KTBB News, Weather, Talk

LONGVIEW — Police in Longview say they’ve arrested five suspects in two separate vehicle burglaries. Last Friday afternoon just before 1:15, officers were dispatched to the 400 Block of East Loop 281 for a theft in progress. When officers arrived, they were told two women in a 2008 Silver Chevrolet Impala were attempting to cash a stolen check. Officers located the suspects inside the car in one of the drive-through lanes of the bank. Officers determined that the check was one that had been taken during a recent string of vehicle burglaries in Longview over the past few weeks.

Police identified the two suspects as Lisa Marie Grove, 29, and Haley Nicole Crouch Still, 25, both of Longview. Grove was arrested on two outstanding misdemeanor warrants and stealing/receiving a stolen check. Still was arrested on two counts of forgery of a check. Officers say they also found a falsified driver’s license document and several prescription medication pills that were not prescribed to Still in her purse. She was also charged with possession of a controlled substance and tampering with a government document. Both woman were transported to the Gregg County Jail.

On April 29 at 7:53 p.m., police were dispatched to the 400 Block of West Loop 281. Upon arrival, an officer was told that there were several people walking from vehicle to vehicle attempting to open car doors. The officer located several males inside a 1998 maroon Ford F150 pickup. While the officer was attempting to talk to them, one of the suspects reportedly jumped out of the truck and ran into some nearby woods. Police say after the initial officer gave chase to the fleeing suspect, and prior to other officers arriving on scene, the other occupants of the vehicle fled the scene. According to authorities, the other three suspects were located a short time later hiding in the bathroom of a nearby restaurant. Those suspects were taken into custody and charged with evading arrest and detention and burglary of a vehicle.

One suspect was determined to be 16 years old. He was transported to the Gregg County Juvenile Detention Center. The other two suspects arrested were Francisco Javier Avila 19, and Roberto Adonias Obispo-Sosa, 22, both of Longview. During the booking process Avila was also found to have a counterfeit government document and was charged with tampering with a government document. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also placed detainers on the adult suspects. One suspect remains at large. Citizens are asked to call Longview Police at 903-237-1199 if they observe suspicious activity or have other information regarding a crime.

BULLARD – Two-year-old Sydney Jane Farris has been killed and seven people injured, at least two critically, in a three-vehicle accident just north of Bullard. It happened Saturday night around 9:15 on U.S. Highway 69 at County Road 152. Helicopters and ambulances were used to transport the injured to Tyler hospitals. Authorities say a black truck was traveling south in the northbound lane when it hit the two other vehicles head-on. Investigators say they believe alcohol played a part in the crash. According to KETK, the deceased child’s father is listed in critical condition.

TYLER — Smith County officials have set a court date for Kimberly Cargill, the woman accused of murdering a mentally challenged woman. KETK reports that Cargill’s trial is due to begin on May 7 in the 241st District Court, according to county judicial records. Whitehouse police charged Cargill in July 2010 with the murder of 29-year old Cherry Dianne Walker. Walker’s body was found in June 2010 off County Road 2191. Officials say Walker was murdered one day after she was issued a subpoena to testify in a custody hearing regarding Cargill’s 4-year old son. The 45-year old is also charged with injury to a child. Her bonds total $1.5 million.

LONGVIEW — Gregg County authorities are seeking help in finding a local teen whom they believe to be a runaway. Lauren Ashley Martin, 16, was last seen in the area of Maxey Road in Longview on April 21. She’s 5’5”, 115 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Officials say they have no further information regarding whom she was last with or any vehicles involved. You’re asked to contact Cecil Shelton with the Gregg County Sheriff’s Office at 903-237-2531 with any information.

GREGG COUNTY — Longview police arrested two men Saturday at a Longview eatery and charged them with burglary of a vehicle, booking sheets released Sunday show. According to the Longview News-Journal, Roberto Adonias Obispo-Sosa, 22, (pictured) and Francisco Javier Avila, 19, both of Longview, remained in the Gregg County Jail Sunday under respective bonds of $3,000 and $21,000. In addition to the vehicle burglary counts, each also was charged with evading arrest or detention. Avila also was charged with tampering with a government document, and both South America natives were held without bond on detainers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The pair were arrested by Longview police at 8 p.m. Saturday at 410 W. Loop 281, Casa Olé.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Texas and U.S. authorities are trying to seize $20 million worth of properties from the former treasurer of the Mexican border state of Coahuila. Hector Javier Villarreal is wanted on charges of money laundering and engaging in organized criminal activity in Bexar County.

The former Mexican government official had been in custody in Smith County earlier this year, but the U.S. State Department ordered his release following a Tyler traffic stop. With him at the time was his wife Maria Teresita Botello, 28.

Smith County sheriff’s deputies arrested the couple in early February, and federal officials transported them from the Smith County Jail to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement division, or ICE, of Homeland Security in Dallas. After their arrest, the State Department ordered their release. Smith County Sheriff, J.B. Smith said, in regards to the release, that some people just make mistakes and the paperwork to keep the fugitives was not received in time.

Authorities say Villarreal bought a strip mall, a 4,000-square-foot home, a storage center and other San Antonio properties with embezzled money. In Mexico, he’s accused of falsifying documents to borrow $222 million on the state’s credit — then shuffling the money to relatives in the United States. The San Antonio Express-News reports that federal prosecutors filed lawsuits last week seeking forfeiture of a dozen properties. Authorities also are seeking forfeiture of properties owned by Villarreal’s relatives in the Rio Grande Valley. His whereabouts are unknown.

TYLER – The Gallery Main Street building at 110 West Erwin has been damaged by fire. It was reported just before 11:00 Saturday morning. Fire Marshal Paul Findley a roofing crew was removing a metal marquee brace from the roof with a cutting torch in order to fix a leak. As a result, tar and wood material on the roof caught fire, filling the building with smoke. There are no damage estimates at this time and no injuries were reported.

SHREVEPORT – A man wanted for over four years for failing to register as a sex offender, has been arrested by the U.S. Marshal Service in Shreveport. Charles Ray Rusk was arrested Thursday. He had been convicted in 1978 of the sexual assault of an 8 year old girl. Police in Nacogdoches tell KETK they also want Rusk for an aggravated robbery that happened five years ago. He is accused of dragging an 80 year old woman to the ground while trying to snatch her purse. The incident happened in the parking lot of the Burger King on the 2000 block of North Street. As he awaits his extradition back to Texas, Rusk remains in the Caddo Parish Jail.

TYLER — Warmer daytime and overnight temperatures mean work is set to resume next week on some local highway construction projects that have lain dormant during the colder months, and work is scheduled to begin on several others. In all, there will be an additional 15 active Texas Department of Transportation work zones next week throughout the eight-county Tyler District, on top of the maintenance and construction jobs that remained active over the winter months. Work is scheduled to resume on the following construction projects:

Smith County
● FM 757, FM 1252, FM 2015 — Adding shoulders to FM 757 between IH 20 and FM 2767; to FM 1252 between SCR 3104 and the Gregg County Line; and to FM 2015 between IH 20 and US 271. The approximate $2.7 million project let in June and began August 29. The project is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2012. Madden Contracting, Inc., of Minden, La., is the contractor.
● SH 110, FM 1253 — Adding shoulders to SH 110 between FM 1253 and Interstate 20, and adding centerline rumble strips on SH 110 between the Van Zandt County Line and Loop 323 in Tyler. Adding shoulders to FM 1253 between US 80 and FM 857. The approximate $1.4 million project let in June 2011, began in August, and is scheduled for completion in spring 2012. A.L. Helmcamp, Inc., of Buffalo, Texas, is the contractor.

Gregg County
● FM 349, FM 1844, FM 2011 – Adding 3-foot shoulders to FM 349 between FM 2276 and FM 2011; FM 1844 between Burnam Road and Hamby Road; and on FM 2011 between FM 2087 and the Rusk County Line. Also adds centerline rumble strips and seal coat on FM 1844 between Upshur County Line and US 259. The approximate $3.5 million project let in October 2010, began in June 2011 and is scheduled to be completed in summer 2012. A.L. Helmcamp, Inc., of Buffalo, Texas, is the contractor.

Henderson County
● RM 2329 – Repair and resurface between FM 316 and US 175. The $1.2 million project let in January 2011 and began in May. Work on this project is suspended until spring. The project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2012. A.L. Helmcamp, Inc., of Buffalo, Texas is the contractor.

Work is scheduled to begin next week on the following projects::
Smith County
● Interstate 20 – Repair and resurface Interstate 20 between the Smith/Van Zandt County Line and US 69 in Lindale. The approximate $2.1 million project let to contract in January and is scheduled begin construction May 7. Reynolds & Kay, Ltd., of Tyler, is the contractor.
● US 271 – Repairing and resurfacing US 271 at its intersection with IH 20. The project is scheduled to begin in May. Reynolds & Kay, Ltd., of Tyler, is the contractor.

Gregg County
● Interstate 20 – Bridge rail and guard fence repairs at EB SH 31, EB UPRR bridge, EB and WB Crazy Bess Bayou (just east of FM 2087). The approximate $401,000 project is scheduled to begin in May. Ray Faris, Inc, is the contractor. Some ramp closures and detours will be required in each location while work is in progress.

Rusk County
● US 84 – Repairing and resurfacing US 84 between the Angelina River and FM 2753. The approximate $2.6 million project let to contract in January and is scheduled to begin May 1. Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview, is the contractor.

Van Zandt County
● FM 17 – Add shoulders and resurface FM 17 between SH 110 in Grand Saline and Interstate 20. The approximate $3.7 million project let to contract in March and is scheduled to begin work in the spring. D.L. Lennon Inc., of Commerce, is the contractor.

Wood County
● FM 778 – Adding shoulders and applying a seal coat to FM 778 between SH 37 in Quitman and FM 49 in Hainesville. The approximate $2.2 million project let to contract in March and is scheduled begin construction in the summer or early fall. Longview Bridge and Road, Ltd., of Longview is the contractor.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do this summer,” Krantz said, adding that additional projects would be breaking ground in the coming months. “All of it aimed at improving the safety and overall condition of your highway system. Please be careful in and around work zones.”

LONGVIEW — Eastman Chemical Co. on Thursday posted record first quarter revenues, with company officials expressing optimism for the remainder of 2012. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. The Kingsport, Tenn.-based company, with operations in Longview, reported revenues of $1.821 billion, up about 4 percent from the $1.758 billion in revenues reported in the first quarter of 2011. The revenue figure also edged the previous top first quarter revenue figure of $1.803 billion in 2006. Revenue has increased for four quarters in a row.

“We delivered solid first quarter results despite persistent global economic uncertainty, and we remain well positioned for full year earnings growth,” chairman and CEO Jim Rogers said in a statement. “In addition, we are on track to complete the Solutia acquisition by mid-2012, which we expect will significantly enhance our earnings growth in the future.”

WASHINGTON (Staff/AP) – U.S. Representative Louie Gohmert of Tyler has called for the resignation of EPA Region Six Administrator Al Armendariz. That’s after a videotape surfaced of what Gohmert termed Armendariz’s “toxic comments” at a meeting in Texas in May 2010.

In a statement, Gohmert said, “Elitists, like Al Armendariz, do not understand that we don’t have subway systems in east Texas. Hard-working, taxpaying Americans have to get in their cars and drive, sometimes long distances, in order to get to and from work. In his zeal to ‘crucify’ the evil oil companies, Armendariz is placing a crushing burden on overwhelmed Americans who have to choose between food for their families or gasoline to get to work.

“The specific game plan of this administration’s ‘War on Big Oil’ will not adversely impact major oil companies. Instead, their policies will repeal business deductions for small independent oil and gas companies who drill and maintain 95-percent of the wells in the continental United States. In fact, his ‘crucifixion’ strategy will nail small independent companies to the cross – leaving true big oil to make even more profit.”

Armendariz has apologized for using the word “crucify” when describing the agency’s enforcement policies, and for saying it makes examples of bad players in the oil and gas industry. Armendariz was answering a question about EPA enforcement. The video shows him saying that in the Middle Ages, the Romans would enter a troublesome town, “take the first five guys they saw and crucify them.” Then the town would be “really easy to manage for the next few years.” He then said the EPA similarly makes examples of oil and gas companies not complying with the law.

TYLER — The grandparents of a toddler that were arrested following an investigation into burn injuries on the girl’s body have requested a bond reduction. According to KETK, Shelley Walker, 60, and Kenneth Walker, 54, (pictured) have been in the Smith County Jail since March 26 on an injury to a child charge. Bond was set at $250,000 each. Judge Jack Skeen is reviewing their request.

Bridget Walker was severely burned on her feet and ankles when she was placed into a bath tub with scalding water. She was in the care of the two grandparents who were both at their home on Aberdeen Street. The 2-year-old was flown to Parkland Hospital in Dallas Feb. 28, and later released. She’s now in the custody of Child Protective Services.

LONGVIEW — An elderly woman is recovering from injuries sustained in an accident Friday morning. At 5:15 a.m., Longview police responded to a location north of the intersection of West Loop 281 and Gilmer Road. Officers were told that a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Charles Patrick McClain of Longview was traveling south on Gilmer Road. McClain stated he did not see the victim, 86-year old Mary Neal of Longview, crossing the roadway. Police say Neal was transported to Good Shepherd Medical Center with serious, but non-life-threatening, injuries. At this time, no citations have been issued.

TYLER — Tyler Police say restaurant employees helped them catch a would be thief. Just before 2:30 Friday morning, officers were called to the Whataburger on South Broadway regarding a fight between a man and woman in the parking lot. Restaurant employees were restraining Todd Lax, 24, Arlington, until officers arrived. Upon further investigation, authorities said Lax had followed the victim, who is an employee of the nearby Wal-Mart. Lax reportedly attempted to steal the woman’s purse when the fight broke out. The victim sustained minor injuries. Lax was arrested for robbery and criminal trespass. He was booked into the Smith County Jail with bond set at $1,350.

HUNTSVILLE (AP) – A Texas man condemned for his role in a robbery in which three people were shot, one fatally, has been put to death. Beunka Adams became the fifth person executed in Texas this year. His lethal injection was carried out Thursday evening in Huntsville. The execution came less than three hours after the U.S. Supreme Court refused a last-day appeal to postpone the punishment. The 29-year-old Adams won a reprieve from a federal district judge earlier this week. But the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the death warrant Wednesday. Adams and another man were sent to death row for the 2002 slaying of Kenneth Vandever, 37, during the holdup of a convenience store outside Rusk. Two female clerks were shot but survived. One of the women was raped.

TYLER — Smith County voter registration cards have been mailed out and should be received by Smith County voters by the end of the week. That’s the word from county officials. Smith County Elections Administrator Karen Nelson said that “while a voter may vote without a voter registration card, we want all voters to be confident with regard to their registration and correct voting precinct location.” Voters may also vote with approved forms of identification.

The Secretary of State’s website http://www.votexas.org/faq says, “The issuing of new [voter registration] cards was delayed due to redistricting. A new federal court order has been issued, and the counties are instructed to issue the new certificates no later than April 25, 2012. The expiration of your old certificate on 12/31/2011 does not mean your voter registration expires. However, if your residence address is different, you should apply to update your registration (especially if you have moved to a new county).”

Regarding voter photo identification requirements, the U.S. Department of Justice has refused to allow implementation of Texas Senate Bill 14 at this time. Thus, current law pertaining to approved documentation required for voting is in effect. Therefore, a Texas Voter Registration Card will be sufficient for voting in the May 12, 2012 Uniform Election and the May 29, 2012 Primary Elections. Approved documentation in addition to, or in lieu of a voter registration card includes at least one of the following:

* A driver’s license or personal identification card issued to you by the Texas Department of Public Safety or approved agency of another state;
* A form of identification that contains your photograph and establishes your identity;
* A birth certificate or other document confirming birth that is admissible in a court of law and establishes the person’s identity;
* Your United States citizenship papers;
* Your United States passport;
* Official mail addressed to you by a governmental entity; or
* A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address.

The public should also note that the rescheduling of party primaries created the unusual situation of two election dates during May and two “early voting” periods. The May 12 elections are for city councils, school districts, and a Tyler Junior College bond proposal. The May 29 date is for county and statewide elections. Any questions should be directed to the Smith County Elections Administrator, Karen Nelson, at 903-590-4777.

LONGVIEW — LeTourneau University’s School of Engineering has received some $560,000 under three separate grants — one new, one current, and one recently completed. LETU got $250,125 in grant funding from the Federal Highway Administration for a two-year research project on welding on modern bridges. That grant is in addition to a current $180,000 grant.

“Two of our master’s degree students, as well as about ten undergraduates will be working on this study aimed at using innovative welding technologies for designing and manufacturing future bridges that would last over 100 years” said Dr. Yoni Adonyi, LETU’s welding/materials joining engineering program coordinator. “Our partners from industry remain the Navy Surface Warfare Center, as well as the American Iron and Steel Institute, and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. We are looking at high-frequency, friction stir and thermal stir welding applied to joining high strength- and corrosion resistant steels.”

Additionally, the university just completed a $129,000 grant from the II-VI Foundation that funded the development of new technology for microwave welding to join bismuth telluride to copper for building thermo-electric generators. “This breakthrough technology will be used for waste energy reclamation such as automobile exhaust heat pumping energy to the battery,” said Dr. Seung Kim, assistant professor in electrical engineering and co-investigator with Dr. Adonyi. A patent application is in the works for this new, no-plasma discharge, and closed-loop controlled microwave welder prototype.

TYLER — Smith County sheriff’s officials claim they have solved a 1999 cold case. According to KETK, William Thomas Young, Jr., was killed back in 1999, but mystery remained behind his death. Authorities suspected Shams Emil Masters, 33, of murdering young, but did not have enough evidence to charge him with murder. Masters was taken into custody at the time of Young’s death for possession of methamphetamine, which law enforcement found on him. He received a 6-year prison term.

Officials tell KETK the alleged murderer and victim knew each other. Young, who was 18 at the time, was killed by a single gunshot wound to the head on February 18, 1999. He was found dead in the southern region of Smith County off Noonday Road at the Woodlands Estates Subdivision.

Masters is currently being held at the Federal Correctional Institute in Florence, Colorado for bank robbery. His release date was scheduled for January 8, 2024. He will eventually be extradited to Smith County to face murder charges.

TYLER — TYLER — State Representative Leo Berman, Tyler, has received some good news. After receiving the results of two CT scans, Representative Berman said, “My oncologist diagnosed that my cancer is in remission. As a matter of precaution, I will complete the last two scheduled chemotherapy treatments next month.” Berman goes on to say, ” I served two years in Vietnam where I was exposed to Agent Orange and I encourage all Vietnam veterans to be sure they are registered on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Agent Orange list.”

Berman said he will continue working, in the hopes of being a source of inspiration to others and will be forever grateful for the outstanding medical care he continues to receive in Tyler, and “For all the prayers raised on my behalf.”

EAST TEXAS — An East Texas physician has been ordered by the Texas Medical Board to stop treating patients for chronic pain. According to the Longview News-Journal, Dr. Lynn Louis Bourdon “non-therapeutically” prescribed drugs to 11 chronic pain patients and failed to maintain adequate medical records for patients, according to the agreed order Bourdon signed April 13 with the medical board.

Bourdon has had offices in Longview, Gladewater, Marshall and Daingerfield. He is a 1961 graduate of the Baylor School of Medicine. The board said some of Bourdon’s patients showed signs of controlled substance abuse or addiction at which time Bourdon continued to prescribe the medications. Bourdon also had to surrender his Drug Enforcement Administration certificate of registration.

TYLER — A Tyler couple accused of killing a toddler were back in court Wednesday for a hearing. According to KETK, Simon Lopez, 27, (pictured) and his girlfriend, Emma Torres, 20, were indicted back in September 2011 for the death of Torres’ one-year old son. Both are charged with capital murder.

An autopsy determined Jeremy Silva died from blunt force trauma. Investigators say Lopez was watching the child in November 2010, when he called one of the mother’s relatives to say the boy wasn’t breathing. Police say Lopez left the youngster with the relative and fled. He was caught in July in Queretaro, Mexico. The pair is scheduled to be back in court on May 4.

TYLER – A 21-year-old Houston man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in East Texas. Saul Cobarrubias pleaded guilty back in January to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to money launder. He was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison Wednesday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Michael H. Schneider. Cobarrubias was also ordered to submit to forfeiture of $10,000.

According to federal prosecutors, on March 9, 2011, Cobarrubias travelled from Houston to Tyler with 2 kilograms of cocaine for distribution in the area. Cobarrubias admitted that he possessed between 15 and 50 kilograms of cocaine for distribution in East Texas. Cobarrubias also admitted to assisting in the collection of illegal proceeds from the sale and purchase of cocaine and using bank accounts manage the funds from the drug trafficking and to conceal the nature of the illegal proceeds.

TYLER – A 60-year-old Vermont man has been sentenced to federal prison for failing to register as a sex offender in the Eastern District of Texas. Raymond Leo Lemaire, Jr., pleaded guilty last September to failure to register under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. He was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison Wednesday in Tyler by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. According to information presented in court, in June 2010, Lemaire moved to Whitehouse after having been previously convicted in 2004 in Vermont of the felony offense of lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor. Lemaire failed to register as a sex offender, as required, upon his move to Texas. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 13, 2011.

TYLER — A group seeking to allow limited alcohol sales in Tyler and Smith County Justice Precinct 2 launches its petition drive. Buy Local First is a special purpose political action committee calling for a local option election this November. In order to call an election, state law requires the group to collect approximately 7,800 signatures of City of Tyler registered voters and 6,700 signatures of voters in Justice Precinct 2 which includes southwestern Tyler, Flint and Bullard.

The group will be asking voters to sign petitions calling for an election to allow:
• “the legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption only.” By state law this will only allow beer and wine sold in places like grocery and convenience stores. This law will not allow packaged liquor sales.
• “the legal sale of mixed beverages in restaurants by food and beverage certificate holders only” This version was overwhelmingly approved by City of Tyler voters in 2008. The current effort will expand sales to those areas annexed after the 2008 election and in all of JP 2.

Supporters will be able to sign the petitions at various locations. You can go to http://www.buy-local-first.org to learn more. Past wet/dry elections in the area have invariably met with opposition, but no organized group has yet emerged to oppose the current local option campaign.

TYLER — Two students who played on this season’s Tyler Junior College men’s basketball team were arrested after a fight on campus. According to a statement from the college, around 11:30 Tuesday night, campus safety responded to the fight, between Claridge and Sledge residence halls. Officers broke up the fight and summoned an ambulance for one person who was injured. Austin Mansell, of Royse City, was transported to East Texas Medical Center, where he was treated and released.

As a result of the investigation, the two students were arrested and charged with aggravated assault with bodily injury. They were taken into custody and booked into Smith County Jail. Bond for both individuals was set at $75,000 each. Arrested were Tyler Brunson of Tucker, Georgia, and Alton Tanner of Katy, Texas. Both individuals have been suspended from TJC and all college activities and organizations. Campus safety continues to investigate. Officials say other individuals may be disciplined and other charges are possible.

“Regardless of involvement in athletics or other student groups, students of TJC are expected to honor the Apache Creed and behave in a civil manner, on campus and off,” said Dr. Tim Drain, director of intercollegiate athletics. “We have worked hard the past two years to improve campus civility and provide a safe and orderly environment. We take these issues seriously and have high expectations of all students.”

TYLER — Chief Gary Swindle announced Wednesday to the City Council that the Tyler Police Department has been awarded its fifth re-accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc. (CALEA). On March 24, in Mobile, Alabama, City Manager Mark McDaniel, Chief Swindle, Assistant Police Chief Paula Riggle, Police Lieutenant Jimmy Toler, and Police Investigator John Ragland were on hand to receive the award. The department received initial accreditation in 1995 and was re-accredited in 2000, 2003, 2006, and 2009 before gaining the honor again this year.

There are approximately 18,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States. As of March 24, there are a total of 595 agencies that have been recognized by CALEA as having achieved accredited status. The Tyler Police department is one of only 32 law enforcement agencies out of 2600 in the State of Texas that has achieved and maintained this level of police professionalism. A listing of the accredited agencies may be found on the CALEA website at http://www.calea.org in the Client Database section.

The voluntary accreditation process requires the Police Department to continuously monitor and evaluate all of the police services that are provided to the Tyler community to ensure its citizens receive the utmost professional police service. Currently, in three-year intervals, law enforcement professionals from the across the United States come to Tyler to review every aspect of the Department’s operations and submit a recommendation to the Commission on whether the agency is complying with the industry’s established standards. The last on-site review occurred in December 2011, and the assessment team recommended the continued accredited status to CALEA.

TYLER — Tyler Police need your help in identifying two suspects involved in residential burglaries. Police are seeking information on two Hispanic males, in their late teens to early 20’s, who were last seen driving a light brown or gold older model mini-van.

Monday morning, a witness walking in the 1100 block of East Watkins Street around 10:30 heard two loud bangs coming from a residence. The witness stopped to look and observed two Hispanic males carrying a large TV from the rear of the residence heading towards their vehicle. The witness yelled at them, causing them to drop the TV and get away in their vehicle. Officers also were investigating a residential burglary at 2709 Pollard, not far from Watkins Street, a short time later. The suspects stole numerous electronic items, jewelry and cash. The suspects are kicking in doors to gain entry into the residences, and police believe that these suspects are responsible for several residential burglaries over the past several weeks.

Police remind everyone to mark or record your electronic item serial numbers and photograph all items of value. They say you should report any suspicious activity that you observe in your neighborhood immediately to police and write down any license plate information of suspicious vehicles. If you have any information about the two suspects above, you’re asked to contact Tyler Police or call Crime Stoppers.

WASHINGTON — Texas College will receive a $250,000 Department of Education grant to bolster improvement in science and engineering education programs, U.S. Senator John Cornyn announced Wednesday. The funding will be used to increase the number of underrepresented ethnic minorities, particular minority women, seeking science and engineering careers. The funding comes through the U.S. Department of Education’s Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program. “This is an important investment in Texas College’s efforts to expand minority access to science and engineering careers,” Sen. Cornyn said. “Scientific discovery and training are essential to our Nation’s continued economic competitiveness.”

The Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program, administered by the Department of Education, supports projects and initiatives designed to assist accredited nonprofits, universities, and colleges expand access to minorities in science and technology fields.

ATHENS — Henderson County officials are considering another request from the Freedom from Religion Foundation, but they’re putting a decision off until this fall. The atheist group wants to put up a banner at the county courthouse in Athens, where the county normally has a Nativity scene in December. County officials say the Nativity scene will be put up again, but they’re not so sure about a request from the atheist group to also install a banner calling religion a myth. They say they could decide on that request in September. Last year, the Freedom from Religion Foundation threatened to sue the county over its Nativity scene.

LAFAYETTE, LA. (AP/Staff) – MidSouth Bancorp Inc. says it posted a hefty increase in first-quarter earnings as two acquisitions kicked in, including one in Tyler. For the three months ending March 31, MidSouth earned $2.5 million, or 24 cents per share, compared with year-ago earnings in the first quarter of $442,000, or 5 cents per share. MidSouth, based in Lafayette, Louisiana, says the increase was due to results from its acquisitions of First Louisiana National Bank and the Tyler branch office of Beacon Federal Bancorp Inc.

During the first quarter, MidSouth dropped its provision for possible loan losses to $675,000 from $1.6 million a year ago and $775,000 from the fourth quarter of 2011. MidSouth has 40 banking offices in Louisiana and Texas.