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ANGELINA COUNTY — A man is convicted and sentenced for a 2009 murder. Thomas Hugh Fielder was sentenced to life in prison for the December 2009 murder of Gary Lynn DeFratus, Huntington. After hearing four days of testimony and closing arguments Friday morning, the jury deliberated for two hours, convicting Fielder of murder. The verdict was read around 2 p.m. and the sentence was announced about three and a half hours later.

On the night of Dec. 18, 2009, Fielder returned to DeFratus� home to confront him about hitting on his wife earlier that evening, according to testimony. Fielder, who had been friends with DeFratus, said what happened next escalated into the fight that left DeFratus dead, according to testimony. He maintains he doesn�t remember stabbing DeFratus 24 times or slashing his throat, severing his carotid artery and jugular vein, according to testimony. They were both high on methamphetamine, according to testimony.

TYLER � Nationwide, many airports have reported reductions in enplanements and airport activities. Although Tyler Pounds Regional Airport saw a decline in enplanements over the last few years due to economic conditions, it held up better than many regional airports in Texas and Tyler Pounds officials say they are now seeing signs of a rebound in activity. Between 2008 and 2009, Tyler realized a 3.06% decrease in activity compared to a 7.42% decrease at Abilene Regional Airport, an 8.61% decrease at Dallas� Love Field, and a 9.46% decrease at College Station�s Easterwood Field.

�While Tyler did feel the effects of the recession and noticed a decrease in activity at the airport, Tyler Pounds Regional Airport fared well compared to other regional airports across the state,� said Davis Dickson, airport manager. �In 2010 Tyler Pounds saw an increase in activity, and monthly numbers for January 2011 are the highest they have been in the past three years.�

Officials say Tyler Pounds is beginning to see signs of improvement with a .40 percent increase in activities between 2009 and 2010 and an increase of nearly one percent between January 2009 and January 2011. Tyler Pounds also saw an increase of .99% in the number of rental cars leased and an increase of .95% fuel flowage between 2009 and 2010.

TYLER — It�s time for Tyler�s spring Bulky Item Collection. Bulky items that will be picked up at no charge include furniture, appliances, carpet, fence material, up to four noncommercial vehicle tires, old toys and other large items that would normally require a special fee. No liquid waste, limbs or brush will be picked up. Paint must be dried out with oil dry or kitty litter. Free bulky item collection dates are dependent on your location in the city. If your garbage is normally collected on Monday and Thursday, please place your bulky items on the curb Monday, March 7. If your garbage is normally collected on Tuesday and Friday, you are asked to place your bulky items on the curb on Monday, March 14th. You are asked to leave them there until they are picked up. There is no need to call the Solid Waste Office when you set out your bulky garbage. Items may be collected on a different day from your regular collection.

Bulky items will also be accepted from 7:00am to noon on Saturday, March 12 and Saturday, March 19 at the City of Tyler employee parking lot in the 300 block of North Bois D’Arc Avenue in downtown Tyler.

Residents are encouraged to contact the Habitat for Humanity ReStore or Goodwill Industries before disposing of unwanted items that are in good condition. Televisions, computers and other electronics can be recycled at any Tyler Goodwill Drop Off on weekdays or at the Tyler Recycling Collection Center from Wednesday through Saturday.

AUSTIN � Five songwriters, including Bruce Channel from Jacksonville, have been presented the “Texas Heritage Songwriter” award from the Texas Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. The awards show was held Sunday night at the brand new Austin City Limits Live at Moody Theater. Joining Channel in receiving the award were Delbert McClinton, Gary Nicholson, Lee Roy Parnell and the late Cindy Walker.

Channel first began singing and entertaining at local dances in his early teens in Texas, where he entered a recording studio to make a simple demonstration recording of a couple of songs he had written. At the last minute he substituted a brand new song he had just completed called “Hey! Baby.” Six months later he watched in awe as this recording soared to number one in the pop charts and stayed there for three weeks. Thus began a long and fascinating touring and recording career in the U.S. and England. At the height of his popularity in England, he headlined a show featuring a relatively unknown recording group known as The Beatles. After more than a decade of touring and recording, Bruce grew tired of the road and the music business. He returned to Grapevine, Texas, to settle down with his wife Christine, whom he had met in England, and left the music scene for a while.

In 1978, Bruce moved to Nashville and began writing songs for Nashville recording artists. Since then his successes as a writer include number one records for T. G. Shepherd on Party Time, Janie Fricke with “Don’t Worry About Me Baby,” John Conlee, “As Long As I’m Rockin’ With You,” Anne Murray’s re-make of “Hey! Baby,” and Mel McDaniels’s smash – “Stand Up.” Bruce has also had cuts by Alabama, the Oak Ridge Boys, Jerry Lee Lewis and Tom Jones. He co-wrote the country hit “You’re The Best,” with Kieran Kane who recorded it, and “Gonna Have a Party,” recorded by Alabama. Bruce was pleased to see “Hey! Baby” become a hit again in Germany, England and Ireland, and was a triple platinum seller by Austrian artist, D.J. Otzi. Bruce’s original recording of “Hey! Baby” is featured in the movie, Dirty Dancing and is enjoying renewed success in the hit stage musical of Dirty Dancing playing in London’s West End. Bruce and Christine live in Nashville and are actively involved in songwriting and music publishing.

UNDATED — Here’s a quick look at other work planned in the Tyler District of the Texas Department of Transportation.

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge repairs on the southern end of Farm Road 756 (Paluxy Drive), between Farm Road 346 and Farm Road 344. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ATHENS — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repair operations on State Highway 31 Business and State Highway 19 Business in downtown Athens, followed by the same work on SH 19 south of Athens. A second crew is scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 3204 east of Brownsboro. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

LONGVIEW — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 2275 (George Richey Road) between Farm Road 3272 (White Oak Road) and State Highway 300 (Gilmer Road). Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 3135 between U.S. Highway 79 east of Henderson, and on Farm Road 2658 between State Highway 43 near Tatum and Farm Road 1251. A second crew is scheduled to be at work on Farm Road 13 west of State Highway 42 in Price. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to continue fog seal operations on Farm Road 1817 between U.S. Highway 287 and Farm Road 323, and on Farm Road 2330 between State Highway 19 and Farm Road 860. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Fog seal operations require lengthy lane closures and can cause moderate delays to traffic. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to repair and resurface Farm Road 47 west of Canton in various locations between State Highway 243 and State Highway 198. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to be at work on the following roadways in and around Wood County:
*U.S. Highway 80 west of Farm Road 1255;
*Farm Road 778 north of Farm Road 49; and
*FM 857 south of U.S. Highway 80.

Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches Sheriff’s Office is looking into a possible child abduction that occurred in the 100 block of Ridgeview Drive in Nacogdoches on Wednesday evening. According to the police report, a woman said her 3-year-old son was taken from her yard by people driving a black car. The woman reportedly followed the vehicle, which stopped near CR 727 on FM 2782. The woman said the passenger exited the vehicle with her son and ran into the woods. She followed the person and found her son in the woods, according to the report.

MINEOLA � A former Mineola teacher is free on bond today after being indicted on charges connected to an alleged inappropriate relationship with a child. Jo Ann Stephens, 43, was named in a five-count indictment Wednesday. She surrendered to authorities on Friday. Stephens was charged with two counts of sexual assault of a child, two counts of inappropriate relationship with a child, and one count of online solicitation. Each indictment carries a $25,000 bond.

Stephens was arrested last December following a four-month-long investigation. She was charged at the time with improper relationship with a student. The Mineola High School student has since graduated. Mineola police say they started the investigation after receiving a complaint from Child Protective Services on August 4. The incident with the student, who was said to have been 15 at the time, is said to have taken place in May of 2008. Following her arrest, Stephens resigned as physical education teacher at the elementary and middle school.

LONGVIEW � On November 10, three weeks before the first of two defendants was found guilty in his son�s death, Kelvin Muckleroy�s grandson, Kaden Muckleroy, died in a Henderson hospital after a pit bull attack.

Helen Muckleroy was the victim�s older sister. Three months ago, she laid to rest her 2-year-old son, Kaden, who was mauled outside his grandfather�s home by a pit bull. The dog belonged to Muckleroy Jr. and was rescued after the 2009 fire.�People just didn�t know. That�s why we had that dog in our yard,� she said. Despite her losses, including Wednesday when she was inconsolable after hearing Lockridge�s testimony, Helen Muckleroy said the words that gave her family resolve.�As long as it is not an innocent verdict, there is still a chance,� she said. �There is still a chance.�

A mistrial was declared in Toronto Lockridge�s murder trial in Gregg County. On Friday, Gregg County District Judge Alfonso Charles declared a mistrial in co-defendant Toronto Eldermek Lockridge�s murder case. After more than two days of testimony and six hours of deliberations, the jury deadlocked 11-1 on whether Lockridge was involved in the September 2009 shooting and arson of Kelvin Muckleroy Jr. A new trial in two months at the earliest is the silver lining for both sides. Lockridge and co-defendant Brandon Quadnell Horne face up to 99 years or life in prison if convicted of fatally shooting Muckleroy Jr. in the head and burning down his house..

TYLER � Three East Texans are handed drug sentences Thursday in Tyler federal court. A 46-year-old Beckville woman has been sentenced to 68 months behind bars, a 34-year-old resident of DeBerry in Panola County has received a 35-month prison term, and a 30-year-old Mt. Pleasant man has drawn a 37-month sentence.

Heidi Lynn Beall of Beckville pleaded guilty on Aug. 31, 2010, to possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. According to prosecutors, on Dec. 24, 2008, Beall purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at a Walgreens in Longview, Texas, in addition to making two other purchases that same day at other stores in the area, as well as on many other occasions, all in furtherance of her methamphetamine manufacturing activities. A federal grand jury returned a 256-count indictment on Feb. 2, 2010 charging Beall with federal drug violations.

Johnny V. Jackson, Jr., of Deberry, pleaded guilty on Nov. 22, 2010, to conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. According to information presented in court, on Aug. 28, 2008, Jackson was found in possession of about 90 grams of crack cocaine. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 4, 2010, and charged with federal drug violations.

Crisoforo Bello Mejia of Mt. Pleasant pleaded guilty on Oct. 14, 2010, to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He was also ordered to forfeit $7,000 in seized cash to the government. According to authorities, on Jan. 28, 2010, Meija was found in possession of 15 grams of powder cocaine, which he delivered in exchange for $450. On June 11, 2010, federal agents executed a search warrant at Meija’s Mount Pleasant home and discovered an additional 254 grams of powder cocaine and $7,000 in drug proceeds. Meija was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 14, 2010, and charged with federal drug violations.

SMITH COUNTY � The body found burned in a truck in Smith County on Monday has been identified as 52-year-old Ricky James Simar of Rowlett. According to KETK, firefighters found the body on Patton Lane near Hwy 31 west. Originally, the gender or age of the victim could not be identified, but investigators were finally able to determine his identity through dental records.

BEAUMONT � In a case that stretched into Henderson, a 42-year-old Treasure Island, Florida, man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in an Internet gambling conspiracy in the Eastern District of Texas. Daniel Patrick Davis was convicted on July 9, 2010, of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling enterprise, two counts of operating an illegal gambling enterprise and two counts of money laundering. Davis was sentenced Thursday in Beaumont to 12 months and one day in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield. The court also ordered the forfeiture of a money judgment of $300,000 in gambling proceeds as well as several accounts containing about $80,000 cash and several vehicles.

Davis and two Texans — 55-year-old Phillip Dell Clark of Big Spring and 73-year-old Cecil D. Stephens of Burnet — were convicted by a jury following a 10-day trial last summer. Clark and Stephens are set to be sentenced on Mar. 24. According to authorities, a joint investigation revealed that from April 2007 to September 2009, the defendants operated a multi-million dollar gambling enterprise through computerized gambling machines using sweepstakes to attract patrons under the guise of Internet cafes and e-business centers in Port Arthur, Beaumont, Nederland, and Henderson, Texas. Clark and Davis owned and operated Dolphin Internet in Port Arthur, Davis operated the Nederland Internet Caf� in partnership with others, Clark and Stephens owned and operated the Double Click in Henderson, and Davis and Stephens operated the Henderson Sweepstakes in Henderson.

The Dolphin Internet and the Nederland Internet Caf� were shut down after search warrants were executed on July 2, 2008, and the Beaumont location closed shortly thereafter. Search warrants were also served on the Double Click in Henderson in March 2009 which led to its closure. A search warrant in September 2009 also led to the closure of the Henderson Sweepstakes. The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury on Oct. 7, 2009, and charged with federal gambling violations.

TYLER — A Smith County man is going to prison for indecency with a child. Darren Dickens, 46, of Arp, pleaded guilty to two charges on Monday. Thursday, State District Judge Jack Skeen sentenced Dickens to 30 years in prison. He was sentenced to 20 years on one of the charges and 10 years on the second. The sentences will be served consecutively.

TYLER � A temporary restraining order has been issued that prohibits the City of Whitehouse from enforcing its new animal ordinance against Wild Rose Rescue Ranch. The order was issued this week from the 7th state District Court in Smith County. Wild Rose Rescue Ranch, a non-profit organization whose mission is to “rescue, rehabilitate and, whenever possible, adopt out to ‘forever homes’ lost, orphaned, injured or unwanted animals that would otherwise suffer.” The ranch had filed a lawsuit against the City of Whitehouse alleging that the city’s new animal ordinance is unconstitutional.

The ordinance, which was passed by the Whitehouse City Council last week, contains fifteen pages of regulations that, among other things, limit the number of animals that may be kept on private property within the city limits. It limits the number of dogs to four and states that the number of horses shall not be “in excess”. The lawsuit alleges that the ordinance is vague, ambiguous and unconstitutional because it does not define “excess” or state the number of horses that may be kept.

The lawsuit went on to say that Wild Rose Rescue Ranch had more than four dogs at the time the ordinance was enacted and that the four-dog limit amounts to a “retroactive” law which violates the Texas Constitution. The court set the matter for hearing on March 11 at 1:30 p.m.

LONGVIEW � The U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship will be coming to Longview beginning in 2012 and continuing through 2014. The announcement was made by the Balloon Federation of America�s Hot Air Competition Division. A news release from the organization said Longview was selected from a field of four that had expressed interest in the host role of this prestigious event. The three-year agreement was ratified by both organizations earlier this week.

�The selection of Longview and the GTBR took a great deal of dedicated work by the staffs of both organizations,� said Paul Petrehn, Chairman of the BFA HACD, �but we knew going in to expect an excellent bid package from Dr. Bill Bussey and the people of Longview. The GTBR enjoys an outstanding reputation as a top-flight competition event. The opportunity to couple these two events was not to be missed,� added Petrehn. �Both pilots and spectators alike will be treated to an unprecedented showing of the very best competition our sport has to offer.�

For spectators in East Texas, the BFA U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship presented by Curves and the Great Texas Balloon Race will mean more balloons flying overhead for longer than ever before. A total of 70 or more balloons will color the summer skies above Longview for an entire week, beginning on Monday morning and continuing through the following Sunday. Those pilots will be competing for a total prize purse of $50,000 and the opportunity to go on to represent the U.S. in World Champion competition. The dates for the 2012 event are July 23 � 29th.

Longview�s first balloonist and founder of the Great Texas Balloon Race, Dr. Bill Bussey says he can�t wait. �We�re thrilled with the decision of the BFA on a number of levels,� said Bussey. �It validates the many years of hard work of the countless volunteers who have strived to build the Great Texas Balloon Race into one of the best events in the country. This opportunity also allows us to bring to the citizens of Longview and East Texas an even bigger and better show than ever before,� he said.

�Of course none of it would be possible without the unparalleled sponsorship of the many fine businesses and service organizations, like our title sponsor Curves International, that support ballooning and the Great Texas Balloon Race year in and year out. It�s like the Mercury astronauts used to say, �No bucks. No Buck Rogers,�� added Bussey. �This year marks the 33rd Annual Great Texas Balloon Race and that longevity is testament to the pride of community and quality of life that we enjoy here in Longview and throughout East Texas,� Bussey said.