food Store #45, 3354 Gilmer Road, Murphy USA # 7086, 2430 Gilmer Road, Mr. C’s, 2578 Alpine Road, Food Fast #25, 2300 Gilmer Road, Smart Stop, 1721 E. State Hwy 31 and Lone Star, 2401 H.G Moseley Parkway.

Citations were issued to the clerk at each location that sold tobacco to the undercover minor and the clerk will have to appear at the Longview Municipal Court to resolve the citation. The stings are funded through a grant issued by the Texas Comptroller’s Office. The Texas Health and Safety Code states that it is unlawful for a person to sell, give or cause to be sold or given a cigarette or tobacco product to someone who is younger than 18 years of age. A violation of this statute is punishable as a class C misdemeanor and the fine is over $500.00.

TYLER — Tyler Police release a photo of two suspects wanted in an alleged robbery. It happened June 28th on 3400 block of Cain Street where a 33-year-old Hispanic man says he had met two men earlier in a club and was later lured outside the club. One of the suspects got out of a 2006 to 2008, Gray, GMC Yukon and approached the victim’s car while the other suspect stayed in the vehicle. The victim was repeatedly beat in the head and robbed of his wallet. He was able to run into a wooded area to get away from the suspects. The suspects are described as a white male 25 to 27 years-old and a Hispanic male 20 to 23 years-old. Anyone with information about the suspects 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).

MARSHALL – A fugitive on the run from Tulsa, Oklahoma has been caught in Marshall after making his way through parts of East Texas. According to KETK, 19-year-old Gregory Carter is a suspect in the murder of a 21-year-old who was found dead Friday morning. Detectives say Carter held someone at gunpoint and forced that person to drive him from Tulsa to the Super 8 at Highway 59 and Interstate 20 in Marshall. U.S. Marshals and Marshall police arrested Carter at the motel; he was there with his infant daughter. Carter’s awaiting extradition to Oklahoma.

HIDEAWAY — A weekend fire has destroyed a family’s home at Hideaway, in northwest Smith County. The fire, said to have been caused by a lightning strike, occurred around 3:30 Saturday afternoon at 229 Winged Foot Drive. No injuries were reported.

HUDSON – A one vehicle accident in Angelina County has left one person dead. The wreck occurred around 9:45 Saturday night on Farm Road 945. Dead at the scene was Ruben Esparza, 39, of Lufkin. The Department of Public Safety report said Esparza’s pickup left the road on a curve, hit a curve signed and then flipped over several times. The cab of the pickup was crushed when it came to rest upside down.

TYLER — Among current attractions at the Tyler Museum of Art is an exhibition called “Cherokee Beadwork: Finding a Lost Art.” On KTBB “Staff Meeting,” Museum spokesperson Zoe Lawhorn says it was organized by Tylerite Martha Berry. Lawhorn calls Berry one of the only experts in the world on that particular type of art. Lawhorn says the art of Cherokee beadwork has indeed been virtually lost — and Berry “took it upon herself to do some really heavy, in-depth research and to find the remaining examples.” The exhibition remains up for several more weeks, along with another one called “The American Indian through the Eyes of Edward s. Curtis” and the popular “Babar’s Museum of Art.” Go to http://www.tylermuseum.org for more on what’s happening at the art museum. You can also go to http://www.ktbb.com/audio to listen to the “Staff Meeting” show beginning early Monday.

LONGVIEW — An East Texas meeting on air quality standards is set for today. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is hosting a series of meetings around the state to inform the public about, and receive comment on, potential nonattainment boundaries and designations for new ozone standards. These standards were proposed by the EPA in January 2010 and are expected to be finalized in August. Longview’s Maude Cobb Activity Center will host a meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday.

Earlier this year, the EPA announced potential new ozone standards—a primary standard in the range of between 0.060 and 0.070 parts per million and a cumulative secondary standard of 7 – 15 ppm-hours. The EPA has published a compressed schedule for the new standards, with the ozone standards to be announced on August 31 of this year. The state must submit recommendations for which counties should be designated nonattainment for ozone standards by January 2011. Due to the EPA’s shortened schedule, the TCEQ is holding these meetings prior to the standard being finalized to provide available information and receive comment.

The EPA designates areas as either in attainment or nonattainment with respect to National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone. A nonattainment designation may require measures be taken to bring an area into compliance. Officials say the meeting will provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the process the state will follow as it develops its recommendation. The state must submit a recommendation to the EPA no later than January 7, 2011 according to the federal Clean Air Act. You can go to http://www.tceq.state.tx.us to learn more about TCEQ and its work.

TYLER — Scholarships of up to $10,000 each are available for qualified students accepted into a new graduate training program in health information management technology. The program is being delivered through the Northeast Texas Consortium of Colleges and Universities (NETnet) and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. The one-year program is being offered by Texas State University, which has contracted with UTHSCT through NETnet to provide access to the program for about 25 Northeast Texas students in two groups over two years, said Mickey Slimp, the project’s local director. Slimp is executive director of NETnet and the East Texas Interactive Health Network, a partnership of area health providers from Livingston to Mount Pleasant.

Called the Professional University Resources and Education for Health Information Technology (PURE HIT), the project is funded by a $5.4 million federal grant divided among academic institutions throughout Texas, said Texas State project director Susan H. Fenton. “It is estimated that nationally, 50,000 new health information technology (HIT) professionals will be needed to help hospitals and physicians implement electronic health records by 2014,” Dr. Fenton said. The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology awarded the grant to Texas State. Students admitted to the program will take courses on the UTHSCT campus, with instructors at Texas State teaching classes via videoconferencing, said Dr. Slimp.

Dr. Slimp urged anyone who is interested to apply as soon as possible, because scholarships are limited and will be awarded to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Classes start Aug. 25. To apply, visit http://www.health.txstate.edu/him/PURE-HIT-Training-Consortium.html for more information and an online application.

FLINT – A mobile home fire sparked while a family cooked dinner. According to KETK, it happened in the Pine Trail Shores subdivision in Flint off of Highway 155 just before 8 o’clock Friday night. Numerous fire departments were called to the scene to help battle the blaze. Fire officials say it appears the fire started while the family was cooking fish. No injuries are reported, but the home is a loss.

LONGVIEW — One person is dead, and ten have been hospitalized in a Longview wreck. On Friday at approximately 9:29 p.m., Longview Officers were dispatched to a report of a major accident in the 4300 block of West Loop 281. Officers arrived to find four vehicles involved and numerous people injured. The Longview Fire Department/EMS transported seven children and four adults involved in the accident to Good Shepherd Medical Center for treatment. One of the adults, 31-year-old Saberina Evette Howard of Longview, was pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace Sam Lawson shortly after her arrival.

As of late Friday night, Traffic Investigators were able to determine that Howard had been traveling northbound in the 4300 block of West Loop 281 in a Buick LeSabre when she rear ended a GMC Canyon pick-up truck that was also traveling northbound. After the initial collision, Howard’s Buick went into oncoming lanes of southbound traffic and struck a Lincoln Navigator and a Ford Taurus. As a result of the crash, West Loop 281 was closed to traffic until approximately 11:15 p.m. Blood samples have been sent to the Texas Department of Public Safety for testing, and the investigation is ongoing.

TYLER — More than 1,700 signatures of people who want to vote for or against an alcohol option are turned in this week. According to KETK, the option is for off-premise alcohol in Smith County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4. Were the option to pass, residents could buy beer or wine from companies and take it home. In a May 2009 election, this same option was given, but it did not pass. However, some voters think there is reason to believe the results may turn out differently this time. Resident Peyton Neill says, “I don’t think it will pass, but if it does, I will not be surprised because of the amount of alcohol people want right now.”
Smith County Elections Administrator Karen Nelson says voter turnout may be higher this time because there’s a governor’s race, which may draw more attention from voters.

JP Precinct 4 touches the north and east side of Loop 323. The number of signatures needed was turned in yesterday, three weeks before the deadline. Officials are now verifying them to make sure there are enough valid signatures to hold the election. Business owners KETK spoke with from stores that are already selling alcohol in Winona say they are worried. If the vote gets on the ballot and passes, it could hurt business.

TYLER — In state district court in Tyler, the trial of Dennis Boyd Pittman, 47, continues. He is accused of forcing several children to dance and engage in sexual activity. KETK-TV reports, for a 13 year old witness Thursday it was a day of claims and contradictions.

The teen’s original taped children’s protective services interviews from 5 years ago was played. In them she denied there was sex in the club. She denied she was ever naked in the club. But she told juries in earlier trials the opposite. When confronted with the contradiction, she claimed over and over she didn’t remember.

On the tape she was asked if she had ever seen any adult naked. She replied only her mother. But again, she told earlier juries that other people in the club were naked. There was even a claim that she had seen Patrick Kelly, “Booger Red”, murder someone. But no body was ever found and no missing persons report was ever filed.

Testimony continued Friday in the so-called Mineola swingers club trial.