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TYLER – A 31-year-old Athens man pleaded guilty Monday in Tyler to federal firearms violations. Robbie Devon Wilkins pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen firearm before U.S. District Magistrate Judge John D. Love. According to information presented in court, on Dec. 22, 2009, Wilkins sold a semi-automatic rifle to another individual for $500. The rifle had been stolen during a burglary of the WULF Outdoor Sports store in Athens on Dec. 14, 2009. Wilkins admitted that he knew the rifle was stolen property when he sold it. Wilkins was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 6, 2010, and charged with federal firearms violations. Wilkins faces up to 10 years in federal prison at sentencing. A sentencing date has not been set.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative. Officials say Project Safe Neighborhoods is aimed at reducing gun and gang violence; deterring illegal possession of guns, ammunition and body armor; and improving the safety of residents in the Eastern District of Texas. Participants in the initiative include community members and organizations as well as federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

CRAFT — Due to conditions which have occurred recently in the water system, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required Craft-Turney Water Supply to notify all the customers involved in the repair area to boil their water prior to consumption. According to KETK, the area included in this boil water notice is:

**From the Intersection of Loop 456 & FM 768, the area 2 miles South on FM 768, All of CR 1404, All water services on Drip Rock Road, and All water services on the South East Loop 456.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking, and ice making should be boiled and cooled prior to consumption. The water should be brought to a vigorous rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes. In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source. When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, water system officials will notify you. If you have questions regarding this matter you may contact Rhonda Briggs, Office Manager, at 903-586-9301.

TYLER — Officials with the Community Builders say they’re rewarding hard working Smith County nonprofit organizations with the extra funding they need to support strategic projects and programs to help people in need in Smith County. The Community Builders is a collaborative effort between East Texas Communities Foundation and the United Way of Tyler/ Smith County. The two organizations will host the 2010 Smith County Community Builders Grant reception Thursday at 9:00 a.m. in the Genecov Room of the Blackstone Building (315 N. Broadway, Tyler). Officials say the nine organizations were chosen because they demonstrated compelling needs and strategic opportunities to benefit many members of the community. Committee members chosen by ETCF and United Way of Tyler/Smith County assist with the grant selection process.

This year’s outstanding organizations receiving grants are as follows:
Bethesda Health Clinic
Purpose: Funding to purchase equipment/supplies for full or partial dentures

Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County
Purpose: Purchase of a new computer system

Christian Men’s Job Corps of Tyler
Purpose: Support the employment skills training program

Christian Women’s Job Corps of Tyler, Inc.
Purpose: Purchase student books for job and life skills program

East Texas Food Bank
Purpose: Funding to supply food for Senior Servings program

Kings Storehouse Food Bank
Purpose: Purchase of capital equipment

Meals on Wheels
Purpose: Funding for fuel cost related to meal deliveries

Ninos de Promesa Preschool
Purpose: Purchase 4 computers and educational software for two older preschool classes

North Tyler Day Nursery
Purpose: “Brain Gym” training by Champions for Children

Total Amount Awarded: $30,000.00

ETCF and United Way say they would like to thank the Genecov Foundation for making a special gift to support the Community Builders which funded projects for Smith County Precinct 3 and the Literacy Council of Tyler.

East Texas Communities Foundation is a nonprofit corporation serving 16 counties in East Texas. In 2009, the Foundation distributed over $3.4 million and manages over $40 million in 167 unique charitable funds which support non-profit organizations and student scholarships. The mission of the Foundation is to support philanthropy by offering simple ways for donors to achieve their long-term charitable goals.
Press packets will be available at the event.

LONGVIEW (AP/Staff) – Not long ago, we told you a movie’s being made about the Bernie Tiede case — involving the 1996 fatal shooting of an elderly Carthage woman and the hiding of her body for months in a freezer. Casting calls were held over the weekend in Carthage and Longview for extras for “Bernie,” a project of Austin-based filmmaker Richard Linklater starring Jack Black and Shirley MacLaine. Bernhardt Tiede II was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison over the death of 81-year-old Marjorie Nugent. (The two are pictured here.) Investigators said the funeral home worker became the woman’s companion after her millionaire husband died. Tiede, who’s now 52, remains in the McConnell Unit in Beeville. Casting agent Sheila Steele says the casting call reached Texas towns because “we want the interesting people, and we want the real people.”

TYLER — University of Texas at Tyler officials presented faculty awards during the 2010-11 Opening Convocation Aug. 23, UT Tyler President Rodney Mabry announced.
Recipients and their awards are:
· 2010 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award – Suzanne Pundt, senior lecturer in biology; Dr. Blake Bextine, assistant professor of biology; and Dr. Jill Blondin, associate professor of art history.
This honor recognizes the nominees’ overall commitment and excellence in undergraduate teaching among UT System faculty members. Nominees are recommended by the President of each UT System and are reviewed by an external committee comprised of academic administrators, faculty, students and the UT System Board of Regents.
· President’s Scholarly Achievement Award – Dr. Mary Fischer, associate dean and professor of accounting.
This award recognizes outstanding scholarly achievements by a faculty member. Selections are made by a university committee.
· 2010 Provost’s Excellence in Teaching Award – Dr. Paul Roberts, associate professor of human resource development.
The Provost’s Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes faculty whose excellence in undergraduate teaching resulted in their nomination for the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award.
· White Fellowship for Teaching Excellence – Dr. Kathy Missildine, assistant professor of nursing.
This honor recognizes excellence in teaching. Nominations are made by both university faculty and students.
· 2010-11 Piper Professor nominee and White Fellowship for Teaching Excellence – Dr. Eric Stocks, assistant professor of psychology.
This honor focuses on the nominee’s overall excellence in both teaching and scholarly achievement at UT Tyler. Nominees are made by UT Tyler faculty and become the university’s candidate for the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation Excellence in Teaching award, which annually recognizes 15 professors for superior teaching at the college level in Texas. This nominee also automatically receives UT Tyler’s White Fellowship.

TYLER — The continued incorporation of technology into the university’s product is The University of Texas of Texas at Tyler’s biggest initiative for the 2010 – 11 academic year, President Rodney H. Mabry announced at Monday’s opening convocation ceremony. UT Tyler will be using the Tegrity course capture and delivery software through which faculty will record lectures for students.

“This is an important step for UT Tyler to take because we’re serving students who have grown up with technology and use it as a natural way to communicate and learn. We should use more technology because students are immersed in it and expect us to use it. Most important of all, we should use it because it has been shown that students actually learn more,” Mabry said. Hybrid courses, which comprise about two-thirds traditional, face-to-face lecture and discussion sessions and one-third anytime online instruction, are the way to go even though adaptability of each course varies, he added.

Tegrity software will allow faculty to capture certain lectures right at their desks and put them directly online. University staffers say faculty can meet fewer face-to-face classes, and that ultimately allows them to spend more time helping students individually or answering questions online. University officials say this technology initiative, which includes Blackboard course management software and Tegrity, is intended to make the university a leader in the use of technology. The initiative is just one major element of the new Center for Faculty Excellence in Teaching and Learning that is developed by Dr. Peter Fos, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

“Becoming known as the university in Texas where students get to take hybrid classes and where their penchant for using technology is recognized and encouraged by faculty would create a very important market distinction for UT Tyler itself. This distinctive reputation would help attract more of the high-ability students we seek,” said Mabry.

The convocation highlighted achievements of the past year such as sponsored research topping the $12 million mark. Also at the convocation, 35 new UTT faculty members were introduced. Mabry concluded his presentation by acknowledging an upcoming milestone birthday for UT Tyler. On June 10, 2011 the university will celebrate its 40th year.

EL DORADO, Ark. (AP/Staff) – The search for a missing airplane has ended with the aircraft’s wreckage found in Louisiana. Northeast Texas had been part of the search area for the RV-7A which was heading from Norwalk, Ohio to Georgetown, Texas when it disappeared. The wreckage and the body of the missing pilot was found yesterday near El Dorado, Arkansas.

The Civil Air Patrol says the wreckage of the plane was found at about 2:00 yesterday afternoon by searchers who spotted it from the air. FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford says the plane was found in a dense pocket of trees about 500 yards from the El Dorado airport. Lunsford did not identify the pilot.

The Civil Air Patrol has identified him as Charles Miller, of Georgetown, a member of CAP’s Texas Wing. He was not flying on a CAP mission when the plane went down. According to the missing man’s wife, Susan, Miller had flown himself to Ohio on August 12 to attend a school reunion and visit family. He was returning home when the crash occurred.

LONGVIEW — The project to expand a portion of Silver Falls Road to four lanes is nearing completion. Beginning today, Silver Falls Road will reopen to two-way traffic from Marshall Avenue, U.S. Highway 80, to Pine Tree Road. One southbound lane will remain closed between Birch and Pine Tree Road while minor construction continues for several weeks.

The purpose of the construction was to widen the road from two lanes to four lanes between Birch Drive and Pine Tree Road. The project was approved by voters as part of the Capital Improvements Bond Election in May 2007. Construction began in August 2009 by Longview Bridge and Road of Longview.

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

SMITH COUNTY — The Texas Department of Transportation is scheduled to begin a
month-long closure of Farm Road 16 beginning Wednesday, August 25 so a pair of functionally obsolete bridges can be upgraded. The two bridges to be upgraded are located just west of Farm Road 757 on FM 16 near Starrville. FM 16 will be open to local traffic only while the bridges are undergoing the upgrades, but closed to all traffic at the bridge under construction.

“Completely closing a roadway while work is in progress is always the last option,” said TxDOT public information officer Larry Krantz. “But in this case, due to the narrow width on the bridge and the potential time savings closing the road offers, we decided closing the roadway would be our best option.”

Before the project begins, TxDOT will post the following detour: Eastbound traffic should take State Highway 155 south to U.S. Highway 271, then north on US 271 to Farm Road 757. Westbound traffic should take FM 757 south to US 271, then take US 271 south to SH 155, then north on SH 155 to Winona.

Motorists also have the option of using Interstate Highway 20 between SH 155 and US 271. Once the two bridges west of FM 757 have been upgraded, two additional bridges between FM 757 and US 271 will undergo similar upgrades. That section of FM 16 will also be closed to thru-traffic while work is in progress.

RUSK COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs in various locations on Farm Road 13 between Loop 571 in Henderson and State Highway 42. Crews are also scheduled make base repairs on Farm Road 1251 between Farm Road 3231 and Farm Road 2658 in far eastern Rusk County, and on FM 2658 between State Highway 43 and FM 1251. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform base and pavement repairs on Farm Road 1255 between Farm Road 17 and Interstate Highway 20, and on Farm Road 1653. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and a pilot vehicle will control traffic. Loose gravel may be present for several days following a seal coat application.

TYLER — The start of classes Monday in most Texas schools may mean a change in your drive time routine. The City of Tyler notes that the Tyler Independent School District has adopted a new bell schedule for middle and high schools. Middle schools now will start at 8:25 a.m. and release at 3:40 p.m.; high schools begin at 8:40 a.m. and end at 4:10 p.m. All elementary schools will still begin at 8 a.m. and release at 3 p.m. You’re asked to please keep this information in mind when planning local trips.

School flashers will be in operation in marked school speed zones beginning Monday, August 23, 2010, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., with the following exceptions:
* West Loop 323 near John Tyler High School – This school speed zone will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
* South Donnybrook near Robert E. Lee High School – This school speed zone will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
* Copeland Road at Hubbard Drive – This school speed zone will be in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Additionally, a new school speed zone with a speed limit of 35 mph has been added on West Front Street just east of West Loop 323 for the new Jones Boshears Elementary School.

School crossing guards will be on duty in designated locations during the hours of the school flasher operations. Crossing guards will raise a hand-held stop paddle and enter the crosswalk in preparation for allowing pedestrians to cross safely. Motorists are required to stop at pedestrian crossing locations while the school crossing guard is in the street; all vehicles should wait until the crossing guard returns to the curb before continuing through the crossing. Citizens are asked to review their commute route to avoid unnecessary delays.

“The first three weeks of a new school year are always very hectic as everyone adjusts to their new routines, especially when we have new schools opening,” commented City of Tyler Traffic Engineer Peter Eng. “Give yourself extra time to get where you need to go and be patient with other drivers. Safety is more important that anything else. Each school has developed a traffic flow plan available to all parents to provide for the safe loading and unloading of students and also to get cars in and out of the school property as efficiently possible.” Drivers are also asked to please remember that the use of hand-held communication devices like cell phones is prohibited in school speed zones under state law. Hands-free devices are permitted.

You can go to http://www.tylerisd.org for more information about Tyler ISD schools and school schedules. A list of designated school speed zones is located at http://www.cityoftyler.org in the City of Tyler’s code of ordinances.

Meanwhile, the Longview Police Department is weighing in with some tips of its own:
• School zones will be closely monitored by patrol and traffic units and not all school zones have signs with flashing lights.
• Watch for children at crosswalks and other areas near schools where they may be attempting to cross the street.
• Under state law, when school buses are stopped for loading or unloading and their red flashing lights are activated, it is illegal to pass a bus.

TYLER — Schools around the area, including the Tyler school district have been busy today ushering in the first day of classes, but there’s other business to attend to as well. Following a 6:00 executive session, the school board meets this evening at 7:00 in open session — and could call a November bond election. Earlier this month, trustees looked over renovating or replacing Rice and Dixie elementary schools as well as building a new middle school in southwest Tyler. It is estimated that building the three new schools would cost around $90 million. Also, the board is poised to approve its 2010-2011 financial package. The TISD budget is on track to be supported by a total tax rate of $1.375 per $100 valuation, the same rate as this year’s.

Along with all that, TISD got a running start on the school year yesterday with ribbon cuttings for its two newest facilities: Boshears/Jones Elementary and Orr Elementary. Two other replacement elementary schools, Clarkston and Orr, had their ribbon cuttings the previous weekend. All four facilities were paid for by a previous bond issue.

LONGVIEW — A free “come and go” benefits fair for Texas veterans will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, August 28, at the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center, 100 Grand Blvd., Longview. The fair, targeting all northeast Texas veterans, is one of several throughout the state. It’s presented by the Texas Veterans Land Board and Texas Veterans Commission.

State Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is chairman of the Texas Veterans Land Board. He says officials from the Land Board will be on hand to provide information on state programs including land, housing, and home improvement loans as well as Texas state veterans cemeteries and nursing homes for veterans. Joining the Land Board officials will be representatives from the Texas Veterans Commission, the Small Business Administration, the Social Security Administration, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Also on hand: local realtors and lenders specializing in veterans loans who will be available to discuss federal benefits and pending claims.

Patterson says veterans wishing to discuss pending claims with VA officials should bring pertinent case information, including claim numbers if available. Veterans are encouraged to drop in to learn more about their benefits any time between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and are not required to stay for the duration of the event. For more information on the benefits fair, you can call Michelle Davis with the Texas Veterans land Board at 214-498-8174 or Tito Garcia at 214-450-3092. For more information on benefits available only to Texas veterans, such as low-interest land and home loans, visit http://www.texasveterans.com or call 1-800-252-VETS (1-800-252-8387).

TYLER — Tyler police are seeking help finding suspects in an early Sunday shooting. Just before 3:00 yesterday morning the Tyler Police Department received a telephone call regarding a shooting on West Gentry Parkway. Officers quickly arrived on scene, but were unable to locate the victims or any witnesses. Within minutes officers learned that the victims had traveled to an address on W. Martin Luther King Blvd. Officers contacted the victims: Lindale Shinette, 20, from Galveston; Melvin Harris, 19, also from Galveston; and Kendrick Staley, 21, from Tyler. All stated the incident occurred at the Shell gas station located at 1118 W. Gentry Parkway.

According to the victims, they were talking with some women when they were approached by several black males who wanted them to leave the area. In an attempt to avoid a confrontation the victims agreed to leave, but before exiting the parking lot the suspects opened fire on the victims. The victims’ vehicle was struck several times, but none of the victims sustained any injures as a result of the incident. Tyler Police Department investigators were notified and responded to the scene. The case remains under investigation.

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 suspects in this, or any, felony case.

LONGVIEW — Longview authorities continue today their search for the vehicle involved in a fatal hit and run accident. It happened around 11:30 Saturday night, in the 600 block of East Marshall Avenue. Killed was Pagan L. Newsome, 60, of Longview. She had attempted to cross East Marshall Avenue and was struck by a vehicle that had been traveling westbound. After striking Newsome, the vehicle then fled the scene.

Newsome was pronounced dead at the scene by Gregg County Justice of the Peace Arthur Fort. Investigators believe the vehicle that struck Newsome could possibly be a white pickup truck that may have hood and windshield damage. Newsome had been at Good Shepherd Medical Center attending to a family member at the emergency room when she left to possibly walk to a nearby store. Anyone with information about this accident is urged to contact Gregg County Crime Stoppers at http://www.greggcountycrimestoppers.com or 903-236-STOP. A reward of up to $1000 could be paid for information leading to the arrest of the driver that fled the scene.

SMITH COUNTY — Firefighters in Lindale responded to a blaze at a plant nursery late Friday afternoon. KETK reports it happened at Blalock Wholesale Nursery on Highway 110 North just south of Interstate 20. Authorities say it spread from a smoldering burn pile that workers thought was extinguished. The fire spread to huge stacks of plastic pots, which shot out giant plumes of black smoke as they burned. No reports of injuries.