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LONGVIEW — A fire broke out in the cabin of a SkyWest Airlines flight bound for Toronto on Monday evening, forcing the aircraft to make an emergency landing at East Texas Regional Airport. No one was injured, Gregg County officials said. According to KETK, the flight originated about 7:00 in Houston and developed problems shortly after takeoff. Its original schedule called for an 11:00 landing in Toronto. Instead, plans were being made to bus the flight’s 62 passengers back to Houston later Monday.

NACOGDOCHES — A baby was born on the loop in Nacogdoches just after midnight on Friday, after mother April Bourghs didn’t realize she was going into labor at her Lufkin home.

KETK reports that Bourghs was not experiencing the typical symptoms of labor, but was in pain late Thursday evening. Eventually, her husband, Joe Bourghs took her to the hospital as a precaution. The Bourghs’ hospital of choice was in Nacogdoches. They were on their way when the baby just couldn’t wait any longer. The little girl was born in their car on the loop in Nacogdoches just after midnight.

The baby, Justice Blake Bourghs weighed a little more than 7 lbs. The Bourghs wrapped her in a jogging outfit and continued to the hospital. The umbilical cord was cut at the emergency door of the hospital.

NACOGDOCHES (AP) – An East Texas man who poured boiling water on his 2-year-old son has been sentenced to 35 years in prison. A judge in Nacogdoches on Monday sentenced Anthony Watts. Watts in January pleaded guilty to felony injury to child over the 2010 incident that left ZaTaurean Pleasant critically hurt. Court testimony indicates Watts has a diminished mental capacity. Prosecutors say the man was under the influence of marijuana when the boy was burned over 70 percent of his body. Doctors say the boy, who recently turned 4 years old, still has scars but has grown into a healthy child.

HOUSTON (AP) — A man sent to death row for torturing and drowning a Tyler woman before cramming her body in a barrel has lost a federal court appeal. Troy James Clark argued to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that his legal help was deficient during his trial in 2000, two years after Christina Muse, who briefly lived with him, was killed. The New Orleans-based 5th Circuit rejected the claims Monday.

Authorities believe Clark is responsible for at least two other killings, including a man found in a septic tank and a Houston drug dealer. Evidence showed Muse was tortured with a stun gun, beaten with a board, bound with duct tape and drowned. Her body was encased in a drum filled with cement and lime.

GILMER – The Upshur County Courthouse was evacuated and then closed yesterday following a bomb threat. Gilmer police received a phone call around 1:30 Monday, with the caller saying there was a bomb in the courthouse. A search of the building turned up no bomb and the courthouse reopened Tuesday morning.

TEXARKANA – A federal inmate has received an additional term of imprisonment for possession of contraband. Benito Lopez-Chapa, a 44 year old Rio Grande City resident, who is currently confined at the Federal Correctional Institution in Texarkana, was sentenced to 6 months during a hearing Monday before United States District Judge David Folsom.

According to information presented in court, on December 30, 2010, a search of Lopez-Chapa’s locker led to the discovery of a pair of gym shorts that contained nine small folded pieces of paper hidden in the elastic waist band. Correctional officers discovered that the folded pieces of paper contained marijuana.

TYLER – A Tyler police officer has received a promotion. Chief Gary Swindle promote Detective Adam Colby to the position of Sergeant. A promotion ceremony for Colby was held Monday afternoon.

Colby holds a BA from State University of NY in American History with a minor in Criminology. He joined the Army after college and during those 12 years rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class, served as a Scout in the Infantry and Cavalry and later in Special Operations. He is a graduate of numerous military leadership and technical schools including the JFK School of Special Warfare.

Adam served in combat in Iraq as a Team Sergeant, leading a small team that worked closely with the Iraqi Military, Police, and Government, as well as other foreign militaries and intelligence services. In 2002 Adam joined the Maryland Transportation Authority Police and was the honor graduate from that agencies academy. He patrolled Interstate highways, airports and harbors, worked as a Field Training Officer, was a member of the SWAT Team, working closely with the FBI and other federal agencies doing surveillance and counter surveillance anti-terrorism work.

Adam joined the Tyler Police Department in 2007 where he served as a Patrol Officer and received several commendations. He was selected as a Property Crimes Detective in 2009.

TYLER — Smith County is sending fewer inmates to be held in other county jails, and that could mean big savings for taxpayers, according to County Commissioner Jeff Warr. KETK reports the trend could save the county about $750,000 annually. At its peak, Smith County housed more than 300 inmates in other counties. Warr says much of the trend can be attributed to cooperation among multiple agencies. He cites “a joint effort through the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee of the judges, JPs, the sheriff’s department, probation.” Last week, the number of inmates shipped out to other counties reached a record low of 17.

TYLER — The Tyler Police Department has confirmed that Sheena Bradford, 26, of Longview was released from a Longview hospital Monday. Bradford had originally been hospitalized in critical condition following what’s termed a botched breast augmentation procedure.

The case involves a salon owner accused of illegally injecting women with an unknown substance. Carmel Foster, 38 (pictured), the owner of Queen Diva’s Hair Salon and Spa in Tyler, remains jailed in Smith County on $200,000 bond on two charges of practicing medicine without a license. The FDA has been working to confirm what substance was used in the injections as part of Bradford’s breast augmentation. Police say the results of the FDA lab tests haven’t yet come back.

TYLER – A Marshall woman has pleaded guilty in Tyler to a federal drug violation. Doris Anne Clack, 48, pleaded guilty during a hearing before United States Magistrate Judge John D. Love to a charge of possession of a List 1 chemical with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine.

Clack was indicted last November, along with five co-conspirators. According to evidence presented in court, on or about March 4, 2009, Clack purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at a Walgreen’s store in Longview. Clack purchased the cold pills with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine and the knowledge that the pills would be used to manufacture methamphetamine. Clack also admitted that the total quantity of pseudoephedrine that she possessed was over 100 grams.

Two of the co-conspirators also entered guilty pleas Monday to a lesser charge of simple possession. Tiffani Marie Clack, 30, Doris Anne Clack’s daughter, is also from Marshall; Jeffrey Ray Williams, 35, is from Harleton. Prosecutors say between September 2009 and October 2009, Tiffani Clack purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at, among other locations, a CVS store in Longview. Between April 2010 and May 2010, Williams purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine at, among other locations, a Wal-Mart store in Longview. Clack and Williams both admitted to purchasing cold pills which contained more than 9 grams of pseudoephedrine base within a one-month period. Sentences have not been set for any of the three who pleaded guilty Monday.

LUFKIN (AP) – A prosecutor says an East Texas nurse accused of killing five kidney dialysis patients by injecting them with toxic bleach violated the trust of a noble profession. Angelina County District Attorney Clyde Herrington laid out the accusations Monday during opening statements in the trial of Kimberly Saenz. The 38-year-old nurse is charged with capital murder in the April 2008 deaths and aggravated assault in the case of five other patients injured at the DaVita Dialysis clinic in Lufkin. Prosecutors say they’ll seek the death penalty if she’s convicted. Saenz stood at the defense table Monday holding her hands behind her back as a prosecutor read the six-count indictment against her. Defense attorney Ryan Deaton responded, “Not guilty, your honor,” as the judge asked for a plea after each count.

MARSHALL – In an appearance in federal court in Marshall, a Harrison County man has pleaded guilty to federal drug violations. Cedric Earl Oliver, 42, of Karnack, admitted to possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and cocaine during a hearing before United States Judge Rodney Gilstrap Monday morning.

According to information presented in court, Oliver was responsible for the distribution of approximately 350 grams of crack cocaine and 170 grams of cocaine in the Eastern District of Texas on about May 1, 2009. A five-count Second Superseding Indictment was returned on November 2, 2011, charging Oliver with federal drug and firearms violations. Oliver faces a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years and up to life in prison, and a fine up to $10,000,000. A sentencing date has not been set.

TRINITY — A Trinity man was taken to a Tyler hospital after his roommate allegedly bit off a portion of his nose. According to KETK, at around 7:46 a.m. on Saturday, Trinity police officers were called to a disturbance on South Street. When they arrived on scene, they reportedly found Lance Taylor, 24, had bitten off part of the 18-year-old victim’s nose. The victim’s condition is unknown.

KILGORE — A woman is behind bars after wrecking her vehicle in the parking lot of a Kilgore Walmart. Police say 29-year-old Stephanie Robertson was speeding through the parking lot just after 8:00 Sunday night when she struck a concrete pole, knocking it out of the ground. She then hit a parked car, pushing it into another concrete pole which was also knocked off its foundation. According to KETK, the man who was inside the parked car had minor injuries. Officials say Robertson also narrowly avoided hitting another man who was exiting his car at the time of the wreck. She was arrested at the scene and faces six charges, including a DWI and a possession of marijuana charge.

TYLER – Two sheds have been extensively damaged by fire. It was reported Sunday afternoon around 2:00 on County Road 38 just north of Tyler. No word on what caused the fire. No injuries were reported.

GLADEWATER – A Gladewater driver is facing a variety of charges after a weekend accident in Gladewater. It happened in the 600 block of South Loop 485 on Saturday. Police reports say Trent Jordan Sasser’s pickup hit a car and he drove away at a high speed. A short while later Sasser, 28, lost control of his vehicle and hit a fence and then hit just over half a dozen new pickups on the lot of McKaig Chevrolet. Both Sasser and his passenger, Lauren Phillips, were taken to the hospital for treatment. Investigators say there is evidence of alcohol and drug use. Sasser will be charged with intoxication assault and fleeing the scene of an accident.

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

EDGEWOOD — Texas Department of Transportation construction contractor Texana Land and Asphalt, Inc., of Sulphur Springs, is beginning several months of work on Farm Road 859 north of Edgewood in Van Zandt County. The approximate $1.5 million project call for rebuilding FM 859 in one-mile segments between Farm Road 1395 and State Highway 19 just south of the Rains County Line, and should be completed in late summer or early fall.

Beginning at the SH 19 end of the job, crews will be tearing the roadway down to the base, stabilizing it with cement and resurfacing each section in consecutive order, with crews not moving to the second segment until the first is complete. FM 859 will be closed to thru-traffic while the work is in progress, and motorists should expect daytime lane closures and delays in and around the segment under construction.

Also this week in Van Zandt County, TxDOT maintenance crews are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on FM 859 in Edgewood between U.S. Highway 80 and Farm Road 1395, on Farm Road 1395 north of Edgewood, and on Farm Road 47 south of Interstate Highway 20.A second crew is scheduled to perform fog seal operations at Lake Tawakoni State Park.

Finally, crews are scheduled to continue edge-repair operations on Farm Road 314 between Farm Road 1995 south of Van and State Highway 64 north of Edom. 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.

LONGVIEW — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin base and pavement repairs on FM 2205 (Jaycee Drive) in Longview between Loop 281 and State Highway 31. The work is being done in preparation for a resurfacing project planned to begin in April. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

SMITH COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform edge repairs on Farm Road 2868 between State Highway 155 in Noonday and Farm Road 346 in Flint. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

ANDERSON COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to resume pavement-repair operations on State Highway 155 north of Palestine, followed by the same work on U.S. Highway 79 between Loop 256 and Tile Factory Road. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress. Motorists are encouraged to be prepared to reduce speed and merge in and around the work zones.

WOOD COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to begin approximately two weeks of pavement repairs on FM 3056 between U.S. Highway 80 east of Mineola and Farm Road 778. The work is in preparation for a seal coat application this summer. A second crew is scheduled to continue edge repairs on Farm Road 2869 north of Farm Road 49. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

CHEROKEE COUNTY — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations in various locations on Farm Road 177 and Farm Road 3052 in the Mixon area. Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic.

LANEVILLE — Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews this week are scheduled to perform resurfacing operations on Farm Road 225 between Farm Road 1798 in Laneville and U.S. Highway 84 west of Mount Enterprise. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers and pilot vehicles will control traffic.

TYLER — It’s time for Tyler’s Spring Free Bulky Item Collection. Residential customers may get rid of bulky items such as unwanted furniture, appliances, carpet, fence material, up to four noncommercial vehicle tires, old toys and other large items that would normally require a special fee for free. Brush, limbs and liquid waste is not included. Paint must be dried out with oil dry or kitty litter.

Place your bulky items on the curb and leave them there until collected. Items may be collected on a different day from your regular garbage collection. There is no need to contact the city Solid Waste office when you set out your bulky garbage. For residents whose trash is picked up on Monday and Thursday, place your bulky items on the curb today. For those whose trash is collected on Tuesday and Friday, place your bulky items on the curb next Monday, March 12th.

Bulky items will also be accepted from 7:00am till noon on Saturday March 10th and 17th at the City of Tyler employee parking lot in the 300 block of North Bois D’Arc in downtown Tyler.

You can visit http://www.tylersolidwaste.com or http://www.keeptylerbeautiful.com for more information.

HENDERSON — One person is dead and one injured in a three-vehicle crash in Rusk County. It happened shortly before 8:00 Saturday night on Highway 79, just over 7 miles southwest of Henderson. The DPS says a Silverado pickup was southbound, followed by a Dodge Intrepid. The Dodge struck the Silverado and continued into the northbound lane, hitting a northbound Hyundai. Dead at the scene was Reed Hunsdorfer, 62, of Henderson, who was driving the Hyundai. Enjouli Webb of Marshall, 18, the driver of the Intrepid, was listed in fair condition with lacerations. There was no immediate word on any possible charges.

WINONA — A grass fire on County Road 3109 near Winona burned an estimated 10 to 15 acres over the weekend. Fire officials say they arrived on the scene around 5:30 Saturday afternoon and put out the fire a little after 6:00. Fire officials could not confirm the cause of the fire, but KETK spoke with one of the property owners. He said he had been burning brush the day before and thought he had put that fire out completely. He also said he saw the flames while taking a picture at a nearby business and called the fire department. The property owner added that the fire was low to the ground. No one was hurt during the blaze.

TYLER – National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. This year the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NETPHD) will focus on encouraging an increase of fruits and vegetables and educating East Texans on the importance of proper portion sizes.

Health District officials say National Nutrition Month also promotes the American Dietetic Association and its members to the public and the media as the most valuable and credible source of timely, scientifically based food and nutrition information. The theme for March 2012 is “Get Your Plate In Shape.”

“MyPlate is a great tool for helping people be mindful of what foods they should be eating and how much should be on their plate. Our ‘Get Your Plate in Shape’ theme takes it a step further by giving consumers ideas for creative ways to include the food groups, helping them think out of the box to make every meal both healthful and enjoyable,” said registered dietitian and Academy President Sylvia Escott-Stump.

According to a Health District news release, “The food and physical activity choices made everyday affect your health and how you feel today and in the future. Eating a nutritious diet and engaging in regular physical activity may reduce chronic diseases, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. Furthermore, poor diet and physical inactivity are the most important factors contributing to the rise in obesity in this country.”

On Saturday, Mayor Barbara Bass kicked off the month’s activities with “Walk with the Dietitians” at Rose Rudman Park. The NETPHD WIC Program hosted that event and will also host the following activities in celebration of National Nutrition Month:

3/13/12 – Nutrition Carnival – NET Health WIC Clinic, Old Troup Hwy., Tyler, 10:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.

3/14/12 – Registered Dietitian Day

3/16/12 – Nutrition Carnival – NET Health WIC Clinic, 815 N. Broadway, Tyler, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon

HENDERSON — The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a Friday afternoon shooting near Henderson. Officials tell KETK the incident happened at around 3:00 p.m. According to District Attorney’s Office Investigator William Brown, a man walked up to the Henderson Animal Shelter on Hwy. 259 South, claiming he had been in an altercation with a man who was chasing a woman. The man claimed he was trying to intervene and was shot during the scuffle. He then drove away and pulled to the side of Hwy. 259 in front of the animal shelter. The victim was taken to a local hospital. The animal shelter says it was not involved in any way.

TYLER – Several of Tyler ISD’s dedicated team members have announced that they will pursue new opportunities following the 2011-2012 school year.

Jeff Collum, Executive Director of Secondary Education, has accepted a position as Superintendent of Benton School District in Benton, Arkansas. Collum has served in his current position for the past year. Prior to that, he was the Director of Student Services for three years.

Kami Hale, Woods Elementary School Principal, will be relocating to the Houston area, where her husband has taken a new job. Hale has served as the principal at Woods since 2009.

Roger McAdoo, Robert E. Lee High School Principal, will pursue new opportunities within the district next year. He is currently working with central office administrators to finalize his future role within Tyler ISD. McAdoo has served as the principal at Robert E. Lee since 2006.

After 35 years of service to Tyler ISD, Freeman Sterling, Peete Elementary School Principal, will retire at the end of the 2011-2012 school year. He has served in his current position since 1994. Prior to being named principal at Peete, Sterling was a teacher at Rice, Owens and Jones elementary schools and an instructional consultant at Austin Elementary School.

According to a TISD news release, “We want to thank those who are leaving the district for their hard work and commitment during their time with Tyler ISD. We wish them all the best in their new endeavors. Tyler ISD is committed to keeping its employees, parents, and community members informed of staffing changes and will continue to do so in the future.”

LONGVIEW — Brandon Quadnell Horne, 32, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for the murder of Kelvin Muckleroy, Jr. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News Journal. Horne is the second man to be convicted in the incident. Horne faced between five and 99 years or life in prison after pleading guilty in November to the murder of Muckleroy, 33. Horne and Toronto Lockridge, 36, both of Longview, were convicted of Muckleroy’s murder. The two also set fire to Muckleroy’s home on Chappell Street in Longview after killing him. Lockridge was sentenced to life in prison last month for Muckleroy’s death.

TYLER (AP/Staff) – A man who served 22 years for the murder of a Tyler woman before being freed is calling for new testing of DNA in the case. Kerry Max Cook was twice sentenced to death for the 1977 rape and murder of 21-year-old Linda Jo Edwards. Courts overturned both convictions. In 1999, Cook agreed to plead no contest without admitting guilt to the murder in exchange for a sentence of time served. Now, Cook’s attorneys want new testing of DNA evidence that they say will prove his innocence. They also want Judge Jack Skeen Jr., who prosecuted Cook in the 1990s, to recuse himself now that he supervises the court handling the case. Another of the former prosecutors says he thinks Cook is guilty but should be allowed the tests.

MARSHALL (AP) – Amtrak and Texas transportation officials are studying starting passenger rail service from Dallas-Fort Worth to Shreveport-Bossier City, La. In a joint statement, Amtrak and the Texas Department of Transportation said they’ve agreed on the scope of a feasibility study of adding the service. Amtrak already runs its San Antonio-to-Chicago Texas Eagle service on the Union Pacific route from Fort Worth to Marshall with stops in Longview, Mineola and Dallas. The proposal would add Amtrak stops at the Centre Port/DFW Airport station of the Trinity Railway Express, as well as stops in Mesquite, Forney, Terrell and Wills Point. Amtrak says that if the study shows state-funded Amtrak service should be considered, the final decisions would rest with the Texas and Louisiana legislatures.

TYLER — An 18-year-old Dallas man has been indicted in the shooting death of his roommate at Varsity Place apartments in November 2011. Brandon Willis was charged with manslaughter in the death of Davion Johnson, 18. Police believe Willis unintentionally shot Johnson while showing off a revolver he did not realize was loaded. According to KETK, Johnson died at a Tyler hospital.

HAWKINS – Jarvis Christian College at Hawkins will be getting a new president. The school’s board of trustees has unanimously selected Dr. Lester C. Newman to serve as the 12th President. He begins his new duties on April 2nd. He will succeed Cornell Thomas who resigned earlier this year. Dr. Newman currently serves as the Executive Assistant to the President and Director of Administrative Management Programs at Wiley College in Marshall. In his current role, Dr. Newman serves as a member of the President’s Cabinet and the Vice President’s Council.

According to the school’s web site, “Dr. Newman brings extensive experience in higher education administration and academics to the campus. Prior to his work at Wiley College, he served as the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Associate Vice President for Development at Lane College, Jackson, Tennessee; served as a consultant for higher education; President and Professor of Political Science at Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, Mississippi, for nine years; Vice President for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Political Science, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, North Carolina. In his career, he also served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor; Dean of Arts and Sciences and Associate Professor; and Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Institutional Self-Study.”

LUFKIN — A Lufkin man is behind bars after he allegedly hit a neighbor in the head Wednesday night with a hammer and metal pipe. Officials say it happened around 9:14 p.m. at Rick Road Trailer Park. Police tell KETK the neighbor tried to check on Fabian Tamez’s girlfriend and children during an argument between the two adults. Tamez then struck the neighbor’s head with a hammer and metal pipe. Responding officers arrested Tamez, and one officer was kicked in the chest and face, causing injury. Tamez was booked into the Angelina County Jail for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and assault on a public servant. The victim’s condition is unknown.

TYLER – A Tyler financial institution plans to ramp up security following a Wednesday robbery. An official at Telco Plus Credit Union at 620 West Front Street tells KETK the branch will be installing additional security cameras. She also says officials are looking at keeping the location better staffed during certain hours of the day.

A woman entered the business shortly after 5:15 Wednesday afternoon, armed with a large knife. She placed a bag on the counter and instructed the teller to give her money. She then left, and was seen fleeing the scene in a black car, possibly a Chevrolet Malibu. No injuries were reported. She is described as a light skinned black female, 5’05” tall with a medium build. She was wearing a black hooded mask, black shirt and black pants.