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RUSK COUNTY – A Rusk County fire in the Laneville and Carlisle areas had firemen busy Saturday. The fire was reported around 4 Saturday afternoon. County Road 1798 was blocked off from Highway 259 South to Farm Road 2496. The fire, which has burned around 150 acres, is said to be 70% contained. There have been no injuries and no evacuations.

OVERON — Overton Police have identified a shooting victim found this week. Carlos Kyle, 29, was found shot to death Tuesday morning on the side of Denman Road. Authorities say he’s the estranged husband of the woman charged in his death. Regina Lynn Bayless-Kyle, 38 and Anthony Kenye Arterberry, 41, Overton, are charged with murder in Kyle’s death. They were arrested Tuesday afternoon. Arterberry is said to be Bayless-Kyle’s boyfriend. The victim was shot five times. Kyle’s bond is set at $500,000 and Arterberry’s is $1 million.

LONGVIEW — The Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex has returned to normal operations as the complex is no longer serving as an evacuation shelter. All public events scheduled for Maude Cobb this weekend are expected to continue as normal. Should the need for a shelter arise again, officials will coordinate with American Red Cross and other community resources. There are no remaining evacuations for residents of Gregg County.

Pacific Northwest Team 2 Incident Commander Mike Morcom has been requested to work for the Texas Forest Service to help support local fire suppression efforts in what has become the most significant fire season in the history of the Great State of Texas.

PNW Team 2 is based out of the well-equipped Longview-Gregg County Emergency Operations Center. The team is in process of transitioning with the City of Longview, Gregg County, Cass, and Marion Counties to assume command of a number of fires in the northeast portion of the state. This includes the Bear Creek Fire, the Old Magnolia Complex, and potentially, some additional large fires in the geographic area. PNW Team 2 will also be working closely with the Linden and Henderson offices of the Texas Forest Service.

Team members are busy gathering intelligence on the existing fires from the fire resources who are currently assigned; the team plans to continue utilizing as many of those resources as possible in the coming days. PNW Team 2 will be assuming command of the Northeast Texas Fire Complex, in full cooperation with the Texas Forest Service, at 8:00 Saturday morning.

LONGVIEW (AP) — A memorial service has been held for two of the four people killed in a series of wildfires this week in Texas. Valerie McBride and her 18-month-old daughter K’loe Jane were remembered during a private service Saturday at a funeral home in Longview.

The 20-year-old mother and her daughter were killed last Sunday when a fire swept through the East Texas mobile home park they lived in near Gladewater. McBride and her daughter were taking a nap when the blaze erupted.

A fire in and around Bastrop near Austin has also killed two people.

TUCSON, ARIZ. (AP/STAFF) — Authorities say three Texas residents and a Georgia man were the four people killed in a fiery crash north of Tucson. The Arizona Department of Public Safety says Derrick Bryan Reynolds, 46, his wife Wendy A. Reynolds, 42, and their youngest son Joachim S. Reynolds, 20, All from Pittsburg, Texas, were inside a minivan that caught on fire after being hit by a big rig.

DPS officials say the driver of the big rig was Rickey J. Duffey, 61, of Fayetteville, Georgia. Authorities say Duffey lost control of the commercial vehicle carrying a load of produce and went through the median, smashing into the minivan and another car. DPS says the minivan caught fire and the rig rolled onto its side, killing Duffey.

TYLER — A number of area observances are scheduled to commemorate Sunday’s tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. City of Tyler Fire Department personnel will be participating in several events throughout the day, including the following:

· City of Tyler Fire Department and Police Department personnel will be in attendance at a remembrance and dedication service at Green Acres Baptist Church. This service will pay tribute to local responders, in addition to honoring the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. The Tyler Fire Department Honor Guard will also be on hand.
· Fire Department personnel will participate in a presentation at Woodland Hills Baptist Church in Tyler.
· Fire Department personnel will attend a memorial service at the New Covenant Church in Tyler.
· Firefighters and fire apparatus will be on-hand at the TISD Tyler-Lee Arts Center on Sunday afternoon.
· Four Tyler Firefighters will be participating in the Dallas 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. This will be a very inspirational event that will honor each of the 343 FDNY firefighters who perished in the World Trade Center attack.
· Tyler Firefighters will continue to wear their 9/11 Commemorative shirts throughout the month of September.

Soon after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, the Tyler Fire Department began displaying the American Flag on each of its apparatus. Beginning this week, the fire department is once again placing American Flags back on their emergency equipment, in honor of those who sacrificed so much on that tragic day.

TYLER – A 32-year-old Dallas man has pleaded guilty to federal firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Ronald Gene Anderson pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm Friday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love.

According to information presented in court, on Sep. 24, 2010, law enforcement officers responded to a disturbance call in the Cherokee Shores subdivision. Witnesses stated that Anderson had gotten into an altercation with another individual and when another person stopped the fight, Anderson became angry and retrieved a rifle and ammunition from the residence where he was staying. Anderson then went in search of the person who had intervened in the fight and fired shots at him.

Further investigation revealed Anderson was a convicted felon, having been previously found guilty in Dallas County from 1999 to 2005 of various felony offenses including aggravated assault, theft of property and evading arrest. As a convicted felon, Anderson is prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition. Anderson was indicted by a federal grand jury on Jan. 5, 2011, and charged with federal firearms violations. Anderson faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER – A 35-year-old Carthage man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales Friday. Gregory Eugene Bowman pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine Friday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. According to information presented in court, on Apr. 12, Bowman was found to be in possession of about 5 grams of crack cocaine in Panola County. Bowman was indicted by a federal grand jury on Mar. 11 and pleaded to an Information charging him with drug violations Friday. Bowman faces up to 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER — Two Texas men have pleaded guilty in a counterfeit goods scheme in the Eastern District of Texas. Shiraz Sherali Odhwani, 54, of Carrollton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. Umair Salman Khan, 29, of Houston, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic counterfeit goods on Sep. 8 before Judge Love.

According to federal authorities, Odhwani owns and operates a company known as Turtle Wireless, a wholesale outlet and retail point of sale for cellular telephones and wireless device accessories located in Dallas. In 2008, Turtle Wireless began selling counterfeit cellular telephone accessories purchased from suppliers in China. Through Turtle Wireless, Odhwani sold counterfeit products to customers within the Eastern District of Texas and elsewhere. In connection with this case, law enforcement officers seized counterfeit items with an estimated value of $5 million from Odhwani’s store and leased storage space.

Khan worked at a cellular telephone kiosk in the San Jacinto Mall in Baytown. The kiosk was owned and operated by individuals in East Texas who had similar kiosks in Austin and Longview. Beginning in August 2009, Khan sold counterfeit merchandise out of the Baytown kiosk. The counterfeit items, which were shipped to Khan in Baytown on a monthly basis, were purchased by co-conspirators.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment on May 11, charging Odhwani, Khan, and two others in the conspiracy. Odhwani and Khan each face up to 5 years in federal prison. Sentencing dates have not been set.

LONGVIEW – Texans for Fiscal Responsibility (TFR) President Michael Quinn Sullivan will present the “Taxpayer Champion” award, TFR’s highest honor, to State Representative David Simpson this Saturday. The presentation will take place during the Tea Party rally to be held on the Gregg County Courthouse lawn from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. “In his first session as a Representative, David Simpson distinguished himself as a forthright, honest and principled conservative leader. Mr. Simpson is a true Taxpayer Champion,” said Sullivan in advance of the event.

TFR is a project of Empower Texans, a group that terms itself dedicated to creating and sustaining a system of strong fiscal stewardship within all levels of Texas government. The “Taxpayer Champion” award is the top award presented by Texans for Fiscal Responsibility to legislators based on their rating on the most recent Fiscal Responsibility Index.

Rep. Simpson was elected in 2010 after defeating a 14-year incumbent in the primary. He ran on a platform of defending the Constitution, preserving East Texas family values, and restoring government to what he termed its proper, limited role.

TYLER – Andrew Kerr, executive director of Empower Texans/Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, presented the 2011 Texans for Fiscal Responsibility Taxpayers’ Advocate Award to state Rep. Leo Berman. The group gives this award to legislators in recognition of their strong rating on the fiscal responsibility index, based on their voting record during the 82nd Session of the Texas Legislature. The award was presented during the September 8th Smith County Republican Club meeting. Berman said, “I am very proud to receive this award. I have always been a taxpayer advocate and will continue to support commonsense, pro-taxpayer legislation. Texans asked the legislature to balance the budget by cutting spending without a tax or fee increase. We did exactly as we were asked.”

Rep. Berman represents District 6, which includes the south half of Smith County. He serves on the House Committee on Defense and Veterans’ Affairs and the House Committee on Elections.

TYLER – A 29-year-old Henderson man has pleaded guilty to child pornography violations. Enrique Estrada Quintana pleaded guilty to three counts of production of child pornography Friday in Tyler before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love.

According to prosecutors, on Feb. 2, a search warrant was executed at Quintana’s residence, during which several computers, cameras, and other forms of digital media were seized. A forensic examination of the seized items revealed several thousand images of child pornography and over 10,000 videos of child pornography. It was also determined that Quintana actually took approximately 100 pictures and 20 videos of three different minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Some of the images depicted prepubescent children under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and some of the images involved the commission of a sexual act. Quintana was indicted by a federal grand jury on Mar. 2.

Quintana faces at least 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County fire officials tell KETK they’ve been battling a flare-up on CR 240 and CR 246 where several acres burned Thursday. The rekindle began around midday on Friday, and had reached two acres by the time fire officials got on scene. Officials were not clear at the time exactly how much it had grown. Authorities said the fire was beginning to jump the plow line around the blaze. Several departments are on scene. No word on whether there are any nearby structures in danger, but there have been no evacuation orders put in place at this time.

Earlier, officials said all Smith County fires had been contained, and there are no reports of other flare-ups. That containment includes a fire that ignited near several Smith County oil wells. Fire officials say it started around 4:00 Thursday afternoon in a wooded area near FM 850 and County Road 2301, near the New Chapel Hill community. That fire burned approximately 125 acres, but no structures were damaged. Fire crews are continuing to monitor hot spots at previous fire locations throughout the county. Officials believe some of the fires were intentionally set, and they’re still investigating.

LONGVIEW — The search goes on for whoever vandalized a Longview park early this month. On September 4 at 7:19 p.m., officers were called to the 1800 Block of Toler Road for a criminal mischief and burglary at McWhorter Park. When police arrived, park employees told them that sometime between September 1st around noon and September 4th around 7 p.m., someone had entered the park facilities and forced entry into buildings on the property causing damage. Parks officials estimate damages at this point to total at least $15,000.

Detectives are asking for anyone with information about this incident to contact Gregg County Crime Stoppers online at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.com or 903-236-STOP. A reward of up to $1000 may be paid for information leading to the arrest of the suspect in this case. Any information given will remain confidential.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01) released the following statement in order to remember the fallen and pay tribute to the survivors and first responders on the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks:

“It has been said by Thomas Jefferson, ‘The cement of this union is the heart-blood of every American.’ The morning of September 11, 2001, America’s heart beat was fortified through tragedy and pulsed in one patriotic accord.

“Throughout most of the country, September 11th was a bright, clear and warm day. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary. However, at 9:03 AM when the second of four hijacked planes crashed in to the World Trade Center’s South Tower, every heart was irreparably changed forever in America.

“Dozens of questions flooded the minds of our countrymen and women. Unfortunately, no one could specifically address the devastation, fear, doubt and sheer horror felt by the majority of Americans. Hearts – dismayed, anxious and angry – were racing. Though there were very small pockets of people in America and some countries abroad cheering when those towers came down, all true Americans were devastated.

“Within minutes of the first plane hitting the North Tower, dozens of police, firefighters and rescue personnel rushed up the endless stairwells with a strict mission in mind – to provide assistance to the victims and contain the violent fire. When the second plane smashed into the South Tower, immediately rescue personnel headed up the stairs to give aid. Emotions saddled with fear and uncertainty, these ordinary Americans, answered the call of bravery, and sacrificed their lives by offering assistance to their fellow Americans.

“Elmer Davis’ words echoed as truth that day, ‘This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.’

“September 11th was the single worst terrorist attack any country has suffered in modern times. Nearly 3,000 innocent people were cold heartedly murdered on our soil. Americans lost husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, children, and friends.

“The heroic Americans who responded with courage and strength will never be forgotten. We remember those who lost their lives on 9/11 and honor those who ran into the burning buildings that catastrophic day. These brave men and women make up the true heart of America. When people were evacuating the World Trade Center and Pentagon – running down stairwells and corridors – these patriots stationed themselves in the path of disaster; they saved the lives of their countrymen and comforted countless Americans in their last moments on earth.

“On that horrific day, two towers came crashing down – all that was left was a foundation. It is the foundation of faith, hope and love that comprises the bedrock of America. Ironically, following the attacks, during the operation to clear Ground Zero and when the massive search to find survivors was underway, a 20-foot cross of steel beams was uncovered among the rubble. In the midst of chaos and calamity, God was present. To quote Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

“America’s patriotism is not etched in the colors of the flag, it’s not found in the concrete monuments or historic government buildings. True American patriotism can only be viewed in the valiant faces of its people. In the days, weeks, months, and years that follow, I pray, even in the face of scoffers, we will always honor these brave individuals. I pray that we never forget the sacrifice of those who ran into the burning buildings that day. I pray that we never replace these men and women who demonstrated courage with those who merely speak of it.

“May God Continue to Bless America.”