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LUFKIN – A Lufkin man has been charged with indecency with a child after the 8 year old wrote about the incident in her school journal. Taken into custody was Justin Delane Nash, 33, who was free on probation for injury to a child. The girl he injured last year is the older sister of the girl in the latest incident. Nash remains in the Angelina County Jail.

AUSTIN – Wildfire survivors in Gregg, Harrison, Smith and Rusk counties can meet with state and federal specialists at recovery centers this week in area communities, including a new center opening Thursday in Smith County. Specialists from the state of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors. They also have brochures and other written materials on disaster recovery.

The remaining schedule is:

Gregg & Harrison Counties
Fairgrounds
1123 Jaycee Dr.
Longview, TX 75604
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21

Smith & Rusk Counties
Bethel Baptist Church
13108 Hwy 64 East
Tyler, TX 75707
1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22

Any Texan with questions about the recovery process or needing help registering with FEMA is urged to stop by a recovery center. Visiting with a recovery specialist is not a requirement for survivors who want disaster assistance, but officials say the centers are an excellent way for people to get answers to their questions about disaster aid and help applying for it

Texas homeowners, renters, and business owners can register online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. They can also register by telephone via FEMA’s toll-free numbers: 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 1-800-621-3362. Assistants are available by phone from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

LONGVIEW – The name of the man killed in a weekend Longview fire has been released. Richard Andrew Hillman, 58, died in the Saturday morning fire at the Pine Meadows RV Park. He was alone when the fire started. An unoccupied trailer next to his was also destroyed by the fire. The fire has been ruled accidental. It appears to have started when a cigarette ignited some combustibles in the trailer.

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler debate team is ranked tops in the nation after strong finishes in the tournament at McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill., Dr. Martin Slann, College of Arts and Sciences dean, announced. Senior economics major Alex Warren of Tyler and senior communications major Travis Smith of Palestine placed first in the three-day tournament, which is considered the bellwether meet for potential national champions in collegiate debate, according Dr. Charles Walts, UT Tyler director of forensics. “This is a big series of wins for us. Historically, the winner of the McKendree tournament goes on to good showings at nationals in the spring,” Walts said.

The first place finish also positions Warren and Smith at the top of the national ranking system, trumping teams from schools including Texas Tech University, University of California – Berkeley, University of Oregon and the United States Air Force Academy. “It feels great to be at the top of a ranking system that has more than 200 teams on it,” said Warren, who placed in the top three for overall best speaker. The ranking system determines who qualifies for the national tournament, Walts added.

In the junior varsity division, sophomore English major Addison Gribbin of Ennis and freshman communications major Dallas Flick of Aubrey placed in the top two teams, marking the second consecutive tournament in which the UT Tyler duo reached the finals. UT Tyler will travel to the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash. to compete in an exclusive, invite-only tournament featuring the top ten debate teams in the country.

TYLER — ETMC Tyler announced Wednesday that patients and physicians in the region can now access one of the newest and highest-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scanners available: the Ingenia 1.5T system from Philips Healthcare. Hospital officials say the MRI provides high image quality to aid diagnostic confidence, increase clinical versatility and improve productivity by shortening exam times. In addition, officials say, patients will appreciate its many comfort-related features.

According to a hospital news release, ETMC’s Ingenia 1.5T system facilitates the delivery of crisp image clarity to help clinicians make informed decisions for a wide range of procedures. The elease says Ingenia 1.5T can assist radiologists and physicians in the earlier diagnosis of a variety of medical conditions, including brain and nervous system disorders, cardiovascular disease and organ disease.

Hospital officials say with a simplified pre-exam set-up and a large 70cm bore, the system is more comfortable for patients and operators. “We expect to gain as much as a 30 percent increase in throughput compared to previous generation systems,” said Bill Tobin, director of ETMC radiology. “With both a wide bore and a large field of view, we also expect to do a variety of scanning procedures. For doctors and patients who understand that the latest technology can improve outcomes, the Ingenia 1.5T MR system we have installed represents what they have been looking for: the very latest technology that provides exceptional image quality in the most patient-friendly environment. It is of tremendous diagnostic benefit to the community.” Patient referrals may be made by calling 800-648-8141.

TYLER — The man accused of shooting a Smith County Sheriff’s deputy in March has been indicted on additional charges. According to KETK and Smith County jail records, 27-year-old Christopher Martin Summerville was indicted on October 14 for aggravated robbery, which is a first degree felony. He was also indicted for failure to register as a sex offender.

In March 2011, Smith County Sheriff’s deputies and U.S. Marshals served a warrant on Summerville, then 26, at The Arbors apartments on Chimney Rock in Tyler for failing to register as a sex offender. When officials attempted to enter the apartment, Summerville allegedly shot Smith County Deputy Josh Caulkins in the chest. Luckily, Caulkins was saved by his bulletproof vest. After the shooting, Summerville was taken to a local hospital for a meth overdose. Officials believed at the time that Summerville injected himself with the drug just before they arrived at his apartment complex.

At the time of the shooting, Summerville was not charged with the assault, but in April, Tyler Police investigators secured the evidence to arrest him for aggravated assault of a peace officer, which is a first degree felony. Summerville was also charged with manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance and engaging in organized criminal activity, both first degree felonies. Two other people, Kara Hanley and Jeffery Andrysiak, who were in the apartment at the time of the shooting, were also charged for engaging in organized criminal activity.

SACRAMENTO, Cal. – Low-interest disaster loans are now available to certain private, nonprofit organizations (PNPs) in six additional Texas counties — mainly in East Texas — following President Obama’s September 21 federal disaster declaration for Public Assistance as a result of wildfires beginning August 30. The announcement comes from Karen G. Mills, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Only PNPs that provide essential government services are eligible for assistance.

The disaster declaration now makes SBA assistance available in the additional counties of Anderson, Henderson, Hill, Marion, Smith and Upshur. Previously SBA announced assistance to private, nonprofit organizations in the counties of Bastrop, Cherokee, Colorado, Gregg, Harrison, Houston, Leon, Rusk and Walker.

All interested PNPs should begin the process by registering with FEMA. At the time of registration, FEMA will initially determine if the PNP qualifies to immediately apply for a grant from FEMA’s PA program. All other eligible PNPs will be referred to the SBA for a low-interest disaster loan to cover property damages. If SBA cannot approve a low-interest disaster loan or meet all of the PNP’s needs, SBA may refer the PNP back to FEMA.

SBA may lend PNPs up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For certain private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA also offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDLs may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the PNP suffered any property damage. Interest rates are as low as 3 percent with terms up to 30 years.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site. Go to https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela to apply. Disaster loan information and applications are also available by calling (800) 659-2955, clicking on http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance or contacting disastercustomerservice@sba.gov via email. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is November 21, 2011. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 21, 2012.

TYLER — Part of East Erwin Street in downtown Tyler will soon be switching from one-way to two-way. The city plans to make the change on the stretch running from Spring Avenue to Center Street. It’s seen as a way to help drivers better navigate the downtown area as downtown becomes more of a destination for residents and visitors. Officials hope to make the switch by early next week, but no firm date has been set. Meantime, you’re urged to watch for the signs that will indicate the change.

PALESTINE — Anderson County sheriff’s authorities arrested four Tyler men early Monday whom they say were in possession of more than $9,000 cash and believed to be involved in the trafficking of illegal narcotics. Michael V. Cordaro, 22, Sam N. Cordaro, 20, Antonio T. Grahm, 20, and John T. Turman, 20, all of Tyler, were charged with engaging in organized criminal activity-money laundering following their arrests early Monday morning just east of the Palestine city limits.

Around 3:45 a.m. Monday, an Anderson County sheriff’s deputy stopped a 1998 Toyota Avalon for speeding on U.S. 79, just east of the Palestine city limits. The deputy reportedly smelled marijuana and was given permission to search the vehicle. Along with the cash, officers found drug paraphernalia items. All four suspects were released from the Anderson County Jail after posting a $75,000 bond.

NACOGDOCHES — A worker for an electric cooperative died while on the job. Deep East Texas Electric Cooperative officials tell KETK Aaron Sullender, 21, of Broaddus, was working between Nacogdoches and Garrison Tuesday when he came in contact with a high voltage line and was electrocuted. DETEC officials are investigating the cause of the accident.

LUFKIN — A wanted Lufkin woman has been taken into custody. It happened around 8:30 this morning. Texas Ranger Steven Rayburn, along with Lufkin Police Department Officers Ray Hightower and Stacy Seymore, arrested Karen Haney Renfro at Executive Inn & Suites, located at 103 Harmony Hill Drive, in Lufkin. Local and State law enforcement agencies in Texas and Arkansas were attempting to locate Karen Renfro for outstanding arrest warrants from Nevada County, Arkansas for Failure to Appear – Possession of Cocaine and from the Dallas County, Texas for Possession of Dangerous Drugs.

Assistance from area media outlets in publicizing the information concerning Karen Renfro’s “wanted” status led to an anonymous tip concerning her location, and a rapid reaction to that tip by the officers led to her arrest. Detective JB Smith, Law Enforcement Coordinator for Crime Stoppers of Lufkin, stated, “Crime Stoppers and all involved law enforcement agencies appreciate the assistance received from area media outlets. Without the quick response in publicizing this, there’s no way to know how long it would have taken to locate Mrs. Renfro.”

LUFKIN – A Lufkin pastor has been indicted for the sexual assault of a child. The indictment was returned by a Shelby County grand jury against Richard Adams. He is charged with three counts of indecency with a child and one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The complaints date back to 2005. Adams, who was arrested on the charges back in February, is currently free on a $35,000 bond.

LONGVIEW – A man accused of murder at a Gregg County club in January of 2010, has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. Jimmy Lee Hall Jr., 31, of Kilgore, yesterday entered a guilty plea to manslaughter in the shooting death of Ilonzo McGregor, 27, of Henderson. The shooting occurred at the Wild Things club on Highway 31 west of Kilgore.

State District Judge David Brabham has ordered a pre-sentence investigation. No date has been set for the punishment hearing.

LONGVIEW – Longview police have arrested a parolee after his wife accused him of choking her and pulling out her hair during an argument. Currently being held in the Gregg County Jail, without bond, is Darrin Dexter Taylor, 45, of Greggton. Arriving officers reported seeing red, swollen marks on the woman’s throat and pieces of the victim’s hair with roots still attached. The officers said there were portions of the victim’s scalp that were reddened and bare. At the time of the incident, Taylor was out on parole following a 20-year prison sentence he incurred in 2001 for aggravated robbery in Gregg County.

PALESTINE (AP) — The downtown section of an East Texas city shook during the lunch hour when the roof of a four-story building partially collapsed. No injuries were reported in the fall of much of the roof and street-side wall of the top story of the 98-year-old Ivanhoe No. 15 building fell on the eastern end of downtown Palestine.

Police Sgt. Jeff Powell says the public first reported the collapse just before noon Tuesday. The Ivanhoe No. 15 building was built in 1913 as the meeting place for the Knights of Pythias, a fraternal organization. The top floors were vacant, while the bottom floor has been used for commercial office space in recent years.