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TYLER — Tyler resident Charles Hollie has been sentenced in Tyler federal court to 24 months in prison for filing false tax returns. Judge Michael Schneider also ordered Hollie to pay $84,668 in restitution to the IRS and to serve one year of supervised release. Hollie was indicted for aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns on April 7, 2010, and subsequently pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the preparation of false tax returns on November 9, 2010.

According to the indictment, plea agreement and other court documents, between 2004 and 2007, Hollie worked as an independent contractor at the Tyler and Athens offices of Preferred Choice Income Tax. Authorities say Hollie held himself out to the public as a tax consultant and expert in preparing individual income tax returns. Hollie prepared more than 1,300 returns that claimed fictitious itemized deductions, home businesses, Earned Income Credits and — in the case of each return for the 2006 tax year — inflated telephone excise tax refund (TETR) credits. TETR was a one-time credit available to taxpayers to refund excise taxes paid on long distance and bundled service for the 41-month period from February 2003 to August 2006.

TYLER — FirstNet Exchange, a Tyler-based organization, has received a grant from the state of Texas to develop and operate a secure health information network for 37 counties in northeast Texas. The state’s ultimate goal is to develop a patient-centered network of electronic medical information that can be securely shared among authorized health care organizations and providers across the region, the state, and, eventually, across the nation.

According to a news release, FirstNet Exchange, a not-for-profit organization established in 1996 by the ETMC Regional Healthcare System, will be one of the state’s first health information networks. FirstNet Exchange will support and, in turn, be governed by hospitals and clinicians throughout northeast Texas. “This system and others like it across the state and nation will eventually be linked to create a range of benefits for medical providers and patients,” said Paula Anthony, CEO for FirstNet Exchange.

“The purpose of a health information network, also known as a health information exchange (HIE), is to share medical information between physicians and hospitals on mutually-treated patients,” Anthony explained. She said FirstNet Exchange will allow physicians and hospitals to quickly access necessary medical information that would otherwise have to be faxed or delivered manually. This could include, for example, information on allergies, current medications, recent lab tests and other diagnostic treatments.

Anthony added, “An HIE such as FirstNet Exchange has the opportunity not just to speed treatment, but also to ensure that the most accurate and timely information is available to health care providers — wherever a patient is treated. Patients whose information is shared via the exchange will have the explicit assurance that all federal and state standards for privacy and security of confidential patient health information will be upheld.”

FirstNet was created 15 years ago with the goal of connecting ETMC hospitals and physicians, but grew quickly over the years to provide a data exchange for numerous East Texas providers. Today, FirstNet’s stakeholders include 15 hospitals and over 600 physicians, and its exchange spans 21 counties.

Anthony feels FirstNet Exchange will offer key advantages in making the process of sharing health information a reality for East Texans. “Our organization has a 15-year history of making it possible for caregivers in our region to share electronic health data,” she explained. “We are excited to extend these services to all providers in East Texas, and to offer the support needed to help doctors and hospitals link their electronic health records to the network.” For those physicians that don’t currently have electronic records systems, FirstNet Exchange will also offer a solution set that will help them meet their federally-defined “meaningful use” objectives, Anthony said. For more information, visit http://www.firstnetexchange.com or contact FirstNet Exchange at 800-328-1638.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council Wednesday accepted a $60,000 donation from the Spangenberg Family Foundation to Benefit Children’s Education and Healthcare to be used toward playground equipment at City Park and Woldert Park. “We are very thankful for this donation toward playground equipment for City Park and Woldert Park,” said Mayor Barbara Bass. “In 2008, the Spangenberg Family Foundation generously donated funds for a playground at Fun Forest Park and we are thrilled that they would continue to support the City of Tyler Parks and Recreation Department.” The donation will purchase playground equipment that is American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible and targeted toward children age 2 to 12 years.

The Spangenberg Family Foundation was founded by Audrey Spangenberg and her husband and their son. The Foundation has traditionally focused on education and healthcare for children. It currently has an office in Dallas but has extended its support to East Texas. The Foundation has previously provided a donation for playground equipment at the City’s Fun Forest Park.

“This is a great gift for our City,” said Mayor Bass. “Parks play an important role in our community. They are a place where children can enjoy themselves and parents can get to know one another which is the foundation of a strong neighborhood.” Councilmember Ralph Caraway added, “We are very fortunate that the Spangenberg Foundation blessed us with these donations. “These enhancements to these parks will add another dimension to the neighborhoods. I know the community is elated to have this new equipment.”

TYLER — The University of Texas at Tyler 40th Anniversary Kick-Off Celebration began today at 11:00 at the University Center Theater. On Friday, June 10, 1971, Governor Preston Smith signed a bill passed by the Texas Legislature, creating Tyler State College. The campus was renamed Texas Eastern University in 1975 and became a part of the University of Texas System in 1979.

According to a news release, “The University leadership is deeply indebted to those business and community leaders who, more than 40 years ago, had the foresight and the determination to seek a university for the community and who helped establish a firm foundation for the future. In fact, there are many to thank — 40 years of dedicated faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, civic and community supporters and elected official — all committed to the mission of the University.”

Included on today’s schedule, according to press materials: Mayor Barbara Bass, speaking about the value of a strong institution of higher learning like The University of Texas at Tyler in Tyler and the region; Austin Bank Chairman of the Board Jeff Austin, Jr. — one of the University’s Founding Board Members — on behalf of the early years; and current President Dr. Rodney H. Mabry. The schedule also includes the unveiling of the 40th Anniversary logo and a brief film will be shown. The University of Texas at Tyler 40th Anniversary film features UTT’s three presidents: Founding President Dr. James H. Stewart, Jr. (1972-1981), Dr. George F. Hamm (1981-1998) and Dr. Rodney H. Mabry (1998-present) and tells the founding story through the voice of past and current leaders who helped make the University what it has become today.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches man was sentenced to two 20-year stints in prison and another 10 years in prison, all to be served concurrently, after being found guilty Wednesday of three sexually-related crimes against a child. That’s according to KETK and the Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel. Victor Manuel Gonzalez was originally indicted by a Nacogdoches County grand jury for five counts of indecency with a child, four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Assistant District Attorney Lauren Gaston said the state chose to pursue four of those counts in a jury trial this week in Judge Ed Klein’s 420th District courtroom. “We went forward with three counts of sexual assault involving a child and one count of indecency with a child, and he was found guilty of all but one count of sexual assault of a child,” Gaston said. “The judge assessed punishment.”

Gonzalez was accused of sexually molesting a younger relative for about six years until an outcry was made, according to a probable cause affidavit for his arrest. The girl, who is now 16, was 8 years old at the time the assaults began. Because the sentences will run concurrently, Gonzalez cannot be in jail longer than 20 years, but must serve 10 before he is eligible for parole, Gaston said.

MARSHALL — The family of a woman who died in the Gregg County Jail files a federal lawsuit against the county, claiming she was denied proper medical attention. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by Amy Lynn Cowling’s family on behalf of her three children, alleges her constitutional rights were violated. The lawsuit comes less than six months after her death in the Gregg County Jail and in the same week that another inmate, Micah Aaron Garner, died in the same facility. Cowling, 33, was pronounced dead Dec. 29 at a Longview hospital.

Her official cause of death was ruled “probable” seizure due to methadone and Xanax withdrawal by a Tyler pathologist in March. A second opinion was sought in the ruling because the justice of the peace said he wasn’t happy with Cowling’s cause of death being ruled “probable,” because the manner of death was left up to him to determine.

The second opinion, by a Tarrant County pathologist, resulted in Justice of the Peace B.H. Jameson ruling her manner of death as “undetermined” and closed the books despite the pathologist’s recommendation to leave the books open and call the death “suspicious.” Her cause of death was then officials ruled “probable” seizures due to methadone and Xanax withdrawal.The lawsuit claims Gregg County officials failed to provide proper medical treatment to Cowling “by failing to protect her and through indifference to her medical needs.”

It also claims the county ignored Cowling’s constitutional rights and failed to implement the policies, procedures and practices “necessary to provide constitutionally adequate medical services to Cowling during her incarceration in the Gregg County Jail.”

Robert Davis, an attorney who represents the county and Sheriff Maxey Cerliano, disputed the allegations.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – Two Texas men have been sentenced to six years in federal prison for smuggling cocaine into Baton Rouge in the door panel of a pickup. U.S. District Judge James Brady sentenced 22-year-old Melesio Noyola of Lufkin and 21-year-old Jonathan Beltran of Eagle Pass on Wednesday. Noyola and Beltran pleaded guilty in 2009 to conspiracy, possession of more than 11 pounds of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a drug-trafficking crime. The case involved more than 15 pounds of uncut cocaine smuggled into Baton Rouge from Austin, Texas, in the pickup.

NACOGDOCHES — A Nacogdoches Police Department intern was killed around 2:00 Wednesday afternoon in a vehicle rollover accident on State Highway 21 when she was thrown from her pickup. Rebecca Jeanne Gore, 19, of San Augustine, and a Stephen F. Austin State University student, was pronounced dead at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital after the accident when her 1998 Ford pickup left the road near FM 226 and rolled over, according to a Department of Public Safety report.

JACKSONVILLE — Jacksonville Police Officer Tim McDonald was reprimanded Tuesday for not following procedure at the scene of a car accident on Canada Street on June 2. According to a tape recorded by a dash camera in McDonald’s squad car, he left the scene of the accident without interviewing both parties involved in the accident, interviewing the witness or recording anyone’s driver’s license or insurance information. McDonald is the first Jacksonville police officer to be placed on probation since Daniel became chief five years ago, he said. Chief Reese Daniel said McDonald has gotten multiple complaints and commendations during his nearly three years with the department.

TYLER — Tyler Police search for a man who they say was shoplifting inside the South Broadway Walmart Wednesday afternoon. Police describe him as a white man. He was last seen wearing a white long sleeved shirt, black pants and black shoes. Police tell KETK when the man left the store, he pushed the loss-prevention officer. No word if anyone was hurt.

TYLER – A 57-year-old Wills Point man has been sentenced for making a false statement to the Federal Aviation Administration. Darryl Glen Reynolds pleaded guilty on June 10, 2010, and was sentenced Wednesday in Tyler to five months in federal prison. Reynolds was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

According to information presented in court, on Dec. 28, 2004, Reynolds wrote a letter to the FAA requesting a new airworthiness certificate for a Beechcraft Baron BE-58P aircraft. He attached a copy of the original certificate, stating that the original certificate had been lost, when he knew the original had been surrendered to the FAA by the original owners of the aircraft, the U.S. Forest Service.

Reynolds incorporated and ran a non-profit corporation, Texas Firebirds Volunteer Fire Department (TFVFD), in Van Zandt County, to be used to provide aerial firefighting support. Reynolds then applied, on behalf of TFVFD, to obtain surplus aircraft through the federal surplus property program. One of the aircraft was a twin-engine Beechcraft Baron, previously used by the U. S. Forest Service. The Beechcraft was provided without an airworthiness certificate, which had been surrendered to the FAA because the aircraft had been determined to have reached its useful life. Reynolds was indicted by a federal grand jury in April 2010 and charged with making a false statement.

TYLER – A 42-year-old Mount PleasanT woman has been sentenced to federal prison for drug violations.
Rosa Moreno Mejia pleaded guilty on Nov. 1, 2010, to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and was sentenced in Tyler this week to 30 months behind bars. According to information presented in court, on Mar. 4, 2010, Mejia delivered approximately 30 grams of powder cocaine to co-defendant Alfredo Bello Dejesus in exchange for $900. From Sep. 2, 2009, to June 11, 2010, Mejia delivered another 260 grams of powder cocaine. All of Mejia’s co-defendants have pleaded guilty in this case. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on July 14, 2010, charging Mejia with federal drug trafficking violations.

SMITH COUNTY — A wreck in Smith County Wednesday morning kills 55-year old Samuel Blackbird of Tyler. According to DPS, it happened on FM 850 west of Hwy 31 East. Authorities say an SUV driven by Blackbird collided with a tree.

TYLER — A suspect has been arrested in a recent lewd behavior incident at Kohl’s Department Store in Tyler. Police say they received numerous tips after the news media released information about the incident. 25-year-old Jose Alberto Mejia of Longview turned himself into investigators Wednesday afternoon. He has been charged with class B misdemeanor indecent exposure and a state jail felony of improper photography. Judge Christi Kennedy issued a warrant and set bond at $50,000. Mejia is incarcerated at the Smith County Jail.

On Friday at 11:28 a.m., Tyler Police responded to Kohl’s at 7715 S. Broadway in reference to a suspicious person. Officers made contact with store security personnel who had witnessed a man taking pictures of two very young females. Police say the man used his cell phone to covertly take pictures under the girls’ skirts. After taking the pictures the suspect reportedly went to another aisle of the store and exposed himself. Store security attempted to make contact with the suspect, but they say he ran out of the store to a car and drove away. Officials say the two girls left the store not knowing that the man had taken the pictures.

TYLER — East Texas Medical Center has won several national marketing awards for materials produced by the marketing department under the direction of corporate director Carroll Roge and vice president Mike Thomas. ETMC was recognized with four Aster Awards. A gold Aster was awarded to Scott Berkley for a photo for ETMC EMS. A silver Aster was presented for the ETMC Athens fall newsletter and two bronze Asters were given for a brochure and television ad for the sleep center. The Aster Awards is an international medical marketing awards program.

The ETMC First Physicians Minute videos, produced by Rebecca and Scott Berkley, received the highest designation from the “Videographer Awards” with the “Award of Excellence.” A training video for surgery titled “Time Out” received the “Award of Distinction.” Only 14 percent of the over 1,800 entries received an award. The “Videographer Awards” recognize pieces produced, shot and edited in a high standard of excellence. The ETMC First Physicians Minute television spot also received an “Award of Distinction” from the Communicator Awards, an international marketing awards competition featuring over 9,000 entries.

ETMC won two bronze “Telly” awards for ETMC First Physicians Minute and “Time Out” training video for surgery. The Telly awards received over 13,000 entries from ad agencies, production companies, TV stations and corporations worldwide. A silver award is the highest an entry can receive followed by a bronze.