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LONGVIEW — The owner of a bait shop who was robbed on July 31 has died. John Morris, 80, was seriously injured and hospitalized after being assaulted during the robbery of his bait shop located next door to his home in the 400 block of West Pliler Precise Road. Mr. Morris was pronounced dead at Good Shepherd Medical Center around 2:30 Tuesday afternoon. An autopsy has been ordered.

The robbery investigation is open and ongoing, but no arrests have been made at this time. Detectives are asking for anyone with information about the robbery to contact Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-STOP or online at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.com. A reward of up to $1000.00 may be paid for information leading to the arrest of the suspect in this case. Any information given will remain confidential.

SMITH COUNTY — A Constable’s idea of diverting money from the state into Smith County can help fix up the roads. Right now, the state will sell an overweight vehicle permit for $400. Smith County Commissioners are taking steps to charge a $100 fee for overweight vehicle permits for those vehicles that operate within the county. County roads have a weight limit of 30,000 pounds. Any vehicle over that weight needs a permit. They will use that money to go into the weight and license program, which helps the county know who is operating legally. According to KETK, some big truck owners say it’s just another tax.

TYLER — For the second time in just over a month the Metro PCS store at 1700 SSE Loop 323 has been robbed. Shortly before 5:15 Tuesday afternoon, two men entered the business and one of the suspects produced a handgun and demanded money. There was one employee inside the business. The suspects ordered the employee to the rear of the business. They then took an undetermined amount of money from the register and fled. No injuries were reported in the robbery.

Both suspects were described as 18-19 years of age. One suspect was approximately 5’10” and the other 6’ – 6’2”. The suspects fled the scene south on foot.

On August 18th, around 6:00pm, two men, one with a handgun, robbed the store. The suspects in that robbery were described as black males between 16 and 21. One suspect was between 5’5” – 5’7” wearing a red shirt and khaki shorts. The second suspect was described as being between 5’10” – 6’ wearing a light color plaid shirt and blue jean shorts.

BULLARD — Hundreds gathered in Bullard Tuesday night to pray for our country, its leaders and its people. The event was called Come Pray With Me and was held at the Bushman Celebration Center. Pastor Dan Cummins of Bridlewood Church came up with the event. He tells KETK-TV He wanted an event that would transcend politics and the heat and rhetoric that dominate our public dialogue these days. Instead, he said he wanted something we could all agree on…the power of prayer. Cummins said he would like to see it held several times a year. He would like to see the next one on November 1st, the day before the national elections.

WHITEHOUSE — Whitehouse becomes the latest community in the area to ban the sale of K2. It’s a synthetic compound whose effects are similar to marijuana. The ban of its sale in Whitehouse takes effect immediately. Fines range up to $2,000 for each offense.

SAN MARCOS — The city manager if Kilgore, Jeff Howell, is in the running to be city manager in San Marcos. The San Marcos city council meets with the three finalists for the post from 5:00 till 6:30pm today. Besides Howell, also in the running is Round Rock, Texas City Manager Jim Nuse, and Peoria, Illinois City Manager Scott Moore. Howell is on vacation this week and is scheduled to return on Monday. He has been Kilgore City Manager since 2005.

According to the San Marcos web site, Howell is a Certified Public Manager and ICMA Credentialed Manager. He has over 20 years municipal management experience, 25 years total municipal experience. Howell also has extensive knowledge of governmental financing, including certificates of obligation, revenue bonds, general obligation bonds and working with bond rating agencies. He also has extensive knowledge and ability working interactively with other governmental agencies including TxDOT, TECQ, TWDB, TP&W and county.

AUSTIN — Governor Rick Perry has appointed H.J. “Jay” Shands III of Lufkin to the Finance Commission of Texas for a term to expire February 1, 2012. The commission ensures banks, savings institutions, consumer credit grantors and other state-regulated financial entities operate responsibly to enhance the financial well-being of Texans.

Shands is president and CEO of First Bank & Trust East Texas. He is chairman of the First Bank of Conroe and Balcones Recycling Inc. Board of Directors, and a member of the Independent Community Bankers of America, Independent Bankers Association of Texas. He is also a past member of the American Bankers Association’s Community Bankers Council and the Texas Banker Association’s Government Relations Council, past board member of the Texas Bankers Association, chairman of the Memorial Health Center of East Texas Board of Directors, and a trustee of the TLL Temple Foundation and the Fairchild Foundation. Shands received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and is a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking.

TYLER — With their latest release, “Moving On,” the Casey Donahew Band is quickly becoming one of the hottest names in Texas Music. The City of Tyler Main Street Department has announced that the band will be performing at the 23rd Annual Festival on the Square, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 9, in downtown Tyler. A native of Burleson, Donahew will be the headliner of the Festival concert, which is touted as a celebration of Texas Music. Gates will open at 5 p.m.; music will start at 5:30 p.m. and continue until midnight. Other performers for Festival include Sean McConnell, J.B. and the Moonshine Band and Ryan Beaver.

Unlike years past, the evening concert will be the focus for the 23rd annual event. The Festival will feature six hours of music performed by four bands in the Heart of Downtown Tyler. The event is now part of a plethora of activities taking place in Tyler throughout the month of October in celebration of the Rose Season, including a marathon that will begin and end in downtown Tyler on Sunday, Oct. 10.

“Texas music has become the focus of Festival on the Square,” explained Beverly Abell, director of the City of Tyler’s Main Street department. “We are so pleased to be bringing it back to support Tyler’s downtown revitalization efforts.” Abell went on to explain that five years ago, Festival’s organizers switched to an all-Texas music format. The format was so successful that it was decided Texas Music needed its own “stage.” Tickets for the concert will be $15 in advance and $20 the day of the concert.

Proceeds of Festival on the Square – A Celebration of Texas Music – benefit Tyler Main Street, which is dedicated to the revitalization of Downtown Tyler, Texas. You can call (903) 593-6905 or go to http://www.FestivalOnTheSquare.com for more information.

SMACKOVER, Ark. (AP/Staff) – A Smackover, Arkansas, oil refinery owned by an East Texas company has been cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for lapses in safety measures at the plant, with proposed fines totaling $165,600. A news release from OSHA on Tuesday said the Martin Operating Partnership LP plant, owned by Martin Midstream Partners LP based at Kilgore, Texas, employs about 65 workers in producing naphthenic crude oil.

According to the release, the Martin plant at Smackover is accused of one willful and 21 serious violations of health and safety regulations. The release said the alleged willful violation was failure to maintain safety information on various pressure vessels used at the plant. The other violations cite alleged failures to keep and maintain certain documents relating to safety, develop an emergency rescue process, and provide personal protective equipment, including respiratory gear. A message left at Martin Midstream’s headquarters seeking comment was not immediately returned.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department along with the Drug Enforcement Agency and North Texas Poison Center are hosting a Medication Cleanout Event. This event will be held on Saturday, September 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Two locations in Tyler are designated as drop off medication points:

1) BancorpSouth, 7600 S. Broadway
2) Eagle Academy of Tyler, 2235 W. Gentry Parkway

Police say you can just drive-up and drop off your medications without getting out of your vehicle — with no questions asked. According to police, these drive-through events are free and allow you to turn in unused and expired medications for safe disposal. Police say it is important to clean out your medicine cabinet, especially if you have children. Officials note that young children may confuse medication with something to eat or drink, and they say keeping unneeded medications with teenagers can lead to potential drug abuse. Medications including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, veterinary medicine, vitamins, minerals and medication samples are all accepted. Medical equipment such as oxygen tanks, sharps, inhalers, thermometers, nebulizers and IV bags cannot be accepted.

“Recent changes in the guidelines for medication disposal have also made events like these even more important. It’s not safe to simply flush your medications down the toilet anymore,” said Pamela Manzo, event coordinator and public health educator with the North Texas Poison Center. The North Texas Poison Center held its first Medication Cleanout event June 26 in Dallas. More than 350 participants donated 773 pounds of medications at the event. The Medication Cleanout is also sponsored by BancorpSouth and Brookshire’s. You can visit http://www.medicationcleanout.com for more information.

PALESTINE – The East Texas Food Bank is distributing boxes of food to area families through the Summer Family Nutrition Program today till 7:00 p.m. at Palestine Civic Center, 1819 West Spring Street. The East Texas Food Bank and their volunteers will screen to determine eligibility and then distribute food to families who qualify. “The Summer Family Nutrition Program targets families with children who are struggling in this recession and are having difficultly providing nutritious food for their family,” said Dennis Cullinane, executive director of the East Texas Food Bank. “In four years, the East Texas Food Bank has grown 90 percent in the number of East Texans seeking emergency food assistance, that’s nearly double the national increase.”

Families will receive nutritional food boxes containing pantry staples such as pasta, spaghetti sauce, canned soups, stews, and fruit, peanut butter, baking mixes and other substantial food items. “Nearly half, 44 percent, of who the East Texas Food Bank serves are children,” said Cullinane. “The Summer Family Nutrition Program will alleviate both child hunger and child obesity for East Texas families
with children at risk of hunger.”

Since June, the East Texas Food Bank and their partner agencies have been distributing the food boxes to eligible families. The Summer Family Nutrition Program is a program of the Texas Food Bank Network. Those families who are eligible to participate are households with legal guardianship over at least one child under 18 years of age and with an annual household income equal to or less than 185 percent of the federal poverty guideline; families whose children received free or reduced-price lunches; or who receive WIC, SNAP (food stamps) and other federal programs.

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has awarded a $4.6 million contract to Reynolds & Kay, Ltd., for the construction of water utility lines along Highway 69 to Interstate 20. “I am pleased that we are able to move forward with development of this infrastructure,” commented Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass. “Tyler is taking an important step to ensuring we are prepared for future growth and fulfilling the vision outlined in Tyler 21.”

A total of 17 companies presented proposals as part of the competitive sealed proposal process. According to media materials from the city, Reynolds & Kay was recommended for award of the contract based upon the following criteria:
· Proposal price;
· Experience with projects of this specific type and magnitude;
· Experience and references of key personnel;
· Company profile and general experience;
· Ability/commitment to respond to City needs in a timely fashion; and
· Safety record and financial profile.

City officials say funding for this project was allocated from the 2008 Tyler Water Utilities Revenue Bond Fund and will be paid for from revenues collected from the sale of water and sewer services – not from property taxes. The City paid off all general obligation (tax supported) debt in 2008.

The contract provides for the extension of 24 inch water line north along US 69. This project will include backbone infrastructure that officials say will facilitate future development in this area. The project was first identified during the Tyler 21 planning process, which called for the revitalization of North Tyler as well as balanced growth in all areas of the community. “To spur economic growth, infrastructure must first be established,” commented Tyler Mayor Pro Tem Ralph Caraway. “If we expect to attract new businesses to this area of town, the City must proactively invest in projects that pave the way for development.”

TYLER — Tyler police are investigating the drowning of a two year old in a home swimming pool. The youngster is identified as Ava Faith Ayers, who was celebrating her birthday yesterday. The accident happened around 2:00 Monday afternoon at 3721 Arlington. Investigators say a 16 year old was babysitting the two year old and her 3 year old sister. The teen was talking to someone who had stopped by the house when the 2 year old went out the back door and fell into the pool. The youngster was transported to Trinity Mother Frances Hospital where she was pronounced dead.