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TYLER – The Smith County Commissioners Court will hold a meeting Tuesday at 3:00 to talk about new plans to renovate and expand the Smith County Jail. There is a chance the court will vote on a new design plan for the jail without needing to put it on the ballot. This is called certification of obligation. According to KETK, the latest design plans come from Smith County Commissioner Jeff Warr, with a $33 million dollar price tag at a time when the court is trying to balance the budget. For the past few years, inmates have been shipped to nearby county jails to alleviate the Smith County Jail’s overcrowding problems. But transportation and housing has cost tax payers millions since 2004 and the court is trying to decide if the new plan saves more money.

AUSTIN — Lt. Governor David Dewhurst has announced changes to Senate Committee assignments for the 81st Legislature, including eight committee chairmanships, in order to allow the members to prepare for the upcoming 82nd Legislative Session. Among the changes announced Wednesday, State Senator Kevin Eltife of Tyler was named chairman of the Administration Committee, and Senator Bob Deuell of Greenville was named chairman of the Nominations Committee.

“With some changes in Senate membership, we saw an opportunity to re-align senators’ individual expertise and priorities with the several committees,” said Lt. Governor Dewhurst. “I appreciate the hard work and dedication of all the 31 fine members of the Texas Senate. Each is deeply committed to ensuring a bright future for the people they represent in their respective districts and all 25 million Texans.”

TYLER — Rusk County District Attorney Micheal Jimerson is recovering at Tyler’s Mother Francis Hospital following emergency brain surgery. Jimerson had been complaining of headaches for about a week. After the emergency room staff at Henderson’s East Texas Medical Center found swelling in his brain, Jimerson was rushed to Tyler for Wednesday’s surgery. According to a news release, he is expected to make a full recovery.

TEXARKANA (AP) — Texas prosecutors aren’t seeking the death penalty for a woman accused of starving and beating her 13-year-old adopted son to death last year. Cass County District Attorney Clint Allen said Tuesday there was a great deal of deliberation before the decision was made to take the punishment off the table in the case of Cynthia Hudson, of Queen City.

Cynthia Hudson is charged with capital murder in the December 2008 death of Samuel Hudson and now faces life without parole if convicted. Law enforcement and child welfare officials say Samuel Hudson was beaten with a broom handle, a rake and other items, and that his hands and feet were bound with large plastic zip ties.

Hudson’s attorney couldn’t be reached for comment on Wednesday.

LONGVIEW — The Longview Partnership received five First Place Awards in a statewide Festival and Events competition held by the Texas Festival and Events Association (TFEA). The Longview Partnership received 1st Place for the Best Event Program, Best TV Promotion, and Best Event Invitation for the East TX Boat, RV, & Camping Expo in the $75,000 and under budget category. AlleyFest also brought home two 1st Place Awards for Best TV Promotion and Best Outdoor Billboard in the $75,000 – $250,000 budget category.

“We’d like to share this award with our collaboration partners Media Quest, who developed the East Texas Boat, RV & Camping Expo marketing materials, as well as Longview Cable TV for the AlleyFest TV commercial and Forbes & Butler/Lamar Advertising for the AlleyFest billboards. The Longview Partnership is honored that the Texas Festival and Events Association has recognized two of our major events,” said Longview Partnership Chairperson Jim Kendrick. Kendrick also singled out “two of our staff members who coordinate these events: Mitzi Barnes for the East Texas Boat, RV & Camping Expo which is held in January of each year — and Elaine Reynolds for AlleyFest, which is held in the first full weekend in June of each year.”

Every year, the Texas Festival & Events Association (TFEA), presents awards for excellence to festivals and events across the state at their Annual Conference. The awards are intended to create a benchmark for other festival and event organizers with similar budgets; the contest spotlights outstanding marketing programs statewide. All entries were critiqued by a professional panel of marketing experts with the International Festival & Events Association based out of Boise, Idaho.

TYLER — Tyler Police and FBI investigators are investigating a robbery at the BBVA Compass Bank located at 6910 South Broadway. It happened just before 12:45 yesterday afternoon. Bank employees stated that a white male in his sixties to early seventies walked up to a teller inside the bank and handed the employee a note. The note advised the teller that it was a bank robbery, that the teller should give him the cash, and that he had a gun inside his bag. The suspect did not display a weapon during the course of the robbery. The teller complied with his demand and gave him an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect then walked out of the bank and left in an unknown direction.

Tyler Police arrived on the scene moments after the bank alarm and searched the area; they were unable to locate the suspect. There were no injuries reported during the course of the incident. Tyler Police obtained bank photographs of the suspect to assist with identifying the suspect. Anyone with information about the suspects involved in this crime is urged to contact the Tyler Police Department, at 903-531-1000, or Crimestoppers, at 903-597-CUFF (903-597-2833). Crimestoppers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to arrests and charges filed against the suspect in this, or any, felony case.

LONGVIEW — Longview Police Detectives are seeking assistance from the public to help solve a rash of criminal mischief cases that are plaguing south Longview. In the past week, unknown persons have used a BB or pellet gun to shoot the windows out of unoccupied cars parked during the overnight hours. The damage has occurred particularly on El Paso Street, Booker Street, and South Green Street. Eight criminal mischief reports were made on Monday, and five more reports were made Wednesday.

Police are asking residents in the area to immediately report any suspicious activity to police and to contact Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP if they know who is responsible for the crimes. Gregg County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1000.00 for information leading to the arrest of the suspect(s) in this case. Go to http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.com to make online tips.

TYLER — In efforts to continue distance education enhancement at The University of Texas at Tyler, the College of Engineering and Computer Science will offer two engineering master’s degree programs online, UT Tyler President Rodney Mabry announced. Courses for the master of science in electrical engineering and master of science in mechanical engineering will be offered from the Longview University Center beginning fall 2011.

“We are expanding our offerings to meet the needs of students and bring more prospective students to UT Tyler,” said Dr. Peter Fos, UT Tyler provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “The programs will be housed at the Longview campus, and with the vast industry in the Longview region, we believe this will be a good niche for both the East Texas area and the Longview University Center.” According to UTT officials, this effort comes after the university aggressively searched for additional ways to reach students and increase university revenue, while cutting costs.

A working engineer will be able to complete his or her master’s degree within two to three years as a part-time student, according to Dr. James Nelson, UT Tyler College of Engineering and Computer Science dean. By 2012, the college also hopes to offer additional master’s degrees online as well as online and on-site professional development courses to help licensed engineers meet the continuing education requirements for license renewals, he added. “With both of these offerings, we hope to better serve practicing engineers and particularly those in Tyler and Longview,” Nelson said. Established in 1997, both programs prepare students for various careers in their field as well as graduate study and research.

LUFKIN — Lufkin police are looking for four men who they say broke into a tire store last week. According to KETK, police say two men used a concrete block to smash their way into the lobby of Dupree Tire and take two sets of wheels. They think two other men were in a getaway car.

TYLER — Tyler Transit is seeking input from other area transportation providers about their available resources and future plans. City officials say it’s part of the development of the City of Tyler Transit Department’s 2010 Paratransit Plan update — and part of an effort to create a regional disaster preparedness plan. Surveys will be mailed to known transit providers in the area. Additionally, those interested can go to http://www.MyTylerSurvey.com to download surveys.

The City of Tyler has held several public meetings to gather input on the future of Tyler Transit fixed routes and to update the City’s plan for serving citizens with ADA-accessible transportation needs (paratransit service). Two more public meetings will be held to collect additional information from groups including other transportation providers, paratransit users, regulatory agencies and advocacy groups. The meetings are intended to get comments from the general public about how the Tyler Transit paratransit service will be operated in the future. “It is important to update Tyler Transit’s paratransit plan,” said Director of Airport and Transit Services Davis Dickson. “The paratransit plan is a guide for our customers to understand the paratransit services provided by Tyler Transit. It is critical that user input be gathered as we move forward.”

Currently Tyler Transit operates five fixed bus routes and provides paratransit service within the city limits of Tyler. Service hours are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tyler Transit office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Transit passes can be purchased Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Transit office located at 210 E. Oakwood.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview have arrested three suspects and recovered a truck stolen from miles away, as well as some stolen property. On July 12 at around 5:55 p.m., Longview Officers were dispatched to 113 Thelma Court for a report of a theft that had just occurred. When officers arrived, the victim and several witnesses reported that three men in a blue Chevrolet truck had stolen several items from underneath the carport at the victim’s duplex. Witnesses reported the license plate number to officers, who found that the vehicle had been reported stolen in Wills Point.

Officers searching the area located the stolen Chevrolet truck parked in front of a residence at 121 Queens Court. There was no one in the truck, so the officers contacted the people inside the residence. Officers located two of the three suspects and were told the third suspect was still inside. Police say the third suspect, 19-year-old Jordon Riqui Turner of Longview, was located hiding in the garage. Stolen property from 113 Thelma Street was recovered in the bed of the stolen truck, and witnesses identified the three suspects as the men who had allegedly stolen the items.

All three suspects were arrested, and it was learned that Turner had an outstanding warrant from Terrell for aggravated robbery and an outstanding warrant for theft from Gregg County. Turner is charged with theft (Class B misdemeanor), unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (State Jail Felony), and two outstanding warrants. The other two suspects were identified as juveniles and were booked into the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center for Theft (Class B misdemeanor). The stolen property was released to the victim.

The other two suspects were identified as juveniles and were booked into the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center for Theft (Class B misdemeanor). The stolen property was released to the victim.

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say they’ve recovered a stolen vehicle after a brief pursuit. On July 12 at around 11:16 p.m., Longview Officers responded to 403 Rockdale for a report of a vehicle burglary and a theft of a vehicle. Officers met with the victim, who stated that someone had burglarized his 1998 Pontiac Grand Am while it was parked in his driveway — and in the process of doing so, took the keys to his 2002 Jaguar. The victim told officers that his Jaguar was now missing, and reporting officers broadcast a description of the vehicle to other on-duty personnel.

Police say immediately after hearing the description of the stolen vehicle, Officer Trevor Yates located it in the 4000 block of West Marshall Avenue. Officer Yates waited for back-up to arrive before initiating a traffic stop on the vehicle. Authorities say the suspect pulled over at first, but then fled from officers, traveling southbound on West Loop 281 from West Marshall Avenue.

Officials say Longview Officers and DPS troopers pursued the suspect until he struck a curb at West Loop 281 and Hubbard Drive and lost control of the vehicle. Police report that once the vehicle came to a stop, the suspect exited and fled on foot into the Townhouse South Apartments. Trooper Brant Smith captured the suspect, 18-year-old Michael Christopher Ferris of White Oak, and he was taken into custody without further incident. There were no injuries reported due to the pursuit. Ferris was booked into the Gregg County Jail for evading arrest with a vehicle (State jail felony), burglary of a motor vehicle (Class A misdemeanor) and theft (State jail felony). You can go to http://www.longviewpolice.com/stolen-vehicle-recovered-after-brief-pursuit.html to view a video of the pursuit.

TYLER — Tickets to this year’s East Texas State Fair go on sale today at area Brookshire’s and Super 1 Foods stores. Advance discounts are $2 off adult gate tickets and $5 off unlimited ride armbands. Armbands are valid any weekday. The fair runs September 23 through October 2. The Bellamy Brothers are the concert headliners. Go to http://www.etstatefair.com for more information.

TYLER — PATH’s Kid Reach mentoring program is recruiting mentors for at-risk children in Smith County. 27 children and teens are currently on a waiting list. PATH is offering training throughout the summer for those interested in becoming mentors. Kid Reach matches school-based and community-based mentors to children at risk. PATH officials say mentoring has been proven to help at-risk children overcome the many challenges they face, including breaking the cycle of poverty. Visit http://www.PATHhelps.org for more information or call 903.597.4044, ext. 121.

HENDERSON — The Henderson Fire Department is looking into three fires that occurred within a two-mile radius of each other Friday night in Henderson. The first blaze occurred about 4:30 p.m. Friday at a storage facility near the intersection of U.S. Highway 259 North and Texas Highway 322. Local fire departments were called to another structure fire about 6 p.m. near Lakewood Memorial Cemetery just off Texas Highway 64. A third fire occurred about a mile north of Loop 571 on Farm-to-Market Road 2276 just before 10 p.m. Authorities say the first two fires were contained rather quickly and parts of those structures were able to be saved, but the structure on FM 2276 was a total loss. The Henderson Daily News reports, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office will be taking charge of the two fires outside the city limits, while the other will be investigated by Henderson Police Department detectives.