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TYLER – A Tyler man has entered a not guilty plea to shooting a Smith County sheriff’s deputy in March. Christopher Martin Summerville, 26, entered the plea Friday in an appearance in 114th State District Court. He remains in the Smith County Jail under bonds totaling nearly $8 million. He has a tentative trial date set for next month.

The incident occurred on March 24, when he allegedly shot the deputy who was attempting to serve an arrest warrant on Summerville at the Arbors Apartments. Deputy Josh Caulkins, who was assigned to a U.S. Marshal’s fugitive task force, was wearing a vest and sustained only minor injuries. Summerville has also been charged with manufacture or delivery of controlled substance, engaging in organized criminal activity, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Summerville had earlier been released from East Texas Medical Center. Police say Summerville was hospitalized for an overdose of methamphetamine that he reportedly had injected into his body just prior to the arrest warrant being served. Two other suspects at the scene of the shooting, Kara Hanley, 29, and Jeffery Andrysiak, 31, have also been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity. They’d earlier been charged with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance.

MARSHALL – A Harrison County attempted capital murder case has come to an end with the death of the defendant. The case against Merrill Harley Wickware, 80, was dismissed when he died of metastatic brain cancer. He had been accused of the January 26 shooting of Harrison County sheriff’s deputy Sgt. Duana “D.J.” Couch.

According to a news release from the sheriff’s department, Lt. Duana Couch was conducting an investigation regarding a court-ordered seizure of an RV on the property when she was shot. Her head was grazed by a shot from a 22-caliber pistol. She was treated and released from Good Shepherd Medical Center in Marshall. Authorities say the suspect barricaded himself in his mobile home but surrendered when other officers arrived.

TYLER – The chair and Chandler professor of computer science at The University of Texas at Tyler, Dr. Stephen B. Rainwater, has been recognized as a recipient of the 2010 – 11 President’s Volunteer Service Award, Dr. James Nelson, College of Engineering and Computer Science dean, announced. He was granted the silver medal for his work of more than 250 voluntary services hours on behalf of educational technology.

A UT Tyler faculty member since 1982, Rainwater currently serves on the International Society for Technology in Education Board of Directors as the computer science representative. In this role, he contributes towards the society’s focus on providing leadership and service to improve teaching, learning and school leadership by advancing the effective use of technology in the K-16 environment. As a subcommittee co-chair, he provided leadership in the revision of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education standards for secondary computer science teaching certification.

LONGVIEW – Longview’s Good Shepherd Medical Center has delivered a baby that has set the hospital’s weight record. The picture from the Longview News-Journal shows JaMichael Brown Johnson shortly after he was delivered by Cesarean section. Doctors had predicted he would weigh around 12 pounds. But, when he arrived at 9:05 Friday morning he tipped the scales at 16 pounds and one ounce. Mother and son are doing well.

TYLER — At least for now, Tyler police are treating a burned body case as a possible homicide. Shortly after 4:30 Friday morning, Tyler Fire, Police, and EMS responded to a reported house fire at 1005 West Lollar Street. Authorities say the residence was fully engulfed in fire upon arrival of fire units. Observers at the scene told officials that the house had just been leased and that no one was living in it. The owner of the residence confirmed that the house had been rented and that the tenant had not fully moved in yet. Fire-fighters fought the fire for one hour and 24 minutes and advised that the fire was under control at 6:02 a.m.

At 7:35 a.m. the Tyler Police Department was notified by a family member of the owner of the residence that they had located a body inside a storage closet inside the residence. The family member was searching the residence for salvageable items when they discovered the body. Investigators from the Tyler Fire and Police Departments, and the Smith County DA’s Office responded to the scene and are currently conducting an investigation. The body has been identified as Leon Kentrelle Heard, 26. Heard was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Quincy Beavers. Judge Beavers has ordered an autopsy, and the body is being transported to Southwest Forensics in Dallas.

The Tyler Police Department is taking the lead in this investigation and treating it as a possible homicide until evidence indicates otherwise. 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 suspects in this, or any, felony case.

MARSHALL – A federal jury in Marshall has convicted a Big Sandy couple of federal income tax violations. Timothy J. Patton, 61, and his wife, Dawn G. Patton, 54, were found guilty on July 7 of conspiracy to attempt to evade federal income tax and five counts of attempting to evade federal income tax following a 3-day trial before U.S. District Judge T. John Ward.

According to information presented in court, beginning in 2000, the defendants stopped filing federal income tax returns and began insisting that their employers not withhold any federal income tax. Each provided false W-2s to their employer, claiming that each was single and exempt from income tax. They also had their employers begin issuing paychecks to the Office of the Patriarch of the Gathering of the House of Israel, an entity created by Timothy Patton using an invalid Employer Identification Number. The Pattons would regularly refuse to provide a Social Security number to their employers. The defendants, who insisted on being referred to as Brother T and Mimi, claimed that they were not the individuals named in the indictment. The guilty verdict on all counts was reached after approximately 3 ½ hours of deliberation.

The Pattons each face up to 5 years in federal prison for each of the six counts. A sentencing date has not been set.

WASHINGTON – Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert is targeting President Obama in the wake of the unemployment report issued by the U.S. Department of Labor Friday. Gohmert says, “In order to create jobs for the American people, Washington must stop spending money it does not have. A meager 18,000 American jobs were created in June, but if you look hard at the adjustments, we actually lost 26,000 jobs. This number is staggering and significantly below market expectations. Unemployment continues to climb and is at 9.2% and Senate Democrats have now failed to pass a budget for 800 days. This is truly unacceptable.

“Sadly, this June jobs report does not come as a surprise. However, it proves one thing – President Obama’s big spending habits have by no means aided job growth in the United States. His massive spending spree has only made this job crisis worse. It’s time to implement policies that work. It’s time to find a way to employ the 14.1 million Americans looking for work. With 28 straight months of national unemployment at or above 8 percent, we cannot just be satisfied with the status quo. In order to get America back to work and grow this economy, we must ease the debt that creates uncertainty among job creators.”

QUITMAN — Wood County Sheriff’s Officials say that Benjamin “Bennie” Edward George turned himself in to authorities just before 3:45 Friday morning. George was wanted for the reported rape of a 62-year-old Mineola woman. The assault occurred early Wednesday morning at a home on County Road 2270.

HUDSON — Two people are behind bars after an undercover drug sting just west of Lufkin. An Angelina County sheriff’s investigator went undercover in a FedEx truck Wednesday to a Hudson home along the 100 block of Stone Drive. After searching the house, authorities say they found 37 grams of mushrooms and some marijuana, along with two children who authorities say had easy access to the drugs. That’s where they arrested Torrence Haley, 33 and Jessica Simone Jamison, 24. Both are charged with possession of marijuana and a controlled substance.

TYLER — Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham Friday presented the Tyler Police Department a check for $22,242. The funds will be used to purchase 16 tasers, two pieces of tactical body armor, two tactical shields and crime scene lights.“We are very fortunate to have such a great working relationship with the Smith County District Attorney’s office,” said Tyler Police Chief Gary Swindle. “The cooperation between our organizations allows us to equip our officers with the most up-to-date law enforcement equipment and provide our community with the highest level of policing.”

“I am happy to present this check to the Tyler Police Department, to help them purchase the necessary equipment to keep their officer’s safe as they continue to do an outstanding job protecting us, Bingham said. This is money seized by the District Attorney’s Office from criminal offender’s, not taxpayer money. “It is very satisfying to seize money from criminals and turn it over law enforcement to be utilized in protecting them and our community, from those who commit crimes in Smith County,” Bingham said.

TYLER — One person has been arrested and another is being sought in connection with a vehicle burglary. It happened around 4:00 Friday morning in the 500 block of Eisenhower Drive. While checking the area, officers located two individuals matching the description of the suspects and carrying a black bag. The suspects fled on foot when they noticed the police but officers were able to apprehend a juvenile. Stolen property was found in the bag and the juvenile was charged with one count of burglary of a vehicle. He was released to his grandparents. Officers managed to identify the suspect that fled and warrants for evading arrest and burglary of a vehicle have been issued for him.

KILGORE — A Kilgore woman was jailed Thursday morning after police said she threatened her common-law husband with a kitchen knife. According to arrest reports, Juanita Ann Strong, 36, remained jailed Thursday on bonds totaling $2,000, charged with assault causing bodily injury and terroristic threat. Police were dispatched to the home in the 3300 block of FM 1252 about 2:15. He told authorities that Strong hit him in the face with her fist repeatedly and threatened to cut his throat with a kitchen knife after a verbal argument. Police said witnesses at the scene confirmed the victim’s testimony.

MINEOLA — Union Pacific officials are estimating cleanup to take up to a week after a Wednesday morning derailment near Mineola. According to Union Pacific spokeswoman Raquel Espinoza, crews from Fort Worth are bringing special equipment to the westbound track running along CR 2790 west of Mineola. She said it would take about a week for the site to be cleared. Once the site has been cleaned up, UP officials said they would be able to investigate what caused the 23 cars to derail. Authorities said there were no injuries reported and no hazardous materials spilled in the incident. Espinoza said she was checking with authorities to find out whether the rail had been opened.

TYLER – The race for District 6 in the Texas House has become contested. Tylerite Matt Schaefer announced yesterday he will run in the Republican primary for the post now held by Leo Berman of Tyler. Schaefer said his campaign will be aimed at the core functions of Texas government. He says, “We have to get better at the basics.” Schaefer went on to say, “Like Washington, there is always a strong tendency in Austin to do more and take more, as in more regulations and more taxes. I believe Austin should do less and take less.”

Schaefer made his announcement at Stewart’s Donnybrook Automotive. “When I think about whether or not to pass a new law, I’m going to think about the Stewart family business. Will the Stewarts have less freedom under this law? Will their jobs be harder? Will they have to pay more taxes? The answers to these questions will be very important to me,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer is a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserve and recently returned from a tour in western Afghanistan. He is currently the East Texas Regional Director for U.S. Senator John Cornyn, but will resign from that position to focus on the election and to pursue private business interests. Schaefer has a law degree and has prior legislative experience working as a policy advisor to the chairman of the Sunset Commission during the 81st Legislative Session. He is married to Jasilyn Schaefer, who directs the Tyler Jr. College Apache Belles.

TYLER – The City of Tyler’s sales tax revenues deposited for the month of July have increased 2.66% as compared to July 2010, resulting in a 3.4% cumulative year-to-date increase. According to figures from the state comptroller’s office, the reported revenue of $2,601,235 is comprised of $1,734,157 general sales tax revenue and $867,078 half-cent sales tax revenue. The figures represent receipts from May 2011 collections as there is a two-month lag before taxes are reported and remitted back to the City from the State.

“We are monitoring sales tax revenues closely to see how they are trending in preparation for the 2011-2012 budget proposal,” explained City Manager Mark McDaniel. A proposed budget will be presented to the city council August 10th. “Thus far we have seen slow and steady growth in our revenues; which is a promising sign. However, we will remain cautious in our budgeting to ensure we are able to balance our budget moving into the next fiscal year.”

The city took aggressive steps in 2009 and 2010 in response to the economic downturn, freezing as many as 140 vacancies and curtailing spending to ensure expenditures did not exceed revenues. “The steps we took in the last two years have positioned us well as the economy slowly recovers,” added McDaniel. “Had we not tightened our belts and made tough decisions then, we would still be struggling in the next fiscal year.”