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TYLER — Tyler fire officials say Delek Refining is currently conducting storage tank maintenance at its Tyler facility, which has created an unpleasant odor noticed by area residents. The company released the following statement Monday:

“As a result of storage tank maintenance currently underway at Delek Refining’s Tyler refinery, a harmless yet unpleasant odor has been detected in the general vicinity. Delek Refining apologizes for the inconvenience caused by this odor and is currently taking aggressive actions to eliminate the issue. At present, the company believes these actions should eliminate the odor by later this week.”

You’re asked to contact the Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office at (903) 535-0005 for more information.

CANTON — Authorities in Van Zandt County have arrested two people in a series of burglaries. On Friday, 2011 sheriff’s deputies went to a residence at 539 Holly Glenn in the Calendar Lake Addition. Upon arrival deputies made contact with two men identified as Jessie Wayne Petrea and Steven Michael Coursey. Deputies say they were able to obtain permission to search the house for possible stolen items. Authorities say during the search, several items that had been reported stolen from several different houses were located and seized. Upon finding the items, according to authorities, the sheriff’s office was able to clear seven different burglary cases. A sheriff’s office news release reports that approximately $3,000 worth of stolen items were recovered. Items included several firearms, fishing equipment, and an assortment of alcohol.

Both suspects are being held at the Van Zandt County Justice Center on the charge of burglary of a building with a bond amount of $10,000 apiece. Officials say the investigation is still ongoing and both suspects could have several other charges added at a later date.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are investigating a weekend incident in which two people were shot. On Saturday at 1:44 a.m., police responded to a shooting victim call at Good Shepherd Medical Center. Officers learned that there were two victims who had been shot in the area of Timpson and Electra Streets. Both victims were in a car when an unknown gunman pulled up beside them. The suspect then shot several times into the victims’ vehicle before speeding away. The victims stated they did not see who shot them but were able to give officers a description of the vehicle. They described the vehicle as a white, four-door, smaller car, possibly a Honda or Toyota. The car was also missing the right side mirror. The suspect was described as a black male. Both victims sustained non-life threatening injuries.

If you have any information regarding this crime or any other crime, you are encouraged to contact the Longview Police Department at http://www.Longviewpolice.com or (903) 237-1199. Information may also be reported anonymously by contacting Gregg County Crime Stoppers at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.com or (903) 236-STOP.

LONGVIEW — Shots were fired Saturday night after a Longview homeowner pulled a shotgun on a suspected burglar. According to Longview Police, around 11:00 a resident saw a man attempting to enter the home in the 100 block of Queens Court. Officials identified the suspect as Michael Hill, 37, Longview. The homeowner reportedly pulled a shot gun on him and a shot was fired while the two wrestled over the gun. Hill attempted to escape to the house next door and was taken into custody. Hill was booked into the Gregg County Jail charged with burglary of a habitation. Bond was set at $15,000.

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County is asking for redistricting input from the public at two upcoming public hearings and through the County’s redistricting web page. You can go to http://www.smith-county.com to view the web page.

According to the Census Bureau the Smith County population grew to 209,714 in 2010, making the ideal population for the four commissioner precincts 52,429. According to the initial data presented to the court, only County precincts 1 and 4 will be affected by the proposed new boundaries. Initial information showed Precinct 1 experienced significant growth and is more than 10 percent above its ideal population, while Precinct 4 needs about 9.5 percent more population. Each commissioner precinct must be within 10 percent deviation from the ideal population.

The new population numbers create a 19.5 percent imbalance. The proposed plan will
address the imbalance and bring Precinct 4 under the 10 percent threshold. Morning and evening public hearings will be held on June 21 at 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. inside the Smith County Courthouse Annex, 200 E. Ferguson St. The public is also encouraged to send questions, concerns and input to County Commissioners via the “comments” tab on the Smith County redistricting page.

WHITEHOUSE (AP) – An expectant East Texas couple thought creating a Facebook page for their unborn child would be a fun and convenient way to announce their coming addition to their family to their friends. Ellie Greene says she thought it would be the most efficient way to keep her family back in Scotland updated on her pregnancy. But as will happen with Internet creations, Matt and Ellie Greene’s page took off and became a viral hit, with 800 people asking to be her Facebook friend. Then, Facebook shut the page down, since it had been created in the name of someone who had not yet moved from the realm of the fictitious to the factual. The Greenes created a new group page for updates.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Two East Texas sex offenders are sentenced to jail. Visitacion Flores, 50, Jacksonville, was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault of a child. Officials say, while working at an apartment complex, Flores assaulted a 13-year-old girl. James Schlater, 53, Rusk, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after violating his probation last year. Authorities say he failed to report to his probation officer and was found in California. He was on probation for assaulting a 6-year-old relative.

JACKSONVILLE — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of East Texas seized animals from a property on CR 3304 in Jacksonville on Thursday and Friday because the animals were “cruelly confined, severely neglected and improperly fed,” according to a warrant. One horse was seized Thursday and seven horses, one bull, two cows, and one donkey were seized Friday and taken to a veterinarian in Tyler.

The SPCA of East Texas president said a tip on the organization’s hotline spurred the investigation. The owner of the animals, William Earl Franklin, is ordered to appear at a civil hearing June 13. Officials say, the animals could be awarded to the SPCA of East Texas and placed with a new owner.

LONGVIEW — A Longview man was taken to a local hospital for smoke inhalation Sunday afternoon after a fire destroyed a portion of his home. According to the Longview Fire Department, fire crews were dispatched at around 1:00 to the 300 block of Millie Street in connection with a fire that started in a bedroom of the residence. Officials said the fire spread from the bedroom of the home into other parts of the residence. The fire also damaged a car parked near the home and caused some damage to a neighboring residence. Officials say it took crews about three hours to clear the scene. Extra crews were sent to assist with the fire due to the triple digit temps. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

KILGORE — Kilgore College is mourning the loss of former Lady Ranger basketball coach Evelyn Blalock who died Saturday in Longview after a lengthy battle with cancer. According to Kilgore College President Dr. Bill Holda, Blalock is best described as a pioneer, a trailblazer in the history of KC women’s athletics. “As the first person to coach women’s basketball at KC, she set a standard for the program by winning three national championships,” Holda said. Evelyn was passionate, committed and loved to win. She inspired her players to reach goals which were at or above their own ability levels.”

Blalock taught at KC from 1965-1997, beginning the basketball program in 1979. In addition to the three national championships, Blalock’s teams accrued numerous other awards including six conference titles, 14-straight playoff appearances and six NJCAA National Tournament appearances. Her overall record at KC was 390-156, winning 71% of games played.

“As one of her many long-time colleagues, I join the entire KC family in mourning her passing. While we will miss her, I am happy for her that her trials and sufferings are no more,” Holda said. “She will forever be in our memory.” Funeral services for Blalock are set for 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, at at Rader Funeral Home in Longview. Visitation is also scheduled for Tuesday, from 11:00am to 1:00pm.

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

WHITEHOUSE — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled perform pavement repairs on State Highway 110 between Farm Road 346 in Whitehouse and Hagan Road. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zone.

Also this week, contractor Reynolds & Kay is scheduled to continue several weeks of resurfacing on Spur 147 (Gentry Parkway) between West Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and U.S. Highway 271 (Beckham Street). Daytime lane closures will be in effect, and motorists are encouraged to be on the lookout for heavy trucks entering and leaving the job site.

Finally, TxDOT is scheduled to sever County Road 2297 (Brewer Road) on Monday, June 13, as part of ongoing construction on Segment 5 of Loop 49. Residents will have access to Farm Road 756 (Paluxy Drive) via SCR 2191.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 2274 between State Highway 204 in Ponta and US 79. The work is being done in preparation for a seal coat application later this summer. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

GREGG COUNTY — Beginning Wednesday, June 8, the Texas Department of Transportation will be closing Farm Road 2011 to all traffic between Farm Road 2087 and Farm Road 349 while damage to the bridge in that area is repaired. The closure is expected to last through June 21. Detours will be posted.

Also this week in Kilgore, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to conclude pavement repairs on U.S. Highway 259 Business in Kilgore between Lantrip Street to the south end of the US 259 Bypass, then move to State Highway 42 Business between Lantrip Street and Kilgore Street. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and 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 resurfacing operations on Farm Road 13 between State Highway 42 in Price and the Cherokee County Line.

A second crew is scheduled to continue base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 1662 between Farm Road 1798 in Laneville and Farm Road 2753 in Anadarko. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Also in Rusk County, on Monday, June 13, contractor Pinto Construction, Inc., of Nacogdoches, is scheduled to begin repairing and resurfacing Farm Road 1251 between Farm Road 2658 and Farm Road 3231 in the Martin Creek Lake area. The roadway will be closed to thru-traffic during the work. The approximate $570,000 project let to contract in May and is scheduled to take approximately two months to complete.

HENDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs in various locations on Ranch Road 2970 between Farm Road 753 and the end of state maintenance. 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 begin resurfacing operations on State Highway 294 between U.S. Highway 79 and Farm Road 322. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Also this week, contractor Knife River is scheduled to open both sides of the State Highway 155 widening project between Frankston and Pert just south of the bridges in Frankston. Knife River will continue resurfacing operations on the northbound lanes and resume work on the Caddo Creek Bridge in the coming weeks.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform pavement repairs at the intersection of State Highway 243 and State Highway 198 in Canton, followed by similar work in various locations on State Highway 64 between U.S. Highway 80 in Wills Point and Interstate Highway 20. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes to avoid delays.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 14 between Farm Road 49 and SH 154. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

Also this week, TxDOT contractor Nixon Engineering is scheduled to begin repairs to the damaged bridge rail on the westbound U.S. Highway 80 bridge over Lake Fork Creek.
One lane will be closed at all times during the repair.

LAKE TYLER – The body of a missing five year old has been found in the waters of Lake Tyler. And charges may be filed in the accidental drowning. Found at the end of a pier by a boater was the body of Joseph Cooks of Flint. The youngster, who did not know how to swim, was not wearing a floatation device.

Game Warden Chris Green says the mother was fishing on the pier while her kids were wading in the water. Green says when she went back to her car for a moment, that’s when the boy disappeared. Green says this week, several officials will meet to decide if the parents will be charged in the death. He added, “Someone needs to be held accountable for this unfortunate death out here. It’s just not acceptable. We have to be more responsible parents.”

TYLER – Investigators are trying to determine what caused a couple of Tyler area fires on Saturday. A two story home in the 3300 block of Farm Road 724 was destroyed by fire Saturday afternoon. A large explosion was heard from the house, and then the fire was seen. No one was at home when the fire started and no injures were reported.

And a fire damaged several homes at the corner of Duncan Street and the Old Gladewater Highway. The fire started in one home and then spread to two others. No injuries were reported.

TYLER — For $50, you get a chance to win a 2011 Dodge Ram quad cab pickup and help out a good cause. Only 1,000 tickets are being sold, with all proceeds going to the Children of the Tyler Police Department Scholarship Fund. All you need do is stop by Allen Samuels East Texas Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, and Jeep at 3120 SSW Loop 323 or go by the Tyler Police Department at 711 W. Ferguson. You can go to http://www.allensamuelstyler.com for more details.

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.