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AUSTIN (AP) � The Texas Youth Commission has announced that it will close three of its 10 correctional facilities by the end of August. The TYC board said Friday that it will shut down facilities in Crockett, Beaumont and Brownwood and consolidate operations at McLennan State Juvenile Correctional Facility Units I and II. The board, stating that it was following direction from the Legislature, said its decisions would affect the placement of about 400 youth and 700 staff at those locations. The board cited the agency’s budget reduction of $116.9 million for the next biennium and significantly reduced youth population as key to the decision to close the facilities. An additional 50 positions in the agency’s central office and 73 positions in the regional and parole offices will also be eliminated.

AUSTIN � A Smith County man is one of three persons appointed by the governor to of the Assistive and Rehabilitative Services Council. The council assists the commissioner of the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services in developing rules and policies for the agency.

Among those named to the panel was Dr. Thomas W. Grahm of Tyler. He�s a board-certified neurosurgeon and a partner at Tyler Neurosurgical Associates P.A. He is president of the Texas Association of Neurological Surgeons, and a member of the Texas Medical Association, American Association of Neurological Surgeons and Congress of Neurological Surgeons. He is also a member of the North American Spine and Skull Base societies, Smith County Medical Society, and American Society of Neurophysiological Monitoring. Grahm received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

TYLER � The Tyler Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure announced that this year�s Race netted $286,000 in proceeds. Spokespeople say the 13th annual Race, held at Bergfeld Park on May 7th, had an outstanding year with over 5,600 runners and walkers registered. Additionally, The Power of 10 Pledge Program, established in 2008, had a record year with individuals raising $57,487. Spokespeople say many East Texans whose lives are affected by breast cancer will benefit from the grants which will be funded by the money raised through the race. 75 percent of the net proceeds will stay in Smith County for local grants. The remaining 25 percent is used to fund the Susan G. Komen for the Cure National Research Grants Program.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure was built on a promise made by Nancy Brinker to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, to make every effort to eradicate breast cancer. In the past 25 years, the organization has raised more than $1 billion to fight breast cancer through research, education, screening and treatment, making it the leading source of nonprofit funding.

TYLER � One person has been killed in an accident on Tyler�s southeast side. It happened in a three vehicle wreck on the loop at University Boulevard late Friday afternoon. Dead at the scene was John Michele Ruiz, 29, of Tyler. The preliminary investigation indicates that Ruiz was westbound on the loop on a Yamaha motorcycle. A SUV had been eastbound on the Loop and made a U-Turn at the intersection of University Boulevard to travel westbound on the Loop. Investigators say that Ruiz tried to pass the SUV on the left of the vehicle and hit the driver side of it. This caused Ruiz to lose control and hit the concrete median in the center of the loop. The motorcycle then vaulted over the median and hit a pickup. The pickup was stopped for traffic in the left turn lane on the eastbound side of the Loop.

LAKE TYLER � The body of a missing five year old has been found in the waters of Lake Tyler. The youngster�s body was discovered under a boat ramp at the lake. He is identified as Joseph Cooks of Flint. Authorities say the youngster, who did not know how to swim, was not wearing a floatation device.

LUFKIN � A motorcycle accident claimed the life of a Lufkin woman early Friday. Maria Huerta, 42, died at Memorial Medical Center at 3:32am following the 12:19am accident, Lufkin Police said. Her husband and driver, Jesse Huerta, 48, was also taken to Memorial with a broken shoulder. Jesse Huerta reportedly lost control of the bike after hitting a curb in the 400 block of Frank Avenue by the downtown post office.

TYLER � A 51-year-old Tyler man has pleaded guilty to federal health care fraud charges. Nicodemus Udofia pleaded guilty on May 31 to health care fraud and illegal remunerations charges before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith K. Guthrie.

According to information presented in court, from 2006 to 2008, Udofia, the owner of a medical equipment business in Tyler, submitted claims to Medicare and Medicaid for medical equipment and supplies which were not provided to beneficiaries. As a result of these claims, Udofia unlawfully obtained more than $50,000 from Medicare and Medicaid. Udofia also offered to pay illegal remunerations, or cash kickbacks, in exchange for patient information that he could use to submit claims to Medicare and Medicaid.

Udofia was indicted by a federal grand jury on June 3, 2010. Udofia faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER — With high temperatures once again making their presence felt, officials in Tyler are revisiting their heat plan. Twelve years ago a coalition was formed to address the issue of high temperatures and to develop a heat plan. An annual review is conducted by local police, fire, public health and community groups to ensure the information remains current and the community is aware of its contents. It is a resource to safe havens to get relief from the heat.

The Northeast Texas Public Health District reminds everyone that heat kills. A heat advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected and will create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible; they are announced by local weather reports. Those at highest risk for death or illness from heat (groups without access to air conditioning for at least a few hours of the day) are: the elderly, socially isolated individuals (homebound, homeless), the physically disabled, those with chronic medical conditions, infants, and those taking certain medications (neuroleptics, anticholinergics).

Public health officials conclude that access to air conditioning is the most critical intervention to decrease the human impact of a heat wave. During the hottest parts of the day, the note, it is important to seek additional shelter from prolonged heat exposure. You are advised to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air conditioned room, and stay out of the sun as much as possible. You should also check on relatives and neighbors that may be at increased risk. Civic groups and public spaces offer access to air conditioned areas. Welfare concerns may be referred to your local fire department or police department, or the Smith County Sheriff�s Department. In case of extreme emergency you’re urged to call 911. For additional information or a copy of the Heat Plan, you can contact Patty Roberts at proberts@netpd.org or 903-535-0053.

TYLER � The John Tyler High School and Robert E. Lee High School graduation ceremonies take place this weekend at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium, located at 609 Fair Park Drive in Tyler. Here�s the full schedule with contingency plans:

Robert E. Lee High School Graduation
Friday, June 3, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

John Tyler High School Graduation
Saturday, June 4, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

Staffers scheduled both graduation ceremonies for live airing on http://wwwtylerisd.org and TISD TV Channel 19. Any changes to the graduation plans will be communicated via the media, TISD TV-19, AlertNow phone messaging system, Facebook, Twitter and the district website.

John Tyler High School Contingency Plan
#1-Rose Stadium Sunday, June 5 2:00 p.m.
#2-Rose Stadium Sunday, June 5 5:00 p.m.
#3-Rose Stadium Sunday, June 5 8:00 p.m.

TYLER – A 34-year-old Palestine man has pleaded guilty to federal gun violations. James Emil Hanson pleaded guilty in Tyler on June 2 to possession of an unregistered firearm before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. According to information presented in court, on Oct. 1, 2009, Hanson was found in possession of an unregistered firearm. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on Feb. 2, 2011, and charged with federal violations. Hanson faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

TYLER � A federal grand jury has returned multiple indictments in Tyler. In separate cases, two men face charges of enticement of a minor. Stephen Wayne Perritte, 66, of Henderson, allegedly used a computer to communicate with a minor in an attempt to engage in sexual activity from May 23 to May 25, 2011. Charles Abner Richey, Jr., 62, of Christianburg, Virginia, allegedly did likewise from Apr. 19 to May 5. Each man faces up to ten years behind bars if convicted.

Concepcion Baldelamar, 49, of Mexico, was indicted for failing to register as a sex offender and illegally being present in the United States after having been previously deported. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison for the first charge and up to 20 years for the immigration violation. According to the indictment, in March 2009, Baldelamar allegedly returned to Texas after having been deported to Mexico. Baldelamar is also alleged to have failed to register as a sex offender as required by the Sex Offender Notification Act.

Lisa Godfrey, 50, of Tyler, was indicted on charges of theft of government property, making a false statement, and social security benefits fraud. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, from February 2007 till March 2011, Godfrey is alleged to have made false statements claiming that a minor lived with her resulting in the payment of approximately $29,490 of child insurance benefits to which she was not entitled. During that same time, Godfrey allegedly failed to report that the child left the residence and was no longer living with her.

Charles Kevin Clayton, 36, of Texarkana, Texas, was indicted on charges of counterfeiting. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on May 21, 2011, Clayton is alleged to have attempted to pass a counterfeit $50 bill at a Dairy Queen. Further investigation revealed Clayton possessed approximately 7 counterfeit $50 bills and 12 counterfeit $20 bills.

Dustin James Poole, 31, of Mabank, was indicted on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on May 12, 2011, Poole is alleged to have been found in possession of two firearms and ammunition. Further investigation revealed Poole was previously convicted of possession of a stolen firearm in federal court in 2003 and theft in Henderson County in 2004.

LONGVIEW — AlleyFest celebrates 33 years of festival fun in downtown Longview June 3 through 5. The annual celebration of the arts, which has become a local tradition, is taking place on the streets of Longview�s historic Main Street district. You can go to http://www.alleyfest.org to get more information on AlleyFest and its activities.

NOONDAY � An agreement was reached in a Smith County Precinct 2 courtroom just after 3:00 yesterday afternoon in last week�s puppy mill case. The home where Refugio Silvas, Jr., and his wife were living was raided last week. The couple was ordered to pay $8,000 and hand over all 70 puppies to the SPCA. Many people in the courtroom are said to have been upset over the puppy mill case. The SPCA says it will continue to pursue further action and charges against the couple.

TYLER � Tyler Police have arrested a teenager who allegedly robbed a 14 year old at gunpoint in Fun Forest Park. Taken into custody was Donald Lloyd Davis Jr., 17, of Tyler. Officials say the victim was walking through the park in the 1800 block of Garden Valley Road when he was approached by the suspect who told him to give him all his money. While showing his empty pockets, the teen pulled out a cell phone. The robber pulled a gun and demanded the phone, then ran away. A witness offered his phone to the teen to call the police. When officials arrived, they found Davis in the 1800 block of West Oakwood, where they arrested him. They searched the area and found a pistol and the cell phone in two different trashcans on Maxwell Street, about a block away from where they found Davis.

GILMER � Tuesday�s Upshur County Commissioners meeting erupts with accusations, and a request to remove a person from the crowd. Commissioner James Crittenden accused fellow Commissioner Lloyd Crabtree of bypassing his authority as presiding officer. That comes after Crabtree received a letter instead of Crittenden. And when Commissioner Mike Spencer tried to get back to business, a woman from the crowd spoke up, saying Crittenden was presiding and could �say what he wants to.� Spencer responded, �Excuse me. For an outburst like that I would like to have her removed from the court.� After the outburst, the commissioners took a recess. The woman was not removed from the meeting.

The commissioners� court has seen its share of controversy in recent months. Crabtree is under indictment along with County Judge Dean Fowler and Sheriff Anthony Betterron. All are charged with official oppression and abuse of official capacity in a case involving removal of public comment from agendas.