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NACOGDOCHES — The Nacogdoches school board made it official Thursday night, Dr. Fred Hayes is the district’s new school superintendent. Hayes, who is currently the Athens school superintendent, was named lone finalist to the Nacogdoches post last month. Hayes, a former principal at Tyler’s Robert E. Lee High School, starts his new duties in Nacogdoches June 9th.

AUSTIN – An Angelina County man is one of eight persons appointed by Governor Rick Perry to the Trinity River Authority Board of Directors for terms to expire March 15, 2017. The authority oversees development and conservation of surface water resources of the Trinity River Basin.

Among those appointed to the panel was Dennis ‘Joe’ McCleskey of Apple Springs. He is owner of Angelina Excavating Inc. He is secretary/treasurer of the Piney Woods Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and a member of the Texas Wildlife Association, Lufkin Host Lions Club, and Angelina County Youth Fair Buyers Group Committee. He is also past president of the Deep East Texas Association of Builders, former committee member of the Hudson ISD Community Involvement Advisory Board, and a past volunteer with Angelina County Habitat for Humanity.

The appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

TYLER — A young boy was slightly injured when knocked from his bike by a pit bull. The incident occurred around 10:15 Thursday morning on the southern portion of Rose Rudman Trail. Tyler police say the 5 year old boy was accompanied by his mother, who was on a bike. They say the dog “came out of nowhere” and knocked the boy off his bicycle. Officers at the scene believed the pit bull was not being aggressive, but was being playful with the child.

The youngster was attended to by paramedics with East Texas EMS. The dog scratched the child, but no biting occurred. The child also suffered minor scratches from being knocked off his bike. He was not transported for medical treatment and was released to his mother.

Animal Control responded and took custody of the dog. The dog was wearing a collar with the name “Titan” on it. No other information was on the collar.

LONGVIEW — A Longview High School teacher resigned Thursday following his arrest in Upshur County on charges of sexual assault and indecency with a child, Longview ISD officials said. Robert Craig Varnell, 54, was a high school science teacher and one of the district’s University Interscholastic League coordinators. He was booked in the Upshur County Jail at 12:25 a.m. Thursday, charged with indecency with a child and sexual assault, according to the jail website. He is being held on bonds totaling $500,000. An arrest warrant was issued by a Gregg County agency, but Varnell was arrested in Upshur County. He lives in Diana. Varnell sent a handwritten note to the district to resign. Varnell started working for Longview ISD in fall 2009 and was in his second year as a teacher. Prior to working for Longview ISD, he taught at LeTourneau University.

TYLER — The police investigation of the fatal crash that occurred at Broadway and Independence on May 10 has found that the accident had no link to the flashing yellow traffic signal in place at the intersection. The Tyler Police Department has released the audio interview with the driver of the 2008 Chevrolet Impala four-door involved in the crash, Helen Turner from Lindale. “The audio interview with Mrs. Turner clearly reveals that she understood what she was to do at the signal,” said Tyler Police Chief Gary Swindle. “She looked, felt she had time to make the turn, and proceeded through the intersection. She then felt the impact of the motorcycle striking her vehicle.”

According to authorities, Mrs. Turner’s vehicle was involved in the fatal accident in which she failed to yield the right-of-way while turning left. Kendrick Clark was operating a 2008 Kawasaki Motorcycle and stuck Mrs. Turner’s vehicle. Mr. Clark died as a result of the accident. The case will now be submitted to the Smith County District Attorney’s Office for presentation to a Smith County Grand Jury.

City officials say since 2008, 40 flashing yellow arrow signals (FYA) have been installed by the City in an effort to improve traffic progression in the City following the results of the Tyler 21 planning process that showed traffic was the number one concern for Tyler citizens. The determination was made to use this type of device following a seven year study by the Federal Highway Safety Administration that showed that FYAs were safer than a permissive green ball. The Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices includes these signals as an approved traffic control device, and their use has grown significantly across the nation in the last two years. Preliminary studies conducted by the City of Tyler Traffic Engineering Department on the intersections where the first 14 FYAs were installed shows that crashes have decreased by eight percent overall.

TYLER – A federal grand jury has returned multiple indictments charging individuals with separate federal crimes in the Eastern District of Texas.

Howard Wayne Collins, 66, of Greenville, was indicted for failing to register as a sex offender. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, from Sep. 21, 2010, to Apr. 7, 2011, Collins, a convicted sex offender, is alleged to have traveled in interstate commerce while failing to register as required by the Sex Offender Notification Act.

Kevin Davis Locklear, 25, of Jefferson — another convicted sex offender — was also indicted for failing to register as a sex offender and faces up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted. According to the indictment, from July 29, 2010, to May 2, 2011, Locklear is also alleged to have traveled in interstate commerce while failing to register as required by the Sex Offender Notification Act.

Edward Charles Lee, 45, of Gladewater, was indicted on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to the indictment, on Apr. 7, 2011, Lee is alleged to have been found in possession of a stolen firearm. Lee was previously convicted of felony offense battery in Texarkana, Arkansas, in 1993. It is a violation of federal law for a convicted felon to possess or own firearms or ammunition. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

Benito Salazar, Jr., 30, of Dallas; Jose Raul Perez, 23, of Dallas; and Celophis Williams, 28, of Irving, were indicted on charges of conspiracy with intent to distribute cocaine. If convicted, they each face a minimum of 10 years, but not more than life, in federal prison. According to the indictment, the defendants are alleged to have been involved in a conspiracy with others to possess and distribute cocaine and money from Dallas to Little Rock, Arkansas, by way of Interstate Highway 30, through the Eastern District of Texas.

Humberto Oliveros-Contreras, 34, a Mexican national, was indicted for being an alien unlawfully present in the United States after having been deported. According to the indictment, on Apr. 7, 2011, Oliveros-Contreras was located at the Rusk County Probation Office. An investigation revealed he had been deported to Mexico on several occasions. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and deportation.

TYLER — For the second time, Texas Comptroller Susan Combs recognized the City of Tyler with a “Gold Leadership Circle Award” for transparency in local government. The Comptroller’s Leadership Circle program recognizes local governments across Texas striving to meet a high standard for financial transparency online. “Transparency has been a priority for me personally during my two terms as Mayor of Tyler,” said Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass. “Tyler has made several changes to ensure financial information is readily available to citizens via our web site. Our goal is to communicate and operate in a way that is open and accessible to our community.”

Officials say the Comptroller’s office is spotlighting local governments that have opened their books to the public in order to provide a clear picture of spending and to share information in a user-friendly format that lets taxpayers easily drill down for more information. According to city press materials, the “Gold” designation in the Leadership Circle highlights local governments that set the bar for financial transparency, open their books to the public and set a strong example for other governmental entities to follow. The “Silver” designation encourages entities making continued progress toward achieving financial transparency, while “Bronze” inspires those just beginning their efforts and taking the first steps toward achieving financial transparency.

Following the recognition in 2009, Tyler continued to look for ways to enhance transparency, according to city officials. Officials say additional enhancements were made to the City web page to facilitate accessibility of the financial information. “A navigation button was added to our main directory for Transparency,” added Bass. “This link takes you to a page that houses all of the financial information available at the touch of a button. We also added even more data that our citizens may want to review.”

The review for the award accounts for financial reports, budgets and check registers available online. The process also checks for financial transparency features including budgets posted online for the current fiscal year, details within the check register, ease of access to the documents; instructions on how to submit a public information request, and the availability of contact information for current locally elected officials.

“The governments and school districts in Tyler and Smith County are doing a great job in giving citizens the transparency in government they expect by showing that opening the window on local government is not only essential, it’s rather easy to do,” Comptroller Susan Combs said. “I applaud their leadership in transparency and the example they have set for others in Texas. Taxpayers want to know they’re getting the bang for their tax bucks. Transparency engages and empowers citizens, holds government accountable and saves taxpayer dollars.”

SMITH COUNTY — Questions still remain in the shooting and carjacking of Thomas Ray Morrow, 24, Tyler, but investigators say they are making progress. Authorities say they found Morrow’s stolen car nearly 100 miles away in Garland, but the suspects are still on loose.

The shooting happened Monday night around 8:15 on County Road 310 near Farm Road 14. When deputies arrived on scene, Morrow was conscious and was able to tell the authorities about the incident. He said he was attacked by four men, one of whom he knew, named “Chopper.” Officials say one of the attackers shot him 6 times and the group stole his car, a 2001 gray Saturn 4-door with a black hood, license plate LLS624.

After he was shot, Morrow went to a known nearby neighbor’s house, but no one was home. He then walked about a mile to the truck stop, where he was expected to meet some other people from Dallas that he knew. Morrow was reportedly covered in blood when he reached the truck stop, and someone called 911. He was also the victim of robbery a few weeks ago that he reported to Tyler police.

TYLER — Two suspects are now in custody after a robbery and assault. It happened around 10:15 p.m. May 5 in the 500 block of South Bois D’ Arc Ave. Police say two suspects knocked on the resident’s door, attacked him and stole an undetermined amount of cash before running off. The victim was treated for non-life threatening injuries at a local hospital. A description of the suspects helped authorities locate and arrest Anthony Eugene Thomas, 25, and Emanuel James Hayes, 21, both of Tyler. The men have been booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $100,000 each.

MOUNT PLEASANT – A second person has died from injuries received in a hit and run accident in Mount Pleasant. Jocelyn Roberts, 13, died Tuesday night at Dallas Children’s Hospital after being taken off life support. Her cousin, Cameron Jones-Wheeler, died from his injuries the night of the accident. The two were crossing the street last Saturday night when they were hit by a car that authorities say was driven by Edward Joseph Moya, 21. He fled the scene and was later arrested. He remains in jail in Titus County under a $2 million bond. Witnesses told authorities that a second car also hit the young boy. It too fled the scene and authorities are continuing their search for it.

TYLER – A scuffle in the parking lot of the Broadway Square Mall resulted in one person being slightly injured. Around 6:45 Wednesday night police received a call of a shooting at the mall. Upon investigation, a Kevin Williams, 26, Tyler, told officers he was shot at, but not hit.

He told officers he was in the parking lot of the mall near the main entrance speaking with another man. He said the suspect was trying to sell him some Xanax. A scuffle followed at which time the suspect produced a handgun and fired a single shot. As the suspect fled the area, he struck Willams with his car. He showed officers several abrasions on his hands and knees and complained of back pain. He was transported to East Texas Medical Center for treatment.

The suspect is described as a black male 25-30 years of age, dark skin and with jail house tattoos on arms. He had a short black hair, goatee, was about5’5” to 5’06” and weighed around 175 pounds. He drove away in a maroon 4-door Cadillac or Town Car.

TYLER — Lightning strikes from thunderstorms that moved through the area Wednesday night caused a couple of fires. Around 8:00, an oil tank fire was reported on Farm Road 724. It was extinguished, and no injuries were reported. Shortly before 9:00, a fire was reported at the Exxon station at the intersection of U.S. Highway 271 and Highway 155. The lightning strike hit the building, which shorted out some neon signs.

TEXARKANA (AP) — Northeast Texas investigators now say they suspect a mother and her two children may have been dead before flames consumed their house west of Texarkana. Bowie County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Larry Parker would not say what wounds, if any, were found on the bodies of Amanda Doss, 34, Guinevere Doss, 11 and Texas Johnson, 8.

Sheriff James Prince says the grandparents of the children got to the burning house early Wednesday morning before authorities and pulled the three from the burning house, but they had died. The grandparents suffered burns and are receiving treatment at a Dallas hospital. The house was about 10 miles west of Texarkana.

TYLER — Smith County Judge Joel Baker announced Wednesday that Smith County has been awarded $368,600 in grant funds for sanitary sewer improvements to support job creation by Distant Lands Coffee Company. The grant, made from the Texas Capital Fund Infrastructure Program, is administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture, and consists of federal funds from the HUD Community Development Block Grant Program. The grant-funded improvements will be coordinated with the City of Tyler, enabling the Company to obtain sewer service, and re-purpose land for future expansion that is currently used by its septic system and drain field.

Distant Lands Coffee Company operates a roasting facility at 11754 State Highway 64 West near Tyler, but outside Tyler’s corporate limits. The company currently employs 56 persons in Smith County. Distant Lands is the only vertically integrated coffee company. Founded in 1982, Distant Lands’ operating divisions now include coffee farms, processing mills, multi-national quality control services, green coffee trading, and North American roasting plants. The company supplies approximately one-third of the coffee brewed at McDonald’s worldwide, as well as other chains, including Panera Bread.

Baker says the sponsorship of this project by Smith County and the cooperation of all parties, including the City of Tyler and the Tyler Economic Development Council, has contributed to the success of this grant application. As a result of the grant, the following benefits are projected:
• Will leverage an additional $368,600 in working capital investment by the company
• Will create 19 additional permanent full-time manufacturing jobs
• Will provide and additional annual payroll of $381,680 dollars.
• At least 51% of the new jobs will be filled by low and moderate-income persons.
• Construction of approx. 3,990 LF of new sanitary sewer main from the company’s plant to a nearby City of Tyler sewer interceptor.

The project will be located in Precinct 1 of Smith County. Smith County is thanking the Texas Department of Agriculture and especially Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples for making the grant possible. The team of Traylor & Associates; Rea Boudreaux, P.E.; and the Brannon Corporation worked together in preparing the grant application, cost estimates, and site plans for the project. This is the third Texas Capital Fund grant successfully sought by Smith County since 2000.

LONGVIEW — A nasty piece of pavement in Gregg County is getting a makeover. KETK reports that construction is underway to improve safety measures along a portion of Highway 149. East Texans know the stretch of road as Whiskey Bend, and it’s been the scene of many fatal crashes, including a fatal hit and run earlier this spring. Monday, Gregg County acquired land to help with the project. County Judge Bill Stoudt says added safety isn’t the only thing the project brings. According to Stoudt, “It will open up a large tract of land for development. We’ve had a lot of interest; a lot of national chains have asked about this project and when it’s going to happen.” The land acquired by the county allows Estes Parkway to make a” T ” intersection with Eastman Road. County officials say the project is expected to take about two years to complete.